Best One Hit Wonders of the 1970s Bands/Musicians

Best One Hit Wonders of the 1970s

rockboy rockboy 34,027 views 350 items 207 voters
One hit wonders from the 1970s, listed by performer. This is a list of popular 70s songs from bands or artists who only had one single reach the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. Many of these bands and artists had extensive careers, either in the US or other countries, they just didn't ever have another single reach the Top 40 after the songs on this list.Vote up and down your faves!

Many of the bands and artists listed had popular hits in their native countries. For example, Shocking Blue's only breakthrough song in America was the now-iconic "Venus," but they had a number of successful hits in their native Netherlands. Additionally, many of the artists on the list had massive success with other groups or projects. Lou Reed's only major single as a solo artist in the '70s was "Walk on the Wild Side," but of course he's more famous for his work with The Velvet Underground. Ace Frehley makes the list for his single "New York Groove," but had other singles as the lead guitarist for KISS. Finally, some artists on the list just had lengthy careers but a niche audience, such as Warren Zevon (whose "Werewolves in London" proved to be his only Top 40 single.) Other acts were simply flash-in-the-pans who had a big moment in the spotlight, then faded into obscurity.

This is an attempt to list every one hit wonder artist of the '70s. Think you have an example of a 1970s hit that was the only Top 40 US single for a band or artist? Let me know in the comments!
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Rank     Name
  1. 134
    Up 9
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    100 Proof (Aged in Soul)

    “'Somebody's Been Sleeping': Peaked at #8 on November 14, 1970.”
  2. 277
    Up 2
    Down 7

    5000 Volts

    Disco
    “'I'm on Fire': Peaked at #26 on December 13, 1975.”
  3. 58
    Up 13
    Down 7
    Pop rock, Soft rock, Pop music More
    “'How Long?': Peaked at #3 on May 31, 1975.”
  4. 113
    Up 12
    Down 12
    Hard rock, Heavy metal, Glam rock More
    “'New York Groove': Peaked at #13 on February 3, 1979.”
  5. 59
    Up 14
    Down 8

    Alan O'Day

    “'Undercover Angel': Peaked at #1 on July 9, 1977.”
  6. 63
    Up 23
    Down 17
    Disco
    “'I Love the Nightlife (Disco 'Round)': Peaked at #5 on December 23, 1978.”
  7. 153
    Up 6
    Down 8

    Alive 'n Kickin'

  8. 199
    Up 6
    Down 10

    Alton McClain and Destiny

    Disco
    “'It Must Be Love': Peaked at #32 on June 9, 1979.”
  9. 138
    Up 9
    Down 10

    Amazing Rhythm Aces

    “'Third Rate Romance': Peaked at #14 on September 13, 1975.”
  10. 70
    Up 15
    Down 10
    Rhythm and blues, Soul music, Disco More
    “'Knock on Wood': Peaked at #1 on April 21, 1979.”
  11. 34
    Up 27
    Down 13
    Rhythm and blues, Disco
    “'Ring My Bell': Peaked at #1 on June 30, 1979.”
  12. 146
    Up 10
    Down 12
    Memphis soul
    “'I Can't Stand the Rain': Peaked at #38 on December 22, 1973.”
  13. 154
    Up 6
    Down 8

    Apollo 100 featuring Tom Parker

    “'Joy': Peaked at #4 on February 26, 1972.”
  14. 24
    Up 37
    Down 19
    Hard rock, Progressive rock, Pop music
    “'Hold Your Head Up': Peaked at #5 on August 26, 1972.”
  15. 36
    Up 33
    Down 19
    Folk music, Blues
    “'The City of New Orleans': Peaked at #18 on October 28, 1972.”
  16. 330
    Up 1
    Down 8
    No image

    Ashton, Gardner and Dyke

    “'Resurrection Shuffle': Peaked at #40 on August 7, 1971.”
  17. 166
    Up 8
    Down 11
    No image

    Assembled Multitude

    “'Overture from Tommy (A Rock Opera)': Peaked at #16 on August 29, 1970.”
  18. 78
    Up 11
    Down 7

    B. W. Stevenson

    “'My Maria': Peaked at #9 on September 29, 1973.”
  19. 297
    Up 4
    Down 10
    Country, Gospel music
    “'Teddy Bear Song': Peaked at #32 on June 2, 1973.”
  20. 143
    Up 13
    Down 15
    Country, Adult contemporary music, Country pop
    “'(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want to Be Right': Peaked at #31 on June 2, 1979.”
  21. 117
    Up 11
    Down 11

    Barry DeVorzon and Perry Botkin, Jr.

