Naked Eyes had another big hit with “Always Something There to Remind Me.” That makes them a two-hit wonder.
I have a few that I think are one-hit wonders:
“Save it for Later”–English Beat
“Life is a Rock”–Reunion
“Rick James”–Jude
“Pretty in Pink”-Psychedelic Furs
The Equals’ (with Eddie Grant) hit record was “Baby Come Back.” The Foundations sang “Baby, Now That I’ve Found You.”
-Love Missle F-1-11 by Sigue Sigue Sputnik
-Banditos by The Refreshments (am I the only one who bought this CD?)
-Perfect Way by Scritti Politti
-Stay by Lisa Loeb
-Kids in America by Kim Wilde
-Tub Thumping by Chubawamba
-Keep on Movin’ by Soul to Soul
And I hate to say this but there are many bands that got a mention here that I would not consider a so called “one hit wonder”? (The Cult, The Smiths, Thrill Kill Cult,Bronski Beat, and I’m sure a few people might take issue with some of mine) So I was wondering what the critera for a one hit wonder is? Is it one hit only? one hit with a follow up song that sucked? one or two hits off the same album?
Like Gary Numan always makes these kinds of lists but he has released over 17 albums. And Yello (yes, they did more than “Oh yeah”) has had something like 15 albums released, not to mention live stuff and rereleases.
I was just curious.
Actually, no; I don’t remember how many in toto…All I remember is that one was called “Ode to a Centipede”; I also - believe it or not - own a 45 of “Pac-Man Fever”.
Guess what’s on the B side of “Pac-Man Fever”? Something else from the album, ya think?
Nope, it’s “Pac-Man Fever (instrumental)”.
Probably great skating-rink music!
I should look around to find a CD of this… Glad someone else remembered it, though!
BTW, I mentioned Billy and the Boingers and no one bit - the B side of their “I’m a Boinger” was “U Stink But I Love U”…
When I wrote the OP, I was thinking that the criteria should be open to interpretation. Some of the acts mentioned, for instance, have been around for decades but only had one commercial hit. Others (a-ha, ferinstance), have had one hit in the US but have been consistent chart-toppers elsewhere.
So I guess the criteria should be: ONE Top-40 hit in your country, and no others. Even if their follow-up single charted at, say, #76. Or even if they’ve been recording and touring for decades but have only had one Top-40 hit.
A song called “I Lost My Heart to a Starship Trooper” by Hot Gossip made #38 in the UK back in 1979, so it qualifies. The only reason it is even remembered is because the group included a 19 year old Sarah Brightman, who later went on with a minor role in CATS, married Andrew Lloyd Webber, got to star in Phantom, and now records hit CDS. The song was released on CD when the movie “Starship Trooper” came out.
Let’s not forget “That Thing You Do,” by the One-Hit Wonders (O-needers)
Whatever happened to them?
Sorry about the post-hijack here, but is there a website that shows top 40 songs from past years? Jolly good then…carry on.
In 1982 a Top Ten song in England (Americans never got to hear it) was “Ever So Lonely” by Monsoon with Sheila Chandra. It was the first hit for the “Asian fusion” sound which they invented.
Sheila Chandra was only 16 at the time. After her big hit she deliberately withdrew from making commercial pop music and concentrated on developing her uniquely experimental musical vision blending Indian classical music with African-American gospel, Celtic and English folk, Gregorian chant, electronic sound and sampling, vocal percussion, and Drone. Her latest release just came out after a 5-year silence: “This Sentence Is True”. She reigns forever as the queen of my musical heart.
“Black Velvet” by Allana Myles (sp)
“I Wanna Be a Cowboy” by … uh …
Never mind nearly every song that came out in the 50s:
Oh won’t you staaaay … just a little bit loooonger…
I’ll second that. Oh, and it’s “Nik.”
'Til Tuesday had 3 very good albums, but the only major hit I remember from any of them was Voices Carry. Aimee Mann is still going strong, though.
