The Ultimate Two-Hit Wonder

[QuikSand]

With all the information available, we ought to be able to chart this out. We'll make it something of a contest -- come up with a singer/band/act who best fits the criteria as a "two hit wonder."

Here's how we'll score it:

For each song, the score is:

(11 - top US chart position with a maximum value of 11 for chart position) squared (edit: chart position means the main chart, not some subsidiary specialty chart, forgive me if I fail to get terms perfect)
PLUS
number of other countries where the song hit #1

(for our purposes, you're going to need the top three scores from your artist)

For each entry, its score equals:

Score for top-scoring song
PLUS
2X score for second top-scoring song
PLUS
4x differential in years of release of above songs
MINUS
10x score for third top-scoring song (edit: zero points minimum here, no negative values)
MINUS
(edited in after comments: 101- top US charting position for the third top-scoring song... >100 or no single = zero points here)

Post your nominations and scores in this thread. Have at it.

[QuikSand]

FWIW, I have a strong candidate for the eventual winner in mind, but have not done any research or confirm/deny yet.

[cartman]

Which US chart are we going off of? Even Billboard has had several different ones over the years.

Also, for the 3rd song, if it is outside the top ten, then it will be a negative number and thus increase the total score?

[cartman]

Lemme see if I got this.

My entry: Crowded House

Top Song: Don't Dream It's Over (1986)
US Top Charting: #2
Other Countries reached #1: 2
Score: ((11-2)*(11-2)) + 2 = 83

Second Song: Something So Strong (1986)
US Top Charting: #7
Other Countries Reached #1: 0
Score: ((11-7)*(11-7)) + 0 = 16

Third Song: World Where You Live (1986)
US Top Charting: #65
Other Countries Reached #1: 0
Score ((11-65) * (11-65)) + 0 = 2916

Band total:
83
+
(2 * 16)
+
(4 * 0)
-
(10*2916)

Total: -29045

[JonInMiddleGA]

Okay, since there's a band I always think of immediately when I hear the phrase "two-hit wonder", I'll put this out here as a way of testing this out. I can be the bad example that gets corrected to help everybody else do it right ;)

edit on the fly ... I think I see a problem here, or else I'm reading the instructions wrong.

Here are the chart positions for the three songs #10, #13, #76

The subtract from 11 & then square part of the formula (as I'm reading it) punishes them, especially for the gap on the 3rd song (but that should actually help)

Orrrrrr ... maybe I'm reading this wrong, and confusing "top scoring" with "top charting" Let's see what happens.


11-76 = (-65) squared = 4,225
11-13 = (-2) squared = 4
11-10 = 1 squared = 1

So, absent the int'l number ones, the base score here is
4,775 + 8 (2*4) - 10 (aka 1*10) = 4,781
???

edit to add: I see Cartman went with my first interpretation of this (instead of the one I showed) ... obviously one of us is confused

[B & B]

Fucking dorks.













































(snickers)

[stevew]

Is there any clarification for side projects, one offs, and cougar/cougar mellancamp/mellancamp scenarios?

[Warhammer]

Lemme see if I got this.

My entry: Crowded House

Top Song: Don't Dream It's Over (1986)
US Top Charting: #2
Other Countries reached #1: 2
Score: ((11-2)*(11-2)) + 2 = 83

Second Song: Something So Strong (1986)
US Top Charting: #7
Other Countries Reached #1: 0
Score: ((11-7)*(11-7)) + 0 = 16

Third Song: World Where You Live (1986)
US Top Charting: #65
Other Countries Reached #1: 0
Score ((11-65) * (11-65)) + 0 = 2916

Band total:
83
+
(2 * 16)
+
(4 * 0)
-
(10*2916)

Total: -29045

There's my choice... Crap

[sabotai]

I'm thinking cartman might have it right, because the 3rd song (the non-hit) will always be the "top scoring" song and I don't really see the point in measuring the years between one of the hits and the non-hit. I'm only guessing, but I think doing that would be for the purpose of giving a band extra points for having their 2 hits separated by several or more years.

Maybe I've got it wrong, but it seems to me that the points total will be decided entirely by the non-hit. Doing it the way Jon or cartman did it gives a total that's only a few points off from the non-hit's score.

Also, it would depend on what you consider the "ultimate two-hit wonder". When I first read it, I thought of a band that has had two mega-hits, but then barely reached the charts otherwise. But it could also mean a band that has had two mega-hits, and barely just missed out on their 3rd best song also being considered a hit. (IOW, the best charting two-hit wonder that just oh so barely missed out on being considered a great band overall.)

But then again, I just woke up and haven't had my coffee yet. My brain hasn't finished fully booting up yet. I think I'm missing something.

[sabotai]

My immediate thought was Spin Doctors (#7, #17, #42). I thought their two hits did better, and I never heard of the 3rd song and was surprised they charted that high with it.

[stevew]

Also, what countries are considered legitimate to contend for #1? Wiki only lists 5, for example.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I suspect Crowded House is a better example than the one I had in mind -- Golden Earring -- but I'm still curious to see how this was actually supposed to be scored.

[hoopsguy]

Naked Eyes was the band I thought of initially (Always Something There To Remind Me and Promises, Promises) but it turns out they had two other songs that touched Top 40 in the US so there must be better candidates out there.

[Grover]

I suspect Crowded House is a better example than the one I had in mind -- Golden Earring -- but I'm still curious to see how this was actually supposed to be scored.

But man those two songs are something! That was who first came into my mind as well.

[stevew]

Bonnie Tyler

1983 Total Eclipse of the Heart(#1 in US) and 8 other countries.

108

1977 Bonnie Tyler "It's a Heartache"(#3 in us and #1 in 8 countries)
2*56=112

Plus 4*6 year differential=24


Holding out for a Hero #34 in US---obviously this isn't going to beat Cartman's #60 something, but I feel like she had 2 massive hits and not much else so I think the scoring is probably off.

[cartman]

I found a more extreme example than Crowded House.

Entry #2: Suzanne Vega

Top Song: Luka (1987)
US Top Charting: #3
Other Countries reached #1: 0
Score: ((11-3)*(11-3)) + 0 = 64

Second Song: Tom's Diner (1990)
US Top Charting: #5
Other Countries Reached #1: 3
Score: ((11-5)*(11-5)) + 3 = 39

Third Song: Solitude Standing (1987)
US Top Charting: #94
Other Countries Reached #1: 0
Score ((11-94) * (11-94)) + 0 = 6889

Total:
64
+
(2 * 39)
+
(4 * 3)
-
(10*6889)

Total: -68736

[Daimyo]

Scoring system seems a little broken, but how about Tone Loc? Singles charted 2, 3, and 80.

[stevew]

I'm calling DNA featuring Susan Vega shenanigans on Cartman :)

[Ryan S]

I found a more extreme example than Crowded House.

Entry #2: Suzanne Vega

Suzanne Vega seems more like a real 2 hit wonder to me than Crowded House, probably because Crowded House were a reasonably successful band in the UK for about 10 years. They have had enough radio play here that I know the lyrics to at least two other Crowded House songs, and I am not even a fan.

[Swaggs]

Wang Chung jumped into my mind, but they apparently had another decent hit (besides Dance Hall Days and Everybody Have Fun Tonight) called "Let's Go."

