# Biggest one-hit wonder ever? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 7, 2003, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-one-hit-wonder-ever/217643 "2003-12-07T23:21:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cardinal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardinal/32/4000_2.png) [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-one-hit-wonder-ever/217643/1 "2003-12-07T23:21:59Z")
Norman Greenbaum and Katrina and the Waves come to mind. Is there anyone who actually hit no. 1 and never had another significant hit? Bonus points for having a hit that is still played today. Minus points for avoiding other hits by dying. ---
**Author:** ![saramamalana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/74df32/32.png) [@saramamalana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saramamalana)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-one-hit-wonder-ever/217643/2 "2003-12-07T23:23:45Z")
“Video Killed the Radio Star” by the Buggles comes to mind. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2003, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-one-hit-wonder-ever/217643/3 "2003-12-08T00:10:21Z")
Steam’s “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye” was #1 for two weeks and is still popular today. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Death](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecccb3/32.png) [@Evil\_Death](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Death)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2003, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-one-hit-wonder-ever/217643/4 "2003-12-08T00:13:31Z")
Doctor and the Medics, Spirit in the Sky. They’re still performing it today - right here in my town next week - and they do it at the end of the set because it often lasts for an hour. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2003, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-one-hit-wonder-ever/217643/5 "2003-12-08T00:17:15Z")
Zager and Evans “In the year 2525” comes to mind also. Geeze, they sucked! According to this site, [http://www.aventis.com/future/fut0202/in\_the\_year\_2525/in\_the\_year\_2525\_1.htm](http://www.aventis.com/future/fut0202/in_the_year_2525/in_the_year_2525_1.htm) > [@](#): > > The song was the summer hit in America in 1969, moving into first place on the billboard charts on July 12 and staying there for six solid weeks. With total sales of around five million copies, **it remains the world’s bestselling one-hit wonder to the present day**. ---
**Author:** ![ccwaterback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@ccwaterback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ccwaterback)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2003, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-one-hit-wonder-ever/217643/6 "2003-12-08T01:44:30Z")
Green Eyed Lady - Sugarloaf Everybody’s Talking At Me - Harry Nilsson Keep Your Hands to Yourself - Georgia Satellites ---
**Author:** ![KGS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/90ced4/32.png) [@KGS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KGS)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2003, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-one-hit-wonder-ever/217643/7 "2003-12-08T02:15:23Z")
When VH1 did their obligatory countdown, “Macarena” topped the list. Unless you count Jimi Hendrix, who for all his success only had ONE single reach the top 20 (I forget which one.) ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2003, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-one-hit-wonder-ever/217643/8 "2003-12-08T02:22:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by KGS \* > \*\*When VH1 did their obligatory countdown, “Macarena” topped the list. > > Unless you count Jimi Hendrix, who for all his success only had ONE single reach the top 20 (I forget which one.) \*\* “All Along the Watchtower” ---
**Author:** ![nitroglycerine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c5a1d2/32.png) [@nitroglycerine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nitroglycerine)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2003, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-one-hit-wonder-ever/217643/9 "2003-12-08T02:27:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Evil Death \* > \*\*Doctor and the Medics, Spirit in the Sky. They’re still performing it today - right here in my town next week - and they do it at the end of the set because it often lasts for an hour. \*\* I have an MPG of that vid. It makes me laugh everytime I watch it! IIRC Norman Greenbaum wrote a bunch of hits for 38 Special among others. Here’s some other good ones: Plimsouls-“Zero Hour”. I still hear it on the local “Modern Rock” (Lets not get into THAT) station every once in awhile. Belfegore-“All That I Wanted”- A German-American-Canadian trio who missed the nu-metal-pop-disco bandwagon by about 15 years. I keep hoping VH1 Classic will play the video while I’m watching. The mother of ALL one hit wonders: Wall Of Voodoo-“Mexican Radio” EVERYBODY knows this song, but nobody knows who WoV are. Thats sad. Everyone should own at least one Wall Of Voodoo album. Jon ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2003, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-one-hit-wonder-ever/217643/10 "2003-12-08T02:38:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Qadgop the Mercotan \* > \*\*Zager and Evans “In the year 2525” comes to mind also. \*\* That’s the answer. They did have a follow-up single, “Mr. Turnkey,” but it failed to make Billboard’s Hot 100. This song was about a chap in jail in Wichita Falls for having committed a rape. BTW, I always thought it was kinda interesting to hear Norman Greenbaum singing “Gotta have a friend in Jesus.” But then again, the best-selling Christmas song of all time was written by Irving Berlin. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2003, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-one-hit-wonder-ever/217643/11 "2003-12-08T02:39:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ccwaterback \* > **Everybody’s Talking At Me - Harry Nilsson** Nilsson had several other hits, most notably _Without You_. Haj ---
**Author:** ![Horseflesh](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horseflesh/32/7502_2.png) [@Horseflesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horseflesh)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2003, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-one-hit-wonder-ever/217643/12 "2003-12-08T02:48:09Z")
The Plimsouls also had “Million Miles Away” from that _Valley Girl_ movie. In the same vein, Modern English with “I Melt With You”. Dexy’s Midnight Runners - “Come On Eileen” Animotion - “Obssession” Icicle Works - “Whisper To A Scream” The Honeydrippers - “Sea of Love” Flock of Seagulls - “I Ran (So Far Away)” The 50s also had their share of flash-in-the-pan groups. The girl that sang “It’s My Party” comes to mind. ---
