Are They A One-Hit Wonder?

Aahhhh then I should have posted it like this

Smashmouth
#2 "Walking On The Sun" (Airplay Chart)
#4 "All Star"
#11 "Then The Morning Comes"
#25 "I'm A Believer"

I heard "Morning" earlier today and didn't even recognize it.

But yes anyone calling Smashmouth a OHW is not only technically wrong, but subjectively they aren't because of "Sun" "Star" and "Believer" - all 3 have had staying power.
 
Jim Henson
#16 "Rubber Duckie" (as Ernie)
#25 "The Rainbow Connection" (as Kermit)

Not subjectively a one hit wonder.

For a guy with two top 40 hits, both of his may be the most known by all generations - people aged 4-104. In fact, challenge anyone to find a person who speaks English that doesn't know both songs!
 
Jim Henson
#16 "Rubber Duckie" (as Ernie)
#25 "The Rainbow Connection" (as Kermit)

Not subjectively a one hit wonder.

For a guy with two top 40 hits, both of his may be the most known by all generations - people aged 4-104. In fact, challenge anyone to find a person who speaks English that doesn't know both songs!
Wait, what about It's Not Easy Being Green?
 
Jim Henson
#16 "Rubber Duckie" (as Ernie)
#25 "The Rainbow Connection" (as Kermit)

Not subjectively a one hit wonder.

For a guy with two top 40 hits, both of his may be the most known by all generations - people aged 4-104. In fact, challenge anyone to find a person who speaks English that doesn't know both songs!
I dare you to ask any random person if Jim Henson is a OHW. :D
 
Kiki Dee
#1 "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" (with Elton John)
#12 "I've Got The Music In Me"

I'm gonna guess most people under 50 don't know that #12 hit? And only know her for "Breaking". I don't know that #12'er, but it sure the hell sounds like a "Fortunate Son" rip-off!!
 
Kiki Dee
#1 "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" (with Elton John)
#12 "I've Got The Music In Me"

I'm gonna guess most people under 50 don't know that #12 hit? And only know her for "Breaking". I don't know that #12'er, but it sure the hell sounds like a "Fortunate Son" rip-off!!
Does a duet count as a hit for you?
 
Yeah usually, same with a "featured artist" as long as they are a principal performer.

---

Here's a possible exception/grey area:

EXHIBIT A

Enya
#10 "Only Time"
#24 "Orinoco Flow"

While I believe she is still remembered for both songs and not subjectively a one-hit wonder, here is the hitch. Did she have a third top 40?

#2 Mario Winans feat. Enya and P. Diddy "I Don't Wanna Know"

In it, Enya wasn't sampled, she re-sang her parts. Not sure if I'd count it as a hit for her? Maybe?

---

Here is a situation where I do not count a hit for somebody

EXHIBIT B

Dido
#3 "Thank You"
#18 "White Flag"

While I believe she is still remembered for both songs and subjectively is not a one-hit wonder, what if her sampled voice had been a top 40 hit? Would she have had three top 40s?

#51 Eminem feat. Dido "Stan"

If this had been a top 40, would I count it for her? Probably not.
 
Kiki Dee
#12 "I've Got The Music In Me"
I don't know that #12'er, but it sure the hell sounds like a "Fortunate Son" rip-off!!
Huh? I don't notice any resemblance. That was a big hit, in the Broadway musical vein. I think it's as well known to anyone over 40 as any big Beatles hit.
 
When I hear that chorus kick in, instead of singing "I hear the music in me", I'm singing "It ain't me-ee...." Sounds really close to me.

And maybe I'm just the exception to the rule on knowing that song, because it didn't sound familiar to me.
 
Living Colour
#13 "Cult Of Personality"
#31 "Glamour Boys"

Here they are being called a OHW

I don't think people remember "Glamour Boys" much. And aside from the VJ 40, 80s Lost Hits and maybe Classic Rewind, I don't think it gets any airtime either. Subjective OHW in the pop world.

In the rock world, they're probably still somewhat known for "Middle Man", "Type" and "Leave It Alone" but any FM rock station plays "Cult" 10x more than those three.... combined.... easily.
I heard "Glamour Boys" on 80s Deep Cuts today. I was surprised to hear it.
 
Janis Ian
#3 "At Seventeen"
#14 "Society's Child"

I only knew "@17" until recently. Only in the last ten years did I read an article about "Child". But I suspect a lot of people still know it?
 
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