The "Greatest One Hit Wonder" Tournament

[Pauly]

Whichever is easier for you. Have we made a ruling on the bands like Devo that really weren't one-hit wonders?

I dont get the argument about Devo even slightly. They had one hit. They categorically fit the definition.

[Pauly]

Making a 2nd form would probably be easier.

Should we move forward with that now or wait?

[revo]

Should we move forward with that now or wait?

Maybe wait until tomorrow morning.

One we forgot was perhaps the most successful one hit wonder of all time, even if I doubt anyone would have voted for it - -"You Light up My Life" by Debby Boone. Totally cringeworthy, but still, it spent 10 weeks at #1 in 1977.

Also, one I just heard on the radio the other day and totally forgot about it: "Somebody's Watching Me" by Rockwell.

[Pauly]

Maybe wait until tomorrow morning.

One we forgot was perhaps the most successful one hit wonder of all time, even if I doubt anyone would have voted for it - -"You Light up My Life" by Debby Boone. Totally cringeworthy, but still, it spent 10 weeks at #1 in 1977.

Also, one I just heard on the radio the other day and totally forgot about it: "Somebody's Watching Me" by Rockwell.

OK...wouldnt the Rockwell song fall under the Layla/Clapton rule with Michael Jackson?

[DMT]

I dont get the argument about Devo even slightly. They had one hit. They categorically fit the definition.

Because IMO, genuine "one-hit wonders" don't have discographies like their's:

The band have released nine studio albums, ten extended plays, twelve compilation albums, six live albums, one soundtrack album and twenty five singles.

[revo]

OK...wouldnt the Rockwell song fall under the Layla/Clapton rule with Michael Jackson?

Well, he just sang backup on that one particular song, so I would say no. BTW, Rockwell is actually the son of Motown founder Berry Gordy.

[Pauly]

Because IMO, genuine "one-hit wonders" don't have discographies like their's:

The band have released nine studio albums, ten extended plays, twelve compilation albums, six live albums, one soundtrack album and twenty five singles.

There are tons of great bands/artists who had one (or none) hits. I just cant see the argument just because they have a bunch of albums, and that you like them too much to call them a one-hit wonder. 8 people disagree of the 12 who answered

[revo]

There are tons of great bands/artists who had one (or none) hits. I just cant see the argument just because they have a bunch of albums, and that you like them too much to call them a one-hit wonder. 8 people disagree of the 12 who answered

I could see the argument for it, even if I did vote for them. Jimmy Buffett has had only one US pop hit, but he's not a one hit wonder. But whatever, we can leave them.

[Pauly]

I could see the argument for it, even if I did vote for them. Jimmy Buffett has had only one US pop hit, but he's not a one hit wonder. But whatever, we can leave them.

Not sure why Im going to the mat for it frankly. I need to have my head examined

[DMT]

I could see the argument for it, even if I did vote for them. Jimmy Buffett has had only one US pop hit, but he's not a one hit wonder. But whatever, we can leave them.

Right, I voted for them too.

[Gregg]

So are we supposed to vote on our top 17 (of 2 vote songs) of these 36 and post them here?

For what it's worth (and not saying I like all of them) this is the 17 of 36 I picked.


52 Brownsville Station - Smokin' in the Boys Room (1973) 2

54 Eddy Grant – Electric Avenue (1982) 2
55 Evanescence - Bring Me to Life (2003) 2



60 Left Banke - Walk Away Renee (1966) 2

62 Lipps, Inc. - Funkytown (1980) 2
63 Little Feat - Dixie Chicken (1973) 2
64 Marc Cohn - Walking in Memphis (1991) 2


68 Patrick Hernandez - Born to Be Alive (1979) 2

69 RB Greaves - Take a Letter Maria (1970) 2

73 Semisonic - Closing Time (1998) 2
75 Split Enz - I Got You (1980) 2

76 Ten Years After - I'd Love to Change the World (1971) 2

79 The McCoys - Hang on Sloopy (1965) 2
80 The Trashmen - Surfin Bird (1963) 2
81 The Tubes - She's a Beauty (1983) 2
82 Thunderclap Newman - Something in the Air (1969) 2

84 Toni Basil - Mickey (1981) 2

[Pauly]

For what it's worth (and not saying I like all of them) this is the 17 of 36 I picked.


52 Brownsville Station - Smokin' in the Boys Room (1973) 2

54 Eddy Grant – Electric Avenue (1982) 2
55 Evanescence - Bring Me to Life (2003) 2



60 Left Banke - Walk Away Renee (1966) 2

62 Lipps, Inc. - Funkytown (1980) 2
63 Little Feat - Dixie Chicken (1973) 2
64 Marc Cohn - Walking in Memphis (1991) 2


68 Patrick Hernandez - Born to Be Alive (1979) 2

69 RB Greaves - Take a Letter Maria (1970) 2

73 Semisonic - Closing Time (1998) 2
75 Split Enz - I Got You (1980) 2

76 Ten Years After - I'd Love to Change the World (1971) 2

79 The McCoys - Hang on Sloopy (1965) 2
80 The Trashmen - Surfin Bird (1963) 2
81 The Tubes - She's a Beauty (1983) 2
82 Thunderclap Newman - Something in the Air (1969) 2

84 Toni Basil - Mickey (1981) 2

Just wait til Monday and then you can pick 5

[Erik]

Because IMO, genuine "one-hit wonders" don't have discographies like their's:

The band have released nine studio albums, ten extended plays, twelve compilation albums, six live albums, one soundtrack album and twenty five singles.

This is 100% my rationale as well. Now, I voted for them (and Nick Lowe), because if they're on the ballot, I'm going to judge their song on the same grounds as anyone else's, but I don't think they should be on the ballot. The top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 is not the only way artists get exposure. Especially these days.

[DMT]

As the final seeder, I'm going to make a few executive decisions.

[Pauly]

Revo- Im going to be super busy tomorrow, and nobody beyond the 12 have replied, so here is the second form with the 37 songs that got 2 votes. All 12 people who voted should go in and pick the 5 you like best on this list. Then DMT can pick the top 17 (or 18 or 19 depending on who gets tossed out of the top 47) to complete the 64 and do the rankings.

Here's the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1_nX...aKnX0Q5ZjbE_TQ