Rock Songs List of One Hit Wonders
81
The Trashmen - "Surfin' Bird"
The Amboy Dukes - "Journey to the Center of the Mind'"
The Rock Songs List of one hit wonder music through the decades of the sixties and the seventies was probably the best collection of unique sounds that were ever put together representing this niche. Many of these hits bring back early grade school memories as well as memories of beach parties at Tobay beach on Long Island, NY. As a matter of fact there were so many one hit wonder hits in these two decades that I've limited my list to the most memorable.
During my grade school days I became known as a class clown, which frequently included playing the drums on my desk as part of my routine. Most of the time I played "Wipe Out", which was a sensational 1963 tune by the Safaris. "Mule Skinner Blues" by the Fenderman (1960) was another favorite of mine to perform during class because of it's yipping and yodelling.
In the early sixties there was a kid's program called the Sandy Becker show that was a favorite. Sandy Becker was an eccentric comedian and puppet master who dressed in weird outfits and had several alter egos, two of which were Norton Nork and Hambone. Norton Nork was a good-natured simpleton who was guided through his day by a voice-over (also played by Becker). Hambone was a loony disc jockey -- sort of based on Wolfman Jack and Cousin Brucie. When these crazy characters appeared they were usually accompanied by music. Two such pieces I recall from 1963 were "Surfin Bird" by the Trashmen and "Mr. Bass Man" by Johnny Cymbal.
The EasyBeats - "Friday On My Mind"
Looking Glass - "Brandy You're A Fine Girl"
Soul Survivors - "Expressway to your Heart"
Richard Harris - "MacArthur Park"
Some other influential early 60's one hit wonders were:
Sukiyaki - Kyu Sakamoto (1962) Sung partly in Japanese
Rhythm of the Rain - the Cascades (1963)
(Just Like) Romeo and Juliet (1964) - the Reflections
Rip Van Winkle - the Devotions(1964) Included the sound effects of chipmunks bowling
You've Got to Hide Your Love Away - the Silkie (1965) England's answer to Peter,Paul and Mary
Goldfinger - Shirley Bassey (1965) - the title song to the 1st James Bond movie
The Boy From New York City - the Ad Libs (1965)
Keep on Dancing - the Gentrys (1965)
Talk Talk - The Music Machine (1966)
Winchester Cathedral - the New Vaudeville Band (1966) A novelty song that had a megaphone/Rudy Valle (20's) quality to it.
They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Ha - Napoleon XIV (1966) This song, which was a bizarre depiction of mental illness, was banned from the New York airwaves.
Some late sixties one hit wonders were:
1967
Come On Down to My Boat - Every Mother's Son
We Ain't Got Nothin' Yet - Blues Magoos
For What It's Worth - Buffalo Springfield An early folk-rock group that included Neil Young and Stephen Stills
Green Tambourine - Lemon Pipers
Expressway to Your Heart - the Soul Survivors
Judy in Disguise (With Glasses) - John Fred & His Playboy band
Friday on My Mind - the Easybeats My favorite all-time one hit wonder
1968
Journey to the Center of the Mind - Amboy Dukes An early band of Ted Nugent
Reach Out Of the Darkness - Friend and Lover
MacArthur Park - Richard Harris The first over 6 minute song played on top 10 radio in NY
In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida - Iron Butterfly An early psychedelic group with a 17 minute hit song
Pictures of Matchstick Men - Status Quo
You Keep Me Hangin' On - Vanilla Fudge
Angel of the Morning - Merrilee Rush Rush
My Pledge Of Love - Joe Jeffrey Group
Fire - the Crazy World of Arthur Brown
1969
Gimme Gimme Good Lovin' - Crazy Elephant
Baby It's You - Smith
Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye - Steam - chanted by home fans at sports stadiums when the visiting team is performing poorly
More Today Than Yesterday - Spiral Staircase Recently remade and sung by Diana Ross
Smile A Little Smile For Me - Flying Machine
Something in the Air - Thunderclap Newman
Things I'd Like to Say - New Colony Six
The seventies were my partying years. Our group of cronies had many beach parties (keg parties) at Tobay beach and Jones Beach, NY, in addition to house parties that included favorite drinks like Southern Comfort, Rum & Coke and seven & seven. Some of the tunes loved by our group included one hit wonders like: Tighter, Tighter - Alive and Kicking (1970), Ride Captain Ride - Blues Image (1970), Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes) - Edison Lighthouse (1970), and Reflections of My Life - Marmalade (1970)
