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]

Procol Harum did have some other hits, “Conquistador”.

[Fledermaus]

I forgot Love is Like Oxygen. Thought Little Willie was someone else.

Let me try “Kung Fu Fighting”

[Dr. Sivana]

I do remember the episode when Keith was dating a woman’s libber who wanted to use the act to sing their women’s lib songs, and Keith pulled an Elvis Costello and played what the people came to hear.

Even then it was clear these kinds of girls were no fun at all.

[jjotto]

‘One hit wonders’ are in the eye of the beholder. Many artists have distinctive, wonderful, lengthy and lucrative careers without some moronic pop chart hits that have become the fake summon bonum of Western Civ even before its recent collapse.

[George from New England]

Wildflower by Skylark

dittos

great horse song

[dfwgator]

Technically “Rush” is a one-hit wonder because they only had one Top-40 single, “New World Man”.

[George from New England]

You say Keith, I think 98.6, one-hit wonder albeit 1968.

[dfwgator]

You’re thinking Wildfire by Michael Murphy.

[suthener]

“Chapin had Taxi, and Cats In the Cradle”

W.O.L.D.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SubLzRKYuo4

[HerrBlucher]

96 tears by ? And the Mysterians

[Dr. Sivana]

You say Keith, I think 98.6, one-hit wonder albeit 1968.

I had to look that one up. Right you are. So obscure, his record made the Wikipedia, but his stage name did not!

[Restless]

Several entries on this list don’t make sense. The Guess Who had 6 top ten hits in the U.S., hardly a one-hit wonder. The same goes for Dr. Hook with 6 top tens.

[Cautious Optimism]

If you want to see a real mind bender then check out when the Lawrence Welk singers did a cover of”One toke over the line “
on one of their shows.

[Dr. Sivana]

Michael Murphy had a hit follow-up, “Carolina in the Pine”. More upbeat. In fact, I think I will listen to it on my way home.

[dfwgator]

He’s had a pretty long-running country career.

[bleach]

Sanford Townsend Band “Smoke From A Distant Fire”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCWVuCCWqzQ

[dfwgator]

Steam - Na na na na (Kiss Him Goodbye)

They weren’t even a real band.

[Dr. Sivana]

Technically “Rush” is a one-hit wonder because they only had one Top-40 single, “New World Man”.

I am going by "Top 40" and Rush had a few that made the Top 40 though not the Top 10. "Tom Sawyer" is an example.

[dfwgator]

Good one.

[Dr. Sivana]

They weren’t even a real band.

Were "The Archies"?