What artist made the biggest career out of one song?

[Wee Bairn]

My vote- Macy Gray. This no talent hack had one fluke out of left field novelty hit ten years ago. That's it. Albums don't even make the Top 40 anymore, which is unthinkable- the are literally hundreds of shitty artists with enough of a fan base to at leat spent their debut week in the Top 20, minimum. Diana Krall, Norah Jones- non singles artists of a similar ilk- spend at least a year on the charts with each album.

And yet, she has managed to turn schtick that got old after one song into- a performance in Spider Man 1 (30 years from now, there'll be many 'who the fuck is that' moments watrching the DVD), recent tour supporting David Bowie, co-headlining at one of the recent Earth concerts, and her recent album (which debuted at #39 and has sold about 70,000 copies to date) depicted on the main Apple page during the iphone launch. Has anyone come close to getting so much out of one (shitty) song?

[An Gadaí]

I was gonna say Norman Greenbaum with Spirit in the Sky but it turns out he's one of those rare two-hit wonders. :)

Wikipedia Link (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirit_in_the_Sky)

[Zabali_Clawbane]

What? Macy Gray (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macy_Gray) has been in films, and has several albums out. Her hit "I Try" came out in 1999, where do you get the "ten years ago" figure?

[Hal Briston]

I was going to say Lee Greenwood (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Greenwood), but that link shows he's actually charted 29 times and had seven #1 songs. Of course, that's on the country chart, so he's only had his one Top-40 hit. So yeah, I'm going to go with him as my answer...

[DudleyGarrett]

Gotta be Rupert Holmes -- Escape (The Pina Colada Song)

[kunilou]

According to my trusty copy of Billboard's Top 100 Hits (warning, several years out of date) a number of the biggest 1-hit wonders came and went before most people on this board were born.

Arbitrarily cutting the pre-1965 songs off entirely, the "official" top 1-hit wonders ever include:

Pop Muzik - M Sire
We Are the World - USA for Africa (which probably shouldn't count)
In the Year 2525 - Zager and Evans
Into the Night - Benny Mardones
Do You Wanna Make Love - Peter McCann

But, pretty clearly, none of them were able to make a career out of those songs.

Tossing out the assorted movie composers and actors who did a song as a sideline, it looks like the artists who got the most mileage out of their only hit were The Singing Nun (who went along for a good 10 years after Dominique) and The Silhouettes, who broke in (and out) of the bright lights with Get a Job in 1958.

Post 1965 it looks like Nena, with 99 luftballoons.

[RealityChuck]

Rupert Holmes has written several successful Broadway musicals and wrote one successful TV series, Remember WENN. He's written novels, too. Escape is a sidelight of his career, not a centerpiece.

[DudleyGarrett]

Rupert Holmes has written several successful Broadway musicals and wrote one successful TV series, Remember WENN. He's written novels, too. Escape is a sidelight of his career, not a centerpiece.

That is nothing more than opinion. His IMDB Profile (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0392035/) clearly shows that one could reasonably infer that Escape was indeed the centerpiece of his career.

[Wee Bairn]

What? Macy Gray (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macy_Gray) has been in films, and has several albums out. Her hit "I Try" came out in 1999, where do you get the "ten years ago" figure?

My mistake. One piece of shit novelty hit eight years ago.

And Rupert Holmes also wrote the best song ever about cannibalism, "Timothy".

[Starving Artist]

How's about Chris Isaak with Wicked Game? The guy has been living off the fame and exposure that song has wrought for 15 or 16 years now...and living pretty damn well, at that (http://imdb.com/name/nm0001389/).

[RealityChuck]

While Holmes's profile on the IBDB (http://www.ibdb.com/person.asp?ID=6325) clearly indicates it is not a one-hit wonder. Hell, he's won two Tony Awards and two Drama Desk awards.

Escape may be his best known work, but it's peripheral to his career. If it didn't exist, he'd still have his Tony awards (and other nominations) and actors getting Emmy nominations for performing his scripts.

[JohnT]

Is this a list of one-hit-wonders (been there, done that X 50) or a list of people who milked their "biggest" song for all it's worth?

For the latter, at least here in the States, it's gotta be Lee Greenwood.

[astorian]

Well, one guy who comes to mind is Johnny Paycheck. I've never heard him singing anything but "Take This Job and Shove It," but he made a career out of that song!

