The Top 500 One-Hit Wonders of the Rock Era Revisited: #50-41

Other outfits present "One-Hit Wonder" lists and use the occasion to make fun of these artists.  That's not what we're here to do.  We'll let you be the judge of who is more talented, the artist that pays their dues in dimly-lit nightclubs, earns a recording contract, and records a mass-appeal song or a person who makes fun of them!

We have 10 great artists and songs prepared in this segment--enjoy!

One of the finest instrumentals ever recorded is featured next in The Top 500 One-Hit Wonders*:

 

#50:  Champs--"Tequila"

Studio executives at Gene Autry's Challenge Records formed this group to record a B-side for the single "Train To Nowhere" by Dave Burgess.  However, the intended throwaway track became far more famous than its A-side.

"Tequila" was written and joyously hollered by saxophonist Danny Flores of the Champs.  The other members of the group were saxophonist Chuck Rio, guitarists Dave Burgess, Paul C. Saenz and Dale Norris, bassists Bobby Morris, Dean McDaniel, Benjamin Van Norman and Dean McDaniel and drummer Gen Alden.

"Tequila" hit #1 for five weeks in the United States and #5 in the U.K. in 1958.  It became not only one of The Top 10 Instrumentals of the Rock Era*, but one of The Top 500 Songs of the Rock Era*.

Later members of the Champs included Glen Campbell and both members of Seals and Crofts.  The Champs released eight singles in their career, but they could never find another gem like "Tequila".

This singer-songwriter exhibited enormous talent and potential with his debut album:

 

#49:  Marc Cohn--"Walking In Memphis"

Marc Cohn graduated from Beachwood High School in Beachwood, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland.  He then attended Oberlin College.

In 1991, Cohn released his self-titled album. "Walking In Memphis" is about a spiritual awakening, according to Cohn, who wrote the song.  "Blue Suede Shoes" in the song is not about Elvis Presley, but about Carl Perkins, who recorded the song in Memphis at Sun Records.  A serious car accident forced Perkins to stop touring to promote the record, thus allowing Elvis' cover version to become a big hit.  When Cohn sings of "The ghost of Elvis on Union Avenue", it is a reference to the recording studio at 706 Union Avenue in Memphis.  

The song peaked at #13 as one of The Top Underrated Songs of the Rock Era*.  Despite that glaring chart ranking error, the song was properly recognized when Cohn was nominated for Grammys for Best New Artist and Best Pop Male Vocalist and for Favorite New Artist-Adult Contemporary at the American Music Awards.

Cohn is married to Elizabeth Vargas, journalist with ABC News.  The pair met at the 1999 U.S. Open Tennis Championship after being introduced by Andre Agassi.  

Cher and Lonestar are among the artists who have covered the song.

Cohn has released five studio albums and 14 singles but "Silver Thunderbird", the 1991 follow-up to "Walking In Memphis", was Cohn's next best hit at #63.

This artist turned an Eddie Floyd song into a smash:

 

#48:  Amii Stewart--"Knock On Wood"

Amii Stewart signed up for singing and dancing lessons at the age of four.  There was already an Amy Stewart registered with Actor's Equity, so she changed the spelling of her name to Amii.  Stewart attended Howard University in Washington, D.C. but soon left to work with the D.C. repertory Dance Company.  Stewart was in the touring company of the stage production Bubbling Brown Sugar in 1975, first in Miami, then Broadway, and eventually in London's West End, where she met producer Barry Leng.  

This led to Stewart being signed by Ariola Records.  In 1978, she recorded a version of "Knock On Wood", which was a hit for Eddie Floyd in 1966.  Stewart rose to the top of the charts with one of The Top Songs of the Rock Era* and the song dominated dance floors throughout the year.

Session drummer Peter Boita developed drum sounds and syncing techniques on the song far ahead of anything else at the time.

Besides Stewart's version, the song has also been recorded by numerous artists, including Cher, Michael Bolton, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Ike & Tina Turner, Eric Clapton, David Bowie, Seal, Buddy Guy, Archie Bell & the Drells, Carla Thomas and Harpers Bizarre.  

Stewart has released 16 albums and 19 singles. Out of all that, the best Stewart could do was #63, on a duet with Johnny Bristol for the cover version of Mary Wells' "My Guy".

At #47, this talented band that barely made it under the wire, having the necessary 10 years after their one hit to qualify for this special:

 

#47:  Incubus--"Drive"

Lead singer Brandon Boyd, lead guitarist Mike Einziger and drummer Jose Pasillas formed this group in 1991 while at Calabasas High School in California.  The three later invited bassist Alex Katunich and Gavin Koppell, who were each eventually replaced by bassist Ben Kenney and DJ Kilmore, respectively.

The group played often on famous Sunset Strip clubs such as Whisky a Go Go, The Roxy and The Troubadour.  Incubus produced many of their early recordings on Chillum Records in Santa Monica, mixing their music after school.  

In 1995, Incubus released their debut album Fungus Amongus on their own label, Stopuglynailfungus Music. 

The sound enabled Incubus to sign a recording contract, first with Immortal Records and then with the major label Epic.  The six-track EP Enjoy Incubus represented the group's first major-label release, and the group set out on a tour of Europe with Korn.

