6 One-Hit Wonders We Still Love—and the Surprising Stories Behind Them
These hit songs soared the charts when they were released, some being used in numerous successful movies and others being the beat to popular dance crazes. But did you know some of these songs were the only hits for the artists that created them? Keep reading to find out more about these massively popular one-hit wonders.
1. “Spirit in the Sky” by Norman Greenbaum (1969)
Everyone knows this song because it’s been in dozens of movies and commercials, from Apollo 13 (1995) and Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) to Remember the Titans (2000). “Spirit in the Sky” was even used in commercials for Gatorade, Nike, Kellogg’s and Budweiser. The song peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and stayed on the chart for a total of 15 weeks. But what might surprise you is that this was Greenbaum’s only hit song.
Despite the song’s success, Greenbaum’s other tracks never hit quite the same as “Spirit in the Sky.” But that’s OK because Greenbaum will be riding the wave of this track forever.
2. “Macarena” by Los Del Rio (1993)
It’s impossible to hear “Macarena” by Los Del Rio and not immediately break out into the dance that’s been ingrained in our brains. The song, which was released in 1993, was a smash hit. While the original was a success, coming in at No. 23 on the charts, it was the remix by The Bayside Boys that drove it up to No. 1. Considering this was one of the earlier dance crazes, we really hoped it would be followed up by another song we could dance along to.
3. “Come On Eileen” by Dexys Midnight Runner (1982)
This one-hit wonder also reached No. 1, but it was the only one for Dexys Midnight Runner. If it wasn’t because of the catchy lyrics, then it probably had something to do with the energy-filled beat. Released in 1982, this song has been a fan-favorite ever since and its popularity hasn’t died down yet.
4. “Take On Me” by A-ha (1985)
You know how the song goes. “Take On Me” by A-ha skyrocketed in success, scoring the No. 1 spot on the Hot 100 chart. It was even featured in multiple successful movies, including La La Land (2016), Despicable Me 3 (2017) and Deadpool 2 (2018). You can even hear the song in TV episodes like Beverly Hills, 90210 and The Simpsons.
Sadly, “Take on Me” was the only major hit for A-ha, as their only other songs that hit the charts were “The Sun Always Shines on T.V.” and “Cry Wolf,” coming in at No. 20 and No. 50, respectively.
5. “It’s Raining Men” by The Weather Girls (1982)
Although “It’s Raining Men” didn’t top the charts like some of the other one-hit wonders, it was still a major success. Coming in at No. 46, it was the only big song for The Weather Girls but remains beloved. The track was used in a couple of successful films, such as Easy Money (1983) with Joe Pesci and the 2001 film, Bridget Jones’ Diary. The track was even nominated at the 26th Annual Grammy Awards in 1984.
6. “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin (1988)
“Don’t Worry, Be Happy” is one of the most beloved one-hit wonders ever. Although McFerrin has had success with a few of his other songs, this track completely overshadowed his other work, and he is instantly recognized for it. It raked in 3 Grammy awards for Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Performance by a male.
“Don’t Worry, Be Happy” rose to the top of the charts, landing at No. 1, where it remained for two weeks. You’ve also probably heard the track in a couple of hit movies and TV shows, including The Crown, Wall-E (2008) and The Simpsons.
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This story was originally published January 4, 2025 at 2:00 PM