At one time, at least in theory, the music industry offered the chance for anyone to be a star. That was the premise for the movie “That Thing You Do,” about a fictional American band in the 1960s that records what turns out to be its only hit. The group’s name, fittingly, is The Wonders. Then there are the real one-hit wonders.
To determine the biggest one-hit wonders of all time, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data on historical song performance on the Billboard Hot 100. Songs released from 1975 to 2017 that reached No. 1 were ranked based on the total number of weeks spent in the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100. Billboard Hot 100 data is current through Nov. 19, 2022. Data on certified album sales came from the Recording Industry Association of America.
Additionally, artists must have charted on the Top 40 no more than twice, either as individual artists or by featuring on another artist’s song, and must have sold fewer than five million albums in the United States throughout their careers, not including singles. Several of the artists on this list – among them Gloria Gaynor and Captain & Tennille – may have charted other hits, but did not meet these criteria. (Here are some famous musicians who never topped the Billboard Hot 100.)
Of the 50 one-hit wonders on the list,16 were released in the 1970s. Many of the hits were propelled by the meteoric rise of disco and its danceable music. Some of those songs are still played on oldies stations such as Gaynor’s defiant anthem “I Will Survive,” Wild Cherry’s “Play That Funky Music,” and “Boogie Oogie Oogie” by A Taste of Honey.
Other songs from the era were gimmicky, such as the techno Euro-pop song “Pop Muzik” by M., while others were forgettable – for instance the satirical “Disco Duck (Part I)” by radio personality Rick Dees & His Cast Of Idiots and the salacious “Afternoon Delight” by Starland Vocal Band. (You might be surprised at some of the biggest one-hit wonders who are still making music.)
Click here to learn about the biggest one-hit wonders of all time
The 1980s and 2000s each place 12 songs on the list. The advent of MTV raised the exposure for singles and extended their presence on playlists. Songs such as “Maniac” by Michael Sembello and “(I’ve Had) the Time of My Life” by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes were boosted by appearing in motion pictures – 1983’s “Flashdance” and 1987’s “Dirty Dancing,” respectively.
In recent years, Billboard has changed its tracking methodology to account for new ways people listen to music by incorporating streaming data. Nine of the 10 songs with the longest staying power are from the 21st century.
Source: Rachel Murray / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
50. “Harlem Shake” by Baauer
> Time in Top 40: 13 weeks
> Entered charts: March 2, 2013
> Left charts: July 13, 2013
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49. “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin
> Time in Top 40: 13 weeks
> Entered charts: July 30, 1988
> Left charts: Jan. 21, 1989
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
48. “When I’m With You” by Sheriff
> Time in Top 40: 13 weeks
> Entered charts: May 14, 1983
> Left charts: April 15, 1989
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
47. “Afternoon Delight” by Starland Vocal Band
> Time in Top 40: 14 weeks
> Entered charts: May 8, 1976
> Left charts: Sept. 18, 1976
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Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
46. “La Bamba” by Los Lobos
> Time in Top 40: 14 weeks
> Entered charts: June 27, 1987
> Left charts: Nov. 14, 1987
Source: Fin Costello / Redferns via Getty Images
45. “Come on Eileen” by Dexys Midnight Runners
> Time in Top 40: 14 weeks
> Entered charts: Jan. 22, 1983
> Left charts: June 25, 1983
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Source: Courtesy of Rhino Entertainment
44. “At This Moment” by Billy Vera & The Beaters
> Time in Top 40: 15 weeks
> Entered charts: Nov. 8, 1986
> Left charts: March 28, 1987
43. “Ring My Bell” by Anita Ward
> Time in Top 40: 15 weeks
> Entered charts: May 12, 1979
> Left charts: Sept. 29, 1979
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Stringer / / Getty Images
42. “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” by Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes
> Time in Top 40: 15 weeks
> Entered charts: Sept. 26, 1987
> Left charts: Feb. 13, 1988
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Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
41. “Funkytown” by Lipps, Inc.