Incubus continued to open for groups such as Korn and 311, and released the album S.C.I.E.N.C.E. in 1997.  Koppell was fired in 1998, replaced by Chris Kilmore, and Incubus toured with that lineup supporting System of a Down.  But the group had not been able to land a popular song.  They took a two-year break from touring to concentrate on assembling their third album, Make Yourself.

Incubus released that album in 1999 and toured with Primus and Buckethead.  The album was praised by critics, and was certified Gold, but only reached #41, and "Pardon Me", a single from the album, reached #7 on the Mainstream Rock chart.  The group was still far from mainstream status with the general public.  

But they released videos and toured overseas, and "Stellar" received some airplay on MTV, which used to stand for Music Television.  "Privilege" was released as a single but received little airplay.  

Finally, the fourth single "Drive" was released, and it was that song that catapulted the album to sales of over two million.  "Drive" was a #3 smash on the Mainstream Rock chart, remaining at that position for six weeks and gave Incubus their first and only Top 40 song at #9.  The video for "Drive" was nominated for Best Group Video at the MTV Video Music Awards. 

With "Drive" giving them the success that had eluded them, Incubus went to Malibu, California to record their follow-up album, Morning View.  The group toured Australia, Japan, and Europe, before returning to the United States as a headline act.

"Wish You Were Here" reached #2 on the segmented Modern Rock chart but couldn't climb higher than #60 overall.   "Nice To Know You" was a #9 Modern Rock song and "Warning" was #3 on that chart, but neither even reached the Top 100 overall.  "Megalomaniac", "Love Hurts" and "Anna-Molly" were #1 Modern Rock songs, but the former, at #55, was the best Incubus would ever do after "Drive".

Incubus released seven albums and 25 singles in their career.

There are various reasons why The Top 500 One-Hit Wonders* only had one hit, but this guy is among the most talented singer-songwriters in the special:

 

#46:  Chris Isaak--"Wicked Game" 

Stockton, California's Chris Isaak signed a recording contract in 1984 with Warner Brothers Records.  He recorded two albums before being moved to Warner Brothers' Reprise Records.

Isaak included the song "Wicked Game" on his 1989 album Heart Shaped World.  An instrumental version of the song was featured in the 1990 David Lynch movie Wild at Heart.  Lee Chesnut, an Atlanta, Georgia music director obsessed with Lynch films, began playing the vocal version by Isaak.  When it quickly became the station's most-requested song, word spread and Reprise released the single.  "Wicked Game" reached #6 and became a huge multi-format hit.

In 1999, "Baby Did A Bad, Bad Thing" was featured in the movie Eyes Wide Shut.  Isaak wrote the theme song for the television show The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn.  In 2001, Isaak starred in his own television show, The Chris Isaak Show, which aired from 2001 to 2004.    

Isaak has also appeared in several movies, including Little Buddha, Twin Peaks and That Thing You Do!  Chris has released 11 albums and 34 singles in his career, but only one song ("Wicked Game") has been popular.  Given Isaak's great songwriting and catalog of quality music, it is truly amazing that he only hit one time.

Prince contributed the songwriting for this artist's one and only hit:

 

#45:  Sinead O'Connor--" Nothing Compares 2 (sic) U (sic)"

   

O'Connor was born in Gleneageary, Ireland.  At age 15, her shoplifting and truancy led to her being placed in a Magdalene Asylum run by the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity.  O'Connor began writing songs, and Paul Byrne, drummer for the band In Tua Nua, heard Sinead singing "Evergreen" by Barbra Streisand.  O'Connor recorded a song with In Tua Nua ("Take My Hand"), but she wasn't ready to join a band.

In 1983, O'Connor went to Newtown School in Waterford, where her language teacher helped her record a four-song demo.  In 1984, Sinead began a band called Ton Ton Macoute.  The band moved to Dublin, where O'Connor's performances attracted a following.

In 1985, O'Connor left the band and eventually signed a recording contract with Ensign Records.  She co-wrote "Heroine" with The Edge of U2 and recorded it for the "Captive" Soundtrack.

Despite much difficulty in the studio, O'Connor recorded her debut album The Lion and the Cobra.  The album achieved Gold status and earned O'Connor a Best Female Rock Vocal Performance nomination at the Grammy Awards.  The single "Mandinka" received airplay but did not chart.

Prince had written "Nothing Compares 2 (sic) U (sic)" for a side project.  O'Connor recorded the song for her album I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got.  The song became a worldwide smash, hitting #1 in the United States (for four weeks), the U.K., Australia, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Austria and Ireland and a Top 5 song in France.  "Nothing Compares 2 (sic) U (sic)" finished the year as the third-best-selling single of 1990 and sold over two million copies. 

O'Connor has released nine albums and 34 singles. But the best that she could do other than her One-Hit Wonder was #60 with "The Emperor's New Clothes" in 1990.

The artist at #44 essentially is featured in our special twice under different names and different lineups:

 

#44:  Looking Glass--"Brandy (You're A Fine Girl)"  

This group formed in 1969 at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey with Elliot Lurie on lead guitar and vocals, drummer Jeff Grob, pianist Larry Gonsky and Pieter Sweval on bass.  

In 1972, Looking Glass released the single "Brandy (You're A Fine Girl)", written by Lurie.  The song went to #1 and sold over one million copies.  

