Susan Fassbender - Twilight Cafe

Susan Fassbender's Twilight Cafe managed to top out at number 21 in 1981, and it felt like we were robbed. The track's instrumentation is quite hauntingly familiar, especially when you listen to the chords. There's just something about the arrangement that has you clicking on that rewind button.

This hit single's vibe immediately puts listeners in Susan's shoes, making them also want to be a regular patron at the titular establishment. The Yorkshire-born crooner delivers every line beautifully, tempting us to have this track playing on a loop. After all, who wouldn't want a few minutes of oblivion in Twilight Cafe, tucked away from the troubles of this world?

Alphaville - Big In Japan

Alphaville was one of those music groups that some people might even consider a local champion, and for a good reason. The band was going hard in Germany, with an exceptionally supportive fanbase, making them serious contenders for celebrities of the decade.

All that aside, it still wasn't until they released Big in Japan that the UK took notice of them. That was in 1984, and unfortunately, they haven't been heard from since. As for the song, the subject matter was quite forward for its time and had a level of honesty most artists would shy away from, making Alphaville legends in their own right.

The Adventures - Broken Land

Before splitting up in 1993, The Adventures had an exciting relationship with the charts. Though after a string of tracks peaking below the top 40, many fans felt frustrated at the lack of recognition they were getting.

Then the band dropped Broken Land and things seemed to look up. The track quickly shot up the charts landing at number 20, and everyone had their eyes set on them. Sadly this was their last and only major hit which was quite sad considering how electrifying this song was. Especially given its melancholic piano and soulful chorus, the track felt like a precursor to more memorable music but alas!

 

Flash And The Pan - Waiting For A Train

When this song peaked at number 7 on the charts, everyone, including the band itself, was surprised. Flash And The Pan released Waiting For A Train like any other track, not really knowing if people would receive it positively.

It seems the eighties were all about melancholic, mature content as the subject matter in this track is also quite dark. That being said, the production elements are pretty unique, considering they incorporated a synthesizer before other artists eventually made it cool. The result was an icy melody with a steam-engine beat that could get everyone on the dancefloor.

 

Boy Meets Girl - Waiting For A Star To Fall

Waiting For A Star To Fall is one of the most joyful tracks of its era. Surprisingly, the writers are also responsible for some of Whitney Houston's most iconic tracks. If that doesn't tell you something, you probably need to give their discography a listen.

This track follows the usual musical arrangements found in upbeat, youthful numbers. The lyrics are accompanied by a riveting saxophone lead and catchy vocal delivery. It seems the band was ready for business when penning this hit, and it's a shame Boy Meets Girl never got another one as good as this.

 

Nena - 99 Red Balloons

99 Red Balloons by Nena is one of the most iconic tracks to have ever been made. Very few songs manage to grab the fans' attention as this one did. Initially, it was actually written in German, but people loved it so much that an English translation just had to happen!

Surprisingly, even the German version had already done very well in the US, consistently climbing the music charts. So naturally, when the English re-make dropped, it was a no-brainer what would happen. Since then, this catchy tune has become a cult classic appearing in various soundtracks over the years.

 

 

Double - The Captain Of Her Heart

Love indeed made the world go round during an era where romance was rife, and Double struck gold here. This track about a woman who gives up on ever seeing her missing lover again, and Kurt Maloo does a great job of immersing the listener into the heartbroken lady's point of view.

The soulful saxophone and elegant piano chords carry these lyrics to the arena of top-notch balladry, making even grown men cry. It's such a masterfully crafted work of art that we're not surprised the Swiss-duo climbed to number eight on the Billboard charts!

 

Will Powers - Kissing With Confidence

The title of this song is among some of the most misleading ones you'll ever come across. This cheeky number is purely a satirical and hilarious creation bound to make anyone question their life's choices. Maybe that's why Kissing With Confidence made it to the top 20 in 1983.

With many business-like artists taking music so seriously, this carefree approach probably felt like a breath of fresh air. On the other hand, the genius of turning an enticing act like kissing sound so hilariously unappealing deserves all the attention and more!

