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100 best one hit wonders of all time


Poop Man Bob

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100. "Kung Fu Fighting" by Carl Douglas (1974)

 

99. "No Rain" by Blind Melon (1993)

 

98. "Two Of Hearts" by Stacey Q (1986)

 

97. "Whoomp! There It Is" by Tag Team (1993)

 

96. "I Want Candy" by Bow Wow Wow (1982)

 

95. "Harper Valley P.T.A." by Jeannie C. Riley (1968)

 

94. "What's Up" by 4 Non Blondes (1993)

 

93. "Don't Give Up On Us Baby" by David Soul (1977)

 

92. "Heart & Soul" by T'Pau (1987)

 

91. "Electric Avenue" by Eddie Grant (1983)

 

90. "Don't Want To Fall In Love" by Jane Child (1990)

 

89. "Achy, Breaky Heart" by Billy Ray Cyrus (1992)

 

88. "Barbie Girl" by Aqua (1987)

 

87. "Don't Leave Me This Way" by Thelma Houston (1977)

 

86. "Bust A Move" by Young MC (1989)

 

85. "Spirit In The Sky" by Norman Greenbaum (1970)

 

84. "You Gotta Be" by Des'ree (1994)

 

83. "The Safety Dance" by Men Without Hats (1983)

82. "I Know What Boys Like" by The Waitresses (1982)

 

81. "Just A Friend" by Biz Markie (1990)

80. "Cum On Feel The Noize" by Quiet Riot (1983)

 

79. "Puttin' On The Ritz" by Taco (1983)

 

78. "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm" by Crash Test Dummies (1994)

 

77. "What I Am" by Edie Brickell & The New Bohemians (1989)

 

76. "We Don't Have To Take Our Clothes Off" by Jermaine Stewart (1986)

 

75. "I've Never Been To Me" by Charlene (1982)

 

74. "Rebirth Of Slick (Cool Like Dat)" by Digable Planets (1993)

 

73. "Convoy" by C.W. McCall (1975)

 

72. "Maniac" by Michael Sembello (1983)

 

71. "How Bizarre" by OMC (1997)

 

70. "he Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia" by Vicki Lawrence (1973)

 

69. "Funkytown" by Lipps, Inc. (1980)

 

68. "A Girl Like You" by Edwyn Collins (1995)

 

67. "Epic" by Faith No More (1990)

 

66. "Mambo No. 5" by Lou Bega (1999)

 

65. "In My House" by The Mary Jane Girls (1985)

 

64. "You Get What You Give" by New Radicals (1998)

 

63. "Jump Around" by House Of Pain (1992)

 

62. "Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades" by Timbuk 3 (1986)

 

61. "Round And Round" by Ratt (1984

 

60. "More, More, More" by Andrea True Connection (1976)

 

59. "867-5309/Jenny" by Tommy Tutone (1982)

 

58. "What Is Love?" by Haddaway (1993)

 

57. "Smokin' In The Boys Room" by Brownsville Station (1973)

 

56. "Lovin' You" by Minnie Riperton (1975)

 

55. "It's Raining Men" by Weather Girls (1982)

 

54. "Makin' It" by David Naughton (1977)

 

53. "Somebody's Watching Me" by Rockwell (1984)

 

52. "Genius Of Love" by Tom Tom Club (1982)

 

51. "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" by The Proclaimers (1995)

 

50. "I Touch Myself" by The Divinyls (1991)

 

49. "Turn The Beat Around" by Vicki Sue Robinson (1976)

 

48. "True" by Spandau Ballet (1983)

 

47. "Rock & Roll, Pt. 2" by Gary Glitter (1972)

 

46. "Don't Worry Be Happy" by Bobby McFerrin (1988)

 

45. "Lovefool" by The Cardigans (1996)

 

44. "Rock Me Amadeus" by Falco (1986)

 

43. "How Do You Talk To An Angel" by The Heights (1992)

 

42. "Hot Child In The City" by Nick Gilder (1978)

 

41. "Relax" by Frankie Goes To Hollywood (1985)

