Even if a musician is a one-hit-wonder, they may have written one of the most well-known songs of all time. Take, for example, Tommy Tutone. You may not recognise the band, but you can remember Jenny’s phone number: 867-5309.
Many one-hit wonders have graced our ears (or not) throughout the previous six decades, and we’ve compiled a list of the top 57 in the United States over that period (and while some may have found moderate success across the pond, they practically disappeared stateside).
Take a trip down memory lane with these timeless tunes.
1. “Mickey” by Toni basil
Toni Basil, an American singer and choreographer, recorded “Mickey” for her debut studio album, Word of Mouth, in 1981. The song was written by Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn, with Greg Mathieson and Trevor Veitch in charge of production. Guitar, synths, and cheering chants are used in this new wave tune. Music critics had varied reactions to it, with some complimenting the song’s radio-friendly tone while others describing sections of the lyrics as vulgar.
2. “Hey! Baby” by Bruce Channel (1961)
The DJ Otzi remix of “Hey! Baby” is the one you’ve probably heard at sporting events, but the original is much more laid-back, with a prominent harmonica. It reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in 1962, sung by Bruce Channel.
While on tour in Europe, Channel was joined by the Beatles, a relatively unknown band at the time. The harmonica portion in the Beatles’ debut single, “Love Me Do,” is said to have been inspired by Channel and this song, but John Lennon had previously been playing the instrument for a few years.
When it was featured in a scene in the 1987 classic film “Dirty Dancing,” the song regained prominence.
3. “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)” by Looking Glass (1972)
During their existence as a band, Looking Glass only issued three singles: “Brandy,” “Golden Rainbow,” and “Jimmy Loves Mary-Anne.” Their single hit, “Brandy,” reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100.
The song was featured prominently in the 2017 film “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” where Ego (Kurt Russell) referred to it as “one of Earth’s finest musical works, if not the greatest.”
4. “Dancing in the Moonlight” by King Harvest (1972)
The Billboard Hot 100 charted King Harvest’s only hit single at number thirteen. Despite going through numerous ups and downs (such as breakups and a changing roster), the group produced another song in 2016.
A cover of “Dancing in the Moonlight” by Toploader, a British alternative band, was certified Platinum in the UK in 2000.
5. “Take On Me” by A-ha (1984)
While A-ha is far from a one-hit-wonder in Norway, the band only had one significant song in the United States: “Take On Me,” which topped the charts in 1985.
The song’s popularity can be traced in part to its groundbreaking music video, which mixed live-action and animation, making it ideal for MTV’s heavy rotation.
6. “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” by
Simple Minds (1985)
Without this Simple Minds song playing in the background, the triumphal ending of “The Breakfast Club,” when rebel loner Bender raises his fist in the air, would not have been the same.
The song hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped charts all over the world. Simple Minds capitalised on their popularity and scored another top-five song with “Alive and Kicking,” but “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” will always remain the band’s abiding legacy.
7. “The Time of My Life” by Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes (1987)
The song “The Time of My Life” is inextricably tied to the film “Dirty Dancing”; play it on any occasion and expect to see people trying to emulate the movie’s signature dance motion.
Billy Medley and Jennifer Warnes each had minor solo success, but nothing compared to their breakthrough single “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” — though Medley had more number one hits as a member of the musical duet The Righteous Brothers. They never worked together again.