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

Crazy - Gnarls Barkley

The Grammy-winning 2006 psych-soul hit that topped charts worldwide.

1000pts

2

Video Killed the Radio Star - The Buggles

The 1979 synth-pop landmark and the first video ever aired on MTV.

785pts

3

I'm Too Sexy - Right Said Fred

The tongue-in-cheek 1991 dance-pop hit about vanity.

577pts

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

Spirit in the Sky - Norman Greenbaum

The fuzz-guitar 1969 gospel-rock classic that hit number three in the U.S.

577pts

6

Somebody That I Used to Know - Gotye

The haunting 2011 indie-pop duet with Kimbra that swept the Grammys.

576pts

7

Whip It - Devo

The quirky 1980 new-wave hit and Devo's signature song.

500pts

8

Relax - Frankie Goes to Hollywood

The provocative, initially-banned 1983 dance hit that became a UK sensation.

500pts

9

Come On Eileen - Dexys Midnight Runners

The exuberant 1982 Celtic-pop chart-topper about young love.

500pts

10

Mickey - Toni Basil

The cheerleader-chant 1982 pop hit that became an enduring earworm.

409pts

11

Macarena - Los del Rio

The 1995 Spanish dance sensation that became an inescapable global craze.

300pts

12

867-5309/Jenny - Tommy Tutone

The 1981 power-pop hit built around an unforgettable phone number.

300pts

13

How Bizarre - OMC

The breezy 1995 New Zealand pop hit that charted around the globe.

300pts

14

Tainted Love - Soft Cell

The 1981 electronic reworking of a soul classic that defined new-wave heartbreak.

167pts

15

99 Luftballons - Nena

The 1983 German new-wave protest song that crossed over to worldwide success.

167pts

16

In the Year 2525 - Zager and Evans

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

167pts