4 One-Hit Wonders That Were Actually Really Good Outside of Their One Big Hit

Far too many one-hit wonders out there should have made it bigger than they did, considering the whole of their respective discographies slapped. Let’s celebrate just a few iconic one-hit wonders whose music was actually really good outside of their one major hit!

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The Jayhawks

The only Jayhawks song to make it to the Billboard US Mainstream Rock chart, as well as the US Modern Rock Tracks chart, was the 1992 track “Waiting For The Sun”. The alternative country-rock band would chart somewhat decently in the years that followed. Though, much of their success would be limited to the AAA chart in the US.

I think many of their subsequent releases should have made it to bigger charts, possibly even the Hot 100 in the US. “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me” and “Save It For A Rainy Day” are just a handful of examples.

Minnie Riperton

It’ll never sit well with me that Minnie Riperton is technically a one-hit wonder. “Lovin’ You” is a gorgeous song, don’t get me wrong. I totally understand why it hit No. 1 in the United States. 

However, Riperton’s follow-up single “Inside My Love” barely made it to the Top 80, and her singles never charted on the Hot 100 again. What’s really insane is that Riperton’s debut single, “Les Fleurs”, didn’t chart at all. And I think that particular tune is one of the greatest songs of the 1970s.

Porcupine Tree

Progressive rock band Porcupine Tree is technically a one-hit wonder, and that’s quite odd to me. Their only charting hit in the United States was the 2005 song “Shallow”. 

Not only are their other charting hits amazing (“Four Chords That Made A Million” and “Shesmovedon” from 2000 did well in the United Kingdom), but some of their deep cuts are absolutely stunning. “Arriving Somewhere But Not Here”, which comes from the same album as “Shallow”, is an even better song, in my opinion.

Soft Cell

Everyone knows this entry on our list of one-hit wonders with really good discographies for their No. 1 hit song “Tainted Love” from 1981. It’s one of the most legendary synth-pop tracks of all time, and an important song in the history of new wave music. 

While Soft Cell enjoyed a couple of years of success in their native UK, they would never chart in the US again. That’s insane, considering songs like “What” and “Torch” from 1982 are absolute bangers.

Photo by Dana Nalbandian/WireImage

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