The One Hit Wonder Quiz 70s Edition tests a player’s knowledge of well-known songs by (mostly) easily-forgotten bands. This version of the game can work for most music-based formats, including some Classic Hits, Oldies, and some Classic Rock stations.
Before you begin, follow the guidelines for playing games in the Game Strategy section here.
Then, choose the best method to play this game based on your show and how you’ll use the game.
The One Hit Wonder Quiz 70s Edition
This game is fun for listeners to play along in the car. Plus, it’s a terrific way to connect a personality to the station’s format, engage listeners, and reinforce the music brand.
It also works as a complement to music features like some of these. Some personalities may want to make it a part of a music feature or special weekend programming.
Be sure the clues are easy enough for listeners to play along with or at least guess. It’s no fun if the questions are too obscure or the songs are unfamiliar. There’s nothing worse than a contestant that has no idea and can’t make a guess.
Consider making difficult questions multiple-choice, especially if playing with listeners.
Some shows play a clip of each song with the lyrics after revealing the correct answers to remind listeners who may not know the song just by title and artist. If you’re playing multiple rounds, this can get quite long.
Examples
Here are some examples of questions and answers for the One Hit Wonders 90s Quiz, along with a brief recap of the band’s history.
In 1972, Roberta Flack topped the charts with the song that would be her only #1 hit. What was the song? Answer: “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face”. In 1972, Roberta Flack had a #1 hit with “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.” Originally written in 1957, this ballad gained popularity after it was featured in the 1971 film Play Misty for Me.
“Afternoon Delight” was the only #1 hit for what soft rock group in 1976?
Answer: Starland Vocal Band “Afternoon Delight” by Starland Vocal Band hit #1 in 1976. The suggestive lyrics of this soft rock tune led to some radio stations banning it. The band never cracked the Top 40 again.
“Play That Funky Music” was the signature hit for what funk rock band in 1976? Answer: Wild Cherry “Play That Funky Music” was the only hit for Wild Cherry in 1976. The funk rock song’s refrain of “play that funky music white boy” became widely quoted. The band broke up by 1979.
Gilbert O’Sullivan scored a #1 hit in 1976 with a quirky sad song, but had no other chart-toppers. What was the name of his #1 hit? Answer: “Alone Again, Naturally.”In 1976, establishment-critiquing singer Gilbert O’Sullivan scored a chart-topper with “Alone Again (Naturally).” Despite other Top 10 hits, he never had another #1. His quirky piano ballads didn’t find lasting mainstream success.
Disco singer Anita Ward hit #1 in 1979 with what provocative song?
Answer: “Ring My Bell”. In 1979, Anita Ward hit big with the disco track “Ring My Bell.” Its slinky groove and euphemistic lyrics helped it to #1. Ward never managed another substantial hit despite some minor R&B singles.
Soft rock musician Andrew Gold had his biggest success in the 70s with what ode to loneliness? Answer: “Lonely Boy”. Soft rock singer Andrew Gold had his biggest success with the late 70s release “Lonely Boy.” The ode to isolation reached #7 in 1977. Though he worked steadily as a musician, Gold had no other major hits.
What is the name of the Los Angeles DJ that had a hit disco song with “Disco Duck”? Answer: Rick Dees. This perhaps summed up the novelty disco craze of 1976. Created by Memphis disc jockey Rick Dees, the comedic quacking tune topped the charts but marked Dees as a one-hit wonder.
The Hues Corporation had a 1974 chart-topper with an early disco track but failed to reproduce that success. What was the name of their #1 song?
Answer: “Rock The Boat.” “Rock the Boat” sailed up the charts for the Hues Corporation in 1974, reaching #1. The soul trio was unable to keep the momentum going despite additional minor hits.
“Playground in My Mind” was the only major hit for what singer in 1972? Answer: Clint Holmes. Playground in My Mind” was the signature tune for singer Clint Holmes. The nursery rhyme-esque 1972 track reached #2 but failed to spurn further success for Holmes.
Studio project Hot Butter scored a #1 in 1972 with what synthetic, instrumental track?
Answer: “Popcorn.” In 1972, Hot Butter scored a #1 instrumental with synth-driven “Popcorn.” The studio group never managed to repeat the novelty track’s success. They are considered an early pioneer of electronic music.
Exile had a #1 in 1978 but did not crack the Top 40 again. What song did they take to #1?Answer: “Kiss You All Over.” In 1978, Exile soared to #1 with soft rock staple “Kiss You All Over.” Though they continued recording, the pop group never matched the crossover success of their sole chart-topper.
