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For other uses, see One Hit Wonder (disambiguation).

In the music industry, a one-hit wonder is an artist generally known for only one hit single. The music industry is the business of Music. Although it encompasses the activity of many music-related businesses and organizations it is currently dominated by the "big There are hundreds of one-hit wonders. As described below, the one-hit wonders are ranked into lists of songs in pop music, but also some lists in classical music, as well. There are also "two-hit wonders" having only two hit singles, as explained with two-hit examples below. The definition of "one-hit wonder" varies depending on context, such as sometimes viewing only hits in the U.S. despite having other, international, hits. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The term one-hit wonder has also been applied to other fields, such as with authors, actors, or athletes, who have only one major success.

Contents

Characteristics

The hits of many one-hit wonders are novelty songs that are, to an extent, deliberately short-lived, recorded for humor or to cash in on a fad. Examples include Rick Dees’s "Disco Duck" (related to the disco craze of the 1970s); C.W. McCall's "Convoy" (related to the CB radio craze of the 1970s); and Buckner & Garcia’s "Pac Man Fever" (related to the 1980s-era arcade game Pac Man). Rick Dees is an American comedic performer entertainer and radio personality best known for his #1 internationally syndicated radio show The Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 Countdown " Disco Duck " was a satirical Disco Novelty song performed by Memphis disc jockey Rick Dees and His Cast of Idiots. Disco is a Genre of dance-oriented music whose origins are hard to define This article is about the Decade 1970-1979 For the Year 1970 see 1970. CW McCall is the Pseudonym of William Dale Fries Jr (born November 15 1928, Audubon, Iowa, United States " Convoy " is a 1975 Novelty song performed by CW McCall (pseudonym of Bill Fries that became a number-one hit in the USA (#2 UK and helped Citizens' Band radio ( CB) is in many countries a system of short-distance simplex radio communications between individuals on a selection of 40 channels within Buckner & Garcia are a duo consisting of Jerry Buckner and Gary Garcia The 1980s was the decade spanning from January 1 1980 to December 31 1989. A video game is a Game that involves interaction with a User interface to generate visual feedback on a video device. is an Arcade game developed by Namco and licensed for distribution Some artists, such as Shannon Hoon of Blind Melon, for example, and Minnie Riperton, had their careers cut short by their untimely death, while others, such as New Radicals and The La's, broke up immediately after their one-hit's chart success. Richard Shannon Hoon ( September 26, 1967 &ndash October 21, 1995) was an American Singer-songwriter and Musician Blind Melon is an American rock band that originally existed from 1991 to 1995 and ceased with the death of lead vocalist Shannon Hoon shortly after the release of the Minnie Julia Riperton (November 8 1947 – July 12 1979 was an American singer and songwriter noted for her five-and-a-half Octave Vocal range, with her 1975 The New Radicals were an American rock band active in the late 1990s centered on frontman Gregg Alexander, who wrote and produced all of their The La's are an English rock band from Liverpool consisting of frontman Lee Mavers (vocals guitars and John Power ( bass More commonly, however, one-hit wonders are serious-minded musicians who struggled to continue their success after their popularity waned.

Because one-hit wonders are popular for only a brief time, their hits often have nostalgic value and are featured on era-centric compilations and soundtracks to period films. One-hit wonders are normal in any era of pop music, but are most common during reigns of entire genres that do not last for more than a few years, such as disco, new wave and grunge. Pop music as a genre features a noticeable rhythmic element catchy melodies and hooks, a mainstream style and conventional structure A genre (ˈʒɑːnrə also /ˈdʒɑːnrə/ from French "kind" or "sort" from Latin: genus (stem gener-) is a loose set Disco is a Genre of dance-oriented music whose origins are hard to define New Wave is a Rock music genre that existed during the late 1970s and the 1980s

Though the term is sometimes used in a derogatory manner, some fans often have a great passion for these songs and the artists that created them. Some one-hit wonder artists have embraced this following openly, while others distance themselves from their hit in an attempt to craft successful songs with different sounds, or embark on new careers as songwriters (such as Linda Perry of 4 Non Blondes and Gregg Alexander of New Radicals), or recording industry executives (such as Gerardo). Linda Perry, born April 15 1965 in Springfield Massachusetts, to parents of Portuguese and Brazilian descent is an American rock musician 4 Non Blondes were an American rock band formed in 1989 They consisted of bassist Christa Hillhouse, guitarist Shaunna Hall, drummer Wanda Day Gregg Alexander (born Gregory Aiuto, 4 May 1970) is an American Singer / Songwriter and producer, best known as the front The New Radicals were an American rock band active in the late 1990s centered on frontman Gregg Alexander, who wrote and produced all of their Gerardo (born Gerardo Mejía on April 16, 1965) is a rapper and singer who later became a recording industry executive

Questions of definition

Most American music industry insiders consider a song in the top forty positions of the Billboard Hot 100 to be a hit. Thus, any performer who recorded only one song that reached the Top 40 is, technically, a one-hit wonder. However, the term is more generally applied to musicians best known for only one song, meaning that some artists who fit the above criteria are not considered one-hit wonders, while others who do not are considered such.

