1. Afternoon Delight – Starland Vocal Band
Back in 1976, “Afternoon Delight” seemed to be everywhere. The catchy tune with its cheeky lyrics earned Starland Vocal Band a Grammy for Best New Artist, and for a while, it felt like this group might be the next big thing. The harmonies were undeniably sweet, and the suggestive theme gave it just enough edge to turn heads on the radio. Listeners couldn’t get the chorus out of their heads, and it topped the Billboard Hot 100.
But the group never managed to follow it up with another smash hit. In fact, their career faded almost as quickly as it had appeared, and today the song is remembered more as a quirky time capsule of the ’70s than a pop classic. Every now and then it pops up in a movie or TV show for a laugh, but for many, it’s a one-hit wonder that feels almost forgotten.
2. Seasons in the Sun – Terry Jacks
When Terry Jacks released “Seasons in the Sun” in 1974, it became an international sensation. The melancholy ballad about saying goodbye to life was based on a French song, and it struck a chord with listeners around the world. The heartfelt lyrics and simple melody pushed it to the top of charts in multiple countries. It was sentimental, emotional, and just right for the era.
Still, the song’s downbeat theme made it tough to keep in regular rotation. While it was one of the best-selling singles of the decade, it rarely makes lists of classic rock or pop hits today. For many, it’s one of those songs you might vaguely remember but not something that’s still played regularly.
3. Billy, Don’t Be a Hero – Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods
“Billy, Don’t Be a Hero” hit big in 1974, with its mix of pop catchiness and anti-war message. The song tells the story of a young man heading off to battle, with his fiancée pleading for him not to go. The heartfelt chorus resonated in a country still grappling with the Vietnam War. It raced to No. 1 on the Billboard charts and seemed like it would stick around forever.
Yet as time went on, the song started to feel a little dated. Its earnestness, once powerful, began to seem overly sentimental compared to the harder rock and disco sounds that followed. While it was a true hit of the ’70s, it faded from the spotlight and rarely gets played anymore.
4. Undercover Angel – Alan O’Day
Alan O’Day scored his only big hit with “Undercover Angel” in 1977. The song, with its playful lyrics about a fantasy romance, became a surprise No. 1 hit. It had a fun, dreamlike vibe that fit perfectly into the softer side of ’70s pop radio. Listeners fell for its charm, and for a moment O’Day looked like he might become a regular on the charts.
Unfortunately, lightning didn’t strike twice. O’Day never had another major hit, and “Undercover Angel” became one of those tunes that instantly recalls the era but doesn’t get much recognition today. It remains a curious one-hit wonder for people who dig deep into ’70s playlists.
5. Rock Your Baby – George McCrae
George McCrae’s “Rock Your Baby” is often credited as one of the first disco hits. Released in 1974, it was smooth, soulful, and perfect for the dance floor. The infectious groove helped it sell millions of copies worldwide, and it seemed to launch a new era of music. At the time, McCrae was hailed as a breakout star.
But disco moved quickly, and other artists soon took over the scene. While “Rock Your Baby” was a huge hit in its moment, McCrae never again reached that level of fame. Today it’s remembered mostly by disco enthusiasts, while the wider public often forgets how massive it once was.
6. Playground in My Mind – Clint Holmes
Clint Holmes scored a surprise hit with “Playground in My Mind” in 1973. The song’s childlike chorus, with its references to “sweet Cindy” and “little Jimmy,” made it both charming and slightly odd. Listeners found it catchy and different, and it soared to No. 2 on the charts. For a few months, it was nearly inescapable.
But once the novelty wore off, the song faded from pop culture. Its sing-song quality made it more of a curiosity than a classic. Holmes went on to a long performing career, especially in Las Vegas, but this quirky single is now a half-remembered piece of ’70s radio.
7. Angie Baby – Helen Reddy
Helen Reddy was one of the defining voices of the ’70s, and “Angie Baby” was one of her strangest yet most successful hits. Released in 1974, it told the story of a lonely girl who lived in her imagination, with a surreal twist ending. The mysterious lyrics intrigued listeners, and the song topped the charts.
Yet compared to her anthem “I Am Woman,” “Angie Baby” has largely disappeared from public memory. Its eerie storyline and unusual vibe make it stand out for those who recall it, but for many, it’s a forgotten gem in Reddy’s career. It shows how even a star’s big hits can fade over time.
8. Run Joey Run – David Geddes
“Run Joey Run” was a melodramatic ballad that became an unexpected hit in 1975. With its spoken-word sections and tragic storyline of young love gone wrong, it captivated audiences who loved a good tearjerker. The chorus, pleading for Joey to run, was both over the top and oddly irresistible. It climbed the charts quickly, cementing itself as a memorable one-hit wonder.
