Top 10 Wang Chung Songs

Wang Chung Songs

Feature Photo: Randy Miramontez / Shutterstock.com

Our top ten Wang Chung songs list digs deep into the music of an English band that rose to mainstream success in the mid- ‘80s thanks to its impeccable new wave hits. The band’s formation dates back to the late ‘70s when lead vocalist/guitarist Jack Hues met guitarist Nick Feldman. Initially, the band went under the moniker Huang Chung (that’s ‘yellow bell’ in Mandarin) before changing it up to Wang Chung.

As Huang Chung, the band issued one studio album through Arista Records. However, the band never achieved mainstream success until its name change and move to Geffen Records, a record label (once) home to Elton John, Nelly Furtado, Rob Zombie, Nirvana, Counting Crows, Weezer, and Aerosmith. While Wang Chung has made new wave its mainstay, some of its records tell of the band’s pop rock and dance rock influences.

Wang Chung’s Album Releases over the Years

In 1982, the band issued its debut studio album Huang Chung through Arista Records. Other artists on Arista Records’ roster at the time include Barry Manilow, Paul Davis, Krokus, Ray Parker Jr., Dionne Warwick, The Kinks, and The Alan Parsons Project among others. “Hold Back the Tears,” “Ti Na Na,” “China,” and “Rising in the East” are the most popular songs by Wang Chung from the album Huang Chung.

Points on the Curve, issued in 1984, marked the band’s first album under the moniker Wang Chung. The album was the band’s first record issued through Geffen Records. Points on the Curve’s production works were handled by Chris Hughes and Ross Cullum, a duo known for its prodigious production for Ric Ocasek, Tears for Fears, and Paul McCartney.

The album finds the band taking on a blend of new wave and pop-rock sound influences. Points on the Curve was a mainstream success peaking at the thirtieth spot on the Billboard 200 Chart. The album also made it to position thirty-four on the UK Albums Chart. “Dance Hall Days,” “Wait,” “Don’t Be My Enemy,” and “Don’t Let Go” are some of the best Wang Chung songs from the album.

Wang Chung returned in 1985 with its third studio album To Live and Die in L.A. (used as the soundtrack album to the 1985 film of the same name). The album was also issued through Geffen Records under the production of retired A&R executive John Kalodner and David Massey (who worked with Silverchair, Franz Ferdinand, Oasis, and Shakira). To Live and Die in L.A. was a mainstream success rising to the eighty-fifth spot on the Billboard 200 Chart. “Wake Up, Stop Dreaming,” “To Live and Die in L.A.,” and “City of Angels” are the most sought-after musical gems from the album.

Mosaic, issued in 1986, marked the band’s fourth studio album and third record issued through Geffen Records. The band tasked Peter Wolf with this album’s production work. Peter Wolf has worked with multiple artists including The Commodores, Heart, Survivor, Big Country, Nik Kershaw, Lou Gramm, and Scorpions.

Mosaic was a mainstream success, rising to the thirtieth spot on the Billboard 200. The album also graced the Australian Album Chart, peaking at number ninety-four. Mosaic was a commercial success in the US where it earned gold certification. Some of the best Wang Chung songs from the album include “Everybody Have Fun Tonight,” “Hypnotize Me,” “Eyes of the Girl,” and “Let’s Go!”

In 1989, Wang Chung returned with its fifth studio album The Warmer Side of Cool. The album is the band’s final release through Geffen Records. Once again, Peter Wolf was handed the production duties in this album. The Warmer Side of Cool saw Wang Chung shift from its signature new wave sound in preference of a blend of rock, synth-rock, and pop-rock sounds.

The slight shift in its sound costed the band commercial success with the album settling for position one hundred and twenty-three on the Billboard 200. However, The Warmer Side of Cool featured some reputable picks including “Praying to a New God,” “Big World,” and “What’s So Bad About Feeling Good?”

Wang Chung would later go on a hiatus in 1990 only to return in 1997. Unfortunately, the band has not managed to rekindle its path to success despite issuing two new albums including Tazer Up! in 2012 and Orchesography in 2019. None of the two albums made it big in the mainstream charts.

