3 One-Hit Wonders From the 21st Century That You Know and Love

While some people may think that the batch of one-hit wonder songs that we all know and love—you know, those songs about big butts, safety dances, and melting with you—all come from the 1970s or 1980s, the truth of the matter is that each period of time boasts its own collection songs that rocketed up the charts by artists who never quite saw that same success again. One-hit wonders, therefore, can come from anywhere at any time. And during the 21st century, there have already been a plethora of big hits that wiggled their way into our hearts. Let’s look at a few examples.

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“Somebody That I Used To Know” by Gotye from ‘Making Mirrors’ (2011)

A song that boasts well over two billion streams on YouTube alone, Gotye’s breakup anthem has to be one of the most popular songs of the 21st century. For the Australian-based artist, singing about the moment when a true love turns into a stranger has earned him quite a bit of success. His 2011 single “Somebody That I Used To Know” went to no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. After one glance at the streaming numbers, it’s clear that many out there are still grooving out to the tune today. It sums up a feeling we all, perhaps sadly, know well.

“Rehab” by Amy Winehouse from ‘Back To Black’ (2006)

A song that shows off every bit of talent you’d ever want to see and hear in an artist, this track by Amy Winehouse went from the sublime to the sad after the singer simply wasted away in front of our eyes (and the prying lenses of paparazzi) after she rose to fame in the 2000s. Fans of Winehouse lament her loss. She was one of the most promising voices in music history. Sadly, she didn’t release more tracks during her career, which was cut short by addiction. “Rehab” hit no. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100, but none of her other hits made it to the Top 70 in the US again.

“Heaven” by Los Lonely Boys from ‘Los Lonely Boys’ (2004)

These days, nobody seems to agree on anything. But one thing we can say is that Los Lonely Boys rocks, and their single “Heaven” is delightful. The guitar is bright and pleasant. It boasts enough grit to keep even the most ardent rock fan hooked. Combine that with the melodies, the catchy chorus, and the overall style of the three brothers in the band, and you’ve got a hit. There’s good reason it earned LLB two Grammy nominations and a victory back in the day.

Photo by Mark Holloway/Redferns