Tunes by Luka: One Hit Wonders

You remember that group that became an instant hit when a certain nine-year-running sitcom chose it as its friendship anthem? How about the singer crooning over all the many women in the world he adores? Who could forget how we turned Japanese?

For this edition of tunes by luka, I feature Channel 4’s 50 Greatest One Hit Wonders. (There’s actually more than 50!) See how many of these juicy little numbers you are ashamed to admit are in your music collection.

• 99 Red Balloons—Nena (1984)
• All By Myself—Eric Carmen (1976)
• Always Look on the Bright Side of Life—Monty Python (1991)
• Axel F—Harold Faltermeyer (1985)
• Because I Got High—Afroman (2001)
• Big In Japan—Alphaville (1984)
• Brimful of Asha—Cornershop (1998)
• Can You Dig It?—Mock Turtles (1991)
• Centerfold—J Geils Band (1982)
• Chocolate Salty Balls—Chef (1998)
• Doctorin’ The Tardis—The Timelords (1988)
• Don’t Worry Be Happy—Bobby McFerrin (1988)
• Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen)—Baz Luhrmann (1999)
• Fire—Crazy World of Arthur Brown (1968)
• F*** U Right Back—Frankee (2004)
• Groove is in the Heart—Dee-Lite (1990)
• I’ll Be There For You—The Rembrandts (1995)
• I’m The Urban Spaceman—Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band (1968)
• It’s Raining Men—The Weather Girls (1984)
• Japanese Boy—Aneka (1981)
• Je T’Aime—Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg (1969)
• Jilted John—Jilted John (1978)
• Joe Le Taxi—Vanessa Paradis (1988)
• Kung Fu Fighting—Carl Douglas (1974)
• Louie Louie—The Kingsmen (1964)
• Lovin’ You—Minnie Riperton (1975)
• MacArthur Park—Richard Harris (1968)
• Mambo No 5—Lou Bega (1999)
• Matchstalk Men and Matchstalk Cats and Dogs—Brian and Michael (1978)
• Mickey—Toni Basil (1982)
• Money—Flying Lizards (1979)
• Monster Mash—Bobby Boris Pickett & the Crypt Kickers (1973)
• Mouldy Old Dough—Lieutenant Pigeon (1972)
• My Boy Lollipop—Millie (1964)
• My Favourite Waste of Time—Owen Paul (1986)
• My Sharona—The Knack (1979)
• My Toot Toot—Denise la Salle (1985)
• Pop Muzik—M (1979)
• Pump Up the Volume—MARRS (1987)
• Rapper’s Delight—Sugarhill Gang (1979)
• Rock Me Amadeus—Falco (1986)
• Save Your Love—Renee and Renato (1982)
• Shaddap Your Face—Joe Dolce (1981)
• Since Yesterday—Strawberry Switchblade (1984)
• Something in the Air—Thunderclap Newman (1969)
• Spaceman—Babylon Zoo (1996)
• Spirit in the Sky—Dr & the Medics (1986)
• Stand By Me—Ben E King (1961)
• Sugar Sugar—The Archies (1969)
• Sunny—Bobby Hebb (1966)
• The One & Only—Chesney Hawkes (1991)
• The Safety Dance—Men Without Hats (1983)
• There She Goes—The La’s (1990)
• Trouble—Shampoo (1994)
• Turning Japanese—The Vapors (1980)
• Two Pints of Lager & A Packet of Crisps Please—Splodgenessabounds (1980)
• Video Killed the Radio Star—The Buggles (1979)
• Who Let The Dogs Out—Baha Men (2000)
• Woo Hoo—The 5.6.7.8’s (2004)
• Your Woman—White Town (1997)