TOP 20 ONE HIT WONDERS OF THE '00s

[@gingerninga3004]

Watching as UK music fan I’m always surprised that bands like Travis and Franz Ferdinand are considered one hit wonders in the US as they’re really successful and well respected still to this day in the UK with good albums and big crowds

[@toocarcrazy]

It's because they aren't . Half of these were not one-hit-wonders.

[@SoulShines4Music]

The music market is simply too over saturated in the US. A British or European singer, band or group not only needs to be *really* talented to make any firm and lasting impression in the States but marketing and touring also play a huge role. Take British singer Robbie Williams for example. I know he had a lot of hits in the UK and Europe and was incredibly popular in the late 90s and early 00s. However in the US and Canada he wasn't too well known for the simple fact that Williams didn't take the time to tour or market himself to North American audiences. Williams has stated that this was a very conscious decision on his behalf as he was content to be a hit in his own home country (UK) and in Europe and chose to focus his time and energy promoting himself there. The same can also be said for Kylie Minogue who was also a huge hit in the UK, Europe and Australia but only had two hit songs in North America, one in 1987 (Locomotion) and one in 2001 (Can't Get You Out of My Head). There are a ton of other British and European artists, bands and groups with similar experiences. It doesn't mean that these artists and bands aren't great in their own right, it's just incredibly hard to break into and then stay relevant in the American music scene when the competition from homegrown American talent is so fierce.

[@GeneFJacket]

To this day it kills me how criminally underheard and underappreciated Travis are in the US.

[@SoulShines4Music]

@@toocarcrazy - That depends entirely on where you live.

[@thedudemkii5381]

yeah I'm not from the uk but I can swear travis were massive and had a good handful of fairly big hits (edit: la roux as well they had some hits didn't they)

[@user-xt9vs7xi8g]

The singer from Nine Days (story of a girl) is an english teacher now who performs this song on the last day of school each year

[@courtneyg5984]

Damn that rules

[@kellendobmeier9876]

Their second single was really good too. Shame it didn't take off, as well.

[@lyricsandmoodsongs]

I prefer their other song, “If I am”

[@MrAmzies]

I still jam to that album to this day.

[@viviannichols3582]

My ex had him as a teacher 😂

[@richardelgie9805]

The Calling - Wherever You Will Go. Should 100% of been on the list. What a song and the only one I know/heard of from them

[@austintrousdale2397]

Yes, they would've been a better fit for this list than Jet, Vanessa Carlton, Hoobastank, or Franz Ferdinand.

[@spencergsmith]

Absolutely agree. Great song 👍🏼

[@Ray_Argues]

I think this list is not just about popularity. I think it's Rick's Top 20 of a pool of one hit wonders. Not sure what criteria Rick uses but I'm assuming there is something he doesn't like about Wherever You Will Go that's why it didn't made the top 20.

[@thomasdematteo2281]

I can't believe I forgot that song I loved it maybe it was too early in the decade but that how did that miss the list

[@unforg1v3n]

@@austintrousdale2397 I think A Thousand Miles and The Reason are way more popular.

[@WesleyAPEX]

Running Away, Out of Control and Crawling in the Dark were all hits by Hoobastank. Definitely not a OHW

[@topwomble]

Never heard of any of these 😂

[@houlade]

I 100% agree, Hoobastank was soo good

[@kasuraga]

Hoobastank was awesome. I remember buying a couple albums and they stayed in my stereo in my car for ages.

[@stormcrowssb6412]

Agreed, probably the least one hit wonder-y band feom this list. They had at least three big radio hit. After that probably bowling for soup and CeeLo/gnarls. I’ll consider those ones two-hit wonders lol

[@jeffgreen5429]

Running Away and Crawling in the Dark I think of before The Reason. That said Hoobastank is one of only two concerts I left early. They just were not good live.

[@ReubenAotearoa.]

Franz Ferdinand is my one objection here: that whole album is great and they had tons of singles.

[@valerchikvaleryanov415]

All discography is amazing

[@tricky92x]

Yeah, that stood out to me as being kind of an odd choice.

[@bdawg-brodown]

The while Jet album is really good too

[@TheBillyKmusic]

Probably a "geographic" thing in the native countries.......Franz Ferdinand was much bigger in the UK, and likewise, Jet in Australia. I remember Jet having a second hit in the USA, though.

[@raytrembath]

@@TheBillyKmusic Was gunna say the same thing Very different downunder Jet and Franz pretty big and Travis - Why Does It Always Rain On Me? was big also

[@eeeeyuke]

Franz Ferdinand's whole first album is killer.

[@cozgreenhalgh9516]

Dark of the matinee is an absolute beauty, such good rhythm to it

[@Superfly1503]

Awesome album

[@OscarPered]

the second album is even better

[@Tsunami1972]

Absolutely! "This Fire" is prob my favorite track aside from "Take Me Out".

[@occularpatdown]

surprised there are fewer pitchforks out - wouldn't call FF a one hit wonder band - for people 5 years younger than me it was seminal

[@nepatrul6075]

Gotta have Wherever You Will Go by The Calling!!!!! One of the quintessential rock songs of the decade that perfectly fits the stereotype of early 2000’s rock. It fits perfectly into the one-hit wonder category.

[@josephbernonsantos9824]

I was waiting for that also in the top 5

[@carterholm8257]

Great call!

[@WesleyAPEX]

I’d love to be in a one hit wonder band. I think its cool.

[@PhoticSneezeOne]

Interesting: Over here in Europe the biggest hit from Travis was actually "Why does it always rain on me" And if you like Franz Ferdinand check out "The Dark Of The Matinée"

[@Craigbaby246]

That song has been on my play list since I first heard it on Cold Case.

[@DAviation179]

Franz Ferdinand had tons of great songs.

[@askesismusic]

Actually i guess it dépends which European country. In France it was "Sing"

[@evadahlgren6389]

Biggest hit of Travis is Britney Spears cover

[@BacCanale]

@@askesismusic In Italy too

[@liamlennon3861]

I feel like bowling for soup had a couple of hits in 2000s. "Girl all the bad guys want" always comes to mind when remembering that band.

