Great One Hit Wonders of 1987 and Other Significant Songs

They say you learn something new every day and in my case, every post. After reading the responses from my last post on T’Pau’s “Bridge of Spies” album, I have come to the following conclusion: That T’Pau were to North America what The Hooters were to the UK. Both bands enjoyed some major success in their own countries with albums and charting singles but in regards to the other country, both were just one hit wonders. The Hooters had some great albums in the mid to late 1980s but will only be known in the UK for their single, “Satellite.” Likewise, T’Pau will only be known in the US for “Heart and Soul.” Their biggest single, “China in Your Hand,” went to number one in the UK and several European countries and did hit number 20 in Canada but failed to even chart in the US. That is why I’m kicking things off with T’Pau and “China In Your Hand.”

T’Pau

The Hooters

I think the first one hit wonder is truly a one hit wonder. I remember hearing the song, “Sonic Boom Boy,” from Westworld in the student union bar quite a bit in the early year. I thought it was an amusing rock tune but because it wasn’t metal, I didn’t pursue further at the time. I haven’t heard anything from them since.

This next one could be considered a naff song but it was so amusing then and now that I thought I had to include it here. The song is “Star Trekkin'” by The Firm. No, not the band with Paul Rodgers and Jimmy Page! It’s simply a good laugh and enjoyable if not taken seriously.

The next one still is a dilemma for me after all these years. Back in 1987, it was social suicide for any metalhead to admit that he liked anything other than “Beat It” by Michael Jackson. However, I can boldly declare that I do like the song, “Dirty Diana.” It is a good rock song. My theory is that Michael was a shrewd music businessman. He saw how white rockers ate up that song up when they learned that Eddie Van Halen played the guitar solo on it. Therefore, he knew that if he made at least one song in this vein on an album, people would get it and it worked. I know that much controversy surrounds him still but in 1987, I liked this song.

Spagna

Don’t panic, I won’t post links to either of these songs but I must point out that there were not one but two naff songs in 1987. The most known was Tiffany with “I Think We’re Alone Now,” which went to number one in the US and UK. The other was “Call Me” by Italian singer, Spagna, which went to number two in the UK charts. Both of those songs are the type of annoying songs you want to forget but can’t. Anyway, these are the one hit wonders of 1987.

Next post: Music Happenings of 1987

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