Wayne Jancik's book The Billboard Book of One-Hit Wonders (Billboard Books, 1998) defines a one-hit wonder rather conservatively, as "an act that has won a position on Billboard's national, pop, Top 40 just once. " He therefore includes such performers as Janis Joplin (for "Me and Bobby McGee") or Jimi Hendrix (for "All Along the Watchtower"), solely on the basis of their Top 40 performance. Janis Lyn Joplin ( January 19, 1943  – October 4, 1970) was an American singer songwriter and music arranger from " Me and Bobby McGee " is a song written by Kris Kristofferson and Fred Foster, originally performed by Roger Miller, but best remembered for James Marshall Hendrix (born Johnny Allen Hendrix) (November 27 1942 – September 18 1970 was an American Guitarist, Singer and Songwriter " All Along the Watchtower " is a folk song written and recorded by Singer-songwriter Bob Dylan. In his definition of an "act", Jancik distinguishes between a solo performer and any group he or she may have performed in; thus Roger Daltrey is distinguished from The Who. Roger Harry Daltrey, CBE (born 1 March 1944) is an English rock Vocalist, songwriter and actor best known as the The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964. The primary lineup consisted of guitarist Pete Townshend He restricts his reporting time to the period from the start of the "rock-and-roll era" (defined by the author as 1 January 1955 to 31 December 1992). The latter date was picked to allow a five-year "lag time" before publication for a listed one-hit wonder to produce a second hit; this unfortunately does not allow for a longer hiatus between hits for a particular performer. For example, Lenny Kravitz is listed for "It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over" (No. Leonard Albert "Lenny" Kravitz (born May 26, 1964) is an American Singer-songwriter, Multi-instrumentalist, Record 2, August 1991);[1] the book therefore misses subsequent hits, such as "Fly Away", which reached #12 on the Billboard chart in 1999. " Fly Away " is the fourth single by rock musician Lenny Kravitz from his 1998 album 5.

In the United Kingdom, the term one-hit wonder is used to describe a singer or band who had only one hit reach the Top 75 on the UK Singles Chart. The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official UK Charts Company (OCC on behalf of the British record industry The term was first used by the "Guinness Book of Hit Singles" from the 1970s, and originally referred strictly to those artists whose first chart action was: "a number one hit, and then nothing else, ever. " This is now commonly known as a "true" one hit wonder.

Here are some other criteria that also affect a performer’s status as a one-hit wonder:

Other uses

The term "one-hit wonder" is occasionally used to refer to an artist, other than a musical performer, who is best known for a single work. Examples in literature include Harper Lee's only novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, which sold 30 million copies; and author Joseph Heller, who wrote several novels, but is still best known for Catch-22. Nelle Harper Lee (born April 28, 1926) is an American Author known for her Pulitzer Prize -winning 1960 novel To Kill To Kill a Mockingbird is a Pulitzer Prize -winning Novel by Harper Lee published in 1960. Joseph Heller (May 1 1923 – December 12 1999 was an American Satirical novelist Short story writer and playwright Catch-22 is a satirical, historical Novel by the American author Joseph Heller, first published in 1961 Margaret Mitchell never wrote another book after her first novel, Gone With the Wind, was a smash best-seller. Margaret Munnerlyn Mitchell Marsh ( November 8 1900 – August 16 1949) popularly known as Margaret Mitchell was an American This is about the 1936 American Novel. For the film see Gone with the Wind (film Gone with the Wind is a 1936 American The term is also applied to in the film industry: one such case lies in the career of actress Natasha Henstridge, who has yet to match the success of the 1995 film, Species. Natasha T Henstridge (born August 15, 1974) is a Canadian Fashion model turned actress. The year 1995 in film involved some significant events Events March 22 - The Dogme 95 movement is officially announced in Paris Species is a 1995 Science fiction thriller by Roger Donaldson. Classical composers such as Johann Pachelbel, despite being very popular in his time, known today almost solely for Pachelbel's Canon, are also sometimes described thus. Pachelbel's Canon, also known as Canon in D major, or more formally Canon and Gigue in D major for three Violins and Basso Continuo [2]

In the sports world, there are several athletes known to casual sports fans for one event in their careers. Examples include Bill Mazeroski, who is the only player in Major League Baseball history to end a seventh game of the World Series with a walk-off home run;[2] Paul Henderson, a Canadian ice hockey player who scored the deciding goal in the 1972 Summit Series; and Jimmy Glass, an English football goalkeeper, who is remembered for scoring a goal in the last seconds of the final day of 1998-99 English Third Division that kept his club in The Football League. William Stanley Mazeroski (born September 5 1936 in Wheeling West Virginia) nicknamed "Maz" is a former Major League Baseball player who spent his entire The 1960 World Series was played between the Pittsburgh Pirates (NL and New York Yankees (AL from October 5 to October 13, 1960 In Baseball, a walk-off home run is a Home run that ends the game This article is about the Canadian ice hockey player For others with the same name see Paul Henderson (disambiguation. Ice hockey, often referred to simply as hockey, is a team Sport played on Ice. The Summit Series was the first competition between full-strength Soviet and Canadian national Ice hockey teams an eight-game series held in James "Jimmy" Glass (born August 1, 1973 in London) is a former football Goalkeeper, who is chiefly remembered for scoring England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a Team sport played between two teams of eleven players and is widely considered In many team Sports a goalkeeper (termed goaltender netminder, goalie, or keeper in some sports From the 1992-93 to the 2003-04 season, the Football League Third Division was the third-highest division of The Football League and the fourth-highest Carlisle United FC are an English football team based in Carlisle, Cumbria, play in the Football League One this season after gaining The Football League, also known as the Coca-Cola Football League for sponsorship reasons is a league competition featuring professional football clubs

In drug culture, the term 'one-hit wonder' is often applied to highly potent specific varieties of substances, such as certain strains of cannabis that require only one "hit" (a single inhalation of smoke), or a "hit" of LSD (a single dose), to achieve the desired psychoactive effects. Cannabis ( Cán-na-bis) is a Genus of Flowering plants that includes three putative species Cannabis sativa subsp A psychoactive drug or psychotropic substance is a Chemical substance that acts primarily upon the Central nervous system where it alters Brain

