(STACKER) — The time period “one-hit marvel” is incessantly perceived negatively—just like the act was once a flash within the pan or reaped the advantages of a well-liked fad or a movie or tv sync—however maximum musicians would give the rest to have only one hit.
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Stacker dug in the course of the annals of rock track historical past and highlighted 20 one-hit wonders, recognized via rock artists whose best unmarried reached gold or platinum standing from the Recording Trade Affiliation of The us.
Reaching this type of feat in point of fact is lightning in a bottle. To place issues into viewpoint, for a unmarried to be licensed gold via the RIAA, it has to promote the an identical of a minimum of 500,000 copies. For platinum, that quantity springs as much as 1 million, and the tiers of multiplatinum cross up via 1 million (as an example, an 8x platinum unmarried would have bought 8 million copies).
Albeit right away acquainted, artists like Damage Mouth and Twisted Sister are a number of the extra surprising one-hit wonders in this checklist, while others are much less so as a result of their hits exceed their reputation. There’s even an access that needed to create a fictitious band when its unmarried turned into successful for the reason that musicians concerned refused to affiliate their names with the tune.
Learn on to be informed extra concerning the one-hit wonders each and every rock track fan will take note.
Mike Pinera plays onstage right through the Rock Godz Corridor of Repute Awards.
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Blues Symbol
“Trip Captain Trip” is Blues Symbol’s largest hit, and singer Mike Pinera wrote it at the spot when the band wanted another tune to finish their sophomore album, “Open.” The blues-rock vintage soared up the Billboard Sizzling 100 chart and peaked at #4 on July 18, 1970. It was once licensed gold on Aug. 4 of the similar 12 months. Blues Symbol disbanded in a while after the album’s liberate, with Pinera becoming a member of Iron Butterfly and keyboardist Skip Konte becoming a member of 3 Canine Evening.
Justin Hamkins and Dan Hawkins carry out onstage.
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The Darkness
When the Darkness launched “I Imagine in a Factor Referred to as Love” in 2003, it gave the look of an ’80s glam rock revival was once underway. The tune’s electrifying guitar riff, frontman Justin Hawkins’ falsetto, and the catchy refrain make it a karaoke jam. A complete style revival by no means got here, and the Darkness has had its ups and downs since then, however the tune continues to be so liked that it was once licensed platinum on Oct. 5, 2023.
(A laugh truth: In 2023, guitarist Dan Hawkins admitted the band was once making an attempt to “write the stupidest tune ever” after they penned “I Imagine in a Factor Referred to as Love.”)
Eddie Grant plays onstage.
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Eddy Grant
Eddy Grant had already loved twenty years of good fortune within the U.Okay. as a solo artist and along with his staff, the Equals, when he launched “Electrical Street” in 1983. The Guyanese British singer-songwriter is understood for thoughtfully mixing reggae, British rock, funk, and soul sounds, and his political anthem stuck on large time within the U.S. “Electrical Street” peaked at #2 at the Billboard Sizzling 100 chart and was once licensed platinum on Dec. 20, 1989. Grant continues to be an energetic musician; on the other hand, he hasn’t been ready to succeed in some other large hit.
Holly Johnson and Paul Rutherford of Frankie Is going To Hollywood acting onstage.
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Frankie Is going to Hollywood
Frankie Is going to Hollywood hit the bottom working with their debut unmarried, “Loosen up.” The 1983 synth-pop monitor was once a membership remix hit, and its “obscene” content material warranted a ban from BBC, which garnered them much more exposure. “Loosen up” crowned the charts within the U.Okay. and reached #10 at the Billboard Sizzling 100. On Jan. 17, 1989, the only reached gold standing. The band persevered to achieve Europe however by no means had some other hit within the U.S.
Gotye plays on level at Manchester Apollo.
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Gotye
Maximum musicians start their careers with the hope of creating it large. For Gotye (actual identify Wouter De Backer), this was once no longer the case. The Belgium-born, Australia-raised singer-songwriter by no means sought stardom, and when his 2011 unmarried “Someone That I Used to Know” turned into a world hit, it was once an excessive amount of for him. Gotye gained 3 Grammys in 2013, and the son—that includes New Zealand singer Kimbra—was once licensed 14x platinum in 2021. On the other hand, he knowledgeable lovers by means of e-newsletter in 2014 that “there will likely be no new Gotye track.”
The Knack pose for a portrait.
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The Knack
The Knack could also be a one-hit marvel, however their one hit positive made an have an effect on! When the band launched their debut unmarried, “My Sharona,” in 1979, it turned into Capitol Information’ quickest to be licensed gold for the reason that Beatles’ “I Wish to Dangle Your Hand.” The moment vintage was once no longer best the largest tune of the 12 months; it was once the largest tune of the last decade. It’s additionally been credited with killing disco and starting the New Wave craze. The Knack couldn’t reflect the good fortune of “My Sharona” and broke up a couple of years later.
Lit poses for a portrait at BMG in Los Angeles.
