Best one-hit wonders from Gotye to Babycakes – Daily Star experts rate and slate them

Another day, another debate has washed upon the fun-fuelled shores of Daily Star.

We might have been having it out about the proposed smoking ban the other week, but there are more important matters to discuss this time around.

And that is of course music, more specifically one-hit wonders. Yesterday (Wednesday 25 September) just so happened to be National one-hit wonder day, which has spurred on quite the spat in the newsroom.

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Although these artists might have been forgotten, their singular hit will forever be etched in our minds and live-on through a random Spotify we tucked it away in.

While social media users are adamant that Gotye’s 2011 banger of ‘Somebody That I Used To Know’ is the ultimate one-hit wonder, we all beg to differ.

So, let’s take a look at what us at the Daily Star have to say on one-hit wonders and, warning, some of these might be pretty controversial…

Andy Gilpin: You Get What You Give – New Radicals

Lord of the Daily Star, Andy Gilpin, jumped straight in with his ultimate one-hit wonder which just so happens to be 1998 hit from New Radicals. Who?

It looks like the band stayed on-brand as they never had a chance to grow old. They disbanded after their second single but they will always live on, well at least in Andy’s heart.

Andy said: “You know it, fella in a bucket hat going up and down a lift in a mall? Yeah it doesn’t sound that great, but it’s a pitch-perfect pop song.

“The start, the voice, the transitions, brilliant guitar solo and the catchy bridge which all builds up to the end. It was indy and commercial in the same breath.

“You think how on earth did these guys not go on to multiple hits? What happened? Well, in a word (or two words) lead singer Gregg Alexander.

“He disbanded the New Radicals after their second single as he saw more money in writing songs for others including Murder on the Dancefloor and tunes for S Club 7. The New Radicals amounted to nothing, but you get what you give…”

Jack Wetherill: Babycakes – 3 Of A Kind

Our Showbiz and TV Editor Jack Wetherill picked a song that is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. And if you’re on the millennial-Gen Z cusp (like me), that will most certainly make you feel old.

This 2004 garage hit remains at large, but band 3 Of A Kind who penned the track are most certainly not.

They’ve certainly earned their one-hit wonder status, we’ll trust our head of Showbiz on this one!

He said: “A timeless classic that still holds up now, even if the music video is really bizarre with sexed-up robot maids making eclairs.

“There’s nothing better than getting this on at a house party, although by that time I’ve normally had one too many and get tongue-tied over the lyrics.”

Richard Brown: Jerk It Out – Caesars

Assistant editor Richard Brown is getting all nostalgic with his ode to the ‘good ol’ days’ – which is the heyday of FIFA soundtracks.

Rich notes that the songs from the game in the early 00s have become a ‘cultural phenomenon’, but there’s a particular tune that stands out.

And it just so happens to be from a band who is a one-hit wonder. Richard said: “While ‘FIFA songs’ are now a cultural phenomenon all of their own, Jerk It Out was the song that set the wheels in motion.

“No one could tell you who the Caesars were, where they were from or what their names were, but they could rattle off every single lyric to Jerk It Out.

“It’s a mark of just how much of a cult classic it is, that it never really did that well in the charts but is still iconic for anyone between the ages of 27 and 35.”

Charles Wade-Palmer: Jerk It Out – Caesars

Daily Star’s Chief News Reporter Charles once considered himself as quite the DJ before his career in journalism. Just like Richard, Charles couldn’t get enough of the one-hit wonder that is Caesars and their ‘Jerk It Out’ banger.

Jerk It Out most notably made it onto FIFA, but – more importantly – has been burned onto Charles’ DIY ‘toe-tapper’ of a CD collection.

Charles said: “In a time (2003) of ripped and burned CDs borrowed from siblings and pals, Jerk It Out made it on each of my proudly curated ‘anthem CDs’ for consecutive years.

“Such was my love for the song, it survived all the way into my first MP3 player which carried an unbelievable 21 songs, 23 at a push.

“When searching for the song on Spotify I hadn’t a clue who it was by but one thing which will never leave me is the title three words in the chorus. A real toe-tapper if ever there was one, ‘Jerk it ouuuuuut’.

“Before committing to labelling Caesars as a one-hit wonder I paid due diligence to see how the single stacks up against the band’s discography streams.

“Much to my relief, perhaps less Caesars (great name by the way), Jerk It Out has 283 million streams compared to their next most popular songs which are hovering around the 3 million mark.

“Writing this has convinced me to give the band, which seemingly called it a day in 2008, another shot. I’ll let you know how I get on.”

Vince Soodin: Diamond Lights – Glenn Hoddle and Chris Waddle

Assistant editor Vince has travelled all the way back to the 80s to pick his one-hit wonder. And, to the shock of no one, it’s involving Spurs.

While Vince notes that his choice is influenced by the ties to his beloved team, he believes Diamond Lights is a “perfectly-crafted” 80s pop tune.

The song from one-hit wonder duo Glenn and Chris is one of nostalgia for Vince – for shopping and footy reasons.

He said: “Look, I’m not just nominating this banger because I’m a Spurs season ticket holder and Glenn Hoddle and Chris Waddle were two of our club’s star players in the 1980s.

“I’m picking Diamond Lights as it is a perfectly-crafted Eighties pop tune – and the first single I ever bought from Our Price.

“You have that brooding synth intro and pounding electronic drum beat – so there was no need for real musicians or instruments.

“I suppose there could have been an issue finding actual professional musicians willing to jeopardise their careers playing with two footballers who were pretty much just doing karaoke.

