There’s no denying that the 1970s was a memorable era in music. It brought us unique twists on rock tunes and introduced us to the unforgettable disco craze. Despite the birth of countless iconic songs, many artists only enjoyed fleeting success during that time, barely lasting a year on the U.S. charts. We’re here today to take a musical walk down memory lane and rediscover these nostalgic one-hit wonders.
#1: Norman Greenbaum – “Spirit in the Sky” (1969)
Norman Greenbaum’s hit “Spirit in the Sky” graced the 1969 album with its name, soaring to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 by April 1970 and remaining for 15 weeks. Achieving gold status, it sold 2 million copies within its first year.
In a 2006 interview with The New York Times, Greenbaum revealed the genesis of “Spirit in the Sky” came from watching Porter Wagoner’s gospel performance on TV. Intrigued and inexperienced in the gospel, he decided to pen his gospel tune, creating a timeless classic that continues to resonate with worldwide audiences.