For me would probably be Norman Greenbaum’s
Spirit in the Sky
followed by
Zager and Evans In the Year 2525
Our Norm’s song wins my vote by virtue of its being a one-hit wonder I think three times while poor old Zager and Evans ran out of rhymes for five sometime in the 94th century
Vulpes Vulpes says
This:
bobness says
Have to say, I’d never heard of this song until I went to see the Hooters play in Hamburg, while the G8 was in town. They opened the show with a quick verse or two of this. Superb gig.
Junior Wells says
Love SITS ,played it yesterday. Goldfrapp had a song that was a complete lift. Can’t remember what it is.
Anyhoo I was going to nominate Little Green Bag by the George Baker Selection and it turns out they had quite a few songs and a Best of Album that DOESN’T include LGB.
Here’s an apparent “hit”. Can’t think of another song that opens with a recorder apart from the Oz 70’s classic Seasons of Change featuring Bon Scott on vocals and err recorder.
Black Type says
Are you thinking of Ooh La La?
Steve Walsh says
And the correct answer is…
Moose the Mooche says
So much to enjoy.
– the my-mum-said-I’d-grow-into-it anorak
– the hand-jiving (his affected indifference still looking more interested than any actual TotP audience)
– the baldie guitarist
– the bassist in extremely non-punk rock flared trousers that he’s been saving up for literally five years for his first TV appearance
…..he is a paff!
Uncle Wheaty says
Most excellent!
Harry Tufnell says
Glad I checked before posting.
SteveT says
I think this one, close to perfect:
fentonsteve says
And, sadly, Colin is unlikely to have any more hits.
Moose the Mooche says
Disqualified. Sweetest Smile was a hit too.
SteveT says
Apologies wasnt aware of that song nor its status as a hit.
Oh well it can best song by a 2 hit wonder artist.
Moose the Mooche says
Good excuse to mention SS, which is a better record, and seemed a very understated thing to have inside the top ten in the era of China In Your Hand and Jon By Jovi.
retropath2 says
I think a few others came close too. (Hell, I’ve got his Greatest Hits album!!)
Hamlet says
Yep – love it.
Kaisfatdad says
So many to choose from!
But as I am bingeing on reggae this week, here, “in their khaki suit and ting”, are Althea and Donna.
Few songs have better captured the joys of being out on the razzle on a Saturday night.
And something more modern from Iceland….
Few songs have better captured the joys of flying thought the sky in a magic Viking longship.
Black Celebration says
Shurely Mountain Sound was also a hit? AKA “Hold your Horses”.
Kaisfatdad says
Only number 66 in the UK.
https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/7549/of-monsters-and-men/
But I am sure t did better elsewhere.
In the UK, Golden Earing had one hit, the sublime Radar Love.
But over in their native Netherlands, they were regularly in the charts, I am sure.
With toe-tappers like this…
fatima Xberg says
Two weeks ago Golden Earring announced their retirement from live gigs – still the same four musicians that had their first hits in Holland in the early 1960s.
Black Celebration says
That’s surprising about Mountain Sound. It’s a brilliant song and I assumed it was a global chart topper.
Mike_H says
One of the many on this thread that I’ve never heard.
I probably should have got out more.
nickduvet says
That was a quality video from the Earring and looks like they had fun making it. Not sure the same could be said for the follow up (flop) single to Radar Love. Some bright spark decided it would be good to film it on a landfill site. Watch as Barry Hay steps gingerly around the mouldy piles of Gouda.
dai says
Yes, Althea and Donna.
James Taylor says
Gosh chaps, they had some big cigarettes in that Althea and Donna video?
Hawkfall says
I think Funkytown counts doesn’t it? Unless Lipps Inc had some other chart toppers that I’m not aware of. Anyway that’s my vote.
I think M/A/R/R/S deserves a shout too.
Hawkfall says
Did Deee-Lite have any other hits? If not, that will answer the question, surely.
paulwright says
Sure does
Moose the Mooche says
Philosophical question: is it a one-hit wonder if they only made one record?
Hawkfall says
You’re not looking at me for philosophical answers are you Moose? I have Kiss records for Heaven’s sake.
Moose the Mooche says
….but God made rock’n’roll for you, did he not give you wisdom as well?
Tiggerlion says
This is Ace
Dave Ross says
I had a 70s playlist on the go at the weekend. The Dooleys, The Motors, Gibson Brothers, Jigsaw, Baccara. Ace were in there. It was wonderful but I’m choosing for my one hit wonder “Howzat” by Sherbert. It’ll be in your head for the rest of the day…
Moose the Mooche says
Oh god, what paradise do you live in where the Dooleys only had one hit?
Dave Ross says
Sorry not clear. They were just playlist examples not one hit wonders. The Motors follow up to “Airport” was “Forget About You” another hit. As for Gibson Brothers they were a hit machine. I’m sticking with Sherbert though…
Nick L says
Is it just me or does the intro to Forget About You sound exactly the same as the (Frank Bough vintage) Grandstand theme?
Hawkfall says
Wanted by The Dooleys is a brilliant song. There, I’ve said it. It’s one of the best ABBA songs they never recorded.