Lists of greatest one-hit wonders

VH1's list of "100 greatest one-hit wonders"

In 2002, the American cable network VH1 aired a countdown of the VH1's 100 Greatest One-hit Wonders[3]. See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the VH1 (known as VH-1 Video Hits One from 1985 to 1994 and VH1 Music First until 2003) is an American Cable television It listed musicians with only one American hit, regardless of international success, which has been substantial and long-lived for musicians like a-ha and Nena (see below). a-ha is a band from Norway. They initially rose to fame during the 1980s but have had continued success in the 1990s and 2000s Nena (born Gabriele Susanne Kerner on March 24, 1960 in Hagen, North Rhine-Westphalia, West Germany) is a singer and In fact, if the "only one American hit" criterion had been strictly applied, a-ha and Falco would not be eligible for the list, as they each actually had two top-20 US hits—although as noted above their second hits were greatly overshadowed in the US by the prior hit. The same goes for Vanilla Ice - his follow up to his #1 hit was a #4 hit titled, "Play Tha Funky Music". Gerardo also had another Top 15 hit. Needless to say this list is not accurate in terms of the criteria it claims to apply.

The countdown also omitted acts such as Jimi Hendrix and Grateful Dead who, while technically charting with only one single, became too well-known for their entire bodies of work to merit inclusion on the list. James Marshall Hendrix (born Johnny Allen Hendrix) (November 27 1942 – September 18 1970 was an American Guitarist, Singer and Songwriter The Grateful Dead was an American rock band formed in 1965 in the San Francisco Bay Area. The top ten consisted of:

  1. Los Del Rio - "Macarena" (1996)
  2. Soft Cell - "Tainted Love" (1982)
  3. Dexys Midnight Runners - "Come On Eileen" (1982)
  4. Right Said Fred - "I'm Too Sexy" (1992)
  5. Toni Basil - "Mickey" (1982)
  6. Baha Men - "Who Let the Dogs Out?" (2000)
  7. Vanilla Ice - "Ice Ice Baby" (1990)
  8. a-ha - "Take On Me" (1985)
  9. Gerardo - "Rico Suave" (1991)
  10. Nena - "99 Luftballons" (1984)


Six of the above acts, namely Soft Cell, Dexys Midnight Runners, Right Said Fred, Baha Men, Vanilla Ice, and a-ha, have had multiple hits in the UK and would therefore not qualify as one-hit wonders there, while a seventh, has never had any hits in the UK at all, leaving only Toni Basil, Nena and Los Del Rio from this list as one-hit wonders on both English-speaking sides of the Atlantic. Los del Río (Spanish for Those from the River, referring to the Guadalquivir or the Guadaira) is a Spanish music duo comprised of musicians " Macarena " is a Spanish song by Los del Río about a woman of the same name or any woman from the La Macarena neighborhood of Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) Soft Cell are an English Synthpop duo who came to prominence in the early 1980s " Tainted Love " is a Song composed by Ed Cobb, formerly of The Four Preps, which was originally recorded by Gloria Jones. Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar) Dexys Midnight Runners are a British pop Group with soul influences who achieved their major success in the early to mid 1980s " Come On Eileen " by Dexys Midnight Runners was a British single released in 1982 Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar) Right Said Fred are an English pop band formed in 1989 by brothers Richard Fairbrass and Fred Fairbrass from East Grinstead, as well as " I'm Too Sexy " is a song by English trio Right Said Fred. Year 1992 ( MCMXCII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar) Toni Basil (born Antonia Christina Basilotta; September 22 1943) is an American Musician, video Artist, " Mickey " is a 1982 hit US pop song recorded by singer and choreographer Toni Basil. Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar) Baha Men is the name of a pop group from The Bahamas that plays a modernized style of Bahamian Folk music called Junkanoo. " Who Let the Dogs Out? " is a song written and originally recorded by Anslem Douglas for Trinidad and Tobago 's Carnival season of 1998 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. Robert Matthew Van Winkle (born October 31, 1967) best known as Vanilla Ice, is an American Rap artist known for the 1990 smash hit " Ice Ice Baby " is Rapper Vanilla Ice 's most famous and popular song released from his album To The Extreme. Year 1990 ( MCMXC) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar) a-ha is a band from Norway. They initially rose to fame during the 1980s but have had continued success in the 1990s and 2000s " Take on Me " is a song by the Norwegian band A-ha. The song is a track from a-ha's first album Hunting High and Low, released Year 1985 ( MCMLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar) Gerardo (born Gerardo Mejía on April 16, 1965) is a rapper and singer who later became a recording industry executive " Rico Suave " is a 1991 single by Michiganian rapper and singer Gerardo. Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. Nena (born Gabriele Susanne Kerner on March 24, 1960 in Hagen, North Rhine-Westphalia, West Germany) is a singer and " 99 Luftballons " is a Cold War -era Protest song by the German band Nena. Year 1984 ( MCMLXXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar)

Channel 4's "50 Greatest One Hit Wonders"

A 2006 television poll, conducted by Channel 4 in the UK, asked viewers to select their favourite one hit wonder from a shortlist of 60 [4]. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Channel 4 is a public-service Television and Radio broadcaster in the United Kingdom centred around a television channel of the same name which began Respondents could also vote by e-mail to select a song that was not on the original list, if they so wished. The top 50 were:

