You may not remember the artist, nor the circumstances under which it skyrocketed to fame, but chances are you probably remember the song.
That’s the lifeblood of every one-hit wonder. They’re the ear candy equivalent to a shooting star—they burn bright for a short period, etch their names in the pop cultural zeitgeist, and then fade from the spotlight almost as quickly as they appear. But one-hit wonders don’t just make noise, literally and figuratively. They take over radio stations, ad campaigns, and even entire summers.
For those reasons, among several others, I’m sharing my picks for 20 of the most essential one-hit wonders from the last 50 or so years of pop music history. My criteria for this list were admittedly loose, mainly because some songs were borderline picks I wanted to discuss. To qualify, an artist must have notched at least one Top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. In all cases, it represents their commercial apex.
Some of these names had more success outside the U.S., while others came close to replicating the one hit they’re best known for. As you’ll see in the comments, what defines a one-hit wonder will differ from person to person, and that’s okay. The point is that all these songs ultimately defined the artists' careers behind them for better (and, occasionally, for worse).
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Let’s go:
1. “Spirit in the Sky” by Norman Greenbaum (1969)
A gospel-rock hymn written by a Jewish guy from Massachusetts, "Spirit in the Sky" is a strange amalgam of elements that shouldn’t work together, yet somehow does. Fuzzy guitars, handclaps, and lyrics about Jesus beaming you up to the afterlife? Is this a religious version of Star Trek?
Those questions didn’t stop it from becoming a Top 3 hit in the US and UK. It still makes bank through film and commercial licensing deals, too. Not bad for a song that Greenbaum supposedly wrote in just 15 minutes after seeing a gospel performance on TV. He thought the genre’s themes made for better lyrics. A rock-solid hunch.
Where Are They Now?
Greenbaum largely disappeared from music afterward. He’s resurfaced briefly a handful of times after the song was featured in movies like Contact and the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise.
2. “My Sharona” by The Knack (1979)
Easily one of the liveliest and horniest power-pop songs of all time, “My Sharona” exploded like a lightning bolt out of a cloudy sky in the summer of 1979. It’s also one of the most infectious songs on this list, with that stammering vocal, the thump of those drums, and a seriously underrated guitar solo in the middle of all that action.
U.S. listeners rewarded this high-octane burst of sweaty teenage obsession with a one-way ticket to No. 1 on the Hot 100, a spot it held for six straight weeks. In the process, it became Capitol Records' fastest-selling single since the Beatles' "I Want to Hold Your Hand." Not bad company to be in.
Where Are They Now?
The Knack sadly never recaptured the magic. Their follow-up singles fizzled. Lead singer Doug Fieger split from the group a few years later but remained on good terms with them until his death in 2010.
3. “Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles (1979)
This shimmering slice of synth-pop futurism became iconic as much for its good timing as its unique sound. Though it was released the same year as “My Sharona,” it gained serious momentum two years later, when it was the first-ever music video to air on MTV, which launched on August 1, 1981.
The sentiment at the core of this song remains incredibly relevant, balancing wistful nostalgia with barely contained anxiety about technological proliferation. It’s not exactly a happy song, but it resonated with listeners worldwide, eventually hitting No. 1 in 16 different countries. You could easily write a sequel, too: simply replace “video” with “streaming” or “AI.”
Where Are They Now?
Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes only released one album as The Buggles. Horn later became one of pop’s most influential producers, fashioning hits for Seal and Frankie Goes to Hollywood, to name a few. Both he and Downes were also briefly part of prog rock outfit Yes.
4. “Tainted Love” by Soft Cell (1981)
Initially written by Ed Cobb and recorded by Gloria Jones in 1964, “Tainted Love” did not get an extended moment in the sun until nearly two decades later. That version, courtesy of Soft Cell, became the big hit off their LP, Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret, an underheard new wave gem soaked in synths and sleaze that’s worth checking out.
The duo, consisting of vocalist Marc Almond and instrumentalist David Ball, was turned onto Jones’ recording after it became a Northern Soul hit in the UK. That drug-addled scene undoubtedly contributed to this cover’s distinctively dark tone, oozing paranoia and danger. That didn’t stop it from peaking inside the Top 10 of the Hot 100 and staying on the UK’s Top 40 for 43 consecutive weeks, a then-record.
Where Are They Now?
