Just because bands and musicians are one-hit wonders, doesn’t mean that can’t leave an important mark on pop music history. These four artists shined bright and fizzled out pretty quickly, but their solitary hits have since become memorable and important songs in the history of pop. Let’s take a look!
1. “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by The Proclaimers
This delightful little jam, coupled with a memorable performance by a couple of bespectacled twin brothers, was a bit unassuming when it first came out in 1988. The Proclaimers didn’t fit the look of what a rock band was supposed to be at the time. And yet, their song “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” has become one of the most memorable pop-rock songs ever.
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The song made it to no. 3 on the US Hot 100 and ranked similarly well across the globe. Sadly for The Proclaimers, the Scottish duo never had another hit reached that chart again.
2. “Video Killed The Radio Star” by The Buggles
Nothing says “new wave” quite like the 1980 hit “Video Killed The Radio Star” by The Buggles. This is probably the most influential song out of all the one-hit wonders in pop music on our list. The song is a synthy wonderland, and its lyrics were quite relevant to a time when technology was quickly evolving; especially in music and media.
“Video Killed The Radio Star” made it to the Top 40 of the Hot 100 chart, but sadly, none of their subsequent releases charted in the US again.
3. “Relax” by Frankie Goes To Hollywood
“Relax” by Frankie Goes To Hollywood caused quite an uproar when it was first released in 1984. It wasn’t even the absolute bop of a song that was the problem; it was the homoerotic music video that ruffled a few conservative feathers. Regardless of that controversy, the song quickly became one of the 1980s’ most successful records, both in pop culture and commercially.
Who knows if today’s queer artists would be able to release the material they do today without Frankie Goes To Hollywood paving the way for such imagery in pop music? Absolute legends.
4. “Barbie Girl” by Aqua
Ah, “Barbie Girl”. Few songs bring the listener back to the late 1990s quite like this dance-pop jam. Whether you love it or hate it, you can’t deny that Aqua’s aesthetic and sound influenced a whole new generation of electronic musicians.
“Barbie Girl” was a no. 7 hit on the Hot 100 in 1997. Sadly, the bubblegum pop outfit struggled to connect with American audiences and never had a Top 20 hit again.
Photo by Fin Costello/Redferns
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