I will add one of my favorites to this zombie…
The Distance by Cake
In the whole three pages nobody suggested “Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow” by the Rivingtons?
That really depends how you define ‘hit’ - the highest they charted on the US general charts prior to Get Lucky is 61, so on that chart, it’s perfectly reasonable to say they haven’t ever had a hit single.
On the other hand, on the US dance charts, where they have had actual hits, the most recent one prior to Get Lucky (which topped at #1 there) was 2005’s Technologic, which hit #10.
And for full albums, the Tron Legacy soundtrack hit #4 on the US general charts (#1 on the dance charts), despite being pretty much completely weaksauce (too much of a typical score, not enough of their personal style) - although Derezzed, the only single from it, did terribly on pretty much every chart.
Thanks for that. The bagpipes are strong here in New Zealand and I never heard Amazing Grace until after McCartney popularised it. “Flowers” is what I’m familiar with: am playing it at the moment, makes the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. It’s usually played here at the funerals of old soldiers like my father and father-in-law. Its absolutely haunting as the piper walks away into the distance.
Interesting I usually associate this song with Pentangle and thought it was a 17th century tune.
If we are looking for odd stuff the Goons “Ying Tong Song” must deserve a mention.
[bleh]
I can remember a a marching band having a hit in the 80s - bugger if I know who or what it was called though but I’m humming the tune.
Sometime in the early 90s, an excerpt from Henryk Gorecki’s Symphony of Sorrowful Songs (the link goes to the third movement) made the Top 40 in the UK, at least. It’s truly exquisite–but it’s a long way from your typical Top 40.
The only one I can think of is The Floral Dance by the Brighouse & Rastrick Brass Band. Reached No.2 in the UK charts. That was late 70s rather than 80s though.
CMC fnord!
And the thread comes full circle.
“Mr Jaws” by Dickie Goodman.
It’s alive!
Music Box Dancer Frank Mills.
It was sent to the wrong radio station and became a pop hit.
Zager & Evans In The Year 2525. Monster hit in 1969, couldn’t escape it if you tried. I hope I never hear it again.
How about the Renex version of Cottoneye Joe. It is folk country song as performed by the Swedish techno/bluegrass band Rednex and reached #25 on the American pop charts in 1995 but was #1 for many weeks in England, Norway, Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Sweden.
One of the Beatles’ Christmas records has Tim as a guest doing “Nowhere Man.” At the end John says “Don’t call us, we’ll call you.”
Paul McCartney released Mary Had a Little Lamb.
#9 in the UK, #28 (as a two sided single) in the USA
In the 1970’s Jim Stafford had a bunch of wacky (tobaccy) songs. “I don’t like spiders and snakes” was a big hit. A couple lesser hits include “My Girl Bill” and “Drop kick me Jesus through the Goalposts of Life.”
Good times. 
Nitpick - Bobby Bare did “Drop Kick Me Jesus”, not Stafford. I like 'em both as well.