Other early 70's one hit wonders were:
1970
Spirit in the Sky - Norman Green Baum
The Rapper - Jaggerz
In the Summertime - Mungo Jerry
Venus - Shocking Blue
My Baby Loves Lovin' - White Plains
Sweet Mary - Wadsworth Mansion
All Right Now - Free
O-o-h Child - the Five Stairsteps
Indiana Wants Me - R. Dean Taylor
Vehicle - the Ides of March
Are You Ready? - Pacific Gas & Electric
1971
Chick-A-Boom - Daddy Dewdrop
Put Your Hand in the Hand - Ocean
1972
Hold Your Head Up - Argent
I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing (in Perfect Harmony) - Hillside Singers
Hot Rod Lincoln - Commander Cody And His Lost Planet Airmen
Oh, Babe, What Would You Say? - Hurricane Smith Similar to "Winchester Cathedral" from 1966 with the megaphone sound
Beautiful Sunday - Daniel Boone
Bang A Gong (Get It On) - T. Rex
Brandy (You're A Fine Girl) - Looking Glass Became a #1 hit
1973
My Maria - B.W. Stevenson
Dead Skunk - Loudon Wainwright III
Dueling Banjos - Eric Weissberg & Steve Mandell Made famous in the Jon Voight/Burt Reynolds movie "Deliverance"
Brother Louie - Stories
Dancing in the Moonlight - King Harvest
The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia - Vicki Lawrence The only hit by the sidekick to comedy legend Carol Burnett
Smokin' in the Boys Room - Brownsville Station
1974
Rock On - David Essex
Beach Baby - First Class
Seasons in the Sun - Terry Jacks
The Night Chicago Died - Paper Lace
Tubular Bells - Mike Oldfield Made famous by the horror flick "The Exorcist"
The Entertainer - Marvin Hamlisch Made famous in the Newman/Redford movie "the Sting"
Kung Fu Fighting - Carl Douglas
Some Late 70's one hit wonders were:
1975
The Hustle - Van McCoy & The Soul City Symphony A popular dance of the times
1976
Fooled Around and Fell in Love - Elvin Bishop
Turn the Beat Around - Vicki Sue Robinson
The Boys are Back in Town - Thin Lizzie Made famous in the Eddie Murphy/Nick Nolte film "24 Hours"
Play that Funky Music - Wild Cherry
Happy Days - Pratt & McClain Made famous by the sitcom of the same name
1977
Black Betty - Ram Jam
1978
Ring My Bell - Anita Ward
Love Is In the Air - John Paul Young
Because The Night - Patti Smith Group
King Tut - Steve Martin This novelty song by the famous comedian/actor became a popular dance
1979
I Don't Like Mondays - Boomtown Rats
Born to be Alive - Patrick Hernandez This song was a legendary dance tune which became very popular during the disco era
Video Killed the Radio Star - the Buggles
Makin' It - David Naughton This was a popular tune sung towards the end of the disco era by the actor made famous in the movie "An American Werewolf in London"
The one hit wonder Rock Songs List during the sixties and seventies will be remembered as the most diverse and popular collection of music representing this niche forever.
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Arrowway - Thank you very much for your memories. It's an honor to have a former band member comment on my hub. You have a very interesting story to tell and I would love to see more of it here on hubpages. I will check out your links so that I can maybe include more about the song. It was a very good tune.
Also, I Actually did include "Expressway to your Heart" by the Soul Survivors under 1967. It was one of my favorite singles and I remember purchasing the 45 RPM as a kid with my allowance.
An ADDITIONAL COMMENT: Arrowway, I Just checked out more about your story by googling "Arrowman" and your story is very interesting: I'll include the link here for other's to read about - http://www.thevillager.com/villager_220/discosarro
Hi there! I have recently heard a great great rock song on the radio. At the end of the song, I awaited the details of title and group, but as is always the case, the DJ failed to mention these. I do not remember any of the lyrics, but can give the followong details. It has a deep-voiced male singer, similar to a Scott Walker and there is a female singer who sings later on in the song. There is a swirling wind kind of effect throughout the song and also some very distinctive keyboard/xylophone notes played in the instrumental break in the middle of the song. The central melody of the song goes like this:- da da da da dadda dadda da da da dadda da; dadda dadda da, dadda dadda da.(then repeat from beginning) I have since tried to track down this meisterwork, hence me drifting across this website. I have heard it once or twice before in the past and I know it was recorded from between the late 1960's to the middle 1970's. Please can you help?