  1. "Kung Fu Fighting" – Carl Douglas
  2. "99 Red Balloons" – Nena
  3. "Because I Got High" – Afroman
  4. "Sugar, Sugar" – The Archies
  5. "Can You Dig It?" – The Mock Turtles
  6. "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" – Monty Python
  7. "Spirit in the Sky" – Doctor and the Medics (also Norman Greenbaum)
  8. "Who Let the Dogs Out" – Baha Men
  9. "The Safety Dance" – Men Without Hats
  10. "Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps Please" – Splodgenessabounds
  11. "Groove is in the Heart" – Deee-Lite
  12. "Trouble" – Shampoo
  13. "It's Raining Men" – The Weather Girls
  14. "All By Myself" – Eric Carmen
  15. "Jilted John" – Jilted John
  16. "I’ll Be There For You" – The Rembrandts
  17. "Doctorin’ the Tardis" – The Timelords
  18. "Rock Me Amadeus" – Falco
  19. "Flat Beat" – Mr. Oizo
  20. "Video Killed the Radio Star" – Buggles
  21. "Je t'aime... moi non plus" – Jane Birkin & Serge Gainsbourg
  22. "Mambo No. 5 (A Little Bit Of…)" – Lou Bega
  23. "Turning Japanese" – The Vapors
  24. "Mickey" – Toni Basil
  25. "Mouldy Old Dough" – Lieutenant Pigeon
  26. "Pump Up The Volume" – M/A/R/R/S
  27. "Lovin' You" – Minnie Riperton
  28. "Axel F" – Harold Faltermeyer (also well known for the Grammy Award winning Top Gun Anthem)
  29. "Fuck It (I Don’t Want You Back)" – Eamon
  30. "I'm the Urban Spaceman" – The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band
  31. "Spaceman" – Babylon Zoo
  32. "My Sharona" – The Knack
  33. "Shaddap You Face" – Joe Dolce Music Theatre
  34. "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)" – Baz Luhrmann
  35. "Matchstalk Men and Matchstalk Cats and Dogs (Lowry’s Song)" – Brian & Michael
  36. "MacArthur Park" – Richard Harris
  37. "Monster Mash" – Bobby ‘Boris’ Pickett & The Crypt-Kickers
  38. "Rapper’s Delight" – Sugarhill Gang
  39. "Fire" – Crazy World of Arthur Brown
  40. "The One and Only" – Chesney Hawkes
  41. "Louie, Louie" – The Kingsmen
  42. "Since Yesterday" – Strawberry Switchblade
  43. "My Boy Lollipop" – Millie Small
  44. "Money" – Flying Lizards
  45. "Stutter Rap (No Sleep ‘til Bedtime)" – Morris Minor and the Majors
  46. "Just Say No" – Grange Hill Cast
  47. "Woo Hoo" – The 5.6.7.8's
  48. "Japanese Boy" – Aneka
  49. "Save Your Love" – Renee and Renato
  50. "Brimful of Asha" – Cornershop