**Author:** ![riserius1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7ab992/32.png) [@riserius1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/riserius1)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2003, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-one-hit-wonder-ever/217643/13 "2003-12-08T03:27:10Z")
“Biggest” is certainly a all-encompassing term. Zager and Evans may have sold more overall(although I don’t see how;it’s a depressing song, and,thankfully you never hear it anymore), but Debbie Boone’s _You Light Up My Life_ sat at the number one spot for **10** weeks. If she had anything resembling a hit after that, I’ve never heard of it. Chris W ---
**Author:** ![Brad\_Pittiful](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b3f665/32.png) [@Brad\_Pittiful](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brad_Pittiful)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2003, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-one-hit-wonder-ever/217643/14 "2003-12-08T03:39:07Z")
i like the Z&E tune in the year 2525 ---
**Author:** ![GraceTX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c4cdca/32.png) [@GraceTX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GraceTX)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2003, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-one-hit-wonder-ever/217643/15 "2003-12-08T03:56:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Horseflesh \* > \*\*The 50s also had their share of flash-in-the-pan groups. The girl that sang “It’s My Party” comes to mind. \*\* Wasn’t that Lesley Gore? I can easily think of two of her other songs - Judy’s Turn to Cry (may not be the real name) and You Don’t Own Me. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2003, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-one-hit-wonder-ever/217643/16 "2003-12-08T04:21:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Earl Snake-Hips Tucker \* > \*\*That’s the answer. They did have a follow-up single, “Mr. Turnkey,” but it failed to make Billboard’s Hot 100. This song was about a chap in jail in Wichita Falls for having committed a rape. > \*\* THANK YOU. I was telling someone recently that only one group had ever had a number one single without ever hitting the top 100 again. I could remember nothing except their follow up single was an ode to, I believe, a **guilty** rapist. Now I know which greats achieved this feat. ---
**Author:** ![Dizzy\_Fingers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Dizzy\_Fingers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dizzy_Fingers)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2003, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-one-hit-wonder-ever/217643/17 "2003-12-08T04:31:18Z")
Strawberry Alarm Clock - “Incense and Peppermints” ---
**Author:** ![capacitor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e47774/32.png) [@capacitor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/capacitor)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2003, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-one-hit-wonder-ever/217643/18 "2003-12-08T04:55:23Z")
“Macarena”, followed by Bizet’s _Carmen_. If you want a one-hit wonder, you can’t go wrong with either of these two. ---
**Author:** ![t-keela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a3d4f5/32.png) [@t-keela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/t-keela)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2003, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-one-hit-wonder-ever/217643/19 "2003-12-08T05:58:01Z")
There are plenty of one-hit wonders from which to choose. Rick Dees and “Disco Duck” come to mind… I went to a party the other night All the ladies were treatin’ me right Movin’ my feet to the disco beat how in the world could I keep my feet? All of a sudden I began to change I was on the dance floor actin’ strange. Quack quack! Flappin’ my arms I began to cluck Quack! Look at me I’m the Disco Duck! Sing along all… **Disco…disco duck** 😃 NOW for the all time one hit wonder. How about **The Owen Bradley Quintet** They had one hit, that’s all. And Owen Bradley still made it the Country Music Hall of fame. (but as a producer) I don’t know if they’d be considered a 1hw but **WAR** has been riding that low rider for a long time now. **quack-quack** ---
**Author:** ![ccwaterback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@ccwaterback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ccwaterback)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2003, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-one-hit-wonder-ever/217643/20 "2003-12-08T06:00:33Z")
Maybe just choose any group from the 80’s and throw a dart? 🙂 ('67 - '70) The Unicorn - Irish Rovers Spooky - Classics IV In-A-Godda-Da-Vida - Iron Butterfly Gimme Some Lovin’ - Spencer Davis Group To Sir With Love - Lulu A Whiter Shade Of Pale - Procul Harum War - Edwin Starr In The Summertime - Mungo Jerry Rubber Ducky - Ernie (Sesame Street) - (laughing my ass off here right now) Build Me Up Buttercup - Foundations Venus - Shocking Blue I Got A Line On You - Spirit Tighten Up - Archie Bell and the Drells (Hendrix - Purple Haze never made the top 10?) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-one-hit-wonder-ever/217643.md?page=2)