> Time in Top 40: 15 weeks
> Entered charts: March 29, 1980
> Left charts: Aug. 30, 1980
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
40. “Black Velvet” by Alannah Myles
> Time in Top 40: 15 weeks
> Entered charts: Jan. 6, 1990
> Left charts: June 16, 1990
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Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
39. “Take on Me” by a-ha
> Time in Top 40: 15 weeks
> Entered charts: July 13, 1985
> Left charts: Jan. 11, 1986
Source: David Redfern / Redferns via Getty Images
38. “Shake You Down” by Gregory Abbott
> Time in Top 40: 16 weeks
> Entered charts: Oct. 18, 1986
> Left charts: March 14, 1987
Source: Jamie McCarthy / Staff / Getty Images Entertainment
37. “How Do You Talk to an Angel” by The Heights
> Time in Top 40: 16 weeks
> Entered charts: Oct. 3, 1992
> Left charts: Feb. 13, 1993
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Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
36. “Maniac” by Michael Sembello
> Time in Top 40: 16 weeks
> Entered charts: June 4, 1983
> Left charts: Oct. 29, 1983
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Stringer / Getty Images
35. “Torn Between Two Lovers” by Mary Macgregor
> Time in Top 40: 16 weeks
> Entered charts: Nov. 20, 1976
> Left charts: April 16, 1977
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Source: Fin Costello / Redferns via Getty Images
34. “Love Will Keep Us Together” by Captain & Tennille
> Time in Top 40: 16 weeks
> Entered charts: April 19, 1975
> Left charts: Sept. 20, 1975
33. “Unbelievable” by EMF
> Time in Top 40: 16 weeks
> Entered charts: April 13, 1991
> Left charts: Sept. 14, 1991
32. “One More Try” by Timmy T.
> Time in Top 40: 16 weeks
> Entered charts: Dec. 22, 1990
> Left charts: June 8, 1991
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Source: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin / Contributor / Getty Images
31. “Disco Duck (Part I)” by Rick Dees & His Cast of Idiots
> Time in Top 40: 16 weeks
> Entered charts: Aug. 14, 1976
> Left charts: Jan. 29, 1977
Source: Ginny Winn / Contributor / Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images
30. “Undercover Angel” by Alan O’Day
> Time in Top 40: 17 weeks
> Entered charts: April 2, 1977
> Left charts: Sept. 17, 1977
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Source: Alexander Hassenstein / Bongarts via Getty Images
29. “I’m Too Sexy” by Right Said Fred
> Time in Top 40: 17 weeks
> Entered charts: Dec. 21, 1991
> Left charts: May 9, 1992
28. “More Than Words” by Extreme
> Time in Top 40: 17 weeks
> Entered charts: March 23, 1991
> Left charts: Aug. 31, 1991
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
27. “Boogie Oogie Oogie” by A Taste of Honey
> Time in Top 40: 17 weeks
> Entered charts: June 24, 1978
> Left charts: Nov. 25, 1978
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Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
26. “Don’t Leave Me This Way” by Thelma Houston
> Time in Top 40: 17 weeks
> Entered charts: Dec. 18, 1976
> Left charts: May 28, 1977
Source: Mickey Bernal / Contributor / Getty Images Entertainment
25. “Kiss You All Over” by Exile
> Time in Top 40: 17 weeks
> Entered charts: July 8, 1978
> Left charts: Dec. 9, 1978
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Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
24. “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor
> Time in Top 40: 17 weeks
> Entered charts: Dec. 16, 1978
> Left charts: June 16, 1979
Source: Scott Gries / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
23. “This Is Why I’m Hot” by Mims
> Time in Top 40: 18 weeks
> Entered charts: Feb. 3, 2007
> Left charts: July 7, 2007
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
22. “Play That Funky Music” by Wild Cherry
> Time in Top 40: 18 weeks
> Entered charts: June 19, 1976
> Left charts: Dec. 4, 1976
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21. “Butterfly” by Crazy Town
> Time in Top 40: 18 weeks
> Entered charts: Jan. 6, 2001
> Left charts: June 9, 2001
Source: Angela Weiss / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
20. “Mickey” by Toni Basil
> Time in Top 40: 18 weeks
> Entered charts: Sept. 4, 1982
> Left charts: March 5, 1983
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Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
19. “You Don’t Have to Be a Star (To Be in My Show)” by Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr.