Dave Ross says
This is true.
Junior Wells says
Had heaps of hits down here.
Hamlet says
I once heard How Long described as a ‘great radio record’. I don’t think I’ve ever knowingly sought it out, but when it pops up on the radio I always think what a good song it is.
Vincent says
It oozed class at the time, but only got up to no 20.
Look at the chart for around then. A very sad Seventies of novelties and the occasional gem: https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/19741110/7501/
Albums were better: https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-chart/19741110/7502/
Moose the Mooche says
If you look at the charts in those days it’s often shocking how poorly records did that you thought were big hits.
Making Plans For Nigel I think peaked at about number 17. And yet who remembers whatever Johnny Logan record was in the top 3 that week?
Jaygee says
Johnny logan’s mum?
Vincent says
The “Light entertainment dept” of the BBC kept weirdy-beardy and seditious wannabe noise (and uppity darkies) in their place by having lots of novelty singles and end-of-the-pier dross to push out what people actually listened to. Wonderful Radio Fun was ubiquitous, as was crap TV variety, where, if you were lucky, Freddie Starr would do a Mick Jagger impression. I blame Wedgie-Benn trying to get rid of pirate radio stations for “Worker’s Playtime”.
Hawkfall says
Year of the Cat by Al Stewart only got to No 34.
Meanwhile, others were more successful than you think. Motorhead had 3 Top Ten hits in 1980
madfox says
Some time in late 1974 or early 1975, touring to support their debut album “Five-A-Side”, Ace played at Springfields, a restaurant/dancehall on the outskirts of my hometown in the Fens. I was a cub reporter on my local paper and got myself a ticket. They played a good, tight rhythm-and-blues/soul set, with guitarist Phil Harris and singer Paul Carrack [writer of the song] standing out. I seem to remember having two or three pints of lager and plucking up the courage to interview Carrack. Nice young man, IIRC – would have been about 23 at the time, to my 17 or 18. This, of course, seven years before Glenn Tilbrook tempted [boom-tish] him to replace Jools Holland in Squeeze.
Moose the Mooche says
Carrack’s got around a bit, hasn’t he? Ace, Squeeze, Mike and the Mechanics, first Smiths album…
Vince Black says
I played for 2 years in Dino & the Dolphins in Belfast. Our singer’s brother was Chrissie Stewart, ex bass player with Eire Apparent, Spooky Tooth and others, and at that time a regular in Frankie Miller’s band . We opened for them on their Irish dates in Dec 1977. The other members of Frankie’s Band were BJ Thomas (ex Procul Harum drummer), Ray Russell (top session guitarist) and Paul Carrack on keyboards. He was very nice to us
bang em in bingham says
Jackthebiscuit says
FWIIW I love this record.
johnw says
The album is one of my favourites too. If you like Pinball
, you’ll probably like the album too. There are some gems I his other two albums too but they’re nowhere near as consistent.
nickduvet says
Brian P is disqualified cos Fly Now – very Lynsey De Paul
Twang says
Excellent choice sir.
Gary says
Another vote here for Dancing in the City by Marshall Hain.
bang em in bingham says
retropath2 says
Eggsellent!!!
bang em in bingham says
Turtleface says
duco01 says
I saw an episode of “24 hours in A&E”, where they interviewed the person who used to be Nick Watkinson, the Jags’ singer. He had transitioned into a woman.
Slug says
Overnight?
James Taylor says
This song (which admittedly is the only Jags song I ever heard, then and now) reminded me of Elvis Costello and the Attractions to this day.
mikethep says
The late Mrs Thep was convinced it was Tony Chapman’s Knees.
thecheshirecat says
Black Celebration says
Spirit in the Sky was also a number 1 one hit wonder for the Kumars and Dr & the Medics. I know the latter had a follow up that might have charted but, y’know…if you see them, SITS is the only song that springs to mind.
We’ve got a Fuzzbox and we’re going to use it also had a version which was only kept off the number one spot by about 100 other singles.
Hamlet says
It’s a vote for Fiction Factory’s (Feels like) Heaven for me. Wonderful stuff.
aging hippy says
Sumfinks in de air
Arthur Cowslip says
One hit wonders don’t get much more wondrous than Something In The Air by Thunderclap Newman….
Vincent says
Given that was written by Pete Townshend, is it really a “one hit wonder”?
Sniffity says
A Pedant replies: written by John “Speedy” Keen, bass and production by P Townshend.
Vincent says
I am chastened, better informed, and none the wiser.
Moose the Mooche says
I didn’t know ‘shend played the bass. It’s a good bass on that, as I recall.
retropath2 says
Plus, it actually is the right answer to the question.
With this following:
(I refuse to accept or remember On Night In Bangkok, so shite it was.)
Jaygee says
Great choice (and quite right of you to overlook ONIB).
Thunderclap Newman is another personal fave (as is The Easybeats’ Friday from further down the page
duco01 says
Re: “One Night in Bangkok” = shite
Listen to retro on this point.
nickduvet says
Not sure SIASJ was a hit though. In fact I’m sure it wasn’t. A bit like this, which would get my vote for best one hit wonder, if it had actually charted
dai says
yep
Mousey says
Yep that was going to be mine. Scrolled down in case someone else had posted it and – of course someone had.
