A one-hit wonder is a singer/group that has only experienced real mainstream success with one hit song.
•Often, people will only remember the name of the song, and not the singer/group behind it.
•We've rounded up the best one-hit wonders of the past 60 years, including classics like "Macarena" and "Mambo No. 5."
Even though an artist may be a one-hit wonder, they still might have contributed one of the most famous songs of all time. Take Tommy Tutone, for example. You might not know the band, but you can definitely recite the number "867-5309" - Jenny's phone number.
In the last six decades, many one-hit wonders have blessed our ears (or not so much) - we've rounded up the top 50 of the past 60 years.
Take a trip down memory lane to revisit these classic jams.
"Rockin Robin" by Bobby Day (1958)
You might know "Rockin' Robin" best as a kid's song that has an accompanying hand game, or as the 1972 version sung by the Jackson 5.
But the original version was recorded by Bobby Day in 1958, and was his biggest (and only) hit. Day stopped recording music as a solo artist after 1960, when he began concentrating on songwriting.
"Hey! Baby" by Bruce Channel (1961)
The DJ Ötzi remix of "Hey! Baby" is the version you've most likely heard at sporting events and such - but the original is much more relaxed, with a prominent harmonica. Sung by Bruce Channel, it topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1962.
Channel, while touring Europe, was accompanied by a little-known band (at the time) named the Beatles. There's a popular urban legend that suggests that the harmonica part in "Love Me Do," the Beatles's first single, was inspired by Channel and this song, but Lennon had already been playing the instrument for a few years.
The song experienced a resurgence in popularity when it was used during a scene in 1987 classic film "Dirty Dancing."
"Wipe Out" by The Surfaris (1963)
You might not know the song by name, but chances are you've heard "Wipe Out" - either The Surfaris version or a cover. It's been used in over 20 movies and TV shows. In fact, it pops up at least once a decade.
The song spent four months on the Billboard charts, but never reached the top spot.
"Spirit in the Sky" by Norman Greenbaum (1969)
"Spirit in the Sky" is Norman Greenbaum's only hit as a solo artist, though he had moderate success with his bands Dr. West's Medicine Show and Junk Band, and Bruno Wolf with the Jim Kweskin Jug Band.
Spirit in the Sky" topped the charts in multiple countries and reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100. It was ranked 341 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
"Sugar, Sugar" by The Archies (1969)
The only virtual band on this list, The Archies was made up of the fictional characters in the "Archie" universe: Archie, Jughead, Betty, Veronica, and Reggie. "Sugar, Sugar" was a number one song in 1969, and became The Archies' signature song
Their only other top 10 song, "Jingle Jangle," has not stood the test of time as well as "Sugar, Sugar," and is best known for being a recreational drug in "Riverdale," a dark modern reboot of "Archie."
"O-o-h Child" by Five Stairsteps (1970)
"O-o-h Child" was ranked at 402 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, so it might come as a disappointment that Five Stairsteps never had another mainstream success.
They had multiple Top 40 hits on the R&B charts, but only peaked at number eight with "O-o-h Child" on the Billboard Hot 100. The song has been used in many different TV shows and movies, including "How I Met Your Mother," "Scandal," and "Guardians of the Galaxy."
"Mr. Big Stuff" by Jean Knight (1971)
"Mr. Big Stuff" was a huge song during the '70s. It spent five weeks at number one on the Soul Singles chart, and hit number two on the Billboard Hot 100.
However, Knight's career plateaued after "Mr. Big Stuff," and was she was never able to replicate that level of success. But the song lives on: it was the top Soul Single of 1971, has been covered by many artists, and is frequently sampled in other songs.
"Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)" by Looking Glass (1972)
Looking Glass only released three singles during their time as a band: "Brandy," "Golden Rainbow," and "Jimmy Loves Mary-Anne." "Brandy" was their only hit, and it topped the Billboard Hot 100.
The song recently played a big part in 2017's "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2," where Ego (played by Kurt Russell) called it "one of Earth's greatest musical compositions, perhaps the greatest."
"Dancing in the Moonlight" by King Harvest (1972)
King Harvest's one and only hit single made it to number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. Though the group has gone through various ups and downs (like break-ups and a fluctuating roster), they released another single in 2016.
Toploader, a British alternative band, released a cover of "Dancing in the Moonlight" in 2000 which was certified Platinum in the UK.
"Magic" by Pilot (1974)
"Magic" was recorded by Scottish band Pilot in 1974, and was their first hit single. It peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100, and was number 31 on the end-of-year Billboard Hot 100.
The song remains their biggest (and only) hit in the US. Thirty five years after its release, former Disney Channel star Selena Gomez covered the song for the soundtrack of her show "Wizards of Waverly Place."
"Got to be Real" by Cheryl Lynn (1978)
"Got to Be Real" has been called a defining moment in disco history, though Cheryl Lynn isn't a huge name in mainstream music. "Got to Be Real" was her debut single and topped the US R&B charts, though it didn't even crack the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 - neither did any of her other singles.
"Got to Be Real" was reintroduced to a younger crowd when Mary J. Blige and Will Smith covered the song for the 2004 animated film "Shark Tale."
