10 Of The Greatest One-Hit Wonders Of All Time

One-hit wonders … Some come and go. Some keep plugging away for years with hopes of making it to the top once more. 

Whatever their story, each of these one-hit wonders topped charts with a song that will be stuck in our minds forever more. 

Don’t believe us? Just try not to sing out the choruses of each song as you read them.

10. "Straight Up" – Paula Abdul

First on our list of one-hit wonders is from Paula Abdul!

Before she was a TV judge, Paula Abdul was a Laker girl turned choreographer — and “Straight Up” was the song that launched her pop career.

With its sassy lyrics and stripped-back production, it stood out immediately when it dropped in 1988. The track hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed there for three weeks.

Abdul did have other hits, but for many, “Straight Up” is the song that defined her — and it’s still just as catchy decades later.

9. "Tainted Love" – Soft Cell

Soft Cell took a forgotten 1964 soul song and turned it into an ‘80s synth-pop masterpiece. “Tainted Love” was moody, dramatic, and strangely danceable — and it became a global sensation.

Released in 1981, it hit No. 1 in 17 countries and became one of the defining tracks of the new wave era.

Despite their success overseas, Soft Cell never scored another major hit in the U.S., but this one song continues to live on in commercials, films, and endless cover versions.

8. "Torn" – Natalie Imbruglia

If you grew up in the late ‘90s, you felt this one.

“Torn” was the perfect mix of heartbreak and angst, and Natalie Imbruglia’s raw, vulnerable vocals made it unforgettable. Ironically, the song was a cover — originally recorded in Danish, then reworked by several artists before Natalie made it her own in 1997.

It became a global hit, topping charts in Europe and Canada and earning constant radio play. While she had other hits in her native Australia, nothing matched the emotional punch of “Torn.”

7. "U Can’t Touch This" – MC Hammer

Parachute pants. Hammer time. That opening beat. You know exactly what’s coming.

“U Can’t Touch This” dropped in 1990 and instantly became a cultural phenomenon. Built on a sample of Rick James’ “Super Freak,” the song earned MC Hammer two Grammys and endless MTV airplay.

He released more music, but nothing ever came close to the monster success of this track — and honestly, nothing needed to.

6. "Come On Eileen" – Dexys Midnight Runners

Fiddles? Overalls? An absolutely chaotic tempo shift? Yes, please.

“Come On Eileen” hit No. 1 in both the UK and the US in 1983, and it's been a singalong anthem ever since.

From weddings to movie soundtracks, it’s the kind of song that gets people up even if they pretend to hate it.

The band couldn’t follow up with another smash, but this one left its mark.

5. "You’re Beautiful" – James Blunt

Whispery, emotional, and everywhere in the mid-2000s, “You’re Beautiful” became the heartbreak anthem of 2005.

Inspired by a fleeting moment Blunt had with an ex on the subway (while her boyfriend stood beside her), the song hit No. 1 in the UK and cracked the Billboard Top 10 in the U.S.

Blunt had other hits in Europe, but this was his defining moment in North America.

4. "Macarena" – Los Del Río

You know the dance. You probably still remember it. And even if you roll your eyes, you’ll still join in if it comes on.

“Macarena” was originally a Spanish flamenco-pop track, but it became a global sensation when remixed by the Bayside Boys in 1995. It hit No. 1 in the U.S. and stayed there for 14 weeks — one of the longest reigns of the decade.

Los Del Río never managed to match its success, but they didn’t need to. One “Macarena” was more than enough.

3. "Ice Ice Baby" – Vanilla Ice

Vanilla Ice made history in 1990 when “Ice Ice Baby” became the first hip-hop single to top the Billboard Hot 100.

Built on a borrowed bassline from Queen and David Bowie’s “Under Pressure,” the song introduced a generation to rap — and sparked a thousand parodies.

Controversial and unforgettable, Vanilla Ice faded just as fast as he rose. But his one hit still bumps like it's 1990.

2. “Tubthumping” – Chumbawamba

If you don’t recognize the song’s title, you’re sure to know the chorus – “I get knocked down, but I get up again. You are never gonna keep me down.”

“Tubthumping” is a 1990’s classic and an anthem for anybody needing a shot of confidence after a defeat. 

Chumbawamba, the band who created this hit, was known for political songs that blended together folk, punk and dance with several other genres. While a tubthumper in the UK is a politician, the song itself was one of the least-political the band ever released. As a result, it garnered a lot of criticism from longtime fans.

Everyone else? They loved it! 

The song blew up worldwide, with the band quickly growing a fanbase in Europe, but they never had another hit in America. 

1. "Never Gonna Give You Up" – Rick Astley

It started as a genuine ‘80s hit. Then came the internet.

“Never Gonna Give You Up” topped charts around the world when it dropped in 1987, thanks to Rick Astley’s deep voice and clean-cut charm. But decades later, the song got a second life as the ultimate bait-and-switch meme: the Rickroll.

Now, it's not just a one-hit wonder — it's an internet legend. And Rick? He’s somehow cooler now than ever before.

Honourable Mention: “Let’s Go to the Mall” – Robin Sparkles

Before there was Britney, before there was Avril — there was Robin Sparkles.

Well… sort of.

“Let’s Go to the Mall” isn’t technically a real one-hit wonder — it’s a fictional Canadian pop anthem created for the sitcom How I Met Your Mother. But honestly? It’s just as catchy (and iconic) as anything on the charts in the late ‘80s.

Introduced in Season 2, “Let’s Go to the Mall” is the hilariously overproduced debut single from Robin Scherbatsky’s teen pop star alter ego, Robin Sparkles. The song was an instant fan favourite and even gained a real-world cult following. It captured that perfect mix of awkward nostalgia and legitimate pop appeal.

Whether or not these songs from one-hit wonders bring you joy, one thing is for sure … each was a hit – even if it was the artist's one and only. 

Want to hear more of the top one-hit wonders of all time as voted by our listenered? Tune in tomorrow at 9 AM for an encore presentation of Kool FM's One-Hit Wonder Countdown!