Obsession, by Animotion
Wild Wild West, by the Escape Club. I didn’t like this song, but it was popular in Central Florida, at least.
OMD is one of my favorite musical groups, but I can only remember If You Leave going anywhere on the charts. It’s too bad.
Steve Perry had lots of airtime with Journey, but only one hit as a solo artist, Oh, Sherrie. I love that one.
Lou Gramm was the same way – lots of airtime with Foreigner, but only made the charts in his solo career with Midnight Blue, which is a fantastic song.
Query: did the Bluebells ever have a hit song? I’m thinking of Cath in particular.
You might try http://www.billboard.com . . . I am positive they have a book out listing the top 40 charts since the mid-50’s . . I myself own a book titled “The Billboard Book Of Number One Hits” . . . has a one page info on all #1 songs since July 9, 1955 (Rock Around The Clock - Bill Haley and the Comets, 8 weeks #1), plus the top 5 on that date . . .
. . . and, sorry to nitpick, but these artists listed here had more than one hit, like:
Suzanne Vega - “Luka” and “Tom’s Diner”
Falco - “Amadeus” and “One Night in Bangkok”
Dead or Alive - “Brand New Lover” and “You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)”
Soul to Soul - “Back To Life” and “Keep on Moving”
Information Society - “New York” and “Whats on Your Mind”
. . . and other random info. I can share . . “Electric Avenue” by Eddie Grant has been remixed and it’s currently a big hit at dance clubs . . you can find the mp3 (to preview, of course) at http://www.homeofmusic.com . .
toodles! 
“One Night in Bangkok” was not by Falco. It was by Murray Head.
“Somebody’s Watching Me” was by Rockwell. A name that’s wrong times two…
“Oh Yeah” - Yello (aka the Ferris Bueller song)
“Don’t You Forget About Me” - Simple Minds
“Bizarre Love Triangle” - New Order
“Relax” - Frankie Goes to Hollywood
“Our House” - Madness
And, the ultimate in one-hit wonders:
“Baby Got Back” - Sir-Mix-a-Lot
Kim Carnes - Bette Davis Eyes
And, you may not want to read this one, out of fear for your sanity, but…
Starland Vocal Band - Afternoon Delight
How about:
“Don’t Worry Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin
“Achy Breaky Heart” by Billy Ray Cyrus
“The Macarena” by ???
Covering what was said before…
Martika also had a moderate hit with her cover of Carole King’s I Feel The Earth Move.
Falco had three hits technically. After The Fire, using mechanical license, released their version of Der Kommisar before he could. It was a hit for Falco everywhere but America. He also had a moderate hit with Vienna Calling.
Mickey was by Toni Basil, who is better known for being a choreographer.
Maniac was by Micheal Sembello. As originally written, it was actually a joke song about Leatherface from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
Bonnie Tyler had three hits: It’s A Heartbreak, Total Eclipse Of The Heart, and Holding Out For A Hero.
The Information Society had hits with What’s On Your Mind(Pure Energy) and Walking Away.
Kim Wilde had a second hit with her cover of You Keep Me Hangin’ On.
Allanah Myles had a hit with Black Velvet as well as Love Is.
I Wanna Be A Cowboy was by Boys Don’t Cry.
Shakespeare’s Sister had a second hit with I Don’t Care.
Will to Power had another hit with their cover of 10cc’s I’m Not In Love.
Animotion also had a hit with a cover of a Climie/Fisher song called Room To Move.
New Order had a big hit as well with True Faith.
The Macarena was by Los Del Rio(IIRC)
OK now, how about these (sorry if i copy any, trying to remember all the ones listed)I’m a 70’s freak so they’re all from there
Kung Fu Fighting Carl Douglas
Chevy Van Sammy Johns
Smoke of a distant fire The Sanford/Townsend Band
Rock me gently Andy Kim
One toke over the line Brewer and Shipley
Lonely Boy Andrew Gold
And my favorite wildfire Michael Murphy (shudder… I’m sick I just know it.)