# One-Hit Wonders that are actually anywhere near wonderful. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 17, 2010, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonders-that-are-actually-anywhere-near-wonderful/547030 "2010-07-17T13:40:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2010, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonders-that-are-actually-anywhere-near-wonderful/547030/1 "2010-07-17T13:40:08Z")
Here’s one to get you in the mood. [Zoe - Sunshine On A Rainy Day](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05qIlGX1F44&feature=related) Any more proposals? ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2010, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonders-that-are-actually-anywhere-near-wonderful/547030/2 "2010-07-17T14:37:48Z")
“Come on Eileen” is one of my favorite songs from the 1980s. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2010, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonders-that-are-actually-anywhere-near-wonderful/547030/3 "2010-07-17T14:41:32Z")
Blind Melon’s “No Rain” ---
**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:** [July 17, 2010, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonders-that-are-actually-anywhere-near-wonderful/547030/4 "2010-07-17T15:00:48Z")
“Louie, Louie” by the Kingsmen. (of course, they didn’t write it) “Sugar, sugar” by the Archies was not bad for bubble-gum pop. I always liked “Spirit in the sky” for some reason. ---
**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 17, 2010, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonders-that-are-actually-anywhere-near-wonderful/547030/5 "2010-07-17T15:08:39Z")
John Fred and His Playboy Band – [Judy in Disguise (with Glasses)](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Biu95fyvmLI) (love the horns). ---
**Author:** ![DChord568](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@DChord568](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DChord568)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2010, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonders-that-are-actually-anywhere-near-wonderful/547030/6 "2010-07-17T16:39:23Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > “Louie, Louie” by the Kingsmen. (of course, they didn’t write it) > > “Sugar, sugar” by the Archies was not bad for bubble-gum pop. > > I always liked “Spirit in the sky” for some reason. Neither The Kingsmen nor The Archies were one-hit-wonders. I agree that both songs you cite are very good in their respective genres. Norman Greenbaum can rightfully be considered a one-hit-wonder, as his follow-ups got very little radio play. ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2010, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonders-that-are-actually-anywhere-near-wonderful/547030/7 "2010-07-17T16:48:10Z")
“Funkytown” is a great song. ---
**Author:** ![DChord568](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@DChord568](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DChord568)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2010, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonders-that-are-actually-anywhere-near-wonderful/547030/8 "2010-07-17T16:48:16Z")
I go back to the pre-Beatle years of Top 40 AM radio, so I’m very forgiving of the teen pop of the day. Even though I grew through all of the musical movements of the 60s that followed it, I still have a soft spot for the Top 40 hits I grew up with. In those days, hit records were more likely a collaboration between songwriter, singer and arranger/producer on the session, as opposed to springing primarily from the vision of the artist. The first one that comes to mind from that era is “Midnight Mary” by Joey Powers. There are many others, but I’ll save them for future posts. ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Bird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b3f665/32.png) [@Alan\_Bird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Bird)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2010, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonders-that-are-actually-anywhere-near-wonderful/547030/9 "2010-07-17T18:08:10Z")
New Radicals “You get what you give” (I think that’s the title) is one of my top 5 desert island discs. ---
**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2010, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonders-that-are-actually-anywhere-near-wonderful/547030/10 "2010-07-17T20:16:53Z")
That was a class tune! I like the vid, too. What about [Steanhammer Sam - Intaferon](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBbnBKj4nu8&feature=related), guise? ---
**Author:** ![Saintly\_Loser](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saintly_loser/32/4045_2.png) [@Saintly\_Loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saintly_Loser)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2010, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonders-that-are-actually-anywhere-near-wonderful/547030/11 "2010-07-17T20:42:09Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > “Sugar, sugar” by the Archies was not bad for bubble-gum pop. No, it wasn’t. And it was written by the great Jeff Barry, who probably wrote or co-wrote more hits (including one-hit wonders) than any other songwriter ever. Google him – you’ll be amazed at how many of his songs you recognize. ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2010, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonders-that-are-actually-anywhere-near-wonderful/547030/12 "2010-07-17T20:58:04Z")
I kind of collect them, and after a while you start seeing patterns: a catchy tune and maybe 1-2 good lines, usually in a generously repeated chorus. I’m still looking for a one-hit wonder with either: a) lyrics of actual depth and/or b) edgy, new, revolutionary, or gifted musicians. Usually, if they hit either one, they won’t be limited to just one hit song. Strangely, a gifted voice is not on this list. There’s quite a few singers, apparently, who can carry a tune but this doesn’t predict future success. On my short list are: ['Cause I Got High](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeYsTmIzjkw) by Afroman Afroman doesn’t believe in studios. He prefers to distribute songs himself, usually by selling them out of the trunk of his car. [Ladidodi](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rt-ZE3OtKH0)by Slick Rick and Doug E. Fresh Slick Rick was arrested for attempted murder, so his career was curtailed before he really even had a chance to become a star. ---
