For decades, one-hit wonders have baffled music critics and artists who've struggle to put a finger on what makes one song top the charts while another flops.
And while some musicians relish in the success that even one hit track can bring, others have bitterly turned away from the idea of having a single song color their identity as artists. Fans, meanwhile, have long cherished the phenomenon of one-hit wonders, belting out their favorite classics as they try to remember which artist sang that elusive hit from years ago.
In honor of these iconic stand-alone singles, here are some of the greatest lyrics from one-hit wonders over the last 70 years.
Tell me, tell me, tell me / Oh, who wrote the Book of Love?“The Book of Love,” The Monotones, 1957
Come with me, my love / To the sea, the sea of love / I want to tell you / How much I love you.“Sea of Love,” Phil Phillips, 1959
Let me tell ya 'bout the birds and the bees / And the flowers and the trees / And the moon up above / And a thing called "love."“The Birds and the Bees,” Jewel Akens, 1964
When I die and they lay me to rest / I'm gonna go to the place that's the best.“Spirit in the Sky,” Norman Greenbaum, 1969
I'm hooked on a feelin' / I'm high on believin' / That you're in love with me.“Hooked on a Feeling,” Blue Swede, 1974
You gotta be cruel to be kind in the right measure / Cruel to be kind it's a very good sign / Cruel to be kind means that I love you / Baby, you gotta be cruel to be kind.“Cruel to Be Kind,” Nick Lowe, 1979
Sometimes I feel I've got to run away / I've got to get away / From the pain you drive into the heart of me."Tainted Love," Soft Cell, 1981
I'll stop the world and melt with you / You've seen the difference / And it's getting better all the time.“I Melt with You,” Modern English, 1981
Come on, Eileen / Oh, I swear (Well, he means) / At this moment / You mean everything.“Come On Eileen,” Dexys Midnight Runners, 1982
Take me on (Take on me) / I'll be gone / In a day or two.“Take On Me,” a-ha, 1984
I'm walking on sunshine, whoa / And don't it feel good?“Walking on Sunshine,” Katrina and the Waves, 1985
All I can say is that my life is pretty plain / I like watching the puddles gather rain / And all I can do is just pour some tea for two / And speak my point of view, but it's not sane."No Rain,” Blind Melon, 1992
25 years and my life is still / Tryin' to get up that great big hill of hope / For a destination.“What’s Up?,” 4 Non Blondes, 1992
So what now? It's plain to see we're over / And I hate when things are over / When so much is left undone.“Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” Deep Blue Something, 1995
And I'm a million different people from one day to the next / I can't change my mould / No, no, no, no, no.“Bitter Sweet Symphony,” The Verve, 1997
If I could fall into the sky / Do you think time would pass me by? / 'Cause you know I'd walk a thousand miles / If I could just see you tonight.“A Thousand Miles,” Vanessa Carlton, 2002
If one thing I know, I'll fall, but I'll grow.“Am I Wrong,” Nico & Vinz, 2013
Like a small boat on the ocean / Sending big waves into motion / Like how a single word / Can make a heart open / I might only have one match / But I can make an explosion.“Fight Song,” Rachel Platten, 2015
Featured image credit: Scott Gries via Getty Images
About the Author
Sean Neumann
Sean Neumann is a writer and reporter based in Chicago, Illinois.
