One Hit Wonders

[jimmyp58]

We were doing a little trivia at work the other day and the topic of one-hit wonder songs came up.

So, which ones rank up there with you?

Here's the one that stumped everyone. Who sang "Convoy"?

Jim

[Burke Strickland]

Here's the one that stumped everyone. Who sang "Convoy"?

CW McCall sang a song named "Convoy" that was used a couple of years later as the theme song of a movie by the same name starring Kris Kristofferson and directed by Sam Peckinpah. Kristofferson was an accomplished singer in his own right, but he's for sure not a "one hit wonder", and although "Convoy" was his movie, it wasn't his song.

Speaking "one hit wonders", who sang the cheezy, pantingly vulgar pop hit "You Turn Me On", and later became a music historian who wrote several scholarly books?

Burke

[Bam!]

Good call Burke...I did a google search and was just about to post the answer :oops:

I'd like to add as far as one hit wonders go.....

Twisted Sister...fo' sure!

and Men at Work....well they had 2 and THAT was it!

[jimmyp58]

Nothing like stumping us off-the-bat Burke. There were a few folks that actually sang this song. If you say 'vulgar', then it would be Rick James. But this is a one-hit wonder thread so it can't be him.

Dang....looks like I'll be racking my brains a tad more on this one!

[Kevin P]

As a die-hard fan of 80s music I probably have more than my fair share of one hit wonders in my collection... A-Ha, Animotion, Van Stephenson, Katrina & The Waves, the list goes on.

How about two-hit wonders? Mr. Mister anyone? :)

[JOY DIVISION]

Matthew Wilder- Break my Stride
Gary Numan-Cars
DEVO-Whip it
Talk Talk- It's my Life
Dead or Alive- You spin me round

[George Bellefontaine]

This one goes way back : CRY -- JOHNNIE RAY
Hew did another one called Little White Cloud That Cried, but he soon faded after a couple of albums.

[Bing Fung]

Right Said Fred - I'm Too Sexy

Billy Ray Cyrus - Achey Breaky Heart

Here is a cool site
http://80music.about.com/library/weekly/aa073001a.htm

[jimmyp58]

Burke:

You gonna keep us hangin'????!!!!

[ekkoville]

How abut Tommy Tutone.....8675309!

[jimmyp58]

O.K., name the song the Bay City Rollers sang in 1976....

[Burke Strickland]

You gonna keep us hangin'????!!!!

Nope. The artist who shot all the way to number 8 on the US charts by panting his way through "You Turn Me On" with a falsetto remniscent of Tiny Tim (who was another one hit wonder with his "Tiptoe Through The Tulips", which must be heard to believe such a performance is possible) :>) was Ian Whitcomb

You can listen to his version of "You Turn Me On" here The Very Best Of... (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000060E8/103-1331860-7332653?v=glance) and see why I like this song so much (and hear for yourself why none of his other songs ever really made it). In a way his pop recording career reminds me of The Proclaimers and their one hit "500 Miles" which was played over the credits of "Benny and Joon". (They have produced many other CDs which are sort of hilarious and sad at the same time. They don't really seem to know how dreadful they sound on so many of their covers.)

If you look him up via Google, you'll find that over the years he has produced a number of CDs and now even a DVD of period songs which he has arranged and a group he participates in has recorded. (This an extension of his music scholarship.) But even though one of these won a Grammy (an historical recreation of the songs played on the Titanic -- the actual ship, not the movie CGI ship) :>) he hasn't really had another pop hit since 1969's "You Turn Me On".

Burke

[jimmyp58]

Seriously, that is who I was going to guess but...

Great one Burke!

[dave]

Jim, I do beleive the answer that your looking for is, Saturday Night, by the Bay City Rollers, and no I do not own a copy of it!!! Ha/Ha..

Burke I do wish I had been on line when your question of You turn me on,by Ian Whitcomb and Bluesville popped up!!!
OK you guys,,, who did the tune titled Hello, Hello??? heres another, Green Tamborine

[Burke Strickland]

"Green Tamborine" --> The Lemon Pipers (I have that one on a CD with a bunch of 1960's hits -- now that I've dug that one out, it's playing right now) :>)

There was a "Hello Hello" by Groovie Ghoulies -- is that the one you are thinking of?

How about "San Francisco" (Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair)

The artist had a follow up song, "Like An Old Time Movie" which was a minor hit. Despite that, these days he is known as a 'one hit wonder' for "San Francisco", a song I still like a lot. (It's on the same compilation disc as "Green Tamborine", so it's up next.) :>)

Burke

[dave]

You be correct Burke,,,
Lemon Pipers- and green tamborine thats a great tune
we still need an answer to the original version of Hello, Hello though,,,

I do know who did Sanfrancisco however I don't want to bogart all the fun here so I will wait, I bet Danbry39 has the answer to this one!!!

Heres another one for the list,

Sanfransisco Girls (return of the native)

[jimmyp58]

Scott McKenzie performed the song but I think John Phillips (Mamas & Papas) wrote it.

[DelRay]

One hit wonders. How about most of the singers from the last 10 years. :B Just kidding. Here's one. Seasons in the sun. It also ranks as one of the worst.

[Burke Strickland]

Jim -- you are right about Scott McKensie singing "San Francisco" and John Phillips, of Mammas and Pappas fame, writing it -- allegedly in less than half an hour before a live show when the performers wanted some new material in a hurry. I'm glad Phillips handed the song off to his buddy McKensie to record. Because even as good as they were on their own hits, I can't imagine The Mamma and the Pappas doing much with "San Francisco".

One hit wonders. How about most of the singers from the last 10 years.
As in "one wonders how they got a hit"? :>) Were you thinking of Celine Dion? (I'd rather not.) :>)

And what's this about "Seaons In The Sun" ranking as "one of" the worst? Unless you go gaga over pseudo-profound teary-eyed treacle, it may well be THE worst. :>) I'd name the "artist" but I hate to admit I know who did it. :>)

Kind of reminds me of "Honey", that sappy 1960's paen to a dead lover sung by Bobby Goldsboro who weeps along for nearly four excrutiating minutes of sonic torture. (OK, maybe "Seasons In The Sun" ISN'T "the worst".) :>) Goldsboro also mistreated us to the ludicrous "See The Funny Little Clown" and “Watching Scotty Grow” among his 16 hits, so, alas, he doesn't qualify as a "one hit wonder". (As H. L. Mencken said, "No one ever went broke underestimatiing the taste of the American public.") :>)

Burke

[dave]

I will cringe and name the Seasons in the Sun question, it was "Terry Jacks"
that song has always drove me NUTS!!!!!!!!!!!! it ranks up there with Sugar Sugar
by the Archies.

heres yet another one,
The Night Chicago Died
who did that one???

[jimmyp58]

Paper Lace....Dave.

How about, who did the song 'Sky High'?

[Kevin P]

It's funny how songs I grew up on are considered to be so corny now... I remember hearing Seasons In The Sun as a kid and hearing it now (bad as it is) it brings back those childhood memories. How about "Afternoon Delight?" Remember that one?

What's scary is I have both of these in my collection: Have A Nice Decade: The '70s Pop Culture Box (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000006OIT/qid=1099839412/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/104-0381917-2017569?v=glance&s=music&n=507846)

And who's pickin' on Celine Dion!? She's great... for testing audio systems and speakers for harshness. ;) Besides, she's one of my wife's favorites. :oops:

Here's another one of my favorite 80s one-hit-wonders: 99 Luftballoons, by Nena.

[jimmyp58]

Ah yes, the Starland Vocal Band!!!

Hey, I've got the whole flippin' collection of 'Have A Nice Day...'! :oops:

[dave]

Jim, the artist that did "Sky High" is Jigsaw.
the answer to Sanfrancisco Girls (return of the native) is "Fever Tree" and the original version of Hello/Hello qas done by "Sopwith Camel"

Heres another one, Who did the hit version of Tighter and Tighter???
and one more Who did Walk away Renae???

[jimmyp58]

Was Tighter and Tighter done by Alive and Kicking?

Walk Away Renee was done by Left Banke.

[Danbry39]

Of course, I would have known Ian Whitcomb and Scott MacKenzie, but my question is...................................................

Burke, how the heck do you know who the Groovie Ghoulies are.

They're a local band here in the Sacramento area who can put on a very fun punk styles show. My daughter even wears one of their T-shirts and I bought a CD of theirs which I had the female guitarist...I mean very good looking female guitarist...sign for her.

I never in my life thought anyone out of my area even knew who they were, even though they've been around for ages and have a million CD's it seems.

[Danbry39]

Hey, I'm sorry I'm so late to this thread. This is fun.

Dave, back to "Hello, hello", I only know Lee Michaels performed a song called, "Hello", but that's probably not it.

OK, here's an easy one for you old timers, and one of the ultimate one hit wonders. Who made "Tip Toe Through the Tulips" and, bonus question, what was the name of his wife.

[Danbry39]

One more, who sang, "Those Were the Days"? Bonus question: Who produced and played guitar on the song?

