Search Results for: one-hit wonders

The ‘70s was a memorable era in the music scene, with the likes of the Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, Aerosmith, The Eagles, Led Zeppelin, and Black Sabbath taking over the airwaves at the time. Disco, funk, soul music and smooth jazz were top choices at the time, while rock and its sub-genres were thriving more than ever. While many artists and bands formed the staple sounds of the decades, some are only remembered for their one-time hits and never replicated such success since their single charting song. Here are some one-hit wonders from the ‘70s you should know: ‘Afternoon Delight’ by Starland Vocal Band THE STARLAND VOCAL BAND SHOW, foreground from left: Jon Carroll, Margot Chapman, Taffy Danoff, Bill Danoff, 1977. The Starland Vocal Band earned recognition as “Best New Artist” with this 1978 release that hit number one on the U.S. and Canada charts. “Afternoon Delight” was the last successful song from the group prior to their split in 1981. RELATED: The Biggest Hollywood Scandals Of The 1970s That Couldn’t Stay Hidden ‘Beach Baby’ by The First Class This song has listeners, including The Beach Boys, thinking the British band was Californian. “Beach Baby” by The First Class topped the charts in Canada and peaked at number 4 in the US, thanks to its catchy bubblegum pop vibe. The Beach Boys acknowledged the sound at the time, as it sounded similar to their creations. ‘Black Betty’ by Ram Jam View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Vinyl Factory (@thevinylfactory) Ram Jam released “Black Betty” in 1977, which caught the interest of most in the U.S. and Australia. However, its immediate success was not enough to keep the group on the map. ‘Chevy Van’ by Sammy Johns Youtube video screenshot Sammy Johns’ 1975 release, “Chevy Van,” peaked at number five on the US Billboard charts and has been covered by several other artists, including Waylon Jennings. The song about a driver having a one-night stand with a hitchhiker showcased Johns’ talent to the world but for a fleeting period. ‘Emotion’ by Samantha Sang View this post on Instagram A post shared by asev wiryadisastra (@asevw) Samantha Sang collaborated with the Bees Gees on “Emotion” in 1977, and while her incredible talent was undeniable, the band’s presence may have contributed to the song’s success, too. The single was among the top three hits of that year in the US and Australia, after which not much was heard about Samantha. ‘Hot Child in the City’ by Nick Gilder View this post on Instagram A post shared by MissMissyPhillly🎼🎹🎸 (@missmissyphilly) Nick Gilder released “Hot Child In The City” as a member of Sweeney Todd, and it was named Single of the Year in 1978. The track also reached number one on the US and Canada Billboard chart. ‘How Long’ by Ace View this post on Instagram A post shared by Early Pictures (@earlypictures) Ace released “How Long” in 1974, running up the song to number 3 in the U..S and Canada at the time. Paul Carrack would then remake the single in 1996, which would again appear on the Billboard Hot 100. ‘Knock on Wood’ by Amii Stewart View this post on Instagram A post shared by ALEXIA DEMBLUM (@alexiademblum) One of these one-hit wonders helped Amii Stewart taste fame for a moment, specifically with a cover of Eddie Floyd’s song before becoming a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF. “Knock On Wood” hit number one in the US and Canada in 1979. ‘The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia’ by Vicki Lawrence Vicki Lawrence, at the 25th anniversary of THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW, (it ran from 1967-1978), 2002. ph: Alberto Tolot / TV Guide / courtesy Everett Collection Vicki Lawrence proved she was an admirable singer with 1973’s “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia” as she was mostly recognized for her acting prowess alongside Carol Burnett. The release was a success upon release, and Reba McEntire also popularized it in the ‘90s by making her own version. ‘Play That Funky Music’ by Wild Cherry Youtube video screenshot Wild Cherry’s reunion in the late ‘70s birthed their only number-one hit, “Play That Funky Music.” They soon split up again, but their success with the funk-rock disco hit remains memorable. Which of these one-hit wonders are your favorite?