14 Iconic One Hit Wonders Can You Guess Them From Just One Lyric
Remember those songs that ruled the radio for one glorious summer, then vanished like they were part of a witness protection program?
One-hit wonders gave us catchy hooks, unforgettable choruses, and lyrics that still pop into our heads at random moments.
Can you identify these iconic tracks from just a single line? Test your music memory and see how many of these chart-toppers you can name!
1. Come On Eileen by Dexys Midnight Runners
“Too-ra-loo-ra, too-ra-loo-rye-aye” might sound like gibberish, but it launched a thousand karaoke nights.
This 1982 smash hit topped charts across the globe and became the soundtrack to countless school dances.
The overalls-and-suspenders look the band rocked became just as iconic as the Celtic-tinged melody.
Though Dexys Midnight Runners tried releasing other tracks, nothing came close to Eileen’s magic.
If you hear those opening fiddle notes, you’re legally required to sing along.
Just saying, that’s the law of one-hit wonders.
2. My Sharona by The Knack
“M-m-m-my Sharona” exploded onto 1979 radio like a power-pop grenade.
That infectious guitar riff became instantly recognizable, and the song spent six weeks at number one.
The Knack looked like they’d be the next Beatles, but lightning rarely strikes the same band twice.
Sharona was actually a real person, the girlfriend of lead singer Doug Fieger.
The driving beat and catchy chorus made it impossible to ignore.
If you grew up in the late ’70s, this song is permanently burned into your brain.
3. Take On Me by a-ha
“I’ll be gone in a day or two” became one of the most recognizable lines in ’80s music history.
However, what really sealed the deal was that groundbreaking animated music video.
The Norwegian trio a-ha created a synth-pop masterpiece that showcased Morten Harket’s impossibly high vocals.
Though they remained popular in Europe, American audiences only remember this one perfect song.
The pencil-sketch animation mixed with live action was revolutionary for 1985.
That iconic keyboard intro still gets everyone pumped.
4. Mickey by Toni Basil
“Oh Mickey, you’re so fine, you’re so fine you blow my mind” launched a cheerleader revolution.
Toni Basil was actually a professional choreographer before this 1982 hit turned her into a pop star.
The pom-pom-filled video featured actual cheerleading routines that became instantly iconic.
Though she had a successful career behind the scenes, Mickey remained her only chart-topper.
The song’s infectious energy and simple lyrics made it a permanent fixture at sporting events.
Hey Mickey!
5. Video Killed the Radio Star by The Buggles
“Pictures came and broke your heart” became the prophetic anthem for a new era of music.
If you know anything about MTV history, you know this was the very first music video they ever played in 1981.
The Buggles created a synth-driven commentary on how technology changes art.
Ironically, this song about radio’s death became their only major radio hit.
The futuristic sound and clever lyrics captured the anxiety of the analog-to-digital transition perfectly.
Talk about meta!
6. Tainted Love by Soft Cell
“Sometimes I feel I’ve got to run away” kicked off one of the darkest synth-pop tracks of the ’80s.
Marc Almond’s haunting vocals turned this Gloria Jones cover into something completely different.
The 1981 version became a worldwide smash, spending 43 weeks on the UK charts.
Though Soft Cell had other UK hits, American audiences only embraced this moody masterpiece.
The synthesizer-heavy arrangement perfectly captured the new wave movement’s aesthetic.
Those opening notes still send shivers down spines everywhere.
7. 99 Luftballons by Nena
“Hast du etwas Zeit für mich” introduced most Americans to German-language pop music in 1983.
This anti-war anthem disguised as a bouncy pop song told the story of balloons mistaken for enemy aircraft.
Nena’s powerful vocals and the infectious melody transcended language barriers completely.
Though an English version called “99 Red Balloons” also charted, the German original remains more beloved.
The Cold War paranoia theme resonated deeply during the Reagan era.
Prove you’re cool by singing along in German!
8. I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) by The Proclaimers
“When I wake up, well I know I’m gonna be” started the most enthusiastic declaration of love ever recorded.
These Scottish twin brothers created an anthem about devotion that became impossible not to sing along to.
The 1988 track gained renewed popularity when it appeared in the 1993 film “Benny & Joon.”
Though The Proclaimers had success in the UK, American audiences only remember this foot-stomping classic.
That “Da Da Da” chorus has united drunk wedding guests for decades.
Seriously, try not singing along!
9. Mambo No. 5 by Lou Bega
“A little bit of Monica in my life” introduced us to Lou Bega’s impressive roster of lady friends.
This 1999 remake of Pérez Prado’s 1949 instrumental became a summer sensation worldwide.
The swing-influenced track brought Latin rhythms back to mainstream pop radio.
Lou Bega’s smooth delivery and the catchy name-dropping made it perfect for weddings and parties.
Though he released other music, nothing matched Mambo’s infectious energy.
If you attended any event in 1999, you heard this song minimum five times.
10. Tubthumping by Chumbawamba
“I get knocked down, but I get up again” became the anthem for resilience everywhere.
However, most people don’t know Chumbawamba was actually an anarchist punk collective before this 1997 hit.
The drinking song disguised as a motivational anthem dominated radio for months.
Though the band hated being reduced to one song, Tubthumping’s message resonated universally.
The chorus became shorthand for perseverance in sports, politics, and everyday life.
Nothing’s gonna keep you down after hearing this track!
11. Macarena by Los Del Río
“Dale a tu cuerpo alegría Macarena” sparked a dance craze that infected the entire planet.
These Spanish duo members were in their sixties when they accidentally created 1996’s biggest phenomenon.
The Bayside Boys remix transformed their flamenco-pop song into an unstoppable force.
If you attended any gathering in the mid-’90s, you did the Macarena dance whether you wanted to or not.
The song spent 14 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
Your body still remembers those moves, admit it!
12. Who Let the Dogs Out by Baha Men
“Who let the dogs out? Woof, woof, woof, woof, woof!” became the most annoying earworm of the millennium.
Though this 2000 Bahamian group’s party anthem drove some people absolutely bonkers, it became inescapable at sporting events.
The call-and-response structure made it perfect for crowd participation.
Despite winning a Grammy, Baha Men never replicated this song’s success.
The track’s origins are actually disputed, with multiple artists claiming they wrote it first.
You’re singing it right now, aren’t you?
13. Groove Is in the Heart by Deee-Lite
“The chills that you spill up my back keep me filled with satisfaction” introduced the world to Lady Miss Kier’s psychedelic fashion sense.
This 1990 dance-pop masterpiece featured funk legend Bootsy Collins and sampled Herbie Hancock.
The trippy music video showcased outrageous outfits and infectious choreography.
Though Deee-Lite released other albums, nothing matched this track’s cultural impact.
The song became a staple of ’90s nostalgia playlists and retro dance parties.
Pure disco-house perfection that still slaps!
14. Whoomp! (There It Is) by Tag Team
“Whoomp! There it is!” became the ultimate hype phrase for the entire 1990s.
This Atlanta duo’s 1993 bass-heavy party anthem dominated clubs, sporting events, and school dances everywhere.
The call-and-response structure made it perfect for getting crowds energized.
Tag Team never scored another major hit, but this track’s cultural footprint remains massive.
The song has been featured in countless movies, commercials, and TV shows.
If someone yells “Whoomp,” you automatically respond “There it is!” That’s just science.