[AENeuman]

Surprisingly U2 only had 2 #1: with or without and still haven't found

[Grover]

What about The Knack? My Sharona (no. 1), Good Girls Don't (no. 11)

[Warhammer]

Wow, everyone did the same google search. I was trying to dig and see if Madness has another song besides Our House that charted here. They would seem to be a good candidate.

[Swaggs]

If not for the year differential bonus, Vanilla Ice would be a strong contender. "Ice Ice Baby" was a #1 in several countries and "Play That Funky Music" hit #4 in the US and was top 20 worldwide. Next highest was #52.

[QuikSand]

Sorry for the scoring horrors erupting in my brief absence.

My thinking:

-the main billboard chart, not looking for country/adult contemporary/whatever

-no negative scores, which would pretty obviously upend the whole system

-I think in the interests of making this more interesting, I will (with my apologies) alter the scoring for the #3 song to try to separate out the #80 charting song versus the #15, which the initial system does not do.

Will adjust above, sorry for the headfake.

[QuikSand]

One more calculation added -- points for the worst showing of single #3, we'll subtract 1 point for every notch below 100.

[QuikSand]

So, for Crowded House:

Top Song: Don't Dream It's Over (1986)
US Top Charting: #2
Other Countries reached #1: 2
Score: ((11-2)*(11-2)) + 2 = 83

Second Song: Something So Strong (1986)
US Top Charting: #7
Other Countries Reached #1: 0
Score: ((11-7)*(11-7)) + 0 = 16

Third Song: World Where You Live (1986)
US Top Charting: #65
Other Countries Reached #1: 0
Score = 0

Band total:
83
+
(2 * 16)
+
(4 * 0)
-
0
-
35

Total: 80

[QuikSand]

Entry #2: Suzanne Vega

Top Song: Luka (1987)
US Top Charting: #3
Other Countries reached #1: 0
Score: ((11-3)*(11-3)) + 0 = 64

Second Song: Tom's Diner (1990)
US Top Charting: #5
Other Countries Reached #1: 3
Score: ((11-5)*(11-5)) + 3 = 39

Third Song: Solitude Standing (1987)
US Top Charting: #94
Other Countries Reached #1: 0
Score 0

Total:
64
+
(2 * 39)
+
(4 * 3)
-
0
-
6

Total: 148

[QuikSand]

My entry is not going to win, due to a third song that I have no recollection of:

IRENE CARA

#1 What A Feeling 1983 #1 US + 2 more that I find = 102

#2 Fame = 1980 #4 US + 2 more than I can find = 38

#3 Breakdance = #8 US + no more= 4

102 + 76 + 3 years - 40 - 96 = 45 too bad, so sad

[JonInMiddleGA]

So if I'm reading things correctly here, Golden Earring basically breaks the scoring system because their two hits weren't higher than #10. Right?

[panerd]

Asia?

Heat of the Moment/Only Time Will Tell

Damn Yankees: High Enough/Don't Tread on Me

[QuikSand]

So if I'm reading things correctly here, Golden Earring basically breaks the scoring system because their two hits weren't higher than #10. Right?

Well, not really breaks. Just doesn't get you any useful points.

I tried rewriting again...no, we don't want some asshat artist with two trivial songs that charted 98 and 99 to break the bank here, so I rewrote again to try to eliminate that... the chart position is 1 to 10 yielding points, or 11+ yielding a zero.

And yes, this system does fail a song like "Radar Love" that seems to have clicked and stuck beyond its chart position.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Asia? Heat of the Moment/Only Time Will Tell

Don't Cry screws them up for this, it hit #10 and sits in between your #4 and #17.

Damn Yankees: High Enough/Don't Tread on Me

HE hit #3 while DTOM didn't crack the top 100. '92 Where You Goin Now was a #20 though, with Come Again their third biggest main chart hit at #50.

On the other hand, they've got too many hits if you looked at the rock chart, with a total of 7 top 10 songs.

[sterlingice]

Another thought at a scoring system with just three simple rules:
If Song3 > 201 then Song3 = 201
(If the song is ranked lower than 200, then assign it 201 for the purposes of having a number there)
Song1 >= 10, Song2 >= 10
(Song 1 and song 2 must be a Top 10 hit)
ThreeHitWonder = (Song3-Song1)^2 + (Song3-Song2)^2
(Score = the difference between songs 3 and songs 1 and 2, each value squared and added)It doesn't really reward for higher hits within the top 10 like QS was going for originally. But the points difference between a #2 vs a #5 doesn't matter nearly as much but we can all agree both are hits, right? It puts a ton of emphasis on that third song being something not at all popular. After all- isn't that the point? The third song is something no one has really heard of while the top two have a very rigid criteria for being a hit.

SI

[rowech]

I thought Meatloaf would have been a contender but just one too many big songs.

[Lathum]

Scoring system seems a little broken, but how about Tone Loc? Singles charted 2, 3, and 80.

This was who I thought of immediately.

[QuikSand]

Glenn Frey has a 2, 2, 15 set (no foreign #1s, 1 year split) = 77

[rowech]

Vanilla Ice?

[Blackadar]

Someone else can grade 'em because I don't understand the grading system, but here's a couple that came to mind:


Tone Loc - Funky Cold Medina and Wild Thing were his only two big singles.
A Taste of Honey - they had something called Boogie Oogie and one other hit, but never heard anything else by them.
Paula Cole - I Don't Want to Wait and Where Have the Cowboys Gone was a flash in the pan.

[Lathum]

MC Hammer?

2 legit to quit and Hammertime?

[rowech]

Someone else can grade 'em because I don't understand the grading system, but here's a couple that came to mind:


Tone Loc - Funky Cold Medina and Wild Thing were his only two big singles.
A Taste of Honey - they had something called Boogie Oogie and one other hit, but never heard anything else by them.
Paula Cole - I Don't Want to Wait and Where Have the Cowboys Gone was a flash in the pan.


That's the way I am. Grading system is too in flux...


Ugly Kid Joe had a 6, 9, and never charted again

[PilotMan]

MC Hammer?

2 legit to quit and Hammertime?

Nah, you forgot "Have You Seen Her" and "Pray."

[cuervo72]

My first thought was Men Without Hats (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Men_Without_Hats) (other than a group mentioned the other day which might have been the inspiration for this question). Pop Goes the World didn't get high enough though.

[Rando]

Someone else can grade 'em because I don't understand the grading system, but here's a couple that came to mind:


Tone Loc - Funky Cold Medina and Wild Thing were his only two big singles.
A Taste of Honey - they had something called Boogie Oogie and one other hit, but never heard anything else by them.
Paula Cole - I Don't Want to Wait and Where Have the Cowboys Gone was a flash in the pan.


Paula Cole with Where have all the Cowboys Gone (#8), I Don't Want to Wait (#11) and her third song Me (#35) ends up with a negative score.