“But despite no band, Hoddle and Waddle managed to drag the single to number 12 in the UK charts – in the same way they dragged Spurs to an FA Cup Final in 1987.

“Unfortunately Tottenham lost the Wembley final and a few weeks later we lost Glenn and Chris too when Spurs ditched Glenn Hoddle and sold him!”

Carly Hacon: The Ketchup Song – Las Ketchup

Senior Showbiz Writer Carly has chosen The Ketchup Song that dominated Spanish all-inclusive hotels and school hall discos alike in the early noughties.

Again, we can’t believe this song is now 22 years old. But Carly thinks it’s even more shocking that Las Ketchup didn’t produce another ‘big banger’ after.

Though, it’s impressive that it was such a hit in the UK despite being sung in Spanish – Spanglish in some versions.

Working in the world of Showbiz, Carly gave her expertise and said: “I learned the full choreography for this international tune and would showcase this at any given opportunity, with the best place being school discos.

“Obviously, still gutted they didn’t have another big banger like this.”

Sophie Roberts: Hideaway – Kiesza

Sophie, Head of the Social News Team, has turned back time for a tune that transports her back to her university days.

We’d also like to go back to the much simpler times of 2014, and we’re sure one-hit wonder artist Kiesza would too.

Kiesza with her catchy song gets Sophie’s vote, but will she forever remain a singular success as she tries to reboot her music career on TikTok? We shall see…

Sophie said: “It may sound like it’s from the 90s, but absolute banger takes me right back to my university days. It’s catchy, it’s fun and I can’t listen to it without my hips moving. Bonus points for having a cracking music video too!

“Kiesza, 35, is a superstar in Canada but only managed to nab a single No.1 in the UK. She’s probably not losing too much sleep over it though, as Hideaway became the third-fastest selling single of 2014.”

Layla Nicholson: Superstar – Jamelia

Of course as Senior Features Writer I had to put my two-pence worth in. And it’s certainly a controversial one, as not everyone will see Jamelia as a one-hit wonder but I do and so does Simon Cowell…

Jamelia might have pivoted away from music and found success in presenting. But, I believe her music career was short-lived and only produced one absolutely sensational banger – though others might disagree.

What’s that? Superstar, of course. I have fond memories of loading up my PS2 and Singstar at 7am over the weekends just so I could wake my family (and probably the neighbours) to belt out Superstar.

Released 21 years ago, Superstar will forever be Jamelia’s defining moment, and only real moment, in music.

I will leave you with this 2006 quote from Simon Cowell after Jamelia commented on Leona Lewis’ voice, the music mogul said: “Jamelia’s been fantastic. She’s a one-hit wonder and she’s got all the advice.

“My advice to her would be to have a second hit then have an opinion.”

Josh Whorms : Somebody that I used to know – Gotye (feat Kimbra)

He’s interning for a few weeks and we can’t keep Josh away from the big topics. Nothing really says one hit wonder quite like Goyte’s 2011, Somebody that I Used to Know, featuring Kimbra.

Released in 2011 the song quickly rose to the top of the charts and on Youtube has raked in over 2.3 billion views alone with over 16 million likes – one of the most viewed videos on the platform.

The certified multi platinum song went on to win the Goyte a considerable number of awards, as it won the 2013 Grammy Award for Record of the Year and also the award for the best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the same award ceremony.

“I’m not interested in selling my music,” Gotye said. “That’s the reason I don’t put ads on my Youtube channel. I generally never want to sync my music for products.”

Josh said: “Gotye did not completely disappear from music. He never stopped making music and has released a number of albums with his bands “B.A.S.I.C,” who are currently sitting at 13 studio albums.

“However, these projects were forever eclipsed by the success of Somebody. And because of this, in the public eye now he’s just somebody that we used to know.”

Aaron Flanagan: Heaven is a Halfpipe – OPM

Head of Sport Aaron thinks he’s onto the song for school kids of the millennial era. But does it deserve that title, if it’s a one-hit wonder?

Backing the soundtrack to all skinhead skateboarders, Aaron shared: “The ultimate song for high school kids of the millennial era.

“We all had that era where we wore baggy jeans, shaved our heads and pretended we were half decent on a skateboard – but in actual fact completing a heel flip was more like climbing Mount Everest. Heaven is a Halfpipe was the soundtrack to that part of my life. Banger.

Robin Cottle: Breakfast at Tiffany’s – Deep Blue Something

Assistant editor of Trendswatch Robin believes he’s sourced the ‘perfect one hit wonder recipe’. He thinks it’s still a banger after three decades, the only banger band Deep Blue Something have ever made.

Robin said: “I wanted to nominate Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Deep Blue Something. It’s still a banger 30 odd years since it was released, everyone knows the lyrics and can sing along to it but no one can name any of the band’s other material.

“The perfect one hit wonder recipe!”

Andrew Jameson: Independent Lovesong – Scarlet

Our Deputy News Editor Andrew only came across this one-hit wonder a year ago – despite it being birthed 30 years ago. Do this band and their single banger deserve such a title then?

Well, Andrew said: “It’s with immense regret that I only really stumbled across this soaring piece of pop last year. One of those songs you wish had been the soundtrack to all of life’s biggest moments.

“It only reached number 12 but it’s by far this Hull female duo’s biggest hit.”

So that’s our verdict! Let us know in the comment what you think about our one-hit wonders – do you agree or do you think someone else holds the title?

Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk