Over 2000 One Hit Wonder Songs!!
Last Update 01/10/16
Foreign Language One Hit Wonders
- Artist
- Ray Barretto
- Year
- 1963
- Song
- El Watusi
- Chart
- 17
A Puerto Rican descent Ray Barretto was widely regarded as the godfather of Latin jazz and famous for his unique conga style. In 1963, he scored the biggest hit of his life with the Charanga-style song "El Watusi". It became the first Latin song to enter Billboard chart. He continued to produce many more Latin jazz music but he never broke the Top40 chart again.
- Artist
- Kyu Sakamoto
- Year
- 1963
- Song
- Sukiyaki
- Chart
- 1
In 1963, the Japanese singer Kyu Sakamoto made a history when his singles "Sukiyaki" became no.1 hit in US. It was the first 'true' Japanese song ever to top the Billboard chart. Although he was a popular singer in Japan, he never made another hit in US again till his death in 1985. "Sukiyaki" was later translated in to English and became a hit for A Tasted of Honey in 1980.
- Artist
- David & Jonathan
- Year
- 1966
- Song
- Michelle
- Chart
- 18
Although "Michelle" was one of the Fab Four's most well-known songs, it was another group who brought this half-French/half-English song into the music chart. In 1966, a British vocalist duo, Roger Greenaway and Roger Cook, recorded their version of the song under the name David & Jonathan. It became a Top20 hit on Billboard chart the same year. It was their only hit in the State until they broke up not long after that.
- Artist
- Miriam Makeba
- Year
- 1967
- Song
- Pata Pata
- Chart
- 12
Miriam Makeba was a famous South Africa female musician, who was exiled from her country in the early 1960s. She was one of the artists who introducer of African music to the international level during 1960s. She had one major hit in 1967 when the singles "Pata Pata" became top20 (and her lone hit) in US. She returned to South Africa in 1990 after Nelson Mandela personally asked her to come back.
- Artist
- Jane Birkin & Serge Gainsbourg
- Year
- 1969
- Song
- Je T'Aime...Moi Non Plus
- Chart
- UK 1
Serge Gainsbourg was a French singer/songwriter with the nortorious reputations for his alcoholic, serious smoker, and womenizing. In 1969, he and his lover, Jane Birkin, produced the song "Je T'aime... Moi Non Plus". It caused quite a controversial and was banned in many countries in Europe. Despite all that, the song was a commercial success in Europe and became no.1 hit in UK.
- Artist
- Rene & Rene
- Year
- 1969
- Song
- Lo Mucho Que Te Quiero (The More I Love You)
- Chart
- 14
Rene Ornelas and Rene Herrera was a Latin pop duo who left their name on US chart twice. Their best work was a Top40 latino hit "Lo Mucho Que Te Quiero" which climbed to no.14 in 1969. The duo was never been seen again since.
- Artist
- Manu Dibango
- Year
- 1973
- Song
- Soul Makossa
- Chart
- 35
Manu Dibango was the most famous Cameroonian jazz saxophonist since the 1950s. His greatest work was the Cameroon-inspired "Soul Makossa". This African jazz beat broke into North American music chart in 1973 and became the only African record to ever enter the Billboard Top40 chart.
- Artist
- Mocedades
- Year
- 1974
- Song
- Eres tú (Touch The Wind)
- Chart
- 9
A Spanish singing group Mocedades was form 1967 by students from the city of Bilbao. In 1973, the band gained national recognition when their song "Eres Tú" became a runner-up at Eurovision Festival. It became the only Spanish language song to reach Top10 sppt on Billboard chart. They still an active group but, so far, could not produce another big hit.
- Artist
- Plastic Bertrand
- Year
- 1978
- Song
- Ça Plane Pour Moi
- Chart
- 47
Plastic Bertrand was an alias of a Belgium musician Roger Jouret. He made his solo debut as Plastic Bertrand in 1978. His first single, an new wave-style song called "Ça Plane Pour Moi", became a smash hit in Europe and a chart hit in US. It was one of the very few French-speaking song to appear on Billboard chart. He had a successful career in Europe and Canada but never appear in US again.
- Artist
- Nena
- Year
- 1984
- Song
- 99 Luftballons
- Chart
- 2
The German singer Nena reached the peak in her career with the song "99 Luftballons" in 1984. This German language, anti-nuclear war song was a hit in US and peaked at no.2 on Billboard chart - made it one of the most famous German song in the world. Even though the band still found success in Europe. The song was her only hit in English-speaking world.
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