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?