As for Rupert Holmes, a guy who won a Tony Award for composer of the Best Musical is NOT a mere one-trick pony.

[Wee Bairn]

How's about Chris Isaak with Wicked Game? The guy has been living off the fame and exposure that song has wrought for 15 or 16 years now...and living pretty damn well, at that (http://imdb.com/name/nm0001389/).


I like this one as well.

[astorian]

Oh, and what about Bobby "Boris" Pickett?

[I'm Ron Burgundy?]

Springsteen

[Exapno Mapcase]

That is nothing more than opinion. His IMDB Profile (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0392035/) clearly shows that one could reasonably infer that Escape was indeed the centerpiece of his career.
Wait a second. You're basing the statement that Escape was the centerpiece of his career because of a statement on his IMDb page that is labeled trvia? :dubious: :smack: :eek:

Really, trivia? You didn't even bother clicking on the more link in that same line?

Rupert Holmes was born on February 24, 1947, in Cheshire, England. Soon after, he ventured forth to America (New York) with his British mum and Air Force dad. After graduating from the Manhattan School of Music, Mr. Holmes delved into the art of melodious sound. A successful piano player for both the Cuff Links and the Buoys, with whom he had his first international hit, 'Timothy' in 1971, Rupert also wrote and arranged songs for Gene Pitney, the Platters, the Drifters and the Partridge Family. Deciding to become an independent artist, Holmes released his first album Widescreen in 1974. Following that, he produced albums for Sparks, the Sailors, and the infamous Barbra Streisand. A succession of albums followed, including Rupert Holmes, The Singles, and Pursuit of Happiness. The eighties began with the world-wide success of his two songs Escape and Him, found on the album Partners in Crime. After Adventure and Full Circle were released, Rupert Holmes turned to Broadway and achieved stardom with his 1986 Broadway musical hit The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Rupert Holmes made history, having been the only person on the Great White Way to receive Tony awards for book, music AND lyrics of the same play. Continuing to write, Mr. Holmes then won the coveted Edgar Award for his mysterious play Accomplice. Following that came the Stacey Keach one-man show, Solitary Confinement. Returning to the venue of popular music, Rupert improved the scene with both The Epoch Collection and Scenario in the mid-nineties. Having conquered musical and theatrical venues, Holmes then decided to claim television as his own with the small screen masterpiece "Remember WENN". Along with forming 'The Actors' Authors' and Composers' Rep.' with his associates, Holmes also wrote and directed the acclaimed theatrical production Goosebumps. Rupert also wrote the one-man play Say Goodnight Gracie that opened in Florida.

Rupert Holmes has real fans. Some of them like his many albums. Some of them are theater buffs. Some of them think that Remember WENN may have claims to being one of the best sitcoms ever on television and maybe the best ever to debut on cable. He did all the music for that show as well, absolutely note-perfect pastiches of 40s songs, to go along with his absolutely line-perfect renditions of 40s radio programs. His novels are pretty eh, but they have fans too.

I'm a fan, because I think he has incredible talent in many fields and has displayed that in one of the best creative careers around.

Trivia, indeed.

As for the OP, how about Scott McKenzie? Can you name one thing he ever did besides "San Francisco (Wear Some Flowers in Your Hair)"? He's still on the oldies circuit because of that song and he didn't even write it. John Phillips did.

[fishbicycle]

...how about Scott McKenzie? Can you name one thing he ever did besides "San Francisco (Wear Some Flowers in Your Hair)"? He's still on the oldies circuit because of that song and he didn't even write it. John Phillips did.Wow, is he really touring on his own steam, for the one song? I saw him back in the late '80s in Toronto with The Mamas & The Papas, where he was substituting for Denny Doherty (the part of Mama Cass was played by Spanky MacFarlane of Spanky & Our Gang, and Michelle Phillips was feebly imitated by her daughter). Of course they played his big number.

[Quint]

While not a one hit wonder exactly (due to their no hit status), I've always felt that the best example of this is The Violent Femmes. The only album anyone listens to was released in 1982, yet they are still touring based on that album. Of course it is a near perfect "high school angst" album, but 25 years is too long for the angry teen schtick.

[Spoons]

Wow, is he really touring on his own steam, for the one song? I saw him back in the late '80s in Toronto with The Mamas & The Papas, where he was substituting for Denny Doherty (the part of Mama Cass was played by Spanky MacFarlane of Spanky & Our Gang, and Michelle Phillips was feebly imitated by her daughter). Of course they played his big number.Wow...I was at that concert too! The Ontario Place Forum, right?