Guitarist Brendan Harkin joined the group in 1974 and Michael Lee Smith replaced Lurie, who left to pursue a solo career.  The group changed its name to Fallen Angels.  Richie Ranno joined the band as a second guitarist in 1975, Gonsky left, and by the end of the year, the group changed their name to Starz.

This in itself is an amazing story for two reasons.  First off, the sound of Starz was nowhere near that of Looking Glass; Starz was a hard rock outfit who could really rock and roll.  But Looking Glass itself had a harder edge to them than one can detect from just listening to "Brandy".  Both groups were One-Hit Wonders, although Starz was a highly underrated band and should have been, pardon the pun, but big stars.

Looking Glass recorded two albums and three singles in their career.  "Jimmy Loves Mary-Anne", which reached #33 in 1973, was their next-best song after "Brandy".  

One of the great artists of the late 70's scores an entry here with his group from earlier in the decade:

 

#43:  Stuck In The Middle With You--Stealer's Wheel

This act formed when Scottish classmates Gerry Rafferty and Joe Egand met and were joined by guitarist Roger Brown, Rab Noakes (guitar and vocals) and Iain campbell (Bass).  By the time A&M Records signed the group, lead guitarist Paul Pilnick, bassist Tony Williams and Drummer Rod Coombes had replaced Brown, Noakes and Campbell.

Stealer's Wheel recorded their debut album in 1972, which was produced by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, writers of many of Elvis Presley's biggest hits.

But Rafferty left shortly after the album's release and didn't tour with the group.  However, when the album began selling, Gerry was persuaded to come back.  "Stuck In The Middle With You" found its way to #6 in the U.S. and #8 in the U.K. and sold over one million copies. 

The group (now a duo with Egan and Rafferty supported by nine backing musicians) released a second album in 1973, but that didn't sell well and the group broke up after their third album in 1975. 

"Star" at #29 was the next-best they could do.

At #42, this versatile artist:

 

#42:  Chris DeBurgh--"The Lady In Red"

Chris Davison was born in Venado Tuerto, Argentina but as his father was a British diplomat, Chris spent his early years in Malta, Nigeria and Zaire.  The family settled in Bargy Castle, Ireland in a twelfth-century castle bought by his maternal grandfather, General Sir Eric de Burgh.  Chris performed for guests there and assumed de Burgh as his stage name.

De Burgh graduated from Trinity College in Dublin with a Master of Arts degree in French, English and History.  Chris signed a recording contract with A&M Records in 1974 and opened for Supertramp on tour.  His debut album was Far Beyond These Castle Walls, and de Burgh released the single "Turning Round", released outside the U.K. and Ireland as "Flying".  The single stayed at #1 in Brazil for 17 weeks.  

The rest of De Burgh's albums in the 1970's did not chart in larger countries, but did well in some European and South American countries.  Chris enjoyed his biggest success to date with the album The Getaway in 1982, paced by the single "Don't Pay The Ferryman".  But it was Chris's next single that made him famous.    

"Lady In Red" was a multi-format smash.  It hit #1 in the U.K., Canada, Norway, Ireland and Belgium and #3 in the United States.  De Burgh's album Into the Light reached #2 in the U.K.  However, despite releasing superb music, de Burgh never hit the U.S. charts and his albums faltered in the U.K.  

A Zombie was responsible for putting this group together:

 

#41:  Argent--"Hold Your Head Up" 

Former Zombies keyboardist Rod Argent, Bassist Jim Rodford, and drummer Bob Henrit and guitarist/keyboardist Russ Ballard (both former members of the Roulettes and Unit 4 + 2), formed Argent in 1969.  Argent and Ballard wrote the group's songs, while lead vocals were shared by Argent, Ballard and Rodford.  

Argent and Chris White wrote "Hold Your Head Up", the lead single from the All Together Now album.  The song reached #5 and sold over one million copies.  

Ballard left the group in 1974, replaced by guitarist/vocalist John Verity and guitarist John Grimaldi.  Argent recorded seven albums and 12 singles in their career.

Ballard has written songs for other artists, including "Liar" for Three Dog Night and "God Gave Rock 'n' Roll To You" for Kiss.  Ballard recorded solo and is a One Hit Wonder himself with the song "On The Rebound".  Rodford and Henrit later became members of the Kinks, while Rod Argent collaborated with Andrew Lloyd-Webber and recorded two solo albums.

We wrap up this segment of the special, but we're all ready for you tomorrow on Inside The Rock Era!

The Top 500 One-Hit Wonders of the Rock Era Revisited: #60-51

Hard to believe these artists had just one big hit.  Lots of talent in this segment!

You may be surprised at the list of songs this talented artist has written:

#60:  Martin Page--"In The House Of Stone And Light"

Martin Page was born in Southampton, Hampshire, England and moved from military base to military base as his father was an aviation engineer.  Page was an apprentice to the Southampton Saints, a professional soccer team.  While playing, Martin devoted a good deal of time to learning how to play the bass guitar.  Eventually, Page's love of soccer gave way to his desire to become a professional musician.

Page toured with several British bands as a session musician before forming the group Q-Feel with Brian Fairweather, who eventually became his songwriting partner.    The pair moved to Los Angeles, where they met Diane Poncher, who became their manager.  Page was soon working with superstars such as Earth, Wind, and Fire and the Commodores, and co-wrote songs with famous songwriter Bernie Taupin such as "We Built This City" for Starship and "These Dreams" for Heart.  Page also wrote the hits "King of Wishful Thinking" and "Faithful" for Go West, as well as songs for Josh Groban, Tom Jones and Robbie Robertson.  Martin also played keyboards on the Ray Parker, Jr. smash "Ghostbusters".

