Top 10 Country Music One Hit Wonders
#10: “Butterfly Kisses” (1997)
Bob Carlisle A song penned by Randy Thomas and Bob Carlisle for the latter’s then-teen girl, “Butterfly Kisses” evokes all the feelings that encompass the special bond between a parent and child. It was released over two decades ago but still carries the same weight it did back in 1997. We don’t see that changing anytime soon, either. The poignant masterpiece, which earned Carlisle a Grammy win for Best Country Song and a name in the music industry, has gone on to be covered by numerous notable artists. Ultimately, none of Carlise’s later works would garner the same acclaim as his bittersweet 1997 hit.
#9: “One Voice” (2000)
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Billy Gilman At just 12 years old, Billy Gilman became the youngest male artist to ever chart the country top 40 with a solo hit. He impressively did so with his debut single, “One Voice”— a powerful exploration of how violence is perceived by youth. With such an achievement under his belt so early in life, Gilman followed up the 2000 song with a few more projects, yet ultimately retreated from the spotlight. But in 2016, the artist graced “The Voice” stage and wound up being the competition’s runner-up, proving he has the makings of more than a one-hit-wonder. He’s still relatively young, so perhaps the singer will release another hit.
#8: “Rose Garden” (1970)
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Lynn Anderson Pop-country artist Lynn Anderson was eager to record her cover of “Rose Garden”, a song penned and produced by Joe South. Her desire was initially met with objection, as her husband/producer argued that the single wasn’t a “girl’s song”. But Lynn persisted and recorded her version, which includes a beautifully added string section and feminine vocals that make the track different but equally special. Released in 1970, the single quickly garnered positive reception. It spent 5 weeks atop the Billboard Hot Country Singles Chart and even reached number three on the Hot 100.
#7: “Should've Asked Her Faster” (1995)
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Ty England Ty England went out by himself after having been part of Garth Brooks’ band, and instantly became popular with his first single— “Should've Asked Her Faster” in 1995. The upbeat tune was perfect for fans of the genre, as evidenced by the fact that it reached the third spot on the Hot Country Songs chart. Riding off the attention, England understandably continued to make more music, though his newer work didn’t really leave as big of a mark. The artist enjoyed some level of success afterwards, but there’s no denying that this single was his signature work.
#6: “Strawberry Wine” (1996)
Deana Carter An emotionally-charged ballad sure to get you in your feels, “Strawberry Wine” is Deana Carter’s debut single that wound up being her most famous release. The nostalgic country love song was all the rage in the mid-90s, as it rose to the top spot on what’s known today as the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and earned a Grammy nomination. The Nashville Songwriters Association International even named it Song of the Year! Needless to say, “Strawberry Wine” is the track the artist remains most recognized for, even though she has released other well-received records since recording her premier hit.
#5: “Dust on the Bottle” (1995)
David Lee Murphy Best known for the fourth single from his first album, David Lee Murphy couldn’t have imagined just how big this song would become. The artist explained that he was in his kitchen with his guitar in hand when he created “Dust on the Bottle” in roughly 15 minutes. He explained that it amazingly “came out of nowhere”. This spontaneity proved valuable for the track’s content, with lyrics detailing advice for wooing your partner. It’s been decades since the number one hit first entered peoples’ lives, but there’s no denying that it continues to get “sweeter with time”.
#4: “Leave the Pieces” (2005)
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The Wreckers Talented artists and friends Michelle Branch and Jessica Harp were the musical pair we didn’t know we needed back in the mid-2000s. The two teamed up to form the country duo known as “The Wreckers” and put out a killer first studio album. The lead track from said album, “Leave the Pieces” touches on knowing your worth in a relationship, a message that many connected with. The song notably peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs—something no female duo had achieved since 1953. Lightning didn’t strike twice however, and the pair disbanded not long after the album’s release.
#3: “I Loved Her First” (2006)
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Heartland As we’ve learned from Bob Carlisle’s “Butterfly Kisses”, country songs that detail the specialness of father-daughter relationships do especially well with audiences. Heartland’s “I Loved Her First” does just this with lyrics and melodies that bittersweetly pull on the heartstrings. To this day, the song remains a popular choice for dads and their girls to enjoy together, especially at weddings. The ballad serves as Heartland’s sole country chart-topper, and it set the bar extremely high for the musical group of six. Their subsequent singles weren’t able to perform at the same level, and member departures followed.
#2: “Feed Jake” (1991)
Pirates of the Mississippi If there’s one thing that seems to do just as well as love among country fans, it's songs about man’s best friend. Pirates of the Mississippi’s “Feed Jake”—a story about the bond shared between owner and dog—is the quintessential example. Right up there with country classics sure to induce waterworks, this third single from the musical group’s self-titled album is a ballad that will never go out of style. Accompanied by guitar, synthesized strings, and versatile lyrics, it holds sociopolitcal messaging that makes it much more than a story about animals. Unfortunately, Pirates of the Mississippi disbanded more than once and “Feed Jake” would remain their best-performing release.
#1: “Harper Valley P.T.A.” (1968)
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Jeannie C. Riley Like many others, Jeannie C. Riley’s debut single is also her most beloved. With 1968’s “Harper Valley P.T.A.”, Riley delivered an instant international hit that widely touched listeners, solidifying her status among the more popular country artists. The track not only topped the charts, but it also won a Grammy and led to a film and TV series. A song about a widowed mother standing up for her daughter, the storytelling is equally badass and ahead of its time. Considering “Harper Valley PTA”’s massive popularity, it's no surprise that Riley couldn’t replicate its magic with her sequel.
