One-hit wonders make it big for their one, solitary, amazing tune. However, because of all the attention those singles got, many of their accompanying albums don’t get praised as much as they deserve. Let’s take a look at a few one-hit wonders that also happened to be part of masterpiece albums!
‘St. Elsewhere’ by Gnarls Barkley
Most people know the neo soul outfit Gnarls Barkley by their hit single, “Crazy”, from 2006. That songs was an enormous hit worldwide, especially in the UK. The song itself was featured on the duo’s debut album St. Elsewhere, and I really think the rest of the songs on that record are extremely overrated. It’s an elaborate piece of work that could have easily gone far beyond its 37-minute runtime.
Videos by American Songwriter
‘Making Mirrors’ by Gotye
This wouldn’t be a list of one-hit wonders from masterpiece albums without mentioning Gotye’s claim to fame, “Somebody That I Used To Know”. That powerhouse single was absolutely everywhere back in 2011. If you were alive and conscious that year, you’re probably still sick of this song. Still, it’s a beautiful indie rock gem, and its album Making Mirrors deserves a lot more attention. If you enjoy art pop and indie pop, this album is worth at least one thorough listen.
‘Come Away With Me’ by Norah Jones
Remember the 2002 acoustic pop jam “Don’t Know Why”? Norah Jones’ chart-topping version is actually a cover of a Jessie Harris tune. Either way, Jones’ version was her only song to reach the Top 40 on the Billboard US Hot 100 chart. And the whole of that song’s album, Come Away With Me, is quite underrated, in my opinion.
‘Get Born’ by Jet
“Are You Gonna Be My Girl” is still a bop today. That garage rock tune is one of the most memorable to come out of the genre’s revival movement in the early 2000s. The song also happens to be rock band Jet’s only Top 30 hit on the US Hot 100 chart. It’s a bummer that the band’s other songs didn’t chart as well, considering their debut Get Born is one of the very best masterpiece albums to come out of the era. I can totally see why Jet supported The Rolling Stones on their 2003 Australian tour. This album feels like it’s from an older era of rock.
Photo by Gary Wolstenholme/Redferns via Getty Images
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
More The List
-
BLOOMINGTON, MN – SEPTEMBER 4: Tom Petty performs on the Touring The Great Wide Open Tour at the Met Center in Bloomington, Minnesota on September 4, 1991. (Photo by Jim Steinfeldt/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) -
AUSTIN, TX – FEBRUARY 28: <> at ACL Live on February 28, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Gary Miller/Getty Images) -
THE MIDNIGHT SPECIAL — Episode 4 — Pictured: The Doobie Brothers perform on February 16, 1973 — (Photo by: Frank Carroll/NBC via Getty Images) -
LOS ANGELES – NOVERMBER 1963: Rock and roll group "The Beach Boys" pose with Corvette in their first photo session since Al Jardine returned to the band in Novermber 1963. (L-R) Brian Wilson, Al Jardine, Dennis Wilson, Carl Wilson, Mike Love. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) -
American singer-songwriters Tom Petty (left) and Bob Dylan with the band 'Traveling Wilburys', performing on stage in 1987. (Photo by Dave Hogan/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) -
Singer Patsy Cline poses for a portrait session circa 1960. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) -
The Beatles at the press launch for their new album 'Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band', held at Brian Epstein's house at 24 Chapel Street, London, 19th May 1967. Left to right: George Harrison (1943 – 2001), Ringo Starr, John Lennon (1940 – 1980) and Paul McCartney. (Photo by John Downing/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
