3 One-Hit Wonders From the 1990s That Will Bring a Single Tear to Your Eye

While one-hit wonder songs have historically been on the more unique side of things, often strange or even weird, there are several of them that are less zany and more poignant. They’re songs that get to your heartstrings as much as they might get your feet dancing or your smile wider. Sometimes they just hit ya in the heart.

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Here below, we wanted to explore three such heartfelt examples. A trio of tracks that are meaningful and thought-provoking instead of being more off-the-wall. Indeed, these are three one-hit wonders from the 1990s that will bring a tear to your eye.

[RELATED: 3 Two-Hit Wonder, Foreign-Born Bands that Ruled the 1970s]

“Nothing Compares 2 U” by Sinéad O’Connor from I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got (1990)

A song of complete devotion. Written by Prince, Sinéad O’Connor made this song her own and in turn made herself into an international star. With passion and that sense of total devotion, O’Connor looks at the camera up close (in the music video) and we can see just how she feels. She would lift a car if it had fallen on her lover. She would fight an army for her betrothed. You can hear it in her voice and see it in her eyes. And it’s that depth and strength of love—hearing it so plainly—that can really get a tear to form in the corner of your eyes.

“Bittersweet Symphony” by The Verve from Urban Hymns (1997)

There is something especially emotional about the tone of this song. It’s somehow two things at once—both triumphant and melancholy. It’s the sound of stepping outside of your apartment on a day you feel a depth of sadness. Maybe there was a recent death in your family, maybe you just got fired. Who knows. But then you put your headphones on and hear this song and realize you still have strength left. It’s a happy moment in the face of so much heft. And it’s enough to bring a tear of joy amongst all the others to your eyes.

“Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm” by Crash Test Dummies from God Shuffled His Feet (1993)

This song features three separate sonic vignettes about three kids who have it rough. And if you’re in the right mindset to consider their stories while also reflecting on your own (likely tough) childhood, then this tune may really resonate with you. It may even well-up the emotion and make the room get a little misty. Kids have it rough—we don’t talk about that enough. But here, the Canadian-born band known as Crash Test Dummies take some time to reflect in poignant ways. The result is definitely waterworks-worthy.

Photo by Paul Bergen/Redferns