Even this list is riddled with inaccuracies, since at least fifteen of the fifty acts ranked in the Top 50 by the poll had multiple Top 40 hits in the UK singles chart, thus disqualifying them from the appelation 'one-hit wonder'. " Kung Fu Fighting " is a song written and performed by Carl Douglas and Vivian Hawke Carl Douglas (born 1942 is a Jamaican-born Singer, most famous for his Song " Kung Fu Fighting " which hit number one on " 99 Luftballons " is a Cold War -era Protest song by the German band Nena. Nena (born Gabriele Susanne Kerner on March 24, 1960 in Hagen, North Rhine-Westphalia, West Germany) is a singer and "Because I Got High" is a comical Novelty song by Afroman, from his album of the same name, about how pot use is degrading his quality Joseph Edgar Foreman (born July 28 1974 in East Palmdale California) better known by his stage name Afroman, is a rapper from East Palmdale Los Angeles For the Baby Bash song see Suga Suga " Sugar Sugar " was a four week 1969 number-one hit single by fictional For the self-titled syndicated version of the 1968-1978 animated television franchise of which The Archies were a part please see The Archie Show. For the comic opera of the same name see Mock Turtles (opera. " Always Look on the Bright Side of Life " is a popular song written by Eric Idle that originally featured in the 1979 film Monty Python's Life of Brian Monty Python (sometimes known as The Pythons) is the collective name of the six creators of Monty Python's Flying Circus, a British Television " Spirit in the Sky " is a song written by Norman Greenbaum and released in 1969 Doctor and the Medics are a London based Psychedelic rock band, famous in the 1980s Norman Greenbaum (born on November 20, 1942 in Malden Massachusetts) is a Singer-songwriter. " Who Let the Dogs Out? " is a song written and originally recorded by Anslem Douglas for Trinidad and Tobago 's Carnival season of 1998 Baha Men is the name of a pop group from The Bahamas that plays a modernized style of Bahamian Folk music called Junkanoo. " The Safety Dance " was the biggest-selling single by the 1980s Synth pop group Men Without Hats, written by frontman Ivan Doroschuk. Men Without Hats are a pop group from Montreal, Quebec that achieved their greatest popularity in the early to mid 1980s. Splodgenessabounds is an English Punk rock band formed in Keston, Bromley. " Groove Is in the Heart " is the most successful song by the Dance music band Deee-Lite. Deee-Lite was a House and Club/Dance group formed in New York City. Shampoo were a British all-girl band in the 1990s formed by Jacqui Blake and Carrie Askew. " It's Raining Men " is a song written by Paul Jabara and Paul Shaffer in 1979 and originally recorded by The Weather Girls in 1982 The Weather Girls are an American Girl group that formed in 1982 " All by Myself " is a Power ballad written and performed by Eric Carmen in 1975 Eric Howard Carmen (born August 11 1949 in Cleveland, Ohio, U Graham Fellows (born Sheffield, 22 May 1959) is an English comedy actor and musician best known for creating the characters of John Shuttleworth "I'll Be There for You", performed by The Rembrandts is the Theme song to the hit American sitcom Friends The Rembrandts are an American pop-rock band formed by Phil Solem and Danny Wilde in 1989 " Rock Me Amadeus " is a 1985 Song by the Austrian pop musician Falco from his album Falco 3. Johann (Hans Hölzel ( February 19, 1957 &ndash February 6, 1998) better known by his stage name Falco, was an Austrian " Flat Beat " is a single released by French house musician Mr Mr Oizo (pronounced Mister Wah-zoh is the Pseudonym of French Music producer Quentin Dupieux. " Video Killed the Radio Star " is a song by the British New Wave group Buggles released in 1979 Buggles (the official version of the band name used on their albums singles and publicity material omits the definite article were a New Wave band formed in 1977 consisting For the film see Je t'aime moi non plus (film. For the album see Jane Birkin Serge Gainsbourg. Jane Mallory Birkin OBE (born 14 December 1946) is an English-born French Actress, Singer and Film director. Serge Gainsbourg ɡɛ̃'zbuʁ (2 April 1928 &ndash 2 March 1991 was a French Poet, Singer-songwriter, Actor and " Mambo No 5 " is a jive dance song originally recorded and composed by Pérez Prado in 1949 David Lubega (aka Lou Bega) (born April 13 1975, Munich, West Germany) is a One hit wonder Latin-pop " Turning Japanese " is the most popular song released by The Vapors from their album New Clear Days, and the song for which they are best The Vapors were a new wave and Power pop band from England that existed between 1979 and 1981 " Mickey " is a 1982 hit US pop song recorded by singer and choreographer Toni Basil. Toni Basil (born Antonia Christina Basilotta; September 22 1943) is an American Musician, video Artist, "Mouldy Old Dough" is a popular Song, recorded by Lieutenant Pigeon. Lieutenant Pigeon was a British novelty Popular music group, originating from Coventry. " Pump Up the Volume " ( 1987) was the only single released by British recording act M/A/R/R/S. " Pump Up the Volume " ( 1987) was the only single released by British recording act M/A/R/R/S. Minnie Julia Riperton (November 8 1947 – July 12 1979 was an American singer and songwriter noted for her five-and-a-half Octave Vocal range, with her 1975 " Axel F " is the electronic Instrumental theme from the 1984 film Beverly Hills Cop performed by Harold Faltermeyer. Harold Faltermeyer (born October 5, 1952 in Munich) is a German Musician, Keyboardist, Composer and Record The Grammy Awards (originally called the Gramophone Awards)—or Grammys —are presented annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences " Top Gun Anthem " is an Instrumental rock song played on guitar by Steve Stevens. " Fuck It (I Don't Want You Back " is a single released by American pop singer Eamon in 2004 Eamon Doyle professionally known as Eamon, is an American Pop rap, doo-wop and Hip hop Singer and Songwriter. "I'm the Urban Spaceman" was the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band 's most successful single released in 1968 The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band (also known as The Bonzo Dog Band, The Bonzo Dog Dada Band and colloquially as " The Bonzos " are a band created by " Spaceman " is a song by Wolverhampton singer-songwriter Jas Mann, of Babylon Zoo. Babylon Zoo was a British Industrial /pop rock band of the mid 1990s from Wolverhampton, England, fronted by Jas Mann. " My Sharona " is the 1979 debut single released by rock band The Knack, off their album Get the Knack. The Knack are a Los Angeles -based rock band that rose to fame with their first single " My Sharona " an international hit in 1979 (see " Shaddap You Face " is a song written and performed by Joe Dolce (also known as the Joe Dolce Music Theatre) in 1981. Joe Dolce (/ˈdoltʃe/ originally pronounced /dolts/ born 1947 in Painesville Ohio) is an American -born Australian resident singer/songwriter who achieved Baz Luhrmann (born Mark Anthony Luhrmann on 17 September 1962 is an Oscar and Golden Globe -nominated Australian Film director, Screenwriter Brian & Michael are a British Music duo best known for their 1978 UK number one hit single, " MacArthur Park " is a song written by Jimmy Webb. Originally written as part of an intended Cantata rejected by The Association, it was first Richard St John Harris ( October 1 1930 - October 25 2002) was a two-time Academy Award -nominated and Grammy Award " Monster Mash " is a 1962 Novelty song and the best-known song by Bobby "Boris" Pickett. Robert George Pickett ( February 11, 1938 &ndash April 25, 2007) was an American singer who found fame under the name Bobby "Boris" " Rapper's Delight " is a 1979 single by American hip hop trio The Sugarhill Gang; it was one of the first hip hop hit singles The Sugarhill Gang is an American hip hop and Funk group known mostly for their biggest hit " Rapper's Delight " the first hip hop " Fire " is a 1968 song by Arthur Brown, Vincent Crane, Mike Finesilver and Peter Ker The Crazy World of Arthur Brown is a Psychedelic rock band of Arthur Brown. " The One and Only " is a popular song written by Nik Kershaw and recorded by Chesney Hawkes. Chesney Lee Hawkes (born 22 September 1971 is an English Pop singer, Songwriter, and occasional Actor. " Louie Louie " is an American rock 'n' roll song written by Richard Berry in 1955 The Kingsmen were a 1960s Garage rock / Frat rock band from Portland, Oregon. Strawberry Switchblade was a female Pop rock band formed in Scotland in 1981 by Jill Bryson and Rose McDowall, best known for their song " My Boy Lollipop " is a Song written in the mid-1950s and usually credited to Robert Spencer Morris Levy and Johnny Roberts Millie, born Millicent Small 6 October 1946 in Clarendon, Jamaica) Money is anything that is generally accepted as Payment for Goods and services and repayment of Debts. The Flying Lizards were a British Experimental rock group that recorded several Albums Career Formed by and led Stutter Rap (No Sleep Til Bedtime is a Song by Morris Minor and the Majors, led by Tony Hawks. Morris Minor and the Majors was a band led by the Comedian and Writer Tony Hawks (not to be confused with the skater Tony Hawk) Grange Hill is a British are an all-female Japanese Garage rock trio whose music is reminiscent of American Surf music and Garage rock. Aneka (born Mary Sandeman, November 20, 1954) is a Scottish Singer, who hit number one in the UK singles chart Aneka (born Mary Sandeman, November 20, 1954) is a Scottish Singer, who hit number one in the UK singles chart Renée and Renato was a female/male vocal duo, who had a UK Number one hit in December 1982 with " Save Your Love " Brimful of Asha " is an East-West Fusion pop-rock song by the British band Cornershop, which originally reached number 60 in the UK Singles Chart Cornershop are a British indie band formed in Leicester in 1992 by Wolverhampton -born Tjinder Singh (singer songwriter and Dholaki Millie reached No. 30 with 'Sweet William' in 1964; Lieutenant Pigeon reached No. 17 with 'Desperate Dan' in 1972; Carl Douglas reached No. 35 with 'Dance the Kung Fu' in 1974 and No. 25 with 'Run Back' in 1977; the Buggles reached No. 16 with 'Living in the Plastic Age' and No. 38 with 'Clean Clean' in 1980; Splodgenessabounds reached No. 26 with the double A-side 'Two Little Boys' / 'Horse' in 1980; Doctor and the Medics reached No. 29 with 'Burn' in 1986; Falco reached No. 10 with 'Vienna Calling' in 1986; Deee-Lite reached No. 25 with the double A-side 'Power of Love'/'Deee-Lite Theme' in 1990; Chesney Hawkes reached No. 27 with 'I'm a Man Not a Boy' in 1991; Shampoo reached No. 27 with 'Viva La Megababes' in 1994, No. 21 with 'Delicious' in 1995, No. 36 with 'Trouble (1995)' in 1995, and No. 25 with 'Girl Power' in 1996, thus notching up no fewer than five hits including two different versions of 'Trouble'; Babylon Zoo reached No. 17 with 'Animal Army' and No. 32 with 'The Boy with the X-ray Eyes' in 1996; Cornershop reached No. 23 with 'Sleep on the Left Side' in 1998 and No. 37 with 'Lessons Learnt From Rocky I To Rocky III' in 2002; Baha Men reached No. 14 with 'You All Dat' in 2001 and No. 16 with 'Move It Like This' in 2002; Afroman reached No. 10 with 'Crazy Rap' in 2002; and Eamon (featuring Ghostface) reached No. 27 with 'Love Them' in 2004. Most notably, The Timelords reached the UK Singles Chart eight times—once under that name; once as The Justified Ancients of Mu Mu; once as 2K; and five times, including one #1, under their best-known name, The KLF.

