10 Greatest One-Hit Wonders Of The '80s
4. Martha And The Muffins - "Echo Beach"
Calling your band “Martha And The Muffins” is not a great way to be taken particularly seriously, but the Canadian group is by no means a joke act. Comprised of talented musicians who would go on to solid careers elsewhere, the band has released a lot of music over its 42 year tenure, most of which you probably haven’t heard.
One song you will have heard, even if you couldn’t necessarily name the band, is “Echo Beach”, their 1980 hit that hasn’t aged a day. A dark pop number with an unbeatable guitar hook and cool detached vocals from the group’s co-namesake Martha Ladly, “Echo Beach” is an uber-danceable, unforgettable track about boredom and aspiration.
“Echo Beach” won the 1980 Juno award for best Canadian single of the year, and was certified gold in the UK with over 200,000 units shifted to date. Martha and the Muffins have recorded off and on in the interim, but this will forever be the song with which they’re most associated. They recorded a slowed down, mournful version for the track’s 30th anniversary, which is interesting if not a patch on the original.