[@brianmclane2645]

There were several bands here that had multiple hits. Hinder, Bowling for Soup, Jet, Finger Eleven. Some were definitely there best hit on here. But I thought One Hit Wonder was only 1 hit.

[@OhioCruffler]

Punk Rock 101.

[@basketcasedrummer]

1985 wasn't even their song, it was borrowed from SR-71.

[@JonathanCasey711]

Also High School Never Ends, so let’s call them a 3 Hit Wonder haha

[@russell33313]

they def did, same with Fountains of Wayne

[@hankamania]

How on Earth could you skip "I Believe In A Thing Called Love" by The Darkness? I know they had a ton of hits in the UK, but that was the only one in America. And it's AMAZING.

[@Thomas.deNorth]

And Justins Hawkins youtube channel is excellent.

[@Novotny72]

Beato and Hawkins are doing something together soon

[@Chadner]

Probably because he doesn't consider them to be one hit wonders?

[@RolandDeschain1]

It sucks when that happens. Like with Take That. They've had about 15 number one singles in the UK and played a record eight nights at Wembley Stadium, but Americans only ever heard 'Back For Good'.

[@helgijonsson3537]

The Darkness are a great band, not really worthy of "one hit wonder" status but in a way they were. Their debut album is one of the best rock albums I've ever heard! Glad they're still going

[@izaskuncaro5662]

So funny….been from southamerica, i’ve never heard like the half of the list and i can not believe that you think that Travis and Franz ferdinand are one hit wonder bands….Travis had Flowers in the window, Closer, what does always rain on me, selfish jean, etc….and with Franz Ferdinand there are so many songs from so many records, unbelievable! Once there was the first show of the killers in my country (in a festival thing), and that day played Travis first, after that more than half of the people live the arena because the killers was so unknow…Travis was the big thing that day….and that live show was so freaking good and funny….i miss them

[@loljk982]

"Wherever You Will Go" by The Calling should be on this list. Fantastic song

[@jlassonful]

love that one

[@DynamixWarePro]

I agree it is a great song and there is even rumors that it was meant to be the theme to Enterprise/Star Star Enterprise before Faith of The Heart was chosen. While not as big as "Wherever You Will Go" I think The Callings song "Our Lives" keeps them from being a one hit wonder.

[@ajlynch123]

@@DynamixWarePro As I recall it was used in the commercials leading up to the release of Enterprise.

[@tywco]

Adrienne.

[@ElliotStent]

I was convinced this would be number 1!

[@coreyknight924]

Growing up in the 90's and 00's, it's cool to catch some nostalgia from those days! 👍

[@bazahaza]

It's great until you realise you're over 40 😭

[@radstuff]

amen, man! good times. nowadays besides singing and jamming to them on my shuffle or the radio, ive been doing some of those songs on karaoke nights, and of course the crowd goes wild!

[@bananapeehole782]

@@bazahazaWhy's that?

[@bazahaza]

@@bananapeehole782 Because it makes me remember how old I am. 👴

[@phalanx8437]

​@@bazahaza Old doesn't start until 70, raise your standards champ.

[@basilchicken9248]

Franz Ferdinand is huge over seas. I’m in the states and they came here once and it was one of the best live shows I’ve ever seen. They’ve even collaborated with Sparks! I’ve listened to them ever since Take Me Out was released here.

[@Freakyfunk489]

Understand Bulletproof is a one hit wonder but La Roux's second and third records are UNBELIEVABLE!!!

[@MathFly_]

Franz Ferdinand considered as a One Hit wonder ? No way ! The whole first album is a killer and the following ones had theirs hits as well. These Guys have now a Best of :)

[@aceuni-rider6921]

They only have had one mega hit. I really like them as well.

[@brian564]

@@Crx2581 But a Nr. 3 and a Nr. 4 Song in the UK and a Nr. 1 Album there

[@raldenvcs]

Two top 100 songs doesnt sound very OHO to me

[@andrewfernie4932]

For us here in the UK they most certainly weren't, but I guess from a US perspective that was perhaps as much as they penetrated that market.

[@clarencethomas01]

Jacqueline was 17... Working on a desk when Also, Auf achse is such an underrated song, that and darkness of the matinee are two of my favorite songs ever

[@christophergureski3863]

Really love Ricks positivity in all his vids. You can always see how excited and immersed he is in the music, it’s contagious in a great way.

[@SHOOTERSBARLACROSSE]

Great tunes and the love of retro music is something we all can enjoy without the conflict that almost any other topic seems to stir up.

[@SilentAttackTV]

The air drumming is the best :D

[@DeeEllEff]

@@SilentAttackTV You’d think a good guitarist like Rick would do air guitar on the big riffs….

[@Judaism44]

His hand motions are so on point!

[@kramdog3000]

What a walk down memory lane for us 25-35 year olds!

[@maximirb1316]

So so many memories for me too and I’m only 17. Still grew up listening to a lot of this music.

[@geoffschuller4875]

Wellllll I'm 58 and I loved it, too! Glad to see that you younger folks are digging Rick's channel! My favorites were Travis, Franz F, FOW and the Plain White T's!

[@SamKramer]

I'd feel a lot less targeted by this comment if you weren't using my name on it

[@BlueBomberTurbo]

I'm 45, and I heavily appreciate 00s music. Never liked most of the 90s (mid teens to early 20s), and the 80s were great overall, so the 00s reignited my love for music after a near decade-long drought.

[@candycane3739]

I'm 23 and it's still nostalgic for me.

[@moocow17]

alient ant farm also had Movies. hoobastank had tons of other hits like Crawling in the Dark, Out of Control, Running Away. La Roux also had armour love and in for the kill, hinder had get stoned and goodbye kiss. never heard of sing.

[@JonathonCarolan]

I would’ve had ‘Teenage Dirtbag’ higher on the list. It really became a massive part of pop culture. Other noteworthy mentions…’Butterfly’ by Crazy Town, ‘I Try’ by Macy Gray, ‘Here in your arms’ by Hellogoodbye, ‘Handlebars’ by Flobots, ‘My Delirium’ by Ladyhawke & ‘Fireflies’ by Owl City.