[Exapno Mapcase]

[QUOTE=fishbicycle]Wow, is he really touring on his own steam, for the one song? QUOTE]
He was just on some oldies concert show on PBS. Guess what he sang.

[cochrane]

Springsteen
Surely you're whooshing us?

[fishbicycle]

Wow...I was at that concert too! The Ontario Place Forum, right?Yeah, that was the one!

ETA: With The Turtles. "We must get off drugs now!!!" Yeah, Mark.

[TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW]

While not a one hit wonder exactly (due to their no hit status), I've always felt that the best example of this is The Violent Femmes. The only album anyone listens to was released in 1982, yet they are still touring based on that album. Of course it is a near perfect "high school angst" album, but 25 years is too long for the angry teen schtick.

Disagree; the Femmes followed that album with the amazing 180 of Hallowed Ground, which arguably invented a subgenre of music. They continued to make several great records - "American Music," one of their most beloved songs, came out in '90 or so!

[jackelope]

How's about Chris Isaak with Wicked Game? The guy has been living off the fame and exposure that song has wrought for 15 or 16 years now...and living pretty damn well, at that (http://imdb.com/name/nm0001389/).Chris Isaak first broke into the public consciousness with "Wicked Game," but he's shown himself more than competent as an actor since then. If that song were the sole basis for his fame, the show (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0268789/) would have been called "The 'Wicked Game' Show."

Which would have been a pretty cool title, now that I think about it.

[Spoons]

Yeah, that was the one!

ETA: With The Turtles. "We must get off drugs now!!!" Yeah, Mark.Yes, and the Turtles ripped the Mamas and the Papas list of songs off the floor! They did put on a great show though: "We don't play that shit. We play this shit!"

I went with my ex. She was in a hurry to get a seat in the Forum, and in trying to keep up, I nearly knocked over Mackenzie Phillips, who was making her own way to the venue. Literally, a brush with...well, something. ;)

Small world, eh?

[sqweels]

They weren't exactly one-hit-wonders, but 'Love Will Keep Us Together' was certainly the catalyst for The Captain and Tenille getting their own variety show, etc.

[sqweels]

Or how about The Knack with 'My Sharona'?

[Yookeroo]

How about Don Ho?

[Happy Lendervedder]

Don McLean? I know he's released other stuff, but shit on a Pringle, he has truly drained the teat with "American Pie."

And I'm sure someone will come along and name two dozen other songs he's done, but to most people born in the 70s or later, the only reason they even know this guy's name is because of "American Pie." A phenominal song, indeed, but I wager he wouldn't have one tenth of the career he's had, nor would he be asked to perform anywhere today, had he not written it.

[Justin_Bailey]

Disagree; the Femmes followed that album with the amazing 180 of Hallowed Ground, which arguably invented a subgenre of music. They continued to make several great records - "American Music," one of their most beloved songs, came out in '90 or so!

While this may be true, my local alternative station will trot out "Blister in the Sun" every couple of years and play it as part of the regular rotation like once a day for several months. No one pretends it's a new song, but no one acknowledges it's almost as old as most of the DJs are either.

I had no idea it was released in 1982!

[cornflakes]

It's 2007, Viva Terlingua (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viva_Terlingua) was recorded thirty four years ago and Gary P. Nunn is still opening and closing his shows with London Homesick Blues. Besides that and playing the root on the downbeat and the 5th on the backbeat, what else has he done?

[Alessan]

Chris Isaak is a very talented singer-songwriter with a more than respectable catalog of songs. Believe me, I know - my wife has all nine of his studio albums, including his Chistmas album, which is actually pretty good.

The man's a hard-working performer who had the good fortune - or misfortune - to see one of his songs break out as a monster hit. If that hadn't happened, he'd have been that really good singer only the music snobs have heard of. Is that better than being a one-hit wonder?

[Manatee]

The all-time champ for this sort of thing has to be Chubby Checker. Note how many times he dipped back into the "The Twist" well by recording variations on the same theme.

[DrDeth]

I can't beleive you are the only person in America who hasn't watched VH1's "One Hit Wonders" hosted by Bill Shatner (who does a great job, btw)

That answers any thing you'd ever want to know about OHWs.

