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My countdown list of one hit wonders- 1. Play That Funky Music (Wild Cherry) (1 Viewer)

13. “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” - The Proclaimers

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tbNlMtqrYS0

Who would have thought that two nerdy dudes from Scotland could come up with what might be the most infectious tune on this entire list? Though their accents are pretty thick (what does it mean to “haver”?) this song has a great deal of energy, which is why it has lasted for over 30 years now. Anthemic. 

 
13. “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” - The Proclaimers

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tbNlMtqrYS0

Who would have thought that two nerdy dudes from Scotland could come up with what might be the most infectious tune on this entire list? Though their accents are pretty thick (what does it mean to “haver”?) this song has a great deal of energy, which is why it has lasted for over 30 years now. Anthemic. 
Hate this song with a passion, but loved the ongoing gag of it in How I Met Your Mother.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYpSniiZhpg

 
Up next: with a rhythm section by future members of Earth, Wind and Fire (including Maurice White on drums), and Minnie Riperton singing backup vocals, this woman was all set to make a great record- which she did: one of the premier pop singles of all time. 

 
13. “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” - The Proclaimers

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tbNlMtqrYS0

Who would have thought that two nerdy dudes from Scotland could come up with what might be the most infectious tune on this entire list? Though their accents are pretty thick (what does it mean to “haver”?) this song has a great deal of energy, which is why it has lasted for over 30 years now. Anthemic. 
I played the hell out of Sunshine on Leith when I was in college and also caught one of their shows in Boston.  Loved these guys.  It’s a shame this is the song they later became known for, as they had a lot of better stuff.

 
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13. “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” - The Proclaimers

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tbNlMtqrYS0

Who would have thought that two nerdy dudes from Scotland could come up with what might be the most infectious tune on this entire list? Though their accents are pretty thick (what does it mean to “haver”?) this song has a great deal of energy, which is why it has lasted for over 30 years now. Anthemic. 
Love or hate. This song is top 10 worthy.

 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmELS03_4So

wow, this such a great song...it’s hard to believe that this is the same group as 500 Miles...
So beautiful, isn’t it?  Lots of good songs on that album.

ETA:  My other favorites I recall were Sean, I Met You, and Cap in Hand (political but clever), though I haven’t listened in years.  The “aye-yah”s on Sean might turn some off, but the harmonies are gorgeous.

 
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15. “I’ve Never Been to Me”- Charlene (1977)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CM-okx_yE2

Probably my guiltiest pleasure ever. I love the melody, but it’s the lyrics that make this song- they are without any doubt the worst song lyrics I have ever heard, and they are so bad that they provide me endless fascination. The entire lyrics are posted on the version I linked, but here are a few examples of my favorite lines: 

Took the hand of a preacherman and we made love in the sun

I moved like Harlow in Monte Carlo

I’ve been undressed by kings and I’ve seen some things that a woman ain’t sposed to see

(Spoken) do you know what truth is? It’s that little baby you’re holding, and it’s that man you fought with this morning, the same man you’re going to make love to tonight! That’s truth! That’s love!

I’ve been to crying for unborn children 

I’ve spent my life exploring the subtle whoring

Just beyond atrocious and there’s so many of them! How did she ever manage to get so many bad lyrics into one single work that isn’t even 4 minutes in length? Ed Wood would be proud.  
Just when I thought it couldn't get worse than Dexy's Midnight Runners, you go and give us this. Bravo Tim, Bravo.

 
timschochet said:
17. “Come On Eileen”- Dexy’s Midnight Runners (1982)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ASwge9wc-eI

Most rankings that Ive seen of OHW have this song coming in at either #1 or #2 by the critics, and almost always #1 when there’s a vote involved. So I think it’s pretty much a consensus. I have at at 17, but that’s not meant to disparage it: this is a great song. Love the use of fiddles and “too la roo”, the whole Irish thing works great. Plus it rocks. It’s just that there are 16 other songs I love just a little more. 
17 spots too early.  

 
I played the hell out of Sunshine on Leith when I was in college and also caught one of their shows in Boston.  Loved these guys.  It’s a shame this is the song they later became known for, as they had a lot of better stuff.
Always preferred I'm on my way.

 
13. “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” - The Proclaimers

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tbNlMtqrYS0

Who would have thought that two nerdy dudes from Scotland could come up with what might be the most infectious tune on this entire list? Though their accents are pretty thick (what does it mean to “haver”?) this song has a great deal of energy, which is why it has lasted for over 30 years now. Anthemic. 
"Haver" means "to babble".

"And if I babble, hey I know I'm gonna be, I'm gonna be the man who's babblin' to you."