[jimmyp58]

Tip Toe....was Tiny Tim and his wife was Miss Vickie!

I'm going to say Mary Hopkin on the 'Those Were the Days' song but the bonus has me stumped. Of course the theme song for 'All In The Family' was of the same title.

[dave]

Hey the answer to you're Mary Hopkin question is ,,,,,,,,,,
Sir Paul McCartney at least it is a fact that he produced the tune as well as the album
"Postcard" regarding his guitar playing on Those Were The Days, I really can't be absolutley positive that it was actually McCartney, as also Donovan played and actually wrote a few of the tunes on the record as well, his contributions to the record were "Lord Of Reedy River" Happiness Runs (peeble and the man) and "Voyage To The Moon" the Lp even had tunes by Irvin Berlin and George Gershwin this was really one of Apple Records best offerings other than the Beatles output.

Good job Jim, Tighter and Tighter was done by Alive and Kicking, the tune was actually written by Tommy James and Bob King specifically for the group!!!

And of coarse The Left Banke did do Walk away Renae.

for more fun, Who did the next offerings to the kettle???
#1 Brother Louis'
#2 Vehicle
#3 Liar Liar

[jimmyp58]

Got 'em all but I'll wait to see if anyone else chimes in.

Paul McCartney....wow!

[jimmyp58]

How about the one-hit wonder from 'The Capitols'?

[Burke Strickland]

Groovie Ghoulies may be from Sacramento, but they tour all over the place. They've even played in Houston. :>)

Who made "Tip Toe Through the Tulips"
Anyone who read the first paragraph of my post answering the "You Turn Me On" question much earlier in the thread would have already seen the answer to that one since I compared Ian Whitcomb's falsetto on that song to Tiny Tim's, but they would have had to rack their brain or look elsewhere for the answer to the bonus question. Double bonus question: Where did Tiny Tim and Miss Vickie get married?

"Liar Liar" The Castaways (pants on fire ...you've been out all night, know you've been bad...)

Burke

[dave]

Yep, The Castaways all the way back to 1965 you've got a good memory Burke!!!

[dave]

No clue to the Tiny Tim Question, you,ve got me stumped!!!

[DelRay]

Didn't Tiny Tim and Miss Vickie get married on the Dick Cavett show. Don't know if it was that one but it was one of those type of shows. Maybe the Tonight Show.

[jimmyp58]

Tonight Show....

[jimmyp58]

Brother Louie was done by Stories

Vehicle by the Ides of March --- great tune!!!

Who's the group that did 'One Fine Morning'?

[Spearmint]

Hey fantastic thread....

Here is a couple

Brooklyn Bridge - Worst that could happen.
Oliver - Jean.

[jimmyp58]

Nice job Spearmint!

[Spearmint]

Thanks Jimmy

While on a roll...

Kyu Sakamoto - Sukiyaki

I realise Kyu was popular in Japan, although I am sure this was his only hit outside of Japan.

[Danbry39]

Did they get married on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson?

[Burke Strickland]

Oliver - Jean

Oliver also had a hit before that with "Good Morning Starshine", a song from "Hair". That song made it to number 3 in 1969.

I actually met Oliver in Tucson Arizona where I was living at the time (early 1970s) when he performed at a local nightclub that was shaped (externally) like a big sailing ship. Some of my neighbors were excited that he was in town, and insisted that a group of us go for his show. I went along even though I didn't know who he was. (When they said they were going to see Oliver, at first I thought they were planning to see to a stage production of the musical by that name.)

We got there early enough to get a table, which means we got there early enough to have quite a few drinks before the show started. :>) I knew I wasn't going to make it through the show without getting rid of a few of those drinks, if you catch my drift. So I found my way from our table near the back of the hall to the men's room which was downstairs toward the front of the club. When I came back upstairs, they were flashing the lights and telling everyone to take their seats since the show was about to begin.

The aisles were jammed and I had to wait for a while at the head of the stairs. There was a fellow standing a couple of feet away holding a guitar and doing some deep breathing exercises to relax. I asked him if he was in the show and he said that he was, adding that he had brought his guitar to accompany the singer. We chit chatted for a couple of minutes about very ordinary things like how crowded the club was and how hot the weather had been that day in Tucson until the aisles cleared, about which time, the MC announced that the show was about to begin and the other fellow headed toward the backstage area while I went back to my table.

When the curtain opened, there was only one person on stage -- the dude I had been talking to a moment before. Since I had never seen a picture of him and we didn't introduce ourselves in the short time that we talked, I had no idea until the show starrted that the dude I had been talking to was Oliver. He accompnied his own singing with the guitar, which he played very well.

He came across as a very down-to-earth, self-effacing fellow who just happened to have the extraordinary gift of musical talent. I was saddened when I read a few years ago that he had died of cancer after careers in building construction management and pharmaceuticals following his singing career.

Burke

[Spearmint]

Thanks Burke... Sorry for getting that one wrong :oops:

Although, fantastic story and good on you for sharing it...

[Burke Strickland]

Did they get married on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.
Yep, that was the venue. They announced it well in advance when Tiny Tim was a guest on a previous show. In fact they arranged it so it looked like Johnny talked Tiny Tim into the plan while he and Johnny were talking during that program. The broadcast of the wedding, which I watched along millions of others, (I guess we could all claim to be "invited guests"), :>) was one of Carson's highest rated shows.

Burke

[jimmyp58]

That episode is kind of like being at the "Ice Bowl". I mean at the time, Lambeau Field only held around 47,000 people but you'd swear from all the people that said they were there, it'd be a 250,000 arena!!!

That was a great Tonight Show episode. Does anyone know if they are still married?

[jimmyp58]

We're still looking for the the song from the Capitols and the name of the group that sang 'One Fine Morning'.

Lets add another to the mix.

Who sang 'Flashdance...What A Feeling'?

[Burke Strickland]

Who sang 'Flashdance...What A Feeling'?
Not trying to hog the spotlight here, but you've come up with another one where I actually witnessed a live performance of the song by the artist in question.

Compaq Computers (now merged with Hewlett-Packard) had a big product roll out for their second generation "portable" (aka "transportable with a luggage cart") :>) computers which I attended in the mid 1980s at Jones Hall in Houston during which Rod Canion, who was then president of the company, swung one of the behemoths over his head to show how light and portable it was, (I'm surprised he didn't dislocate his shoulder), :>) after which Irene Cara sang "What a Feeling" backed by the Houston Symphony. (Didn't meet her, however. Just saw her perform on stage.)

Burke

[Spearmint]

We're still looking for the the song from the Capitols and the name of the group that sang 'One Fine Morning'.

Lets add another to the mix.

Who sang 'Flashdance...What A Feeling'?

The Capitols - Cool Jerk?

Lighthouse - One Fine Morning?

[jimmyp58]

Got 'em all fellas. Great job!!!

[Spearmint]

From a TV show...

Who sang Whispering Grass it was a duet

one of them was Don Estelle who was the other?

If you know this you will also know the show ;)

[jimmyp58]

A stumper....

[dave]

Jim, sorry for being late, yes your answers are correct!!!
Brother Louis was by Stories and Vehicle was by the Ides of March

allright here's some more out of the 60s pretty easy ones too.
Who wrote and performed Classical Gas???
Who did "You Were on My Mind???
and what group had a hit with the Diana Ross and the Supremes,Holland/Dozer/Holland tune called,,, "You Keep Me Hangin' On"???

[Spearmint]

From a TV show...

Who sang Whispering Grass it was a duet

one of them was Don Estelle who was the other?

If you know this you will also know the show ;)


A stumper....

Ooops sorry guys this was a British sit com, we got it downunder, not sure wether you guys got it in the states.

Hmmm I'll leave it a while someone might get it.

[Spearmint]

Jim, sorry for being late, yes your answers are correct!!!
Brother Louis was by Stories and Vehicle was by the Ides of March

allright here's some more out of the 60s pretty easy ones too.
Who wrote and performed Classical Gas???
Mason Williams

Who did "You Were on My Mind???
We Five?

and what group had a hit with the Diana Ross and the Supremes,Holland/Dozer/Holland tune called,,, "You Keep Me Hangin' On"???

I will leave the last one to someone else, that is providing the other two are correct :oops:

[Burke Strickland]

Spearmint -- Two out of three ain't bad. (And we know you knew number three, but just got tired of typing in red.) :>)

"Classical Gas" was on Mason William's "Phonograph Record" (which I still own a copy of) and he performed it several times on The Smothers Brothers TV show.

We Five sang "You Were On My Mind" and it was played almost often enough for me to go out of my mind hoping something else would get some air time. ("When I woke up this mornin', you were on ... " and on and on.)