Jim Steinfeldt/Michael Ochs Archives // Getty Photographs
Lit
The past due ’90s noticed a growth in pop-punk reputation, and Lit was once a big identify within the post-grunge panorama. Their 1999 sophomore album, “A Position within the Solar,” noticed the band take a poppier solution to their track, and it was once anchored via the lead unmarried, “My Personal Worst Enemy.” The tune a couple of debaucherous night time of consuming continues to be as relatable as ever and went double platinum in 2020. Lit hasn’t had some other hit, however they’re nonetheless going robust, making track and traveling.
Meredith Brooks plays at Roskilde Pageant.
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Meredith Brooks
Meredith Brooks’ 1997 unmarried “B—h” went gold, spent 4 weeks at #2 at the Billboard Sizzling 100 chart, and was once nominated for 2 Grammys—however Capitol Information virtually didn’t let her liberate it as a result of label executives have been weary concerning the derogatory name. The tune turned into a feminist anthem, with girls reclaiming the phrase, which is most often used as an insult. Brooks launched her closing album in 2007 however nonetheless works within the track trade as a file manufacturer.
Mungo Jerry carry out on tv display.
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Mungo Jerry
Mungo Jerry turned into an in a single day good fortune after they launched their 1970 debut unmarried, “Within the Summertime.” The tune’s playful nature and carefree solution to blues track helped it achieve #3 at the Billboard Sizzling 100 chart and obtain gold certification earlier than the summer season’s finish. The band by no means reached that more or less good fortune within the U.S. once more; on the other hand, frontman Ray Dorset has persevered to file and excursion beneath the Mungo Jerry moniker.
Norman Greenbaum poses with acoustic guitar.
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Norman Greenbaum
If you understand “Spirit within the Sky,” likelihood is that you heard it in a film—it’s been featured on greater than 100 soundtracks—nevertheless it virtually sounded utterly other. Norman Greenbaum at the beginning wrote it as a people tune, however manufacturer Erik Jacobsen helped him flip it into the right away recognizable psych-rock vintage it’s recognized for lately. The tune’s nonetheless widespread due to syncs; on the other hand, its enchantment got here right away. It was once licensed gold on April 23, 1970, only a few months after its U.S. liberate.
Charlie and Craig Reid functioning at The Backside Line.
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The Proclaimers
The Proclaimers launched “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” in 1988, nevertheless it wasn’t till 1993 that it turned into successful in The us. The tune was once synched within the iconic romantic comedy “Benny & Joon” and blew up, peaking at #3 at the Billboard Sizzling 100 chart, and was once licensed gold on Aug. 2, 1993. In a 2015 interview, singer-songwriter Craig Reid divulged that the duo earns 5 occasions as a lot cash on that one tune than they do on the remainder of their discography mixed, however he doesn’t view it as a foul factor. It permits them to proceed recording and traveling.
Surprising Blue pose for a portrait.
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Surprising Blue
When Surprising Blue’s 1969 unmarried “Venus” reached #1 at the Billboard Sizzling 100 chart, it was once ancient. The psych rockers have been the primary Dutch band to best the U.S. chart. The tune was once a monster hit international, promoting greater than 5 million copies across the world, and went gold on Jan. 28, 1970. Surprising Blue ended up disbanding in 1974, however the tune outlived the gang. In 1986, Bananarama coated “Venus”—and with chart-topping effects. In 2001, the tune’s reputation was once revived when it was once used for a well-known Gillette business selling its Venus razors.
Kevin Coleman,Steven Harwell, Greg Camp, and Paul De Lisle pose for an overhead portrait via pool.
Bob Berg // Getty Photographs
Damage Mouth
Some would possibly argue that Damage Mouth isn’t a one-hit marvel—their chart-topping unmarried “Walkin’ at the Solar” was once in every single place in 1997—on the other hand, “All Megastar” is the band’s best tune to achieve gold or platinum standing (it went triple platinum in 2020). The tune spent 9 weeks atop the charts in 1999 after which gained a big resurgence when it was once used within the opening series of the 2001 film “Shrek.” (The soundtrack bought more or less 2.5 million copies.) Damage Mouth couldn’t replica the good fortune of “All Megastar,” and singer Steve Harwell left the band in 2021. Unfortunately, he passed on to the great beyond from acute liver failure two years later.
Gary DeCarlo plays at match.
Bobby Financial institution/WireImage // Getty Photographs
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Steam
When you’ve been to a wearing match the place a participant or trainer will get ejected or a crew suffers a brutal loss, likelihood is that you’ve heard “Na Na Howdy Howdy Kiss Him Good-bye.” The tune is without equal taunt in arenas and stadiums, and its foundation tale is beautiful attention-grabbing.
The tune was once recorded via studio musicians Gary DeCarlo, Dale Frashuer, and Paul Leka in 1969. It was once intended for use as a B-side to DeCarlo’s subsequent unmarried; on the other hand, Mercury Information cherished it such a lot they insisted it stand by itself. The trio refused to position their names at the tune, so it was once launched beneath the fictional band Steam.
