by Michael Parillo

One-hit wonders enter our lives like fresh flowers. The colors quickly fade, and into the trash they go! Find out what happened to six of our faves from the '80s.

Toni Basil, "Mickey"

Peppy cheerleader Toni Basil is pretty much the perfect, 100-percent-pure one-hit wonder. Don't believe it? Okay, name one other song of hers besides the enduring single "Mickey." See? That catchy little number is essentially the only thing she ever did -- and it's still well known, popping up here and there at dances, parties, roller rinks and, yes, pep rallies. But a closer look at Toni Basil reveals a varied and successful career. She's acted in the cult favorites Easy Rider and Five Easy Pieces, directed music videos such as Talking Heads' groundbreaking "Once in a Lifetime" and choreographed sequences in slews of Hollywood films. Hey, Toni!

Song: "Mickey"
Artist: Toni Basil
Year: 1981
Album: Word of Mouth
U.S. chart peak: #1
Selected lyric: "Oh Mickey, what a pity, you don't understand / You take me by the heart when you take me by the hand / Oh Mickey, you're so pretty, can't you understand / It's guys like you, Mickey / Ooh what you do Mickey, do Mickey / Don't break my heart, Mickey!"
What's happening now: After her one hit had run its course, Toni returned to film choreography -- she recently worked on My Best Friend's Wedding and Legally Blonde

Fun facts:

  • Toni was born Antonia Christina Basilotta in Philadelphia
  • Yes, she really was a cheerleader -- at her Las Vegas high school
  • "Mickey," written by Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn (who also wrote "In the Heat of the Night" for Pat Benatar), was originally named "Kitty" and was recorded by the no-hit non-wonder called Racey

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