I Hate People Who Can't Count Past One

As a self-appointed and universally-recognized (at least in MY universe) eighties historian, I can’t think of too many things that annoy me more than hearing someone refer to an artist who had multiple hits as a “one-hit wonder”.  Don’t get me wrong.  The eighties had its fair share of "one-hit wonders".  After the Fire is one of the first ones that comes to mind.  Man, did I love their version of “Der Kommissar”.  I can still listen to that song over and over and over without getting tired of it.  Kajagoogoo was one, too.  Their lone hit, “Too Shy”, is another song that I have never gotten tired of hearing.  Dexy’s Midnight Runners is another band who had only one song to chart in the U.S.  Of course, that song was “Come on Eileen”.  I could name at least a hundred more…but I won’t.  That’s not what this rant is about.  No, this is about the bands who are FALSELY accused of being “one-hit wonders”.

a-ha is a band that is frequently referred to as a “one-hit wonder”, but they’re not one.  Sure, everyone remembers their debut song, “Take on Me”, which hit #1 in late 1985.  They had another hit right on the heels of that one, though.  It was called “The Sun Always Shines on TV” and it hit #20.  Say what you want, but a top 20 hit IS a hit.

A Flock of Seagulls is also not a “one-hit wonder”.  They’re primarily known for their 1982 hit “I Ran”, but they had two more top 40 hits:  “Space Age Love Song” and “Wishing (If I had a Photograph of You)”

Another alleged “one-hit wonder” is The Outfield, who are best known for their 1986 top ten hit “Your Love”.  The follow-up, “All the Love in the World”, made the top 20 later that same year, though.  They would hit the top 40 three more times with “Since You’ve Been Gone”, “Voices of Babylon” and “For You”, the latter of which just missed the top 20, peaking at #21.

I’ve even heard Naked Eyes referred to as a “one-hit wonder”.  Their biggest hit was the top 10 remake of “Always Something There to Remind Me”, but they barely missed the top 10 with the follow-up, “Promises Promises”.  They would hit the top 40 two more times with “When the Lights Go Out” and “(What) In the Name of Love” before they would call it quits.

Now, I realize that there are many of you who might argue that you don’t remember “The Sun Always Shines on TV” or “Wishing (If I had a Photograph of You)” or “All the Love in the World” or “Promises Promises”…and that’s okay.  That’s why I’m here – to provide you with information about the eighties that you may not have possessed.  That being said, I do tend to lose my patience and get a little angry when I get around to talking about the next falsely-accused “one-hit wonder” on my list.  I may even yell a little.  You have been warned.

RICK SPRINGFIELD IS NOT A “ONE-HIT WONDER”!!!

I told you I might yell.  I’m better now, though…I think.

Anyway, where was I?  Oh yeah, Rick Springfield.

It’s inexplicable to me that there are people who actually think that Dr. Noah Drake never hit the charts again after “Jessie’s Girl” hit #1 in 1981, but these people DO exist.  Hell, Oprah Winfrey is one of them.  In his book, Rick recounts how he was contacted by her show in 1989 to take part in their “one-hit wonders” special.  He respectfully declined, even though he considered afterwards writing them a blistering letter peppered with the titles of all of his other hits.  To be honest, I’m kinda pissed at HIM for not doing that.  I mean, these people have to learn sometime, right?  But again, that’s why I’m here.

First of all, “Jessie’s Girl” wasn’t even Rick’s first hit.  He hit the top 20 a decade earlier with “Speak to the Sky”.  Post-“Jessie’s Girl”, he hit the top 40 a staggering 15 MORE TIMES with four of those making it into the top 10 and one of them going all the way to #2.  THAT’S 17 TOTAL HITS!  Not too shabby for a “one-hit wonder”.

Obviously, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I didn’t list them all for you, so here goes:

“Speak to the Sky” (1971, #14)

“Jessie’s Girl” (1981, #1)

“I’ve Done Everything for You” (1981, #8)

“Love is Alright Tonight” (1981, #20)

“Don’t Talk to Strangers” (1982, #2)

“What Kind of Fool Am I?” (1982, #21)

“I Get Excited” (1982, #32)

“Affair of the Heart” (1983, #9)

“Human Touch” (1983, #18)

“Souls” (1983, #23)

“Love Somebody” (1984, #5)

“Don’t Walk Away” (1984, #26)

“Bop ‘Til You Drop” (1984, #20)

“Bruce” (1984, #27)

“Celebrate Youth” (1985, #26)

“State of the Heart” (1985, #22)

“Rock of Life” (1988, #22)

NOTE:  The years listed are when the album on which that song was included was released and not necessarily the year that the song peaked on the charts.