 

Big Sound Authority - This House (Is Where Your Love Stands)

Big Sound Authority was a short-lived band that made Sandie Shaw-lookalike Julie Hawden and Tony Burke into stars. The two musicians got together after getting contacted by iconic singer-songwriter Paul Weller. He was looking for new artists to sign with his new record label, Respond Records.

The newly formed band toured with the label yet eventually turned down Paul's contract offer. Instead, Big Sound Authority signed with MCA Records, after which they released their biggest hit song, This House (Is Where Your Love Stands). Unfortunately, after failing to produce further chart-topping music, the band finally disbanded in 1986.

 

The Icicle Works - Love Is A Wonderful Colour

Love Is A Wonderful Colour is a guitar-heavy song that's all about the life-changing emotion called "love," beautifully sung by the always pitch-perfect Ian McNabb. Before the singer-songwriter launched a solo career, he was formerly part of the English alternative rock band The Icicle Works.

The song, also written by Ian, was the band's biggest hit and made it to No. 15 on the UK Singles Chart just as 1983 was about to wrap up. Due to tensions within the group, members left one by one until only the band's frontman was left. That's why no other hit followed Love Is A Wonderful Colour.

 

Sheila E. - The Belle Of St. Mark

Remember Sheila E., who was, at one time, Prince's brightest protégée? Back in the day, she came out with one of the biggest hit songs of the '80s - The Belle of St. Mark. The track was about a frail but passionate androgynous creature, a subject that's a universal theme in most of her mentor's songs.

For some, the single's chorus is perhaps the bluesiest that Prince ever composed. The Belle Of St. Mark became a worldwide hit, topping charts in the United States and the Netherlands, New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.

 

Owen Paul - My Favourite Waste Of Time

If a man were to sing My Favourite Waste Of Time to any woman, what would you think she'd feel? Of course, she would have to be offended for getting called "a waste of time." Yet things were a little different in the '80s, and Owen Paul's vocals turned these questionable lyrics into a chart-topping hit.

The track even made Paul into music's latest heartthrob; we're guessing his looks had more to do with that than his choice of lyrics. Nevertheless, the Scottish singer's one of the UK's best known "one-hit wonders." Though Owen has been making TV appearances frequently enough since then, more hit music has eluded him.

 

Rosie Vela - Magic Smile

The single Magic Smile is a perfect song for Rosie Vela since she indeed possesses that magical smile herself. It's no question Rosie's gorgeous looks helped her become a model, a career she began right after graduating college.

When she switched to music, some people immediately thought Rosie was trying something new. In reality, the young creative was a graduate of the University of Arkansas, where she'd actually studied art and music. Although the appeal of Rosie's debut album and this track went unnoticed in her native land, her catchy creation landed in the Top 30 UK Singles Chart.

 

Matthew Wilder - Break My Stride

The single Break My Stride by Matthew Wilder is still so familiar today, and that's probably because numerous artists covered it while others inserted the hook into their own songs. Also, the melody somehow reminds us of No Doubt songs since the man behind it also produced Tragic Kingdom, the band's breakthrough album.

Most certainly, Break My Stride possesses one of the finest choruses of all the '80s hit songs. Although Matthew didn't produce any more hits after his famous pop record charted at No.5 on the Billboard Hot 100, he still gave us the fantastic music of No Doubt and Gwen Stefani.

 

Classix Nouveaux - Is It A Dream

Technically, the new wave band Classix Nouveaux is not a "one-hit-wonder" since they had several more hit songs in several countries, including Portugal, Israel, and Poland. The group formed after the band X-Ray Spex broke up and searched for a new vocalist.

In their native United Kingdom, Classix Nouveaux experienced minor success with their Top 20 hit Is It a Dream. This catchy song that falls more under the electronica music style was elevated through the memorable vocals of Sal Solo. Not only was he the new lead singer of the group, but Sal also helped produce their one and the only UK hit.

