Musical Dice -- NOT A One-Hit Wonder

     Welcome to the music section of my Musical Dice website! For you music trivia enthusiasts, and those who love to learn about the stories behind the music, you've come to the right place! I love sharing my knowledge of music trivia, so that's why I created this section.

     It sometimes bothers me when I hear or see people in the media say that a particular recording act is a one-hit wonder, when I know that the recording act in question, had more than one top 40 hit. Yes, the other hit may not have been nearly as big as the song the recording act is known for, but nonetheless, the other song was a hit too, which means that the recording act had at least two hits.

     There are a number of different recording acts to which this sort of thing applies. This article is dedicated to those recording acts who were erroneously labeled as one-hit wonders, and those who are very likely perceived as one-hit wonders. I'm going to give you YouTube links to all these recording acts' top 40 hits, not just the ones that they're best known.

Gloria Gaynor

     It was one of those other radio countdown shows that I used to listen to as a teenager, that I heard the announcer say that Gloria Gaynor was a one-hit wonder, with her one hit being "I Will Survive" (#1 for 3 weeks in 1979). You can imagine my surprise when I learned a few years later, that Gloria Gaynor actually had a top ten hit four years earlier with "Never Can Say Goodbye" (#9 in 1975 -- originaly #2 for 3 weeks for the Jackson 5 in 1971). Fortunately, VH-1 listeners didn't forget Gloria Gaynor's other hit, for they named it one of the 100 best dance songs of all-time ("I Will Survive" was voted #1 in that regards).

Michael Sembello

     Now I'm sure a lot of you remember Michael Sembello's huge hit from the movie "Flashdance," which is "Maniac" (#1 for 2 weeks in 1983). But how many of you remember the hit he had just a few months later? That song was "Automatic Man" (#34 in 1983). To me, this song was good at first, but it fizzled out real quick. People would probably want to remember Michael Sembello as a one-hit wonder, forgetting about his other hit, but the facts are what they are.

Alannah Myles

     Of course, Alannah Myles is best remembered for her first U.S. hit, "Black Velvet" (#1 for 2 weeks in 1990), but how many of you remember her other top 40 hit? That song was "Love Is" (#36 in 1990). What do you think?

John Parr

     John Parr is best known for his hit "St. Elmo's Fire (Man In Motion)" (#1 for 2 weeks in 1985). But how many of you remember his only other U.S. top 40 hit, which came earlier in the year? That song was "Naughty Naughty" (#23 in 1985). I think this should have gotten more attention. What do you think?

Club Nouveau

     Of course, Club Nouveau is best remembered for their remake of the Bill Withers classic "Lean On Me" (#1 for Club Nouveau for 2 weeks in 1987), but how many of you remember their other top 40 hit? That song was "Why You Treat Me So Bad" (#39 in 1987). Yes, you hear it being sampled in "I Got 5 On It" by Luniz (#8 in 1995), but how many of you remember where it originally came from? From Club Nouveau's other hit. Now you know.

Timmy T.

     Those of you who even remember Timmy T. at all, probably only remember "One More Try"(#1 for 1 week in 1991), a song Tim Torres wrote to try to win his girlfriend back after they broke up. But what you may not know, is that "One More Try" was not the first hit song Timmy T. had, that was written to try to win his girl back. His first such hit was "Time After Time" (#40 in 1990), and he actually succeeded in winning her back with that song. However, with "One More Try," he did not succeed. In fact, the ex-girlfriend told Billboard Magazine that every time that song came on the radio, she would change the station!

E.M.F.

     Far and away, the song E.M.F. is best known for is "Unbelievable" (#1 for 1 week in 1991), the song that was used in an episode of "Charmed," when Piper was dancing on the bar, re-enacting a scene from the movie "Coyote Ugly." But did you know that E.M.F. had one other hit? That song was "Lies" (#18 in 1991). Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but when I think of a song named "Lies," I either think of the Thompson Twins from 1983 (#30), or the Knickerbockers from 1966 (#20). The E.M.F. song was a very short-lived hit, but it kept them from being a one-hit wonder in my book.

