One-Hit Wonder Day takes place every year on September 25. The day is the perfect excuse to listen to songs that have been in your head since they first aired. So buckle up and get ready to remember all the artists whose names have been lost to time, but whose works have stayed behind in our minds and hearts. Here’s everything you need to know about one-hit wonders and the people who made them.
History of One-Hit Wonder Day
One-Hit Wonder Day was originally started in 1990 by a music journalist named Steve Rosen. Rosen started the day because he wanted people to remember the names of artists who’d only had a brief moment in the spotlight despite their work outliving them. It seems only fair that we take a few minutes to think about the talented artists who gave us the hits that are etched into our minds and hearts even today.
You might be wondering what constitutes a one-hit-wonder, and we have the answer to that! A one-hit wonder is any song that reaches Number One on the ‘Billboard’ charts and the artist never had another song break into the Top 40 after that. A one-hit wonder doesn’t mean an artist is unsuccessful or any better or worse than another artist who doesn’t have that title. They are simply people whose names have faded from memory while their works have endured, and we believe they deserve another five minutes of fame every now and then to ensure their full legacy is preserved.
Although ‘one-hit wonder’ is a term often used in the music industry, it’s also used in other fields like academics, sciences, and sports. These are people and professionals who had one shining moment in their careers before fading back into obscurity. Their great acts were never repeated again.
One-Hit Wonder Day is a day for the athletes who turned the tide of a game, scientists who had one great breakthrough before hitting a wall, and every other person who’s had one life-defining and odds-defying moment in their life before everything went back to normal.
One-Hit Wonder Day timeline
Rock music takes over the ‘50s and becomes one of the first music genres to reach critical acclaim.
The portable radio is introduced and rapidly gains popularity.
Music journalist Steve Rosen creates One-Hit Wonder Day.
Audiogalaxy, the first online music streaming site, launches.
One-Hit Wonder Day FAQs
What is a one-hit-wonder in music?
A one-hit wonder is a person who has one very successful song while their other songs don’t have comparable success.
What is a one-hit-wonder in sport?
An athlete who has great success or breaks a record in one game, but their previous and future feats don’t compare to it.
What’s the most influential one-hit-wonder?
‘The Message’ by Grandfather Flash & The Furious Five.
One-Hit Wonder Day Activities
Make a playlist of the hits
Whether you’re on Spotify, iTunes, YouTube, or another platform, you can make a playlist out of all the songs that have topped the charts over the years. Explore your favorite genres and maybe find some new ones.
Learn a hit
If you play an instrument, you could learn how to play a one-hit-wonder. You learn something new, and people are bound to recognize what you’re playing.
Karaoke night
Host a themed karaoke night where the set list is one-hit wonders! If you’re the competitive type of person, you can have a running competition of guessing the song and artist that each person sings, and the winner gets a prize.
5 Facts About Music That You’ll Think Are Awesome
To the beat of your heart
The music you listen to syncs to the rhythm of your heartbeat.
Music for plants
Plants respond to specific auditory cues and react in a way that makes them grow better or develop helpful resistance.
Musician mortality
A study focusing on musicians between 1950 and 2014 concluded that, on average, the lifespan of musicians is 25 years shorter than the average U.S. citizen.
Digital sales
In 2018, it was reported that 88% of the music industry’s sales were generated digitally.
Music equals endurance
It’s been scientifically proven that listening to music while doing physical work improves the experience and allows you to work longer.
Why We Love One-Hit Wonder Day
We love a good throwback
One-hit wonders are deeply rooted in iconic eras. Everyone has at least a few songs that reigned supreme when they were released and then immediately forgotten. We love listening to these songs again while enjoying the flood of nostalgia and memories that come along with them.
We love music
Listening to our carefully curated playlists helps us work, play, and sleep. It turns out we’re a little obsessed with music and we really don’t mind. So, holidays that give us an excuse to turn up the music and make another playlist are some of the best in our books.
Honor the Greats
Giving credit to the artists who gave us the songs we love today is the right thing to do. Take the time out of your day to get them some love.
One-Hit Wonder Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | September 25 | Wednesday |
| 2025 | September 25 | Thursday |
| 2026 | September 25 | Friday |
| 2027 | September 25 | Saturday |
| 2028 | September 25 | Monday |
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