[@LakeOfRageAndFire]

Owl City had another big hit with Good Time.

[@korver_4]

Legitimately shocked Handlebars didn’t make it

[@jishb2505]

I'd also put Idlewild's You Held the World in Your Arms in here

[@mattpatt199]

Butterfly was a banger

[@eleazarbeltran6463]

Owl city are not a one hit wonder

[@bobbutson]

really love Rick's low to no shade takes and general enthusiasm for all the songs. great positive energy

[@JosephWalker-ip7pd]

Its refreshing so many youtubers are so negative about most of these bands just because they were popular but rick just appreciates the hits for what they are i love it.

[@bananapeehole782]

@@JosephWalker-ip7pd His knowledge and appreciation are freakin' fantastic.

[@OlYables]

Can't forget Andrew W.K. "Party Hard" - the whole "I Get Wet" album is a punch in the face of glam metal awesomeness.

[@Baseballnfj]

Hit yourself in the face with a brick and enjoy a listen. Don't forget to party hard.

[@luketaylormusic2807]

Let's get a party goin'!!!

[@fidelesparzaiii4715]

Omg yes

[@darthbigred22]

I recall how back in that time, I think it was Time or Newsweek, interviewed him and they were calling him the savior of Rock back then. I guess Rap/metal and Nu-metal were bad to boomers but Andrew W.K. was somehow for the deep thinker.

[@DarkenSeyreth]

He had a solid 3 or 4 songs on that album, so not really a one hit wonder

[@freddyc1995]

Finger Eleven’s track ‘One Thing’ is such an incredible song too!

[@Matthew10950]

Nah, that's where they changed. That song was made to make it to soft rock stations to grow the band. That song was EVERYWHERE until it had no meaning anymore.

[@freddyc1995]

@@Matthew10950 I love it.

[@Matthew10950]

@@freddyc1995 I love the rest of their work, I was a huge fan. They played at my frosh week when I started university. Ottawa, 2003. It was an insane night. They are still on my master Playlist to this day. But not that song.

[@lisaa.9341]

I agree with you, @freddyc1995. As a night owl, the opening line "restless tonight, 'cause I wasted the light" really resonates with me.

[@lisaa.9341]

@@Matthew10950 As I said to freddyc1995, it resonates with me. The first line especially. "Restless tonight, 'cuz I wasted the light" is a great line in my opinion.

[@paulthompkins4150]

Travis had a song they released called "Why does it always rain on me" that was just splendid!!

[@bryang4856]

They had SO many great songs. Surprised they didn't make a bigger splash.

[@jonmorina9661]

my aunt recomended that song a few years ago. this january i bought that album on vinyl

[@juanmontoya7324]

Remember hearing that one when I was a kid. It always stuck on me for some reason

[@henninghoefer]

Here in europe, that was definitely the bigger one, yes.

[@paulthompkins4150]

@@henninghoefer Hey this is totally off topic but I'm just curious. What are the views of Europeans on the political crap going on over here in America? I would think that we're the laughing stock of the world.

[@crd311]

Hoobastank was all over the radio with "Crawling in the Dark" before "Reason". And AAF also had "Movies", an infectious head bobber!

[@shawnheidingsfelder8179]

I enjoy Hoobastank, and I don't care what anyone says. They have some songs that have some funky little rhythms that made them different than most of the other bands of that time. "Running Away" was a good one too.

[@brennanpatrick]

AAF is one of the most underrated bands from that era. I still listen to “Anthology” , “TruAnt”, and a few other albums. Incredible vocals/lyrics and musicianship.

[@terryducote]

Was typing this very statement

[@Datimdavis2900]

As I was typing the same about AAF…

[@krinkle274]

AAF also had These Days with that great video of crashing the BET awards

[@escomeau]

There was an interview with Vanessa Carlton where they ask her about being a 1 hit wonder. And she responded something like "most people produce 0 billboard #1 hits, so 1 seems pretty good"

[@gfox9295]

Great attitude.

[@everonlyallforthee]

Totally. I'd be stoked with 1!

[@StewNWT]

Except she wasn’t a one hit wonder. She had successful singles off the same album and had a solid single off her second album with White Houses. I have her first 3 albums. It’s just that her first single was one of the most popular songs of all time

[@WeWereTheStorm]

Ordinary Day by her is also a kick ass song

[@thomasmorse4042]

Love The Reason

[@JoeGelman]

In The Shadows by The Rasmus is a deep cut, but very much a one and done that had a moment in the 00's

[@TheScouseSpud13]

i wouldnt say deep cut, I love that song!

[@tonybeauchamp6724]

Love the rasmus! They were my jam in 06-08!!

[@genevieveking8819]

That Peter Bjorn and John hit is one of my all time favorite one hit wonders!!!

[@loveandmercy9664]

They've had a steady career to the present. There were other great songs off that album like Amesterdame, ancient curse, let's call the whole thing off. I find that onerepublic song I ain't worries for the Top Gun: Maverick sounds a lot like young folks.

[@genevieveking8819]

Yeah I have the album with Young Folks. Haven’t checked out any of their other ones yet.

[@eyeballbilly]

I used to make wedding videos, if the couple were real cool I'd honour them with that track

[@enriquerojas3149]

@@eyeballbilly The cool couples test, 😂😂

[@MrZen08]

The melody for "and we don't care about the young folks" always reminded me of "wouldn't be seen dead in no slit skirt" by Pete Townshend (not a bad thing, and not a steal either)

[@marshallgeorge3819]

That Alien Ant Farm cover of Smooth Criminal is just awesome. I've seen Bowling For Soup live a few times - they always put on a great show! They also cover "Stacy's Mom" quite a bit in their setlist.

[@StyleM49]

Drunk enough to dance is one of my fav albums

[@natehamon8042]

Yeah BFS often joke that they are mistaken for FOW and so play Stacey’s Mom as a nod to that.

[@brandonrice1124]

Yeah that song was huge back in the day one of my favorites.

