"New Wave" and the 1980s - one-hit wonders and biggest hits

[Passing_Stranger]

I've been preparing this thread for quite some time (most of this year especially) but now it seems I'm ready to present it. The initial purpose was to collate the chart successes of the biggest hits from the "New Wave" movement - precisely, its electronic side. There were quite a few of the influential artists who only ended up as one-hit wonders for most of the world - and it's them whom I originally centered my research on. There were, of course, artists who had a prolonged successful carrier but I decided to leave them out as they have numerous big hits. So initially this thread was going to be a sort of "New Wave one-hit wonders" one. Gradually though it started to spread wider and now it's more like "1980s one-hit wonders" with a hundred songs that had worldwide success during that decade (well, during 1979-1988, to be correct). Of course I wasn't going to gather info on all of the one-hit wonders of that decade, only on songs that are to my taste or those I have an interest in or curious about. So - an opinionated list which is just that and not anything comprehensive.

The songs I've been choosing had various degrees of chart success around the world. So I decided to include only those that charted in 11 or more countries (well, the more the better). That's the only bottom line. I also wanted to present as full info as possible but for quite a few countries I only know the peak position as anything else is hard or impossible to find (if anyone can help - please do so!). I'll try to present songs in more or less chronological order. Most are from the UK but with lots of European hits too as Europe really came into force with the advent of the new musical technologies during the early 1980s. The USA are not forgotten, too.

[Passing_Stranger]

Sources:

Australia - Kent Report/Australian Music Report (posted by year here) + ARIA (since 1988)
Austria - Der Musikmarkt & Ö3 Hitparade (since 1980)
Belgium - BRT Top 30 with additional data from Joepie's Belgie Super 30 (for 1984-1986)
Canada - RPM with additional data from The Record
Denmark - IFPI/BT Top 15
Finland
France - Top France, Infodisc, TMP France, since 1984 - the official chart
(West) Germany - Media Control
Hong Kong (for 1978-1980 via Icelandic newspaper "Dagbladet")
Iceland - Visir/Dagbladet Visir (via Timarit.is)
Ireland
Israel - Israel Broadcasting Authority/Reshet Gimmel/Kol Israel
Italy - Musica e Dischi, RAI Hit Parade, TV Sorrisi e Canzoni
Japan - Oricon with additional data from Music Labo (via Billboard), All Japan Pop 20
The Netherlands - De Nederlandse Top 40 & Nationale Hitparade
New Zealand - RIANZ
Norway - VG-Lista
Poland - Listy Przebojow 3
Portugal - Musica & Som (1979-1984) ; Topdisco
South Africa - Springbok Radio
Spain - Superventas & AFYVE (since 1986)
Sweden - Topplistan & Trackslistan (since 1984)
Switzerland - Der Musikmarkt & DRS Hitparade/Schweizer Hitparade
UK - Musik Week, New Musical Express, Melody Maker, Record Business (1980-1983), The Network Chart
USA - Billboard, Cash Box, Radio & Records, Record World
Zimbabwe (via book by C. Kimberley)

[Passing_Stranger]

Here will be the list of the featured songs (each one will be linked to after publication). Information is presented this way: year of release or main success, song title by performer, number of countries charted / number of #1 peaks.

As for the entries themselves, they'll look like this: song title by performer, then the information about the song (author(s), producer(s), date of release, country of origin). After that there'll be countries in which the song charted in the main chart(s) (name of the chart, if there were more than one - date of chart entry - peak position with number of weeks at the top if the song reached No. 1 - overall number of weeks in the chart). The countries will be by alphabetical order.