**Author:** ![MTCicero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a4c791/32.png) [@MTCicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MTCicero)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2010, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonders-that-are-actually-anywhere-near-wonderful/547030/13 "2010-07-17T21:17:13Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > [Ladidodi](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rt-ZE3OtKH0)by Slick Rick and Doug E. Fresh > > Slick Rick was arrested for attempted murder, so his career was curtailed before he really even had a chance to become a star. Love the tune. Unfortunately, I don’t think Slick Rick qualifies at all as a one hit wonder, as he’s had [more](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjNTu8jdukA) [than](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ea-ezolZq5k) [one](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=greKNLhdlNw). ---
**Author:** ![MTCicero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a4c791/32.png) [@MTCicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MTCicero)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2010, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonders-that-are-actually-anywhere-near-wonderful/547030/14 "2010-07-17T21:27:03Z")
I’d say these might qualify as good (as always, YMMV): [“Nasty Girl”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81AZ-h7gdNA) - Vanity 6 [“Closing Time”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGytDsqkQY8) - Semisonic [“Warm Leatherette”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5QErPDNcj4) - The Normal [“Local Girls”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-9A2O6CwW4) - Graham Parker and the Rumour [“Whirly Girl”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-atC5XLHlg) - OXO [“Fade To Grey”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cznha2YTTh0) - Visage [“Send Me an Angel”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6zBjYIyz-0) - Real Life [“White Horse”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8j2ej5jqQw) - Laid Back ---
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2010, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonders-that-are-actually-anywhere-near-wonderful/547030/15 "2010-07-17T21:28:40Z")
[Sunny](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbUl_E-R91Q) by Bobby Hebb ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2010, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonders-that-are-actually-anywhere-near-wonderful/547030/16 "2010-07-17T21:35:18Z")
Terence Trent D’Arby had one hit album, with two songs getting regular play, “Wishing Well” and “Sign Your Name”, and was rumored to be the next Prince, yet never really heard from again after that. It was a great album, though- I still listen to it after ~25 years. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2010, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonders-that-are-actually-anywhere-near-wonderful/547030/17 "2010-07-17T21:40:26Z")
> [@MTCicero](#): > > I’d say these might qualify as good (as always, YMMV): > > [“Nasty Girl”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81AZ-h7gdNA) - Vanity 6 > > [“Closing Time”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGytDsqkQY8) - Semisonic > > [“Warm Leatherette”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5QErPDNcj4) - The Normal > > [“Local Girls”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-9A2O6CwW4) - Graham Parker and the Rumour > > [“Whirly Girl”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-atC5XLHlg) - OXO > > [“Fade To Grey”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cznha2YTTh0) - Visage > > [“Send Me an Angel”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6zBjYIyz-0) - Real Life > > [“White Horse”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8j2ej5jqQw) - Laid Back I don’t believe I’ve ever heard of any of those songs or the performers. I was thinking of “Hey Girl” by Freddie Scott in 1963. Though I believe it was written by Carole King and peformed by umpteen other people since then. ---
**Author:** ![Made\_in\_Macau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eada6e/32.png) [@Made\_in\_Macau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Made_in_Macau)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2010, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonders-that-are-actually-anywhere-near-wonderful/547030/18 "2010-07-17T23:18:42Z")
A song i really still love is ‘Oh Lori’ by the Allessi Bros. 1 hit in the UK – BTW - Dexy’s had more that 1 in the UK MiM ---
**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:** [July 17, 2010, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonders-that-are-actually-anywhere-near-wonderful/547030/19 "2010-07-17T23:31:05Z")
> [@salinqmind](#): > > I don’t believe I’ve ever heard of any of those songs or the performers. I’d bet good money you’ve heard “Closing Time”. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2010, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonders-that-are-actually-anywhere-near-wonderful/547030/20 "2010-07-17T23:32:12Z")
> [@Alice\_The\_Goon](#): > > Terence Trent D’Arby had one hit album, with two songs getting regular play, “Wishing Well” and “Sign Your Name”, and was rumored to be the next Prince, yet never really heard from again after that. It was a great album, though- I still listen to it after ~25 years. “Wishing Well” was (is) an awesome song. Underneath the sycamore tree. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonders-that-are-actually-anywhere-near-wonderful/547030.md?page=2)