Peach Union "On My Own"

The one-hit-wonder called "On My Own" came courtesy of the Brit-Pop band Peach -- or, as they were known in the United States, Peach Union. "On My Own" found its way onto US radio stations in late-1997. 

Vertical Horizon "Everything You Want"

What did you buy your significant other for National One-Hit-Wonder Day? Nothing, huh? Well, another One-Hit-Wonder Day came and went in September and I missed it. Given how Mattress Firm didn't hold a "One Hit Wonder Mattress Sale", this blessed day clearly is of no concern to most except for radio DJ's and folks at Newsweek who are hard-up for a story that doesn't involve politics. Alas, they published a list of the best-charting one-hit-wonders from 1980 until 2012 and boiled it down to these Top 5 One-Hit-Wonders:

1. Gotye "Somebody I Used to Know"
2. Carly Rae Jepsen "Call Me Maybe"
3. Los del Rio "Macarena"
4. Vertical Horizon "Everything You Want"
5. James Blunt "You're Beautiful"

In the case of Vertical Horizon, their 2000 hit "Everything You Want" wasn't their only hit as "You're A God" followed and climbed to #23 on the Hot 100 so this list is bunk...

Sister Hazel "All for You"

Fans of the band Sister Hazel lovingly refer to themselves as "Hazel Nuts". In the case of my friend Becky, she still treks out to see the band who many refer to as a One-Hit-Wonder. Since bursting onto the scene in 1997 with "All for You", they've only scored one other minor hit: "Change Your Mind" in 2000. That aside, the group continues to put out new music and tour. For Becky, she channeled her inner-Hazel Nut and recently named her baby girl "Hazel". True story.

Lisa Stansfield - "All Around the World"

Has anyone seen Lisa Stansfield's baby?  She's been all around the world and I I I -- still nothing.  Where is my baby?  Have you seen him?  My baby?  I can't find him.  My baby...

OMC - "How Bizarre"

One listen to the hook of "How Bizarre" and you're immediately transported back to the feelgood days of the 1990s.  Once the accordion and trumpet sound, life is good.

The Cardigans - "Lovefool"

You've heeded the advice of the TSA and arrived at the airport two hours before your flight.  You're not planning to eat any airport food or shop at Spirit of the Red Horse (seriously, who shops here?!?).  So, what's a guy or gal to do?  If you're Nina Persson of the band The Cardigans, you sit down at the gate and write a song that goes on to be your band's biggest hit: "Lovefool".  That's the story behind of the the 1990's biggest one-hit-wonders.  

Deep Blue Something - "Breakfast at Tiffany's"

THE STORY BEHIND THE LYRICS: A couple on the verge of splitting because they don't have enough in common discover they both enjoy the film "Breakfast at Tiffany's".  Could this common thread be enough to save their relationship?  We'll never know!

Linear - "Sending All My Love"

One listen to Justin Bieber's "Sorry" and I'm reminded of the synthesizer/trumpet sound of "Sending All My Love" from the one-hit-wonder Linear.  Linear's tune came out in 1990--roughly four years before Mr. Bieber was born.

Calloway - "I Wanna Be Rich"

Meet one-hit-wonder: Calloway.  He scored a Top 10 hit in 1990 with "I Wanna Be Rich".  While radio stations soon moved on to the next best thing, parts of the song continue to find airplay on radio stations whenever they do free money giveaways.  You better believe that when WXYZ gives away $1000 every Monday morning in May, they're probably playing "I Wanna Be Rich" in the station promotional commercials.  It was an idea that worked in 1990 and some genius continues to believe that same formula is relevant today.

Amanda Marshall - "Birmingham"

While fellow Canadian Alanis Morissette dominated the radio during the mid-1990s, another North-of-the-Border singer named Amanda Marshall found success with "Birmingham"--a song about a woman leaving her abusive husband.  Apparently there was only room for one man-hating Canadian rocker in the mid-90s as Amanda proved to be a one-hit-wonder.

Fastball - "Out of My Head"

Please don't label Fastball a One-Hit-Wonder.  They also scored a hit with "Out of My Head"--a song that clocked in at just over two and a half minutes in length.  It's a song perfect for that awkward moment just before closing time at bars.  Now, could someone please turn up the lights?

Vanessa Carlton - "A Thousand Miles"

Vanessa Carlton's breakthrough hit "A Thousand Miles" announced her to the world back in 2002.  The song immediately shot to #1, yet her name is now on the dubious list of One-Hit-Wonders somewhere between Len and Anna Nalick.

Anna Nalick - "Breathe (2 A.M.)

Anna Nalick sounds more like a mysterious condition that affects people who consume too many pain pills, but--no, that's not the case.  The year 2005 first introduced us to Anna and her song "Breathe (2 A.M.)"; thanks to Grey's Anatomy, the song immediately gained airplay on Adult Contemporary radio stations and became Anna's one and only hit.

Billie Myers - "Kiss the Rain"

From the One-Hit Wonder File comes Billie Myers with "Kiss The Rain". Her one hit found an audience thanks to the WB's "Dawson's Creek". The show used the ballad during an episode of the teen soap's second season.

Jane Child - "Don't Wanna Fall In Love"

One of the first one-hit-wonder's of the 1990's was the song "Don't Wanna Fall in Love".  Many thought the song was sung by Taylor Dayne, but it was actually performed by Jane Child.  The remixed version of the song was a big hit in dance clubs at the time.  The future looked bright for Jane Child, but unfortunately nothing she produced clicked with audiences.