Soft Cell has reunited occasionally over the years but has failed to make a significant dent with subsequent music. Almond pursued a solo career while Ball shifted his focus to producing.
5. “Mickey” by Toni Basil (1981)
A sugar-coated chant-a-long, "Mickey" remains an exercise in pure pop adrenaline. Toni Basil's yelping delivery, not to mention its flashy choreography in the classic music video, made it another early MTV staple and a generational earworm. Taylor Swift may or may not have copied and pasted its structure to make her chart-topper years later.
The most interesting part of this story is that “Mickey” was legitimately Basil’s only kick at the can as a pop star. Before its release, she was better known for her work as a choreographer and video director. But after the single held the No. 1 position on the U.S. chart for five weeks, that changed in a hurry. She never released another album. Talk about one shot, one opportunity.
Where Are They Now?
Following the success of this song, Basil largely returned to dance and choreography, a vocation that saw her work with everyone from David Bowie to Quentin Tarantino.
6. “Come on Eileen” by Dexys Midnight Runners (1982)
I remember hearing “Come on Eileen” for the first time and being puzzled by it. The slow build, the wild tempo changes, the peculiar three-act structure—none of it made sense to me. That’s the point, I suppose. Its charm lies in how breathlessly chaotic it is, especially in that final minute.
Equal parts Irish folk, blue-eyed soul, and new wave stomper, it gave Dexys Midnight Runners an improbable global smash. It hit No. 1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart, almost daring fans not to dance to its rose-colored memory of first love (or, at the very least, sexual release). They sure don’t make them like this anymore.
Where Are They Now?
Frontman Kevin Rowland continued recording under the Dexys Midnight Runners banner after “Come on Eileen,” and you can still find the group on the nostalgia circuit occasionally.
7. “99 Luftballons” by Nena (1983)
Is this the bounciest war allegory in music history? It's an odd question, no doubt, but I can’t recall a more unassuming anti-war missive from the 80s synth-pop machine. There are two versions of this song: the first single with German lyrics, which are more direct, and a subsequent English release, with a broader translation that became a sore spot for the group after the fact.
A real-life Rolling Stones concert inspired the titular visual. During that show, red balloons were released and floated over the Berlin Wall, prompting Nena guitarist Carlos Karges to speculate about what would happen if East German authorities misinterpreted them as a military affront. The lyrics describe cataclysmic events set off by such a nothing event, a narrative that runs through many songs released during and immediately after the Cold War.
Where Are They Now?
Nena stayed active in their home country of Germany, but never again tasted the same crossover success internationally.
8. “Take On Me” by a-ha (1985)
I’ve discussed this song in this newsletter before, back when I shared my picks for the best music videos of the 80s. Suffice it to say, “Take on Me” is pure synth-pop cinema. Those icy keys combined with the soaring falsetto vocal delivery, the latter of which evaporates at the tail end of each chorus—can you reasonably ask for anything better?
Unsurprisingly, the song was a global phenomenon. It peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains one of the most-streamed songs from the 1980s. The music video has garnered over 2 billion views on YouTube and continues to grow. I think it’s safe to say this one’s got legs for years to come.
Where Are They Now?
A-ha is still beloved in Europe. They’ve actually made a sneaky amount of good-to-great pop music during their career. They continue to tour as well, with this track featured as the centerpiece of their live shows.
9. “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves (1985)
If it’s not the happiest song ever written, “Walking on Sunshine” has become cultural shorthand for life’s most joyous moments. It’s become ubiquitous in ad campaigns, featured in TV commercials selling tech support and batteries, as well as movie trailers that sell us the promise of unironic on-screen euphoria. It’s a reliable vehicle for communicating a universal human emotion.
Yet, lyrically anyway, it’s not quite as simple as that. If you read between the lines, the song is more about a woman who craves a stable, always-on relationship, not one with a man who’s barely around, even though he says he loves her. The song was the band’s second single, but it was the one that stuck, reaching No. 9 on the Hot 100 in 1985.
Where Are They Now?
The band enjoyed a minor comeback after winning Eurovision in 1997 with the song “Love Shine a Light.” Despite a consistent output before and after that victory, Katrina Leskanich left the group in 1998. The rest of its members decided to call it quits shortly thereafter.
