One-Hit Wonders of the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s

 

I don’t think we’ve had enough arguing recently on Ricochet. So here are my picks for best one-hit wonders for three decades. I’m sure you will all agree. Or not.

1960s

Talk Talk by The Music Machine. One minute and fifty-six seconds of attitude. This was a very competitive decade (see, for instance, Gloria by The Shadows of Knight, Hey Little Girl by The Syndicate of Sound, Tighten Up by Archie Bell & The Drells, Rescue Me by Fontella Bass, Dirty Water by The Standells, 96 Tears by ? & The Mysterians and, of course, I Had Too Much To Dream by The Electric Prunes).

My social life’s a dud/My name is really mud

1970s

Patti Smith has a long and successful career but only one hit single, Because The Night, and it is magnificent. She took a song originally written by Bruce Springsteen and rewrote the verse lyrics while waiting for a call from her boyfriend. Admittedly, my choice raises serious metaphysical issues – can someone be a one-hit wonder if they’ve had a long and successful career? Some may dispute whether my choice is correct but since I believe we can all self-identify with our own truth and declare our pronouns, I’m saying it is.

1980s

Jenny/867-5309 by Tommy Tutone. Perhaps the greatest one-hit wonder of them all.

I tried to call you before, but I lost my nerve/I tried my imagination, but I was disturbed

.

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  1. OldPhil Coolidge
    OldPhil
    @OldPhil

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    OldPhil (View Comment):

    Eh, to me, one-hit wonder means we never heard from the wonder again.

    Sure, and I understand your point. In fact, I have a nice vinyl copy of Butterfield’s first album, with Bishop and Mike Bloomfield (RIP).

    But having “one hit” is a pretty nice bright line. Judging the “success” of someone over and above that hit gets into the subjective, and may depend on how familiar one is with the artist. Perhaps we need a ruling from the thread-starter. :)

    That’s why I threw the challenge flag in #533 above. Anyone who has had a long, very successful career shouldn’t be considered a one-hit wonder. Once again, if you can say “I wonder whatever happened to…”, then yeah, he/she’s a one-hit wonder.

    • #541
  2. Hoyacon Member
    Hoyacon
    @Hoyacon

    OldPhil (View Comment):

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    OldPhil (View Comment):

    Eh, to me, one-hit wonder means we never heard from the wonder again.

    Sure, and I understand your point. In fact, I have a nice vinyl copy of Butterfield’s first album, with Bishop and Mike Bloomfield (RIP).

    But having “one hit” is a pretty nice bright line. Judging the “success” of someone over and above that hit gets into the subjective, and may depend on how familiar one is with the artist. Perhaps we need a ruling from the thread-starter. :)

    That’s why I threw the challenge flag in #533 above. Anyone who has had a long, very successful career shouldn’t be considered a one-hit wonder. Once again, if you can say “I wonder whatever happened to…”, then yeah, he/she’s a one-hit wonder.

    Problem is what’s a “long and successful career” is kind of in the eye of the beholder.  “One hit” is much closer to objective.

    What about this guy?

    • #542
  3. OldPhil Coolidge
    OldPhil
    @OldPhil

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    OldPhil (View Comment):

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    OldPhil (View Comment):

    Eh, to me, one-hit wonder means we never heard from the wonder again.

    Sure, and I understand your point. In fact, I have a nice vinyl copy of Butterfield’s first album, with Bishop and Mike Bloomfield (RIP).

    But having “one hit” is a pretty nice bright line. Judging the “success” of someone over and above that hit gets into the subjective, and may depend on how familiar one is with the artist. Perhaps we need a ruling from the thread-starter. :)

    That’s why I threw the challenge flag in #533 above. Anyone who has had a long, very successful career shouldn’t be considered a one-hit wonder. Once again, if you can say “I wonder whatever happened to…”, then yeah, he/she’s a one-hit wonder.

    Problem is what’s a “long and successful career” is kind of in the eye of the beholder. “One hit” is much closer to objective.

    What about this guy?

    Never heard of him, but looked him up and would not call him a one-hit wonder. Long, productive career.

     

    • #543
  4. Hoyacon Member
    Hoyacon
    @Hoyacon

    OldPhil (View Comment):

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    OldPhil (View Comment):

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    OldPhil (View Comment):

    Eh, to me, one-hit wonder means we never heard from the wonder again.

    Sure, and I understand your point. In fact, I have a nice vinyl copy of Butterfield’s first album, with Bishop and Mike Bloomfield (RIP).

    But having “one hit” is a pretty nice bright line. Judging the “success” of someone over and above that hit gets into the subjective, and may depend on how familiar one is with the artist. Perhaps we need a ruling from the thread-starter. :)

    That’s why I threw the challenge flag in #533 above. Anyone who has had a long, very successful career shouldn’t be considered a one-hit wonder. Once again, if you can say “I wonder whatever happened to…”, then yeah, he/she’s a one-hit wonder.

