Music's One Hit Wonders...

[Claretpete]

In The Year 2525 ~ Zaeger & Evans

[Jimscho]

San Francisco by Scott McKenzie

[Silkyskills1]

Vado via Drupi
America had a hit with Horse With No Name and then followed it up with Ventura Highway.
I Just Died In Your Arms Cutting Crew
Keep On Loving You REO Speedwagon
Swing Your Daddy Jim Gilstrap
How Come Slim Chance( Ronnie Layne's band after Small Faces)
Tell Him Hello
Kiss You All Over Exile
Captain Of Your Ship Reparata and The DeLeon's
Something here in my heart The Paper Dolls(including radio DJ Susie Mathis).
You're A Lady Peter Skellern
Natural Born Buggie Humble Pie

[Bosscat]

Norman Greenbaum - Spirit in the Sky

[Vino blanco]

The Guinness Book of Hit Singles recognizes a one hit wonder as an artist or group of artists who achieved a number 1 hit in the Uk charts and then had no other chart entries. Many of the songs quoted on here were never near number ones: I do appreciate that one hit wonder can be used in a looser sense meaning an act that had one big hit followed not much else, so I can understand these songs being mentioned.

[Firthy]

This has already been covered several times. Do try and keep up.

I posted before I read all the replies and couldn't be bothered changing it.

Anyway, here's another great one.

Mr Big - Romeo

[houseboy]

Procul Harum...Whiter Shade of Pale. Thunderclap Newman...Something In The Air.

Procul were an albums band. They had other singles but were a big band in their own right. Not really one hit wonders.

[houseboy]

Vado via Drupi
America had a hit with Horse With No Name and then followed it up with Ventura Highway.
I Just Died In Your Arms Cutting Crew
Keep On Loving You REO Speedwagon
Swing Your Daddy Jim Gilstrap
How Come Slim Chance( Ronnie Layne's band after Small Faces)
Tell Him Hello
Kiss You All Over Exile
Captain Of Your Ship Reparata and The DeLeon's
Something here in my heart The Paper Dolls(including radio DJ Susie Mathis).
You're A Lady Peter Skellern
Natural Born Buggie Humble Pie

Don’t think REO qualify. They were massive. And they had other ‘hits’. Humble Pie were huge and again were an albums band. The number of brilliant musicians who passed through their ranks is impressive and Steve Marriott had loads of hits with The Small Faces.

How are we quantifying one hit wonder? My take is one major hit then disappear. Some mentioned on this thread far from disappeared.

[lakedistrictclaret]

Hello followed up Tell Him with New York Groove, which was almost as big a hit.

The Flowerpot Men have been mentioned above. Whilst they only had one hit under that name, they were a group of musicians who released singles under different names : -

Edison Lighthouse...Love Grows Where My Rosemary Goes
Butterscotch...Don't You Know
White Plains...I've Got You On My Mind

were all basically the same group.

[houseboy]

Al Stewart ... Year of the cat

Al has had a few singles of which this is just the most famous. Time Passages comes to mind and, I think, On the Border to name just two. He has made loads of albums (most of which I own or have owned). Again mainly an albums artist but hasn’t ‘faded away’ as he is still recording and performing. Check out the album Past Present and Future, particularly the tracks Roads to Moscow and Nostradamus. Stunning.

[houseboy]

Pink Floyd - Another brick in the wall

Never a singles band anyway. Had a couple of singles out post RW but never any Hits i'd say.

If Floyd were a one hit wonder I wouldn’t mind having 20 million in the bank less than Gilmour and Waters etc. And what about See Emily Play, Arnold Layne, Point me at the Sky etc? Can only assume this is an age thing. Have we forgot Syd Barrett ever existed? Think this is stretching a point just a touch.

[houseboy]

Hello followed up Tell Him with New York Groove, which was almost as big a hit.

The Flowerpot Men have been mentioned above. Whilst they only had one hit under that name, they were a group of musicians who released singles under different names : -

Edison Lighthouse...Love Grows Where My Rosemary Goes
Butterscotch...Don't You Know
White Plains...I've Got You On My Mind

were all basically the same group.

Now I didn’t know that. Learn something every day.

