# 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:** 9
**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 31, 2017, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-the-most-material-known-only-for-one-song/792324/161 "2017-07-31T12:42:17Z")
[quote=“casdave, post:140, topic:792324”] I believe the criteria is not only being known for one song, but also having a significant body of other work to back it up but which is relatively unknown. John Otway ‘Really Free’ - I don’t know if this even crossed the atlantic, but if you were of a certain age and were familiar with new wave and punk then you likely know it, but not a single thing on his 13 albums [/QUOTE] For decades I have read **Really Free** is his biggest and best known hit but the one I always remember is **Headbutts**. Even though it was banned (by the BBC) for promoting violence! TCMF-2L ---
**Author:** ![Olentzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90ced4/32.png) [@Olentzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olentzero)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-the-most-material-known-only-for-one-song/792324/162 "2017-07-31T13:05:49Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Funnily enough, the only song I know by them is “Particle Man”, because my friends and I from way back used to get high and play that song repeatedly and we _never_ could get the order of who fights who and wins correct. It’s simple. They have a fight - Triangle wins. Triangle Man. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-the-most-material-known-only-for-one-song/792324/163 "2017-07-31T13:08:26Z")
[R Dean Taylor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._Dean_Taylor). The only song of his that he actually sang that anyone knows is Indiana Wants Me. ---
**Author:** ![Tread](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Tread](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tread)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-the-most-material-known-only-for-one-song/792324/164 "2017-07-31T13:33:45Z")
> [@Shoeless](#): > > I would think Rush would have to be the poster child for this. After 40 years and twenty-something albums, ask most people to name a song by Rush and I’ll bet the vast majority would say “Tom Sawyer” (maybe with “The Trees” coming in a distant second). > > Are there any other bands that have put out so much material that are primarily known for one song? I would think Freewill would beat out Trees ---
**Author:** ![Paxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/50afbb/32.png) [@Paxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paxx)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-the-most-material-known-only-for-one-song/792324/165 "2017-07-31T14:08:41Z")
Several individual performers have been mentioned, rather than bands. Okay, then: [Tony Bennett](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Bennett_discography), 60 studio albums, 13 live albums, and 30 compilation albums. Is there another song that most people associate with him besides “I Left My Heart in San Francisco”? Of the bands, I would go along with **WordMan** ’s suggestion of the Grateful Dead, with “Touch of Grey”, although I think many people couldn’t even name that song. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-the-most-material-known-only-for-one-song/792324/166 "2017-07-31T14:14:20Z")
Yeah, I called it “I Will Get By” for the longest time, until I finally heard a DJ announce it as “Touch of Grey.” ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-the-most-material-known-only-for-one-song/792324/167 "2017-07-31T14:44:33Z")
Mike Oldfield is pretty much a one-hit-wonder in the US for “Tubular Bells” (the original, not the umpteen re-imaginings) despite 30 albums and something like 25 singles that have charted elsewhere in the world. That said, he did write “Family Man” which was successfully covered by Hall and Oates, although I doubt many Americans know that. I keep wanting to add songs to the ones mentioned for bands above and then realizing that I’m thinking of solo songs by band members: “The Glory of Love” - Chicago? Nope - Peter Cetera “I Believe in Father Christmas” - ELP? Nope (or nope-ish) - Greg Lake “The New Frontier” - Steely Dan? Nope - Donald Fagen Ah, well… > [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Composers aren’t bands, and classical (or Baroque) pieces aren’t exactly songs. But if you want to go that direction: I had to look up Johann Pachelbel to see if he’d written very much. Apparently “he composed a large body of sacred and secular music”; but I, and I’m sure lots of other people, only know him for “Pachelbel’s Canon.” Pachelbel was hugely influential in his day; the little canon was a tiny insignificant blip in his output during his lifetime but became annoyingly ubiquitous in the 20th century. But he’s still better off than poor Tomaso Albinoni, who is a one-hit-wonder for a hit [he didn’t even write](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remo_Giazotto). ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-the-most-material-known-only-for-one-song/792324/168 "2017-07-31T15:05:48Z")
