I recently learned that Sept. 25th is National One-Hit Wonder Day. As to what constitutes a one-hit wonder, there isn't a clear cut answer. For a breakdown of the different criteria, feel free to visit the following link:
One-hit wonder definitions
Below are some of my favorite one-hit wonders for your downloading pleasure. What are some of your favorite one-hit wonders?
Another Lover- Giant Steps
California Sun- The Rivieras
Double Dutch Bus- Frankie Smith
Just A Friend- Biz Markie
Life Is A Rock (But the Radio Rolled Me)- Reunion
Mr. Bassman- Johnny Cymbal
Reach Out of the Darkness- Friend and Lover
Stay- Shakespeare's Sister
Supersonic- JJ Fad
TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)- MFSB
Tubthumping- Chumbawamba
Turn Up the Radio- Autograph
What's Up- 4 Non Blondes
White Horse- Laid Back
You Get What You Give- New Radicals
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11 comments:
You came up with some good ones, "White Horse" is a favorite of my best friend. I was thinking about this topic and don't really know if I completely agree with the criteria that defines a "one hit wonder". I think we had this debate before, but by definition artist like Cheryl Lynn, the SOS Band, and even the great Jimi Hendrix are in this category. Anyhow, some one hit wonders that come to mind is Toni Basil for her song "Mickey", The Archies "Sugar, Sugar" and one of my all time favorites by Sylvester's backup singers, The Weather Girls "It's Raining Men". I think this is a fun song that gives off such a good vibe.
"Though you may not drive a great big Cadillac . . . diamond in the back, sunroof top, digging the scene with a gangsta lean . . oo-ooh" (LOL)
I still love that song ("Be Thankful For What You Got") by WIlliam Devaugh. Though for the longest, I thought the singer was Curtis Mayfield.
My addition would be "Get Off" (1978) by Foxy.
Pjazzy: Thanks... I orig. was going to post 10 of my favorites, then it increased to 25, and well... you get the idea. I will more than likely revisit this topic next Sept. 25th.
One can almost get a headache when considering the different criteria used to decide what constitutes a one-hit wonder. The criteria that I used for the songs I included in this post was this: artists who not only had just 1 top 40 hit, but also didn't have any major hits on any other charts (R&B, country, album, etc.).
I played "Got To Be Real" during a one-hit wonder show I did last year. If I had to do it over again, I wouldn't. Although that was Cheryl Lynn's only top 40 pop hit, she had a bunch of hits on the R&B charts. Like you mentioned, the SOS Band falls into this category as well. Along with Jimi Hendrix, acts such as The Grateful Dead are considered one-hit wonders if the criteria of having just 1 top 40 pop hit is used.
Toni Basil is a good one. I almost included a link to the Spanish version of Mickey. I love both versions. You are right about "It's Raining Men". Whenever I hear it, I think of the "In Living Color" skit "Men On Film".
Believe it or not, The Archies are not a one-hit wonder. Although most people are led to believe that they are because the only song you hear by them anymore is "Sugar, Sugar". Along with "Sugar, Sugar", the Archies had 3 other top 40 hits. This includes another Top 10 hit (Jingle Jangle, #10 in early 1970). As if you didn't already know... I am a Billboard chart freak, lol.
Lori: That line from "Be Thankful For What You Got" is classic! He does sound an awful lot like Curtis. I remember that the local R&B station once feat. the song in their "name that artist" trivia contest. A lot of people were calling in and guessing that the artist was Curtis Mayfield.
Depending on who you ask, "Get Off" by Foxy is/isn't a one-hit wonder. I say this because they had another Top 40 pop song called "Hot Number" that peaked at #21. However, some people wouldn't consider a song that peaked at #21 a hit. The chart freakishness in me rears its head once again, lol.
Like I said, the "one-hit wonder" debate could go on and on. No matter what side of the fence one person falls on regarding what is/isn't a one-hit wonder, "Get Off" is still one of the all-time great jams!
Hey Lori,
Believe it or not, but I have the Foxy album in my collection. I can close my eyes and see the pink and torquoise cover.
Malcolm,
Hmm . . . I must have missed Foxy's "Hot Number." It doesn't ring a bell.
Pjazzpar,
Pink and turquoise! Get Out! (LOL)Those '70s were something else, weren't they? (smile)
Bahaha Supersonic! Haven't heard that since 5th grade. I also liked Get What You Give.
Oh man, I just remembered the words to supersonic...The S is for super, and the u is for unique, the p is for perfection and you know that we are....I'll stop. Why is this stuff stored in my brain when I can't remember anything useful! : )
Ollie and Jerry's Breakin...There's No Stopping Us is one of my favorites from the era.
So many...
Edison Lighthouse - Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)
White Plains - My Baby Loves Love
Dexy's Midnight Runners - Come On Eileen
Robin MacNamara - Lay A Little Lovin' On Me
You've got an awesome list here! I'm especially fond of the tubthumping one...it's on my ipod and I listen to it all the time...
Jessica
Holly: I remember hearing Supersonic in the clubs quite a bit in my younger days. "We're JJ Fad and we're here to rock..." I forget the rest of it. I too can recall the most obscure song lyrics and movie quotes, but struggle when it comes to things I need to remember. "You Get What You Give" is one of my all-time favorites. I had forgotten that the lead singer of the New Radicals (Gregg Alexander) is from Grosse Pointe, MI. Trivia note: Danielle Brisebois (Stephanie from All In the Family/Archie Bunker's Place) was a member of the New Radicals as well. If you look hard, you can spot her in the video for "You Get What You Give".
Jason: I saw either "Breakin" or "Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo". I forget which one though.
Mistress of the Dark: You named some good ones. I almost included links to the tunes by Edison Lighthouse and Robin McNamara.
Jessica: For people who want to get pumped up, Tubthumping is the perfect song! I saw your post titled "I Get Knocked Down". I just now realized why you called it that... at least I think I do.
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