COMMENTS

56 responses to “Open Thread Update: Your Favorite One Hit Wonders”

1. Here are some from my era
   Bobby McFerrin “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”
   The Knack “My Sharona”
   Dexys Midnight Runners “Come On Eileen”

   Yep those were the days!!!

   Reply to Deb

2. Take my breath away by Berlin. I believe it was in the movie Top Gun.
   Goody two shoes by Adam Ant. (Don’t drink don’t smoke what do you do)

   Reply to Shelia

3. Wildflower by Skylark

   Reply to Mike Kluger

4. Afternoon Delight by Starland Vocal Band.
   Who knew it was about having sex in the afternoon?
   Still, if I hear it at the supermarket or a discount store,
   I smile and sing. Loved their harmony.
   Just got paid by Johnny Kemp(RIP) a 90’s dance hit.
   Instant Replay by Dan Hartman(RIP) a 70’s disco hit
   How do you like it by Andrea True(RIP) another 70’s disco hit
   Tell Him by Patti Drew(RIP) a 60’s hit
   Chevy Van by Sammy Johns a 70’s soft rock hit
   So many wonderful songs.

   Reply to Michele Slater

   1. Love Tell Him by Patti Drew

      Reply to Dave

5. Midnight At The Oasis by Maria Muldaur

   Reply to Mike Kluger

6. Ring My Bell by Anita Ward

   Reply to Susanne D

   1. I loved that song! It was soooo happy, wasn’t it?

      Reply to Virge

7. SPILL THE WINE by Eric Burdon

   Reply to Gail

   1. Eric Burdon Spill That Wine not a one hit wonder
      Other remarkable songs by War and of course his years with the Animals

      Reply to Joe Womeldorf

      1. The House of the Rising Sun and We Gotta Get Outta This Place were great.And his work with War (Low Rider!) I think some folks including me, are mentioning the only song by a particular artist that they really really liked/made an impression. Which is fine, too. This is a fun read!

      2. Eric Burdon and his “new” Animals produced some excellent songs over 1967-68, including the classic Sky Pilot, as well as Monterey, White Houses, and San Franciscan Nights. Worth checking out.

8. Moonlight Feels Right by Starbuck

   Reply to Mike Kluger

9. Ride Captain Ride by Blues Image

   Reply to Mike Kluger

   1. You mean “73 men?”
      You mean that wasnt’ the title?

      Reply to Virge

10. Those Were The Days by Mary Hopkin

    Reply to Mike Kluger

11. In the Summertime by Mungo Jerry

    Reply to Kate Walter

    1. YES!!!!!

       Reply to Gail

12. I thought of several songs that I liked that I still listen to: After the Fire’s Der Kommisar, Gary Numan’s Cars, Mungo Jerry’s In the Summertime, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown’s Fire, The Georgia Satellites’ Keep your Hands to Yourself, Men Without Hat’s Safety Dance and Chumbawamba’s Tubthumping.

    Reply to Eliot

13. I have not seen “The Salt In My Tears” by Martin Briley (1983, peaked at #36). I bought this album and he became one of my favorite artists to this day.

    Reply to Steve Grubb

14. One more to add to the list…”Walking on Sunshine” – Katrina and the Waves

    Reply to Tom H.

15. take on me ahha

    Reply to Selene Kurland

16. Turn the Beat Around by Vickie Sue Robinson

    Reply to Kate Walter

17. Afternoon Delight by the Starland Vocal Band

    Reply to Kate Walter

18. Spirit in the Sky by Norman Greenbaum. Love that song!!

    Reply to Devon

    1. Yes! I remember the first time I heard it and knew it was a “forever” song. I was already lifted by the Spirit, but to hear this song between other current hits was powerful.

       Reply to Kathleen Y Lombardo

19. I was just about to post Brandy. You beat me to it.

    Reply to Mike Kluger

20. I’ve Never Been To Me by Charlene

    Reply to Mike Kluger

21. Pilot Of The Airwaves by Charlie Dore

    Reply to Mike Kluger

22. Red Rubber Ball by Cyrcle

    Reply to Mike Kluger

    1. When I saw the Beatles in St. Louis Cyrcle was the opening act

       Reply to Charlotte Ellis

23. For What It’s Worth by Buffalo Springfield

    Reply to Mike Kluger

    1. Buffalo Springfield was not a one hit wonder.

       Reply to Linda

       1. What other hits did Buffalo Springfield have? Some of the musicians in Buffalo Springfield, such as Neil Young, had other hits, but performing as Buffalo Springfield, as far as I know, For What It’s Worth was their only song to make it into the top 40.

