20 One-Hit Wonders We Can't Forget
One-hit wonders are sometimes connected to songs that perfectly reflect the spirit of their time in one unforgettable single. Although these musicians might not have kept long careers on the front stage, their songs linger in popular culture and permanently change music history.
- Tricia Quitales
- 7 min read
With musicians emerging for a fleeting time before disappearing into obscurity, one-hit wonders have long been a fascinating feature of musical history. These songs are often so legendary that they remain cherished even without any later hits from the same performers. Behind these tunes are hidden narratives—some unexpected and less known. Celebrating 20 amazing one-hit wonders, this listicle provides information on the songs’ production, ongoing influence, and musicians behind them.
1. “Take On Me” – A-ha
Romazan on Wikimedia
Norwegian band A-ha created a worldwide smash with their synth-pop anthem “Take On Me” in 19 5. First, it was a commercial disappointment; it shot to the top of the charts, following a re-release with a more polished video. Fascinatingly, the band’s creative use of rotoscope animation became legendary and changed the whole view on music videos.
2. “Tainted Love” – Soft Cell
Sire Records on Wikimedia
Ed Cobb wrote “Tainted Love” in 1965; Soft Cell recorded it in 1981 and turned it into an unanticipated smash. Early in the 1980s, the song’s darker, more electronic sound set it apart by combining pop with a menacing quality. Though it was a cover, the song’s popularity eclipsed the band’s other works, defining them only on this one.
3. “I’m Too Sexy” – Right Said Fred
Manfred Werner / Tsui on Wikimedia
Though a lighthearted, tongue-in-cheek anthem about vanity and self-obsession, this 1991 hit became an unexpected top charting internationally. The song’s catchy chorus and odd lyrics made it a simple earworm, which attracted a lot of airplay. Ironically, the song’s popularity also confined the band and made it difficult for them to recapture its charm in subsequent years.
4. Lou Bega’s “Mambo No. 5 (A Little Bit of…)”
Sven Mandel on Wikimedia
Established in 1999, Lou Bega’s appealing song “Mambo No. 5” combined pop with Latin rhythms worldwide. The song’s catchy rhythm and lighthearted lyrics helped it be successful, although Bega never really matched it once more. His name began to be associated with the song, hence his inability to get away from its shadow even with constant musical output.
5. “Come On Eileen” – Dexys Midnight Runners
Ueli Frey on Wikimedia
Combining pop, folk, and Celtic inspirations, this 1982 hit produced a sound unique from the rest of the New Wave movement. Though Dexys Midnight Runners never found another song with the same intensity and success, “Come On Eileen” was a chart-topper in several nations. Kevin Rowland, the band’s lead singer, said that the song’s popularity caused great strain that finally resulted in artistic conflicts.
6. “Ice Ice Baby” – Vanilla Ice
wonker on Wikimedia
With “Ice Ice Baby,” a hip-hop hit that drew on Queen and David Bowie’s “Under Pressure,” Vanilla Ice debuted on the music scene in 1990 and became a worldwide phenomenon despite criticism over its sample. Although reviewers sometimes wrote off Ice as a one-hit wonder, his song’s memorable hook is still legendary.
7. “Bitter Sweet Symphony” – The Verve
Maxcoles135 on Wikimedia
Published in 1997, “Bitter Sweet Symphony” emerged as The Verve’s most popular song because it combined rock with symphonic parts. Legal conflicts with The Rolling Stones over the song’s use of a sample from their song “The Last Time” dogged its popularity; however, audiences worldwide still find great resonance in its existential frustration message.
8. “Take a Chance on Me” – ABBA
pasja1000 on Pixabay
Released in 1978, this catchy song hit No. 1 in several countries but was outshone by their other, more enduring hits, like “Dancing Queen.” ABBA, known for their string of hits, only managed one true “one-hit wonder” in some parts of the world. Still, “Take a Chance on Me” is one of their favorites.
9. “The Safety Dance” – Men Without Hats
Alvaro Camacho on Pexels
With a catchy pulse and odd, surreal music video, this 1982 smash was the New Wave era’s anthem. Men Without Hats experienced brief popularity but never matched the success of “The Safety Dance.” Fascinatingly, the song’s unusual lyrics and unforgettable chorus have kept it alive in mainstream culture, frequently finding expression in movies and ads.