[Firthy]

Hello followed up Tell Him with New York Groove, which was almost as big a hit.

The Flowerpot Men have been mentioned above. Whilst they only had one hit under that name, they were a group of musicians who released singles under different names : -

Edison Lighthouse...Love Grows Where My Rosemary Goes
Butterscotch...Don't You Know
White Plains...I've Got You On My Mind

were all basically the same group.

Never realised that, thanks for posting, found it interesting.

[tim_noone]

When I read the title Thunderclap Newman was the first one that sprung to mind. Have to disagree with Procul Harum though, two chart songs of the top of my head were Homburg and Conquistador so not one hit wonders even though the other two weren't massive hits.

That was kind of what I was alluding to really....Whiter shade of pale I always remember...a song that you always recall and where you were etc. I heard Homburg for the first time yesterday on here..didn't strike any interest tbh. Some cracking songs Highlighted on the thred anyway brings it all back.

[houseboy]

Norman Greenbaum - Spirit in the Sky

I had a one hit wonder Boss. Once hit a bloke twice my size and laid him out with a lucky punch. If we’d fought again another 20 times I probably would have been long dead.

[tim_noone]

Softly whispering I love you - The Congregation

Love that song....

[Vino blanco]

Al Stewart did release several singles and only one of them "Year of the Cat" reached the lower end of the charts, it didn't even reach the top thirty in the Uk so he can't be considered as any kind of Hit wonder.

[djt2006]

Al has had a few singles of which this is just the most famous. Time Passages comes to mind and, I think, On the Border to name just two. He has made loads of albums (most of which I own or have owned). Again mainly an albums artist but hasn’t ‘faded away’ as he is still recording and performing. Check out the album Past Present and Future, particularly the tracks Roads to Moscow and Nostradamus. Stunning.

I remember my older brother coming home from University with that album. I loved it that much I even bought Nostradamus “ The Centuries “ to discover more.

[tim_noone]

The Guinness Book of Hit Singles recognizes a one hit wonder as an artist or group of artists who achieved a number 1 hit in the Uk charts and then had no other chart entries. Many of the songs quoted on here were never near number ones: I do appreciate that one hit wonder can be used in a looser sense meaning an act that had one big hit followed not much else, so I can understand these songs being mentioned.

You knew what I meant Vino.....as Did the first man to respond to the thred..... CT

[Siddo]

Just relying on memory and not Google, Mason Williams, Classical Gas.
Possibly one of the biggest ever hits not to have a successful follow up.

[tim_noone]

Just relying on memory and not Google, Mason Williams, Classical Gas.
Possibly one of the biggest ever hits not to have a successful follow up.

That's my point siddo.....my mind picked up on that tune straight away....from well over 40 odd years since hearing it regularly.you remember some "Hits" more than others. Now listening to it

[Tall Paul]

Mock Turtles - Can You Dig It?

[houseboy]

I remember my older brother coming home from University with that album. I loved it that much I even bought Nostradamus “ The Centuries “ to discover more.

Ha ha. So did I. I’d never heard of him until he performed both those tracks on The Old Grey Whistle Test when the album came out circa ‘72. I was blown away. Saw him at Blackburn King Georges some time in the mid 80’s. Fantastic story teller in song, especially with history based things. His early stuff is folk but he transformed into folk rock/prog folk with a tinge of jazz thrown in.

[houseboy]

Just relying on memory and not Google, Mason Williams, Classical Gas.
Possibly one of the biggest ever hits not to have a successful follow up.

Coincidence. Played that on Alexa just a few days ago after not hearing for years. Fabulous.

[Silkyskills1]

They're Coming To Take Me Away Napoleon XIV

[houseboy]

Al Stewart did release several singles and only one of them "Year of the Cat" reached the lower end of the charts, it didn't even reach the top thirty in the Uk so he can't be considered as any kind of Hit wonder.

My point entirely. Some of the biggest acts in history didn’t set the charts alight. ELP, Yes, Led Zep etc rarely troubled the singles charts, mostly out of choice.

