American Songwriter has put together a list of four bands from the 1980s that produced notable hits but have since faded from public memory. The piece highlights acts that achieved significant chart success and enduring songs during the decade, despite not maintaining the lasting recognition of their contemporaries.

Each band is remembered for a handful of standout singles: Spandau Ballet's "True" reached the US Top 5 in 1983, while The Go-Go's scored Top 10 hits with "We Got The Beat" and "Vacation". Asia topped the charts with "Heat Of The Moment" and "Don't Cry", and Simply Red's "Holding Back The Years" became their only US number one, alongside later hits like "Sunrise" in 2003.

– Spandau Ballet: "True" (1983) was their sole US Top 5 hit, though they had over a dozen UK hits from 1980-1987.
– The Go-Go's: Scored two Top 10 US singles, "We Got The Beat" and "Vacation", fronted by Belinda Carlisle.
– Asia: Reached number one twice in the US with "Heat Of The Moment" (1982) and "Don't Cry" (1983).
– Simply Red: "Holding Back The Years" was their only US chart-topper, with continued success including "Sunrise" in 2003.