10 Amazing '80s Bands That Everyone Forgot About

10. The Waitresses

Unlike a lot of the bands on this list, The Waitresses are actually very well remembered. The only problem? It’s almost entirely for one song, and most who know it couldn’t tell you the band’s name. It’s important to note that “Christmas Wrapping” is a festive masterpiece, but there’s more to the delightfully strange art-poppers than that.

The band’s twin strengths are its seriously talented musicians and its total refusal to take itself seriously. In the first column is lynchpin Chris Butler, whose songwriting skills and choppy, timely guitar playing placed The Waitresses on the cutting edge of New York pop. Bassist Tracy Wormworth is also a sensation, her warm work a great counterpoint to the arch, ironic songs.

On that front, singer Patty Donahue's detached, lackadaisical vocals gave the band the majority of their personality. Few performers other than the late Donahue could have pulled off the bizarrely sexy “I Know What Boys Like” or oddball “It’s My Car”; she could turn it up when needed, too, on harder cuts like “Go On”.

While it’s fair to say their Christmas hit is probably the most inspired work they ever did, the band’s wider catalogue is worth exploring for fans of Talking Heads, Blondie, and the like. Music’s supposed to be fun, after all, and The Waitresses certainly serve that up.