Top 10 One Hit Wonders That Broke The Internet
#10: “Feel It Still” (2017)
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Portugal. The Man After over a decade of trying, Portugal. The Man unleashed this catchy track upon the world in 2017 and finally broke through to the mainstream. Full of fun rhythms and heavily inspired by Motown, this funky hit is a charming and massively popular song. It was also the soundtrack to commercials, television, and films that helped spread it around the internet and beyond. On top of being a huge single on the international charts, "Feel It Still" also won a Grammy for "Best Pop Duo/Group Performance." The group hasn't yet delivered another big musical statement, but "Feel It Still" still remains a perfect encapsulation of late 2010s music.
#9: “Tuesday” (2014)
iLoveMakonnen feat. Drake This hip-hop track officially turned "Tuesday" into the next great day of the week. Rapper iLoveMakonnen released the original song that was later given a popular remix by Drake in a memorable 2014 hit. With a popular music video that reached millions of views on YouTube, the single also received positive reviews that embraced its fun vibes. His inviting delivery also separated him from the other mainstream emcees of his day. Getting some extra help from the Canadian emcee, the artist had his moment in the sun and lived it to the fullest. While Drake went on to further fame and major releases, iLoveMakonnen didn't return with another platinum single. And Silento (#6) on Dawn’s “Dessert,” which again was not a significant chart hit (#68 US) but was certified platinum.
#8: “Friday” (2011)
Rebecca Black Rebecca Black's YouTube smash makes for one of the more entertaining viral hits in the website's history. Whether you love it or love to hate it, this popular track provided a bright spot for the early 2010s. Black's vocals and the colorful lyrics were criticized for being somewhat half-baked to say the least. As the dust settled on its initial success, the magic of "Friday" continued on as an internet legend. Millions of viewers tuned in to this video to either laugh or sing along ironically with this shameless piece. Even if she didn't deserve some of the harsh reviews, the teenage singer achieved much more fame than most hard-working adults ever do.
#7: “Harlem Shake” (2012)
Baauer The electronic dance track had its own life in the clubs, but the song really took off with a viral internet meme. YouTube channels like DizastaMusic capitalized on the Baaeur’s drop and infused some dramatic editing and dance moves. An endless array of content creators followed suit, upping the original premise with stellar reproductions of the same idea. The added spotlight pushed the trap song to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and received the opportunity to provide music for several films in the 2010s. Next to the single's cultural popularity, Baauer's bass parts still hold up as a great way to get any party going.
#6: “Watch Me” (2015)
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Silentó With its unforgettable hook, the song "Watch Me" had its own moment in pop culture history. Combining some killer dance moves and a great hook, Silentó emerged with a hip-hop song that really got people on the dance floor. It's so effortlessly catchy that it spawned many adoring fans that recreated the "Whip" and "Nae Nae." Reaching three on the Hot 100, the artist took the digital world by storm by introducing those moves to the world. The Georgia rapper helped make the snap genre sing with his vibrant performance. With pending legal troubles threatening his career, the future remains uncertain for another viral declaration from Silentó.
#5: “Days Go By” (2001)
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Dirty Vegas Dirty Vegas’ debut single “Days Go By” was an unlikely contender in the early 2000s music scene. The Grammy-winning dance track garnered notice for its engaging electronic production, as well as for featuring some fantastic breakdance moves. It also received an additional boost from its use in a Mitsubishi car commercial in 2003. Predating modern and viral marketing campaigns, the song found a new audience that helped turn it into a sleeper hit. While some of their other releases got some recognition on the dance charts, their first single and self-titled album remain their most well-known work.
#4: “The Fox (What Does The Fox Say?)” (2013)
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Ylvis At one point in time, almost everybody listened to “The Fox (What Does The Fox Say?)” by Ylvis. Some people forget that the song originated as a novelty from the duo’s comedy program in Norway. Despite its playful beginnings, the track took on a life of its own as a genuine success story. The single and video made a significant impression on YouTube as people passed it around to friends, many of whom laughed at its absurd lyrics and vibrant energy. While the group might not release a fox follow up, their international acclaim to fame continues to put smiles on faces.
#3: “Panda” (2016)
Desiigner Halfway through the 2010s, rap music was looking to the internet for its next breakout star. The artist known as Desiigner emerged in that new wave with his song “Panda.” Both the trap beat and the rapper’s dynamic presence give the track a flair that catapulted it to high position on the charts. Next to a Grammy nomination, the piece got a further stamp of approval when Kanye West sampled it. Desiigner’s viral attention brought him major label opportunities, but he’s yet to top this inimitable statement. Its status among other contributions to the SoundCloud generation make sure that it won’t soon be forgotten.
#2: “You’re Beautiful” (2005)
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James Blunt In 2005, James Blunt scored a huge win with the number-one single “You’re Beautiful.” The song blends a real life story of heartbreak into a modern classic. With its growing popularity, the sentimental track also earned its fair share of critics. It still managed to grow online as just about anybody came to hear it during its initial run. While the accompanying video also did wonders for its viral release, it hasn't given him the extended success that every artist wants. Blunt himself even admitted that his piece became overplayed as he continued to perform it through the years.
#1: “Crank That (Soulja Boy)” (2007)
Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em The mid-2000s exist on a timeline separated by two eras: before and after “Crank That (Soulja Boy).” Delivered by the energetic performer, this hip-hop single took on a life of its own after hitting the worldwide web. The entertaining video helped sell the song and its iconic dance moves. For a brief period, everyone wanted to learn the moves and singalong with this track. Soulja Boy soared to number one on Billboard and achieved enough success to become a momentary superstar. The single didn’t start the YouTube craze, but certainly got people more interested in the potential for original music to make it big on the site.
