The 1980s were a strange time to be alive. And nowhere was that more apparent than in popular culture, and specifically, in music. While the 1960s and 1970s had established a lineage of rock and roll, the 1980s took all that, mixed it up, and added synths. New genres were made, too, from new wave to punk. And the era’s hit singles were a combination of dance-worthy pop and unusual, though catchy, tracks.
Here below, we wanted to explore three strange singles that rose up from the pack. A trio of songs that were released by bands that did not boast any other hit quite like it. Indeed, these are three one-hit wonders from the 1980s that remain odd and will have you singing along instantly.
[RELATED: 3 Classic Rock Choruses from the 1980s to Sing Along to]
“Mickey” by Toni Basil from Word of Mouth (1981)
Is this a hit pop single or a cheerleader chant from the high school football field? Well, perhaps the better question is, why can’t it be both? Originally, this song came from the British-born group Racey, which recorded the track then-named “Kitty.” But it was Basil who added the impossible-to-ignore chant at the beginning. Basil also switched the perspective of the song, singing from a woman’s perspective. The sexual track even garnered some criticism for her reworked lyrics but that hasn’t stopped the offering from becoming an all-time one-hit wonder. On it Basil sings,
Oh Mickey, you’re so fine
You’re so fine, you blow my mind, hey Mickey, hey Mickey
Oh Mickey, you’re so fine
You’re so fine, you blow my mind, hey Mickey
Oh Mickey, what a pity, you don’t understand
You take me by the heart when you take me by the hand
Oh Mickey, you’re so pretty, can’t you understand?
It’s guys like you, Mickey
Oh what you do Mickey, do Mickey
Don’t break my heart, Mickey
“It’s Raining Men” by The Weather Girls from Success (1983)
Some singers throughout history knew how to take the power of a gospel song and use it for a pop number. That was done most notably by Ray Charles. But in this kitschy track below, the duo The Weather Girls did the same thing as they performed the track put together from a silly turn of phrase and some soulful music. Though they originally balked at doing the song, they eventually made this classic one-hit wonder. On the flirtatious and fun track, vocalists Martha Wash and Izora Armstead sing,
It’s raining men! Hallelujah!
It’s raining men! Amen!
I’m gonna go out to run and let myself get
Absolutely soaking wet!
It’s raining men! Hallelujah!
It’s raining men! Every specimen!
Tall, blonde, dark and lean
Rough and tough and strong and mean
“Funkytown” by Lipps Inc. from Mouth to Mouth (1980)
This hit disco single from 1980 is the kind of song that gets in your bones and pushes you to move before you even know it. Some songs are physiological and this one is evidence of that. It moves you forward on a journey to, well, Funkytown. The song, which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, might even have you putting on your roller skates and drifting off to your favorite discotheque for some good ol’ fashion dancing. On the physically rousing track, lead singer Cynthia Johnson offers,
Won’t you take me to
Funkytown?
Won’t you take me to
Funkytown?
Won’t you take me to
Funkytown?
Won’t you take me to
Funkytown?
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