3 Era-Defining One-Hit Wonders From the 2010s

The 2010s were just a handful of years ago, and yet they feel like several lifetimes behind us. Yet, when you put the music from the era on your stereo, you can be instantly transported back in time and remember what it was like when things were simpler and the world was in a different place. That’s the power of music. Below, we wanted to explore three tunes from the 2010s that can make you remember the decade when you were a little more innocent and the future seemed well over the horizon. Indeed, these are three era-defining one-hit wonders from the 2010s that will remind you of the past.

Videos by American Songwriter

“Shut Up And Dance” by Walk The Moon (2014)

“Shut Up And Dance” was inescapable back in the 2010s. This new wave pop-rock track from Walk The Moon was an enormous hit that made it to no. 4 on the US Hot 100 chart and ranked even higher in Australia, the Czech Republic, and other countries. Unfortunately for this outfit, they never had nearly as big of a hit again.

“She took my arm
I don’t know how it happened
We took the floor and she said
‘Oh, don’t you dare look back
Just keep your eyes on me’
I said, ‘You’re holding back’
She said, ‘Shut up and dance with me’
This woman is my destiny
She said, ooh-ooh, shut up and dance with me!“

“Somebody That I Used to Know” by Gotye (2011)

Speaking of breakups, that’s the inspiration of this song from the Australian artist Gotye. Except we’re not counting the breakups on our fingers, we’re diving into a specific story between two people. Maybe there is a little lingering love between the two—or perhaps they truly are never getting back together. Either way, as listeners, we’re privy to the very moments after the split. And that’s why this song was ubiquitous in the 2010s, garnering billions of streams. On the tune, Gotye sings,

“Now and then I think of when we were together
Like when you said you felt so happy you could die
Told myself that you were right for me
But felt so lonely in your company
But that was love, and it’s an ache I still remember.”

“Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster the People (2011)

This song is one of the darker one-hit wonders from the 2010s. The track is about the violence that can spring up from materialism. Released as the group’s debut single, “Pumped Up Kicks” became the best-selling single of 2011. Not bad for an introduction! There is such a desire for kids to get their hands on the best new shoes, the coolest things to show off to their peers. But sometimes, that can lead to violence and worse. When guns mix with sneakers, something is very wrong. And that’s what Foster the People presented here, offering,

“Robert’s got a quick hand
He’ll look around the room, he won’t tell you his plan
He’s got a rolled cigarette
Hanging out his mouth, he’s a cowboy kid
Yeah, he found a six-shooter gun
In his dad’s closet with a box of fun things
I don’t even know what
But he’s coming for you, yeah, he’s coming for you, wait

All the other kids with the pumped-up kicks
You better run, better run, outrun my gun
All the other kids with the pumped-up kicks
You better run, better run faster than my bullet.”

Photo via screenshot of “Somebody That I Used To Know” music video