“Music is spiritual, the music business is not.”
- Van Morrison
A question I came across yesterday was, “Name your favorite One-Hit Wonder from the 80s”. If you lived through those days you know there were a gargantuan number of such..a plethora, a bevy, a boatload, a truckload, a slew, a heap…yes, lots.
If you're a Gen-Xer, just hearing a title or a couple of words of lyrics can likely cause a Pavlovian response…867-5309…Relax, don't do it…Come on Eileen…Johnny are you queer?…Voices carry…Our house is in…I want candy…Science!…She's a maniac…Whip it!…Keep your hands to yourself…I think I'm turning Japanese…Take on me…
If you check VH1's list of Top 100 One-Hit Wonders of the 80s, it will no doubt bring back many memories, some good, maybe, and others perhaps nightmarish. Some I'd forgotten about and some I'm sorry I was reminded of.
A couple of the songs on the list I get touchy about because I know the artists behind them are much more than flashes in the pan. Red Rider (Lunatic Fringe) and The Outfield (Your Love) are both bands that have quality work far beyond their One-Hit status. I'm defensive.
So, do you have a favorite or two from the list? Or thoughts one way or the other? I'll throw out a couple I don't think I saw on the list. Both are quality efforts.