Top 10 One Hit Wonder Artists That Are Still Active

Where is the moment he needed the most? While Daniel Powter might not have followed his mid 2000s smash hit “Bad Day” with another of the same caliber, he hasn’t given up on his passion for music. He released three more albums in 2008, 2012, and 2018 respectively, as well as several EPs. Interestingly, the Canadian singer has gone on to see success in another continent: Asia, particularly in Japan. The lead singles on his later albums continued to chart there. He’s also collaborated with a few Japanese artists, and toured the country in 2022. In addition, Powter has performed in Thailand and Singapore. It’s safe to say this sad song did turn things around!

They felt they had to run away, but thankfully it wasn’t forever. Soft Cell first broke up in the mid 1980s, but later reunited in the early 2000s and dropped another album. The “Tainted Love” duo reunited for a 2018 UK tour, announcing that would be their last in the UK. Despite this, they would again come together for five more shows in 2021, and even released a new album. Their 2022 effort “Happiness Not Included” was Soft Cell’s highest-charting album since the early 80s, and featured a collab with another iconic 80s synthpop duo: the Pet Shop Boys. Despite what they once sang, they might not have given us all a boy could give after all.

There’s many things they wish they didn’t do, but this band is happy with all they’ve accomplished. One hit wonder status aside, Hoobastank has stayed together for over 25 years and released four more albums following “The Reason.” Besides their latest release, “Push Pull,” the group isn’t averse to reliving their glory days. They’ve gone all out celebrating their early successes, releasing an acoustic version of “The Reason” in 2020 to celebrate the song’s 15th anniversary, along with a 2022 documentary in honor of their first album turning 20. The members of Hoobastank seem extremely close in their commentary, and it’s no wonder they’ve lasted as long as their signature infinity logo.

While she only delivered one timeless dream to the masses, this Welsh singer continues to enchant on a lower profile. Donna Lewis has steadily made music as an independent artist following “I Love You Always Forever,” with her latest album being released in 2015. However, she continues to release standalone singles. Throughout 2020, she uploaded acoustic versions of her past pop songs to her YouTube channel, including her big hit. As of 2019, Lewis lived in a small town just outside of Woodstock, New York, so it’s safe to say she’s enjoying indie life as opposed to chasing mainstream success. But, no matter where Lewis goes, everywhere, she will be with us.

These party people paved the way. Sadly, Tag Team didn’t get much mileage after the initial success of “Whoomp! (There It Is).” After their follow-up singles, they mostly remained dormant besides two albums in 2010 and 2015, but they’re finally experiencing a renaissance. First, there was that ice cream-themed GEICO commercial where they weren’t afraid to poke fun at their old hit. They’ve also been making the rounds in interviews, reminiscing on the song and performing it publicly. In 2022, they appeared on “The Masked Singer” for the “90s Night,” themed episode and got the room partying like it was 1993. Tag Team’s oddly wholesome second shot is one of the more underrated comeback stories.

She’s still killin’ ‘em in the U.K. While Estelle will forever be associated with “American Boy,” she’s managed to achieve longevity in her music career and beyond it. Following her 2008 album “Shine,” the British singer released three more, including the 2018 reggae album “Lovers Rock.” However, fans of Cartoon Network might also know that she’s been using her vocal talents for something other than music. Starting in 2013, Estelle began voicing the character Garnet on “Steven Universe,” a role she kept up into the film and spin-off. She’s also guest-starred on the Fox series “Empire,” and has an Apple Music podcast with over 500 episodes. Years later, everything she touches still has that number-one champion sound.

Time could never pass her by. Vanessa Carlton had too much talent to fade away following “A Thousand Miles,” and she hasn’t yet resigned to living in our precious memories alone. She’s continued releasing music ever since her breakout hit, dropping her most recent album, “Love is an Art,” in 2020. The year before, she made her Broadway debut in “Beautiful: the Carole King Musical,” where she made plenty of use of her piano talents. Then, in 2021, Carlton was interviewed for Vice’s documentary on “A Thousand Miles,” which went on to receive a News and Documentary Emmy nod. In the doc, she spoke about her complicated feelings on her past hit, while also looking forward to the future as an artist.

He’s weird ‘cause he hates goodbyes… Thankfully, Owl City hasn’t had to say goodbye to an illustrious career just yet! Adam Young has put out four more albums since “Ocean Eyes” (the release containing “Fireflies”), as well as several EPs and soundtrack songs. First there was his second shot at stardom with the collab “Good Time.” You might even remember his brief “Wreck-It-Ralph” era! “When Can I See You Again?” is a total banger, guys. Young also dabbled in Christian music, a subject he’s never shied away from even in his mainstream pop releases. Thankfully for 2000s kids everywhere, Young has teased the return of prime Owl City on an upcoming album.

Crank it forward a decade plus, and Soulja Boy is continuing to grab headlines. While he’s dropped the “Tell ‘Em” from his stage name, the rapper is just as outspoken as ever. Besides dropping a plethora of mixtapes with no end in sight, Soulja Boy’s relationship drama made waves in the early seasons of “Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood.” He also became a popular Twitch streamer, with plenty of viral moments before getting banned from the platform in 2021. When reports in 2022 suggested he was done with music, he spoke out against them and has continued making more. As one of the first viral internet stars, something tells us Soulja Boy is here to stay — whether that’s on or off the charts.

Against all odds, our number-one pick is still performing for plenty of faces in crowded places. James Blunt has released five more albums since “You’re Beautiful” was played ad nauseum in the 2000s, and diversified his portfolio along the way. In 2015, Blunt went Down Under to judge “The X Factor Australia,” and he’s also become best buds with another small English singer-songwriter who you might know by the name of Ed Sheeran. The pair have worked together many times, with Sheeran co-writing songs with Blunt, and even becoming the godfather of Blunt’s oldest son. The two have since toured together, with Blunt opening for Sheeran on his Divide Tour.