In 1994, Page recorded his debut album In the House of Stone and Light.  The title track, which Page wrote while visiting the Grand Canyon in Arizona.  "In The House Of Stone And Light" showcased Page's amazing songwriting ability and although Billboard only ranked the song at #14, it is without question one of The Top Unknown/Underrated Songs of the Rock Era*.

After that success, Page suffered huge blows when both his parents and some dear friends died.  Martin took some time off for mourning and reflection, and didn't return to the studio until 2008 for the album In the Temple of the Muse.  The album was released on the independent label Ironing Board Records, which Page and Poncher started to give Page greater control of his music.  Page released his third album A Tempter of Peace in 2012.  

Here's one of the newest entries in The One Hit Wonders*:
  

   #59:  Vanessa Carlton--"A Thousand Years"

Carlton was born in Milford, Pennsylvania.  She became interested in music and one day after returning from Disneyland at the age of two, she sat down and played "It's a Small World" on the piano.  Vanessa began playing classical music, but by the age of 9, she became passionate about ballet.  After graduating from the School of American Ballet, however, Carlton decided to pursue a singing career instead, performing in bars and clubs in New York City.  Three months after recording a demo tape, Vanessa signed a recording contract with A&M Records.

Carlton released the single "A Thousand Miles" in 2002.  The song became a worldwide smash, reaching #1 in Australia, #2 on the Adult Contemporary chart and #5 overall in the United States, #4 in New Zealand, #6 in the U.K. and #8 in Switzerland and France.  "A Thousand Miles" finished the year as the sixth-most-played song of 2002, and it was nominated for Grammy Awards for Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist, and received nominations for the Billboard Music Award for New Artist of the Year and for an American Music Award for Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist.  Clearly, the potential for Carlton was limitless.

The album Be Not Nobody followed and achieved Platinum status.  Carlton released the singles "Ordinary Day" (#30) and "Pretty Baby", and opened for the Goo Goo Dolls and Third Eye Blind on tour.  She provided backing vocals for the Counting Crows and played piano for Italian singer Zucchero.  Vanessa was doing all the things necessary for success.  However, the albums Harmonium in 2004 and Heroes & Thieves in 2007 did not continue the momentum. Carlton released the album Rabbits on the Run.  

"A Thousand Miles" is one of the newest entries into the One Hit Wonders*, having just passed the minimum ten years without another mass appeal Top 20 song.  Carlton has released four albums and nine singles in her career.  Vanessa's uncle is the jazz artist Larry Carlton.  

Up next, the Record of the Year in 2012 from an artist we never heard of again.

  

 #58:  Gotye--"Somebody That I Used To Know"

The story of Gotye is another oddity.  Gotye (real name Wouter "Wally" DeBeacker) graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Melbourne in Australia and then pursued a music career.  He released two albums prior to his breakthrough, the 2011 release Making Mirrors.

The first single, "Eyes Wide Open", got some airplay in Australia but little anywhere else.  Then Gotye released a song he'd recorded with Kimbra, a singer from New Zealand.  This one spread like wildfire, first topping the U.K. charts for five weeks.  After an appearance on Saturday Night Live, "Somebody That I Used To Know" springboarded up the U.S. charts, latching onto the #1 position for 8 weeks.  It was either #1 or #2 in 27 countries and finished 2012 as the top-selling song in the world.  The single also broke a 47-year-old record by becoming the biggest hit of all-time in the Netherlands. It has sold over 14 million copies in the United States and over 21 million worldwide.  The song earned Grammys for Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Vocal Performance.

Gotye then took a hiatus, performing with his band the Basics and starting an independent record label.  But he released no new material until 2024, when he tried to recreate the magic of 13 years before with Kimbra with the single "Somebody".  But that went nowhere, leaving Gotye as one of the only artists in history to reach #1 and never score another Hot 100 song again!

 

#57:  Donnie Iris--"Ah!  Leah!"

Donnie Iris (real name Dominic Ierace) was encouraged by his mother (herself a singer) at an early age, singing along to artists such as Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett.  He began singing at weddings at the age of five and performed on television when he was eight.

Iris wrote the #2 smash "The Rapper" in 1970 while he was with Jaggerz (featured above) and was a member of Wild Cherry after their big hit "Play That Funky Music".

Donnie released his debut album, Back on the Streets in 1980, which contained the great song "Ah!  Leah!".  The single hit #6 in Canada but only #29 in the United States.

Iris was able to reach #37 with "Love Is Like A Rock" the following year, but despite 10 more studio albums, couldn't top "Ah!  Leah!".

 

#56:  Five Man Electrical Band--"Signs"

This Canadian Rock band (known as the Staccatos from 1963 to 1968) is from Ottawa.   Lead singer Les Emmerson wrote this song while traveling back to Canada from Los Angeles. He noticed all the huge signs and billboards blocking the view of the natural scenery. Canada doesn't have such signs and many of the major cities are several miles from the freeway.

