3 Two-Hit Wonder, Foreign-Born Bands that Ruled the 1970s

It’s darn near impossible to write a hit song. To create a track that rockets up the charts and becomes a crowd-pleaser. If it was easy, we all would do it. But few ever have. That number of hit songwriters gets even shorter, though, when it comes to musicians or groups that have written two hit tunes. To be a two-hit wonder? Almost unheard of!

Here below, we wanted to explore three bands that pulled off the feat in the 1970s. Three groups that wrote not one but two celebrated tracks in the decade. Indeed, these are three two-hit wonder bands that ruled the 1970s.

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

Blue Swede: “Hooked on a Feeling” and “Never My Love” from Hooked on a Feeling (1974)

This band from Stockholm, Sweden, released two hit tracks in the 1970s—the first many know (and can sing the chorus word for word) and the other is a bit lesser known. But they are both cover songs. “Hooked on a Feeling” was first released by B.J. Thomas in 1968. And “Never My Love” was first cut by The Association in 1967. But the Swedish group made both their own, from Ooo-ga-chucka to disco stylings. The former hit No. 1 in the U.S. and the latter hit No. 7.

Maxine Nightingale: “Right Back Where We Started From” from Right Back Where We Started From (1975) and “Lead Me On” from Lead Me On (1978)

The British-born singer released two hit songs in the 1970s. “Right Back Where We Started From,” which hit No. 1 in the U.S., is a speedy disco classic. But “Lead Me On” is a heartfelt, romantic, beseeching ballad. On both, Nightingale’s voice soars and sticks to your heart. She knows how to find your eardrum and beat it in a rhythm that you can’t ignore. As tasty as a cocktail and as satisfying as a night out with friends, she is a classic performer.

Silver Convention: “Fly, Robin, Fly” from Save Me (1975) and “Get Up and Boogie” from Get Up and Boogie (1976)

This German-born group offered their two hits during the decade with pizzazz. “Fly, Robin, Fly,” which hit No. 1 in the U.S., is a soulful disco song that combines pop with soul for a track that lives in your gut. And “Get Up and Boogie,” which hit No. 2 in the U.S., carried on the band’s success. Using stick strings and gang vocals, the disco tracks supplied the party and the music from your brain to soar on over a night out.

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