One Hit Wonder List

From LoveToKnow Music

Take a walk down memory lane with this one hit wonder list. Throughout the history of music, there have been many of those artists who arrived on the scene with such a splash that they were never able to top it, and a complete list of one hit wonders could fill several volumes. Check out the ones we have listen here for a blast from the past, but here’s a warning: LTK Music can take no responsibility for putting these songs back into your head!

One Hit Wonders List

Take a gander at these one hit wonder songs you may have loved – or may wish you could forget:

The Macarena – Los Del Rios

It almost seems cruel to mention this song, since the mere mention is absolutely guaranteed to leave it knocking around your brain for days, but what look at one hit wonders would be complete without it. The interesting thing about The Macarena is that it is one of those songs that no one will cop to ever having liked, and yet it was enormously popular. In fact, 4 million people bought the single. Admitting you have a problem is the first step.

Take on Me by a-ha

A one hit wonder song people remember with more fondness than the first entry on this list, this catchy song by Norwegian band a-ha and its part cartoon, part live action video were huge in the 80s. The song continues to be belted out by people around the world. Unfortunately, singing this song requires hitting several unkind notes, and there are unconfirmed rumors of windows shattering at scattered karaoke establishments. By the way, a-ha may object to being on this list – this was their only hit in America, but they did keep the fires alive elsewhere long after American fans moved on.

Baby Got Back by Sir Mix A Lot

Does this song really need an introduction? Though it sounds almost quaint next to some modern song lyrics, Mix’s assurance that his “anaconda don’t want none unless you’ve got buns, hon,” allowed big booty gals and the men who love them to come out of the shadows at last and stand proud.

Ice Ice Baby by Vanilla Ice

Will it ever stop? Yo, I don’t know, but despite being the target of many a joke, Vanilla Ice, excuse me, Rob Van Winkle, really is having the last laugh about this song as the royalty checks just keep on coming. He desperately wants to be taken seriously as a musician and has dabbled in other musical genres, but so far the only thing other than this song he’s done that really has created any kind of buzz is when he threw a drum kit at Ron Jeremy during the Surreal Life while screaming at him, “and I’ve been telling people you were cool!” Jeremy was unhurt by the attack and confused at the suggestion that he needed Vanilla Ice to vouch for him.

96 Tears by ? and The Mysterians

Long before Prince attempted to change his name to that symbol thing there was ? and The Mysterians (yes, some people do spell it out as “question mark”). Kind of like Louie Louie, no one really knows more than maybe a couple of words to this songs: “96 tears, cry cry cry” but somehow it was a hit in its day and still ranks up there for many 60s music buffs.

Rico Suave by Gerardo

Although this song provoked both laughter and nausea, Rico Suave burned up the charts and filled the MTV airwaves in the early 1990s, way back when MTV used to show music videos. The public was ready to let Gerardo slide with this kind of thing once, but once was enough, and he faded into obscurity. Everyone maybe 28 or above, however, still busts out the “rrrrrrrico” every now and then when the occasion calls for it.

Tainted Love by Soft Cell

This isn’t really fair to Soft Cell, since they did have their fans, but Tainted Love was such a major chart hit that their failure to keep mainstream success going must be noted. Arguably one of the most fun songs to dance to ever, Tainted Love has lived on in samples thanks to Rihanna. Or well, Rihanna’s producers and songwriters.