The 1960s are known for many things: Camelot, hippie counterculture, and great music. Some music artists from that era, like the Rolling Stones, are still touring heavily today, while others have disappeared after peaking at the top of the singles charts. Take a walk (or dance) down memory lane with the greatest one-hit wonders of the 1960s.
1. Doris Troy, “Just One Look” (1963)
All it took was one listen for Doris Troy’s song about love at first sight to become a hit. She went on to work as a backup singer for other famous artists of the time, achieving a different level of success than she enjoyed with this single.
2. Bob Kuban and the Inmen, the Cheetahs (1965)
This 1965 song is about an unrepentant serial cheater who is always looking for his next conquest, and everyone needs to be on guard. His heart will break, just like every other heart he has broken. The band’s lead singer, Walter Scott, was murdered by a man who murdered Scott’s wife in order to marry her, with whom he had an affair.
3. The Contours, Do You Love Me (1962)
The Contours has the distinction of being widely popular upon its original Motown release in 1962, and again as a Motown hit in 1988. dirty dancing movie soundtrack.
4. The Capitols, Cool Jerk (1966)
The song’s original title was “Pimp Jerk,” and the name was changed to “Cool Jerk,” after the pimps who used to perform at nightclubs. This was to avoid being banned or having limited airplay due to its meaning. After the title change, the song was released and started the “Cool Jerk” dance craze.
5. Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs, “Stay” (1960)
At 1 minute and 36 seconds, “Stay” is the shortest song to reach number one in the United States. “Stay” also came out almost 30 years later. dirty dancing soundtrack.
6. Mark Dining, Teen Angel (1960)
This sad song, sung from the perspective of her boyfriend, about a young woman who dies in an accident and becomes the narrator’s teenage angel, was considered too depressing by some radio stations and refused to be played. it was done. Despite a partial ban, it reached number one on the US charts.
7. Little Peggy March, I Follow Him (1963)
The English version of the song, first performed by French singer Little Peggy March in 1961, made the 15-year-old singer the youngest female artist to reach the top of the US charts. The song has been covered many times and is sung by Whoopi Goldberg in the movie. sister act.
8. Steam, NA NA Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye (1969)
Steam’s catchy chart-topping song remains a huge hit with audiences at professional sporting events. Home crowds frequently serenade losing visiting teams with this song.
9. Hey Blues Channel! Baby (1961)
“Hey! Baby” was another one-hit wonder that found new life on the charts, hitting the top of the charts. dirty dancing soundtrack. The song was covered by Canadian singer Anne Murray in 1982.
10. Kyu Sakamoto “Sukiyaki” (1963)
In addition to being one of the most famous and best-selling songs in history, “Sukiyaki” is also known as one of the few non-English language songs to reach the top of the American music charts. I am. Some American rhythm and blues groups have reworked the song with new English lyrics.
11. Bobby Pickett, Monster Mash (1962)
The classic Halloween song tells the story of a scientist who creates a Frankenstein-like monster who invents a new dance called the “Monster Mash.” This dance became famous when scientists hosted parties with other legendary monsters such as Dracula and the Wolfman.
12. Surfaris, Wipeout (1963)
This instrumental song was released in 1963 and is still popular in pop culture on TV and in movies. The word wipeout refers to falling off a surfboard, so it is often used as background music for surfing-related scenes.
13. Bobby Hebb, Sonny (1966)
The crossover between pop and rhythm and blues reached No. 2 and No. 3 on their respective charts. This song, which Hebb wrote in his 1963 year, was covered by two of his other artists before he recorded it. This success led Hebb to tour with the Beatles that same year.
14. Robert Knight “Eternal Love” (1967)
Knight’s version of this popular song was covered by many singers, including singers Carl Carlton and Gloria Estefan, and reached number 13 on the US charts. After her music career ended, Knight became a chemistry teacher.
15. Spiral Staircase, More Than Yesterday (1969)
One of the feel-good songs of the 1960s was a huge hit in the United States and Canada. The song has been covered nearly 20 times by artists such as Sonny & Cher, Diana Ross, Lena Horne, and Patti Austin.
16. Eddie Holman, “Hey There Lonely Girl” (1969)
“Hey There Lonely Girl,” released in December 1969 and charting in the early 1970s, is memorable for Holman’s falsetto singing. The song was originally recorded by Ruby and the Romantics in 1963 under the title “Hey There Lonely Boy”.
17. Youngbloods, Get Together (1969)
First recorded by the Kingston Trio in 1963, the song is an open appeal for peace and harmony over fear and hatred, and was recorded by Youngbloods in 1967 and later re-released in 1969. It gained wide popularity.
18. J. J. Jackson, But It’s Okay (1966)
One of the first rhythm and blues albums recorded in Britain, But It’s Alright charted in the soul and pop music categories in 1966 and again in 1969. A cover song by Huey Lewis & the News charted in his 1994 year.
19. Cascade, Rhythm of Rain (1962)
This easy listening song about a heartbroken man who wishes it would rain was a worldwide success, reaching the Top 10 in the US, UK, Australia and New Zealand.
20. The Exciters, Tell Him (1962)
It was originally written and performed by Johnny Thunder in 1962 as “Tel Ha”, but the word she was changed to he. This slight change worked very well, as “Tell Him” was a big hit with the Exciters that same year.
21. Iron Butterfly, In a Gadda da Vida (1968)
The title of this song is a play on the phrase “In the Garden of Eden.” The lyrics are only sung at the beginning and end of the 17-minute single, and feature Adam confessing his love to Eve. The song is primarily instrumental, with a long drum solo after a few minutes.
22. Human Bains, No One But Me (1968)
The Human Binz’ only hit peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100, but it has a presence in modern pop culture, having been used in films such as: Kill Bill: Vol. 1 and deceasedand TV shows such as Glee and office. It is also famous as a sports anthem.
23. Jewel Aikens, The Birds and the Bees (1965)
The song’s title and lyrics are a cheeky reference to the concept of teaching youth a specific education. The song was a Top 5 hit in the United States and has been recorded in multiple languages, including Italian, German, Hungarian, and Finnish.
24. Deon Jackson, “Love Makes The World Go’Round” (1966)
Joyful songs about the power of love and how necessary it is, brought Deon Jackson a brief burst of fame in the United States, but his catalog of music remains widespread in the British soul music listening community. Masu.
25. Crooked Fabric, Alley Cat (1962)
This uptempo instrumental hit the charts more than 60 years ago, but it may be familiar to kids today because it’s a classic jingle for ice cream trucks.
Did your favorite rising star make this list? Let us know which one we missed!
Freelance and technical writers
- Areas of expertise: Technology, user experience, pop culture, and entertainment.
- Education: West Chester University of Pennsylvania and Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Her articles have appeared in publications such as Wealth of Geeks, MSN (US), MSN Ireland, Flipboard, The Facts, The Cents of Money, A Dime Saved, The Times (Frankfort), Invested Wallet, Chronicle-Tribune, and Mama of Five. It is published in the article. Her blog, Lafourche Gazette, The Herald-Press, Kinda Frugal, Peru Tribune, and Financially Well Off. Stephanie She Allen began writing in college by teaching her writing and technical writing courses. She began working as a contract technical writer specializing in information technology. Her love of writing about various subjects led her to her Wealth of Geeks.
