Billboard Reveals Top One Hit Wonders of the Decade

When I discovered that Billboard.com was featuring 39 "One-Hit Wonders" of the last decade, I knew this it was going to be a good day. And it was! It was like taking a musical journey back through college and I loved every minute of it.

Billboard counts these artists as one hit wonders based on their charting history on Billboard's Hot 100 list. "After reaching the Hot 100's Top 10 with their very first singles, none of these acts managed to crack the Top 25 for the rest of the decade." Billboard goes onto say that the "one-hitmakers on the list have been ranked by how high their big song climbed on the chart compared to how far down the tally their subsequent highest-charting effort peaked."

Make sense? No? Who cares. This is just cool! I'm just going to mention a couple of my favorites here but make sure you check out the full list. Each entry is accompanied by the music video and a couple sentences of explanation about the song/artist.

#38 - S Club 7 - "Never Had A Dream Come True" - I remember hearing this song on the radio back in 2001 but only when I became completely obsessed with the UK pop scene did I hear anything else from the group. I guess the fact that this song was the band's only U.S. hit (peaking at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100) would be a good reason why. Oh, and Rachel Stevens - please come back to us. Thanks.

#36 - Truth Hurts feat. Rakim - "Addictive" - This song is still one of my favorites of the past 10 years. It really lives up to it's title. Too bad for Truth Hurts that she and her songwriters didn't clear the rights for the sample used in the song. The song can't be downloaded and no one can profit from it. Such a shame.

#35 - D.H.T. feat. Edmee - "Listen To Your Heart" - While I know this song was D.H.T.'s only U.S. hit, they do have some other good euro-dance covers that did well in Europe. Their Roxette cover was probably my favorite, but check out their version of "Someone."

#34 - Eden's Crush - "Get Over Yourself" - I don't know where I was when these girls were around. All I know about Eden's Crush now is that Nicole Scherzinger from the Pussycat Dolls used to be a member. I'm devastated. This would have been right up my alley!

#33 - DJ Sammy & Yanou feat. Do - "Heaven" - Another dance hit from 2002. Loved this song. I searched the depths of Napster for every remix imaginable AND for more on dutch singer Do. I was obsessed with this song. I didn't really care for any of the subsequent singles off of DJ Sammy's album.

#32 - Sonique - "It Feels So Good" - This is sad. I love this song and I know that Sonique has seen a bit more popularity in Europe. She's currently battling breast cancer and I wish her the best and lots of good health. She has a new single out now in Europe called "World Of Change."

#24 - Vanessa Carlton - "A Thousand Miles" - This is one of the "one-hit wonders" that I really kind of bummed for. Vanessa Carlton is a talented singer/songwriter who's debut hit single, "A Thousand Miles" really took off. Her style of music is SO niche and specific that it was virtually impossible to create something that successful a second time. She needs to reinvent her sound and I hope she comes out with something new soon. I'll always love her.

#23 - The Calling - "Wherever You Will Go" - I believe I wrote a review for this band's debut CD in the Indiana Daily Student back when I was in college. I definitely have a promotional copy from the label that was delivered to the student paper. This single was not bad but definitely blends in with the Creeds and Nickelbacks of the world.

#22 - Macy Gray - "I Try" - Macy Gray is an artist that I enjoy but only in small doses. Her voice can be quite grating. I once read an interview where Gray joked about clearing her throat and *POOF* no more singing career. That's kind of funny and the perfect way to describe her voice. I've enjoyed a couple of Gray's subsequent releases but I think she needs to reinvent herself as a dance diva.

#20 - Samantha Mumba - "Gotta Tell You" - I loved this song when i first heard it back in 2000. At the time I first heard it, I could have sworn it was Britney Spears singing. Come to find out, it was actually an Irish singer/actress called Samantha Mumba. While I did quite enjoy her other singles, "Baby, Come Over (This Is Our Night)," "I'm Right Here," etc. it's evident that she U.S. charts did not. Check out the dance update Micky Modelle put out for "Gotta Tell You." It's just not the same.

#19 - Fort Minor feat. Holly Brook - "Where'd You Go" - I never knew what this video was about. At first I thought it was about military families dealing with separation, but the lyrics didn't seem to line up with that storyline. Maybe it's just an angry song through and through. For what it's worth, I did enjoy the song. Didn't realize that Fort Minor was Mike Shinoda's (Linkin Park) side project.

#17 - Kevin Lyttle feat. Spragga Benz - "Turn Me On" - The "Turn Me On" CD maxi was one of the first remix singles I ever purchased. How could I not purchase this one? With remixes by E-Smoove, Lenny B, Low Tide, Bastone & Burnz and DJ Volume, I had to have it - despite the fact that I despised the song. Don't question my logic.

#15 - Lumidee - "Never Leave You - Uh Ooh, Uh Oooh!" - Lumidee started the trend of bad female R&B singers in my opinion. The song is clearly manipulated and STILL doesn't hide the fact that the singer can't sing worth a damn. Other singers I lump into this category - Cassie and to an extent, Ciara.

#13 - Lou Bega - "Mambo No. 5 (A Little Bit Of...)" - Enough said.

#12 - Cassie - "Me & U" - Oh, well look who it is. Hello Cassie. I was just talking about you. I'm not going to lie, "Me & U" is a catchy song. As was follow up "Long Way 2 Go." But where have you been? To her credit, the girl's only released one album and to call her a one hit wonder already is maybe a little bit unfair. I know she's working on new material and has released a couple of singles. It will be interesting to see where Cassie's career goes from here. At least she's got her looks.

#10 - Dream - "He Loves You Not" - I loved this song as well as "This Is Me," which apparently only #39 on the charts. Too bad. They were the quintessential 2000s manufacturered girl group and I loved every minute of their time in the spotlight.

