The rock era, which historically is agreed upon as 1954 when “Rock Around the Clock” by Bill Haley & His Comets hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100, seems to built upon the giants of the music. Artists like The Beatles, Elvis Presley, The Rolling Stones, Prince and Jimi Hendrix are generally acknowledged as just a few of the immortals of the dominant form of music of the past nearly 70 years. But, to me, perhaps the most important aspect of rock music has been those artists who bottled pop magic one time and released that one song just at the perfect moment to tap into the zeitgeist of rock music. These songs, known as one-hit wonders, are what make rock music truly special, for if they did not exist, rock music might just have stagnated, either from its own self-importance or its need for the occasional palate cleansing.
One-hit wonders come in all shapes and sizes. You will find members of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame saddled up right next to novelty songs. Additionally, there are instrumentals of questionable taste that are of equal importance to me as those proto-punk songs of the Sixties. All in all, the one-hit wonder is what makes music so very diverse, allowing music to follow very different paths at the very same time.
And, just when you think this list could be dominated by the great one-hit wonders of the Eighties, you discover that these types of songs are strewn throughout the whole history of the genre. And, if you think I might take a musical snob’s approach to this topic, I think you will be surprised that I find some very schmaltzy music just as compelling as some of the now-rock standards scattered throughout my list. Additionally, I did attempt to rank these songs, but, seriously, how much better is The Tokens’ “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” than, say, “Rumors” by Timex Social Club? Who knows? It’s all in the ear of the beholder.
Therefore, today is Day 1 of ten days of my countdown of my 300 favorite one-hit wonders of all-time. Kick back and enjoy the ride!
300. Los del Rio – “Macarena” (1995)
299. Rick Dees & His Cast of Idiots – “Disco Duck” (1976)
298. Psy – “Gangnam Style” (2012)
297. Ylvis – “The Fox (What Would the Fox Do?)” (2013)
296. Daniel Powter – “Bad Day” (2006)
295. Phantom Planet – “California” (2005)
294. Big Mountain – “Baby I Love Your Way” (1992)
293. Walter Murphy & His Big Apple Band – “A Fifth of Beethoven” (1976)
292. David Soul – “Don’t Give Up on Us” (1977)
291. Amii Stewart – “Knock on Wood” (1979)
290. Los Lonely Boys – “Heaven” (2003)
289. Pretty Poison – “Catch Me I’m Falling” (1987)
288. Mr. Big – “To Be with You” (1991)
287. Snow Patrol – “Chasing Cars” (2006)
286. Debby Boone – “You Light Up My Life” (1977)
285. Us3 – “Cantaloop” (1993)
284. Yello – “Oh Yeah” (1985)
283. Dishwalla – “Counting Blue Cars” (1995)
282. Force MD’s – “Tender Love” (1985)
281. Inner Circle – “Bad Boys” (1992)
280. Sherriff – “When I’m with You” (1989)
279. Clarence Carter – “Patches” (1970)
278. Desmond Dekker & the Aces – “Israelites” (1969)
277. Duncan Sheik – “Barely Breathing” (1996)
276. World Party – “Ship of Fools” (1986)
275. Jann Hammer – “Miami Vice Theme” (1986)
274. The Tornados – “Telstar” (1962)
273. The American Breed – “Bend Me, Shape Me” (1967)
272. Shawn Mullins – “Lullaby” (1998)
271. Hugh Masekela – “Grazing in the Grass” (1968)
270. Alan O’Day – “Undercover Angel” (1977)
269. The Heights – “How Do You Talk to an Angel” (1992)
268. Lou Bega – “Mambo No. 5” (1999)
267. Godley & Creme – “Crying” (1985)
266. Josie Cotton – “Johnny, Are You Queer?” (1982)
265. Odyssey – “Native New Yorker” (1977)
264. Hoobastank – “The Reason” (2004)
263. David Essex – “Rock On” (1974)
262. Wheatus – “Teenage Dirtbag” (2000)
261. Martika – “Toy Soldiers” (1989)
260. Stacey Q – “Two of Hearts” (1986)
259. The Syndicate of Sound – “Little Girl” (1966)
258. Lit – “My Own Worst Enemy” (1998)
257. Johnny Hates Jazz – “Shattered Dreams” (1988)
256. King Missile – “Detachable Penis” (1992)
255. Macy Gray – “I Try” (1999)
254. Keith – “98.6” (1967)
253. Harold Faltemeyer – “Axel F” (1984)
252. The Breeders – “Cannonball” (1993)
251. The Cyrkle – “Red Rubber Ball” (1966)
Well, that’s the first 50 songs in this massive countdown. If your favorite has been listed, just imagine what forgotten gems await you over the next nine days.
If My Records Could Talk 