I love rock music. thank you for this page
Arrowhead, that is very cool. Expressway is a great song. They got a picture of the cover at this one hit wonders site home pagehttp://tunecaster.com/one-hit-wonder.htmlit says there was a follow up, and sure enough, links you to the song. Explosion!! (In My Soul)
http://tunecaster.com/one-hit-wonder.html I screwed up the link...anyway, I like the way the blog was laid out by years. Great job!
Thank You for the link Sixties soul lover. I also loved "Expressway to your Heart", and it was cool to get Arrowway's comment here.
Anyone who can list "Talk Talk" (Music Machine) and "The Rapper" (Jaggerz) can't be that bad at all. I still listen to those songs. I didn't see "No" by Bulldog on there (ca 1972). Also missing, regionally at least, was the Chicago band Jamestown Massacre who had a great one hit success on Warner Bros called "Summer Sun". The lead singer eventually became the lead singer for Survivor. I saw Jamestown Massacre at a local record store performing their one hit with Ides of March songwriter Jim Peterik (also formerly of Survivor).
Anyway, keep the list growing as there are probably some great, yet forgotten One Hit Wonders. (BTW: The Ides of March recorded a song a few years back called, you guessed it, "One Hit Wonder". It's pretty clever.)
Rob,
Yes, to this day the song "the Rapper" reminds me of an old friend named Billy Rapp. We used to dedicate the song to him.
Yeah, I tried to limit the list to the most memorable songs that I could remember. I listened to some of those you mentioned, and I do remember "Summer Sun" - It had a nice crisp sound
Okay, you're going to hate me now, but a number of the acts you mentioned were actually far from being one hit wonders.
Shirley Bassey had top ten hits with the Banana Boat Song which got to number 8 in '57 and hands across the sea which got to number 1 in '59. Since Goldfinger, she has enjoyed other chart successes too, so that counts her out.
Easybeats had at least three hits - one of which went to number one before Friday on my mind, so they're out.
Status Quo - you're joking right? I don't mean to be rude, but Status Quo must be one of the most famous bands in the world. They have had chart success with over sixty releases - more than any other band in history.
T-Rex - Ride a white swan, Children of the revolution to name but two to go along with get it on.
Thin Lizzy - were famous before 48 hours came out with Whiskey in the Jar. The Boys are back in town was not the end of their career either.
David Essex was quite a heartthrob and had several hits including hold me close during the seventies, especially after his appearance in the movies That'll be the day and Stardust.
Mike Oldfield's tubular bells was followed by a whole string of albums and included singles five miles out and in dolce jubilo, both of which enjoyed chart success.
Boomtown Rats had songs like Like clockwork, She's so modern, Rat Trap all prior to I don't like Mondays and Rat Trap was the first new wave song to hit number one in the UK.
I don't want to cast aspersions, but I just thought I'd put the errors straight.
Nick - Thank You for the comments. I got most of this list from research I did from this site: http://www.onehitwondercentral.com/
My memory also confirmed other parts of the list
In addition, I need to mention that this list refers to US hits only
I will, however, state my opinion with two of your comments:
You stated:
"Easybeats had at least three hits - one of which went to number one before Friday on my mind, so they're out.
"
This is incorrect.
Check out : http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=3046
It says there: "This was The Easybeats' only Top 40 hit."
You stated:
"Status Quo - you're joking right? I don't mean to be rude, but Status Quo must be one of the most famous bands in the world. They have had chart success with over sixty releases - more than any other band in history."
This is ABSOLUTELY incorrect in the US
Check out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pictures_of_Matchstic
It says there:
"Pictures of Matchstick Men" was the first hit single by Status Quo, released in January of 1968. It reached number seven in the British charts, number eight in Canada, and number twelve on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming their only hit single in the United States.
Rockfan - I couldn't believe that you tried to describe a song based on "da da da da dada..." but the funny thing is I knew right away what song you were talking about!!!
That song is "Hush" by Deep Purple. I don't know if it fits the classic one-hit-wonder profile, but you definitely have something there, that song certainly had a hand in defining the sound of the time. I think it's an important one, often forgotten in lists of this kind. It was missing from my collection, I'll be rectifying that right away.
