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

[Responsibility2nd]

Rock The Boat ~ Hues Corporation.

Fun fact I learned from watching The Derry Girls.

They play this song at weddings in Ireland. They get down on the floor as if in a boat and go all out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCfys0_IMXo

[Dr. Sivana]

A lot of these are NOT “One Hit Wonders”.

Don McLean hit the Top 40 with “Vincent”, “Dreidel”, “Crying” and “Since I don’t Have You”.

The Partridge Family hit the Top 40 with “Doesn’t Somebody Want to Be Wanted”, “I’ll Meet You Halfway”, “I Woke Up in Love This Morning”, “It’s One of Those Nights (Yes Love)”

[bigdaddy45]

EVERYBODY was kung fu fighting!!!

[Hootowl]

Not a one-hit wonder. Melanie had other hits (Lay Down [Candles in the Rain]), for instance.

[dfwgator]

“Doesn’t Somebody Want to Be Wanted”

That song is infamous for this...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yu4r79l8P8I

[Fledermaus]

Baroom Blitz

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

A lot of these in the list were not "one hit wonders".

But I think Wildflower by Skylark should be included.

[Hootowl]

I was going to note that many posters didn’t understand what “one hit wonder” meant but, looking at Ranker’s List, apparently they don’t either.

[Dr. Sivana]

I think these are bona fide one hit wonders:
“Afternoon Delight”—Starland Vocal Band
“Seasons in the Sun”—Terry Jacks
and my personal vote
“Timothy” by the Buoys

Honorable Mention to C.W. McCall is hit #40 the year before “Convoy”.

I assume we are NOT accepting Country Charts or “Adult Contemporary”

[HartleyMBaldwin]

From 1969, not the 70s, but a really good album. I still listen to it every so often.

[Dr. Sivana]

looking at Ranker’s List, apparently they don’t either.

Absolutely. You could make a credible album called Don McLean's Greatest Hits.

[dfwgator]

The Sweet had several hits, “Little Willie”, “Love Is Like Oxygen”.

[FrdmLvr]

I have that album, I love White Bird. The rest of the album is pretty good as well although I haven’t listened to it in years.

[dfwgator]

Jigsaw - Sky High

[Dr. Sivana]

Baroom Blitz

"The Sweet" had Top Ten hits besides "Ballroom Blitz". "Fox on the Run" and "Little Willie" come to mind immediately.

[dfwgator]

Nazareth - Love Hurts

[Verginius Rufus]

“In the Year 2525” was a hit in 1969.

[Alberta's Child]

“A Whiter Shade of Pale” may have been the best one-hit wonder hit of all time.

[Dr. Sivana]

EVERYBODY was kung fu fighting!!!

Mark Steyn riffed on the song for a whole week when it was prohibited somewhere. Steyn can sometimes be a bit of a music snob, but Carl Douglas, had him with "Funky China Man, in Funky China Town".

[Gigantor]

Apparently, in 2024 people don’t know what a ‘one-hit wonder’ means. In that vein, my favorite one-hit wonder is the Rolling Stones and “Satisfaction.”