All of our favorite One-Hit-Wonders!
Rock Me Amadeus – Falco
Falco, an Austrian singer, took this Mozart-inspired new wave track to the top of the U.S. charts in 1986, making it the first (and only) German-language song to hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Though he remained popular in Europe, this was his only major American hit.
Sex & Candy – Marcy Playground
A late-’90s alt-rock staple, this moody song with cryptic lyrics spent 15 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. Lead singer John Wozniak has said the song was inspired by an old girlfriend and an overheard conversation about “sex and candy.”
Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes) – Edison Lighthouse
This 1970 bubblegum pop hit was performed by session musicians under the name Edison Lighthouse. The lead singer, Tony Burrows, was also the voice behind several other one-hit wonders of the era, including “My Baby Loves Lovin'” by White Plains.
I Melt with You – Modern English
Despite peaking at only No. 78 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1982, this new wave love song became a cult classic thanks to its inclusion in movies like Valley Girl. The band Modern English reunited multiple times over the years but never replicated the success of this dreamy track.
No Rain – Blind Melon
With its iconic “bee girl” music video, this 1993 alternative rock hit became a defining song of the era. Sadly, Blind Melon’s lead singer, Shannon Hoon, passed away in 1995, cutting short the band’s promising career.
Fooled Around and Fell in Love – Elvin Bishop
Though Elvin Bishop was primarily known as a blues guitarist, this 1975 soft rock hit became his biggest success. The song’s soulful vocals were actually sung by Mickey Thomas, who later joined Jefferson Starship.
Walk on the Wild Side – Lou Reed
A storytelling masterpiece from Lou Reed’s 1972 album Transformer, this song chronicles the lives of Andy Warhol’s Factory scene. Despite its unconventional subject matter, it became his biggest mainstream hit, thanks to its jazzy bassline and doo-wop backing vocals.
Mr. Big Stuff – Jean Knight
This sassy funk anthem shot to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1971, powered by Jean Knight’s bold vocal delivery. Though she continued to record music, this track remains her defining hit, even getting sampled by artists like Eazy-E and John Legend.
867-5309 (Jenny) – Tommy Tutone
Released in 1981, this power-pop anthem became famous for its infectious hook and that now-infamous phone number. While many fans dialed the number in hopes of reaching “Jenny,” the band insists the name was chosen randomly. Despite its massive success, Tommy Tutone never had another hit quite like this one.
Spirit in the Sky – Norman Greenbaum
This gospel-rock anthem from 1969, with its fuzzed-out guitar and handclaps, became a staple of classic rock radio. Fun fact: Norman Greenbaum, a Jewish singer-songwriter, was inspired to write a song about Jesus after watching a gospel performance on TV.
