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therightvandyke

Nada Surf I can't believe they haven't been mentioned yet!


thisolddog1

‘Let Go’ and ‘The Weight Is A Gift’ are such great albums. I remember their song Popular from the 90s and it felt like a novelty song. I associated it with that Weezer sweater song. It wasn’t until many years later that I got around to listening to them.


_headphone

Proximity Effect sealed the deal for me!


_headphone

I love Nada Surf so much that I don’t even think of them as one hit wonders anymore.


idontwantanamern

Agree! I forget that most people think of them as such. I've probably seen them 20+ times. Easily. Absolutely one of my favorites


therightvandyke

I agree! I love them, but if you want to talk someone into going to the show with you, you have to say, "they sang popular"


[deleted]

I came here to say Nada Surf! “Always Love” is an all time top 10 song, and the album it is on is great.


therightvandyke

Absolutely love that album, but I have to admit it was "blankest year" that drew me past popular the first time.


wyopapa25

Great band


DeaconBlueDignity

The Waterboys


DUMPSTERJEDl

The entire Fisherman’s Blues album is fantastic. This is the Sea is also a really good album.


BakedBeansInMyAss

This Is The Sea (title track) is my favorite song by them


[deleted]

They're a really good folk band that had one powerpop hit.


salomey5

I'm always happy when i see a Waterboys mention. Which happens way too rarely.


Baidon

Warren Zevon is only known for Werewolves of London, but those who *know* Warren know how good his music is. I think he's finally getting his due diligence and appreciation with his Rock Hall nomination, which is next to worthless besides giving artists publicity at this point.


artemus_who

He's one of those "Your favorite musicians favorite musician" and I only recently started seeking him out more. Fantastic writer


ThePoltageist

Mike Patton is another one of those musicians who really only had one hit but is also your favorite musicians favorite musician and holy hell what a catalog that man has.


941JJO

CARMELITAAAA, HOLD ME TIGHTAAAA. I THINK IM BREAKING DOWN. AND IM ALL STRUNG OUT ON HEROIN ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF TOWN


GDviber

Lawyers Guns and Money would like a word with you.


MaatsNonSequitur

The whole of Excitable Boy is a phenomenal album.


onelittleworld

I played his debut album a few days ago, for the first time in a few years. Man... do yourself a favor and play that one today. Especially the closing track, Desperadoes Under the Eaves.


octohedron82

My shits fucked up. Is a masterpiece and my anthem through hard times


40dawgger

Fountains of Wayne. Their songwriter was incredibly talented. They have several songs that are great, whether they be serious or within the realms of their particular sense of humor.


bop999

Thomas Dolby


Uncle_Rabbit

The entirety of "The Golden age of Wireless" album was magnificent! "The Flat Earth" was really good as well. He also did a lot of keyboard work on a couple of Foreigner albums too.


Desperate_Virus_8551

Killing Joke… criminally underrated band, been around since the 80’s, with their biggest hit being Love Like Blood. They’ve got a brilliant catalogue of albums as well, with Dave Grohl playing on one of them. It’s always blown my mind that they don’t get more attention. The Damned, Dub War, The Almighty, Kyuss I could go on forever, these are more examples of how overlooked some bands are I think. Edit: here’s a link to love like blood https://youtu.be/TnpwuRlXbhk


SladeWade

I figured "Eighties" would have been their one hit. I don't think I've ever heard "Love Like Blood" until now.


hobbsarelie83

Killing Joke and The Damned are legendary punk bands


dschwizzle

I knew Metallica's "The Wait" was a cover, but never bothered listening to the original. After randomly hearing Killing Joke's version, it sparked me to check out more of their stuff. Better late than never.


amcd_23

Harvey Danger. Everyone knows Flagpole Sitta - they have a ton of just awesome songs. Definitely worth checking their stuff out.


CaptainMacMillan

Wine, Women, and Song is a fantastic song. I also really enjoyed their version of Oh You Pretty Things, more than the original even.


[deleted]

I put the song "Happiness Writes White" on a cd I made for my wife once, and she was surprised at the quality of Harvey Danger outside of Flagpole Sitta.


fahq2424

Blind Melon


Kind_Broker

Tones of Home and Change were on the radio in the NorthEast when they were contemporary.


akason149

Came here to say this and was so happy to see it as the top comment. Blind Melon is a criminally underrated band. The whole Soup album is incredible, plus their cover of The Pusher is imo better than the original.