The piano solo is extraordinary.
Pajp says
Just one?
Oh Lori – Alessi Brothers
For me, it’s so redolent of a certain time and place.
Jackthebiscuit says
Fabulous record.
retropath2 says
But they also had a 2nd hit. Can’t ever remember it, mind.
Pajp says
I just looked at their discography in Wikipedia and. given that no other single of theirs got anywhere higher than No 17 (“All For A Reason” in South Africa in 1977) or 22 (same song, in the Netherlands), I am claiming them as a One Hit Wonder. The next highest chart-worrying position was No 69, also with “All For A Reason”.
Diddley Farquar says
It’s probably
Rialto – 5:15
But could be
Department S – Is Vic There?
or The Regents – Seventeen
Jack Kelsey says
“Ballad Of The Green Berets” Sgt. Barry Sadler
Laurie Anderson ” O Superman”
Sherbet had a hit OZ with “Summer Love”
Was that by Kajaggogoo!!!
Moose the Mooche says
…but then she did Agadoo
Pajp says
Yebbut…. Sherbet’s big hit was Howzat, wasn’t it? I was going to nominate that as my choice before plumping for Oh Lori.
Junior Wells says
Definition of hit is presumably “in the UK”. Sherbet were one of Australia’s biggest pop bands for quite a few years.
Jackthebiscuit says
This is rather fabulous.
Pessoa says
That was going to be my first choice as well, but you beat me to it.
paulwright says
Well the right answer is Groove is in the Heart, but SITS is maybe a tie.
So, just to be awkward, here’s a seasonal one that I love – Monster Mash by Boris Pickett
myoldman says
So many brilliant selections there
Mike_H says
Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs
.
The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown
Moose the Mooche says
AB isn’t a great example, because that first album did very well. Deservedly so.
Mike_H says
There only was the one “Crazy World Of Arthur Brown” album released at the time. A second album was recorded and shelved as being too uncommercial. It was only released relatively recently, to little reaction. “Arthur Brown’s Kingdom Come” released 3 albums but didn’t have anything like the same impact. Only that one single was a hit, but it was a pretty big one.
myoldman says
The eighties were a great decade for one hit wonders. This was a similar time (and sound) to Black’s brilliant singles
Slug says
As with many one hit wonders this was just a novelty hit, based on the popularity of a puppet, Flat Eric, from a jeans advert. But the tune still has the ability to set my fingers a-tapping jauntily on the steering wheel. I have also just realised that Flat Eric makes noises very similar to those my stomach makes these days.
myoldman says
Moose the Mooche says
PhD – I preferred their earlier stuff, when they were MPhil.
Hamlet says
Made me proper chuckle, that did, young Moose.
fentonsteve says
That Maisonettes song is class – they should have been much bigger but weren’t really a band. See also that grunge era jeans advert lot.
myoldman says
I borrowed the album that it came off from the record library when I was a teenager. Heartache Avenue is the only decent tune on there.
nickduvet says
The link here is City Boy.
Maisonettes beardy Lol Mason was also in the 5-7-0-5 hitmakers
fentonsteve says
Strawberry Switchblade – Since Yesterday. Two videos and still only number 5.
Their later cover of Jolene hit the lofty heights of number 53.
fentonsteve says
Sub Sub. Take three pudgy beardy blokes, add one female vocalist, equals
hit. Ain’t No Love (Ain’t No Use):
myoldman says
I just had that on in the car on the Rob’s Records compilation. Great single
fentonsteve says
Similarly to Sub-Sub, add SEB, get instant hit. Paging Paul Wad.
Spiller – Groovejet (If This Ain’t Love).
Sewer Robot says
‘Course, what counts as a one hit wonder depends on your territory. I enjoy several of this dude’s videos, where he takes a closer look at names which, to his audience, had only the briefest significance:
retropath2 says
Yup, they are as definedly one hit wonder in the USA as is Joan Osborne over here.
Moose the Mooche says
Yeah, she never had another hit after Look back in Anger.
Kaisfatdad says
Thanks @SewerRobot! Todd in the Shadows looks like a whole load of fun. I love his enthusiasm.
I will listening to a few more of his clips.
dkhbrit says
I checked. They released other singles but this was the only hit. Great intro too.
Slug says
None more 80s.
madfox says
It’s only a matter of time before someone mentions “Echo Beach”
Oh, there you go.
Moose the Mooche says
Or Drowning in Berlin… I always link those two songs together in my memory.
Kaisfatdad says
Echo Beach is one of my all-time favourite songs.
However in their native Canada and the US, the Muffins were certain not OHWs.
Barry Blue says
Isn’t it called Echo Echo Beach?
madfox says
You’re thinking of Echo Echo Beach Beach. By Martha & The Bunnymen.
Slug says
Not sure this counts as a UK “hit”, it only reached number 70. Did much better in the US though. A belter.
Moose the Mooche says
Number 70! This is what I’m talking about. History gets rewritten, in this case by disco compos, of which this is a staple.