 

40. "In A Big Country" by Big Country (1983)

 

39. "Bittersweet Symphony" by The Verve (1998)

 

38. "Me & Mrs. Jones" by Billy Paul (1972)

 

37. "I Melt With You" by Modern English (1982)

 

36. "Turning Japanese" by The Vapors (1980)

 

35. "Bitch" by Meredith Brooks (1997)

 

34. "Afternoon Delight" by Starland Vocal Band (1976)

 

33. Got To Be Real" by Cheryl Lynn (1979)

 

32. "Hot Hot Hot" by Buster Poindexter (1987)

 

31. "Unbelievable" by EMF (1983)

 

30. "Seasons In The Sun" by Terry Jacks (1974)

 

29. "Pass The Dutchie" by Musical Youth (1983)

 

28. "It Takes Two" by Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock (1988)

 

27. "Pop Musik" by M (1979)

 

26. "Stumblin' In" by Suzi Quatro (1979)

 

25. "Too Shy" by Kajagoogoo (1983)

 

24. "Whip It" by Devo (1980)

 

23. "Tubthumping" by Chumbawumba (1997)

 

22. "Play That Funky Music" by Wild Cherry (1976)

 

21. "Cars" by Gary Numan (1980)

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20. "She Blinded Me With Science" by Thomas Dolby (1983)

The Cairo-born Thomas Robertson was nicknamed “Dolby” by his friends because of his obsession with musical technology, and he played synthesizer on albums by Foreigner and Def Leppard. His 1983 single hit appropriately featured a vocal performance by the eccentric British scientist Magnus Pyke.

 

 

19. "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida " by Iron Butterfly (1968)

Psychedelia had it's brilliant moments, but it was a great cloak for nonsense, too. In 1969, when these dudes arrived out of nowhere with their side-long song driven by a 10-note bass riff, they brought rock something both catchy and cluckish. At heart, they were much more the latter than the former. Which is why they vanished.

 

 

18. "Nothing Compares 2 U" by Sinéad O'Connor (1990)

She took a good Prince song and made it great by betting the farm on the fact that candor and intimacy were what people wanted to hear. She bet correctly, and in 1990 the nuance-driven face-only video turned all that private stuff into powerful stuff. Gorgeous.

 

 

17. "We're Not Gonna Take It" by Twisted Sister (1984)

Generic sludge rockers who cast themselves as metal renegades, in 1984 Twisted Sister's marketing device was its singer's use of make-up. But they did have one insidiously infectious tune, and as the group chanted its defiance of all things status-quo, testosteroned teens fell in line.

 

 

16. "Rapper's Delight" by Sugarhill Gang (1980)

Intoxicated on the power of spiel, and up for the challenge of riding the rhythmic groove, these bedrock MCs - Master Gee, Wonder Mike, and Big Bank Hank - brought the glory of rap out of the neighborhood and onto the airwaves in 1979. Chic's "Good Times" was their engine, and the world was their oyster.

 

 

15. "96 Tears" by ? And The Mysterians (1966)

Proof that attitude is all you need to make a mark on pop. An organ squeals, a tough guy snarls and, in 1966 and forever, a rock fan reaches to turn it up. It's cheesy, it's weird, and it's irresistible. Perhaps the best cultural nugget ever produced by Flint, Michigan.

 

 

14. "Groove Is In The Heart" by Deee-Lite (1990)

Some say the group was fashion's answer to the B-52's, but the kitschy glamour of this club smash had plenty of musical craft on its side, and its "we're all one" message made room for a broad queer/straight, black/white constituency. A pop gem from 1990.

 

 

13. "The Hustle" by Van McCoy (1975)

The disco era needed a soundtrack by which hedonists could get busy on the dance floor, and the lite jazz groove perfectly fit the bill in 1976. Honk once if you love flutes. Honk twice if you've ever gotten busy on the dance floor.

