# Your favorite one hit wonder **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 18, 2011, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-one-hit-wonder/593117 "2011-08-18T04:36:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-one-hit-wonder/593117/41 "2011-08-18T16:49:32Z")
Doctor and the Medics, Spirit in the Sky ---
**Author:** ![Chicagojeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b19c9b/32.png) [@Chicagojeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chicagojeff)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-one-hit-wonder/593117/42 "2011-08-18T16:56:14Z")
“I just died in your arms tonight” Cutting Crew… that sucked as much as that remake Doctor and the Medics did… a one hit wonder song that didn’t suck… 'tighter and Tighter" by Alive and Kicking… [- YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNCWWMbls5A) ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-one-hit-wonder/593117/43 "2011-08-18T17:00:42Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > Probably if you came of age in the 80s. If you came of age in the 60s, then that was the golden age. If you came of age in the 50s, then that was the golden age, etc. As with science fiction, the Golden Age of one-hit wonders is 12. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-one-hit-wonder/593117/44 "2011-08-18T17:11:25Z")
Ooh! [Flagpole Sitta](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVOD5D4IArw&feature=related) by Harvey Danger. And The Mighty Mighty Bosstones song [The Impression That I Get](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIGMUAMevH0&ob=av2e). ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-one-hit-wonder/593117/45 "2011-08-18T17:15:58Z")
> [@Crotalus](#): > > 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. Excellent choice. I play this one regularly when I’m in the mid-60’s mood. As I remember it, they were One Hit Wonders in the States but down under were called “the Australian Beatles.” > [@cjepson](#): > > Crabby Appleton I saw them open for The Doors. Tight band, great show, and “Go Back” was the _weakest_ song in their set. These guys were good, and should’ve been bigger. > [@cjepson](#): > > Lies" by the Knickerbockers Trivia: vocals and lead guitar were re-recorded in Leon Russell’s garage prior to record’s release. And my two entries: “San Francisco Girls” by Fever Tree (a Texas band) and “Venus” by Shocking Blue. Another OHW in the States who were HUGE in Europe. ---
**Author:** ![SeldomSeen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ba0ec/32.png) [@SeldomSeen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeldomSeen)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-one-hit-wonder/593117/46 "2011-08-18T17:22:46Z")
[One Toke Over the Line](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql0IB1zv2MA) Brewer & Shipley ---
**Author:** ![brittekland](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/aeb1de/32.png) [@brittekland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brittekland)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-one-hit-wonder/593117/47 "2011-08-18T17:38:51Z")
[Seasons in the Sun](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cd_Fdly3rX8) - Terry Jacks I think it was a huge hit for the kids… a truly wonderful song of hope for the up and comings. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-one-hit-wonder/593117/48 "2011-08-18T17:47:38Z")
[Canon in D](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdRNTXaweoo&feature=related), Pachelbel. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-one-hit-wonder/593117/49 "2011-08-18T17:48:35Z")
> [@california\_jobcase](#): > > Ah, Leah by Donnie Iris Yes! It’s the first song I’ve been able to play all the way through on the electric guitar. When I started learning it (two years ago), two of the teachers at the music school where I take classes came in – “I remember that song! Who is this? What’s the name of it??” Just for completeness, the original video: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH5Arbm47IQ](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH5Arbm47IQ) Man, he was goofy-looking. ---
**Author:** ![Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/angel_of_the_lord/32/2949_2.png) [@Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angel_of_the_Lord)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-one-hit-wonder/593117/50 "2011-08-18T17:50:37Z")
[Closing Time](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGytDsqkQY8), by Semisonic. Why, yes, I am a child of the 90s. . . ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-one-hit-wonder/593117/51 "2011-08-18T18:02:18Z")
> [@koeeoaddi](#): > > Tee Set [Ma Belle Ami](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAaNXXItJcQ&feature=related) > [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > “Venus” by Shocking Blue. Another OHW in the States who were HUGE in Europe. I wanted to add [Little Green Bag](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0L1hD5OlPtw) by the George Baker Selection, to complete the trifecta of Dutch bands with U.S. hits on the Colossus label in 1970. Unfortunately, it’s disqualified by a follow-up hit, “Paloma Blanca,” which I don’t remember at all, but which charted almost as high as “Bag.” ---
