Usually one hit wonder songs seem like the greatest musical discovery in our lives for a few months and then they fade away, only to later embarrass us when someone discovers them in our music collection and mocks us. Here are 10 of my favorite one hit wonder songs. What are some of yours? I’d love to hear them in the comments.
10. Banditos by The Refreshments, 1996 The video looks like it was home made on a Super 8 camera. Also, this song has one odd thing in common with one other song on this list. If anyone figures it out and puts it in the comments first, I will publicly declare you a genius right here on The Phil Factor.
9. Good Vibrations, Marky Mark and The Fun Bunch, 1991 No video here because I’m sure you all know this one. I wonder if The Fun Bunch is having as much fun now that Marky Mark has moved on to bigger and better things.
8. Somebody That I Used to Know, Gotye, 2011
7. Who Let The Dogs Out? Baha Men, 2000 This song is a particular favorite of mine because of something that happened in a courtroom, one of the greatest moments in legal history, when I was on a jury in 2015. Here is what happened:
This is an actual exchange I witnessed in the courtroom between a cross examining defense attorney and a sworn under oath witness:
Attorney: So, you let the dogs out?
Witness: Yes.
6. Stacy’s Mom, Fountains of Wayne, 2003 I find it impossible not to sing along. If you want to hear the song, don’t be afraid. The video is appropriate.
5. 1985, Bowling For Soup, 2004 Truth be told, I think I may have all this bands songs in my collection and they’re all hilarious. This one is the catchy and funny story of a suburban soccer mom who despises her minivan and wishes she were back in 1985 so that she might have a chance to “shake her ass on the hood of Whitesnake’s car.” Look it up and add it to your collection. You’ll thank me.
4. Jump Around, House of Pain, 1992 I first heard this song in a Pringles commercial in the 90’s. Here it is:
3. Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Deep Blue Something, 1996. I think I owned the cassette tape of this one.
2. Common People, William Shatner and Pulp, 2004. Pulp originally released this song on their own in 1995. When they re-released with Captain Kirk chipping in, it took them to new heights. If you don’t know it, give it a listen:
Gangam Style, Psy 2012. One of the weirdest most popular songs ever. The crazy video still cracks me up.
There is the Top Ten of one hit wonder songs that are actually in my music collection. So tell me in the comments, what are your embarrassing, dirty little secret one hit wonders that you sing aloud when you’re alone in your car?
Have a great Tuesday! ~Phil
I like enough of these to say we share some in common, which is nice for a change, don’t you think?
Some of my faves might be Tainted Love, I’m Too Sexy, Ice Ice Baby, Play that Funky Music, and Bittersweet Symphony 🙂
LMAO! I almost put I’m Too Sexy on the list! The only one you mentioned that isn’t in my collection is Play That Funky Music. We obviously have very similar tastes
Ok, the thing in common: Star Trek – the Refreshments song mentions Jean Luc Picard and the UFP and then the one with Shatner. Am I right? Am I a genius? 😀
You are the genius!
Or the biggest nerd in the room!
Only one of the two biggest nerds. I noticed that both songs included a Star Trek captain too. You are impressive. I didn’t think anyone would catch that.
Live long and prosper, Phil!
You are too funny!
Bowling for Soup had on more hit in the biz
Oddly enough…can’t remember what it is.
(It’s High School Never Ends but I had to Google it.)
I think everything Bowling for Soup does is great. To me they’re not a one hit wonder but I’m sure most people don’t know them. I’ve seen them twice
Oh that’s awesome. I’ve never seen them and not sure if they even play anymore. If they do, I’ll have to go and take the kids. They love them too. You know, 1985 is about me, right?
You can’t beat a good one hit wonder. As for the baha men I remember one day at work a long time ago. Someone left the milk out of the fridge and me and my boss were in the kitchen while greg came in and said “who left the milk out”. It was then a pure moment of genius as I said “who left the milk out” in the style of baha men and my boss then went “who, who, who, who”. Comedy gold haha. Greg wasn’t impressed as we were then in stitches 🙂
I agree, that was comedy gold. I would’ve joined right if I was there.
The victims of our comedy genius rarely appreciate it.
True but Greg sometimes still has his own comedy gold moments. They are rare but they still happen 🙂
Stacie’s Mom is the best. I loved it when it came out. (I wonder what the mom and Stacie are doing now?)
Banditos is such a great song. It’s one of my go-to anthems on rough days involving the, uh…less brilliant members of society. It’s also quite catchy and fun to sing along with. 😛
Woo Hoo! Don’t tell all the other people on the internet, but with that comment I think you are now my favorite!
Haha! I can definitely live with that. 😀
I’ve never found anyone that enjoys that brilliant song as much as I do. Most people don’t even remember it
I still remember the first time I’d heard it, and thought to myself how awesome and yet disturbingly accurate that song was. Did I mention it’s catchy, too? It’s still one of my favorites. 😀
You and I obviously have better musical taste than all the other people
Obviously! 😛
Pingback: Few Words Wednesday: The Crypt | The Phil Factor
The Macarena was a one hit wonder. it’s no wonder, no one knew what he was saying lol. Also, Take On Me (a-ha). I’m guessing the record companies said na-ha 😊
Yes, I remember both those songs and they were definitely in this category. Are you saying they’re in your music collection?
LOL No, they’re not. The Macarena used to be, though 🙂
Tootsie Roll, The Thong Song, Da Dip, Barbie Girl, Cotton Eye Joe! I’m sure there’s more…😂
Awesome! You’ve got a good list!
You’re funny dude, nice site
Thank you!