Back in 1966, five school friends formed a pop/rock band called Vanity Fare, and four years later, they released a hit single that became famous around the world. In 1970, Vanity Fares’s “Hitchin’ a Ride” came out and reached number 5 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The song was ranked by Billboard as the number 14 song of 1970, and the record it was released on, ‘Man Child,’ sold over a million copies and was certified gold. The song’s catchy flute riff and simple lyrics about a man who’s hitchhiking became the official song of 1970. Even though Vanity Fare is still active today, they never saw success like this again.
"Just When I Needed You Most" by Randy VanWarmer
This 1979 soft rock hit by Randy VanWarmer reached number 4 on the US Billboard Hot 100. "Just When I Needed You Most" is the ultimate heartbreak song, telling the story of a man who is destroyed after his love relationship ends.
Obviously, you only need to read the song's title to figure out that the singer paints a grim picture of the woman who left him "in the rain without closing the door", but there are always two versions to a relationship. Whatever happened to this guy, at least he managed to have one hit single in his lifetime.
"Me and Mrs. Jones" by Billy Paul
Only the legendary Grammy Award-winning soul singer Billy Paul could create a tune like "Me and Mrs. Jones". Yes, the song is about infidelity, but it's just impossible not to love! The scandalous song topped all the charts back in 1972, and almost 50 years later, it's still a favorite for many.
The single, which earned Paul a Grammy, not only sold over two million records but was also certified platinum. The soul master went on to produce many singles after this, but none were ever as successful. And if you're too young to remember, you'll definitely remember Turk from the TV show 'Scrubs' singing this over and over.
"In the Summertime" by Mungo Jerry
Inspired by the name of a fictional character in T. S. Eliot's poetry collection, which inspired the famous 'Cats' musical, Mungo Jerry was certainly an odd group of musicians. The British rock band was definitely a one-hit-wonder, but it was an extremely successful hit. Their 1070's single, "In the Summertime," remains one of the top singles in music chart history.
Not only that, but the song has also become a staple for films and TV commercials around the world. And why wouldn't it be? You'd be hard-pressed to find a more happy-go-lucky song. The frontman's hairdo aside, we love everything about this band!
"Layla" by Derek and the Dominos
OK, so Eric Clapton is definitely not a one-hit-wonder, but his band Derek and the Dominos kind of were. Their 1971 hit single "Layla" was released on an album titled 'Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs,' which pretty much says it all.
A fun little fact that many people probably don't know is that "Layla" was a song written by Clapton about his unrequited feelings of love for a woman that was the then-wife of The Beatles George Harrison! And Clapton was one of his best friends back then. Even though Clapton went on to have a massively successful career, this single was Derek and the Dominos' only claim to fame.