One song that overshadows an artists entire catalogue

May or may not be the artists best song but it's the one most people know and in some case the only one most people know

Example -"Baker Street" by Gerry Rafferty

 

maybe "roadrunner" for the modern lovers" , "johnathan richman and the modern lovers

 

Vanitaa Vins Original

 

"American Pie" by Don McLean.

 

"Don't Dream its Over" Crowded House.

 

Neil Diamond - Sweet Caroline

 

Well , don' t forget ' Vincent ' ( aka Starry Starry Night ) but ' American Pie' is the biggie .

 

Hmm...does this song really overshadow his entire catalogue? He had so many hits.

 

Centerfold, J Geils Band. Hopefully it made them well deserved money, but it’s no where near the best of their material.

this was Justman taking the band in a direction that Wolf didn’t want to go. We’ve had great, great unheralded music from Wolf since then, ,,,,, and just crickets from Justman.

 

"Venus" by Shocking Blue.

 

“No Rain” by Blind Melon
“When A Man Loves A Woman” by Percy Sledge

 

I'd say that 'Alison' has pretty much overshadowed Elvis Costello's output (with 'Veronica' a close second). Whenever I tell people I'm a huge fan of Costello, they'll inevitably start singing 'Alison' or look at me blankly.

 

Joy Division - "Love Will Tear Us Apart

Incredible song, but pretty different from the rest of their output and is far and away their most popular.

 

More than words - Extreme
That song has people thinking they were just a ballad band but actually they are much more than that...

 

Stuck In The Middle With You somewhat overshadows Baker Street. But let's just say that it overshadows anything else by Steeler's Wheel.

 

Ironically Vincent was the bigger hit in the UK going to number 1

 

Toto "Africa" or aha "Take on Me".

 

so, we are kind of looking for one-hit wonders, even though the artist has had a few albums with no other hits?

standells - dirty water

seeds - pushin too hard

10cc - i'm not in love

warren zevon - werewolves of london

 

"Werewolves of London". I defy anyone who isn't a fan to name a single other Zevon song.

 

Daft Punk - Get Lucky

 

Hi Ho Silver Lining

 

10cc had a ton of hits in the 70s.

 

You know my name, look up the number: John, Paul, George & Ringo

 

I didn't know that ' American Pie' dudn't get to #1 there. How high did it get?

 

Good point. I even doubt many could name him as the artist of this song.