I caught the end of one of those VH1 list shows. This one was counting down the top 10 one hit wonders of the 1980s. Naturally, I started compiling my own list.
This list is from a Canadian perspective. I don't care what they say in the USA, Bruce Cockburn had more than one hit on this side of the border. Furthermore, I'm protecting the term "1-hit" with hardcore veracity. Twisted Sister are not one hit wonders, and neither is Rob Base & D.J. E-Z Rock.
Here's my personal top ten. Feel free to agree or disagree in the comments.
10. a-ha - Take On Me
9. Big Country - In a Big Country
8. When in Rome - The Promise
7. Modern English - I Melt With You
6. Wall of Voodoo - Mexican Radio
5. Devo - Whip It
4. Thomas Dolby - She Blinded Me With Science
3. Soft Cell - Tainted Love
2. Nena - 99 Luftballons
1. Dexy's Midnight Runners - Come On Eileen
With apologies to Dead or Alive's "You Spin Me Round", The Sugarhill Gang's "Rapper's Delight" and Edie Brickell & New Bohemians, who are not one hit wonders in my books.