Sometimes in the music world a song that was not expected to be a chart topper becomes known as a “one-hit wonder.”

It makes its mark on the radio and various shows by becoming really popular and a song that is requested by music fans across the U.S..

Growing up, I was a big fan of music and still am. Like many others in our area, I often listened to local radio station WBTH in Williamson. I would also tune in to WOWO, airing out of Fort Wayne, Indiana, that had a booming AM signal and played all the latest hits. There were many nights, especially in the summer months, when I would go to sleep with the radio on, waking up to static the next morning.

I was blessed enough to eventually work in radio at WBTH, WXCC and WVKM. I also did some DJ work on the side, playing music at high school reunions, school dances, wedding receptions and other venues.

So I kept up with the music charts and hit songs throughout the years. Now, while in the car, like many others, I tune in to satellite radio. Every once in a while, a song comes on that I recall, but it may be hard to remember who sang it. It’s because it was a “one-hit wonder.”

Here are a few that I remember that some of you older readers may also recall.

Harper Valley PTA, Jeanie C. Riley

“Harper Valley PTA” is a country song written by Tom T. Hall. Back when I was very young in 1968, it became a big hit single for country singer Jeannie C. Riley. Riley’s debut record sold over 6 million copies as a single, making her the first woman to top both the Billboard Hot 100 and the U.S. Hot Country Singles charts with the same song. A television movie starring Barbara Eden of “I Dream of Jeanie” fame was based on this song’s lyrics.

“The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia,” Vicki Lawrence

Lawrence was best known as a member of Carol Burnett’s comedy entourage and hit TV show. But she had a huge hit with this song. It was a ballad, written in 1972 by songwriter Bobby Russell. Lawrence’s version, from her 1973 album of the same title, went to No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart after its release. There were several versions, but the biggest was the one recorded by Reba McEntire in 1991.

“It Never Rains in Southern California,” Albert Hammond

Dreaming of Hollywood stardom but facing harsh realities, Hammond nailed down how hard it is to make it in the music business with the lyrics of this hit. I remember it well because it got a lot of airplay while I was in high school. Released in 1972, this song delivers melodic, soft pop with a dark underside of the industry. This one-hit wonder reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.

“Convoy,” C.W. McCall

“Convoy” is a 1975 novelty song performed by C.W. McCall that became a number-one song on both the country and pop charts in the U.S. and is listed 98th among Rolling Stone magazine’s 100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time. The song spent six weeks at No. 1 on the country charts and one week at No. 1 on the pop charts.

“Come and Get Your Love,” Redbone

Redbone hit stardom in 1973 with this song. All members of this band were of Mexican American and Native American heritage. It was a catchy, upbeat tune. Despite chart success, the band remains relatively anonymous. Billboard acknowledged its quality with a No. 5 ranking in 1974.

“Ode to Billie Joe,” Bobbi Gentry

Just five weeks after its release, this song topped Billboard’s Pop singles chart. It also appeared in the top 10 of the Adult Contemporary and Hot Rhythm and Blues singles charts, and in the top 20 of the Hot Country Songs list.

The song takes the form of a first-person narrative. It tells of a rural Mississippi family’s reaction to the news of the suicide of Billie Joe McAllister, a local boy to whom the daughter has a connection, unbeknownst to her family. The song’s cryptic lyrics received widespread attention, leaving its audience intrigued as to what the narrator and Billie Joe threw off the Tallahatchie Bridge. It was also made into a movie.

“Somebody’s Knockin’,” Terri Gibbs

This song was released in October 1980 as her debut single and title track from her album, “Somebody’s Knockin’.” I remember it well because it was on the playlist when I first got behind the microphone on WBTH and I played it a lot.

The song’s success led to Gibbs winning the 1981 Academy of Country Music Award for Top Female Vocalist. I don’t recall any other song she ever sang.

“Swingin’,” John Anderson

John Anderson’s “Swingin’,” released in 1983, is an infectious tune that became one of the biggest hits of the 80s. The song’s upbeat tempo and catchy chorus make it a favorite among country music fans. This was a big hit on country radio, but also crossed over due to its catchy melody and charm.

“Achy Breaky Heart,” Billy Ray Cyrus

If you told people about Billy Ray Cyrus today, they would think he was one of the most popular and greatest country songwriters of the 20th century. Not only did his 1992 single, “Achy Breaky Heart,” hit No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100, but the song was also very popular during the early line dancing craze in country music of that era.

Cyrus is also known as the father of iconic pop star Miley Cyrus. But in truth, Cyrus only boasts the one Hot 100 chart-riser to his name as a solo artist.

Here are a few other one-hit wonders, but there are many, many more.

“Black Velvet, Alannah Myles; Rose Garen, Lynn Anderson; Baby Don’t Get Hooked on Me, Mac Davis; Wasted Day and Wasted Nights, Freddie Fender; Afternoon Delight, Starland Vocal Band; Spirits in the Sky, Norman Greebaumm and Wildfire, Michael Martin Murphy.

I hope this column brought back a few fond memories for you. Until next time.

(Kyle Lovern is a longtime journalist in the Tug Valley. He is now a retired freelance writer and columnist for the Mountain Citizen.)