3 Eternal One-Hit Wonders From the 1970s That Will Never Go Out of Style

The 1970s produced so much amazing music, and a lot of those iconic tunes are technically considered one-hit wonders. Considering the sheer volume of hit music that came out during that era, it’s not entirely surprising that a few one-hit wonders (and even multi-hit artists) have since been forgotten by the mainstream. It’s a shame, really. The following three one-hit wonders from the 1970s, though, will probably never go out of style. Let’s take a look!

Videos by American Songwriter

“Spirit In The Sky” by Norman Greenbaum

Norman Greenbaum enjoyed quite a bit of success with the release of the song “Spirit In The Sky” in December of 1969. Technically, it’s a 1960s song. However, “Spirit In The Sky” has become so closely associated with the 1970s that I just had to include it here.

Today, “Spirit In The Sky” is a staple song on any boogie rock playlist. The song has made it to a few soundtracks here and there, too. Honestly, this song is so reminiscent of the onset of the 1970s, I can’t imagine it ever going out of style, especially when it comes to film or television media about that particular era.

“Video Killed The Radio Star” by The Buggles

This song is as accurate now as it was in 1979. “Video Killed The Radio Star” by The Buggles is a standard new wave and synth-pop tune that has stood the test of time. That chorus is super catchy and memorable. 

But more so, the theme of the song is what will stay relevant forever. Originally, this song was written about the ever-changing world of technology, specifically when it comes to media and the arts. Video did indeed kill the radio star in the late 1970s. In the 2020s, the fear of AI killing human art is a similar notion that is not too far off from what The Buggles were singing about decades prior.

“Rapper’s Delight” by Sugarhill Gang

When one thinks of early hip-hop, one tends to think of the 1979 hit “Rapper’s Delight” by Sugarhill Gang. This sole Top 40 hit from these 1970s one-hit wonders was the very first mainstream hip-hop hit. Truly, it’s an important song in the history of the genre. Plus, it absolutely slaps, decades after it was first released to the airwaves.

Photo by Fin Costello/Redferns

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