The Greatest One-Hit Wonder Songs of the '70s

Ranker Music ^ | 1/1/24 | Ranker Music

[DallasBiff]

We see flash-in-the-pan artists come and go with every decade, but one-hit wonders of the '70s ironically always seem to stick around. For example, you’ve probably heard the classics “American Pie” by Don McLean or “Spirit in the Sky” by Norman Greenbaum despite not knowing any of their other songs or discography. Below, music lovers have ranked the greatest songs of the '70s by one hit wonders in order to increase awareness for them—and also because they kick ass. So if you like “American Pie” or “Spirit in the Sky,” you’re sure to love the other one hit wonders of the '70s below. Also be sure to vote for your favorite '70s one-hit wonders below or add any you feel should be on the list

[dfwgator]

Feelings - Morris Albert (Hey, somebody had to do it)

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Love Golden Earing.

Still have "Cut" in my collection. A couple of their other albums that I remember having have disappeared but that one remains.

[dfwgator]

They were probably the longest continuous band in rock and roll, started in 1961, until George Kooymans got ALS a few years ago.

[Dr. Sivana]

Why top 40? Because that’s what Casey Kasem counted.

Works for me. As a piece of personal trivial, I believe I hold the record for lowest charting record to earn a "Long Distance Dedication" on his show.

[Dr. Sivana]

Reunion - Life is a Rock (But the Radio Rolled Me)

Great call, and that made #1. Unlike "Hooked On ..." and "Dickie Goodman", they never repeated the success.

[Dr. Sivana]

Don McLean was a brilliant musician and extremely talented.

Was?! He's performing here in Phoenix this month! he's on billboards.

[dfwgator]

What about Rick Dees “Disco Duck”?

[gitmo]

All Right Now

That played day and night in my dormitory.
“Let’s move before they raise the f****g rent”. (modified lyrics)_

[dfwgator]

Certainly wasn’t the only hit for Paul Rodgers.

[Fledermaus]

Afternoon Delight by Starland Vocal Band

[dfwgator]

I knew someone would get around to that one.

[Fledermaus]

I saw him do it live at a dance venue in Poteau OK

[dfwgator]

Pilot - It’s Magic

Actually the band Pilot, became the core of The Alan Parsons Project.

[deport]

She’s your adolescent dream,
Schoolboy stuff, a sticky sweet romance.
And she makes you want to scream,
Wishing you could get inside her pants.
So, you fantasize away.
And while you’re squeezing her, you thought you heard her saying...

“Good girls don’t,
Good girls don’t,
Good girls don’t, but I do.”

So, you call her on the phone
To talk about the teachers that you hate.
And she says she’s all alone,
And her parents won’t be coming home til late.
There’s a ringing in your brain,
Cause you could’ve sworn you though you heard her saying...

“Good girls don’t,
Good girls don’t,
Good girls don’t, but I do.”

And it’s a teenage sadness
Everyone has got to taste.
An in-between age madness
That you know you can’t erase
Til she’s sitting on your face.

You’re alone with her at last,
And you’re waiting til you think the time is right.
Cause you’ve heard she’s pretty fast.
And you’re hoping that she’ll give you some tonight.
So, you start to make your play,
Cause you could’ve sworn you thought you heard her saying...

“Good girls don’t,
Good girls don’t,
Good girls don’t, but I do.”

And it’s a teenage sadness
Everyone has got to taste.
An in-between age madness
That you know you can’t erase
Til she’s sitting on your face.

Good girls don’t,
Good girls don’t,
Good girls don’t, but I do...

[Dr. Sivana]

What about Rick Dees “Disco Duck”?

Absolutely. A disproportionate number of the #1 "One Hit Wonders" were novelty records.

I see your "Disco Duck" and raise you one "Meri Wilson" for "Telephone Man" and "Johnny Wakelin" for "Black Superman".

[dfwgator]

Junk Food Junkie by Larry Groce

(Yes I listened to Dr. Demento religiously growing up)

[LukeL]

Thunder Island

[Dr. Sivana]

I knew someone would get around to that one.

Two of us, actually. I mention it in post#49.

[Dr. Sivana]

Junk Food Junkie by Larry Groce

That was a bona fide hit! That's actually on personal playlist and I forgot about it!

What's amazing is that it is 50 years later, and all the junk food (Col. Sanders, Big Mac, Twinkie, Dr. Pepper, Ding-Dong, Moon Pie) are still around. Can't say the same for Euell Gibbons. That song has aged really well.

[xoxox]

Don MclEan def not a one hit wonder. Well, true, he only had one hit, but tons of other great music.