This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - the JoBoxers' "Just Got Lucky"

The mysteries of pop music fortunes never cease to amaze me, as I can't figure out for the life of me how this wonderfully bouncy soul-pop nugget barely managed to scrape the U.S. Top 40 while Dexy's Midnight Runners' Celtic-inflected but similarly jaunty "Come On Eileen" became such a huge American hit. I don't say that out of disdain for the latter song, which, while too ubiquitous for its own good, remains one of the finest singles of the '80s. Rather, I puzzle at the obscurity of the JoBoxers. After all, both U.K. bands sported a stylized street urchin look and offered fresh-sounding blends of throwback pop and soul that truly stood out in the new wave-dominated early '80s.

So why no No. 1 hit for the JoBoxers? Maybe Dexy's just got lucky, and that's all there is to say about it. Or maybe it's just fate that the JoBoxers would find their way into this weekly feature, a place where we celebrate songs specifically for their obscurity either in their time or through the passing of years. No matter what, treat yourself to the blast of pleasure that is "Just Got Lucky." You may rarely hear it on any but the best and deepest '80s music retro flashback shows, but at least the greater availability of music these days ensures that you don't have to rely solely upon a remote radio playlist to satisfy your auditory desires.

• Sample or download "Just Got Lucky" here.
• Compare prices on '80s compilations featuring "Just Got Lucky" here.
• JoBoxers Official Website

Album Cover Image Courtesy of Sony/BMG