OK, Dave -- In addition to Diana Ross and the Supremes' memorable rendition, "You Keep Me Hangin' On" has been covered by Reba McEntire and Rod Stewart but they are hardly "one hit wonders", and you did say "group". Kim Wilde sang it on the soundtrack for the 1997 movie "Romy And Michele's High School Reunion", but she's really big in the UK and has a list of presumed hits over there a mile long, even though I'd never heard of her except for the movie. (And she's not a "group", either.) :>)

So you must be thinking of Vanilla Fudge, who included “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” on their self-titled first album, which consisted of covers of songs made famous by other groups, which they tricked out in psychedelic trappings that made some of them almost unrecognizable. (I'm told that while listening under the influence of certain substances, that didn't matter.) :>) While the group influenced the styles of other bands and was very popular in its time, especially with people who liked to listen while under the influence of certain substances, :>) "You Keep Me Hangin' On" was probably their only certifiable mainstream hit.

Burke

[Spearmint]

Wow Burke...

You must be a walking encyclopedia, fantastic responses every time :T

Must invite you to our next trivia night.

[Burke Strickland]

You must be a walking encyclopedia, fantastic responses every time

Must invite you to our next trivia night.
Thanks for the compliment. I don't do nearly as well when I can't look at my album covers, :>) but if you guys send me a round trip airline ticket along with the invitation, I'd be willing to give it a go. :>)

Burke

[jimmyp58]

Here's one for the 80's...who sang 'Shattered Dreams'?

A disco goodie...what song did Evelyn "Champagne" King sing?

And finally, who sang 'Love (Can Make You Happy)'?

Jim

[jimmyp58]

So Burke, are you the poster child for the Mensa Society?

[Burke Strickland]

are you the poster child for the Mensa Society?If I am, they'd better start sending some royalty checks. ;>)

Burke

[Kevin P]

Here's one for the 80's...who sang 'Shattered Dreams'?Johnny Hates Jazz. Another one hit wonder I believe.A disco goodie...what song did Evelyn "Champagne" King sing?Dang, I'm drawing a blank, I have a song going through my head but I'm not sure on the title, or if it's ECK's song.

FYI, Kim Wilde's rendition of "You Keep Me Hangin' On" was originally released in 1987.

Here's another 80s one hit wonder: who sang "Waiting For A Star To Fall?"

[jimmyp58]

Waiting For A Star To Fall....Boy Meets Girl

Good job on the Johnny Hates Jazz.

I'll hold out on the other two.

[NMyTree]

O.K., name the song the Bay City Rollers sang in 1976....


"Saturday Night" :B

And yes......I have their "The Definitive Collection" :E

Which by the way.............really isn't that definitive :rofl:


Ooops...I somehow missed Dave's response. Oh well.

Okay here's a little obscure trivia.

The Bay City Rollers covered a David Bowie classic, on one of their later 70's albums.

Can anyone name that song?

There's no prize or anything, but you can feel secure in knowing, you're as big a DORK.....as I am.... :banana::banana::banana: :B

[NMyTree]

How about..........


"Beach Baby" by First Class

I loved that song when I was a little kid. I remember it being all over the radio in summer, when we were on vacation at the shore.

I still love that song :B

[Kevin P]

"Beach Baby" by First Class
...
I still love that song :BMe too! :B

How come no one makes songs like that anymore?

[David Meek]

Seasons In The Sun? BARF! :spit:

Obviously, not my fav, but a lot of people DID like it. :scratchhead:

[David Meek]

In the same vein as Seasons In The Sun, there's another one-hit-wonder - do you remember The Morning After by Maureen McGovern? It was the theme song from the movie The Poseidon Adventure.

[jimmyp58]

Evelyn "Champagne" King sang the disco classic --- 'Shame'

I am still waiting on the answer to the other question fellas....

[NMyTree]

Me too! :B

How come no one makes songs like that anymore?

Because, no one's allowed to just be silly and indulge themselves in the sheer joy of fun, anymore. :B

Apparently, it's not cool :rofl:

It almost seems like everything has to have a "serious" message now-a-days.

As much as I love Pearl Jam, Springsteen, R.E.M and so forth, I still have a nice capicity for just simple, mindless......Rock/Pop fun music. I imagine that's why I still love a lot of that 70's Pop stuff.

[Kevin P]

In the same vein as Seasons In The Sun, there's another one-hit-wonder - do you remember The Morning After by Maureen McGovern? It was the theme song from the movie The Poseidon Adventure.I liked that one too. Of course, I should stop reading this thread, as I've been playing some of these tracks on my tubicle system... got Beach Baby playing now, and will cue up The Morning After next... and maybe even Seasons In The Sun! EEK! :E 8O

It just occurred to me that Ms. McGovern had another hit(?) She did a version of "Can You Read My Mind" (from the original Superman movie). Don't know if it was a "hit" or not, but I remember hearing it on the radio. So she could be a two-hit wonder :??

[NMyTree]

Mr.Meek, I remember that song (The Morning After).

I have that song.......around here..........somewhere.

[NMyTree]

I liked that one too. Of course, I should stop reading this thread, as I've been playing some of these tracks on my tubicle system... got Beach Baby playing now, and will cue up The Morning After next... and maybe even Seasons In The Sun! EEK! :E 8O

Just enjoy it Kevin.............enjoy it! 8)

[NMyTree]

Jimmy, I was totally baffled on that one.

So I had to look it up on Tower.com :B

But now I know who sang that and I now remember the song.

[jimmyp58]

Love (Can Make You Happy) was done by Mercy.....

Who did, 'Expressway To Your Heart'?

Don't know if this is a one-hit wonder but it the only only I can remember from this artist. Who sang 'Little Grren Apples'?

[Spearmint]

From a TV show...

Who sang Whispering Grass it was a duet

one of them was Don Estelle who was the other?

If you know this you will also know the show ;)


Okay TV show was "It Ain't Half Hot Mum"

The other half of the duet was "Windsor Davies"

[Spearmint]

Don't know if this is a one-hit wonder but it the only only I can remember from this artist. Who sang 'Little Grren Apples'?

Is it O.C. Smith?

[David Meek]

All right, here's another for you. Who did the song The Night Chicago Died. They're definitely a OHW.

[Kevin P]

All right, here's another for you. Who did the song The Night Chicago Died. They're definitely a OHW.Paper Lace. Another track I have in my collection :roll: You guys must be going through your Rhino sets to come up with these. :E

How about "Rock the Boat"?

Here's a two-hit wonder question. What was Golden Earring's two hits?

[David Meek]

Hehe, that didn't take long Kevin! :)

Rock The Boat? That was the Hughes Corporation.

I remember one of Golden Earrings' songs. Radar Love - GREAT bass line! In fact, I have the album at home - vinyl, no less. I don't remember the other.

[David Meek]

"rock the boat, baaaaaaaabbbbbyyyyyyyy"

Now you've done it. That's stuck in my head. :p:

[jimmyp58]

Soul Survivors did 'Expressway To Your Heart'

[Burke Strickland]

The version I remember of "Little Green Apples" was by Roger Miller. He had his own TV show in the late 1960s and they opened the show every week with a clip of him running frenetically in a railroad yard from boxcar to boxcar, like he was being chased. He sure wasn't a one hit wonder -- "King of the Road", "Dang Me", "England Swings" come to mind -- so someone else must have also made a hit out of "Little Green Apples" while I wasn't paying attention. :>)

David -- good call on Golden Earrings "Radar Love". I can't remember their other hit, either. In fact, I've got the album that "Radar Love" is on somewhere around here, but I can't remember ANY of their other songs, hit or not, without getting out the album and looking at it (which I haven't done yet). :>)

Although people tell me the band that did "Love is Like Oxygen" had a few more hits, that's the only song I can remember by glam-rock group *****. Care to name the group? Can anyone remember any of their other hits? (Did they really have any other hits?)

Burke

[NMyTree]

The Sweet

..and their best known hits...in the USA:


Ballroom Blitz

Fox On The Run

Little Willie

They had a ton of hits in the UK and Europe, but the four that have been mentioned , were their biggest here.

[David Meek]

Okay Tony, you win the Sweet trivia contest! :B Like Burke, Love Is Like Oxygen is the only thing I remember from them.

Okay, I went to All Music (http://www.allmusic.com) and heard clips of the others. I do remember Ballroom Blitz.

[Spearmint]

“A Lovers Concerto” by The Toys

Does anyone know what is unusual about this song?

[Spearmint]

Here's a two-hit wonder question. What was Golden Earring's two hits?

Wow I remember Radar Love, and I still love to listen to that song today, we had 2X versions of that released here one was the long version over 5mins if I remember, and the other they had cut the music in the middle, along the lines what they did with Manfred Mann’s Earthband - Blinded by the Light.

Regarding their second hit, I wouldn't have a clue...

[Kevin P]

I'll give you a clue, Golden Earring's 2nd hit was 10 years after their first.

[jimmyp58]

Was it 'Prisoners Of The Night'?

[Burke Strickland]

What's unusual about "A Lovers Concerto" by The Toys?

Could it be the somewhat nasal vocal quality of the lead singer? (Did she have a cold when they recorded this hit?) Or that the rain wasn't really gentle? :>) Or maybe The Toys were really The Chiffons who were really The Shirelles? (that's just a joke)

Or is it unusual because the melody for this pop hit was lifted from the classical Minuet in G major which J.S. Bach included as a keyboard finger exercise in his "Anna Magdalena Note-Book"? Ironically, I have a copy of the "Anna Magdalena Note-Book" in my classical music collection, but do not own a copy of "A Lovers Concerto" by The Toys.

