Our favourite one-hit wonders
A-won't you take me to Funkytown?
From Anita Ward to Sam Bailey, these are some of our favourite (but also some of the weirdest) one-hit wonders...
Spirit in the Sky – Norman Greenbaum (1969)
"When I lay me down to die, going up to the spirit in the sky"
Originally recorded and released in 1969, this Norman Greenbaum track was his only major hit. However, it found success later on with Gareth Gates and Doctor and the Medics!
Ring My Bell – Anita Ward (1979)
"You can ring my bell, ring my bell"
The song was originally written for 11-year-old Stacy Lattisaw as a teen song about kids talking on the phone! Anita Ward put a slightly different spin on it when it was eventually assigned to her...
Pop Muzik – M (1979)
"Let's do the milkshake, sellin' like a hotcake, try some buy some fee-fi-fo-fum"
M was a project by Robin Scott, and his one-hit wonder reached No.1 in more than seven countries! It was one of the most popular singles of 1979.
Move Closer – Phyllis Nelson (1985)
"Move your body real close, until we feel like we're really makin' love"
The lyrics of this one-hit wonder were based on a long-term love affair Phyllis had with a much younger man, a struggling entrepreneur in Philadelphia!
The First Time – Robin Beck (1988)
"First time first love oh what feeling is this"
Robin Beck's first significant chart hit was originally recorded for a Coca-Cola advert in 1987! The single spent a total of 14 weeks in the UK charts.
Somebody That I Used To Know – Gotye (2012)
"But you didn't have to cut me off, make out like it never happened and that we were nothing"
This was Beligan-Australian singer Gotye's most successful hit, topping the charts in the US, UK and Australia! He wrote it about his own relationship experience.
Skyscraper – Sam Bailey (2014)
"I will be rising from the ground like a skyscraper'
This was originally performed by American singer Demi Lovato in 2011, but was covered by Sam Bailey as her winner's single on the X Factor. It was the 2013 UK Christmas No.1, but Sam's single also produced the second-lowest first-week sales of any X Factor winner's single – eek!
Knock On Wood – Amii Stewart (1979)
"It's like thunder, lightning, the way you love me is frightening"
This song also charted with versions by David Bowie, Eric Clapton and Floyd, but Amii Stewart's disco version was by far the most successful, reaching US No.1 and reaching the Top 10 twice in the UK.
Funkytown – Lipps, Inc. (1980)
"Gotta make a move to a town that's right for me"
Lipps, Inc.'s one-hit wonder reached No.1 in 28 countries, a record that was only beaten by Madonna's Hung Up in 2005!
Bad Day – Daniel Powter (2006)
"You stand in the line just to hit a new low, you're faking a smile with the coffee to go"
This was first used as a French Coca-Cola TV ad in 2004 before Daniel Powter released it officially! He eventually got a contract with Warner Bros. in 2005 and it became his biggest hit to date.
They may have been one-hit wonders, but these tunes still win points in our books for their catchiness and sing-along-ability (yes, that is definitely a word)!
What are your favourite one-hit wonders? Tweet us @magicfm!