3 Stripped-Down One-Hit Wonders That Are as Emotional as They Are Memorable

Sometimes you don’t want all the pomp and circumstance. Sometimes you want something calm, quiet(er) and even stripped down. Maybe it’s an acoustic track or maybe it’s just a song that leans more toward the dulcet tones instead of the big wash of crashing cymbals or giant buzzing guitars. Indeed, sometimes less is more.

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Here below, we wanted to explore three such examples. A trio of one-hit wonder tracks that are stripped down. Not only were they the pinnacle of these artists’ success in the industry but they are often soothing and easy on the ears. Yes, these are three stripped-down one-hit wonders that are as emotional as they are memorable.

[RELATED: 3 One-Hit Wonders That Dominated the Airwaves in the 1990s]

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

Little did Australia’s Gotye (born Wouter André De Backer) think his hit 2011 single “Somebody That I Used to Know” would get billions upon billions of streams, but that’s just what happened. The acoustic- and xylophone-driven track is pleasant as much as it is poignant. And it captures that feeling of a sordid breakup perfectly. Joined by Kimbra, the song became a phenomenon. And on it, he 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

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

This track from the 1990s, which featured three vignettes about kids having hard times at home, in school, and in church, is all about the vocal timbre of Crash Test Dummies’ frontman Brad Roberts. His low voice over the acoustic-driven track created a feel and vibe that helped make this song rocket up the Billboard charts. And on the song, between the humming chorus, Roberts sang about those kids. He opened the tune with,

Once there was this kid who
Got into an accident and couldn’t come to school
But when he finally came back
His hair had turned from black into bright white
He said that it was from when
The cars had smashed so hard

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

This song written by Prince made the Irish-born artist Sinéad O’Connor a star. Her passion and devotion could be felt tangibly on this track. While O’Connor had a tough life in the wake of this hit, from her feud with Saturday Night Live to ridicule over shaving her head and personal tragedies, she will forever be remembered for this sonic love letter. It’s not bombastic. Instead, it’s beautiful in its brittleness. And on it, she sings,

It’s been seven hours and fifteen days
Since u took your love away
I go out every night and sleep all day
Since you took your love away
Since you been gone I can do whatever I want
I can see whomever I choose
I can eat my dinner in a fancy restaurant
But nothing
I said nothing can take away these blues

Photo by Gary Wolstenholme/Redferns via Getty Images