One-hit wonders of '89? Kill me now
Let's face it: By the year 1989, all the truly great music was long-gone, and we were all staring the 90s straight in the face. That's right, a decade of choreographed stage shows, nonsensical lyrics and musicians who couldn't find an interesting beat if you gave them a $10 bill, some Pabst Blue Ribbon and a funnel.
So it's with great trepidation and all-out fear and loathing that Stuck in the 80s is going to cover the one-hit wonders of 1989 in this week's show. You can expect me to be spitting up bile, cursing the sky and screaming into pillow as I cry myself to sleep for a week after we're done recording.
In the meantime, look over some of the songs that music websites have deemed as one-hit wonders of that year, and let me know what you like and what songs are missing.
Relive the music, movies and culture of the greatest decade ever with Times online editor Steve Spears. A teen during the decade, Steve is obsessed with everything from Duran Duran to Journey, John Hughes to John Cusack, and parachute pants to Reaganomics.
E-mail Steve Spears:
Aww c'mon, Bassnote! They even read your letter.
Posted by: Marissa | May 25, 2008 at 09:01 AM
Nothing makes up for Babs.
Posted by: Bassnote | May 25, 2008 at 08:39 AM
Bassnote, the bologna man with flaring nostrils story helps ease the pain of Mecha Barbura Sturaisanda. Hearing Spearsy laughing hysterically more than makes up for it.
Posted by: Marissa | May 25, 2008 at 07:32 AM
Putting audio of Babs on the podcast is just plain mean.
Posted by: Bassnote | May 24, 2008 at 11:42 PM
Just listened to this week`s show.
You wanna go back in time again,Steve,good idea.Make a run from 80 to 89 on what really rocked on those years,the real hits,not one hit wonders but the greatest albums of those years,so that we can all go back to see what was happening in terms of music in each year.
But those Steven Spielberg remarks!You don`t know what you`re saying Stevesy!
Posted by: Miguel | May 24, 2008 at 08:43 PM
Yes please take us all back to 1980 Steve and Sean. So ready to go back there!
Love the podcast and I don't care what others say, it wouldn't be the same without the stories!!
The top ten songs of each year? How about the top ten songs on alternative charts? Hmmm...
Posted by: specialkness | May 24, 2008 at 08:14 PM
Kon Kan, if you listen closely, really rips off the classic "Hockey Night in Canada" theme during the chorus of their one-hit wonder.
Posted by: Al | May 24, 2008 at 02:13 PM
Now Marissa, you know trolls shrink away to nothing when ignored, don't you?
Besides, let's not bash the 90's just to praise the 80's! I was born in '77 so I have a toe in the pool of the young 90's crowd as well and have much appreciation for the music/movies/tv. It's just hard to beat 80's New Wave! (which I'm listening to on my iPod at work right now)
Posted by: John Hays | May 23, 2008 at 09:24 AM
Jugger, you're entitled to your opinion. Everyone has one. However, the site is called, "STUCK IN THE 80s," and the onset of the 90s grunge rock isn't something to most of us rejoice. The majority of us LIKE/LOVE that which made 80s music unique...including that New Wave you call crap.
Now, have a lovely day.
Posted by: Marissa | May 23, 2008 at 07:55 AM
Just make sure to really include Kon Kan - I Beg Your Pardon is one of the best New Order-rip-offs ever, great song still!
Well, here in Germany Love & Rockets would even be considered as a Zero Hit Wonder... (although I like them + So Alive is indeed a splendid song!)
Posted by: Dennis | May 23, 2008 at 06:19 AM
89 had some of the best music ever.
Finally that new wave crap was gone and rock was coming back.
I just read about Bobby Brown here :
http://www.backtotheeighties.net
which was huge then too.
Pretty cool, unlike this site is now, too much about Steve Spears lamo life...lol
Posted by: Juggernaught | May 22, 2008 at 11:08 PM
Alannah Myles = 2 hit wonder. You have forgotten about the mega/huge/colossal hit "Love Is" which squeaked to 36 in the US.
If you want to talk about Sheriff, you must include the *other* one-hit wonder comeback single of 1989: Benny Mardones' "Into The Night".
Thank goodness we are saved from Gerardo as he didn't threaten us with "Rico Suave" until '91.
Posted by: dtradio | May 22, 2008 at 12:06 PM
I like John's idea. All time top one-hit wonders of the 80s.
Posted by: Bassnote | May 21, 2008 at 07:05 PM
Maybe we need a "top 10 (or 20) one hit wonders of the 80's" show to cull all of these shows? I'd love to see people's lists on that...the defining one hit wonders of the entire decade!
Posted by: John Hays | May 21, 2008 at 04:03 PM
"I See You In My Dreams" would be Giant's one hit.
Posted by: Bassnote | May 21, 2008 at 12:09 PM
Oh and they have the guy standing on the rocks, looking at the waves coming in with sunglasses on.