 

Martha And The Muffins - Echo Beach

One of the quirky allures of the song Echo Beach by Martha and the Muffins is how the Canadian musical trouple rhymed "work" with "clerk." Brit music lovers were delighted! Thanks to its charming intro and breezy lyrics, the song landed at No. 6 on the Australian Singles Chart and No. 10 on the UK Singles Chart.

Although Martha and the Muffins only notable international hit was Echo Beach, the band had several more successful songs in their native Canada. We guess it's okay to be called a "one-hit-wonder" since CBC Radio One would eventually name the track as the 35th greatest Canadian song of all time!

 

Kim Carnes - Bette Davis Eyes

There's no question that Bette Davis Eyes is one of the best songs ever produced by a "one-hit-wonder" artist. Sung by singer-songwriter Kim Carnes, the single spent nine weeks reigning supreme over the US Billboard Hot 100. To top it all off, Bette Davis Eyes snatched the Grammy Award for Song of the Year and Record of the Year in 1982.

For those unaware, the track was initially recorded by one of its composers, Jackie DeShannon. Yet, it's Kim's beautiful raspy vocals that made it a hit. The song's subject, Hollywood legend Bette Davis, only had glowing words for the composers when she listened to it.

 

It Bites - Calling All The Heroes

Some people have a theory about why It Bites became a "one-hit-wonder" type of band – the group failed to find one coherent direction, with their musical development divided into four phases. Nevertheless, they produced some moderately successful tracks, and Calling All The Heroes, was their one megahit song. The single reached No. 6 in the UK Singles Chart, which helped get the band television appearances and radio plays.

The track is best remembered today for having pop music's most extended silent gap in its composition. Despite criticisms from music press writers, It Bites still gained a loyal following in the UK, even after disbanding in 1990.

 

Whigfield – Saturday Night

Although Saturday Night by Whigfield was number one on the UK music charts, it was, in fact, written and produced by two Italians. Three things made the song so incredibly successful. The first was its catchy tune and upbeat tempo. Then there were its easily memorable repetitive lyrics that just about anyone could easily sing along to.

Last but not least was the easy-to-learn choreography that matched the tune with sheer perfection. The new dance routine spread like wildfire throughout the dance scene. It also helped that the music video featured the band's charismatic and mesmerizing singer Sannie Carlson.

 

Gina G – Ooh Ahh... Just a Little Bit

Ooh Ahh… Just a Little Bit was the United Kingdom's entry into 1996's Eurovision Song Competition. Unfortunately, the performance was only awarded 7th place. What made the single successful enough even to be entered into the competition was its high-energy beat.

Whenever listening to this upbeat track, it is almost impossible not to get up and dance along to the familiar lyrics even today. So it is easy to see why this hit topped the UK music charts. With vocals by Australian singer Gina G, and two British songwriters responsible for the lyrics, this hit was also an international collaboration.

 

Chumbawamba - Tubthumping

Tubthumping was sung by Chumbawamba, a former British band known famously for their rock style of music. The single was easily relatable for people from all around the world. It's an ode to personal perseverance and one's ability to pick themselves back up.

Soon after its release, almost everybody knew the lyrics to the track. Despite such runaway success, Tubthumping only reached number two (the band's highest rating) on the UK music charts. However, in 1998 the song finally received the recognition it deserved when it got nominated for the Best British Single award.

 

Haddaway – What Is Love

Sung by Haddaway, this memorable single was produced and written by a German composer and music producer. This song has an upbeat rhythm that is very easy to dance to. Interestingly, anyone judging by the music might think this track is a happy one, yet the lyrics are quite the opposite.

What is Love is about a boy's unrequited love for a girl, and it was this saddening love story that so many listeners immediately found relatable. The crowd-pleasing lyrics and undeniably infectious beat saw this Eurodance single rise to number 2 on the UK charts.

 

The New Radicals – Get What You Give

Calling all the dreamers, here's your '90s anthem! Get What You Give by Gregg Alexander, lead singer for The New Radicals, inspired people with its lyrics. The track confirmed what most already knew; you get out of life what you put in. Though it also encouraged people to keep pushing and not give up.