[ijkay]

Brian And Michael Matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs

[ijkay]

Video Killed the Radio Star – Buggles (1979)
It's Raining Men – The Weather Girls (1982)
Spirit in the Sky – Norman Greenbaum (1969)
I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) – The Proclaimers (1988)
Mambo No. 5 (A Little Bit Of) – Lou Bega (1999)
Nothing Compares 2 U – Sinead O'Connor (1990)
Ice Ice Baby – Vanilla Ice (1990)
Don't Leave Me This Way – Thelma Houston (1976)
Cotton Eye Joe – Rednex (1995)
Macarena – Los del Rio (1993)
Sugar Sugar – The Archies (1969)
Who Let the Dogs Out – Baha Men (2000)
Kung Fu Fighting – Carl Douglas (1974)
Seasons in the Sun – Terry Jacks (1973)
Saturday Night – Whigfield (1995)
There She Goes – The La's (1988)
Achy Breaky Heart – Billy Ray Cyrus (1992)
Tell Laura I Love Her – Ricky Valance (1960)
Me and Mrs Jones – Billy Paul (1972)
Mickey – Toni Basil (1982)
Don't Worry Be Happy – Bobby McFerrin (1988)
Stay – Shakespears Sister (1992)
Play That Funky Music – Wild Cherry (1976)
What Is Love – Haddaway (1993)
99 Red Balloons – Nena (1983)
Jump Around – House of Pain (1992)
My Sharona – The Knack (1979)
We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off – Jermaine Stewart (1986)
Turning Japanese – The Vapors (1980)
MMMBop – Hanson (1997)
In the Year 2525 – Zager & Evans (1969)
Funkytown – Lipps Inc. (1979)
A Girl Like You – Edwyn Collins (1994)
Pass the Dutchie – Musical Youth (1982)
Rock Me Amadeus – Falco (1985)
The Hustle – Van McCoy (1975)
Ooh Eeh Ooh Ah Aah Ting Tang Walla Walla Bing Bang – Witch Doctor (1958)
Tubthumping – Chumbawamba (1997)
The Ketchup Song (Aserejé) – Las Ketchup (2002)
Grandad – Clive Dunn (1971)
Spaceman – Babylon Zoo (1996)
Groove Is in the Heart – Deee-Lite (1990)
Don't Give Up On Us – David Soul (1976)
Barbados – Typically Tropical (1975)
Unbelievable – EMF (1990)
Too Shy – Kajagoogoo (1983)
Pop Muzik – M (1979)
You Get What You Give – New Radicals (1998)
The Safety Dance – Men Without Hats (1983)
Somebody's Watching Me – Rockwell (1984)

[Silkyskills1]

Hello followed up Tell Him with New York Groove, which was almost as big a hit.

The Flowerpot Men have been mentioned above. Whilst they only had one hit under that name, they were a group of musicians who released singles under different names : -

Edison Lighthouse...Love Grows Where My Rosemary Goes
Butterscotch...Don't You Know
White Plains...I've Got You On My Mind

were all basically the same group.

Also include Tony Burrows with The Pipkins and Gimme Dat Ding.

[Siddo]

A bit off topic, but I have been listening to American 60s radio on Alexa echo.
The beauty of it is that America had local radio stations, so a record might have been massive in Detroit and unplayed in Los Angeles: so you get to hear great records that were never released over here.
Also, quite a few records were played on the northern soul scene that were minor hits in the States and again, not released over here.

[levraiclaret]

Leapy Lee - Little Arrows, was a shocker.

[tim_noone]

Entering the the Circulation to Kung Fu Fighting 1974 Leaving the Circulation.....Kung Fu Fighting :

[tim_noone]

Abi and Esther Ofarim 1968 Your my Lady.

[boatshed bill]

Here.s a good one from the late 60's.
Keith West "Grocer Jack (excerpt from a teenage opera)"

[Firthy]

Almost forgot about the absolute classic.

Days of Pearly Spencer - David McWilliams

Normally not a great lover of covers but I have to admit that Marc Almonds version was every bit as good.

[boatshed bill]

Has this one been mentioned?

Brian and Michael "Matchstalk Mem....."

[lakedistrictclaret]

Also include Tony Burrows with The Pipkins and Gimme Dat Ding.

Indeed.

Also, First Class with Beach Baby.

They were all the same group of musicians.