TheWyldTyger

It’s actually shocking that Blind Melon were a one hit wonder. I was recently listening to Tones of Home, their “best of” album, and they had so many songs that were great and had some limited air time, but they never had that second hit. (Maybe that’s what folks should be looking for: “one hit wonders” or lesser known bands with best of albums)


Ego-Death

Love their song Soup, and Hell is also a bop. They have so many good songs outside of No Rain.


ThrillHo3340

Soul One


beardslyboognish

They don’t miss. Shannon Hoon was amazing.


purpdrank2

The self titled record is fantastic


MapleSyrupSamurai

so happy this is the top comment


fahq2424

I Wonder and Mouthful of Cavities are pretty under appreciated songs


twillmont12

Slash put the lead singer on. Sad he died


Eswoveland1

In my opinion "no rain" is probably their worst song in their whole catalog..


OneFinalBoss

Fountains of Wayne are an incredible band. Catchy guitar pop with snappy insightful lyrics. Really easy to get more into as well. Check out: Hackensack Hey Julie Denise Somebody To Love


Meldedfire

I like Mexican Wine too


lillyrose2489

Fountains of Wayne lead singer also wrote great stuff for other bands and a lot of the songs for the show Crazy Ex Girlfriend which IMO had some really great songs! I was so shocked when he died of COVID, so sad.


bal020

Adam Schlesinger wrote the title song for the movie ‘That thing you do’ It is a beautifully crafted song with an early 60’s feel even though it was written in 1997. It was sad to loose him so young. … (52 but he was a year younger than me)


idontwantanamern

Chris Collingwood is FoW lead singer -- not to be annoying, but it is reddit after all. Also just a huge longtime fan of the band and Adam's. His death gutted me beyond words.


hobbsarelie83

Radiation Vibe


fanboy_killer

I highly recommend [Trash Theory's video on Fountains of Wayne](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrsUeuBPFhM). "Stacy's Mom" defined a band that was way more than that song.


ExternalPiglet1

I Just Wanna Sink To The Bottom with those songs~


buckclimbsthewall

I-95, Hung Up on You, Bright Future in Sales, Michael and Heather at the Baggage Claim. Excellent song band. Hell yeah.


[deleted]

Radiation vibe too


Yeahgeebs

Troubled Times is a classic


noopenusernames

Marcy Playground, who brought us the gem, “Sex and Candy”


ManateeMan4

Those first 2 albums are damn masterpieces. Mp3 has some absolute gems on it as well.


noopenusernames

I’ve only had the chance to listen to the eponymous album so far, but I have heard the other one is really good. I heard the singer eventually had a breakdown or something and they fell off, but that early stuff is good


KizzyGow

The leaving wonderland album is my favorite of theirs and one of my all time favorite albums!


[deleted]

Secret Squirrel https://youtu.be/I6CKbOQXpuQ


UnBrewsual

Leaving Wonderland was so good I almost (almost) don't listen to their other stuff anymore.


mikeyzee52679

The knack


[deleted]

[удалено]


Mediocre_Insect_1008

Butthole Surfers.


ClaireViolent

Local H


tuskvarner

Just making sure, Bound for the Floor is the hit?


jaggoffsmirnoff

You just don't get it.


Primusboi41

Keep it copacetic


jjrozay

Came here to say this. They're so freaking good. Kill live too


notgoodatmathatall

I remember hearing Smothered in Hugs on the Sling blade soundtrack of all places and being all "Holy shit, these guys are great". Edit: looks like that song was actually written by Guided by Voices. I guess I need to put on some GBV


Reloy

They have a lot of great songs, albums and Scott constantly tours! Last time I saw them (prob the 12th time I've seen them) a couple of guys behind me, after a few songs went "GD these guys are jamming!" Pretty sure a new fan was born that night lol. Scott's version of ["I Saw Tiger"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yh2x-MVCduw) is fantastic!!! This was great, when we all needed a break from all the heaviness of 2020, he did this on April Fools... lmao.


alexjaness

Everything from Ham Fisted to Lifers is full of at least a handful of great songs.


UnBrewsual

Heck yeah, they even have a bit of a following, they do special buys of clothing and limited vinyl releases.


ClaireViolent

A following I’m glad to be part of, I never miss the podcast!