[@ducjerk1]

1985 is also a cover

[@fendi-bull8167]

Movies & Attitude is also great from alien ant farm

[@Nickelini]

La Roux "Bulletproof" was a huge hit when I took my teenage daughters to London in 2009. We all loved it. Great memories!

[@dsxa918]

I'm a 35 y'o guy who just discovered the song in the last year or two - I'd heard it before but not thought much about it.

[@SpreadAU]

Never heard it til today. Don’t know that Travis song either

[@DannerBanks]

That whole La Roux album is dope

[@mitchellspreadborough156]

In for the kill was a great song as well. Some would argue even better than Bulletproof, so I wouldn’t call them a one hit wonder.

[@mainsmain]

THIS TIME BABY I'LL BEEE BULLLLETTTTTTPROOOOF

[@stevolution7833]

Stretching the definition of a one-hit wonder here a bit! Also, interesting inclusion of Teenage Dirtbag. They actually released a new version of it back in December called 'Christmas Dirtbag', and it was absolutely terrible!

[@andrewgemkow9299]

Travis had back to back albums that were multi-platinum and spent weeks at #1 on the charts in England. "Side" off of 'the Man Who' charted in the top 20 for the US and higher than 'Sing' on the Billboard Alternative charts. Both albums are pretty awesome and we're grossly overlooked in the US

[@alotofmilesfromhome]

Side is on The Invisible Band, not The Man Who.

[@kebarzivo]

@@alotofmilesfromhome I was going to say that.

[@mrroundhill]

And wasn't "Why does it always rain on me" a bigger song?

[@aim2608]

Their latest album is a return to their earlier form, check it out.

[@kebarzivo]

@@mrroundhill Exactly.

[@jeffcobb2734]

I have a soft spot for the 00s female power pop of Michelle Branch, Avril Lavigne, Kelly Clarkson, etc. Some really great songs in that era.

[@charlestompkins8431]

I loved Michelle Branch.

[@chrisa1125]

@@charlestompkins8431 Same here. She had great solo stuff, with Carlos Santana and with the country group The Wreckers.

[@arsenal1441]

Avril is my absolute favorite

[@ronaldmorgan7632]

Amy Lee isn't pop, but she's from that time and still going strong. Absolutely love her stuff.

[@ronaldpvincent11]

I don't

[@neiltyra3360]

I have always felt that "Are You Gonna Be My Girl" gained a massive amount of its popularity from the exposure it got as the soundtrack for one of the earliest iPod TV commercials. Instantly reminds me of the commercial. Great choice in the top 5.

[@jamlemon]

It was on the Vodafone ads over here (UK).

[@ChunkyMonkaayyy]

I feel old. 🤣😂

[@ralelunar]

It still gets tons of plays. I recently heard it in a few Netflix movies. Those residuals must be sweet.

[@BassMatt1972]

GREAT Aussie Rock band.. I play this in my GEN X band (we are original Gen Xers)

[@WezzyCruze]

As an Australian, they were one of the biggest bands around and were all over the radio for nearly a decade.

[@urijahkeshka]

Fun Fact: Fountains of Wayne had also written and performed for the soundtrack of the 1996 film "That Thing You Do"

[@karlanthonymargate7362]

Adam Schlesinger wrote the song but it's not a Fountain of Wayne song. But not sure if Fountain of Wayne falls under the one hit wonder category because Radiation Vibe charted. Not a massive hit but still a hit.

[@Spitfirethedragon]

Bowling For Soup also hit the main stream pop charts in the US with Girl All The Bad Guys Want, Almost and High School Never Ends. They are a 4 hit wonder. Finger Eleven also hit the main stream pop charts with Quicksand, Above, Falling On, I'll keep Your Memory Vague, Living In A Dream and Whatever Doesn't Kill Me. Hoobastank also hit the mainstream charts with Crawling In The Dark, Running Away, Disappear, If I Were You and So Close So Far. Plain White T's did hit the mainstream pop charts with Hate, Our Time Now, 1 2 3 4 and Rhythm of Love. I listened to both Casey Kasem and Rick Dees' countdowns to know that these 4 were not one hit wonders.

[@keeranimal8]

Don’t forget “One Thing” by Finger Eleven as well…

[@str8dominican]

Hitting the charts and topping the charts are two different things. I’ve never heard any of the other songs you mentioned.

[@codemcloud6073]

I saw them in downtown grand Rapids Michigan in 2002 and it was an amazing concert by the river I got all the girls in my 8th grade class drunk lol

[@cyclonesfan9169]

I agree, Bowling For Soup is not a one hit wonder.

[@brittaniharris9254]

I agree. Maybe you just have to be a millenial.

[@RollForever88]

Travis is an incredibly talented band. The album “the boy with no name,” whew that is absolutely stunning, every song

[@cansueceklc7745]

I was incredibly surprised to see Travis as a one hit wonder band on the list. I could name at least fifteeen great songs by them from the top of my head.

[@DanielBoonelight]

yea it seems to me that they definitely had other hits, especially that one we all know even more than this one.

[@muddro420]

@@cansueceklc7745 I had the album that came before the one that held the song he's considering their single hit, so that tells me they were successful on the radio before that. The Man Who had at least two singles that I can remember.

[@cansueceklc7745]

@@muddro420 From what I can remember they even had a few hits in the 90s. Why Does It Always Rain On Me?, Driftwood etc. They definitely had chart success in the UK way before.

[@mikodemus69]

The Man Who and The Invisible Band were great albums for me but after that they kind of lost it.

[@disneyscott98]

You know it's a great song when Rick busts out the air drums. Great list!

[@pocayuela]

Hey there Delilah by Plain White T's! I love it! Thank you Rick! You are the first person I know that also loves the song.

[@MrTitosb]

Crazy town - Butterfly is the definition of a 1 hit wonder os the 00s. I would also add Damien Rice - the blower's daughter. Franz Ferdinand might not have been popular in the US, but their 2 first albums were great and surely a massive success in Europe.

[@Chris-Ian]

Wasn't Butterfly released in the 90's?

[@jeanetteking434]

@@Chris-Iani remember listening to it in 2001 so I bet it’s a 2000 hit.