Extreme

     IF I'd heard this group's other hit in any measurable amounts in recent years, then I wouldn't even have included them here. Anyone who has heard Extreme's other hit lately? Please let me know by emailing me at musicaldice323@gmail.com, and I will be glad to take Extreme off this list of perceived one-hit wonders. In the case of Extreme, the one hit by them that everybody remembers, is "More Than Words"(#1 for 1 week in 1991). Just my opinion, but I think their other hit, "Hole Hearted" (#4 in 1991), is the better song. Certainly worth remembering, wouldn't you say?

Vanilla Ice

     How many times have you heard Vanilla Ice's other hit lately? That's why he's perceived as a one-hit wonder. His biggest hit, of course, is "Ice Ice Baby" (#1 for 1 week in 1990). But he did have another hit, his rap remake of the Wild Cherry classic "Play That Funky Music" (#4 in 1991). Yeah I know. The original is much better, but it was a hit for Vanilla Ice, regardless.

The Looking Glass

     I can't even count how many times I'd heard people in the media say that this group was a one-hit wonder. The truth is, the Looking Glass had TWO top 40 hits. Of course, one was their 1972 #1 hit that everyone remembers, which is, of course, "Brandy (You're A Fine Girl)." But the Looking Glass had another hit (that I heard on an old edition of Casey Kasem's American Top 40), that sounded good, and in fact, stayed on the Hot 100 just as long as "Brandy." That song is "Jimmy Loves Mary Anne" (#33 in 1973). What do you think about their other hit?

Londonbeat

     There are a number of recording acts that had no hits before or after 1991, but had multiple hits in 1991. Extreme and E.M.F. fall into this category. So does Londonbeat. The one everyone remembers by them is "I've Been Thinking About You" (#1 for 1 week). But how many of you remember the other hit they had? That song was "A Better Love" (#18 in 1991). I think it's a decent song, what do you think?

Tommy Page

     Nowadays, I'm sure, most people only remember Tommy Page for his 1990 #1 hit which featured backup vocals from three members of New Kids On The Block, that song being "I'll Be Your Everything." But in my opinion, by far, Tommy Page's best hit was the other hit which came out about a year earlier, "A Shoulder To Cry On" (#29 in 1989). But who remembers this song, huh? It was even used as a long-distance dedication on American Top 40, and it even stayed on the Billboard Hot 100 longer than "I'll Be Your Everything." Go figure!

Eddy Grant

     Eddy Grant is best remembered for his hit "Electric Avenue" (#2 for 5 weeks in 1983). But how many of you remember his other top 40 hit? That song was "Romancing The Stone" (#26 in 1984). If I'm not mistaken, Eddy Grant had written the song for the movie of the same title, but it was rejected. Don't worry, Eddy. Your song is remembered here.

Eddie Murphy

     Yes, I am talking about the actor, Eddie Murphy! Many of you, I'm sure, remember his hugely successful hit "Party All The Time" (#2 for 3 weeks in 1985 -- written, produced, and arranged by Rick James), but how many of you remember his other top 40 hit? That other hit was "Put Your Mouth On Me" (#27 in 1989). Yes, I know. Eddie Murphy's better off as an actor. Oddly enough, the first time I'd heard of Eddie Murphy, was as a singer. Back in 1982, I was dating this girl who played this song called "Boogie In Your Butt", and she asked me if I'd ever heard of Eddie Murphy. My smart-ass response was "I've heard of Eddie MONEY" (Eddie Money had "Think I'm In Love" on the chart at the time).

Rockwell

     I'm sure many of you remember Rockwell's first hit, "Somebody's Watching Me" (#2 for 3 weeks in 1984), but how many of you remember the hit he had just after then? That other hit was "Obscene Phone Caller." Yes, it only reached #35 on the chart, but I think this is a song worth remembering. What do you think?

Johnny Hates Jazz

     The big standout hit for this group is "Shattered Dreams" (#2 for 3 weeks in 1988). But they did have one other hit, which has for the most part, gone forgotten. That song is "I Don't Want To Be A Hero"(#31 in 1988). How many of you remember this song?

