Greatest One-Hit Wonders of the ’70s

2024-10-25

Free, "Fire and Water" album cover.

Audio Ink Radio presents its tally of the greatest one-hit wonders of the ’70s. – Author: Cat Badra, Free, “Fire and Water” album cover via Island

The 1970s aren’t really a decade known for their one-hit wonders, but they certainly had some of the top one-hit wonders of all time. The ’70s were a time that was ruled by great rock bands with large discographies, so the one-hit wonders tended to get a little less attention, but they were still important. That said, some of the one-hit wonders from the ’70s are among the catchiest, most contagious songs of all time and are still instantly recognizable hits today. In honor of the top one-hit wonders of the ’70s, Audio Ink Radio presents its tally of the greatest of the decade.

By the way, a one-hit wonder is technically “a musical group that has achieved recognition on the basis of only one widely popular song,” according to Merriam-Webster. It’s also “a person, group, or organization that is known only for a single notable event, product” or more. So, even if some of the artists and bands listed below technically have other hits, those songs never became nearly as possible as the tracks below.

Top One-Hit Wonders of the ’70s

Free, “All Right Now”

Now, before people start sending along angry emails, Free could be considered something more than a one-hit wonder band. They’re one of the greatest classic rock bands ever, but there’s no denying that “All Right Now” is their defining songs and did much better than anything that came after it. The 1970 hit is off their album “Fire and Water” and marks their signature song. In Songwriting Magazine, Andy Fraser explained where it came from, stating, “We’d driven up there on a rainy Tuesday, it was cold and miserable and we got there in a pretty foul mood to be honest.”

Frijid Pink, “House of the Rising Sun”

Many groups have covered the Animal great “House of the Rising Sun,” and one that was very successful with it was Frijid Pink. The Detroit-based rock band became the first rock band from the Motor City to to earn a top 10 single. One could say “House of the Rising Sun” went viral before it was really a term and even charted longer than the Animal version, according to expert Jon Kutner. The band, however, didn’t last long. They didn’t get that kind of fanfare from their subsequent releases and broke up in the mid-1970s. Band members did try to get back together in the early 2000s, but it was short lived.

Harry Chapin, “Cat’s in the Cradle”

“Cat’s in the Cradle” is really one of the most recognizable songs of all time, no matter the decade. The folk song by Harry Chapin came off his fourth studio album, 1974’s “Verities & Balderdash,” and scored him a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in December of that year. It would be his only No. 1 song, but that’s okay, because it’s truly epic and one of the best one-hit wonders of the 1970s.

Mountain, “Mississippi Queen”

Mountain is another band that has had success beyond their big hit, but nothing topped their massive 1970 chart-topper “Mississippi Queen.” The song took on a life of its own, mixing upbeat rock sounds with Southern blues, and it’s truly a masterpiece. “Mississippi” also has that great cowbell and did it years before Blue Oyster Cult. It’s certainly one of the greatest one-hit wonders out of the 1980s.

Wild Cherry, “Play That Funky Music”

Pretty much everyone has heard the Wild Cherry song “Play That Funky Music.” It’s simply contagious and radiant. What’s fascinating is that the original lineup of Wild Cherry actually broke up in 1975, and then they reformed the following year with an altered lineup. The new combination worked, and they released “Play That Funky Music” in 1976 to lots of fanfare. The band broke up for good in 1979, so this remains their only big hit.

Also find Audio Ink Radio’s tally of great classic rock songs that were actually very pop.

Cat Badra
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Posted by Cat Badra | Features, Music, Rock