3 One-Hit Wonders From the 60s That Just Rocked

When you think back and consider the seminal musical decades from the 20th century, it’s hard not to think of the 1960s first. The decade set the tone for so much in American and global history, especially when it came to music. That’s the era when rock music stood on its own two feet and became perhaps the most important form of creative expression.

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As such, we wanted to take a look at three songs from the decade that exemplified this feeling and vibe. More specifically, we wanted to explore three one-hit wonders from the time period. Indeed, these are three one-hit wonders from the 1960s that just plain rocked.

“Goldfinger” by Shirley Bassey from ‘Goldfinger (Soundtrack)’ (1964)

Wouldn’t it be amazing to be able to sing like Shirley Bassey? Her voice fills up a room like a tidal wave, and it sounds like the most sparkling jewelry. For both those reasons and more, she was the perfect person to sing the title song for the 1964 James Bond movie, Goldfinger. She had class and she had grit. And the song she sang for the movie became an instant classic as soon as it leapt from her lips. Indeed, the single hit No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100, but no one would have minded if it had peaked at No. 1 and stayed there forever.

“Here Comes The Judge” by Shorty Long from ‘Here Comes The Judge’ (1968)

If you were a judge, would this be your theme song as you came out to the bench? If you were a fan of great rock music and justice, it would be hard not to have this played on the speakers from your chambers as you came out to preside over a case. This funky, soulful tune went on to hit No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and it became Shorty Long’s highest charting tune as a result. It’s still a song many of us know by heart today—well, the chorus at least—because it just rocks our socks.

“Oh Happy Day” by The Edwin Hawkins Singers from ‘Let Us Go Into The House Of The Lord’ (1968)

While this song may not be a traditional rock song—Jimmy Page is not swinging from the chandelier playing his electrified six-string—this song does still rock. It’s uplifting, thrilling, soulful, and the kind of song you want to hear on a Sunday to put you in the right headspace. It’s not even about religion, per se. The song is about that feeling of spirituality, of connecting with a sense of glory, whatever that means to you. And it was all summed up in just a few moments of melody and rhythm by The Edwin Hawkins Singers. So much so that the tune hit No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.

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