Black Betty got to #18 on the singles chart in 1977 and it has more than 200x the plays on spotify of Ram Jam’s second song. A classic rock staple, surely one of the purest one hit wonders.
I think the "wonder" part of the term throws people, because "one hit wonder" is an absolutely self-defining term. One hit on the Billboard Top 40. The "wonder" part strikes some folks as an insult, particularly when it's applied to artists whose career is defined by more than singles. I don't share that view.
How did Fine Young Cannibals fare in this? I recently argued them as a OHW with She Drives Me Crazy, but my mother insisted they had other hits. Not sure if their cover of Suspicious Minds would count or not. Curious to know what the data shows
Black Betty got to #18 on the singles chart in 1977 and it has more than 200x the plays on spotify of Ram Jam’s second song. A classic rock staple, surely one of the purest one hit wonders.
They were up there. Outpaced by a few others
Hey I rarely finish articles on substack but this was great. Love the conversational tone of your writing 😊
Thank you!
I think the "wonder" part of the term throws people, because "one hit wonder" is an absolutely self-defining term. One hit on the Billboard Top 40. The "wonder" part strikes some folks as an insult, particularly when it's applied to artists whose career is defined by more than singles. I don't share that view.
Fantasy by Aldo Nova qualifies, I think
How did Fine Young Cannibals fare in this? I recently argued them as a OHW with She Drives Me Crazy, but my mother insisted they had other hits. Not sure if their cover of Suspicious Minds would count or not. Curious to know what the data shows
Where is Disco Duck by Rick Dees and his Cast of Idiots? You missed on this one.
It’s just not very popular. Has a million streams. “Come and Get Your Love” has over a billion.
How about "What Is Love" by Hadaway?