Some Interesting 80s One Hit Wonders Quiz

Answer: International Crossover

"99 Luftballons" is a 1983 anti-war protest song by the German band Nena that imagines a stray bunch of balloons triggering a catastrophic 99 year nuclear apocalypse. It achieved international crossover status by topping charts across Europe, the US, and Australia despite being sung entirely in German.

While it became a massive global phenomenon, Nena was never able to replicate that level of massive chart success outside of Germany again, cementing them as a classic one hit wonder in the English speaking world.

Answer: International Crossover

The 1985 song "Rock Me Amadeus" by Austrian artist Falco features classical composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart as a punk rock superstar who lived a life of heavy debts and celebrity excess. Inspired by the success of the 1984 film "Amadeus", it achieved international crossover status by becoming the first German language song to top the US Billboard Hot 100.

While Falco was already a big star in Europe, the song's mix of German rapping, strong beats, and an English narrated radio remix made this song of his an instant hit on the other side of the Atlantic.

Answer: International Crossover

"Tarzan Boy" is a 1985 song by the Italian music duo Baltimora. It uses a simple electronic groove and lyrics to express the wish to leave society's troubles behind and live simply (like Tarzan). It became an international crossover success by bridging the gap between European underground dance clubs and the American charts, staying on the US Billboard Hot 100 for an impressive six months.

The song became Baltimora's lone global legacy.

Answer: International Crossover

"Turning Japanese" is a 1980 pop song by English new wave band The Vapors that uses an Oriental riff to highlight the story about somebody who lost their girlfriend and was slowly going crazy. It achieved international crossover status by climbing global charts, peaking at number three in the UK, number thirty-six in the USA, and even capturing number one in Australia.

Despite intentionally holding the song back as their second single specifically to avoid a fleeting career, the band's subsequent releases failed to gain traction, cementing them as a one hit wonder in the United States.

Answer: Screentime to Hit

"Respect Yourself" is a 1987 R&B cover by actor Bruce Willis, who parlayed his television fame as the wisecracking detective David Addison on "Moonlighting" into a short-lived recording career. Released as the lead single for his Motown mockumentary album "The Return of Bruno", the song relied on his established television persona (who was always whistling Motown tunes) and a vocal assist from the Pointer Sisters.

It became a top five pop hit, but it ultimately remained a brief musical detour, making Willis a classic one hit wonder artist before he pivoted to big screen action movies.

Answer: Screentime to Hit

"She's Like the Wind" is a 1987 power ballad co-written and performed by Hollywood actor Patrick Swayze and was featured in his blockbuster film "Dirty Dancing". The song was originally written in 1984 after Swayze was inspired by his wife but was rejected by various movie studios for their soundtracks.

When it was picked up for "Dirty Dancing", it propelled the ballad all the way to number three on the US Billboard Hot 100. Despite demonstrating genuine musical talent and a smooth vocal delivery, Swayze never actively pursued a follow up recording career, leaving this iconic ballad as his lone, enduring pop chart hit.

Answer: Screentime to Hit

"Heartbeat" is a 1986 pop rock song by actor Don Johnson, who struck music gold at the peak of his television fame playing detective Sonny Crockett on "Miami Vice". The song and its video portray a person searching for a true soul mate out in the world. Johnson's prime time star status and the heavy MTV rotation of the music video propelled it into the top five of the Billboard Hot 100. Johnson's subsequent musical efforts failed to capture that same status and it remains his singular, definitive pop chart success.

Answer: Screentime to Hit

"Party All the Time" is a 1985 dance track by comedic superstar Eddie Murphy who was enjoying success on television shows like "Saturday Night Live" and movies like "Beverly Hills Cop". Written and produced by music legend Rick James (who appeared in the video), the song leveraged Murphy's celebrity status to storm all the way to number two on the Billboard Hot 100.

Despite its commercial success and heavy club play, Murphy treated his musical ventures mostly as a side project, making this his sole major radio hit.

Answer: All Instrumental

"Miami Vice Theme" is a synthesizer heavy 1985 instrumental by Czech composer Jan Hammer that was written for the hit television show. It made music history by becoming the first instrumental television theme to top the Billboard Hot 100 since 1976, riding the wave of the show's popularity.

While Hammer was a highly respected jazz keyboardist who continued writing songs for film and television, this song remained his singular, massive mainstream pop radio hit.

Answer: All Instrumental

"Axel F" is a 1984 electronic instrumental by German composer Harold Faltermeyer that was the theme song for Eddie Murphy's blockbuster film "Beverly Hills Cop". The track became a huge hit and climbed all the way to number three on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Although Faltermeyer was a brilliant, highly sought-after producer who went on to compose the iconic "Top Gun Anthem", this infectious synth melody remains solo pop chart hit, sealing his status as an instrumental one hit wonder.

Answer: All Instrumental

"Chariots of Fire" (officially titled "Titles" on the album) is a 1981 electronic instrumental by Greek composer Vangelis. It was as the opening theme for the Oscar winning historical sports movie "Chariots of Fire". It defied the era's synthetic sounding trends and climbed all the way to number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 (on the back of its iconic, slow-motion running sequence video).

While Vangelis was a true pioneer of electronic music who went on to score masterpieces like "Blade Runner", this song remains his singular mainstream pop radio smash.

Answer: All Instrumental

"Hooked on Classics" is a 1981 instrumental by English conductor Louis Clark and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. It was a medley of classical masterpieces (from Mozart to Tchaikovsky) set to a disco beat. It became an unlikely global smash by bringing centuries old orchestral music straight to contemporary dance floors and climbing all the way to number ten on the US Billboard Hot 100.

While Clark remained a brilliant arranger who worked extensively with Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), this instrumental stood as his orchestra's singular, unique pop radio phenomenon.