Ace record.
yorkio says
Can’t believe I’m the first one to say…
fitterstoke says
Ohh, yes……
madfox says
About 15 years ago, when the album had been unavailable on CD for some considerable time, I paid £42 – yes, folks, that’s forty-two squids – to buy it off some smart young man on eBay. Needless to say the record company re-issued it a short time later.
Vulpes Vulpes says
Then there’s this:
Slug says
Dave Lee Travis on saxophone !
davebigpicture says
Quack quack oops…..
Vulpes Vulpes says
Or even this:
bang em in bingham says
A superb dancefloor single too
Billybob Dylan says
… which I only discovered recently was a cover version.
retropath2 says
Everyone thinks Chumbawamba but they were really quite “successful”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chumbawamba_discography
Kaisfatdad says
And greatly misunderstood and underestimated.
Their folky stuff featured some splendid singing.
hubert rawlinson says
Float, float on (You better float with me now)
Float on, float on (Float on)
Float, float, float on (Yeah, yeah)
(You better float on)
(Float on)
(Ah)
Favourite? Possibly not musically but lyrics wise yes.
Sid Williams says
Has there been a more unfortunate choice for a band name?
Moose the Mooche says
They start out as a tribute act to Private Eye’s The Turds.
Jaygee says
They were going to call one of their albums Pool It, but the Monkees got their first
Kaisfatdad says
The Pat Metheny Group only had one hit. But it was a beaut,
Talking of Flashes and Pans….. This Aussie earworm is very agreeable.
One UK hit for the Flashers. Down Under (and in Sweden) it was a different story.
Moose the Mooche says
This is Not America – another Adam Curtis video. It’s even got cheerleaders in it.
retropath2 says
Flash and the Pan may have just had the one hit, but also had this cracker a decade before, when the songwriting frontmen, Harry Vanda and George Young, were the Easybeats.
George, as well has having a curiously evocative name, was the big bro of Angus and Malcolm and produced their first record. Always wonder how they got on with that start and ever made anything of it.
fitterstoke says
Mentioned in dispatches above, but this is the one…
nickduvet says
see also ‘Where’s Captain Kirk’ by Spizz Energi
Moose the Mooche says
Musical Youth didn’t really have any other hits, did they? Maybe things would have turned out better if they had. Or not.
Hawkfall says
At least three. I remember Youth of Today (“we are the heavy heavy monarchy”) and Sixteen.
Sewer Robot says
“The youth of today has got lots to say!”
Sorry, mate – we’ve stopped listening 🥱
(A healthy number 13 in the charts btw. Also: dynamite Intro and outro – how often do you get that?)
Moose the Mooche says
Well I’ll be badiddly-diddly-bommed.
If I’m lucky.
Vince Black says
I sometimes perform this at singarounds. People are impressed that I can remember so many words
Franco says
You are all too tasteful on here. What about those magnificent euro disco songs that made an annual appearance in the UK charts every summer. None more mightier than the awesome Brother Louie by Modern Talking. Did a bit of research. Modern Talking were massive in pre glasnost Soviet Union. Make of that what you will.
Moose the Mooche says
I remember Modern Talking being interviewed by Smash Hits. “We are not a dodgy Europop band!” they protested. “Yes you are” said truth and the world.
Falco blotted his copybook by having a much smaller follow-up hit with Vienna Calling.
Oh, and being shit.
fatima Xberg says
Modern Talking were (and to some, still are) VEEERY big in Germany and Eastern Europe.
Their main man, songwriter and producer, Dieter Bohlen (probably Germany’s richest guy in the music biz), is on prime time TV here every other day (he’s hosted the deutsche version of »Pop Idol« for decades), and he apparently has a great sense of humour – his biopic was an animated cartoon movie (think »Rocketman« made by the Beavis & Butthead team). And he named his son Mark (geddit??).
The other guy (the singer) has made a career out of either denying he’s gay, or being submissive to his manager/girlfriend/dominatrix. He also regularly sues Dieter before joining him for one »last« reunion tour.
Franco says
Thanks for that info fatima. It always seemed to me that Dieter had the tunes but Thomas had the voice. I did like Blue System, Dieter’s follow up band but his croaky breathless vocals could never compete with his ex partners velvet angelic croon.
Kaisfatdad says
Thanks for mentioning this @Fatima Xberg. Great fun!
A bit Marmite by the looks of things.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0433985/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_10
Modern Talking were popular here in Sweden too. They were the answer to a recent question of the På Spåret quiz show.
fentonsteve says
Smiley Culture – Police Officer, number 12.
Cockney Translation was not a hit, except in my house.
Moose the Mooche says
Reputedly based on a true story. He got pulled over and they let him off because they knew and liked CT.
“Sweet as a nut, just level vibes – seen!”
Slug says
Ironic isn’t it, that he died in highly mysterious and unusual circumstances during a police raid on his house.
fentonsteve says
10 years ago (in two weeks). Where does the time go?
Beezer says
If I can’t have Magic Smile by Rosie Vela I’ll have this please
Venus by Shocking Blue
Slug says
Bucket loads of hits in their native Netherlands though. And pretty big in Belgium too.
