My countdown list of one hit wonders- 1. Play That Funky Music (Wild Cherry) (1 Viewer)

[Mr. Irrelevant]

New to this thread, are you? For purposes of this list Tim's aural clock pretty much stopped in 1993.

I'm gonna rectify this situation.

First off, let me thank Tim for starting the thread and putting in all the effort (not the least of which was dealing with all the “well, actually” noise from all of us amateur Statler and Waldorfs in the peanut gallery). It was an eclectic mix to say the least, but a fun ride nonetheless. 

Now, as promised: In an effort to address the list’s most glaring omission, I present to you the top 10 (as-yet unlisted) OHWs of the 21st century. They’re based on at least one solid hour of thought and link browsing - so, in other words, certain to be absolutely infallible.

***

10. Gangnam Style - PSY (#2, 2012)
Less a song than a cultural phenomenon. Fun fact: If you tried to replicate this video’s current YouTube play count by listening to it continuously on repeat, 24x7x365, you’d finish your task in the summer of 28,475. 
 

 

[Mr. Irrelevant]

9. Absolutely - Nine Days (#6, 2000)

You probably don’t remember the artist. You may not even recognize the title. But I’d be willing to bet it clicks for you when you read the Twitter meme it inspired. The song itself is more catchy than good, but sometimes catchy is all you need.

 

[Mr. Irrelevant]

8. C’est La Vie - B*Witched (#9, 1999)

The “I’ve Never Been to Me” of this sub-countdown.

OK, so, in true Tim's rules fashion, this peaked eight months before the end of the ‘90s, but there’s no way I could leave off what is either the worst catchy song or the catchiest bad song of the last 20 years … possibly both. Everything about the three minutes in the above link - the lyrics that will literally make you laugh out loud; the hilariously awful video featuring a group of dime-store Spice Girls alternately throwing up their fists, poorly executing bad choreography, and rolling down grassy hills; the song bridge featuring (for no particular reason and completely out of place with the rest of the song) a random Irish jig - is soooo bad it’s great. You’ll be hearing these girls in your sleep tonight and I offer NO APOLOGIES.

 

[krista4]

From Steubanville, Ohio...

Just showed Mr. krista this, and he insisted I correct you:  “My mom was in the band with the guy at Mingo Junction High.  Not Steubenville.  There’s a difference.”

 

[Mr. Irrelevant]

7. Classic - MKTO (#14, 2014)

This had all the recipe ingredients to be a train wreck of a faux hip-hop pop single - *cough* Thrift Shop, *cough* - but somehow it wasn’t. In fact, even aside from its satisfying name-checks of‘80s music icons, it’s one of the more listenable pure pop singles of my kids’ generation and, believe me, that ain’t a long list.

Or maybe it's just a guilty pleasure earworm for me. Po-tay-to, po-tah-to.

 

[Don Quixote]

Appreciate Tim for putting this together.  For one that did not make the list, I’ll throw out Unit 4+2’s Concrete and Clay. Probably most familiar from the Rushmore soundtrack.

 

[timschochet]

Just showed Mr. krista this, and he insisted I correct you:  “My mom was in the band with th the guy at Mingo Junction High.  There’s a difference.”

Well let me correct him: per Wiki, the lead singer was from Mingo Junction, but the band was formed and came out of Steubenville. 

Plus, if you take a look at the YouTube video I linked, Helen Reddy introduces them “from Steubenville, Ohio!” And then her eyes pop when she says “Wild Cherry!” Are you really going to challenge Helen Reddy? Is Oliver? She is woman; she will smash him down. 

 

[Mr. Irrelevant]

6. Ridin’ - Chamillionaire (#1, 2006)

“Houston-style” hip-hop was a thing in the mid-’00s for approximately as long as the swing revival in the late-’90s.  This song may be the best-known example of the last gasp of the decade’s genre that didn’t have the #### AutoTuned out of it. Despite this song being a huge #1 smash and winning him a Grammy, Chamillionaire never reached higher than #40 as a lead performer again. And if you're wondering whether I included this song on the list solely because of the outstanding Weird Al parody that couldn't have existed without it, well, you're damn right I did.

 

[Oliver Humanzee]

Just showed Mr. krista this, and he insisted I correct you:  “My mom was in the band with the the guy at Mingo Junction High.  Not Steubenville.  There’s a difference.”

This is the second time Krista has convinced me not to show up in this thread to heap abuse on you.  

There won’t be a third.

 

[Mr. Irrelevant]

5. A Thousand Miles - Vanessa Carlton (#5, 2002)

They still play the hell out of this song on a few of the SiriusXM stations I listen to, but I’m never tempted to change the channel. Carlton doesn’t have quite the vocal chops of the #2 entry on this list, but it’s the backing piano riff that really sets this single apart.

