The 1980s were an amazing time for music. Not only did this decade give us the CD and the Walkman, but it also gave us the widespread use of the music synthesizer. It was a time when MTV actually played music.
Let that sink in for a moment. MTV was actually Music Television at one point.
Another big outcome of the 1980s, which happened to be a large influence on my personal musical tastes, was the One-Hit Wonder. There were so many groups that had a single, large hit that made the Top 40 Charts here in the US, and then — poof — were never heard from again.
This week’s GeekDad Puzzle of the Week is to reconstitute a set of “disemvoweled” 1980s one-hit wonders. Below is a list of the singer or group with their singleton sensation, both of which have had their vowels removed and remaining letters alphabetized. Can you put them back together properly?
- CRS by GMNNRY
- DGHLPPRRST by GGGHLLNRS
- FKNNTWY by CLNPPPS
- HPTW by DV
- GJNNNPRST by HPRSTV
- BLNRTTV by BCJRRSYY
- CFMNPRV by BCCDGKNNRR
- CFFHRRST by GLNSV
- FNSTY by DLNV
- DLNTTV by CFLLST
- GLLLRVY by DFKMNNNPPPPRZZ
- CKMY by BLNST
- CDHHPSSTT by CHLMSTY
- GGGHHKMNNNNRSSTTW by DFR
- CLMNN by DDGHMNNNRRSSTXY
- DKMMRRSS by FFHRRTT
- HNNPRTTTTZ by CT
- HSTY by GGJK
- BCCDDHHLMNNSSTW by BDHLMSTY
- BCGNNRTY by BCGNRTY
- CGJKLSTTY by BJRSX
- JMMRT by CGHLLNPRST
- BFLLLNNNNNSTTY by NN
- HRRRTW by CDLNS
- GGKNNRTTTTW by DRSSSTTTW
- DLLN by CGJKNRW
- LRX by DFGHKLLNRSTWY
- CHMMMTV by HJMMNR
- FFFFNT by BBDDFHHNRRSSTT
- DFHKLNPRRSSTYY by GGHLLRSSTTT
- DHLNRST by PT
- HLMMPPPTV by MRRS
- BDHNPPRRTWYY by BBBCFMNRRY
- HMTW by BBCDDHHKLLMNNN
- GLNSY by BDFFHJLNY
Disclaimers: For purposes of this puzzle, a “one-hit wonder” is a song or musical piece from a group or singer that had exactly one song hit the Top-40 chart in the US during the 1980s. While a given singer may have participated in other groups that went on to other big things, I have tried to limit the above to these criteria. Please attribute all errors or mis-statements to honest error.
As always, please submit your answers to GeekDad Central. All correct (or at least reasonably reasoned) responses will be put into a random drawing for this week’s fabulous prize: a $50 Gift Certificate from the dukes of geekery over at ThinkGeek.
Good luck, and happy puzzling!
I have a feeling that I am going to rue this puzzle for days once I start uncovering and then unleashing the one hit wonder in my head…..
Is “HMTW by BBCDDHHKLLMNNN” missing some letters?
Wikipedia says it’s not, though I also thought so. I think there’s how the band is commonly known versus their official name.
Ditto for:
“GLLLRVY by DFKMNNNPPPPRZZ”
“FFFFNT by BBDDFHHNRRSSTT”
The first one is probably debatable, but I think you’re right about the second one.
I must be wrong because I’d assume a R would be in there at least.
With regards to “HMTW by BBCDDHHKLLMNNN”
Ah, no. You’re right. I was expecting two other letters.
Or we’re both wrong 🙂
DEVO wasn’t a One-Hit Wonder
One Top 40 US hit: One Hit Wonder. The author even posted his criteria.
Also, posting potential answers is rather inconsiderate to those wishing to participate.
You might want to check #25. The Song Letters are wrong.