Browse the A-Z
See which of your favourites have made it onto our list of nominees.
The One & Only – Chesney Hawkes (1991)
HIGHEST CHART POSITION: 1
Floppy-haired and baby-faced Chesney's most famous single, 'The One and Only' from the film Buddy's Song, spent five glorious weeks at number one in 1991, bringing Chesney the acclaim that his film character so craved. Life imitating art in the world of teendom.
The Safety Dance – Men Without Hats (1983)
HIGHEST CHART POSITION: 6
Canadian new wave synth pop collective Men Without Hats was formed in 1980 by brothers Ivan and Stefan Doroschuk. This track was the band's reaction to the ban that many clubs placed on mosh pits - very popular in their native post-punk Canada. Hence the lyrics "you can dance if you want to."
HIGHEST CHART POSITION: 6
Canadian new wave synth pop collective Men Without Hats was formed in 1980 by brothers Ivan and Stefan Doroschuk. This track was the band's reaction to the ban that many clubs placed on mosh pits - very popular in their native post-punk Canada. Hence the lyrics "you can dance if you want to."
There She Goes – The La's (1990)
HIGHEST CHART POSITION: 13
This song was released by The La's twice (after not charting the first time around) and finally reached number 13 in 1990. It was later covered by US band 'Sixpence None the Richer' in 1999 and has featured on a number of TV programmes and ad campaigns. Dark rumours have long circulated that the song is actually about drug addiction. Great tune though!
HIGHEST CHART POSITION: 13
This song was released by The La's twice (after not charting the first time around) and finally reached number 13 in 1990. It was later covered by US band 'Sixpence None the Richer' in 1999 and has featured on a number of TV programmes and ad campaigns. Dark rumours have long circulated that the song is actually about drug addiction. Great tune though!
Trouble – Shampoo (1994)
HIGHEST CHART POSITION: 11
Punky pop duo Shampoo shot to fame in the early nineties when school discos around the country started pumping out the enormously infectious 'Trouble'. Although the first to initially coin the term 'girl power', the girls themselves were mocked in England for their disposable, tacky image. They must have been gutted then that the Spice Girls swooped in and adopted their catchphrase a year later. Their disappointment was probably cushioned by the fact that they found huge success in Japan - catapulting them onto the UK Women's Rich List above Liz Hurley and Naomi Campbell in 1996.
HIGHEST CHART POSITION: 11
Punky pop duo Shampoo shot to fame in the early nineties when school discos around the country started pumping out the enormously infectious 'Trouble'. Although the first to initially coin the term 'girl power', the girls themselves were mocked in England for their disposable, tacky image. They must have been gutted then that the Spice Girls swooped in and adopted their catchphrase a year later. Their disappointment was probably cushioned by the fact that they found huge success in Japan - catapulting them onto the UK Women's Rich List above Liz Hurley and Naomi Campbell in 1996.
Turning Japanese – The Vapors (1980)
HIGHEST CHART POSITION: 3
A song often rumoured to be a euphemism for masturbation; 'Turning Japanese' was the second single from The Vapors and became a major hit, reaching number three on the UK charts in March 1980. Managed by The Jam's Bruce Foxton, the band struggled to repeat their success and disbanded soon after.
HIGHEST CHART POSITION: 3
A song often rumoured to be a euphemism for masturbation; 'Turning Japanese' was the second single from The Vapors and became a major hit, reaching number three on the UK charts in March 1980. Managed by The Jam's Bruce Foxton, the band struggled to repeat their success and disbanded soon after.
Two Pints of Lager & A Packet of Crisps Please – Splodgenessabounds (1980)
HIGHEST CHART POSITION: 7
This song was written by the band's singer Max Splodge after he got told 'Time, Gentlemen Please!' when trying to order a final pint. Their 'high energy comedy punk' debut climbed to number seven in the charts in the summer of 1980.
HIGHEST CHART POSITION: 7
This song was written by the band's singer Max Splodge after he got told 'Time, Gentlemen Please!' when trying to order a final pint. Their 'high energy comedy punk' debut climbed to number seven in the charts in the summer of 1980.
