One Hit Wonders of the UK

John D. Loudermilk – The Language Of Love 01/1962

Iain Gregory – Can’t You Hear The Beat Of A Broken Heart 01/1962

Phil McLean – Small Sad Sam 01/1962

Danny Peppermint & The Jumping Jacks – Peppermint Twist 01/1962

Joey Dee & The Starliters – Peppermint Twist 02/1962

Johnny Spence – Theme From ‘Dr Kildare’ 03/1962

Johnny Keating – Theme From ‘Z Cars’ 03/1962

Don Charles – Walk With Me My Angel 02/1962

B Bumble And The Stingers – Nut Rocker 04/1962

Ketty Lester – Love Letters 04/1962

Patti Lynn – Johnny Angel 05/1962

Wendy Richard with Mike Sarne – Come Outside 05/1962

Norman Vaughan – Swinging In The Rain 05/1962

Walter Brennan – Old Rivers 07/1962

Emilio Pericoli – Al Di La 07/1962

Louise Cordet – I’m Just A Baby 07/1962

George Shearing with Nat King Cole – Let There Be Love 07/1962

Clyde Valley Stompers – Peter And The Wolf 08/1962

Susan Maughan – Bobby’s Girl 10/1962

Charlie Bryd with Stan Getz – Desafinado 11/1962

Peter Jay And The Jaywalkers – Can Can ‘62 11/1962

Ray Ellington – The Madison 11/1962

Listen to: B Bumble And The Stingers – Nut Rocker

As soon as that slightly tinny piano rings out, you know you’re in for a good time, albeit, brief. A nice story behind it to; the BBC had to review it, as they had a policy of banning songs that parodied classical music, but ultimately decided it wouldn’t offend a reasonable person and then it goes on to reach the dizzying heights of Number 1! “Nut Rocker” was re-issued ten years later but didn’t make it as far. There’s not much else to say about this year. Stan Getz appears here and as he is a two hit wonder and you’ll see him again but not Charlie Bryd.

Maurice Williams And The Zodiacs – Stay 01/1961

Rhet Stoller – Chariot 01/1961

Danny Rivers – Can’t You Hear My Heart 01/1961

Ramrods – Riders In The Sky 03/1961

String-A-Longs – Wheels 03/1961

Buzz Clifford – Baby Sittin’ Boogie 03/1961

Ferrante And Teicher – Theme From Exodus 03/1961

Semprini – Theme From Exodus 03/1961

Krew-Kats – Trambone 03/1961

Nero And The Gladiators – Entry Of The Gladiators 03/1961

Marcels – Blue Moon 04/1961

Kokomo – Asia Minor 04/1961

Ernie K-Doe – Mother-In-Law 05/1961

Linda Scott – I’ve Told Every Little Star 05/1961

Adam Wade – Take Good Care Of Her 06/1961

Al Caiola – Theme From ‘The Magnificent Seven’ 06/1961

Tommy Cooper – Don’t Jump Off The Roof Dad 07/1961

Fireballs – Quite A Party 08/1961

Bobby Angelo And The Tuxedos – Baby Sittin’ 08/1961

Don Gibson – Sea Of Heartbreak 09/1961

Highwaymen – Michael 09/1961

Cleo Laine – You’ll Answer To Me 09/1961

Odetta with Harry Belafonte – Hole In The Bucket 09/1961

Ral Donner – You Don’t Know What You Got (Until You Lose It) 09/1961

Laurie Johnson Orchestra – Sucu Sucu 10/1961

Ted Heath Orchestra – Sucu Sucu 10/1961

Hayley Mills – Let’s Get Together 10/1961

Dick And Deedee – The Mountain’s High 11/1961

Troy Shondell – This Time 11/1961

Jimmy Crawford – I Love How You Love Me 11/1961

The Lettermen – The Way You Look Tonight 11/1961

Dale Sisters – My Sunday Baby 11/1961

G-Clefs – I Understand 12/1961

Dorothy Provine – Don’t Bring Lulu 12/1961

Rose Brennan – Tall Dark Stranger 12/1961

Mrs. Mills – Mrs. Medley 12/1961

Tokens – The Lion Sleeps Tonight 12/1961

Ricky Steves – I Cried For You 12/1961

Listen to: Maurice Williams And The Zodiacs – Stay

Songs are funny things. “Stay” is a mere one minute and thirty nine seconds (not the shortest ever, Jack Black holds the title at 34 seconds) but it’s so recognisable and such strong writing that it genuinely doesn’t feel like that. Jackson Browne would go on to reach number 12 in the UK charts with his version of “Stay” in 1978 but that brings up another trend. Some songs are One Hit Wonder magnets. Later in the years to come, artists will cover other one hitters and they themselves only make it to the top 40 once. Cursed songs? Maybe. We also will see a rise in comedians playing the game. Most have a string of hits but others, strike lucky just the once. Tommy Cooper’s “Don’t Jump Off The Roof Dad” is actually quite funny, not only in subject matter but just his sheer charisma and his laugh puts a smile on my face every time. And for anyone who noticed, a good Wembube to you.