Tone Loc

Top Song: Wild Thing (1988)
US Top Charting: #2
Other Countries reached #1: 1 (NZ)
Score: ((11-2)*(11-2)) + 1 = 82

Second Song: Funky Cold Medina (1989)
US Top Charting: #3
Other Countries Reached #1: 0
Score: ((11-3)*(11-3)) + 0 = 64

Third Song: All Through the Night (1991)
US Top Charting: #80
Other Countries Reached #1: 0
Score: 0

Total:
82
+
(2 * 64)
+
(4 * 1)
-
0
-
21

Total: 193


A Taste of Honey

Top Song: Boogie Oogie Oogie (1978)
US Top Charting: #1
Other Countries reached #1: 0
Score: ((11-1)*(11-1)) + 0 = 100

Second Song: Sukiyaki (1981)
US Top Charting: #3
Other Countries Reached #1: 0
Score: ((11-3)*(11-3)) + 0 = 64

Third Song: I'll Try Something New (1982)
US Top Charting: #41
Other Countries Reached #1: 0
Score: 0

Total:
82
+
(2 * 64)
+
(4 * 3)
-
0
-
60

Total: 180

My nomination,

The Byrds

Top Song: Mr. Tambourine Man (1965)
US Top Charting: #1
Other Countries reached #1: 1 (UK)
Score: ((11-1)*(11-1)) + 1 = 101

Second Song: Turn! Turn! Turn! (1965)
US Top Charting: #1
Other Countries Reached #1: 0
Score: ((11-1)*(11-1)) + 0 = 100

Third Song: Eight Miles High (1966)
US Top Charting: #14
Other Countries Reached #1: 0
Score: 0

Total:
101
+
(2 * 100)
+
(4 * 0)
-
0
-
87

Total: 214

Wouldn't really consider them a two hit wonder myself, but having that second #1 and no other top 10 (in the US, at least) songs seems to break this formula.

[gstelmack]

Bonnie Tyler

You take it back! No dissing Bonnie Tyler!

Holding out for a Hero from Footloose, Have you Ever Seen the Rain?, Straight from the Heart (Bryan Adams cover), Faster than the Speed of Night, plus some other really good sleepers. Sigh, not enough love for her, although she was apparently much more popular in Europe. For those that watched The Voice this past season, I think Juliet Sims is a Bonnie Tyler clone...

[Suburban Rhythm]

Like others, not really sure on the scoring system, but throwing one out. No idea how high the two "hits" ever ranked, but Matthew Sweet with Girlfriend and Sick of Myself.

Problem is there may not be any other singles that even reached the charts.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Like others, not really sure on the scoring system, but throwing one out. No idea how high the two "hits" ever ranked, but Matthew Sweet with Girlfriend and Sick of Myself.

Problem is there may not be any other singles that even reached the charts.

Girlfriend never broke the top 100 (although it was a top 10 Rock chart track)
Sick got to #58
We're the Same was #113

Matthew Sweet Songs (Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts (http://www.musicvf.com/Matthew+Sweet.art)

[General Mike]

Doesn't quite fit the formula, but Everlast if you include his solo career and his time with House of Pain under the same banner.

Jump Around was #3, What it's Like was #13 and the next highest song he had was Shamrocks and Shenanigans at 65.

[Jughead Spock]

I'm thinking Mr. Mister oughta be in here.

[M GO BLUE!!!]

(On the US chart)

10cc

1975 - I'm Not in Love #2

1977 - The Things We Do for Love # 5

1977 - People in Love #40

(Although technically, in 1970 under the name "Hotlegs" they had a #22 song in Neanderthal Man.)

My match sucks + it won't win anyway...

[Draft Dodger]

So if I'm reading things correctly here, Golden Earring basically breaks the scoring system because their two hits weren't higher than #10. Right?

Golden Earring was the first band I thought of.

[Suicane75]

I'm thinking Mr. Mister oughta be in here.

Right around that same time, Level 42 and The Outfield. But yeah, Broken Wings and Kyrie were both top 10 singles I believe and then.....nothing.

[Draft Dodger]

and the second one I thought of is Corey Hart

1984 Sunglasses at Night. #7 in the US
1985 Never Surrender. #3 in the US (and #1 in Canada)

#3 song is It Ain't Enough (17th in 1984)

I'll leave the math to someone else

[Suicane75]

According to Wiki, Mister Mister had 3 top 10 singles. So there goes that. I'll be damned if I could tell you what the 3rd one was.

Edit: Just checked and watched the video for the 3rd song on YouTube. Is It Love was the title and the video brought back some vague memories of seeing it but I certainly didn't think it was a top 10 song.

Someone start a new thread for Three Hit Wonders. 3 Releases off of one album, all top 10, and then literally nothing else.

[SteveMax58]

Yeah, the scoring is a bit much on the cranium at this time but here's a couple that came to mind.

Dire Straits was the first to come to mind but they had 3 big hits. So doubt they'd even rank here.

Bad English
[1989] When I see you Smile #1
[1989] Price of Love #5
[1990] Possession #21


Deep Purple
[1968] Hush #4
[1973] Smoke on the Water #4
[1968] Kentucky Woman #38

[rowech]

That's the way I am. Grading system is too in flux...


Ugly Kid Joe had a 6, 9, and never charted again

I think this is their score based on the rules...

Cat's in the Cradle #6 (1993) -- score of 25

Everything About You #9 (1992) -- score of 4

25 + 2*4 + 4*1 = 37

Song #3 (take your pick) -- score of 201 since nothing else ever charted

Final score 238

[Matthean]

Yeah, the scoring is a bit much on the cranium

Two songs in the top 100 with nothing else. Lowest score based on combined chart position. One could tweak the number for top ranking to top 40, or whatever, but it still is really straight forward to calculate.

[CrimsonFox]

I've always liked Talk Talk

It's My Life (1984) (superior version to Gwen Stefani's copy)
#31

11 - 31 = 0 + 0 = 0

<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NXQYyKzyDaE" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" width="480"></iframe>


Talk Talk (1982) - #75
#1 in South Africa
0 + 1 = 1
<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Eqjttpl3peI" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" width="480"></iframe>

Such a Shame - #89
#1 Swiss
= 1

1 1 0

1 + 2*1 + 2*2 + 10*0 -12
= 7 - 12 = -5

what's interesting with this group is their highest ranking song did not have their highest score as the other songs scored #1 in other countries and it did not.

[rowech]

Two songs in the top 100 with nothing else. Lowest score based on combined chart position. One could tweak the number for top ranking to top 40, or whatever, but it still is really straight forward to calculate.

If all three songs have to be in the top 100...

Skid Row had:

18 and Life (1989) -- #4
I Remember You (1989) -- #6
Wasted Time (1991) -- #88 (Youth Gone Wild was #99)

[Shkspr]

But yeah, Broken Wings and Kyrie were both top 10 singles I believe and then.....nothing.

Except for that pesky #8 hit, "Is It Love".

[CrimsonFox]

Golden Earring was the first band I thought of.


awesome choice that would be:

"Twilight Zone" (1982) - #10 + #1 in Dutch
11-10 = 1 * 1 = 1 + 1 = 2
"Radar Love" (1973) - #13 + #1 in Germany and Spain
11-13 = 0 * 0 = 0 + 2 = 2
"When The Lady Smiles" (1984) - #76 + #1 Dutch
11-76 = 0 + 1 = 1

2 + 2*2 + 4*9 - 10*1 - 101-76
=
2+4+36-10-25
=
7
Damn Dutch... :)

The years between Rdar Love and Twilight Zone is probably the most we'll see really.

[CrimsonFox]

Thomas Dolby

She's Blinded Me With Science (1982) - #5 - #1 Canada
11-5 = 6 *6 = 36 + 1 = 37
Hyperactive (1984) - #62
11-62 = 0
Europa and the Pirate Twins (1983) - #67
11-67 = 0

37 + 2*0 + 4*2 - 0 - (101-67)
37 + 0 + 8 - 34 =

11

[CrimsonFox]

MC Hammer?