[whitetho]

Dead now, but I'd vote for "Tiny Tim" (Herbert Khaury) with Tiptoe Through the Tulips.

[Odesio]

I suspect that this may be an impossible question to answer. Tiny Tim, Don Mclean (I thought of him first), and many others are excellent candidates. Do we measure success by the amount of money the song has earned them directly?

If we can include musical groups how about the Greatful Dead? How many top 40 hits have they had because I can only think of "Touch of Grey." I think they were one of the most profitable touring bands ever.

Marc

[Cyberhwk]

Don McLean? I know he's released other stuff, but shit on a Pringle, he has truly drained the teat with "American Pie."No cite, but I've heard he requires at least 5 songs be put on any promotional posters as to not be "that guy that sings American Pie." :D

[denquixote]

I was gonna say Norman Greenbaum with Spirit in the Sky but it turns out he's one of those rare two-hit wonders. :)

Wikipedia Link (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirit_in_the_Sky)

Uh, I read the wiki link but it does not tell me, what is the second hit?

[Ludovic]

If we can include musical groups how about the Greatful Dead? How many top 40 hits have they had because I can only think of "Touch of Grey." I think they were one of the most profitable touring bands ever.
Except, of course, that their touring success was independent of, and before (and after), the success of that song -- they didn't even like to play it in concert.

[Annie-Xmas]

Jimmy Buffet and "Margaritaville"

Don McLean had "Starry Starry Night"

[42fish]

If we can include musical groups how about the Greatful Dead? How many top 40 hits have they had because I can only think of "Touch of Grey." I think they were one of the most profitable touring bands ever.


Except they'd been one of the most profitable touring bands ever for the better part of two decades before 'Touch of Grey' came out. Also, while 'Touch of Grey' may have been their only Top 40 hit, they were a staple of FM radio so plenty of people were familiar with signature songs like 'Truckin,' 'Friend of the Devil' and 'Casey Jones.'

[astorian]

Don McLean? I know he's released other stuff, but shit on a Pringle, he has truly drained the teat with "American Pie."

And I'm sure someone will come along and name two dozen other songs he's done, but to most people born in the 70s or later, the only reason they even know this guy's name is because of "American Pie." A phenominal song, indeed, but I wager he wouldn't have one tenth of the career he's had, nor would he be asked to perform anywhere today, had he not written it.

McLean played here in Austin a few months ago, and what he told the audience was, "I've only had 3 big hits in my career, and a lot of people think I'm a commercial artist who's been in a long slump. Truth is, I'm an UNcommercial artist who got lucky a few times. People always ask me, 'What does American Pie mean, and I always tell them, it means I'll never have to work again if I don't want to. I'm lucky- I made enough money early on that I can do and play whatever I want without worrying where my next meal is coming from."

So, in concert, he plays his 3 hits to keep everyone happy... and the rest of his show is whatever he feels like playing. Not the worst of fates for a musician.

[OneCentStamp]

Don McLean had "Starry Starry Night"
"Vincent."

[Jackmannii]

Jimmy Buffet and "Margaritaville"

Don McLean had "Starry Starry Night"Also "Dreidel" (sp?), a moderate hit. Jimmy Buffett has had other, low grade hits as well and recorded lots of albums.

Don Ho of "Tiny Bubbles" infamy is arguably the best example of parlaying one song into a big career yet mentioned. It probably helped that he was based in Hawaii where touristy crowds kept coming to his shows to hear that stuff ad nauseam.

A number of the one-hit wonders listed here did gain notoriety for their songs, but I don't recall them hanging around endlessly performing them (when's the last time Zager and Evans played a venue in your town?).

[Contrapuntal]

Don McLean had "Starry Starry Night"No. 1 in the UK, No. 12 in the USA. Hardly a one hit wonder.

[Annie-Xmas]

McLean also wrote "Empty Chairs" (http://www.lyricsfreak.com/d/don+mclean/empty+chairs_10087420.html) one of the best songs ever.

Empty rooms that echo as I climb the stairs
And empty clothes that drape and fall on empty chairs

[Spoke]

How about Don Ho?

In a similar vein, Wayne Newton has built an entire Las Vegas empire on the foundation of "Danke Schön"

[Spit]

When I saw the title, my first thought was, "That yawn of a Holiday Inn lounge singer, Norah Jones, has got to be near the top of the list".

...but since the OP mentioned her, I suppose I should hold my insults back.

