One Hit Wonder Lyrics By Year: 1983 Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Taco Ockerse put out his famed "Puttin' On The Ritz" in 1982. Within a year, "Puttin' On The Ritz" made it up to number four on the Billboard 100 charts. The song describes the ritzy lifestyles of the rich and famous. According to the lyrics, what avenue do most of the well-to-do people walk? "Have you seen the well-to-do up and down ________ Avenue On that famous thoroughfare with their noses in the air High hats and Arrow collars white spats and lots of dollars Spending every dime for a wonderful time"

Answer: Park

Before becoming an international star with his hit "Puttin' On The Ritz" Taco Ockerse belonged to a music group called Taco's Bizz. With this group, he performed music that was popular during the Great Depression of the 1930s. "Puttin' On The Ritz" was originally written in 1929 and described the fashionable dress habits of the rich and famous. Taco Ockerse performed relatively the same version that was written in the late 20s, however, there were verses that had been modified to suit the present lifestyles of people. Probably the most notable change was to the following set of lyrics:

Originally, the lyrics went "That's where each and ev'ry Lulu-Belle goes, ev'ry Thursday evening with her swell beaus". The revised version of the song goes "Dressed up like a million dollar trouper, trying hard to look like Gary Cooper".

2. Christopher Hamill, better known as Limahl, would have a solo career that would be successful with his hit song "The Neverending Story". In 1983, however, he had success as lead singer of the group Kajagoogoo. Their hit "Too Shy" would go all the way to number five on the Billboard 100 in 1983. When listening to the lyrics, how should this secretive-like chorus be completed? "You're too shy shy ___________________ eye to eye."

Answer: hush hush

Not only would Kajagoogoo reach as high as number five in North America, but they would also go to number one in the United Kingdom with their hit "Too Shy". It has been suggested that the band got the name Kajagoogoo as an improvised term from the common baby phrase "Gaga Goo Goo". Christopher Hamill, lead singer of Kajagoogoo would have success with his hit "Neverending Story".

This hit would go on to reach number six on the Billboards in 1984.

3. Dexy's Midnight Runners are generally claimed to be a one hit wonder band. This British band was originally founded in 1977 by Kevin Rowland and Kevin Archer. It was not until 1983 that they earned their fame when their hit song "Come On Eileen" peaked at number one on the Billboard charts on April 23. In the opening verse of the song, what was wrong with Johnny Ray? "Poor old Johnny Ray _________________________ But he moved a million hearts in mono"

Answer: "Sounded sad upon the radio"

Kevin Rowland, founder of the band, claims that he named the band after a common recreational drug called Dexedrine. The band has had many members come and go since their original formation in 1977. It is quite possible that this has been one of the factors ultimately causing their "one hit wonder" status. Dexy's Midnight Runners disbanded in 1987 and Kevin Rowland would try to embark on a solo career.

His solo career, however, would be more unsuccessful than his careers with Dexy's Midnight Runners.

His first album "The Wanderer", released in 1987, would see limited air time and was a commercial failure. It would not be until 1999 that he released the album "My Beauty". This album, unfortunately, would be just as great a bust as his first solo album, and would see very minimal air time.

4. After The Fire formed in 1974 as a Christian progressive rock band. By the early 1980s, After The Fire had gradually changed their style to new wave. Unfortunately for this band, they would be subject to being like many other bands. They fell prey to the one hit wonder syndrome with their only North American hit song "Der Kommissar". In the chorus, where is the Kommissar? "She was singin' Don't turn around, uh-oh Der Kommissar's _____________, uh-oh"

Answer: in town

After The Fire was formed in England during the early 1970s. Originally a Christian rock band, they eventually transformed their music to the new wave style. They would enjoy success mainly in their homeland; however, in 1983, they had a breakthrough year with their release of "Der Kommissar".

The previous year, musician Falco released a very successful German version of "Der Kommissar". It was based on this song that After The Fire gained fame. Rather than release the song in German, After The Fire recorded their version in English, giving it mainstream success in both the United Kingdom and in the United States.

In April 1983, "Der Kommissar" would reach a peak on the Billboard charts at number 5.

5. It was a song about love, friendships, and everything that life has to throw at us. The song went to number eighteen on the Billboard 200 in 1983. "In A Big Country" would be the only North American hit song for the European band Big Country. A good portion of the lyrics to this song are meant to show us how the world and our attitudes can work in a positive way. The following lyrics express this: "I'm not expecting to grow flowers in the ________ But I can live and breathe and see the sun in wintertime" How should one complete these positive lyrics?

Answer: desert

In 1983, "In A Big Country" would ultimately reach number 18 on the Billboard 200. The song was intended to be positive and describe friendship, love, and imperfections that happen in our world. In other words, a song suggesting that life really could be much worse.

The band Big Country was originally from Scotland, and other than their one hit wonder status in North America, were mainly popular in Europe. In 2001, tragedy struck for the band. Following a performance in 1999, lead singer Stuart Adamson admitted that Big Country's eighth album "Driving to Damascus" had put him in a state of depression due to its lack of success.

