Which 1983 song made the English trio Dexys Midnight Runners a US one-hit wonder?

“Come On Eileen” made Dexys Midnight Runners a US one-hit wonder in 1983. The song combines Celtic folk influences, prominent violin, and a dramatic change of tempo that helped it stand out from contemporary pop records.

Released as a single in 1982, it topped the charts in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and the United States. In America, it reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in April 1983.

The group was led by Kevin Rowland, whose theatrical vocal performance became central to the song’s identity. The title’s Eileen is a character in the song rather than a reference to a famous historical person. Dexys had other successful UK singles, so the one-hit-wonder description is mainly used for their US chart profile.