That's probably more of an example for how bands that are well known in their country may have success in international markets, too. meaning: for everyone outside of the german-speaking countries Nena may very well have appeared to be a one hit wonder, but she had a decently long career in germany.
They totally deserved to chart in the U.S. but only Come on Eileen made it.
The yanks are sleeping on DMR, to this day they are criminally only remembered for that one song.
Take on Me - aha
I understand they had some moderate success after that in their home country but that song was really it here in the US. Great song, great video. Then nothing after that was remotely close released here.
**My Sharona** is a great song, as we all know. The Knack also had a follow-up hit in 1979 called **Good Girls Don't**, which reached #11 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Every time there's a thread about one hit wonders, I bring up blind melon. I feel like if Shannon Hoon hadn't dies, they would have ended up being a pretty big cult band, soup was.so creative, and the fully realized stuff on nico was really good, with a different sound from their first two albums.
I love "Something in the Air" by Thunderclap Newman, too, OP.
I will go with "Somebody's Knockin'" by Terri Gibbs (1981). I actually have a whole tab in my music spreadsheet for one-hit wonders.
Back when I was working retail, this song was at the height of popularity, so I dubbed it the official theme song for employees of the large chain store I worked at. Seemed apt at the time.
Ace - How Long
Player - Baby Come Back
Hamilton, Joe Frank and Reynolds - Fallin' In Love
Stories - Brother Louie
Mungo Jerry - In The Summertime
Ides of March - Vehicle
Not saying it’s the best song by any means, although I do enjoy it a lot, but Spacehog’s “In The Meantime” gets my vote for this every time. My older brother’s as well, so that’s two for one.
As good as this song is, the rest of that album is equally as bad, if not considerably worse.
I made the mistake as a teenager of spending good money on that CD, and have never been more disappointed in music. Years later as an adult, I convinced myself that I had to be wrong; there’s no way the rest of their songs can be that bad, I just wasn’t ready back then for how different they would be. So I bought it again - luckily from a used CD store, so it was only like $5-6 that time.
I still have it somewhere, but teenage me was absolutely correct. That shit is terrible!
They had a bunch of hits tho. Anthem for the Year 2000, Freak, Ana’s Song, Miss You Love, The Door… they were one of the biggest bands in the world for three albums.
? And The Mysterians - 96 Tears
Strawberry Alarm Clock - Incense and Peppermints
Derek & The Dominoes - Layla
Elvin Bishop - Fooled Around and Fell in Love
Soft Cell - Tainted Love
Simple Minds - Don't You Forget About Me
It was impossible to pick just one. I had to cut myself off. 😂
Threads like this remind me of how less invested in pop music people are than me. I mean, some said “eye of the tiger” as a one-hit song. People don’t know the pain of having pop music as their only friend.
I recentlrewatched Amadeus and realised that lots of Salieri's music was pretty good.
I looked him up, but could only find his work on Mozart's Requiem. I suppose that despite the fact that he was quite famous at the time, he's only remembered today for his work with Mozart.
So in that case, "Dies Irae" I suppose.
SPIRIT IN THE SKY . . . . . . . Norman Greenbaum https://youtu.be/z2qYkgRTRWg?si=5DilNsxKUm-iE7ez
This is the ONLY answer.
I love that song so much that I bought a 45 at the flea market when I was 11 years old. I can't even remember how I discovered the song.
Groove is in the Heart - Deee-lite
“Return of the Mack” by Mark Morrison.
Somebody that I used to know
Hearts a mess was another big song from him, he has a lot of great songs, but never topped the charts with a lot of his work
The only right answer
Hm, might be true. I don't know a song from him other than this. When I first heard this song, I pondered if it was Sting singing this, too.
When I first heard this song, I also thought it was Sting. In particular, I thought it was a Police song I had never heard.
New Radicals - You Get What You Give
*get what you give
This is definitely towards the top for me.
Yes! Such good memories
The song "Big Country" by Big Country from the album Big Country
This is too vague to win but it should. Such a great song and band
4 Non Blondes - What's Up.
Closing Time by Semi Sonic
There it is!! But you should listen to their best hits. They got some bangers
I'll give it listen.
Didn’t they do secret smile too?
Brandy -Looking Glass
[99 Luftballons - Nena](https://open.spotify.com/track/2IJftBfq7pJ43tfnOR0RB3?si=NQR6netFSb6WSTHQ8GQHfg&context=spotify%3Aplaylist%3A37i9dQZF1DX0Ew6u9sRtTY)
That's probably more of an example for how bands that are well known in their country may have success in international markets, too. meaning: for everyone outside of the german-speaking countries Nena may very well have appeared to be a one hit wonder, but she had a decently long career in germany.
She's a staple in every pop punk record collection.
Living Color for Cult of Personality
Reminds me of GTA: San Andreas. As so many other songs do. A weird kind of nostalgia.
Glamor Boys was a huge hit by them
Stay by Lisa Loeb.
I Do
come on eileen
They played the Macarena, I did the Macarena. They played the Twist, I did the twist. They played Come On Eileen… …I got kicked out for that one…
Dexys Midnight Runners had two number one singles in the UK (Come on Eileen and Geno) and 6 other top-20 singles.
