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.

Bring Them Back!

This is my humble plea to bring back some of my favorite pop divas...ladies who had their moment of pure pop brilliance and then disappeared as soon as they were either: A.) dropped by their record label, B.) Beckoned by Hollywood, C.) Succumbed to drugs & alcohol or D.) Some Combination of the above. Here it goes. Prepare to be dazzled!

1. Rachel Stevens: Formerly of S Club 7, Stevens has always been a favorite. Not known for her extensive vocal range, Stevens IS known for having one of 2005's best reviewed, least listened to pop records. What a shame! The album spawned 2 top 10 hits ("So Good," "Negotiate With Love") yet that was not enough to keep the singer signed with Polydor Records. If only her label had considered her entire body of work including a total of 5 top 10 UK hits! Her videos and live performances were mini works of art...OK...overstatement...but they were loads of fun! What is Ms. Stevens up to now? Acting it seems. After bit parts in Suzie Gold, Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo and most recently, voicing a character in the animated BBC series, Glendogie Bogey--it seems like Rachel is giving singing a rest at the moment and focusing on acting. Pity. Fav Tracks: "Sweet Dreams My LA Ex," "Some Girls,""Nothing Good About This Goodbye."

2. Holly Valance: Australian pop singer, Holly Valance had a #1 single in both the UK & her native land--a cover of Tarkan's "Kiss Kiss" (also covered by Stella Soliel) and while I liked Soliel's version quite a bit more, Holly Valance was quite the performer. Nominated for 4 ARIA awards (Australian Grammys) for her song "Kiss Kiss", Valance also had success with her follow up single, "Down Boy." Third single "Naughty Girl" did well in Australia and made top 20 in the UK. Follow up album was a big flop and only had one single--title track "State Of Mind." While offering nothing groundbreaking, Valance paired up with current producers could potentially turn out another hit. What's keeping her busy now? Acting. Yep. Acting isn't new for Valance--after all she appeared in the Australian soap that launched a thousand pop stars (Kylie, Natalie Imbruglia, Delta Goodrem, Stephanie McIntosh)--Neighbours. More recently, she's had her eyes on American audiences, with guest spots on Shark, CSI: Miami, CSI: NY, Moonlight, Entourage & Prison Break. Valance has also been busy in movies--National Lampoon's Pledge This, DOA: Dead or Alive and Taken. Hopefully she hasn't COMPLETELY forgotten her music past. Fav Tracks: "Kiss Kiss,""Down Boy,""State Of Mind,""Hypnotic."

3. Kym Marsh: Now I can't honestly say that Kym Marsh was ever a FAVORITE pop star of mine. Her debut solo album Standing Tall, was one of my first import album's purchased at record store in the states. That was very exciting to me at the time. It was before I discovered the websites I use now, so when I saw this $25.00 CD in the bin...I snagged it right up! I had heard her second single "Come On Over" on Now That's What I Call Music Vol. 55 and LOVED it. Little did I know, that was the beginning of the end for Marsh. First single, "Cry" made it to #2 on the UK Charts--"Come On Over" - #10...third and final single "Sentimental" only made it to #35 and Kym was dropped. Kym got her start on the UK show Popstars, forming the group Hear'Say. Kym left the group after the first album. Marsh currently stars on popular UK soap Coronation Street, where she is known as Kym Ryder. Now a Mommy of 2, Kym is still riding the success of Coronation Street (for which she has won numerous British television awards). In 2004 & 2005 she's had a successful West End run in Saturday Night Fever, where she received rave reviews. In 2006 she entered Making Your Mind Up--the UK contest that picks a singer and a song to represent the UK in Eurovision. She came in 4th. Come on Kym...reinvent your sound and come back for another round! Fav Tracks: "Come On Over,""Cry (Almighty Remix)","Cry."

4. Emma Bunton: The first bit of former Spice Girl, Emma Bunton's solo material I ever heard was her Tin Tin Out Collaboration--the cover of Edie Brickell's "What I Am." Back then I was in college (1999-2000) and I furiously sought out additional Emma tracks on Napster (before it went legit). "What Took You So Long," & "Take My Breath Away" quickly became new favorites of mine. I actually found her debut album (A Girl Like Me) on Amazon Marketplace and ordered it used. I loved it, even without the jewel case! In 2004, when I learned that Emma's long awaited follow up album was due to be released, I got excited. I of course heard "Free Me" and the subsequent remixes and fell in love. I bought the import instantly (and bought the US version that came out nearly a year later--unable to keep it from bombing on the US charts--). Emma's second album was a far cry from her days in the Spice Girls...or even her first pop album. Going for a more 60s Soul/Motown sound, the album was surprisingly catchy. "Free Me" was a jam! While she never achieved another #1 (not since "What Took You So Long" in 2001), "Free Me" hit the top 5 in the UK. Second single, "Maybe" (with an amazing video) hit #6, "I'll Be There"--#7. All signs pointed to a downward spiral. Sure enough...final single "Crickets Sing For Annamaria," a cover of an Astrud Gilberto classic, only made it to #15.

By the time word of her third album started to materialize, my worst fears were confirmed--she was doing another 60s/Motown-inspired album. Life In Mono was a certifiable bomb (Of course I bought it). First single was a cover of Petula Clark's "Downtown"-- done for BBC's Children In Need charity--capitalizing on Emma's Strictly Come Dancing (British version of Dancing With The Stars) role. The music video even featured some cast-mates from the reality show. "Downtown" made it's debut at #3 on the British Charts. Follow up single did not fare so well...treacly ballad, "All I Need To Know" stalled at #60. There was no third single due to Emma's pregnancy and the inability to properly promote the record. As a result, the album stalled at #65. A bummer. I was hoping her cover of Mono's "Life In Mono" would make it as a single, but it was never to be. Bunton, now a new Mommy of a baby boy, just finished touring with the Spice Girls for their much hyped reunion tour. For now, according to Emma on her blog, she's "reading scripts." It looks like, for the time being, she's put music on hold. *sigh. And so it goes...another pop star gone by the wayside. The good news as far as Ms. Bunton is concerned...is, as of right now anyway, she's still signed to her record label. So fingers crossed she makes good on that and records another album soon! Fav Tracks: "What Took You So Long,""A Girl Like Me,""We're Not Going To Sleep Tonight (3AM Mix)","What I Am,""Free Me,""Maybe,""No Sign Of Life,""Something So Beautiful."

5. Amy Winehouse: I don't need to say anything at all about this one. Get better soon girl. That Bond song would have rocked with you on vocals. Fav Tracks: "You Sent Me Flying (Edit),""Stronger Than Me,""Fuck Me Pumps,""Help Yourself,""In My Bed,""Take The Box,""You Know I'm No Good,""Back To Black,""Tears Dry On Their Own,""Love Is A Losing Game,""Me & Mr. Jones,""Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" (cover from Bridget Jones: Edge Of Reason Soundtrack).