2 legit to quit and Hammertime?

Nah, you forgot "Have You Seen Her" and "Pray."

So you've never heard of a little ditty called "Can't Touch This" ? :eek:

[cuervo72]

I'd offer up Power Station, but neither Some Like it Hot (6) nor Bang a Gong (Get it On) (9) reached the top 5. Communication (which I can't even remember) also too high at #34. They have virtually nothing else.

edit: Rose Royce not so bad - 1 for Car Wash, 10 for I Wanna Get Next To You, next highest is 39.

[cartman]

If a butterfly flaps its wings in Brazil, then a message board brings up Crowded House, and a band member then dies, does this prove Chaos Theory?

Crowded House drummer Peter Jones has died of brain cancer (http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/crowded-house-drummer-dies-20120520-1yyei.html)

[CrimsonFox]

I'd offer up Power Station, but neither Some Like it Hot (6) nor Bang a Gong (Get it On) (9) reached the top 5. Communication (which I can't even remember) also too high at #34. They have virtually nothing else.

edit: Rose Royce not so bad - 1 for Car Wash, 10 for I Wanna Get Next To You, next highest is 39.

Power Station
11-6 = 5 -> 25
11-9 = 2 -> 4
0

25 + 2*4 + 0 - 0 - 101-34 = 25 + 8 - 67 = -35 ouch...

Rose Royce
11-1 = 10 + 1 -> 121
11-10 = 1 -> 1
0 (32)

121 + 2*1 + 1 - 0 - 69 = 124 - 69 = 53... really good score actually

[CrimsonFox]

Grateful Dead

"Touch of Grey" (1987) - #9 = 2
"Truckin" (1970) - #64 = 0
"Alabama Gateway" (1980) - #68 = 0

2 + 0 + 4*17 - 0 - 33
= 2+68-33 = 37

These longstanding no-hit groups may have something :)

[larrymcg421]

Fine Young Cannibals

She Drives Me Crazy (1989) #1 = 100 + 1 (AUS)
Good Thing (1909) #1 = 100
Don't Look Back #11 = 0


101
+
100*2
+
4*0
-
10*0
-
101-11


101
+
200
-
0
-
90
=
211

[CrimsonFox]

I'm thinking Mr. Mister oughta be in here.

You'd think but after their 2 number ones, they had a #8

[CrimsonFox]

So you've never heard of a little ditty called "Can't Touch This" ? :eek:


which reminds me...how about RIck James :D

You and I (78) - #13
Superfreak (81) - #16
17 (84) - #36

0 + 0 + 12 - 0 - 64 = -52
I'm Rick James, BITCH!

[Swaggs]

Someone with math skills do Vanilla Ice. :)

[CrimsonFox]

Someone with math skills do Vanilla Ice. :)

My fingers refuse :)

[CrimsonFox]

Progrock time!

Yes
Owner Of A Lonely Heart (83) - 1 (1)= 101
Roundabout (71) - 13 = 0
Leave It (83) - 24 = 0

101 + 0 + 48 - 0 - 77 = 82!

Rush
New World Man (82) #21 (1)= 0+1 = 1
The Trees (78) #44 =0
Tom Sawyer (81) #44 =0

1 + 0 + 16 - 0 - 57 = -40

proving that if you sell out, you can do well on this chart :)

[Groundhog]

(On the US chart)

10cc

1975 - I'm Not in Love #2

1977 - The Things We Do for Love # 5

1977 - People in Love #40

(Although technically, in 1970 under the name "Hotlegs" they had a #22 song in Neanderthal Man.)

My match sucks + it won't win anyway...

Dreadlock Holiday didn't chart?

[larrymcg421]

A Taste of Honey

Boogie Oogie Oogie 1978 #1
Sukiyaki 1981 #3
I'll Try Something New #41

100
+
2*64=128
+
4*3=12
-
0
-
101-41=70
=
170




Whitesnake

Here I Go Again 1987 #1
Is This Love 1987 #2
The Deeper the Love #28

100
+
2*81=162
+
4*0=0
-
10*0=0
-
101-28=73
=
189




Bonnie Tyler

Total Eclipse of the Heart #1 1983 (#1 in 3 countries)
It's a Heartache #3 1977 (#1 in 3 countries)
Holding Out for a Hero #34

103
+
2*67 = 134
+
4*6=24
-
10*0=0
-
101-34=67
=
194

[CrimsonFox]

King Crimson

In the Court of the Crimson King(69) #80 = 0
0 + 0 + 0 - 0 - 0 = 0 :D

[larrymcg421]

Deniece Williams

Too Much, Too Little, Too Late #1 1978
Let's Hear it For the Boy #1 1984 (1 other country)
It's Gonna take a Miracle #10

101
+
2*100 = 200
+
4*6 = 24
-
10*1 = 10
-
101-10 = 91
=
224

[CrimsonFox]

#1 on other US charts counts? huh. I didn't realize that!

[cuervo72]

Another scoring method might be to take points from Music VF, US & UK hits charts &bull;&bull;&bull; Top Songs, Albums and Artists (http://www.musicvf.com) ; positive for the first two, negative for all following. I mean, a band like Yes may not have charted well on the overall charts, but had 3 #1s on the US Rock chart, and a ton of songs altogether.

[CrimsonFox]

Another scoring method might be to take points from Music VF, US & UK hits charts ••• Top Songs, Albums and Artists (http://www.musicvf.com) ; positive for the first two, negative for all following. I mean, a band like Yes may not have charted well on the overall charts, but had 3 #1s on the US Rock chart, and a ton of songs altogether.


yeah Rush only charted well on rock charts too. Then there's the R&B and Dance and SOul charts for others groups... so many charts...

[Draft Dodger]

Neil Young could've been a contender here, but he had 2 hits in 72 before laying low chartwise until 93

apparently, Animotion had a 2nd hit song, which is completely news to me.

so you have Obession at #6 in 84 and Room to Move at #9 in 89.

[CrimsonFox]

oh yeah I remember Room to Move! :)

[Swaggs]

Terence Trent D'Arby with "Sign Your Name" and "Wishing Well."

Tracy Chapman with "Fast Car" and "Give Me One Reason."

Will to Power with "Baby, I Love Your Way" and "I'm Not in Love."

Simply Red with "Holding Back the Years" and "If You Don't Know Me By Now."

...and, this could be the winner: Sisquo with "The Thong Song" and "Incomplete." :)

[PineTar]

beaten to the punch. disregard.

[larrymcg421]

Terence Trent D'Arby with "Sign Your Name" and "Wishing Well."

Tracy Chapman with "Fast Car" and "Give Me One Reason."

Will to Power with "Baby, I Love Your Way" and "I'm Not in Love."

Simply Red with "Holding Back the Years" and "If You Don't Know Me By Now."

...and, this could be the winner: Sisquo with "The Thong Song" and "Incomplete." :)

Simply Red looks like a winner...

If You Dont Know Me By Now #1 1989 (3 other countries)
Holding Back the Years #1 1986 (1 other country)
Something Got Me Started #23

103
+
2*101 = 202
+
4*3=12
-
10*0=0
-
101-23=78
=
239

[CrimsonFox]

Simply Red looks like a winner...