 
12. “Rescue Me”- Fontella Bass (1965)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=S9mp3s2gpy8

Perfection. 

For me, everything about this song is flawless, from the singing (in which she doesn’t miss a note) to the harmonies to the rhythm section (Earth, Wind and Fire so of course) to the guitar and horns (by Chess records session musicians, at that time the best in the business) to the “mmm hmms” that close it out. I will match this song against ANY soul classic from the 60s; that’s how good I honestly think it is. 

So why didn’t Fontella Bass become a star along the lines of Aretha Franklin or Diana Ross? Who knows? Instead she was slated to be, like Percy Sledge, Arthur Conley, and JJ Jackson, a soul singer known only  for one spectacular effort- but it is spectacular. 

 
12. “Rescue Me”- Fontella Bass (1965)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=S9mp3s2gpy8

Perfection. 

For me, everything about this song is flawless, from the singing (in which she doesn’t miss a note) to the harmonies to the rhythm section (Earth, Wind and Fire so of course) to the guitar and horns (by Chess records session musicians, at that time the best in the business) to the “mmm hmms” that close it out. I will match this song against ANY soul classic from the 60s; that’s how good I honestly think it is. 

So why didn’t Fontella Bass become a star along the lines of Aretha Franklin or Diana Ross? Who knows? Instead she was slated to be, like Percy Sledge, Arthur Conley, and JJ Jackson, a soul singer known only  for one spectacular effort- but it is spectacular. 
For about 30 years I thought this song was by Aretha Franklin. :bag:

(Maybe that's because Pizza Hut got her to sing the song in one of their commercials).

Anyway, the version in your link is a weird stereo mix where the horns are buried in the left channel. This mono mix has everything in both channels at full blast.

 
OK for those who are interested, here is a list of songs, many of them famous as one hit wonders, which did not make my top 100: 

Convoy

Lunatic Fringe

Love Plus One

Disco Duck 

Electric Avenue

Relax

It’s Raining Men

Putting on the Ritz

Too Shy

Shiny Shiny

Break My Stride

Macerena 

One Night In Bangkok

We’re Not Gonna Take It

Don’t You (Forget About Me) 

The Lady In Red

Dear God

Beds Are Burning 

Nothing Compares to U

I’m Too Sexy

 Baby Got Back

Whoomp There It Is

No Rain 

Barely Breathing 

Save Tonight 

Who Let the Dogs Out? 

You’re Beautiful 

Several reasons these were excluded. In the cases of Twisted Sister, Simple Minds, XTC, Midnight Oil, and Sinead O’Connor I felt they were all too big performers to be thought of as one hit wonders despite one time on the charts (though I really wavered on Simple Minds). Some of these songs I like but  just barely missed the cut. And others are just really really awful songs that I hope never to hear again (the previously mentioned Achy Breaky Heart,  Macerena, I’m Too Sexy, Whoomp There It Is, Who Let the Dogs Out? Break My Stride and You’re Beautiful.) 
Fyi

 
Shouldn't because of this
From Wikipedia...

A lean period followed; his 1984 theme song for Romancing the Stone was cut from the film and stalled outside the UK top 50 when released as a single, although it fared better in the US.[4] His albums Going for Broke (1984), Born Tuff (1987), and File Under Rock (1988) failed to chart and produced no further hit singles.[4]

 
From Wikipedia...

A lean period followed; his 1984 theme song for Romancing the Stone was cut from the film and stalled outside the UK top 50 when released as a single, although it fared better in the US.[4] His albums Going for Broke (1984), Born Tuff (1987), and File Under Rock (1988) failed to chart and produced no further hit singles.[4]
Hit #26 on the US Billboard Top 100

 
13. “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” - The Proclaimers

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tbNlMtqrYS0

Who would have thought that two nerdy dudes from Scotland could come up with what might be the most infectious tune on this entire list? Though their accents are pretty thick (what does it mean to “haver”?) this song has a great deal of energy, which is why it has lasted for over 30 years now. Anthemic. 
Another personal note for this song.  I was just starting the second round of a relationship with my first long term girlfriend (we dated briefly in '91, then got back together in '93).  When this song was on regular radio play, she proudly proclaimed (see what I did there) "this is the song you can sing to me."  I immediatly thought that was a weirdly selfish and self centered comment to make, but just kind of let it roll off my back.  Years later, it was one of those early signs I should have paid more attention to.

 
Another personal note for this song.  I was just starting the second round of a relationship with my first long term girlfriend (we dated briefly in '91, then got back together in '93).  When this song was on regular radio play, she proudly proclaimed (see what I did there) "this is the song you can sing to me."  I immediatly thought that was a weirdly selfish and self centered comment to make, but just kind of let it roll off my back.  Years later, it was one of those early signs I should have paid more attention to.
People. 