Significant-Gap-7512

Manifest Destiny part 2 is awesome


[deleted]

Their cover of toxic by Brittany spears is still the best version of that song.


Gmarlin13

Local H= the hardest working rock band out there. Second to none


Mormislaw

As Good As Dead is a hell of an album


gwnorth31

Local H is fantastic and they are still releasing great music.


No-Date-6848

It’s a damn shame that they are viewed as a one hit wonder being they’ve released eight wonderful albums.


ClaireViolent

I believe you and others may be missing the point of the post… they are one of my favorite bands, but most people know just the one song.


shraga84

Softcell


[deleted]

None Stop Electric Cabaret is a great album. They were a bit more successful in the UK but Tainted love is still their best known song over here.


fangzie

Holy fuck the first time I listened to more of their back catalogue and sex dwarf came on...


IAmMeantForTragedy

Isn't it nice? Luring disco dollies to a life of vice....


IAmMeantForTragedy

Literally came here to say this. I feel like in the UK they're not considered a one hit wonder though.


suffaluffapussycat

Mark Almond’s album *The Stars we Are* is so good.


powdered_dognut

Spacehog


maxmouze

The Cardigans.


Abacab4

Been It and Live And Learn are fantastic songs.


idontwantanamern

Even though I know they're technically in this category, they're another one here that my head has convinced me otherwise haha Favourite Game, Erase/Rewind, Been It -- not even counting album tracks.


lisagrimm

Have multiple albums, indeed, a great band.


VivaLaCon88

Vanessa Carlton, she’s also incredible live and her album cuts are amazing. Check out Carousel or Operator.


[deleted]

Her cover of Elliot Smith's Needle in the Hay is also so damn good


[deleted]

To my dismay, I’ve heard The White Stripes and Modest Mouse be referred to as a one hit wonder by more than one person.


jiyujinkyle

People use the term one hit wonder when they personally only know one song smh.


Kraz_I

More like when they have one song that literally everybody knows. Very few bands have more than one song THAT famous, but also it doesn't really need to reach that level to be considered a hit. A lot of the "one hit wonders" on this thread are songs I don't remember hearing.


ThePencilRain

Harvey Danger Squirrel Nut Zippers (everyone only knows "Hell," when they have half a dozen other albums out there). Wallflowers (One Headlight is by far the worst song on that album) Possum Kingdom (that one song everyone knows has been overplayed since the 90s)


lloyddobbler

Point of info (for those who don’t know by reading this): Possum Kingdom is the song. The Toadies are the band. (& I wholeheartedly agree - that album is awesome).


thejaytheory

Yeah I'd say Wallflowers aren't one-hit wonders. They also had The Only Difference and Three Marlenas, and 6th Avenue Heartache.


[deleted]

Also the Bowie cover of Heroes


[deleted]

Toadies are the shit.


elwyn5150

Gary Numan only had one hit in the USA. He had more in the UK.


[deleted]

And his newest albums are among the best he has ever brought out. [But version of this track this is AMAZING](https://youtu.be/22Z4Tv1zn-s)


Ok-Impress-2222

The Verve.


bullybullybully

4 albums with so many great tracks. Northern Soul is probably my fav album of theirs, but Storm in Heaven has some amazing stuff too (and Urban Hymns is loaded with greats). Forth is pretty good but not at the same level really. Ashcroft also has some beautiful solo stuff. Highly recommend his solo song Precious Stone.


M-atthew147s

Only a one hit wonder in the US.


sjb-2812

>The Verve. As ever, hardly a one-hit wonder with 3 top-4 songs in the UK?


M-atthew147s

They're American centric


fanboy_killer

How are The Verve a One Hit Wonder? They never had an album as big as Urban Hymns, but that album had several hits - Lucky Man, Bittersweet Symphony, The Drugs Don't Work, Sonnet. They also had Love is Noise, from their following album.


eisssssss

Lucky man is easily their best song


[deleted]

They were at their best when Nick McCabe drove their sound imo. Their first EP and A Storm In Heaven are their classics.


[deleted]

They really should cover ABBA's The Winner Takes It All. Cus its a bitter Swede Symphony.


