100 Greatest 1-Hit Wonders

[MelissaG915]

VH1 loves to compile lists... and I like to read 'em. They have the top 100 one-hit wonders listed over at vh1.com, but for those lazy enough not to go over there, I brought the list here.

Lots of songs I had forgotten about. Rather surprised at some omissions (no "Walking on Sunshine"?) and at the broad term to consider someone a one-hit wonder, Thomas Dolby had more than one hit, I'm thinking "Europa" as another.

I have a great book called, well, "One Hit Wonders" that goes back to about 1952 up to 1985. Yeah, what about all the versions of "Sukiyaki", probably the most covered song by one-hit wonder acts! I can count at least 4.

100. "Kung Fu Fighting" by Carl Douglas (1974)

99. "No Rain" by Blind Melon (1993)

98. "Two Of Hearts" by Stacey Q (1986)

97. "Whoomp! There It Is" by Tag Team (1993)

96. "I Want Candy" by Bow Wow Wow (1982)

95. "Harper Valley P.T.A." by Jeannie C. Riley (1968)

94. "What's Up" by 4 Non Blondes (1993)

93. "Don't Give Up On Us Baby" by David Soul (1977)

92. "Heart & Soul" by T'Pau (1987)

91. "Electric Avenue" by Eddie Grant (1983)

93. "Don't Want To Fall In Love" by Jane Child (1990)

89. "Achy, Breaky Heart" by Billy Ray Cyrus (1992)

87. "Barbie Girl" by Aqua (1987)

93. "Don't Leave Me This Way" by Thelma Houston (1977)

86. "Bust A Move" by Young MC (1989)

85. "Spirit In The Sky" by Norman Greenbaum (1970)

84. "You Gotta Be" by Des'ree (1994)

83. "The Safety Dance" by Men Without Hats (1983)

82. "I Know What Boys Like" by The Waitresses (1982)

81. "Just A Friend" by Biz Markie (1990)

80. "Cum On Feel The Noize" by Quiet Riot (1983)

79. "Puttin' On The Ritz" by Taco (1983)

78. "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm" by Crash Test Dummies (1994)

77. "What I Am" by Edie Brickell & The New Bohemians (1989)

76. "We Don't Have To Take Our Clothes Off" by Jermaine Stewart (1986)

75. "I've Never Been To Me" by Charlene (1982)

74. "Rebirth Of Slick (Cool Like Dat)" by Digable Planets (1993)

73. "Convoy" by C.W. McCall (1975)

72. "Maniac" by Michael Sembello (1983)

71. "How Bizarre" by OMC (1997)

70. "The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia" by Vicki Lawrence (1973)

69. "Funkytown" by Lipps, Inc. (1980)

68. "A Girl Like You" by Edwyn Collins (1995)

67. "Epic" by Faith No More (1990)

66. "Mambo No. 5" by Lou Bega (1999)

65. "In My House" by The Mary Jane Girls (1985)

64. "You Get What You Give" by New Radicals (1998)

63. "Jump Around" by House Of Pain (1992)

62. "Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades" by Timbuk 3 (1986)

61. "Round And Round" by Ratt (1984)

60. "More, More, More" by Andrea True Connection (1976)

59. "867-5309/Jenny" by Tommy Tutone (1982)

58. "What Is Love?" by Haddaway (1993)

57. "Smokin' In The Boys Room" by Brownsville Station (1973)

56. "Lovin' You" by Minnie Riperton (1975)

55. "It's Raining Men" by Weather Girls (1982)

54. "Makin' It" by David Naughton (1977)

53. "Somebody's Watching Me" by Rockwell (1984)

52. "Genius Of Love" by Tom Tom Club (1982)

51. "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" by The Proclaimers (1995)

50. "I Touch Myself" by The Divinyls (1991)

49. "Turn The Beat Around" by Vicki Sue Robinson (1976)

48. "True" by Spandau Ballet (1983)

47. "Rock & Roll, Pt. 2" by Gary Glitter (1972)

46. "Don't Worry Be Happy" by Bobby McFerrin (1988)

45. "Lovefool" by The Cardigans (1996)

