One-hit wonders in the UK

A one-hit wonder is a Top 40 phenomenon, the combination of artist and song that scores big in the music industry with one smash hit, but is unable to repeat the achievement with another hit. The term can refer to the artist, the song, or both together. The following were notable one-hit wonders in the United Kingdom:

It is important to note that this list contains artists who reached the top 40 of the British singles chart with just one song. Additionally, an artist with three or more albums with a rank of 1 to 40 inclusive on the British album sales chart may be taken off of this chart.

Contents

1 1950s 2 1960s 3 1970s 4 1980s 5 1990s 6 2000s 1 See also

1950s

• "A Pub With No Beer" by Slim Dusty
• "Ballad Of Davy Crockett" by Bill Hayes
• "Giddy-Up-A-Ding-Dong" by Freddie Bell and The Bellboys
• "The Happy Wanderer (Der Frohliche Wanderer)" by Obernkirchen Children's Choir
• "Here Comes Summer" by Jerry Keller
• "(How Much Is) That Doggie In The Window" by Patti Page
• "It's Almost Tomorrow" by The Dreamweavers
• "Little Darlin'" by The Diamonds
• "Little Things Mean A Lot" by Kitty Kallen
• "This Ole House" by Billie Anthony with Eric Jupp and His Orchestra
• "Rockin' Robin" by Bobby Day
• "Tequila" by The Champs
• "To Know Him Is To Love Him" by The Teddy Bears
• "Tom Hark" by Elias and His Zigzag Jive Flutes
• "Unchained Melody" by Al Hibbler
• "Volare" by Domenico Modungo
• "When" by the Kalin Twins

1960s

• "98.6" by Keith
• "Dominique" by The Singing Nun (Jeanine Deckers)
• "Can't You Hear My Heart" by Danny Rivers
• "Elusive Butterfly" by Bob Lind
• "Everything I Am" by Plastic Penny
• "Fire" by the Crazy World of Arthur Brown
• "Green Tambourine" by Lemon Pipers
• "I'm the Urban Spaceman" by Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band
• "In The Mood" by Ernie Fields' Orchestra
• "In the Year 2525 (Exordium And Terminus)" by Zager and Evans
• "Je T'Aime... Moi Non Plus" by Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg (issued 3 times, reached #2 (Jul '69), #1 (Oct '69), #31 (Dec '74))
• "Judy in Disguise (With Glasses)" by John Fred and The Playboy Band
• "Michelle" by The Overlanders
• "Mother-In-Law" by Ernie K-Doe
• "Nut Rocker" by B. Bumble And The Stingers
• "Peppermint Twist" by Danny Peppermint and The Jumping Jacks
• "Rhythm of the Rain" by Cascades
• "San Francisco (Wear Some Flowers In Your Hair)" by Scott McKenzie (This artist had another hit in the US)
• "Something in the Air" by Thunderclap Newman
• "Sugar Sugar" by The Archies (This manufactured band had several hits in the US)
• "Sukiyaki" by Kyu Sakamoto
• "Tease Me" by Keith Kelly
• "Tell Laura I Love Her" by Ricky Valance
• "With A Little Help From My Friends" by the Young Idea