[@Chris-Ian]

@@jeanetteking434 Turns out it was released October 2000.

[@stefansnijders8943]

Just because it was a big hit and came out in 2000 doesn't make it a good song.

[@dustinnewell6422]

I still listen to it today lol

[@mitchellbanks197]

Finger Eleven's "One Thing" was a huge hit as well. Didn't chart quite as high as Paralyzer, but it was close and played everywhere when it came out.

[@TheMoonEcat]

See I thought so too. But usually these are #1 hits that the band never produced another to add with.

[@TheGodYouWishYouKnew]

Love Rick but he needs to research these better.

[@jeromemanley7885]

Love their rendition of WWE's Kane's theme.

[@ryanmedrina9411]

Yeah this is the worst list you'll ever see.

[@LilMac0025]

Man, how are they even on this list? They had some amazing tunes and a couple of great albums before “One Thing” “The Greyest of Blue Skies” had “First Time”, “Drag You Down”, and “Bones + Joints” - all radio singles with accompanying music videos.

[@neilnussbaum1304]

Loved the list. One gripe is “I believe in a thing called love” by the darkness. It was huge and it slaps.

[@jasontaylor3898]

Agree. He did an interview with Justin Hawkins of the Darkness. It's coming out in about a week.

[@charlietwotimes]

Unfortunately, although I think this track is great, I have to go with coolest kid on the block Lemmy Kilmister. He called it a "novelty song" & thought Justin was a dick. What Lemmy says, goes.

[@kellyjd1978]

The Reason chorus has always given me goosebumps.

[@theempire00]

💔💔💔

[@Player-125]

That Vanessa Carlton track could get its own WMTSG video-it’s that good. It was a huge hit. A piano-driven tune with huge strings, a sick drum groove, and Carlton’s believable emotive delivery make it a standout on your list for me. Great video.

[@jeffrienunez4557]

Vice News actually did an interview with Vanessa Carlton about the making of A Thousand Miles. It’s right here on KZbin

[@simquicky3448]

WMTSG - Terry Crews 😂

[@recat22]

Great album, Leeland Sklar is the bass player along with the drums of Abe Laboriel Jr.

[@D7L7S]

I don't feel like she really belongs on this list; "Ordinary Day" was definitely a hit too...

[@jacolen3791]

Love that song. I was always waiting for a follow up to that. Very tough to match.

Travis also made some other hits here in Europe: Why Does It Always Rain on Me (1) or Driftwood (2). I would also add to the list: "This Is the Life" from Amy Macdonald (2007).

[@crazedc]

I was in a band with a guy who was a big fan. We played Driftwood, nice song.

[@ilearncode7365]

My Eyes played in a Smallville episode

[@smellyhhh]

Well Travis clearly isn't a One Hit wonder. Even when you have the US-Centric Viewpoint as "Why does it always rain on me?" charted even higher in the US

[@raymondhartmeijer9300]

Amy MacDonald basically had two big hits, she also had "Mr Rock & Roll" And yeah, Travis had a string of UK hits

[@OlYables]

A few more off the top of my head: The Bravery - "An Honest Mistake" Communique - "Perfect Weapon" Hot Hot Heat - "Bandages" The Veronicas - "Untouched" The Donnas - "Take It Off" Los Lonely Boys - "Heaven" Snow Patrol - "Chasing Cars"

[@suede__]

Believe by The Bravery and Middle Of Nowhere by Hot Hot Heat were pretty big.

[@marciooliveira5451]

Snow Patrol? 🌝

[@scninja07]

Yeah, not sure on Snow Patrol, even if Chasing Cars is their biggest. They had AT LEAST 4 or 5 hits.

[@norberthuszti8463]

First time I don’t fully agree. The Calling is already mentioned but I would add a few: Mattafix - Big City Life, O-zone - Dragostea din tei, One-t - The magic key, Howie Day - Collide, David Archuleta - Crush.

[@timothyhan2385]

I would include ‘Wherever You Will Go” by The Calling. Great song that I sing till this day from time to time

[@joeski1073]

Love that song. I honestly thought it was from the late 90s

[@nomysweetsummerchild3984]

I do too x

[@phoenixrose6520]

Adrienne was a big hit for them too though

[@fendi-bull8167]

2001 had some timeless bangers

[@danielaraya1193]

I dont like it, but yes

[@gamzer]

Travis and Franz Ferdinand were pretty big in the UK so had a few more hits there. Bowling for soup had a couple of other hits too including "girl all the bad guys want". But these where my teen years listening to every song on music channels and illegally downloading so I would be hyper critical 😀 I would also include - Last Resort by Papa Roach (maybe they had another hit?) and Bohemian Like You by Dandy Warholes

[@indifference1267]

Yes Bohemian Like You was definitely a phenomenal OHW.

[@borreholic]

Not sure how big it was, but I love Travis' Driftwood.

[@jameskilgour387]

Yeah I would never class Franz Ferdinand as one hit wonder, but maybe just cos I'm British

[@marciamesquita984]

@@jameskilgour387 Me neither, and I'm brazilian ahahahaha

[@reillywalker195]

Papa Roach had a few other hits if I'm not mistaken; "Never Enough", "Not Listening", and "Getting Away with Murder" come to mind.

[@sergiost8]

I'm really surprised there is no Wherever You Will Go by The Calling. I'd even place it on the top 5 of the 2000's. Other honorable mentions would be Heaven by Los Lonely Boys and Butterfly by Crazy Town.

[@therealbaglady]

Totally agree with you. One of my 2000's favourites.

[@izharma1739]

Because they're not one hit wonder? Their song "Adrienne" is their another hit. This list isn't accurate, some of these band/singer are not one hit wonder.

[@PaulMurphyMusic]

Not their only hit though it was their biggest. It’s like calling The Fray a one hit wonder for ‘how to save a life’ they had much more success outside of those hits.

[@sergiost8]

@@izharma1739 I know Adrienne, I was one of the suckers that got Camino Palmero after listening to Wherever You'll Go, and I remember it being their second single. However, I wouldn't consider Adrienne a hit at all. Doubt most people would even know it. So I'd still call them a One Hit Wonder because that's the only song that people really know them for.

