The Best Songs List of 1-hit wonders during the decade of the sixties would probably all have been top 10 tunes if it weren't for the British Invasion and Motown appearing on the scene. I can remember buying many a 45-RPM record that was performed by an artist that disappeared overnight, but had a great sound to it.
In the early 1960's, the Fenderman had a tune that sounded more like it was sung by the yodelling country singer Slim Whitman. It was called "Mule Skinner Blues" and was followed up by many more memorable 1-hit wonder tunes in the early and mid sixties.
1964
"Rip Van Winkle" by the Devotions. This song included the sound effects of chipmunks bowling
"(Just Like) Romeo and Juliet" by the Reflections
1965
"You've Got to Hide Your Love Away" - the Silkie was England's answer to Peter,Paul and Mary
"Goldfinger" by Shirley Bassey was the title song to the 1st James Bond movie starring Sean Connery
1966
"Winchester Cathedral" by the New Vaudeville Band This was A novelty song that had a megaphone quality to it (circa 1920s).
"They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Ha" by Napoleon XIV. This song became an instant hit on the American airwaves when it was released. Ir was supposed to be a bizarre depiction of mental illness, however, was soon banned from the New York airwaves.
Some late sixties tunes were:
1967
"Come On Down to My Boat Baby" by Every Mother's Son had sort of a weird sounding combination of a psychedelic tune and Beach Boys tune.
"For What It's Worth" by Buffalo Springfield, who was an early folk-rock group that included Neil Young and Stephen Stills from the well known 70's group CSNY.
"Green Tambourine" by the Lemon Pipers was a psychedelic and bubblegum music sounding tune.
"Expressway to Your Heart" by the Soul Survivors was an early Philadelphia blue eyed soul sound.
"Judy in Disguise" (With Glasses) by John Fred & His Playboy band
"Friday on My Mind" by the Easybeats was my all-time favorite one hit wonder. The Easybeats were a rock and roll band from Australia. This tune was an upbeat anthem to all people who work a JOB. The songs famous line was "Monday -- I Have Friday on My Mind"
1968
"Journey to the Center of the Mind" by the Amboy Dukes, was an early band of Ted Nugent
"Reach Out Of the Darkness" by Friend and Lover had a line that reflected the times.
"I think it's so groovy now That people are finally getting together"
"MacArthur Park" by Richard Harris was the first song greater than 6 minutes played on top 10 radio in NY. It was remade by Donna Summer as a disco hit during the seventies.
"In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" by the psychedelic band Iron Butterfly, was a 17 minute hit song
"Pictures of Matchstick Men" by the Status Quo was another psychedelic tune
"You Keep Me Hangin' On" - An original tune by the Supremes redone here by the psychedelic/hard-rock band The Vanilla Fudge.
"Angel of the Morning" by Merrilee Rush Rush
"My Pledge Of Love" by Joe Jeffrey Group
"Fire" by the Crazy World of Arthur Brown
1969
"Gimme Gimme Good Lovin'" by Crazy Elephant was one of my favorite 45 RPM records.
I still remember the upbeat lyrics:
From Atlanta, Georgia
To the Gulf Stream water
To Californ-i-a
I'm gonna spend my life
Both night and day
Say gimme, gimme good lovin' every night
Hey you know it's alright child
Gimme, gimme good lovin' make it alright
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha
"Baby It's You" by Smith
"Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye" by Steam. These lyrics are usually chanted by home fans at sports venues when the visiting team is performing poorly
"More Today Than Yesterday" by the Spiral Staircase was recently remade and sung by Diana Ross
Smile A Little Smile For Me by Flying Machine
Something in the Air by Thunderclap Newman
This Best Songs List of 1-hit wonders from the sixties put the term "1-hit wonder" on the map for the first time.