1. M - Pop Muzik [23 / 10]
2. The Buggles - Video Killed the Radio Star [22 / 12]
3. Lipps, Inc. - Funkytown [23 / 15]
4. The Korgis - Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime [12 / 2]
5. Jona Lewie - Stop the Cavalry [13 / 3]
6. Visage - Fade to Grey [16 / 3]
7. Kim Carnes - Bette Davis Eyes [24 / 14]
8. Aneka - Japanese Boy [21 / 9]
9. Dave Stewart with Barbara Gaskin - It's My Party [17 / 4]
10. Soft Cell - Tainted Love [18 / 9]

11. The Human League - Don't You Want Me [23 / 10]
12. Jon & Vangelis - I'll Find My Way Home [15 / 2]
13. Secret Service - Flash in the Night [12 / 2]
14. Ph.D. - I Won't Let You Down [12 / 4]
15. The J. Geils Band - Centerfold [17 / 5]
16. Quarterflash - Harden My Heart [14 / 2]
17. Men at Work - Down Under [21 / 10]
18. The Steve Miller Band - Abracadabra [25 / 14]
19. Toni Basil - Mickey [14 / 3]
20. ABC - The Look of Love [19 / 2]

21. Adam Ant - Goody Two Shoes [17 / 2]
22. Dexy's Midnight Runners - Come on Eileen [21 / 9]
23. Trio - Da Da Da [23 / 6]
24. Yazoo - Don't Go [21 / 5]
25. Captain Sensible - Wot! [12 / 1]
26. Taco - Puttin' on the Ritz [17 / 5]
27. Frida - I Know There's Something Going on [22 / 3]
28. F.R. David - Words [22 / 15]
29. Peter Schilling - Major Tom [14 / 4]
30. Nena - 99 Luftballons (Red Balloons) [23 / 17]

31. Kajagoogoo - Too Shy [22 / 8]
32. Spandau Ballet - True [18 / 4]
33. Greg Kihn Band - Jeopardy [18 / 3]
34. Mike Oldfield with Maggie Reilly - Moonlight Shadow [22 / 13]
35. Men Without Hats - The Safety Dance [20 / 3]
36. Trans-X - Living on Video [11]
37. Freeez - I.O.U. [18 / 3]
38. Herbie Hancock - Rockit [17 / 1]
39. Laid Back - Sunshine Reggae [16 / 4]
40. Righeira - Vamos a la Playa [14 / 2]

41. Ryan Paris - Dolce Vita [20 / 7]
42. Gazebo - I Like Chopin [13 / 10]
43. Michael Sembello - Maniac [18 / 5]
44. The Romantics - Talking in Your Sleep [16 / 1]
45. Yes - Owner of a Lonely Heart [21 / 3]
46. The Assembly - Never Never [15 / 1]
47. Shannon - Let the Music Play [13]
48. Matthew Wilder - Break My Stride [20 / 2]
49. Wang Chung - Dance Hall Days [15 / 1]
50. Alphaville - Big in Japan [22 / 4]

51. Fiction Factory - (Feels Like) Heaven [13]
52. Rockwell - Somebody's Watching Me [25 / 5]
53. Break Machine - Street Dance [20 / 4]
54. The Cars - Drive [20]
55. Limahl - The Never Ending Story [24 / 7]
56. Jermaine Jackson & Pia Zadora - When the Rain Begins to Fall [15 / 5]
57. John Waite - Missing You [15 / 2]
58. Murray Head - One Night In Bangkok [24 / 10]
59. Maria Vidal - Body Rock [15 / 1]
60. King - Love & Pride [15 / 1]

61. Dead or Alive - You Spin Me Round [20 / 5]
62. Go West - We Close Our Eyes [17]
63. Jennifer Rush - The Power of Love [21 / 11]
64. Belouis Some - Imagination [13]
65. Katrina & The Waves - Walking on Sunshine [13]
66. Animotion - Obsession [13]
67. Opus - Live is Life [21 / 7]
68. Baltimora - Tarzan Boy [22 / 8]
69. Paul Hardcastle - 19 [24 / 13]
70. Harold Faltermeyer - Axel F [12 / 3]

71. Jan Hammer - Miami Vice Theme [12 / 1]
72. Midge Ure - If I Was [16 / 3]
73. John Parr - St Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion) [17 / 4]
74. Feargal Sharkey - A Good Heart [18 / 5]
75. Grace Jones - Slave to the Rhythm [13]
76. Double - The Captain of Her Heart [21 / 2]
77. Sigue Sigue Sputnik - Love Missile F1-11 [19 / 1]
78. Nu Shooz - I Can't Wait [13 / 2]
79. Sly Fox - Let's Go All the Way [12 / 1]
80. Cutting Crew - (I Just) Died in Your Arms [18 / 6]