The group ventured to Los Angeles and recorded an album called Good-Byes and Butterflies on MGM Records.  But MGM dumped them and the group headed back to Ottawa.  Meanwhile, Clive Fox, who had connections to Lionel, makers of the famous model railroading equipment which was forming Lionel Records, helped the band sign with Lionel.  

"Signs" was originally the B-side to the unsuccessful "Hello Melinda Goodbye", but when re-released the following year on Lionel as the single, "Signs" shot up to #3 in the United States and #4 in Canada.

"Absolutely Right" stalled at #26, and the Five Man Electrical Band was never able to reach the Top 20 again.

Here's another artist who barely qualified for this special:

 

 #55:  John Parr--"St. Elmo's Fire"

John Parr has written and recorded 10 theme songs from motion pictures, including songs for Three Men and a Baby and The Running Man.  None have come close to this song at #55*.

"St. Elmo's Fire" hit #1 in the U.S. and Canada, #3 in Norway, #4 in Australia, Sweden and Switzerland and #6 in the U.K.  Members of Toto, REO Speedwagon and Mr. Mister helped on the song.  

John almost didn't qualify for the special as his "Naughty, Naughty" reached #23.  But Parr never hit the Top 40 again after "St. Elmo's Fire" and it was his only career Top 20 song.

The #54 artist wrote down these prophetic words in 1967:

  #54: Barry McGuire--"Eve Of Destruction"

McGuire was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, but moved to California soon afterwards.  He joined the United States Navy, but was discharged ten months later after it was discovered that he was only 16 years old. Barry became a commercial fisherman, then was a journeyman pipe fitter.  At age 25, McGuire got a job singing in a bar.

In 1961, Barry released the single "The Tree", then formed a duo with Barry Kane called Barry & Barry.  The pair performed folk songs at The Ice House in Pasadena, California, then got a boost when the famous Troubadour in Hollywood signed them in 1962.  Barry & Barry joined the New Christy Minstrels, which were performing at the club, but also maintained their separate act, releasing the album Here and Now.

McGuire co-wrote and sang lead vocal on the Christy's hit "Green, Green", but left the group in 1965 after the group recorded the album Cowboys and Indians.

Barry began a solo career with a bang with the single "Eve of Destruction", written by P.F. Sloan.  The song was originally written for the Byrds, but that great group rejected it.  Sloan was also an accomplished guitarist, and top session men Hal Blaine on drums and Larry Knechtel on bass accompanied Barry on the recording.  The song went all the way to #1 and became one of The Most Important Songs of the Rock Era*.  "Eve Of Destruction" was also recorded by the Turtles and the Grass Roots, among others, and was referenced in the Temptations' smash "Ball Of Confusion".   

McGuire released the album This Precious Time in 1966, which included a version of "California Dream'" with the Mamas & the Papas singing backing vocals.  McGuire was mentioned several times in the Mamas & the Papas hit "Creeque Alley".  McGuire appeared in the movie The President's Analyst with James Coburn in 1967 and also starred for a year in the Broadway production of the musical Hair.  

McGuire became a born-again Christian in 1971 and has released several albums of Christian music.  In 1978, Barry toured England, Scotland and Wales with the musical The Witness, in which he played the part of the apostle Peter.

McGuire has released 23 albums in his career, but was never able to match the brilliance of "Eve Of Destruction".  The next-best song he did was "Cloudy Summer Afternoon (Raindrops)" in 1966, which reached #62.

Our #53 artist turned in a performance for the ages on her #1 song:

 

#53:  Thelma Houston--"Don't Leave Me This Way"

Houston grew up in Long Beach, California and joined the Art Reynolds Singers gospel group.  Thelma signed a recording contract with Dunhill Records and released her debut album Sunshower in 1969.  She switched to Motown in 1971 but did not enjoy much initial success.  In all, Houston had released 13 singles at this point in her career.

Then in 1977, a song that Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff and Cary Gilbert wrote was given to Houston.  She recorded "Don't Leave Me This Way" and released it as a single.  It became a massive worldwide hit, topping the chart in the United States and South Africa and reaching #4 in Canada, Sweden and the Netherlands, #5 in Germany, #6 in Australia, #11 in Spain, #13 in the U.K. and France, #15 in Italy, #17 in New Zealand and #18 in Austria  The song earned Houston a Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.  Later in the year, the song was included on the soundtrack album for the movie Looking for Mr. Goodbar.  It is widely regarded as one of the top disco songs of all-time as well as one of the top dance songs of all-time and one of the top vocal performances of the Rock Era.

"Don't Leave Me This Way" was also recorded by the Temptations, Sheena Easton, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes and the Communards. 

Houston has released 17 albums and 49 singles in her career.   She has enjoyed some success on the Dance chart, but could never come close to her amazing performance on "Don't Leave Me This Way".

At #52, The Top One-Hit Wonder of the 90's*:

  

#52:  the Calling--"Wherever You Will Go"      

Vocalist Alex Band and guitarist Aaron Kamin began jamming and writing songs in 1996 and began performing under the name Generation Gap with a drummer that was twice their age. They began recording demo tapes and finally in 1999, the group switched their name to the Calling and signed a recording contract with RCA Records.

The Calling recorded their debut album Camino Palmero in 2001 largely with studio musicians.  Later in the year, guitarist Sean Woolstenhulme, bassist Billy Mohler and drummer Nate Wood joined the group.  The Calling released the single "Wherever You Will Go", which was featured in the television show Smallville and the movie Coyote Ugly.  The song reached #5, helping the album sell over five million copies.