10. “Bust a Move” by Young MC (1989)
I’ll admit, contemporary rap music sounds far removed from “Bust a Move,” but it’s impossible to deny its importance in the genre’s rise to mainstream prominence. With a tight groove and a chorus that still gets stuck in your head, the single peaked at No. 7 on the Hot 100, a then-unheard-of feat for a hip-hop artist, even if the song itself is pretty goofy.
1989 was a massive year for Young MC (real name: Marvin Young). The USC grad (where he was a classmate of the Dust Brothers) collaborated with Tone Loc on two other breakout rap hits, “Wild Thing” and “Funky Cold Medina.” Record contract disputes and changing tastes cooled his rap career in the early-90s, but this track remains a good-natured throwback bop.
Where Are They Now?
Young MC expanded his media appeal in the 2000s, appearing in films and TV shows. He still performs this song occasionally and works as a motivational speaker.
11. “Black Velvet” by Alannah Myles (1989)
My goodness, that VOICE. Though she never turned “Black Velvet” into any sustained pop momentum, this one-hit wonder from Alannah Myles is one of the sultriest songs of its era. Co-written by her then-boyfriend Christopher Ward, this track was also one of three demos that got Myles signed to Atlantic Records. You can find that rough version online if you’re so inclined.
Though I consider it more of a blues ballad than a rock song, “Black Velvet” eventually nabbed Myles a Grammy for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance. It also helped her top the Hot 100 and the singles chart in several European countries. Whenever I hear it, I’m reminded of how distinctive and steamy it sounds. A true one-of-one.
Where Are They Now?
Myles has had to overcome a lot in recent years, including debilitating health issues and legal battles with Atlantic.
12. “Ice Ice Baby” by Vanilla Ice (1990)
I’m not saying I love this distinction, but “Ice Ice Baby” is the answer to a popular music trivia question: What was the first rap single to top the Billboard Hot 100? The instantly recognizable bassline, sampled from Queen’s “Under Pressure,” helped it get to the top of that mountain, though the legal backlash hit Vanilla Ice and his label just as quickly after it was released.
Incredibly, “Ice Ice Baby” was initially an afterthought. It was first issued as a B-side to, get this, a cover of Wild Cherry’s “Play That Funky Music.” If that sounds ridiculous, that’s because it is. For Robert Van Winkle, it’s as on-brand as single rollouts get. It’s far from my favorite 90s rap song, but in the title, I said catchiest songs, not best.
Where Are They Now?
Mr. Van Winkle has leaned into nostalgia to the point of self-parody in recent years, though that shouldn’t come as a surprise. He's also done a ton of reality TV, including having his own home renovation show.
13. “No Rain” by Blind Melon (1992)
This jangle-pop daydream catapulted Blind Melon to the forefront of the alternative rock scene despite being about depression, disconnection, and, ultimately, finding your tribe. It didn’t chart as high as some of the other songs on this list, peaking at No. 20 on the Hot 100, but I’d argue its impact was far greater than that, thanks largely to its now-iconic Bee Girl music video.
Unfortunately, Blind Melon’s legacy is inextricably linked to the tragic death of beguiling lead singer Shannon Hoon in 1995 of a drug overdose. He was 28 years old. In November the following year, the band released Nico, the last album recorded with Hoon, and donated all proceeds to his daughter and recovery programs for musicians struggling with addiction.
Where Are They Now?
After a couple of hiatuses, Blind Melon has been reformed and touring since 2010. There have been long-gestating rumors of a new album, but nothing has been released as of this writing.
14. “You Gotta Be” by Des’ree (1994)
If you want to craft a transcendent one-hit wonder, positive affirmations could be the way to do it. Just ask Des’ree, whose jazz-fusion pep talk, “You Gotta Be,” became one of the biggest songs of 1994. It did exceptionally well in the U.S., cracking the Top 5 on the Billboard singles chart and later anchored everything from Ford Focus ads to Oprah segment intros.
Des’ree’s inspiration for the song came from SHakti Gawain’s book Creative Visualization, telling EW: “I’ve always been blindly optimistic, and that helped me rise from my melancholia.” With her rich vocal tone and a warm, laid-back instrumental, “You Gotta Be” rose above garden-variety 90s cynicism and became one of that decade’s ultimate feel-good tracks.
Where Are They Now?
Des'ree briefly retired due to stage fright but recently returned to the music business, releasing an album in 2019.
