Over 2000 One Hit Wonder Songs!!
Last Update 04/03/16
Instrumental One Hit Wonders
- Artist
- Don Robertson
- Year
- 1956
- Song
- The Happy Whistler
- Chart
- 6
Donald Irwin Robertson was a pianist/songwriter who actived during the 1950s and 1960s. Many of his songs were made famous by other artists, including Eddy Arnold, Faron Young, and Elvis Presley. He also a skillfull whistler, which he exhibited in the Top10 hit "The Happy Whistler". The records became Roberton's only hit under his name.
- Artist
- Elmer Bernstein
- Year
- 1956
- Song
- Main Title From "The Man With the Golden Arm"
- Chart
- 16
For almost half a century, Elmer Bernstein had been one of Hollywood's best film score composer who was behind the success of many film music. His breakthrough came with the release of 1955's The Man With the Golden Arm, where his score earned him an oscar nomination - as well as the Top20 hit the following year. It was his only sucess on the Billboard chart.
- Artist
- Morris Stoloff
- Year
- 1956
- Song
- Moonglow and Theme From "Picnic"
- Chart
- 1
Philadelphian composer Morris Stoloff was best remembered for his works at Columbia Pictures between 1936 to 1962. Among them was the theme from 1955's romantic film 'Picnic'. Titled as "Moonglow", this love theme topped the Billboard chart in 1956 and became the swing standard. It was Stoloff's only chart hit until his death in 1980.
- Artist
- George Cates
- Year
- 1956
- Song
- Moonglow and Theme From "Picnic"
- Chart
- 4
Geroge Cates was an American composer/ arranger from L.A. back in the 1950s. He recorded several film scores and themes, most notably the theme from 1955's film 'Picnic'. The theme granted him the Top5 hit in 1956 and his only charted hit in his career.
- Artist
- The Dick Hyman Trio
- Year
- 1956
- Song
- Moritat (A Theme from "The Three Penny Opera")
- Chart
- 8
This trio setup was a usual front of a famous pianist and jazz musician Richard 'Dick' Hyman, who had worked with many bands since the 1950s. Their best work was the adaptation of the theme from 'The Three Penny Opera' titled "Moritat". It became a big hit in 1956 and their only appearance on Billboard chart.
- Artist
- Richard Hayman & Jan August
- Year
- 1956
- Song
- A Theme From "The Three Penny Opera" (Moritat)
- Chart
- 11
Richard Hayman was a well-known music director for many artists, including Pat Boon, the Osmonds, and Kenny Rogers. He also recorded several broadway and film scores. One of them was a theme from 'The Three Penny Opera', which earned him a no.11 spot on Billboard chart in 1956. It was his only Top40 hit in his career till his retire in 1990s.
- Artist
- Joe "Fingers" Carr
- Year
- 1956
- Song
- Portuguese Washerwomen
- Chart
- 19
Joe "Fingers" Carr was a stage name of an American jazz pianist Lou Busch when he wanted to play heavy ragtime piano style - which was popular in the early 1950s. His biggest hit was "Portuguese Washerwomen" which was no.19 hit in 1956. He also scored a couple more minor hits, but none could enter Top40 area again.
- Artist
- Helmut Zacharias & His Magic Violins
- Year
- 1956
- Song
- When the White Lilacs Bloom Again
- Chart
- 12
Helmut Zacharias was a German violinist, composer, and bandleader during the 1950s and 1960s. His most famous pieces was "When the White Lilacs Bloom Again", which became a no.12 hit in US in 1956. He was a popular musician in Europe and later made a Top10 hit in UK, but never appeared in US ever again.
- Artist
- Victor Young
- Year
- 1957
- Song
- Around the World (Main Theme)
- Chart
- 13
Victor Young was a well-known violinist who penned many popular songs and film scores during the first half of the 20th century. Among his movie works was the theme for Michael Todd's 'Around the World in 80 Days', which was released as a singles and became Top20 hit in 1957. It was Young's only charted hit in his entire career.
- Artist
- Bill Justis
- Year
- 1957
- Song
- Raunchy
- Chart
- 2
Bill Justis was an American musician/producer from Nashville who was best remembered for his instrumental hit "Raunchy". Its unique guitar sound captivated the audiences and push the singles to no.2 spot in 1957. Thus, became the best -selling instrumental for Sun Records. Sadly, he soon ran out of hits and never returned to Top40 chart again until his death in 1982.
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