From viral TikTok sensations to chart-topping phenomenons, we're diving into the catchiest singles that took over the music world! These artists struck gold with unforgettable hits that dominated streaming platforms, radio waves, and social media, but struggled to replicate their initial success.
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00:00I wish I knew you wanted me, I wish I knew
00:04Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the best one-hit wonder tracks from 2015 to the present.
00:11These artists have only one notable hit, and or they're only known for one song in particular.
00:23Number 10. Rich Men North of Richmond, Oliver Anthony
00:27It's not often that a song goes viral for its message.
00:30So I can sit out here and waste my life away
00:34Drag back home and drown my troubles away
00:38No matter how you felt about it, Rich Men North of Richmond clearly had a hold on certain American audiences.
00:44Oliver Anthony entered the conversation in a flurry of attention, heated debates, and scrutiny.
00:49Wanna know what you think, wanna know what you do
00:53And they don't think you know, but I know that you do
00:57Both sides of the political aisle offered up their opinions, while the artist himself remained fiercely independent about his message.
01:03The straightforward sounds and guitar playing bring out the country flair.
01:07Rather than making it a big production, this self-release track is filled with the kind of authenticity you can't buy.
01:13It's also rare that a relative unknown becomes a star so fast.
01:16I've been selling my soul, working all day
01:20Number 9. Whoop-Dee, CJ
01:23Embracing the drill genre, CJ delivered this exciting song
01:27It was released on his EP, Loyalty Over Royalty.
01:34Reaching the top 10 on the Hot 100, this multi-platinum track gave audiences a jolt in the early 2020s.
01:39Whoop-Dee is his only charting single so far, but it's obviously an entertaining one.
01:43You can't forget his lyrics either when you hear him mention Blue Cheese.
01:53All in all, you can tell why people fell in love with his energy and intense vocals.
01:57While he's been working with the likes of French Montana, he hasn't yet escaped the shadow of this hit.
02:06Number 8. Roxanne
02:08In all his pop-rap glory, Arizona's Zervais emerged in the late 2010s.
02:20Roxanne is the track that put him on the map and helped earn him a chance at Columbia Records.
02:24While it's not the Police song, the laid-back beat carries its own engaging rhythms.
02:28Zervais had TikTok and Spotify to thank for some of his fame.
02:31Both platforms elevated his presence in the music scene, helping the young artist break through.
02:42The music itself makes you want to sing along and move to the track beat.
02:45Releasing his first studio album in 2023, the rapper still has yet to deliver another tune to top himself.
02:50Cracking the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100, Paul Russell brought back the power of disco.
03:12The track feels both like a throwback and a modern tune.
03:16Sampling Best of My Love by The Emotions, the song has an upbeat vibe anybody can love.
03:21Russell also throws in some fun-loving lyrics to enhance the music.
03:28Getting huge on TikTok, the single roared on the charts and even appeared in blockbusters like a Minecraft movie.
03:34The singer also got to open for Meghan Trainor on her 2024 tour.
03:38If he can find that kind of nostalgic magic again, he might be able to break the one-hit wonder curse.
03:42You're my little boo-thang, so I don't give a hoot what you do say, girl, I know.
03:47You a little too tame, I'll be shooting that shot like 2K, girl, I know.
03:51Number 6, Dance Monkey, Tones and I.
03:54If you love electropop, you can do a lot worse than Dance Monkey.
03:57They say, oh my god, I see the way you shine.
04:01Tones and I went to number one on all kinds of international charts.
04:04With a strong vocal performance, the artist asserts herself in a slick production.
04:09Her efforts also resonated with a global audience.
04:11Dance for me, dance for me, dance for me, oh.
04:15I've never seen anybody do the things you do before.
04:19This might be because of the cool beat or the easy-to-remember lyrics, but either way, it clearly struck a chord.
04:25She went from a street musician to an international sensation in a few short years.