81. Hollywood Beyond - What's the Colour of Money? [14]
82. Stan Ridgway - Camouflage [13]
83. Europe - The Final Countdown [23 / 17]
84. Berlin - Take My Breath Away [23 / 7]
85. Robbie Nevil - C'est la Vie [19 / 4]
86. Gregory Abbott - Shake You Down [16 / 3]
87. Desireless - Voyage Voyage [15 / 5]
88. John Farnham - You're the Voice [16 / 3]
89. Pseudo Echo - Funkytown [17 / 3]
90. Crowded House - Don't Dream It's Over [15 / 2]

91. Living in a Box - Living in a Box [19]
92. Black - Wonderful Life [14 / 2]
93. Climie Fisher - Love Changes (Everything) [15 / 1]
94. Belinda Carlisle - Heaven is a Place on Earth [24 / 10]
95. Midnight Oil - Beds Are Burning [12 / 3]
96. Bros - When Will I Be Famous? [17 / 1]
97. Eighth Wonder - I'm Not Scared [15 / 1]
98. Ofra Haza - Im Nin'Alu [17 / 8]
99. The Art of Noise feat. Tom Jones - Kiss [18 / 2]
100. Sam Brown - Stop! [16 / 5]

[Passing_Stranger]

I'd like to give my sincerest thanks to the UKMix users (in no particular order):

davidalic, trebor, grendizer, char****cherdl, SimoneMJJ, DrTravel, Nugs, francisplaiy, CZB, kingofskiffle, mario, Hanboo, Ohanna, yuvalzirler, Lewis17, VelaLuka, Robbie, me, Gambo, anpt, Metalweb

Last but not least, I urge anyone who has access to the chart information that could be presented here to contact me via PM or by posting the info here - I certainly missed something along the way or may not know, so will be really grateful for any kind of help.

[Passing_Stranger]

1. POP MUZIK by M

Written by: Robin Scott
Produced by: Robin Scott
Country of origin: UK
Release date: 9 March 1979

Australia
4 June 1979 - #1 (3) - 21 weeks

Austria
Der Musikmarkt: 15 July 1979 - #2 - 16 weeks

Belgium
26 May 1979 - #3 - 9 weeks

Canada
25 August 1979 - #1 (2) - 20 weeks

Denmark
#1

Finland
September 1979 - #9 - 2 months

France
InfoDisc: 11 May 1979 - #12 - 19 weeks
TMP France: 10 June 1979 - #3 - 19 weeks
Top France: 23 June 1979 - #5 - 10 weeks

(West) Germany
4 June 1979 - #1 (6) - 22 weeks

Hong Kong
13 October 1979 - #1 (1) - 10 weeks

Ireland
3 May 1979 - #2 - 8 weeks

Israel
14 May 1979 - #4 - 11 weeks

Italy
Musica e Dischi: 8 September 1979 - #5 - 25 weeks
RAI Hit Parade: 7 October 1979 - #5 - 22 weeks
TV Sorrisi e Canzoni: 21 October 1979 - #13 - 20 weeks

Japan
Oricon: 25 July 1979 - #66 - 17 weeks
All Japan Pop 20: ? 1979 - #4 - 23 weeks

The Netherlands
De Nederlandse Top 40: 12 May 1979 - #3 - 11 weeks
Nationale Hitparade: 19 May 1979 - #3 - 11 weeks

New Zealand
15 July 1979 - #3 - 18 weeks

Norway
13 June 1979 - #5 - 14 weeks

South Africa
3 August 1979 - #1 (3) - 18 weeks

Spain
3 November 1979 - #22 - 5 weeks

Sweden
1 June 1979 - #1 (2) - 24 weeks

Switzerland
Der Musikmarkt: 15 June 1979 - #1 (2) - 18 weeks
DRS Hitparade: 17 June 1979 - #1 (3) - 14 weeks