 

[Mr. Irrelevant]

4. Are You Gonna Be My Girl? - Jet (#29, 2003)

Potentially a controversial entry, as on Billboard’s alternative charts - where they were more successful - this wasn’t even their highest-charting song. But given that it has 140 times as many YouTube views as their next-biggest single, this is a hill I’m willing to die on. One of the most unique songs of the generally insipid early part of this decade - something like a 3-way love child of the Stones, Motown, and Buckcherry.

 

[Mr. Irrelevant]

3. The Middle - Jimmy Eat World (#5, 2002)

Two and a half minutes of pure, anthemic power pop. Stands the test of time perhaps better than any other single song of its era and genre. And Zedd and Maren Morris can go get ####ed for now burying this song title in every music search result for the rest of time.

 

[timschochet]

This is the second time Krista has convinced me not to show up in this thread to heap abuse on you.  

There won’t be a third.

You’re wrong anyhow. They’re from Steubenville. 

 

[timschochet]

This was fun. We ought to have a music draft. 

 

[Mr. Irrelevant]

2. I Try - Macy Gray (#5, 2000)

I was really, really hoping Macy was one of the Masked Singers - in a different era, she’d have sold 10 million records and earned a half-dozen Grammys. A truly unforgettable voice: part jazz, part R&B, part chainsmoking lounge singer.

 

[Mr. Irrelevant]

1. Crazy - Gnarls Barkley (#2, 2006)

I love how Wikipedia attempts to situate this collaboration: “The group created an elaborate backstory for the "Gnarls Barkley" persona, claiming to be close friends of Lester Bangs, Isaac Hayes, Gordon Gano, and lovers of Janet Jackson and Mariah Carey.[2] The character taught the band Kraftwerk English, as well as set up a meeting between the group Wu-Tang Clan and members of the Stuckist art movement.[3] In promotional photographs, the group wears costumes similar to the character Alex from A Clockwork Orange.”

Oh, and the record is absolutely damn awesome.

 

[krista4]

Shouldn’t Mr Irrelevant be posting #256 or 253 or whatever it is?

 

[krista4]

1. Crazy - Gnarls Barkley (#2, 2006)

I love how Wikipedia attempts to situate this collaboration: “The group created an elaborate backstory for the "Gnarls Barkley" persona, claiming to be close friends of Lester Bangs, Isaac Hayes, Gordon Gano, and lovers of Janet Jackson and Mariah Carey.[2] The character taught the band Kraftwerk English, as well as set up a meeting between the group Wu-Tang Clan and members of the Stuckist art movement.[3] In promotional photographs, the group wears costumes similar to the character Alex from A Clockwork Orange.”

Oh, and the record is absolutely damn awesome.

Great pick.

 

[Oliver Humanzee]

Well let me correct him: per Wiki, the lead singer was from Mingo Junction, but the band was formed and came out of Steubenville. 

Plus, if you take a look at the YouTube video I linked, Helen Reddy introduces them “from Steubenville, Ohio!” And then her eyes pop when she says “Wild Cherry!” Are you really going to challenge Helen Reddy? Is Oliver? She is woman; she will smash him down. 

Yeah well MY MOM looks like DAVID BOWIE if DAVID BOWIE was a FRUMPY LESBIAN.  So who you gonna believe?  Some dumb bull#### or a woman who had an ASHES TO ASHES ERA HAIRCUT for 11 CONSECUTIVE YEARS.

 

[Man of Constant Sorrow]

1. Crazy - Gnarls Barkley (#2, 2006)

I love how Wikipedia attempts to situate this collaboration: “The group created an elaborate backstory for the "Gnarls Barkley" persona, claiming to be close friends of Lester Bangs, Isaac Hayes, Gordon Gano, and lovers of Janet Jackson and Mariah Carey.[2] The character taught the band Kraftwerk English, as well as set up a meeting between the group Wu-Tang Clan and members of the Stuckist art movement.[3] In promotional photographs, the group wears costumes similar to the character Alex from A Clockwork Orange.”

Oh, and the record is absolutely damn awesome.

This is a personal  of mine!

@Adam Harstad played it for me on a long drive to his wedding cruise in '08.

I listen to it weekly.

Thanks Adam!

And - Ima gonna kick your ### in FF this year - AGAIN!!!! 

 

[Juxtatarot]

Not too bad if I recognized 7 out of Mr. Irrelevant’s 10, right? 

 

[Rove!]

