One-Hit Wonders From The '70s That We Completely Forgot
Whether you heard these jams blasted at the roller rink during disco fever or recognize them from your favorite commercials, these one-hit wonders have left a lasting impact. And while they hit the airways in the '70s and instantly climbed the charts, sadly, the artists behind these 40 catchy tunes never struck musical gold again.
40. "Ring My Bell" by Anita Ward
According to Frederick Knight, who penned this funky number, the lyrics describe teenagers gabbing on the telephone. However, most associate the offer to "ring my bell" as pure innuendo — a fact that royally rubbed Anita Ward the wrong way. The singer had a church background and rebuked the idea that her biggest hit had sexual undertones.
39. "Play That Funky Music" by Wild Cherry
No matter what generation you're from, you probably know the words to this iconic jam. Ironically, the most famous line, "Play that funky music white boy," was something a heckler yelled at the band during a particularly bleak show. Recognizing the potential in those words, they turned the feedback into their magnum opus.
38. "Kung Fu Fighting" by Carl Douglas
Drawing inspiration from the martial arts and kung fu genre films popular in the decade, Carl Douglas created this instantly recognizable song. Immediately, it found an audience, selling 11 million records worldwide. While it's commonly ranked among the best one-hit-wonders of all time, Douglas couldn't recreate the success with another number.
37. "Rapper’s Delight" by Sugarhill Gang
Few one-hit wonders have the same cultural influence as "Rapper's Delight." Many credit this song for propelling rap music into the mainstream, and it was even inducted into the Grammy Music Hall of Fame, though the group counts this as their only record to make waves with a U.S. audience.
