[QUOTE=AskNott] The Stripper, as far as I know, was the only hit for the David Rose band. Even today, tv and movies will quote a few bars to evoke that feeling.
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For those who aren’t aware, The Stripper is the blowzy Da-da-daaaah-da-da-da-daaaaah music that gets played as AskNott said above, in situations involving, well, strippers (usually old-time burlesque type). I (and probably a lot of people besides me) used to think it was actually a “traditional” burlesque riff and didn’t realize it was actually recorded by a single band.
[QUOTE=Terrifel]
Alls I have to say is: it’s a good thing I don’t share the hate for “In the Year 2525,” because it’s been stuck in my head ever since I read the OP this morning.
Seriously, what’s so all-fired unappealing about it?
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The song is geeky–and not “geeky” in a good way. It also sounds like it was made up as they went along. As bad as many popular songs are, “In the Year 2525” is the only one that left me with that impression.
[QUOTE=AskNott]
Somebody mentioned Frank Sinatra, but he had a long trail of top 40 hits. Remarkably, in the mid-60s, when the top was all rock ‘n’ roll, he hit the charts with That’s Life, My Way, Summer Wind, and Somethin’ Stupid.
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Yeah, that was me that mentioned Frank…but I was bein’ facetious.
However, you might find it interesting to learn (IIRC, that is) that he never had a million-seller until the mid-sixties with Strangers In The Night. Ironically, it was a song that he detested. I remember his performance of it during his famous Concert for the Americas. He stated that he didn’t usually sing it but that he was going to this time upon a “very special request”. After the song was over the applause was tumultuous. As the applause continued he turned and walked back toward the orchestra with his mike held down at his side. Nevertheless, it came through quite clearly when he laughingly shouted to the orchestra, “I hate that fucking song!”
[QUOTE=Crotalus]
I’ve always considered “Friday On MY Mind”, by the Easybeats, to be one of the great songs of the 60s. They probably had other hits in Australia and the UK, but “Friday” is the only US hit I remember.
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Yep they had multiple other hits over here and if you liked “Friday On My Mind” you’d probably also like “Sorry” and “Women”. Great band.
[QUOTE=Wee Bairn]
Good info though, and what Whitburn book are you citing? The latest ones I have is singles thru 1990 and albums through 1992 or so.
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I have the 8th edition of the singles, thru 2003. Only the first edition of albums, though, stuck back in the 80s.
It’s kind of amazing how many artists are known for only one song, even ones who had a half dozen or more hits. I agree that most people have an “if it’s the only one I know, then it’s a one-hit wonder” rule in their head.
Here’s a weird one for me, though. Norah Jones hit the big time with “Don’t Know Why.” Deservedly so. It’s a true classic, up there in the stratosphere of greatness. The song was inescapable on the radio, and she was on every tv show that had singers perform. I can’t imagine how anyone could have become more famous for a song.
Yet it only got to #30 on the charts. It was her follow-up, “Turn Me On,” that reached #2. And I can’t hear a single note of that song in my head or a single line of lyrics. I didn’t know she ever had a real follow-up. Weird indeed.
Speaking of artists who got a whole career out of one good song, how about Chris Isaak for “Wicked Game.”
Even worse, the Follow up to 2525 was a song I’ve never heard and wish someone would post on youtube- “Mr Turnkey”, about a guy who is in jail telling the screw about how he ended up there for rape, and at the end you realize that he’s nailed his arm to the wall- wonder why that didnt chart
[QUOTE=DrDeth]
While we are on the subject- exactly what songs did do something along the lines of “boom chicka mau mau”?
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Was it “Elvira” by the Oak Ridge Boys? (Giddyap a oom papa oom papa mau mau) Their only Top 40 hit, I believe, though they were a country chart mainstay.
I really should make a mix of “one hit wonders” for my own collection.
Who could forget:
RELAX - Frankie Goes to Hollywood
99 Luftballoons - NENA
WE’RE NOT GONNA TAKE IT - Twisted Sister
Keep Your Hands to Yourself - Georgia Satellites
WHIP IT - Devo (LUV this song!)
Video Killed the Radio Star - The Buggles (I remember when this video first aired)
Puttin on the Ritz - TACO
I Touch Myself - Devinyls
the ULTIMATE one-hitter… King Tut - Steve Martin
of course, I could go on… I’m a music junkie, and I never claimed my taste in music was pristine.
[QUOTE=Tool of the Conspiracy] Camper Van Beethoven “Pictures of Matchstick Men” Toadies “Possum Kingdom” Transplants “Diamonds and Guns”
Do The Tragically Hip count, or did they have a second single chart in the US?
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They had one?
But, no, they don’t, really. A badn that sold a million or more copies of six different albums can’t really be considered a one hit wonder. We’re looking for REAL one hit wonders here, not “well, I can technically say Jimi Hendrix is a one hit wonder” deals.
[QUOTE=Sam Stone]
As much as it pains me to say it, Warren Zevon qualifies as a one-hit wonder with Werewolves of London, which hit #21 on the Billboard singles chart.
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Again: Not by the standards of my OP. Warren Zevon is not a “one hit wonder” in the sense that Yello, Tommy Tutone, or The DiVinyls are.