If You Dont Know Me By Now #1 1989 (3 other countries)
Holding Back the Years #1 1986 (1 other country)
Something Got Me Started #23

103
+
2*101 = 202
+
4*3=12
-
10*0=0
-
101-23=78
=
239

ugh that guy makes me vomit...

[CrimsonFox]

Pet Shop Boys
West End Girls 84 #1 (2) 102
What have I done to desrve this 87 #2 (1) 82
Always on my mind 87 #4 (5) 53

102 + 164 + 12 - 530 - 48 = 276 - 578 = -302

The Escape Club
(88) Wild Wild West 1 = 100
(91) I'll Be There 8 = 9
(88) Shake for the Sheik 28 = 0

100+18+12-0-73 = 130-73= 57


Thompson Twins
Hold Me Now 83 #3 (1)
Lay YOur Hands On Me 84 #6 (0)
King for a Day 85 #8 (0)

65 + 50 + 4 - 90 - 93 = 119 - 183 - -64

[CrimsonFox]

Madness

Our House 7
It Must Be Love 33
The Sun and the Rain 72

16 + 0 + 4 - 0 - 29 = -9


(sigh)

Oingo Boingo

Weird Science 45
Just Another Day 85

0+0+4-0-0 = 4

[CrimsonFox]

Rufus (Chaka Khan funk band)

74 Tell Me Something Good 3 (0)
75 Sweet Thing 5 (1)
75 Once You Get Started 10 (0)

64 + 74 + 4 - 10 - 91 = 142 - 101 = 41

Chaka Khan solo

84 I Feel for You 3 (3)
78 I'm Every Woman 21 (1)
81 Whatcha Gonna Do for Me 53 (1)

67 + 2 + 24 - 0 - 48 = 93 - 48 = 45

Close race! :)

[thealmighty]

Forgive my foolish query, but how can this be about the "Ultimate" two-hit wonder when many of the nominees have the third song charting in the top 40 or 50?

[cthomer5000]

Felt pretty good about The Motels (Suddenly Last Summer, Only The Lonely)... but 9, 9, 21 look like pretty weak numbers for this.

[larrymcg421]

It's going to take two #1's to win, or a 1, 2, and a very very low 3rd song.

Even Extreme with a 1, 4, and 95 only comes to 192 pts.

[cthomer5000]

Forgive my foolish query, but how can this be about the "Ultimate" two-hit wonder when many of the nominees have the third song charting in the top 40 or 50?

Yeah, to me this is a big issue. I haven't looked at the math too closely, but i think artists should be getting heavily punished the farther up the chart song #3 goes. Exponentially so.

[cthomer5000]

The problem is the fact that airplay is factored heavily into the Billboard Hot 100. It's almost impossible to find a band that could have had 2 big hits that radio wouldn't then take a chance on repeatedly afterwards.

[cthomer5000]

Sublime are the first hunch of mine to only have 2 charting songs. 29, 43, and nothing else.

[larrymcg421]

Yeah, to me this is a big issue. I haven't looked at the math too closely, but i think artists should be getting heavily punished the farther up the chart song #3 goes. Exponentially so.

The problem is more the wide gaps in the top few spots. I think the doubling of the 2nd song is too much.

[larrymcg421]

The problem is the fact that airplay is factored heavily into the Billboard Hot 100. It's almost impossible to find a band that could have had 2 big hits that radio wouldn't then take a chance on repeatedly afterwards.

Well I think Extreme is the best example with a #1, #4, and #95.

And if we get rid of doubling the score for the 2nd song, then they have the highest score.

[cthomer5000]

Well I think Extreme is the best example with a #1, #4, and #95.

And if we get rid of doubling the score for the 2nd song, then they have the highest score.

Yeah that looks about perfect to me. Two genuine hits, something that only cracked the charts because of follow-up airplay, then nothing.

[DanGarion]

There are sure a lot of 3 hit wonders I can think of...

[CrimsonFox]

Men at Work 1 1 3 6 28 and then nothing :)

[rowech]

Well I think Extreme is the best example with a #1, #4, and #95.

And if we get rid of doubling the score for the 2nd song, then they have the highest score.

Lot of people must have me on ignore. I'll give them again...

Ugly Kid Joe -- two top hits (6 and 9) and absolutely never charted again. It's not some weird music chart that this happened on. It is straight Billboard. If that's not a two-hit wonder then I'm not sure what the definition is.

[CrimsonFox]

Lot of people must have me on ignore. I'll give them again...

Ugly Kid Joe -- two top hits (6 and 9) and absolutely never charted again. It's not some weird music chart that this happened on. It is straight Billboard. If that's not a two-hit wonder then I'm not sure what the definition is.

= 26 + 8 + 4 = 38... so what

oh and you forgot the last qualificaiton. They have to have talent :D

[rowech]

= 26 + 8 + 4 = 38... so what

oh and you forgot the last qualificaiton. They have to have talent :D

Are we not subtracting points for the third song anymore?

I think the most surprising thing from this whole thing is how many songs that I've never heard of have reached the top 100 somehow.

[Jughead Spock]

Gonna be tough to beat Simply Red at this point.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I think the most surprising thing from this whole thing is how many songs that I've never heard of have reached the top 100 somehow.

Shouldn't be all that surprising if you think about it a little bit.

100 songs is a pretty big number, and gets to be bigger & bigger as you move closer to the current day. In an average week today there are maybe 5-7 new singles "going for adds"; i.e. released to radio specifically with an eye toward getting airplay.

I started to go into more detail but found a Wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billboard_Hot_100#Hot_100_policy_changes) that does a decent job of going over the changes that the Hot 100 has undergone during nearly 60 years of existence. There are some really odd things in there, including the lack of Hot 100 chart success (due to chart rules/methodology) for several songs in the mid 90s, including Will Smith's Men In Black, which dominated the airplay chart but was delayed release as an actual single, which disqualified it from consideration on the Hot 100 (which had become a combo airplay/sales chart by that point).

edit: With the genre charts & today's tighter than ever playlists, it's currently pretty extreme how little it takes to have a hit on, say, the Rock chart. Most weeks the song at #50 gets only 3-5 recorded plays nationally (across the stations used as the basis for the chart), i.e. a novelty song played on only a single station can easily crack the 40's, a half dozen stations playing a song lightly can get it into the 30's on the Rock chart.

[cuervo72]

Thompson Twins
Hold Me Now 83 #3 (1)
Lay YOur Hands On Me 84 #6 (0)
King for a Day 85 #8 (0)

65 + 50 + 4 - 90 - 93 = 119 - 183 - -64

Not to mention Doctor! Doctor! coming in at #11 (#3 in UK). Love On Your Side reached top 10 in both UK and US Dance, In the Name of Love #1 US Dance, You Wake Me Up #2 UK.

The Gap (#69 US) - criminally underappreciated. ;)


edit: I always seem to forget about Animotion's Room To Move too, but wind up singing along to it if it is played on the 80s station.

[Draft Dodger]

I think I've got a live one: Kylie Minogue

#3 in 87 with Locomotion, which was #1 in 2 other countries
#7 in '01 with Can't Get you Out of My head, #1 in at least 10 other countries
third best is #23 with Love at First Sight

by my math:
66 for the first song + 52 for the 2nd + 56 for the differential - 78

score: 96 (I think, if I'm following the Winston Curchill math here).

contender, but not a winner.

