Music Artists that are Called One Hit Wonders but Aren't
Richard Paul "Rick" Astley (Born February 6, 1966 in Newton-le-Willows, U.K.) is a British singer/songwriter, also known for "Rickrolling" . However before that he started in a church choir and a couple of local bands, before attaining success as a popular singer in the late 80s and early 90s, known... read more He is called a "one-hit wonder" because some people only know one (Never Gonna Give You Up) or two songs by him and the Rickrolling meme. While some, including me, like his music beyond just the meme and song (e.g., Cry for Help). He has 5 Top 10 hits in the US while he has 8 Top 10 hits in the UK.
He is good. He shouldn't be known for only two songs.
Actually, Rick had two great hits: Never Gonna Give You Up and Together Forever.
A-ha is a Norwegian band formed in Oslo in 1982. The band was founded by Morten Harket, Magne Furuholmen and Pål Waaktaar-Savoy. While they had two Top 40 hits (one that is #1) in the US, they were more successful in the UK and Norway. They had 8 Top 10 hits in the UK and 19 Top 10 hits in Norway, becoming one of the most successful bands in Norway.
They had two hits and a James Bond theme.
Blur is an English Britpop/alternative rock band, formed in London in 1988. The group consists of singer/keyboardist/guitarist Damon Albarn, guitarist/singer Graham Coxon, bassist Alex James, and drummer Dave Rowntree. "Song 2" is the band's breakthrough song in the US, but I feel that Blur's self-titled album, which includes "Song 2," is the band's real breakthrough in the US music market. Not to forget, another song on Blur's self-titled album, "Beetlebum," went to number 1 in the UK music charts, whereas "Song 2" didn't top any music charts worldwide.
Blur didn't have any Top 40 hits in the US but are known for their song "Song 2," which became their signature song. They had 12 Top 10 hits in the UK.
Anyone who thinks they only know "Song 2" by them probably also knows "Girls & Boys" at the very least.
Survivor is an American rock band formed in Chicago in 1978 by Jim Peterik. The band achieved its greatest success in the 1980s, garnering many charting singles, especially in the United States. Survivor is often seen as a one-hit wonder due to their platinum-certified "Eye of the Tiger" in 1982, which spent 6 weeks at #1 on the Hot 100. The band managed to have several other major hits, perhaps most notably "I Can't Hold Back," which reached #13 and spent 3 weeks at #1 on the Rock Tracks, and "Burning Heart," which peaked at #2 on the Hot 100 and was ranked by Billboard as the second-biggest song of 1985. They had a total of 8 US pop Top 40 hits between 1981 and 1988.
They had five Top 10 hits in the US.
Nirvana was an American grunge band that was formed in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987. Nirvana disbanded after Kurt Cobain committed suicide in 1994. The drummer of the band, David Grohl, went on to start the Foo-Fighters, an alternative rock band... read more There are so many more great Nirvana songs beyond the overhyped Smells Like Teen Spirit. Expand your horizons before calling yourself a Nirvana fan.
I cannot believe some people think of them as one-hit wonders. They are one of the greatest bands of all time even though they had two Top 40 hits in the US and six Top 40 hits in the UK.
Come As You Are, Heart-Shaped Box, Lithium, and In Bloom were also popular Nirvana songs, not just Smells Like Teen Spirit. Yes, there are Toptenners and others who said Teen Spirit is the only popular Nirvana song and have said that Nirvana is famous for that one song.
Europe is a Swedish rock band formed in Upplands Väsby, Stockholm in 1979 under the name Force by vocalist Joey Tempest, guitarist John Norum, bassist Peter Olsson and drummer Tony Reno.
Park Jae-sang (Korean: 박재상, born December 31, 1977), better known by his stage name Psy, stylized as PSY, is a South Korean singer, songwriter, record producer, and rapper... read more
Carly Rae Jepsen is a Canadian singer and songwriter from Mission, British Columbia, and later based in Vancouver. She is best known for her hit song "Call Me Maybe" which topped many charts in 2012. Three albums, a fourth one soon.
Before Call Me Maybe, she had these songs:
Sunshine on My Shoulders, Tug of War, Bucket, and Sour Candy.
Aqua is a Danish eurodance group, best known for their 1997 breakthrough single "Barbie Girl". The group formed in 1989 and achieved huge success around the globe in the late 1990s and early 2000s. They got one top ten hit in the US and five top ten hits in the UK. Despite only getting one top ten hit in the US, they have at least four top 40 hits there. In the UK, they have more hits with 7 UK top 40s. The UK even started early with "My Oh My" being a big hit.
They got 0 number ones in the US, but the UK got a fair share with 3 number ones. In Scandinavia or any other part of Europe besides the old Soviet countries, they are definitely not a one-hit wonder. They had many hits in Europe. In 2011, Aqua changed their style and released their first single under "Meglomania," "How R U Doin?". In Ukraine, Aqua weren't really big stars. They were just "foreigner music," and this was their first taste of the Aqua craze there. Then, they just faded out of popularity.
I love Aqua.
Andrew John Hozier-Byrne, known mononymously as Hozier, is an Irish musician, singer, and songwriter. Although Take Me to Church was his only hit single, Someone New was a mild success, and his second album, Wasteland, Baby!, topped the charts in the US and Ireland.
