American Songwriter has picked out three 1980s one-hit wonders that still crop up regularly on the background playlists of shopping malls and grocery stores. The piece is a light, nostalgic look at how retailers use familiar, mood-setting music to shape the shopping experience, from calming shoppers down to subtly encouraging purchases.

The three tracks are the smooth, feel-good collaboration featuring Grover Washington Jr. and Bill Withers, Bow Wow Wow's upbeat 1982 hit often played to whet appetites near confectionery, and Men Without Hats' hypnotic 1982 single "The Safety Dance", used to keep shoppers moving in an almost trance-like state.

– Grover Washington Jr. and Bill Withers' song sets a warm, pleasant tone to make chores like grocery shopping feel easier.
– Bow Wow Wow's 1982 track is used near sweets to subtly boost shoppers' appetite for candy.
– Men Without Hats' "The Safety Dance" (1982) has a mesmerising quality that keeps shoppers moving through stores.