Doesn't the montage itself (Rocky's sequels, A-Team, MacGyver, etc.) deserve to be honoured as one of the greatest things the '80's ever made popular?
Posted by: Al | May 21, 2008 at 12:05 PM
Hey Steve,
How about Giant's "Innocent Days" ? Wasn't that a one-hit wonder?
Music video right here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1k5uD5niQw
I think it deserves to be included, just for the actual cheese-tastic lyrics:
"These are the innocent days, standing on the rocks, waiting for the tidal waves...."
Posted by: Al | May 21, 2008 at 12:03 PM
I got one!
Black Velvet - Alannah Myles
Definitely a one hit wonder.
Posted by: Bassnote | May 21, 2008 at 11:26 AM
That's it. The 80s officially ended in 1986. So sad. We didn't even get a full decade.
Posted by: Spears | May 21, 2008 at 09:42 AM
Look at the Billboard list for 1989. HORRIBLE! I know it's a bad way to judge music, but that year was tragic. Many pretty good artists (Phil Collins, Mike and The Mechanics, Billy Joel) had their worst hit songs that year. And as you have already illustrated, the 1-hit wonders were less than remarkable.
The only real highlights were the Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, and Howe album and Marillion's Seasons End. (I know, you're all saying 'Greg, you progressive music-loving old f**t'.) By 1989 I was 33, maybe a little old for Sheriff and Kon Kan. Sorry.
Posted by: Greg Jones | May 21, 2008 at 09:39 AM
Like others have said, the 80's were essentially over musically before the decade was.
I'm glad that Fine Young Cannibals were at least two-hit wonders. Their albums were pretty solid too, and well worth seeking out.
Posted by: GlennS. | May 21, 2008 at 09:03 AM
I just realized I hadn't scanned all the way thru the imeem playlist when I commented last night. I made duplicates. It happens.
Is it fair to declare 1989 a really horrific year for one hit wonders? At least nothing memorable.
Posted by: Marissa | May 21, 2008 at 08:26 AM
Glad to see people are taking up for Jeff Healy. He doesn't deserve to be on that list just because of his ability to play, period. His version of "Stuck In the Middle" was one of the best remakes ever. The rest of those on that list would be lucky to have a fraction of his true talent.
Man, that white boy could play.
Posted by: Complaint Department Manager | May 21, 2008 at 07:56 AM
I'm a 24-hour-a-day blogging fool, Walter.
Posted by: Spears | May 21, 2008 at 07:21 AM
J -- "Satan's trifecta" has me awake and giggling at this dark hour. A better analogy could not be made for those three.
Posted by: jane | May 21, 2008 at 06:10 AM
This show will be really interesting Steve. I know you're partial to the early 80s, but you gotta remember that even though this show is '89, its actually a product of concepts likely in '88, which would have been inspired by the previous 3-4 years. So based on this loose idea, the common theory of the 'real' 80s ending in 1986 is accurate.
Why then is "Pop Goes The World" one of your favourite Men Without Hats song? (listen to the One Hits Wonders of '83 show for your testament!!)
Also, Neneh Cherry had "Buffalo Stance", and later "Kisses On The Wind". Honestly, considering some of the stuff around at the end of the 80s, Neneh Cherry really had two GREAT hit singles.
Also a point to note - '89 was the "year of Bobby Brown" many would say, and the true beginning of New Jack Swing as well as music which featured rappers over dance beats. This only lasted till about '93, but was certainly more listenable than the 'gangsta rap' that followed and is still here today.
cheers Steve (hey, and you too Sean!)
Richard Phelps
Retro Hit Radio, Auckland, NZ
www.retrohitradio.co.nz
Posted by: Richard | May 21, 2008 at 02:07 AM
Spearsy, I wish I was dedicated enough to my job to be talking about it at 1 in the morning. A tasty import for you, sir.
Posted by: Walter Cox | May 21, 2008 at 01:07 AM
Sheriff is a weird anamoly. Al is right, and I knew this earlier today: Their hit was released in 1982 or 83, but it didn't become a hit in the U.S. until 1989.
It might sneak into the show, but we'd obviously explain that weird phenomenon.
And did Healy's "See the Light" actually hit the top 40? That's sort of the cut-off mark for being a hit.
I can tell I'll be spending time this week doing a ton of research.
Posted by: Spears | May 21, 2008 at 12:59 AM
Ok, kids. I know how y'all love visuals and audios. So, here's the video for Gorky Park's "Bang" since it wasn't on imeem.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LACgxHULh3Q
and an imeem playlist of the other songs I mentioned. I'm going to guess that SD will probably dig Grayson Hugh "Talk it Over"
http://www.imeem.com/wildhair/playlist/lw_Y4rDM/one_hit_wonders_of_1989_music_playlist/
Posted by: Marissa | May 20, 2008 at 10:55 PM
Didn't Nenah Cherry have another song "Manchild"? I remember that vaguely. Wasn't near as catchy as Buffalo Stance.