"20 to 1: One Hit Wonders"

In 2005, the Australian series 20 to 1 aired their episode 20 to 1: One Hit Wonders, a list of songs that had been the only one by that artist to have success in Australia. 20 to 1 is an Australian television series hosted by Bert Newton that counts down Australian Pop culture 's most defining moments For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. Number one was The Knack's "My Sharona". The Knack are a Los Angeles -based rock band that rose to fame with their first single " My Sharona " an international hit in 1979 (see " My Sharona " is the 1979 debut single released by rock band The Knack, off their album Get the Knack.

C4's UChoose40: One Hit Wonders

In September 2006, New Zealand's terrestrial music channel, C4, aired an episode dedicated to "One Hit Wonders" on the weekly theme-based chart show, UChoose40, where the chart was ranked entirely by viewer's votes from the website. New Zealand is an Island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island C4 is a Television station operating in New Zealand and owned by MediaWorks NZ. There were some surprising candidates who made it to the chart, such as former boy-band Hanson, who were clearly not one-hit wonders, even in NZ. Hanson is an American Pop rock band formed in Tulsa, Oklahoma by brothers Isaac, Taylor, and Zac Hanson. Moreover, Meredith Brooks's hit single "Bitch" was mentioned on the candidates list but failed to make the Top 40. Meredith Ann Brooks (born June 12, 1960 in Oregon City Oregon) is an American Singer/songwriter and Guitarist. " Bitch " is a song that was released by Meredith Brooks in 1997 on her album Blurring the Edges.

