The SOS Band, backed by the dream R&B production team of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, fused the rhythm of funk and disco with synthesizers and drum machines to craft what would become the signature sound of the 1980s. The band had a string of hits, including "Just Be Good to Me," (most recently covered by Fatboy Slim and Lily Allen) "Tell Me If You Still Care," "Just the Way You Like It" and "No One's Gonna Love You."
Loose Ends signed to the Virgin Music label in 1981 and were one of the most famous British outfits in the 1980s R&B scene. The group's first hit was 1985's "Hangin' on a String (Contemplating)," which reached No. 13 on the U.K. chart but went to No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard R&B chart, making Loose Ends the first British group ever to top that chart. The group went on to have more hits throughout the era, with "Let Me Be the One," "Slow Down" and "Watching You (Watching Me)."
The Mary Jane Girls were the protégées of funk pioneer Rick James and one of the most famed all-female R&B groups of the 1980s. Their self-titled debut album was released in 1983 and contained the hit singles "All Night Long," "Boys" and "Candy Man." The group released their second album, "Only Four You," in 1985. The album's lead single, "In My House," became the group's biggest hit, reaching No. 3 on the R&B chart.
DeBarge was an R&B group that combined pop, soul, funk and gospel influences over its career. The group was one of the few Motown acts to have success in the 1980s music scene. While maintaining their R&B roots, DeBarge achieved mainstream success in the early to mid-1980s. One of the group's most successful singles, "Rhythm of the Night," is still remixed regularly and heard on club dance floors. Other DeBarge hits included "I Like It," "Love Me in a Special Way" and "All This Love."