[Qwikshot]

Blue Oyster Cult

1976 "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" 14
1979 "In Thee" 74
1981 "Burnin' for You" 40

"Godzilla" didn't seem to chart.

I was thinking the Presidents of the United States of America with "Peaches" and "Lump" but "Lump" never charted on the main charts.

The Romantics have "What I like about you" and "Talking in your Sleep"

Kim Wilde maybe?

[CrimsonFox]

heh i always confuse Qwikshot and Quiksand.... always...

[Suburban Rhythm]

Simply Red looks like a winner...

If You Dont Know Me By Now #1 1989 (3 other countries)
Holding Back the Years #1 1986 (1 other country)
Something Got Me Started #23

103
+
2*101 = 202
+
4*3=12
-
10*0=0
-
101-23=78
=
239

ugh that guy makes me vomit...

Really not all that funny, but I couldn't quit giggling that a guy named Crimson really dislikes Simply Red

[CrimsonFox]

Really not all that funny, but I couldn't quit giggling that a guy named Crimson really dislikes Simply Red


ha! I must be jealous. Totally missed that actually ;)

Aside from his music sucking, one thing that makes me hate him was something I saw on the Classic Albums epsidoe when they talked about the Stars album of his. (No idea why they wasted an episode on that album. he must have paid them to do it or something)

Anyway, the story went (as told by him and those involved). After they got megapopular as a band with their 2 #1 hits, the singer Mick Hucknall declared Simply Red was essentially a solo project. About that time when the next project was starting, he got excited by (barf) electronic drum machines and wanted to use one on a track. So this japanese guy comes in to demonstrate it so he decides to use it. Then Gota the japanese guy says "oh! I play drums too!" so Hucknall fires Simply Red's drummer of 6 years and hires this stranger as the drummer. Totally pathetic! Really pisses me off when I hear stories like that.

[Jughead Spock]

I come up with 189 for the B-52s. Stronger than I expected.

[CrimsonFox]

Tried Juice Newton and Eddie Rabbitt. Both were too popular and too many hits. I swear I don't remember all those.

[Qwikshot]

Apparently, UB40 had more hits than I remembered.

Mike + the Mechanics had three big hits.

Level 42 had two big hits in the U.S. but were big in UK and Europe though:

"Something about You" charted at 7th in U.S. in 1985
"Lessons in Love" charted at 12th in U.S. in 1986

The 3rd was "Running in the Family" at 83rd in 1986.

Back to Kim Wilde:

"Kids in America" charted at 25 in US in 1981
"You Keep Me Hanging On" charted at 1 in US in 1986

The 3rd was "Say you Really want me" charted at 44 in 1987

She's bigger in Europe.

I'll try to work the math later unless someone wants to...

[CrimsonFox]

Thought he'd be higher but

Peter Gabriel
"Sledgehammer" 86 (2) - 1
"Big Time" 86 - 8
"In YOur Eyes" 86 26

102 + 18 - 73 = forget about it

[CrimsonFox]

Time to get metal!

But no Black Sabbath, Metallica, and Twisted Sister all not even worth doing the math. Not high enough on the charts.

[CrimsonFox]

Jethro Tull and Steely Dan too many hits in the 4-15 range. Not really complaining.
I like both.

Interesting fact: Jethro Tull went to #11 TWICE with the same song . Living In The Past went hit the charts in 1969 and then again 16 years later in 1985 :)

[Qwikshot]

Do the first two songs have to be in the top 11?

Does the third song have to be out of the top 11?

i.e.

Steppenwolf

"Born to be Wild" charted at 2 in US in 1968
"Magic Carpet Ride" charted at 3 in US in 1968 as well.

Neither charted #1 in any other country

"Rock Me" charted at 10 in US in 1969 (I've never heard the song), they had some other singles in the top 100 but nothing like their first two.

[CrimsonFox]

Level 42 had two big hits in the U.S. but were big in UK and Europe though:

"Something about You" charted at 7th in U.S. in 1985
..

Holy shit! YOu only had to mention that title and the whole damn thing popped into my head and wouldn't leave!

So now I subject you to it!

<iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/eccGxoJB2nM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Good ole new wave!

[CrimsonFox]

Had hopes for Howard Jones but

No One Is To Blame 4
Things Can Only Get Better 5
Everasting Love 12

[CrimsonFox]

Riding this new wave train...

Tears for Fears
Shout 1 (84) - (5 other)
Everybody Wants to Rule the WOrld 1 (85) - 2 other)
Sowing the Seeds of Love 2 (89) (1 other)

okay much too good. :)

[Qwikshot]

EMF but I can't tell if they were in the US 100...wiki notes US HOT 100

"Unbelievable" in 1990 at 1 in US Hot 100
"Lies" in 1991 at 18 in US Hot 100

Nothing else.

[Qwikshot]

What about Falco

"Rock Me Amedeus" in 1985 was #1 (and in 11 other countries at #1 based on Wiki)
"The Sound of Muzik" charted at #12 in 1986
"Vienna Calling" charted at #18 in 1986 (#1 in Austria)

Though I wish I could exclude one of those because "Der Kommisar" though it reached only 72 in US charts was a #1 in seven other countries in 1981.

[Qwikshot]

Last one I promise, but I know this band only for its two songs

Bloodhound Gang

"FireWaterBurn" charted 28th in 1997
"Bad Touch" charted 52nd in 1999 (with #1's in 4 other countries).

I'll stop now, I know too much crappy music.

[Maple Leafs]

Stunned that Tracy Chapman didn't dominate this.

Random trivia: She holds the record for longest amount of time between an artist's first two #1 hits in Canada.

[kcchief19]

Simply Red is exploiting a flaw in Quik's criteria, or our interpretation of the criteria. Simply Red simply can't fit the definition of a two-hit wonder. Too many minor hits and too many songs that were popular even if the didn't chart on the Hot 100. "Stars" was a ubiquitous song that has been virtually impossible to ignore, along with a bunch of dance hits.

Extreme is almost a perfect definition to me -- two top 4 hits, one song barely charted and nothing else. I take Quik's criteria to ignore secondary charts as a way of trying to qualify a marginal performer who had a top 10 country hit. But there are a lot of great bands with zero Hot 100 success. See Led Zeppelin.

I may have to break out my Billboard books to find the perfect candidate. I feel like there is someone obvious we're overlooking.

[CrimsonFox]

Kill Simply Red! He's an exploiter! Take away his account! BAN him BURN him!

[Passacaglia]

Simply Red is exploiting a flaw in Quik's criteria, or our interpretation of the criteria. Simply Red simply can't fit the definition of a two-hit wonder. Too many minor hits and too many songs that were popular even if the didn't chart on the Hot 100. "Stars" was a ubiquitous song that has been virtually impossible to ignore, along with a bunch of dance hits.

Extreme is almost a perfect definition to me -- two top 4 hits, one song barely charted and nothing else. I take Quik's criteria to ignore secondary charts as a way of trying to qualify a marginal performer who had a top 10 country hit. But there are a lot of great bands with zero Hot 100 success. See Led Zeppelin.

I may have to break out my Billboard books to find the perfect candidate. I feel like there is someone obvious we're overlooking.

Someone else here has Billboard books? Awesome. Mine is totally packed in bxoes, though, since I just moved.