Little Tony – Too Good 01/1960

Bill Forbes – Too Young 01/1960

Toni Fisher – The Big Hurt 02/1960

Percy Faith – Theme From ‘A Summer Place’ 03/1960

Bryan Johnson – Looking High High High 03/1960

England Sisters – Heartbeat 03/1960

Mark Dinning – Teen Angel 03/1960

Shaye Cogan – Mean To Me 03/1960

Jacqueline Boyer – Tom Pillibi 05/1960

Eddie Byrnes with Connie Stevens – Kookie, Kookie (Lend Me Your Comb) 05/1960

Keith Kelly – Tease Me 05/1960

Flee-Rekkers – Green Jeans 05/1960

Billy Bland – Let The Little Girl Dance 05/1960

Bob Azzam And His Orchestra – Mustapha 06/1960

Dave Sampson – Sweet Dreams 05/1960

Michael Cox – Angela Jones 06/1960

Sammy Masters – Rocking Red Wing 06/1960

Dick Jordan – Little Christine 06/1960

Anita Bryant – Paper Roses 06/1960

Buddy Greco – The Lady Is A Tramp 07/1960

Hollywood Argyles – Alley Oop 07/1960

Jan And Kjeld – Banjo Boy 07/1960

Tommy Sands – The Old Oaken Bucket 08/1960

Rusty Draper – Mule Skinner Blues 08/1960

Ricky Valance – Tell Laura I Love Her 08/1960

Nelson Keene – Image Of Girl 08/1960

Fendermen – Mule Skinner Blues 08/1960

Bob Luman – Let’s Think About Living 09/1960

Don Costa And His Orchestra – Never On A Sunday 10/1960

Makadopoulos And His Greek Serenaders – Never On A Sunday 10/1960

Lynn Cornell – Never On A Sunday 10/1960

Edith Piaf – Milord 05/1960

Bill Black’s Combo – Don’t Be Cruel 11/1960

Max Harris – Gurney Slade 12/1960

Frank D’rone – Strawberry Blonde 12/1960

Roy Castle – Little White Berry 12/1960

Listen to: Flee-Rekkers – Green Jeans

In amongst the love ballads and teen angst of the year’s one hitters, is a rockin’ & jazzy version of “Greensleeves” renamed “Green Jeans” by Joe Meek produced group The Flee-Rekkers. It’s a fun little ditty in sea woeful crooning about dying for your one true love. So much so was the melodrama, that Bob Luman’s “Let’s Think About Living” lampoons the trope, riling against the likes of “Teen Angel” and “Tell Laura I Love Her”. Elsewhere, more covers, (three Never On A Sunday’s??) and Edith Piaf with “Milord” which is wild considering that “Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien”, arguably her most well known, was recorded and released this year as well. But on the plus side, I get to make a Simpson’s reference.

The theeeeeeeme from a summer plaaaaaaaace from a summer plaaaaaace the theme from a suuuuuuumer place it’s the theeeeeeeme

Big Bopper – Chantilly Ace 01/1959

Rosemary June – I’ll Be With You In Apple Blossom Time 01/1959

Slim Dusty – A Pub With No Beer 02/1959

Michael Flanders – Little Drummer Boy 03/1959

Reg Owen – Manhattan Spiritual 03/1959

Ritchie Valens – Donna 03/1959

Stonewall Jackson – Waterloo 07/1959

Hugo And Luigi – La Plume De Ma Tante 07/1959

The Chipmunks with David Seville – Ragtime Cowboy Joe 07/1959

The Impalas – Sorry (I Ran All The Way Home) 08/1959

Jerry Keller – Here Comes Summer 09/1959

Ray Peterson – The Wonder Of You 09/1959

Browns – The Three Bells 09/1959

Monty Sunshine with Chris Barber – Lonesome 10/1959

Les Compagnons De La Chanson – The Three Bells 10/1959

Floyd Robinson – Makin’ Love 10/1959

Santo And Johnny – Sleep Walk 10/1959

Dickie Pride – Primrose Lane 11/1959

David MacBeth – Mr Blue 11/1959

Ivo Robic – Morgen 11/1959

Sammy Turner – Always 11/1959

Wink Martindale – Deck Of Cards 12/1959

Stevie Marsh – If You Were The Only Boy In The World 12/1959

Elmer Bernstein – Staccato’s Theme 12/1959

Ernie Fields And His Orchestra – In The Mood 12/1959

Listen to: Santo And Johnny – Sleep Walk

During this first decade of the UK charts, every one hit wonder I listen to was either completely new to me or an established classic that I could either name the artist, the title or sometimes both. All but one. What a lovely surprise and odd experience to happen upon “Sleep Walk” as a song that was familiar yet not. That I’d heard before but couldn’t place. I’ve since come to find out that it’s very much a “Tik Tok Sound” and has been used in the background in many videos up to this date. The achingly beautiful steel guitar that tells more than an instrumental is supposed to; it’s really good stuff. On another note, I was shocked to discover that The Chipmunks have only ever had one top 40 song. David Seville had charted in May of the last year with “Witch Doctor” but this isn’t Two Hit Wonders so enough about him.