[SmackFu]

I would think it has to be some of those 50's singers who are still touring. That's a good 50 years of milking.

[Wee Bairn]

While I'm sure the band has many other good songs, I would say 90% of the country can only name one Blues Traveler song at most ("Run Around")- from the early to mid 90's, and they still seem to tour regularly.

[Capt. Ridley's Shooting Party]

Chris de Burgh with "Lady in Red". The last decade has consisted of him appearing as a special guest in the finales of "Stars in their Eyes", surprising his impersonators.

[OneCentStamp]

I would think it has to be some of those 50's singers who are still touring. That's a good 50 years of milking.
Totally. Those big package tours where groups like the Penguins and the Chordettes come out and sing their ONE BIG SONG. That's a lot of mileage to get out of one cutesy doo-wop song from 1956. :)

[crowmanyclouds]

... That's a lot of mileage to get out of one cutesy doo-wop song from 1956. :)Actually there are tons of horror stories about unfavorable contract terms and being basically forced to sell the rights to songs. Very few groups were working during the 70's and 80's. Doo-wop concerts are really a "work your elderly ass off" retirement plan, sad really.

CMC fnord!

[Annie-Xmas]

Johnny Paycheck had "Take This Job and Shove it"

[Suburban Plankton]

The all-time champ for this sort of thing has to be Chubby Checker. Note how many times he dipped back into the "The Twist" well by recording variations on the same theme.
I came into this thread specifically to mention Chubby Checker. He recorded at leat 5 versions of the song (including a country version), plus the classics Let's Twist Again and Slow Twistin'.

And it's on the Spiderman 3 soundtrack.

[OneCentStamp]

Actually there are tons of horror stories about unfavorable contract terms and being basically forced to sell the rights to songs. Very few groups were working during the 70's and 80's. Doo-wop concerts are really a "work your elderly ass off" retirement plan, sad really.

CMC fnord!
That's kind of sad. Like a traveling sweatshop for septuagenarian harmony singers. :(

[xnylder]

Chris de Burgh with "Lady in Red". The last decade has consisted of him appearing as a special guest in the finales of "Stars in their Eyes", surprising his impersonators.

He's had hits, but his stuff hasn't aged too well, apart perhaps from "Spanish Train". For example, "Crusader" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fLi1i4rOh0) (warning, YouTube, long) is a brilliant ballad, IMHO, but it would go over like a lead balloon with today's policies and politics.

[Hypno-Toad]

I have to second Bobby "Boris" Pickett with "Monster Mash." That thing is dragged out every year for Halloween and force it upon us for commercials and on the radio. It's not just a one hit wonder, it's a mandatory one hit wonder.

[Full Metal Lotus]

Baltimoria.. Tarzan Boy...

FML

[Spoke]

Francis Scott Key

(I mean, who even knows any of his other songs?)

[Trunk]

Directly answering "biggest career out of one song" (and not just "biggest one hit wonder"), would have to be Buffet (as a previous poster said).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaritaville#Merchandising

It's got a chain of restaurants, margarita mix, tequila, food brand. His company is Margaritaville Holdings LLC

Sure, he had a couple other hits, but "Margaritaville" is an industry.

Come to think of it, he did license "Cheeseburger In Paradise" to a restaurant company, too.

[OneCentStamp]

Baltimoria.. Tarzan Boy...

FML
I love this song. For the longest time, it wasn't available on iTunes, so I dug up an obscure 80s One Hit Wonders compilation just so I could have it on my iPod.

[fusoya]

While not a one hit wonder exactly (due to their no hit status), I've always felt that the best example of this is The Violent Femmes. The only album anyone listens to was released in 1982, yet they are still touring based on that album. Of course it is a near perfect "high school angst" album, but 25 years is too long for the angry teen schtick.

Proof enough of this - I saw them on Late Night with Conan O'Brian sometime in the early 00's, and they performed BLISTER IN THE SUN!!! BTW, I saw them perform as part of a multiple lineup show in 2001, and they sucked terribly.

[fusoya]

I have to second Bobby "Boris" Pickett with "Monster Mash." That thing is dragged out every year for Halloween and force it upon us for commercials and on the radio. It's not just a one hit wonder, it's a mandatory one hit wonder.

True Story - I went to this Halloween Haunt somewhere in Massachusetts when I was in college, which was being advertised as having Boris Pickett as a performer. He did ONE song - Monster Mash! I mean, the guy's entire career is Halloween songs (It's Alive is 10x the song that Monster Mash is) so he easily could have done a whole set. I felt ripped off.

