Over 2000 One Hit Wonder Songs!!
Last Update 05/09/16
TV & Movie One Hit Wonders
- Artist
- Elias & His Zig Zag Jive Flutes
- Year
- 1958
- Song
- Tom Hark
- Chart
- UK 2
Elias and His Zig Zag Jive Flutes was a group of tin whistle players from South Africa back in the 1950s. Their name was briefly mentioned in Europe when their song "Tom Hark" was used as a theme song for a UK's telvision series 'The Killing Stones'. It almost topped the UK chart in 1958 and was covered by many artists since. Sadly, the band gained little from this success and soon vanished from Europe's music scene.
- Artist
- Nina Simone
- Year
- 1959
- Song
- I Love You, Porgy
- Chart
- 18
Nina Simone was an American singer who had great experiences in singing varieties style of music - but she was rarely seen on Billboard pop chart. Her chance came when her rendition of "I Love You, Porgy" from the opera/film 'Porgy and Bess' gained popularity and became Top20 hit the following year. It was her only success on national chart.
- Artist
- Ray Anthony
- Year
- 1959
- Song
- Peter Gunn
- Chart
- 5
'Peter Gunn' was an American private eye TV series from the late 1950s. It was mostly remembered today for its Grammy Award theme song. It was so popular and have been covered by many artists ever since. One such artist was a jazz veteran Ray Anthony. His version of the theme song became no.5 pop hit in 1959 - and his only Top40 hit to date.
- Artist
- Max Harris
- Year
- 1960
- Song
- Gurney Slade
- Chart
- UK 11
Max Harris was a profilic British radio/ TV programmes composer-arranger since the 1950s. His most famous work was the title music for the ATV's 'The Strange World of Gurney Slade', starring Anthony Newley, which made it into Top20 on British chart in 1960 and won Ivor Novello Award. It was his only national chart hit till his death in 2004.
- Artist
- Tobin Mathews & Co.
- Year
- 1960
- Song
- Ruby Duby Du
- Chart
- 30
MGM's 'Key Witness' was a standard crime suspense film from 1960. While the film did not yield much success, its music did. Its theme "Ruby Duby Du" was later covered and became a hit. Credited to Tobin Mathews and released under the Chief & USA Records, the song became a Top40 hit in 1960 - and the only hit Tobin Mathews ever had.
- Artist
- Eddie Harris
- Year
- 1961
- Song
- Exodus
- Chart
- 36
Although many people did not watch this epic war film before, most of them should have heard its music at least once. This memorable tune has been covered by numerous artists of many different genes throughout decades. Several versions became hits in their own right. One of those was covered by a saxophoist Eddie Harris, whose jazz rendition became a Top40 hit in 1961. It was the only big hit in his career.
- Artist
- Laurie Johnson Orchestra
- Year
- 1961
- Song
- Sucu Sucu
- Chart
- UK 9
"Top Secret' was a short-lived British spy television series (starred William Franklyn, Alan Rothwell and Patrick Cargill) from the early 1960s. While the series did not live long, its theme music did. The song "Sucu Sucu", which was performed by Laurie Johnson Orchestra, unexpectedly became a big no.9 hit on British chart in 1961. It was Johnson's only big hit.
- Artist
- Emilio Pericoli
- Year
- 1962
- Song
- Al Di La'
- Chart
- 6
Rome Adventure was a 1962 romantic drama film about a young American school teacher who found her love during her trip to Rome. The film also features an Italian song "Al Di La", sung by Emilio Pericoli. It became an internationally success climbed at a no.6 on Billboard Pop chart in 1962. It was Pericoli's only success outside his homeland.
- Artist
- Valjean
- Year
- 1962
- Song
- Theme From Ben Casey
- Chart
- 28
'Ben Casey' was a popular American medical TV drama from the 1960s. The series was most recognized for its symbolic intro and song. In 1962, an American pianist Valjean recorded the cover version of the theme for his debut. The singles became a Top40 hit and led to the full album the same year. It was the only hit he has ever made.
- Artist
- Johnny Spence
- Year
- 1962
- Song
- Theme from 'Dr Kildare'
- Chart
- UK 15
Another American medical sitcoms from the early 1960s. This one was aired on NBC and starred Richard Chamberlain as a young, enthusiastic doctor. Its theme music was made famous by a British musician Johnny Spence, who took it to Top20 position on UK chart in 1962. Sadly, it turned out to be Spence's only real hit.
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