But I sure remember the song. It was popular about the same time as Len Barry’s “1-2-3". ("It's so easy... like takin' candy from a baby.") Those were the days... :>) Barry had a few more hits, but once again, there's only that one song which I associate with him.

Burke

[Spearmint]

What's unusual about "A Lovers Concerto" by The Toys?

Could it be the somewhat nasal vocal quality of the lead singer? (Did she have a cold when they recorded this hit?) Or that the rain wasn't really gentle? :>) Or maybe The Toys were really The Chiffons who were really The Shirelles? (that's just a joke)

Or is it unusual because the melody for this pop hit was lifted from the classical Minuet in G major which J.S. Bach included as a keyboard finger exercise in his "Anna Magdalena Note-Book"? Ironically, I have a copy of the "Anna Magdalena Note-Book" in my classical music collection, but do not own a copy of "A Lovers Concerto" by The Toys.

But I sure remember the song. It was popular about the same time as Len Barry’s “1-2-3". ("It's so easy... like takin' candy from a baby.") Those were the days... :>) Barry had a few more hits, but once again, there's only that one song which I associate with him.

Burke

Wow Burke, you certainly have great knowledge, and I can't even question what you have written.

The reason I asked the question was...

The Title does not appear in the lyrics...

[dave]

The answer to the 2nd Golden Earring hit is "Twilight Zone" Good tune BTW :T

Ok, heres a few more,
Who did the tune "And Suddenly"
"Omaha"
and the Sizzeling 1970 version of "House of the Rising Sun"

one more, "Medicine Man"

[dave]

Burke, Another Len Barry tune that was pretty substancial was "Rhapsody In The Rain"

[jimmyp58]

This is getting incredible!!!

[dave]

Jim, This thread has the makings of going along way!!!
Burke has really impressed me with his knowlege of music! and that in itself has helped to launch this thread!!!

Regards,

[jimmyp58]

He is amazing.....

[Spearmint]

He is amazing.....

That my friend is an understatement...

Also the songs bring back so many memories, and make me want rifle through my CD's & Vinyl on the weekend to listen to some of the great songs that have been mentioned.

Fantastic thread Jimmyp58 :T

[Spearmint]

To keep the thread going a little more...

Who sang "Who Put the Bomp (In the Bomp, Bomp, Bomp)"
and another favorite "Alley-Oop"

[jimmyp58]

Thanks Spearmint...

It was either Jan & Dean or Barry Mann. Can't remember which one made it famous.

[jimmyp58]

Who sang, 'Time Has Come Today'?

[David Meek]

and the Sizzeling 1970 version of "House of the Rising Sun"

Oooh oooh, I know that one! The Weavers originally did the song, but the Animals made it famous. Also, Joan Baez did a cover of it a couple of years later. Great song! Good one Dave. :yesnod:

[David Meek]

Burke has really impressed me with his knowlege of music! and that in itself has helped to launch this thread!!!

He is amazing...

Yes, we call him "The Amazing Burke" around here. :p: Sometimes, if he's feeling magnanimous he lets us call him Burke.

[David Meek]

Ok, heres a few more,
Who did the tune "And Suddenly"
"Omaha". . .

. . .one more, "Medicine Man"

I'm not sure on And Suddenly.

There were many versions of Omaha, but the only one I know is by Moby Grape. Jeez Dave, you're making me reach back for some of these. :)

Medicine Man was done by Michael Murphy on the same album as his hit Wildfire - I don't remember the album name, though.

[dave]

Well firstly, The Chambers Brothers did "Time has come Today" they also did a decent version of, "In the Midnight Hour" as well

Barry Mann did, Who "Put The Bomp"
and,,,,
The Hollywood argyles did "Ally Oop!" opp opp opp

You are correct on Moby Grape David, Omaha was off of thier first album!!! Good Job Man!!!
Im not thinking of Michael Murphy however, A small hint, the single was originally a double sided hit and featured the words "Hold On" over and over in the lyrics.
I wish I could say that Joan Baez is who I'm thinking of for "House of the Rising Sun"
the version I'm thinking of has a BLISTERING lead guitar part to it!! and is the most
rocked up version around!!!


Heres one more, Who did " Hot Smoke and Sassafrass"???

Im gone to work for the next 9 hours but will check back tonite!!! Enjoy..........

[David Meek]

Im not thinking of Michael Murphy however, A small hint, the single was originally a double sided hit and featured the words "Hold On" over and over in the lyrics. Ooof. Okay, y' got me.

I wish I could say that Joan Baez is who I'm thinking of for "House of the Rising Sun" the version I'm thinking of has a BLISTERING lead guitar part to it!! and is the most rocked up version around!!! Ooof, too. Yessir, got me again.

Heres one more, Who did " Hot Smoke and Sassafrass"??? All right, I'm beginning to feel like the low-IQ person on Jeapordy. :nonod:

[Spearmint]

Well firstly, The Chambers Brothers did "Time has come Today" they also did a decent version of, "In the Midnight Hour" as well

Barry Mann did, Who "Put The Bomp"
and,,,,
The Hollywood argyles did "Ally Oop!" opp opp opp


Im gone to work for the next 9 hours but will check back tonite!!! Enjoy..........

Well done Dave :T

[jimmyp58]

Here's a beaut...One Tin Solider (The Legend of Billy Jack) by Coven.

Or how about Crazy Elephanit's 'Gimme Gimme Good Lovin'.

[Burke Strickland]

jimmyp58 -- those are couple of beauts, alright. I can "hear" 'em now! (But I'm glad you didn't make us name the artists.) :>)

OK, you guys have had more than 24 hours to ransack your LP collections to find that psychedelic, heavy metal rendition of "House of the Rising Sun". (If you had to go to the attic to bring down some more boxes, you need to get those albums out and listen to them more often.) :>)

It's gotta be the one by Frijid Pink, a "one hit wonder" if there ever was one. They must have been "on something" when they did this tune -- maybe they should have tried whatever it was again when they played other songs. :>)

My original guess, of course, would have been Eric Burdon and the Animals, but they hit it big in the mid 1960s. not 1970, and although they cultivated a "bad boy" image, they didn't really push the boundaries instrumentally -- no "blistering guitar licks" on their almost folky rendition of "...Rising Sun".

What other image would they cultivate, with a name like "The Animals"? At a time when most bands still wore suits or some kind of consistent uniform on stage, Eric wore tattered jeans and a baggy sweat shirt and the rest of the band looked like they had picked out their outfits randomly at a Salvation Army store on the way to the concert.

At least that's the way they looked on stage when I saw them perform in Minneapolis, opening for Herman's Hermits, whose then-most-recent album had been named "Best of the Month" by Stereo Review over Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, which the magazine put down as "too contrived", unlike the "fresh", "energetic" sounds of Herman's Hermits. (Does anyone even remember them? They were the headline act, but for the life of me, I cannot recall anything they sang that day. But I sure remember Eric Burdon and the Animals. And the band that did Sgt. Pepper.) :>)

While we're talking psychedelic heavy metal, how about: "I Had Too Much to Dream Last Night" (the band played a couple of ballads on their album with that song -- not hits; you would probably never have heard them if you didn't listen to the album -- but with the same kind of heavy metal accompaniment and they sounded really wierd.)

Another really wierd one (but NOT heavy metal by any stretch): "MacArthur Park"

Burke

[Spearmint]

Hi Burke,

Hermans Hermits, wow I saw them live too... Great band, another band I also saw around the same time was the Hollies.

One tune I loved as a youngster was "Soal Coaxing - by Raymond Lefevre and his Orchestra"

[dave]

Hi Burke,, From you're Description of "House of the Rising Sun" I know you've got the Right one!!!! however for some reason the Bands name was blocked out??? I've got to say though how IMPRESSED I am that you have a copy of Frijid Pink House of the Rising Sun!!! It was originally released on the Parrot label and they say that the tune went all the way to #7 on the Billboard charts!!!

MacArther Park??? Someones left the cake out in the rain.
How about the ACTOR of the movie A MAN CALLED HORSE,,,,,,,
Richard Harris!!!!!!!
I had too much to Dream Last night was done by the band that originated from
Seattle Washington, The Electric Prunes!!! they also had another hit called
Get Me to The World On Time from that same album from the wonderful year 1967
Hows That!!!
heres a few easier ones,
Name the artist who did, 96 Tears
Who did the Fabulous One Hit Wonder titled BLACK Is BLACK

[jimmyp58]

Ah Burke, The Electric Prunes!!!!

[jimmyp58]

Los Bravos Dave.....

[dave]

Your right Jim...

[DelRay]

OK, try this one. No cheating. The song is "No Time To Lose" Not a real big hit, but everytime it gets played on the radio, people call in to ask who sings it. Pretty cool song. Late 70's I think.

[jimmyp58]

Good one...I'm stumped!

