Best One Hit Wonders of the 1970s
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!
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!
- 134Up 9Down 10
100 Proof (Aged in Soul)
“ 'Somebody's Been Sleeping': Peaked at #8 on November 14, 1970. „ - 277Up 2Down 7
5000 Volts
Disco“ 'I'm on Fire': Peaked at #26 on December 13, 1975. „ - 58Up 13Down 7Pop rock, Soft rock, Pop music More“ 'How Long?': Peaked at #3 on May 31, 1975. „
- 113Up 12Down 12Hard rock, Heavy metal, Glam rock More“ 'New York Groove': Peaked at #13 on February 3, 1979. „
- 59Up 14Down 8
Alan O'Day
“ 'Undercover Angel': Peaked at #1 on July 9, 1977. „ - 63Up 23Down 17Disco“ 'I Love the Nightlife (Disco 'Round)': Peaked at #5 on December 23, 1978. „
- 153Up 6Down 8
Alive 'n Kickin'
- 199Up 6Down 10
Alton McClain and Destiny
Disco“ 'It Must Be Love': Peaked at #32 on June 9, 1979. „ - 138Up 9Down 10
Amazing Rhythm Aces
“ 'Third Rate Romance': Peaked at #14 on September 13, 1975. „ - 70Up 15Down 10Rhythm and blues, Soul music, Disco More“ 'Knock on Wood': Peaked at #1 on April 21, 1979. „
- 34Up 27Down 13Rhythm and blues, Disco“ 'Ring My Bell': Peaked at #1 on June 30, 1979. „
- 146Up 10Down 12Memphis soul“ 'I Can't Stand the Rain': Peaked at #38 on December 22, 1973. „
- 154Up 6Down 8
Apollo 100 featuring Tom Parker
“ 'Joy': Peaked at #4 on February 26, 1972. „ - 24Up 37Down 19Hard rock, Progressive rock, Pop music“ 'Hold Your Head Up': Peaked at #5 on August 26, 1972. „
- 36Up 33Down 19Folk music, Blues“ 'The City of New Orleans': Peaked at #18 on October 28, 1972. „
- 330Up 1Down 8
Ashton, Gardner and Dyke
“ 'Resurrection Shuffle': Peaked at #40 on August 7, 1971. „ - 166Up 8Down 11
Assembled Multitude
“ 'Overture from Tommy (A Rock Opera)': Peaked at #16 on August 29, 1970. „ - 78Up 11Down 7
B. W. Stevenson
“ 'My Maria': Peaked at #9 on September 29, 1973. „ - 297Up 4Down 10Country, Gospel music“ 'Teddy Bear Song': Peaked at #32 on June 2, 1973. „
- 143Up 13Down 15Country, Adult contemporary music, Country pop“ '(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want to Be Right': Peaked at #31 on June 2, 1979. „
- 117Up 11Down 11
Barry DeVorzon and Perry Botkin, Jr.
“ 'Nadia's Theme (The Young and The Restless)': Peaked at #8 on December 11, 1976. „ - 203Up 6Down 10
Bell and James
“ 'Livin' It Up (Friday Night)': Peaked at #15 on April 21, 1979. „ - 316Up 6Down 13
Benny Bell
“ 'Shaving Cream': Peaked at #30 on April 26, 1975. „ - 53Up 27Down 19Film score, Disco“ 'Gonna Fly Now (Theme from Rocky)': Peaked at #1 on July 2, 1977. „
- 60Up 16Down 10Pop music, Country“ 'I Can Help': Peaked at #1 on November 23, 1974. „
- 72Up 19Down 15
Black Oak Arkansas
Rock music“ 'Jim Dandy': Peaked at #25 on February 16, 1974. „ - 248Up 4Down 9Hard rock, Progressive rock, Heavy metal More“ 'D.O.A.': Peaked at #36 on March 6, 1971. „
- 290Up 4Down 10
Blue Haze
“ 'Smoke Gets in Your Eyes': Peaked at #27 on January 13, 1973. „ - 8Up 32Down 6
Blues Image
“ 'Ride Captain Ride': Peaked at #4 on July 11, 1970. „ - 132Up 11Down 12Rock music, Pop music, Calypso music“ 'Montego Bay': Peaked at #8 on November 28, 1970. „
- 97Up 13Down 12Pop rock, Blue-eyed soul, Smooth jazz More“ 'What You Won't Do for Love': Peaked at #9 on March 24, 1979. „
- 292Up 4Down 10
Boney M
“ 'Rivers of Babylon': Peaked at #30 on August 26, 1978. „ - 332Up 2Down 10
Boomer Castleman
“ 'Judy Mae': Peaked at #33 on June 14, 1975. „ - 261Up 3Down 8Rock music, New Wave, Power pop“ 'Girl of My Dreams': Peaked at #37 on September 1, 1979. „
- 175Up 6Down 9
Brass Construction
Rhythm and blues“ 'Movin'': Peaked at #14 on June 26, 1976. „ - 304Up 3Down 9Soul music, Gospel music, Blues“ 'Ain't Understanding Mellow': Peaked at #21 on April 8, 1972. „
- 30Up 25Down 10Folk rock“ 'One Toke Over the Line': Peaked at #10 on April 10, 1971. „
- 311Up 2Down 8
Brighter Side of Darkness
Rhythm and blues“ 'Love Jones': Peaked at #16 on February 3, 1973. „ - 320Up 3Down 10Rhythm and blues, Pop music, Disco More
- 245Up 5Down 10Folk music, Rock music, Electronic music More“ 'Mister Can't You See': Peaked at #38 on April 1, 1972. „
- 180Up 5Down 8
Bullet
“ 'White Lies, Blue Eyes': Peaked at #28 on January 15, 1972. „ - 228Up 3Down 7
Byron MacGregor
“ 'Americans': Peaked at #4 on February 9, 1974. „ - 348Up 2Down 11
C. Company featuring Terry Nelson
“ 'Battle Hymn of Lt. Calley': Peaked at #37 on May 1, 1971. „ - 295Up 4Down 10
C.J. and Co.
“ 'Devil's Gun': Peaked at #36 on July 16, 1977. „ - 27Up 35Down 18Reggae“ 'Kung Fu Fighting': Peaked at #1 on December 7, 1974. „
- 91Up 10Down 8
Carol Douglas
“ 'Doctor's Orders': Peaked at #11 on February 8, 1975. „ - 347Up 2Down 11
Cashman and West
“ 'American City Suite': Peaked at #27 on November 18, 1972. „ - 308Up 2Down 8
Cate Bros.
“ 'Union Man': Peaked at #24 on May 22, 1976. „ - 339Up 1Down 9
Celebration featuring Mike Love
“ 'Almost Summer': Peaked at #28 on June 24, 1978. „ - 122Up 10Down 10Disco, Funk, Euro disco More“ 'Love in C Minor': Peaked at #36 on April 9, 1977. „
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Best One Hit Wonders of the 1970s at 8/06/2012 4:30 PM