UK
Record Business: 2 April 1979 - #1 (2) - 14 weeks
Music Week: 7 April 1979 - #2 - 14 weeks
New Musical Express: 21 April 1979 - #1 (1) - 10 weeks
Melody Maker: 14 April 1979 - #1 (1) - 11 weeks

USA
Billboard: 11 August 1979 - #1 (1) - 24 weeks
Cash Box: 11 August 1979 - #4 - 24 weeks
Record World: 11 August 1979 - #4 - 26 weeks
Radio & Records: 17 August 1979 - #3 - 13 weeks

Zimbabwe
13 October 1979 - #5 - 12 weeks

1.1. POP MUZIK '89 by M

Australia
9 October 1989 - #86 - 6 weeks

Ireland
6 July 1989 - #8 - 3 weeks

New Zealand
15 October 1989 - #8 - 5 weeks

UK
Music Week: 10 June 1989 - #15 - 9 weeks
The Network Chart: 17 June 1989 - #9 - 7 weeks

1.2. Pop Muzik by All Systems Go

Switzerland
14 August 1988 - #14 - 6 weeks

UK
Music Week: 18 June 1988 - #63 - 3 weeks

[Robbie]

A good idea for a thread! I wonder how many I'll recognise. Or recognise and like?!

Additional UK chart info for 'Pop Muzik'

Record Business: 2 April 1979 (as RB charts are dated to a Monday this corresponds to the entry week on Music Week of 7 April 1979) - #1 (2) - 14 weeks

I still own the original 12" single of 'Pop Muzik'. It was released as a "double groove" 12" release. As the entry at discogs explains "Side A is the first released 'Double Groove' (ie: has two grooves) - depending on where the needle lands you either get 'Pop Muzik' or 'M Factor' coming out of the speakers. "

https://www.discogs.com/M-Pop-Muzik-M-F ... ase/323038

[trebor]

Nice idea... and quite a work!

Some suggestions:
For better understanding it may be helpful for the readers if the size and the chart cycle were noted along with the chart data. Like S/50/W, S/25/B, S/20/M, etc. S=Singles, 50=Chart size is a Top 50, W = weekly publication, B = bi-weekly, M = monthly,etc.
Personal input and opinion, only.
Italy: The charts from Billboard by Germano Ruscitto are worthless; they do not match any other chart of that time and the source was never named. Please ask user @me for his opinion. I would ditch his lists completely.
Switzerland: Since you are referring to two charts (which is laudable) I highly suggest you also use the weekly charts published by "Der Blick". Contrary to what swisscharts.com suggest NO list before November 6, 1983 was deemed official.
Austria: Ô3-Hitparade. This was the Austrian Public Broadcaster's radio chart and was primarily driven by listener's votes. These lists are for sentimental (and country specific historical) value, only; and should never be used in a (semi-)official context.

//
Quite surprised to learn that "Pop Muzik" only made #13 on the Italian TV Sorrisi & Canzoni chart.

[Passing_Stranger]

Robbie, thanks a lot for the RB info! I only have it for 1980-83, so earlier data is much welcome. For my part just added a cover version from 1988 that I didn't know charted. Don't know though if I should add cover versions?..

By the way, just recently bought a 7" of "Pop Muzik" just for historical value as I've yet to have a turntable!

As for opinions that'll be just great to see here, however critical. I included several "controversial" songs in the list so a bit of discussion is always welcome!

Trebor, thanks for your thoughts. I'll certainly do a layout for chart sources in the future - I actually wanted to do something like that but thought it'll be too much in a way of information, but you're right, it'll gave a better picture.

Now for charts - when I started gathering all this info what I had for Italy was those charts from Billboard, as I haven't bought Me's books then. So I naturally wrote to him and he told me this: "Germano Ruscitto was the editor and the owner of a magazine Discografia Internazionale. It was a competitor of Musica e Dischi from 1966 until 1972. When this magazine closed, at the end of 1972, Ruscitto continued to produce charts only for Billboard. He had a sector in his company (advertising company) only for these charts. They were sales charts, but I don't know how many shops were involved, probably not many. He stopped producing charts in 1988". Maybe GR info is unnecessary, though, as we already see THREE charts from one country! I'll think about it.