> [@Paxx](#): > > … > Okay, then: [Tony Bennett](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Bennett_discography), 60 studio albums, 13 live albums, and 30 compilation albums. > Is there another song that most people associate with him besides “I Left My Heart in San Francisco”? > … Depends on the age of the people you asked of course, my parents and others of their generation could name many I’m sure but then they’re in their 80s. Me, that is the only one that comes to mind and I can name dozens of Sinatra songs and at least a few Dean Martin ones. So a good pick I think as long as we ignore people over 75. ---
**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 31, 2017, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-the-most-material-known-only-for-one-song/792324/169 "2017-07-31T15:19:26Z")
> [@Paxx](#): > > Of the bands, I would go along with **WordMan** ’s suggestion of the Grateful Dead, with “Touch of Grey”, although I think many people couldn’t even name that song. It was their biggest hit, but the Grateful Dead are almost synonymous with the 60s and “Touch of Grey” was released in ‘87. Us old farts will probably first associate them with a lot of older songs such as “Friend of the Devil”, "Truckin’", “Fire on the Mountain”, “Casey Jones” and a few others. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-the-most-material-known-only-for-one-song/792324/170 "2017-07-31T16:14:17Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > I did and I wasn’t. Never heard any of those songs before. However, as **Thudlow Boink** correctly notes, I live in Australia - and I grew up in New Zealand. > **[Chicago discography](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_discography)** > > Chicago is an American rock band formed in 1967 in Chicago, Illinois. The self-described "rock and roll band with horns" began as a politically charged, sometimes experimental, rock band and later moved to a predominantly softer sound, generating several hit ballads. The group had a steady stream of hits throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Second only to The Beach Boys in Billboard singles and albums chart success among American bands, Chicago is one of the longest-running and most successful rock ... Not arguing with your experience. But they were plenty big in Australia. Most of those songs were top 40. Saturday in the park wasn’t even! Strange. I think of that one and Time It Is to be perfect records. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-the-most-material-known-only-for-one-song/792324/171 "2017-07-31T17:30:26Z")
> [@TCMF-2L](#): > > An answer which only applies in the USA. > > **Paul Weller** is, I believe, virtually unknown in the USA other than for his 1984 hit **My Ever Changing Moods** by his then band\*\* The Style Council.\*\* > I would like to point out just how successful and well known he is in the UK. > > He rose to fame in his first band **The Jam**. They were one of the big three ‘renowned’ Punk Bands so as historic as **The Sex Pistols** and **The Clash**. > > **The Jam** had about 18 hit singles between 1977 and 1982 and any casual UK pop fan could name at least half a dozen. In an era when record sales were still high they had three singles actually enter the charts at No 1. In a time before the Internet they had a hit single which was only available on physical import. > > They once appeared twice in a single episode of famous (in the UK) half hour pop show **Top of the Pops**. A rare accolade only the **Beatles** had been honoured with previously. > > After he split **The Jam** he formed **The Style Council** where he had another 7 top ten hits between 1983 and 1989. Again, even a casual UK pop music fan should know two or three of those. > > Since then he has had a solo career with still further top ten hits. > > Known as The Modfather he is considered an influence and inspiration for the whole Britpop movement which included bands such as **Oasis, Pulp** and **Blur**. > > TL;DR > > **Paul Weller** is incredibly well known in the UK but virtually unheard of in the USA. > > TCMF-2L I heard he was the most successful male solo artist in UK history. This is totally incomprehensible to me. ---
**Author:** ![Shearer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/57b2e6/32.png) [@Shearer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shearer)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-the-most-material-known-only-for-one-song/792324/172 "2017-07-31T18:39:29Z")
> [@drad\_dog](#): > > I heard he was the most successful male solo artist in UK history. This is totally incomprehensible to me. 😕 Clearly not true. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-the-most-material-known-only-for-one-song/792324/173 "2017-07-31T20:12:38Z")
That would be Cliff Richard, right? The composer of The Young Ones television theme song. (:D) ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-the-most-material-known-only-for-one-song/792324/174 "2017-07-31T22:16:54Z")
> [@Shearer](#): > > 😕 Clearly not true. It must’ve been something in Mojo mag that I misread. Maybe it had to do with a certain year. But there’s Elton and Cliff, so… ---