The song also gets dragged out for Valentine's Day and Presidents Day on KBBL :D

[Finagle]

Henry the VIII wrote Greensleeves. That was pretty much his only hit, and he definitely lived the rock-star lifestyle -- scandals, affairs, messy divorces...

[Johnny Hildo]

Baltimoria.. Tarzan Boy...


I don't know if he's made a career out of it. I remember reading that by the end of the same year this song was released, he went back to work at a gas station.

[Sternvogel]

Uh, I read the (Norman Greenbaum) wiki link but it does not tell me, what is the second hit?

By clicking on his name on that page, I discovered that Greenbaum (performing as Dr. West's Medicine Show and Junk Band) also charted with The Eggplant That Ate Chicago in 1968.

[Annie-Xmas]

Henry the VIII wrote Greensleeves. That was pretty much his only hit, and he definitely lived the rock-star lifestyle -- scandals, affairs, messy divorces...

BZZZT--Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greensleeves) says that is a legend and probably not true.

[Wee Bairn]

By clicking on his name on that page, I discovered that Greenbaum (performing as Dr. West's Medicine Show and Junk Band) also charted with The Eggplant That Ate Chicago in 1968.

Different name on the 45 counts as a separate act :) . And that song (Spirit in the Sky), which I love, has to be on at least a dozen movie soundtracks in the last ten years.

The lead singer on "Tarzan Boy" (GREAT song) died of AIDS (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltimora) in 1995.

[cochrane]

Francis Scott Key

(I mean, who even knows any of his other songs?)
Especially since he only wrote the lyrics. They happened to fit an earlier tune (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_Anacreon_in_Heaven) composed by one John Stafford Smith.

[gonzomax]

Iron Butterfly=In the Gadda da vida
One hit wonder that has legs.

[Biffy the Elephant Shrew]

By clicking on his name on that page, I discovered that Greenbaum (performing as Dr. West's Medicine Show and Junk Band) also charted with The Eggplant That Ate Chicago in 1968.
The follow-up to "Spirit in the Sky," "Canned Ham," didn't quite crack the Top 40. Yes, the Jewish Greenbaum followed his song about Jesus with a song about ham.

[Spoke]

I still don't think anyone has topped Wayne Newton (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayne_Newton).

He started life as the son of an auto mechanic in Roanoke, Virginia, got a few performing gigs, managed to get one big hit record under his belt ("Danke Schoen"), used that signature song to propel a long-running career in Vegas, managed to parlay that into part ownership of a casino, continues to have a full slate of shows, and now has a major Boulevard in Vegas named for him.

Hard to top. "Danke Shoen" indeed!

[Krokodil]

Carl Perkins, "Blue Suede Shoes." The rest are all pikers.

[garygnu]

Actually there are tons of horror stories about unfavorable contract terms and being basically forced to sell the rights to songs. Very few groups were working during the 70's and 80's. Doo-wop concerts are really a "work your elderly ass off" retirement plan, sad really...

Hence the Paul Simon lyric "Don't wanna end up a cartoon in a cartoon graveyard."

All my suggestions have already been mentioned :(

[DrDeth]

If we can include musical groups how about the Greatful Dead? How many top 40 hits have they had because I can only think of "Touch of Grey."

Marc

Six on the Mainstream Rock Tracks.

And six albums went Platinum or better.

[solkoe]

Don McLean? I know he's released other stuff, but shit on a Pringle, he has truly drained the teat with "American Pie."

And I'm sure someone will come along and name two dozen other songs he's done, but to most people born in the 70s or later, the only reason they even know this guy's name is because of "American Pie." A phenominal song, indeed, but I wager he wouldn't have one tenth of the career he's had, nor would he be asked to perform anywhere today, had he not written it.

Another vote for Don McLean and American Pie. It's exactly what I was thinking when I opened this thread.
I know he has lots of fans but imagine that your only big hit is only one of the best song ever written.

[astorian]

In a similar vein, Wayne Newton has built an entire Las Vegas empire on the foundation of "Danke Schön"

That's his signature song, but his biggest hit on the singles chart, by far, was "Daddy, Don't You Walk So Fast."

[Wee Bairn]

Springsteen

Did you mean Springfield (Rick)? Rick claims they are often confused- my guess is, he gets it waaay more often than Bruce does.

