1. “Maniac” – Michael Sembello
Even if you’ve never seen Flashdance, you know “Maniac.” It’s the song that made everyone want to work out in leg warmers while pouring buckets of sweat on the dance floor. Released in 1983, it was an absolute monster hit, sitting in the Top 10 and earning Michael Sembello a Grammy nomination. His passionate, slightly unhinged delivery made it unforgettable.
And yet, outside of this track, Sembello’s name didn’t stick in pop history. He had been a session guitarist for Stevie Wonder and wrote for other artists, but “Maniac” was his one and only time in the spotlight. These days, people think of the water-drenched dance scene from Flashdance or even parodies of it, but almost nobody remembers the guy behind the song.
2. “Gloria” – Laura Branigan
You couldn’t escape “Gloria” in 1982. The song exploded onto radio, filling roller rinks, clubs, and living rooms alike with Laura Branigan’s powerhouse vocals. It was originally an Italian disco track, but Branigan’s version gave it an edge that made it iconic. It even earned her a Grammy nomination and went on to be played as a sports anthem decades later by the St. Louis Blues.
Despite all of this, Branigan never became a superstar on the level of Madonna or Cyndi Lauper. She had a few other hits like “Self Control” and “Solitaire,” but she remains underappreciated compared to how massive “Gloria” was. The song itself has lived on as a pop culture staple, but Branigan’s name has sadly faded more than her voice deserved.
3. “Obsession” – Animotion
If you turned on MTV in 1985, chances are you caught “Obsession” blasting through the speakers while models stared intensely into the camera. Animotion’s synth-heavy anthem was dramatic, danceable, and tailor-made for the neon decade. The song’s intensity made it perfect for fashion shows, aerobics classes, and any setting where you needed a little over-the-top flair.
But Animotion never came close to matching the success of “Obsession.” They did release a few more songs, but none burned into pop culture quite the same way. The track continues to live on in commercials and retro playlists, but when you ask people who sang it, the room usually goes quiet.
4. “Major Tom (Coming Home)” – Peter Schilling
With its futuristic sound and ties to David Bowie’s “Space Oddity,” Peter Schilling’s “Major Tom (Coming Home)” was destined to capture attention in the early ’80s. The song took Bowie’s lost astronaut and gave him a whole new chapter, turning it into a Cold War–era anthem that cracked the U.S. Top 20 in 1983. Its dramatic, almost cinematic quality made it feel bigger than just a pop single.
And yet, Schilling never became a star in the U.S. While he remained successful in Europe, Americans knew him only for this song. To this day, people nod and sing along to “Major Tom” when it pops up in a movie or TV show, but Peter Schilling’s name rarely gets mentioned.
5. “Somebody’s Watching Me” – Rockwell
You hear the line, “I always feel like somebody’s watching me,” and you’re instantly transported back to 1984. The song was eerie but fun, with Rockwell singing about paranoia while Michael Jackson handled the catchy chorus. It was one of those songs that you couldn’t escape on radio or MTV, partly because it sounded like a lost Jackson track.
But Rockwell, whose real name was Kennedy Gordy, never matched that success. He was Motown royalty, being the son of Berry Gordy, but even that couldn’t save his career after this hit. Today, people mostly think of it as “that Michael Jackson Halloween song” rather than Rockwell’s.
6. “She Blinded Me with Science” – Thomas Dolby
Few songs captured the quirky, experimental energy of the early ’80s quite like “She Blinded Me with Science.” With its shout of “SCIENCE!” and bizarre music video, it felt like a nerd anthem before nerd anthems were even a thing. It became a staple on MTV and a fun oddity on the radio.
But Thomas Dolby never had another mainstream smash. He went on to work as a producer, composer, and even tech innovator, but his name never stayed in the spotlight. Meanwhile, “She Blinded Me with Science” keeps turning up whenever people want to capture that nerdy, kitschy ’80s vibe.
7. “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” – Bobby McFerrin
In 1988, you couldn’t go anywhere without hearing “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” It was the first a cappella song to ever hit No. 1 on the Billboard charts, and its carefree, whistle-filled melody made it one of the most iconic tracks of the decade. The phrase itself became a pop culture catchphrase, plastered on T-shirts, posters, and bumper stickers everywhere.
