One-hit wonder

In the music industry, a one-hit wonder is an artist who is generally known for only one hit single.

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Performers who are successful in one country or continent but who are known for only one song in another are usually considered one-hit wonders in the latter. Germany’s Nena, Europe’s Boney M, United Kingdom’s Frankie Goes to Hollywood and Canada’s Crash Test Dummies have each had considerable success in their homelands but are considered one-hit wonders in the United States.

Related Topics:
Germany - Nena - Europe - Boney M - United Kingdom - Frankie Goes to Hollywood - Canada - Crash Test Dummies - United States

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Similarly, some performers are considered one-hit wonders in general but have had considerable success within their respective genres. Celtic music singer Loreena McKennitt, heavy metal band Uriah Heep, and Christian rock group Jars of Clay are each stars within their respective genres but are known for only a single crossover hit each by the general public.

Related Topics:
Celtic music - Loreena McKennitt - Heavy metal - Uriah Heep - Christian rock - Jars of Clay - Crossover hit

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The term one-hit wonder does not, however, usually refer to performers who have had only limited success on the singles chart, but who are considered significant for other reasons, such as album sales, live concerts and influence on other musicians. Jimi Hendrix, Frank Zappa, Roxy Music, Lou Reed, Janis Joplin, The Grateful Dead, Iggy Pop, Beck and Radiohead have each had only one song in Billboard Magazine’s Top 40, yet none is considered a one-hit wonder.

Related Topics:
Album - Jimi Hendrix - Frank Zappa - Roxy Music - Lou Reed - Janis Joplin - The Grateful Dead - Iggy Pop - Beck - Radiohead - Billboard Magazine

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The term is also not applied to performers with a single hit as a solo artist but who built a reputation in a group, such as Steely Dan's Donald Fagen, The Lovin' Spoonful's John Sebastian or The Beach Boys' Brian Wilson. Alternatively, Derek & the Dominoes are not considered one-hit wonders because their sole hit, "Layla," is generally considered within the context of group leader Eric Clapton's career.

Related Topics:
Steely Dan - Donald Fagen - The Lovin' Spoonful - John Sebastian - The Beach Boys - Brian Wilson - Derek & the Dominoes - Layla - Eric Clapton

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By analogy, artists and bands (such as Golden Earring) who produce two major hits before fading into obscurity are sometimes called "two-hit wonders", but this term is not as commonly used.

Related Topics:
Analogy - Golden Earring

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