“Na Na Howdy Howdy Kiss Him Good-bye” ended up topping the Billboard Sizzling 100 chart and was once licensed gold on the finish of 1969. Steam was once anticipated to excursion after the only hit #1, however the band didn’t exist. Leka ended up curating a traveling band that didn’t function any of the musicians who in truth wrote and recorded the tune.
Stephan Ellis, Marc Droubay, Dave Bickler, Frankie Sullivan and Jim Peterik carry out on a TV display.
Ron Wolfson/Michael Ochs Archives // Getty Photographs
Survivor
Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger” is synonymous with the “Rocky” movie franchise after getting used for an iconic montage in “Rocky III.” The sync ended in a Grammy, an Academy Award nomination, and 6 weeks on best of the charts for Survivor—to not point out 3 other tune variations receiving gold and platinum certification from the RIAA. Nonetheless, the monitor wasn’t even intended to be within the movie. Actor-director Sylvester Stallone sought after Queen’s “Some other One Bites the Mud” to soundtrack the mythical scene, however Queen refused permission.
Tommy Tutone acting in live performance.
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Tommy Tutone
When Tommy Tutone launched “867-5309/Jenny” in 1981, it was once stated to be about a real girl’s telephone quantity scrawled on a rest room wall. It wasn’t till 2004 that co-writer Alex Name debunked the parable and confessed Jenny and her tale have been fictional. Regardless of the real inspiration, the tune was once successful and peaked at #4 at the Billboard Sizzling 100 chart. It was once licensed gold in 1991. Tommy Tutone by no means recorded some other hit, however that didn’t forestall them from making track. Actually, they’re nonetheless an energetic band.
Dee Snider and Jay French acting onstage.
Larry Busacca/WireImage // Getty Photographs
Twisted Sister
Twisted Sister thrived right through the heyday of ’80s hair steel and put out two widespread songs right through that point—”We’re Now not Gonna Take It” and “I Wanna Rock,” each off their 1984 LP, “Keep Hungry”—so why are they in this checklist? Best the previous went gold (and that didn’t occur till 2009). Regardless of technically being a one-hit marvel, singer Dee Snider does no longer bring to mind his band that manner.
“You’ll see phrases like ‘one hit marvel’—it’s in truth two!” he stated in an interview on “Oprah: The place Are They Now” in 2015. “‘Or flash within the pan’ or ‘fortunate’ or such things as that carried out to our band, when that couldn’t be the rest farther from the reality.”
Team portrait of Unpleasant Child Joe in California.
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Unpleasant Child Joe
Unpleasant Child Joe is some other act that some argue to be a two-hit marvel. The angsty ’90s band’s debut unmarried “The entirety About You” broke the highest 10 on Billboard’s Sizzling 100 chart in 1992 due to a sync in “Wayne’s International,” however their duvet of Harry Chapin’s 1974 vintage “Cat’s within the Cradle” is Unpleasant Child Joe’s best tune to succeed in gold standing. After failing to provide some other charting unmarried, the band broke up in 1997 however reunited in 2010.
Richard Ashcroft, Peter Salisbury, and Simon Jones carry out at Irving Plaza.
Ebet Roberts/Redferns // Getty Photographs
The Verve
Like its name, the tale in the back of the Verve’s gold-certified hit “Sour Candy Symphony” is bittersweet. The well-known violin riff that makes the 1997 Britpop vintage right away recognizable was once sampled from Andrew Loog Oldham’s orchestral model of the Rolling Stones’ “The Closing Time.” Lengthy tale quick, the band was once charged with plagiarism, and the felony aftermath noticed Mick Jagger and Keith Richards receiving songwriting credit and the Stones’ former supervisor Allen Klein conserving the entire tune’s royalties. Oldham additionally sued the band for $1.7 million.
The Verve broke up in 1999; on the other hand, the tale ended on a candy word. When Klein passed on to the great beyond in 2009, the band’s frontman, Ashcroft, contacted Klein’s son about reopening negotiations. This time, Ashcroft gained, and 100% of the tune’s royalties have been returned to him.
Wild Cherry carry out onstage.
Michael Ochs Archives // Getty Photographs
Wild Cherry
It’s arduous to imagine {that a} band that launched one of the vital widespread funk songs ever in truth began as a troublesome rock act, however Wild Cherry spent their early days masking rock tunes. Through the mid-’70s, funk and disco reigned splendid, and singer Rob Parissi idea they will have to observe go well with (to the lament of the remainder of the band).
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Throughout considered one of their units, somebody shouted, “Are you white boys going to play some funky track?” and “Play That Funky Tune” was once born. It crowned the charts and went platinum in 1976, incomes the band two Grammy nominations. Wild Cherry may just no longer reflect the good fortune in their funk megahit and broke up in 1979.
Tale enhancing via Cynthia Rebolledo. Reproduction enhancing via Paris Shut.
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