3 Hard Rocking One-Hit Wonders for Headbangers

When people think of one-hit wonders, often the idea of cheesy synth-pop comes to mind. But that is not always the case—sometimes your favorite one-hit wonder could be a hard rock song with guitars that want to bust out amplifiers.

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Here below, we wanted to explore three such examples. A trio of hard rock tracks that get your heart rate going as much as they do your dancing feet or your head-a-banging. Indeed, these are three hard rock one-hit wonders.

[RELATED: 3 One-Hit Wonders from the 1970s Fans Can’t Stop Singing to]

“Cum On Feel The Noize” by Quiet Riot from Metal Health (1983)

Originally written and released by Slade in 1973, this track was covered a decade later by Quiet Riot in 1983. And it remains the band’s sole big hit, peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. It’s a raucous track that is all about volume, power, and music that will knock your socks off. There isn’t much else to it other than the emotive force behind it. And that’s alright. Because like a sledgehammer, it packs a wallop. And on the tune, lead vocalist Kevin DuBrow sings,

Cum on feel the noize
Girls rock your boys
We’ll get wild, wild, wild
Wild, wild, wild

So you think I got an evil mind
I tell you honey

I don’t know why
I don’t know why

So you think my singin’s out of time
It makes me money

I don’t know why
I don’t know why
Anymore
Oh no

“We’re Not Gonna Take It” by Twisted Sister from Stay Hungry (1984)

A famous protest song often used by those running for political office, this track by Twisted Sister was released in the spring of 1984 and it’s been just as relevant ever since. With blistering vocals, lead singer Dee Snider provides the soundtrack for kids everywhere to rebel against the status quo and be themselves. Don’t let your spirit be crushed, he seems to tell us. Indeed, on the buzzy track, he belts,

We’re not gonna take it
No, we ain’t gonna take it
We’re not gonna take it anymore

We’ve got the right to choose, and
There ain’t no way we’ll lose it
This is our life, this is our song
We’ll fight the powers that be, just
Don’t pick on our destiny, ’cause
You don’t know us, you don’t belong

“In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” by Iron Butterfly from In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida (1968)

With a thumping rhythm and a big beat, this hard rock song is all about escape. If you can decipher the title, you know the place to go is the Garden of Eden, which is otherwise known as paradise. So take your lover’s hand and venture outward. To find where you’ve always wanted to go. Indeed, on the tune, lead vocalist Doug Ingle sings about the promised land,

In a gadda da vida, honey
Don’t you know that I’m lovin’ you
In a gadda da vida, baby
Don’t you know that I’ll always be true

Oh, won’t you come with me
And take my hand
Oh, won’t you come with me
And walk this land
Please take my hand

Photo by Jim Steinfeldt/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images