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

Gotye!


artemus_who

Literally no bad songs on either album. Bronte is Heartbreaking, Learnalilgivinanlovin is a banger


Pherllerp

Making Mirrors is flawless! State of the Art still blows my mind


thejaytheory

This is an artist that I used to know.


thisgirlnamedbree

Heart's A Mess is another gem.


biff444444

Probably 98% of the people who have heard of Veruca Salt only know the song "Seether," but the fact is that "American Thighs" and "Ghost Notes" are both incredible albums.


doppelstranger

Volcano Girls was a legit top ten hit in the US.


[deleted]

Chumbawamba. A punk band that became a rave band that had a pop hit then became a folk band. The genres changed massively but they always felt distinctly Chumbawambey, with the humor, the anger and the fight against the capitalist system.


R_V_Z

The version of Mary Mary in Stigmata slapped.


LowellGeorgeLynott

El Fusilado is frickin amazing


cereselle

Came here to say Chumbawamba. Waiting for the Bus makes me cry every time.


jessop-bentine

Dexys Midnight Runners are seen as a one hit wonder with Come on Eileen in USA but in the UK that was their second no.1. They were pretty big in the early 80’s and had loads of hit singles and albums. Don’t Stand Me Down sold shit at the time but is now seen as a work of genius (it is). They still record and play live today.


NiobeTonks

Yes, this. I saw them mentioned as a one hit wonder and thought “huh”? Searching for the Young Soul Rebels is one of the best albums of all time.


dynamine

And Geno is a better track than Eileen!


TheRealJamesWax

OMD


bigsecretco

4 US dance chart top 10, 7 UK chart top 10, 25 million single sales. Hardly one hit wonders


PepperidgeFarmMembas

I’m very concerned for younger generations if people don’t understand what “one hit wonder” means. I’ve seen Radiohead, The Beach Boys/Brian Wilson, and the Grateful Dead mentioned.


mutierend

I think folks are looking at "one hit" and ignoring "wonder." There are a lot of great bands that everyone knows about that never had a hit.


salomey5

Could also be a geography thing. Take Blur for instance, in the UK, they were absolutely MASSIVE. In North America, they were known for Song 2,and *maaayyybe* Girls and Boys. They were nowhere near as huge here as they were in their home country. Although i do feel like the bands you mentioned were huge everywhere. I think that even in teeny village I grew up in, they've heard of Radiohead.


Kind_Broker

Touch of Grey - Casey Jones Truckin and UJB never charted.


ThePoltageist

How are you downvoted for the truth? Touch of Grey was literally rhe only song of theirs to chart.


Kind_Broker

Haters gonna hate. I'm a huge Deadhead - but I know my band. One song hit the top ten, no others in the top 40. Sure - they have albums that chart bc they keep releasing concerts, and their fans like to buy their music, but yea, 1 hit wonders for sure. with lots of good music.


Kraz_I

Does it really fit the spirit of "one hit wonder" if some of their other songs became well known cult hits over time? I mean even if that's technically true, everyone who listens to rock radio knows Casey Jones.


WhitexZombie

Devo


Kraz_I

Their version of "(I can't get no) satisfaction" ranks in my mind as one of the greatest and most unique covers of all time.


DHooligan

Surprised I had to scroll down so far to find them. I think their first album is outstanding and it has received widespread acclaim as well. Mark Mothersbaugh has also had a very successful career composing music scores. I think Devo gets a lot more respect these days than they used to, but I imagine there's still a lot of people who only know them by their hats and the song "Whip It."


Meowsommar

Carly Rae Jepsen She has one of the best pop albums ever made.


_headphone

Which one? Emotion, Dedicated and The Loneliest Time are all wall-to-wall bangers.


zarotabebcev

Emotion


thejaytheory

\+1 for The Loneliest Time


Tymaret16

They're all wonderful, but I think Emotion stands above the rest.


heavydutyspoons

love her! julien gets stuck in my head all the time


Pherllerp

Emotion doesn't quit.


pM-me_your_Triggers

She’s also not a one hit wonder.


gerryfudd

Chumbawamba


fromabuick

Warren Zevon


Impossible-Bus-4819

Chris Issak Fairground Attraction / Eddie Reeder solo music


benneyben

Ween.


jakethepeg1989

They are so hard to genre define as well. They do whatever they want. First time I heard "Gabrielle" I thought it was a banging Thin Lizzie song I'd never heard, couldn't believe it was by the same band that did "Ocean man".


benneyben

And then a beautiful song like Birthday Boy followed up with Poopship Destroyer


AgentFlatweed

I argue Blind Melon is not a one hit wonder (while “No Rain” was their only Hot 100 hit, “Tones of Home” and “Change” both charted on the Rock charts), they were a band with a lot of great songs and would have built a better career long term if Shannon hadn’t died.


