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Psst… Top 25 Best One-Hit Wonders Of All Time

Top 25 Best One-Hit Wonders Of All Time | The Denver Ear

September 25th marks a unique national holiday, National One-Hit Wonder Day!

Now, if you are asking yourself why on earth would anyone nationalize such a thing, then obviously you haven’t experienced that head-scratching question “what happened to those guys anyway”, last time you heard an old, one-hit wonder song.

Well I don’t know “what happened to those guys anyway”, yet I am sure Google will happily answer your question with a click of a button. What I do know, is that one-hit wonders are in-fact pretty wondrous. Check out our list of the top 25 best one-hit wonders of all time chosen by polled Denver residents!

Top 25 Best One-Hit Wonders Of All Time

25. Mickey | Tony Basil (1981)


The song that most girls sang into their hairbrush when no-one was looking.

24. Achy Breaky Heart | Billy Ray Cyrus (1992)

Before the world was exposed to Miley and Twerking, it was exposed to this hit by another Cyrus.

23. MMMBop | Hanson (1997)

And if we are already on the subject of Miley, then just a reminder that this is the sort of music kids used to be exposed to. Enough said.

22. How Bizarre | OMC (1996)


Nobody seemed to know the name of this band but they all knew the song. One-hit wonder or maybe How Bizarre?

21. I Touch Myself | Divinyls (1990)

The song that made everyone at middle school giggle and blush.

20. Lovefool | The Cardigans (1996)

The era that made females lovefools over Leo DiCaprio. Myself included.

19. It Takes Two | Rob Base & D.J. E-Z Rock (1988)

This tune. It still gets everyone off their chairs nearly 30 years later.

18. Groove Is In The Heart | Deee-Lite (1990)

Everyone was doing 70s moves to this tune, yet it was released in the 90s!

17. Baby Got Back | Sir Mix A Lot (1992)

You know what he likes…

16. Closing Time | Semisonic (1998)

The song that everyone remembers when the bartender announces “Last Call”.

15. Informer | Snow (1993)

I don’t think anyone actually knows all the lyrics to this song.

14. Because I Got High | Afroman (2000)

Anyone surprised this one is on the list? I didn’t think so Denver.

13. My Sharona | The Knack (1979)

It took 15 years for this song to become a one-hit wonder, so you never know when your music will all of a sudden get picked up. Maybe just sprinkle a little bit of Winona Ryder and you are all set.

12. Bitch | Meredith Brooks (1997)

The song that made it acceptable to use foul language while riding in the car with your parents.

11. Mambo No. 5 | Lou Bega (1999)

Every girl named Angela, Pamela, Sandra and Rita loves this song. Just Sayin’.

10. Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover | Sophie B. Hawks (1992)

Looking for a song to showcase your pining love for someone? Send them this song and the message will be quite clear.

9. I’m Too Sexy | Right Said Fred (1992)

The perfect song for flaunting narcissism.

8. Tha Crossroads | Bones Thug N Harmony (1995)

Whomever lost a loved one will agree that this song pulls at your heartstrings every time you listen to it.

7. Don’t Worry Be Happy | Bobby McFerrin (1988)

If the last song makes you cry, then play this one immediately afterwards and you will be OK.

6. Tubthumping | Chumbawamba (1997)

Chumawamba provided us with a survivor/fighter song way before Beyoncé, Katy Perry or Kelly Clarkson were known.

5. Take On Me | A-Ha (1985)

Played at every single 80s throwback party you’ve ever attended and will ever attend. That’s a guarantee.

4. Jump | Kris Kross (1992)

When wearing your jeans the other way around was considered fashionable.

3. Ice Ice Baby | Vanilla Ice (1991)

Also when shaving your eyebrows zebra stripes was once cool.

2. No Rain | Blind Melon (1992)

Who doesn’t love this song? Feel-good song through and through.

1. Macarena | Los Del Rio (1993)

Nearly the whole world still knows this song and dance, yet nearly no one knows the name of the singers. Number 1 best one-hit wonder winner for sure.