[jimmyp58]

Can't believe we haven't mentioned Ina-Gadda-Da-Vida!!! So who did this?

[DelRay]

Iron Butterfly. Easy one for us old guys. How about "Hold your head up".

[jimmyp58]

Argent!!!!!!!!!

[jimmyp58]

I'm old too!!!

[dave]

The Iron Butterfly had another hit after In-a-gadda-da-vida called "Soul Experience"
Check out the way the band decided on the name In-a-gadda-da-vida.
Doug Ingle one night polished off a Big bottle of wine and was pretty intoxicated
while working on the tune that had the title called "In The Garden Of Eden" drummer
Ron Bushy had heard Doug working on the song the night before and when the next
morning arrived he asked the still tipsy Organist the name of his latest opus and he replied, In-a-gadda-da-vida!!! the songs title also eventually took on a second meaning as "The Garden Of Life"

Ok you guys I'm sure your tired of hearing me babble on, so I will shut up.

Regards,

[jimmyp58]

Great stuff Dave....babble on!

[dave]

thanks Jim however, I am hoping other folks will come up with some nostalgia!!!
and I want to give them a chance to do so. I don't want to bogart all the fun!!!

I really am enjoying Burkes trips into the past!!! Hope you continue Burke!!!

[Burke Strickland]

however for some reason the Bands name was blocked out???
I purposely put the band's name (Frijid Pink) in a "spoiler" (blacked out, but visible if you mouse over it) just in case anyone else wanted to keep guessing. :>)

I've got to say though how IMPRESSED I am that you have a copy of Frijid Pink House of the Rising Sun!!! It was originally released on the Parrot label and they say that the tune went all the way to #7 on the Billboard charts!!!
Actually, I don't own a copy, but, back in the "good ole' days", one of my friends who knew that I had seen Eric Burdon and the Animals perform the song live made SURE that I became aware that a "better" version by a band I had never heard of (and of course, neither had anyone else) had been released. He had the album. I'll never forget the shockingly pink album cover, nor how shockingly unlistenable the rest of the album was without resorting to some kind of sensory-numbing ritual, like chugging a 6 pack, or whatever. :>) (Back then, with limited income, I wasn't about to buy it for just one song. Kind of like now.) :>)

Good call on Richard Harris and "MacArthur Park". He was a terriific actor, but that was one strange song.

Also correct on "The Electric Prunes". Weren't "I had too much to dream last night" and "Get me to the world on time" the same song? (Just kidding.) I had forgotten about that other song, which is funny since I vividly remembered the gosh-awful, pretentious song about the king being in his counting house, et al, on the same album. It had been a long time since I dragged out that album, and now I remember why. :>)

That's a terrific story about " Ina-Gadda-Da-Vida" -- thanks for sharing it.

Here are three from female singers (who are they?):

Angel of the Morning -- I've heard this one at a karaoke bar. Who knows, it may have been sung there by the original artist. :>)

Harper Valley P.T.A. -- narrates one woman's response at a P.T.A. meeting to a small town's hypocrisy. Kind of a specialty song, actually telling a story in articulate sentences, so it's not too surprising she didn't have a string of hits. :>)

Goldfinger -- possibly the best James Bond theme song of all time, and if I'm not mistaken, one that was unusual in being the only genuine hit for its singer. Almost all of the others featured artists who had already hit it big before they were tapped to do their James Bond song, including Nancy Sinatra, who sang "You Only Live Twice", which I really like, and whose only really big (top 10) non-James Bond hit (AFAIK) was "These Boots Are Made For Walking", which I don't, although it isn't one that automatically compels a station-change. :>)

Burke

[jimmyp58]

Merilee Rush did 'Angel of the Morning'

Lynn Anderson did 'Harper Valley PTA'

And....I am stumped on Goldfinger!!!

[jimmyp58]

Yeah Burke but Nancy does look good doing her 'go-go' dance with those boots on!!!

[jimmyp58]

O.K., I looked up the Theme from Goldfinger but I'll wait to see if anyone else knows it.

[dave]

I've got to agree with you on the House of the rising comment Burke, Other than track #7 the record is completely unlistenable!!! however I just could'nt resist that one song.
I am still waiting to see if anyones got the answer to the equally exciting
HOT SMOKE AND SASSAFRASS
this One Hit Wonder really flies...
My wife would know who did Goldfingers theme song, however this one evades me.
Regards,

[David Meek]

Sorry Jimmy but the original singer of Harper Valley PTA was Jeannie C. Riley. :p: Lynn Anderson's version came a few years later.

[George Bellefontaine]

She had quite a few hits in the 60s, but is probably more known for BOOTS. She has a great voice( just listen to her singing HE SHOT ME DOWN during the opening credits of KILL BILL )and has recently released a new CD called simply:NANCY.

[jimmyp58]

Mr. Meek, you are absolutely correct. I do remember Jeannie's version more so than Lynn's. I had one of those proverbial brain fa&%s.

Jim

[DelRay]

Seems like all the one hit wonders are from the 60's and 70's. We are way too old. OK No time to lose was from the Tarney Spencer Band. A good listen IMO. Try this song "War" What is it good for.

[dave]

Delray, I do know the tunes title however I want to give someone else a shot at it.

Ok guys, Hot Smoke and Sassafrass was done by a band that called themselves,
THE BUBBLE PUPPY
they originated from Corpus Christi Texas then moved to Austin and later landed a recording deal with the Houston based International Artists record label in 1969.
The single went as high as #14 Nationally and is considered by many record collectors to be a highly collectable record. I personally have seen the Lp that had the hit called
A Gathering of Promises selling in mint condition for $150.00 US and that was 12 years ago!!!

As for the Female artists,
Nancy Sinatra also had a sizeable hit with Lee Hazelwood,,,
the song was called SUMMER WINE and for this old boy it stands as one of her best!!!
How about Melanie and the Edwin Hawkins Singers does anyone know what thier hit was???
Also

[jimmyp58]

Edwin Starr....War, Huh, what is it good for? Absolutely nothin'!!!

[jimmyp58]

I think Melanie sang 'Brand New Key'.

[dave]

Jim Melenie did do "Brand New Key" and that song to my recollection was her biggest
selling single however the tune that I am talking about was done as a tribute to
Woodstock and that song as you probably already know was "Candles In The Rain"

Does anyone remember, Cold Blood or A Group Called Smith? How about Lulu?
In remembering some of my High School years I do remember going to the Bellermine
all city high school dances and standing 10 feet away from Merrilee Rush and the
Turnabouts watching them play Angel of the Morning and other tunes. As I recall
she was Strikingly Beautiful and I can assure you that I was'nt alone thinking that!!!
Ahh to be 17 again!!! it was another day and another lifetime ago......
Jim this thread has brought back some wonderful memories!!!

[Burke Strickland]

Lulu sang "To Sir With Love" -- title song for the movie with Sidney Poitier (movie is in my DVD collection)

Burke

[jimmyp58]

it is going strong!!!

[dave]

Mine too Burke!!!!!!!!!!!!
Check this out, Now it's been ten thousand years man has cried a billion tears for what he never knew, now mans reign is through but through eternal light the twinkling of starlight so very far away,,,,, Maybe it's only Yesterday,,,,,,,,,In the year 25/25 if man is still alive if woman can survive they may find,,,,,,,,,,,

or you may prefer,,, I was just 16 when I had to leave home knew I could'nt stick around I had to run,,, Ain't good lookin but you know I ain't shy ain't afraid of lookin now hear me out cause I've got to ramble (ramblin' man) cause I've got to Gamble
(gamblin man) Yeah!!!!!

Who did them Guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jimmyp58]

I got Zager & Evans on the first one!!!!

[dave]

yeah You got it Jim!!!!
it's the second one that throws people however if you were listening to the song you would know the artist right away!!!

I looked back and saw that 96 tears had'nt been answered yet (im gonna cry 96 tears im gonna cry cry cry cry now) let's give it a bit more time it was too big of a hit!!!

[jimmyp58]

I think this one qualifies....Wild Cherry doing 'Play That Funky Music'!!!

[jimmyp58]

I just stumbled across this one. perhaps he's had more than one hit but to me, he only had one. Slim Whitman doing Una Paloma Blanca.

[jimmyp58]

Oh, how about this one....Johnny Wakelin & the Kinshasa Band doing 'Black Superman - Muhammad Ali'!!!!!!!!!!

[dave]

Jim, I know Play that funky music white boy!!!
and I've heard Black Superman, however I have'nt heard the Slim Whitman track before....

[DelRay]

Ramblin Gamblin man was Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band.
Lines form on my face and hands. Lines form from the ups and downs. I'm in the middle without any plans. I'm a boy and i'm a man.

[jimmyp58]

That Slim Whitman tune is a beaut............ :E

[jimmyp58]

This one has to qualify (something for the 90's crowd) 'MMM MMM MMM MMM' by the Crash Test Dummies!!!

[dave]

DelRay,,, You are very close the "Silver Band" came after the band that called themselves "The Bob Seger System"!!! and they only had one hit!!!

