3 One-Hit Wonders From 1969 That Bridge Two Decades

Over the past 150 years, the year 1969 might be the most significant in American history. From the music to the social upheaval to the rapidly changing cultural landscape, the 12 months that made up the time period remain as significant as any in modern memory. And when it comes to the one-hit wonders of the day, that’s also true.

Videos by American Songwriter

We wanted to explore three of those offerings. A trio of one-hit wonders from 1969 that were popular and that also straddled two worlds. Were these songs more of the 1960s or more of the following decade? That’s what we’ll decide here. Indeed, these are three one-hit wonders from 1969 that bridge two worlds.

“Oh Happy Day” by Edwin Hawkins Singers from ‘Let Us Go Into The House Of The Lord’ (1969)

We begin this list with a song that could have been released in any era. Yet, it is still somehow of the 1960s, too. A positive song about the possibility of a better future, this tune hit No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. If you walked into a place of worship and this song was filling the room, your soul would smile right along with your lips. It just feels like fulfillment. So while it’s both perfect for the late 1960s, it’s also a song that’s as valuable today as ever.

“Sugar, Sugar” by The Archies from ‘Everything’s Archie’ (1969)

What in the actual eff? This song hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and it’s by a group of cartoons. Not only is this tune of the 1960s, but it’s somehow of a time even before that. Of course, it’s catchy as all heck. But the fact that this song became a mainstream success when it was “performed” by comic characters that date back to the 1940s is remarkable. Either way, there’s a reason why this music video stayed in the past. Not that it’s not worthy today, but it’s just so odd that it can go on and live in 1969 just fine!

“Something In The Air” by Thunderclap Newman from ‘Hollywood Dream’ (1969)

This song is a perfect bridge between the late 1960s and early 1970s. It is quintessential classic rock from the age when classic rock came of age. It has a political message, and it’s also easy to listen to over and over. Thunderclap Newman really were struck by inspirational lightning when they composed this tune, which hit No. 37 on the Billboard Hot 100. Even though it just scraped into the Top 40, the song lives on well into today.

Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images