The top ten ranking are as follows:

  1. "The Final Countdown" – Europe (1986)
  2. "Teenage Dirtbag" – Wheatus (2000)
  3. "How Bizarre" – OMC (1996)
  4. "Because I Got High" – Afroman (2001)
  5. "Ice Ice Baby" – Vanilla Ice (1990)
  6. "Eye of the Tiger" – Survivor (1982)
  7. "Tubthumping" – Chumbawamba (1997)
  8. "My Sharona" – The Knack (1979)
  9. "Video Killed the Radio Star" – Buggles (1979)
  10. "Who Let The Dogs Out?" – Baha Men (2000)
  11. "I Touch Myself" - Divinyls (1991)

Classical music one-hit wonders

Deutsche Grammophon and Vox Records have both released albums of classical one-hit wonders. " The Final Countdown " is a rock song written by Joey Tempest for Europe's third studio album The Final Countdown (1986 Europe is a Swedish rock band formed in Upplands Väsby in 1979 under Year 1986 ( MCMLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar) " Teenage Dirtbag " is a single by Wheatus, released in 2000. Wheatus is an American Pop punk group from Northport New York. 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. "How Bizarre" is the first single by New Zealand group OMC, released in the band's home country in 1995, internationally in 1996 --- OMC is a music group from Otara, Auckland, New Zealand which had a worldwide hit with the song " How Bizarre " in 1996. Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) "Because I Got High" is a comical Novelty song by Afroman, from his album of the same name, about how pot use is degrading his quality Joseph Edgar Foreman (born July 28 1974 in East Palmdale California) better known by his stage name Afroman, is a rapper from East Palmdale Los Angeles Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. " Ice Ice Baby " is Rapper Vanilla Ice 's most famous and popular song released from his album To The Extreme. Robert Matthew Van Winkle (born October 31, 1967) best known as Vanilla Ice, is an American Rap artist known for the 1990 smash hit Year 1990 ( MCMXC) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar) " Eye of the Tiger " is a song performed by the American rock group Survivor, and is taken from the album of the same name. Survivor is an American rock band formed in 1978 The band achieved its greatest success in the 1980s with its Album-oriented rock (AOR Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar) " Tubthumping " is a song by the English band Chumbawamba. Chumbawamba are an English band who began their career playing Anarcho-punk, but over a 25-year career have gone on to play music ranging from pop -influenced Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar " My Sharona " is the 1979 debut single released by rock band The Knack, off their album Get the Knack. The Knack are a Los Angeles -based rock band that rose to fame with their first single " My Sharona " an international hit in 1979 (see Year 1979 ( MCMLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1979 Gregorian calendar) " Video Killed the Radio Star " is a song by the British New Wave group Buggles released in 1979 Buggles (the official version of the band name used on their albums singles and publicity material omits the definite article were a New Wave band formed in 1977 consisting Year 1979 ( MCMLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1979 Gregorian calendar) " Who Let the Dogs Out? " is a song written and originally recorded by Anslem Douglas for Trinidad and Tobago 's Carnival season of 1998 Baha Men is the name of a pop group from The Bahamas that plays a modernized style of Bahamian Folk music called Junkanoo. 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. " I Touch Myself " is a 1991 Pop rock song written by Christina Amphlett, Tom Kelly, Billy Steinberg and Mark McEntee for Australian Divinyls are an Australian rock band formed in Sydney in 1980 and featuring vocalist Christina Amphlett and Guitarist Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. Deutsche Grammophon is a German classical Record label. The company has long been known for its high standards of audio fidelity. VOX Records is a budget classical Record label founded by George Mendelssohn a distant descendant of the composer Felix Mendelssohn, in 1945 Many of the works on the CDs are from composers who have two or more works that are popular in classical music circles but have a single work that has become popular outside these circles. The works will be familiar to most people because they have been used in commercials or in movies and television shows. The two CDs differ but the works common to both are:

  1. Johann Pachelbel – Canon in D
  2. Samuel Barber – Adagio for Strings
  3. Tomaso Albinoni – Adagio in G minor
  4. Jean-Joseph Mouret – Rondeau (Masterpiece Theatre theme)
  5. Luigi Boccherini – minuet from String Quintet in E
  6. Jeremiah Clarke – "Trumpet Voluntary"
  7. Jules Massenet – Meditation for his opera "Thais"
  8. Pietro Mascagni – "Cavalleria rusticana"
  9. Léo Delibes – "The Flower Duet"
  10. Mikhail Ippolitov-Ivanov – "Caucasian Sketches"
  11. Amilcare Ponchielli – "Dance of the Hours" from the opera "La Gioconda" ("Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh")
  12. Charles-Marie Widor – Toccata from Symphony for Organ No. Pachelbel's Canon, also known as Canon in D major, or more formally Canon and Gigue in D major for three Violins and Basso Continuo Samuel Osborne Barber II ( March 9, 1910 – January 23, 1981) was an American Composer of Orchestral, Opera, "Adagio for Strings" is a work for String orchestra, arranged by the American Composer Samuel Barber from his first string quartet Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni (June 8 1671 Venice, Republic of Venice &ndash January 17 1751 Venice, Republic of Venice) was a Venetian Adagio in G minor for strings and organ is a piece composed by Remo Giazotto and first published in 1958 Jean-Joseph Mouret ( April 11, 1682, Avignon - December 22, 1738, Charenton-le-Pont) was a French Composer Masterpiece (formerly known as Masterpiece Theatre) is a drama Anthology television series produced by WGBH Boston. Luigi Rodolfo Boccherini ( February 19, 1743 &ndash May 28, 1805) was a classical era Composer and cellist Jeremiah Clarke (c 1674 - 1 December 1707 was an English baroque Composer. The Prince of Denmark's March, commonly though erroneously known as the Trumpet Voluntary, is a work by Jeremiah Clarke, composed around 1699 Jules (Émile Frédéric Massenet ( May 12, 1842 – August 13, 1912) was a French composer best known for his Operas WikipediaWikiProject Composers#Lead section --> Pietro Mascagni ( December 7, 1863 &ndash August 2, Cavalleria rusticana ( Rustic Chivalry) is an Opera in one act by Pietro Mascagni to an Italian Libretto by Giovanni Targioni-Tozzetti (Clément Philibert Léo Delibes (21 February 1836 &ndash 16 January 1891 was a French Composer of Ballets operas, and other works for the stage "The Flower Duet" ( Viens Mallika les liens en fleurs Mikhail Mikhailovich Ippolitov-Ivanov (Russian Михаил Михайлович Ипполитов-Иванов ( &ndash January 28, 1935) was a Russian Caucasian Sketches are a pair of Orchestral suites written in 1894 and 1896 by the Russian Composer Mikhail Ippolitov-Ivanov. Amilcare Ponchielli ( August 31, 1834 &ndash January 16, 1886) was an Italian Composer, largely of Operas Dance of the Hours is a ballet from the opera La Gioconda composed by Amilcare Ponchielli (1834-1886 La Gioconda is an Opera in four acts by Amilcare Ponchielli to an Italian Libretto by Arrigo Boito, based on Angelo by " Hello Muddah Hello Fadduh (A Letter from Camp " is the Grammy-winning Novelty song based on Kvetch letters Allan Sherman received from Charles-Marie Jean Albert Widor (February 21 1844 &ndash March 12 1937 was a French organist, Composer and teacher 5
  13. Aram Khachaturian – "Sabre Dance" from the ballet "Gayane"
  14. Marc-Antoine Charpentier – Te Deum