    “'Nadia's Theme (The Young and The Restless)': Peaked at #8 on December 11, 1976.”
  22. 203
    Up 6
    Down 10

    Bell and James

    “'Livin' It Up (Friday Night)': Peaked at #15 on April 21, 1979.”
  23. 316
    Up 6
    Down 13

    Benny Bell

    “'Shaving Cream': Peaked at #30 on April 26, 1975.”
  24. 53
    Up 27
    Down 19
    Film score, Disco
    “'Gonna Fly Now (Theme from Rocky)': Peaked at #1 on July 2, 1977.”
  25. 60
    Up 16
    Down 10
    Pop music, Country
    “'I Can Help': Peaked at #1 on November 23, 1974.”
  26. 72
    Up 19
    Down 15

    Black Oak Arkansas

    Rock music
    “'Jim Dandy': Peaked at #25 on February 16, 1974.”
  27. 248
    Up 4
    Down 9
    Hard rock, Progressive rock, Heavy metal More
    “'D.O.A.': Peaked at #36 on March 6, 1971.”
  28. 290
    Up 4
    Down 10

    Blue Haze

    “'Smoke Gets in Your Eyes': Peaked at #27 on January 13, 1973.”
  29. 8
    Up 32
    Down 6

    Blues Image

    'Ride Captain Ride': Peaked at #4 on July 11, 1970.
  30. 132
    Up 11
    Down 12
    Rock music, Pop music, Calypso music
    “'Montego Bay': Peaked at #8 on November 28, 1970.”
  31. 97
    Up 13
    Down 12
    Pop rock, Blue-eyed soul, Smooth jazz More
    “'What You Won't Do for Love': Peaked at #9 on March 24, 1979.”
  32. 292
    Up 4
    Down 10

    Boney M

    “'Rivers of Babylon': Peaked at #30 on August 26, 1978.”
  33. 332
    Up 2
    Down 10

    Boomer Castleman

    “'Judy Mae': Peaked at #33 on June 14, 1975.”
  34. 261
    Up 3
    Down 8
    Rock music, New Wave, Power pop
    “'Girl of My Dreams': Peaked at #37 on September 1, 1979.”
  35. 175
    Up 6
    Down 9

    Brass Construction

    Rhythm and blues
    “'Movin'': Peaked at #14 on June 26, 1976.”
  36. 304
    Up 3
    Down 9
    Soul music, Gospel music, Blues
    “'Ain't Understanding Mellow': Peaked at #21 on April 8, 1972.”
  37. 30
    Up 25
    Down 10
    Folk rock
    “'One Toke Over the Line': Peaked at #10 on April 10, 1971.”
  38. 311
    Up 2
    Down 8

    Brighter Side of Darkness

    Rhythm and blues
    “'Love Jones': Peaked at #16 on February 3, 1973.”
  39. 320
    Up 3
    Down 10
    Rhythm and blues, Pop music, Disco More
  40. 245
    Up 5
    Down 10
    Folk music, Rock music, Electronic music More
    “'Mister Can't You See': Peaked at #38 on April 1, 1972.”
  41. 180
    Up 5
    Down 8
    No image

    Bullet

    “'White Lies, Blue Eyes': Peaked at #28 on January 15, 1972.”
  42. 228
    Up 3
    Down 7

    Byron MacGregor

    “'Americans': Peaked at #4 on February 9, 1974.”
  43. 348
    Up 2
    Down 11
    No image

    C. Company featuring Terry Nelson

    “'Battle Hymn of Lt. Calley': Peaked at #37 on May 1, 1971.”
  44. 295
    Up 4
    Down 10

    C.J. and Co.

    “'Devil's Gun': Peaked at #36 on July 16, 1977.”
  45. 27
    Up 35
    Down 18
    Reggae
    “'Kung Fu Fighting': Peaked at #1 on December 7, 1974.”
  46. 91
    Up 10
    Down 8

    Carol Douglas

    “'Doctor's Orders': Peaked at #11 on February 8, 1975.”
  47. 347
    Up 2
    Down 11

    Cashman and West

    “'American City Suite': Peaked at #27 on November 18, 1972.”
  48. 308
    Up 2
    Down 8

    Cate Bros.

    “'Union Man': Peaked at #24 on May 22, 1976.”
  49. 339
    Up 1
    Down 9

    Celebration featuring Mike Love

    “'Almost Summer': Peaked at #28 on June 24, 1978.”
  50. 122
    Up 10
    Down 10
    Disco, Funk, Euro disco More
    “'Love in C Minor': Peaked at #36 on April 9, 1977.”

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  1. Georgeann Novinger
    Best One Hit Wonders of the 1970s at 8/06/2012 4:30 PM
    You either get one hit wonders or you don't

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