#9 - Bo Bice - "Inside Your Heaven" - In my opinion, this is why girls and guys should get separate songs to sing for the American Idol finale. The fact that this is his highest charting song does not bode well for Mr. Bice.

#8 - Blu Cantrell - "Hit 'Em Up Style (Oops!)" - Frankly, I'm a bit shocked that "Breathe" with Sean Paul only peaked at #70. I loved that song, quite possibly even more than "Hit 'Em Up Style." Sad. Blu was good, although I do remember watching the video for this song back in 2001 and commenting on just how out of sync she was with her lip syncing.

#7 - Gnarls Barkley - "Crazy" - I guess I should have seen this one-hit wonder coming. This song was AMAZING and nothing released since has been as catchy/AKA radio friendly. Ceee-Lo and Dangermouse are two very talented entities and I'm sure they will have lots of success. Their performance antics as a duo, however rival Lady Gaga in terms of creativity and vocal talent. Ceee-Lo has quite the voice and those costumes were 'CRAZY.'

#6 - James Blunt - "You're Beautiful" - Ha. This song is hilarious to make fun of. If anyone wants to hear my rendition, just let me know. I'd gladly sing it for you.

#3 - Crazy Town - "Butterfly" - All I know about this band is THIS song and the fact that one of the band-members was on the first season of Dr. Drew's Celebrity Rehab show. That sort of goes to show you how fast the band sunk after this song.

#1 - Daniel Powter - "Bad Day" - I think I may be the only person in America who isn't yet sick of this song. It was the "Goodbye" theme for American Idol Season 5 and perhaps So You Think You Can Dance, as well? Maybe not, but yeah. I used to love belting this song out in my room...and still do on occasion. I guess I have a lot of bad days.

Katharine McPhee Remains 'Unbroken'

I'm just going to go out on a limb and say it - Unbroken is the CD that Katharine McPhee should have made from the start. Her misguided, post-idol debut was one big cliche-ridden poptastic mess. While it wasn't without the occasional gem (i.e. - "Love Story") for the most part, it just didn't seem genuine. From the looks of it, her follow up, due out on Verve January 5th, will be everything that her debut album should have been and more.


"It took me a long time to figure out where I wanted to go and be as an artist," McPhee says. "I needed time to learn who I was as a musician."

From the looks of it, McPhee realizes completely that her first album was a mistake. Back on her season of idol, I was calling every night and voting for McPhee, over Taylor Hicks. Traditionally speaking, the female idol contestants tend to catch my attention over the men. I don't know why this always happens, but very rarely do I find myself drawn into the story and the music of a male idol contestant. Adam Lambert and Kris Allen may very well be the only two exceptions to this rule, so who knows what this next season of Idol holds for me.

According to her label, Unbroken is going to reveal a whole new side to McPhee as an artist. "Poignant, vital lyrics swell over full, lush melodies," Verve says. Unbroken also showcases McPhee's songwriting skills, seeing her co-write a majority of the album's 13 tracks. Joining McPhee on this journey are talented songwriters including Rachael Yamagata, Ingrid Michaelson, Kara DioGuardi, Lucie Silvas, Gary Go, and Paula Cole. The one cover is a cover of the 70s pop hit "Brand New Key," originally sung by Melanie. "I'd never heard that song in my life," says McPhee. "It's so weird and cute. People who really know me know that I'm a weird funny girl." Sounds perfect to me! I love "Brand New Key," ever since I bought and proceeded to play out my copy of the Boogie Nights soundtrack.


Produced by John Alagia (John Mayer, Jason Mraz), the album's tracks seem to be the perfect blend of ballads and more uplifting, up-tempo fare. First single, the Kara DioGuardi co-penned "Had It All" features "upbeat melodies [that] contrast the often downbeat lyrics of someone who appears to have lost it all." "Say Goodbye" is a beautiful example of the type of song Katharine McPhee was meant to sing. Making it's debut on an episode of CSI: New York co-starring McPhee.

It seems to me like everything is falling into place for McPhee. Not only is she involved in the songwriting process, but she's creating a whole new image for herself, ditching her brunette locks and going blonde. "I didn't think I would cut my hair off or go this blonde, but I'm going through changes." Searching for lyrics and meaning in the record just sort of forced me to examine inside and out."

I think that I'm just going to go ahead and pretend that the first album never happened. Let's all pretend that Unbroken is her long anticipated debut album. I think this way of thinking serves everyone best.


Tracklisting:

1. "It's Not Right" (Lucie Silvas/Gary Go)
2. "Had It All" (Kara DioGuardi/Mitch Allan/David Hodges)
3. "Keep Drivin'" (Katharine McPhee/Chris Tompkins/Rachael Yamagata)
4. "Last Letter" (Barry Dean/Luke Laird/Katharine McPhee)
5. "Surrender" (Katharine McPhee/Ingrid Michaelson/Marshall Altman)
6. "Terrified" (with Jason Reeves)" (Kara DioGuardi/Jason Reeves)
7. "How" (Lucie Silvas/Mike Busbee/Alexander James)
8. "Say Goodbye" (Troy Verges/Aimee Mayo/Chris Lindsey/Hillary Lindsey)
9. "Faultline" (Lucie Silvas/Shridhar Solanki/Rachel Thibodeau)
10. "Anybody's Heart" (Barry Dean/Luke Laird/Katharine McPhee)
11. "Lifetime" (Boots Ottestad/Katharine McPhee)
12. "Unbroken" (Paula Cole/Katharine McPhee)
13. "Brand New Key" (Melanie Safka)

Check out Katharine McPhee on the web:
Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//Twitter