 

 

12. "Baby Got Back" by Sir Mix-A-Lot (1994)

Discussing the front part of the human body is dangerous business. But celebrate the rear in song, and you get smiles all around. And if you create a two-cheeked video around a amusing set of rump rhymes driven by a righteous beat, you've hit yourself a home run. It was 1992, and Sisqo's "Thong Song" wasn't far behind.

 

 

11. "You Light Up My Life" by Debby Boone (1977)

Schmaltz will always be with us, and from "Earth Angel" to Celine's Titanic song, some of the best radio pop has been pure goo. This ode to Christianity's top dog is sticky as hell. Which is why somewhere this weekend, a couple are slow-dancing to it and weeping.

 

 

10. "99 Luftballoons" by Nena (1984)

German singer Gabriele “Nena” Kerner recorded “99 Luftballons” as a protest against nuclear war. The canny electronic arrangement and singsong melody obscured its serious message and it became a worldwide hit in 1984. She has continued to sing and even hosted a German variety show called Metro.

 

 

9. "Rico Suave" by Gerardo (1991)

Ecuador-born rapper Gerardo performed in Spanglish, a mixture of Spanish and English, but everyone understood the smooth delivery of “Rico Suave.” He scored no more hits after that 1991 No. 7, so Gerardo became a record executive.

 

 

8. "Take On Me" by A-Ha (1985)

In 1985, with synth pop at its peak, “Take On Me” became one of the genre’s most memorable successes. The song went to No. 1 on an insidious hook and a video that deftly merged animation and live action. America forgot about the Norwegian trio, but a-ha continue to enjoy international success.

 

 

7. "Ice Ice Baby" by Vanilla Ice (1991)

Utilizing a clever sample of the bass line to Queen’s “Under Pressure,” “Ice Ice Baby” zipped to No. 1 in 1990. But Ice’s strutting ego and unwarranted boasting about an imaginary gangster past led to a fall that was as quick as his unexpected rise.

 

 

6. "Who Let The Dogs Out" by Baha Men (2000)

Like Los Del Rio, the Baha Men had already enjoyed a degree of success on the world music circuit with their take on “junkanoo,” a Caribbean fusion of pop and Latin rhythms. “Who Let the Dogs Out” became a monster smash in 2000 and proved particularly popular at sporting events.

 

 

5. "Mickey" by Toni Basil (1982)

Toni Basil had already had quite a career before topping the charts with “Mickey” in 1982. She danced in the ‘60s concert film The T.A.M.I. Show and acted opposite Jack Nicholson in the Five Easy Pieces. Although Basil never had another hit, she choreographed the Gap’s swing-music ad.

 

 

4. "I'm Too Sexy" by Right Said Fred (1992)

Brothers Fred and Richard Fairbrass ran a gym in London when they first teamed up with guitarist Rob Manzoli to form Right Said Fred. Their cheeky 1992 poke at the model culture shot the muscle-bound siblings up to No. 1.

 

 

3. "Come On Eileen" by Dexy's Midnight Runners (1983)

Singer Kevin Rowland and his British musical collective dressed in dungarees and mingled genres like rock and Celtic soul, but nobody expected this single - whose sing-along chorus overwhelmed the dour lyrical perspective - to knock Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” off the No. 1 spot in 1983.

 

 

2. "Tainted Love" by Soft Cell (1982)

The British synth duo of Marc Almond and Dave Ball were inspired to cover Gloria Jones’ 1964 classic as a tribute to the discos of their youth. Almond’s camp delivery of the suggestive lyrics, however, gave the song a contemporary twist and it flew to No. 8 in 1982.

 

 

1. "The Macarena" by Los Del Rio (1996)

Antonio Romeo Monge and Rafael Ruiz were just another Spanish flamenco-pop duo when they were inspired to record “Macarena” in 1993 after seeing a dancer in Venezuela. Three years later, after the Bayside Boys remixed the track, it became an American sensation, eventually selling 4 million copies.

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Guest uncle-boy
Originally posted by Poop Man Bob

1. "The Macarena" by Los Del Rio (1996)

Antonio Romeo Monge and Rafael Ruiz were just another Spanish flamenco-pop duo when they were inspired to record “Macarena” in 1993 after seeing a dancer in Venezuela. Three years later, after the Bayside Boys remixed the track, it became an American sensation, eventually selling 4 million copies.

