# No Hit Wonders **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 8, 2004, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-hit-wonders/254165 "2004-07-08T20:02:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Live\_Better\_Electrically](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/46a35a/32.png) [@Live\_Better\_Electrically](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Live_Better_Electrically)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2004, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-hit-wonders/254165/21 "2004-07-08T22:48:55Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Velvet Underground, anyone? Several charting albums but no hit singles. ---
**Author:** ![Live\_Better\_Electrically](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/46a35a/32.png) [@Live\_Better\_Electrically](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Live_Better_Electrically)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2004, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-hit-wonders/254165/22 "2004-07-08T22:59:11Z")
> [@Mr. Miskatonic](#): > > Some ‘one-hit-wonders’ shows define the hit as reaching #1, only to never see that level again. I think what you’re referring to is the _Billboard_ definition of a one-hit wonder, which refers to artists whose **only** chart hit reached No. 1. Very few artists have done that. One that springs to mind is the Davis Sisters with “I Forgot More Than You’ll Ever Know.” > [@](#): > > On the more open ended side, did the **Pixies** ever get a hit in the charts? I know the aftermath **Breeders** had at least one hit (Cannonball, possibly Divine Hammer) but I don’t think the Pixies ever cracked the charts. Several of the Pixies’ singles placed high on the Modern Rock charts and their three original Elektra albums made the Top 100. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/47e85d/32.png) [@Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Lance_Murdoch)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2004, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-hit-wonders/254165/23 "2004-07-09T01:08:41Z")
They Might Be Giants have had one top 40 hit - thanks to Malcolm in the Middle. ---
**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:** [July 9, 2004, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-hit-wonders/254165/24 "2004-07-09T01:17:53Z")
> [@Live Better Electrically!](#): > > I think what you’re referring to is the _Billboard_ definition of a one-hit wonder, which refers to artists whose **only** chart hit reached No. 1. From [this book](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0823076229/qid=1089335515/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-8799363-9176927?v=glance&s=books) (which I’m looking at as we speak): > [@](#): > > A One-Hit Wonder is any recording act that placed only one 45RPM single on _Billboard’s_ top 40 chart. The following is paraphrased: Exceptions are listed as “one time” pairings of artists (Donna Summer & Barbara Stresiand, for example) or any group who has made “cosmetic” changes to its name (Harvey & the Moonglows had one hit, but came back as The Moonglows and had two more, therefore, Harvey & the Moonglows is not a One-Hit Wonder). ---
**Author:** ![Live\_Better\_Electrically](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/46a35a/32.png) [@Live\_Better\_Electrically](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Live_Better_Electrically)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2004, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-hit-wonders/254165/25 "2004-07-09T02:19:03Z")
> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#): > > From [this book](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0823076229/qid=1089335515/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-8799363-9176927?v=glance&s=books) (which I’m looking at as we speak): I was referring to _Billboard_’s Top Country Singles 1944-1993, which identifies only three artists in the entire book as “One-Hit Wonders,” explaining that these “artists’ only chart hit reached the #1 position.” Obviously they had to expand that definition quite a bit to fill a book with “one-hit wonders.” In his syndicated oldies column, [Jerry Osborne](http://www.jerryosborne.com/1-18-99.htm) expresses what I believe is the most common definition of a one-hit wonder, which is any group or artist who places only one single in the Top 100. Further confusing matters is the fact that _Billboard_ didn’t publish the only charts. If you take _Cash Box_ into account, for example, then the Bob Knight Four, who never charted in _Billboard_, become a one-hit wonder since they had a _Cash Box_ hit. ---
**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:** [July 9, 2004, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-hit-wonders/254165/26 "2004-07-09T02:31:32Z")
> [@Live Better Electrically!](#): > > I was referring to _Billboard_’s Top Country Singles 1944-1993, which identifies only three artists in the entire book as “One-Hit Wonders,” explaining that these “artists’ only chart hit reached the #1 position.” > > \ > Further confusing matters is the fact that _Billboard_ didn’t publish the only charts. If you take _Cash Box_ into account, for example, then the Bob Knight Four, who never charted in _Billboard_, become a one-hit wonder since they had a _Cash Box_ hit. I have that book, too! For many years, _Billboard_ was THE authority. It does seem odd they would have differing views on what constitutes a “One-Hit Wonder”. Since the Top 40 chart was the yardstick by which sucess was measured, I would go by Jancik’s definition. I have the Top 100 book as well, so I’m sure I could whittle down the Top 40 One Hit Wonders. ---