So not an entirely wasted career then. Do you suspect the singer really wanted to be Grace Slick?
Beezer says
Well I’ll be hornswaggled.
I’ve been to Belgium. But not for long enough to experience another of their output.
I suspect no one. I suspect everyone. Nobody leave this rerrm
fatima Xberg says
One of their other hits was popular in Seattle it seems:
Moose the Mooche says
In what should be called the Spirit in the Sky effect, Don Pablo’s Animals also had a hit with that in about 1991.
Black Celebration says
May well have had other hits but let’s face it …
Pilot – January
Toploader – Dancing in the Moonlight
yorkio says
Oh, ho, ho, it’s magic would beg to differ…
@Beezer FYI and as a matter of regional interest, Pilot’s Davie Paton lives in Crawcrook.
Black Celebration says
I forgot that one – fair enough. Both great songs in that mid 70s 10cc-type way.
Slug says
Never believe it’s not so.
Beezer says
@yorkio Hadaway! Crawcrook. The Sunset Boulevard of the North East.
Or is that Heddon?
Sniffity says
He also played on Wuthering Heights
Moose the Mooche says
He was excellent in Twin Peaks.
James Taylor says
Sorry I have to just jump in here with an off topic post. Toploader would be the worst act I’ve seen live (and I’ve seen Van Morrison and Bob Dylan) and their big hit is a cover version. Just saying
Mak says
Covered by the Quo too
Moose the Mooche says
It’s all kicking off in Midsomer.
bang em in bingham says
Moose the Mooche says
Wow, that’s even worse. Quite an achievement.
count jim moriarty says
The best Beach Boys track that the Beach Boys didn’t make.
Extra points for the front man’s ZZ Top t-shirt.
Rigid Digit says
Horn section at the breakdown later nicked for Strawberry Switchblade’s Since Yesterday
(which is OK, because it was originally nicked from Sibelius)
Sniffity says
That front man’s a ring-in…the original vocalist was Tony Burrows (he of White Plains, Edison Lighthouse, Brotherhood Of Man etc)
fitterstoke says
Had one or two other singles, but nothing that ever came close to this…
Mike_H says
Dorothy Moore. This side of the Atlantic, at least.
Kaisfatdad says
That was a very appropriate choice for St David’s Day, Fitter!
Morrison says
Bit o’northern….
Black Celebration says
This is another Spirit in the Sky but a different song.
It is of course Norway’s entry in 2019’s Eurovision.
Give it a minute and it develops into a birrova banger.
If the chorus isn’t brilliant enough to keep you interested- then stay for the virtuoso Vic Reeves club singer performance at about 2’10”.
Ainsley says
My old favourite for this question The Records, Starry Eyes (although it’s follow up may also have charted?)
Beezer says
The Vapors. Turning Japanese
Look at that fantastic lefty Rickenbacker bass!
James Taylor says
Wanker
Black Type says
Tweety Pie not featured…but this is a CHOON.
Slug says
Chooon and a half.
Sylvester, the Eddie Izzard of the late 70s. Even today his cross-dressing would raise many eyebrows so God only knows what sort of crap he went through back then.
Moose the Mooche says
The follow-up, “Le Singe est dans l’arbre” failed to chart.
Slug says
And the album”This one is wet…this one is wet…this one is wet” was banned for its obscene cover art.
Rigid Digit says
The accompanying one-sided single “Do You Have A Flag?” is now demanding top price on ebay
fitterstoke says
Aha…aha…aha…
Moose the Mooche says
Sleaford Mods have calmed down a bit
Rigid Digit says
The Look – I Am The Beat
count jim moriarty says
Disqualified due to the silly RP pronunciation of ‘demand’.
Moose the Mooche says
I personally think that Echo Beach is almost ruined by “office CLErk”, the pronunciation compounded by that what-just-hit-the-back-of-my-neck intonation. I mean what are producers for?
count jim moriarty says
That’s how they pronounce ‘clerk’ in Canada, isn’t it?
Moose the Mooche says
Oh, ok. I didn’t even know they were Canadian. Are clerks not people in shops in North America, anyway? Like those tiresome Kevin Smith films?
There’s no excuse for the little yelp, though.
Rigid Digit says
CHOON!
Winner Winner Chicken Dinner?
The Headboys – Shape Of Things To Come
fentonsteve says
That is an absolute cracker. Mind you, so was The Skids.
mikethep says
This far down and no Louie Louie?
Or Judy in Disguise?
nickduvet says
Did The Casuals have other hits apart from the divine Jesamine?
John Walters says
Best one hit wonder !
Kaisfatdad says
Swiss misses loved this exquisite hit from Double.
George McRae really did have only one song.
I read a review of one of his gigs: he sung it at least three times.
It’s a corker so why bother with anything else?? Everyone there is clearly having a whale of a time!
I am sorry! I now realise George does have another song. He really is Mr Showbusiness!
Black Type says
The melody of Rock Your Baby was a major influence on Benny and Bjorn when they wrote Dancing Queen.
Billybob Dylan says
Paul Davidson – Midnight Rider, a smash hit from way back in 1975.
