We all know the biggest names in psychedelic rock, but what about the one-hit wonders that got drowned out in a sea of similar acts? These four one-hit wonders are some of the very best to come out of the psychedelic rock era, and we think they deserve some more love nowadays.
1. “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” by Iron Butterfly
If you’re not super well-versed with Iron Butterfly, you might be surprised to learn that these psychedelic acid-prog rock icons are actually, technically, one-hit wonders. “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” was released in 1968 and made it to no. 30 on the Hot 100. The band enjoyed a few subsequent hits, but none of them breached the Top 40 again.
Videos by American Songwriter
Make sure you block out some time to really listen to “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida”. It clocks in at over 17 minutes long!
2. “Incense And Peppermints” by Strawberry Alarm Clock
Strawberry Alarm Clock has to be one of the most underrated psychedelic rock bands ever. Their only claim to fame was “Incense And Peppermints” which was released in 1967 and made it to no. 1 on the Hot 100 chart that year.
Despite their talent, the band struggled to capitalize on the success of that hit. “Tomorrow” was released the following year and made it to no. 23, but that is about as successful as they got in terms of singles.
3. “Psychotic Reaction” by Count Five
One-hit wonders in psychedelic rock come and go, but this proto-punk garage rock song will live on forever. It’s a shame that Count Five didn’t make it bigger than they did, but their debut single “Psychotic Reaction” is still quite loved among fans of mid-1960s California psych-rock today.
This one-hit wonder made it to no. 5 on the US charts, but Count Five’s only other song to chart was “Peace of Mind”, which only made it to no. 125.
4. “Green Tambourine” by The Lemon Pipers
If you were around in 1967, you probably remember the melody of this bubblegum psychedelic pop song. The Lemon Pipers make it to our list of one-hit wonders in psychedelic rock with their hit song “Green Tambourine”. This song was a hit for the Ohio-based rock band, and it made it to no. 1 on the US charts. Sadly, the band never enjoyed a Top 40 hit in the US again and disbanded in 1969.
Today, “Green Tambourine” is considered the very first bubblegum pop song to ever hit no. 1 on the US charts.
Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.