80s One Hit Wonders Vol. 2 Trivia Quiz

Answer: Syreeta

Billboard number four, April 19, 1980. Syreeta (Syreeta Wright) had a career which lasted over 30 years. She was working as a secretary at Motown Records in the 1960s and she was used as a backup singer, and then signed to record on her own. She was also considered as a replacement for Diana Ross, after her exit from The Supremes.

She was involved with a number of tunes in the late 1960s. She was also married to Stevie Wonder for about 18 months in the early 1970s, and recorded a number of tunes with him.

Her greatest success came with this song, as a duet with Billy Preston in 1980. Sadly, she passed away due to cancer in 2004.

Answer: Grover Washington Jr.

Billboard number two, May 2, 1981. Grover Washington Jr. is considered by many to be one of the pioneers of the genre known as "smooth jazz". Born in Buffalo, New York in 1943, his greatest success came in the 1970s and early 1980s with this song being the peak of his success.

The song itself was a collaboration with Bill Withers. Not only did the song just miss the top of the charts, but it won a Grammy Award in 1982 for Best R&B Song. Washington passed away in 1999.

Answer: Buckner and Garcia

Billboard number nine, March 27, 1982. Jerry Buckner and Gary Garcia were a songwriting duo who joined together in 1980. Their first song was called "Merry Christmas in the N.F.L." (U.S. National Football League), and featured the late Howard Cosell as Santa Claus. "Pac-Man Fever" led the duo to a contract with Columbia Records, and a complete album of novelty songs based on video games of the time. Songs such as "Mousetrap", "Do The Donkey Kong" and "Froggy's Lament" made the cut.

Answer: After The Fire

Billboard number five, April 30, 1983. This song is originally a German language song recorded and released by Falco in 1981. That version of the song was a number one hit was in seven countries, and reached the Top 20 in six more countries. The only country where it fared poorly was in the U.S., where it could only manage a number 72 placing.

After being slightly reworked and translated, After The Fire released the song in the U.S. in 1982, and it went to number five on the charts, based in part by extensive play on MTV.

Answer: Shannon

Billboard number eight, February 25, 1984. Shannon (Shannon Greene) was born in Washington D.C. in 1958. She was attending York College, and touring with The New York Jazz Ensemble when she was discovered in 1983. She recorded this song as part of a demo session and the song was released without her knowledge. Turned out ok though.

The song became an international hit, and although Shannon never scored another U.S mainstream hit, she did have five number one dance chart hits between 1983 and 2000.

Answer: Band Aid

Billboard number 13, January 19, 1985. This supergroup created with the work of Bob Geldof of Boomtown Rats fame, and Midge Ure of Ultravox, was formed specifically to create a song to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia. The group consisted of many of the biggest pop stars of the time from Great Britain and Ireland.

Individuals such as Paul Young, Freddie Mercury (Queen), Phil Collins(Genesis), Simon Lebon (Duran Duran), Sting (The Police), and Bono (U2) were there, along with members of their bands, and many others which are too numerous to list. Almost 50 artists, in all, participated in the recording.

Answer: The Fabulous Thunderbirds

Billboard number ten, July 12, 1986. Although in existence since 1974, and releasing a number of albums, this song was actually the first release of a single by the group. This was their only success as mainstream artists even though they were very successful as opening acts in live shows for such artists as The Rolling Stones, and Eric Clapton.

The song was featured in two films in that year, "Gung Ho", and "Tough Guys", which probably contributed to the success of the tune.

Answer: The Georgia Satellites

Billboard number two, February 21, 1987. The Georgia Satellites, from Atlanta Georgia, were one of the few groups of this genre who had more than regional success. This song, although a one hit wonder, was very successful, and got massive airplay on MTV.

Answer: Midnight Oil

Billboard number 17, July 2, 1988. Midnight Oil has been a very successful group in their home country of Australia. They've been recording since 1978 under this name, and have charted over 20 hits there. They have charted a number of hits in the U.S. as well, with this being their highest charting hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

Answer: Sheriff

Billboard number one, February 4, 1989. This band originally formed in 1983, and this song was the third release from their debut album. Although mildly successful in Canada, the song only peaked at number 61 in the U.S. The band broke up in 1985. Subsequently, a disc jockey in Las Vegas found the song and started playing it on the radio in late 1988, and the song took off.

It became a number one hit in both the U.S. and Canada, almost four years after the group's demise. A couple of notes. The lead voice on the piece is that of Freddy Curci.

He is listed in The Guinness Book Of World Records for the longest note in a pop song, for his ending on this song. He also reached the Top Five again in 1990 with a new group called Alias, and their power ballad "More Than Words Can Say".