# 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:** 2
**Author:** ![multimediac17](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/839c29/32.png) [@multimediac17](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/multimediac17)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2010, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonders-that-are-actually-anywhere-near-wonderful/547030/21 "2010-07-17T23:39:56Z")
I like a lot of one-hit wonders. I do genuinely think most of these are great songs, and the ones that aren’t so great are at least fun to listen to. Some are Australia or UK specific. Amii Stewart - ‘Knock On Wood’ Apollonia 6 - ‘Sex Shooter’ Blind Melon - ‘No Rain’ Brainbug - ‘Nightmare’ Buggles - ‘Video Killed The Radio Star’ Cornershop - ‘Brimful Of Asha’ Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip - ‘Thou Shalt Always Kill’ Happyland - ‘Don’t You Know Who I Am?’ Harold Faltermeyer - ‘Axel F’ Hot Butter - ‘Popcorn’ Iio - ‘Rapture’ Joan Osborne - ‘One Of Us’ Junior Senior - ‘Move Your Feet’ Kate Winslet - ‘What If?’ Los Del Rio - ‘Macarena’ (I have an un-ironic love for this song and I am not ashamed. I play it in the car all the time, much to the annoyance of all human beings around me.) M - ‘Pop Musik’ Matthew Wilder - ‘Break My Stride’ Men Without Hats - ‘The Safety Dance’ Mini Viva - ‘Left My Heart In Tokyo’ Moony - ‘Dove (I’ll Be Loving You)’ Mr. G - ‘Naughty Girl’ Nena - ‘99 Luftballons’ Pauline Pantsdown - ‘I Don’t Like It’ Rockwell - ‘Somebody’s Watching Me’ Stardust - ‘Music Sounds Better With You’ Unique II - ‘Break My Stride’ Visage - ‘Fade To Grey’ White Town - ‘Your Woman’ Yoko Ono - ‘Walking On Thin Ice’ 1 Giant Leap featuring Maxi Jazz & Robbie Williams - ‘My Culture’ ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2010, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonders-that-are-actually-anywhere-near-wonderful/547030/22 "2010-07-18T00:51:24Z")
In addition to most of what ultimedia17 posted, I’ve always thought these as perfectly crafted songs: Wall of Voodoo, Mexican Radio Peter Schilling, Major Tom ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2010, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonders-that-are-actually-anywhere-near-wonderful/547030/23 "2010-07-18T01:09:53Z")
> [@Alan\_Bird](#): > > New Radicals “You get what you give” (I think that’s the title) is one of my top 5 desert island discs. Anything that involves Danielle Brisebois is great. It is a crime that no one has heard her two CDs, 'cause she’s got a ton and I mean TON of talent. If you ever get a chance to check out “Portable Life” or “Arrive All Over You,” DO IT. Those are two of the best CDs ever made. ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2010, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonders-that-are-actually-anywhere-near-wonderful/547030/24 "2010-07-18T01:32:18Z")
[Waiting for a Star to Fall](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HWt_Ki_qss) by Shannon Rubicam and George Merrill, a.k.a. Boy Meets Girl, is a classic 80’s one-off hit. Just a great, catchy pop tune. They were actually quite successful journeymen songwriters, writing well-known songs for Whitney Houston and others, but for some reason the big names turned this song down, so they released it themselves. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2010, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonders-that-are-actually-anywhere-near-wonderful/547030/25 "2010-07-18T01:46:32Z")
> [@salinqmind](#): > > I don’t believe I’ve ever heard of any of those songs or the performers. > > . Lots of cop shows and movies use “Nasty Girl” as the background music for the strip club they inevitably end up in to question someone. Having seen Vanity perform this live, it’s not surprising this tune has become the basic strip club intro. I can’t ever look at a mic stand without Vanity’s grinding coming back to my thoughts ---
**Author:** ![torie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/77aa72/32.png) [@torie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/torie)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2010, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonders-that-are-actually-anywhere-near-wonderful/547030/26 "2010-07-18T01:58:56Z")
> [@ivan\_astikov](#): > > 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? OMG, I watched that and the music video and wanted to go back in time and punch her. The song isn’t bad, but something about her dancing and general performance style sets my teeth on edge. I’m going to second “Come On Eileen” as the greatest One Hit Wonder Of All Time. I love that song so much. I’m also partial to Sophie B Hawkins’ “Damn, I Wish I was Your Lover” despite the clunky title. ---
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2010, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonders-that-are-actually-anywhere-near-wonderful/547030/27 "2010-07-18T02:03:05Z")
> [@multimediac17](#): > > Buggles - ‘Video Killed The Radio Star’ I may be one of the only people that own the Buggles album, but it’s a good one. Video Killed the Radio Star is a good song, but the whole album is enjoyable. I’ll go with Tommy Tutone - 867-5309/Jenny a-ha - Take on me (I know a-ha wasn’t a one hit wonder in Europe, but in the US, this song is pretty much it) Blues Traveler, Run Around ---
**Author:** ![cjepson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@cjepson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjepson)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonders-that-are-actually-anywhere-near-wonderful/547030/28 "2010-07-19T16:19:25Z")
I think the early 1970s was a great time for one-hit wonders. I don’t want to simply create yet another list of one-hit wonders of the 70s, so I’ll just mention one that is one of my very favorite songs from that era: “Go Back” by Crabby Appleton. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonders-that-are-actually-anywhere-near-wonderful/547030/29 "2010-07-19T17:44:40Z")
