One-Hit Wonders

[KidSilverhair]

Don McLean's "American Pie" really shouldn't count as a one-hit. "Vincent" hit number 12 on the Billboard charts, and "Castles In The Air" reached number 36 (I remember "Vincent," but not sure I can recall "Castles" without help ...).

Isn't it funny how songs can be big, top ten hits, but end up with no staying power and get forgotten? Rupert Holmes (the Piña Colada guy) is a good example. While we remember "Escape (The Piña Colada Song)," who remembers his song "Him"? It went all the way to number 6 on the charts, but darn few people can recall that tune now, so everybody calls him a one-hit wonder. I doubt he cares, as he's been writing stage shows and winning Tony awards since then.

 

[JRE1975]

Wasn't the "Afternoon Delight" song a one hit wonder? Not sure why an old guy would be thinking of that song on a Friday afternoon.....

 

[TXCyclones]

Wasn't the "Afternoon Delight" song a one hit wonder? Not sure why an old guy would be thinking of that song on a Friday afternoon.....

I believe that is the Climax Blues Band?

edit: fail. Starland Vocal Band

 

[DistrictCyclone]

I believe that is the Starlight Blues Band?

Starland Vocal Band

I prefer the cover version by Michael Bluth and Maeby Funke.

 

[Clark]

If only Taylor Swift & Justin Bieber could have been a one-hit wonders....

Wonder how long Chris is going to ban you for?

by the way, some of y'all's music knowledge is impressive.

 

[cyclones500]

Don McLean's "American Pie" really shouldn't count as a one-hit. "Vincent" hit number 12 on the Billboard charts, and "Castles In The Air" reached number 36 (I remember "Vincent," but not sure I can recall "Castles" without help ...).

Isn't it funny how songs can be big, top ten hits, but end up with no staying power and get forgotten? Rupert Holmes (the Piña Colada guy) is a good example. While we remember "Escape (The Piña Colada Song)," who remembers his song "Him"? It went all the way to number 6 on the charts, but darn few people can recall that tune now, so everybody calls him a one-hit wonder. I doubt he cares, as he's been writing stage shows and winning Tony awards since then.

Thanks a lot -- now I'll have "Him" stuck in my head the rest of the night (after not thinking about it once in 30 years)

 

[cyclones500]

Gerry Rafferty was the lead singer for Stealers Wheel I believe.

Correct

 

[MeanDean]

Dup ignore

 

[MeanDean]

Dup ignore

Starland Vocal Band reminded me of another song from about that era, Wildfire. Wasn't that a One Hit Wonder? And who can forget, In the Year 2525 by Nebraska's own Zager and Evans?

 

[cowboycurtis]

What's up? by 4 non blondes

 

[CycloneRulzzz]

What's your favorite one-hit wonder song, from any era? Feel free to provide links, if desired.

I have some of their other albums, but I really enjoy The Toadies' "Possum Kingdom": The Toadies - Possum Kingdom - YouTube

Holy crap, I'd never seen Mungo Jerry's facial hair: Mungo Jerry - In The Summertime ORIGINAL 1970 - YouTube

Pronounced with an "umpty": Digital Undergound "Humpty Dance" - YouTube

Gangum Style

Ice Ice Baby

Macarena

Who let the Dogs Out

 

[TXCyclones]

The Night Chicago Died - Paper Lace
Ballroom Blitz - The Sweet

 

[cowboycurtis]

The Night Chicago Died - Paper Lace
Ballroom Blitz - The Sweet

Sweet also had little willie

 

[cyclones500]

Starland Vocal Band reminded me of another song from about that era, Wildfire. Wasn't that a One Hit Wonder? And who can forget, In the Year 2525 by Nebraska's own Zager and Evans?

"Wildfire" was Michael Martin Murphy's only top 10 hit (on any chart, it was on adult contemp) had some other chart action. Probably qualifies

Good call on "In the Year 2525."

 

[CYdTracked]

I thought these guys were going to be pretty big but then they broke up:

New Radicals - You Get What You Give - YouTube

Also for you Mungo Jerry fans I actually like this song too:

Mungo Jerry " Mighty Man " - YouTube

 

[Rabbuk]

Soulja boy.

 

[MadCy]

What about In a Big Country, by Big Country, from the album Big Country?

Big Country - In A Big Country (Official banned Music Video) - YouTube

 

[Angie]

Sister Christian by Night Ranger. "Motoring!"

 

[cyclones500]

Sweet also had little willie

And "Fox on the Run" and "Love is LIke Oxygen."

All those songs seem like one-hit wonders, though, don't they?

 

[Stumpy]

Sweet also had little willie

And Fox on the Run.