Paul Fannin
Well-Known Member
One of the most amusing aspects of mainstream popular music is the phenomenon of the "one hit wonders." Granted, the charts don't tell the whole story. For example, the Grateful Dead would be considered a one hit wonder, but their wide popularity cannot be measured in Billboard; yet while the chuckles at the one hit wonders can sometimes be deafening, some of their songs are among the most popular and best loved in history. I went and played with some numbers and tabulated, based solely on the charts, the 40 most popular one hit wonder hits. It's hardly scientific, but it's pretty cool. What's amazing is that with the notoriety and popularity of the following songs, the artists could not generate even one more song to reach #40!
Inclusive to the first week of 1955 to the last week of 1999, here goes:
40...."Chariots Of Fire (Titles)" Vangelis (1982)
39...."Disco Duck" Rick Dees (1976)
38...."Undercover Angel" Alan O'Day (1977)
37...."A Whole New World" Peabo Bryson/Regina Belle (1993)
36...."Hot Child In the City" Nick Gilder (1978)
35...."Mickey" Toni Basil (1982)
34...."Pop Muzik" M (1979)
33...."A Fifth of Beethoven" Walter Murphy (1976)
32...."Grazing In the Grass" Hugh Masekela (1968)
31...."I Can Help" Billy Swan (1974)
30...."Kung Fu Fighting" Carl Douglas (1974)
29...."Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye" Steam (1969)
28...."Get A Job" Silhouettes (1958)
27...."Don't Worry Be Happy" Bobby McFerrin (1988)
26...."Judy In Disguise (With Glasses)" John Fred & his Playboy Band (1968)
25...."Afternoon Delight" Starland Vocal Band (1976)
24...."TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)" MFSB (1974)
23...."The Night the Lights Went Out In Georgia" Vicki Lawrence (1973)
22...."Teen Angel" Mark Dinning (1960)
21...."Ring My Bell" Anita Ward (1979)
20...."Brother Louie" Stories (1973)
19...."Maniac" Michael Sembello (1983)
18...."Baby, Come To Me" Patti Austin w/James Ingram (1983)
17...."Here Comes the Hotstepper" Ini Kamoze (1994)
16...."Sukiyaki" Kyu Sakamoto (1963)
15...."Hey! Baby" Bruce Channel (1962)
14...."Telstar" Tornadoes (1962)
13...."Winchester Cathedral" New Vaudeville Band (1966)
12...."Seasons In the Sun" Terry Jacks (1974)
11...."I'm Too Sexy" Right Said Fred <R*S*F*> (1992)
10...."Play That Funky Music" Wild Cherry (1976)
9...."Dominique" Singing Nun (1963)
8....."Nothing Compares 2 U" Sinead O'Connor (1990)
7....."Funkytown" Lipps Inc. (1980)
6....."Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare)" Dominico Modugno (1958)
5....."Love Is Blue" Paul Mauriat (1968)
4....."Baby Got Back" Sir Mix-a-lot (1992)
3....."In the Year 2525" Zager & Evans (1969)
2....."The Purple People Eater" Sheb Wooley (1958)
1....."You Light Up My Life" Debby Boone (1977)
Inclusive to the first week of 1955 to the last week of 1999, here goes:
40...."Chariots Of Fire (Titles)" Vangelis (1982)
39...."Disco Duck" Rick Dees (1976)
38...."Undercover Angel" Alan O'Day (1977)
37...."A Whole New World" Peabo Bryson/Regina Belle (1993)
36...."Hot Child In the City" Nick Gilder (1978)
35...."Mickey" Toni Basil (1982)
34...."Pop Muzik" M (1979)
33...."A Fifth of Beethoven" Walter Murphy (1976)
32...."Grazing In the Grass" Hugh Masekela (1968)
31...."I Can Help" Billy Swan (1974)
30...."Kung Fu Fighting" Carl Douglas (1974)
29...."Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye" Steam (1969)
28...."Get A Job" Silhouettes (1958)
27...."Don't Worry Be Happy" Bobby McFerrin (1988)
26...."Judy In Disguise (With Glasses)" John Fred & his Playboy Band (1968)
25...."Afternoon Delight" Starland Vocal Band (1976)
24...."TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)" MFSB (1974)
23...."The Night the Lights Went Out In Georgia" Vicki Lawrence (1973)
22...."Teen Angel" Mark Dinning (1960)
21...."Ring My Bell" Anita Ward (1979)
20...."Brother Louie" Stories (1973)
19...."Maniac" Michael Sembello (1983)
18...."Baby, Come To Me" Patti Austin w/James Ingram (1983)
17...."Here Comes the Hotstepper" Ini Kamoze (1994)
16...."Sukiyaki" Kyu Sakamoto (1963)
15...."Hey! Baby" Bruce Channel (1962)
14...."Telstar" Tornadoes (1962)
13...."Winchester Cathedral" New Vaudeville Band (1966)
12...."Seasons In the Sun" Terry Jacks (1974)
11...."I'm Too Sexy" Right Said Fred <R*S*F*> (1992)
10...."Play That Funky Music" Wild Cherry (1976)
9...."Dominique" Singing Nun (1963)
8....."Nothing Compares 2 U" Sinead O'Connor (1990)
7....."Funkytown" Lipps Inc. (1980)
6....."Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare)" Dominico Modugno (1958)
5....."Love Is Blue" Paul Mauriat (1968)
4....."Baby Got Back" Sir Mix-a-lot (1992)
3....."In the Year 2525" Zager & Evans (1969)
2....."The Purple People Eater" Sheb Wooley (1958)
1....."You Light Up My Life" Debby Boone (1977)