**Author:** ![robardin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@robardin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robardin)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-one-hit-wonder/593117/52 "2011-08-18T18:07:17Z")
Seconding some from the 90s in “What’s Up” by 4 Non Blondes (the non-techno version) and “Flagpole Sitta”. Which BTW had [a pretty good cover](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKAqHP_bVhw) done by Chiodos - a little more raw sounding, which is good for the song IMHO. Other stuff from the 90s, like from what Happy Lendervedeer listed, can’t go wrong with “Baby Got Back”. Or “I Got A Man”. But the king of the 1990s one-hit wonders to me is “[Self-Esteem](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeWjzBHUdsI)” by Offspring. From the 80s, lots of good suggestions already, my favorite 1980s one-hitter was “[Jam On It](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaNzrXAUHBk)” by Newcleus. Man, for a while back in 1984 I could not avoid hearing this song 5 times a day between several 2 or 3 different radio stations. Or “[She Blinded Me With Science](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fI8834iCgo)” by Thomas Dolby, or “[What Do All The People Know?](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRI_02EOsyI)” by the Monroes. Reaching back into the 1960s, the song “[Eve of Destruction](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntLsElbW9Xo)” by Barry McGuire still sounds fresh and chillingly topical. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-one-hit-wonder/593117/53 "2011-08-18T18:13:32Z")
> [@](#): > > But the king of the 1990s one-hit wonders to me is “Self-Esteem” by Offspring. The Offspring don’t strike me as one-hit wonders. “Come Out and Play,” “Pretty Fly (For a White Guy),” “Gotta Get Away,” and “Why Don’t You Get a Job?” all were pretty well-known. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-one-hit-wonder/593117/54 "2011-08-18T18:28:03Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > Judy in Disguise (with Glasses) by John Fred and His Playboy Band. :wally: And here I was, for forty-four years, thinking it was “Judy in the sky (with glasses)”. Sigh… ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-one-hit-wonder/593117/55 "2011-08-18T18:41:50Z")
Gotta go with [”Heart and Soul”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1VGTqovfP4) by T’Pau. I guess they might have had another hit, but I never heard it. ---
**Author:** ![Bri2k](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/48db29/32.png) [@Bri2k](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bri2k)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-one-hit-wonder/593117/56 "2011-08-18T19:08:15Z")
Lips Like Sugar - Echo & the Bunnymen (“Dear Mr. Echo…”) Take My Breath Away - Berlin Venus - Bananarama You, Me & the Bourgeoisie - The Submarines Locket & Key - Donna the Buffalo Those Were the Days - Mary Hopkin That’s the short list. Bri2k ---
**Author:** ![Agnostic\_Pagan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c4cdca/32.png) [@Agnostic\_Pagan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agnostic_Pagan)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-one-hit-wonder/593117/57 "2011-08-18T19:39:21Z")
[_99 Luftballons_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQYQTFudrqc) - Nena (I prefer the German original for some reason even though I don’t know German.) [_I Know What Boys Like_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UX2afsTqFI) - The Waitresses (which an honorable mention for\* Christmas Wrapping\* - the holiday season ain’t official until I hear this song. This [vid](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyEztz6nY9Q&feature=artist)is good. ) ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-one-hit-wonder/593117/58 "2011-08-18T19:41:58Z")
> [@Bri2k](#): > > Venus - Bananarama That’s at least the second song that’s been listed in this thread as a OHW for two different artists. But it doesn’t count, as Bananarama had two other Top 10 hits, “Cruel Summer” and “I Heard a Rumour.” (And a couple of not-quite-hits that should have been Top 10s: “Robert DeNiro’s Waiting” and “He Was Really Sayin’ Something” are far, far better than their version of “Venus” IMHO.) ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-one-hit-wonder/593117/59 "2011-08-18T19:50:20Z")
So many great songs listed! And quite a few balls of suck! My fave is \*Turning Japenese \*by **The Vapors**. Who really should have had more hits. Great album. ---
**Author:** ![cjepson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@cjepson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjepson)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-one-hit-wonder/593117/60 "2011-08-18T19:50:36Z")
> [@Bri2k](#): > > Those Were the Days - Mary Hopkin Nitpick: She wasn’t actually a one-hit wonder… she followed up with “Goodbye”, which made it to #13 on the US Billboard charts, and “Temma Harbour”, which squeaked in at #39. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-one-hit-wonder/593117.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-one-hit-wonder/593117.md?page=4)