[cody8200]

Just learned that Radiohead is just a one hit wonder and finds itself without fewer hits than the likes of Level 42 and EMF. Haha.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Extreme is almost a perfect definition to me -- two top 4 hits, one song barely charted and nothing else.

Except for another #1 on the Rock chart & an additional pair of top 10 Rock tracks.

That's where it gets tricky about looking at more than one chart I think, or not looking at more than one chart.

Garth Brooks had Hot 100 songs at 5,11 and 46 ... and 18 Country #1's

[Draft Dodger]

thought I had something there for a minute with Pink Floyd. #1 for Brick and their third best song was just #70. but Money only got to #13

[Swaggs]

Did anyone ever tabulate Tracy Chapman?

She does seem like a very strong candidate.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Just learned that Radiohead is just a one hit wonder and finds itself without fewer hits than the likes of Level 42 and EMF. Haha.

In terms of the Hot 100, they really aren't even a one hit wonder. Creep only got to #34. In fact, they've only had one top 10 on any US chart, with Creep peaking at #2 on the Alternative chart.

In fact, Canada appears to be the only country where they've had a #1 single, and those came ten years after Creep (in 2001/2003 with Knives Out and There There

[kcchief19]

Someone else here has Billboard books? Awesome. Mine is totally packed in bxoes, though, since I just moved.
I have several of Joel Whitburn and Fred Bronson's books. I was a chart dork for a long time. I lost interest in recent years as my taste for current pop music has faded, but I still love to pull out the old books.

There was a horrible disco act called the Silver Connection that had a #1 hit with Fly, Robin, Fly and a #2 hit with Get up and Boogie but didn't have another top 40 hit. I'm too lazy to get my top 100 book out and see if they had any other top 100 hits.

Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders had only two chart hits in the 60s, the #1 Game of Love and #2 hit A Groovy Kind of Love.

[kcchief19]

In terms of the Hot 100, they really aren't even a one hit wonder. Creep only got to #34. In fact, they've only had one top 10 on any US chart, with Creep peaking at #2 on the Alternative chart.

In fact, Canada appears to be the only country where they've had a #1 single, and those came ten years after Creep (in 2001/2003 with Knives Out and There There
Exactly. There has to be a bit of an "eye test" with a debate like this because occasionally the numbers can lie. Radiohead is a terrible singles band but their last five albums have all gone top 5. Hardly a two-hit wonder.

I agree with your points on Extreme. They almost fit the mathematically perfect vision of a two-hit wonder, but they've had enough longevity and success on the rock charts that they are slightly more than that.

[JonInMiddleGA]

There was a horrible disco act called the Silver Connection that had a #1 hit with Fly, Robin, Fly and a #2 hit with Get up and Boogie but didn't have another top 40 hit. I'm too lazy to get my top 100 book out and see if they had any other top 100 hits.

Wiki indicates that Silver Convention had the 1, the 2, and then their next release, "No No Joe," only scored #60 in September 1976.

[CrimsonFox]

Eurythmics

Sweet Dreams are made of This (83) - 1 (1)
Here Comes the Rain Again (84) - 4
Would I Lie To You (85) - 5

101 + 98 + 4 - 361 -96....

[CrimsonFox]

Rick Springfield

Jessie's Girl - 1
Don't Talk To Stranger - 2
Love Somebody - 5

[CrimsonFox]

Devo

Whip It - 14
Working in a Coal Mine -43
Theme from Doctor Detroit - 59

[CrimsonFox]

The Byrds

Mr. Tambourine Man (65) - 1 (1)
Turn Turn Turn (65) - 1
Eight Miles High (66) - 14

101 + 200 + 0 - 0 - 87 = 301 - 87 = 214 that's pretty good :)

[Jughead Spock]

Tracy Chapman actually doesn't come out that great -

Song1 = #3, #1 in one other country ((11-3)*(11-3)+1) = 65

Song2 = #6, #1 in one other country ((11-6)*(11-6)+1) = 26

Song3 = #48

65
+
(2*26) = 52
+
(4*7) = 28
-
53
----
92

[CrimsonFox]

Still no.

Toto

Africa 1 (82)
Rosanna 2 (82)
Hold the Line 5 (78)

100 + 81*2 - 360 - 96 :(

Oh so close. I didn't think Hold the Line went so high. They are definitely a 3-hit wonder though. Probably the leader!

[CrimsonFox]

Looked for Sinead O Connor. She only had the 1 hit:
Nothing Compares 2 U. But it was #1 in 10 countries :)
Haven't seen better than that from a single song.

[Qwikshot]

I have several of Joel Whitburn and Fred Bronson's books. I was a chart dork for a long time. I lost interest in recent years as my taste for current pop music has faded, but I still love to pull out the old books.

There was a horrible disco act called the Silver Connection that had a #1 hit with Fly, Robin, Fly and a #2 hit with Get up and Boogie but didn't have another top 40 hit. I'm too lazy to get my top 100 book out and see if they had any other top 100 hits.

Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders had only two chart hits in the 60s, the #1 Game of Love and #2 hit A Groovy Kind of Love.

Sadly, Fly Robin Fly was the #1 hit the day I was born. I did the facebook app and everyone else was getting cool songs...and I got /this/? I was mortified.

[CrimsonFox]

:lol:

Sadly, Fly Robin Fly was the #1 hit the day I was born. I did the facebook app and everyone else was getting cool songs...and I got /this/? I was mortified.

[CrimsonFox]

Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam

Head to Toe 87 1 (2)
Lost in Emotion 87 1 (1)
All Cried Out 86 8

102 + 202 -90 - 93
304 - 183 = 121

[CrimsonFox]

Berlin
Take My Breath Away 1
No More Words 23
Metro 58

[GreenMonster]

Snow

Informer #1 US (plus 4 other countries)
Girl I've been hurt #19

And like that, he was gone.

[Autumn]

Yeah I think it should be just two top 5 hits followed by no top 100s. Or maybe top 80 or something. Extreme is a great example of what a top contender should look like.

[Autumn]

Also, I think we have to except that a Two Hit Wonder could be a fabulous enduring band. I'm sure most of us recognizing that charting is not some proof of artistic greatness, or even enduring popularity. And probably you could find someone somewhere who thinks every single band mentioned here is a fantastic band with a real career.

[cuervo72]

Except for another #1 on the Rock chart & an additional pair of top 10 Rock tracks.

That's where it gets tricky about looking at more than one chart I think, or not looking at more than one chart.

Garth Brooks had Hot 100 songs at 5,11 and 46 ... and 18 Country #1's

I had been thinking the same with Dolly Parton. Too many top 40 hits (6) for our purposes, but only 1 #1 (9 to 5) and one other top 10 (Here You Come Again, #3). Of course she's had 20 country #1s.

Eurythmics

Sweet Dreams are made of This (83) - 1 (1)
Here Comes the Rain Again (84) - 4
Would I Lie To You (85) - 5

101 + 98 + 4 - 361 -96....

And Missionary Man at #14. Love that song.

Sadly, Fly Robin Fly was the #1 hit the day I was born. I did the facebook app and everyone else was getting cool songs...and I got /this/? I was mortified.

I actually like Fly Robin Fly...

[Ksyrup]

Extreme is almost a perfect definition to me -- two top 4 hits, one song barely charted and nothing else.

Just seeing this thread...

