14 classic rock one-hit wonders that can make it big again

In essence, when discussing one-hit wonders generally, it’s noted that the phrase originated within the realm of music, although it has been applied to various other fields, most notably in sports, such as baseball.

Initially, the term gained popularity in music and quickly spread from the 50s up until today. However, to be classified as a one-hit wonder, some time must elapse for an artist or band, and it’s not surprising that there are numerous examples of such acts within the genre we now know as classic rock.

Indeed, you’ve likely encountered these before, and while repetition may be familiar, there are valid explanations for their enduring popularity. During their heyday, they resonated significantly, and it’s this timeless charm that makes them still captivating even if played now.

These one-hit wonders deserve another listen

Blood Sweat & Tears – “Spinning Wheel” (1968)

The band emerged during the height of popularity for brass and jazz-rock genres. Their singer, David Clayton-Thomas, gained them fame with this song, which also named their second album. However, after that, their fame plummeted like a stone into the ocean depths, leaving behind several well-received but overlooked albums.

The Crazy World of Arthur Brown – “Fire” (1968)

Yet another chart-topping success, followed by a string of exceptional albums, but it’s this particular song that continues to cast a long shadow, often referred to as the closing chapter of psychedelia and the opening act for progressive rock, gothic rock, horror rock, and more genre classifications. To this day, Brown remains active in music circles and is frequently questioned about this song above all others.

Iron Butterfly – “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vidda” (1968)

In essence, the distinction lies between two versions: the initial studio release (short) and the extended live performance (long) titled “Walk in the Garden of Eden.” The extended live version gained popularity, pushing the original single to the charts, as radio stations typically didn’t play songs longer than 17 minutes during that era.

Shocking Blue – “Venus” (1969)

Dutch musician Robbie Van Leeuwen likely continues to earn income from the royalties of this song due to its continued airplay, including the iconic vocals by late Mariska Veres. Yet, numerous covers following it have also surfaced, but none have approached the success or popularity that this original single achieved. Despite releasing several strong albums afterwards, they failed to match the impact of this hit song.

Mungo Jerry – “In the Summertime” (1970)

After its release, it was impossible not to hear this song at any hotel, bar, or restaurant along the Mediterranean coast. In fact, it topped charts almost everywhere except for the U.S., where it ranked third. Remarkably, Ray Dorset, who wrote and sang lead vocals, never produced anything as successful again, but he likely doesn’t mind either way.

Mountain – “Mississippi Queen” (1970)

Formed as something of a musical powerhouse, the band gained initial recognition through their performance at the legendary Woodstock festival. The following year, this iconic song catapulted them to fame, propelling their debut album (Climbing) into success alongside it. Although subsequent releases were also impressive, the band remains chiefly known for this particular period of success.

Derek And The Dominos – “Layla” (1970)

Despite Eric Clapton gathering an exceptional band for this recording, which included musicians like George Harrison, Duane Allman, and Dave Mason during the double album sessions, it was primarily the title song that resonated with a broader audience, for good reasons. One possible explanation could be that the band didn’t endure past a year.

Free – “All Right Now” (1970)

One outstanding band known for their impressive albums, yet only one track from their third album (“Fire And Water”) gained significant popularity as a single, reaching number four in the U.S. and number two in the UK. The song, characterized by laid-back hard rock rhythms and soulful vocals courtesy of Paul Rogers, appears to be an artistic fusion of fire and water elements – a unique blend that proved successful for the band.

Rick Derringer – “Rock And Roll Hoochie Koo” (1973)

In his prime as a guitar virtuoso (and still an impressive player now), Derringer initially performed this track on Johnny Winter’s self-titled album. However, prior to this, he had already tasted success, but it was with the McCoys and their hit single “Hang On Sloopy,” released in 1965.

War – “Low Rider” (1975)

A different group of talented musicians first gained recognition for performing with Eric Burdon, and later released a string of exceptional albums independently. However, it was only tracks from one of their top albums, “Why Can’t We Be Friends?,” that managed to chart successfully, now serving as a common sample in modern music.

Wild Cherry –  “Play That Funky Music” (1976)

Initially popular just in the Cleveland region, it quickly gained massive success (reaching number one on US charts and beyond) mere months after its debut. However, the band’s subsequent releases (either singles or albums) failed to create any significant impact.

Thin Lizzy – “The Boys are Back in Town” (1976)

Without a doubt, Thin Lizzy, led by Late Phil Lynott, was a hard rock band that truly merited greater recognition during their time. They were renowned for their tight and fierce style, standing out among their contemporaries. This particular song, often regarded as their best, managed to make a small impact on the U.K. charts, but it undeniably deserved more attention. The same goes for their album, Jailbreak, from which this song originated.

The Knack – “My Sharona” (1979)

This track is often seen as the peak of fleeting success – a solitary hit from an unestablished band, who largely vanished from the scene afterwards, regardless of the cause. It’s unfortunate that subpar songs and albums might have contributed to their disappearance. Perhaps their success was overwhelming for them.

Tommy Tutone – “867-5309/Jenny” (1981)

During a period when the golden era of classic rock was gradually fading, this particular song stands out not just because it reached a high position on various charts (4th spot in the general US chart, 1st on the rock songs chart), but also due to an endless stream of prank phone calls that were made spontaneously across the U.S., and continues to stir up debates over its phone number even today.

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2025-01-27 14:01