Especially after "Too Sweet" was released.
The Newcomers
Kim Wilde (born Kim Smith) is an English pop singer, author, DJ and television presenter who burst onto the music scene in 1981 with her debut single "Kids in America", which reached number two in the UK. Her version of the Supremes' song "You Keep Me Hangin' On" also went on to be a major UK and US... read more Please do not call her a one-hit wonder. Although she is known for "Kids in America," "Cambodia," and the US No. 1 remake "Keep Me Hangin' On," she is not a one-hit wonder.
She was successful in the UK compared to the US. Examples of her other songs include "You Came," "Chequered Love," "Never Trust a Stranger," and "Another Step (Closer to You)."
Charlotte Emma Aitchison, better known by her stage name Charli XCX, is an English singer and songwriter. Her most famous songs include Boom Clap and her feature on Iggy Azalea's Fancy.
Stanley Kirk Burrell (born March 30, 1962), known professionally as MC Hammer (or simply Hammer), is an American rapper, dancer, and record producer who had his greatest commercial success and popularity from the late 1980s until the early 1990s. Remembered for his rapid rise to fame, Hammer is known... read more Guys, he had like six, if not more, big hits.
U Can't Touch This
Pray
Too Legit to Quit
Turn This Mutha Out
Here Comes the Hammer
Let's Get It Started
Smash Mouth is an American rock band from San Jose, California. The band was formed in 1994, and was originally composed of Steve Harwell, Kevin Coleman, Greg Camp, and Paul De Lisle. Their first big hit was Walkin' On the Sun in 1997, they would then get more exposure in 1999 for the song All Star... read more
Johann "Hans" Hölzel, better known by his stage name Falco, was an Austrian singer, songwriter and rapper.
Men at Work are an Australian rock/pop band formed in Sydney. The group is most famous for their hits, "Down Under" and "Who Can It Be Now?"
DeAndre Cortez Way (born July 28, 1990), known professionally as Soulja Boy Tell 'Em or simply Soulja Boy, is an American rapper and record producer. In September 2007, his debut single "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" peaked at number 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. The single was initially self-published... read more
The Verve were an English rock band formed in Wigan in 1990 by lead vocalist Richard Ashcroft, guitarist Nick McCabe, bass guitarist Simon Jones and drummer Peter Salisbury. Guitarist and keyboard player Simon Tong became a member at a later date. "The Drugs Don't Work" reached #1 on the UK charts, while "Bittersweet Symphony" didn't.
The Verve are not one-hit wonders! Ever heard of Britpop? Yeah, I thought so.
Lucky Man was popular too, wasn't it?
Pharrell Lanscilo Williams, born April 5, 1973, known professionally as Pharrell, is an American singer, rapper, and record producer. Williams and Chad Hugo make up the record production duo the Neptunes, producing soul, hip hop and R&B music. "Happy"
"Drop It Like It's Hot" with Snoop Dogg
Guest vocals on "Alright" by Kendrick Lamar
"LEMON" with N.E.R.D., Drake, and Rihanna
As well as being that guy who makes the soundtrack for every good movie.
Pharrell is not a one-hit wonder. Just no.
The Pixies are an American alternative rock band formed in 1986 in Boston, Massachusetts. The group disbanded in 1993 in acrimonious circumstances, but reunited in 2004. The group currently consists of founders Black Francis, Joey Santiago, and David Lovering. Here Comes Your Man was pretty big.
Jane's Addiction is an American alternative rock band from Los Angeles, formed in 1985. The band consists of vocalist Perry Farrell, guitarist Dave Navarro, drummer Stephen Perkins and bassist Chris Chaney.
Iron Maiden are an English Heavy Metal band formed in Leyton, East London, in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. The most critically acclaimed period for the band was from 1983-1989. With vocalist Bruce Dickinson, bassist Steve Harris, lead guitarist Dave Murray, rhythm guitarist Adrian... read more Hang on, they might have had many singles and got high in the charts but have only had one #1 in the charts. Well, in the UK, no number ones in the USA or Canada.
Richard Lamar Hawk, better known by his stage name Silentó, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, actor, and convicted murderer. He was born on January 23, 1998, in Stone Mountain, Georgia. He is best known for his debut single "Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)," which reached number three... read more
The Animals are an English band of the 1960s, formed in Newcastle upon Tyne, during the early part of the decade. Most people only know them for "House of the Rising Sun," but they released many other great songs. "Don't Let Me Be Down," "Boom Boom," "It's My Life," "Please Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood," and plenty of others.
Adam Mitchel Lambert is an American singer, songwriter and stage actor. Since 2009, he has sold over 2.5 million albums and 5 million singles worldwide.
Metallica is an American Heavy/Thrash Metal band formed in 1981. The original lineup was James Hetfield (Vocalist and Rhythm guitarist), Dave Mustaine (Lead Guitar), Lars Ulrich (Drums), Ron McGovney (Bassist). The group came into mainstream from their Self-Titled album and the hit single "Enter Sandman"... read more Metallica sure as heck are not one-hit wonders.
Honestly, Master of Puppets is just as recognized as Enter Sandman, although I could be wrong.