Dexy’s first two albums were hugely influential. Rowland would have a heart attack if he heard himself described as part of the ‘nostalgia scene’. He continues to cut his own way with original work - sometimes superb, sometimes bizarre - rarely looking back.
I loved the album too. ‘What’s she like’ is a tour de force. I saw them tour the album at Southampton Gaumont (as it was then). A huge theatre. Only around 300 people were stood around to watch them in their pinstripe suits. A lot of disgruntled shouting for Come On and Geno. Rowland said ‘Geno doesn’t live here anymore’ and that was that. Fantastic and tragic.
Sure, that’s reasonable. But if you post multi hit, plus multi international hit acts from Britain and Scandinavia on an international platform and call them one hit wonders because you assume everyone is thinking in America you’re asking to be put straight, aren’t you? Plus if you call your list one hit wonders - and even you, here, concede A-ha had 2 US hits, again, at least get the simple fact right. 2 hits being more than 1 for example!!
So many great songs on this list! I wonder if The Knack and a-ha really count though as they did have follow-up Top 20 hits. I've also loved a lot of a-ha's music that never made a dent here in the U.S. Here are a few others I'd add:
Thanks Dan! Yeah the Knack was a borderline pick, but I wanted an excuse to write about “My Sharona.” Sometimes, bending the rules is good. Great tracks you shared as well, I should’ve made room for Natalie’s song.
When I saw “Spirit in the Sky” I immediately thought of the Doctor and the Medics cover. They were probably a one hit wonder too lol
I just recently picked up a used copy of A-Ha’s Hunting High and Low on vinyl (there was a demos version released on Record Store Day this year). I had that and Scoundrel Days on cassette and they were both pretty great.
I also had some of Marc Almond’s solo stuff- Soft Cell was pretty great too!
I got to see both Live and Blind Melon in Chicago (with PIL and Big Audio Dynamite) just before “No Rain” hit.
One hit wonders are like GOATS in sports, everyone has an opinion and are always ready to passionately defend their position. I am a baby boomer so Brandy is my #1 one hit wonder. I enjoyed the list and the comments.
Great list, Matt. Just one small addition: The Buggles released two albums. The second one, Adventures in Modern Recording, came out on a different label and was less successful. Still, they had a few minor hits in Europe with singles from the album, like ‘I Am a Camera’
Fun list. FYI Geoff Downes has been back in the YES fold for quite some time now. I met him at a casino bar where the band was playing. He was fairly nice for a British lad.
When I saw “Spirit in the Sky” I immediately thought of the Doctor and the Medics cover. They were probably a one hit wonder too lol
I just recently picked up a used copy of A-Ha’s Hunting High and Low on vinyl (there was a demos version released on Record Store Day this year). I had that and Scoundrel Days on cassette and they were both pretty great.
I also had some of Marc Almond’s solo stuff- Soft Cell was pretty great too!
Last night my adult daughter played “Ice Ice Baby” on touchtunes lol
I got to see both Live and Blind Melon in Chicago (with PIL and Big Audio Dynamite) just before “No Rain” hit.
Another great one-hit wonder: Berlin, Take My Breath Away. The song from the movie that everyone saw the summer of 1986 and the song you couldn’t avoid hearing that year.
Great list Matt!! You just about soundtracked my entire life in this post!
One of my favorite one hit wonders from my childhood was Indeep’s “Last Night a DJ Saved My Life”. A classic dance and disco song that the band was never able to replicate.
While they did end up with a second top 40 hit in 1987 with “Pop Goes the World”, I always considered “Safety Dance” by Men Without Hats to be a one hit wonder.
Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy” is another that comes to mind.
I’m 56 and have always considered 867-5309/Jenny by Tommy Tutone to be THE one-hit wonder of my time. Aside from causing a nationwide flood of prank phone calls, it had a super-catchy chorus (8-6-7-5-3~Oh~9~~) and a great crunchy guitar riff!
Dexy’s and Verve are multi hit bands. I mean literally, numerous big hits. Come on Matt, do your homework.
Plus Soft Cell?
Even A-Ha managed a second (#20 on Billboard)
Haha yes, when I saw The Verve, I was like what?!
Woooooah Geno! And Jocky Wilson! Dexy’s were fantastic, full of surprises.
Yeah, I was thinking about that too. Never thought of the Verve as one hit wonders. Great band.
What’s she like is brilliant. Knowledge of Beauty, also. I saw them a lot back then, truly exceptional band.
Dexy’s first two albums were hugely influential. Rowland would have a heart attack if he heard himself described as part of the ‘nostalgia scene’. He continues to cut his own way with original work - sometimes superb, sometimes bizarre - rarely looking back.
Agree completely. And I’m one of those Dexys fans who thinks the third album a bit of a masterpiece on the quiet.
I loved the album too. ‘What’s she like’ is a tour de force. I saw them tour the album at Southampton Gaumont (as it was then). A huge theatre. Only around 300 people were stood around to watch them in their pinstripe suits. A lot of disgruntled shouting for Come On and Geno. Rowland said ‘Geno doesn’t live here anymore’ and that was that. Fantastic and tragic.
