5 One-Hit Wonders That Became Cult Classics

What exactly is a “cult classic”? By definition, a cult classic is a piece of media that becomes popular or fashionable a while after its initial release. With that definition in mind, we think the following one-hit wonders fit the bill of cult classics that haven’t entirely faded into obscurity. However, this list is far from exhaustive.

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1. “Macarena” by Los Del Rio

Who doesn’t know the “Macarena”? This one-hit wonder made it to the top of the charts back in 1993, and hit the charts again with the Bayside Boys remix in 1995. 

“Macarena” by Los Del Rio is standard family-gathering and party fodder today, decades after it was released. No matter your age, you can probably still do the iconic dance associated with this hit. Or, at least, you can certainly try.

2. “Ice Ice Baby” by Vanilla Ice

Probably one of the most famous examples of one-hit wonders that became cult classics, “Ice Ice Baby” by Vanilla Ice peaked at no. 1 on the Hot 100 chart back in 1990. The song was absolutely everywhere for quite a few years, especially on hip-hop radio. Sadly for Vanilla Ice, the rapper never had another no. 1 hit again. “Play That Funky Music” made it pretty far, though.

3. “The Hustle” by Van McCoy

When one thinks of funky disco, one often thinks of the 1975 hit “The Hustle” by Van McCoy and the dance craze associated with it. This disco track topped the charts that year, making it to no. 1 on the Hot 100, among other international charts. 

Unfortunately, Van McCoy struggled to capitalize on the commercial success of this funky tune and never had another Top 40 hit again.

4. “Nothing Compares 2 U” by Sinéad O’Connor

“Nothing Compares 2 U” was originally a Prince song, but it has since come to be strongly associated with Irish singer/songwriter Sinéad O’Connor. O’Connor’s version is a notably softer, more emotional rendition of the original song and topped numerous international charts back in 1990. 

Despite being such a larger-than-life figure and activist, O’Connor technically never had another Top 40 hit in the US again.

5. “All My Life” by K-Ci and JoJo

Who doesn’t love some good ol’ R&B tunes from the late 1990s? “All My Life” by K-Ci and JoJo make it to our list of one-hit wonders that became cult classics because it is so strongly associated with that era of R&B and soul music. 

“All My Life” topped the charts back in 1998, but the famed duo never had another no. 1 hit again. Though, “Tell Me It’s Real” from 1999 made it to no. 2 in the US, technically making K-Ci and JoJo two-hit wonders.

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