I by the way too marvel at variety of Italian information - from what I can tell it, Musica & Dischi and RAI were quite close most of the time with S&C giving the most divergent positions. I wonder what's the reason for it

I know about Swiss Der Blick charts as I've closely followed your great thread about those other charts, but I didn't know how influential/reliable those were. Well, if you suggest those then maybe you have time to add chart info for the songs I feature? I'll gladly add it to the list!

As for Austria, wasn't Ô3-Hitparade the most well-known chart from this country, used by Europarade etc? I remember reading that here on UKMix. The same situation was in Sweden, by the way, with sales-based Topplistan chart and radio voted Tracks (since 1984), with the latter being the most discussed and followed. I feature Tracks info so I think there's no harm to feature Ô3 I know though that listeners votes based charts can be highly suspectable but just for the sake of a more complete picture (and to honour the hours I spend looking though every week of those damned lists!!! ) I'll let them stay.

[trebor]

^^
Thank you very much for your detailed answer!

Italy: GR: Thanks for the info which was new to me. So, my apologies. Never heard of that publication; will look into it. Still deem the leader in radio (RAI), the industry leader (M&D), and the leader in print (TV S&C) to be more than exhaustive.
Here is the methodology used by TV S&C.
Switzerland: Same situation as above (DRS (radio); BLICK (print), Der Musikmarkt (industry). The "Der Musikmarkt" charts were introduced because industry and retail were not happy with the radio chart, the domestic musician's association weren't happy either and went with "Der Blick". #Mess
Austria: It's probably very likely that the Ô3 radio charts were used as Austria's "chart" in publications. Not too familiar with this country' true history; and whether there were more sales charts (there must have been, though). I use the charts from "Der Musikmarkt" as a reference.

Keep up the great work! (and sorry for the interference)

[Passing_Stranger]

No interference, Trebor, you're welcome to comment (as much as anyone) Always great to exchange the chart knowledge and opinion!

Now, the next one:

[Passing_Stranger]

2. VIDEO KILLED THE RADIO STAR by The Buggles

Written by: Bruce Woolley/Trevor Horn/Geoff Downes
Produced by: The Buggles
Country of origin: UK
Release date: 7 September 1979

Australia
5 November 1979 - #1 (7) - 22 weeks

Austria
Der Musikmarkt: 15 December 1979 - #1 (6) - 16 weeks
Ö3-Hitparade: 3 February 1980 - #4 - 6 weeks

Belgium
17 November 1979 - #7 - 4 weeks

Canada
8 December 1979 - #6 - 26 weeks

Denmark
? December 1979 - #1 (7) - 13+ weeks

France
Top France: 10 November 1979 - #1 (10) - 19 weeks
Infodisc: 5 October 1979 - #1 (10) - 23 weeks
TMP France Top 40: 21 October 1979 - #1 (6) - 21 weeks
IFOP: 5 January 2013 - #190 - 1 week

(West) Germany
12 November 1979 - #2 (8) - 23 weeks

Hong Kong
1 February 1980 - #1 (2) - 5+ weeks

Ireland
14 October 1979 - #1 (2) - 6 weeks

Israel
5 November 1979 - #8 - 11 weeks

Italy
TV Sorrisi e Canzoni: 20 January 1980 - #1 (15) - 30 weeks
RAI Hit Parade: 20 January 1980 - #1 (14) -
Musica e Dischi: 26 January 1980 - #1 (15) - 28 weeks

Japan
Oricon: 20 December 1979 - #25 - 20 weeks
Oricon International: #1 (5)
All Japan Pop 20: ? 1980 - #1 (8) - 23 weeks
Music Labo: 10 March 1980 - #20 - 1 week

The Netherlands
De Nederlandse Top 40: 27 October 1979 - #17 - 6 weeks
Nationale Hitparade: 3 November 1979 - #16 - 6 weeks

New Zealand
25 November 1979 - #2 - 15 weeks

Portugal
#2

South Africa
26 January 1980 - #6 - 11 weeks

Spain
2 February 1980 - #1 (5) - 19 weeks

Sweden
30 November 1979 - #1 (2) - 18 weeks

Switzerland
DRS Hitparade: 11 November 1979 - #1 (2) - 12 weeks
Der Musikmarkt: 1 December 1979 - #3 - 12 weeks