Another Rockfan - You could be correct. It's tough to tell the tune from the explanation
On 1977 - Black Betty by Ram Jam. Just an FYI. This song was originally recorded in '29 (or close to it) by an old bluesman named Leadbelly. I have both versions. The Leadbelly recording is hard to find, but not impossible.
thanks LesP - that's very interesting
Just a nit about "The Boys Are Back In Town". There are two songs by this name. One, the hit by Thin Lizzy, is an electric guitar rocker. It wasn't in the movie "48 hours".
The one in the movie is by the Bus Boys. It's a piano-heavy R&B thing.
You did leave off 'Resurrection Shuffle' by Ashton, Gardner & Dyke - 1971
Tony Ashton went on to join Deep Purple members Ian Paice & Jon Lord to form PAL.
Thanks Dr. Dream,for that clarification. I'm sorry, I probably didn't really make it clear. I mentioned the hit by "Thin Lizzy" made famous in the movie "48 Hours". (not necessarily done by them in the movie)
Yep TJ, I'm sure that I left out a bunch of them. I'll probably need to write a second hub, entitled "More one hit wonders" Also, Thanks for the history. I actually didn't know that about Tony Ashton. Good stuff.
Last night I dreamed of finding a CD of all the greatest one hit wonders to put on my iPod. Is there such a thing? Also, does Crowded House -- Don't Dream its Over -- qualify? Awesome tune!
Julz, I'm not sure there is such a CD out there. There are plenty of lists out there on the web. You could probably put your own CD together.
Also, I believe that Crowded House had a few other hits.
This is a great list. Some of the bands on the list though had a lot more than one hit - at least outside stateside.
I loved this most comprehensive list of forgotten bands ...even though the songs reamin...popular even today....thanks for sharing this post~~~~MFB III
Reply to Rockfan:
The song you were looking for is Kites by Simon Dupree and the Big Sound who later became Gentle Giant.
I love Steve Martin's King Tut. Too funny! Glad I clicked on this hub. Lots of fun
Can't leave out "Incense and Peppermints", by The Strawberry Alarm Clock around 1967. It was a chart-topper at the time.
haha great list, just reminds me of some people I totally forgot they existed. Thanx for the share :)
I agree Len, It had a great sound
Gugulethu, yep, I love to browse youtube for many of my these old memories
There was a person that wrote, recorded and released a song in Battle Creek in late 70s or early 80s. Can anybody get this information. It was a 1 hit wonder and the person remained in oblivion.
luwy, Johnny Bristol might be who your talking about see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rukkwl8oCus&feature
Great.
Pictures of Matchstick Men wasn't Status Quo's only hit! Down Down, Rollover Lay Down, Rockin' All Over the World, Whatever You Want, Caroline, Wild Side of life and others were hits in a number of countries. The Easybeats (singer George Young is the older brothers of AC/DC's Angus and Malcolm Young) also had about eight hits including Friday on My Mind in their home country Australia as well as the UK and Europe.
Stephanie, thank you for the clarification. For the purposes of this hub I am only using tunes that were hits in the US.
ARROWWAY 3 years ago
ANOTHER ONE HIT WONDER YOU'VE OVERELOOKED IT A BLUEYED SOUL BAND
THE SOPUL SURVIVERS...AND THE NOATIONAL ONE HIT SONG
"EXPRESSWAY TO YOUR HEART" ON CAMEO PARKWAY
PROD.GAMBLE AND HUFF
I KNOW THIS CAUSE IWA THE ORIGINAL B3-HAMMOND ORGAN / BASS PEDALS AND BACK UP TO LEAD VOCAL...YES ..I PLAY B3/SANG AND KICK THE BASS PEDALS
I QUIT THE GROUP AS PROBLEMS WERE INCOUNTERED AS THE RECORD HIT THE CHARTS....
I WAS LIVING IN THE COLUBIA HOTEL WITH A GIRL I COOINCIDENTAILY BUMPED INTO
AS I WAS PLAY IN THE SOUL SUVIVERS..IN NYC AT THE CHEATER BALLROOM..
