National One-Hit Wonder Day, and its 30th anniversary, will be observed on Friday, Sept. 25.
The holiday was established in 1990 by music journalist Steve Rosen as a way to celebrate those artists who had one big hit and then completely disappeared or were never able to follow up their first success.
One-hit wonders have existed in every decade of music, and almost everyone has a favorite or can name at least one. Some one-hit wonders from the past decade include Vance Joy with “Riptide,” Elle King with “Ex’s and Oh’s” and Portugal the Man’s “Feel it Still.”
“I think my favorite, but it’s a tough choice, might be Survivor’s ‘Eye of the Tiger,’” Emily Tuttle, an art history professor and Winthrop alumna, said. “Yes, it’s a bit cheesy, but on days when I need to get pumped for a project, this song helps to build some momentum. I listened to it every morning while I was taking my doctoral exams.”
Because there is a strong link between memory and music, people will often associate certain songs with specific times in their lives. For freshman theatre major Cameron Vipperman, there is a direct link between her favorite one-hit wonder, “Shut Up and Dance” by Walk the Moon, and a memory she associates with the song.
“That one is really cringy, but when I was in eighth grade I heard the song, it goes, ‘A backless dress and some beat up sneaks.’ And was like, ‘Oh my god, it’s about me,’ because I had this backless dress and I would wear it without ‘proper shoes’ according to my mom. I’d wear it with my Converse, and I thought I was so edgy,” Vipperman said.
For some, like freshman integrated marketing communication major Victoria Trump, not knowing a lot about an artist with one big song is a comfort.
“The guy that sang “Somebody That I Used to Know”, he fell off the grid,” Trump said. “That song still slaps, and I don’t really know if he has any other songs. I haven’t looked into it. I think it’s better that way, so that he’s not making bad music, or getting canceled like everyone else.”
Like with many obscure national holidays, such as National Fruitcake Toss Day or National Bean Day, many are unaware of National One-Hit Wonder Day’s existence.
“I did not know this was a holiday,” Tuttle said. “I love it. I think I will consider celebrating it – you know, changing my playlist for the day.”
However, not all are as excited about the upcoming holiday.
“It means absolutely nothing to me. Why is it a holiday? I feel like if a one-hit wonder was worth anything, they wouldn’t be a one-hit wonder,” Trump said.
If you are interested in celebrating National One-Hit Wonder Day, both Spotify and Apple Music have numerous playlists entitled ‘One-Hit Wonders’ with different bangers from across the decades, or you can find and listen to your personal favorites.
Photo by Tate Walden