Hmm... Frampton comes to mind with the writing that you've got there.....
Regards,

[Foxman]

I havent seen this one mentioned:

If you want it here it is "come and get it."

Writen by:

[Burke Strickland]

"Come and Get It" Sung by Badfinger Theme from the movie "The Magic Christian" Song Written by Paul McCartney (which may explain why it sounds so much like the Beatles)

The movie "The Magic Christian" was a really campy satire, set mostly onboard the ship with the same name as the movie, with Peter Sellers' character teaching Ringo Starr's character that people will do anything for money and to prove it they have Yul Brynner singing in drag, Laurence Harvey doing a strip tease to the "To be or not to be" soliloquey in "Hamlet", plus Christopher Lee as the ship's vampire, Raquel Welch as a whip-bearing dominatrix in a galley slave scene reminscent of Ben Hur, and on and on. I thought the movie was hilarious when I saw it during its initial theatrical run. I''m not so sure it would hold up as well today.

Burke

[Foxman]

"Come and Get It" Sung by Badfinger Theme from the movie "The Magic Christian" Song Written by Paul McCartney (which may explain why it sounds so much like the Beatles)

You are good.

[Foxman]

How about this one from Ferris Bueller's Day Off.....OoooooH Yeah

[ajpoe]

Seems like all the one hit wonders are from the 60's and 70's. We are way too old.

Here are some that aren't from the 60s and 70s...

Blind Melon - No Rain
Digital Underground - Humpty Dance
Sir Mix A Lot - Baby Got Back
House of Pain - Jump Around
Paperboy - Ditty
Vanilla Ice - Ice Ice Baby
Crazytown - Butterfly

Those are just ones that pop into my head... I'll have to raid my collection to see what else I can find.

AJ

[jimmyp58]

Good ones....

Badfinger, if my memory serves me correctly, was a Beatles project. In fact, I believe they recorded on Apple. Besides 'Come And Get It', they had a few others to include 'Baby Blue' and probably (arguably) their top hit, 'No Matter What' (my favorite).

Keep 'em coming fellas.....

Sir-Mix-A-Lot...Baby Got Back is a dandy!!!

[Bent]

How about this one from Ferris Bueller's Day Off.....OoooooH Yeah

would that be from Yello?

[Foxman]

would that be from Yello?


Bingo! :T

[dave]

Medicine Man, Was done by "The Buchanan Brothers" the single made it to #22 nationally.

And Suddenly, was done by the "Cherry People" in 1968 the it had an eleven week run
however it only peak at #43 incidently this was a Left Banke original

96 Tears, was done by Question Mark and the Mysterians.

back later with a big list of One Hit Wonders!!!

[DelRay]

Ok, Answer to my post Alice Cooper's Eighteen. ajpoe, you're right ,there are one hit wonders from every decade. How about the song Safety Dance.

[dave]

Delray, how did I ever get Frampton out of those lyrics!!! I read it at 6:15 AM while getting ready for work!!! wish I had read them this afternoon

[Ken Makela]

Safety Dance = Men Without Hats

Who did "Come on Eileen" and one more "Life is Life"

Ken

[Bent]

come on eileen (or the celebration of the armpit - as they called it on Pop Up Video) was Dexies Midnight Runner,
Life Is Life was....I can't remember... La La lalala.

[DelRay]

Jimmyp, You mentioned Melanie, It got me thinking. Didn't she do a song called "Lay Down"

[jimmyp58]

Yep she did....she was quite the flower child!!!

[ajpoe]

Does anyone dare mention The Macarena... :rofl:

How about some Sex and Candy? That's easy, but I'll play along with the trivia theme.

Or... Pump Up The Volume!!! I remember jammin to that one on the roller rink when I was growing up!

AJ

[jimmyp58]

Good ones AJ!!!

[dave]

DelRay, as I mentioned earlier Melanies tribute to Woodstock was a song called,
Candles In The Rain.........

"Rock Me Gently" by Andy Kim was his last hit and his biggest, he had 2 other minor hits called "Baby I Love You" and "Be My Baby" and on those 2 songs his vocal track was sped up to resemble a young teenage idol! anyway "Rock Me Gently" is the song
that most people relate as being the One Hit Wonder!!!

Speaking briefly about Badfinger,,, The bands biggest out of the four hits was a track titled "Day After Day" the song writing team of Pete Ham and Tom Evans Wrote another song that was on thier second Lp "No Dice" called "Without You" and that song
bested anything that they had ever written and of coarse as everyone knows the great Harry Nilson redid it and included it on his Nilson Schmillson Lp. It went all the way to the #1 slot..... Two more pieces of imfo. When Badfinger were recording "Day After Day" the late George Harrison came into the recording studio and asked if the group would mind if he played Slide Guitar
on the song and the band excitedly said, YES!!! so what we are hearing is Pete and George playing together on the tune. Also, the piano genius of
Leon Russell was used on the track!!!

[jimmyp58]

How could I forget 'Day After Day'....duh!!!

That was a great tune too.

[Burke Strickland]

ajpoe -- isn't macarena the name of a chewy coconut cookie? :>) (just kidding)

The category of dance craze "one hit wonders" is another unmined treasure field (or treacherous mine field, depending on your POV). :>) In some cases, stars with more than one other hit to their credit did a one song "dance craze" hit and in other cases, an unknown started a "dance craze" with one hit that had no meaningful follow-on.

For instance, who did "The Peppermint Twist"? How about "The Mashed Potato" or "Peanut Butter"? While Chubby Checker had multiple "twist" hits, including "The Twist" itself, which was a remake of a Hank Ballard tune and is the only song to have ever risen TWICE to number one on the BIllboard charts in different years, he also did "The Huckabuck" , the Pony ("Pony Time"), "The Fly"" and the Limbo (although he managed to squeeze at least two hits out of ihat test of limberness.)

Burke

[H.Donald]

Has anyone brought up these...
"Wooly Bully" by the immortal Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs...or
Bobby McFerrin's "don't worry be happy"...McFerrin an accomplished jazz musician had the one big crossover "hit"...which after the first 100 times you heard it you hated it.
Funny...earlier someone brought Evelyn"champange"King and Edwin Starr and both belong in this thread but each has a "best of" cd out.

[jimmyp58]

Well unless you hung out at every nightclub Edwin Starr or Evelyn "Champagne" King sang at, most folks would be hard-pressed to say they had more than one hit. :rofl: But I guess if they think they had more than one, God bless them!!!

Good pick up on the new ones you added!

[Ken Makela]

Either everyone was stumped or nobody cared. Ranking very highly on the One Hit Wonders List......Life is Life, by Opus. No I'm not a fan!

Ken

[jimmyp58]

I never heard this on (unless I have and don't know it by name). Should I run out and get a copy? :W

[H.Donald]

I just looked at the ''best of Edwin Starr"...lo and behold there was the cut...
"Agent Double-o-Soul"...it was one of the first 45s that I ever purchased way back
in 19...ugh... nevermind.Anyway...how soon we forget.
Also the king of one hit wonders...LOUIE,LOUIE...was that the Kingsmen? I believe...

[dave]

Did'nt Edwin Star do 26 Miles in the Mid to Late 60s? Now I,ve got to go and dig through those records.

Lets see Louie, Louie, The Kingsman were the 1st although The Original Wailers claim that they did it 1st, them Paul Revere and the Raiders did it,,, am I missing anyone here?

[jimmyp58]

I forgot about 26 miles....good call! O.K., I take my comment back about Edwin Starr. :oops:

[dave]

Sometimes were hard pressed to remember that far back!!! at least I know that I am,
this thread has had me going through stacks of records 45s and Lps and Cds I've got enough to keep us in one hit wonders for a long long time!!!

[jimmyp58]

This thread is like the Eveready bunny...it keeps going, and going, and going...

[Spearmint]

A couple of others for the list...

The Tornadoes - "Telstar"

The Penguins - "Earth Angel"

Pipkins - "Gimme Dat Ding"

Tin Tin - "Toast And Marmalade For Tea"

Commander Cody And His Lost Planet Airmen - "Hot Rod Lincoln"

Sorry if any have been mentioned earlier, the list is getting rather large :T

[jimmyp58]

How about Bobby Bloom doing 'Montego Bay'?

[jimmyp58]

Good ones Spearmint!!!

[ajpoe]

Rico Suave... LOL

Or, how about Sno's Informer?

What I Like About You - The Romantics
Lo Fidelity All Stars - Battle Flag
Dirty Vegas - Days Go By (thanks to Mitsubishi)

How about the list of actors who tried to turn singers and ended up only having one single get some airplay... Deion Sanders, Eddie Murphy, Don Johnson to name a few.

And yes, the dance craze one hit wonders does open a whole new can of worms...

BTW... Who Let the Dogs Out? :rofl:

AJ

[jimmyp58]

Here's an actor that had a one-hit wonder....David Soul (Starsky & Hutch fame) with 'Don't Give Up On Us'.

[ekkoville]

aj, didn't Mars do "Pump Up The Volume".....i'm not sure House of Pain was a one hit wonder, I had two of their cd's.....although, they may be the only two, guess you're right!!