Billybob Dylan says
Billybob Dylan says
Kaisfatdad says
Well I never!
Having discovered De Toppers Royal Night of Disco, I realise that Eurovision is model of discreet, restrained, good taste.
Staying over on the other side of La Manche, here is a classic OHW from Desireless.
Stupendous!
mikethep says
Another gem, from 1969. Warning: contains frugging.
James Taylor says
Drums by Tony Thompson and Bass by Bernard Edwards on top form, what’s not to love?
fentonsteve says
But not quite one-hit. The original release of Imagination made No. 50, follow-up single, Some People, made #33. Then the re-release of Imagination made #17.
Thanks to Wikipedia, I now know he released three albums. Was his A&R man deaf?
Moose the Mooche says
His interview in the NME was headlined, “Is This Man A Peroxide Pop Prat?”
I think the article implied that he wasn’t, but that was written in a much smaller font.
Mrbellows says
This thread is so long I have no idea if this song has already tread the boards…
nickduvet says
not their only hit though
Mrbellows says
I was Anorak unaware.
sarah says
Also https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnIInWCFsC4
Mousey says
@Mrbellows then perhaps you should actually read what’s been posted before you barge in with your own opinions. Seems to be a habit of yours. Just saying’. Have a nice day!
Mrbellows says
Or this…
Did someone say Daft Punk?
Moose the Mooche says
Nice to see the woman from Tales of the Unexpected putting in an appearance.
Black Celebration says
At the time I was told this was a sarcastic song but on seeing/hearing it again it’s a straightforward upbeat cheerful ditty.
Kaisfatdad says
@Black Celebration.
What did we miss here? It won’t play in Sweden,
I am making a playlist
Black Celebration says
Timbuk3 – The Future’s so bright I gotta wear shades.
Kaisfatdad says
Thanks Black. I’s on the list!
What a great song that is!
Mrbellows says
This thread calls out for some curating type listing. @Tiggerlion
Jaygee says
Curate away, Mr Bellows!
I have my two hampers and the healthy compliment of Corsair chicken cans therein
Pessoa says
I know Seal had more hits, and Adamski had a (terrible) follow up that flopped, but this is a great one-off duet.
And again, although they did a few albums this is what they are remembered for
Mike_H says
Surely, as far as this thread is concerned, successful albums are irrelevant. “Hits” are singles that charted somewhere in the world at some time or other.
Or, in fact, are “hits” in the ear of the beholder.
There are a lot of choons in this thread that I have never knowingly heard or even heard of. About 50% of that is down to my ignorance but I reckon the other 50% is probably wishful thinking by the enthusiasts who’ve proposed them.
fentonsteve says
Before Killer, Adamski had a forgettable rave hit (#12 on the hit parade) called N-R-G. ToTP performance and everything, though you’d be forgiven for forgetting it.
Black Celebration says
And years before that, Babysitters by The Stupid Babies. He was about 10 and plays guitar. Ooh it’s on YouTube. “Enjoy”…
Moose the Mooche says
In between those he did a sort of dance version of Identity by the X Ray Spex. Peel played it, it didn’t chart.
I have to say, I’ve never understood his aversion to babysitters.
Moose the Mooche says
Diskord Datkord. It just turned up on FB by no coincidence whatoever (hello Adam). I won’t post it here, it makes Babysitters sound like Good Vibrations.
duco01 says
Split Enz only had one Top 40 hit in the UK.
This was it. Not a bad little chewn.
Moose the Mooche says
I’m troubled by Neil’s eyebrows, which are thicker here than they appeared in later life, in a baffling reversal of the usual protocols.
Milkybarnick says
This is a fine record – bit “Sky Sports Roundup” but still, worth posting on here.
Hamlet says
‘A bit Sky Sports roundup’ is a great term – I intend to steal it and use it in polite society.
Kaisfatdad says
What fun this thread is!
How could we have trekked so far through the prairie without meeting the Lone Ranger?
I’m sure Hindi Zahra has had other hits home in France, but this little gem is her only song I know…
Vulpes Vulpes says
Taumata-whaka-tangi-hanga-kuayuwo-tamate-aturi-pukaku-piki-maunga-horonuku-pokaiawhen-uaka-tana-tahu-mataku-atanganu-akawa-miki-tora!
Cuh. That’s easy for you to say.
Moose the Mooche says
I feel like that was on one of those Emperor Rosko albums. I may be wrong.
Kaisfatdad says
I haven’t added all of them yet, but here are quite few OHWs to enjoy….
Keep them coming!!
Jackthebiscuit says
Why won’t my Spotify account find this playlist?
Kaisfatdad says
I’m not an expert on this kind of thing.
How did you try to find it, Jack? Pressing the arrow on the link?
Turtleface says
Will Powers – Kissing with Confidence
Blue Boy says
I not sure they really count as one hit wonders in the true sense of the term, but there are plenty of acts who have had solid careers with just the one brief moment in the poptastic hits spotlight. This lot, for example
Blue Boy says
And although he did have one other record which scraped into the Top 40 very briefly, essentially this was Ralph McTell’s meal ticket
count jim moriarty says
On a similar line – 55 years and counting, and only troubled the singles chart the once.