[@sergiost8]

@@PaulMurphyMusic The Fray DID have some hits though, Over my Head was pretty big.

[@a1stbornunicorn]

I saw your 90s recap and went down the rabbit hole with your channel. I would love pt 2s for that 90s vid and this one with different top 20 bc you know there are so many moreamazing songs and bands emblematic of the eras! Subscribed 😊

[@joey_data]

Corinne Bailey Rae had one of the best albums of the decade, I highly recommend a full listen through. All bangers.

[@kathrynbartlett6058]

Super talented!

[@vicenzor3625]

Based on seeing this I played through it to see. Gotta disagree. Her hit song is separate from the others on the album by having a great little groove to it. The others aren't bad but a collection of generic sounding adult contemporary that doesn't stand out at all. Can definitely see why that one song was the hit.

[@HitOrMiss5150]

Travis' "Why does it always rain on me?" was a big song too.

[@jimboc669]

Yeah they had like 4 top ten hits they're not a one hit wonder and they sold millions of records

[@MaximilianMengwasser]

Absolutely. Great song. But „Why does it always rain on me“ was released in ’99.

[@trevour]

@@MaximilianMengwasser "Why Does It Always Rain On Me?" had widespread airplay in the US throughout 2000 ('The Man Who' US release date was in April 2000). Regardless of its release date, I feel like that song was more well-known than "Sing" at the time.

[@alecerdmann8505]

@@trevour Came here to say this. If you had asked me to name one Travis song, it would definitely be "Why Does it Always Rain on Me?" without hesitation.

[@HeyStevie100]

I can't believe Travis is on this list. I am a huge fan of their music. They're still making really good music

[@someguy0089]

To be fair, Alien Ant Farm had about 3-4 big songs but without a doubt “Smooth Criminal” being #1.

[@JumboJabs]

I was going to say the same thing. I actually do like a ton of their songs. And Smooth Criminal wasn't even suppose to be released but they ran with it.

[@Brosowski]

"Face down" by *The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus* should be on here imo. I think that song was REALLY good and it wasn't a huge hit but it was hit especially in the pop-punk genre.

[@OlYables]

The intro to that song makes me always think that it's going to be "The Kids Aren't Alright" by the Offspring.

[@may091985]

Yasss

[@drdoom8793]

​@@OlYablesthose songs aren't even similar...

[@orion681]

Oh Rick...I'm 41. This is the sound of my girlfriend breakup/bar crawling/concert frenzy days. Fun fact: anyone who listened to Hoobastank for more than that song knows they were more of a post ska band with a horn section prior to that record you played. Incubus brought them to the forefront and they went butt rock. Also, Franz Ferdinand is badass.

[@Daniel_Alves1993]

Being born in 93, the 2000s were my first really big decade of music, so there is a lot of nostalgia here. Thank you for this video, Rick.

[@somebodyandthem]

You’re almost 30 mfer

[@superzrod7723]

same year! ‘93 baby’s!!

[@rockstopsthetraffic]

Same.

[@hobojungle1]

Born in 86 and the late 90s music is my nostalgia trip (thank god, as the music was much better then). I shudder to think of what the kids born in the 2010’s will have to look back on. lol

[@yannhollister9091]

@@hobojungle1 born the same year and i agree late 90's is the most nostalgic for me. Exciting times

[@chriswarren5986]

Great videos I’ll be looking forward to watching more👍

[@gsyshsjsj]

La Roux's whole debut album was pretty big in the UK, especially Bulletproof, In for the Kill and Quicksand.

[@mattmiller4516]

She is better than ever. Gullible fool is killer

[@gsyshsjsj]

@Matt Miller Agreed. She's almost single-handedly carrying synthpop right now.

[@EfficientEngineer]

I'm not your toy is amazing too!

[@markusbuhmann]

The Skream remix of In for the Kill is incredible.

[@gsyshsjsj]

@Markus Buhmann For sure. His remix of La Roux's 'Finally' is good too.

[@pkdude5334]

that wheatus song is so great. lots of space, grungy yet clean guitar, sounds so awesome.

[@alvatrous]

Oh man as a die hard bowling for soup fan it feels strange to see them on that list but I guess when your top song has 280m plays and next highest is 80m what can you do but they have tons and tons of great music. They are the single most creative band I know. Some of my favorite songs by them came out like 4 years ago. Ps 1985 is a cover by another one hit wonder called sr71 1:17

[@danielrabe871]

the latest BFS album is fantastic (listen to Hello Anxiety and Getting Old Sucks...)

[@lisafults6683]

Phineas and Ferb too.

[@pacorka9943]

BFS is fucking incredible!! Such a great band. Also Stacy's Mom by them was popular even though they didn't write it.

[@guffermeister]

BFS have produced some great stuff - went off the boil in the late 2010's a bit. I'm well in to double digits for the number of times I've seen them live.. They play staceys mom as a cover in their live shows - ironic as that comes further up Rick's list.. Travis...a great band. The couple of albums of theirs from that era are brilliant. Could keep going...

[@TayzerLazerGames]

Almost is my favourite from them

[@davidfindlay4547]

Hard to pick! A few I always use to tune my system: Little Feat, Long Distance Love, or anything off the Last Record Album, recorded by George Massenburg. Or The Blue Nile, (A walk across the Rooftops, or Hats. Both great sounding records recorded by Calum Malcolm.

[@EricTheCat]

I really thought "Float On" by Modest Mouse would be in the list. Maybe they had some other hits but that one stands out to me.

[@chrisbrehaut]

Travis are more than one hit wonders. And if they were to be one hit wonders, it'd definitely be for "Why Does It Always Rain On Me?". Other than that, Thank You, Rick. You're an amazing breath of fresh air to music!

[@chrisbrehaut]

@ghost mall yeah of course, as I'm speaking from the other side of the pond! Guess that's the great appeal of music, there'll always be new music to discover!

[@bazahaza]

Rain on me managed to get to 36 in the charts in the US. While Sing got to 14.

