An American Songwriter feature highlights four hit songs that were remarkable for being the debut singles of the acts who recorded them, a rare feat given how few artists strike gold on their first release. The list spans four decades of pop and rock, from 1979 to 2000, and touches on the stories behind each track, including one artist's decision to walk away from fame shortly after finding it.

The songs featured are The Buggles' "Video Killed the Radio Star" (1979), notable as the first music video ever aired on MTV; New Radicals' "You Get What You Give" (1998), after which frontman Gregg Alexander disbanded the group to reclaim his private life; Wheatus' "Teenage Dirtbag" (2000), inspired by a real-life incident involving an AC/DC T-shirt; and A-ha's "Take On Me", first released in 1984 before a re-release in 1985 made it a global smash with its famous animated video.

– The Buggles' "Video Killed the Radio Star" (1979) was MTV's first-ever aired music video.
– New Radicals' "You Get What You Give" (1998) led singer Gregg Alexander to quit the band soon after.
– Wheatus' "Teenage Dirtbag" (2000) was inspired by a real hometown incident involving an AC/DC T-shirt.
– A-ha's "Take On Me" only became a hit after being re-released in 1985.