Some might scoff at this list. Surely everyone remembers “I Believe In A Thing Called Love” by The Darkness, right? However, unless you’re a rock music diehard, these four songs might be totally unfamiliar to you. And we think these four hidden gems from the world of rock’s one-hit wonders deserve to be revisited. Let’s dive in!
Videos by American Songwriter
1. “I Believe In A Thing Called Love” by The Darkness
This 2003 jam was the 1980s glam revival nobody was expecting. “I Believe In A Thing Called Love” was particularly successful in the UK, where it peaked at no. 2 on the UK Singles chart. It didn’t quite make it to the Hot 100, but it did well in the US and throughout Europe.
Sadly, the certified platinum hit wasn’t strong enough to launch a full-blown glam rock revival. The Darkness is still together today, though.
2. “Spirit In The Sky” by Norman Greenbaum
“Spirit In The Sky” by Norman Greenbaum was film soundtrack candy when it was released back in 1969. Decades later, the song has been used in over 100 different movie soundtracks.
It’s a great psychedelic rock classic with a folk undertone, and it hit no. 1 on a wealth of US, UK, and European charts. It made it to no. 3 on the Hot 100, but Greenbaum never saw as successful of a hit again.
3. “Venus” by Shocking Blue
Another psychedelic rock hit, Shocking Blue’s 1969 track “Venus” was a no. 1 hit on the Hot 100 chart. Out of all the one-hit wonders that are hidden gems on this list, “Venus” is a particularly addicting banger. It’s been revived a few times through the years via covers and its use in Venus razor commercials.
The Dutch outfit had a few successful additional hits in their native Netherlands before they inevitably broke up, but none of their songs were as successful internationally as “Venus”.
4. “Ride Captain Ride” by Blues Image
“Ride Captain Ride” by rock band Blues Image was a huge hit in 1970. It got all the way to no. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and it peaked pretty high in Canada as well.
Despite being a certified gold hit, Blues Image never enjoyed another Top 20 hit again. It’s a real shame, because “Ride Captain Ride” (and many of the other tracks on Open) is a real jam. Blues Image broke up shortly after they scored their hit.
Photo by Roba Archive/United Archives via Getty Images
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