The Top 500 One-Hit Wonders Revisited: Prelude

 

We are thrilled to revisit one of our most popular music specials--The Top 500 One-Hit Wonders of the Rock Era*!  It was one of the first we produced in 2013 and we're bringing it back 12 years later!

To get you ready, we're featuring some of the top one-hit wonders that did not make the list.  Someone was surprised that there are 500 One-Hit Wonders.  There's hundreds more as well, and this Prelude* should give you an idea of the quality that is in the Top 500.

 

Cymarron--"Rings"

Here's a song out of 1971 that made the Top 20 for the group from Memphis, Tennessee.

Opus--"Live Is Life"

This was a big hit nearly everywhere in 1986 except the U.S., where it peaked at #32.

 

 Anna Kendrick--"Cups"

Here's the only song released by Anna Kendrick; it became a Top 10 hit for her in 2012.

  
Cuff Links--"Tracy" 

This song reached #1 in Canada, #4 in the U.K. and #9 in the United States for the Staten Island, New York group the Cuff Links.

 

 Evan & Jaron--"Crazy For This Girl"

Evan and Jaron Lowenstein are twin brothers who hit #15 in 2000 with this one.

  
Joe Jones--"You Talk Too Much"

This one written by Fats Domino's brother-in-law, Reginald Hall for Joe Jones, who took it to #3 in 1960.

  
Eddie Murphy--"Party All The Time"

Comedian Eddie Murphy recorded this song in 1985 and shocked everyone by reaching #2 with it.

Jack Wagner--"All I Need"

Wagner was on several daytime television shows, most notably General Hospital.  In 1985, he scored a #2 hit with this one.

  Cassie--Me & U

Cassie hit position #3 with this one in 2006.

  

Bent Fabric--"Ally Cat"

Danish pianist and composer Bent Fabric gave us this memorable #7 song in 1962.

  
Big Mountain--" Baby, I Love Your Way"

American reggae pop group Big Mountain covered the big Peter Frampton hit "Baby, I Love Your Way" in 1994 for the movie Reality Bites.

  
Preston Epps--"Bongo Rock"

Great bongo player Preston Epps rolled to #14 in 1960 with this instrumental.  It is said that the Surfari's classic "Wipe Out" is based on this song.

New Vaudeville Band--"Winchester Cathedral"

British novelty group the New Vaudeville Band jumped all the way to #1 with this winner in 1966.

  Lumidee--"Never Leave You"

This debut single from Lumidee hit #3 in 2003.  She never enjoyed another big hit again.

Be sure to tune in tomorrow for another dash of the Prelude*, exclusively on Inside The Rock Era!