Yes! I agree. I have been following a-Ha since 1985. The Sun Always Shines on TV and Cry Wolf. Memorial Beach flopped, but East of the Sun, West of the Moon had some hits. Don't forget I've Been Losing You from Scoundrel Days.
Sure, that’s reasonable. But if you post multi hit, plus multi international hit acts from Britain and Scandinavia on an international platform and call them one hit wonders because you assume everyone is thinking in America you’re asking to be put straight, aren’t you? Plus if you call your list one hit wonders - and even you, here, concede A-ha had 2 US hits, again, at least get the simple fact right. 2 hits being more than 1 for example!!
Same goes with Soft Cell- Torch, What, Bedsitter, Say Hello Wave Goodbye, all incredible songs. Marc Almond also wrote My Former Self, one of the most underrated songs in history.
Dexy’s first two albums were hugely influential. Rowland would have a heart attack if he heard himself described as part of the ‘nostalgia scene’. He continues to cut his own way with original work - sometimes superb, sometimes bizarre - rarely looking back.
I loved the album too. ‘What’s she like’ is a tour de force. I saw them tour the album at Southampton Gaumont (as it was then). A huge theatre. Only around 300 people were stood around to watch them in their pinstripe suits. A lot of disgruntled shouting for Come On and Geno. Rowland said ‘Geno doesn’t live here anymore’ and that was that. Fantastic and tragic.
When I saw “Spirit in the Sky” I immediately thought of the Doctor and the Medics cover. They were probably a one hit wonder too lol
I just recently picked up a used copy of A-Ha’s Hunting High and Low on vinyl (there was a demos version released on Record Store Day this year). I had that and Scoundrel Days on cassette and they were both pretty great.
I also had some of Marc Almond’s solo stuff- Soft Cell was pretty great too!
I got to see both Live and Blind Melon in Chicago (with PIL and Big Audio Dynamite) just before “No Rain” hit.
One hit wonders are like GOATS in sports, everyone has an opinion and are always ready to passionately defend their position. I am a baby boomer so Brandy is my #1 one hit wonder. I enjoyed the list and the comments.
I’m 56 and have always considered 867-5309/Jenny by Tommy Tutone to be THE one-hit wonder of my time. Aside from causing a nationwide flood of prank phone calls, it had a super-catchy chorus (8-6-7-5-3~Oh~9~~) and a great crunchy guitar riff!
So many great songs on this list! I wonder if The Knack and a-ha really count though as they did have follow-up Top 20 hits. I've also loved a lot of a-ha's music that never made a dent here in the U.S. Here are a few others I'd add:
Thanks Dan! Yeah the Knack was a borderline pick, but I wanted an excuse to write about “My Sharona.” Sometimes, bending the rules is good. Great tracks you shared as well, I should’ve made room for Natalie’s song.
I think Dexy’s “A Message to You Rudy” cover was pretty huge (and also a great song). Separately- No Rain is such a beautiful song that encapsulates all the bittersweet feelings I have about the 90’s. 🤍 Loved the list.
I was 14 when My Sharona came out. We loved Good Girls Don’t, too. Pretty sure that was also a hit for The Knack. Lots of kids, me included, had the album—it was a bit iconic in its time. A memorably simple cover.
Dexy’s and Verve are multi hit bands. I mean literally, numerous big hits. Come on Matt, do your homework.
Even A-Ha managed a second (#20 on Billboard)
Yes! I agree. I have been following a-Ha since 1985. The Sun Always Shines on TV and Cry Wolf. Memorial Beach flopped, but East of the Sun, West of the Moon had some hits. Don't forget I've Been Losing You from Scoundrel Days.
Haha yes, when I saw The Verve, I was like what?!
U.K.? Or U.S.? The Verve had four top-10 hits in the U.K., but just the one in the States.
Ask 100 Americans how many hits Dexy's and A-Ha had, and 99 of those hundred will name the one song, even if they had other top-40 hits.
I don't think it's Matt not doing his homework; I think it's specifying hits in the U.S.
Sure, that’s reasonable. But if you post multi hit, plus multi international hit acts from Britain and Scandinavia on an international platform and call them one hit wonders because you assume everyone is thinking in America you’re asking to be put straight, aren’t you? Plus if you call your list one hit wonders - and even you, here, concede A-ha had 2 US hits, again, at least get the simple fact right. 2 hits being more than 1 for example!!
Woooooah Geno! And Jocky Wilson! Dexy’s were fantastic, full of surprises.
You failed to mention Soft Cell’s Sex Dwarf
A-ha was more than a one hit wonder!