10. “99 Luftballons” – Nena
Anna Birgit on Wikimedia
“99 Luftballons,” a German-language song that broke across borders, chronicles a dystopian society in which balloons are identified as enemy rockets. Nena exploded overnight, but the band could never match the single’s popularity. A mainstay of the 1980s, the song’s anti-war message and appealing melody captured something.
11. Thomas Dolby’s “She Blinded Me with Science”
Stansell on Wikimedia
Published in 1982, this odd synth-pop song unexpectedly gained popularity, mostly because of its catchy chorus and lighthearted music video. The genius behind the tune, Thomas Dolby, never came upon another song that matched its popularity. Still, his career as a producer and sound engineer blossomed, even if “She Blinded Me with Science” remained his defining tune.
12. “Black Velvet” – Alannah Myles
Melvin Buezo on Pexels
Published in 1989, “Black Velvet” hit with its sensual Southern rock tones. A chart-topping single, Alannah Myles’ intense vocals and the captivating melody of the song made Her never manage to reproduce the magic of “Black Velvet,” though, despite several attempts, leaving one timeless classic.
13. Simple Minds Don’t You (Forget About Me)
Jonathan Cooper on Pexels
Though Simple Minds had a long career, they are always connected to this 1985 hymn, which came to define the film The Breakfast Club. The song’s rebellious attitude and unforgettable chorus caught the ’80s mood. Despite several tries at comparable success, the band never exactly matched the charm of this classic song.
14. “Walking on Sunshine” – Katrina and the Waves
Big Bag Films on Pexels
Often used in movies and ads to inspire happiness, this lively, feel-good song from 1985 is a timeless anthem of delight. Katrina and the Waves couldn’t follow up on its success since their next songs lacked the same punch. Still, “Walking on Sunshine” is today’s mainstay of celebrations and gatherings.
15. “Barbie Girl” – Aqua
BulsaraAndDeacon on Wikimedia
Published in 1997, “Barbie Girl” went global mainly because of its provocative lyrics and whimsical music video. Although Aqua couldn’t replicate the success of the song, their mix of dance-pop and satire helped them capture the late ’90s mood. “Barbie Girl” stays a pop culture classic despite Mattel’s litigation and negative reaction.
16. “Wannabe” – Spice Girls
Ezekiel on Wikimedia
“Wannabe” shot the Spice Girls to international superstardom in 1996, defining a “90s pop moment.” The song was an unforgettable anthem with its catchy tune, strong beat, and girl-power message. Though successful, no subsequent single could ever quite approach the degree of worldwide dominance “Wannabe” attained.
17. “No Rain” – Blind Melon
Aleksandr Neplokhov on Pexels
Most people remember this 1992 hit for its famous music video with a female wearing a bee suit. How “No Rain” combined folk roots with alternative rock appealed to audiences. When tragedy struck the band when lead singer Shannon Hoon died in 1995, Blind Melon could never repeat the success of their one great song.
18. “Take Me On” – A-HA
Тямаев Миша on Pexels
A-ha did indeed have a double success in their history, but despite previous releases, none became as legendary as “Take On Me.” Renowned for its innovative video and contagious tune, the song shot skyward in 1985. Though they have had a great career in Europe, the song still defines A-ha’s legacy.
19. “Achy Breaky Heart” – Billy Ray Cyrus
Mark O’Donald on Wikimedia
Published in 1992, this song launched the line dance frenzy and made Billy Ray Cyrus a household star. “Achy Breaky Heart” became quite famous, but Cyrus couldn’t match that degree of success on succeeding songs. Still, the song is a classic in country music—especially regarding its cultural influence.
20. “Tubthumping” – Chumbawamba
Anastasia Latunova on Pexels
Published in 1997, Chumbawamba’s “Tubthumping” was a rebellious hymn for the resilient spirit, with the chorus “I get knocked down, but I get up again.” Though immensely popular, the band’s follow-up material did not match the song’s worldwide success. Still a party staple, “Tubthumping” motivates fans to keep on no matter what.