Continuing my series of listing popular hits from artists that failed to find further chart success. Some artists faded away while others continued on. It’s not always fair to judge a career just based on songs played on the radio or landing on Billboard. Below are memorable, and not so memorable, songs from the 1980s.
“Funkytown” by Lipps Inc (1980)
“Steal Away” by Robbie Dupree (1980)
“Whip It” by Devo (1980)
“Everybody’s Got to Learn Sometime” by The Korgis (1980)
“I Got You” by Split Enz (1980)
“(Ghost) Riders in the Sky” by The Outlaws (1980)
“Into the Night” by Benny Mardones (1980)
“Tired of Toein’ The Line” by Rocky Burnett (1980)
Tainted Love by Soft Cell (1981)
“Genius of Love” by Tom Tom Club (1981)
“Hearts” by Marty Balin (1981)
“Theme From ‘Greatest American Hero’ (Believe It Or Not)” by Joey Scarbury (1981)
“Come On Eileen” by Dexys Midnight Runners (1982)
“I Melt With You” by Modern English (1982)
“Fantasy” by Aldo Nova (1982)
“Key Largo” by Bertie Higgins (1982)
“Goody Two Shoes” by Adam Ant (1982)
“867-5309 (Jenny Jenny)” by Tommy Tutone (1982)
“Talk Talk” by Talk Talk (1982)
“Love Plus One” by Haircut 100 (1982)
“I Know There’s Something Going On” by Frida (1982)
“Gloria” by Laura Branigan (1982)
“Harden My Heart” by Quarterflash (1982)
“Mickey” by Toni Basil (1982)
“Pass the Dutchie” by Musical Youth (1982)
“99 Red Balloons” by Nena (1983)
“Puttin’ on the Ritz” by Taco (1983)
“Too Shy” by Kajagoogoo (1983)
“Our House” by Madness (1983)
“Der Kommissar” by After The Fire (1983)
“(There’s) Always Something There to Remind Me” by Naked Eyes (1983)
“It’s Raining Men” by The Weather Girls (1983)
“She Blinded Me With Science” by Thomas Dolby (1983)
“The Safety Dance” by Men Without Hats (1983)
“Maniac” by Michael Sembello (1983)
“Break My Stride” by Matthew Wilder (1984)
“I Can Dream About You” by Dan Hartman (1984)
“Tenderness” by General Public (1984)
“Relax” by Frankie Goes To Hollywood (1984)
“We’re Not Gonna Take It” by Twisted Sister (1984)
“Wouldn’t it Be Good” by Nik Kershaw (1984)
“Smalltown Boy” by Bronski Beat (1984)
“Somebody’s Watching Me” by Rockwell (1984)
“Never Surrender” by Corey Hart (1985)
“Some Like it Hot” by Power Station (1985)
“Miami Vice Theme” by Jan Hammer (1985)
“Kayleigh” by Marillion (1985)
“Life in a Northern Town” by The Dream Academy (1985)
“Highwayman” by Highwaymen (1985)
“Axel F” by Harold Faltermeyer (1985)
“Walking On Sunshine” by Katrina & The Waves (1985)
“Obsession” by Animotion (1985)
“In My House” by Mary Jane Girls (1985)
“All I Need” by Jack Wagner (1985)
“Cry” by Godley & Creme (1985)
“Take On Me” by A-Ha (1985)
“Everybody Have Fun Tonight” by Wang Chung (1986)
“The Future’s So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades” by Timbuk 3 (1986)
“Breakout” by Swing Out Sister ((1986)
“Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone)” by Glass Tiger (1986)
“The Way it Is” by Bruce Hornsby & The Range (1986)
“The Lady in Red” by Chris de Burgh (1986)
“I Wanna Be A Cowboy” by Boys Don’t Cry (1986)
“The Final Countdown” by Europe (1986)
“Welcome To The Boomtown” by David & David (1986)
“What About Love” by Til Tuesday (1986)
“Rumors” by Timex Social Club (1986)
“(I Just) Died in Your Arms Tonight” by Cutting Crew (1987)
“Wishing Well” by Terence Trent D’Arby (1987)
“Keep Your Hands to Yourself” by Georgia Satellites (1987)
“At This Moment” by Billy Vera (1987)
“Come As You Are” by Peter Wolf (1987)
“Walk the Dinosaur” by Was (Not Was) (1987)
“Is This Love?” by Alison Moyet (1987)
“Funkytown” by Pseudo Echo (1987)
“Shattered Dreams” by Johnny Hates Jazz (1987)
“Pump Up the Volume” by MARRS (1987)
“Don’t Worry Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin (1988)
“Angel Eyes” by Jeff Healey Band (1988)
“Wild Wild West” by The Escape Club (1988)
“When the Children Cry” by White Lion (1988)
“Way Behind Me” by The Primitives (1988)
“Common Ground” by Rhythm Corps (1988)
“Waiting For a Star to Fall” by Boy Meets Girl (1988)
“Under the Milky Way” by The Church (1988)
“I’m an Adult Now” by The Pursuit of Happiness (1988)
“Let the Day Begin” by The Call (1989)
“Baby, I Love Your Way” by Will To Power (1989)
“Sweet Jane” by Cowboy Junkies (1989)
“Heaven” by Warrant (1989)
“What I Am” by Edie Brickell & The New Bohemians (1989)
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