Exploring the Second Biggest Hits by 10 One-Hit Wonders

One-hit wonders are a fascinating breed in the music industry. They burst onto the scene with a single, unforgettable smash hit, capturing the zeitgeist, and embedding themselves in the public consciousness. These songs could be a flash of genius, an earworm of the highest order, or possess some novel appeal that captivates listeners. Yet, it’s not always easy to follow up on that one shining moment of success. In this article, we delve into the second biggest hits by ten one-hit wonders, exploring their journeys beyond the initial burst of fame.

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The Crazy World of Arthur Brown – Nightmare (1968)

In 1968, the Crazy World of Arthur Brown unleashed “Fire,” a musical inferno that reached No. 1 in the UK and Canada, No. 2 in the US, and various top chart positions worldwide. The charismatic frontman, Arthur Brown, delivered theatrical performances that would leave an indelible mark on the likes of David Bowie and Alice Cooper. However, following such a scorching success, it proved challenging to replicate. Brown’s next major hit, “Nightmare,” barely grazed the UK Top 60 and languished at No. 111 in the US, despite its wild organ solo, unhinged screaming, and a film clip featuring a masked Arthur unleashing chaos in a stately home.

Ram Jam – Keep Your Hands On The Wheel (1977)

Ram Jam stands as the quintessential one-hit wonder, having failed to make a dent in the charts beyond their 1977 anthem “Black Betty.” Remarkably, this iconic track began as an African-American work song and was a regional hit before singer/guitarist Bill Bartlett’s former band, Starstruck, made their version. While they might not have replicated previous success of “Black Betty,” Ram Jam did offer some decent original material, including the Stonesy swagger of their follow-up single, “Keep Your Hands On The Wheel.”

Wheatus – A Little Respect

Wheatus catapulted to fame with the loser anthem “Teenage Dirtbag,” an explosion of popularity in Europe, reaching No. 2 in the UK. The song eventually became a cult favorite in the US, thanks to numerous film and TV appearances. Although they never recreated this global success, their cover of synth-pop duo Erasure’s “A Little Respect,” also featured on their 2000 debut, managed to score a short-lived secondary hit in the UK and Ireland. Notably, it even outperformed Erasure’s original, securing a No. 3 spot in the UK compared to Erasure’s No. 4 peak.

Crazy Town – Revolving Door (2001)

Crazy Town made waves with their unexpected No. 1 hit, “Butterfly,” in 2000, swiftly positioning themselves as more than a mere pop act. As frontman Shifty Shellshock asserted, they aimed to prove their mettle as aggressive punk kids and a bona fide band. In their quest to shed the one-hit wonder tag, they followed up with “Revolving Door,” which bore a similar poppy machismo but failed to replicate the chart-topping success of “Butterfly.” Perhaps the shadow of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, from whom they drew inspiration, was hard to escape.

The Buggles – Living In The Plastic Age

The Buggles, known for their 1979 UK No. 1 and US Top 40 hit, “Video Killed The Radio Star,” ushered in a new musical era. This iconic track famously became the first music video ever aired on MTV in 1981. Achieving that level of exposure and featuring an unforgettable hook made it a tough act to follow. Their subsequent release, “Living in the Plastic Age,” climbed to No. 16 in the UK but never reached the same level of acclaim as their breakthrough hit.

Stealers Wheel – Star (1973)

“Stuck In The Middle With You” by Stealers Wheel embedded itself into the public consciousness twice—first as a transatlantic hit in 1973 and then when Quentin Tarantino used it to soundtrack a memorable scene in “Reservoir Dogs” decades later. However, Stealers Wheel couldn’t replicate that level of success, with the folksy “Star” being their only other moderate hit, reaching No. 25. Co-vocalist and guitarist Gerry Rafferty would go on to achieve personal success with his sax-fueled solo hit, “Baker Street.”

Iron Butterfly – Easy Rider (Let the Wind Pay the Way) (1970)

Even in its truncated three-minute single form, Iron Butterfly’s “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” made a significant impact on the development of hard rock and heavy metal. While the follow-up album, “Ball,” charted higher than its predecessor, it lacked the monster single that had propelled the band to fame. The band ventured into experimenting with their sound, and the single “Soul Experience” managed to reach No. 75. However, it was “Easy Rider (Let the Wind Pay the Way)” in 1970 that came the closest, hitting No. 66 two years later, but they never reached the same heights as their iconic hit.

