20 to 1: One Hit Wonders

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"20 to 1: One Hit Wonders" was the first episode in the 2006 season of the Australian television series, 20 to 1. It was the first episode hosted by Bert Newton (who replaced former host Bud Tingwell) and showcased artists who had one hit in Australia and having a second song (or none at all) that was nowhere near as successful.

  1. "My Sharona" - The Knack
    • No. 1 in Australia in September 1979
    • The song was written for Sharona Alperin, now a real estate agent in California
    • Rereleased in Australia in 1994 after its inclusion on the "Reality Bites" Movie Soundtrack
  2. "Born to Be Alive" - Patrick Hernandez
    • No. 1 in Australia in October 1979
    • While the clip cost a few hundred dollars, the song has made over $30 million worldwide
  3. "Video Killed the Radio Star" - The Buggles
    • No. 1 in Australia in December 1979
    • The Buggles were a studio band and only played live twice - in 1998 and 2004
  4. "Turning Japanese" - The Vapors
    • No. 1 in Australia in June 1980
  5. "Funkytown" - Lipps Inc (and also Pseudo Echo)
    • No. 1 in Australia for Lipps Inc. in August 1980
    • Singer Cynthia Johnson was a former Miss Black Minnesota
    • No. 1 in Australia for Pseudo Echo in January 1987
  6. "Come on Eileen" - Dexys Midnight Runners
    • No. 1 in Australia in November 1982
    • Eileen was lead singer Kevin Rowland's childhood sweetheart
  7. "Spirit in the Sky" - Norman Greenbaum
    • No. 1 in Australia in May 1970
    • Although Jewish, Norman Greenbaum thought that a song about Jesus would sell better that one about Jehovah
    • The song has been used in more than 30 films, including Apollo 13, Ocean's Eleven and Wayne's World 2
  8. "99 Luftballons" - Nena
    • No. 1 in Australia in April 1984
    • The song is about the military attacking some loose balloons and accidentally destroying the world
  9. "Don't Worry, Be Happy" - Bobby McFerrin
    • No. 1 in Australia in November 1988
    • Features on the "Cocktail" Movie Soundtrack
  10. "Pass the Dutchie" - Musical Youth
    • No. 1 in Australia in December 1982
  11. "Rockin' Robin" - Bobby Day
    • No. 1 in Australia in October 1958
    • Strangely, Bobby Day's real name is Robert Byrd
  12. "Slice of Heaven" - Dave Dobbyn & The Herbs
    • No. 1 in Australia in May 1987
    • From the "Footrots Flat: A Dog's Tale" Movie Soundtrack
    • One Hit Wonder is a misnomer for Dave Dobbyn, who has one of the longest and most successful careers in the New Zealand music industry. Many of his greatest hits have become New Zealand cultural icons. Dave Dobbyn was voted New Zealand's 2005 songwriter of the year.
  13. "Counting The Beat" - The Swingers
    • No. 1 in Australia in March 1981
    • Was used in K-Mart commercials in Australia in the late 90s
  14. "Tubthumping" - Chumbawamba
    • No. 1 in Australia in December 1997
    • The English ensemble have been together since 1982
  15. "I'll Be Gone" - Spectrum
    • No. 4 in Australia in March 1971
  16. "Mickey" - Toni Basil
    • No. 1 in Australia in June 1982
    • The song had been released a year eariler with no success until MTV started playing the clip
    • Toni's follow up single was a flop in the U.S. and not even released in Australia
    • A remix version by New York DJ Jason Nevins was a club favourite in 1999.
  17. "Achy Breaky Heart" - Billy Ray Cyrus
    • No. 1 in Australia in October 1992
    • In 2004, Blender magazine selected the song as the second worst song ever
    • The song was the #1 selling single in Australia for 1992
  18. "Venus" - Shocking Blue
    • No. 1 in Australia in March 1970
    • The song was a #1 hit many countries around the world, although not in their homeland, The Netherlands
    • A remix version peaked at #49 in Australia in early 1991
  19. "Mambo No. 5" - Lou Bega
    • No. 1 in Australia in September 1999
    • German singer Bega did have a follow up single and 3 more albums but the Mambo is still his claim to fame in Australia
    • The song was the #1 selling single in Australia for 1999
  20. "Tainted Love" - Soft Cell
    • No. 1 in Australia in February 1982
    • Soft Cell was David Ball and Marc Almond
    • The song was originally recorded in 1964 by British singer Gloria Jones

[edit] Other one hit wonders

Novelty Dance:

Australian Novelty:

TV shows:

Unlikely Stars:

TV stars

[edit] Contributors

This is a listing of personalities who were interviewed to provide comments and thoughts on the list (in order of appaearance):

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