Wang Chung’s Legacy

While Wang Chung might not have any major accolades to its name, the band remains one of the most esteemed new wave English acts to make it big in the North America. During its commercial peak in the US, Wang Chung saw eight of its songs from different albums grace the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. In this article, we take a look at the ten best Wang Chung songs of all time.

#10- Fire in the Twilight

We open up our Top 10 Wang Chung songs list with the catchy hit “Fire in the Twilight.” The song was released by the band in 1985 as the second single of the soundtrack album to the film The Breakfast Club. Other artists who contributed to the soundtrack include Joyce Kennedy of Mother’s Finest, Elizabeth Daily, Keith Forsey, and Simple Minds. “Fire in the Twilight” is one of the non-album tracks by Wang Chung that earned a huge reception from the band’s fans, missing entry into the Billboard Hot 100 by ten spots only.

#9- Wait

“Wait” is undoubtedly one of the most revered songs by Wang Chung from the band’s album Points on the Curve. The song was the fourth and final single from the band’s sophomore studio album. “Wait” achieved some mainstream success in the UK, rising to the eighty-seventh spot on the UK Singles Chart.

However, the lack of a music video restricted the success of “Wait” in the US missing a spot on the Billboard Hot 100. Nevertheless, the song graced the Billboard Dance Club Songs Chart peaking at number seventeen. The song was remixed by record producer Stephen Lipson (known for his work with Simple Minds, Grace Jones, Annie Lennox, and Jeff Beck) in 1984. “Wait” would later be included in the band’s third soundtrack album to the 1985 film To Live and Die in L.A.

#8- Hypnotize Me

Coming in at number eight on our all-time best Wang Chung songs list is the breathtaking hit “Hypnotize Me.” The song was issued as the third and final single for the band’s fourth studio album Mosaic. “Hypnotize Me” is tinged with some pop-rock elements that gave it a distinguishing melodic and rhythmic feel.

While “Hypnotize Me” never made it big in the UK, the song earned a great reception in North America. The song reached position forty-six on the Canadian Singles Chart, peaking at number thirty-six on the Billboard Hot 100. “Hypnotize Me” was covered by The Starlite Singers in 2006.

#7- Don’t Be My Enemy

“Don’t Be My Enemy” is one of the most revered songs by Wang Chung from the band’s sophomore studio album Points on the Curve. The song finds the band giving us a taste of its luscious blend of new wave and dance-rock sound influences. “Don’t Be My Enemy” earned some rotation on MTV—this helped the song earn mainstream success in the US.

The success of songs like “Don’t Be My Enemy” showcased the significant role music videos played in turning around the fortunes of Wang Chung in the American market. “Don’t Be My Enemy” made it to the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number eighty-six. The song also made it to the UK Singles Chart, rising to a peak position of number ninety-two.

#6- Don’t Let Go

Number six on our ten best Wang Chung songs list is the fast-paced and catchy hit “Don’t Let Go.” The song is featured on the band’s sophomore studio album Points on the Curve. “Don’t Let Go” brings to us the band’s blend of new wave and pop rock sound influences—the song features some of the most memorable hooks by Wang Chung. This track went ahead to top the Billboard Dance Club Songs Chart.

“Don’t Let Go” also graced a number of other mainstream charts in the US including the Billboard Hot 100 where it peaked at number thirty-eight. The song was also a success in the UK where it peaked at number eighty-one on the Singles Chart. “Don’t Let Go” was featured in the 2006 action-adventure video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories.

#5- Praying to a New God

Just before Wang Chung’s fortunes in the music scene started to dwindle, the band gave us a taste of its rock influences with the album The Warmer Side of Cool. While new wave devotees might not have loved the album, songs like “Praying to a New God” were absolute bangers for rock enthusiasts. “Praying to a New God” showcases how good the band would sound like performing as a melodic rock act.

