# What are your favorite one-hit wonders? (gathering nominations for a possible poll) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 19, 2018, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-one-hit-wonders-gathering-nominations-for-a-possible-poll/821602 "2018-09-19T21:14:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-one-hit-wonders-gathering-nominations-for-a-possible-poll/821602/1 "2018-09-19T21:14:58Z")
What are your favorite one-hit wonders? If I get ambitious enough I will turn this into a poll one day. Please submit no more than 5 of your own nominations and/or second any already nominated you feel are worthy (max 5 titles per Doper). Those seconded will go into the poll. If you cite more than 5 I will accept only the first 5. Mine (and please submit in this format): Looking Glass - Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl) Iron Butterfly - In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida Blind Melon - No Rain Norman Greenbaum - Spirit in the Sky The Surfaris - Wipe Out I know there are some gray areas as to what constitutes a one-hit wonder. The judge will make all determinations. The judge is me. mmm ---
**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:** [September 19, 2018, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-one-hit-wonders-gathering-nominations-for-a-possible-poll/821602/2 "2018-09-19T21:22:41Z")
John Fred and his Playboy Band - Judy in Disguise (with Glasses) Napoleon XIV -They’re Coming to Take Me Away, Ha, Ha! Alice Merton - [No Roots](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUdyuKaGQd4) Merton quite likely will lose her one-hit wonder status eventually. ---
**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:** [September 19, 2018, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-one-hit-wonders-gathering-nominations-for-a-possible-poll/821602/3 "2018-09-19T21:28:56Z")
I’m not sure of the judging criteria, and caveated with the inevitable “…but they also had another hit that charted at #72 on the Guam Hot 100 charts…” responses, but here’s the most recent from my playlists… Nena - 99 Luftaballons Masters of Reality - She Got Down The Icicle Works - Whisper to a Scream The Buggles - Video Killed the Radio Star Michael Penn - No Myth ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-one-hit-wonders-gathering-nominations-for-a-possible-poll/821602/4 "2018-09-19T21:34:18Z")
Mungo Jerry - In The Summertime ---
**Author:** ![Clawdio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d07c76/32.png) [@Clawdio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clawdio)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-one-hit-wonders-gathering-nominations-for-a-possible-poll/821602/5 "2018-09-19T21:38:44Z")
Harvey Danger - Flagpole Sitta Toadies - Possum Kingdom These are the ones that immediately come to mind for me. Except for Blind Melon which you already mentioned in the OP (and which I think is an all time great tune). ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-one-hit-wonders-gathering-nominations-for-a-possible-poll/821602/6 "2018-09-19T22:02:56Z")
Hot Rod Lincoln, the Commander Cody version. Popcorn, by Hot Butter Rock Me Amadeus by Falco I’m too Sexy by Right Said Fred More today than Yesterday - Spiral Starecase ---
**Author:** ![Wilson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/96bed5/32.png) [@Wilson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wilson)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-one-hit-wonders-gathering-nominations-for-a-possible-poll/821602/7 "2018-09-19T22:18:47Z")
Tommy Tu-Tone - 867-5309 And at least from a US perspective: T’Pau - Heart and Soul Dexys Midnight Runners - Come on Eileen And I’ll second: Blind Melon - No Rain Mungo Jerry - In The Summertime ---
**Author:** ![Cell\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@Cell\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cell_Guy)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-one-hit-wonders-gathering-nominations-for-a-possible-poll/821602/8 "2018-09-19T22:23:54Z")
When it comes to the best one-hit wonder there can be only one: [The Kings - This Beat Goes On/Switching To Glide](https://youtu.be/sxkjvKBPQjo) /thread ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-one-hit-wonders-gathering-nominations-for-a-possible-poll/821602/9 "2018-09-19T22:29:57Z")
The Buggles – Video Killed The Radio Star Gary Numan – Cars Men Without Hats – Safety Dance Big Country – In A You-know-what Charlene – I’ve Never Been To Me ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-one-hit-wonders-gathering-nominations-for-a-possible-poll/821602/10 "2018-09-19T23:07:08Z")
Already mentioned: Looking Glass - Brandy The Buggles - Video Killed the Radio Star Adding: [Dean Friedman - Ariel](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONXQbbJJLuM) [Hurricane Smith - Oh, Babe What Would You Say](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsoZNwxfWfg) [Ides of March - Vehicle](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLwxEqUa_gg) ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-one-hit-wonders-gathering-nominations-for-a-possible-poll/821602/11 "2018-09-19T23:28:50Z")
Tough to narrow it down to five. But, without debating the definitions of “one” and “hit,” and in no particular order: Rob Jungklas - Memphis Thing The Music Explosion - Little Bit O’ Soul Lee Michaels - Do You Know What I Mean Swingin’ Medallions - Double Shot (Of My Baby’s Love) The Polecats - Make A Circuit With Me ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-one-hit-wonders-gathering-nominations-for-a-possible-poll/821602/12 "2018-09-19T23:30:11Z")