Bogart says
They could be disqualified as they did have a second ‘hit’ that made number 48 …. oh and one truly excellent album
Bogart says
Couldn’t see this in the list
Kaisfatdad says
OHWs from the movies must surely be a significant sub-category..
Here is one that is a splendid floorfiller for late-night parties.
A few OHWs from Scandinavia
Nina Persson created A Camp while the Cardigans were on ice. What a tune this is!
Barcelona my arse! Irresistibly catchy tune from a bunch of Swedes from Nina’s hometown, Jönköping
This Stockholm band have had other minor hits, but nothing as ginormous as Young Folks.
Same goes for these Teds. Superb live band. Great songs. But Cobra Style is the definitive floorfiller.
It must be beyond your Ken, that I’m talking about Scandohits and have not mentioned Aqua.
Mattel tried to sue the Danish popsters for defamation of Barbie’s character but lost in court!
Uncle Wheaty says
1980s pop at its best
How many times have I posted this on here!
Kaisfatdad says
While looking for Private Lives on Spotify, I found a compilation album called Lost and Found.: Volume 1 Imagination
It included this gem.
Kid Creole had several hits with his Coconuts. But some argue that August
Darnell’s previous band was even better.
And let’s not forget his sideman, Coati Mundi’s,solitary but rather excellent hit.
Mike_H says
What energy that man has!
That’s better than anything of Kid Creole’s, good as they are, I think. A proper banger.
Billybob Dylan says
Big Sound Authority – This House
Billybob Dylan says
Talking of houses…
Jack Kelsey says
I’m VERY surprised that no-one’s come up with “SHADDUP YA FACE” Joe Dolce -one hit wonder world wide.
One hit wonder for Austen Tayshus “Oz-traliana” (Look It Up & get a lesson in OZ Speak).
Did Steptoe & Son have a hit song with “Any Old Iron” ?
Bernard Cribbins “Digging A Hole In The Ground”??? (So big & sort of Round)
Los Bravos “Back In Black” (Apol’s if it has been named earlier)
Kaisfatdad says
Nice work , Jack.
A OHW is a OHW regardless of which country it charted in.
Personally, I’d be delighted to see a few more from NZ, Australia., Canada, the US, Finland, Madagascar, Iceland, etc….
Anita Ward has escaped our attention…..
Incidentally, I wonder how any OHWs the Venerable Peel was responsible for…..
retropath2 says
The MedHeads, as no-one called them, had a few actual hits: I remember the fella touting all his long harmonicas on TOTP. (Van’s harp roadie could have popped it in one end and pulled it out the other!) Wiki tells me they had a 22, a 3, an 11 and another 22.
I actually saw them in about 1974, creeping into the Eastbourne Winter Gardens for the last 30 minutes, probably the encore, as the staff had opened up the doors on account the heat.
Kaisfatdad says
The Head made several appearance on Pee’s show and were eventually signed to his label Dandelion. I
rather liked them and this song was a favourite.
When they signed with a larger label they did indeed have a few hits.
Only one real hit for Anton Karas.
It made him the talk of the town and an international celebrity. For a brief while he was hob-nobbing with the beautiful people.
hubert rawlinson says
I visited the Third Man museum in Vienna, the curator had a collection of various artists covering the Third Man the Beatles and the Band among them.
I ‘donated’ the Martin Carthy version.
Moose the Mooche says
Bernard Cribbins – also responsible for Right Said Fred, a phrase now sadly associated with Covid-denying homosexualists.
“We was gettin’ nowhere!”
count jim moriarty says
And Gossip Calypso.
duco01 says
I’m glad that no one’s mentioned “Naughty Naughty Naughty” by Joy Sarney
Kaisfatdad says
I just listened to it. Truly awful!
Amazing how popular those “novelty” records were.
Ed “Stewpot” Stewart’s tiny listeners probably spent all their pocket money on them.
hubert rawlinson says
Listened or did you watch it?
Astonishingly bad.
ishmethit says
One of my teachers worked part-time as a DJ (weddings, parties, etc.) and I used to help him out. For some reason, only the left channel of his deck worked so he used to blast out only half of the stereo image, although nobody ever noticed. But apparently “Spirit In The Sky” sounds particularly bad when you can only hear the left hand side of it, and for this reason he always refused to play it.
Barry Blue says
Greatest One Hit Wonders? Why, The Wonders, of course! One hit wonders in the surprisingly good movie, That Thing You Do, one hit wonders in the real world, too, so all the ducks in a row.
Written by the sadly departed Adam Schlesinger.
Billybob Dylan says
Hmmm…. When I was looking for the Big Sound Authority video on YouTube yesterday, there was a “mix list” on the right of the screen, and all the videos listed here on this page were listed there.
How do they know?
Kaisfatdad says
How do they know? Thing is, Billybob. somebody’s watching me!
Someone was certainly watching Rockwell. His dad; Berry Gordy.
Great OHW anyway.