04:29The Australian might have charted on other singles, but her subsequent releases haven't endured in the same way.
04:34And when you're done, I'll make you do it all again.
04:38Number 5, Golden Hour, Jake.
04:41For this viral hit, Jake became a much bigger star in the 2020s.
04:45It was just two lovers, sitting in the car, listening to blonde, falling for each other.
04:50He reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.
04:53With his pop track, Golden Hour mixes more mainstream sounds with a few classical flourishes.
04:58There's an incredible piano part at the center of it all, providing the foundation for some beautiful melodies.
05:03The singer also shows off his powerful voice, building to a fantastic and vibrant chorus.
05:08These kinds of inventive elements shook up TikTok in 2022.
05:21With interest from both American and global audiences, the artist created a ballad for listeners everywhere to love.
05:26He's since worked with the likes of Nick Jones and Tori Kelly, but nothing quite hits like this one.
05:31Number 4, Bad Habit, Steve Lacey.
05:43Even before this song, Steve Lacey was associated with all kinds of icons.
05:48He worked with everyone from Frank Ocean to Kendrick Lamar.
05:55Following work with the band The Internet, he cultivated his own solo career that includes two albums.
06:00His second record, Gemini Rites, was his biggest individual success.
06:12It included the multi-genre hit, Bad Habit, taking Lacey to another level of attention.
06:18The single defies an easy label, with its awesome hook and compelling lyrics.
06:23He mixes psychedelic styles with R&B and pop, easing the audience into something special.
06:28No matter what else he does, he'll always have this chart-topper to be remembered by.
06:39Number 3, ABCDEFU.
06:42Gale.
06:42With this top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, Gale became a new artist to watch in the 2020s.
06:47Her catchy single, ABCDEFU, features some clever lyrics that are instantly memorable.
06:59Getting a boost from platforms like TikTok, the song went viral around the world.
07:04The musician was even Grammy-nominated for her work.
07:06It features a pop hook mixed with some rock and punk influences, making it accessible to an even wider audience.
07:19She's had other great opportunities as a writer and performer, including a spot on the Barbie movie soundtrack.
07:24The singer clearly has enough talent to defy the one-hit Wonder label.
07:27I was into you, but I'm over it now.
07:32And I was trying to be nice.
07:35Number 2, Panda.
07:37Designer.
07:38Some music can hypnotize you in seconds.
07:40In the case of Designer's Panda, the artist utilizes his skill set to maximum effect.
07:44Panda, Panda, Panda.
07:46I got broads in Atlanta.
07:49Jesus don't mean to find me.
07:50Credit cards in the scammers.
07:52His 2015 release represents the greatness and diverse sounds of Trap.
07:56As a hit single, it went to number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Hot R&B Hip-Hop Songs charts.
08:02You don't even need to know what he's saying to enjoy the vibe.
08:08After being sampled by Kanye West, the track took on another life as a piece of recent music history.
08:14The rapper had moderate success with his song, Timmy Turner, but it didn't resonate in the way this one does.
08:18Pag-a-swap, diney, selling bar, candy, man, and a macho like Randy, the champ will go out to the Grammy.
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08:39It's the beat and groove that drives you mad.
08:47Feel It Still is the infectious song that shook up 2017 and beyond, but also made stars out of Portugal the man.
08:52Their hit became the talk of the late 2010s, as it appeared in everything from the Billboard charts to commercials.
09:07The Grammy-winning tune is easily their most notable to date.
09:15Featured on their album, Woodstock, the group enjoyed some popularity before releasing a less successful follow-up.
09:21Their ninth record, Chris Black Changed My Life, features some cool collaborations, but it failed to chart in the U.S.
09:27There's always a chance their blend of alternative and psychedelic styles will get them another big single.
09:35Did we forget another one-hit wonder from the last decade?
09:38Let us know in the comments below.
09:51Let us know in the comments below.
10:12Let us know in the comments below.