# Bands with the most material, known only for one song **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 28, 2017, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-the-most-material-known-only-for-one-song/792324 "2017-07-28T14:27:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2017, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-the-most-material-known-only-for-one-song/792324/41 "2017-07-28T18:26:58Z")
> [@Wilson](#): > > Who knew Procul Harum were still around? And how many people can name a song by them besides _A Whiter Shade of Pale_? Without cheating, the only one that comes to mind is “Conquistador.” ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2017, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-the-most-material-known-only-for-one-song/792324/42 "2017-07-28T18:46:43Z")
Maybe Emerson, Lake, and Palmer? Classic rock radio seems to only play Lucky Man or the second half of Karn Evil 9, first impression. The average person will only know, “Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends…” ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2017, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-the-most-material-known-only-for-one-song/792324/43 "2017-07-28T19:00:25Z")
> [@Ellis\_Aponte\_Jr](#): > > 22 studio albums for Motörhead, but I only ever hear “Ace of Spades” - don’t know if it’s different in the UK where they had actual chart hits > > (That’s crazy about Saga - I had assumed they split up decades ago!) Motörhead’s “Ace of Spades” is probably the best suggestion I’ve seen here so far. Almost everyone knows Motörhead and Lemmy Kilmister, but most don’t know them for anything other than “Ace of Spades.” ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2017, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-the-most-material-known-only-for-one-song/792324/44 "2017-07-28T20:01:16Z")
> [@Max\_Torque](#): > > Probably not at the top of the list, but I bet most people would only be able to name “Aqualung” if you asked them to name a Jethro Tull song (of people even able to name one song). “Aqualung” was never released as a single, so I don’t know how familiar it is to those who did not grow up listening to 70s FM radio. “Bungle in the Jungle” and “Living in the Past” were Tull’s most successful singles in the US and got significant play time on AM radio. ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2017, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-the-most-material-known-only-for-one-song/792324/45 "2017-07-28T20:06:05Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > I remember hearing that one back in the old days, good times I remember, fun days, filled with simple pleasure. > > I’m addicted to them, baby. They’re a hard habit to break. 😉 I see what you did there, 😊! ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2017, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-the-most-material-known-only-for-one-song/792324/46 "2017-07-28T20:07:15Z")
> [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](#): > > Meh. They started to slide from rock to pop after Chicago V, and completely jumped the shark when Terry Kath died. Agree, their old stuff is their best work. ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2017, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-the-most-material-known-only-for-one-song/792324/47 "2017-07-28T20:08:17Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > But you left out their best single, _Feeling Stronger Every Day._ Yes, how’d I miss that! ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2017, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-the-most-material-known-only-for-one-song/792324/48 "2017-07-28T20:10:54Z")
> [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](#): > > Motörhead’s “Ace of Spades” is probably the best suggestion I’ve seen here so far. Almost everyone knows Motörhead and Lemmy Kilmister, but most don’t know them for anything other than “Ace of Spades.” I agree; that might be the best mention yet. Also Gary Numan and Chumbawamba. ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2017, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-the-most-material-known-only-for-one-song/792324/49 "2017-07-28T20:11:28Z")
> [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](#): > > “Aqualung” was never released as a single, so I don’t know how familiar it is to those who did not grow up listening to 70s FM radio. “Bungle in the Jungle” and “Living in the Past” were Tull’s most successful singles in the US and got significant play time on AM radio. Love Locomotive Breath ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2017, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-the-most-material-known-only-for-one-song/792324/50 "2017-07-28T20:28:21Z")
“doom-bo-bo… chick… chika-chika” Some people know it as “that song from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and it’s been used in plenty of movies and ads. The 1985 hit “Oh Yeah” by the Swiss duo Yello who have put out 13 studio albums between 1980-2016. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2017, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-the-most-material-known-only-for-one-song/792324/51 "2017-07-28T20:31:49Z")
> [@Hampshire](#): > > “doom-bo-bo… chick… chika-chika” > > Some people know it as “that song from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and it’s been used in plenty of movies and ads. > The 1985 hit “Oh Yeah” by the Swiss duo Yello who have put out 13 studio albums between 1980-2016. The problem with entries like this, is that the band isn’t really a “known” one. ---
