21+ One-Hit Wonders That Are The Most Famous
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.
Norman Greenbaum
The distinctively fuzzy guitar riff and pounding, anthemic quality of Norman Greenbaum’s 1969 single “Spirit in the Sky” ensures that the song remains popular to this day, even if the artist who wrote and recorded it is largely forgotten.
While Greenbaum released a few albums that showed off the blend of rock, blues, and gospel influences that could be heard in his singular hit, “Spirit in the Sky” was Greenbaum’s only major chart single.
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.
Lou Bega
While many know Lou Bega’s “Mambo No. 5 (A Little Bit Of…)” as a catchy and infectious hit at best and an irritating song with stabbing synth at worst, the song actually has some interesting lineage.
The song was an adaptation of a 1949 mambo instrumental and was performed by Bega — a German by birth who also had Italian and Ugandan ancestry. Bega’s various stylistic influences were all on display in his catchy hit, even if it didn’t lead to greater recognition in the years that followed.
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.
Sir Mix-a-Lot
Sir Mix-a-Lot’s best-known track, by far, is his 1992 hit “Baby Got Back,” which featured a catchy beat and a truly unapologetic celebration of curvy women. The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 and became a cultural phenomenon.
While most people only know him for his one song, Sir Mix-a-Lot released several albums throughout the late ’80s and early ’90s, along with another minor hit (“Posse on Broadway”). Today, he’s regarded as an influential producer who helped shape Seattle’s hip hop scene.
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.
Gotye
Gotye, born Wouter De Backer, struck gold with his eclectic, distinctive 2011 hit “Somebody That I Used to Know,” which also featured New Zealand singer Kimbra.
The song’s haunting melody and emotional lyrics struck a chord with listeners, and Gotye was awarded a Grammy for Record of the Year. While Gotye hasn’t repeated his success, he continues making music to this day.
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.
Baha Men
This Bahamian group can trace its origins back to the 1970s, but mainstream audiences got their first taste of the Baha Men’s energetic style with their 2000 hit, “Who Let the Dogs Out?”
While the song became an iconic party hit and a genuine part of early 2000s pop culture, the Baha Men didn’t experience prolonged mainstream success. Royalties from the song are still going strong and the group continues performing to this day, but they’re mostly popular in their native Bahamas.
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.
Vanilla Ice
Vanilla Ice never topped the success of his 1990 single “Ice Ice Baby,” but to be fair, it would be hard for any artist to create a song that had more pop culture dominance than Ice’s big hit.
He was able to continue his musical momentum for a time, releasing several other successful singles in the early ’90s. In time, he reinvented himself as a reality TV star and became famous for non-musical reasons — even if he does still find the time to perform in the 2020s.
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.
Eagle-Eye Cherry
Swedish singer-songwriter Eagle-Eye Cherry is known for his smooth blend of rock, pop, and folk, and these influences came together masterfully with his 1997 single “Save Tonight.” The song featured heartfelt lyrics and an infectious acoustic riff, reaching the top 10 in several countries and becoming a staple of late-’90s alternative radio.
Eagle-Eye Cherry did go on to release several more albums in the early 2000s, but none of their songs made nearly as much of an impact as “Save Tonight.”
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.
Tag Team
This hip-hop duo from Atlanta consists of Cecil “DJ the Brain Supreme” Glenn and Steve “Steve Rolln” Gibson, and burst onto the scene with their energetic 1993 hit “Whoomp! (There It Is).”
The song became one of the biggest dance hits of the ’90s and marked a high-water mark for Tag Team’s commercial success. While the group didn’t release another single with the same lasting influence, they’re credited with helping to popularize Atlanta as a hub for hip-hop.
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.
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.
Marcy Playground
Marcy Playground’s moody and atmospheric 1997 single “Sex and Candy” fit in well with the post-grunge and alternative landscape of the time, and it stayed on top of the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart for 15 weeks.
Just as quickly as Marcy Playground became a household name, they virtually disappeared from mainstream radio. While they’re maintained a steady fanbase through constant touring and a steady output of music, “Sex and Candy” is their sole hit.
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.
Natalie Imbruglia
Australian soap opera star turned singer Natalie Imbruglia saw her musical career explode with her debut single, 1997’s “Torn.” The song was actually a cover of something written by Ednaswap, an American band, and its lush production helped it become a smash hit.
Imbruglia carried her momentum forward with singles like “Big Mistake” and “Wrong Impression,” but neither was a smash hit. Eventually, she moved back toward acting and humanitarian pursuits.
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.”