[Spoke]

That's his signature song, but his biggest hit on the singles chart, by far, was "Daddy, Don't You Walk So Fast."

True, but that hit didn't come along until he had already built an empire on "Danke Shoen."

[Hodge]

Disagree; the Femmes followed that album with the amazing 180 of Hallowed Ground, which arguably invented a subgenre of music. They continued to make several great records - "American Music," one of their most beloved songs, came out in '90 or so!Definitely agree. My own appreciation was a bit delayed, though. I loved their debut (and still think it's one of the greatest albums of the '80s) but I was bitterly disappointed by their follow-up, which I bought the day of its release. It took me a few years and a bit more maturity before I was able to appreciate Hallowed Ground as a great album in its own right.

Chris Isaak is a very talented singer-songwriter with a more than respectable catalog of songs. Believe me, I know - my wife has all nine of his studio albums, including his Chistmas album, which is actually pretty good.

The man's a hard-working performer who had the good fortune - or misfortune - to see one of his songs break out as a monster hit. If that hadn't happened, he'd have been that really good singer only the music snobs have heard of. Is that better than being a one-hit wonder?Yep. I think he's played here at the Fallsview Casino at least 3 times and each time his shows have sold out and garnered great reviews. I've sworn that I'm going to get tickets the next time he comes through town.

[pepperlandgirl]

Carl Perkins, "Blue Suede Shoes." The rest are all pikers.

Oh uh huh, Honey don't.

[Hey, It's That Guy!]

Also, to defend Chris Isaak (who I am a huge fan of), he had a second sizeable hit back in 1999 with the rockabilly-infused "Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing," which was featured prominently in the horrible film Eyes Wide Shut (but also had a video in regular rotation and a good bit of radio airplay). Plus he's done lots of touring, recording, acting, and had the awesome Chris Isaak Show, which I wish was available on DVD.

[Frostillicus]

Jimmy Buffet and "Margaritaville"

Don McLean had "Starry Starry Night"

Jimmy Buffett has had many, many great songs, even if they were not all top 40 hits. And the name of that Don MacLean song is Vincent.

[Gukumatz]

Surely you're whooshing us?
Well, the humour is so lifeless it's more like flopping, really.

[Hail Ants]

Britney Spears.

She has reworked, or rather her producers have reworked, that same stupid hit song of hers way WAY past its 15 minutes of fame...

[Annie-Xmas]

Two pages and no mention of Billy Ray Cyrus and Acky Breaky Heart?

[Wee Bairn]

"Heaven" by Los Lonely Boys is on the radio right now, and I'm guessing they'll get another decade out of that song, at least.

[Annie-Xmas]

Jimmy Buffett has had many, many great songs, even if they were not all top 40 hits. And the name of that Don MacLean song is Vincent.


The question was not about one hit wonders or many, many great songs that didn't make the top 40. Buffet has a whole career based on Margaritaville, and I think even the most die hard Parrothead has to admit it.

Directly answering "biggest career out of one song" (and not just "biggest one hit wonder"), would have to be Buffet (as a previous poster said).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margar...e#Merchandising

It's got a chain of restaurants, margarita mix, tequila, food brand. His company is Margaritaville Holdings LLC

Sure, he had a couple other hits, but "Margaritaville" is an industry.



Sorry about the song title mishap.

ETA: A little Googling reveals that Maragritaville was co-witten with Alan Jackson, who mentioned it in one of his own songs: It's 5:00 Somewhere (http://www.mp3lyrics.org/a/alan-jackson/its-five-o-clock-somewhere).

[Hockey Monkey]

I can't believe no one has mentioned Tommy Tu-Tone yet. That's the first artist I thought of when I clicked the thread. 864-5789

[fishbicycle]

Tommy Tutone had a huge career? Did he ever do anything else? Is he still touring on the one song? I would have thought he was more of a flash in the pan (no disrespect to the actual Flash And The Pan, who were really a flash in the pan).

[Happy Lendervedder]

ETA: A little Googling reveals that Maragritaville was co-witten with Alan Jackson, who mentioned it in one of his own songs: It's 5:00 Somewhere (http://www.mp3lyrics.org/a/alan-jackson/its-five-o-clock-somewhere).

I don't think that's right. Jackson would've been 19 the year Margaritaville came out (1977).

