One Hit Wonder Songs – Top 10 All-Time List
Last Updated: May 31, 2022 | Written by Matthew Campbell (Editor of My Wedding Songs and wedding DJ)
National One-Hit Wonder Day is celebrated annually on September 25. Music writer Steve Rosen declared the day in 1990. Musical groups that only produce one mega-hit in their existence are considered one-hit wonders. The lines are a little blurred as to what constitutes a one-hit-wonder.
Is it a music group that only has one song that ranks on the music charts? Is it a musical group that only has one popular recognizable song? We are not the judge here. Therefore we will rely on the help of music authority VH1.
If it was up to us, no group would be allowed on the list that had two songs in the Billboard top 40. But, we didn’t make this. Maybe in the future. Until then, enjoy our lists of the greatest one-hit wonders, 90s one-hit wonders, and 80s one-hit wonders.
Spotify One-Hit Playlist
VH1’s Greatest One-Hit Wonders
Released 2002
#1 Macarena – Los Del Rio
(1996)
Dale a tu cuerpo alegrÃa Macarena
#2 Tainted Love – Soft Cell
(1982)
I give you all a boy could give you
Take my tears and that’s not nearly all
Oh, tainted love
#3 Come On Eileen – Dexy’s Midnight Runners
(1982)
These people round here
Wear beatdown eyes sunk in smoke dried face
So resigned to what their fate is
#4 I’m Too Sexy – Right Said Fred
(1991)
And I’m too sexy for my hat
Too sexy for my hat
What do you think about that?
#5 Mickey – Toni Basil
(1982)
Oh Mickey, you’re so fine
You’re so fine you blow my mind, hey Mickey
#6 Who Let The Dogs Out? – Baha Men
(2000)
Yippie yi yo
And the girls respond to the call
I heard a woman shout out
Who let the dogs out?
#7 Ice Ice Baby – Vanilla Ice
(1990)
Alright stop, collaborate and listen
Ice is back with my brand new invention
#8 Take On Me – a-Ha
(1985)
Take me on
I’ll be gone
In a day or two
#9 Rico Suave – Gerardo
(1991)
You got to know how to deal with a woman
That won’t let go
The price you pay for being a gigolo
#10 99 Luftballons – Nena
(1984)
Neunundneunzig Luftballons
Auf ihrem Weg zum Horizont
90s Hits
The list aired in March 2009.
#1 Come On Eileen – Dexy’s Midnight Runners
(1982)
#2 I Ran (So Far Away) – Flock of Seagulls
(1982)
‘Pearing from my view
Reached out a hand to try again
I’m floating in a beam of light with you
#3 Take On Me – a-Ha
(1985)
#4 867-5309 / Jenny – Tommy Tutone
(1981)
I need to make you mine
Jenny, don’t change your number
867-5309
#5 Tainted Love – Soft Cell
(1982)
#6 Mickey – Toni Basil
(1982)
#7 I Melt With You – Modern English
(1982)
There’s nothing you and I won’t do
I’ll stop the world and melt with you
#8 I Want Candy – Bow Wow Wow
(1982)
He’s got everything that I desire
Sets the summer sun on fire
I want candy
#9 Too Shy – Kajagoogoo
(1983)
Hey girl
Move a little closer
You’re too shy
#10 Relax – Frankie Goes To Hollywood
(1983)
Relax
Don’t do it
Relax
When you wanna come
90s Tracks
The list aired in April 2011.
#1 Baby Got Back – Sir Mix-A-Lot
(1992)
Tell ’em to shake it shake it
Shake that healthy butt
Baby got back
#2 I’m Too Sexy – Right Said Fred
(1991)
#3 Rico Suave – Gerardo
(1991)
#4 Macarena – Los Del Rio
(1996)
#5 Tubthumping – Chumbawamba
(1997)
I get knocked down, but I get up again
You are never gonna keep me down
#6 Closing Time – Semisonic
(1998)
Closing time, you don’t have to go home
But you can’t stay here
I know who I want to take me home
#7 Ice Ice Baby – Vanilla Ice
(1990)
#8 Barely Breathing – Duncan Sheik
(1996)
You really can’t be serious
If you have to ask me why
I say goodbye
#9 Jump Around – House Of Pain
(1992)
From the kids on the hill plus my mom and my pops
I came to get down, I came to get down
So get out your seat and jump around
#10 One Of Us – Joan Osbourne
(1995)
What if God was one of us
Just a slob like one of us
Just a stranger on the bus
Tryin’ to make his way home
Have a favorite one-hit-wonder song to add to our list? Be sure to share it below so that we can add it!
Other song lists to read: