Who Was Your Favorite One Hit Wonder

I stand corrected on Dr.Hook. Forgot about that sappy cover of "Only Sixteen."

"A Million Miles Away" by The Plimsouls

considering the fact that in the 60's over 300 records(45's) where released through distribution channels and given to radio stations each week in the u.s. alone, a billboard or cashbox top 100 title was indeed impressive at the time. a top 100 song in billboard was based on radio airplay as well as sales. sometimes songs were quite popular at the time of their release, but were undermined by poor distribution to retail. this doesn't mean they were not hits. the cryan shames barely cracked the top 100 5 times, yet in certain midwest cities(like chicago) were no. 1 with hits like 'sugar and spice'and 'it could be we're in love'and were receiving heavy rotation on radio. the shadows of knight are another example...'gloria' 'oh yeah' and 'shake'. god i love this thread.

I, too, remember well the Cryin' Shames and Shadows of Knight. Actually heard their version of 'Gloria' far more often back then than Them (Van Morrison, who wrote it). My "music mind" in the 60s was filled with James Brown (who rarely made it into the top 20), Hendrix (I don't think Purple Haze or Foxy Lady made it into the top 20), The Underdogs, The Rationals, etc. I think a one hit wonder is that song which most people will remember 10-40 yrs later. Everyone who had a hit did more songs which, just by name recognition alone, would make it into the top 100. They usually died on the vine quite quickly and I don't think these qualify for second or third hits.

? and the Mysterians are a perfect example as are The Looking Glass which had a hit in 1972 with 'Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)'. And let's not forget my boys from here in Detroit, The Amboy Dukes - 'Journey to the Center of Your Mind'. What a great song!!

Amandarae + Iseekheils - Talk Talk also had a minor hit in "Turning Japanese". You can't POSSIBLY call these guys a one-hit wonder ; )

"Turning Japanese, I Think I'm Turning Japanese, I Really Think SO!" On a few '80s comps, I'm sure.

That's gotta be splitting hairs!