It’s funny how some songs just stick with us. You might be driving around listening to the radio when a song pops up that immediately brings you back to a specific time. Usually, these songs are by one-hit wonders: artists who had one enormous song but didn’t become famous after that.

What did these musicians do after their moment in the spotlight? Were they only known for one song or did they keep creating music away from the mainstream? Let’s get nostalgic and see what happened to some of these artists.

The Truth about One-Hit Wonders

First, we should talk about what the name means. Someone is called a one-hit wonder usually because they had one song in the top charts, about the top 40, but never had similar success again. This can be misleading, though. Many of these artists did well before or after their hit song, whether they were succeeding in smaller ways, working behind the scenes, or doing totally different things.

Being a one-hit wonder is more about what people remember than what is real. Regular listeners might not know all the niche albums, but that doesn’t mean the artists stopped creating.

Examples of One-Hit Wonders and What They Did

1. Toni Basil – “Mickey” (1982)

Toni Basil’s “Mickey”, with its cheerleading vibe and pop sound, used to be everywhere. Even though she’s known for this one song, Basil was already a great dancer, choreographer, and actress. After her hit song, she went back to doing choreography, working with people like David Bowie and Tina Turner. Today, she is known as a pioneer in street dance culture, proving she can do much more than one viral song.

2. Vanilla Ice – “Ice Ice Baby” (1990)

“Ice Ice Baby” was the very first hip-hop song to hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 list. Suddenly, everyone knew Vanilla Ice. His career quickly cooled off. He didn’t just disappear, he became a reality TV person, a home renovation host, and a performer on nostalgic tours. Whether you love him or make fun of him, he’s managed to stay relevant.

3. Gotye – “Somebody That I used to Know” (2011)

“Somebody That I Used to Know” is a song about heartbreak. The song made Gotye famous and won Grammys, with Kimbra. He went back to his independent art, focusing on experimental music and his band called The Basics. He also saves old electronic music stuff. He was happy with one hit and continues to create music, just not the songs pop radio wants.

4. Los del Río – “Macarena” (1995)

You can’t remember the ‘90s without thinking about the “Macarena” dance. Los del Río, the Spanish duo that created it, already had a long career in Latin music. They were well-known in Spain and Latin America. In the U.S. everyone knew them only because of their dance song.

5. A-ha – “Take On Me” (1985)

This is a tricky one. People in the U.S. call A-ha a one-hit wonder, but they are still popular in Europe. “Take On Me” is very recognizable, but it shows how different places view someone as a one-hit wonder. In Norway, they are legends. 

What Happens After That One Big Song?

A lot of artists famous for just one song switch gears completely. Some become music teachers, work as behind-the-scenes producers, or try acting. Others leave the entertainment world to find something more secure than being in the spotlight. For instance:

Dexys Midnight Runners, famous for “Come On Eileen,” juggled band members over the years, but kept playing gigs and putting out albums.

Fountains of Wayne, mostly known for “Stacy’s Mom,” actually had a solid fanbase and got good reviews way before their big hit. Sadly, Adam Schlesinger, a key member, died in 2020, but he left an amazing collection of music behind.

Basically, that one song can often become just a small part of their bigger career story.

Why We Still Love These Songs

It’s cool to check back in with artists only known for that one song because it makes us feel good. Those songs freeze a moment in time — like dances in school, vacations in the summer, or those wedding parties that feel awkward. Unlike bands that have a ton of songs, these one-hit wonders capture the vibe of a whole time period with just one song.

Social media and streaming made it even easier to find those songs again. a trend can make an old song popular again, sending it back up the charts decades later. Just see how Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” got popular again a bit back — and Fleetwood Mac are not a one-hit wonder, it shows how online trends can bring back old songs we forgot about. If you are a one-hit wonder, this comeback can be both a great thing and a way to connect again with new fans.

What Lasts

So, where did they all go? Well, everywhere, really. Some are still playing shows on those throwback tours, some are doing their own thing making weird music, and some are chilling living normal lives out of the spotlight. Some find themselves back in the spotlight every few years when their big hit starts being played again.

Being called a one-hit wonder may sound like it doesn’t last, but those songs — and the people who made them — really do leave a mark. Their other songs might have stopped being played, and people might have forgotten who they were, but one thing is true: their song was a moment in history.

And maybe that is as good as it gets. You don’t need tons of hits for people to remember you. All you need is that one song — that perfect moment — to have your name stick in pop culture forever.