3 One-Hit Wonders From the 1960s That Just Make You Feel Good

The decade of the 1960s marked a revolution in culture. Out was the rigidity of the 1950s, and in was self-expression, self-exploration. Fun, mind-expansion, and a sense of playfulness permeated the culture. As a result, the music of the decade reflected that sensibility. In short, artists from that era focused at least some of their efforts on making music that made you feel good.

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We wanted to explore three examples of that. A trio of songs from the 1960s that simply put a smile on your face. More specifically, they are one-hit wonder tracks from the decade—you know, those songs that raced up the charts by artists who never quite had the same success. Indeed, these are three one-hit wonders from the 1960s that just make you feel good.

“Who Put the Bomp (in the Bomp, Bomp, Bomp)” by Barry Mann from ‘Who Put the Bomp’ (1961)

Released in the early part of the decade, this silly hip-shaking song from Barry Mann makes you feel like you’re between two worlds. You can hear culture almost being ripped from the rigid 1950s and evolve into the pleasure-packed 1960s. Rock music was born in the 50s, but it started to become what we would know and love in a more modern way in the 60s, and this bubbly song is perhaps the best example of that. The song, which hit No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100, is trying not to be what music was, and it wants so bad to be more Woodstock than Wally Cleaver. And it’s doing it. It’s really doing it!

“Do You Love Me” by The Contours from ‘Do You Love Me (Now That I Can Dance)’ (1962)

A rollicking, energetic song all about wanting love and the affection of the other, this 1962 track by the Contours, which hit No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, has since become a timeless classic. It appears in movies, television shows, and TV commercials seemingly year after year. And that is thanks to lead singer Billy Gordon’s sublime voice. It’s as if he’s on the rooftop and he’s singing out for the whole world to see. It’s a remarkable performance for a song that, in a way, should feel much more intimate. But instead, he’s masterfully involving the whole globe in his courtship.

“Wipe Out” by The Surfaris from ‘Play’ (1963)

This 1963 song, which hit No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, is just a fun instrumental to boogie down to. A surf-rock song, this track is another that often shows up in media, from movies to TV ads, and for good reason. It just transports you to the beach. To hula skirts. To coconuts. To big waves and short shorts. It’s fun. In fact, it’s almost magical in how fun it can be. In that way, the tune never gets old. It just keeps dancing on the waves through the decades.

Photo by RB/Redferns