But the next year, Woolstenhulme left the group, replaced by Dino Meneghin.  Mohler and Wood left in the fall and legal problems resulted.  In 2004, the group returned with new musicians and the album Two.  Three singles were released but none did well.  In 2005, the Calling split for good.

 

#51:  Gnarls Barkley--"Crazy"

Cee-Lo Green left the group Goodie Mob after their third album in 1999 and started his solo career. That year he sang on "Do You Like The Way" with Lauryn Hill.  Brian Burton, better known as Danger Mouse, produced for several artists and achieved fame with his mixing of The Grey Album for Jay-Z, which blended the a cappella voices of Jay-Z's The Black Album with instrumentation from the Beatles' The White Album.

Green and Mouse met while Green was performing at the University of Georgia.  The two paired up and worked on songs that would be released on their debut album St. Elsewhere.  The duo chose their name while in a cafe in Silver Lake, California.  Burton and some friends began playing a game of creating fake celebrity names such as Prince Gnarls and Bob Gnarly.  When the name Gnarls Barkley was invented, Burton wrote it down.

The duo released the single "Crazy" in 2006, which went to #1 in the U.K., Canada, New Zealand and Ireland and #2 in the U.S.  "Crazy" was the top-selling song of the year in the U.K. and was nominated for Record of the Year while St. Elsewhere earned a nomination for Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards and "Crazy" won the Grammy for Best Urban/Alternative Performance.

Six subsequent singles failed to chart and the duo broke up after their next album.

That leaves us just five installments and 50 artists away from the conclusion of this special.  Be sure to look for our "checklists" that help you enjoy the One-Hit Wonders* in their entirety!

The Top 500 One-Hit Wonders of the Rock Era Revisited: #70-61

Inside The Rock Era is proud to bring back this favorite, updated in 2025!

The artist who recorded one of the all-time biggest sellers of the Rock Era is next:

#70:  Mungo Jerry--"In The Summertime"

Mungo Jerry got their name from the poem Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer, from T.S. Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats.  The group made their debut at the Hollywood Festival at Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire, England the week that "In the Summertime" was released in 1970.  

The song topped the U.K. charts for seven weeks and reached #1 in 26 countries; it peaked at #3 in the United States.  The trade publication Melody Maker named Mungo Jerry the Best New Band in 1970 and group member Ray Dorset, who wrote the song, received three Ivor Novello Awards for his songwriting.

The song has now sold over 30 million copies worldwide. "In The Summertime" has been covered several times, including a 1995 version by Shaggy. 

Mungo Jerry has released 19 albums and 21 singles. They followed up "In the Summertime" with success in their native England and have had spot success in other countries, but never did anything close to their smash of 1971.

This group took an Ann Peebles song and remade it into a classic:

#69:  Eruption--"I Can't Stand The Rain" 

This disco group began as Silent Eruption in 1974 in Great Britain.  The following year, they won the RCA Soul Search Contest and released their debut single "Let Me Take You Back in Time".  

But as further success eluded them, lead singer Lindel Leslie left the group, and backing singer Precious Wilson became the new lead vocalist.  Eruption began touring in Germany, where they were discovered by Frank Farian, the producer of Boney M.  Eruption signed with Hansa Records and opened for Boney M. on tour.

"Party Party" became a minor hit, leading to the release of Eruption's remake of the Ann Peebles song "I Can't Stand The Rain" from the group's debut album.  "I Can't Stand The Rain" was a worldwide smash, reaching #1 in Australia and Belgium, #2 in Norway, #3 in Italy, #4 in New Zealand, Austria and the Netherlands, #5 in France and the U.K., #6 in Ireland, #7 in Germany, #18 in the United States, and becoming one of the biggest hits of the year in many areas.

Eruption followed with the album Leave a Light in 1978.  "One Way Ticket" became a #9 song in the U.K. but Eruption was not able to generate further worldwide interest.  Wilson left the band in 1979 to begin a solo career and was replaced by Kim Davis.  Eruption scored a Top 10 song in Germany with "Go Johnnie Go" from the album Fight Fight Fight.  

Tragedy struck when Davis suffered a fatal brain hemorrhage.  She was replaced by Jane Jochen, and Eruption signed with Jupiter Records in 1981.  However, the group had not been the same since the departure of Wilson, and Eruption's fourth album Our Way received little attention.  In 1985, the group broke up.

The group that gave us this worldwide hit in 1968 is next:

#68:  John Fred and the Playboys--"Judy In Disguise (With Glasses)"

This group formed in 1956 with lead singer John Fred, guitarist Jimmy O'Rourke, bassist Harold Cowart, Joe Miceli on percussion, Tommy Degeneres on organ, trumpet players Ronnie Goodson and Charlie Spinosa and bari-sax player Andrew Bernard.  The group released their first single "Shirley" in 1958.   In 1967, Fred, poet Jack Royerton and  Bernard co-wrote "Judy In Disguise", a play on the title of the Beatles' hit "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds".  

John Fred & His Playboy Band released "Judy In Disguise (With Glasses)" on Paula Records.  The song hit #1 in the United States, Germany and Switzerland and #3 in Great Britain.early 1968 and sold over one million copies.  Although the group was a talented road act, they suffered the fate of being branded a novelty act and were never able to enjoy further success.  