Erik

[dave]

You're DIGGING DEEP for "David Soul" good thinking Jim!

Heres a bit of a list,

#1 Darkness Darkness (also did get together)
#2 Incence & Peppermints
#3 Pictures of Matchstick Men
#4 Do Ya!
#5 Reflections of my life
#6 I love you
#7 Time won't let me
#8 Hey Joe (original hit version)
#9 White Bird
#10 I fought the Law
#11 Viva Tirado
#12 Mr. Dieingly sad
#13 Don't try to lay no Boogie Woogie on the King of Rock 'N' Roll
#14 Evil Woman (not elo's version)
#15 Shame Shame

there are tons more to be listed, Who did these?

[dave]

In the Summertime when the weather is hot you can stretch right out and touch the sky in the winter time you got women you got women on your mind, always happy lifes for livin, lifes for livin yeh, thats our philosophy..................

[NMyTree]

Devil Woman, from Cliff Richard. I had that 45 vinyl.

Loved that silly song :B

[dave]

I forgot about that tune!!! Wow that brings back some behind the wheel cruzin'
Memories!!!

How bout Mississippi Queen by Mountian.........

[Burke Strickland]

"Incense and Peppermints" -- Strawberry Alarm Clock

[jimmyp58]

Bobby Fuller Four did 'I Fought The Law'

[jimmyp58]

Pictures of Matchstick Men was done by Status Quo.

[jimmyp58]

Mungo Jerry did ...In the Summertime....

[dave]

Man, you guys are AWESOME!!!
heres a tribute to Burke and Jim and thier EXCELLENT MEMORIES!!!

the year was 1972,,,
the American charts had been pretty much dominated by British artists for quite a few years and alot of people were beginning to think that the American artists were,nt as
capable of putting out what you would call the True bonifide Hit Record that is until this Band came to the Americans attention and I MEAN ATTENTION!!!
the song had perfect time signitures, and the interplay of instruments was at that time Overwhelming, the tune owned a Guitar part that went into the stratosphere
the precision Drumming and Bass interplay was intact and then there was the Hammond B-3 with the 122rb Leslie that literally cooked over the top and we all enjoyed these lyrics that I am about to type.


Green Eyed Lady lovely lady,,,,,,,,
Strolling slowly towards the sun.
Green Eyed Lady Ocean Lady,,,,,,,
soothing every raging wave that comes.
Green Eyed Lady passions lady,,,,,,
dressed in love she lived for life to be.
Green Eyed Lady feels life i'll never see,,,,
setting suns and lonely lovers free........

Heres to Jerry Corbetta and "Sugarloaf" other hits were Tongue and Cheek and Don't Call us Well call you...... What was your impression when you 1st heard this hit that did'nt enter but screamed up to the #3 slot Nationally!!!
Heres to you all guys with the GREAT memories and keeping this thread ALIVE!!!
and especially Jimmy58 for having the insight to Create it!
Regards,

[jimmyp58]

Thanks Dave. In the spirit of keeping this alive, how about.....

'Fire" by The Crazy World of Arthur Brown.....

[Burke Strickland]

How bout Mississippi Queen by Mountian.........
That was easily Mountain's best known song. During their short supernova burst on the scene, they were as well-regarded a heavy metal group as any of the best of them (at least among the people I knew in the early 1970s). Before my CD changer recently went "kaput", "The Best of Mountain" was a permanent resident.

I especially like their "Theme for an Imaginary Western", an awesome musical achievement which goes beyond mere "rock" -- richly textured, imaginative story telling, it's a moving song that I can't listen to just once in a sitting.

Burke

[DelRay]

Remember this one. "Hot child in the city" Or this one hit wonder "You were on my mind" I mentioned this one because the woman who sings the lead is a sister to someone I knew in California. I did some painting at her house.

[BradF]

I'll jump in for a couple...

Mr. Dieingly Sad was/is a really nice tune. A band called The Critters hit the charts with it, back in '66. Time Won't Let Me was a hit for another sixties band, The Outsiders.

dave, when I first heard Green Eyed Lady, I had the impression that it owed an awful lot to the Zombies big hit, Time Of The Season. Nothing wrong with that.

Anyone remember a Rick James project from the 1980s called The Mary Jane Girls?

[dave]

Nantucket Sleighride. and Theme are among my fav's as well, Burke!!
hard to believe Jim but I listened to "The Crazy World of Arther Brown" last weekend,
It's a Weird disc to say the least!!! however the way Prelude (nightmare)
Fanfare (fire poem) and the tune you mentioned Fire are put together makes for a
very powerful listening experience!!! one interesting thing about this album is the fact that Kit Lambert produced it and Pete Townshend was the associate producer!
Many years ago I had a chance to see Arther Brown perform on network television
(Was That Ed Sullivan?) and he came out lowered by a crane on stage and dancing
wildly and his face was conceiled inside this helmet that was really shiny and he wore a robe sort of thing around his shoulders it seems that somewhere in the show he lit this wig or something on fire during the climax as the song fire was being performed!!!
back in 68' that was as bizzare as it got!!! Did anyone else happen to catch that televised show and if so was it on Sullivan?

Regards,

[dave]

Delray Thats really cool to hear stuff like that!!! I really liked her voice on that track
Regards,

Also Brad, do you remember the minor hit the "Critters" had with the cover version of
the Lovin Spoonful's "Younger Girl"?

that got me to thinking of another really nice cover of the Beatles "You Got to Hide Your Love Away" by The Silkie yet another One Hit Wonder!!!

[jimmyp58]

Ah...'Hot Child In The City' I believe was done by Nick Gilder.

[H.Donald]

How about..."It's raining men"...the Weather Girls

[Burke Strickland]

Uh oh, disco! Although it saved the Bee Gees from early retirement, it was fertile ground for one hit wonders as well as attempts by a lot of singers who should have known better. :>)

Actually quite a few of the disco OHWs are still highly listenable. Of course, we've already discussed "Flashdance -- What a Feeling" by Irene Cara. Here are a few more:

"I love the nightlife" Alicia Bridges

"Funkytown" Lipps, Inc.

"Turn The Beat Around" Vickie Sue Robinson

.

Burke

[H.Donald]

Speaking of Alicia Bridges...did I hear some months ago that she passed on ?
And disco one hit wonders could have a thread of their own....
what was that Gloria Gaynor song??

[jimmyp58]

I Will Survive!!!!!

[jimmyp58]

Here's a real disco one-hit wonder dandy (I'll try to keep it clean!):

Musique doing PUSH, PUSH, IN THE B*&^ (I think you can figure that out).

[Burke Strickland]

PUSH, PUSH, IN THE B*&^
Let's see -- would that be like trying to get someone to go for a particular flavor of ice cream -- "PUSH, PUSH in the Baskin & Robbins" ? :>)

Burke

[jimmyp58]

Good one Burke!!!!!!! :rofl:

[jimmyp58]

Here's another to add....'Timothy' by The Buoys.

[jimmyp58]

Don't know if these folks had more than one hit but certainly this is the one, I think, they are most remembered for....'United We Stand' by The Brotherhood of Man.

[jimmyp58]

Spearmint:

Good one with Gimme Dat Ding!!!

What was the name of the song (and artist) that did ...

"they're coming to take me away ah-ha, they're coming to take me away oh-ho, he-he, ha-ha, to the funny farm, they're coming to take me awayyyyy!!"

[ekkoville]

How about Corey Hart......"Sunglasses at Night"

[ajpoe]

I think 90% of the 80s were one hit wonders... :P

How about Soft Cell's Tainted Love!

AJ

[Burke Strickland]

"Remember when you ran away and I got on my knees and begged you not to leave because I'd go berserk?"

Hehe-- I've been waiting for someone to ask about that one:

Napoleon XIV "They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!"

Not really a song, since it was spoken, not sung, but with its insistent drum beat accompanied by tamborine (or was it heavy chains) and unforgettably psychotic narrative, it was irresistible. :>)

If you like songs about the heartbreak of losing your dog (which is what that "song" was about, sort of), :>) check out Slobberbone's "Gimme Back My Dog". Not quite a hit, but a great song! And, unlike "They're coming To Take Me Away...", it was from the year 2000, not the 1960s.

Burke

[Foxman]

Sort of a diffearnt direction.

Hair of the Dog

Anyone?


(This is really a 2 hit wonder I supose, the other hit was Love Hurts)

[Burke Strickland]

Nazareth

Roy Orbison warbled "Love Hurts" long before Nazareth growled their painful way through it, (you may think I prefer Oribison's version from reading that, but you would be wrong) :>) but, as far as I know he never did anything like "Hair of the Dog", (which Nazareth pretty well owns as their "signature" song), and he had lot of other hits as well, most of which are unlistenable today, but a few of which are timeless (such as "Pretty Woman", speaking of growling). :>)

Burke

[jimmyp58]

Geez Burke, how about 'Me and You and a Dog Named Boo'....????

[Foxman]

Geez Burke, how about 'Me and You and a Dog Named Boo'....????