Still, it's pretty difficult for anyone to feel sad while listening to this song. The megahit single was driven to the top of numerous music charts worldwide, thanks to its uplifting backing track and catchy lyrics. The highest Get What You Give reached on the UK charts was number 5.

 

House of Pain - Jump Around

Here's another single that won the hearts of millions! The good thing about extraordinary music is that it is timeless and sounds just as fabulous, even after a decade. Jump Around by the House of Pain is among the most iconic tracks from the '90s that topped the charts worldwide. The song was so powerful that it could get a crowd on its feet at any event.

House Of Pain was a trio comprising of Everlast, DJ Lethal, and Danny Boy, who were behind this incredible single. Even though some of the lyrics are pretty aggressive, the catchy music is what impressed people the most.

 

White Town - Your Woman

Sung by White Town's Jyoti Mishra, Your Woman was a #1 hit in the UK at one point and also charted elsewhere across the globe. It is one of Jyoti's best-known songs and sold 165,000 copies in the first week of its release- Amazing, isn't it?

Originally written by British bandleader Lew Stone, the single is about a man hopelessly in love with a woman with a heart of stone. White Town turned it into a track that was way ahead of its time by singing it from a female perspective. The singer thought the gender flip would be an exciting twist, and he was absolutely right!

 

Scatman John - Scatman (Ski-Ba-Bop-Ba-Dop-Bop)

It was pretty evident from the name of this hit track that it would become an absolute hit. Scatman (Ski-Ba-Bop-Ba-Dop-Bop) was the first mainstream hit from popular American Eurodance singer Scatman John. The single reached #1 in almost ten countries and won the Echo Award for the Best Rock/Pop single in 1996.

The hit song topped charts because of its multi-genre music, including rap, jazz, and house music. Scatman deals with the pop musician singing about his stutter to let the world know that we can all overcome our problems if we try! Billboard later deemed it a "novelty dance tune," and we couldn't agree more!

 

Len - Steal my Sunshine

A No. 1 hit in Canada upon its release, Steal my Sunshine was unarguably a track that made the brother-sister duo of Marc and Sharon reach the top of their careers. The song was everywhere and sold over 16 thousand copies worldwide in just a week from the radio to dance bars.

When asked the backstory behind this hit, Marc mentioned that he sampled Andrea True Connection's More, More, More after a night of partying, writing lyrics about the same evening, with chart-topping results! It was undoubtedly pop music, but the rambling verses made Steal my Sunshine sound more like hip-hop with a catchy soft-serve vibe.

 

Lou Bega - Mambo No5

Just hearing the name of this track makes you remember the catchy beat that caught the minds of many. Mambo No5 was a song originally done by the king of Mambo Perez Prado, and when Lou Bega added his lyrics to it, the result was revolutionary and electrifying.

A #1 hit in Germany for over ten weeks, Mambo No5 was also a record 20 weeks #1 in France. Since its release, Lou Bega's hit is so impressive that it has been used in various hit TV shows like The Office and even cartoon shows like Bob The Builder.

 

The Rembrandts - I'll Be There For You

Whenever talking about iconic TV series, Friends always pop up, and of course, the show's immensely popular theme song. I'll Be There For You may be a '90s anthem, but it still remains a hit even for the sitcom's new-generation fans.

Topping the US Billboard charts for eight weeks shows how the song was an instant sensation, and it even made its way across Canada, UK, and Australia. Though originally written by the show's producers, The Rembrandts made contributions to turn it into the three-minute song people stream today. Did they expect this to happen? Well, maybe no one told them it was going to be this way.

 

OMC - How Bizarre

Bringing the nostalgia of summer in 1996 is a hit from New Zealand group OMC. Many have called the song an earworm, for others, it’s a classic, and that’s why How Bizarre fits its title.

After its release in December 1995, this single slowly crawled in the airwaves of New Zealand until it reached TVs and radios all over America and Europe. People loved its funky vibe and the socially ironic conversational rap performed by frontman Pauly Fuemana. Sadly, the band faded shortly after their success, and in 2010, Fuemana passed away. Interestingly, the song resurfaced in the 21st century, thanks to viral content on social media.