U.K.? Or U.S.? The Verve had four top-10 hits in the U.K., but just the one in the States.
Ask 100 Americans how many hits Dexy's and A-Ha had, and 99 of those hundred will name the one song, even if they had other top-40 hits.
I don't think it's Matt not doing his homework; I think it's specifying hits in the U.S.
Sure, that’s reasonable. But if you post multi hit, plus multi international hit acts from Britain and Scandinavia on an international platform and call them one hit wonders because you assume everyone is thinking in America you’re asking to be put straight, aren’t you? Plus if you call your list one hit wonders - and even you, here, concede A-ha had 2 US hits, again, at least get the simple fact right. 2 hits being more than 1 for example!!
The La's "There she goes" perfect pop from a great album.
Came here to post this one. It’s infectious.
This was fun. I like that there’s not any pure novelty songs on here like “I’m Too Sexy.”
The best part of the music video is the tank top tear-off. Incredible stuff.
Or “I Wanna Be a Cowboy”
So many great songs on this list! I wonder if The Knack and a-ha really count though as they did have follow-up Top 20 hits. I've also loved a lot of a-ha's music that never made a dent here in the U.S. Here are a few others I'd add:
Let It Whip - Dazz Band
Der Kommissar - After the Fire
Torn - Natalie Imbruglia
One of Us - Joan Osborne
Thanks Dan! Yeah the Knack was a borderline pick, but I wanted an excuse to write about “My Sharona.” Sometimes, bending the rules is good. Great tracks you shared as well, I should’ve made room for Natalie’s song.
There's a lot to say about "My Sharona." I always think of it as the song that changed the tide from disco to to new wave on the charts.
That would be a fascinating topic to explore.
Don’t turn around uh-oh-oh!
Love this!! So many great songs!
When I saw “Spirit in the Sky” I immediately thought of the Doctor and the Medics cover. They were probably a one hit wonder too lol
I just recently picked up a used copy of A-Ha’s Hunting High and Low on vinyl (there was a demos version released on Record Store Day this year). I had that and Scoundrel Days on cassette and they were both pretty great.
I also had some of Marc Almond’s solo stuff- Soft Cell was pretty great too!
I got to see both Live and Blind Melon in Chicago (with PIL and Big Audio Dynamite) just before “No Rain” hit.
I don’t understand this list. Many of these artists had many hits. Soft Cell, for example, had loads.
Great post, thanks for the crazy-ass memories!
One hit wonders are like GOATS in sports, everyone has an opinion and are always ready to passionately defend their position. I am a baby boomer so Brandy is my #1 one hit wonder. I enjoyed the list and the comments.
Love that comparison, thanks Frank!
Many of the artists in this list continue(d) to have long careers and many successful songs. Classing them as one-hit wonders is frankly bizarre.
Calling Soft Cell a one-hit wonder lol
Great list. Loved Gotye song, Aha and others.
Thanks Barbara!
Great list, Matt. Just one small addition: The Buggles released two albums. The second one, Adventures in Modern Recording, came out on a different label and was less successful. Still, they had a few minor hits in Europe with singles from the album, like ‘I Am a Camera’
I’m so in need of a mini-Buggles listening run. This evening, in the car, driving around. Thanks for reading :)
Fun list. FYI Geoff Downes has been back in the YES fold for quite some time now. I met him at a casino bar where the band was playing. He was fairly nice for a British lad.
Haha for a British lad … do they have a bad rap or something? :P
Love this!! So many great songs!
When I saw “Spirit in the Sky” I immediately thought of the Doctor and the Medics cover. They were probably a one hit wonder too lol
I just recently picked up a used copy of A-Ha’s Hunting High and Low on vinyl (there was a demos version released on Record Store Day this year). I had that and Scoundrel Days on cassette and they were both pretty great.
I also had some of Marc Almond’s solo stuff- Soft Cell was pretty great too!
Last night my adult daughter played “Ice Ice Baby” on touchtunes lol
I got to see both Live and Blind Melon in Chicago (with PIL and Big Audio Dynamite) just before “No Rain” hit.
SO much great music in this comment, thanks for sharing Kristin! :)
Another great one-hit wonder: Berlin, Take My Breath Away. The song from the movie that everyone saw the summer of 1986 and the song you couldn’t avoid hearing that year.
I beg to differ. Berlin had a decent career before that song and a couple of good albums. MTV had a number of their songs on heavy rotation.
Great list Matt!! You just about soundtracked my entire life in this post!
One of my favorite one hit wonders from my childhood was Indeep’s “Last Night a DJ Saved My Life”. A classic dance and disco song that the band was never able to replicate.
While they did end up with a second top 40 hit in 1987 with “Pop Goes the World”, I always considered “Safety Dance” by Men Without Hats to be a one hit wonder.
Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy” is another that comes to mind.
Looking forward to part 2!!
Loved Safety Dance!
I’m 56 and have always considered 867-5309/Jenny by Tommy Tutone to be THE one-hit wonder of my time. Aside from causing a nationwide flood of prank phone calls, it had a super-catchy chorus (8-6-7-5-3~Oh~9~~) and a great crunchy guitar riff!