3 One-Hit Wonders From the 1970s That Make You Want More

Do you ever wish you could time travel? To go back decades in the past to find out what times were like, to breathe the air, eat the food, and, of course, listen to the music? If you had such a time machine, which bands would you want to check out from the past? If you could go to the 1970s, are there concert tickets you’d have to buy, albums you’d have to own?

Videos by American Songwriter

Well, in lieu of a time machine, we wanted to take the opportunity here to explore some songs from the era of the 70s. More specifically, we wanted to check out three one-hit wonders from the decade. Three songs that we love and that make us want to hear more from the people who composed them. Indeed, these are three one-hit wonders from the 70s that make us want more.

“In the Summertime” by Mungo Jerry from ‘Electronically Tested’ (1970)

Not only does this song make you want to hear more from Mungo Jerry, but it makes you want to put the tune itself on repeat. You could hear this song 430 times and not get tired of it. It’s less a song and more like a feeling. A time of day. An impulse that lasts an entire 24 hours. The Mungo Jerry track, which hit No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, is jaunty, fun, and friendly. It’s people in the town square gathering around conversation, food, and music. Music that includes a jug!

“Autobahn” by Kraftwerk from ‘Autobahn’ (1975)

Before them, there was nothing like Kraftwerk. And since then, there is nothing like Kraftwerk. Many try to copy the German electronic band, but none hit the proverbial nail on the head. In the end, Kraftwerk has cornered their sound, an almost lo-fi electronic aura that could just as easily be coming from outer space as from a city near you. Their most popular track, “Autobahn”, hit No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100, but many Kraftwerk songs have been sampled by popular artists, including Jay-Z.

“One Toke Over The Line” by Brewer & Shipley from ‘Tarkio’ (1971)

This tune, which hit No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, nestles in your soul like a purring cat. There is just something about the acoustic guitars, the vocal harmonies, the tales of travel, and a buzzing brain that makes this song one you want to hear more and more of. Not only that, but you become quickly curious to find out more about Brewer & Shipley. How did they get one toke over the line? Did they make the train they needed to? What else do they sing about? Time to dig in!

Photo by Don Paulsen/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images