The band, two years later, on December 16th, 2001, unaware of how severe Adamson's state of depression really was, learned that Adamson had hung himself in a Honolulu, Hawaii hotel.

The band permanently disbanded after this; however, in early 2007, the remaining band members decided to embark on a tour of the United Kingdom to celebrate their 25th year as a band.

6. The Flying Pickets were best known for their cover track "Only You" which had previously been a success with the music group Yazoo. The Flying Pickets are known as a one hit wonder with this hit on the American charts, and they are classified as a two-hit wonder in Britain. How should the lyrics to this popular a capella song be completed? "Looking from _________ above, It's like a story of love, Can you hear me?"

Answer: a window

The Flying Pickets formed in 1982 in Britain and were a successful a capella band in Europe. In North America, however, they had limited success as they would have their only hit "Only You" in 1983. In Britain, this song earned even greater success, staying on top of the charts for five straight weeks.

The Flying Pickets disbanded for the first time in 1990, but officially disbanded in 1994 after members of the band reformed to record their final album.

7. During the early years of MTV, the music group Musical Youth would be popular not only for their one hit wonder song "Pass The Dutchie", they would also be one of the first black artists to actually have a music video played on MTV. "Pass The Dutchie" would hit its peak at number 10 on the Billboard 100 in 1983. When passing the dutchie, what side should it be passed on? "Pass the dutchie on the _______ hand side"

Answer: left

Musical Youth was a popular reggae/pop group that originally formed in 1979. Originally, the group consisted of two sets of brothers: Kelvin and Michael Grant/Junior and Patrick Waite. Frederick Waite, father of the Waite boys, had also belonged to the band and sang lead vocals with Patrick Waite.

In 1982, Frederick Waite would step down as a member of the band. It was shortly thereafter, that Musical Youth earned their greatest success. Musical Youth released one of the fastest selling singles of all time that year with their hit "Pass The Dutchie".

The song was a spinoff of the song "Pass The Kouchie" which is a song about marijuana. Musical Youth changed the title to "Pass The Dutchie" to make it more appropriate for listeners. In fact, "Dutchie" refers to a common type of cooking pot, so in reality, the song actually means "Pass The Cooking Pot".

8. The music group Saga has historically been successful within their own homeland of Canada. In 1983, however, they would emerge as successful on the American Billboard charts, peaking at number 26 with their hit song "On The Loose". This song would be their only hit to gain any popularity on the Billboard Charts. According to the chorus, why is the song character "on the loose"? "No one can _______________ Tonight you're on the loose No one to tell you how Tonight you're on the loose"

Answer: stop you now

Saga is a rock group that has mainly been successful within Canadian borders. In 1983, however, their success left Canada with their song "On The Loose". This song peaked at number 26 on the Billboard charts. In Canada, they have been very successful and as of 2007, were still touring as a band.

They would have success with various songs in Canada including "On The Loose", "Wind Him Up", "The Flyer", and "Scratching the Surface".

9. Originally recorded in German, Peter Schilling's "Major Tom (Coming Home)" was internationally sung in the English language. How should the lyrics to this popular song that went to number 14 on the American charts be completed? "Standing there alone the _______ is waiting all systems are go are you sure?"

Answer: ship

Peter Schilling was a 1980s German musician that incorporated the use of scientific themes in his music such as aliens, astronauts, space travel, and space holocausts. His only international hit single "Major Tom (Coming Home)", would be a retelling of the classic David Bowie hit "Space Oddity".

In 1990, Peter Schilling retired temporarily from the music industry after suffering from what he referred to as a "burnout". In 1995, Schilling joined the band Space Pilots, however, they have not had any commercial success.

In their short history, they only recorded on song titled "Trip To Orion" on vinyl. This song is extremely rare and is very difficult for collectors to find.

10. Popular British scientist and media figure Dr. Magnus Pyke appeared in the video and provided sound bites for possibly one of the most bizarre one hit wonder songs of the 1980s. Thomas Dolby's "She Blinded Me With Science" was a quirky and unusual new wave hit that incorporated synthesizers and an all around scientific sound. "She Blinded Me With Science" was rated as one of the top 100 greatest songs of the 1980s. According to the lyrics, what subject did she fail him in? "Mmmmmm it's poetry in motion when she turned her eyes to me as deep as any ocean as sweet as any harmony she blinded me with science and failed me in ______________."

Answer: geometry

Although "She Blinded Me With Science" went to number five on the US Hot 100, Thomas Morgan Robertson (AKA Dolby) states that it is his least favorite song that he has recorded. His other successes have come in working in various side projects with other popular bands.

His most popular side success was on the album "Pyromania" by Def Leppard in 1983 where he played the keyboards under the alias Booker T. Boffin. Dolby has also contributed to the synthesizer playing for many other popular bands including Foreigner, Thompson Twins, and Trent Reznor.

Source: Author apathy100

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Metallica, Def Leppard, and Quiet Riot sparked the rock world. The Police would release their popular "Synchronicity". In the midst of all of this, some of the most famous one hit wonders would emerge. What do you know about these single song wonders?

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