3 Passionate Country One-Hit Wonders Worth Revisiting

Country music has long been able to stand on its own two feet. While some genres seem to be more prevalent on the Billboard Hot 100 and their songs more frequently appear on the vaunted list, country music has been happy to have its own charts to celebrate its big-time performers. But, there are moments when country songs cross over and make the Hot 100 via one-hit wonders.

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Here below, we wanted to explore a trio of songs that did just that. These three tracks not only made the list but landed high up on it. But these tracks aren’t songs by artists who are necessarily household names. Indeed, these songs come from one-hit wonders; or, performers who had high-charting tracks but who have yet to follow them with the same type of success.

“You Can’t Hide Beautiful” by Aaron Lines (2002)

If you told a Canadian that Aaron Lines was a one-hit wonder, they’d look at you like you were crazy. This Canadian country icon had a slew of hits in the Great White North that reached the country’s respective country charts all through the 2000s. However, Lines only hit the US Hot 100 Top 40 one time, and that was with “You Can’t Hide Beautiful” in 2002, which peaked at no. 38 on the chart. He also hit no. 4 on the US Hot Country Songs chart with that track as well. Surprisingly, “You Can’t Hide Beautiful” didn’t chart at all in Canada.

“Who I Am” by Jessica Andrews from ‘Who I Am’ (2001)

This track, which hit no. 28 on the Billboard Hot 100 and no. 1 on the Billboard country charts, is all about feeling self-assured. Accolades don’t matter as much as getting in touch with your soul. Trophies, gold rings, and everything else pale in comparison to loving yourself, having close friends who are loyal to you, and family who appreciates you. That’s what Jessica Andrews sings about. She has the support of those she loves most. That’s better than any plaque. And this star on our list of country one-hit wonders is right, of course. But good thing for her, she has both!

“Rich Men North Of Richmond” by Oliver Anthony (Single, 2023)

This track, which rocketed up the Billboard Hot 100 and hit no. 1, gave country singer Oliver Anthony the distinction of being the first-ever artist to debut at no. 1 without any prior chart history. The song is about the corruption and the greed that politicians wallow in in Washington D.C. Do they have our best interest in mind, or theirs? That’s what Anthony sings passionately about with his acoustic dobro guitar. And it’s what made him a country star in 2023.

Honorable Mention: “Lost In This Moment” by Big & Rich from ‘Between Raising Hell And Amazing Grace’ (2007)

While Big & Rich have a handful of tracks that have hit the Billboard Hot 100, including the humorously titled “Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy)”, their song “Lost In This Moment” is the only tune from the duo that broke the Top 40 on the Hot 100. So, we’ll include them on this list of country one-hit wonders. Indeed, “the track “Lost In This Moment” hit no. 36 on the Hot 100, thanks to its heartfelt tone and observant lyrics. The song, which also hit no. 1 on the Billboard country charts, is all about a wedding day. The singer is the groom and he can see his life become complete thanks to this moment with his new bride. It’s quite lovely.

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