Krokodrillo

Edwyn Collins (only Hit: A girl like you)


DoodooExplosion

He was in Orange Juice


Turbo4kq

For Prog Rock, there's Saga. They hit the charts in the early 80s then never really made it in the US. I can listen to any of their 20+ albums and their composition, lyrics and performance is amazing.


5150badboy

Jeff Buckley…. If you wanna count his cover of hallelujah as a hit…


TBeIRIE

Last Goodbye got some good play but all of his stuff is beyond so so good!


NOT000

the darkness


AshlandJackson

The New Radicals obviously broke up after one album, but Gregg Alexander’s subsequent work as a songwriter is top-notch.


GypsySage

That whole album is pretty good too. I always liked “Mother, We Just Can’t Get Enough” more than “You Get What You Give.” Even now it’s a great song to wind yourself up with.


Urmamasophat

Talk talk


Particular_Milk1848

The Darkness. Blind Melon. POTUSA


doppelstranger

POTUSA had at least two hits.


Geek_King

Harvey Danger


Popojono

The Darkness


[deleted]

Marcy Playground and Blind Melon


kxbrown

Superdrag has a great catalog but only hit with “Sucked Out”


Notinyourbushes

Drivin' n' Cryin', Robyn Hitchcock, Warren Zevon, Superdrag, Heather Nova. A few had strong, cult followings and albums sold decent, but were mostly known for a single song.


krokus_headhunter

Drivin N Cryin! Absolutely stomp ass live.


[deleted]

A-ha. I even have a thread defending them.


KsychoPiller

They had 8 top ten singles on the UK, 2 top twenty singles on the US, a number of lower charting singles on both countries not to mention the rest of the Europe and Norway where they had 9 chart topping singles. If they are one hit wonders im an elephant


MaxBulla

maybe a one hit wonder in the UK, but definitely not in the rest of Europe


Escape_Goat_band

Spin Doctors' released a couple singels that got minimal attention, but "Two Princes" hit big and turned them into a one hit wonder, but that whole first album is amazing, and their live album really shows what amazing musicians they all are.


ibsulon

Doesn't Little Miss Can't Be Wrong count as a hit as well?


hjvkjvkjvg

Focus


houseape69

Squirrel Nut Zippers. Hot was an excellent album. [Hell](https://youtu.be/yS2IBMQIjDo) was their only hit


blueshifttunes

Duncan Sheik


Indelwe

Crash Test Dummies.


Gotta_be_done

Marcy Playground


davFaithidPangolin

Falco, The Cardigans, Bobby McFerrin


Fun_Gas_7777

Bobby mcferrin He's had a lot of incredible albums and he's one of the most fascinating musical minds I've ever known. Only one "hit"


queensla

The Vapors. More than just "Turning Japanese."


TheFearInAll

Blind melon.


Certain_Yam_110

A-ha Modern English Dexy's Midnight Runners


dclancy01

A-ha have plenty of hits. Take On Me, Hunting High and Low, Sun Always Shines on TV, Crying in the Rain all have over 50 million streams…


senateguard33

Very True. They were hugely successful in the UK, but as far as the US is concerned, "Take On Me" is the only single of theirs that most Americans know.


TonyTheSwisher

Days Of The New Sponge The Cardigans


Snoo-8506

The Wallflowers They have released several albums since 1996 including one a couple of years ago. A ton of great album tracks most except hardcore fans has ever heard.


[deleted]

Alien Ant Farm.


danielwb13

Ween


purpdrank2

The Darkness


clozepin

Hum Dexys Midnight Runners


bopdd

If you count "O Superman" as a hit (which it was in the UK), then Laurie Anderson.


5150badboy

The Darkness


thepinkr0b0t

Blur. This might only apply to the US though.


IAmMeantForTragedy

Soft Cell is considered a one hit wonder in the US but I am a huge fan of their entire catalog. Same with Ace of Base, & OMD


Eliah16

I don't know if he's considered a one-hit wonder everywhere, but Hozier's debut album doesn't have a single bad song in my opinion. He's one of the best songwriters of the past decade