Warning! This Blog Causes Ear Worms

We all know them. They're fun to name in a game of one-upmanship trivia at your local bar. They're those ear worms that get stuck in your head and won't go away. You still hear them on the radio and have them in your iTunes collection today. Those delightful dollops of ear candy that we all know as "one-hit wonders".

The name "One-Hit Wonder" carries with it a certain element of derision, as if the band were somehow deserving of scorn because it couldn't replicate its success. But, as Fee Waybill of The Tubes (whose song "She's A Beauty" would forever cement their legacy as a one-hit wonder) once said, "It's easy to be obscure, but it's hard to have a hit."

Today is the one day of the year set aside to celebrate the songs that never cease to bring a smile to our faces. It's National One-Hit Wonder Day. To honor these wonderful one-offs, I've compiled a short list of some of my favorites. Perhaps you have those that you'd like to add to the list.

1
"All Right Now" by Free
This was the first time the voice of Paul Rodgers was heard on the radio. We would go on to hear him on many more great songs by Bad Company.
2
"Get It On (Bang A Gong)" by T. Rex
T. Rex was essentially singer/guitarist Mark Bolan who became one of the founders of Glam Rock in the 70's. The Power Station did a great remake of the song in the 80's that featured vocals by Robert Palmer.
3
"Radar Love" by Golden Earring
The opening line just sets the mood perfectly for the greatest open road song ever written. "I've been drivin' all night, my hand's wet on the wheel."
4
"Black Betty" by Ram Jam
This is one of the silliest songs ever written, and it contains one of the worst guitar solos ever recorded. But there's just something about singing "Black Betty had a child, bam-ba-lam, the damn thing gone wild" that is pure joy.
5
"Lunatic Fringe" by Red Rider
Tom Cochrane was the songwriter and lead singer of this Canadian band. He's a member of the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and an officer of the Order Of Canada. Featured in the 1985 movie "Vision Quest", this was the only "hit" Red Rider ever scored in the U.S. Cochrane would go on to have a huge solo hit with "Life Is A Highway" in 1991.

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