Best One Hit Wonders of the 1970s Bands/Musicians

Best One Hit Wonders of the 1970s

rockboy rockboy 33,966 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
    Down 10

    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. 146
    Up 10
    Down 12
    Memphis soul
    “'I Can't Stand the Rain': Peaked at #38 on December 22, 1973.”
  4. 36
    Up 33
    Down 19
    Folk music, Blues
    “'The City of New Orleans': Peaked at #18 on October 28, 1972.”
  5. 318
    Up 4
    Down 11

    Silvetti

    Latin pop
    “'Spring Rain': Peaked at #39 on March 19, 1977.”
  6. 203
    Up 6
    Down 10

    Bell and James

    “'Livin' It Up (Friday Night)': Peaked at #15 on April 21, 1979.”
  7. 316
    Up 6
    Down 13

    Benny Bell

    “'Shaving Cream': Peaked at #30 on April 26, 1975.”
  8. 60
    Up 16
    Down 10
    Pop music, Country
    “'I Can Help': Peaked at #1 on November 23, 1974.”
  9. 53
    Up 27
    Down 19
    Film score, Disco
    “'Gonna Fly Now (Theme from Rocky)': Peaked at #1 on July 2, 1977.”
  10. 72
    Up 19
    Down 15

    Black Oak Arkansas

    Rock music
    “'Jim Dandy': Peaked at #25 on February 16, 1974.”
  11. 132
    Up 11
    Down 12
    Rock music, Pop music, Calypso music
    “'Montego Bay': Peaked at #8 on November 28, 1970.”
  12. 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.”
  13. 175
    Up 6
    Down 9

    Brass Construction

    Rhythm and blues
    “'Movin'': Peaked at #14 on June 26, 1976.”
  14. 30
    Up 25
    Down 10
    Folk rock
    “'One Toke Over the Line': Peaked at #10 on April 10, 1971.”
  15. 245
    Up 5
    Down 10
    Folk music, Rock music, Electronic music More
    “'Mister Can't You See': Peaked at #38 on April 1, 1972.”
  16. 27
    Up 35
    Down 18
    Reggae
    “'Kung Fu Fighting': Peaked at #1 on December 7, 1974.”
  17. 91
    Up 10
    Down 8

    Carol Douglas

    “'Doctor's Orders': Peaked at #11 on February 8, 1975.”
  18. 122
    Up 10
    Down 10
    Disco, Funk, Euro disco More
    “'Love in C Minor': Peaked at #36 on April 9, 1977.”
  19. 283
    Up 6
    Down 12
    “'Think It Over': Peaked at #34 on September 9, 1978.”
  20. 51
    Up 22
    Down 14
    Rhythm and blues, Soul music, Pop music More
    “'Got to Be Real': Peaked at #12 on February 17, 1979.”
  21. 104
    Up 9
    Down 8

    Chi Coltrane

    “'Thunder and Lightning': Peaked at #17 on November 18, 1972.”
  22. 350
    Up 1
    Down 10
    Rock music, Pop rock, Blues-rock More
  23. 227
    Up 3
    Down 7

    City Boy

    “'5.7.0.5.': Peaked at #27 on September 16, 1978.”
  24. 285
    Up 5
    Down 11
    “'My Sweet Lady': Peaked at #17 on March 23, 1974.”
  25. 193
    Up 3
    Down 6

    Cyndi Grecco

    “'Making Our Dreams Come True': Peaked at #25 on July 4, 1976.”
  26. 77
    Up 12
    Down 8

    Danny O'Keefe

    Folk music
    “'Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues': Peaked at #9 on November 4, 1972.”
  27. 61
    Up 19
    Down 13

    Dave Loggins

    Pop music, Country
    “'Please Come to Boston': Peaked at #5 on August 10, 1974.”
  28. 52
    Up 24
    Down 16
    Pop music
    “'Don't Give Up on Us': Peaked at #1 on April 9, 1977.”
  29. 208
    Up 5
    Down 9
    Soul music, Disco, Contemporary R&B More
    “'Trapped By a Thing Called Love': Peaked at #13 on October 30, 1971.”
  30. 49
    Up 19
    Down 11
    Rhythm and blues, Soul music, Pop music More
    'Hey There Lonely Girl': Peaked at #2 on February 21, 1970.
  31. 289
    Up 4
    Down 10
    Rhythm and blues, Pop music, Disco More
    “'Armed and Extremely Dangerous': Peaked at #28 on May 26, 1973.”
  32. 191
    Up 4
    Down 7
    Dance music, Rhythm and blues, Soul music More
    “'Misdemeanor': Peaked at #22 on July 28, 1973.”
  33. 163
    Up 10
    Down 13

    Francis Lai

    Film score
    “'Theme from Love Story': Peaked at #31 on March 6, 1971.”
  34. 145
    Up 10
    Down 12
    Soul music, Disco, Contemporary R&B More
    “'Come to Me': Peaked at #15 on November 17, 1979.”
  35. 110
    Up 12
    Down 12

    Frank Mills

    “'Music Box Dancer': Peaked at #3 on May 5, 1979.”
  36. 286
    Up 5
    Down 11

    Freddie Hart

    Country, Gospel music
    “'Easy Loving': Peaked at #17 on November 20, 1971.”
  37. 218
    Up 4
    Down 8

    Fred Wesley and the J.B.'s

    “'Doing It to Death': Peaked at #22 on July 14, 1973.”
  38. 64
    Up 25
    Down 19
    Rock music, Hard rock, Progressive rock More
    'The House of the Rising Sun': Peaked at #7 on April 4, 1970.
  39. 207
    Up 6
    Down 10
    Film score, Rock music, Synthpop More
    “'Chase': Peaked at #33 on March 31, 1979.”
  40. 257
    Up 3
    Down 8

    Glass Bottle

    “'I Ain't Got Time Anymore': Peaked at #36 on September 25, 1971.”
  41. 149
    Up 7
    Down 9

    Gonzalez

    Rhythm and blues, Soul music, Funk
    “'Haven't Stopped Dancing Yet': Peaked at #26 on March 10, 1979.”
  42. 14
    Up 40
    Down 18
    Rock music, Country, Gospel music More
    “'Midnight Rider': Peaked at #19 on January 19, 1974.”
  43. 158
    Up 4
    Down 6

    Gunhill Road

    Rock music
    “'Back When My Hair Was Short': Peaked at #40 on June 2, 1973.”
  44. 109
    Up 12
    Down 12
    Rhythm and blues, Soul music, Disco More
    “'Rockin' Chair': Peaked at #9 on August 2, 1975.”
  45. 230
    Up 3
    Down 7

    Henhouse Five Plus Two

  46. 313
    Up 2
    Down 8

    High Inergy

    Rhythm and blues, Soul music, Pop music More
    “'You Can't Turn Me Off (In the Middle of Turning Me On)': Peaked at #12 on December 24, 1977.”
  47. 256
    Up 4
    Down 9

    Hotlegs

    “'Neanderthal Man': Peaked at #22 on September 26, 1970.”
  48. 234
    Up 3
    Down 7
    Rock music
    “'Painted Ladies': Peaked at #34 on January 12, 1974.”
  49. 255
    Up 4
    Down 9
    Rhythm and blues, Soul music, Disco More
    “'I Got My Mind Made Up (You Can Get It Girl)': Peaked at #20 on May 12, 1979.”
  50. 266
    Up 2
    Down 7

    Ironhorse

    “'Sweet Lui-Louise': Peaked at #36 on May 5, 1979.”

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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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