But its overly dramatic style didn’t age well. While it was a hit at the time, today it feels more like a relic of a bygone era. It’s rarely mentioned among the decade’s great pop songs, even though many listeners still remember being swept up in its story back in the day.
9. Brand New Key – Melanie
Melanie’s “Brand New Key” became a massive hit in 1971. With its playful, roller-skating imagery and sing-song melody, it charmed audiences and went all the way to No. 1. It was quirky, fun, and different from most of what was on the radio at the time. The innocence mixed with a hint of innuendo made it stand out.
But as the years passed, the song’s novelty wore thin. Melanie had other fans and hits, but “Brand New Key” is often remembered only by those who lived through its radio heyday. It’s rarely played now, though it remains a nostalgic oddity for those who recall singing along.
10. Knock on Wood – Amii Stewart
Amii Stewart’s disco version of “Knock on Wood” was a huge hit in 1979. Her high-energy vocals and the thumping beat turned the old Eddie Floyd song into a dance floor anthem. It topped the charts in both the U.S. and the U.K., making Stewart a star for a brief moment. For anyone who loved disco, this track was unforgettable.
Yet disco’s rapid decline meant that Stewart’s spotlight faded fast. While the song was enormous at the time, it doesn’t often get the same retro airplay as Donna Summer or the Bee Gees. It was a defining hit of 1979, but it largely disappeared once the disco backlash began.
11. The Night Chicago Died – Paper Lace
Paper Lace made their biggest U.S. splash with “The Night Chicago Died” in 1974. The song told a dramatic story of gangsters and shootouts, with a chorus that stuck in your head. It was campy, dramatic, and undeniably catchy, and it climbed all the way to No. 1. At the time, it seemed like Paper Lace might be on their way to bigger things.
But the novelty of the song faded, and the band never managed another American smash. Today it’s remembered more for its storytelling style than for its musical legacy. It’s one of those songs that instantly places you in the ’70s but doesn’t hold a strong spot in pop culture memory.
12. Magnet and Steel – Walter Egan
“Magnet and Steel” was a dreamy pop hit in 1978, co-produced by Lindsey Buckingham and featuring Stevie Nicks on backing vocals. Walter Egan’s smooth delivery and the soft-rock vibe made it perfect for late ’70s radio. The song reached the Top 10 and gave Egan his moment in the spotlight. It’s easy to see why fans fell for its romantic charm.
Still, despite the Fleetwood Mac connections, Egan never had another major hit. “Magnet and Steel” became his signature tune, but it didn’t linger long in the mainstream. Today it’s one of those songs you might stumble across on a soft-rock playlist and think, “Oh yeah, I remember this one.”
13. Don’t Give Up on Us – David Soul
Best known for his role on Starsky & Hutch, David Soul also dabbled in music, and “Don’t Give Up on Us” became a surprise hit in 1977. The ballad topped both the U.S. and U.K. charts, making Soul one of the few TV stars to also land a No. 1 single. Fans loved the tender delivery and romantic feel.
But Soul’s music career didn’t extend much beyond this one major hit. Today, the song is more of a curiosity, remembered mainly by fans of his television work. While it was huge at the time, it has largely vanished from playlists and pop culture references.
14. You Light Up My Life – Debby Boone
Debby Boone’s “You Light Up My Life” was nothing short of a phenomenon in 1977. It spent ten weeks at No. 1, one of the longest runs in Billboard history at the time. The heartfelt ballad became a wedding staple and seemed destined to be remembered as a classic forever. Boone’s soaring vocals helped make it unforgettable.
Yet the song’s overly earnest style didn’t age well. Boone never had another hit of that magnitude, and “You Light Up My Life” slowly faded from prominence. While it remains a record-breaker, it’s not a song that gets regular radio play today.
15. Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes) – Edison Lighthouse
Edison Lighthouse scored big in 1970 with “Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes).” The upbeat pop song was infectious and cheerful, and it climbed quickly to No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. For a while, it seemed like Edison Lighthouse might become a major force in pop. The tune was everywhere, from radio to TV appearances.
But the band turned out to be more of a studio creation than a long-term act. They never had another comparable hit, and “Love Grows” became their signature and only claim to fame. While it still shows up on nostalgic compilations, it doesn’t get the same recognition as other hits of the decade.
16. I Love You – Climax Blues Band
In 1979, the Climax Blues Band scored their biggest hit with “I Love You.” The soft-rock ballad was heartfelt and romantic, making it popular with couples and radio DJs alike. It became one of the group’s signature songs, reaching the Top 20 in the U.S. The lyrics were simple but sincere, and fans embraced it.
However, the band’s blues-rock roots didn’t quite align with the direction pop music was heading. While “I Love You” gave them brief mainstream success, it didn’t keep them in the spotlight. Today the song is remembered by diehard fans, but most casual listeners have forgotten just how popular it once was.
