Exploring Unforgettable One-Hit Wonders: Musical Gems from the 60s and 70s

 Carl Douglas, "Kung Fu Fighting"

Step into the musical time machine and embark on a whimsical adventure through the fantastical world of one-hit wonders of the 1960s and 1970s. From trippy psychedelic beats to funky disco rhythms, get ready to groove to the tunes that once ruled the airwaves and left an indelible mark on music culture. Join us as we uncover the stories behind these fleeting hits, celebrating the creativity and courage of artists who dared to do something different. So, grab your dancing shoes, tune in and travel back in time to rediscover the magic of these unforgettable musical oddities!

Was everyone doing kung fu fighting in the 1970s? According to Carl Douglas they were. This unique novelty song was originally a B-side to the single "I Want to Give You My Everything", but the song was not as powerful as the song about kicking a windmill in Douglas's face.

The single sold 11 million copies and became a staple of film and television, but that was all she wrote for Douglas's career as a pop star.

The Archies, 'Sugar Sugar'

"Sugar sugar. Honey honey." Can you hear it in your head right now? If so, we didn't mean to ruin your day, but our job is to remind you of these brilliant one-hit wonders. Released in 1969 by the fictional Archies, the song remained on the Hot 100 chart for 22 weeks during a time of extreme social unrest and massive musical innovations. This fictional Riverdale band continued to release singles throughout the '70s, but none of them had the impact of "Sugar Sugar."

Mountain, "Mississippi Queen"

"Mississippi Queen" might sound like a song straight out of the Skynyrd influenced world of southern rock, but it's actually performed by Mountain, a group of Long Island natives. The band came together in 1969, just in time to perform at Woodstock (talk about good timing), before scoring a #21 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1970. The group broke up after two years, proving the adage that it's best to join forces. And get out.

Roy Clark, "Yesterday When I Was Young"

Who knew that a song written from the perspective of someone on his death bed would be such a big hit? In 1969, Roy Clark's version of "Yesterday When I Was Young" reached the top of the charts in Canada and the United States. To make things even weirder, this version of the song was played at the funeral of baseball legend Mickey Mantle in 1995.

Ernie K-Doe, 'Mother-in-Law'