John Fred and His Playboy Band released four albums and 10 singles.

Here's another of a handful of #1 songs that One-Hit Wonders have collected in the Rock Era:

#67:  Jaggerz--"The Rapper"  

While at Slippery Rock University, Donnie Iris started a band called the Trivells, which became Donnie and the Donnelles.  Iris left college when he joined Jimmie Ross in a band called Gary and the Jewel Tones.  This band resulted in the Jaggers, which formed in 1965 and began playing night clubs.

In 1968, the Jaggers signed a recording contract with Gamble Records and began recording their debut album.  As their was another band with their name, manager Joe Rock suggested the group alter their name slightly to the Jaggerz.  In 1969, the group released the album Introducing the Jaggerz with moderate success.

In 1970, the group switched to Kama Sutra Records and released the album We Went to Different Schools Together. "The Rapper", written by Iris, was released as a single.  It became a smash hit, reaching #2 and selling over one million copies.

The group would never again come close to the success achieved by "The Rapper".  They released four albums and 11 singles through 1973, when they were dropped from the label.  Iris, however, enjoyed two Top 30 hits with "Ah!  Leah!" in 1981 and "My Girl" in 1982.

The number 13 was lucky for this unique English group:

   
#66:  Chumbawamba--"Tubthumping"

Allan Whalley, Danbert Nobacon, Midge and Tomi were in the band Chimp Eats Banana, and formed this group in Burnley, England in 1982.  Lou Watts joined shortly afterwards.  Chumbawamba recorded the song "Three Years Later" on Crass Records.  Alice Nutter, Dunstan Bruce, Harry Hamer and Dave Dillon soon joined.  The group released the cassettes Be Happy Despite It All and Raising Heck With Chumbawamba and were featured on many compilations.  The group had released several songs to only moderate success.

Then in 1997, the group released their 13th single "Tubthumping" on Universal Records and EMI Electrola.  The song reached #1 in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Italy, #2 in the U.K. and Norway and was #1 on the Modern Rock chart and #6 overall in the United States.  "Tubthumping" was played as a wake-up call on the final Space Shuttle mission and was used in the series premiere of the television show Dawson's Creek.

Chumbawamba has released 19 albums and 22 singles in their career, with "Tubthumping" being their only popular song.

A talented act that gave us a million seller in 1967 is at #64:

   
#65:  Music Explosion--"Little Bit O' Soul"

James Lyons (singer and percussion), guitarists Donald Atkins and Richard Nesta, bassist Burton Stahl and drummer Robert Avery formed this group in Galion, Ohio.  Ronald Bretone later replaced Stahl.  Producers Jerry Kasenetz and Jeff Katz discovered the group and signed them to a recording contract.

The group released the single "Little Bit O' Soul" in 1967, which reached #2 and sold over one million copies.  The song, written by John Carter and Ken Lewis, became the group's only big hit.

Music Explosion released one album and 13 singles in their career, with "Sunshine Games" being their next biggest hit at #63.  

Sound straight out of the psychedelic 60's is next:

#64:  Electric Prunes--"I Had Too Much To Dream (Last Night)"  

This group was formed in the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles by guitarist Ken Williams, lead singer James Lowe, Michael Weakley on drums and bassist Mark Tulin.  They first called themselves the Sanctions and then Jim and the Lords.  Joe Dooley replaced Weakley on drums; in fact, their lineup changed several times, and at one time included Kenny Loggins.  

Lowe, Tulin, Williams and Weakley met RCA engineer David Hassinger, who arranged for the group to record demos at Leon Russell's home recording studio.  Hassinger suggested that the band change their name, and they settled on the Electric Prunes.  The group released the single "Ain't It Hard" from these sessions, but it was not successful.  

The Electric Prunes' follow-up was "I Had Too Much To Dream (Last Night)" in 1966, written by Annette Tucker and Nancie Mantz.  The song climbed to #11 in the United States and #49 in the U.K.  The group's lineup included Lowe, Williams and James Spagnola on guitar and drummer Preston Ritter.

The band released "Get Me To The World On Time", which only reached #27 in the United States and #42 in the U.K.  That was the next-best song in the group's catalog that included eight albums and 16 singles.  

Looking back, it's shocking that this band didn't become big stars:

#63:  Smith--"Baby It's You"  

This group formed from the band the Smiths, which featured two of the same members, Rich Cliburn and Jerry Carter.  Gayle McCormick, who began her career singing songs by Tina Turner and others, was added as the lead singer.  They were performing in a Los Angeles nightclub when Del Shannon discovered them. 

Shannon got Smith a recording contract with ABC-Dunhill Records and also arranged their first single "Baby It's You".  The song was written by Burt Bacharach, Luther Dixon and Mack David.  The Shirelles and Beatles had originally recorded the song, but Smith had the biggest hit with it at #5.  Smith released the album A Group Called Smith.  The group released their second album Minus-Plus, which was not as successful.  The were able to include their cover of "The Weight" on the "Easy Rider" Soundtrack.  

Smith broke up after just two albums and two singles, "What Am I Gonna' Do" and "Take a Look Around", which only made the middle of the chart.

The Carpenters remade the song just a few years later.  Numerous other artists, including Cliff Richard, Ace Frehley, Chrissie Hynde and Shakespear's Sister have covered "Baby It's You".