Same goes with Soft Cell- Torch, What, Bedsitter, Say Hello Wave Goodbye, all incredible songs. Marc Almond also wrote My Former Self, one of the most underrated songs in history.
Yeah, I was thinking about that too. Never thought of the Verve as one hit wonders. Great band.
What’s she like is brilliant. Knowledge of Beauty, also. I saw them a lot back then, truly exceptional band.
Dexy’s first two albums were hugely influential. Rowland would have a heart attack if he heard himself described as part of the ‘nostalgia scene’. He continues to cut his own way with original work - sometimes superb, sometimes bizarre - rarely looking back.
Agree completely. And I’m one of those Dexys fans who thinks the third album a bit of a masterpiece on the quiet.
I loved the album too. ‘What’s she like’ is a tour de force. I saw them tour the album at Southampton Gaumont (as it was then). A huge theatre. Only around 300 people were stood around to watch them in their pinstripe suits. A lot of disgruntled shouting for Come On and Geno. Rowland said ‘Geno doesn’t live here anymore’ and that was that. Fantastic and tragic.
The La's "There she goes" perfect pop from a great album.
Came here to post this one. It’s infectious.
This was fun. I like that there’s not any pure novelty songs on here like “I’m Too Sexy.”
The best part of the music video is the tank top tear-off. Incredible stuff.
Or “I Wanna Be a Cowboy”
Love this!! So many great songs!
When I saw “Spirit in the Sky” I immediately thought of the Doctor and the Medics cover. They were probably a one hit wonder too lol
I just recently picked up a used copy of A-Ha’s Hunting High and Low on vinyl (there was a demos version released on Record Store Day this year). I had that and Scoundrel Days on cassette and they were both pretty great.
I also had some of Marc Almond’s solo stuff- Soft Cell was pretty great too!
I got to see both Live and Blind Melon in Chicago (with PIL and Big Audio Dynamite) just before “No Rain” hit.
One hit wonders are like GOATS in sports, everyone has an opinion and are always ready to passionately defend their position. I am a baby boomer so Brandy is my #1 one hit wonder. I enjoyed the list and the comments.
Love that comparison, thanks Frank!
I’m 56 and have always considered 867-5309/Jenny by Tommy Tutone to be THE one-hit wonder of my time. Aside from causing a nationwide flood of prank phone calls, it had a super-catchy chorus (8-6-7-5-3~Oh~9~~) and a great crunchy guitar riff!
So many great songs on this list! I wonder if The Knack and a-ha really count though as they did have follow-up Top 20 hits. I've also loved a lot of a-ha's music that never made a dent here in the U.S. Here are a few others I'd add:
Let It Whip - Dazz Band
Der Kommissar - After the Fire
Torn - Natalie Imbruglia
One of Us - Joan Osborne
Thanks Dan! Yeah the Knack was a borderline pick, but I wanted an excuse to write about “My Sharona.” Sometimes, bending the rules is good. Great tracks you shared as well, I should’ve made room for Natalie’s song.
There's a lot to say about "My Sharona." I always think of it as the song that changed the tide from disco to to new wave on the charts.
That would be a fascinating topic to explore.
Don’t turn around uh-oh-oh!
We can all debate the list’s merits, I just want to say I enjoyed the WRITING in your piece.
Thanks Omar! 🙏🙏
Totally agree with you Omar! Great writing about a fun topic. Thanks Matt! Thoroughly enjoyed the trip down musical memory lane.
Then there's the ultimate one-hit wonder: "Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)."
The Pope likes the Macarena, confirmed 😉😁
How many hundred Chicago weddings must he have attended in one capacity or another? Yeah, he knows that song well.
Many of the artists in this list continue(d) to have long careers and many successful songs. Classing them as one-hit wonders is frankly bizarre.
Calling Soft Cell a one-hit wonder lol
I don’t understand this list. Many of these artists had many hits. Soft Cell, for example, had loads.
I think Dexy’s “A Message to You Rudy” cover was pretty huge (and also a great song). Separately- No Rain is such a beautiful song that encapsulates all the bittersweet feelings I have about the 90’s. 🤍 Loved the list.
I was 14 when My Sharona came out. We loved Good Girls Don’t, too. Pretty sure that was also a hit for The Knack. Lots of kids, me included, had the album—it was a bit iconic in its time. A memorably simple cover.
Radar Love - Golden Earring
They were more like a two-hit wonder.
Twilight Zone
What about “Cake by the Ocean?”
Great stroll down memory lane!! Thanks !!