Kaisfatdad says
Living outside the UK, it has really struck me that there have been singles which have been enormous in mainland Europe, but which haven’t troubled the lower levels of the British charts.
One explanation is of course that these songs are crap, but this is not always the case.
Tarkan’s 1997 sizzling, Turkish floorfiller, Simarik, is a case in point.
If you have been on holiday in Turkey you haev heard t somewhere!
Black Type says
A glorious OHW
fentonsteve says
Agreed, but four top 40 hits. And one, Speed, in with a bullet at number 193.
fatima Xberg says
I’m surprised nobody’s mentioned the archetypical one-hit-wonder yet – at least viewed from the UK.
It’s of course »The Witch«:
It had actually been the B-side of the previous single by The Rattles, and was sung (in that same high-pitched, screaming voice) by their keyboard player as a joke. When the label decided to make it the A-side and it became successful, they quickly hired a female singer for gigs and re-recorded the vocal.
Here’s the original:
The Rattles of course were the most popular German band in the sixties – their leader Achim Reichel learned to play guitar by hanging out with The Beatles in Hamburg – and they played support for the Fab Four in 1966. They had earlier toured the UK with The Rolling Stones…
Kaisfatdad says
Now we are talking, Fatima! Extremely catchy German hits that never crossed la Manche!
Bring it on!
A few more that were new to me..
A Bowie tribute from Peter Schilling
Milky Chance were extremely catchy.
Bellini’s stupendous Samba de Janeiro was a magnificent floorfiller.
But it was about as Brazilian as a pair of lederhosen.
Twang says
I pondered on Mari Wilson’s “Telephone Man” but settled on this. They both reliably make me laugh.
Moose the Mooche says
Telephone Man is just RUDE.
Kaisfatdad says
But the wonderful Meri was so much more than pornopop!
hubert rawlinson says
I know its late but @Twang says Mari Wilson’s Telephone Man then @Kaisfatdad says Meri then plays Mari Wilson.
Meri Mari let’s call the whole thing off.
Meri = telephone
Mari = beehive.
Moose the Mooche says
Mary = Supremes, or the late Prime Minister’s wife
Kaisfatdad says
Talk about a One Hit Blunder!
I really got my Wilsons in a twist there!
Thanks for putting me straight @hubert rawlinson and @Moose the Mooche
Good job I didn’t mention Brian, Bryan, Brion or Bryn Wilson..
Then there would certainly not have been Good Vibrations!
Rigid Digit says
Brings a smile here too …
But, not a one hit wonder.
Number 14 in 1982 – Arfur Daley, a little dodgy maybe, but underneath he’s alright
Moose the Mooche says
Reassured to see that this clip in in HQ audio. After all, it would sound rubbish otherwise.
sarah says
A fabulous song that’s not about cricket. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EmSanSFXEM
Think this was their only UK hit.
Kaisfatdad says
Great choice @Sarah.
The Aussies of the Afterword have reminded us that Sherbet ere anything but OHW back home in Australia.
hubert rawlinson says
A friend has been designated a captain of a sea-going vessel by HMRC despite living in Huddersfield which reminded me of this.
Caution contains DLT in German.
Moose the Mooche says
Made me think about Betty Boo. But then, what doesn’t? Hurrr
Kaisfatdad says
A magnificently obscure choice, Hubert. Bravo!
Let’s have one more from this OHW Princess!
mikethep says
Obscure maybe, although I remember Captain of Your Ship well. But they sang backing vocals on Honky Tonk Women, no less.
Moose the Mooche says
Bell records – terrific little label also which gave us Little Girl by The Syndicate and some great choons by Lee Dorsey and Solomon Burke.
Not to be confused with the UK label that gave us G*ry Gl*tt*r.
Kaisfatdad says
What a fascinating piece of rock trivia. Thanks Mike!
The song started life at a ranch in Brazil!
https://www.songfacts.com/facts/the-rolling-stones/honky-tonk-women
LordTed says
‘How Long’ by Ace is my nomination. Beautifully sung by Paul Carrack, and just as good now than then. I see Amazon have been using it for Prime advertising recently.
fentonsteve says
As we were discussing it elsewhere, Latin Quarter – Radio Africa. Also available in a great Dennis Bovell dub mix:
Kaisfatdad says
What a fine band they were.
A series of excellent albums: Modern Times, Swimming against the Stream and Modern Times, full of top notch songs.
Kaisfatdad says
One Hit Wonders are clearly a rabbit- hole into which I can disappear for hours.
And then I discovered this extremely comprehensive OHW site which has a manner
of sub-categories such as OHWs performed by actors OHW instrumentals, or foreign language OHWs……
http://www.onehitwondercenter.com/archive/foreign_1.htm
I’m going in now. I may be a while…
Kaisfatdad says
One Hit Wonders are clearly a rabbit- hole into which I can disappear for hours.
And then I discovered this extremely comprehensive OHW site which has a manner
of sub-categories such as OHWs performed by actors OHW instrumentals, or foreign language OHWs……
Fill yer boots!
http://www.onehitwondercenter.com/archive/foreign_1.htm
I’m going in now. I may be a while…
Declan says
Not only OHWs bur favourites and Number Ones: