Top 10 Hit Songs By Artists You've Never Heard Of

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the unforgettable classics by artists who didn’t catch on.

#10: “Kung Fu Fighting” (1974)

Carl Douglas

This disco-novelty song was a huge hit for its original artist. In fact, it’s one of the best-selling singles of all time. But Carl Douglas, the songwriter and singer behind “Kung Fu Fighting,” has been all but forgotten, except when it comes to lists of one-hit wonders. Inspired by the martial arts movie craze popularized by Bruce Lee, Douglas’ song is a celebration of the art of kung fu. Though it took some time to catch on, it soon became a mainstay of the burgeoning disco club fad. While he never had another hit, Douglas’ vocal track has been used several times on covers of the song.

#9: “Unbelievable” (1990)

EMF

Even if you don’t know the rest of the song, its title and distinctive guitar riff was everywhere in the 90s and 2000s. If you experienced any media from that era, you’ve probably heard “Unbelievable.” A reliable needle drop for exciting moments, the song has been included on movie and TV soundtracks, trailers, multiple commercials, and on the loudspeakers at sporting events. However, EMF, the band behind it, didn’t achieve the same cultural significance. “Unbelievable” was their biggest hit. The band didn’t release an album of new material between 1995 and 2022.

#8: “Funkytown” (1980)

Lipps Inc.

This is one of those quintessential songs of the disco era. When you think of a song to define that time in music, “Funkytown” is top of the list. An international smash hit, the refrain “Won’t you take me to Funkytown?” is disco at its cheesiest and grooviest. The single was the most popular offering from the forgotten disco funk group Lipps Inc., a cheeky homophone of “lip sync.” The band had the misfortune of emerging right before the disco era came crashing down at the start of the 1980s. Their sound was out before they even had a real chance at continued success.

#7: “Don’t You Want Me” (1981)

The Human League

Like other songs on this list, this one has become more emblematic of a time and place than an individual artist’s work. Say the name “theHuman League” and even a voracious music lover might not know who you mean. Say the words “Don’t you want me, baby?” and suddenly, they are transported to the neon-soaked 1980s. This synthesizer-infused, dark, and edgy track is still a go-to karaoke duet even 4 decades on. The Human League still record and perform new music, although the lineup has changed significantly over the years. While they’ve maintained success in the U.K., their crossover success didn’t last very long.

#6: “Rock Me Amadeus” (1985)

Falco

Produced by famed Dutch producers, recorded by an Austrian artist, and written in German, “Rock Me Amadeus” is an international affair. It tells the story of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to a danceable 80s synth composition. As this synth-heavy pop song was never translated from its original language, the artist, Falco, made history. No other artist had ever scored a #1 hit in the U.S. with a German song. While he had more hits in Austria and other parts of Europe, his career in primarily English-speaking markets didn’t continue to grow.

#5: “This Is Why I’m Hot” (2006)

Mims

Some songs become so ubiquitous that they become an entity unto themselves, often eclipsing the musician who made them in the process. The phrase “This Is Why I’m Hot” alone conjures up a very specific pop culture era. Released in 2006, it was the debut single of New York City rapper Mims. The track exploded in popularity on the radio, the Billboard charts, and on the ringtone charts. Remember when people actually followed ringtone charts? Mims’ subsequent releases weren’t nearly as successful, and he left music a few years later. He’s since made a successful jump to the tech industry.

#4: “I’m Too Sexy” (1991)

Right Said Fred

It’s kind of ironic that the artist of this anthem of self-centeredness, superficiality, and narcissism is anonymous to so many people. British pop band Right Said Fred scored major chart success with “I’m Too Sexy.” Poking fun at self-absorbed male models, the lyrics are a half-mumbled series of straightforward, self-directed compliments. The song charted in several countries and Taylor Swift even worked portions of the song into “Look What You Made Me Do.” Its use in movies and TV have further expanded its profile. However, the band itself remains an oddity of culture. Right Said Fred still perform, although most people who do know them only recognize their single, culture-shifting hit.

#3: “My Sharona” (1979)

The Knack

A karaoke song if there ever was one, this power pop hit was given a new lease when it was featured in a prominent scene in the Gen X cult film, “Reality Bites.” But it was about 15 years old by that point. Still, “My Sharona” was a huge hit when first released. It’s a genre-straddling single by the Knack, an oft-forgotten band whose sporadic output didn’t help them step out from the shadow of their biggest hit. Allegedly written in 15 minutes, the song became a success almost immediately. Despite this, the Knack’s flirt with fame was almost as brief.

#2: “7 Years” (2015)

Lukas Graham

With its shameless sentimentality and earwormy chorus, “7 Years” didn’t win over critics, but it certainly made an impression on listeners all across the globe. The 2015 single went platinum in more than a dozen countries. However, the artist behind it has remained relatively lowkey. Some listeners might be shocked to learn that Lukas Graham is not one man but several. Lukas Graham is actually a Danish band anchored by Lukas Forchhammer and Mark Falgren. However, they don’t seem all that eager to chase fame, with lead singer Forchhammer insisting he felt no pressure to maintain that kind of exposure.

#1: “Cheerleader” (2012)

Omi

In 2012, this reggae track failed to gain any traction outside of Jamaica, where its artist is from. “Cheerleader” is a sweet song about the joy in finding a supportive partner. While the original track is great, it didn’t achieve massive success. Then, in 2014, German DJ and producer Felix Jaehn added a dance-friendly beat and a trumpet hook and sped up Omi’s vocal track, among other things. Suddenly, “Cheerleader” was a viral hit. The music video has reached over a billion views on YouTube. Omi’s subsequent tracks haven’t gained the traction of his first hit, but most artists never have the distinction of getting a platinum record. With “Cheerleader,” Omi went platinum in more than a dozen countries.

Do you love other songs by these underexposed artists? Leave a recommendation in the comments.