In the mood to boogie? These disco one-hit wonders managed to break through the charts in the 1970s, and some of them became iconic songs that are closely associated with the decade’s musical history. Sadly, the disco era came to an almost abrupt end at the closing of the 1970s, so many of these acts never saw another major hit again. Let’s celebrate the history of disco with a few one-hit wonders worth remembering!
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1. “Armed And Extremely Dangerous” by First Choice
This absolute jam was released in 1973 by the Philadelphia vocal group First Choice. “Armed And Extremely Dangerous” brought the outfit to public recognition during the disco era when the song broke through the R&B and Pop charts. The song made it to no. 28 on the Hot 100, too.
First Choice did fairly well throughout the 1970s, mainly on the US R&B chart. However, they never had another Top 40 hit on the Hot 100 chart again.
2. “The Hustle” by Van McCoy
No matter your age, you likely know the chorus of this song by heart. However, the dance moves associated with the song are a bit harder to memorize. “The Hustle” by Van McCoy was released in 1975 and is one of the most memorable disco one-hit wonders in history.
Despite his talent, “The Hustle” was Van McCoy’s only no. 1 hit and his only song to reach the Top 40 on the Hot 100 chart in the US.
3. “I’m On Fire” by 5000 Volts
Disco wasn’t just an American thing. The British got on board with the craze, too. “I’m On Fire” by 5000 Volts came out in 1975 and made it big on the global charts. It was a no. 4 hit in their native UK, and it also made it to no. 26 on the US Hot 100.
5000 Volts had another couple of modest hits that year and in 1976. However, they never breached the US charts again. The band broke up a few years later in 1977.
4. “Movin’” by Brass Construction
These disco one-hit wonders deserved to go further than they did. “Movin’” by Brass Construction was released in 1976, and this Brooklyn-based disco outfit hit no. 1 on the US R&B chart and no. 14 on the US Hot 100 chart.
Brass Construction continued to appear on the US R&B chart well into the 1980s. They also did fairly well in the UK later on in their career. Despite that success, they never had a Top 50 hit on the Hot 100 chart in the United States again.
Photo by BSR Agency/Gentle Look via Getty Images
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