Thunderclap Newman – Accidents (1970)

Thunderclap Newman, conceived by The Who’s Pete Townshend as a platform for singer John ‘Speedy’ Keen, found instant success with their debut single, “Something in the Air,” in 1969. This song topped the UK charts and achieved significant acclaim across Europe and North America. Despite their early success, Thunderclap Newman failed to replicate it, even with excellent tracks like “Accidents,” released the following year. Keen would eventually transition to music production, working on projects such as Motorhead’s self-titled debut album, before leaving the music business altogether.

The Knack – Good Girls Don’t (1979)

The Knack burst onto the scene with their catchy and irrepressible hit, “My Sharona,” in 1979. It became an iconic track that ruled the airwaves and topped the charts. The Knack’s follow-up single, “Good Girls Don’t,” attempted to recapture the magic. While it did reach the Top 10 in the United States, it couldn’t quite match the immense success of their debut.

Dexys Midnight Runners – Come on Eileen (1982)

Dexys Midnight Runners are often regarded as one-hit wonders due to the incredible success of “Come on Eileen.” This infectious and fiddle-laden song took the world by storm in 1982. The band’s second biggest hit was “Jackie Wilson Said (I’m in Heaven When You Smile),” which did well but didn’t quite reach the same heights as their signature hit.

Men Without Hats – Pop Goes the World (1987)

Men Without Hats achieved widespread recognition with their synth-pop gem “The Safety Dance” in 1983. It was a song that resonated with a broad audience and became a classic of the genre. Their follow-up hit, “Pop Goes the World,” had a similar feel but couldn’t replicate the same level of chart-topping success.

The Vapors – Jimmie Jones (1980)

The Vapors secured their status as one-hit wonders with the irresistible new wave track “Turning Japanese” in 1980. It was a quirky, memorable hit. Following that, they released “Jimmie Jones,” which showcased their distinctive sound but failed to gain the same popularity as their initial breakthrough.

Toni Basil – Mickey (1982)

Toni Basil’s “Mickey” became a cultural phenomenon in the early 1980s, and it remains an iconic cheerleader anthem. Following this massive success, her second biggest hit was “Shoppin’ from A to Z,” which had a similar pop appeal but didn’t attain the same level of recognition as “Mickey.”

4 Non Blondes – Spaceman (1993)

“4 Non Blondes” soared to prominence with “What’s Up?” which almost single-handedly propelled their album “Bigger, Better, Faster, More!” to platinum status. It’s worth noting that the first single from the album was “Dear Mr. President,” which failed to chart. Their follow-up, “Spaceman,” managed to break into the top 20 in Austria, Iceland, Italy, and Switzerland, but it didn’t even crack the top 50 in the US and UK. While “4 Non Blondes” never struck gold again, their lead singer-songwriter, Linda Perry, went on to achieve great success as a songwriter, contributing to hits such as “Beautiful” by Christina Aguilera, “What You Waiting For?” by Gwen Stefani, and “Get the Party Started” by Pink.

? And The Mysterians – I Need Somebody (1966)

The Michigan-based garage rockers known as “? And The Mysterians” made a profound mark on the world of rock ‘n’ roll with their organ-driven proto-punk track, “96 Tears.” In 1966, it soared to the No. 1 spot in the US and Canada. While subsequent singles like “I Need Somebody” (No. 22) and “Can’t Get Enough of You Baby” (No. 56) did manage to find a place in the lower regions of the US charts, they never quite reached the same level of success as “96 Tears.”

In conclusion, the journey of one-hit wonders can be a bittersweet one. Their initial success may be unforgettable, but it often casts a long shadow that is difficult to escape. These artists, with their second biggest hits, made valiant attempts to prove they were more than just flashes in the pan. While they might not have achieved the same level of recognition as their breakthrough singles, their music continues to resonate with fans, reminding us that even one-hit wonders can leave a lasting legacy in the world of music.