One Hit Wonders Archives

The DeFranco Family – Hearbeat, It’s a Love Beat (1973)

November 21, 2023

Celebrate 50 years of Canadian pop sensations The DeFranco Family’s hit “Heartbeat, It’s a Love Beat” as Sam Tweedle revisits his 2008 interview with Tony DeFranco. Half a century later it’s still a good vibration.

Rebbie Jackson – Reaction (1986)

November 6, 2023

In 1984 Michael Jackson’s big sister launched her solo career. No, not LaToya. His other older sister – Rebbie Jackson! Ever heard of her? Despite a trio of solid pop albums and the support of her famous siblings, iconisim seemed to pass Rebbie behind. A look at the life and music of the forgotten Jackson sister, and how she chose love and family over the madness of showbusiness.

Arthur Brown – The Crazy World of Arthur Brown (1968)

October 26, 2023

In 1968 performance artist Arthur Brown brought his Faustian nightmare journey through hell to music audiences via his album “The Crazy World of Arthur Brown” and became the godfather of “shock rock.” Through his high pitched wails and the helmet that shot flames from his head, Brown would be considered a “one hit wonder,” but changed the face of rock performance forever. A look at the career of “The God of Hellfire,” the birth of shock rock and Arthur Brown’s continuing influence on the rock n’ roll landscape today.

Mercy – Love (Can Make You Happy) (1969)

August 28, 2023

Was “Love (Can Make You Happy)” by the Tampa, Florida based band Mercy ever a hit? The strange story of an ambitious singer/songwriter, the con man who tried to steal his musical legacy, and a pretty love song that stemmed out of an unlikely film.

Various Artists – Lambada (1989)

August 21, 2023

Journey back to 1989 when an international dance craze was started via French-Brazillian band Kaoma’s hit “Lambada” and the shocking crime which ended lead singer Loalwa Braz’s life. Extra: Just who wrote “Lambada” anyway, and how Kaoma’s success spawned Roberta and Chico – the 1980’s most uncomfortable kid’s act.

Robert Colbert featuring Johnathan Frid and David Selby – Dark Shadows Original Television Soundtrack (1969), The Charles Randolph Green Sound – Quintin’s Theme (1969) and Andy Williams – Get Together with Andy Williams (1969)

July 31, 2023

The time a piece of incidental music from a soap opera hit the Billboard charts. A deep dive into the history of “Quentin’s Theme,” one of Billboard’s strangest hits.

Sonny and Cher – The Wondrous World of Sonny and Cher (1966)

June 23, 2023

After getting thrown out of a Hollywood restaurant in 1965, a fed up Sono Bono wrote an emotional manifesto titled “Laugh at Me,” which became his only hit record, A look at “Laugh at Me,” Sonny’s fight for respect, and why he allowed the laughter to continue through the 1970’s and beyond. Extra: The lasting legacy of Sonny and Cher, and Chaz Bono’s attempt to reinvent “Laugh at Me” as a transgender anthem.

Billy Jack Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1971) and Coven – Coven (1971)

June 14, 2023

“On the bloody morning after, One Tin Soldier rides away.” How Coven’s Jinx Dawson went from singing about witchcraft to having a hit with “One Tin Soldier” and how the film “Billy Jack” made it one of the most accessalbe anthems of peace ever recorded.

The Original Caste – One Tin Soldier (1969)

June 12, 2023

Before “Billy Jack,” Canadian pop-folk band The Original Caste introduced the world to “One Tin Soldier.” A look at the band, and the origins behind the song that would become one of the most famous anthems of peace.

Sajid Khan – Sajid! (1969)

May 24, 2023

Remember Sahjid Khan? When India spiritualisim became cool in the 1960’s, teen magazine maven Gloria Stavers jumped on board with her own teen star from the middle east,, keeping him in the hearts of girls all over America. A look at Sajid Khan’s short but groovy career, and the last ditch effort to keep him relevant by cutting a forgotten pop album.

Night Ranger – Midnight Madness (1983)

May 22, 2023

“You’re motorin’.” The story behind Night Ranger’s 1983 power ballad “Sister Christian” – a brother’s coming of age advice to his little sister.

Various Artists – Nadia’s Theme (The Young and the Restless) (1976)

May 19, 2023

Whether you know it as the theme song to “The Young and the Restless,” “Nadia’s Theme” or “Cotton’s Dream,” Perry Botkin Jr and Barry De Vorsan’s composition has become one of the most recognizable instrumentals of the 20th Century. A deep dive into the song’s many incarnations and lives from “Bless the Beasts and the Children,” to the 1978 Olympics to….David Hasselhoff?? Extra: Who were The Sounds of Sunshine, and why did they successfully sue The Dead Kennedys?

Mashmakhan – Mashmakhan (1970)

May 15, 2023

If Jethro Tull and The Doors had a love child, it’d be Mashmakhan. Montreal based prog-rockers Mashmakhan had a massive hit in Canada and Japan with “As Years Go By” but the less commerical psychadelic infused tracks that made up the remainder of their 1970 debut album confused radio programmers and record buyers, making them a “one hit wonder.” An appreciation of one of the best underappreciated Canadian albums ever recorded.

Tommy Page – Tommy Page (1988) and Tommy Page – Paintings in My Mind (1990)

May 10, 2023

A deep dive into the career of often overlooked 90’s teen idol Tommy Page. Was he ahead of his time, and did his association with the New Kids on the Block help or hinder him? Extra: Was Tommy sending us a musical cry for help before his 2017 suicide?

Dino, Desi and Billy – I’m a Fool (1965)

May 8, 2023

How a wobbly voiced Hollywood garage band got the best of everything, and moved to the top of the charts. Was it nepotisim, or being in the right place at the right time? A deep dive of 60’s pop act Dino, Desi and Billy. Extra: Billy Hinche reveals the real story behind being signed by Frank Sinatra, and D,D & B’s special relationship with The Beach Boys.

Vinyl Stories

Category: One Hit Wonders