#OneHitWondered

YouTube video by Carl F. Trinidad Sister Janet Mead - The Lord's Prayer [HQ Stereo] [1973]

So yeah, one of the most unlikely US #Top40 hits ever was a rock arrangement of the Lord’s Prayer by an Australian Catholic nun... but Sister Janet Mead decided to stay focused on teaching and service rather than chasing pop celebrity. #SisterJanetMead #OneHitWondered

YouTube video by OneHitWondered The Singing Nun - Dominique

Sister Janet Mead was not the first nun to earn US #OneHitWonder honors… That honor belongs to the Singing Nun, Belgian Catholic singer/songwriter Jeanne Deckers, whose "Dominique" topped the US #Billboard #Top40 for four weeks in 1963. #OneHitWondered #MusicSky

YouTube video by Johnny Burnz Elvis - How Great Thou Art (1972)

Sister Janet Mead’s single was a Worldwide hit… It was also the first Australian single to sell over a million copies in the US. The success earned her a 1975 Grammy nod for Best Inspirational Performance… but she lost to the King. She did donate all her royalties to charity. #OneHitWondered

YouTube video by Windbird Music TV Sister Janet Mead - Brother Sun and Sister Moon (1973)

Sister Janet Mead’s big break was actually an accident. She recorded a cover of Donovan’s "Brother Sun, Sister Moon" as an A-side. Her rock arrangement of "The Lord’s Prayer" was slapped on the B-side, but DJs flipped the 45… The world went wild. Haven’t we heard that one before? 🤣 #OneHitWondered

Sister Janet Mead in the Studio

St. Francis Xavier’s Cathedral in Adelaide, Australia

Sister Janet was pushing church music in a different direction... Based in Adelaide, Australia, she was a music teacher who wanted to make church more engaging for kids. Her ‘Rock Masses’ at St. Francis Xavier’s Cathedral mixed traditional liturgy with contemporary music. #OneHitWondered

YouTube video by OneHitWondered Sister Janet Mead - The Lord's Prayer

The week ending March 9, 1974, Australian Catholic nun Sister Janet Mead earned US #OneHitWonder honors when her surprise Worldwide pop-rock hit “The Lord’s Prayer” entered the US #Billboard #Top40 at #31. It spent 11 weeks on the chart, peaking at #4. #SisterJanetMead #OneHitWondered #MusicSky

YouTube video by VHS Commercials Party of Five VHS trailer 1998

“Closer to Free” was released in 1993, but became iconic as the 1994 US TV show ‘Party of Five’ theme song in 1994. The song was re-released in 1996 and became the band’s only US #Billboard #Top40 hit. #BoDeans #PartyOfFive #CloserToFree #OneHitWondered #MusicSky

YouTube video by Screen Bites I Am a Man Of Constant Sorrow | O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000) | Screen Bites

From the legendary soundtracks of O Brother, Where Art Thou? to his iconic work with Robert Plant, Alison Krauss, & Elton John, GRAMMY Award winner T Bone Burnett remains the pillar of the Americana sound. He was also Bob Dylan’s guitarist in the ‘70s… TBoneBurnett #OneHitWondered

Early photo of T Bone Burnett

The BoDeans are one of the best-known acts to come out of the Milwaukee-area scene, mixing roots/heartland rock with some alternative attitude… They broke through in the mid-1980s with their 1986 debut Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams, produced by the legendary T Bone Burnett. #BoDeans #OneHitWondered

YouTube video by OneHitWondered BoDeans - Closer To Free

The pride of Waukesha, Wisconsin… roots/alt-rock group BoDeans earned US #OneHitWonder honors the week ending March 9, 1996, when their heartland jangle-poppin’ “Closer To Free” entered the US #Billboard #Top40 at #35. It spent 15 weeks on the chart, peaking at #16 #BoDeans #OneHitWondered #MusicSky

YouTube video by Spirit - Topic Mr. Skin

I agree. Mr. Skin is a fantastic track. It was named for drummer/step-father Ed Cassidy’s shaved-head vibe... attitude with a tight-ass groove.

B&W portrait of Randy California created using Dall-E

Randy California drowned while swimming off the island of Molokai with his 12-year-old son, Quinn. A strong rip current began pulling them away from shore. Randy managed to push his son out of the current but was dragged under. He was 43.

Randy California
February 20, 1951 ~ January 2, 1997

YouTube video by Rick Beato LED ZEPPELIN vs SPIRIT Lawsuit | Stairway To Heaven Comparison

After some appearances in ‘68 - ‘69 with Led Zeppelin, Spirit was surprised, in 1971, when Led Zeppelin released a song that had some guitar that seemed quite familiar. Youtube’s Rick Beato has a video about the controversy. #Spirit #LedZeppelin #OneHitWondered

YouTube video by TopPop Jay Ferguson - Thunder Island • TopPop

Did the name Jay Ferguson jump out at you? When Jo Jo Gunne disbanded in 1974, he went solo… He had himself a couple of US #Billboard #Top40 hits. Most notably, his biggest success was 1978’s “Thunder Island,” which climbed all the way to #9. #JayFerguson #OneHitWondered

YouTube video by OneHitWondered Jo Jo Gunne - Run Run Run

The week ending April 15, 1972, LA rock group Jo Jo Gunne earned US #OneHitWonder honors when their piano-driven rock classic “Run Run Run” entered the US #Billboard #Top40 at #40. The single spent 6 weeks on the chart, peaking at #27. #JoJoGunne #JayFerguson #MarkAndes #OneHitWondered

