3 One-Hit Wonders From the 90s That Will Make You Want To Hear More

Sometimes, when you hear a one-hit wonder—you know, those songs that raced up the charts from artists who didn’t quite ever have the same success—often the feeling is that one song is enough. Almost by definition, the single track piques your interest, and then you can move on. But sometimes the tracks make you want to hear more from the artist.

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We wanted to check out three examples of this phenomenon. Three tunes from three separate artists that are so good, so unique, and so endearing that they will have you searching the composers’ back catalogs for more. Indeed, these are three one-hit wonders from the 1990s that will make you want to hear much more.

“The Freshman” by The Verve Pipe from ‘Villains’ (1997)

This song, which hit No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, is a guitar-driven melancholy work that showcases a band capable of compelling emotion and skillful writing. At a time when bands like Alanis Morissette and the Gin Blossoms were at the top of the charts, it makes sense that The Verve Pipe were able to break through, too. But unlike those others, they never found themselves back up the charts. Why? Either way, if you played this song to someone who had never heard it before, they would want more. It’s nostalgic and powerful.

“Breakfast At Tiffany’s” by Deep Blue Something from ’11th Song’ (1993)

This acoustic-driven tune from Deep Blue Something also hit No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. It’s the kind of song you just want to sing out loud as soon as you’ve got a handle on the chorus. The tune is the phylum of other enjoyable rock tracks of the era like “I’ll Be There for You” by The Rembrandts or “Only Wanna Be With You” by Hootie & The Blowfish. A track about a near breakup, the saving grace between the couple at hand is their love of the movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s. It’s a sweet story that was beloved in the mid-90s.

“Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia)” by Us3 from ‘Hand On The Torch’ (1992)

To many, the 1990s were the golden years of rap music. Not only did it have big names like Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, but it had smooth, smile-inducing rap tracks like “Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia)” by Us3. The tune from 1992 went on to hit No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 thanks to its warmth and playground-like lyrical flow. So put your jazz finger up in the air and wiggle it to the dulcet tunes of the lovely 1992 track, complete with trumpet solo and Herbie Hancock sample.

Photo by Patrick Ford/Redferns