This weekend I heard, for the first time in nearly 20 years, Tasmin Archer’s “Sleeping Satellite”. I think she had a number of hits in Britain but in the US this was her only hit. This got me thinking about brilliant one hit wonders like these songs:
“Precious Precious”, Jackie Moore
“Why Can’t We Live Together”, Timmy Thomas.
What are yours?
I love 1 hit wonders! (especially '80’s) Some of my faves:
“Take On Me”-A-ha
“Safety Dance”-Men Without Hats
“(Rock Me) Amadeus”-Falco
“Puttin’ on the Ritz”-Taco
Gosh, I haven’t thought of that song for years. It was very popular here in its day.
Driver’s Seat - Sniff ‘n’ the Tears
Salt In My Tears - Martin Briley
Der Kommissar - After The Fire (covering Falco’s German version)
No Time To Lose - Tarney / Spencer Band
When the Heart Rules the Mind - GTR (only sort of counts, as the guitarists were Steve Howe of Yes and Steve Hackett of early Genesis)
96 Tears, by Question Mark and the Mysterians.
Does Hunger Strike by Temple of the Dog count?
Puttin’ on the Ritz by Taco.
Gangster Bitch by Apache. Very much a guilty pleasure, but Saints Row 2 made me love it.
Judy in Disguise (with Glasses) by John Fred and His Playboy Band.
Friday On My Mind, by The Easybeats. I realize that they had more hits in Australia and the UK, but this is the only song I heard by them in the 60s, and I think it’s a great one.
There are so many great 80’s one hit wonders that I can’t decide between them, but for the much smaller crop of 90’s rock one hit wonders the answer is easier: New Age Girl by Dead Eye Dick.
Come On Eileen - Dexy’s Midnight Runners. Backed up by a great performance of it on SNL.
I think the only song by Lone Justice that ever became a hit (of sorts) was “Ways To Be Wicked” (#29 in 1985). Great song and fine production, much better than the version released by Tom Petty (who co-wrote the song).
Million Miles Away - Modern English
Ah, Leah by Donnie Iris
In The Summertime by Mungo Jerry.
“A Million Miles Away” was by the Plimsouls. Modern English had their one-hit wonder with “I Melt With You.” Both on the *Valley Girl *soundtrack!
Another fave from the 80s: “Just Got Lucky” by the JoBoxers.
Crazy World of Arthur Brown: Fire
Desmond Dekker: Israelites
Focus: Hocus Pocus
Lemon Pipers: Green Tambourine