1970s

• "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" by McFadden and Whitehead
• "After The Goldrush" by Prelude
• "Afternoon Delight" by Starland Vocal Band
• "Alright Baby" by Stevenson's Rocket
• "Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001)" by Deodato
• "Back of my Hand" by The Jags
• "Barbados" by Typically Tropical
• "Beach Baby" by First Class
• "Because The Night" by Patti Smith Group
• "Black Betty" by Ram Jam
• "Black Is Black" by La Belle Epoque
• "Born To Be Alive" by Patrick Hernandez
• "Car 67" by Driver 67
• "Convoy" by C.W. McCall (This artist had another hit in the US)
• "Couldn't Get It Right" by Climax Blues Band
• "Desiderata" by Les Crane
• "Disco Duck (Part One)" by Rick Dees and His Cast Of Idiots
• "Don't Hold Back" by Chanson
• "Drummer Man" by Tonight
• "Dynomite (Part 1)" by Tony Camilio's Bazuka
• "Eighteen With A Bullet" by Pete Wingfield
• "Emotion" by Samantha Sang
• "The Entertainer" by Marvin Hamlisch
• "Every Night" by Phoebe Snow
• "Eye Level" by the Simon Park Orchestra
• "Feelings" by Morris Albert
• "A Fifth Of Beethoven" by Walter Murphy and The Big Apple Band (This is disco version of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony)
• "Float On" by The Floaters
• "Fooled Around And Fell in Love" by Elvin Bishop
• "Funky Nassau" by The Beginning of the End
• "Groovin' With Mr Bloe" by Mr. Bloe
• "Gimme Dat Ding" by Pipkins
• "Grandad" by Clive Dunn
• "Happy Days" by Pratt and McClain with Brotherlove
• "Haven't Stopped Dancing Yet" by Gonzalez
• "(Hey There) Lonely Girl" by Eddie Holman
• "Honky Tonk Train Blues" by Keith Emerson
• "House Of The Rising Sun" by Frijid Pink
• "How Long" by Ace
• "I Can Help" by Billy Swan
• "I Lost My Heart To A Starship Trooper" by (Sarah Brightman and) Hot Gossip
• "I Love the Nightlife (Disco 'Round)" by Alicia Bridges
• "I Remember Elvis Presley (The King Is Dead)" by Danny Mirror
• "I See A Star" by Mouth and MacNeal
• "I'm Doin' Fine Now" by New York City
• "I've Been Lonely For So Long" by Frederick Knight
• "If" by Telly Savalas
• "If I Had Words" by Scott Fitzgerald and Yvonne Keeley (with The St Thomas More School Choir)
• "Jilted John" by Jilted John
• "Jungle Fever" by Chakachas
• "Just When I Needed You Most" by Randy Vanwarmer
• "Keep On Dancin'" by Gary's Gang
• "Let's All Chant" by Michael Zager Band
• "Life Is a Rock (But the Radio Rolled Me)" by Reunion
• "Little Does She Know" by The Kursaal Flyers
• "The Lone Ranger" by Quantum Jump
• "Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)" by Edison Lighthouse
• "Love Is In the Air" by John Paul Young
• "Love Of The Common People" by Nicky Thomas
• "Lovin' You" by Minnie Riperton
• "Matchstalk Men and Matchstalk Cats and Dogs" by Brian and Michael
• "Morning Dance" by Spyro Gyra
• "Movie Star" by Harpo
• "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye" by Steam
• "Neanderthal Man" by Hotlegs
• "No Charge" by J. J. Barrie
• "One Day At A Time" by Lena Martell
• "Pinball" by Brian Protheroe
• "Play That Funky Music" by Wild Cherry
• "Pop Music" by M
• "Popcorn" by Hot Butter
• "Resurrection Shuffle" by Ashton, Gardner and Dyke
• "Rio" by Michael Nesmith
• "Rose Garden" by Lynn Anderson
• "Seaside Shuffle" by Terry Dactyl and The Dinosaurs
• "Ring My Bell" by Anita Ward
• "Run Run Run" by Jo Jo Gunne
• "Shame, Shame, Shame" by Shirley and Company
• "Smokin' In The Boys' Room" by Brownsville Station (This band had another hit in the US)
• "Soul Dracula" by Hot Blood
• "Spirit in the Sky" by Norman Greenbaum
• "Standing In The Road" by Blackfoot Sue
• "Substitute" by Clout
• "Teddy Bear" by Red Sovine
• "Telephone Man" by Meri Wilson
• "Torn Between Two Lovers" by Mary MacGregor
• "Up Town Top Ranking" by Althia and Donna
• "Vehicle" by The Ides of March
• "Venus" by Shocking Blue
• "Wand'rin' Star" by Lee Marvin
• "Why Can't We Live Together" by Timmy Thomas
• "Woodstock" by Matthews' Southern Comfort