Another vote for “You Get What You Give” by the New Radicals, “Video Killed the Radio Star” (the first video played on MTV!) by the Buggles, and “99 Luftballons” by Nena. I’m also partial to “Driver’s Seat” by Sniff ‘n’ the Tears, “Heart and Soul” by T’Pau, “Take Off” by Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas, and “Into the Night” by Benny Mardones. No, my pop music tastes aren’t what you’d call sophisticated… ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonders-that-are-actually-anywhere-near-wonderful/547030/30 "2010-07-19T18:29:55Z")
[Amie](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4xp2lgiAjY) by Pure Prairie League. Very nice country/rock song. ---
**Author:** ![PookahMacPhellimey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pookahmacphellimey/32/3175_2.png) [@PookahMacPhellimey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PookahMacPhellimey)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonders-that-are-actually-anywhere-near-wonderful/547030/31 "2010-07-19T18:37:17Z")
[Echo Beach](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvqjYxeTODY) by Martha and the Muffins. [Uptown Top Ranking](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iD_qZ3hTDo) by Althea and Donna. (no idea if this was a hit in the US, though). ---
**Author:** ![Lust4Life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonders-that-are-actually-anywhere-near-wonderful/547030/32 "2010-07-21T11:56:27Z")
Oh Yeah by Yello, totally awesome. Everyones gotta learn sometime by the Korgis. Pump up the Volume M.A.R.S. ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonders-that-are-actually-anywhere-near-wonderful/547030/33 "2010-07-21T12:21:09Z")
The Easybeats were a big deal in Australia, but they only had one hit in the US, and it was a very cool song. [Friday On My Mind](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Easybeats_-_Friday_On_My_Mind_excerpt.ogg) from 1966. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Credible](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a8b319/32.png) [@Justin\_Credible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Credible)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonders-that-are-actually-anywhere-near-wonderful/547030/34 "2010-07-21T13:38:10Z")
Gary Numan - Cars. Still one of my favorite songs. I don’t know if Gerry Rafferty is considered to be a one hit wonder or not, but most people who aren’t fans probably only know Baker Street, which is another of my most favorite songs. ---
**Author:** ![It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/it_s_not_rocket_surgery/32/312_2.png) [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonders-that-are-actually-anywhere-near-wonderful/547030/35 "2010-07-21T13:57:18Z")
[Sleeping Satellite](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25xggJXyWhI) by Tasmin Archer. [City Bound (E Train)](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7pxiRr7NJo) by Novo Combo. ---
**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 21, 2010, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonders-that-are-actually-anywhere-near-wonderful/547030/36 "2010-07-21T14:02:55Z")
The world’s greatest two hit wonder has to be Murray Head–Superstar and One Night in Bangkok. ---
**Author:** ![PookahMacPhellimey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pookahmacphellimey/32/3175_2.png) [@PookahMacPhellimey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PookahMacPhellimey)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonders-that-are-actually-anywhere-near-wonderful/547030/37 "2010-07-21T14:32:07Z")
> [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](#): > > [Sleeping Satellite](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25xggJXyWhI) by Tasmin Archer. Oh yeah, good one! ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonders-that-are-actually-anywhere-near-wonderful/547030/38 "2010-07-21T14:40:03Z")
> [@multimediac17](#): > > Cornershop - ‘Brimful Of Asha’ > White Town - ‘Your Woman’ You wait your whole life for a great one-hit wonder from a UK Asian specializing in poppy sampled beats, and two come along at almost exactly the same time. Actually Cornershop had another decent hit (“Sleep On The Left Side”) which was better but not as big as “Brimful”. As for White Town…well, I have the album “Your Woman” is from (_Women In Technology_), and let’s just say Jyoti Mishra had issues. A lot of issues. ---
**Author:** ![DChord568](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@DChord568](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DChord568)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonders-that-are-actually-anywhere-near-wonderful/547030/39 "2010-07-21T15:08:55Z")
Walter Egan’s lone Top 40 entry was “Magnet and Steel,” a great song helped out by the presence of Lindsay Buckingham and Stevie Nicks. And from the same page of Joel Whitburn’s _Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits_, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention a One-Hit Wonder group from my hometown, The Edsels — whose “Rama Lama Ding Dong” is one of the really fun doo-wop/R&B songs of the 1950s. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonders-that-are-actually-anywhere-near-wonderful/547030/40 "2010-07-21T15:11:30Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > I always liked “Spirit in the sky” for some reason. Probably because it’s a great freaking song. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonders-that-are-actually-anywhere-near-wonderful/547030.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonders-that-are-actually-anywhere-near-wonderful/547030.md?page=3)