Beloved 1982 Song Was Just Crowned the Greatest One-Hit Wonder of the '80s

Throughout the '80s, many musical artists learned that one top 40 hit didn't guarantee lifetime success. For instance, the publication Collider recently spotlighted some once-popular bands, groups, and singers from the era with a ranking of the "10 greatest '80s one-hit wonders."

The list, published on July 13, included songs like The Weather Girls' 1982 hit, "It's Raining Men," Devo's "Whip It," released in 1980, "Tainted Love" by Soft Cell from 1981, and Toni Basil's "Mickey," also released in 1981. According to Collider, the number one "one-hit wonder" from the 1980s is Dexys Midnight Runners' 1982 "Come On Eileen" off the band's second album, Too-Rye-Ay. The publication suggested that fans fell in love with "Come On Eileen" because it's a cheery tune with unexpected Celtic folk elements that differentiated it from other '80s hits.

"Come On Eileen" got the No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 spot in April 1983. According to Billboard, the English band's only other song that made it on the Hot 100 was "The Celtic Soul Brothers," which secured the No. 86 spot in June 1983.

Kevin Rowland Explained the Inspiration Behind 'Come On Eileen' in a 2006 Interview

During a 2006 interview with Top 2000 a gogo, the band's frontman Kevin Rowland, now 72, explained that "Come On Eileen" was loosely inspired by 1981's "Labelled With Love" by Squeeze. He said he incorrectly believed that the song's lyrics included the line "Me and Eileen." After he realized that the real lyrics were "Me and myself," he decided that the name Eileen would be great for a Dexys Midnight Runners song.

In addition, he said he used Celtic elements in "Come On Eileen" because his father "used to sing those old" Irish songs. He noticed that other mainstream bands weren't "doing anything like that."

"So I thought this is going to be great," said the musician during the interview with Top 2000 a gogo.

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This story was originally published July 13, 2026 at 8:13 PM.