Are They A One-Hit Wonder?

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

Here are 2 artists who are likely considered OHW in the USA but are multi-hit artists in Canada.

1. Red Rider (later Tom Cochrane and Red Rider).
They had 10-12 top 40 hits in Canada before Tom left the band (he later returned). A relatively minor hit they had was "Lunatic Fringe". This has been played on American Rock stations and is still heard on SXM on Classic Rewind for example.

Red Rider - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

It did not crack the Top 40 in either Canada or the USA.

2. Tom Cochrane
As a solo artist, Tom also had several Canadian hits. He managed one American hit (peaked @ #6) "Life Is A Highway" which was his only American Top 40 hit. The song was #1 in Canada. He has several other Canadian Top 10 hits but no other hit of his broke the American Top 40.

Tom Cochrane - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[sadchild]

Red Rider

By the strict (unfair) definition of "technically a OHW", they are a zero hit wonder in the US.
"White Hot" #48
"Young Thing, Wild Dreams (Rock Me)" #71

Tom Cochrane

My son just walked by and pronounced this "kotch-rain".

Technically, he's a OHW
"Life Is a Highway" #6
"Washed Away" #88

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

My son just walked by and pronounced this "kotch-rain".

Show your son the name Bruce Cockburn and see what comes out. That is the correct spelling but is not pronounced as it sounds.

 

[jbnv]

Show your son the name Bruce Cockburn and see what comes out. That is the correct spelling but is not pronounced as it sounds.

I challenge you to find any American male who can say "Bruce Cockburn" without giggling.

 

[HecticArt]

It's either a giggle or a cringe.

 

[sadchild]

I'm gonna make an exception to my original rule (3 top 40s for him, not just 2) because I think this dude is definitely a OHW subjectively. VH1 called him a one-hit wonder back in 2013.

Michael Damien
#1 "Rock On"
#24 "Was It Nothing At All"
#31 "Cover Of Love"

 

[sadchild]

Will To Power
#1 "Baby I Love Your Way/Freebird"
#7 "I'm Not In Love"

I had no idea they had a second top 10 hit (another cover). I would say definitely a OHW subjectively.

 

[jbnv]

Will To Power
#1 "Baby I Love Your Way/Freebird"
#7 "I'm Not In Love"

I had no idea they had a second top 10 hit (another cover). I would say definitely a OHW subjectively.

Same issue here as with any other artist with two top 10 hits. Not actually a OHW (they had several dance-chart hits as well), but only one hit is on most people's playlists.

 

[HecticArt]

But they weren't really even their hits.
They should get half credit for each of em.

 

[jbnv]

But they weren't really even their hits.
They should get half credit for each of em.

Good point.

 

[sadchild]

Club Nouveau
#1 "Lean On Me"
#39 "Why You Treat Me So Bad"

WTF is that other hit? Listening now and I'd say they're definitely a OHW subjectively.

Interesting story about this group. Timex Social Club producer Jay King was upset when, as "Rumors" was climbing the charts, TSC still wasn't under contract and went with another record label than his. So he formed a TSC clone (originally Jet Set, soon renamed as Club Nouveau - French for 'new club') and promoted them as 'Formerly of a different club. Now a better club. The new club' (as a dig against Timex Social Club). Club Nouveau's debut single was "Jealousy", basically a photocopy of "Rumors". "Lean On Me", the big hit, was their third single.

 

[HecticArt]

I don’t remember So Bad at all.

 

[jbnv]

Speaking of Timex Social Club: I heard that they were sued by the watchmakers named Timex over trademark infringement. But there doesn't seem to be any evidence of that online.

 

[sadchild]

I always wondered about that. If anyone finds evidence of it, I'd be curious!

 

[sadchild]

Vixen
#22 "Cryin'"
#26 "Edge Of A Broken Heart"

While they are largely forgotten (does anyone under 30 - who doesn't have hair band mania in their blood - know who they are?), I think that anyone who does remember them probably remembers both songs.

 

[Aaron]

Agreed. I remember both songs, but my kid probably never heard of Vixen.

 

[sadchild]

From this week's VJ Big 40 we have...

Michael Morales
#15 "Who Do You Give Your Love To?"
#28 "What I Like About You" (yes it's a cover)

I say subjectively he's a ZERO hit wonder, long forgotten aside from people who listen to stations/podcasts/playlists specifically 80s-related.

 

[HecticArt]

I bought the Morales CD back in the day, so I never forgot his #15.
I did forget that his version of What I Like got that much airplay though.

 

[Channel98]

I nominate Love Unlimited Orchestra, a 40-piece group formed in 1972 by Barry White and led by trumpeter/arranger/conductor John Roberts. (After the orchestra broke up, Roberts became head of the music department at Centennial High School in Compton, California.) Love Unlimited Orchestra played on several recordings by Barry White and the R&B trio Love Unlimited and had a number one hit in January 1974 with Love's Theme, written by Barry White. The song originally appeared as an overture on the trio's album Under The Influence Of Love Unlimited. Love Unlimited Orchestra reached #22 in March 1975 with Satin Soul, also written by Barry White. Does anybody remember it today? I think not!

 

[sadchild]

White Lion
#3 "When The Children Cry"
#8 "Wait"

I'd say they are not subjectively a one hit wonder. I mean, a lot people probably don't know who they are, but there are probably still a fair amount of people who remember them - and both of their hits.