Top 10 Recent One Hit Wonders

Top 10 Recent One-Hit Wonders

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today were counting down our picks for the best one-hit wonder tracks from 2015 to the present. These artists have only one notable hit and/or theyre only known for one song in particular.

Oliver Anthony

Its not often that a song goes viral for its message. No matter how you felt about it, Rich Men North of Richmond clearly had a hold on certain American audiences. Oliver Anthony entered the conversation in a flurry of attention, heated debates, and scrutiny. Both sides of the political aisle offered up their opinions, while the artist himself remained fiercely independent about his message. The straightforward sounds and guitar playing bring out the country flair. Rather than making it a big production, this self-released track is filled with the kind of authenticity you cant buy. Its also rare that a relative unknown becomes a star so fast.

CJ

Embracing the drill genre, CJ delivered this exciting song. It was released on his EP Loyalty Over Royalty. Reaching the top 10 on the Hot 100, this multi-platinum track gave audiences a jolt in the early 2020s. Whoopty is his only charting single so far, but its obviously an entertaining one. You cant forget his lyrics either when you hear him mention blue cheese. All in all, you can tell why people fell in love with his energy and intense vocals. While hes been working with the likes of French Montana, he hasnt yet escaped the shadow of this hit.

Arizona Zervas

In all his pop rap glory, Arizona Zervas emerged in the late 2010s. Roxanne is the track that put him on the map and helped earn him a chance at Columbia Records. While its not The Police song, the laidback beat carries its own engaging rhythms. Zervas had TikTok and Spotify to thank for some of his fame. Both platforms elevated his presence in the music scene, helping the young artist breakthrough. The music itself makes you want to sing along and move to the trap beat. Releasing his first studio album in 2023, the rapper still has yet to deliver another tune to top himself.

Paul Russell

Cracking the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100, Paul Russell brought back the power of disco. The track feels both like a throwback and a modern tune. Sampling Best of My Love by The Emotions, the song has an upbeat vibe anybody can love. Russell also throws in some fun-loving lyrics to enhance the music. Getting huge on TikTok, the single soared on the charts and even appeared in blockbusters like A Minecraft Movie. The singer also got to open for Meghan Trainor on her 2024 tour. If he can find that kind of nostalgic magic again, he might be able to break the one-hit wonder curse.

Tones and I

If you love electropop, you could do a lot worse than Dance Monkey. Tones and I went to number one on all kinds of international charts. With a strong vocal performance, the artist asserts herself in a slick production. Her efforts also resonated with a global audience. This might be because of the cool beat or the easy-to-remember lyrics, but either way it clearly struck a chord. She went from a street musician to an international sensation in a few short years. The Australian might have charted on other singles, but her subsequent releases havent endured in the same way.

Jvke

For this viral hit, Jvke became a much bigger star in the 2020s. He reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 with this pop track. Golden Hour mixes more mainstream sounds with a few classical flourishes. Theres an incredible piano part at the center of it all, providing the foundation for some beautiful melodies. The singer also shows off his powerful voice, building to a fantastic and vibrant chorus. These kinds of inventive elements shook up TikTok in 2022. With interest from both American and global audiences, the artist created a ballad for listeners everywhere to love. Hes since worked with the likes of Nick Jones and Tori Kelly, but nothing quite hits like this one.

Steve Lacy

Even before this song, Steve Lacy was associated with all kinds of icons. He worked with everyone from Frank Ocean to Kendrick Lamar. Following work with the band The Internet, he cultivated his own solo career that includes two albums. His second record Gemini Rights was his biggest individual success. It included the multi-genre hit Bad Habit, taking Lacy to another level of attention. The single defies an easy label with its awesome hook and compelling lyrics. He mixes psychedelic styles with R&B and pop, easing the audience into something special. No matter what else he does, hell always have this chart topper to be remembered by.

Gayle

With this top-ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100, Gayle became a new artist to watch in the 2020s. Her catchy single ABCDEFU features some clever lyrics that are instantly memorable. Getting a boost from platforms like TikTok, the song went viral around the world. The musician was even Grammy-nominated for her work. It features a pop hook mixed with some rock and punk influences, making it accessible to an even wider audience. Shes had other great opportunities as a writer and performer, including a spot on the Barbie movie soundtrack. The singer clearly has enough talent to defy the one-hit wonder label.

Desiigner

Some music can hypnotize you in seconds. In the case of Desiigners Panda, the artist utilizes his skill set to maximum effect. His 2015 release represents the greatness and diverse sounds of trap. As a hit single, it went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts. You dont even need to know what hes saying to enjoy the vibe. After being sampled by Kanye West, the track took on another life as a piece of recent music history. The rapper had moderate success with his song Tiimmy Turner, but it didnt resonate in the way this one does.

Portugal. The Man

Its the beat and groove that drives you mad. Feel It Still is the infectious song that shook up 2017 and beyond, but also made stars out of Portugal. The Man. Their hit became the talk of the late 2010s as it appeared in everything from the Billboard charts to commercials. The Grammy-winning tune is easily their most notable to date. Featured on their album Woodstock, the group enjoyed some popularity before releasing a less successful follow-up. Their ninth record Chris Black Changed My Life features some cool collaborations, but it failed to chart in the U.S. Theres always a chance their blend of alternative and psychedelic styles will get them another big single.

Did we forget another one-hit wonder from the last decade? Let us know in the comments below.