"My Sharona" by the Knack (1979)
For The Knack, "My Sharona" was as good as it ever got. Their debut single rocketed to the top of the charts, and became Capitol Records' fastest-ever song to achieve Gold status since "I Want to Hold Your Hand" by the Beatles.
The band failed to have another single break the top 10.
"Rapper's Delight" by Sugarhill Gang (1979)
"Rapper's Delight" is widely acknowledged as the first hit rap song. It was included in the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."
Even though they're credited for bringing rap into the mainstream, the Sugarhill Gang didn't enjoy much mainstream success. They failed to crack the Top 40 after "Rapper's Delight."
"867-5309/Jenny" by Tommy Tutone (1981)
867-5309 is one of the most famous phone numbers of all time. How did Tommy Tutone pick the exact catchiest combination of numbers? Unclear. But whatever he did, it worked.
However, "867-5309/Jenny" was Tommy Tutone's only song to ever break the top 25. The titular Jenny is the subject of many urban legends: some believe she was a prostitute, while even members of the band disagree on whether she was real.
"Tainted Love" by Soft Cell (1982)
The synths in Soft Cell's cover of 1964 Gloria Jones song "Tainted Love" are unmistakable, as they don't sound like anything else out there.
"Tainted Love" was Soft Cell's first and only big hit in the US, where it reached eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and four on the US Dance Charts.
"Come On Eileen" by Dexys Midnight Runners (1982)
"Come On Eileen" was atop the Billboard Hot 100 for one week, and prevented Michael Jackson from having back-to-back number one hits. It remains Dexys Midnight Runners' only song to chart in the US.
Recently, it was used in teen comedy/drama "Perks of Being a Wallflower" and appears on the soundtrack.
"I Melt With You" by Modern English (1982)
Consequence of Sound ranked "I Melt With You" the best one-hit wonder of all time.
"I Melt With You" wasn't a massive hit originally - it only reached 76 on the Billboard Hot 100. But it's nearly impossible to find someone who can't at least hum along to the catchy song. This is because of its high usage in pop culture: It's been used in "Valley Girl," and covered by both Jason Mraz and Bowling For Soup for "50 First Dates" and "Sky High" respectively. It's also been featured in multiple commercials.
"Always Something There to Remind Me" by Naked Eyes (1983)
"Always Something There to Remind Me" was originally recorded in the '60s, and enjoyed mild success.
But the definitive version will always be Naked Eyes' synth-heavy cover, which eventually rose to number eight on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was the group's debut single, but also their peak. Their next big hit failed to crack the top 10.
Their version remains culturally relevant 30 years after its release - it was recently featured in a trailer for the newest season of "Arrested Development."
"99 Luftballons" by Nena (1983)
A rare non-Spanish foreign language hit, the German "99 Luftballons" topped the charts in 1983, and was even popular enough to warrant an English version, though this one didn't do as well in the US (it didn't reach the Billboard Hot 100).
Nena never had another song hit the top 100 in the US.
"Take On Me" by A-ha (1984)
While A-ha is definitely not a one-hit wonder in its native country of Norway, the band only had one big hit in the US: "Take On Me" topped the charts in 1985.
Much of the song's success can be attributed to its innovative music video, which combined live action and animation, making it perfect for heavy rotation on MTV.
"Don't You (Forget About Me)" by Simple Minds (1985)
The triumphant ending of the movie "The Breakfast Club," when rebel loner Bender raises his fist in the air, would not have been the same without this Simple Minds classic playing in the background.
The song peaked at number one on the Hot 100, and topped charts around the world. Simple Minds capitalized on its success and actually scored another top five single with "Alive and Kicking," but the band's enduring legacy will always be "Don't You (Forget About Me)."
"(I've Had) The Time of My Life" by Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes (1987)
"(I've Had) The Time of My Life" and the movie "Dirty Dancing" are irrevocably linked - turn the song on at any event and prepare to see people attempt to recreate the movie's iconic dance move.
Billy Medley and Jennifer Warnes have both had mild success as solo artists, but nothing ever compared to their smash hit "(I've Had) The Time of My Life." The two never collaborated again.
"Don't Worry, Be Happy" by Bobby McFerrin (1988)
Commonly mistaken for a Bob Marley song, "Don't Worry, Be Happy" is actually performed by Bobby McFerrin. When the song hit the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1988, it became the first a capella song to reach number one.
McFerrin is mainly a jazz conductor, and "Don't Worry, Be Happy" remains his only crossover hit.
"I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" by The Proclaimers (1988)
"I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100, and is the only song by The Proclaimers to chart in the US to date.
It's a popular choice at sporting events, especially in their home country of Scotland. Popular sitcom "How I Met Your Mother" also had a running gag throughout the show, in which the song was the official road trip music of two main characters, Marshall and Ted.
"Macarena" by Los del Río (1995)
According to VH1, "Macarena" is the best one-hit wonder of all time - and it's hard to disagree. Los Del Río's original version of the song didn't make any waves, but once the Bayside Boys remix was released, the world was never the same.
"Macarena" is inescapable at weddings, sporting events, parties, and essentially any public event. But who is Los Del Río? Many Americans would be hard-pressed to remember the duo behind this iconic song. Their only other song to reach the charts was "Macarena Christmas" in 1996, which reached number 57 on the charts.
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