One-Hit Wonders

One minute they were on top of the world … and then they all but disappeared.

Some of them managed to make the Billboard Hot 100 list a time or two, but all the artists below hit the Top 40 only once.

As a comparison, Elvis Presley placed 114 songs in Billboard’s Top 40, while The Beatles had 49 songs that made it that far up the chart.

Memories … That’s What We’re All About

Play buttons are on the left … Volume sliders are on the right

One-Hit Wonders

Jewel Akens – Cascades – Capitols
Standells – American Breed
Los Bravos – Knickerbockers
Buoys – Brewer & Shipley

Comments (10)

  1. Fred

    Damn Ray I must have had one toke to many this AM!! Had my long stories all done and somehow the computer ate it!! I will say this however…all these songs had some meanings and they were all fun!! I wonder how many people nowadays talk to thier kids about the birds and the bees!! And did anybody care about that muddy water? Boston Harbour is still dirty!! But my fav was one tote over the line!! This song got our VP(Spiro Agnew)all upset!! And Lawrence Welk had this song on his show sung by Gale Farell & Dick Dale saying it was a modern spritual song!! Life is grand Ray!! Loved them all!!
    love ya!

    1. Ray (Post author)

      Computers have a way of acting up at the wrong time, Fred. I remember that Lawrence Welk clip. It was painful to watch! By the way, Agnew was always upset, especially when he was forced to resign. The song I found most interesting in this medley was the song by The Buoys. How could a song about cannibalism reach #17 on the charts?
      Love Ya!

  2. fred

    Ray I just got on you tube!! I think if I lisetned to that again I think I’d need a toke!! It amazes me how much control Mr. Welk had at the time!! And Timothy was a very strange song would be a way of saying it!! Joe would sell his soul for a piece of meat?? I am listening to One Toke again!! Laughing!! Ray thanks for bringing back some fond memories!!

    1. Ray (Post author)

      My pleasure, Mr. G! 🙂

  3. Jim Waters

    It makes me wonder about the various reasons. Poor management, not able to obtain or write more good songs, band break-ups, or made a mistake in their relationship with the ones in power? (Which there were not many in power back then.)

    1. Ray (Post author)

      Thanks, Jim. I tend to think all of the possibilities you mentioned are valid, but as you know, there were SO many artists getting record deals in the 60s and a few of them just got very lucky … once!

  4. Sandy Gaither

    This was a fabulous experience, hearing songs that I had almost completely forgotten about. You sure did pick some good ones out of the group. Hard to believe that these were only number one, once. Seems like I remember hearing them a lot back when they were popular. This was a fun step in the ketchup for me since I have missed every medley this week. I’m headed back to yesterday’s, and Mondays! Thank you so much for this, And just to be that one toke over the line! You’re the best!

    1. Ray (Post author)

      Thank you, Sandy 🥰
      Here today and gone tomorrow. These artists may have only briefly enjoyed success but no one can ever take their one shining moment.

  5. Penny S Capron

    what a great medley .. too bad they were one hit wonders! I am surprised of most of these on the list: one toke over the line to listen to the rhythm of the falling rain. A couple didn’t sound familiar but liked them too.
    Has been a hell of a week BUT I have listened to all the medleys, just not commented 🙁
    Tomorrow is my Friday so I am stoked for a 4 day week-end!!
    Have a good evening my favorite Mr DJ Man .. oh wait, you are the only one …
    XXOO my friend!

    1. Ray (Post author)

      Thanks, Penny 🥰
      I’m very happy you enjoyed the music and I am VERY happy tomorrow is your Friday! ❤️

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