UK
Record Business: 17 September 1979 - #1 (1) - 11 weeks
Music Week: 22 September 1979 - #1 (1) - 11 weeks
Melody Maker: 29 September 1979 - #1 (2) - 8 weeks
New Musical Express: 6 October 1979 - #1 (2) - 7 weeks

USA
Billboard: 10 November 1979 - #40 - 10 weeks
Cash Box: 10 November 1979 - #40 - 11 weeks
Record World: 17 November 1979 - #59 - 5 weeks

Zimbabwe
16 February 1980 - #3 - 13 weeks

2.2. Video Killed the Radio Star by Bruce Woolley & The Camera Club

Australia
19 November 1979 - #94 -2 weeks

Canada
?

2.3. Video Killed the Radio Star by Rewind feat. Madame Denise

Austria
25 July 1993 - #19 - 6 weeks

2.4. Video Killed the Radio Star by The Presidents of the United States of America

UK
1 August 1998 - #52 - 1 week

2.5. Video Killed the Radio Star by Two in One

Austria
10 June 2001 - #24 - 9 weeks

2.6. Video Killed the Radio Star by Dragonheart

UK
27 November 2004 - #74 - 1 week

2.7. Video Killed the Radio Star by Bitch Alert

Finland
3 July 2005 - #11 - 2 weeks

[Robbie]

On the Record Business chart in the UK 'Video Killed The Radio Star' made its debut on the chart dated 17 September 1979. Again a Monday date, this matches the same chart week the record entered the Music Week chart. It spent one week at the top, though this was one week later than the week it reached number 1 in MW. Weeks on chart were 11 which match that of Music Week.

A great record too!

[Passing_Stranger]

Thank you Robbie! It is a great record and, as fasr as I can tell, on the back of it Buggles were percieved as a future major force in pop - for some time. It kinda happened, though not as everybody imagined

Interesting fact that, if I'm not wrong, drums on this record were played by Richard Burgess (at least he appeared with Buggles on Top of the Pops etc) - another noted and very successful 1980s producer (at least one of his productions will appear here) and frontman of another one hit wonder group Landscape.

What I find very strange about VKTRS is that in failed in Norway and Finland - for some reason these countries were among the tough nuts to crack. And what about The Netherlands? Only a minor Top 20 hit compared to smash successes all around...

[Gambo]

Just to say that if only on your personal selection of genres I will likely end up liking and owning pretty-much every entry on your list to come! As my memories and knowledge of this excellent era in popular music are inevitably very UK-driven as I've only ever really followed the British official chart, I am hoping it may unearth for me some hitherto-unknown tracks that were one-off hits in other countries, but not in the UK. Looking forward to some decent additions for my existing play lists.

[Passing_Stranger]

Yes, Gambo, the one problem with my list is that it for the most part features well-known songs (for a reason, of course). But there are several non-UK pop smashes, we just need to get a bit deeper into the 1980s

Now, next entry - not New Wave as such, but strangely (or maybe not so strangely after all) rather influential for the genre - while being of course one of the biggest (and best) links from pure disco to dance pop of the new decade. And one of the most widespread hits on my list - 23 countries!

[Passing_Stranger]

3. FUNKYTOWN by Lipps, Inc.

Written by: Steven Greenberg
Produced by: Steven Greenberg
Country of origin: USA
Release date: January 1980

Australia
9 June 1980 - #1 (2) - 23 weeks

Austria
Ö3-Hitparade: 29 June 1980 - #1 (8) - 20 weeks
Der Musikmarkt: 1 July 1980 - #1 (6) - 18 weeks

Belgium
19 April 1980 - #1 (1) - 14 weeks

Canada
26 April 1980 - #1 (1) - 26 weeks

Denmark
11 July 1980 - #1 (3) - 16 weeks

Finland
June 1980 - #3 - 22 weeks

France
TMP France Top 100: 23 March 1980 - #1 (3) - 22 weeks
Infodisc: 2 May 1980 - #1 (2) - 26 weeks
Top France: 21 June 1980 - #4 - 15 weeks
(Video)Music Actualite: 25 June 1980 - #2 - 20 weeks