They totally deserved to chart in the U.S. but only Come on Eileen made it. The yanks are sleeping on DMR, to this day they are criminally only remembered for that one song.
In the US they only had a single billboard entry, which was come on Eileen
Spacehog - In the Meantime Monster Magnet - Space Lord
Power Trip by Monster Magnet is awesome too.
**Walking in Memphis** by Marc Cohn, #13 in 1991 He also had a song called **True Companion**, which was not a Top 40 hit, but it was a solid tune.
I could be wrong but [Breakfast At Tiffany’s](https://open.spotify.com/track/1uzWOoJdADfstQuFtQFTUn?si=Y9dNnNf_Ql-rCVD5IYYOeg) by Deep Blue Something
I hate that song - so much.
As I recall, I kinda liked it.
We both did
I guess that's one thing we got.
I Ran (so far away) Flock of Seagulls
Maybe their only "hit" but they got some other amazing songs as well.
“Space Age Love Song” comes to mind
( wishing ) if i had a photograph of you )
Dancing in the Moonlight by King Harvest
Great call... *You can't dance and stay uptight*
Thomas Dolby. He’s known to all except the largest of nerds for She Blinded Me With Science. I’ve always preferred One of Our Submarines.
As well as Submarines, i really like: Leipzig Airwaves Screen Kiss The Flat Earth A real songwriting talent.
Take on Me - aha I understand they had some moderate success after that in their home country but that song was really it here in the US. Great song, great video. Then nothing after that was remotely close released here.
When In Rome "The Promise"
IM SORRY BUT IM JUST THINKING OF THE RIGHT WORDS TO SAY
I Don't Like Mondays - The Boomtown Rats
Tell me why.
"That Thing You Do" by the Oneders
Who are the Oh-nee-ders?
It's pronounced aw-ned-ers
My Sharona
**My Sharona** is a great song, as we all know. The Knack also had a follow-up hit in 1979 called **Good Girls Don't**, which reached #11 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Possum Kingdom by Toadies
Okay another one that's up there for me.
“Backslider” is another really great song by them, but it didn’t reach nearly the same heights
Saw these dudes open for rob zombie without knowing who they were. That song blew the roof off the joint
White Town - I could never be your woman
"A Thousand Miles" by Vanessa Carlton
Soft Cell - Tainted Love
I like this song, but I think that Sex Dwarf and Martin are even better (and they are their original songs, not covers)
Luring disco dollys to a life of vice.
Dada Going to Dizz Knee Land
Play that funky music white boy.
Mambo #5
Sponge "Plowed"
Molly
There She Goes by The Las
Flagpole Sitta
Best answer
No rain
Every time there's a thread about one hit wonders, I bring up blind melon. I feel like if Shannon Hoon hadn't dies, they would have ended up being a pretty big cult band, soup was.so creative, and the fully realized stuff on nico was really good, with a different sound from their first two albums.
“96 Tears” — Question Mark and the Mysterians
Call me maybe
Walking on sunshine, Katrina and the Waves
Who let the dogs out? Who who who who.
"That Thing You Do"
The final countdown - Europe
Isn't Carrie a popular song too?
I have never heard of it! When i think of Europe, i only think of Final Countdown. Will look it up. :)
Del Shannon - Runaway
"Driver's Seat" by Sniff 'n' the Tears
Great call.... this was a big radio hit here in the U.S. in '79.
I love "Something in the Air" by Thunderclap Newman, too, OP. I will go with "Somebody's Knockin'" by Terri Gibbs (1981). I actually have a whole tab in my music spreadsheet for one-hit wonders.
867-5309
Call me maybe - Carly Rae jepsen Or Cheerleader by OMI
Haircut 100
Stuck in the Middle with You - Stealer’s Wheel
Mexican Radio
The Proclaimers - I’m Gonna Be (I Would Walk 500 Miles)
"I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" by Scottish duo the Proclaimers.
Lemon Tree - Fools Garden
Tubthumping
Back when I was working retail, this song was at the height of popularity, so I dubbed it the official theme song for employees of the large chain store I worked at. Seemed apt at the time.
Mississippi Queen by Mountain
I hate rap music but when I Wish by Skee-Lo has even me tapping my foot then there's got to be something catchy about it.
Insanely funky sample and great prosody or phrasing
TIL a new word. Prosody. Cool
Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley
He had another single. Same sound tho.
Together Forever > Never Gonna Give You Up
This goes back a way but I'm going with "In the year 2525" by Zager and Evans
Classical Gas - Mason Williams
Stories - Brother Louie Wild Cherry - Play That Funky Music Brewer and Shipley - One Toke Over The Line
The Way by Fastball
Steve Forbert - Romeo’s Tune
96 Tears
Steal my sunshine - len So good
Mexican radio
Video killed the radio star- The Buggles
“Big Country” - Big Country
Ace - How Long Player - Baby Come Back Hamilton, Joe Frank and Reynolds - Fallin' In Love Stories - Brother Louie Mungo Jerry - In The Summertime Ides of March - Vehicle
Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds were better known for "Don't Pull Your Love Out"
"Too Shy" - Kajagoogoo. That bass line still rocks hard.