**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 9, 2004, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-hit-wonders/254165/27 "2004-07-09T02:40:40Z")
> [@Bad News Baboon](#): > > Failure was a highly influential band back in the 90’s. > You can still hear some of their influence in other bands, but they never charted. > > I guess they were a musician’s musician sort of thing. Just out of curiosity, who did they influence? I thought I’ve had most of my musical bases covered for the 90s, but I’ve never even heard of these guys. What style are they? ---
**Author:** ![Live\_Better\_Electrically](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/46a35a/32.png) [@Live\_Better\_Electrically](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Live_Better_Electrically)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2004, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-hit-wonders/254165/28 "2004-07-09T02:44:49Z")
> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#): > > For many years, _Billboard_ was THE authority. It does seem odd they would have differing views on what constitutes a “One-Hit Wonder”. _Billboard_ has definitely become the standard, partly because of Whitburn’s indefatigable promotion of their charts. I have heard some people express a preference for the _Cash Box_ charts because they were sales-based, whereas _Billboard_ tried to combine airplay and sales into a chart position that, some have argued, was the product of voodoo. That said, it’s surprising how similar the _Billboard_ and _Cash Box_ chart positions are overall. Unfortunately, all of the _Cash Box_ chart books have gone out of print and seem unlikely to be reprinted, so _Billboard_ will probably reign forevermore. > [@](#): > > Since the Top 40 chart was the yardstick by which sucess was measured, I would go by Jancik’s definition. I don’t know… There were some very successful singles that never reached the Top 40. One good example I can think of right off is [the Sego Brothers & Naomi](http://www.sonsound.com/naomi.htm)’s “Sorry I Never Knew You,” a million-selling gospel single that never charted higher than #50 on the country charts. Like Jim Nabors’ records, it sold steadily over a long period of time and racked up big sales numbers without substantially impacting the charts. ---
**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:** [July 9, 2004, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-hit-wonders/254165/29 "2004-07-09T02:48:23Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Just out of curiosity, who did they influence? I thought I’ve had most of my musical bases covered for the 90s, but I’ve never even heard of these guys. What style are they? From the All Music Guide: > [@](#): > > Andrews went on to form the one-manned outfit ON and continued his lucrative producing/engineering career that has included projects with Ednaswap, Skycycle, Creeper Lagoon, and Tenacious D. Edwards went on to form the well-received Autolux. Scott has since played with Ice Man, Guns N’ Roses, and eventually joined as a permanent member of Blinker the Star. Van Leeuwen played with Enemy and then helped form A Perfect Circle. It’s little surprise that musicians capable of creating such transcendent rock were in such demand once they had the opportunity to share their many talents. I have never heard of them either. ---
**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:** [July 9, 2004, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-hit-wonders/254165/30 "2004-07-09T02:53:00Z")
> [@Live Better Electrically!](#): > > _Billboard_ has definitely become the standard, partly because of Whitburn’s indefatigable promotion of their charts. I have heard some people express a preference for the _Cash Box_ charts because they were sales-based, whereas _Billboard_ tried to combine airplay and sales into a chart position that, some have argued, was the product of voodoo. I think now now use SoundScan exclusively to track sales. If they had used sales as the basis of their charts in the past, I don’t believe Pink Floyd’s _Dark Side of the Moon_ would not have stayed on the charts for 740 consecutive weeks! If you like this sort of thing (Billboard books, that is), you should check out their Top Albums book. The best thing about it that is gives all the tracks from every charted album and their Top 100 position (where applicable). ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2004, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-hit-wonders/254165/31 "2004-07-09T03:48:35Z")
How far back can we go? Clearly Robert Johnson is a highly well known and admired Delta bluesman but barely made any recordings at all during his short career, let alone hit the charts of the time. ---
