Everyone loves a one-hit wonder, and there have been some real greats over the years. But which are the most memorable, moving or just downright annoying? Here are five of the best one-hit wonders through the decades.
1. Macarena, Los Del Rio
There can be no discussion of one-hit wonders without a mention of Macarena. The incredibly catchy song released by Spanish group Los Del Rio in 1993 became a massive hit across the world, starting off in Spain and Latin America and spreading to the USA in 1996 when a remix by the Bayside Boys with English lyrics was released. It broke records in the USA by staying at number one for an incredible 14 weeks, and it even came with its own dance.
2. Come on Eileen, Dexys Midnight Runners
'Come on Eileen' spent four weeks at number one in the UK in 1982, but it is only really considered a true one-hit wonder in the USA because Dexys Midnight Runners had already scored a number-one hit in 1980 with 'Geno'. In the USA is is also remembered for preventing Michael Jackson from enjoying two number-one hits in a row (for 'Billie Jean' and 'Beat It').
3. It's Raining Men, The Weather Girls
After being passed up by a number of other artists, including Diana Ross and Cher, 'It's Raining Men' was given to Martha Wash and Izora Armstead, AKA The Weather Girls, and they released it in 1982. It reached number one in many countries, and they have since sold over six million copies across the world. It saw further success in 2001 when it was covered by Geri Halliwell, showing the lasting popularity of the song.
4. Mambo No. 5, Lou Bega
After it was released in 1999 by Lou Bega, 'Mambo No. 5' reached number one in lots of countries across the world, including in France where it held the top spot for a record 20 weeks. The catchy tune was in fact a cover of the original song in 1949 by Pérez Prado, but it is Lou Bega who struck gold with it, despite never reaching such heights again.
5. I'm Too Sexy, Right Said Fred
Even though they did well with other songs in the UK, including 'Deeply Dippy' which got to number one in 1992, Right Said Fred are known in the USA as a one-hit wonder due to the success of this tune when in 1992 it got to number one in the USA for three weeks. In the UK it holds the record for spending the most time at number two without ever getting to number one (six weeks).
Enjoy Your Favourite One-Hit Wonders on CD
If you bought any of these one-hit wonders when they came out then there's a chance you've got them on a tape cassette lying around the home somewhere. With cassette to CD conversion you can convert any tapes into CD format, so you might want to consider this for your one-hit wonders or any other tapes you have.
Remember that tapes don't last as long as CDs and if you don't back up your music into digital format you can lose it. So if you want to look after your favourite one-hit wonders then think about converting your music from cassette to CD format.
1. Macarena, Los Del Rio
There can be no discussion of one-hit wonders without a mention of Macarena. The incredibly catchy song released by Spanish group Los Del Rio in 1993 became a massive hit across the world, starting off in Spain and Latin America and spreading to the USA in 1996 when a remix by the Bayside Boys with English lyrics was released. It broke records in the USA by staying at number one for an incredible 14 weeks, and it even came with its own dance.
2. Come on Eileen, Dexys Midnight Runners
'Come on Eileen' spent four weeks at number one in the UK in 1982, but it is only really considered a true one-hit wonder in the USA because Dexys Midnight Runners had already scored a number-one hit in 1980 with 'Geno'. In the USA is is also remembered for preventing Michael Jackson from enjoying two number-one hits in a row (for 'Billie Jean' and 'Beat It').
3. It's Raining Men, The Weather Girls
After being passed up by a number of other artists, including Diana Ross and Cher, 'It's Raining Men' was given to Martha Wash and Izora Armstead, AKA The Weather Girls, and they released it in 1982. It reached number one in many countries, and they have since sold over six million copies across the world. It saw further success in 2001 when it was covered by Geri Halliwell, showing the lasting popularity of the song.
4. Mambo No. 5, Lou Bega
After it was released in 1999 by Lou Bega, 'Mambo No. 5' reached number one in lots of countries across the world, including in France where it held the top spot for a record 20 weeks. The catchy tune was in fact a cover of the original song in 1949 by Pérez Prado, but it is Lou Bega who struck gold with it, despite never reaching such heights again.
5. I'm Too Sexy, Right Said Fred
Even though they did well with other songs in the UK, including 'Deeply Dippy' which got to number one in 1992, Right Said Fred are known in the USA as a one-hit wonder due to the success of this tune when in 1992 it got to number one in the USA for three weeks. In the UK it holds the record for spending the most time at number two without ever getting to number one (six weeks).
Enjoy Your Favourite One-Hit Wonders on CD
If you bought any of these one-hit wonders when they came out then there's a chance you've got them on a tape cassette lying around the home somewhere. With cassette to CD conversion you can convert any tapes into CD format, so you might want to consider this for your one-hit wonders or any other tapes you have.
Remember that tapes don't last as long as CDs and if you don't back up your music into digital format you can lose it. So if you want to look after your favourite one-hit wonders then think about converting your music from cassette to CD format.
Vinyl to Digital is the UK's only audio & video conversion service. Vinyl to Digital is based in Birmingham, West Midlands and provides audio and video conversion services to the whole of the UK.