**Author:** ![It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/it_s_not_rocket_surgery/32/312_2.png) [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2017, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-the-most-material-known-only-for-one-song/792324/52 "2017-07-28T20:33:58Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > KISS maybe? “Rock and Roll All Night” is almost their only song on the radio…maybe once in a blue moon you might hear “Beth”… Also “Detroit Rock City”. Edgar Winter put out 20 or so albums, but is really only known for “Frankenstein” (and maybe “Free Ride”). ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2017, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-the-most-material-known-only-for-one-song/792324/53 "2017-07-28T20:34:05Z")
Does KMFDM count? I’m a big fan, but I think Juke Joint Jezebel is their only hit. Their 20th album drops soon. ---
**Author:** ![TCMF-2L](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tcmf-2l/32/16553_2.png) [@TCMF-2L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TCMF-2L)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2017, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-the-most-material-known-only-for-one-song/792324/54 "2017-07-28T20:41:23Z")
In the UK the biggest **Rush** hit singles were probably \*\*Spirit of The Radio \*\*and **New World Man**. However, although they may not recognise the actual music, many would associate **2112** with the band. For me the most famous **Yes** song is probably **Wonderous Stories** although I would recognise **Owner of A Lonely Heart**. **Gary Numan** and **Tubeway Army** are pretty interchangeable ( **Gary Numan** fronted **Tubeway Army** and kept the same musicians for his original solo recordings) so in the UK he is just as well known for **Are Friends Electric?** as well as **Cars** and several other hit singles. I nominate **Blue Oyster Cult** and **Don’t Fear The Reaper.** TCMF-2L ---
**Author:** ![Wilson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/96bed5/32.png) [@Wilson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wilson)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2017, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-the-most-material-known-only-for-one-song/792324/55 "2017-07-28T21:14:08Z")
> [@TCMF-2L](#): > > I nominate **Blue Oyster Cult** and **Don’t Fear The Reaper.** That’s certainly their biggest hit, but _Godzilla_ and _Burning For You_ get a fair amount of airplay still. ---
**Author:** ![TheBoltEater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/779978/32.png) [@TheBoltEater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheBoltEater)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2017, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-the-most-material-known-only-for-one-song/792324/56 "2017-07-28T23:23:21Z")
Their Wiki page says they’ve been around since 1985, with 10 studio albums, some live albums, almost 40 singles and over _100 million records sold worldwide_ :eek:; but in America, at least, **A-Ha = “Take On Me”** – period, end of sentence. And no idea where the OP is from, but “The Trees” can’t possibly be Rush’s 2nd best-known song. Not in America, anyway. I doubt it’s in their top 20 here. ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2017, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-the-most-material-known-only-for-one-song/792324/57 "2017-07-28T23:37:13Z")
> [@Patx2](#): > > Love Locomotive Breath Me too, but it sounds like a rock version of The Work Song. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2017, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-the-most-material-known-only-for-one-song/792324/58 "2017-07-28T23:45:49Z")
Chris Isaak has recorded a dozen album and plenty of great songs, but most people only know him for _Wicked Game._ ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2017, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-the-most-material-known-only-for-one-song/792324/59 "2017-07-28T23:53:27Z")
> [@TheBoltEater](#): > > Their Wiki page says they’ve been around since 1985, with 10 studio albums, some live albums, almost 40 singles and over _100 million records sold worldwide_ :eek:; but in America, at least, **A-Ha = “Take On Me”** – period, end of sentence. My old drummer, a Brit, produced one of their last albums before the guitarist, I think, left. He said it was bizarre hearing them discuss the tour they were planning behind the album because they were discussing huge shows and he kept thinking “where?” but realized how huge they were is parts of Europe and Asia. **Alessan** - yeah, I thought of Isaak, but am such a big fan, I couldn’t bring myself to list him 😉 his first four albums are just amazing. ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2017, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-the-most-material-known-only-for-one-song/792324/60 "2017-07-29T00:05:05Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > How about _ **Chicago** _? 36 Studio albums, most albums sales of an US Band I believe but what songs can people name? I guess I sometimes hear “25 or 6 to 4”. Seriously? I can think of a dozen hit songs of theirs. And I never bought their albums; I’m talking about songs I remember because they got a lot of play on the radio when I was in high school and college. The band that came to mind when I saw this thread was “Yes”. I only know two songs they did. I can think of a lot of one-hit bands, but I have no idea if they had a large body of work. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-the-most-material-known-only-for-one-song/792324.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-the-most-material-known-only-for-one-song/792324.md?page=4)