With just one song, they became global sensations within the music scene. Who do you think among these herd is the best there ever was? Who is the best one-hit wonder artist?
Los Del Rio
Originally formed in 1962, this Spanish duo has unique attainment of worldwide success — they only got it 30 years later. Their name which means “Those from the River,” actually fits them — their music flowed into the hearts of dance music lovers all over the world, and planted upon them nourishing flowers of success.
From: Seville, Spain
Genres: Latin pop, Latin dance, Sevillanas
Years active: 1962–present
Wonder hit: Macarena
Vanilla Ice
In a genre popularized by dark-skinned guys, this white-skinned fella tried his luck and attained success on it. His famous rap song created other opportunities for him: acting, TV hosting, and record-producing. Not too well-known anymore these days, it can’t be ignored that he unleashed a unique brand of music and fashion style in the early 90’s.
From: Texas, USA
Genres: Hip hop, rap rock, nu metal, rap metal
Years active: 1985–present
Wonder hit: Ice Ice Baby
Toni Basil
Originally a dancer by training, she shifted her career path which led her into singing instead. Having decided to include dance elements in her portrayals, she was able to popularize the song that became a staple for cheering squads all over the world. She is also an actress and a filmmaker — proofs that her life in general is never a 1-hit wonder.
From: Pennsylvania, U.S.
Genres: Pop, new wave
Years active: 1964–present
Wonder hit: Mickey
Carl Douglas
His hit single which discusses about martial arts catapulted itself to the number 1 charts of both the UK Singles and US Billboard, which made the song one of the best selling singles of all time. Carl has no other known mainstream song, but his only hit has become the anthem of people who greatly love martial-arts movies.
From: Kingston, Jamaica
Genre: Pop Rock
Years active: 1974–1998
Wonder hit: Kung Fu Fighting
The New Radicals
They only had one album, which had a carrier single that insulted a lot of music celebrities. It was a minor spectacle though compared to the level of fame that the song itself brought into the band. Though the group shortly disbanded due to their leader’s decision of focusing on helping other artists, they are considered to be one of the most melodic alternative bands in history.
From: California, USA
Genres: Jazz rock, alternative rock, blue eyed soul
Years active: 1997–1999
Wonder hit: You Get What You Give
The Knack
If you are an avid radio listener, it would be impossible for you to miss the name ‘Sharona.’ Such a name brought them enormous success. Although they suffered a backlash against Beatles fans due to some album-cover dispute which might have hindered further fame, The Knack is still one of the best short-famed bands in history.
From: California, USA
Genres: power pop, new-wave
Years active: 1978–1982, 1986–1992, 1994–2010
Wonder hit: My Sharona
Billy Ray Cyrus
As the father of Hannah Montana superstar Miley Cyrus, he became a worldwide sensation when his album that contains his most popular song reached triple Platinum status in Australia, the first to attain such an achievement in that country. He is quite aware of his 1-hit wonder status, but that doesn’t stop him from performing actively, even up to these times.
From: Kentucky, USA
Genres: country, pop-rock
Years active: 1989–present
Wonder hit: Achy, Breaky Heart
Chumbawamba
The members of the band were known to switch instruments between, or even during, gigs. In connection with that, The band's membership varied over the years, with the line-up and musical assignments in the early years being especially fluid.
Their anarcho-communist or libertarian socialist political stance exhibited an irreverent attitude toward authority, although it such element of controversy made them a much more attractive European band. During their early years, they made several songs about the UK miners' strike, including the Common Ground cassette.
From: Burnley England
Genres: alternative rock, anarcho-punk
Years active: 1982–2012
Wonder hit: Tubthumping
The Rembrandts
Before this duo became popular, they were well-regarded music industry already as veterans. Danny Wilde was a member of 1970s cult recording act The Quick, and had released several mildly successful solo albums in the 1980s. The other half of the duo, Phil Solem was also a seasoned musician working with other bands as well.
When a song of theirs became the thematic hymn for the TV sitcom “Friends,” they were forever etched as one of the most famous 1-hit wonders of all time. Now in their 60s, Wilde and Solem have struggled to make their presence felt in a pop landscape dominated by scantily clad teens and graduates of reality TV.
From: California, USA
Genres: pop rock, jangle pop
Years active: 1989–1997, 2000–present
Wonder hit: I’ll Be There For You
Bobby McFerrin
He often switches rapidly between modal and falsetto registers to create polyphonic effects, performing both the main melody and the accompanying parts of songs, this is his most notable trademark as a vocalist. He may have not attained prolonged popularity in the mainstream, but he also participates in various music education programs and makes volunteer appearances as a guest music teacher and lecturer at public schools throughout the U.S.
McFerrin has collaborated with his son on various musical ventures. Sometime in 1992, a fake news circulated that McFerrin had committed suicide, it only furthered his fame though, because due to his one hit wonder track, everyone is given the motivation to be truly happy at all times.
From: New York, USA
Genres: Jazz, a cappella, vocal,
Years active: 1970–present
Wonder hit: Don’t Worry, Be Happy
Who do you think among these artists should be declared as number 1?
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