When it comes to the 1970s there does seem to be a lot of one-hit wonders. And I mean a lot. Despite there being plenty to choose from, it can still be tricky to select a list. That's probably down to how you define a single hit, and of course where in the world you are measuring chart success.
Some artists may be huge in their own country or some parts of the world but don't hit the heights of the charts in other major music industry countries. David Essex is often cited as a one-hit wonder in the US Billboard Hot 100 with “Rock On”. Readers in the UK will wonder about that. Essex had 19 Top 40 hits there, a couple at number one, not to mention his 16 Top 40 albums, TV and film acting, and stage show successes.
To keep it clear and simple, here are six songs that comfortably fit a tighter definition as one-off hits in the top 40 charts across several major music industry countries including the US and UK, with one very minor exception.
Six 1970s one hit wonders
M - Pop Muzik
This one is a very memorable one-hit wonder. It comes from musician Robin Scott under the name of M. “Pop Muzik” was a simple but catchy and very dance-orientated mix and blend of various types. Synths, keyboards, electronic drum beats, and unusual vocals all combined effectively.
As a fun, quirky but stylish pastiche, it quickly became an earworm of the late 1970s when it was released in March 1979. It was also a big hit, reaching number two in the UK charts where it would undoubtedly hit the top spot but Art Garfunkel and “Bright Eyes” held it off. It did hit number one around most of Europe, the US, and Canada though. Some claim it was the first new wave number one in the US. That probably depends on how you define new wave - a whole other article and debate!
Ram Jam - Black Betty
The underlying tune here is believed to date back many years and probably originates from an African-American work song. Huddie “Lead Belly” Ledbetter recorded an amazing acapella backed by handclaps version in 1939. You should look that up and have a listen if you weren’t aware of it. You will hear for sure the origin of the more familiar 1970s hit.
That version we will all know and instantly recognise for its very distinctive vocals and guitar riffs came from the New York band Ram Jam in June 1977. It’s an absolute banger of a song that will keep playing in your head. The revised song was arranged, recorded, and released by guitarist Bill Bartlett, and then as often happened with one-hit wonders, a band was formed based on the song to help promote it more widely. It's rare that those who quickly found and put together bands for a hit actually went on to produce more hits, as was the case here.
It was a huge hit in many countries, number 18 in the US charts, number 7 in the UK and a top chart hit in Australia and many European countries. The Ram Jam version of “Black Betty” is also featured in the video game Rayman Legends, and the movie Kung Pow! Enter The Fist and a Family Guy episode. Perhaps those are where some people first heard those powerful guitar riffs.
Sniff ‘n The Tears - Drivers Seat
Now for what is a really great song from an unusually named band. Their name has no great mysterious meaning behind it. The band's manager based it on singer and writer Paul Roberts as he had hay fever and sniffed a lot!
The song has a great beat and chorus line, plenty of guitars, electric and acoustic, and a Moog solo, which stands up pretty well even now. An extended 12” version added a bit more of a techno drumbeat and is worth a listen to. There may be some hidden meaning in the song title, if not the band name. “Driver’s Seat” is all about broken relationships. According to writer Roberts anyway.
The song was a bit of a slow burner in many ways. It first started to appear back in 1973 on an early demo tape by the band. It resurfaced on their album Fickle Heart recorded when they signed to the Chiswick Label in 1978. It was 1979. Before the sing started to chart and hit its peaks, number one in The Netherlands, top twenty in the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand while getting up to number 42 in the UK. It also featured in the soundtrack to the 1997 movie Boogie Nights.
David Dundas - Jeans On
Are you ready for a bit of British aristocracy and fashion history? This song released in October 1976 covers all of that and shows the power of advertising. In the UK the song was used in adverts to promote Brutus Jeans, a UK denim brand that went on to outsell both Levi and Wrangler jeans.
I ought to use the singer’s titled name here, he was Lord David Dundas. His title as a Lord is absolutely genuine and came from his father the 3rd Marquess of Zetland. It wasn’t used on the record though, perhaps out of keeping with the young, trendy, and fashionable Brutus brand. Dundas didn't have any further single hits but did go on to have success as an actor. He also co-wrote the musical score for the British hit movie Withnail and I.
“Jeans On” was co-written by Dundas. It's a bright, sunny, pop tune that brings back great memories of those late 1970s years whenever it is played, and that Brutus jeans brand. Proving the power of a great song in an advert.
The underlying tune was extensively sampled for Fatboy Slim’s “Sho Nuff”, the B side to his 1998 hit “Praise You”. “Jeans On” though had already achieved its own chart success in the 1970s while boosting denim sales. Number three in the UK, 17 in the US, and top twenty placings around Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
Stealers Wheel - Stuck In The Middle With You
I find it hard to believe this was a one-hit wonder. It’s so good there surely should have been more. I am stretching the definition a little though. Stealers Wheel was a band formed and led by Joe Egan and Gerry Rafferty. The latter went on to have more commercial success and hits, notably “Baker Street”. But as a band, this was Stealers Wheel’s one and only hit across two albums before they broke up in 1975.
And what a song it is, thoroughly deserving of being a huge hit. Co-written by Rafferty and Egan it has clever lyrics, simple acoustic guitar backing, and has Rafferty doing his best Bob Dylan-style vocals. Rafferty had a great voice anyway and didn’t need to cover it up by copying Dylan, but it worked very well on the song. It’s a great example of early work from Rafferty which signposts much more great music to come from him.
Released in April 1973, “Stuck In The Middle With You” was a number 8 hit in the UK and number 6 in the US, while celebrating top twenty success around Europe, Australia, and Canada. Once again, those unfamiliar with the song from its 1970s heyday may know it better from a hit movie. The song was on the soundtrack for Quentin Tarantino’s debut film Reservoir Dogs featuring in the notorious warehouse scene.
The Crusaders - Street Life
I was going to just list five songs, and again there is a slight stretch in the definition, as I’ll explain. But this one is so good it needs a mention too. This is also another example of a great song being picked up for movies, TV, and video game use.
Let's get the slight stretch out of the way first. The Crusaders were a successful jazz band in the US. They were previously known as The Jazz Crusaders. Under both names, they had a series of top albums over many years. But “Street Life” was their only hit single.
It represented a peak for the band and the years after saw a decline in their success. But it also marked the start of an amazing career for the band's lead singer, Randy Crawford. She, of course, went on to have many hits on her own afterward.
Released in July 1979, “Street Life” was the title track of the Crusaders top twenty album released later that same year. The success of the single helping boost the album sales further. It's a very stylish piece of jazz funk with superb orchestral backing and extraordinary vocals from Crawford. A slow mellow start with obligatory sax soon breaks into an upbeat memorable and classic tune.
“Street Life” reached number five in the UK, 36 in the US, and top twenty spots around Europe. Tarantino used this song too in his Jackie Brown movie. It also popped up in Better Call Saul on TV and featured for players of Grand Theft Auto V. Quite a far reach again for a one-hit wonder.