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2004, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-hit-wonders/254165/32 "2004-07-09T04:00:53Z")
Has **Sonic Youth** ever actually had a hit? ---
**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 9, 2004, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-hit-wonders/254165/33 "2004-07-09T04:21:03Z")
“Teen Age Riot” charted, peaking at #20 on the Modern Rock charts. I also wouldn’t be surprised if something from “Dirty” made Billboard’s lists (Perhaps “100%”, “Sugar Kane” or “Youth Against Fascism”.) Their newest album, _Sonic Nurse_ debuted at number 64 on Billboards 200. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2004, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-hit-wonders/254165/34 "2004-07-09T04:42:52Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > Clearly Robert Johnson is a highly well known and admired Delta bluesman but barely made any recordings at all during his short career, let alone hit the charts of the time. Were there charts at that time? He traveled pretty far for a Delta blues guy at that time, so I think he was at least reasonably successful. Definitely most of his commercial popularity came after _The Complete Recordings_ in 1990. > [@Cisco](#): > > Still, I don’t think they’ve ever had a top 10 song/album, and surely not a number 1. Pork Soda was got as high as #7, believe it or not. And My Name is Mud was more than mildly popular. It peaked at #9 on the Modern Rock chart. ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2004, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-hit-wonders/254165/35 "2004-07-09T05:17:20Z")
Did **The Who** ever have a single that placed number 1 on the charts? I could have swore I heard on the radio that they did not, and the question has been bugging me for months… ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2004, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-hit-wonders/254165/36 "2004-07-09T05:28:54Z")
Having grown up with “indie” rock in the 80s, I’d nominate **Husker Du** and **The Replacements**. OK, neither one was around for long, but the main songwriters (Bob Mould and Paul Westerberg, repsectively) have continued to produce music after the bands split (although Paul Westerberg has admittedly gotten progressively worse as time’s gone on). Maybe not exactly huge sellers, but, like **Big Star** , hugely influential. Also, although I loathe them, did **Rush** ever have a hit? I don’t think even “Tom Sawyer” charted here, and they’ve been around for what, 47 years? ---
**Author:** ![Ms2001](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ms2001/32/18463_2.png) [@Ms2001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms2001)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2004, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-hit-wonders/254165/37 "2004-07-09T05:33:08Z")
> [@Captain Lance Murdoch](#): > > They Might Be Giants have had one top 40 hit - thanks to Malcolm in the Middle. “Ana Ng” (1988) reached #1 on the Billboard College Charts, and “Birdhouse In Your Soul” (1990) reached #6 on the UK charts. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2004, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-hit-wonders/254165/38 "2004-07-09T05:38:05Z")
I’m fairly sure Richard Thompson has never hit the charts in the U.S., though I believe Fairport Convention may have in the U.K. ---
**Author:** ![Denis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5e9695/32.png) [@Denis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Denis)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2004, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-hit-wonders/254165/39 "2004-07-09T05:51:47Z")
> [@woodstockbirdybird](#): > > Also, although I loathe them, did Rush ever have a hit? I don’t think even “Tom Sawyer” charted here, and they’ve been around for what, 47 years? If I recall correctly, the only song of theirs to crack the Top 40 was _New World Man_. They’re a band who has pretty respectable album sales and they do well on tour. They’re currently touring for their 30th anniversary. I saw them twice last weekend. And they were very, very good. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2004, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-hit-wonders/254165/40 "2004-07-09T12:45:01Z")
You knew I’d mention this: **The Bonzo Dog Band** never had a hit (in the US), even though they’re highly influential with people like Monty Python and Death Cab for Cutie. **Livingson Taylor** (James’s brother) cracked the charts a few times, but never higher than #30. He is still a great performer and songwriter (saw him the other day). **Otis Taylor** (no relation) is one of the best blues musicians working today, but has never had a hit. In fact, most blues musicians have never had a top 40 hit, except on specialized charts. Some names include **Paul Butterfield, Al Kooper, Roomful of Blues, John Lee Hooker, Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Howlin’ Wolf, Charlie Musselwhite, Muddy Waters,** and **B. B. King**. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-hit-wonders/254165.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-hit-wonders/254165.md?page=3)