Top 25 Greatest One Hit Wonders of the '90s



What defines a hit? While the music industry defines a hit by how it ranks on the Billboard Charts, the essence of a hit is something else. It’s how a song manages to become a part of pop culture iconography. Music is always very autobiographical—where you were when you heard the song, how it affected your life, and how it transfers from one generation to another. Several of these songs on the list were mainstream Top 40 hits—others gained momentum on College Radio. In the 90s, the word “alternative music” was coined which went on to represent everything from indie rock to grunge to pop music. The 90s was a period before radio stations were run by monopolies, before the advent of the internet and filesharing, before satellite radio, and a time when more than just radio airplay mattered. Most of the bands on the list are no longer together, but all it takes for a band to succeed is that one hit. Also included on the list are some obvious guilty pleasures choices—the songs you don’t want to like, but can’t help turning up everytime you hear it—even when you think no one is looking.


1. “Nothing Compares 2 U” - Sinead O’Connor (1990)


2. “Black Velvet” - Alannah Myles (1990)


3. “What’s Up?” - 4-Non Blondes (1993)


4. “No Rain” - Blind Melon (1992)


5. “Laid” - James (1993)


6. “I Touch Myself” - The Divinyls (1991)


7. “Song 2” - Blur (1997)


8. “No Myth” - Michael Penn (1990)


9. “Cannonball” - The Breeders (1993)


10. “Torn” - Natalie Imbruglia (1998)


11. “Girl Like You” - Edwin Collins (1995)


12. “I’m Too Sexy” - Right Said Fred (1992)


13. “Tubthumper” - Chumbawumba (1997)


14. “I Know” - Dionne Farris (1993)


15. “MMMBop” - Hanson (1997)


16. “Seether” - Veruca Salt (1994)


17. “Fade into You” - Mazzy Starr (1993)


18. “Natural One” - Folk Implosion (1995)


19. “Bitch” - Meredith Brooks (1997)


20. “Bad Reputation” - Freedy Johnston (1994)


21. “Closing Time” - Semisonic (1998)


22. “I’d Walk (500 Miles) - Proclaimers (1993)


23. “Flagpole Sitta” - Harvey Danger (1998)


24. “Connection” - Elastica (1994)


25. “Right Here, Right Now” - Jesus Jones (1991)


BONUS—The Group that Had More Than One Hit but Should’ve Stopped at One:

The Spice Girls

Harvey

Great List. ;)

...The Spice Girls, LMAO!!!!

Great lsit! Though there's some thats left out
:rotflmao: The Spice Girls

I just think the following songs rock out loud

Black Velvet - Alannah Myles

What's Up? - 4-Non Blondes

I Touch Myself - The Divinyls

Girl Like You - Edwin Collins

I'm Too Sexy - Right Said Fred

Bitch - Meredith Brooks

Top 25 Greatest One Hit Wonders of the '90s

7. “Song 2” - Blur (1997)

10. “Torn” - Natalie Imbruglia (1998)

15. “MMMBop” - Hanson (1997)

19. “Bitch” - Meredith Brooks (1997)

25. “Right Here, Right Now” - Jesus Jones (1991)

The true definition of a one hit wonder is any act that hits the top 40 of Billboards singles chart with only one song. This isn't my definition but Billboards and it's been the industry standard since the 70's which is when I started listening to A.T. 40 and I agree with it. Some people believe a one hit wonder is any act that hits the top 10 or #1 with only one song, Not so.

If someone hits #1 with their first release and then #40 with the next, That's not a one hit wonder. If a singer reaches the top 40 with one song as a member of a group but then has a solo hit to do the same, They're still regarded as a one hit wonder.

Regardless of what anyone's definition is, The following were not one hit wonders and their other top 40 chart entry is included.

Blur - "Girls and Boys"

Natalie Imbruglia - "Wish I was there"

Hanson - "I Will Come to you"

Merdith Brooks - "What Would Happen"

Jesus Jones - "Real Real Real"

They're may be others on that list that were not true one hit wonders but these I know for sure were not.