Biggest one-hit wonders from the 70s
Here's a list of 10 of our favorite one-hit wonders from the era, with links to the song on Youtube. Do you have a favorite? Let us know in the comment section below.
"In the Summertime," Mungo Jerry (1970)
As we'll see, the year 1970 was quite the time for one-hit wonders of the decade. England's Mungo Jerry actually enjoyed consistent success in the United Kingdom, but it's only true hit in the United States (No. 3 on Billboard's Hot 100), and worldwide for that matter, was this fun-time, jug-band, catchy romp (that is not entirely about picking up women), written by lead singer Ray Dorset. It's a creative piece that has defined the band's legacy.
"Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)," Edison Lighthouse (1970)
This popular early 1970s hit was originally recorded by British singer Jefferson, the become an international hit thanks to a group of studio and session players that dubbed themselves Edison Lighthouse. Mostly because they had to appear in public to perform the song when it became a hit. Edison Lighthouse's version, which had that late-1960s, catchy vibe, reached No. 5 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.
"Ride Captain Ride," Blues Image (1970)
Blues Image made three albums over two years, and it enjoyed its only real success with this single off its second record Open. "Ride Captain Ride" made it as high as No. 4 on the Billboard chart. While the tune is catchy enough, it's actually somewhat of a sad tale considering the captain and his ship sail off and disappear. Either way, it was good enough to earn the group a top-five hit.
"Spirit in the Sky," Norman Greenbaum (1970)
Singer-songwriter Norman Greenbaum actually had four songs chart on the Hot 100 in the U.S during his career. However, only this one from the start of the decade made it into the top 45 -- peaking at No. 3. According to Greenbaum, it's a gospel song. One that just happens to have that signature, the late '60s, psychedelic-rock feel. More than 50 years after its release, "Spirit in the Sky" is still a classic rock favorite.
"Vehicle," Ides of March (1970)
Led by Jim Peterik, who later found much greater success in the 1980s with Survivor, the Ides made a name for themselves behind their hometown Chicago area with "Vehicle." Complete with some stellar guitar work, brilliant drumming, and a rousing brass section, "Vehicle" made it all the way up to No. 2 on the Hot 100. By far the most successful for a band that has actually resurfaced to put out four records from 2010-'19.
"Dancing in the Moonlight," King Harvest (1972)
In 1972, King Harvest's biggest hit, actually a cover of the lesser-acclaimed Boffalongo track from 1970, reached No. 13 on the United States Billboard Hot 100. The band did have another single chart, "A Little Bit Like Magic," one year later, but that barely cracked the top 100. King Harvest had a relatively decent shelf life, putting out 10 albums -- most recently in 2015. Still, its version of "Dancing in the Moonlight" will always be the claim to fame.
"Seasons in the Sun," Terry Jacks (1974)
Adapted into English from 1961's "Le Moribond," by Belgian artist Jacques Brel, "Seasons in the Sun" became an international pop favorite via Jacks' recording. While the Canadian enjoyed more sustained success in his home country, Jacks' "Seasons in the Sun" version was also a No. 1 hit in the U.S. U.K., and Australia. Fun fact: the song was to be recorded by the Beach Boys, but they eventually decided against doing so. Jacks, a well-respected producer at the time, opted to do it on his own recording label. The rest, they say, is history.
"Black Betty," Ram Jam (1977)
The original recording of "Black Betty" goes back to 1939, courtesy of renowned bluesman Huddie Ledbetter -- aka "Lead Belly." Manfred Mann had a version of the song in the early 1970s, but it was this short-lived New York City outfit that made it a hit while peaking at No. 18 on the Hot 100. Ram Jam's guitar-heavy take of this blues track is pure rock, with some pretty decent drum work to boot.
"Mississippi Queen," Mountain (1970)
Leslie West was one of the great rock guitarists of all time, and he made a name for himself with Mountain. Most notably, obviously, through the group's only real hit. This hard-charging, guitar-fueled classic track peaked at No. 21 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart and remains a classic rock staple. The band put out eight albums from 1970-2007, but none of its singles achieved the success as this one. And, yes, that's a cowbell that can be heard.
"Mr. Big Stuff," Jean Knight (1971)
Knight found herself part of the greatness at Memphis' famed Stax Records, and struck it big with "Mr. Big Stuff." The song was popular as a crossover hit, both championed by fans of soul music and mainstream pop devotees, which helped it reach No. 2 on the Hot 100. The double-platinum single about an egotistical man seemingly not worthy of a woman's love also earned Knight a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female. Unfortunately for Knight, it was the only real success she enjoyed during a career that spanned into the late 1990s.
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