[@jeremysmetana8583]

As Americans we have to deal with UK-oriented Wikipedia articles and Rock Music catalogs that call most of our biggest bands here "irrelevant," "dismissible" one-hit wonders because they charted low or only once on the UK charts (and because they aren't from the UK, which I guess you have to be, to be considered worthwhile). For some arbitrary reason, those UK descriptions end up being identified as the most "authoritative," despite the fact that those same bands chart multiple times and are huge influences and platinum sellers in the US and other parts of the world. It seems like an outsized amount of influence for one small collection of islands to wield, but wield it the UK does.

[@chrisbrehaut]

@@jeremysmetana8583 always interesting to get perspective from the other side of the pond. There are no doubt many American bands we have the same perspective on, and also no doubt other bands from around the world. Always intriguing to see how our favourite bands are perceived around the world. That's the beauty of music. The artists we know and love and think everybody knows are being discovered for the first time by somebody else. 🤘

[@chrisbrehaut]

@@bazahaza interesting to know! Cheers

[@nicolasroger1223]

So much respect for daring to put ATC in that list !!!

[@Kyu7]

Yeah...but he forgot Darude - Sandstorm

[@gregsafford]

The piano layer is awesome. Perfect voicings and it meshes perfectly with the guitar to thicken the mix, without getting in the way.

[@CuratedPile]

Finger Eleven had another hit that charted very well (#2 in US Adult), One Thing, released in 2003.

[@bobniedergerke2140]

Right on

[@richardgreenwoodjr5263]

"First Time" & " Drag You Down" got me into Finger Eleven (a bit heavier than "Paralyzer" & "One Thing")

[@boots_33]

Don't forget Slow Chemical, their version of Kane's WWE theme song.

[@tristankrager9789]

My "I partied with that band" story is Finger 11...the band partied and the singer went to sleep, haha. Still one of the most memorable nights of my life (especially being an aspiring musician at the time trying to make it myself)

[@semiazax]

That’s my favorite from them. I also like Good Times

[@kylesummers1966]

Really glad to see Bulletproof by La Roux on the list! loved that song and its music video

[@bytorsnowdog5885]

I loved "A Thousand Miles" by Vanessa Carlton. Abe Laboriel Jr. (Paul McCartney's drummer) laid down the drum track on that song. I go into air drum spasms whenever I hear that song.

[@smkh2890]

The piano riff is great. Did she play on the back of a flatbed in the video?

[@lennygemar1021]

@@smkh2890 Yep, she did.

[@lennygemar1021]

Every time I hear that song I immediately think of "White Chicks." ;-)

[@mightyV444]

@@smkh2890 - ...and at one point an owl lands on her piano, too! 😄

[@james-michaelrobson287]

@@lennygemar1021 everyone does hah

[@pleaseenteraname1103]

Great list although I wouldn’t consider some of those bands one hit wonders. Bowling for Soup had 4 other top 40 hits. And plain white T’s also has a couple of other hits.

[@billystonehouse673]

I know you always say that the top 5 could be in any order, but Crazy by Gnarls Barkley is one of the best songs of all time. Take Me Out could have also been top 5. Love these videos!

[@michaelcaine8311]

I love these lists, here in the UK some of these bands were not one hit wonders but had more than one hit. Raises a smile thinking of the difference between US and UK music scenes.

[@jeffrienunez4557]

I was expecting this one also

[@jeffdeboer1679]

Alien Ant Farm is one of the most underrated bands of that era. They're pretty great. Finger Eleven actually had a hit before "Paralyzer". "One Thing" hit #16 on the Hot100 in 2003.

[@Suicidal122]

Ya, I would argue there's a couple bands in here that are definitely not a "1 hit wonder".

[@seiph80]

@@Suicidal122 True. If they have at least two hits, they're not a one-hit-wonder in my book.

[@brandongrayson456]

Anthology is still one of the best albums ever in my opinion

[@WhoWouldWantThisName]

I actually bought that Finger Eleven album. I only remember those two songs from it TBH. Thought it would be far better based on how good Paralyzer was.

[@tinalevan1984]

@@seiph80 Sounds legit lol

[@deanwhite890]

I love your videos because you are so obviously having so much fun!!

[@joiedevivre2005]

I was rather fond of "1985" because I was a teenager that year & could relate to the lyrics. Bowling for Soup was my son's first rock concert when he was about 9. They were performing at a local venue where my best friend was the sound tech. He was able to go backstage & meet the band (they were super nice to him) - making me the "coolest mom ever".

[@itskennyjohnson]

No joke, I was listening to Stacy's Mom just a few hours ago and thought it would make for a good What Makes This Song Great episode. A fun chord progression in the chorus, an out-of-nowhere key change, and mixed really well!

[@danstone8783]

That was the best song on this list.

[@gonetoheck]

This song is the only way I can remember the lady's name who lives across the street from me....word association.

[@heyg7819]

Cool song!

[@seanjudge4675]

It’s a perfect pop song. So sad to hear that Adam was an early victim of covid

[@RCAvhstape]

@@danstone8783 That one or the Teenage Dirtbag song. Listen to Iron Maiden, baby...

[@japhyryder66]

Great list! I would’ve included “Babylon” by David Gray. It’s his biggest hit and it’s a great song.

[@georgespencer3973]

Ah, yes. Such a great song!

[@varuns9723]

I like the one I love by him better

[@lisaholl6825]

That entire album 🙂

[@SeekerGoOn2013]

Great song! Yes

[@mightyV444]

'Please Forgive Me' is nice, too! 😊

[@mattmacknight3000]

Seeing this in 2024 from Canada.. Many of these I personally can't say are one hit wonders based on the fact that they had intense followings or many hits even if they weren't top 10 type songs.

[@SwanShadow]

"Stacy's Mom" would be Number One on my list. Fountains of Wayne was such a terrific band. In addition to "Stacy," Welcome Interstate Managers contains my second-favorite FoW track, "Hey Julie."

[@pl4free]

totally!