Michael Damian covered David Essex’s 1973 big hit. What was the name of that song? Answer: “Rock On.” With its recognizable synthesizer line, “Rock On” hit #1 for Michael Damian in 1989. It was originally released in 1973 by David Essex. Damian’s version remains far more popular in the US.
Walter Murphy turned what classical work into a 1976 chart-topping disco track?
Answer: Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. In 1976, Walter Murphy & the Big Apple Band took Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony to #1 on the pop charts as the disco track “A Fifth of Beethoven.” They failed to produce another major hit.
What is the name of the singer-songwriter who had a synthpop hit in 1979 with “Pilot of the Airwaves”? Answer: Charlie Dore. With lush production, ” Pilot of the Airwaves” by Charlie Dore reached #13 in 1979. The synthpop track was an outlier in the Scottish singer-songwriter’s career, making her a one-hit-wonder.
Power pop band The Knack topped the charts in 1979 with what hit inspired by a real-life muse? Answer: “My Sharona.” In 1979, the reggae-influenced track “My Sharona” shot to #1 for The Knack. Led by Doug Fieger, the power pop band remains synonymous with their lone chart-topper.
Funk rock band Redbone had a 1974 Top 5 hit with what song?” Answer: “Come and Get Your Love.” The song hit #5 in 1974. The success of their Mardi Gras-inspired anthem never translated into further hits for the Native American band.
Question: What country singer had a 1972 pop crossover hit with “(I Never Promised You a) Rose Garden”? Answer: Lynn Anderson. In 1972, country singer Lynn Anderson had a #3 pop hit with her signature song “(I Never Promised You a) Rose Garden.” Though she continued recording, Anderson never crossed over to pop success again.
Question: Singer Andy Kim topped charts in 1974 with what breezy soft rock hit?
Answer: “Rock Me Gently”. “Rock Me Gently” topped charts in 1974 for singer Andy Kim. His breezy soft rock ode remains widely recognized as Kim’s only major solo hit in America before he faded from view.
Question: Folk duo Brewer & Shipley had a 1971 hit with what counterculture anthem?
Answer: “One Toke Over the Line.” In 1971, “One Toke Over the Line” by folk duo Brewer & Shipley provided an unexpected #10 hit. The counterculture anthem cemented their status as one-hit wonders.
The Stories had a 1973 #1 hit about interracial love, an unusual song for the time. What is the name of that song? Answer: “Brother Louie.” about what taboo topic? The Stories had a #1 hit in 1973 with “Brother Louie,” a ballad about interracial love unusual for the time. The pop band sank quickly after their lone major hit.
Question: Looking Glass had a 1972 hit with “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl),” a folk story song about a girl named Brandy? What was her job? Answer: Served drinks in a bar. In 1972, Looking Glass had a major hit with “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl),” the folky story song of a barmaid. Despite the song’s continued airplay, the group never replicated its success.
R&B duo Peaches & Herb topped charts in 1979 with what steamy ballad?
Answer: “Reunited” In 1979, Peaches & Herb topped charts with sexy R&B ballad “Reunited.” The duo never managed another major hit, cementing their status as one-hit wonders.
Question: Carl Douglas had a 1974 #1 song,” capitalizing on what cultural craze?
Answer: Kung Fu Fighting. “Kung Fu Fighting” delivered chart-topping success for Carl Douglas in 1974. The disco track capitalized on the kung fu craze, but did not spur other hits for the British-Jamaican singer.
Question: Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler hit the Top 40 once in the 70s with what angsty breakup song? Answer: “It’s a Heartache.” In 1975, Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler bellowed the epic “It’s a Heartache.” Despite her raspy voice and later success, the breakup ballad was her only stateside hit in the 70s.
Question: Comedian and singer Jim Stafford hit #1 in 1974 with what novelty country song? Answer: “Spiders & Snakes”Jim Stafford struck gold in 1974 with the humorous country track “Spiders & Snakes.”
Question: Michael Murphey had a lone 1974 chart-topper with what ghostly love song?
Answer: “Wildfire.” Michael Murphey crooned to #1 in 1974 with “Wildfire,” a yearning love song built around a ghostly girl and a mysterious wild horse. Murphey faded back into obscurity after his major success.
In 1976, Walter Murphy took Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony to #1 with the pop adaptation “A Fifth of Beethoven.” The studio group never managed to repeat the unlikely classical crossover.
Question: The Five Stairsteps had their only Top 40 hit in 1970 with what upbeat, harmony-filled track? Answer: “O-o-h Child.” “O-o-h Child” in 1970 gave the Chicago soul group the Five Stairsteps their only Top 40 success. The buoyant, harmony-filled track became a summertime favorite despite stalled success for the band.
