The Top 500 One-Hit Wonders of the Rock Era Revisited: Prelude Part Two

 

We're excited to bring you Part Two of the Prelude!

 Teri Gilkyson--"Marianne"

This traditional Calypso song was first made popular by Roaring Lion.  It was popular with revelers during an impromptu carnival celebration on V-J Day in Trinidad in 1945 at the end of World War II.  Teri Gilkyson reached #4 in 1957.

Bobby "Boris" Pickett--"Monster Mash"

This 1962 #1 novelty song is popular each and every Halloween.

  
Ivory Joe Hunter--" Since I Met You, Baby"

Ivory Joe Hunter moved over to Atlantic Records in 1954, about the time he wrote this one, which became a hit two years later.

 Uncle Sam--"I Don't Ever Want to See You Again"

Boyz II Men member Nathan Morris wrote and produced this #6 hit for Uncle Sam in 1998.  It was Sam's only hit.

Jessi Colter--'I'm Not Lisa"

Here's by far Jessi Colter's most successful song, from 1975.

 Carol Douglas--"Doctor's Orders"

Carol Douglas landed a Top 10 hit with this in 1975.

 

K.D. Lang--"Constant Craving"

This one from Canadian K.D. Lang won a Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and very nearly made The Top 500 One-Hit Wonders*.

 

Baz Luhrmann--"Everyone's Free To Wear Sunscreen"

An essay written as a hypothetical commencement speech by columnist Mary Schmich, was published in June of 1997 in The Chicago Tribune.  The essay was the basis for the spoken word song by Baz Luhrmann released in 1997.  It reached #1 in the U.K. but only #45 in the U.S.

 

Los Lonely Boys--"Heaven"

Brothers Henry, Jojo and Ringo Garza wrote this song, a big hit for Los Lonely Boys.

 

 Heights--"How Do You Talk To An Angel"

This hypothetical group named after the TV show was put together to record this song which went to #1.  Sadly, the show was canceled the week after the song fell from #1. 

  
 Odyssey--" Native New Yorker"

This song was first recorded by Frankie Valli, but Odyssey scored a #3 Disco hit with it in 1978.

  

Joe Public--"Live And Learn"

They called this New Jack Swing, and Joe Public rode the wave to #4 in 1992.

Amazing Rhythm Aces--" Third Rate Romance"

This Tennessee group recorded dozens of songs and released 18 albums, but nothing else matched this release in 1975.

That wraps up Part Two of our Prelude*.  Join us tomorrow on Inside The Rock Era!