> Time in Top 40: 18 weeks
> Entered charts: Sept. 11, 1976
> Left charts: March 5, 1977
Source: via Facebook / courtesy of Nick Gilder
18. “Hot Child in the City” by Nick Gilder
> Time in Top 40: 18 weeks
> Entered charts: June 10, 1978
> Left charts: Jan. 6, 1979
Source: Courtesy of Patti Austin Music via Facebook
17. “Baby, Come to Me” by Patti Austin – A Duet With James Ingram
> Time in Top 40: 18 weeks
> Entered charts: April 24, 1982
> Left charts: April 23, 1983
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Source: ipopba / Getty Images
16. “Pop Muzik” by M
> Time in Top 40: 20 weeks
> Entered charts: Aug. 11, 1979
> Left charts: Jan. 19, 1980
Source: Johnny Nunez / Getty Images
15. “Laffy” by D4L
> Time in Top 40: 20 weeks
> Entered charts: Oct. 1, 2005
> Left charts: March 25, 2006
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Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
14. “You Light Up My Life” by Debby Boone
> Time in Top 40: 21 weeks
> Entered charts: Sept. 3, 1977
> Left charts: Feb. 18, 1978
Source: Courtesy of Amazon
13. “A Fifth of Beethoven” by Walter Murphy & The Big Apple Band
> Time in Top 40: 22 weeks
> Entered charts: May 29, 1976
> Left charts: Dec. 4, 1976
Source: Mike Cameron / Getty Images
12. “Here Comes The Hotstepper (From “Ready To Wear”)” by Ini Kamoze
> Time in Top 40: 23 weeks
> Entered charts: Sept. 17, 1994
> Left charts: April 8, 1995
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Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
11. “Baby Got Back” by Sir Mix-A-Lot
> Time in Top 40: 24 weeks
> Entered charts: April 11, 1992
> Left charts: Oct. 17, 1992
Source: Raymond Boyd / Contributor / Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images
10. “Lately” by Divine
> Time in Top 40: 25 weeks
> Entered charts: Sept. 12, 1998
> Left charts: March 13, 1999
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Source: Christopher Polk / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
9. “Fireflies” by Owl City
> Time in Top 40: 25 weeks
> Entered charts: Sept. 5, 2009
> Left charts: April 3, 2010
Source: Scott Gries / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
8. “Lean Back” by Terror Squad
> Time in Top 40: 27 weeks
> Entered charts: June 26, 2004
> Left charts: Jan. 22, 2005
Source: Vince Bucci / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
7. “Bad Day” by Daniel Powter
> Time in Top 40: 27 weeks
> Entered charts: Feb. 25, 2006
> Left charts: Sept. 30, 2006
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Source: Frazer Harrison / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
6. “Cheerleader” by OMI
> Time in Top 40: 27 weeks
> Entered charts: May 9, 2015
> Left charts: Jan. 2, 2016
Source: Juan Aguado / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
5. “You’re Beautiful” by James Blunt
> Time in Top 40: 29 weeks
> Entered charts: Nov. 12, 2005
> Left charts: July 29, 2006
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4. “Rude” by MAGIC!
> Time in Top 40: 33 weeks
> Entered charts: May 10, 2014
> Left charts: Feb. 14, 2015
Source: Rick Diamond / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
3. “Everything You Want” by Vertical Horizon
> Time in Top 40: 34 weeks
> Entered charts: Jan. 22, 2000
> Left charts: Oct. 28, 2000
Source: Gustavo Caballero / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
2. “Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)” by Los Del Rio
> Time in Top 40: 37 weeks
> Entered charts: Sept. 2, 1995
> Left charts: Feb. 8, 1997
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Source: Jason Merritt / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
1. “Somebody That I Used To Know” by Gotye featuring Kimbra
> Time in Top 40: 44 weeks
> Entered charts: Jan. 21, 2012
> Left charts: March 2, 2013
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