 
Up next: The opening song in my top ten is the answer to a famous trivia question that begins with “What was the first...?” 

 
11. “O-o-h Child”- The Five Stairsteps (1970) 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=X6zbwLQFjRM

Such a gorgeous song. One of my favorite melodies of all time. As sweet as it gets. 
I've actually loved the past three songs. 

The Proclaimers - Aside from its overuse in rom-coms and in girlfriend demands (see: Dozier, Bull) this track was just a good rock n' roll track, IMHO. My friends hated the da-da-da-da, but I didn't. 

Fontella Bass - Another cool song that war movies seem to love to use. I think Good Morning Vietnam may have, and may have caused a revival. 

The Five Stairsteps - Never knew who sang this song, never cared enough to look, but you're right, it is gorgeous.  

 
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12. “Rescue Me”- Fontella Bass (1965)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=S9mp3s2gpy8

Perfection. 

For me, everything about this song is flawless, from the singing (in which she doesn’t miss a note) to the harmonies to the rhythm section (Earth, Wind and Fire so of course) to the guitar and horns (by Chess records session musicians, at that time the best in the business) to the “mmm hmms” that close it out. I will match this song against ANY soul classic from the 60s; that’s how good I honestly think it is. 

So why didn’t Fontella Bass become a star along the lines of Aretha Franklin or Diana Ross? Who knows? Instead she was slated to be, like Percy Sledge, Arthur Conley, and JJ Jackson, a soul singer known only  for one spectacular effort- but it is spectacular. 
Percy Sledge is a ####### legend.  He's in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  Charted top-20 four times.  Put out tons of great music.

Here with Duane Allman.  (The song was recorded three times in two years -- covered by both Elvis and Percy.)

 
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timschochet said:
16. “Afternoon Delight”- Starland Vocal Band (1976)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wu1UXCdyNo0

look at this dude with the glasses; how many afternoon delights is he actually getting? (With somebody else that is). Still maybe I’m wrong; those girls seem really happy...

what a great awful song. The 70s were so good at this sort of thing. Bad music that you just loved. 
Noooo, please reconsider and bracket this lower.  this song came out the summer before my senior year in Northern Virginia and received constant airplay.  The week before, I was in Lafayette Park across from the White House for a marijuana smoke-out featuring Root Boy Slim.

Interesting factoids?:

This band was from (Annandale?) an adjacent neighborhood? Jim Morrison was close by as well!

Concept came from a table flyer at Clyde's suggesting a menu option.  I have a history with Clyde's, but appreciate Nathan's much more.

The band received a single check for $66,000 (/4 members).  Perhaps Ron Burgundy was a an additional check?

Starlight Cafe was an eventual fail...(in the Potomac/Chevy Chase neighborhood?) adn one Yelp review.

Army brat and "Fast Times" ####ed my ### up.

 
OK for those who are interested, here is a list of songs, many of them famous as one hit wonders, which did not make my top 100: 

Convoy

Lunatic Fringe

Love Plus One

Disco Duck 

Electric Avenue

Relax

It’s Raining Men

Putting on the Ritz

Too Shy

Shiny Shiny

Break My Stride

Macerena 

One Night In Bangkok

We’re Not Gonna Take It

Don’t You (Forget About Me) 

The Lady In Red

Dear God

Beds Are Burning 

Nothing Compares to U

I’m Too Sexy

 Baby Got Back

Whoomp There It Is

No Rain 

Barely Breathing 

Save Tonight 

Who Let the Dogs Out? 

You’re Beautiful 

Several reasons these were excluded. In the cases of Twisted Sister, Simple Minds, XTC, Midnight Oil, and Sinead O’Connor I felt they were all too big performers to be thought of as one hit wonders despite one time on the charts (though I really wavered on Simple Minds). Some of these songs I like but  just barely missed the cut. And others are just really really awful songs that I hope never to hear again (the previously mentioned Achy Breaky Heart,  Macerena, I’m Too Sexy, Whoomp There It Is, Who Let the Dogs Out? Break My Stride and You’re Beautiful.) 
Twisted Sister and Sinead O’Connor are OHWs??

 
10. “Video Killed the Radio Star”- The Buggles (1979) 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9ffoTMBlAOA

Of course the trivia question is, “what was the first video ever to appear on MTV?” 

If that event has never happened, this would still be a great rock song. And actually it’s really too bad that it’s considered a OHW, since this band’s first album had at least 3 other excellent songs: “Living In the Plastic Age”, “Clean Clean”, and “Elfstree”. It was an album worth owning. 

 

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