My Top 5 80s Hidden Gems That Were One Hit Wonders | Professor of Rock

It’s a mashup of two shows: Bottled Lightening meets 80s hidden gems. I count down my top 5 hidden gems from the 80s that were also one hit wonders. From formers members of the band 10CC who would go on to direct the Police and Duran Duran’s most iconic videos to a song that was used in the classic John Hughes film, Some Kind of Wonderful to an australian 80s new wave synth pop group, we have some wondrous songs from the neon decade.

Thank you to this Episodes Sponsor, Zenni Optical
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Executive Producer
Brandon Fugal

Honorary Producers

Scratchers J Scratcherton Esq, Neil Gardner, Moon Comix, Walter O. Wright II, Zachery Perry, Jason White, Jack Mongan, MJ
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Access To Backstage Content

Check Out My Hand Picked Selection Below

Professor's Store

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

​#80s #Rock #Story

Hey music junkies and vinyl junkies Professor of Rock always here to celebrate the greatest artists and the greatest 80s rock songs of all time for the music community and vinyl community with music history video essay's. If you’ve ever owned records, cassettes and CD’s at different times in you life or still do this is your place Subscribe below right now to be a part of our daily celebration of the rock era with exclusive stories from straight from the artists and click on our patreon link in the description to become an Honorary Producer.

[ProfessorofRock]

Poll: What is your pick for the greatest "bottled lightening" song ever?

[eurogliders]

Hey Professor, thanks for the shout-out. I'm amazed anyone in the US still remembers us. It was exciting times and for a few milli-seconds it looked like we were really going to break through and make a lasting gave it our best shot!! Thanks again for your kind words. All the best, Grace Knight

[jeffrice]

1.Aldo Nova- Fantasy
2. Saga- On the Loose
3. Vandenberg- Burning Heart
4. Honeymoon Suite- Feel it Again
5. Zebra- Who's Behind the Door
6. Scritti Politti- Perfect Way
7. Autograph- Turn Up the Radio
8. Wall of Voodoo- Mexican Radio
9. The Church- Under a Milky Way
10.Quarterflash-Harden My Heart
11. Information Society- What's on Your Mind.

[pjfuller]

One of the more underrated tracks from the 80’s is “Birds Fly (Whisper To a Scream)” by The Icicle Works. Just a great track.

[positron]

I met the Eurogliders back in 84. My parents owned a small motel in Dubbo (country NSW Australia). The band were staying there on tour. They were such friendly and down to earth people (especially Bernie Lynch). They took me, an impressionable 15 year old, to the gig and I got to watch back stage. Awesome. Changed my life. That was it. I had to work in the music industry. I’ve always loved Heaven. Takes me right back.

[daveowens]

Me: "I don't have time to watch a 24 minute Professor of Rock episode..."

Also me: "wow! 80's hits...? Darn you, I'm in!"

[traci]

Icehouse - "Electric Blue" was always one of my favorite 80's "one hit wonders"... although I'm not sure it got very high on the charts.

[travisgarrett]

Cry was a groundbreaking video. We were all freaking out at the face changes. My favorite bottled lightening song was Fantasy by Aldo Nova.

[blaketarpley]

Send Me An Angel by Real Life. I think you should do a spotlight on the 80s band, 1994! Karen Lawrence is such an underrated female singer.

[markwells]

Honeymoon Suite "I've got a new girl now" is one of my fave overlooked 80's gems.

[greggburke]

Beats So Lonely by Charlie Sexton is clearly the best hidden gem on this list. I'm amazed Charlie didn't have a more significant career. It's like he peeked at 17, but has grinded out a career without ever achieving the superstardom that many thought he would. I was curious why Beats So Lonely was not on Some Kind of Wonderful's Soundtrack even though it was featured so prominently in the movie.

[MaineManMike]

"Driver's Seat" by Sniff 'n' the Tears is a great one.

[janet]

Some of my personal faves with '80s one hit wonders (in addition to the great top 5 mentioned by POR) include: "Let's Go All the Way" by Sly Fox, "Fascinated" by Company B, "So Alive" by Love & Rockets, "Shattered Dreams" by Johnny Hates Jazz, "Rumors" by Timex Social Club, a different song called "Cry" by Waterfront, "The Rain" by Oran "Juice" Jones, and the "Lean On Me" remake by Club Nouveau.

[richardflorence]

Steelheart "I'll never let you go", Boy Meets Girl "Waiting for a Star to Fall", Atlantic Star "Always"

[joeloiacano]

Saga “On the Loose” in my early MTV exposure. I never heard such an explosive rock song. Featuring a solo stand off between lead guitar and fast pace keyboards. This song seems lost in the ether, but not in my rock ‘n’ roll heart

[CmaTast]

As a Perth-born Aussie, thankyou for covering the Eurogliders. Definitely a band that deserved more recognition.

[scottymoondogjakubin]

There will never be another decade like the 80's

[rnkmode]

Yes!. Johnny Hates Jazz (Shattered Dreams), Real Life's (Send Me an Angel), Dramarama (Anything), Martika (Toy Solider). Dan Hartman (I Can Dream About You), there's quite alot from all genres.

[tjm]

Here's my 5er for "Forgotten 'One-Hit Wonders' of the 80s"... no particular order:
1) Greg Guidry - "Goin' Down"
2) Brenda Russell - "Piano In The Dark"
3) Bertie Higgins - "Key Largo"
4) Charlie Dore - "Pilot Of The Airwaves"
5) Laid Back - "White Horse"

[tmwii]

I heard Cry on Miami Vice and LOVED it! Bought it on cassette the next day and wore it out. I never understood why it wasn’t a bigger hit.