While the song got a poor reception in the band’s homeland, “Praying to a New God” was warmly received in the US market gracing several mainstream charts. The song rose to a peak position of number sixty-three on the Billboard Hot 100. “Praying to a New God” features an aesthetic music video that was directed by Andy Morahan. Morahan also directed music videos for several artists/bands including The Pet Shop Boys, Orchestral Manoeuvers in the Dark, Ozzy Osbourne, Luther Vandross, The Human League, and Cyndi Lauper.

#4- To Live and Die in L.A.

“To Live and Die in L.A.” is one of the most sought-after tracks by Wang Chung from the band’s soundtrack/third studio album of the same name. The song served as the lead single of the soundtrack to the 1985 William Friedkin To Live and Die in L.A. “To Live and Die in L.A.” is a song best remembered for its atmospheric synth-pop sensibility.

The song was a mainstream success peaking at number forty-one on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. “To Live and Die in L.A.” also graced the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks Chart, peaking at number twenty-one. Unfortunately, the song failed to impress in the United Kingdom.

#3- Let’s Go

The third pick on our ten best Wang Chung songs list is the rhythmic hit “Let’s Go.” “Let’s Go” is among the top musical gems featured on the band’s album Mosaic. The song finds both Jack Hues and Nick Feldman taking on the chorus—this allows the duo to give us a taste of its vocal harmonies. On the hand, Jack Hues takes this song’s verses leaving Nick Feldman to sing the bridge. The song earned quite a great reception in the mainstream, thanks to its energetic dance-oriented upbeat sound.

“Let’s Go” made it to the UK Singles Chart peaking at number eighty-one. The song would however become a greater hit in the US where it rose to the ninth spot on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. “Let’s Go!” was covered by the award-winning Australian singer David Campbell, son of the famous singer Jimmy Barnes.

#2- Everybody Have Fun Tonight

Making “Everybody Have Fun Tonight” our second pick wasn’t the easiest of the things to do. After all, we are talking about a song that topped the Canadian RPM Top 100 Singles Chart, while making it to the second spot on the Billboard Hot 100 behind the hit “Walk Like an Egyptian” by the Bangles. However, the new wave hit “Dance Hall Days” stole the show toppling “Everybody Have Fun Tonight” off the top spot on our list.

Nevertheless, this infectious and anthemic hit is a fan favorite for many thanks to its catchy synth-driven melody. “Everybody Have Fun Tonight” was also a success in the UK where it peaked at number seventy-six on the Singles Chart. This made the song Wang Chung’s second highest-charting song in the UK.

#1- Dance Hall Days

Number one on our all-time best Wang Chung songs list is the charming hit “Dance Hall Days.” “Dance Hall Days” is a catchy track that serves as the perfect emblem of Wang Chung’s signature new wave sound. The song was featured on the band’s sophomore studio album Points on a Curve. “Dance Hall Days” is the most successful song by Wang Chung in the UK, peaking at number twenty-one on the Singles Chart.

The song also proved successful in the US, becoming the band’s second highest-charting track on the Billboard Hot 100 where it peaked at number sixteen. However, the song spent the longest time (twenty-two weeks) on the Billboard Hot 100, maintaining its stay on the chart a week longer than “Everybody Have Fun Tonight.” “Dance Hall Days” is one of Wang Chung’s two songs that rose atop the Billboard Hot Dance Songs Chart. The song would later be featured in the 1985 film To Live and Die in L.A.

Back in the year 1982, a copy of “Dance Hall Days” fell into the hands of record producer Quincy Jones and legendary singer Michael Jackson. The two loved this hit and had even considered it for inclusion in Michael Jackson’s sixth studio album, Thriller! While the song never got a place on Michael Jackson’s album, this was an incredible prospect for the band. “Dance Hall Days” has since appeared in multiple films and TV shows often employed to evoke memories of the good old ‘80s. It is the hit “Dance Hall Days” that opened the doors of mainstream success for Wang Chung in the US hence deserving its spot on our list!

Top 10 Wang Chung Songs article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2023

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