Now THATS funny :lol:

[jimmyp58]

Oh, how could we forget Bobby "Boris" Pickett singing 'Monster Mash'!!!

[Burke Strickland]

Now THAT'S funny! :>) (It's a graveyard smash!)

[Spearmint]

Has anyone mentioned

"Smoking in the boys room" - Brownsville Station

"Desiderata" - Les Crane

[H.Donald]

Brownsville Station featured a guy named Cub Coda...who later had a band,
Cub Coda and the House Rockers...and made a couple of decent blues albums,wish I still had them.The band featured serveral well known Chicago blues sidemen.

[jimmyp58]

Great ones Spearmint ... you are keeping this thread rockin' (no pun intended).

Great piece of trivia H.Donald....

[jimmyp58]

I have a few more to add to the list.....

'Heartbeat --- It's A Love Beat' --- The DeFranco Family (or was that the Osmonds with a different name?)

'Friday On My Mind' by the Easybeats

'Sunshine' by Jonathan Edwards

[David Meek]

Okay Dave, I'm going OT here for a second. Props to Mr. Santana, but the absolute best song titled Evil Woman was done by the Doobie Brothers on their The Captain And Me album. OMG what a killer song!
;b>

JAMMIN'!!!!!!

[dave]

:( I give you 100% for effort David!! the track your referring to by the
Doobies is an excellent track! :( I wish I could say it's the one I am
thinking of though. The One hit wonder this time is preformed by a band that simply calls themselves 'CROW' this one has a Chunky mid-section and also
features a great horn section as well. Lyrics?

the chorus goes like this.

Evil woman don't play no games with me!
anyone remember this rocker? that went all the way to #19 on the national charts and #7 with cashbox in the year 1969

Don,t feel bad David at least You swung the bat!!! and in my book your a winner for trying!!!
Regards,

[H.Donald]

Has anyone mentioned "American woman" by the ...was it the "Guess Who"?..recently covered by Lenny Kravitz..

[Bent]

Has anyone mentioned "American woman" by the ...was it the "Guess Who"?..

What! One hit wonder!!!! 8O

It's a good thing for you that I really never did like the "Guess Who" :rofl:
To most Winnipeggers, that's blasphemy.

[H.Donald]

:oops: ,did'nt mean to create an international incident,I'm sure they are a great band with many hits :wink: .

[Bent]

Actually I'm with you on your first take - they will always be a one hit wonder in my books.
No offence taken what-so-ever.
But the Guess Who are held in very high esteem 'round these parts
('Pratt prolly likes them)

[Spearmint]

Hey guys don't talk ill of the Guess Who... :cry: (Just kidding)

I love their "Live at the Paramount" album; I even imported the CD and if I remember was only released in Canada.

'Friday On My Mind' by the Easybeats

Hey jimmyp58, now your talking!!! Australian Bands :T

I may have to throw in a few other Aussie one hit wonders :lol:

[Spearmint]

Okay now your've done it :B

"Down Under" - Men at Work

"Solid Rock" - Goanna

"Girls on the Avenue" - Richard Clapton

"Run To Paradise" - The Choirboys

"Great Southern Land" - Icehouse

[H.Donald]

I think I will head to Soulville....how about.....
"if loving you is wrong I don't wanna be right" by Luther Ingram,
"magic man" by Robert Winters and Fall,
"show and tell" Al Wilson.....
Lou Bega did "mambo#5", "little bit of Monica by my side,little bit of Sandra in the sun,little bit of Mary all night long...and so on and so on...
Also from long ago, anyone remember "Captian Beefheart"? I don't know if he ever really had a commercial "hit",but he did a song on the soundtrack for an old
Richard Pryor/Harvey Keitel movie...Blue Collar was the movie and the song was called "hard workin' man"...a hit in my house.

[Burke Strickland]

Okay now your've done it
OK now that we've done it, :>) can someone tell us who did "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport" ? Hint: initials are R.H. -- he may have had a ton of hits Down Under (I have no idea whether he did or not) , but AFAIK this is his only song that made it big in the US.

Burke

[Spearmint]

OK now that we've done it, :>) can someone tell us who did "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport" ? Hint: initials are R.H. -- he may have had a ton of hits Down Under (I have no idea whether he did or not) , but AFAIK this is his only song that made it big in the US.

Burke

Yes he did have a few hits Down Under, I am sure he now resides in England.

Used to have his own TV show where he did comic skits, painted paintings with a 4" brush, and of course sang songs. I also remember a few years ago he did a cover version of Led Zeppelins "Stairway to Heaven", and this caused a stir amongst the avid LZ fans. He also had a song years ago "Jack the Peg" where he had special pants and 3X legs, we all used to try and figure which leg was the fake. :Z

And his name is....... Dam I can't remember :B

[jimmyp58]

How about...Rolf Harris?!

(At first, I thought it was the Bushwacker's from wrestling fame --- just kidding! :E )

[David Meek]

Don,t feel bad David at least You swung the bat!!!

8O 8O Oh Dave, that wasn't a guess!!!!! I was just plugging one of my all-time favorite groups (pre-Michael McDonald) and one of my favorite songs by them. The Doobie Brothers, one-hit-wonders? Nope, nope, nope. :B

[jimmyp58]

I was just thinking about the 'Tie Me Kangaroo...' song, didn't Pat Boone (certainly no one-hit wonder) do a rendition of this?

[David Meek]

Oh, I hope not.

[dave]

The Unicorn, Irish Rovers

[David Meek]

Here's one for you:

They're Coming To Take Me Away

And the winner is?

[David Meek]

Back to the Evil Woman question. Was it Spooky Tooth?

[Burke Strickland]

That's right, jimmyp58 -- Rolf Harris did the version of "Tie Me kangaroo Down, Sport" that made it big in the US!

Since Pat Boone has attempted to sing something in just about every genre during his career (although without artistic success, IMO, even if he's been an occasional commercial success) it is possible that he covered "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport", But, if he has, I am thankful that I have never had to listen to it. :>)

Burke

[Burke Strickland]

Here's one for you:

They're Coming To Take Me Away

And the winner is?

Umm, David, is this a different one than Jimmyp58 asked in the second to last post on the previous page and I answered in the second post on this page?

Napoleon XIV "They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!"

If that's not the one, I haven't a clue. :>)

[dave]

No David, it was a band that called themselves 'CROW' if you've never heard it
give it a listen on FYE it's a pretty cool tune.

[jimmyp58]

Burke:

So you're telling me you didn't like 'Love Letters in the Sand' or 'Moon River'????? Find that hard to believe!!!!!!!!!! :cry:

[dave]

Hey David, try a google search for the crow tune, just type 'evil woman by crow' and you'll find a bunch of links and you are correct, Spooky Tooth also had a tune by the same name!

[Burke Strickland]

So you're telling me you didn't like 'Love Letters in the Sand' or 'Moon River'????? Find that hard to believe!!!!!!!!!!
If Boone had just done "Love Letters In The Sand" and then quit, he'd have been a respectable "one hit wonder", and not the perennial laughing stock of the rock world.

For a brief moment in the late 1950s, Pat Boone was featured in magazine spreads as the only serious rival to Elvis Presely.in popularity -- one the lovable "bad boy", the other a squeaky-clean "bobby soxer". (I'm guessing I don't need to spell out which was which.) :>) One went on to be a legend, the other just went on to be a joke...

In fact, "J-O-K-E" is how he described his " heavy metal" album ("In a Metal Mood: No More Mr. Nice Guy") a few years ago when he appeared sporting tatoos on the Tonight Show. About 30 seconds of "Smoke on the Water" and you'll see why. Actually, his cover of "Love Hurts" on that album is surprisingly good -- but not enough to get me to buy the album. :>)

Of course I like "Moon River". But if we have to hear vocals instead of just an instrumental version of Mancini's marvelous tune, I like Andy William's rendition.

Burke

[Spearmint]

Here is one I forgot, that may have made it to the US

"Bombora" - The Atlantics

Next move Kiwi bands..... (Nah just kidding :B )

[dave]

You guys have'nt heard unlistenable until you've heard,
William Shattner singing, Mr. Tamborine Man
Bing Crosby singing, Hey Jude
Phyliss Diller singing, Satisfaction
Leonard Nimoy singing, Proud Mary
Jack Webb singing, Try a little tenderness
Mae West singing, Twist and Shout
William Shattner singing, Lucy in the sky with Diamonds
Mae West singing, Light My Fire
Leanord Nimoy singing, Put a little love in your heart
these remakes redefine the meaning of the word unlistenable
the disc is called Hollywood Celebrity Sound Off

[jimmyp58]

Those are totally brutal Dave but how about adding Jose' Feliciano singing 'Light My Fire'. Damn, Mr. Mojo Rising himself, Jimbo Morrison, must've been turning in his grave when he heard that one!

[dave]

I could,nt resist posting those Jim,
Yeh Jose is another one that makes me want to turn the system OFF!!!
What were these people THINKING!!!!
lets punish the population the best way we know how????