[Annie-Xmas]

I don't think that's right. Jackson would've been 19 the year Margaritaville came out (1977).'

My Bad. He & Buffet did a duet of the song.

[Auntbeast]

My vote is the Danke Schoen dude..Wayne Newton. I still don't believe a man is singing that, nor do I want to know what kind of deal he had to make with the devil for his voice to never, ever change.

I guess I should pull out my soapbox and defend Jimmy Buffett. While I understand what people say about Margaritaville, it does seem to have a life of its own. Ok. Point taken. Yes, Jimmy can live his entire life eating coconuts and drinking margaritas because of it.

But as far as I'm concerned, he has many, many, much better songs. Little Miss Magic, Island are two.

I worked in an island style restaurant and I swear, every 3rd person came in and asked us to play Margaritaville. We hid the CD.

[Slypork]

I can't believe no one has mentioned Tommy Tu-Tone yet. That's the first artist I thought of when I clicked the thread. 864-5789
One of the biggest one hit wonders, where everyone knows the phone number and you typed it wrong?!?!? :rolleyes:
867-5309/Jenny (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/867-5309)

[Doug Bowe]

Well, Bobby "Boris" Pickett was able to cash in every Halloween since the early '60's.

Monster Mash.

[EdwinBirdsong]

I came into this thread specifically to mention Chubby Checker. He recorded at leat 5 versions of the song (including a country version), plus the classics Let's Twist Again and Slow Twistin'.

Fortunately, he wasn't all about that. Chubby's 1971 album New Revelation (also entitled Chequered in the UK) is one of the more amazing--and unexpected--forays into fuzzed-out psychedelia. Heavy acid-laced guitars, raw vocals, reverb--the songs "Stoned in the Bathroom" and "Goodbye Victoria" alone are worth the price of admission! Not a hint of twist to be found on the entire record. It has yet to be reissued, but hopefully soon that will be remedied. Apparently Chubby himself doesn't like to talk about this record anymore, which is a shame, because it's by far the best thing he ever did, and totally unique...

[Labtrash]

What about "Baby got Back" by Sir Mix a Lot?

[Swallowed My Cellphone]

Rupert Holmes has written several successful Broadway musicals and wrote one successful TV series, Remember WENN. He's written novels, too. Escape is a sidelight of his career, not a centerpiece.Saying Escape was the defiining work of Holmes career would be like saying One Night in Bangkok was Murray Head's "moment in the spotlight". He just happened to be the guy in the original production of the musical Chess and that was one of the songs he sang in the show. Quite nifty that it got radio play, but he was solidly entrenched in the theatre and that was just a flukey little tangent to a weighty career in a different branch of the arts.

[Siam Sam]

Without a doubt, the prize must go to Patty and Mildred Hill, who wrote "Happy Birthday to You" in 1893. The original one-hit wonders. :D

[mamboman]

Well, y'know, the Ramones never had any hits and that didn't stop them touring for 20+ years.

mm

[Ludovic]

"Happy Birthyday, dear Burnsey,
Happy birthday, To You!

Go to hell you old bastard!"

-- The Ramones, on the Simpsons.

[Annie-Xmas]

Saying Escape was the defiining work of Holmes career would be like saying One Night in Bangkok was Murray Head's "moment in the spotlight". He just happened to be the guy in the original production of the musical Chess and that was one of the songs he sang in the show. Quite nifty that it got radio play, but he was solidly entrenched in the theatre and that was just a flukey little tangent to a weighty career in a different branch of the arts.

Long before ONIB, Head was the original singer of "Superstar." And the concept recording Head sang on was put out before the show was staged.

[whole bean]

Just popping in to say, Grateful Dead, GrATEful not Greatful. Like the word grateful and not like the non-word greatful.

Also "Achy, Breaky Heart" Not "Acky", though yes, it does make me want to ack.

[whole bean]

"Happy Birthyday, dear Burnsey,
Happy birthday, To You!

Go to hell you old bastard!"

-- The Ramones, on the Simpsons.

have the Rolling Stones killed

[Kalhoun]

recent tour supporting David Bowie,
She ruined the Bowie concert for Mr. K.

[ouryL]

Gotta be Rupert Holmes -- Escape (The Pina Colada Song)

He also wrote about eating "Timothy" and " Give(ing) Up Your Guns"

He wrote the Jets "You Got It All"

He was also surprisingly entertaining when he used to appear on Merv or Johnny.