# One-hit wonder bands you saw live **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 22, 2003, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonder-bands-you-saw-live/156773 "2003-02-22T14:12:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Laughing\_Lagomorph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Laughing\_Lagomorph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laughing_Lagomorph)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonder-bands-you-saw-live/156773/81 "2003-02-26T02:12:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jack Batty \* > \*\*Aldo Nova (“Love Is Just A Fantasy”) 1982. Opening for Blue Oyster Cult. \*\* Isn’t it “LIFE is Just a Fantasy”? ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonder-bands-you-saw-live/156773/82 "2003-02-26T02:17:28Z")
I don’t thinks so. Maybe. Upon further inspection, the song is just “Fantasy”, but, yep, the lyrics are “_life_ is just a fantasy”. I never claimed he was that memorable. ---
**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:** [February 26, 2003, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonder-bands-you-saw-live/156773/83 "2003-02-26T10:51:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jeff Lodoen \* > \*\*If we bring in foreign hits we need to redefine One Hit Wonder. \*\* Foreign for who, mate? Both those hits were local for me and the band both. ---
**Author:** ![Laughing\_Lagomorph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Laughing\_Lagomorph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laughing_Lagomorph)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonder-bands-you-saw-live/156773/84 "2003-02-26T12:13:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jack Batty \* > \*\*I don’t thinks so. Maybe. > > Upon further inspection, the song is just “Fantasy”, but, yep, the lyrics are “_life_ is just a fantasy”. > I never claimed he was that memorable. \*\* You never claimed WHO was that memorable? Whassisname? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![lost4life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@lost4life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lost4life)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonder-bands-you-saw-live/156773/85 "2003-02-26T15:57:11Z")
IMHO I don’t think the term “One Hit Wonder” is as simple a definition as having only one hit. To me it usually meant they had one big song that got tons of airplay, but did nothing else musically significant. Some groups listed had several hits, while others are still together and actively making music. Many of the mentioned groups had significant and influential careers, much of which did not get charted. Groups like The Replacements, The Violent Femmes, and Los Lobos did many well received albums and always maintained a core audience before and after their hits (Los Lobos still tours and is a favorite with our local public radio station). To me, it always meant someone like Men Without Hats, or Right Said Fred. That said, the closest thing I saw to a one hit wonder was probably Billy Ocean (at Live Aid), who did Carribean Queen, but I believe he had a minor career after that hit. ---
**Author:** ![Morgainelf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Morgainelf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgainelf)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonder-bands-you-saw-live/156773/86 "2003-02-26T16:00:29Z")
Not sure if these count in the one hit wonder category: Saw **Corey Hart** (I wear my Sunglasses at Night) open for Rick Springfield. Saw **Berlin** open for Thompson Twins. _Take My Breath Away_ was a hit - did they have any more? **Rollins Band** had a hit with _Liar_, don’t know if they had any more. **Butthole Surfers** had at least one, but I can’t really recall it. **Dead Milkmen** - don’t know if they’ve ever had a hit? _Punk Rock Girl_ is certainly well known. **Sonic Youth** Any hits there? Don’t know, but it was one of the best shows I’ve ever been to. **Cowboy Mouth** - do they count? Great live show! **Siouxie and the Banshees** - I think _Peekaboo_ was I think their only hit… I’m sure there are more, but I have to go back to work! M ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonder-bands-you-saw-live/156773/87 "2003-02-26T16:11:08Z")
I think that the Rollins Band made my ears bleed. I didn’t no that they had a “hit”. A lot of semi-hardcore bands might possibly be categorised as one hit wonders. I saw Modern English, Psychedelic Furs and a lot of bands of those times. I’d count Modern English because I can’t even think of any other songs from them, much less hits. Also saw Living Colour open for someone, maybe the Stones. You see a lot of OHW opening for other bands. I think that I saw Bow-Wow-Wow once, but that might have been a dream. Saw the Tom-Tom Club and Ramones once around here, I don’t know if either ever had a true hit. Saw OMD here also, which definitely qualifies. How about Billy Squire (sp?)? Pat Travers Band? Sheile E? ---
