The phrase “gimme five” is one to celebrate friendship. Two people slap hands and a brief bond is made. But when it’s issued as a challenge, either internal or external, and that challenge is met—well, then you have something special on your hands. And that is what some bands have experienced during their successful, hit-songwriting careers.
Videos by American Songwriter
Here below, we wanted to explore a trio of musical groups that have written not one or two but five hit No. 1 songs. Three bands with a quintet of hits that have made their marks on society and music lovers alike! Indeed, these are three five-hit wonders that have created timeless songs over and over.
[RELATED: Who Wrote “Lyin’ Eyes” by The Eagles?]
Boyz II Men
In the 1990s there was no band quite like the Philadelphia-born Boyz II Men. Sure there were great soulful R&B groups and there were boy bands like the Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC. But Boyz II Men had something else. They were adored. They had street cred. They had a timeless, Motown appeal. But more than anything they had hit song after hit song—indeed, five No. 1s to be exact. Their string of hits began in 1992 with the song, “End of the Road,” and continued with the seminal classic “I’ll Make Love to You” in 1994. Then came three more: “On Bended Knee” in 1994, “One Sweet Day” in 1995 and “4 Seasons of Loneliness” in 1997. Along with these, the group has 10 Top-10 hits and 18 total songs to make the Billboard Hot 100.
Eagles
One of the most popular classic rock bands of all-time, the Los Angeles-born group known as the Eagles wrote songs that have lasted over the decades. In total, the group has 21 songs to make the Billboard Hot 100, including 10 Top-10 hits and five No. 1 tracks. And those chart-toppers include “Best of My Love” in 1974, “One of These Nights” in 1975, “New Kid in Town” in 1976, “Hotel California” in 1977, and “Heartache Tonight” in 1979. Of course, it is their 1977 track “Hotel California” that has risen above all the others (and above most classic rock songs), telling the tale of the sordid life of a star in Los Angeles.
KC and the Sunshine Band
With six Top-10 hits and 16 songs on the Billboard Hot 100, the Florida-born disco group knows how to party. Their success started in 1975 with two No. 1 songs, “Get Down Tonight” and “That’s the Way (I Like It).” But that wasn’t enough for the rollicking outfit. They followed that up with “(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty” in 1976, “I’m Your Boogie Man” in 1977, and “Please Don’t Go” in 1979. If you’re putting together a playlist and you want your guests to get out of their seats and dance on the dance floor, then KC and the Sunshine Band is your best friend.
Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images












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