Achieving one massive hit is a dream come true for many musicians, but what happens next isn’t always glamorous. For some, that single burst of fame turns into a long career of playing the same tune over and over.
While most artists hope to deliver hit after hit, very few get that lucky. Instead, many are remembered for just one catchy song that never quite led to lasting success. But is that really such a bad thing?
These one-hit wonders from the ’60s may not have stuck around, but they sure left their mark with tunes that are hard to forget—no matter how cheesy they might be.
9. “Do You Love Me?”, The Contours (1962)
In 1962, Berry Gordy wrote “Do You Love Me” for The Temptations, but they were unavailable to record. He turned to The Contours, and the song became an instant hit.
The song soared to number three on the charts, thanks to its catchy lyrics and dance craze references. However, The Contours never hit the top ten again despite their continued efforts.
In 1988, “Do You Love Me” resurfaced on the Dirty Dancing soundtrack. It remains a classic, showing up in movies and TV, including Tiny Toons.
8. “Spirit in the Sky”, Norman Greenbaum (1969)
In the late ’60s, Norman Greenbaum was struggling with his psychedelic junk band, Dr. West’s Medicine Show and Junk Band. They got a lucky break opening for Sonny and Cher, but Greenbaum had bigger plans. After hearing a Porter Wagoner gospel song, he decided to try writing one himself.
In just 15 minutes, Greenbaum penned “Spirit in the Sky,” a fusion of rock and gospel that became a smash hit in 1969. The song reached number three on the charts, with its fuzzy guitar, gospel harmonies, and uplifting message making it truly stand out.
Though Greenbaum couldn’t replicate the song’s success, he found a second wind in the late ’80s. Licensing deals for “Spirit in the Sky” rolled in, ensuring his one hit would support him comfortably for life.
7. “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye”, Steam (1969)
In 1969, a group of session musicians recorded “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye” as a b-side for Gary DeCarlo. They didn’t expect much from the track. When asked for a band name, they glanced outside the studio and, spotting steam from manhole covers, quickly came up with “Steam.”
Surprisingly, the song soared to number one, and the musicians decided to record an album and tour together. However, Steam couldn’t keep up the success, and no other single charted for them again.
But in 1977, the song found new life at Chicago White Sox games, used to taunt opponents during blowouts. It quickly became a sports anthem, and fans everywhere have been chanting “Na Na Na Hey Hey Hey Goodbye” ever since.
6. “Monster Mash”, Bobby Pickett (1962)
“Monster Mash” is perhaps the only Halloween hit that’s truly stood the test of time. Bobby Pickett, an aspiring actor, would sometimes perform music on the side. One day, he did an impression of horror legend Boris Karloff, which his friends loved.
Encouraged by their reactions, Pickett turned the bit into a song. He wrote “Monster Mash,” a catchy tune about dancing monsters, sung entirely in his Karloff voice. Released just before Halloween, it shot straight to number one.
Unfortunately, Pickett never found the same success again. He tried to recreate the magic with songs like “Monster Holiday” and “Monster Rap,” but none of them caught on like his original hit.
5. “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida”, Iron Butterfly (1968).
“In-a-Gadda-Da-Vida” is often hailed as one of the earliest heavy metal hits. Its fuzzed-out guitar, pounding drums, and haunting organ give it a signature sound. While the single version is just under three minutes, the album version stretches over 17 minutes.
The song’s title came from a bit of excess. Organist Doug Engle, after drinking a gallon of red wine, played the song for the band. His slurred speech turned “In the Garden of Eden” into the now-iconic “In-a-Gadda-Da-Vida.”
Iron Butterfly never reached that level of success again, but the song remains a classic. It even made its way into pop culture, featuring in an episode of The Simpsons under its original title.
4. “Wipeout”, The Safaris (1963)
“Wipeout” became the ultimate 60s surf rock anthem, but it started as a happy accident. In 1963, The Safaris were recording their song “Surfer Joe” when they realized they needed a B-side. On the spot, they threw together the instrumental “Wipeout.”
The track’s furious drum solo, based on their marching band cadence, made it an instant summer hit. It shot up to number 2 and stayed on the charts for 30 weeks. Despite the song’s success, The Safaris never managed to replicate its popularity.
By 1966, the band had broken up, but “Wipeout” lived on. It’s been featured in movies like Dirty Dancing, The Sandlot, and Toy Story 2, securing its place as a timeless summer classic.
3. “Nobody But Me”, The Human Beinz (1968)
The Human Beinz may have struggled to find their footing, but in 1968, they struck gold with “Nobody But Me.” Originally a cover of a failed Isley Brothers’ single, the song became an unexpected hit. Ironically, their name was even misspelled on the contract, with a dropped “G,” turning The Human Beings into The Human Beinz.
The song, a fun, upbeat anthem about dancing, climbed to number 8 on the charts. It also set a record for the most repetitive Top 100 single, with the word “no” repeated 31 times in a row. Despite this success, the band quickly faded into obscurity.
By 1969, The Human Beinz had disbanded, but “Nobody But Me” continued to find new life. The song has appeared in movies like Kill Bill and in The Office‘s season 7 intro, keeping its infectious energy alive.
2. “Just One Look”, Doris Troy (1963)
When James Brown discovered Doris Troy at the Apollo Theater when she was just 16, it seemed like her music career was set for greatness. Her 1963 hit, “Just One Look,” was a classic 1960s soul song—an upbeat love ballad perfect for dancing.
Written by Troy herself, the demo was so impressive that Atlantic Records released it without re-recording. The song quickly climbed to number three on the charts, showcasing her talent.
Despite this early success, Troy never charted another hit. Although she continued to perform and make music, her career peak remained “Just One Look.”
1. “Sugar Sugar”, The Archies (1969)
Fictional bands like The Weird Sisters from Harry Potter and Wyld Stallyns from Bill and Ted have their fans, but none rival the success of The Archies. This animated group made history with their 1969 hit, “Sugar Sugar,” which topped the charts despite being a cartoon creation.
The song was recorded by session musicians as part of a project for The Archies, a band from a TV show. To overcome skepticism from record companies, the song was sent to radio DJs without a label, marketed as a mystery group. The strategy worked, and “Sugar Sugar” soared to number one.
Although The Archies never replicated their success, “Sugar Sugar” remains iconic. It continues to feature in TV shows like The Wonder Years and The Simpsons, keeping the song alive for new generations.