Fountains of Wayne shouldn’t be one hit wonders. For nearly two decades, they’ve released one infectiously catchy power-pop album after another, but only one has truly caught on: the excellent Welcome Interstate Managers, thanks to hit single “Stacy’s Mom.” It hit #21 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2003 and went on to sell over 500,000 copies, or more than the New Jersey band’s first two albums combined. No other song of theirs has popped up in the Hot 100 since, so technically, yes, they’re one hit wonders, even though they deserve SO much better than that derogatory designation.
Unlike these 10 bands and artists (all of whom appear on VH1’s DEFINITIVE list). They’re lumped into the one hit wonder category, but they actually had more than a lone single reach the top-40, which is my arbitrary cutoff for a legitimate “hit.” Sorry, Fat Mac. Fountains of Wayne is better than all of ’em, but technically, these acts are more popular, even if only for a brief, unfortunate time in music history.
A-Ha
The one hit: “Take On Me” (#1)
The other hit: “The Sun Always Shines on TV” (#20)
Aqua
The one hit: “Barbie Girl” (#7)
The other hit: “Lollipop (Candyman)” (#23)
EMF
The one hit: “Unbelievable” (#1)
The other hit: “Lies” (#18)
Men Without Hats
The one hit: “The Safety Dance” (#3)
The other hit: “Pop Goes the World” (#20)
Quiet Riot
The one hit: “Cum on Feel the Noize” (#5)
The other hit: “Bang Your Head (Metal Health)” (#31)
Ratt
The one hit: “Round and Round” (#12)
The other hit: “Lay It Down” (#40)
Stacey Q
The one hit: “Two of Hearts” (#3)
The other hit: “We Connect” (#35)
Tommy Tutone
The one hit: “867-5309/Jenny” (#4)
The other hit: “Angel Say No” (#38)
Vanilla Ice
The one hit: “Ice Ice Baby” (#1)
The other hit: “Play That Funky Music” (#4)
Young MC
The one hit: “Bust a Move” (#7)
The other hit: “Principal’s Office” (#33)
Via Rate Your Music