Bill Justis – Raunchy 01/1958

Marion Ryan – Love Me Forever 01/1958

The Four Esquires – Love Me Forever 02/1958

Louis Prima – Buona Sera 02/1958

Moe Koffman Quartette – Swingin’ Shepherd Blues 04/1958

The Champs – Tequila 04/1958

Elias And His Zigzag Jive Flutes – Tom Hark 05/1958

Sheb Wooley – The Purple People Eater 06/1958

Renato Carosone And His Sextet – Torero-Cha Cha Cha 07/1958

Valerie Carr – When The Boys Talk About The Girls 07/1958

Julius Larosa – Torero 07/1958

Kalin Twins – When 07/1958

Elegants – Little Star 10/1958

Jodie Sands – Someday (You’ll Want Me To Want You) 10/1958

Robin Luke – Susie Darlin’ 10/1958

Tommy Dorsey Orchestra Starring Warren Covington – Tea For Two Cha Cha Cha 10/1958

Bobby Day – Rockin’ Robin 11/1958

Cozy Cole – Topsy (Parts 1 And 2) 12/1958

The Teddy Bears – To Know Him Is To Love Him 12/1958

Listen to: The Champs – Tequila

What a tune. A hook you could start chanting football game and get everyone to join in. The easiest karaoke song there is. And it seems that it was lightening in a bottle too. Just two years later, The Champs released a sequel called “Too Much Tequila” that charted at number 49 for one week. It just doesn’t hit like the original does. Interesting to see Louis Prima here as he would go on to star and perform in Disney’s The Jungle Book but it looks like they didn’t originally put out “I Wan’na Be Like You” as a single. Sheb Wooley might the only person ever to choose Sheb as a shorten version of Shelby but his certain not last person to write a stupid joke song that they hate and accidentally becomes what people know you for. And apologies to Mr Bobby Day, around the time you recorded this, a singer named Michael Jackson was being born. He did a cover of your song and it’s ultimately the only version for me. Sorry.

Joe Valino – The Garden Of Eden 01/1957

Jerry Lewis – Rock-A-Bye Your Baby 02/1957

Julie London – Cry Me A River 04/1957

Buddy Knox – Party Doll 05/1957

The Diamonds – Little Darlin’ 06/1957

Jeri Southern – Fire Down Below 06/1957

Leroy Anderson And His Pops Concert Orchestra – Forgotten Dreams 07/1957

Sal Mineo – Start Movin’ (In My Direction) 07/1957

Billy Williams – I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter 08/1957

Debbie Reynolds – Tammy 09/1957

Millard Thomas with Harry Belafonte – Scarlet Ribbons 09/1957

Laurie London – He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands 11/1957

The Shepherd Sisters – Alone 11/1957

Marie Adams with Johnny Otis And His Orchestra – Ma He’s Making Eyes At Me 11/1957

The Southlanders – Alone 11/1957

Actors, by their very nature, are usually recording artists. Which will explain the names that we see this year, in previous years and going forward. We’ve already had Judy Garland and Jane Wyman but now we can add Debbie Reynolds (Carrie Fisher’s Mum) and Jerry Lewis (the original Nutty Professor) to the roster. But that’s not the case for Julie London. She’s adept at both having an illustrious career behind microphone and in front of the camera. The best of the bunch is Cry Me A River and it’s genuinely puzzling why she could never replicate it’s success.

