Camilla and Mischa's Favorite and Least Favorite One-Hit Wonders
When you hear the words “one-hit wonder” what songs first come to mind? Perhaps “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen or “Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster the People. We bet worldwide sensation “Somebody That I Used To Know” takes your top spot or possibly 80s smash hit “Take On Me” by A-Ha is your guilty pleasure. Whatever the answer may be, we know that everyone in the world has at least one one-hit wonder (OHW) that they wish they could hear for the first time again.
You may be wondering “what makes a song a one-hit wonder?” and we’re happy to help you know the difference. According to Merriam-Webster, a one-hit wonder can be defined as a “a musical group that has achieved recognition on the basis of only one widely popular song.” You may notice artists on this list that may have more than one-hit in your opinion, but here at Off The Record, we’re thinking in specifics. For example, the Lumineers have been successful in their pursuits since the release of “Ho-Hey” in 2012, but that song has been the bands most commercially successful hit. So, although you may like the song “Ophelia” by them and believe it is a hit, it does not rival the success “Ho-Hey” brought them. Thus, the Lumineers can be considered a one-hit wonder. You may have your own definition for how one-hit wonders should be decided, but this is our method for this list. Let us know what guidelines you use for deciding what is and is not a one-hit wonder in the comments below!
This edition, Off The Record’s own Mischa and Camilla discuss their favorite and least favorite OHWs and why they take the spot that they’re in. Keep reading to find out why “Cake By The Ocean” by DNCE makes the worst songs list in Mischa’s opinion and why “Cheerleader” by Omi takes the top spot of Camilla’s list. As you will see below they have categorized the lists into their “favorites” with short blurbs as to why and their “least favorites” with three reasons why. Enjoy the lists and let them know your thoughts in the comments.
Camilla’s OHW List
A Sentence From the Curator about her choices: Nostalgia is one hell of a drug.
Cheerleader - Omi (Felix Jaehn Remix)
When this song was popular, I was in sixth grade and just downloaded musical.ly (may it rest in peace) it was used at the background music for the viral “#dontjudgemechallenge”. As people were changing their appearances from not so hot to truly magnificent this ear-worm of a song wiggled its way into my heart. With an infectious beat that makes you want to dance and painfully corny lyrics about the girl of his affections, Omi finds a way to make the three minute run time of this song time to cherish. Although this song is unpopular amongst many, it is no surprise to me that this song lasted twelve weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at number one. “Cheerleader” gives me nothing but pure joy when I hear it and I consider it as one of the better OHWs.
Safe and Sound - Capital Cities
What would a favorite one-hit wonders list be without having “Safe and Sound” by Capital Cities on it? Not a very good one. Not only do I consider this as one of the best one-hit wonders, but I also rank this song as one of my all-time favorites. “Safe and Sound” captures the feeling of nostalgia for me. When I hear the opening drum beats I instantly know I’m in for a good time whether I’m in a setting full of people ready to party or just listening on my own. Although “Safe and Sound” peaked at number eight on Billboard’s Hot 100, it for sure takes the number one spot in my heart. I can not help but feel a bittersweet longing for my adolescence when it comes on shuffle, and for that reason I grant it a place in my top three favorite one-hit wonders.
Ho Hey - Lumineers
Was it while listening to this song for the first time that I decided I wanted to run away to be in a forest-based cult where we sit around the fire and share stories, food, and folk songs? Possibly. Ho-Hey is the song that made me venture out into exploring more country, folk-inspired songs, and that is one of the reason I revere it so highly. With Schultz’s achingly haunting voice and the acoustics that carry the song through, I can’t help but wish I was a pioneer on the Oregon Trail trying to make a better life for my family when I hear this song. Songs that can give you this sense of transportation are gems. I also believe a lot of other people felt this way too as it spent sixty-two weeks and peaked at number two on the Billboard Charts Wesley Schultz so beautifully sings “I belong with you / you belong with me” and it is so fitting because “Ho Hey” belongs in the OHW hall of fame.
Now, here are my picks for least favorites:
Let Her Go by Passenger
This song is sad and not in the relatable way.
What is memorable about this song?
Dude. Just let her go.
Best Day Of My Life - American Authors
When this song is playing, it is destined to be one of the worst days of my life actually.
An ear worm in the worst way.
This is what harmful optimism sounds like.
7 Years by Lukas Graham
Storytelling gone wrong.
I feel like we’re supposed to learn a lesson here, but that lesson is not clear at all.
We all know how aging works.
Mischa’s OHW List
A Sentence From the Curator about their choices: I grew up on 90s and 2000s rom-coms.
California (Tchad Blake Mix) - Phantom Planet
Instant joy. “California” reminds me of summer 2019 on the road to texas to visit my family. This was before I knew it was the theme song to The O.C. which I started watching the following winter. It evokes many emotions from me and belting “CALLLLLIIIIFORNIIIIIAAAAAAA” (something that comes from the gut) is so cathartic. For these reasons it makes my favorites list.
Closing Time - Semisonic
I felt like this had to be included. This was my most listened to song of 2020 by a long shot. And when I say “long shot” I mean a long shot. I think this is one of the greatest one-hit wonders of all time. There is even a segment in the Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman rom-com “No Strings Attached” dedicated the wonderness of this one-hit. I think it’s safe to say that this is the perfect one-hit wonder.
I Melt With You - Modern English
“I Melt With You” doesn’t necessarily induce particularly strong feelings in my heart, but I still love the song just the same. It’s definitely just a fun song and has a groovy beat. Not groovy in the way you would think about disco, but in the way you just want to groove with the beat. I can’t help but bob my head and whistle along with it when it comes on. The Modern English classic was a song I drove to work to constantly and it just reminds me of happy times. It’s a happy song.
Now, here are my picks for least favorite:
Cheerleader by Omi (Felix Jaehn Remix)
BECAUSE.
IT’S
ASS.
Fight Song by Rachel Platten
Way too girlboss-y (derogatory).
Associated with a bad time in life re: Hilary Clinton losing in 2016. And just HC in general.
Catchy in the worst way possible.
Cake by the Ocean by DNCE
Salty memories (pun intended).
It gets stuck in my head, and not in the good way.
Joe Jonas betrayed the Jonas Brothers by joining another band.