3 One-Hit Wonders From the 1980s That Are Perfect To Dance To

There isn’t enough dancing these days. So often we find ourselves at a desk or behind a wheel or on some Zoom conference. But we never allow ourselves to get up out of our chair and cut loose. Since when was dancing so low on the priority list?

Well, here below, we wanted to remedy that with three songs perfect to dance to. A trio of tracks from the 1980s that were given to us by three one-hit wonder bands. Indeed, these are three one-hit wonders from the 1980s that are perfect to dance to.

[RELATED: 3 One-Hit Wonders from the 1970s Fans Can’t Stop Singing to]

“Funkytown” by Lipps Inc. from Mouth to Mouth (1980)

While the Lipps Inc. album Mouth to Mouth technically came out in 1979, the group didn’t release this percussive single until 1980—so we’ll count it for that decade instead of the one before. But semantics aside, this disco song, which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, is one you can just jump up and down to even if you don’t know how to formally dance. Or you can manage some big choreographed number with arm movements, fingers in the air, and feet flying like the women in the accompanying music video. Enjoy the peppy chorus as you move,

Gotta move on
Gotta move on
Gotta move on

Won’t you take me to
Funkytown?
Won’t you take me to
Funkytown?
Won’t you take me to
Funkytown?
Won’t you take me to
Funkytown?

“Take on Me” by A-ha from Hunting High and Low (1985)

The Norwegian band really hit the nail on the head with this synth-heavy song that makes you just want to shake your tail feather. The track, which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, features big drum rhythms to go along with its bright melodies, making it the perfect combination for a dance around the living room in your socks. And on the tune, lead vocalist Morten Harket sings,

We’re talking away
I don’t know what I’m to say
I’ll say it anyway
Today is another day to find you
Shyin’ away
Oh, I’ll be comin’ for your love, okay

Take on me
(Take on me)
Take me on
(Take on me)
I’ll be gone
In a day or two

“Mickey” by Toni Basil from Word of Mouth (1982)

This is perhaps the catchiest song of all time with the stickiest chorus ever. But the song also makes you clap your hands and dance. Take the music video for example. It features a swath of cheerleaders all shaking their stuff. Could any track be more dance-worthy? Thanks to a deep beat and big drum slaps, this Toni Basil track, which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, is your portal to dance fun. And on the track, Basil sings,

Oh Mickey, you’re so fine
You’re so fine, you blow my mind, hey Mickey, hey Mickey
Oh Mickey, you’re so fine
You’re so fine, you blow my mind, hey Mickey

Hey Mickey
You’ve been around all night and that’s a little long
You think you’ve got the right, but I think you’ve got it wrong
Why can’t you say goodnight? So you can take me home Mickey?

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