And yet, Bobby McFerrin’s name is rarely attached to it in people’s memories. He’s actually an accomplished jazz vocalist and conductor, but outside of music circles, he’s remembered only for this one quirky smash. The song has lived on in commercials, movies, and playlists for decades, while McFerrin himself has largely slipped out of the pop spotlight.
8. “99 Luftballons” – Nena
You didn’t have to understand German to get hooked by “99 Luftballons.” Released in 1983, it was a protest song about nuclear war disguised as a pop anthem. Its upbeat melody and catchy chorus made it a massive international hit, and even the English version, “99 Red Balloons,” became iconic.
But Nena, the band behind it, never really broke through outside of Germany. They remained stars back home, but in the U.S., they were seen as a one-hit wonder. The song itself still shows up in movies and TV shows, but the group’s name is often forgotten.
9. “Voices Carry” – ‘Til Tuesday
With Aimee Mann’s distinctive vocals and a music video full of drama, “Voices Carry” became one of 1985’s most memorable hits. The storyline of the video, showing Mann’s character being silenced by her partner until she finally belts it out in defiance, was unforgettable. The song soared into the Top 10 and made ‘Til Tuesday look like rising stars.
But the band couldn’t capture lightning in a bottle twice. Mann went on to build a respected solo career, even scoring an Oscar nomination, but most casual listeners don’t connect her to this track. Instead, the song is remembered as a quintessential slice of mid-’80s pop drama.
10. “The Safety Dance” – Men Without Hats
If you’re thinking quirky lyrics, synth beats, and a medieval-themed video, then you’re thinking of “The Safety Dance.” Released in 1982, it was odd, infectious, and completely unforgettable. The Canadian band Men Without Hats became briefly famous because of it, and the song hit the Top 10 in the U.S.
But they couldn’t sustain their success. The group continued making music but never hit the charts in the same way. Today, the song is remembered as a kitschy classic, used in commercials and sitcoms, while the band’s name draws blank stares.
11. “Turning Japanese” – The Vapors
“Turning Japanese” was quirky, catchy, and just plain strange — which made it perfect for 1980. With its fast beat and cryptic lyrics, it caught on quickly and became The Vapors’ one and only international hit. The song was debated endlessly for its meaning, which only added to its mystique.
But The Vapors vanished just as quickly as they appeared. They split up after two albums, and this one hit was all they left in the pop consciousness. The song still shows up on retro playlists, but hardly anyone remembers who sang it.
12. “Electric Avenue” – Eddy Grant
When Eddy Grant took us “down to Electric Avenue” in 1983, he gave us one of the most infectious grooves of the decade. With its reggae influence and social commentary, it stood out from the rest of the pop scene. It was an anthem that made you want to dance while also thinking about the world.
But despite its massive success, Grant never had another hit in the U.S. He continued performing and making music, but this was the peak of his American fame. The song still plays at parties and on retro stations, but his name often gets lost.
13. “Walking on Sunshine” – Katrina and the Waves
Few songs instantly brighten your mood like “Walking on Sunshine.” Released in 1985, it was an explosion of pure joy, and Katrina Leskanich’s powerhouse vocals made it soar. The track became a summer anthem and has since been featured in countless commercials, movies, and wedding playlists.
But the band’s career in America didn’t take off beyond this one hit. They had a cult following and even won Eurovision years later, but U.S. listeners only know them for this feel-good classic. The song has aged into one of the most recognizable hits of the decade, even if the band’s name hasn’t.
14. “I Melt with You” – Modern English
If there’s one ’80s love song that feels like it belongs in every teen movie montage, it’s “I Melt with You.” It first gained attention in 1983 after being featured in Valley Girl, and its dreamy, romantic vibe made it a cult favorite. For a while, it felt like Modern English would become major stars.
But the band never had another major hit in the U.S. They kept recording and touring, but this single remained their legacy. It’s still one of the most enduring songs of the ’80s, often turning up in commercials and films, but Modern English as a band never became a household name.