Sixpence None The Richer

     Nowadays, I'm sure, only remember one hit song by Sixpence None The Richer, and that song is "Kiss Me"(#2 for 1 week in 1999). But Sixpence None The Richer had one other hit, which I actually heard a lot in 1999, but not since then. Surprising, because I like "There She Goes Again" even better, but it only reached #32 on the chart.

Nu Shooz

     It's a shame that people think this husband-and-wife duo was a one-hit wonder, especially since, in my opinion, the lesser hit was the better song. Of course, most people remember Nu Shooz solely (no pun intended) for their hit "I Can't Wait (#3 in 1986). Many have forgotten about their other top 40 hit, "Point Of No Return" (#28 in 1986). The song stayed on the Hot 100 almost as long as "I Can't Wait." I'm very surprised it wasn't a bigger hit, nor does it seem to be played in any measurable amount these days. At least I haven't forgotten about this song, and I'm bringing it to your attention here.

The Climax Blues Band

     Even if nobody else remembers this group's so-called other hit, my wife and I sure as hell do. Why? I proposed to her at the end of singing that song to her at karaoke! The Climax Blues Band is best remembered for their hit "Couldn't Get It Right" (#3 in 1977). But their other hit is the one I proposed to my wife on, which is "I Love You" (#12 in 1981). This song even stayed on the chart longer than their other hit, yet the other hit is the only one people seem to remember these days? Fortunately, my wife and I haven't forgotten the other hit. Hopefully, you haven't forgotten either.

Jigsaw

     I first heard their big hit on an internet radio station that played nothing but so-called one-hit wonders. Jigsaw's biggest hit was "Sky High" (#3 in 1975). But they also had another hit called "Love Fire" (#30 in 1976). Yes I know, but again, I don't consider someone a one-hit wonder if he/she/they had a second top 40 hit. Am I wrong to feel that way? By the way, that internet radio station made an even bigger error, saying another recording was a one-hit wonder, when she actually had several other hits. You'll see whom I'm talking about much further down the list.

Chris DeBurgh

     By the time 1987 came around, many people had forgotten that Chris DeBurgh had already had a top 40 hit with "Don't Pay The Ferryman" (#34 in 1983). So when Chris DeBurgh hit with "The Lady In Red" (#3 in 1987), people thought that was his first hit, and later, his only hit. Just my opinion of "Don't Pay The Ferryman," it's a very forgettable song, so it's easy to see why people thought Chris DeBurgh was a one-hit wonder. Now you know the truth.

Murray Head

     Murray Head has the distinction of both his top 40 hits being from musicals. Many of you are probably wondering, what BOTH hit songs? Didn't he have just that one hit, "One Night In Bangkok" (#3 in 1985), from the musical "Chess," and that was it? The truth is, Murray Head had one other hit 14 years earlier, and it was from the musical "Jesus Christ Superstar." The song "Superstar" went to #14 in 1971. If you didn't know, now you know.

Matthew Wilder

     Undoubtedly, when you think of Matthew Wilder, most of you will automatically think "Break My Stride" (#5 in 1984). But how many of you know he had another top 40 hit? That song was "The Kid's American" (#33 in 1984). I don't about you, but I think this song should have gotten more attention.

Great White

     I have to admit, the first time I heard "Once Bitten Twice Shy" by Great White, it was in a strip club. The week this song debuted in the top 40 was when I saw this stripper do a routine to the song. The song was catchy, and I liked it immediately (I don't remember if I could say the same for the girl). The song eventually reached #5 on the chart in 1989. They had only one other top 40 hit, but how many times do you hear "The Angel Song" (#30 in 1990) these days? I'm sure many had thought Great White was a one-hit wonder. Not quite.

Robbie Dupree

     Again, just like I said about the group Extreme, if I'd heard Robbie Dupree's other hit in any measurable amounts in recent years, I wouldn't include him on this list. Robbie Dupree's biggest hit was "Steal Away" (#6 in 1980). But how many of you remember Robbie Dupree's other hit? That song is "Hot Rod Hearts" (#15 in 1980 -- the two songs were actually in the top 40 at the same time for a week). Definitely worth remembering, huh?

