We all know plenty of one-hit wonders, Thunderclap Newman, Norman Greenbaum, Edison Lighthouse, etc. Can anyone think of groups or singers who had a number of hits but never improved on their first one. One I can think of are Holding Back the Years (SImply Red), Bat out of Hell (Meatloaf) and In the Summertime (Mungo Jerry). There must be plenty of others.
Love Affair - "Everlasting Love" comes to mind, the follow up "Rainbow Valley" I thought was every bit as good but didn't really hit the heights of their 'biggy'.
Dont make me laugh. Just take a look at the charts from say now to 5 or maybe more years. Most of the various dull groups have never followed up with another hit single. Ok the ones above may have never had a number one but certainly had a good amount of air play with other songs. Buy the book of British Hit Singles that will give you all the info you may need.
Most one hit wonders did actually have several other hits but not memorable ones. Tasmin Archer is an example- she was referred to as a one-hit wonder on a TV programme last week, but I remember several other songs she did. If you listen to her album you will recognise them!
I'm not sure why the question should be considered laughable. I thought it was a reasonable thing to muse on those groups and singers who got off to a flier but couldn't sustain it. To answer Stevee's question, I was thinking more in terms of personal taste rather than chart position. For example, I think Mungo Jerry had another number one with Baby Jump, but very few would consider it to have been as good as In the Summertime. I know it's all very subjective but so is half of what appears on this site.