44. "Rock Me Amadeus" by Falco (1986)

43. "How Do You Talk To An Angel" by The Heights (1992)

42. "Hot Child In The City" by Nick Gilder (1978)

41. "Relax" by Frankie Goes To Hollywood (1985)

40. "In A Big Country" by Big Country (1983)

39. "Bittersweet Symphony" by The Verve (1998)

38. "Me & Mrs. Jones" by Billy Paul (1972)

37. "I Melt With You" by Modern English (1982)

36. "Turning Japanese" by The Vapors (1980)

35. "*****" by Meredith Brooks (1997)

34. "Afternoon Delight" by Starland Vocal Band (1976)

33. Got To Be Real" by Cheryl Lynn (1979)

32. "Hot Hot Hot" by Buster Poindexter (1987)

31. "Unbelievable" by EMF (1993)

30. "Seasons In The Sun" by Terry Jacks (1974)

29. "Pass The Dutchie" by Musical Youth (1983)

28. "It Takes Two" by Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock (1988)

27. "Pop Musik" by M (1979)

26. "Stumblin' In" by Suzi Quatro (1979)

25. "Too Shy" by Kajagoogoo (1983)

24. "Whip It" by Devo (1980)

23. "Tubthumping" by Chumbawumba (1997)

22. "Play That Funky Music" by Wild Cherry (1976)

21. "Cars" by Gary Numan (1980)

20. "She Blinded Me With Science" by Thomas Dolby (1983)

19. "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida " by Iron Butterfly (1968)

18. "Nothing Compares 2 U" by Sinéad O'Connor (1990)

17. "We're Not Gonna Take It" by Twisted Sister (1984)

16. "Rapper's Delight" by Sugarhill Gang (1980)

15. "96 Tears" by ? And The Mysterians (1966)
Perhaps the best cultural nugget ever produced by Flint, Michigan.

14. "Groove Is In The Heart" by Deee-Lite (1990)

13. "The Hustle" by Van McCoy (1975)

12. "Baby Got Back" by Sir Mix-A-Lot (1994)

11. "You Light Up My Life" by Debby Boone (1977)

10. "99 Luftballoons" by Nena (1984)

9. "Rico Suave" by Gerardo (1991)

8. "Take On Me" by A-Ha (1985)

7. "Ice Ice Baby" by Vanilla Ice (1991)

6. "Who Let The Dogs Out" by Baha Men (2000)

5. "Mickey" by Toni Basil (1982)

4. "I'm Too Sexy" by Right Said Fred (1992)

3. "Come On Eileen" by Dexy's Midnight Runners (1983)

2. "Tainted Love" by Soft Cell (1982)

1. "The Macarena" by Los Del Rio (1996)

[ToledoTigerFan]

I figured right away A-Ha would have to be on that list and, sure enough, there they are at number 8. The video was cute as hell and well-done but the song itself was so-so. I could understand exactly seven words from that song--it's better to be safe than sorry- and the rest was just a bunch of jibberish uttered by foreigners. Am I the only person who couldn't understand a word they said?

Also, the young woman they used was cute as hell.

[Oblong]

Quiet Riot was not a one hit wonder. Metal Health was just as much of a hit as Cum on Feel the Noize.

Note what pioneers they were in the latest trend of spelling words wrong.

3. "Come On Eileen" by Dexy's Midnight Runners (1983)



Is it just me or without the intended comma in the song title, this takes on a whole new meaning.

[ToledoTigerFan]

Well, Eileen would certainly think so.

[TigerCap]

Who was the 80's band that sang "Common Ground"? That's a good one-hit band.
I think Verve Pipe (and their "Freshmen") will be like them.

[Oblong]

That was Rythym Corps.

I remember seeing them for free at Wayne State during my first year in college, 1991. They were playing in the courtyard.

[Ranger]

Originally posted by MelissaG915
87. "Barbie Girl" by Aqua (1987)

This goes down as the worst song ever recorded in my book. When they use the word "greatest", they mean impact and not quality, right?