    Problem is what’s a “long and successful career” is kind of in the eye of the beholder. “One hit” is much closer to objective.

    What about this guy?

    Never heard of him, but looked him up and would not call him a one-hit wonder. Long, productive career.

    Yes, that’s my point.  Maybe not so much from the perspective of others.  But that was his one “hit.”

    I just took a quick look through the earlier posts and there are a lot of artists/bands that had successful careers.  And one hit.  

     

    • #544
  5. OldPhil Coolidge
    OldPhil
    @OldPhil

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    OldPhil (View Comment):

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    OldPhil (View Comment):

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    OldPhil (View Comment):

    Eh, to me, one-hit wonder means we never heard from the wonder again.

    Sure, and I understand your point. In fact, I have a nice vinyl copy of Butterfield’s first album, with Bishop and Mike Bloomfield (RIP).

    But having “one hit” is a pretty nice bright line. Judging the “success” of someone over and above that hit gets into the subjective, and may depend on how familiar one is with the artist. Perhaps we need a ruling from the thread-starter. :)

    That’s why I threw the challenge flag in #533 above. Anyone who has had a long, very successful career shouldn’t be considered a one-hit wonder. Once again, if you can say “I wonder whatever happened to…”, then yeah, he/she’s a one-hit wonder.

    Problem is what’s a “long and successful career” is kind of in the eye of the beholder. “One hit” is much closer to objective.

    What about this guy?

    Never heard of him, but looked him up and would not call him a one-hit wonder. Long, productive career.

    Yes, that’s my point. Maybe not so much from the perspective of others. But that was his one “hit.”

    I just took a quick look through the earlier posts and there are a lot of artists/bands that had successful careers. And one hit.

    We’re talking past each other, I guess. Like the politicians arguing about aid to Ukraine.

     

    • #545
  6. Gumby Mark (R-Meth Lab of Demo… Coolidge
    Gumby Mark (R-Meth Lab of Demo…
    @GumbyMark

    OldPhil (View Comment):

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    OldPhil (View Comment):

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    OldPhil (View Comment):

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    OldPhil (View Comment):

    Eh, to me, one-hit wonder means we never heard from the wonder again.

    Sure, and I understand your point. In fact, I have a nice vinyl copy of Butterfield’s first album, with Bishop and Mike Bloomfield (RIP).

    But having “one hit” is a pretty nice bright line. Judging the “success” of someone over and above that hit gets into the subjective, and may depend on how familiar one is with the artist. Perhaps we need a ruling from the thread-starter. :)

    That’s why I threw the challenge flag in #533 above. Anyone who has had a long, very successful career shouldn’t be considered a one-hit wonder. Once again, if you can say “I wonder whatever happened to…”, then yeah, he/she’s a one-hit wonder.

    Problem is what’s a “long and successful career” is kind of in the eye of the beholder. “One hit” is much closer to objective.

    What about this guy?

    Never heard of him, but looked him up and would not call him a one-hit wonder. Long, productive career.

    Yes, that’s my point. Maybe not so much from the perspective of others. But that was his one “hit.”

    I just took a quick look through the earlier posts and there are a lot of artists/bands that had successful careers. And one hit.

    We’re talking past each other, I guess. Like the politicians arguing about aid to Ukraine.

    Okay, I admit it, you got me – I called Rudy a couple of days ago and asked him to check into your background!

     

    • #546
  7. Hoyacon Member
    Hoyacon
    @Hoyacon

    OldPhil (View Comment):

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    OldPhil (View Comment):

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    OldPhil (View Comment):

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    OldPhil (View Comment):

    Eh, to me, one-hit wonder means we never heard from the wonder again.

    Sure, and I understand your point. In fact, I have a nice vinyl copy of Butterfield’s first album, with Bishop and Mike Bloomfield (RIP).

    But having “one hit” is a pretty nice bright line. Judging the “success” of someone over and above that hit gets into the subjective, and may depend on how familiar one is with the artist. Perhaps we need a ruling from the thread-starter. :)

    That’s why I threw the challenge flag in #533 above. Anyone who has had a long, very successful career shouldn’t be considered a one-hit wonder. Once again, if you can say “I wonder whatever happened to…”, then yeah, he/she’s a one-hit wonder.

    Problem is what’s a “long and successful career” is kind of in the eye of the beholder. “One hit” is much closer to objective.

    What about this guy?

    Never heard of him, but looked him up and would not call him a one-hit wonder. Long, productive career.

    Yes, that’s my point. Maybe not so much from the perspective of others. But that was his one “hit.”

    I just took a quick look through the earlier posts and there are a lot of artists/bands that had successful careers. And one hit.