 

holy crapolla i hate this song.

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17. "We're Not Gonna Take It" by Twisted Sister (1984)

Generic sludge rockers who cast themselves as metal renegades, in 1984 Twisted Sister's marketing device was its singer's use of make-up. But they did have one insidiously infectious tune, and as the group chanted its defiance of all things status-quo, testosteroned teens fell in line.

 

 

I officially refuse this. Twisted Sister are not one hit wonders.

 

Rico Suave is my dad. FALCO forever.

That is all.

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man that list is corny as my cornhole. i can't stand three quarters of those songs, and puull-eeaze if you put out a song in the late nineties how can you even be considered a one hit wonder. my votes go to the following as replacements:

 

"She Don't Use Jelly" Flaming Lips

"Pop Goes the Weasel" Third Base

"Cult of Personality" Living Color

"If You've Got the Pistol. . ." The Refreshments

"Seether" Veruca Salt

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wasnt that song by aqua "barbie girl" released in 1997??

 

i hate that song....but this girl i was talking to thought it was funny, so if it was on the radio, shed want to hear it.

 

 

 

 

man, we do some stupid shit for women......:mad:

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Guest railroadjerk
Originally posted by Poop Man Bob

74. "Rebirth Of Slick (Cool Like Dat)" by Digable Planets (1993)

 

52. "Genius Of Love" by Tom Tom Club (1982)

 

dope ass songs!

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Ok, how about these, I'm not sure the bands, or exact titles of the following but god damn, every sporting event or cheezy club samples from one of these, instant cred for one hit wonders:

 

"Move It, Move It"

"Twilight Zone"

"Cotton Eyed Joe"

"Woo Hoo"

 

oh, and Black Sheep, "Strobelight"

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Guest railroadjerk
Originally posted by 23578

oh, and Black Sheep, "Strobelight"

 

well if that was a hit, then its not a one hit wonder. "the choice is yours" was on the same album and that blew up too.

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Guest railroadjerk

yeah there was a video for "the choice is yours." it involved them crumpling a lot of pictures.

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Guest railroadjerk

"voodoo ladyyyyy" hehe sorry 23578!

 

collective soul recently had that shitty "why part 2" song that got mad playage too.

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Originally posted by ese

"Starland Vocal Band?!? They suck!"

 

hahahaha, word!

 

Originally posted by Iris

biz marquee? one hit wonder?

 

MARKIE, M A R K I E, Biz Markie

 

 

I can easily count 11 bands on that list that had follow up hits. Some of the 'hits' weren't the first for a few too.

 

3rd Base? C'mon, Steppin to the AM, Gasface, Brooklyn Queens... all these songs are off their FIRST album.

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Originally posted by railroadjerk

"voodoo ladyyyyy" hehe sorry 23578!

 

collective soul recently had that shitty "why part 2" song that got mad playage too.

 

damn you railroadjerk! yeah they released "Piss Up a Rope" too I think. That one you mentioned and "Daisies" got the most play though. Maybe one hit every six year wonders i guess, that should be a category. Whatever happened to Beck?

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Guest railroadjerk
Originally posted by El Mamerro

How can you discuss Black Sheep and not mention "This or That"? Beer,

 

El Mamerro

 

"this or that" = "the choice is yours"

 

so we did mention it.

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Guest imported_El Mamerro

Whoops... Guess who feels like an absolute retard right now. Beer,

 

El Mamerro

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Guest platapie

i find it hard to belive that young mc is a one hit wonder. can we say princepals office? and digable planets isnt etheir. i hate vh1 those dirty bastards.

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Guest railroadjerk

arrested had a couple other decent hits "mr wendell" and "everyday people" which are both pretty dope songs...they were kinda underrated.

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Guest platapie

everyday people is still a crowd bumper if they play that at a club please belive plats is moving his ass and singin.

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