The Chakachas were a group of Latin-soul studio musicians from Belgium, and they were brilliant. In 1972, they produced a hit tune titled “Jungle Fever”, which reached number 8 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 29 in the UK. In the US, the single sold over a million copies, and was certified gold.
This groovy funk gem was also famously featured in the 1997 cult classic film, ‘Boogie Nights’. It also appeared in a 2004 videogame, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, and three other films, including ‘Next Friday’, ‘Just Like Heaven, and 2019’s ‘Good Boys’. “Jungle Fever” has also been sampled by famous rappers throughout the years. However, The Chakachas never topped a chart in the US again.
"My Maria" by B. W. Stevenson
Buckwheat Stevenson, or B.W. Stevenson, was a bearded country singer that hit it big with his 1973 song, "My Maria". The single reached number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed in the Top 40 for twelve more weeks.
One year later, in 1974, Stevenson went on to perform for the Austin City Limits pilot episode. Regrettably, the recording was apparently not clear enough and the poor quality caused the episode producers to scrap it.
"Afternoon Delight" by Starland Vocal Band
"Afternoon Delight" is one of those songs you can't hear without cracking a smile and singing along. What was brilliant about this song is that, even though it was clearly incredibly suggestive and naughty, it was still whimsical enough to be played on the radio.
Skyrockets definitely took flight with this song, as it topped the Billboard Hot 100 charts when it came out in 1976, and more success and fame followed after Starland Vocal got its own TV show. The song was nominated for four Grammys, of which it won two, among them for Best New Artist. Unfortunately, this was definitely a case of a one-hit wonder, since that was the last hit anyone heard of Starland Vocal.
"Do You Wanna Make Love" by Peter McCann
This sweetly innocent song about intimacy, written by Peter McCann, was the number 5 song on 1977's Billboard Hot 100 chart. "Do You Wanna Make Love" was so saccharine that even parents wouldn't freak out when they heard it playing on the radio.
Unfortunately, nobody ever heard from Peter McCann again. But hey, he'll always have his hit single.
"Stuck in the Middle With You" by Stealers Wheel
Most people know "Stuck in the Middle With You" from that brilliant, albeit overly violent scene from Tarantino's classic film, 'Reservoir Dogs'. The extremely cheery and catchy tune was recorded by Stealers Wheel in 1973, and it became the Scottish band's ticket to fame. The song topped BBC's 'Top of the Pops' when it was released.
The band's Gerry Rafferty and Joe Egan recorded the song, but they enlisted the help of songwriters Mike Stoller and Jerry Leiber. The pair had helped the king of rock 'n roll himself, Elvis Presley, reach star status back in the day.