Buzz
One-hit wonders often leave a lasting impression with their catchy tunes, but the artists behind them tend to fade into obscurity. Can you recall the band responsible for 'Who Let the Dogs Out?' Take your time. Meanwhile, here’s a look at five artists who made a splash with a single hit and what they’ve been doing since their brief time in the spotlight. (Note: Only songs that reached the Top 40 were considered hits.)
1. Daniel Powter, 'Bad Day'
Throughout much of 2006, Daniel Powter’s melancholic anthem was everywhere. The track became a staple in Coca-Cola commercials and American Idol emotional moments, achieving triple platinum status. Critics also praised the piano-driven ballad: Billboard, which later dubbed Powter the one-hit wonder of the decade, hailed it as “one of the year’s standout tracks.” Even a high-pitched Alvin and the Chipmunks rendition managed to chart, reaching #67 on the Billboard Hot 100.
After that, Powter’s momentum faded, and the magic disappeared. None of his subsequent ten singles managed to enter the Billboard Hot 100, and he only achieved modest success in Canada, with two more songs barely cracking the top 50. (“Bad Day” had only reached #7 there initially.) Unfazed, Powter released a greatest hits album in 2010, which only charted at #65 in Japan and failed to make an impact elsewhere. He then took a break from music until 2012.
2. The Vapors, 'Turning Japanese'
In 1980, the British New Wave band The Vapors were confident that 'Turning Japanese' would be a hit. They strategically held it back for their second single to avoid being labeled a one-hit wonder. Their debut single, 'Prisoners,' flopped, so they released 'Turning Japanese,' which soared into the Top 10 in the UK, Canada, and New Zealand, while reaching #36 in the U.S.
After a series of unsuccessful singles and a critically ambitious but commercially disappointing album (Magnets), the band disbanded. Two years after 'Turning Japanese,' lead singer David Fenton pursued a career in law, guitarist Edward Bazalgette became a TV producer at the BBC, and drummer Howard Smith reflected on the band’s legacy, nostalgically remarking, 'Perhaps releasing 'Turning Japanese' as our third or fourth single would have been wiser.'
3. Toni Basil, 'Mickey'
Similar to Eddie Murphy or Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, Toni Basil’s status as a one-hit wonder is limited to her short-lived yet memorable music career. Over two decades after her time as a Las Vegas High School cheerleader, Basil revived her energetic moves for 'Mickey,' a 1981 platinum-certified hit that’s often debated as a quirky tribute to Monkee Micky Dolenz. The song reached the pinnacle of Billboard’s Hot 100, but it remained the only track by Basil to break into Billboard’s top seventy.
As her two-album music career dwindled, Basil channeled her expertise in flashy music videos (she had co-directed Talking Heads’ 'Once In a Lifetime' with David Byrne before her pop fame) into choreography. Following her acting roles in films like Easy Rider and Five Easy Pieces, Basil transitioned to choreographing movies such as Legally Blonde, My Best Friend’s Wedding, and That Thing You Do.
4. Vanilla Ice, 'Ice Ice Baby'
While technically a two-hit wonder, Vanilla Ice’s second hit was a cover of another one-hit wonder (a reworked version of Wild Cherry’s 'Play That Funky Music,' which led to a Top 10 hit and a legal dispute), so we’ll overlook it. In 1990, 'Ice Ice Baby' borrowed its bassline from Queen and David Bowie’s 'Under Pressure' and secured the top position on the Billboard Hot 100, achieving platinum status just four months after its release.
After fading from the spotlight in the mid-90s, Vanilla Ice reinvented himself by embracing a passion for real estate. The rapper-turned-property-expert starred in a reality show, The Vanilla Ice Project, on the DIY Network for three seasons starting in 2009 and authored a real estate guide in 2011. He continues to release music under Psychopathic Records, though this may clash with his latest venture: a new series titled 'Vanilla Ice Goes Amish,' set to premiere on the DIY Network later this year.
5. Bobby McFerrin, 'Don’t Worry, Be Happy'
McFerrin stands out as perhaps the most decorated one-hit wonder in history—with just one chart-topping single but an impressive ten Grammy Awards. Three of those awards were won for the laid-back 'Don’t Worry, Be Happy,' a 1988 sensation that earned Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance at the 1989 Grammys. McFerrin declined to perform the song at the ceremony, largely because it was impossible: the track layers eight vocal recordings of his voice.
Despite his hit single effectively 'ending McFerrin’s musical life as he knew it,' as NPR noted, McFerrin redirected his creativity into other pursuits. He frequently tours as a guest conductor for orchestras (including the New York Philharmonic and the San Francisco Symphony) and dedicates time as a volunteer music teacher in public schools. Truly, don’t worry, be happy.
