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One Hit Wonders: 

Here are some of the most popular one-hit wonder songs of the 1970s:

"Spirit in the Sky" by Norman Greenbaum (1970)
"In the Summertime" by Mungo Jerry (1970)
"War" by Edwin Starr (1970)
"Come and Get Your Love" by Redbone (1974)
"Rock the Boat" by The Hues Corporation (1974)
"The Night Chicago Died" by Paper Lace (1974)
"Kung Fu Fighting" by Carl Douglas (1974)
"Lovin' You" by Minnie Riperton (1975)
"Play That Funky Music" by Wild Cherry (1976)
"Afternoon Delight" by Starland Vocal Band (1976)
"Fly, Robin, Fly" by Silver Convention (1975)
"You Light Up My Life" by Debby Boone (1977)
"Disco Inferno" by The Trammps (1977)
"Baby Come Back" by Player (1977)
"Magnet and Steel" by Walter Egan (1978)

Note that some of these artists may have released other singles, but these songs are considered their only true hit.

Classic Rock History: One Hit Wonders: 

"Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye" is a song by the American group Steam. It was released in November 1969 as a single, and it became a surprise hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. The song features a simple, catchy chorus with the lyrics "Na-na, na-na-na-na, hey-hey-hey, goodbye."

The song was written and recorded by Gary DeCarlo, Dale Frashuer, and producer/writer Paul Leka, and attributed to a then-fictitious band Steam. The song was recorded in one take, and it features a prominent organ riff and a driving beat. The song was pieced together from a song the three had performed while in a previous band. Deciding it needed a chorus to make it longer, Leka improvised the "na, na, na" part while waiting for a lyrical inspiration. DeCarlo added the "hey, hey", and they decided to leave it at that. The chorus has become a chant popular at sporting events, particularly at baseball games when a pitcher is removed.

Despite its success, Steam was unable to follow up the song with another hit, and they eventually disbanded in 1970. However, "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye" has remained a popular song, and it has been covered by numerous artists over the years, including Bananarama, Donna Summer, and The Supremes. The song has also been used in various films, TV shows, and commercials, and it has become a part of popular culture.

Classic Rock History: One Hit Wonders: 

"Israelites" is a reggae song by Jamaican artist Desmond Dekker, released in October 1968. The song became a major international hit, reaching the top of the charts in the UK and several other countries.

The lyrics of the song describe the struggles and hardships faced by the Jamaican working class, particularly those living in the ghetto. The title of the song, "Israelites," is a reference to the biblical Israelites who were enslaved in Egypt and eventually freed by Moses.

The song features Dekker's distinctive vocal style, with a catchy melody and a driving ska rhythm. The horn section adds to the energetic and upbeat feel of the song.

"Israelites" is considered a classic of the ska and reggae genres and has been covered by numerous artists over the years. It has also been used in various films, TV shows, and commercials, cementing its status as a cultural touchstone.

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Classic Rock History: One Hit Wonders: 

"Evil Woman (Don't Play Your Games With Me)" is a song by the American rock band Crow, which was released in August 1969. The song was written by lead guitarist Dick Wiegand and it was included on the band's debut album, "Crow Music."

"Evil Woman" is a hard-driving rock song that features a heavy guitar riff and a powerful vocal performance by lead singer David Wagner. The song's lyrics tell the story of a man betrayed by an "evil woman" to whom he says "Wickedness lies in your moistened lips."

The song's driving beat, memorable riff, and catchy chorus have made it a favorite among fans of hard rock and heavy metal. "Evil Woman" was a commercial success, reaching #19 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. It would unfortunately be Crow's only single to break into the Top 40.

Trivia: The song was covered, also in 1969, by Black Sabbath and was released in England as the band's first-ever single. The song also appeared on the European version of the band's debut album, Black Sabbath, though it was excluded from versions released in other markets and was replaced by its B-side, "Wicked World", on the American version of the album. The song was not officially released in North America until 2002, when it was included on the compilation album Symptom of the Universe: The Original Black Sabbath 1970–1978.

Crow genealogy and discography
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Classic Rock History: One Hit Wonders: 

The Rugbys were a rock band from Louisville, Kentucky that formed in the mid-1960s. They started out playing cover songs by artists like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, but soon began writing and performing their own original material. The latter part of 1969 and all of 1970 were spent touring the midwest and northeast, playing on the same bill with artists like Bob Seger, Grand Funk Railroad, the James Gang, and many others.

In 1969, The Rugbys released their debut album, "Hot Cargo," which included their hit single "You, I." Clocking in at only 2:50, the song opens with a droning buzz-saw, feedback-laden guitar note preceding the driving main riff and bass line, moving through a distorted wah-wah guitar solo over a trippy middle section before a key change leads to its raucous climax. "You, I" reached #24 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and helped to establish The Rugbys as a nationally and internationally known recording act.

Rugbys genealogy and discography
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