[Dr. Cobweb]

I can't believe "Spirit In The Sky" only ranks in at #85. Nor that "Who Let The Dogs Out" made the top ten. Or fifty. I guess that's what happens when a gaggle of under-thirty children make out these lists.

[Oblong]

On our honeymoon in Jamaica my wife and I distinctly remember hearing "Who let the dogs out" while at a beach party on the drunk. That was 1998. Why does that song have 2000 next to it? We talked about it before it made it's way over here.

[Born in Detroit]

I like 867-5309, but I have to agree with Tainted Love at #2. That song still gets a lot of play, on the old stations I listen to. And surely "It's Raining Men" has had a bigger impact than "Rico Suave".

[DetroitFolly]

The Baja Men actually have a new hit..."move it like this" that is being pimped all over Nickelodeon and Noggin (two channels my kid DIGS.) The NBA is also using it for their playoff commercials...so they are 1 1/2 hit wonders.

Rythym Corps (originally Rythym Method) was actually a pretty good band, and were just shy of stardom in the early 80's. They never quite got over the hump.

Here's a one hit wonder..."Switchin' to Glide" by the Kings.

[Oblong]

DF, the Baha Men also sing the theme song for "Stanley", my son's favorite show on "Playhouse Disney".

[holygoat]

How is "Louie Louie" by The Kingsmen not on the list?

[MelissaG915]

Originally posted by holygoat
How is "Louie Louie" by The Kingsmen not on the list?

Oooooo, good one.

[Moonlight Graham]

24. "Whip It" by Devo (1980)

Devo a one hit wonder? I remember Devo doing Satisifaction on SNL many years ago. "I can't get me no, satisfaction". I just did a scan on google and they performed Satisfaction on SNL on 10/14/78. Ironically, the Rolling Stones did Miss You and Beast of Burden the week before on 10/07/78.

[MelissaG915]

Ones I would dispute:

89. Billy Ray Cyrus - had more hits as a country artist, just not top 40. It's not like he completely vanished, like most of the artists listed.

84. Des'ree DID have another hit with "Kissing You"

80. Quiet Riot, for reasons stated earlier

76. Was that even a hit?

All the latest songs like Baha Men and New Radicals, who could have current hits without missing a beat. I say spot them 10 years. Look at Tracy Chapman, just when you thought "Fast Car" would be her single hit, she comes up with more, 10 years later.

61. Ratt? Didn't they have a couple of hits? "Way Cool Junior" is one I remember from my hig hair teen years.

53 and 52 are almost negated in my head because they were side projects of more successful bands -- Maxwell was a side project of the folks who brought you Club Nouveau, a side project of someone else who I forget) and Tom Tom Club was a side project of Tina and Chris from Talking Heads.

44. Falco had a hit with "Der Kommisar" at the same time the band After the Fire, ANOTHER one hit wonder had a hit with the exact same song. Not the same battle as "Sukiyaki".

43. A made for TV band that wasn't even a band! Disqualified!

41. "Two Tribes" was also a hit for FGTH.

37. & 21. "I Melt with You" has been on the charts twice, as has "Cars". Would that make it a one song-two hit wonder?

20, 18, 17. Had other minor hits.

Have to dispute #1 as #1. Dexy's MIdnight Runners and Toni Basil have been duking it out for so long over the top spot. Plus, those songs are not as grating at the Macarena. I refuse to buy Michelna microwave bowls because of that commercial!

God, I'm a geek.

[Dr. Cobweb]

The Kingsmen weren't exactly one-hit wonders. They were around for quite awhile, and had other minor hits, including Little Latin Lupe Lu (later done by Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels), Fever, You Can't Sit Down, Mashed Potatoes, Jolly Green Giant and (one of my personal favorites) Long Tall Texan (later done by The Beach Boys and much later by Lyle Lovett). They also had some success with rock'n'roll standards like Money, Twist And Shout, and Hang On Sloopy. They were never "huge" in the Beatles/Stones sense, but they were medium big. I suspect that's why they're not on the list.

[bergy29]

You are right about ratt . They had at least two big albums.

Maybe the one hit wonder designation means they only had one #1 hit?