There are several already listed that I’d second, but I’ll hold off for now. My nominations… [The Normal – Warm Leatherette (1978)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5QErPDNcj4) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OG3PnQ3tgzY](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OG3PnQ3tgzY)Taco - Puttin’ on the Ritz (1982) ---
**Author:** ![Enlightening\_Meditation](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecc23a/32.png) [@Enlightening\_Meditation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enlightening_Meditation)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2018, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-one-hit-wonders-gathering-nominations-for-a-possible-poll/821602/13 "2018-09-20T00:00:32Z")
“Louis Louis” by The Kingsmen. The recording is shoddy with a vocal miscue. This cover of the song is great in outsized influence. “Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm” by Crash Test Dummies. This one is a weird personal favorite. “Touch of Grey” by the Grateful Dead. It’s not their best song, but for my taste this is best group to have only one top 50 hit. I concur with “No Rain” and “Video Killed the Radio Star” to round out my top 5 picks. Also… Until now, I did not know that “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” was released as a single. I had to look this up. The US release with 2 minute 53 seconds edited length hit #30 on the on the US Billboard chart. The 17+ minute album version is the endeared classic popular version of this song IMHO. I wanted to include “96 Tears” by ? and the Mysterians, but apparently “I Need Somebody” reached #22 on the US Billboard chart. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2018, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-one-hit-wonders-gathering-nominations-for-a-possible-poll/821602/14 "2018-09-20T00:13:45Z")
**Blur** , [Song no.2](https://youtu.be/SSbBvKaM6sk) ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2018, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-one-hit-wonders-gathering-nominations-for-a-possible-poll/821602/15 "2018-09-20T00:37:55Z")
Most of mine were mentioned but I’ll add “In The Year 2525” by Zager & Evans ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2018, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-one-hit-wonders-gathering-nominations-for-a-possible-poll/821602/16 "2018-09-20T00:58:40Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > Hurricane Smith - Oh, Babe What Would You Say Outstanding selection, wish I had thought of it. > [@Enlightening\_Meditation](#): > > “Touch of Grey” by the Grateful Dead. It’s not their best song, but for my taste this is best group to have only one top 50 hit. > > I concur with “No Rain” and “Video Killed the Radio Star” to round out my top 5 picks. I’m not going to allow the Grateful Dead tune (Truckin’, Casey Jones). “No Rain” and “Video” have already been seconded. Therefore, **EM** , you still have 3 more picks if you want them. mmm ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2018, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-one-hit-wonders-gathering-nominations-for-a-possible-poll/821602/17 "2018-09-20T01:02:24Z")
I’ll add “There She Goes” by the La’s. OK, it didn’t crack the Top 40 (peaked at #49), but it did hit #2 on the Billboard alternative chart. The Sixpence None the Richer cover did crack the Top 40 (#32), but I’m nominating the original. There’s always a-ha’s “Take on Me” which did reach #1, but is complicated by the fact that they apparently had two other charting singles on the US charts. So, like the above, it’s going to be a matter of definitions. Modern English’s “Melt With You” seems to be around everywhere these days, but in the band’s heyday, they only hit #76 on Billboard. That said, it did hit #7 on the Mainstream Rock chart (and the band’s other charting hit “Hands Across the Sea” only barely cracked the Hot 100, and only charted #47 on the Modern Rock chart, so I think this one can count, no?) Then, I dunno. I’ll take “Cars” by Gary Numan and, of course, “Louie Louie” by the Kingsmen. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2018, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-one-hit-wonders-gathering-nominations-for-a-possible-poll/821602/18 "2018-09-20T01:07:04Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > …The Buggles - Video Killed the Radio Star Already seconded, **burpo** , select another if you like. mmm ---
**Author:** ![5\_time\_champ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/5/278dde/32.png) [@5\_time\_champ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/5_time_champ)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2018, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-one-hit-wonders-gathering-nominations-for-a-possible-poll/821602/19 "2018-09-20T01:15:35Z")
**Focus** Hocus Pocus **Starbuck** Moonlight feels Right **The Raspberries** Go all the Way- Eric Carmen singer and guitarist had some solo hits, so maybe that doesn’t count **Georgia Satellites** Keep your hands to yourself, or was their cover of Hippy, Hippy Shake a hit?? **Marmalade** Reflections ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2018, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-one-hit-wonders-gathering-nominations-for-a-possible-poll/821602/20 "2018-09-20T01:15:39Z")
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