    We’re talking past each other, I guess. Like the politicians arguing about aid to Ukraine.

    Maybe, but I don’t disagree with your basic premise.  I just think it makes the designation of who is and who isn’t more difficult.

    And besides, our esteemed thread-starter predicted a few disputes.

     

    • #547
  8. Hoyacon Member
    Hoyacon
    @Hoyacon

    The Bells

    Stay Awhile

    Kind of a guilty pleasure.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PR_tloBamVA

     

     

    • #548
  9. Hoyacon Member
    Hoyacon
    @Hoyacon

    DC’s own.

    • #549
  10. Hoyacon Member
    Hoyacon
    @Hoyacon

    • #550
  11. Gumby Mark (R-Meth Lab of Demo… Coolidge
    Gumby Mark (R-Meth Lab of Demo…
    @GumbyMark

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    I am increasingly fascinated to see how long you can keep this going.  I thank you for your dedication or perhaps it has become your obsession!  

    • #551
  12. Hoyacon Member
    Hoyacon
    @Hoyacon

    Gumby Mark (R-Meth Lab of Demo… (View Comment):

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    I am increasingly fascinated to see how long you can keep this going. I thank you for your dedication or perhaps it has become your obsession!

    If it were harder and less enjoyable, it would be an obsession.

    But thanks for the encouragement. :)

    • #552
  13. Sisyphus Member
    Sisyphus
    @Sisyphus

    DrewInWisconsin, Oaf (View Comment):

    Maybe too obscure, but this one’s definitely their best known song. Not sure how much of a “hit” it was, but I love it.

    They did the best Kumbaya ever.

    • #553
  14. Hoyacon Member
    Hoyacon
    @Hoyacon

    OK, so she was in the Go Gos

    • #554
  15. E. Kent Golding Moderator
    E. Kent Golding
    @EKentGolding

    Anyone mention “The Lion Sleeps Tonight ” by the Tokens?

    • #555
  16. Arahant Member
    Arahant
    @Arahant

    E. Kent Golding (View Comment):

    Anyone mention “The Lion Sleeps Tonight ” by the Tokens?

    Wasn’t that on the first or second page?

    • #556
  17. E. Kent Golding Moderator
    E. Kent Golding
    @EKentGolding

    • #557
  18. Clavius Thatcher
    Clavius
    @Clavius

    https://youtu.be/YcBOcwgb4OA

     

    • #558
  19. Hoyacon Member
    Hoyacon
    @Hoyacon

    Am I doubling up on this one?

    • #559
  20. Gumby Mark (R-Meth Lab of Demo… Coolidge
    Gumby Mark (R-Meth Lab of Demo…
    @GumbyMark

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    Am I doubling up on this one?

    I disliked this song so much I never bothered to learn the name of the band. 

     

    • #560
  21. Hoyacon Member
    Hoyacon
    @Hoyacon

    Gumby Mark (R-Meth Lab of Demo… (View Comment):

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    Am I doubling up on this one?

    I disliked this song so much I never bothered to learn the name of the band.

    Isn’t it amazing what you learn on Ricochet?

    • #561
  22. Hoyacon Member
    Hoyacon
    @Hoyacon

    • #562
  23. Matt Bartle Member
    Matt Bartle
    @MattBartle

    I don’t think anyone has mentioned Popsicle Toes yet. I hadn’t heard it in many years but it was on the radio yesterday:

     

    • #563
  24. Larry3435 Inactive
    Larry3435
    @Larry3435

    Mendel (View Comment):

    The ultimate one-hit wonder of the 70s has to be American Pie.

    Sure, Don McLean had a long and successful music career. But it was solely due to that one (dreadful) song.

    Vincent (Starry, Starry Night) reached No. 1 in the UK.  Only No. 12 in the US, but I think that still counts as a hit.

    • #564
  25. Hoyacon Member
    Hoyacon
    @Hoyacon

    • #565
  26. Gumby Mark (R-Meth Lab of Demo… Coolidge
    Gumby Mark (R-Meth Lab of Demo…
    @GumbyMark

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    Good hair.

    • #566
  27. Hoyacon Member
    Hoyacon
    @Hoyacon

    Gumby Mark (R-Meth Lab of Demo… (View Comment):

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    Good hair.

    More hair comin’ up–at the risk of making you regret you started this:

    • #567
  28. Gumby Mark (R-Meth Lab of Demo… Coolidge
    Gumby Mark (R-Meth Lab of Demo…
    @GumbyMark

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    Gumby Mark (R-Meth Lab of Demo… (View Comment):

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    Good hair.

    More hair comin’ up–at the risk of making you regret you started this:

    Oh no!

    • #568
  29. Hoyacon Member
    Hoyacon
    @Hoyacon

    • #569
  30. Hoyacon Member
    Hoyacon
    @Hoyacon

    • #570
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