The 16 Greatest One-Hit Wonders of All Time

New-wave earworms, disco-era novelties, and indie surprises that each captured lightning exactly once before slipping off the charts forever. Cast your vote for the greatest!

1. 1
   Crazy - Gnarls Barkley

   The Grammy-winning 2006 psych-soul hit that topped charts worldwide.
   1000pts
2. 2
   Video Killed the Radio Star - The Buggles

   The 1979 synth-pop landmark and the first video ever aired on MTV.
   785pts
3. 3
   I'm Too Sexy - Right Said Fred

   The tongue-in-cheek 1991 dance-pop hit about vanity.
   577pts
4. 4
   Take On Me - a-ha

   The 1985 synth-pop anthem famous for its rotoscoped music video, a-ha's lone U.S. smash.
   577pts
5. 5
   Spirit in the Sky - Norman Greenbaum

   The fuzz-guitar 1969 gospel-rock classic that hit number three in the U.S.
   577pts
6. 6
   Somebody That I Used to Know - Gotye

   The haunting 2011 indie-pop duet with Kimbra that swept the Grammys.
   576pts
7. 7
   Whip It - Devo

   The quirky 1980 new-wave hit and Devo's signature song.
   500pts
8. 8
   Relax - Frankie Goes to Hollywood

   The provocative, initially-banned 1983 dance hit that became a UK sensation.
   500pts
9. 9
   Come On Eileen - Dexys Midnight Runners

   The exuberant 1982 Celtic-pop chart-topper about young love.
   500pts
10. 10
    Mickey - Toni Basil

    The cheerleader-chant 1982 pop hit that became an enduring earworm.
    409pts
11. 11
    Macarena - Los del Rio

    The 1995 Spanish dance sensation that became an inescapable global craze.
    300pts
12. 12
    867-5309/Jenny - Tommy Tutone

    The 1981 power-pop hit built around an unforgettable phone number.
    300pts
13. 13
    How Bizarre - OMC

    The breezy 1995 New Zealand pop hit that charted around the globe.
    300pts
14. 14
    Tainted Love - Soft Cell

    The 1981 electronic reworking of a soul classic that defined new-wave heartbreak.
    167pts
15. 15
    99 Luftballons - Nena

    The 1983 German new-wave protest song that crossed over to worldwide success.
    167pts
16. 16
    In the Year 2525 - Zager and Evans

    The 1969 sci-fi folk-rock number one, an oft-cited ultimate one-hit wonder.
    167pts