To me, Extreme is a ridiculous example. The only reason they charted was because the songs were ballads. They were a huge and hugely successful hard rock band for over a decade (and are back together).

I guess what I'm saying is that it's hard for me not to factor in genre here as the sole reason they could qualify. How their songs charted really has no bearing on how popular they were, to the point where calling them a "2-hit wonder" doesn't really fit, IMO. I'm not sure the Billboard singles chart is really the best arbiter of what I think of when I think of a 1 or 2-hit wonder. Those terms suggest artists who hit it big one or two times but had no success otherwise.

I'd suggest at least a cursory review of the album charts to differentiate some of these artists. Extreme had 2 top 10 albums, 3 in the top 40, and 5 in the top 80. That's a band that was popular and sold well for quite some time. It's just that their individual songs didn't chart particularly well because of their genre. And I still contend that if grunge hadn't taken over the world by the time 3 Sides... came out, that Tragic Comic would have been another huge ballad hit for them. Brilliantly written lyrics. But I digress.

My .02...

[CrimsonFox]

And Missionary Man at #14. Love that song.




He's got God on his side....Don't mess with him!

[cartman]

Santana was another I thought might qualify. He did have a long time between top ten songs (1970-Black Magic Woman #4, 1999-Smooth #1) but he had a few other top ten songs before and after.

[Daimyo]

Playing loose with the rules, if you combine Cee Lo and Gnarls Barkley together you get a contender... (and most people wouldn't know the difference anyway)

Crazy: #2 + 4 international #1's, 2006
F*ck You: #2 + 1 international #1, 2010
Going On: #88, 2008

85 + 2 * 82 - 0 + 16 - 13 = 264

[Maple Leafs]

I'm not sure the Billboard singles chart is really the best arbiter of what I think of when I think of a 1 or 2-hit wonder.
QuikSand, please immediately adjust your game's criteria to suit what Ksyrup thinks of when he thinks of a 1 or 2-hit wonder, so that he doesn't destroy this thread like he does every single other music thread in FOFC's history.

[Ksyrup]

Damn, dude save the vitriol for something more meaningful in your life.

Just an opinion. A "wonder" in the context of musical hits means a flash in the pan. The idea of bands like Extreme or Santana scoring highly as 2-hit wonders doesn't really work, iMO. Please put me on ignore so you don't fell compelled to spout off unprovoked. Fuck dude.

[Daimyo]

LMFAO:

Party Rock Anthem: #1 + 8 international #1s (2011)
Sexy and I Know It: #1 + 3 international #1s (2011)
Sorry for Party Rocking: #49 (2012)

108 + 2*103 - 52 = 262

[CrimsonFox]

LMFAO:

Party Rock Anthem: #1 + 8 international #1s (2011)
Sexy and I Know It: #1 + 3 international #1s (2011)
Sorry for Party Rocking: #49 (2012)

108 + 2*103 - 52 = 262


LMFAO is the name of the group? Ha! I thought you were just laughing at something.

[Scarecrow]

Bump

The shit you think of when your daughters are talking about TV shows...

Someone will have to do the math for me (and I don't think she's been mentioned), but what about Janis Ian?

At Seventeen (1975) - #3
Society's Child (1967) - #14
The Man You Are In Me (1974) - #104

For those that care, apparently there is a character on Mean Girls named Janis Ian.

[Izulde]

For those that care, apparently there is a character on Mean Girls named Janis Ian.

My first thought was, "Wait... a Mean Girls character is a hit singer?"

[stevew]

Is this thread about Suge Knight?

[cthomer5000]

Psy had songs at 2,5,26.... and will likely never be heard from again (in the USA).

[stevew]

They include YouTube in the top 100 formula now. If he can make anything viral again, obviously a huge if, it would likely crack the top 10.

[cuervo72]

Quick, someone name three Eddy Grant songs!

[Umbrella]

Nice thread recovery. I remember this one the first time around, and always thought Greg Kihn would qualify, though his 2nd biggest song wasn't top 10. I can't think of a third one.

ETA: I guess he had a song called Lucky, which I just listened to, and I still don't remember.

I did a quick bit of research, and there is a guy named Jimmy Jones, who hit #2 with Handy Man, #3 with Good Timin', and never charted again in the US.

[cuervo72]

Rufus (Chaka Khan funk band)

74 Tell Me Something Good 3 (0)
75 Sweet Thing 5 (1)
75 Once You Get Started 10 (0)

64 + 74 + 4 - 10 - 91 = 142 - 101 = 41

Chaka Khan solo

84 I Feel for You 3 (3)
78 I'm Every Woman 21 (1)
81 Whatcha Gonna Do for Me 53 (1)

67 + 2 + 24 - 0 - 48 = 93 - 48 = 45

Close race! :)

You Got The Love - probably like that better than any other Rufus song.

(Son heard and liked Obsession the other day, asked me if Animotion had any other songs. Reminded me of this thread. Also, where is the "songs without the title appearing in the lyrics" thread hiding??)

[CrimsonFox]

Men Without Hats

THe Safety Dance

And

Pop Goes the World

[CrimsonFox]

man I hate seeing a thread that I think I've never seen before only to realize I've posted in it and don't remember doing so :(

[cuervo72]

Hah! Yeah, sorry about that. :)

[britrock88]

(On the US chart)

10cc

1975 - I'm Not in Love #2
1977 - The Things We Do for Love # 5
1977 - People in Love #40

(Although technically, in 1970 under the name "Hotlegs" they had a #22 song in Neanderthal Man.)

My match sucks + it won't win anyway...

No one ever added this up!

This is their top 3 in the US (Dreadlock Holiday only hit #44). They had 3 #1s in the UK: Rubber Bullets, I'm Not in Love, and Dreadlock.

Anyway, this score:

(11-2)^2 + 2*(11-5)^2 + 4*2 - 0 - (101-40) = 100 on the nose.

[britrock88]

Cream, for another ancient group:

This from the US Billboard...

'68 - Sunshine of Your Love - #6
'68 - White Room - #5
'69 - Crossroads - #17

(11-5)^2 + 2*(11-6)^2 + 4*0 - 0 - (101-17) = 2.

As the Byrds calculation illustrates, for purposes of this formula, it's most important to have a HUGE pair of hits. (Especially the second one.) After that, the farther away you can keep the riff-raff, the better.

[britrock88]

Hang on. JESUS JONES.

'90 - Right Here, Right Now - #2
'90 - Real Real Real - #4
(Error 404)

(11-2)^2 + 2*(11-4)^2 + 4*0 - 0 - 0 = 179.

I thought they might do better for not having a third single that charted.

[Grammaticus]

Obviously there is something wrong with the process when Cream, a legitimate hall of fame band is in a discussion for ultimate 2 hit wonder.

[QuikSand]

Agreed, what a fuckup. Let's make sure nobody posts anything like this again.

[Maple Leafs]

#TrustTheProcess

[Grammaticus]

#FightTheProcess will prevail.

[Julio Riddols]

Fuck you Donaldhem.

[EagleFan]

Fuck you Donaldhem.

+1111111111111111111111111

[britrock88]

Obviously there is something wrong with the process when Cream, a legitimate hall of fame band is in a discussion for ultimate 2 hit wonder.

Lol. I love Cream, but I don't consider them to have been a huge singles group. And I was basically playing around with the limits of the formula at that point.