Somewhere along the way today, I came across a mention that today is “National One-Hit Wonder Day”. Who knew? So in honor of the holiday, here is a presentation of some of my favorite one-hit wonders, a commodity that I have traded in heavily over the past 20 years.
[NB – when I refer to a one-hit wonder, I refer to someone who achieved a Top 40 hit on the Hot 100 here in America, and never made it back to the Top 40. So put yer claws away, mm’kay?]
Cock Robin, “When Your Heart Is Weak” – The epitome of what I loved about music from the 80s:
Jane Child, “Don’t Wanna Fall In Love” – Nothing says the turn of the 90s like this #2 record:
Moving Pictures, “What About Me” – Oh, how an angsty 13-year-old felt like this was the deepest sentiment ever committed to vinyl. Now when I hear it, I can only think of Kath and Kim:
Jasmine Guy, “Just Wanna Hold You” – I do like this song, but there’s a reason she only got one hit. The album was CRAP!
Nick Lowe, “Cruel To Be Kind” – If there was a definition of “driving music” in the dictionary, this should be cited as the chief example:
Dazz Band, “Let It Whip” – In my top 10 all-time favorite jams…a classic
T’Pau, “Heart & Soul” – “China In Your Hands” would be here, but the stupid Americans didn’t make that a hit:
Boy Krazy, “That’s What Love Can Do” – When the Bible of Pop Music is published, this will be on the Ten Commandments of Pop:
There you have it. It’s only a partial list for me, but it’s got a decent mix. Care to weigh in?
Stumble It!
Pop Music Notes 
Love the list! Especially the Jasmine Guy cut. Though, “Another Like My Lover” was definitely the personal highlight for me from her album. I disagree that the album was “crap”. I think that’s too harsh of a word. Yes, some of the songs are weak but it was what was happening in R&B at that time with the some of the top R&B producers of that time producing her.
By the way, do you remember another TV star at the same time, Tisha Campbell who released an album? Now, Tisha’s album was definitely one of those rare gems in which I love every single song on the disc. Though, she never culled a top 40 hit from it, much to my disappointment.
I could not possibly agree more with the inclusion of Jane Child (which oddly enough I just listened to last night for the first time in forever) and Boy Krazy. “That’s What Love Can Do” is a huge college song for me, mostly because I was dunce and thought it was Kylie.
But hey, it *was* SAW.
Great blog – will definitely be reading more.
Joe, I thought that it was a little harsh when I wrote it, so I will retract “crap”, but I will stand by the fact that there is a reason she didn’t record CD #2.
Dan…glad you like the blog. We must be about the same age, because I have the same associations.