Posted by: Melissa | May 20, 2008 at 10:47 PM
J-- Why did you have to remind me about Gerardo? Now that song is going to be stuck in my head and I can't remember how the A Team's theme song goes.
Posted by: Rosa | May 20, 2008 at 10:44 PM
Whilst looking at a couple other sites that claim to have the skinny on the one hit wonders of 1989, I found these. Take it for what it's worth:
Bonham ~ Wait For You
Gorky Park ~ Bang
L.A. Guns ~ The Ballad of Jayne
Synch ~ Where Are You Now?
Grayson Hugh ~ Talk It Over
Waterfront ~ Cry
Sybil ~ Don't Make Me Over
Posted by: Marissa | May 20, 2008 at 10:31 PM
Definitely agree w/ Young MC, FYC and Oil.
All us 80s fans should be thankful that Satan's trifecta of MC Hammer, Vanilla Ice and Gerardo had the decency to wait for the 90s to officially roll out their one hit wonders (I'm sure Hammer technically had more than 1 hit, but he gets honorary status.) No wonder I tuned out the 90's after that.
FYI...Faith no More didn't "hit" until 90 and actually had 2 top 40 hits (Epic and Falling to Pieces.)
Posted by: J | May 20, 2008 at 10:16 PM
Oy, by here I had veered into country ... yeah, I know, whatever. But this stuff sucked.
Posted by: chase | May 20, 2008 at 09:57 PM
i dont know his name, but sheriff's singer was the singer from alias. go figure, he formed a new band, and his old band had a bigger hit, without even being together.
Posted by: CHAD | May 20, 2008 at 09:51 PM
Steve,
You should take Sheriff off the list, too.
Sheriff first released "When I'm With You" in 1982, on their self-titled and only album, "Sheriff". But in true Whitesnake-like form, it was re-released in 1989.
Posted by: Al | May 20, 2008 at 09:34 PM
Steve, what about "See The Light" by Jeff Healey? He's definitely not a 1-hit wonder!
Posted by: Al | May 20, 2008 at 09:32 PM
i know milli vanilli wasnt a one hit wonder, but since they didnt even sing anything, maybe a new category is possible. oh well, i never bought that crapola. my sister got fooled. only in the 80s
Posted by: CHAD | May 20, 2008 at 09:30 PM
Fine Young Cannibals doesn't make the cut. Their song "Good Thing" was also No. 1.
Posted by: Spears | May 20, 2008 at 08:50 PM
Oh Spearsy, honey. I'm here for you. I'll hold you close as you go into convulsions as we're b*t@h slapped into the 90s. Fear not. We can hit replay on 1980 and start all over again.
Posted by: Marissa | May 20, 2008 at 07:41 PM
Did "No New Tale To Tell" Chart for L&R? I remember that being their biggest hit.
How about a one-album wonder? The Stone Roses eponymous debut album was great! I'm not sure...it may have had more than one song to hit the charts but I think "I Wanna Be Adored" might qualify as a one-hit wonder...
Posted by: Sean | May 20, 2008 at 07:38 PM
Martika is what's in my car cd player right now. I especially love "I Feel the Earth Move".
Posted by: Rosa | May 20, 2008 at 06:58 PM
I can't find any record of "Ball of Confusion" charting. Also, it's a cover of a 1970 song, for what that's worth. Not necessarily a disqualifying offense though.
"Motorcyle" hit No. 20 on the alternative chart. Again not exactly the same as being on the regular Top 40 chart.
Posted by: Spears | May 20, 2008 at 06:02 PM
I believe "Ball of Confusion" and "Motorcycle" charted.
Posted by: Bassnote | May 20, 2008 at 05:58 PM
While I myself consider Love & Rockets more than a OHW -- "Kundalini Express" is on heavy iPod rotation, along with "So Alive", I don't think it actually charted.
Posted by: jane | May 20, 2008 at 05:12 PM
Oh I don't know...movie title songs kind of get their own special division. I mean, I think most people would know that song if I simply sang the name, but it would be because of the movie...they'd have no idea WHO sang it!
Posted by: John Hays | May 20, 2008 at 05:09 PM
"Weird Science" got to No. 45 on the charts -- the highest rank for any single of theirs. Not sure you'd call that "hit" status.
Posted by: Spears | May 20, 2008 at 05:04 PM
Martika doesn't qualify. She had three Top 40 hits.
Posted by: Spears | May 20, 2008 at 05:02 PM
Dunno...did Weird Science chart? That and Dead Man's Party would be their most commercial hits, I would think.
Posted by: John Hays | May 20, 2008 at 04:50 PM
Did Love and Rockets chart with any other song? Not the pick a nit, but if they had only one chart "hit," they're a one-hit wonder.
Sorta like my guys Oingo Boingo. They wouldn't get one-hit wonder status only because they never really charted, if I remember correctly. And it's totally possible that I'm not.
Posted by: Spears | May 20, 2008 at 04:47 PM