Music

Artists with a “one hit” who went from success to nothing and you didn't remember

Explore the fascinating journeys of artists who soared to the top with a single hit song only to fade into obscurity. This ranking delves into the phenomenon of "one-hit wonders" and what became of them after their moment in the spotlight. Discover the stories behind these fleeting music stars, from the 90s to the present day, and how the music industry shaped their careers. Find out where these musicians are today and what they are doing after their brief stint with fame. A nostalgic trip through the hits we all remember, but whose creators we may have forgotten.

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  1. 1

    The Ketchup

    33 Global Votes
    • Recognized worldwide for the song Aserejé

      (+3)

    The Spanish group Las Ketchup is a clear example of a worldwide hit with a single song, "Aserejé," which catapulted them to international fame in 2002. Despite selling eight million copies and reaching number 1 in numerous countries, they failed to replicate that massive success with subsequent releases, fitting squarely into the "one-hit wonder" category.

  2. 2

    Aqua

    32 Global Votes
    • It gained great popularity in the 1990s.

      (+1)

    Aqua is a Danish-Norwegian group that achieved worldwide fame with their song "Barbie Girl" in 1997. Despite having other hits such as "Doctor Jones", they are often considered a "one-hit wonder" due to "Barbie Girl's" massive and lasting impact on pop culture.

  3. 3

    The Verve

    32 Global Votes
    • Urban Hymns album was a treasure chest

      (+2)

    The Verve is the main artist behind "Bitter Sweet Symphony," an iconic song that, despite its immense success, became a turning point in their career due to legal disputes over copyright that limited their earnings.

  4. 4

    OMC

    32 Global Votes
    • It reached number one in several countries

      (+3)

    OMC, whose full name is Otara Millionaires Club, is a New Zealand musical group best known for their 1996 hit "How Bizarre." Despite being their only major global hit, the song became a cult classic of the '90s and is a perfect example of a "one-hit wonder."

  5. 5

    Those from the River

    31 Global Votes
    • They made everyone dance in the '90s with a song

    The Spanish duo Los del Río is the main artist associated with the global success of "Macarena," which defined the concept of a "one-hit wonder" for many. Their song became a worldwide phenomenon in 1996, reaching number one on the US charts and spawning thousands of covers.

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  7. 6

    Room

    31 Global Votes
    • Greatest success in terms of popularity and sales with the song "Tubthumping"

      (+2)

    Chumbawamba is best known for their 1997 hit "Tubthumping," which became an anthem of resilience. Despite often being classified as a one-hit wonder, the band had a 16-year career and released eight albums before this breakthrough.

  8. 7

    Lou Bega

    31 Global Votes
    • Worldwide success with Mambo No. 5

      (+2)

    Lou Bega is the artist most associated with the worldwide hit single "Mambo No. 5" in 1999. Despite this huge success, he is often considered a one-hit wonder, which fits neatly into the theme of artists who had a big moment and then fell off the radar.

  9. 8

    Gotye

    31 Global Votes
    • Making Mirrors was a great album

      (+1)

    Gotye is the artist primarily associated with the hit "Somebody That I Used to Know," and the ranking focuses on artists with only one major hit. Despite his massive success, Gotye withdrew from the music scene, fitting perfectly into the "hit to nothing" theme.

  10. 9

    Vanilla Ice

    31 Global Votes
    • He achieved great success in 1990 with Ice Ice Baby

      (+1)

    Vanilla Ice is the epitome of the "one-hit wonder" artist in the context of 90s music. His song "Ice Ice Baby" was a massive global hit, but his subsequent career failed to replicate that level of success, perfectly fitting the description of an artist who went from stardom to obscurity.

  11. 10

    Baha Men

    31 Global Votes
    • He won a Grammy Award in 2000

      (+2)

    Baha Men is a group that achieved worldwide fame with their song "Who Let the Dogs Out?", a hit that defined their career and from which it is difficult to separate them, fitting perfectly into the category of artists with only one great hit.

  12. 11

    Eagle-Eye Cherry

    31 Global Votes
    • Global hit in 1997 with 'Save Tonight'

      (+2)

    Eagle-Eye Cherry is the main artist associated with the hit "Save Tonight," which fits perfectly with the theme of artists with just one big hit who then fell into obscurity.

  13. 12

    Right Said Fred

    31 Global Votes

    Right Said Fred is the epitome of a "one hit show" artist with their iconic song "I'm Too Sexy" dominating the charts in 1991. Despite releasing other singles and albums, none achieved the same level of worldwide recognition, making them a perfect example of an act that had massive but fleeting success.

  14. 13

    Fool's Garden

    31 Global Votes
    • Great international success with the song Lemon Tree

      (+1)

    Fool's Garden is a German alternative rock band that achieved worldwide fame with their 1995 single, "Lemon Tree." Despite the massive success of this song, they are often considered a "one-hit wonder" because no other single achieved a comparable commercial impact internationally, fitting the theme of artists whose major success has not been replicated.

  15. 14

    Lasgo

    31 Global Votes
    • Made good music

    Lasgo is an electronic music group that achieved worldwide fame with their single "Something" in 2001. Despite the massive success of this song, the group failed to replicate that level of popularity with subsequent releases, fitting the profile of one-hit wonders.

  16. 15

    Crazy Town

    31 Global Votes

    Crazy Town is the main artist associated with the hit single "Butterfly," which fits perfectly with the theme of artists with only one big hit.

  17. 16

    Daniel Powter

    31 Global Votes
    • Bad Day was a huge success

      (+2)

    Daniel Powter is the epitome of a 2000s "one hit single" artist, as his song "Bad Day" dominated the global charts in 2005, but he failed to replicate that level of success with subsequent releases.

  18. 17

    t.A.T.u.

    31 Global Votes
    • Music style remains engaging despite the years

      (+2)

    The Russian duo t.A.T.u. rose to worldwide fame with "All the Things She Said," a song that defined an era and catapulted them to the top of the charts. Despite this massive success, their subsequent career failed to replicate that popularity, fitting the profile of artists with huge initial success who then disappeared from the radar.

  19. 18

    'Gangnam Style' by PSY

    31 Global Votes
    • Mix of electronics, rap and dance

      (+3)

    PSY's "Gangnam Style" achieved unprecedented global success, breaking YouTube records and becoming a cultural phenomenon. Its massive popularity and subsequent decline fit the ranking's theme of artists with a massive hit followed by a fall from grace.

  20. 19

    The Rembrandts

    31 Global Votes
    • He reached #14 on the US Billboard Hot 100 with "Just the Way It Is, Baby"

      (+3)

    The Rembrandts are a prime example of an artist who achieved massive success with a single song, "I'll Be There for You," which became the iconic theme song for the sitcom Friends. Despite the song's immense popularity, the duo failed to replicate that level of success with other releases, falling squarely into the "one-hit wonder" category.

  21. 20

    Dexys Midnight Runners

    31 Global Votes
    • Best-selling single of 1982

      (+1)

    Dexys Midnight Runners is a British pop rock group best known for their 1982 hit, "Come On Eileen." Despite other successful singles in the UK, such as "Geno," "Come On Eileen" was their only major international hit, fitting the profile of a "one-hit wonder" who achieved worldwide fame only to fade from popular memory.