Top 10 Legendary Artists Who Were One-Hit Wonders

Top 10 Legendary Artists Who Were One-Hit Wonders

Names like Vanilla Ice would probably come into mind when the phrase one-hit-wonder come to mind but it is actually a little more complicated than what we all think it is. We have to first agree on what the word “hit” means. Internationally, no one is considered internationally successful until they become a hit in the US. Becoming a hit in the US (strictly speaking) means getting to Billboard #1.

Now, I will be a little lose on this list. Let us just say artists who even made it to Top 40 will be considered a hit. This has to be Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

10. Weezer


One hit: “Beverly Hills”, #10 in 2005

Ask anyone, even those who don’t like Weezer, and they will say that they respect them at the very least. They have songs that are considered legends like “Buddy Holly”, “Say It Ain’t So”, “Hash Pipe”, and “Island In the Sun” but only one in the Top 40.



9. Blink 182


One hit: “All the Small Things”, #6 in 2000

This is why they were more known for their audaciousness than their music. They ran down the streets naked, they (like many other bands) destroy hotels and stages and guitars and drum sets but that song up there was all they had.



8. Norah Jones


One hit: “Don’t Know Why”, #30 in 2002

Shocking… considering her first three albums went to number one so it was quite unfathomable for only one song to get into the T40. Don’t feel bad for her though. At the end of the day, if she is selling albums that means she is getting royalties which means she’s earning money.



7. Rush


One hit: “New World Man”, #21 in 1982

Even after 40 million albums sold, only one song became an official hit.



6. Janis Joplin


One hit: “Me and Bobby McGee”, #1 in 1971

She was doing okay when she was still with the Big Brother Band but not so good when she went solo.



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