Submitted by StArsenkov t3_10pgj7l in Music
There was a thread the other day about Ace of Base, who were labeled as a one-hit-wonders with 3 hits, so that made me think, are there any one hit wonders who actually made good albums and deserve to be given a listen?
The first band which comes to mind is The Ting Tings, their Shut Up And Let Me Go was a huge hit, but that entire album was playing in my car for a good few months.
People call Blind Melon a one hit wonder, though they had few hits here in Canada. Regardless, they have two incredible studio albums and one awesome posthumous collection of rarities (RIP Shannon). I'd say their first self-titled album is an 8/10 and their second is a 9/10, though I'd happily call both a 10 certain days of the week.
A great example I recently learned of was Bobby Charles, who wrote the hit song "See You Later Alligator", which is where that expression comes from, in the 1950's, and it was made famous by Bill Haley. But Bobby has an amazing album from 1972 just called Bobby Charles that is produced by Rick Danko (The Band) and features Dr John on keyboards, and (I'm 90% sure) all of the Band on other instruments throughout, which they weren't allowed to publicize because of record label stuff. But you can clearly hear Robbie's guitar, and Garth's organ and accordian in a few of the songs.
Anyway, that self-titled Bobby Charles album is one of the best and most underrated albums of the 70's, or any decade, and no one even knows his name because his one hit wasn't even made famous by him.
Devo
Great answer. So many great albums.
And their "one hit" isn't even on their best album. Are We Not Men? is such a phenomenal album.
The New Radicals, “Maybe You’ve Been Brainwashed Too
Amazing album. A must listen for anyone who likes alternative rock or pop. Their hit song EVERYONE has heard.
"Technicolor lover" and "I hope I didn't just give away the ending" (a crazy cocaine song) are every bit as good as "You Get what you Give."
They were well on their way to being huge. The lead singer/guy behind the band just quit. He hated performing but continued to make music all these years. And they reformed for Joe Biden's inauguration.
Great album.
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The Refreshments
Do they have anything as good as Banditos? Love that song!
Yes. King of the Hill theme song & they're the roots of what's now Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers
Fizzy Fuzzy Big & Buzzy is a great album. A few skipables, but overall an enjoyable listen
Alien Ant Farm. They have way more good stuff than just that Michael Jackson cover. Faith No More is also a killer band that's mostly known for one hit song.
FNM is incredible. They change styles from one song to another, and all of it is good. Well, most of it is...
The Verve are a 90s English rock band who are best described as shoe gaze. Not the style of rock played on American radio stations. But they had an all time gigantic hit that is still played on radio all the time, "Bittersweet Symphony."
Anywhoo... That song is on the album "Urban Hymns" which is a fantastic (at least 9/10) album with more than a few huge bangers. If you like Blind Melon I think you'd like The Verve's Urban Hymns. Their other albums are more shoegazey.
10/10 songs on Urban Hymns: Bittersweet Symphony, Sonnet, The Drugs Don't Work, Space and Time, Lucky Man, and Velvet Morning.
There are also a few 8/10 songs on the album I did not include.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lhb7TClYkdAzbj5fTO6SlFcYhHzBGsuns
Ah yes. The verve >>>
Downvote all you want but I’ve always really liked Bigger, Better, Faster, More by 4 Non Blondes.
Living Colour. Everybody remembers Cult of Personality, but their Vivid album is pretty solid. The cover of Talking Heads' "Memories Can't Wait" is a favorite of mine.
Rhythm of Youth by Men Without Hats
Marcy Playground had a hit with Sex and Candy. That song is terrible but the rest of the album is fantastic.
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Semisonic are mainly known for “Closing Time” but I loved their first two albums (Great Divide and Feeling Strangely Fine) from start to finish.
The Current (Mnpls, MN) has played more Semisonic in the last two weeks alone that I've heard all through the 90's.
Also: (before someone mentions) Harvey Danger
Probably in preparation for the tour with Barenaked Ladies that they announced today.
people consider jimmy eat world a one hit wonder because of the middle, but as far as i know a few more of their songs were popular, but i’m counting them. Futures, Clarity, Bleed American, etc are all masterpieces
A Praise Chorus 👍🏻
New Radicals - You Might Be Brainwashed Too
Everyone knew You Get What You Give but the rest of the album was really damn good. A shame he stopped making his own music and moved onto simply song writing.
Dead Sara. They realistically have had maybe two hits but their work is consistently excellent.
Fountains of Wayne
Stacy's Mom is literally their worst song.
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Oh I'm aware I'm in my mid 40s. I was a big fan of FoW since the beginning. Also I thought "Sink To The Bottom" was just as big, if not bigger, than "Radiation Vibe".
Edit: I looked it up. You were right, radiation vibe went to number 32 and sink to the bottom went to number 42.
Spin Doctors. They technically had two hits, but I digress. Spin Doctors were a fucking jam.
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Wot? As in great southern land icehouse? It's on MMM every fucking day
Wall of Voodoo. “Mexican Radio” is the one hit, but every single song on The Dark Continent and Call of the West absolutely slaps.
Talk Talk is also a great example. “It’s My Life” is the song everyone knows, but the trilogy of The Colour of Spring, Spirit of Eden and Laughing Stock are a brilliant transition from New Wave into Post-Rock before it was really a thing. Those albums are amazing, Mark Hollis was a genius, listen to them now.
Owl City
Where Have All The Merrymakers Gone? by Harvey Danger is still one of favorite albums. That's the one with Flagpole Sitta on it
And I feel really shitty calling them one-hit wonders, but Jimmy Eat World's only song to make the Billboard top 10 was The Middle, even though Bleed American is an awesome album, and they've made great music before and after
chimchooree t1_j6kejqr wrote
The Cardigans have a great discography.