The group that recorded one of the biggest hits of the Rock Era is next:

  

   #62:  Los del Rio--"Macarena"

Antonio Romero Monge and Rafael Ruíz Perdigones formed Los del Rio in 1992.  The duo became a popular live act and  was invited to tour South America.  While attending a private party held by Venezuelan impresario Gustavo Cisneros, the duo witnessed a performance by a local flamenco teacher, Diana Patricia Cubillán Herrera.  The members of Los del Rio were quite surprised by her dance skills.  Antonio Romero Monge recited the chorus of what would become an international sensation on the spot, as an accolade to Cubillán, but naming her Ma'dalena.   Dale a tu cuerpo alegría, Ma'dalena, que tu cuerpo e' pa' darle alegría y cosa' güena'" ("Give your body some joy, Magdalene, 'cause your body is for giving joy and good things to").

After the night was over, Monge finished the song, and Los del Rio recorded it in 1992 as a rumba, the first of six versions of the song attributed to the duo.  Another version, a new flamenco rumba pop fusion with Spanish lyrics, became successful in Spain and Mexico.  That version was also used as the unofficial campaign theme song for the reelection campaign of then-governor Pedro Rosselló in Puerto Rico.  As Puerto Rico was a base for many cruise ships, visitors to the island were constantly exposed to the song while staying there.  Thus, the song spread to, and became a hit in, cities with significant Latino communities in the United States, such as Miami and New York City.

After the Bayside Boys remixed the song and English lyrics were written and added by producers Carlos de Yarza and Mike Triay, Los del Rio recorded the album A mi me gusta. On that album is one of the surprise hits of the Rock Era. "Macarena" was released as a single in 1995, and it became a huge international hit. The song reached was #1 for 14 weeks in the United States.  It reached #1 in Australia, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, France, Italy, Finland, Denmark, Spain and Belgium and was #2 in the U.K., New Zealand, Sweden and Norway.  By 1997, the single had sold 11 million copies.  

"Macarena" includes the laughter of Yazoo vocalist Alison Moyet.  The female singer on the remix was hired by the Bayside Boys, and at her request was uncredited.  A dance was designed around the song, and it got to be where you weren't "hip" if you didn't know the dance.  A crowd of over 50,000 people danced the Macarena in Yankee Stadium in New York City in 1996.  The song stayed on the chart for 60 weeks, the longest reign among number one songs.  

You will read and hear some people call "Macarena" one of "the greatest songs of all-time".  While it was a huge #1 hit, to be sure, the song had little competition when judged against other songs of the Rock Era.  #1 for 14 weeks in 1996 is not automatically better than #1 for 7 weeks in 1964.  You see, competition is the key.  And it is one of the key components used in my exclusive formula which is able to calculate The Top 500 Songs of the Rock Era*.  When you consider the competition vying for #1 in the days of "Macarena", the song gets knocked down considerably.  We will update The Top 500 Songs of the Rock Era* at some point, and you will see where the song truly ranks.

Los del Rio released six albums and five singles in their career--five of the albums contained different styles and remixes of "Macarena".  "Macarena Christmas" at #57 was their highest-ranking single after "Macarena".  The duo may not have been able to capitalize on their One-Hit Wonder, but they certainly gave us an international success at the time.

 A song about a river in Boston gave this group its one big hit:

  

   #61:  Standells--"Dirty Water"  

In 1961, bass guitarist Jody Rich and guitarist Tony Valentino were in a band called the Starlights, who recorded a demo of "Let's Go (Pony)".  Vocalist and keyboardist Larry Tamblyn joined the group, followed shortly afterwards by drummer Benny King, and the group changed their name to the Standells.  

The group gave their first major performance at the Oasis Club in Honolulu, Hawai'i.  Rich and King left the group, eventually replaced by Gary Lane and Gary Leeds (later known as Gary Walker of the Walker Brothers).  The Standells signed a recording contract with Liberty Records in 1964.  Leeds then left the band, replaced by vocalist and drummer Dick Dodd.   

The group released the album The Standells In Person At P.J.'s, which was later re-issued as The Standells Live and Out of Sight.  The group appeared on The Munsters television show performing "I Want to Hold Your Hand".  They released two singles on Vee-Jay Records before signing with MGM.   

Producer Ed Cobb wrote "Dirty Water", which the Standells recorded in 1965 on Tower Records, a subsidiary of Capitol Records.  The song peaked at #8 and is considered a staple of garage rock.  The group released an album of the same name in 1966.   

In 1997, the Boston Red Sox adopted "Dirty Water" as their official victory anthem, played after every home victory.  The Standells played "Dirty Water" before the second game of the 2004 World Series at Fenway Park.  Also that year, two Boston area music stores assembled over 1,500 guitarists to perform "Dirty Water" for over 76 minutes adjacent to the Charles River. 

"Dirty Water" is listed in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's "500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll."  The Inmates remade the song in the 1980's and reached #51.  The Standells released five albums and four singles, with their next-best song being "Sometimes Good Guys Don't Wear White", which peaked at #43.

Tamblyn's niece is Amber Tamblyn, star of the movie The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.

We've got great dance songs, great story songs, great melodies and more, all wrapped up in this Summer Spectacular in 2025.  Join us tomorrow!