One Hit Wonder Wednesday: Christmas

Christmas only comes once a year and tonight on the Night Shift, we're playing holiday hits by artists who only made the Billboard "nice list" once.

Even if you're not the kind of person who ever sang in church, we bet you've belted out at least one well-known Christmas carol. (Maybe it took a few glasses of spiked eggnog, we won't judge.) These aren't hymns but they've become holiday classics. Tonight on the Night Shift, it's the Christmas version of One Hit Wonder Wednesday.

Do They Know It's Christmas | Band Aid

This one comes with a BIG asterisk because of all the big names that were on the record. Of course Phil Collins, Boy George, U2, George Michael, Duran Duran, the Police, Kool and the Gang and Bananarama had more than one hit song, but this constellation of stars only came together once under the name "Band Aid" to record a charity single to raise money for famine in Africa. Since 1984, it has become a Christmas classic.

Jingle Bell Rock | Bobby Helms

Since 1957, this song has been on the radio every Christmas season. Like putting up the tree or kissing under the mistletoe, it's just not Christmas until you hear this song at least once. Bobby Helms had many other hits on the Country charts, including two #1 records.

Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer | Elmo and Patsy

This cautionary tale was recorded in 1979. It has been dividing music fans ever since as to whether it is a great song or a terrible song. Cousin Mel loves it.

All I Want for Christmas Is You | Vince Vance and the Valiants

This is the original. You may be surprised to find out this song first charted in 1994. It sounds older because it is based on a Bobby Vinton song from 1964. A Country radio crossover to mainstream, the band never had another hit on any charts.

The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late) | Alvin and the Chipmunks

It sold faster than a hula hoop: selling more than 4 million copies in 7 weeks in 1958. Ross Bagdassarian is the name behind the "band." He used David Seville as a stage name, which you may remember the song "Witch Doctor." Alvin, Theodore and Simon got a cartoon series and even a movie or two, but never another hit record.

Listen for these Christmas one hit wonders and all of Grand Rapids' greatest hits on the Night Shift with Craig Alan on 98.7 WFGR.