5 of the Best One-Hit Wonders That Became Karaoke Classics

When one falls into the one-hit wonder category, one has to accept that their claim to fame will likely become a karaoke go-to for years. That’s definitely the case for these five karaoke-standard one-hit wonders. Let’s dive in! We won’t judge you if you sing along.

1. “Kiss Me” by Sixpence None The Richer

In an era where alt-rock and grunge dominated popular music, “Kiss Me” by Sixpence None The Richer is a sweeter, gentler addition to any list of the greatest songs of the 1990s. Released in 1998, this pop track charted at no. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Sadly, Sixpence None the Richer struggled to release another single that matched the sheer charting power of “Kiss Me”.

2. “Macarena” by Los Del Rio

Few one-hit wonders have stayed staples in most karaoke bar catalogs quite like “Macarena” by Los Del Rio. This is one of the catchiest songs of all time, and it’s perfect for a karaoke jam at a birthday party, wedding, or virtually any other large gathering. It’s been over 30 years since this song hit the pop charts like a hammer, and it will probably endure for another 30.

3. “Torn” by Natalie Imbruglia

Few songs sound like the 90s quite like “Torn” by Natalie Imbruglia. This massive hit is, surprisingly, a cover of a song by alternative rock band Ednaswap. Imbruglia’s version became a massive pop hit, but she never quite took off the way everyone thought she would.

4. “What’s Up” by 4 Non Blondes

This song is one of the most memorable one-hit wonders of all time, and it’s still a karaoke favorite today. Some might know the song from its 1993 debut, while others know it from that He Man remix from the early aughts. Either way, it’s still a really fun song to sing along with today.

5. “Ice Ice Baby” by Vanilla Ice

Vanilla Ice made it big with “Ice Ice Baby”, but never quite capitalized on the success of that single again. It’s a shame, honestly, because this track is still quite catchy decades later. 

“Ice Ice Baby” was also the first hip-hop single to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It’s a little piece of history; and boy, is it fun to drunkenly belt out at karaoke bars.

Photo by Bob Berg/Getty Images

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