Two-hit wonder

Some artists have managed to gain recognition for just two songs based on one or more of the above descriptions, and are often referred to as two-hit wonders. Aram Khachaturian ( Armenian: Արամ Խաչատրյան Aram Xačatryan; Russian: Аpaм Ильич Xaчaтypян Aram Il'ič Hačaturjan The "Sabre Dance" is a movement in the final act of the Armenian composer Aram Khachaturian 's Ballet Gayane Gayane (also Gayaneh and Gayne, after the Armenian saint) is a four-act Ballet with music by Aram Khachaturian. Marc-Antoine Charpentier (1643 - February 24 1704 was a French composer of the Baroque era Though this term is not as official in the music industry, the term is used by many fans. Notable examples in the US include:

NB: The peak positions shown are in the US chart only and do not hold true in other countries, where some of these artists have had more than two hits - for example, Neneh Cherry has had nine distinct solo Top 40 hits in the UK and Sophie B. This article is about the band there is a play and film with the same name " Boogie Oogie Oogie " is the name of a popular song by Disco / R&B group A Taste of Honey. " Ue o muite arukō " (上を向いて歩こう " shall walk looking up" is a Japanese song that was performed by Japanese Crooner The Left Banke was an American 1960s pop-music group best remembered for their two hit singles " Walk Away Renee " and " Pretty Ballerina " Walk Away Renée " is a song made popular by the band The Left Banke in 1966 (single release July 1966 Smash Records) composed by the group's then " Pretty Ballerina " is a song written by pianist Michael Brown (born Michael Lookofsky and was a top 30 hit for his band the Left Banke in the Billboard Blaque is an American R&B vocal trio Blaque stands for Believing in Life and Achieving a Quest for Unity in Everything Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. Paula Cole (born April 5, 1968 in Rockport, Massachusetts) is an American Singer / Songwriter. Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar Cutting Crew is a Pop rock band formed in England in 1985, best known for their United States #1 hit, " Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar) Tara Leslye Kemp (born on May 11, 1964 in Livermore California) was an American pop and R&B Singer. Year 1990 ( MCMXC) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar) Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. Maxine Nightingale (born 2 November 1952, Wembley, London) is a British R&B and Soul music Singer Year 1976 ( MCMLXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1979 ( MCMLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1979 Gregorian calendar) Neneh Cherry (born Neneh Mariann Karlsson on March 10, 1964 in Stockholm) is a two-time Grammy Award -nominated and MTV Europe Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar) Sophie Ballantine Hawkins (born November 1 1967, in Manhattan, New York City, U " Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover " was a hit song in the U Year 1992 ( MCMXCII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar) Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 Edwin McCain (born January 20, 1970 in Greenville South Carolina) is an American Alternative rock Singer-songwriter. " I Could Not Ask for More " is a pop song composed by Diane Warren. Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) Tone Lōc (sometimes alternatively spelled Tone Loc or Tone-Lōc, with the second part of the name regardless of spelling pronounced like the "loc" in Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar) Vertical Horizon is an American Alternative rock band from Washington D 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. Billy Ray Cyrus (born William Ray Cyrus; August 25 1961 is a Grammy Award -nominated American Country music singer songwriter and actor from Flatwoods Hawkins four; others have had only one - for example, A Taste of Honey charted in the UK with 'Boogie Oogie Oogie' only; and still others have had two but not both the same songs - for example, Billy Ray Cyrus has charted in the UK with 'Achy Breaky Heart' and 'Could've Been Me' in 1992 but has not charted in 2008 at all.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Jancik 1998, p487
  2. ^ Mazeroski, however, is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, due heavily to his status as one of the greatest defensive infielders of all time. A one-hit wonder is a Top 40 phenomenon the combination of artist and song that scores big in the music industry with one hit but is unable to repeat the achievement with another This list covers songs which were one-hit wonders in Ireland by Irish artists only A One Hit Wonder has been defined by The Guinness Book of British Hit Singles as an artist who has achieved a No A One-hit wonder is a Top-40 Phenomenon: the combination of artist and song that scores big in the music industry with one smash hit but is unable to repeat A signature song is the one Song (or in some cases one of a few songs that a popular and well-established

References

External links

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