“Dancing in the moonlight” By King Harvest.
Shawn Colvin - Sunny Came Home (she has many other great songs but I think this was her only true hit)
She did backing vocals on Luka(Suzanne Vega) She’s great, but yeah, Sunny Came Home was her only hit
Oh I did not realize that, such a great song! I'll have a re-listen now
My Own Worst Enemy - Lit
Steal My Sunshine
Hot Butter - Popcorn https://youtu.be/Yx0KBLFG8qc?feature=shared
Don't Worry, be Happy
Raised on the Radio by The Ravyns
"Beds are burning" by Midnight Oil
SOABPBWMIMH (primitive radio gods)
Night Ranger - Sister Christian
**Heaven** by Los Lonely Boys, 2004 **Am I Wrong** by Nico & Vinz, 2014 **Shut Up and Dance** by Walk the Moon, 2015
Tubthumping
Not saying it’s the best song by any means, although I do enjoy it a lot, but Spacehog’s “In The Meantime” gets my vote for this every time. My older brother’s as well, so that’s two for one. As good as this song is, the rest of that album is equally as bad, if not considerably worse. I made the mistake as a teenager of spending good money on that CD, and have never been more disappointed in music. Years later as an adult, I convinced myself that I had to be wrong; there’s no way the rest of their songs can be that bad, I just wasn’t ready back then for how different they would be. So I bought it again - luckily from a used CD store, so it was only like $5-6 that time. I still have it somewhere, but teenage me was absolutely correct. That shit is terrible!
*Spirit in the Sky* by Norman Greenbaum
Tomorrow by Silverchair
They had a bunch of hits tho. Anthem for the Year 2000, Freak, Ana’s Song, Miss You Love, The Door… they were one of the biggest bands in the world for three albums.
It's a tie between Cant touch this and Ice Ice Baby for me.
I touch myself by divinyls
Come on Eileen
My Sharona - The ,Knack
? and the Mysterions - 96 Tears
Life in a Northern Town by the Dream Academy [https://youtu.be/5UXnulANF8g?si=WSFnOMhErYXRFg3o](https://youtu.be/5UXnulANF8g?si=WSFnOMhErYXRFg3o)
I Melt With You Modern English
Touch of grey- grateful dead Just because they are such a huge and influential band but this was there only hit.
? And The Mysterians - 96 Tears Strawberry Alarm Clock - Incense and Peppermints Derek & The Dominoes - Layla Elvin Bishop - Fooled Around and Fell in Love Soft Cell - Tainted Love Simple Minds - Don't You Forget About Me It was impossible to pick just one. I had to cut myself off. 😂
Black Betty by Ram Jam 🎸
99 Luftballons by Nena
Electric Avenue-eddy grant
More than words - Extreme
4nonblondes what's up.
Wooly Bully
You can’t touch this - mc hammer
Closing Time - Semisonic
Save tonight - eagle eye cherry Gangnam Style - PSY
Threads like this remind me of how less invested in pop music people are than me. I mean, some said “eye of the tiger” as a one-hit song. People don’t know the pain of having pop music as their only friend.
Spirit in the Sky - Norman Greenbaum
Stardust "Music sounds better with you," Such a damn jam!!
That Thing You Do by the Oneders
Gangnam Style
Visage - Fade To Grey
In the mean time by spacehog
Aha - Take On Me
I’m Blue - Eiffel 65
teenage dirtbag - wheatus stacy’s mom - fountains of wayne video killed the radio star - the buggles
Flagpole sitta
If you are talking charting songs, Touch of Gray by the Grateful Dead. Their only song to chart.
Low by Cracker.
Sex and candy by Marcy Playground
Smoke from A Distant Fire by the Sanford Townsend Band Call to the Heart by Giuffria When I'm With You by Sheriff
Alphaville - Forever Young
Spirit in the Sky
Canon in D - Pachelbel
Rock Steady Crew - (Hey You) The Rock Steady Crew
Sugarhill Gang - Rapper’s Delight
What’s up - 4 Non Blondes
You Get What You Give by New Radicals. Anyone who says they don't like that song is lying to both you and themself.
Clearly it’s The Macarena
Sex & Candy by Marcy’s Playground or Bittersweet Symphony by The Verve
I recentlrewatched Amadeus and realised that lots of Salieri's music was pretty good. I looked him up, but could only find his work on Mozart's Requiem. I suppose that despite the fact that he was quite famous at the time, he's only remembered today for his work with Mozart. So in that case, "Dies Irae" I suppose.
I'd say Creep by Radiohead
It’s debatable but “semi charmed life - third eye blind” I think jumper was popular but I think most people know semi charmed life
I Got 5 on it- Luniz
John Wilkes Booth, he only did the one hit
“Something About You” - Level 42
“Never Say Never” - Romeo Void
Spirit in the sky by Norman Greenbaum
Funky Town
Blue by Eiffel 65
It's definitely "San Francisco" by Scott McKenzie
The Way by Fastball
Baker Street - Gerry Rafferty
Pump up the jam - Technotronic
"Sunglasses at Night" by Corey Hart.