[holygoat]

Originally posted by Dr. Cobweb
The Kingsmen weren't exactly one-hit wonders. They were around for quite awhile, and had other minor hits, including Little Latin Lupe Lu (later done by Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels), Fever, You Can't Sit Down, Mashed Potatoes, Jolly Green Giant and (one of my personal favorites) Long Tall Texan (later done by The Beach Boys and much later by Lyle Lovett). They also had some success with rock'n'roll standards like Money, Twist And Shout, and Hang On Sloopy. They were never "huge" in the Beatles/Stones sense, but they were medium big. I suspect that's why they're not on the list.

Perhaps. Then again I've never heard The Kingsmen's recordings of any of those songs. I have, however, heard "Fields Of Fire." Those around in the early 80s might remember this as Big Country's other Top 20 single. I've also heard Edie Brickell's moderate hits "Cirlce" and "Mamma Help Me," not to mention "Der Kommissar" and Veinna Calling" by Falco. Also, some one brought up the fact that Frankie Goes To Hollywood had another hit with "Two Tribes" (which could only be removed from the no. 1 spot on the UK chart by... "Relax." FGTH held the top two spots simultaniously with those two songs.)

I guess what I'm saying is that by the standard VH-1 has set with those on this list, "Louie Louie" by The Kingsmen deserves inclusion.

[EA]

What about "Blue" by Eiffel 65? or "Africa" by Toto? Maybe "Hang on Sloopy" by the McCoys?

[DetroitFolly]

EA...

Toto had SEVERAL hits, especially from that Album! Remember Rosanna? Toe the line?

They were a multi-hit band.

[EA]

Originally posted by DetroitFolly
EA...

Toto had SEVERAL hits, especially from that Album! Remember Rosanna? Toe the line?

They were a multi-hit band.

Ok, well, the only one I've ever heard was "Africa" I'm not a huge Toto fan ...

[TigerCap]

Ro sa a a ana...take me all the way! Ro sa a a ana...

[OldTimey]

Absolutely criminal that a pile of crap like Kung Fu Fighting makes that list and Sleepwalk doesn't. Or Friday On My Mind. Or Lies.

[BFK]

MIA-

'Sha Na Na Na (Kiss Him Goodbye)' by Steam

'Magnet & Steel' by Walter Egan

If I could pass into the Promised Land having never heard those songs again, I'd die a happy man.

[nickclarke]

Why wasn't the biggest one hit wonder included on this list? Ride Captain, Ride by Blues Image? That song is the definition of one hit wonders. Christ on a rubber crutch!!!

[Todd]

i never understand this make a list fad thats been going around

[OldTimey]

This is more "The Greatest One Hit Wonder Songs Most Likely To Have Been Played at a Dance Club"

[MelissaG915]

VH1 already did that list of the 100 Greatest Dance Hits, and I'd say half of these songs are on that list too. Lazy, lazy.

[Oblong]

44. Falco had a hit with "Der Kommisar" at the same time the band After the Fire, ANOTHER one hit wonder had a hit with the exact same song. Not the same battle as "Sukiyaki".


They mentioned this on the air. After the Fire just took his song and translated it to English.

Falco died 4 years ago.

[MelissaG915]

I wasn't going to watch it, but was sucked right in. It was like watching 3 minute "Behind the Music" specials on each of the artists. I found it rather fascinating. Which leads me to believe if they didn't have a good story on a one-hit wonder, they were off the list!

Interesting thing about the genius behind "Convoy"... he went on to bigger, better things with Mannheim Steamroller. I love wierd little bits like that.

[Oblong]

I've seen the bottom 20. Julie wanted to watch that and I wanted to watch the Red Wings and Pistons.

Can Bobby McFerrin be on here since he's won grammys for Jazz?

A lot of what I saw were of the "Oh yeah I remember that now" variety.

[BFK]

How could I forget 'Never Been Any Reason' by Head East?

That song still gets serious airplay on the Flint R&R stations. Another favorite among Flintoids is 'Lunatic Fringe' by Red Ryder.

I can't remember when I heard either of those tunes in another market.

[MelissaG915]

or the child-bride, satutory rape classic "Into the Night" by Sergio Mendes?