Eve Boswell – Pickin’ A Chicken 01/1956

Bill Hayes – The Ballad Of Davy Crockett 01/1956

Edna Savage – Arriverderci Darling 01/1956

Eamonn Andrews – The Shifting Whispering Sands 01/1956

Lou Busch – Zambesi 02/1956

Dreamweavers – It’s Almost Tomorrow 02/1956

Don Cherry – Band Of Gold 02/1956

Dick Hyman Trio – Theme From ‘The Threepenny Opera’ 03/1956

Alfi And Harry – The Trouble With Harry 03/1956

Billy May – Main Title Theme From ‘Man With The Golden Arm’ 05/1956

Don Robertson – The Happy Whistler 05/1956

Carl Perkins – Blue Suede Shoes 05/1956

Three Kayes – Ivory Tower 05/1956

Morris Stoloff – Moonglow And The Theme From ‘Picnic’ 06/1956

Desmond Lane with Cyril Stapleton Orchestra – The Happy Whistler 06/1956

Tex Ritter – The Wayward Wind 06/1956

Gogi Grant – The Wayward Wind 07/1956

Joe ‘Fingers’ Carr – Portuguese Washerwoman 07/1956

Humphrey Lyttelton Band – Bad Penny Blues 07/1956

Clyde McPhatter – Treasure Of Love 08/1956

Frank Cordell – Sadie’s Shawl 08/1956

David Hughes – By The Fountains Of Rome 09/1956

Freddie Bell And The Bellboys – Giddy-Up-A-Ding-Dong 10/1956

George Melachrino Orchestra – Autumn Concerto 10/1956

Tony Crombie And His Rockets – Teach You To Rock 10/1956

Jim Lowe And The High Fives – The Green Door 11/1956

Grace Kelly with Bing Crosby – True Love 11/1956

Deep River Boys – That’s Right 12/1956

Vince Martin And The Tarriers – Cindy, Oh Cindy 12/1956

Listen to: Carl Perkins – Blue Suede Shoes

I started making this whole list to find songs I would like to add to my playlist (see About section), and here is the first song I would wholeheartedly recommend. Perkins wrote and recorded Blue Suede Shoes at the tail end of ’55 and it was released in the following January. Elvis released his version in August. It’s a great song regardless and I am kind of glad that ‘Boppin’ The Blues’ or ‘Dixie Fried’ seemed to have never made it over to us, if only to be able to deem it a truly great One Hit Wonder. The only other titbit I have about this year’s chart is the starting horn riff on ‘Theme from Man With The Golden Arm’ were later stolen repurposed sampled for the Etta James cover of ‘I Just Want To Make Love To You’.

Suzi Millier And The Johnston Brothers – Happy Days And Lonely NIghts 01/1955

Ames Brothers – The Naughty Lady Of Shady Lane 02/1955

My back was a little sore after the pat I gave it for knowing Bluebell Polka on sight alone. If you have ever been to a Ceilidh or have ever been forced to practice Highland Dancing as a child, you’ll have probably heard Jimmy Shand and his band’s jaunty tune in the past. And we can also see a trend that will continue to grow, cover songs. The film, “Unchained Melody” only came out in January and yet obviously the public went mad for the song of the same name. The Righteous Brothers wouldn’t record their version for another ten years (the best iteration) so I guess it makes sense to give a go. Also, that Singing Dogs song is just dogs singing.

Obernkirchen Children’s Choir – The Happy Wanderer 01/1954

Bonnie Lou – Tennessee Wig Walk 02/1954

Jose Ferrer with Rosemary Clooney – Man/Woman 02/1954

Duke Ellington – Skin Deep 03/1954

Four Knights – (Oh Baby Mine) I Get So Lonely 06/1954

Kitty Kallen – Little Things Mean A Lot 07/1954

Anthony Steel And The Radio Revellers – West Of Zanzibar 09/1954

Ronnie Harris – The Story Of Tina 09/1954

Billie Anthony – This Ole House 10/1954

Norman Brooks – A Sky Blue Shirt And A Rainbow Tie 11/1954

Charlie Kunz – Piano Medley No 114 12/1954

Duke Ellington is the first name I fully recognised as I started this list. It sort of makes sense, a lot of his best work is from the 1930’s and 40’s but he kept on putting out albums until his death in 1974! Not one re-issue? You’ll also see ‘West Of Zanzibar’ on the list. The first of weirdly many African inspired one hit wonders.

Mills Brothers – The Glow Worm 01/1953

Art And Dotty Todd – Broken Wings 02/1953

Danny Kaye – Wonderful Copenhagen 03/1953

Buddy Morrow – Night Train 03/1953

Patti Page – (How Much Is) That Doggie In The Window 04/1953

Muriel Smith – Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me 05/1953

Sally Sweetland with Eddie Fisher – I’m Walking Behind You 05/1953

Vivian Blaine – Bushel And A Peck 07/1953

Gisele MacKenzie – Seven Lonely Days 07/1953

June Hutton And Axel Stordahl – Say You’re Mine Again 08/1953

Diana Decker – Poppa Piccolino 10/1953

Les Paul & Mary Ford – Vaya Con Dios 11/1953

Ray Anthony & His Orchestra – Dragnet 12/1953

The first full year of the charts. I was a little taken a back as to how many ‘children’s songs’ actually charted in the early days. Patti Page’s version has barks and all. Did you ever see Demolition Man? That’s what it reminds me of. Further down you’ll see Les Paul (yes, that Les Paul) and I was expecting a rocking little number but it’s actually more like a lullaby.