1. Debby Boone
In 1977, Debby Boone took the world by storm with “You Light Up My Life,” a ballad so huge it spent a record-breaking ten weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. For a while, Boone was everywhere, appearing on talk shows and variety specials, and even winning the Grammy for Best New Artist. The song became a wedding staple and an anthem for the decade’s softer side of pop.
But despite the monumental success of her debut, Boone never managed to score another major pop hit. She shifted toward country and later contemporary Christian music, where she found some recognition, but mainstream audiences mostly remember her for that single song. Today, “You Light Up My Life” stands as both her crowning achievement and the reason she’s often labeled a one-hit wonder.
2. Terry Jacks
In 1974, Terry Jacks broke hearts with “Seasons in the Sun,” a soft rock ballad about saying goodbye. The song was actually an adaptation of a French tune by Jacques Brel, but Jacks’ mournful delivery made it a worldwide smash. It hit number one in the U.S. and stuck around on the charts for weeks.
Unfortunately, the success of “Seasons in the Sun” proved impossible to duplicate. Jacks released more music, but none resonated in the same way. He eventually faded from the pop landscape, though his bittersweet ballad continues to resurface in films, commercials, and nostalgic playlists.
3. Pilot
Scottish pop band Pilot hit it big in 1975 with “Magic,” a bright, breezy tune that seemed to soundtrack every teen’s summer that year. Its upbeat lyrics and singable chorus made it irresistible, and for a time, the band looked poised for lasting success.
But after “Magic” and a brief flicker of attention with “January” in the U.K., the group quickly fizzled. Members went on to work with other artists, but Pilot never managed to reclaim that initial spark. Today, their sunny track lives on in commercials and movie soundtracks, keeping their legacy alive even if the band itself disappeared.
4. Norman Greenbaum
Norman Greenbaum’s “Spirit in the Sky” felt like a psychedelic gospel anthem when it hit in 1970. Its fuzzy guitar riffs and spiritual undertones were unlike anything else on the charts at the time. The single sold millions and became a staple of both classic rock and film soundtracks.
Despite such a promising debut, Greenbaum couldn’t find a follow-up hit. His later albums failed to gain traction, and he slipped quietly out of the music industry. Still, “Spirit in the Sky” has endured as one of the most licensed songs in history, a quirky reminder of Greenbaum’s short-lived fame.
5. Starland Vocal Band
In 1976, the Starland Vocal Band gave us “Afternoon Delight,” a cheeky pop hit with harmonies as sweet as the title suggested. The song went to number one and even earned them a Grammy Award for Best New Artist, beating out Boston. For a moment, it seemed like they were destined for stardom.
But lightning didn’t strike twice. Their follow-up efforts were forgettable, and their TV variety show flopped after just one season. By the end of the decade, the band had dissolved, remembered mainly for their risqué ode to midday romance.
6. Anita Ward
In 1979, Anita Ward’s disco anthem “Ring My Bell” took dance floors by storm. Its playful lyrics and infectious beat made it a global smash, hitting number one in multiple countries. For Ward, it seemed like the beginning of a major career.
Unfortunately, disco’s sudden decline meant that Ward’s follow-up singles couldn’t find footing. By the early ’80s, she had faded from the charts completely. Still, “Ring My Bell” remains a disco classic, ensuring her voice is instantly recognizable decades later.
7. Nick Gilder
Nick Gilder briefly lit up the charts in 1978 with “Hot Child in the City,” a glam-inspired pop track that earned him both fame and controversy for its edgy lyrics. The song captured the gritty yet stylish spirit of the era, and it reached number one in the U.S.
After that, though, Gilder couldn’t maintain his momentum. Later singles didn’t break through, and he was eventually overshadowed by the next wave of new wave and punk acts. While he never disappeared entirely, his chart-topping moment was fleeting.
8. Wild Cherry
Wild Cherry’s funk-rock anthem “Play That Funky Music” exploded in 1976, blending rock riffs with disco grooves in a way that made everyone want to dance. The song was so big that it’s still a wedding and party staple today.
Yet the band couldn’t replicate the success. Their later albums fell flat, and they disbanded within just a few years. Wild Cherry’s brief moment in the spotlight left us with a single unforgettable track that has outlived the band itself.
9. Vicki Sue Robinson
Disco diva Vicki Sue Robinson made waves with her 1976 hit “Turn the Beat Around.” The song, with its high-energy percussion and soaring vocals, became a dance floor anthem. Robinson’s powerful voice seemed like it could carry her to long-term fame.
But the follow-ups never caught on. By the early ’80s, Robinson had faded from the charts, though she remained active in theater and recording background vocals. Her hit later found new life when Gloria Estefan covered it in the ’90s, proving its staying power even if Robinson herself was no longer in the spotlight.
10. The Knack
The Knack may have technically been a band, but their 1979 smash “My Sharona” made them instant pop icons. The song’s catchy guitar riff and cheeky lyrics were irresistible, propelling it to number one for six weeks. It felt like the dawn of a new wave revolution.
Unfortunately, the backlash came just as fast. Critics dismissed them as a gimmick, and their second album failed to match expectations. While the band kept going, they never shook the “one-hit wonder” label, remembered almost exclusively for “My Sharona.”
11. Ram Jam
Ram Jam stormed onto the scene in 1977 with their hard-rock version of “Black Betty.” The driving rhythm and fiery vocals gave the old folk tune new life, and it climbed the charts quickly. It became a favorite among rock fans and remains a staple of classic rock radio.
But Ram Jam couldn’t turn that momentum into a lasting career. Follow-up singles failed to connect, and the band broke apart not long after. Today, “Black Betty” keeps their name alive, even if most listeners couldn’t tell you anything else they recorded.
12. Mungo Jerry
Mungo Jerry’s “In the Summertime” hit in 1970 and immediately became the soundtrack to warm weather everywhere. Its laid-back vibe, catchy hook, and skiffle-style instrumentation made it a global sensation. Ray Dorset’s carefree vocals seemed to embody the joy of summer itself.
Yet Mungo Jerry never found another hit of that scale in the U.S. Though they enjoyed more success in the U.K., American audiences largely remember them for that single sunny anthem. Even now, “In the Summertime” resurfaces each year when the weather turns warm, keeping their brief fame alive.
13. Maxine Nightingale
Maxine Nightingale found her big moment in 1975 with “Right Back Where We Started From.” The upbeat, soulful track was an instant hit, reaching the top five in both the U.S. and the U.K. For a while, Nightingale seemed poised for a long career.
But subsequent singles didn’t achieve the same success, and her career quickly cooled off. While she continued recording and performing, she never recaptured the magic of her debut. Her one shining hit, though, still pops up in commercials and movies, keeping her voice familiar even decades later.
