20 Of The Most Famous One-Hit Wonders
No musician sets out to be a one hit wonder, but in many cases, this is exactly what happens: An act bursts onto the scene with a chart-topping song, only to never re-enter the pop culture zeitgeist.
These artists are all really just known for one song. This doesn’t mean that they didn’t produce other noteworthy music, nor does it necessarily mean that their back catalog isn’t worth listening to — but, unless you’re a huge fan, you probably only know them for their hit.
Terry Jacks
Canadian singer-songwriter Terry Jakes struck gold with “Seasons in the Sun” in 1974, a sentimental song based on a piece written by Belgian composer Jacques Brel.
After the Beach Boys chose not to record the song, Jacks — the group’s producer — opted to record it himself. It sold 14 million copies worldwide. Jacks released several albums, but never again reached these heights.
A-ha
Norwegian synth-pop band A-ha is still going strong today, releasing numerous singles to varying degrees of success ever since 1982. But for most people, the only A-ha song they’re familiar with is the infectiously catchy “Take On Me” from their 1985 album Hunting High and Low.
The song was actually first released a year earlier, but didn’t chart. The album version caught fire, though, and topped Billboard‘s Hot 100.
Soft Cell
Soft Cell had twelve Top 40 hits in their native United Kingdom, but their biggest hit by far was the moody earworm “Tainted Love.”
The song wasn’t actually written by Soft Cell, but was originally a 1965 soul track released by Gloria Jones in 1965. With a more bassy, synth-heavy makeover, the song became a massive hit.
The Buggles
English new wave band The Buggles made a massive splash with their debut single, “Video Killed the Radio Star” in 1979.
The song reached the top of the charts, and became even more entrenched in pop culture when the fledgling MTV chose it to introduce their new channel. Success was short-lived for this band, however, and they’re only really associated with their one big hit.
Dexys Midnight Runners
Often presented as Exhibit A when it comes to discussions of one-hit wonders, Dexys Midnight Runners actually had two number one hits in the UK: “Geno” and “Come on Eileen,” the latter of which is seen as their biggest hit.
The band received some traction thanks to these two songs and the popularity of MTV, but eventually broke up in 1987. They’ve since reunited with different lineups.
Lipps Inc.
“Funkytown” was everywhere in 1980, and Lipps Inc. was the band to record the fun, funky single. It was included on their first album, Mouth to Mouth.
While the single was a massive hit, it was also the band’s only hit. It was a short-lived collaboration, as the group broke up in 1985 and never got back together.
A Flock of Seagulls
A Flock of Seagulls is known for two things: Their unique hair, and their 1982 hit “I Ran (So Far Away)”. The group found some success with other songs, though, including winning a Grammy for the instrumental track “D.N.A.”
After a brief hiatus, the group reunited in 1988 and is still together today. Despite their short term in the spotlight, they’re seen as a distillation of ’80s music and style.
Nena
Nena was the name of not just a West German band, but also the mononym used by the group’s singer, whose real name is Gabriele Susanne Kerner.
The group had a massive hit with their 1983 song “99 Luftballons.” An English-language version, “99 Red Balloons,” soon followed. The song is still popular today, although it was Nena’s only hit in the United States.
Toni Basil
Antonia Christina Basilotta, or Toni Basil, had a career rooted in the dance world, and her early musical career was largely forgettable.
But in 1982, Basil’s song “Mickey” (a cover of a song called “Kitty” from 1979) became a surprise novelty hit with its “Oh Mickey, you’re so fine” chant. Basil followed up on this success with more releases in the decade, but none were nearly as popular.
Katrina and the Waves
Formed from the remnants of several bands in Cambridge, UK in the 1970s, Katrina and the Waves emerged in the early ’80s and released their biggest hit, “Walking on Sunshine,” in 1985.
The song helped spur record sales, but the band was unable to revisit this same success. Years later, in 1997, they surprisingly won the Eurovision song contest.
Thomas Dolby
Quirky English musician Thomas Dolby is best known for his 1982 single “She Blinded Me with Science.”
Dolby is an example of a musician who likely never wanted the limelight. Since his big hit, he’s mostly worked as a session musician, producer, and tech entrepreneur.
Wild Cherry
Wild Cherry scored a massive hit during the height of the disco era with the soulful “Play That Funky Music” in 1976. The single was certified platinum in the United States, selling 2.5 copies in the U.S. alone.
In the end, the song was their only hit and the band broke up in 1980.
Right Said Fred
Right Said Fred, a band composed of brothers Fred and Richard Fairbrass, is largely known for the 1991 single “I’m Too Sexy.”
The fun, silly song was a big hit in the early part of the 1990s, peaking at number two on the UK Singles Chart and also charting in other countries. While the song had staying power, Right Said Fred never again reached these heights.
Deep Blue Something
Deep Blue Something released the poppy alternative rock song “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” in 1993, and re-recorded and re-released it as a single in 1995. It became a surprise hit, peaking at number five on the U.S. charts.
Sadly for the band, the song was not indicative of further success. They broke up in 2001 and reunited in 2014, but are only really known for their one song.
The Verve
The Verve is a much-cherished rock band in their native England, and were a big part of the British rock scene to emerge in the 1990s.
Their 1997 album Urban Hymns spawned several hits, but “Bitter Sweet Symphony” was the obvious standout, and the only one to receive significant play outside of England.
Haddaway
Trinidadian-born German musician Neston Alexander Haddaway released the hit single “What Is Love” in 1993, a fast-paced and pulsing eurodance song that became an immediate club hit.
The single reached number one in 13 countries, but Haddaway himself never achieved much name recognition. While the song is still played today, most people likely can’t name the artist who performed it.
Bobby McFerrin
Musician Bobby McFerrin has unique musical talents that include whistling, fast jumps in pitch, and improvisational vocal percussion. He put all of these skills to use in his 1988 acapella hit “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.”
While McFerrin is an undoubtedly talented musician, he’s always been more of a conductor and sideman than solo musician.
Alannah Myles
Canadian singer-songwriter Alannah Myles is best known for her 1990 hit “Black Velvet,” an homage to the life of Elvis Presley. The song was a massive hit, but Myles never again reached these heights.
Myles continued releasing albums throughout the 1990s, to go with two more in 2008 and 2014.
Los del Río
An unlikely one-hit wonder, the Spanish pop duo Los del Río released their debut album in 1967 and built up a loyal following in Spain in the decades to come.
Of course, the group became an international sensation for their single “Macarena.” The Los del Río version was released in 1993, but a remixed version by Bayside Boys in 1995 spawned a massive dance craze.
Chumbawamba
Another unlikely one-hit wonder, Chumbawamba was an anarcho-punk band that wanted nothing to do with the mainstream for most of their history, which started back in 1982.
In 1997, their single “Tubthumping” became a huge hit. While its lyrics may have seemed mindless, guitarist Boff Whalley said it was “written to celebrate the resilience and tenacity of working-class folk who keep fighting when the chips are down.”
