3 Incredible One-Hit Wonders From 1972 That Are Still Worth Listening to Today

Sometimes the best songs are by artists who were never able to replicate their success. In 1972, radio played plenty of songs that became unforgettable one-hit wonders, including these three songs, which are still worth listening to today.

“Brandy (You’re A Fine Girl)” by Looking Glass

Their debut single, “Brandy (You’re A Fine Girl)” is on Looking Glass’s eponymous debut album. Band member Elliot Lurie wrote this song by himself. It remains their only No. 1 hit.

“Brandy (You’re A Fine Girl)” says, “The sailors say ‘Brandy, you’re a fine girl (you’re a fine girl) / What a good wife you would be (such a fine girl) / Yeah your eyes could steal a sailor from the sea.’”

Looking Glass reportedly recorded this song seven different times before they got the version that is heard today. The song’s name came from Lurie’s high school sweetheart, Randy.

Interestingly, “Brandy (You’re A Fine Girl)” was not meant to be a single. It was first released as the B-side of  “Don’t It Make You Feel Good,” also from Looking Glass. But when a DJ from Washington, DC, began playing the song, it took off.

After the release of “Brandy (You’re A Fine Girl)”, Looking Glass released “Golden Rainbow”, a Top 40 single. In 1973, they released “Jimmy Loves Mary-Anne”, a Top 20 single, and their final entry into the charts.

“Motorcycle Mama” by Sailcat

Sailcat’s only charting song, “Motorcycle Mama” is also their first single. The song is the title track of Sailcat’s only record. The band’s John Wyler is the only writer of the song.

“Motorcycle Mama” says, “Tell your Daddy and your Mama too / You got something better to do / Than stick around the house the rest of your life / You’re eighteen, you can do what you like / You’ll be the queen of my highway, my motorcycle mama / We’ll see the world through my Harley.”

After “Motorcycle Mama”, Sailcat only released two more singles. However, neither of them had any success at radio.

“Wildflower” by Skylark

“Wildflower” is Skylark’s debut single and their only hit at radio. The song is the title track of their freshman record. Band member Doug Edwards, along with David Richardson, are the song’s two writers. It is their only Top 5 single.

The chorus says, “Let her cry for she’s a lady / Let her dream / For she’s a child / Let the rain fall down upon her / She’s a free and gentle flower / Growing wild.”

Skylark released one more album, 2, which failed to produce any hits for the group. Skylark sadly did not have much success as a band. Still, “Wildflower” was later recorded by numerous other artists. Color Me Badd, Johnny Mathis, Lisa Fischer, and Tyrese Gibson are among the artists who put their own spin on this song.

Photo by Bobby Bank/Getty Images

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