The next spotlighted snub is a tune from 1979 whose title is not uttered in the lyrics

Snub 38. Romeo’s Tune - Steve Forbert 

the melody line of the piano carries this tune....not sure why Forbert didn’t have more hits...this is a well-crafted song...all of the pieces fit very well.  Keith Urban has apparently covered this, but why mess with perfection?

Edit - forgot the link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5Hr-XchidU

 

[timschochet]

Yeah well MY MOM looks like DAVID BOWIE if DAVID BOWIE was a FRUMPY LESBIAN.  So who you gonna believe?  Some dumb bull#### or a woman who had an ASHES TO ASHES ERA HAIRCUT for 11 CONSECUTIVE YEARS.

That is a good point. 11 years is impressive. 

Still...I gotta go with Helen  Reddy. She’s Delta ####### Dawn. What’s that flower she’s got on? 

 

[Binky The Doormat]

Yeah well MY MOM looks like DAVID BOWIE if DAVID BOWIE was a FRUMPY LESBIAN.  So who you gonna believe?  Some dumb bull#### or a woman who had an ASHES TO ASHES ERA HAIRCUT for 11 CONSECUTIVE YEARS.

OH is infrequent but passionate. 

 

[Doug B]

Snub 38. Romeo’s Tune - Steve Forbert 

Our local 80s station plays this fairly often.  Never heard it when it was new.

 

[Aerial Assault]

Before the big reveal, I’ve been working on a Top 100 List of Instrumentals. 

Wanted to wait for Tim to finish this first. So stay tuned. 

At #100 is a 90’s alt/grunge band. 

How many have prominent vocal harmonies? 

 

[Binky The Doormat]

Snub 38. Romeo’s Tune - Steve Forbert 

Our local 80s station plays this fairly often.  Never heard it when it was new.

This guy starred in the ABC After School special "My friend the Pug". 

 

[Rove!]

The next one I have is from 1990 and is humorous hip hop song

 

[krista4]

OH is infrequent but passionate. 

That’s a set-up for a joke I’m just not going to make.

 

[Binky The Doormat]

OH is infrequent but passionate. 

That’s a set-up for a joke I’m just not going to make.

a belt-high slow ball right down the middle.  

 

[Man of Constant Sorrow]

a belt-high slow ball right down the middle.  

I prefers a slow-belt'n high-ball right down me - kid'o...

 

[John Blutarsky]

7. Classic - MKTO (#14, 2014)

This had all the recipe ingredients to be a train wreck of a faux hip-hop pop single - *cough* Thrift Shop, *cough* - but somehow it wasn’t. In fact, even aside from its satisfying name-checks of‘80s music icons, it’s one of the more listenable pure pop singles of my kids’ generation and, believe me, that ain’t a long list.

Or maybe it's just a guilty pleasure earworm for me. Po-tay-to, po-tah-to.

They aren’t a one hit wonder.

 

[Rove!]

The next one I have is from 1990 and is humorous hip hop song

Last one until tomorrow

snub 37. The Humpty Dance - Digital Underground

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJysUyv5phc

Per Wikipedia: 

"The Humpty Dance" In 2008, "The Humpty Dance" was ranked #30 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop and #65 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the 90s in 2007. The song was selected as one of many songs to hear and download in the musical reference book 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die: And 10,001 You Must Download.

 

[peaces]

I once got busy in a Burger King bathroom 

 

[Rove!]

Check the weather and this thread in the morning for a 1962 hit from a vocal group with some great harmonies...

 

[northern exposure]

Here's my suggestions as ones that shoulda made the cut:

https://youtu.be/FC3y9llDXuM

or 

https://youtu.be/DwrHwZyFN7M

 

[Man of Constant Sorrow]

....

https://youtu.be/DwrHwZyFN7M

Love it - but, if I had to choose only one T. Chapman song:

Tracy Chapman - Give Me One Reason (Live 11/13)

 

[northern exposure]

Given the loose OHW rules used here, I would add these too:

https://youtu.be/7xxgRUyzgs0

https://youtu.be/ZG_k5CSYKhg

 

[Man of Constant Sorrow]

Given the loose OHW rules used here, I would add these too:

https://youtu.be/7xxgRUyzgs0

https://youtu.be/ZG_k5CSYKhg

Like both a these.

I got to see this live in '89:

Living Colour - 1989 Tour with the Rolling Stones and Mick Jagger (warning: 15 min. but good)

 

[apalmer]

2. “A Whiter Shade of Pale”- Procol Harum (1967)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Mb3iPP-tHdA

I’m glad Don Quixote wrote that this is going to be another Night Ranger, because I messed that up; my one regret in making this list is that I was convinced to remove “Sister Christian.” 

