Top 10 Greatest Two Hit Music Wonders
#10: KT Tunstall
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"Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" / "Suddenly I See" Critics declared KT Tunstall a revelation for her debut album “Eye to the Telescope,” but many people already knew her from a performance of “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree” on “Later… with Jools Holland.” Tunstall used a loop pedal to perform the elaborate, retro-modern blues ballad completely solo. The phenomenon debuted as a single on the UK Top 30. And after Katharine McPhee’s cover on “American Idol,” it topped Billboard’s Adult charts. Tunstall blew up again later in 2005, with the upbeat single “Suddenly I See.” She hasn’t released another song as popular as these two breakouts. Still, Tunstall maintains a dedicated following and acclaim, on top of two modern classics in folk rock.
#9: Ready for the World
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"Oh Sheila" / "Love You Down" In 1985, Ready for the World conquered their namesake with the dreamy and steamy single “Oh Sheila.” It shot to the top of the Billboard Hot 100, and became a dance club sensation. Granted, the song’s success may be partly due to the common misconception that it was by Prince. Besides the similar vocal and musical style, the pop titan dated drummer Sheila E. around the time. But the following year, Ready for the World topped the charts again with the more distinctive “Love You Down.” This enchanting slow jam proved they were no fluke, despite their following becoming more cult afterward. Ready for the World have been going strong since their reunion in 2004, with their two biggest hits as staples of their concerts.
#8: Spin Doctors
"Little Miss Can't Be Wrong" / "Two Princes" Spin Doctors helped frame alternative rock for pop audiences with their 1992 debut album. The lead single off of “Pocket Full of Kryptonite” immediately caught popular attention for its funky hook and relatable lyrics about someone's ego. “Little Miss Can't Be Wrong” floated around the Billboard Hot 100 for 20 weeks, peaking at #17. That was nothing compared to the impossibly catchy second single “Two Princes.” This Grammy nominee is still synonymous with ‘90s pop rock. Its massive popularity helped boost Spin Doctors’ profile, but didn't do much for their following singles. All the same, the loyal fans and two princely classics are keeping them firmly in the public eye.
#7: Paula Cole
"Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?" / "I Don't Want to Wait" Paula Cole’s innovative pop caught on with her 1996 album “This Fire.” The heartbreak ballad “Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?” especially struck critics and audiences alike. The song charted at No. 8 and earned three Grammy nominations, including Record and Song of the Year. The No. 11 single “I Don't Want to Wait” was initially a respectable follow-up to “Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?” But after it became the theme for the WB drama “Dawson’s Creek,” it got even bigger. Cole was poised to become a pop-rock superstar after her double platinum album, but her subsequent stylistic experiments cost her popular appeal. Still, her work remains respected. Besides, Cole's pop successes aren't going anywhere.
#6: Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch
"Good Vibrations" / "Wildside" There was a new Wahlberg on the block, and the charts, when Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch released “Music for the People” in 1991. The lead single “Good Vibrations” especially got the people moving with its house beat and disco legend Loleatta Holloway’s soulful vocals. The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 and is now recognized as a staple of ‘90s pop rap. Though the follow-up “Wildside” is more conventionally hip-hop, the politically-charged anthem landed at No. 10. The Funky Bunch was an overnight success, but they decided to disband after their second album underperformed. The short-lived crew nonetheless leaves a lasting legacy with two versatile classics. It certainly helps that Mark Wahlberg went on to become a prominent Hollywood star.
#5: Animotion
"Obsession" / "Room to Move" The synth-new wave group Animotion had audiences hooked from their first album’s first track. The warped love ballad “Obsession,” focusing on a self-absorbed lover and inspired by the co-writer’s substance use disorder, peaked at No. 6 on Billboard’s Hot 100. It soon became a pop mainstay for dance culture and the music video received frequent airplay on MTV. Though Animotion landed minor hits in “Let Him Go” and “I Engineer,” the singular success of “Obsession” made them one of the decade’s defining one-hit wonders. Then, in ‘89, their kicking cover of Climie Fisher's “Room to Move” cracked the US Top 10. Sure, this hit is often overshadowed by the more salient “Obsession,” but both are classic dance anthems for Animotion fans to obsess over.
#4: Tone Lōc
"Wild Thing" / "Funky Cold Medina" Following the release of Tone Lōc’s 1989 debut album, the lead single “Wild Thing” made No. 2 on the charts. The record took a legal hit for its unauthorized sampling of Van Halen’s “Jamie's Cryin’,” but its infectious beat and scandalous lyrics created a double platinum classic. Later, “Funky Cold Medina” hit No. 3 within weeks of its single release. It also received a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Solo Performance, while the seminal West Coast rapper got a Best New Artist nod. However, the collaboration “We're All in the Same Gang” would be the last time he made the Top 40. Tone Lōc hasn't released an album since 1991, but stands tall for his timeless contributions to hip-hop.
#3: Psy
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"Gangnam Style" / "Gentlemen" Rapper Park Jae-sang, or Psy, commanded a cult and critical following in South Korea throughout the 2000s. Unfortunately, commercial success in his native country was stifled by controversy over his edgy content. With the 2012 single “Gangnam Style,” he finally found a hit so huge that it went beyond national. The catchy jam and its corresponding dance became a global viral phenomenon. “Gangnam Style” swept international awards and went platinum many times over. Lightning struck again for Psy in 2013, when “Gentleman” topped charts worldwide. The hip-hop star has not had as big of a song since, but he was integral to the spread of K-pop. And as he's bigger than ever at home, more global hits may be inevitable.
#2: Young M.C.
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"Bust a Move" / "Principal's Office" Young M.C. created significant work with other artists but had a more direct role in hip-hop history with his 1989 debut album “Stone Cold Rhymin’,” especially the track “Bust a Move.” The funky jam, elevated by Crystal Blake’s vocals and the one and only Flea’s bass work, was an international hit that went platinum within a year. This breakout boosted the follow-up single “Principal’s Office,” a more narrative piece that cracked the Top 40. Both classics so clearly represent Young M.C.’s pop-oriented skill that hip-hop fans forget they were his only big hits. Though his output has slowed down over the years, people will be busting a move to his work forever. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. 3OH!3, "Don't Trust Me" / "My First Kiss" After a Multi-Platinum Breakout, the Electro-Rockers Returned with a Kesha Collab Dead or Alive, "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)" / "Brand New Lover" A Cornerstone of Synth-Pop Was Rivaled by One of the Hottest Dance Hits of 1986 Fastball, "The Way" / "Out of My Head" These Alt-Rockers Also Hit with a Slower Ballad John Parr, "Naughty, Naughty" / "St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion)" After a Top 40 Breakout, a Grammy-Nominated Movie Theme Went to No. 1 Ugly Kid Joe, "Everything About You" / "Cats in the Cradle" A Top 10 Metal Hit Was Out-Charted by a Killer Cover of a Harry Chapin Classic
#1: Men Without Hats
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"The Safety Dance" / "Pop Goes the World” The sound of the ‘80s was epitomized by the synth-new wave band Men Without Hats. “The Safety Dance,” off their 1982 debut album “Rhythm of Yout,” became a global youth phenomenon. The single only topped the pop charts in South Africa, but its unshakable groove and twist on pogo dancing are now synonymous with the decade. Five years later, the band blew up the world again with “Pop Goes the World.” This second hit was even bigger than the first in their native Canada, with both songs entering the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020. While “The Safety Dance” is more prevalent in pop culture, “Pop Goes the World” reminds us that any song from great artists can be a sensation. What are your favorite two-hit wonders and their underappreciated gems? Turn it up in the comments.