**Author:** ![Indygrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@Indygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indygrrl)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonder-bands-you-saw-live/156773/88 "2003-02-26T16:46:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Morgainelf \* > \*\*Not sure if these count in the one hit wonder category: > > **Rollins Band** had a hit with _Liar_, don’t know if they had any more. > > **Butthole Surfers** had at least one, but I can’t really recall it. > > **Dead Milkmen** - don’t know if they’ve ever had a hit? _Punk Rock Girl_ is certainly well known. > > **Sonic Youth** Any hits there? Don’t know, but it was one of the best shows I’ve ever been to. > **Siouxie and the Banshees** - I think _Peekaboo_ was I think their only hit… > \*\* I don’t consider these bands to be one hit wonders because they are underground bands. They have all had lengthy, successful careers, despite not getting regular radio play. I saw The Georgia Satellites (Don’t hand me no lines and keep your hands to yourself…). Now that’s a one hit wonder! ---
**Author:** ![angelicate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@angelicate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/angelicate)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonder-bands-you-saw-live/156773/89 "2003-02-26T17:01:16Z")
I saw Seven Mary Three (Cumbersome) at a show in Austin a couple of years ago. I’m sure there’ve been more, but that’s the only one that sticks out. ---
**Author:** ![Raygun99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Raygun99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raygun99)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonder-bands-you-saw-live/156773/90 "2003-02-26T17:07:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Morgainelf \* > \*\*Not sure if these count in the one hit wonder category: > > Saw **Corey Hart** (I wear my Sunglasses at Night) open for Rick Springfield. \*\* You know, Sunglasses at Night wasn’t even his biggest hit. ---
**Author:** ![Auntie\_Social](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d2c977/32.png) [@Auntie\_Social](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Auntie_Social)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonder-bands-you-saw-live/156773/91 "2003-02-26T17:07:54Z")
I saw the Refreshments, who sang that song about robbing a bank and fleeing to Mexico with a fake ID under the name of “Captain Jean-Luc Picard,” which was easy since the border guards don’t speak English. Also saw Blind Melon open for Neil Young once. It was just as “No Rain” was at the end of its chart run and a bunch of people LEFT after seeing Blind Melon. I.e. _they paid $30 to see Blind Melon sing “No Rain” and didn’t care to see Neil Fucking Young._ This boggles my mind to this day. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonder-bands-you-saw-live/156773/92 "2003-02-26T17:11:16Z")
I saw **Survivor** in the early 80’s. (Remember “Eye of the Tiger"?) They opened for Pat Benatar. ---
**Author:** ![Gundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Gundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gundy)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonder-bands-you-saw-live/156773/93 "2003-02-26T17:30:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness \* > \*\*I saw **Goldfinger** twice, once opening for the Sex Pistols, and once in their own headlining show. As far as I know “Here in Your Bedroom” was their only hit. They never quite lived up to the hype of being the next Green Day/next Rancid. > > I saw **Scandal** opening for the Kinks and **Wang Chung** opening for the Cars. At the time, they were both one-hit wonders (“Goodbye to You” and “Dance Hall Days”, respectively), although they both went on to have a second hit about 2 years later. \*\* Two things: 1) I own the Goldfinger album – but I only bought it for “Here in Your Bedroom”, honest! and 2) Scandal also had “The Warrior” and Wang Chung, of course, had “Everybody Have Fun Tonight”. ---
**Author:** ![PaperBlob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/58956e/32.png) [@PaperBlob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PaperBlob)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonder-bands-you-saw-live/156773/94 "2003-02-26T17:51:30Z")
At a concert at JFK stadium in Philadelphia, summer of 1982: **Robert Hazard and the Heroes** - Escalator of Life (They may have been a no-hit wonder outside of the Philly area.) **Flock of Seagulls** - Not sure if they count as one-hit wonders. Maybe one-album wonders? That was a great concert! The three other performers were **Blondie** , **Elvis Costello** and **Genesis**. ---
