Despite the fact that “hit” is right there in the name, one-hit wonders get a bad reputation for being lesser-than, and these popular tracks from the ‘70s are certainly no exception. By definition, one-hit wonders are artists who failed to replicate the success of their most commercially viable song. That one track remains far and above the rest of the artist’s discography, permanently tying these musicians’ legacies to a single song.
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But in that same breath, there’s something to be said about creating a song that’s so distinct, enduring, and catchy that fans associate it with you and want to hear you play it for the rest of your career. From a songwriting and performance perspective, having a song like that could hardly be called a failure.
These one-hit wonders from the ‘70s might be best known for one song in their discography. But could they really blame the public for latching on to such great music?
“American Pie” by Don McLean
We’ve previously argued that Don McLean is mistakenly considered a one-hit wonder. But there’s a reason it’s such a common mistake. Discographies aside, McLean’s most recognizable song is undoubtedly “American Pie.” (And that’s coming from a writer whose favorite McLean song is “Vincent.”) The ‘70s one-hit wonder is a sprawling, over-eight-minutes-long cultural cornerstone with a chorus so recognizable, even folks who don’t realize it’s a McLean tune have likely heard it before.
“Hocus Pocus” by Focus
Dutch rock band Focus released “Hocus Pocus” as the opening track of their second studio album, Moving Waves, in 1971. The song garnered the band international acclaim, but the, er, focus on the group didn’t last long. But then again, how could they top a first impression like that? With blistering guitar riffs, flutes, whistles, and yodels, we’re not surprised that “Hocus Pocus” stands alone in Focus’ decades-long discography.
“I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor
Gloria Gaynor cemented her place as a disco anthem icon with the release of her 1978 track, “I Will Survive.” Although she enjoyed relative success from other singles, the empowering breakup song is easily her most recognizable, and it’s easy to see why. Its straightforward lyrics and earworm disco strings make it an enduring classic. Indeed, this one-hit wonder from the ‘70s is as relevant today as it was when it first came out.
“Black Betty” by Ram Jam
Finally, closing out our list of ‘70s one-hit wonders that understandably never beat their most popular single is “Black Betty,” the driving rocker from Ram Jam. The New York City rock band was only active from 1977 to 1978, during which they released the one-hit wonder track that would still be a favorite among ‘70s rock lovers today. Even if the band had continued into the ‘80s and beyond, we doubt they could have escaped the public’s demand for their infectious 1977 track.
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