Top 10 One-Hit Wonders of 90's Pop
#9 Meredith Brooks - Bitch
This song may be considered tame now, but back when it was released in 1997, "Bitch" created some controversy due to its explicit title. The straight forward subject matter about the many facets of being a woman caught on, and it eventually reached #2 on the Billboard charts. In order to appease the more conservative crowd, the song had the alternative title "Nothing In Between." Brooks is still active as a singer/songwriter.
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10:
Hanson - MMMBop
Isaac, Taylor, and Zac make up the trio that we all know as Hanson. These three brothers hailing from Oklahoma ruled the airwaves in 1997 with "MMMBop." With a song that had a chorus that you couldn't get out of your head, it was hard to get away from the song during the height of its popularity. The bubble-gum pop nature of the song was the subject of much ridicule, but that didn't stop it from reaching #1 in 27 countries. While the brothers are actively making music and touring, they couldn't create another hit that achieved the success of "MMMBop."
9:
Meredith Brooks - Bitch
This song may be considered tame now, but back when it was released in 1997, "Bitch" created some controversy due to its explicit title. The straight forward subject matter about the many facets of being a woman caught on, and it eventually reached #2 on the Billboard charts. In order to appease the more conservative crowd, the song had the alternative title "Nothing In Between." Brooks is still active as a singer/songwriter.
8:
Divinyls - I Touch Myself
Finally, a song about the joy of self love. The subject matter of "I Touch Myself" was provocative, but it probably helped fuel its popularity on the Billboard charts (it peaked at #4). Back home in Australia, where The Divinyls are from, it reached #1. Unfortunately, The Divinyls couldn't top their first hit. They went on hiatus, and had a brief comeback, but eventually called it quits in 2009.
7:
The Proclaimers - I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)
This song by twins from Scotland was originally released in 1988 on The Proclaimers' second album. But in 1993, it was featured in the film Benny & Joon and was added to the movie's soundtrack. From there, this upbeat song about walking the ends of the earth (ok, 1000 miles) for friendship/love ended up peaking at #3 on the Billboard Charts. While a 1 hit wonder in the US, they had another hit back in the UK. The brothers are still actively making music.
6:
Marc Cohn - Walking In Memphis
This 1991 song about spiritual awakening earned Marc Cohn his one and only hit. Cohn's soulful voice and solid songwriting helped propel "Walking In Memphis" to #13 on the Billboard charts, and also earned Cohn the Grammy for Best New Artist in 1992. In 2005, Cohn was shot in the head as a result of a carjacking while performing in Denver. He survived the harrowing ordeal and is still making music.
5:
Haddaway - What Is Love?
Released in 1993, this Eurodance song from Trinidad-German singer Haddaway got people dancing immediately. The synth backbeats and pulsating rhythm were so catchy that in 1998, SNL featured the song in the memorable Roxbury Guys skits and movie, including the famous synchronized head-bopping. The song peaked at #11 on the Billboard charts, but reached the top spot in various other Asian and European countries. After this huge hit, Haddaway continued to release albums/songs, but none of them were as popular as "What Is Love?"
4:
Natalie Imbruglia - Torn
"Torn" was originally released in 1995 by Los Angeles based band Ednaswap. But it wasn't until two years later when Australian Natalie Imbruglia recorded it that it became a worldwide hit, earning Imbruglia a nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. In recent years, "Torn" came back to popularity in a viral video featuring comedian David Armand performing a mime routine to the song. In a later performance, Imbruglia joins the comedian on stage where they perform together. Imbruglia is currently in the studio working on her next album.
3:
Right Said Fred - I'm Too Sexy
British trio Right Said Fred released this dance hit in 1992. While the song portrays the lead singer as being vain, "I'm Too Sexy" is actually intended to mock the overly egotistical beautiful people of the world. "I'm Too Sexy" ended up being the only hit for Right Said Fred in the US (it topped the Billboard charts for 3 weeks), but the group continued to have success back home in Britain. They recently released an album earlier this year and continue to tour.
2:
Los Del Rio - Macarena
In 1995, this dance song by Spanish group Los Del Rio was accompanied by a dance that no one could get away from. It was so popular that even former Vice President Al Gore had his own version of the dance. "Macarena" was played at sporting events, conventions, and anywhere else where large groups of people gathered, and incited an immediate desire to start placing your arms out and gyrating your hips. This was the only hit by Los Del Rio, and they are no longer active as a group.
1:
New Radicals - You Get What You Give
"Fashion shoots with Beck and Hanson, Courtney Love and Marilyn Manson. You're all fakes run to your mansions, come around we'll kick your ass in." Bolstered by such provocative lyrics, "You Get What You Give" became a hit for the New Radicals in 1999. Unfortunately, the group quickly disbanded afterwards. Frontman Gregg Alexander moved on to songwriting, and won a Grammy in 2003 for "The Game of Love."
