Some one-hit wonders make it big and then immediately fade away, along with the popularity surrounding their one major hit. Some one-hit wonders, though, fare better than most musicians’ entire careers. Let’s take a look at a few one-hit wonder tracks that are still popular today!
Videos by American Songwriter
As always, this list is simply a matter of opinion. We won’t hold it against you if you’re not a fan of any of these one-hit wonders, but we certainly love them.
1. “Major Tom” by Peter Schilling
This song may have been inspired by a character from David Bowie’s “Space Oddity”, but it took on a life of its own in 1983. “Major Tom” by Peter Schilling was a massive synthy hit and reached no. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart that year.
Sadly for Schilling, this song was the only track of his to chart in the United States. Surprisingly, the song has aged very well and is still a go-to synth-pop track loved by fans of the genre today.
2. “I Just Died In Your Arms Tonight” by Cutting Crew
These one-hit wonders delivered a song that has aged better than most artists’ whole careers from that era. Released in 1986, “I Just Died In Your Arms Tonight” by Cutting Crew took over the charts with ease. It was a no. 1 hit on the Hot 100 chart, and it should have been a killer introduction to a killer career. Sadly, Cutting Crew failed to capitalize on their initial fame with follow-up singles.
3. “You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)” by Dead Or Alive
Love it or hate it, this song was a bop back in the day. “You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)” by Dead Or Alive boasts a chorus that is simply unforgettable. The song catapulted up the international charts in 1984 and peaked at no. 11 in the United States.
“You Spin Me Round” was the new wave band’s only successful hit, but it has since been covered and sampled by a ton of artists decades later, from Kesha to Jessica Simpson to Dope.
4. “Spirit In The Sky” by Norman Greenbaum
Out of all the one-hit wonders that have done better than most musicians’ whole careers on this list, nothing has staying power quite like “Spirit In The Sky” by Norman Greenbaum. This 1970 classic just sounds like the 1970s, and that line about Jesus is more famous than most artists’ whole songs.
“Spirit In The Sky” is still used in film soundtracks today, too. Unfortunately for Greenbaum, he never had another hit as powerful as this one.
Photo by Lynn Goldsmith/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Leave a Reply
Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log in.