[@dockerdave]

Loved the first FoW album but not much after that

[@richardely2404]

I absolutely LOVE "Halleys Waitress"

[@thefuturist8864]

I managed to see FoW a couple of times in the late 90s and loved them both times. I lost track of them after Welcome Interstate Managers, but still listen to those first three albums.

[@amymarshall9263]

Travis is a great great band. They, franz ferdinand, midlake, band of horses, and grandaddy band members made a super group called BNQT ( Banquet). Highly recommend their album volume 1, still waiting for volume 2. Great list Rick! Love one hit wonders.

[@reinhardbothma5798]

Always loved Midlake

[@edwoll]

I am very surprised that you left out The Calling's Wherever You Will Go. It was a smash hit. 23 weeks on the chart. 2nd longest run of a song in the Adult Top 40 Billboard history. Named the number one song of the decade on the Adult Pops Chart by Billboard Magazine.

[@hux2000]

Yeah, and a true 1-hit wonder as well: peaked at no. 5 on the Hot 100 and none of their other singles charted.

[@TheGodYouWishYouKnew]

That song sucked though

[@harikeshg3823]

@@TheGodYouWishYouKnew its just overplayed that is all

[@alex.starostin]

​@@harikeshg3823True, veeeeery overplayed

[@paulfromperth5713]

I have three of them: Sing - Travis Take Me Out - Frank Ferdinand Crazy - Gnarls Narkley

[@josuerivera3746]

What's fascinating is that a lot of these "one hit wonders" have a strong following! They're not mainstream, but they definitely are not unsuccessful.

[@ElderStatesman]

Even Vanessa Carlton had some good tracks, "White Houses" comes to mind.

[@ElderStatesman]

Not to mention, a few of Hoobstank's songs from "The Reason" are personal favorites of mine. "Escape" really speaks to me even in my 30s.

[@shaddyhacker]

I can't believe you didn't include "Lady" by Modjo. It's literally the biggest one hit wonder of all time. Maybe it wasn't big in US but in Europe it was played everywhere!

[@TC-lk2ev]

still a goddam banger to this day.

[@Nufane]

"The Reason" by Hoobastank is how I taught my drummer to sing harmony.

[@chrisbarraza7700]

Alien Ant Farms album was EXCELLENT, so underrated.

[@debuthunter5389]

VERY good album.

[@cpcg]

Travis also had “ Why does it always rain on me?” among others.

[@OlYables]

Love that one. Fantastic album.

[@threeminuteshate]

When I saw them mentioned in the comments I was certain that was gonna be the song on here.

[@hmsiegel79]

Was recently listening to the excitement podcast "60 Songs That Explain the 90's" and Rob hit me with an interesting stat: at the end of the 2010's (2010 - 2019), Nielson did a list of the most played songs on rock radio; every single one of them was from the 90's.

[@edyb2097]

Strange to notice that one of the most successful one-hit wonders of the 00s made it all over the world except for the United States, otherwise I think it would have been featured. I' m talking about 'In The Shadows' by the Finnish band Rasmus.

[@Xari.04]

Wouldn’t really consider it a one hit wonder, The Rasmus had a lot of successful hits (but maybe I’m just biased whoops)

[@nayannepal4335]

A few other hits I can think of are 'Living in a world without you' and 'Sail Away'.

[@kleinkaufman8940]

Totally , over here in Mexico i think Guilty was even more famous than In the shadows.

[@edyb2097]

See how much things change from country to country. Here in Italy only the single that followed 'In The Shadows' (I think it's titled 'The Best Times Of Our Lives') was successful, although not as much. Then their hype pretty much waned. I happened to watch their performance at the Eurovision Song Contest last year and I honestly didn't know they were still around.

[@KinoKonformist]

Finnish bands include The Rasmus was super popular in Eastern Europe and especially in Russia. HIM, Rasmus, Apocalyptica, Sunrise Avenue, Nightwish was popular here and make tours across Russia.

[@luisbarvalopez]

Absolutely is such a great song! I had it stuck in my head for years before i could actually remember and search for it!

[@Raienya]

"The Reason" is one of my favorite songs of any era. The lyrics are just so. GOOD.

[@nateds7326]

Ceelo Greene is one of the very rare double one hit wonders: had a smash hit with Crazy in the mid 2000s with his duo Gnarls Barkley, than had another hit as a solo artist with Bruno Mars's producers: Forget You(y'all probably know what the uncensored version is lol).

[@vcv6560]

Yes if nothing else because we've all felt that way at one time in our lives..😄

[@griffgames9538]

I like Ceelo's early-mid 2000s output. Quirky yet soulful and polished.

[@robloxvids2233]

Didn't it come out that he was a giant rapist? I think that's why the marketing machine finally discarded him. T-rex armed douche.

[@griffgames9538]

@@robloxvids2233 Fuck

[@lisaholl6825]

Goodie mob way before that.

[@wxwaxone]

One song I would add to the list is Imogen Heap's "Hide And Seek" (2005). She is certainly a success, but none of her other songs have come close to that gold record in terms of radioplay and general popularity. And the sound is so unique and unforgettable.

[@corinnelopez66]

Respect to all of them because some artists never get even 1 hit.

[@Lajohns9]

Ive only missed "wherever you will go" by the calling, to me its totally in the top 10 one hit wonder of the 00s for sure.

[@tobyridley9273]

Franz Ferdinand are more than a one hit wonder if you take the time to listen to their discography. One of my favourite bands

[@tom30]

1985 by Bowling for Soup was one of the first songs that I downloaded from iTunes on my 1st gen iPod Nano. Good times.

[@grant1133]

Not many people know that it was actually a cover though

[@gsly6081]

@@grant1133 what's the original?

[@grant1133]

@@gsly6081 was by a band called SR-71

[@Fivemonthslater1]

@@grant1133 depends how you look at it. Mitch wrote it (he did more writing for others than SR-71) and gave it to Jarred at the same time because he felt it would fit BFS better, so they BOTH recorded it and released it around the same time.

[@Everyman.0314]

Rick, love watching the unmitigated joy and kid - like innocence as you jam on air guitar and drums to these tunes. I keep pausing the video to add to my playlist. If Hinder is Nickelback , Bowling for Soup is Weaser!