1980s

• "99 Luftballons" by Nena, anti-nuclear protest song popular in both the German original and English translation ("99 Red Balloons")
• "A Walk In The Park" by Nick Straker Band
• "Anyone Can Fall In Love" by Anita Dobson
• "Axel F" by Harold Faltermeyer
• "Birdie Song (The Birdie Dance)" by The Tweets
• "Body Work" by Hot Streak
• "Brilliant Mind" by Furniture
• "Brother Louie" by Modern Talking
• "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" by Boystown Gang
• "Camouflage" by Stan Ridgway
• "Chalk Dust - The Umpire Strikes Back" by The Brat
• "Chariots of Fire - Titles" by Vangelis
• "Da Da Da" by Trio
• "Dance Hall Days" by Wang Chung (This band had several hits in the USA)
• "Do They Know It's Christmas" by Band Aid
• "Do They Know It's Christmas" by Band Aid II
• "Don't Push It Don't Force It" by Leon Haywood
• "Driving Away From Home (Jim's Tune)" by It's Immaterial
• "Drowning in Berlin" by The Mobiles
• "Echo Beach" by Martha and the Muffins
• "Ever So Lonely" by Monsoon
• "First Time" by Robin Beck
• "Footloose" by Kenny Loggins (This artist had several hits in the USA)
• "Funkytown" by Lipps, Inc.
• "Funky Town" by Psuedo Echo (cover of the Lipps, Inc. song)
• "Genie" by Brooklyn, Bronx and Queens Band
• "Girlie Girlie" by Sophia George
• "The Groove" by Rodney Franklin
• "I Can't Wait" by Nu Shooz
• "It's Raining Men" by the Weather Girls
• "I've Never Been To Me" by Charlene
• "Is Vic There?" by Department S
• "Jack Your Body" by Steve 'Silk' Hurley
• "Jane" by Jefferson Starship (This band was more successful in the US)
• "Japanese Boy" by Aneka
• "Just Say No" by Grange Hill Cast
• "Keeping The Dream Alive" by Freiheit
• "Let It Be" by Ferry Aid
• "Life In A Northern Town" by Dream Academy
• "Live is Life" by Opus
• "Move Closer" by Phyllis Nelson
• "My Favourite Waste of Time" by Owen Paul
• "N-N-Nineteen Not Out" by The Commentators
• "(Nothin' Serious) Just Buggin'" by Whistle
• "O Superman" by Laurie Anderson
• "Obsession" by Animotion (This band had several hits in the US)
• "Oldest Swinger in Town" by Fred Wedlock
• "Only Crying" by Keith Marshall
• "The Politics of Dancing" by Re-Flex
• "Pump Up The Volume / Anitina (The First Time)" by MARRS
• "Radio Africa" by Latin Quarter
• "Rhythm of the Night" by DeBarge
• "Saddle Up" by David Christie
• "Save Your Love" by Renee and Renato
• "Shaddap You Face" by Joe Dolce Music Theatre
• "The Show" by Doug E. Fresh and The Get Fresh Crew
• "Since Yesterday" by Strawberry Switchblade
• "Solid" by Ashford and Simpson
• "Spirit In The Sky" by Doctor and the Medics (This song was also a one-hit wonder when originally recorded by Norman Greenbaum)
• "St. Elmo's Fire (Man In Motion)" by John Parr
• "Stairway to Heaven" by Far Corporation
• "Starting Together" by Su Pollard
• "Stutter Rap (No Sleep 'Til Bedtime)" by Morris Minor and the Majors
• "Theme From M*A*S*H (Suicide Is Painless)", by The Mash (This song was the theme song to the movie, M*A*S*H)
• "Tarzan Boy" by Baltimora
• "There's No One Quite Like Grandma" by St. Winifred's School Choir
• "Together We Are Beautiful" by Fern Kinney
• "Turning Japanese" by The Vapors
• "Waiting For The Train" by Flash and The Pan
• "We Are The World" by USA For Africa
• "Words" by FR David
• "You're The Voice" by John Farnham

1990s

• "All This Love I'm Giving" by Music and Mystery featuring Gwen McCrae
• "Baby, I Love Your Way" by Big Mountain
• "Chocolate Salty Balls" by Chef
• "Doop" by Doop
• "Enjoy Yourself" by A Plus
• "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)" by Baz Luhrmann
• "Flat Beat" by Mr. Oizo
• "I'll Be There For You (Theme From 'Friends')" by The Rembrandts
• "It's A Fine Day" by Opus III
• "Informer" by Snow (This artist had another hit in the US)
• "Knockin On Heaven's Door / Throw These Guns Away" by Dunblane
• "Macarena" by Los Del Rio
• "Mambo No. 5 (A Little Bit Of ...)" by Lou Bega
• "Mr. Hankey The Christmas Poo" by Mr. Hankey
• "Music Is The Answer (Dancin' And Prancin')" by Danny Tenaglia and Celeda
• "Music Sounds Better With You" by Stardust
• "Puss" by The Jesus Lizard
• "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Abigail
• "Spend The Night" by Danny J. Lewis
• "Stay (I Missed You)" by Lisa Loeb and 9 Stories
• "The Stonk" by Hale and Pace and the Stonkers
• "Teletubbies Say Eh-Oh!" by The Teletubbies
• "What's Up" by 4 Non Blondes
• "Where Have All The Cowboys Gone?" by Paula Cole
• "You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet" by Bus Stop featuring Randy Bachman
• "You Only Get What You Give" by New Radicals
• "Your Woman" by White Town

2000s

• "4 Words (To Choke Upon)" by Bullet For My Valentine
• "Addictive" by Truth Hurts (featuring Rakim)
• "Babycakes" by 3 Of A Kind
• "Call On Me" by Eric Prydz
• "Come On Over" by John Silver
• "Daydream in Blue" by I-Monster
• "Do They Know It's Christmas?" by Band Aid 20
• "Do You Really Like It" by DJ Pied Piper and the Masters of Ceremonies
• "Dragostea Din Tei" by O-Zone
• "Dusk Til Dawn" by Danny Howells and Dick Trevor
• "F.U.R.B (F U Right Back)" by Frankee (An answer song to the single by Eamon)
• "Girl You Know It's True" by Keith 'n' Shane
• "The Ketchup Song (Asereje)" by Las Ketchup
• "Loneliness" by Tomcraft
• "Macushla" by Bernie Nolan
• "Mad World" by Michael Andrews featuring Gary Jules (This song was the 2003 Christmas number one single, and was from the film Donnie Darko)
• "Meant To Live" by Switchfoot
• "Satellite" by Ocean Lab
• "Touch Me" by Rui Da Silva featuring Cassandra

See also

• One-hit wonder
• One-hit wonders in Canada
• One-hit wonders in the United States
• UK topics