Lee Michaels

     I had that if it weren't for a Marvin Gaye remake, Lee Michaels would have been a one-hit wonder. Now many of you may not be aware of the Marvin Gaye song that kept Lee Michaels from being a one-hit wonder, so I'm going to tell you what his big hit was, plus what his other hit was: "Do You Know What I Mean" was the big hit for Lee Michaels, reaching #6 in 1971. Later that year, he reached #39 with a Marvin Gaye remake of "Can I Get A Witness." What do you think?

Madness

     Most people in the U.S., when they think of the group Madness, only think of their hit "Our House" (#7 in 1983). That song introduced many of us to a whole genre of music, known as ska. Madness had only one other top 40 hit in the U.S., and just like I said about Nu Shooz, I think their other hit was the better song. That song is "It Must Be Love" (#33 in 1983). Feel free to disagree. This is just my opinion.

Nicolette Larson

     Many of you, I'm sure, remember Nicolette Larson for the Neil Young-penned song "Lotta Love", which reached #8 for her in 1979. But how many of you remember her other top 40 hit? That song was "Let Me Go Love", featuring harmony vocals by Michael McDonald, reaching #35 in 1980. Nicolette Larson would provide harmony vocals on the Christopher Cross hit "Say You Will Be Mine" (#20 in 1981). I think it's tragic that she died so young (age 45 in 1997).

Johnny Kemp

     No doubt, Johnny Kemp's biggest and best known hit was "Just Got Paid" (#10 in 1988), but do you remember his other top 40 hit? It was "Birthday Suit" (#36 in 1989). I think this should have gotten more attention, what do you think?

The Knack

     I've heard it from more than one source that the group The Knack was regarded as a one-hit wonder, with their hit being "My Sharona," which spent 6 weeks at #1 in 1979, and became the top song of the year, arrording to American Top 40. The truth of the matter, is that The Knack actually had 3 top 40 hits. Very late in 1979, they reached #11 with "Good Girls Dont" (it even made the 100 biggest hits of 1980), and they also reached #38 with "Baby Talks Dirty." Both tracks are worthy of mention in my opinion.

Quarterflash

     Most of you, I'm sure, remember "Harden My Heart" (#3 in 1982). But how many of you remember that Quarterflash actually had two other top 40 hits? The other hits: "Find Another Fool" (#16 in 1982) and "Take Me To Heart" (#14 in 1983). Just me, but out of all three of Quarterflash's top 40 hits, I like "Find Another Fool" the best.

John Stewart

     John Stewart is remembered for his 1979 #5 hit "Gold." How many of you thought that was his only top 40 hit? He actually had two other top 40 hits. There was "Midnight Wind" (#28 in 1979), and also "Lost Her In The Sun" (#34 in 1980). It is what it is.

Cathy Dennis

     The worst example I can think of, when it comes to someone being incorrectly labeled a one-hit wonder, has to be Cathy Dennis. I was listening to an internet radio station that played only so-called one-hit wonders. One of these was Cathy Dennis, with her "only" hit being "Too Many Walls," which went to #8 for her in 1991. The truth of the matter is, this was actually her FOURTH top ten hit (including her #10 hit from 1990 with D-Mob, "C'Mon And Get My Love"). In fact, "Too Many Walls" was one of THREE songs of Cathy Dennis's to make 1991's top 100 hits of the year. Her other hits that year were "Just Another Dream" (#9) and "Touch Me (All Night Long)"(#2 for 2 weeks). For good measure, Cathy Dennis even had a FIFTH top 40 hit, "You Lied To Me" (#32 in 1992). Now granted, "Too Many Walls" was her best hit, in my opinion, but by NO means, was it her ONLY hit. It wasn't even her biggest hit!

     Before I conclude this article, I have to mention a group, who technically had only one top 40 hit, but had over a dozen songs make the Hot 100, but didn't get into the top 40, and it's this fact that I will not call the Five Stairsteps a one-hit wonder either. Their one top 40 hit was their #8 classic hit "O-o-h Child." If you feel like I left someone out, please email me at musicaldice323@gmail.com, and tell me whom do you think I missed. Hope you've enjoyed this article! ☺