(West) Germany
9 June 1980 - #1 (10) - 25 weeks

Ireland
22 June 1980 - #3 - 10 weeks

Israel
13 June 1980 - #1 (3) - 14 weeks

Italy
Musica e Dischi: 8 March 1980 - #5 - 26 weeks
TV Sorrisi e Canzoni: 6 April 1980 - #3 - 22 weeks
RAI Hit-Parade: 6 April 1980 - #6 - 20 weeks

Japan
Oricon: 25 May 1980 - #36 - 18 weeks
All Japan Pop 20: #6 - 9 weeks

Mexico
2 May 1980 - #3 - 16 weeks

The Netherlands
De Nederlandse Top 40: 26 April 1980 - #1 (3) - 15 weeks
Nationale Hitparade: 3 May 1980 - #1 (4) - 16 weeks

New Zealand
15 June 1980 - #1 (1) - 17 weeks

Norway
25 June 1980 - #1 (2) - 19 weeks

Portugal
#3

South Africa
6 September 1980 - #5 - 8 weeks

Spain
24 May 1980 - #1 (7) - 24 weeks

Sweden
27 June 1980 - #2 - 20 weeks

Switzerland
DRS Hitparade: 25 May 1980 - #1 (7) - 16 weeks
Der Musikmarkt: 15 June 1980 - #1 (8) - 16 weeks

UK
Music Week: 17 May 1980 - #2 - 13 weeks
Record Business: 19 May 1980 - #2 - 13 wks
New Musical Express: 31 May 1980 - #1 (1) - 9 weeks
Melody Maker: 31 May 1980 - #2 - 9 weeks

USA
Cash Box: 29 March 1980 - #1 (5) - 23 weeks
Record World: 29 March 1980 - #1 (4) - 28 weeks
Billboard: 29 March 1980 - #1 (4) - 23 weeks
Radio & Records: 25 April 1980 - #7 - 11 weeks

3.2. Funky Town by Pseudo Echo

This one I decided to present as a separate entry for it being another worldwide one hit wonder - so waiting for the year 1987

[Robbie]

I have to admit that back in 1980 I didn't care too much for 'Funkytown'. I like the track a bit more now, probably more from a nostalgia point of view than an appreciation of the musical merits (or lack of) of the record.

What happened to 'Funkytown' on the Radio & Records chart? Or was that chart airplay only? I know of the magazine from its later years, from the early 00s and before Billboard bought the title, and all the charts were airplay only.

[trebor]

Italy
RAI Hit-Parade: #6 - 20 weeks
Date: Print date: April 6, 1980
[The chart was aired on Fridays (Top 10) and Sundays ("Dischi Caldi" (11-20); so the real chart date must be one or two weekends prior.]

Here is the complete archive

[Chartaholic]

Yes, Gambo, the one problem with my list is that it for the most part features well-known songs (for a reason, of course). But there are several non-UK pop smashes, we just need to get a bit deeper into the 1980s

Now, next entry - not New Wave as such, but strangely (or maybe not so strangely after all) rather influential for the genre - while being of course one of the biggest (and best) links from pure disco to dance pop of the new decade. And one of the most widespread hits on my list - 23 countries!

Thanks for the trip down memory lane! Many years in campus/alternative radio during this time period.

I pmed Gambo with a begin suggestion as to not clutter the bread

[Passing_Stranger]

Thanks for your replies, guys - always appreciated! Trebor, thanks for the RAI info - I downloaded the 1980 issues of the magazine but didn't get around to extracting the chart data yet, so your help is spot on Robbie, I'm too surprised about such a low peak of Funkytown, but R&R chart was predominantly a radio one, yes, and also I think there may have been signs of anti-disco backlash maybe?

Now, after the dancey ones, a couple of more laid back sounds. They didn't have as widespread success as the previous ones that are among the most successful on my list - which is somewhat surprising, actually, as ballads are generally well-liked everywhere. Anyway, the first of those is: