The year 1980 was a pretty significant year in rock music. The beginning of what remains one of the most transformative decades within the genre, 1980 saw the advent of some of the biggest songs of the decade. But not all of the songs that came out in 1980 signified the beginning of a big career. These are three of the best one-hit wonders that came out in 1980.
“Steal Away” by Robbie Dupree
By Robbie Dupree’s definition, he actually had two hits, which is partially true. “Steal Away” is Dupree’s first single and his biggest hit, peaking at No. 6. He follows “Steal Away” with “Hot Rod Hearts”, which was a moderate hit, but not nearly as big as “Steal Away”.
Videos by American Songwriter
“Steal Away” was included on VH1‘s Greatest One-Hit Wonders of the ’80s TV special, although Dupree contends “Steal Away” didn’t technically belong in the show.
“The guy called me up and said, ‘How would you feel about doing the one-hit wonder thing?’ ” Dupree recalls to the Burlington County Times. “I said to him, a little defensively, ‘I had two hits.’ He told me, ‘Robbie, there are no shows for two-hit wonders.’ I was, like, ‘OK.’ ”
“Steal Away” remains a yacht rock favorite today. The song, written by Dupree and Rick Chudacoff, says, “Why don’t we steal away / Why don’t we steal away / Into the night / I know it ain’t right / Tease me, why don’t you please me / Then show me / What you came here for.”
“Funkytown” by Lipps Inc.
Almost every 80s music fan can still likely sing along to “Funkytown”. Out by Lipps Inc. “Funkytown” is the group’s second single and only No. 1 hit. On their freshman Mouth To Mouth album, “Funkytown” is written by Steven Greenberg.
A pop, R&B, and dance hit, “Funkytown” has a very repetitive chorus, which simply says, “Won’t you take me to Funkytown?” multiple times in a row.
“Whip It” by Devo
On Devo’s third studio album, Freedom of Choice, is “Whip It”. By the time “Whip It” was released, Devo had already released several singles to radio. Sadly, none of them became a massive success at radio. But with “Whip It”, Devo had their first and only Top 10 hit.
Written by band members Mark Mothersbaugh and Gerald Casale, “Whip It” says, “When a good time turns around, you must whip it / You will never live it down unless you whip it / No one gets away until they whip it / I say whip it, whip it good / I say whip it, whip it good.”
Photo by Jim Shea/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Most Viewed
-
(Original Caption) Charlie Daniels (3rd from left), the entertainer who dedicated his last album to "gun-rotting whiskey and hellatious fights" says he will not play gentle music just to please "damn Yankees drinking martinis" 1/20 at Jimmy Carter's inaugural reception. Daniels said he plans to play the same brand of foot-stomping Southern music he and his band have always produced. They are (from left), Charlie Hayward, Tom Crain, Daniels, Joel Digregorio, Don Murray and Fred Edwards. -
UNSPECIFIED – CIRCA 1970: Photo of Steppenwolf Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images -
Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey in a scene from the film 'Dirty Dancing', 1987. (Photo by Vestron/Getty Images) -
MINNEAPOLIS – OCTOBER 1987: Surf Rock band The Trashmen pose for a portrait at First Avenue nightclub in Minneapolis, Minnesota in October 1987. (Photo by Jim Steinfeldt/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) -
English rock group the Beatles hold a press conference at the Capitol Records Tower in Los Angeles before their live performance at the Dodger Stadium, California, 28th August 1966. From left to right, George Harrison, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. (Photo by Archive Photos/Getty Images)