 

Spin Doctors - Two Princes

If we take a trip back to the '90s and check out what's on the radio, we would realize what the hype is about that generation. The music industry then gave birth to many timeless classics and one-hit wonders, including Two Princes, the best-known single of the band Spin Doctors.

Chris Barron, who voiced and wrote most of the song, loved fantasy fiction and Shakespeare which explains the storyline of the rock hit. This track is just one of the hidden and forgotten gems of the beloved generation, so if we do decide to dive more into it, Barron would gladly tell us to "just go ahead now."

 

 

Eagle-Eye Cherry - Save Tonight

Rock music can often be a tough guy’s love song if you listen closely to the lyrics instead of the guitar riffs and smashing drums. One example of this is the signature track of Swedish musician Eagle-Eye Cherry entitled Save Tonight, which became an instant hit in the '90s.

Inspired by personal relationship downfalls, Eagle-Eye Cherry composed the single around the theme of someone wanting his partner to save their entire night for him since he'd be gone far away the next day. The track is a romantic declaration reflecting upon the reality of uncertainties that tomorrow often brings. Now that’s deep!

 

Natalie Imbruglia - Torn

No karaoke night out with friends will be complete without this anthem of confused affection from Natalie Imbruglia. Whenever she sings, "You're a little late, I'm already torn," '90s kids remember the thrill and heartbreak of first love. The song is still Natalie's biggest hit to date.

Although Torn is her only truly big megahit, this Australian artist still has quite a career in entertainment. Natalie continues to sing and tour in different places, and she has also starred in several film and television projects. She was even recently tapped to be one of the coaches on The X Factor Australia.

 

Lisa Loeb - Stay (I Missed You)

The story of Lisa Loeb's 1995 single Stay (I Missed You) is one for the books. She had no record deal at the time, but somehow this poignant song shot to fame because it ended up on the soundtrack of the film Reality Bites.

One of the movie's stars, Ethan Hawke, had a hand in getting Lisa's song featured in the film. The song struck a chord with the movie's audiences, and soon Stay (I Missed You) was at the top of the charts. Lisa didn't have any other big hits after this, but she stayed active as a performer and eventually wrote children's books.

 

Babylon Zoo - Spaceman

TV viewers first got introduced to Babylon Zoo's Spaceman via a Levi's commercial towards the end of 1995. The following month, the band released the song as the lead single of their debut album, and the catchy guitar distortion-infused tune began climbing the charts in just a few weeks.

The futuristic and energetic vibe of the song drew music critics and fans. Throwback charts for the best singles of the '90s almost always include this single. Oddly enough, Babylon Zoo didn't have any other hits as big as Spaceman and Lead singer Jas Mann eventually became a film producer.

 

Ini Kamoze - Hotstepper

Anyone who remembers this hip-hop/reggae dance tune from the mid-'90s will undoubtedly start singing the iconic "Naaaa na na na naaaah" intro, which was actually sampled from another song, Land of a Thousand Dances by Cannibal and the Headhunters. This hit by Jamaican dancehall performer Ini Kamoze reached #1 on Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks and was a hit in many other countries too.

What made Hotstepper such an infectious single was the convergence of reggae, pop, hip-hop, and dance. Producers also used the song in a music video accompaniment for the film Pret-a-Porter. Online, the music video had already gotten around 5.3 million views by September 2020.

 

Rednex - Cotton Eye Joe

This song popularized by the Swedish Eurodance group Rednex was based on a traditional American folk song. They combined their Eurodance style with elements of American genres like country and bluegrass. Cotton Eye Joe even featured folk instruments such as the fiddle and banjo, and it worked.

Immediately upon release, the single became a number one hit all across Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. The song became so successful that it was remixed into a dance version in 2002 and was included in Rednex’s greatest hits album. Cotton Eye Joe is still on top of the group’s biggest recording successes to date.