Top 10 Cheesiest One Hit Wonder Songs of the Century (So Far)

Top 10 Cheesiest One-Hit Wonder Songs of the Century (So Far)

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Cheesiest One-Hit Wonder Songs of the Century (So Far).

For this list, we’ll be looking at artists known primarily for one hit song in the 21st century thus far. These tunes don’t have to be bad either, just special enough to earn the label “cheesy” and the artists in question may have released other tracks; they just wouldn’t have been as well-known as the ones we’re singling out.

Let us know which songs we missed in the comments below.

#10: “Bad Day” (2005)

Daniel Powter
If you were alive in 2005, you’d likely remember this inescapable piano ballad. Struggling Canadian singer/songwriter Daniel Powter recorded the song way back in 2002, but it didn’t receive an official U.S. release until three years later. At that point, Powter became pretty much an overnight success for encapsulating the all-too familiar “Bad Day.” While it might sound schmaltzy, the universal feeling of a less than perfect day never sounded so catchy. After weeks of multiple chart success, a highly viewed music video, and even parodies, the song became a little grating. While Powter remains a one-hit wonder, “Bad Day” stands as a sentimental time capsule of its release year.

#9: “Faded” (2000)

soulDecision feat. Thrust
Armed with hair gel and a slick pop formula, soulDecision came on the scene with a funky cocktail called “Faded.” The Canadian group came from up north to conquer the pop craze. When all was said and done, they escaped with one questionable mark on popular music - this track from “No One Does It Better.” The aggressive verses prove the singer has one thing on his mind. He talks himself up as a Casanova, but the dated production value does him no favors with the ladies. Achieving more success in Canada, soulDecision’s tenure ended in 2005 after their 2004 followup album, “Shady Satin Drug,” failed to chart. Somehow, all these years later, this earworm never fails to bring us back to that strange time.

#8: “Graduation (Friends Forever)” (2000)

Vitamin C
If you graduated in the early 2000s, chances are you heard this one on your senior slideshow. Written and performed by singer Vitamin C, the song waxes nostalgia about graduating high school. On top of that, “Graduation” makes liberal use of the classical tune “Canon in D.” Few tunes exist for such a solitary purpose, making this track a borderline novelty song. Regardless of the single’s cultural status, it still manages to touch an emotional nerve to this day. In the end, where would we be without this song to send us off into the world?

#7: “I Love It” (2012)

Icona Pop feat. Charli XCX
As the millennium entered its second decade, dance pop reinvigorated the charts with groups harkening back to the 80s and 90s. Enter Icona Pop, a Swedish duo that teamed up with Charli XCX for this pop anthem. With a simple chorus and an infectious synth beat, the raw power of “I Love It” is undeniable. The free-spirited lyrics describe a post-breakup scenario in which someone takes back control of their life. Is it a feminist anthem or just a fun excuse to sing and shout? Either way, “I Love It” stands tall as a memorable dose of electronic adrenaline.

#6: “He Loves U Not” (2000)

Dream
The early aughts saw the apex of pop artists from NSYNC to Britney Spears. In the shadow of those megastars, girl group Dream capitalized on the signature sights and sounds of the era. An uncharacteristic piano begins this musical odyssey of beats courtesy of Bad Boy Records. The quartet sings about getting a boyfriend back from an untrustworthy friend. Some may argue that Dream doesn’t quite sell the heartbreak of the moment, but they do receive points for trying. Unable to redo their early success, Dream broke up in 2003 with a brief reunion in 2015. Now a relic of its era, “He Loves U Not” continues to be a testament to the glitter and glamor of 2000s pop.

#5: “Best Day of My Life” (2013)

American Authors
Call it indie folk or folk rock, but the 2010s saw an emergence of bands with acoustic and banjo inspired hits. American Authors were no different, riding the wave of the folk revival with their own set of sincere and extremely optimistic lyrics. The band wrote the “Best Day of My Life” as an open and earnest attempt at a feel-good pop song. It’s hard to say they failed, with the song receiving heavy radio play and shooting up the charts. Ultimately, it hit a common wall of over saturation and extensive use in commercials. Not without its fans, American Authors delivered an unironic sing-along that makes for a perfect entry on this list.

#4: “SHUT UP + DANCE” (2014)

Walk the Moon
Another in a list of peppy one-hit wonders, Cincinnati rock band Walk the Moon created a loud, contagious dance number. Inspired by the singer’s experience at a club, “Shut Up and Dance” sounds more suited for a wedding dance floor. Add a few “woo hoo’s” and a shoutable chorus and you’ve got a certifiable pop hit. “Shut Up and Dance” topped several charts with its new wave influences, accessible grooves, and inoffensive sound. The song took them through the talk show circuit and even got them a chance to perform with the likes of Taylor Swift. While Walk the Moon lives on, this song remains their unabashed calling card.

#3: “Butterfly” (2000)

Crazy Town
In the era of rap rock defined by Kid Rock and Limp Bizkit, Crazy Town delivered this cringey, but catchy tribute to the ladies. Sporting tattoos and frosted tips, these bad boys shot to stardom with a Red Hot Chili Peppers sample and a dream. As edgy and off-putting as the song seems now, there’s something about “Butterfly” that keeps us coming back. With a trippy blend of hip hop and rock, Crazy Town went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100. For better or worse, this multi-genre curiosity piece represents the highs and lows of the sub-genre.

#2: “Stacy’s Mom” (2003)

Fountains of Wayne
Mostly known for one song, Fountains of Wayne featured the Grammy-winning talents of Adam Schlesinger. Along with singer and co-writer Chris Collingwood, Schlesinger wrote this classic ode to attractive mothers everywhere. It’s a song about unrequited love with a questionable age difference that likely wouldn’t get written today. Not without its faults, “Stacy’s Mom” captures youthful innocence with all its trademark quirks. Though it didn't win the Grammy for Best Vocal Pop Performance, itt features hilarious lyrics that are so cheesy you can’t help but love them. Throw in an undeniable hook and you’ve got all the ingredients of another vintage one-hit wonder.

#1: “Who Let the Dogs Out” (2000)

Baha Men
Whether you were two or ninety-two, you remember singing this soca smash. Formed in the ‘70s, the Baha Men finally achieved stardom when a producer handed them a ready-made song at the end of the ‘90s. A cover of a song by the Trinidadian Anslem Douglas, “Who Let the Dogs Out” released in 2000 and even won a Grammy. Call it novelty or a cash grab, you can’t deny this track by the Bahamian junkanoo band is certified cheesy goodness. At the end of the day, there are few songs as energetic and free as “Who Let the Dogs Out.” Love it or hate it, the Baha Men claim a special place in our heart for beginning the decade in outrageous style.