**Author:** ![Leonard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a6a055/32.png) [@Leonard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leonard)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-the-most-material-known-only-for-one-song/792324/175 "2017-07-31T23:55:09Z")
> [@buddha\_david](#): > > Not exactly a household name, but **Dream Theater** is pretty much known for its only radio hit “Pull Me Under” despite having released 13 albums over more than 30 years. In fact, they mocked this relative obscurity by naming their best-of compilation _Greatest Hit (And 21 Other Pretty Cool Songs)._ I have that CD! And that’s exactly what I thought of when reading this. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2017, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-the-most-material-known-only-for-one-song/792324/176 "2017-08-01T00:23:42Z")
> [@drad\_dog](#): > > [Chicago discography - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_discography) > > Not arguing with your experience. But they were plenty big in Australia. Most of those songs were top 40. _If You Leave Me Now_ looks like it hit #1 in Australia (and in the US, and in the UK). ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2017, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-the-most-material-known-only-for-one-song/792324/177 "2017-08-01T00:40:58Z")
> [@drad\_dog](#): > > yes Out of curiosity, I wonder which ones you’re considering. Love it or hate it, “Macarena” is probably known by more people in the US, Europe, and Australia, than any of the songs mentioned here. I mean, my parents who barely listen to music know the Macarena. Now if we include India, China, and other locales, I don’t know. But the Macarena was a _tremendous_ hit, hitting #1 or #2 in 15 countries (13 #1, 2 #2.) And it was the year-end #1 in both US and Australia. It was in the Hot 100 for the longest time (60 weeks) until surpassed by Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep.” I don’t know for certain if it’s the most popular, but it can’t be easily dismissed by a one word answer without further commentary. It’s certainly up there. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2017, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-the-most-material-known-only-for-one-song/792324/178 "2017-08-01T02:46:23Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Out of curiosity, I wonder which ones you’re considering. Love it or hate it, “Macarena” is probably known by more people in the US, Europe, and Australia, than any of the songs mentioned here. I mean, my parents who barely listen to music know the Macarena. Now if we include India, China, and other locales, I don’t know. But the Macarena was a _tremendous_ hit, hitting #1 or #2 in 15 countries (13 #1, 2 #2.) And it was the year-end #1 in both US and Australia. It was in the Hot 100 for the longest time (60 weeks) until surpassed by Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep.” > > I don’t know for certain if it’s the most popular, but it can’t be easily dismissed by a one word answer without further commentary. It’s certainly up there. Well it was a short sharp question. I take your point but I bet Gene Autrey, Bing Crosby, The Ink Spots and lots of others have one more well known song, but no other for most people. If people think of the grateful dead as touch of grey (In re of which: You know I just saw a deadhead sticker on a cadillac) then in a couple of years no one will think of this song at all, or remember it. My guess is it’s already well on the way to obscurity. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2017, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-the-most-material-known-only-for-one-song/792324/179 "2017-08-01T09:07:09Z")
Dunno if this has gotten discussed along the way, but are we talking about “bands that, due to the passage of time and absurdly winnowed-down “classic rock” playlists, are only known _anymore_ for one song” or “bands that, _even during their heyday_, were known to most people for just one song” ? Because there’s a big difference between bands that were big in the 1960s through 1980s that were well known for multiple songs at the time (Traffic, Chicago, Jethro Tull, Yes, Rush), but only get airplay for a song or two anymore, and bands that even at their peak were only widely known for that one song (Golden Earring, Blues Traveler). Of course the bands in the first category are likely to have produced a great deal of music; you’d expect that. But it’s quite a surprise to find out that Golden Earring has put out 26 albums. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2017, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-the-most-material-known-only-for-one-song/792324/180 "2017-08-01T13:20:19Z")
> [@Lemur866](#): > > Blues Traveller. Known only for 'Runaround '. I’m not entirely sure about this. “But Anyway” gets a reasonable amount of play around here, too. (Just heard it a couple days ago.) “Hook,” as well. “But Anyway” wasn’t a top 40 hit, but after BT hit the mainstream with “Run Around” stations around here started playing it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-the-most-material-known-only-for-one-song/792324.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-the-most-material-known-only-for-one-song/792324.md?page=10)