WE MISTERIOUSLY RECIEVED AN INVITATION TO ATTEND A CENTRAL PARK RALLY
IN MAY 1967..WE WENT WONDERING WHAT IT WAS GOING TO BE ALL ABOUT..BUT THE COLUMBIA HOTEL IS ON 46TH AND 6TH ABVE..SO CENTRAL PARK WAS ONLY A 10 MINUTE WALK..WHENWE ARRIVED IN SHEAPSMEADOW THEERE WEW WERE IN THE MIDST OF THE 1ST NYC HIPPIE BEING..ABLOLOFIA...WAS SMOKIN BANAAS..
DAVID PEEL WAS RALLYING FOR BANANA POWER..AND FREE LOVE NOT WAR..
AND THEN I RECIEVED ANOTHER INVITATION TO ATTEND "AN EVENING WITH GOD"
2 WEEKS LATER...TERRY MY GIRL FRIEND WAS BROKE SHE COULD FIND WORK AS A DANCER IN NYC HAD NO CONTACTS,,WE MOVED DOWNTTO THE LOWER EAST SIDE..
WITH MY B-3 HAMMOND A SUITCASE..AND I LOOKED FOR A HOME FOR MY B-3 AND A PLACE TO STAY..AND THERE IT WAS "HEADQURTERS..ON 8TH STREET..IT WAS A LIVING THEATRE.. THAT COOINCIDENTLY NEEDED MY ORGAN TO COMPLETE THE LIVING ON STAGE PERFROMANCE..SO ME AND TERRY LIVED ON STAGE..AND I PERFROMED ON THE B-3 TILL 6 AM IN THE MORN..
I WENT AROUND THE CORNER TO THE VILLAGE THEATRE..AND ASKED THE MANAGER BEN BARONHOLTZ..AND ROGER HUSTER.. IF THE EVENT
"THE EVENING WITH GOD " NEEDED HAUNTING ROMANTIC SPONTEANEOUS ORGAN MUSIC AS A BACKROUND...AND THEY SAID WHERE CAN WE HEAR YOU...I SAID AT THE HEADQURTERS THEATRE..ON 8TH ST...
BEN ND ROGER CAME TO HEAR ME UNANOUNCED..AND WAITED TILL I WAS FINISHED..
AND SAID HIOW FAST CAN WE MOVE YOUR ORGAN INTO THE VILLAGE THEATRE..
I SAID TONIGHT...AND SO I PLAYED B-3 HAMMOD ANSD BASS PEDLALS AS MERIDITH MONK DANCED..DICK GREGORY PAUL KRASSNER..AND JERRY (I CANT THINK OF HIS NAME)...ANY WAY I BECAME THE HOUSE BAND AS THEY FUNDED MY WAY AND THEW ADDS IN THE VILLAGE VIOCE PUT TOGETHER A 7 PIECE HORN BAND.
THE VILLAGE THEATRE BECAME THE PHILMORE EAST..WE PLAYED OPENING ACT TO EVERYONE FROM THE WHO /CREAM/JIMMY HENDRIX/ DOORS/WIKLSON PICKET/JAMES BROWN TO JANIS JOLPIN...AND THAT IS WHEN I WAS FOUND BY ATLANTIC RECORDS
AND THE REST IS MYSTERY....OF THE ONE HIT WONDERS
IN 1970 I INVENTED THE 1ST WIRELES ARROWSHPAED KEYBOARD...WORN LIKE A GUITAR..PALYED A MULTITIUDE OF KEYBOARDS SIMULTANEOUSLY...AND AS AN ADDED AFFECT IT SHOOTS FIRE ..CREAM AND WATER...
GOOGLE " DISCO ARROMAN" AND READ MORE ABOUT THE WONDERS OF MY LIFE
I AM TRYING TO FIND OUT HOW TO CRET MY OWN HUB PAGE FOR I HAVE MANY UNUSUAL STORIES TO TELL..AND SHRE WITH VIDEOS FROM STUDIO 54 TO THE MOVIE HAIR THAT I WAS IN ...SHOOTING FIRE FROM OUT OF THE ARROWKEYBOARDS TIP IN THE CENTRAL PARK HALUCINATION SCENE....YES A ONE HIT WONDER
>~~NOVAC~~>
WE WENT TO THE VILLAGE THEATREWHERE THE EVENT WAS TO TAKE PLACE
I ENDED UP SIGNING MY OWN DEAL AS A SOLO ARTIST ON ATLANTIC RECORDS...NOVAC THE FIFTH WORD ON EMBRYO ATLANTIC. SD 527..NOW A COLLECTORS ABLUM...IF YOU GET A CHANCE GIV IT A LISTEN...