Are They A One-Hit Wonder?

[sadchild]

I doubt it. I definitely knew all 3 top 40s from the 70s when I was a teen.

Here's another artist who had hits in the 70s, none in the 80s, then hits in the 90s.

Bad Company

1970s 6 top 40s
1980s no top 40s
1990s 3 top 40s

My friend's kid was raised on 80s on 8, so when I mention certain artists and they don't know any of their hits, I check and see if this is the case. Because my first reaction is "but everyone knew who they were in 80s and beyond that!" But 80s on 8 never plays them.

 

[scotchandcigar]

I think the disqualification for active artists is silly. For example, by the definition of the artist still being active, we cannot count Dexy's Midnight Runners as a OHW.

You are equating an artist who had a hit 40 years ago with an artist who had two this past year. Just read that to yourself a couple of times.

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

You are equating an artist who had a hit 40 years ago with an artist who had two this past year. Just read that to yourself a couple of times.

Still a OHW until he/she has more hits.

 

[scotchandcigar]

Still a OHW until he/she has more hits.

I'd say not true. A "One-hit-wonder" is a term reserved for artists who have established that their one hit is - and will be - their only hit. There are two components to the attribution; the hit, and the definitive lack of another hit throughout their career. Merely having a hit song doesn't mean anything.

 

[HecticArt]

Call us when they have their second hit, and we will discuss changing their title to two hit wonder.

 

[scotchandcigar]

Call us when they have their second hit, and we will discuss changing their title to two hit wonder.

He's had a #1 and a #24 just in 2024, so I'm not sure what all the cynicism is about. And I personally have no interest in his music; I'm just making observations.

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

I think we disagree on the definition of OHW. There is nothing in the title about potential or lack there of. Aside from The Beatles which debuted with like 6 songs in the top 40, almost everybody starts off with a OHW. In this case the guy with his second hit @ #24 has already removed himself from the category so this is just a philosophical discussion -- until everybody forgets about the #24 and he goes back to subjective.

 

[scotchandcigar]

I think we disagree on the definition of OHW.

Apparently so. I use it correctly, and you don't.

Having a hit song doesn't make you a OHW. The term is a pejorative to describe artists who produce a big hit song, but then can't produce another one during the remainder of their careers. The "wonder" part specifically references the amazement of an artist who can make a hit song, but then seemingly drops off the face of the earth.

I have no idea why you are compelled to want to label a current hit-producing artist in this way. It's as if you're penalizing them because the future hasn't happened yet.

 

[HecticArt]

I'm not sure who we're really talking about or what the quandary really is.

IMO - If someone has one hit they are a OHW, If they still have a career, but don't chart they are still a OHW. If they eventually get another song on the charts, they are no longer a OHW. Kinda simple.

 

[Aaron]

I see it exactly the same as scotch does.

 

[sadchild]

I agree that the 'wonder' part is key. It's not just "one hit artist".

Billboard magazine defines a U.S. one-hit wonder as an "artist that cracks the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 and never makes it back to that position."

I think you have to give it some time before that definition can rightly apply.

 

[scotchandcigar]

IMO - If someone has one hit they are a OHW

We disagree on this

If they still have a career, but don't chart they are a OHW.

FIFY, and on this we agree.

I'm not sure who we're really talking about or what the quandary really is.

98 suggested that Teddy Swims, who had 2 top 40s this past year - and is still very-much making music - is destined to be a OHW. And then IRBS piled-on and said that as soon as a new artist has a hit, they are instantly a OHW. The rest of the conversation is a response to that.

 

[HecticArt]

We disagree on this

Aaaah. Categorizing someone instantly as a OHW before there is enough time for chart again or fade away, is premature to me.

FIFY, and on this we agree.

I FIFM a couple of minutes before you spotted my typo, but thanks.

98 suggested that Teddy Swims, who had 2 top 40s this past year - and is still very-much making music - is destined to be a OHW.

TBD

as soon as a new artist has a hit, they are instantly a OHW.

Damn, give em a little time bruh.

The rest of the conversation is a response to that.

I guess that’s why I don’t post in the OHW thread very often.

 

[sadchild]

Aqua
#7 "Barbie Girl"
#23 "Lollipop (Candyman)"

I had no idea they had a second top 40?! Not until this week's wubba wubba 90s countdown. Definitely only remembered for "Barbie Girl". Subjective OHW for sure.

Technically they have a third but it's just cuz they are listed as a performer on the Barbie movie song "Barbie World" by Cardi B and Ice Spice. But as far as I can tell, they didn't perform anything new, it's just a sample.

 

[Channel98]

Barbie Girl reached #10 on the Top 30 of KIIS in Los Angeles. I know Lollipop only because I bought the CD. KIIS never played it. The Barbie Girl video features two members of Aqua dressed as Barbie and Ken riding in a pink convertible and frolicking in Barbie's DreamHouse. The lyrics, in part:

I'm a Barbie girl in the Barbie world
Life in plastic, it's fantastic
You can brush my hair, undress me everywhere
Imagination, life is your creation
I'm a blonde bimbo girl in a fantasy world
Dress me up, make it tight, I'm your dolly
You're my doll, rock'n'roll, feel the glamour in pink
Kiss me here, touch me there, hanky panky

Mattel, manufacturer of Ken and Barbie dolls, tried to sue Aqua for copyright infringement but couldn't because the video didn't show any actual Ken or Barbie dolls. Mattel then tried to sue MCA Records for using the trademarked name "Barbie" without approval. Mattel claimed the public might think the song was produced by Mattel. Horrors! Judge Alex Zoninski of the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals said the song is a parody and parodies can use copyrighted works without permission. He also noted that the song does not suggest that it was produced by Mattel. In fact, the CD package notes that "Barbie Girl is a social comment and was not created or approved by the makers of the doll." Zoninski dismissed the lawsuit.

Lollipop begins with "I am the Candyman, coming from Bountyland." As far as I know, paper towel manufacturer Bounty never tried to sue Aqua or MCA.

 

[sadchild]

Donell Jones
#7 "U Know What's Up" (with Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes of TLC)
#29 "Where I Wanna Be"

Started as a songwriter for Usher and (90s girl group) 702. I say zero hit wonder. Especially since his latest album is "100% Free"

 

[sadchild]

Salsoul Orchestra
#18 "Tangerine"
#30 "Nice 'n' Naasty"

On this week's Thursday Casey countdown. I don't know either song.

 

[Channel98]

I know Tangerine but I've never heard Nice 'n' Naasty. Or should I say I've never heaard it? Tangerine, written by Johnny Mercer and Victor Schertzinger, was first recorded by Vaughn Monroe on December 18, 1941. The song got to #16 on Billboard's Best Sellers chart in May 1942. A version by Bob Eberly and Helen O'Connell with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra was number one for six weeks in May-June 1942. There were also hit versions that year by Amy Arnell & the Tommy Tucker Orchestra and Carl Denny & the Hal McIntyre Orchestra.

 

[sadchild]

From this week's Casey countdown

Enchantment
#25 "Gloria"
#33 "It's You That I Need"

Never heard of them or either song. Completely forgotten to the general mainstream/under 50 crowd? Zero hit wonder subjectively?

 

[Channel98]

I remember both songs. In Los Angeles, Gloria was played on top-40 KIIS and R&B stations KACE, KDAY, KGFJ and KUTE. The four R&B stations also played It's You That I Need. Here is Enchantment's first single, Call On Me, from 1975. The B-side was the same song, minus the vocals.