15. “Tubthumping” by Chumbawamba (1997)
“Tubthumping” is, at its core, a song about resilience. It celebrates the tenacity of the working class, who continue to fight when their backs are against the wall. In 1997, it hit a nerve, becoming one of that year’s most unexpected hits. The band wrote it during a time when they were “a mess” and “directionless,” which adds to the cosmic, inside-joke nature of its success.
"It's not our most political or best song, but it brought us back together,” explained vocalist Dunstan Bruce. “The song is about us – as a class and as a band. The beauty of it was we had no idea how big it would be.” Chumbawamba has fiercely protected the song’s political legacy, firing back at anti-liberal New Zealand politicians when they tried to co-opt it in 2024.
Where Are They Now?
Chumbawamba disbanded in 2012, but its former members remain active in the arts scene, lending their names to various activist causes.
16. “Bittersweet Symphony” by The Verve (1997)
A cinematic slice of Gen X ennui, "Bittersweet Symphony" rode the wave of Britpop’s global popularity to become an instant classic. Though it only peaked at No. 12 on the Hot 100, it was a massive hit in the UK and, in the years since, has become a lynchpin for alt-pop nostalgia seekers.
Though the song is well-known, it’s perhaps better known for its notorious sample clearance history with the Rolling Stones and their former manager, Allen Klein. Initially, songwriter Richard Ashcroft was forced to give up all royalties, even after the Stones turned around and agreed to a Nike ad licensing deal.
There’s a happy ending, however. In 2019, Jagger and Richards made amends, deciding to return all royalties and songwriting credits to Ashcroft.
Where Are They Now?
Beyond his work with the Verve, Ashcroft has had a modest solo career. The Verve also briefly reunited in the late-2000s, though they’ve been broken up seemingly for good since 2009.
17. “You Get What You Give” by New Radicals (1998)
Here’s an alt-rock one-hit wonder that’s arguably gotten better with age, though I don’t have much empirical evidence beyond its stream count on Spotify and YouTube alone topping 750 million. It was their 2021 performance at Joe Biden’s inauguration that cemented it for me: this track could come out tomorrow and do just as well as it did in the 90s.
My favorite bit of trivia about this song was the songwriting bait-and-switch frontman and lyricist Gregg Alexander pulled on critics and media outlets. At the end of the song, he supposedly inserted digs at celebrities like Beck and Marilyn Manson to see if they’d pick up on the petty drama or the more conscious political themes. The outcome was sad but inevitable, I suppose.
Where Are They Now?
Alexander disbanded the group before their second single dropped and became a songwriter-for-hire. He’s penned hits for artists like Santana.
18. “Somebody That I Used to Know” by Gotye (2011)
I don’t know what was in the water in 2011, but breakup songs had a moment. Adele hit it big with several tearjerkers on 21, but Gotye got his too with “Somebody That I Used to Know,” a haunting, minimalist counterpoint to the big, broad, and mostly vapid EDM that was dominating the charts at the time.
Gotye has described the creative process for this song as slow and methodical, drawing on past relationship experiences to find the right tone and perspective. It paid off in a huge way, winning him a Grammy for Record of the Year, in addition to topping the Hot 100 for eight consecutive weeks in 2012. In 2021, the track was certified 14x Platinum by the RIAA
Where Are They Now?
Gotye has since returned to being a full-time producer. A remix of this song from Fisher and Chris Lake was in heavy club and festival rotation in 2024.
19. “We Are Young” by fun. (2011)
Let’s cap this list off with the drunken millennial ballad to rule them all, fun.’s “We Are Young.” With its delirious harmonic highs, this track took that early-2010s trend of the "yell-sing" chorus to its logical and emotional conclusion. Like “Somebody That I Used to Know,” this song ruled the Hot 100 in 2012 and walked away with a Grammy, this time for Song of the Year.
Culturally, this one’s become a hit of a generational coming-of-age anthem for music lovers in my age bracket. It appeals to those of us who came of age during the Great Recession of the late-2000s and early-2010s, encapsulating the restlessness we felt about our place in the world and the collective desperation to invest in something bigger and better emotionally. The jury’s still out on whether or not we got there.
Where Are They Now?
fun. went on hiatus starting in 2015. Guitarist and singer Nate Ruess launched a successful solo career, while Jack Antonoff became a superstar producer and bandleader in his own right.
This list could’ve easily been double its length—which one-hit wonders should I cover in a Part 2?