As I have pointed out several times, I refused when I started this to stick to the rigid rules for one hit wonders; to me the most important element was this: is the song the only one that most people think of when it comes to this artist? I have no doubts about Sister Christian. I have some doubts about My Sharona. I have no doubts whatsoever about this one. Yes diehard fans of the band and a few others will mention “Conquistador”; most people have no idea what that song is. Almost everyone has heard of this one. And so I think it’s fine. 

Once I decided to take this song I knew it would have to be in one of the top 3 slots. How they’re ordered is simply due to personal preference. 

Conquistador gets much more airplay around here than WSOP.

 

[apalmer]

I may disagree with the results, but I admire the effort.

 

[Osaurus]

Last one until tomorrow

snub 37. The Humpty Dance - Digital Underground

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJysUyv5phc

Per Wikipedia: 

"The Humpty Dance" In 2008, "The Humpty Dance" was ranked #30 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop and #65 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the 90s in 2007. The song was selected as one of many songs to hear and download in the musical reference book 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die: And 10,001 You Must Download.

Gonzo owns this song

 

[Doug B]

Conquistador gets much more airplay around here than WSOP.

Same locally. There is a type of oldies station, though, that would spin “Whiter Shade of Pale” but never “Conquistador”.

 

[apalmer]

Same locally. There is a type of oldies station, though, that would spin “Whiter Shade of Pale” but never “Conquistador”.

Ones run by Tim?

 

[Dr. Octopus]

4. Are You Gonna Be My Girl? - Jet (#29, 2003)

Potentially a controversial entry, as on Billboard’s alternative charts - where they were more successful - this wasn’t even their highest-charting song. But given that it has 140 times as many YouTube views as their next-biggest single, this is a hill I’m willing to die on. One of the most unique songs of the generally insipid early part of this decade - something like a 3-way love child of the Stones, Motown, and Buckcherry.

What about this song: https://youtu.be/XD1cxSE25ck

eta: didn’t read the write up. I think this song seemed a lot bigger at the time though. My link alone has 30MM views. I hear it more today than the other song - which is great also.

seems like a timpick

 

[zamboni]

Sister Sledge - We Are Family

John Candelaria approves of this pick.

 

[zamboni]

This guy starred in the ABC After School special "My friend the Pug". 

He also played Cyndi Lauper's boyfriend in the video for "Girls Just Want To Have Fun." 

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Snub 38. Romeo’s Tune - Steve Forbert 

the melody line of the piano carries this tune....not sure why Forbert didn’t have more hits...this is a well-crafted song...all of the pieces fit very well.  Keith Urban has apparently covered this, but why mess with perfection?

Edit - forgot the link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5Hr-XchidU

One of my favorite songs. He still plays around down in Asbury a lot. I probably should go see him one summer soon.

 

[Rove!]

Check the weather and this thread in the morning for a 1962 hit from a vocal group with some great harmonies...

Tim covered a lot of those 60s songs, but here is one that deserved inclusion IMHO

Snub36. The Cascades - Rythym of the Rain.

 A vaocal group from the early sixties hit number 3 with this song, which featured a celesta https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celesta which adds a lot to the charm of this song.  The song was included on the soundtrack of the 1979 film Quadrophenia (which was three sides Who songs and fourth side of songs by other artists), and still gets play on the oldies stations over half a century later.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmF_bG5IVnM

 

[Man of Constant Sorrow]

Sister Sledge - We Are Family

John Candelaria approves of this pick.

So glad you chose John from the '79 Pirates.

I don't know squat about baseball anymore, but I do remember this guy...so, I did a google search to find this quote:

...

Candelaria was always considered an oddball, a player who may have been a little too crazy at times. “There’s the starting pitcher for tonight, hat on backward, leaning out the window screaming at people, talking to the grass, thinking about the hitters,” as a teammate once described a bus ride to the ballpark in New York. A more astute analysis of Candelaria’s style might be the following: “He wasn’t particularly sharp. He didn’t do anything extremely well. But when it was all over, he was the winner. Typical.”25 When asked once what he would be doing if he wasn’t playing baseball: “I’d probably be living in an apartment building in Brooklyn and working for UPS. That would be fun, too.”26 Fun seemed to be his style, with a live-and-let-live attitude to both life and baseball. “If I ever lose the boy in me, what’s the sense? I plan to be doing silly things when I’m 50. I just want to be remembered as footloose and fancy free.”

...

The bolded part is my fav. I like this attitude - try to follow it - can be oooopsy at times - ha!

Thnx!

EDIT: Source material