       2. True. While “For What It’s Worth” was probably the one song that made the charts, Buffalo Springfield was a veritable supergroup that would have lasted much longer had there not been a clash of egos. The members eventually formed the core of Poco and CSNY. Great albums don’t always produce top-40 hits, i.e., Procol Harum.

    2. Break My Stride by Matthew Wilder

       Reply to Colleen

24. Beach Baby by First Class

    Reply to Mike Kluger

25. A few of my faves:
    Rings Cymarron
    I’m Gonna Be (500Miles) The Proclaimers
    Kung Fu Fighting Carl Douglas
    Heard it in a Love Song Marshall Tucker Band

    Reply to Ersilia Ash

    1. Marshall Tucker Band was not a one hit wonder.

       Reply to Kate Walter

       1. Amen, sister!

26. Lots of good ones already listed. Wanna add “Lies” by The Knickerbockers Loved that tune in the mid-60s… it had so much energy, and their harmonies reminded me of The Beatles. I was in a Beatles tribute band at the time (The Malibu’s) from Hudson County , NJ. Keep on rockin’!

    /LarryG

    Reply to LarryG

27. of all the motown music that i grew up on and loved, not being particularly aware of all the other great non-motown non-soul music that was out there, there was no song i iever loved better than that coca cola song. and i hated that it played once, and it seemed that it would never be heard from again. i am so happy to be able to hear it again now, along with that second version a generation later. i’m going back to youtube to listen to it (and view) a few more times.

    Reply to Marcia

28. Eve of Destruction by Barry McGuire

    Reply to Thomas Fick

    1. Ooh, that seems to be so applicable to today!

       Reply to Karen

29. “Harden My Heart” by Quarterflash
    “Gloria” by Laura Branigan

    Reply to Kathie Alfstad

    1. Gloria Branigan also had hits with Solitare, Self Control and How Am I Supposed To Live Without You.

       Reply to Mike Kluger

30. I love that you mentioned Bryan Ferry’s “Love is the Drug” – great song!
    I purchased the album “Too-Ry-Aye” just for Dexy’s Midnight Runners’ only hit “Come on Eileen.”
    I also loved Redbone’s “Come and Get Your Love” and Looking Glass’ “Brandy, You’re a Fine Girl.” Different times, but I think the songs still hold up after all these years.

    Reply to Tom H.

    1. Yes, Brandy by Looking Glass is my favorite! The group was from Rutgers U., and at that time I was going to Douglass College, the nearby girls’ school that is now integrated with Rutgers.

       Reply to Marlene Donnelly

31. Love Grows( Where My Rosemary Goes) – Edison Lighthouse

    Reply to Ellen

32. Debby Boone, daughter of Pat Boone, was a One Hit Wonder in 1977 with her song You Light Up My Life.

    Reply to Maryellen Reed

33. Friday on my Mind by the Easy Beats

    Reply to lee

34. Please come to Boston

    If your going to San Francisco

    Reply to Mary. Donegan

    1. Yes !!!! Both great songs.

       Reply to Mike Kluger

35. I’ve always favored instrumentals. Favorite 1-hit-wonders are Acker Bilk’s Stranger on the Shore, Telstar by the Tornadoes, Cast Your Fate to the Wind by Vince Guaraldi Trio, More by Kai Winding, Washington Square by the Village Stompers, A Walk in the Black Forest by Horst Jankowski, No Matter What Shape by the T-Bones, Batman Theme by Neal Hefti, Summer Samba by Walter Wanderley, Classical Gas by Mason Williams, & I’m still in the 60s! I also love More Today Than Yesterday by Spiral Starecase.

    Reply to Rose Marie Wilson

    1. OMG! Classical Gas. Loved that!

       Reply to Virge

       1. Yes, Virge, I thought Classical Gas was great too.