YouTube video by Spirit Legacy Prelude Nothin To Hide

By the time they released their critically acclaimed masterpiece, 1970’s Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus, internal trauma and tension were high. Shortly after its release, key songwriters Jay Ferguson & Mark Andes left to form Jo Jo Gunne. #JoJoGunne #JayFerguson #MarkAndes #OneHitWondered

YouTube video by Warner Bros. Rewind Woodstock - Original Theatrical Trailer

In a huge oopsie, Spirit famously turned down an invite to play at Woodstock in 1969 on the advice of their manager. Missing this massive cultural platform probably cost ‘em a ‘breakout’ mainstream moment that catapulted other acts to stardom. #Spirit #Woodstock #OneHitWondered

Spirit is celebrated by critics as one of the most innovative bands of the late 1960s… but their complex blend of rock, jazz, folk, and classical influences, which made them a favorite for emerging FM ‘underground’ radio, made their songs too experimental for AM #Top40 radio. #OneHitWondered

Spirit

Jimi left for London, and Randy California went back to LA and formed Spirit with jazz drummer Jack Cassidy (his stepfather ), vocalist/percussionist Jay Ferguson, bassist Mark Andes, & keyboardist John Locke… #Spirit #OneHitWondered

YouTube video by OneHitWondered Jimi Hendrix Experience - All Along The Watchtower

Legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix became, possibly, the unlikeliest of US #OneHitWonder honorees in 1968. “All Along The Watchtower” by the Jimi Hendrix Experience, written by Bob Dylan, spent 8 weeks on the US #Billboard #Top40, peaking at #20. #JimiHendrix #BobDylan #OneHitWondered

Jimi Hendrix

Randy California

Randy Craig Wolfe moved to NYC when he was 15… He joined Jimmy James & the Blue Flames as rhythm guitarist and was given the name Randy California by the band’s leader (to distinguish him from another ‘Randy’)… Jimmy James would soon change his own name to Jimi Hendrix. #OneHitWondered

YouTube video by Virginia Casale I got a line on you - SPIRIT

One of the most inventive bands of the ‘60s LA scene, Spirit were a pioneering art-rock group blending psychedelic rock, jazz, and some prog curiosity. Their commercial peak came in late 1968 with "I Got a Line on You," written by 17-year-old guitarist Randy California. #Spirit #OneHitWondered

YouTube video by OneHitWondered Spirit - I Got A Line On You

The week ending March 8, 1969, the high-energy psychedelic/hard rockin’ LA group Spirit earned US #OneHitWonder honors when their Randy California-penned “I Got A Line On You” entered the US #Billboard #Top40 at #37. The single spent 5 weeks on the chart, peaking at #25. #Spirit #OneHitWondered

YouTube video by Asher Roth - Topic Greta

Asher Roth took a sharp turn toward more artistic, independent projects… but remains active. Recently released projects like 2024’s Temporary Heaven prove that there’s a long, fulfilling career to be had even after the ‘one-hit wonder’ spotlight fades. #AsherRoth #OneHitWondered

Asher Roth

Asher Roth burst onto the scene in 2009 with "I Love College." Signed by Scooter Braun & Steve Rifkind in a Universal Motown venture, Roth became the face of a new, relatable collegiate hip-hop subgenre… The debut single was an immediate smash. and became an anthem for frat-boy life. #OneHitWondered

YouTube video by OneHitWondered Asher Roth - I Love College

The week ending March 7, 2009, Pennsylvania rapper Asher Roth earned US #OneHitWonder honors when his debut single “I Love College” entered the US #Billboard #Top40 at #28. The frat-rap classic spent 11 weeks on the chart, peaking at #12. #AsherRoth #ILoveCollege #OneHitWondered

YouTube video by Cornerstone Television Network How Kathy Troccoli came to faith | Today's Nashville

Even after touching the pop chart, Kathy Troccoli never ditched her faith. Through the ’90s/’00s, Troccoli kept making impactful Christian music that leaned into inspiration… while talking openly about life and belief. #KathyTroccoli #OneHitWondered

Legendary songwriter Diane Warren

Noted pop producer Ric Wake

Kathy Troccoli's work with Taylor Dayne/producer Ric Wake directly paved the way for her mainstream breakthrough. Diane Warren originally wrote "Everything Changes" for Taylor Dayne… after Dayne declined, the song was given to Troccoli. Ric Wake also produced. #DianeWarren #RicWake #OneHitWondered

YouTube video by TaylorDayneVEVO Taylor Dayne - I'll Be Your Shelter (Official Video)

After a 5-year hiatus from the music biz, Kathy Troccoli was brought in to provide backing vocals on Taylor Dayne’s 1990 Top 10 hit “I’ll Be Your Shelter,” written by Diane Warren and produced by noted pop producer Ric Wake. #DianeWarren #RicWake #KathyTroccoli #OneHitWondered

Kathy Troccoli promo photo

Kathy Troccoli is one of the most distinctive voices to come out of contemporary Christian music (CCM). Over a career spanning decades, she’s blended gospel roots and inspirational adult contemporary pop into songs that reached both church audiences & mainstream radio. #KathyTroccoli #OneHitWondered