[Siddo]

Video Killed the Radio Star – Buggles (1979)
It's Raining Men – The Weather Girls (1982)
Spirit in the Sky – Norman Greenbaum (1969)
I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) – The Proclaimers (1988)
Mambo No. 5 (A Little Bit Of) – Lou Bega (1999)
Nothing Compares 2 U – Sinead O'Connor (1990)
Ice Ice Baby – Vanilla Ice (1990)
Don't Leave Me This Way – Thelma Houston (1976)
Cotton Eye Joe – Rednex (1995)
Macarena – Los del Rio (1993)
Sugar Sugar – The Archies (1969)
Who Let the Dogs Out – Baha Men (2000)
Kung Fu Fighting – Carl Douglas (1974)
Seasons in the Sun – Terry Jacks (1973)
Saturday Night – Whigfield (1995)
There She Goes – The La's (1988)
Achy Breaky Heart – Billy Ray Cyrus (1992)
Tell Laura I Love Her – Ricky Valance (1960)
Me and Mrs Jones – Billy Paul (1972)
Mickey – Toni Basil (1982)
Don't Worry Be Happy – Bobby McFerrin (1988)
Stay – Shakespears Sister (1992)
Play That Funky Music – Wild Cherry (1976)
What Is Love – Haddaway (1993)
99 Red Balloons – Nena (1983)
Jump Around – House of Pain (1992)
My Sharona – The Knack (1979)
We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off – Jermaine Stewart (1986)
Turning Japanese – The Vapors (1980)
MMMBop – Hanson (1997)
In the Year 2525 – Zager & Evans (1969)
Funkytown – Lipps Inc. (1979)
A Girl Like You – Edwyn Collins (1994)
Pass the Dutchie – Musical Youth (1982)
Rock Me Amadeus – Falco (1985)
The Hustle – Van McCoy (1975)
Ooh Eeh Ooh Ah Aah Ting Tang Walla Walla Bing Bang – Witch Doctor (1958)
Tubthumping – Chumbawamba (1997)
The Ketchup Song (Aserejé) – Las Ketchup (2002)
Grandad – Clive Dunn (1971)
Spaceman – Babylon Zoo (1996)
Groove Is in the Heart – Deee-Lite (1990)
Don't Give Up On Us – David Soul (1976)
Barbados – Typically Tropical (1975)
Unbelievable – EMF (1990)
Too Shy – Kajagoogoo (1983)
Pop Muzik – M (1979)
You Get What You Give – New Radicals (1998)
The Safety Dance – Men Without Hats (1983)
Somebody's Watching Me – Rockwell (1984)

David Soul had a few hits. Silver Lady, Going in with my eyes wide open and at least one more that eludes me at the moment.

[Firthy]

Just heard another one on the radio

Judy in Disguise - John Fred and his Playboy Band

[Silkyskills1]

Sabre Dance Love Sculpture( essentially Dave Edmunds,I suppose).

[djt2006]

Matthews Southern Comfort ... Woodstock

[dermotdermot]

I'm Turning into a Snowman.....Fred Twilight and the Bubonic Plague

[huw.Y.WattfromWare]

Sabre Dance Love Sculpture( essentially Dave Edmunds,I suppose).

Fantastic piece. More rock acts should cover classics, it always seems to work.

[joey13]

Howzat Sherbet

[Dazzler]

Interesting fact! A good heart was written by Maria McKee about Benmont Tench of TP and the Heartbreakers. You little thief was written by Benmont Tench about Maria McKee

Tell it to someone who doesn't know

[LoveCurryPies]

Golden Earring
Radar Love

But what a song! Makes me want to buy a Harley.

Or is that Silver Machine?

[basil6345789]

Peter and Gordon...."god I'm old" A world without Love.

True Love Ways, To Know You Is To Love You, Baby I'm Yours, etc, owt about One Hit Wonders!

[houseboy]

Fantastic piece. More rock acts should cover classics, it always seems to work.

Great piece but apparently Edmunds couldn’t play it live. It was enhanced for speed in the studio. Still a fantastic bit of music though.

[steve_f]

Sugar sugar.....the Archies i think

[Wile E Coyote]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqgEhEpLSLI

TULANE