3 One-Hit Wonders from the 1970s to Dance Along to

As popular music was exploding in the 1970s and new genres were bubbling up along with new bands to match the public’s love affair with the radio and vinyl, there were also a number of singular talents finding their audience. Indeed, the age of the one-hit wonder was truly solidified. And many of those offerings were lively and dance worthy.

Here below, we wanted to explore three offerings from three such one-hit wonders. A trio of tracks from groups that only had one major mainstream release but were also sure to make their one shot count. Indeed, these are three one-hit wonders from the 1970s to dance along to. So, get ready to move your feet!

[RELATED: 3 One-Hit Wonders from the 1970s Fans Can’t Stop Singing to]

“Kung Fu Fighting” by Carl Douglas from Kung Fu Fighting and Other Great Love Songs (1974)

Not only is this disco song a fun one to move your feet to, but if you want to get a little extra with the song, you can find a partner and faux fight. Throw a kick, do a roundhouse hand chop. Or just get in line with your friends and put arms around each other’s shoulders and sway your hips. While this song, which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, might not be the most politically correct song today, it certainly wasn’t written with any malice back in the 1970s. After all, it’s on an album called Kung Fu Fighting and Other Great Love Songs. And on the song, Jamaican singer Carl Douglas sings,

Everybody was kung fu fighting
Those cats were fast as lightning
In fact, it was a little bit frightening
But they fought with expert timing

“My Sharona” by The Knack from Get the Knack (1979)

Another song that hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, this lively song will get you both singing and dancing before you even realize it. The buzzy beat is perfect for shoulder swaying and the relentless vocals will get your hips going. From the Los Angeles-born band The Knack, the song was inspired by a woman named, well, Sharona. And this dance-worthy track was the cream of the crop. And on it, lead vocalist Doug Fieger belts,

Ooh, my little pretty one, pretty one
When you gonna give me some time, Sharona?
Ooh, you make my motor run, my motor run
Gun it coming off of the line, Sharona

Never gonna stop, give it up, such a dirty mind
I always get it up for the touch of the younger kind
My, my, my, I, yi, woo!
M-m-m-my Sharona

“Play that Funky Music” by Wild Cherry from Wild Cherry (1976)

What happens when you get a hard rock band to play funk music? Well, look no further than this 1976 song from Wild Cherry, which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. When the group was playing a show, a woman asked, “Are you going to play some funky music, white boys?” And one of the catchiest choruses in rock music history was born. Thanks to the percussion and the lightning-like voice of lead singer Rob Parissi, who offers,

Yeah they were dancin’ and singin’
And movin’ to the groovin’
And just when it hit me
Somebody turned around and shouted

“Play that funky music, white boy
Play that funky music right
Play that funky music, white boy
Lay down that boogie
And play that funky music ’til you die.”

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