UK TRUE One Hit Wonders

001

1954

little things mean a lot

kitty kallen

Despite scoring other hits in her native US, Kallen never achieved another hit on the UK Chart, which at this point was a mere Top 12.

002

1957

it's almost tomorrow

dreamweavers

In the US, they scored a minor hit some months later, but then faded into obscurity there also.

003

1958

when

kalin twins

It was heavily suggested that their song "Forget Me Not" be issued as a follow up, however this was not pursued. The Kalin Twins remain the only One Hit Wonder male siblings (comprising of twin brothers).

004

1959

Here comes summer

jerry keller

Despite writing many hits, Jerry Keller only ever had one hit in his own right.

005

1960

tell laura i love her

ricky valance

Ricky Valance was the first British TRUE One Hit Wonder with a cover of the Ray Peterson US hit. He scored further hits in Europe, but none in the UK.

006

1962

nut rocker

B. Bumble & the stingers

The song reappeared on the UK Chart 10 years later, reaching No.19. An instrumental group, B. Bumble and the Stingers had already scored their biggest hit in the US.

007

1967

michelle

overlanders

It reached No.1 in January 1967 for three weeks with this Beatles cover.. They are the earliest British group to be classed as a TRUE One Hit Wonder.

008

1968

fire!

crazy world of arthur brown

The group did score a hit (self-titled) album, but neither the band nor Arthur Brown in his own right managed to secure another placing in the singles chart.

009

1969

in the year 2525

zager & evans

The song was written five years earlier, but didn't become a success in the UK until after it made No.1 in the US.

010

1969

je t'aime...moi non plus

jane birkin & serge gainsbourg

The song was banned by the BBC, which is believed to be a major factor in the song's success. Serge Gainsbourg is the first non-UK/US TRUE One Hit Wonder.

011

1969

sugar sugar

the archies

The Archies were ostensibly cartoon characters from the TV series. In reality, the song was performed by a group of session singers. Other singles were released under their name, but none found success in the UK.

012

1970

wand'rin' star

lee marvin

Recorded for his then-current film. Marvin didn't release any further singles.

013

1970

spirit in the sky

norman greenbaum

The song was his only hit, but the song went on to reach No.1 twice more in versions by Dr & the Medics & Gareth Gates.

014

1970

woodstock

matthews southern comfort

The band was led by Iain Matthews who despite appearing in various other groups, never had another hit. Written by Joni Mitchell

015

1970

Grandad

clive dunn

Clive Dunn was starring in the TV sitcom Dad's Army when he released this novelty single. Dunn released several follow-ups but never hit the chart again.

016

1972/3

eye level

simon park orchestra

Theme tune to the TV series Van Der Valk. It eventually sold over a million copies in the UK.

017

1975

barbados

typically tropical

Regarded as a pastime by the two members, follow-up singles failed to chart and the duo split not long after.

018

1977

no charge

J.J. barrie

Barrie, former manager of Blue Mink

019

1977

floadt on

the floaters

The Detroit group followed their only hit with a cover of Dusty Springfield's - You Don't Have To Say You Love Me. Needless to say it didn't chart.

020

1978

uptown top ranking

althia & donna

Ill-advised follow-up, "Puppy Dog Song" proved to be their downfall.

021

1978

matchstalk men & matchstalk cats & dogs

brian & michael

The song featured St. Winifred's School Choir on backing vocals who went on to become TRUE One Hit Wonders in their own right two years later.

022

1979

ring my bell

anita ward

Written by Frederick Knight for Stacy Lattisaw however instead it became Memphis born Anita Ward's only hit. The follow up "Don't Drop My Love" found few buyers.

023

1979

tubeway army

are friends electric

Immediately afterwards, the band dissolved, but not before also scoring a #1 album at the same time. Lead singer Gary Numan went on to enjoy a successful career afterwards.

024

1979

one day at a time

lena martell

Martell charted four UK top 20 albums, however her recording of a Kris Kristofferson song was her only hit single.

025

1980

Together we are beautiful

fern kinney

Originally a B-Side the song became her biggest and only UK success.

026

1980

suicide is painless

MASH

Theme tune to the film MASH Sung by actor Ken Prymus, but released under the name MASH.

027

1980

there's no one quite like grandma

st. winifreds school choir

The choir featured lead vocalist Dawn Ralph and future TV actress Sally Lindsay. They were also the school choir backing group on Brian & Michael's number one.

028

1980

shaddap your face

joe dolce

Novelty song, now notoriously known for keeping Ultravox's hit Vienna from reaching the number one spot.

029

1982

i've never been to me

charlene

The song's success took Charlene by surprise and no new material was available for release afterwards until it was too late.

030

1985

move closer

phyllis nelson

Her album was also a hit, but follow-up single "I Like You" fell just short of the then Official Top 75 chart, peaking at No.81.

031

1987

Livin' doll

cliff richard & the young ones

Actors from The Young Ones TV series teamed up with Cliff Richard for a spoof version of his 1959 hit. It was the comedy team's only hit, but member Nigel Planer did have a solo hit in 1984 as character 'neil'.

032

1987

jack your body

steve 'Silk' hurley

The well-known producer had scored many hits on the UK Dance Chart and was a member of JM Silk. Hurley refused to promote himself as a solo artist and went on to remix many more chart hits.

033

1987

pump up the volume

M/A/R/R/S

Despite its success, no follow-up was ever released. M/A/R/R/S was a one-off project between two groups - A R Kane & Colourbox.

034

1988

first time

robin beck

Used as a jingle by Coca-Cola. Follow-up Save Up All Your Tears narrowly missed out on official chart inclusion by peaking at No.84. In 2007 Swedish Dance Outfit Sunblock along with Robin Beck, recorded a cover, which peaked at #9 in the UK.

035

1990

turtle power

partners in kryme

Used in the film TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES. The pair had disbanded before even releasing an album.

036

1992

the stonk

hale & pace

Charity single for Comic Relief

037

1997

Teletubbies say eh-Oh

teletubbies

The Theme to the popular BBC children's television series sold over one million copies.

038

1999

flat beat

mr oizo

Used as a jingle for Levi Jeans and fronted by glove puppet, Flat Eric. This was his only UK hit but continues a successful career in France.

039

1999

Everybody's free (To wear sunscreen)

baz luhrmann

The song consisted of Australian voice actor Lee Perry reading an essay written by an American newspaper columnist over a gentle backbeat.

040

2002

touch me

rui da silva

The single was Da Silva's only UK chart hit, although featured vocalist Cass Fox released her own version, which became a minor hit five years later.

042

2002

asjere (Ketuchup Song)

las ketchup

Three Spanish sisters' recording of "Asjere", sung partly in Spanish and English, using the hit Rappers Delight by Sugarhill Gang.

043

2002

heaven

DJ sammy feat. yanou

Cover of the Bryan Adams hit. DJ Sammy is big in mainland Europe with his collaboration Loona.

044

2003

spirit in the sky

the kumars

Charity single for Comic Relief

045

2003

mad world

michael andrews & gary jules

Cover of a Tears For Fears 80s hit

046

2004

F.U.R.B.

frankee

A response to the previous No.1Fuck It by Eamon.

047

2004

baby cakes

3 of a kind

Despite the song's success, a follow-up single was never released.

048

2005

against all odds

steve brookstein

The first winner of the UK X-Factor with a cover of a Phil Collins hit

049

2005

JCB song

nizlopi

Two school friends John Parker and Luke Concannon had a surprise number one hit, but failed to chart again.

051

2010

we speak no americano

First basically instrumental number one since Doop back in 1994