**Author:** ![Bottle\_of\_Smoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Bottle\_of\_Smoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bottle_of_Smoke)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonder-bands-you-saw-live/156773/95 "2003-02-26T19:11:38Z")
The Replacements? The Violent Femmes? The Bodeans? One hit wonders? Damn, I guess they were if you look at what hit the charts. But they were in heavy rotation in my tape deck during my formative years, so to see them lumped in with one-hit wonders is a bit harsh. ---
**Author:** ![Morgainelf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Morgainelf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgainelf)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonder-bands-you-saw-live/156773/96 "2003-02-26T19:19:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Raygun99 \* > \*\*You know, Sunglasses at Night wasn’t even his biggest hit. \*\* Hey, don’t leave us hanging! What was? Rollins band had a hit with “Liar”. What’s a hit? Top 10? Top 40? Is there a definition of OHW out there? I’ve heard some lists quote Midnight Oil and Sinead O’Connor as OHWs, but they certainly had several songs played in heavy rotation. ---
**Author:** ![Raygun99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Raygun99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raygun99)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonder-bands-you-saw-live/156773/97 "2003-02-26T19:37:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Morgainelf \* > \*\*Hey, don’t leave us hanging! What was? \*\* Never Surrender hit #3, Sunglasses at Night only ever went up to #7. ---
**Author:** ![Morgainelf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Morgainelf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgainelf)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonder-bands-you-saw-live/156773/98 "2003-02-26T19:39:39Z")
Oh, you’re so right! ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonder-bands-you-saw-live/156773/99 "2003-02-26T20:47:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jonathan Chance \* > \*\*Fuel > Filter > Jimmies Chicken Shack > Mighty Mighty Bosstones > Harvey Danger > Save Ferris > Semisonic > Marcy Playground > Cherry Poppin’ Daddies > Cowboy Mouth > Cracker > Silverchair > Sugar Ray > Reel Big Fish > Fiona Apple > Joan Osborne > Katrina and the Waves > Timbuk 3 > and literally a bazillion others. \*\* \*\* Jonathan\*\* You either have a far stricter idea of what makes a “hit” than I do, or your radio stations play a limited selection of songs 😕 I’d call a lot of them “underappriciated” rather than one hit wonders, since they had…more than one hit 😛 As for your bands, they had songs that were in heavy rotation at least two months each with: Fuel - Shimmer; Bittersweet; Hemorrhage (In My Hands); Bad Day; Jesus or a Gun Jimmie’s Chicken Shack- High; Do right; Trash Mighty Mighty Bosstones - The Rascal King; The Impression That I Get; Where’d You Go? ; So Sad To Say Semisonic- Closing Time; Singing In My Sleep; Secret Smile Cowboy Mouth- Jenny Says; Whatcha Gonna Do? Silverchair- Anthem For The Year 2000; Freak; Ana’s Song (Open Fire); Abuse Me; Pure Massacre Sugar Ray- Fly; Every Morning; Someday; RPM(which stopped getting air play once “fly” became popular, blech. It held its own for a while, though) Reel Big Fish - Sell Out; Take me on (Ah ha cover) Fiona Apple- Fast as You can; Shadowboxer; Across the Universe (beatles cover?); Limp ; Sleep To Dream; Criminal Anyway, I’ve seen: Rebekah (Sin So Well) C60 (Crazy) Angry Salad (The Milkshake Song. Their “99 red balloons” cover sank like a rock, oh well) ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lodoen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b3f665/32.png) [@Jeff\_Lodoen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lodoen)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonder-bands-you-saw-live/156773/100 "2003-02-27T03:33:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Evil Death \* > \*\*Foreign for who, mate? Both those hits were local for me and the band both. \*\* Pick a market I guess. From an American perspective, Katrina & The Wave are OHWs… no doubt about it. (Billboard #9? It got more airplay than that would indicate). In Europe that isn’t true. Same deal with Falco. Huge in Europe, yes? Here he had “Rock Me Amadeus”. I guess we USians could (should?) be familiar with the Euro-music scene, but what about Taco? Maybe he had hits in Indonesia? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonder-bands-you-saw-live/156773.md?page=4)