5 One-Hit Wonders That Still Slap Harder Than Today’s Chart-Toppers

One-hit wonders are, by nature, absolute bangers. They’re so good that everyone recognizes their catchiness, even if they don’t give a lot of love to the artists’ other works. The following five one-hit wonders slap even harder than today’s pop songs, and I think they’re worth revisiting quite a few years after they were released. Let’s take a look!

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“Bulletproof” by La Roux

I still put this song on. I had just graduated high school when it came out. It was the song of the summer. While big names in electropop like Charli XCX are keeping new iterations of electronic pop music alive, nothing hits quite like the late 2000s era of British synth-pop. La Roux deserved way more love in the States for her music. Sadly, “Bulletproof” was her only hit to chart in the US.

“Tainted Love” by Soft Cell

This song was originally a soul tune from the 1960s. In 1981, synth-pop outfit Soft Cell put their own new wave spin on it, and I personally think it’s even cooler reimagined. “Tainted Love” by Soft Cell was far from a one-hit wonder duo across the pond. But in the United States, “Tainted Love” was their only charting hit.

“Kiss Me” by Sixpence None The Richer

“Kiss Me” by Sixpence None The Richer has that cozy, warm feeling that only a nostalgic 90s alt-rock and pop song could elicit. I don’t understand how this band didn’t get bigger. In fact, I’d be bold enough to say “Kiss Me” is the best ballad to come out of the late 90s. It would be the band’s only Top 30 hit before they inevitably broke up in 2004. Thankfully, Sixpence None The Richer has since gotten back together.

“Criminal” by Fiona Apple

They don’t make singer/songwriter rock music like this anymore. The 1990s were a very different time, and I yearn for the era of Fiona Apple, Alanis Morrisette, and the rest of those introspective art pop and alt-rock crooners. “Criminal”, surprisingly enough, was Apple’s only single to chart on the US Hot 100 chart.

“Don’t You (Forget About Me)” by Simple Minds

Simple Minds would not be considered a one-hit wonder band by any stretch of the imagination in the UK or Europe. Even in the United States, I would technically consider them to be a two-hit wonder. “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” is the band’s only no. 1 hit in the States. However, they came close with the follow-up single “Alive And Kicking”, which peaked at no. 3 in the US. Still, I can’t get enough of this legendary pop-rock tune from 1985. I miss the era of songs that were perfect for movies, as well as one-hit wonders that could slap decades after they were released.

Photo by David Corio/Redferns

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