Episode 60: One-Hit Wonders of the 70s

PLAY LIST

  1. Sweet City Woman by The Stampeders (1971)

  2. Good Time Charlie’s Got the Blues by Danny O’Keefe (1972)

  3. Chevy Van by Sammy Johns (1975)

  4. How Long by Ace (1975)

  5. Play That Funky Music by Wild Cherry (1976)

  6. Ring My Bell by Anita Ward (1979)

  7. Cruel to Be Kind by Nick Lowe (1979)

SHOW NOTES

Is being a one-hit wonder really such an insult? Taking a closer look at some of the one-hit wonders of the 1970s tells us that the answer is “no.” The 70s was a time of great variety on the radio and on the Billboard Top 40, which is clearly reflected in the titles of some of the most iconic one-hit wonders of the era. Some of the artists were hard-working singers and songwriters who were fortunate enough to craft a song that became a hit. Some artists simply caught lightning in a bottle. Whatever the circumstances, a simple song has the power to speak of the era in which it was created and even transport us back to a moment in time. There is nothing insulting about that.

SOURCES

Burk, Bill E. 1979. “Bells Are Ringing All Over Memphis for Anita Ward.” Memphis Press-Scimitar, June 15, 1979.

Charone, Barbara. 1975. “Ace Strong on 'How Long.'” Rolling Stone, June 5, 1975.

Connick, Harry, and Rob Parissi. 2017. “Rob Parissi on Writing Mega Hit "Play That Funky Music."” YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyNc1AhUZ2c.

Hillburn, Robert. 1973. “Good Luck to 3 Friends Who'll Need It.” Newsday (Melville), January 21, 1973.

The Huntsville Times. 1973. “O'Keefe Song Recalls the Days of Babe Ruth.” August 31, 1973.

Maschal, Richard. 1975. “Charlotte Native Rides Chevy Van to Fortune, Top of Pop Music List.” The Charlotte Observer, August 6, 1975.

Patrick, Wally. 1982. “Ready to Be Seen as Well as Heard.” Press (Asbury Park), September 16, 1982.

Professor of Rock. 2023. “The Story of the 70s Classic “How Long” by Ace.” YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWWPgEx2hbA.

Schlosberg, Karen. 1986. “Isn't That Nick Lowe?” Creem, March 1, 1986.

Wishart, Eric. 1977. “Ace Lay Their Ghost to Rest.” The Lennox Herald, January 20, 1977.

Amy Lively