More Hit Wonders

A couple days ago during my review of the new Train album (see my review - The Days Are Better, the Nights Are Still so Lonely) that it was surprising that the band landed a second hit because it seemed like they were destined for one hit wonder status after Meet Virginia. Sometimes it’s almost sad to see a band get another hit because being a one hit wonder is a lot more interesting then a two hit wonder. The Bloodhound Gang may have been regarded with some of the best one hit wonders after Fire Water Burn, but they had to taint that legacy by having a second hit with The Bad Touch. Oddly enough there is some revisionist history as Vanilla Ice is considered a one hit wonder even though Play That Funky Music was almost as big as Ice Ice Baby. But anyways. Some song when you hear them you just know they are going to be one hit wonders, but here is a list of the most surprising artist that were able to make a career of it after that hit.


5. Radiohead
One Hit Wonder Candidate - Creep
Surprising Second Hit - High and Dry

English bands have a long list of one hit wonders here in America and Radiohead looked just like another band to be added to the list with a song that is highlighted by the chunk-chunk guitar sound right before the chorus. But the band was able to regroup and become one of the most critically acclaimed bands of the past decade.

4. Train
One Hit Wonder Candidate - Meet Virginia
Surprising Second Hit - Drops of Jupiter

Quirky songs are another indicator of one hit wonder and the quirky lyrics were just icing on the cake. But with help from the Counting Crows pianist, the band was able to return three years later with Drops of Jupiter and have been a adult contemporary radio regular ever since.

3. Collective Soul
One Hit Wonder Candidate - Shine
Surprising Second Hit - December

In the mist of grunge, the band released an uplifting southern rock with vaguely religious overtones. They were able to get another hit with the weird December and continued racking up hits in the nineties. Mmm, "uplifting southern rock with vaguely religious overtones," if any of the members of the Los Lonely Boys are reading this, there’s hope for you yet.

2. Eminem
One Hit Wonder Candidate - My Name Is
Surprising Second Hit - The Real Slim Shady

More than any other genre, rap seems to be littered with one hi wonders and Eminem seemed to be no different. He came back later with the more entertaining The Real Slim Shady. He continues to pump out the hits even though today he just seems like a parody of himself.

1. Beck
One Hit Wonder Candidate - Loser
Surprising Second Hit - Where it’s At

There was no bigger surprise of a second hit then Beck. Loser was a quirky pop song with inane sing-a-long lyrics, like get crazy with the Cheese Wiz or suggesting to get a drive-by body piercing, and for some reason Spanish words that made my classmates clamoring to sign up for the foreign language. The video was even weirder with the low budget looking vibe with coffins and skeletons. Yet even with all the indicators of a one hit wonder he was able to squeeze more life out of his career by utilizing two turntables and a microphone.


So there you have it, that’s it, that’s the list. If there were any artist that surprised you that they were able to manage a second quality hit, feel free to leave it in the comment section. As for the Super Bowl, I know I should pick the Steelers because I ever team I picked to win has lost and lost bad, and there is nothing more than I’d like to see more than Pittsburgh to get crushed. But I still have to go with Seattle. They have the better quarterback, running back, and coach. As for a score, I’ll say 24-10.