One Hit Wonders of the 2000s
84 artists
The 2000s gave us the one-hit wonder in its loudest, glossiest form. Snap rap, crunk, emo-pop, soundtrack ballads, and ringtone-driven novelties all powered acts who briefly ruled the charts, then disappeared almost as fast as they arrived. It was also the decade when downloads first reshaped the industry, helping a single hook reach number one ahead of any album behind it. Sort the certified 2000s artists by our ratio and the era's signature stories surface again and again: one inescapable song, one dance everyone learned, then the long quiet that followed.
The White Stripes
"Seven Nation Army"
6.8x ratio
alternative rock · United States · 2003
ONE HIT WONDERSnow Patrol
"Chasing Cars"
8.5x ratio
indie rock · United Kingdom · 2006
ONE HIT WONDERHoobastank
"The Reason"
8.4x ratio
alternative rock · United States · 2003
ONE HIT WONDERGnarls Barkley
"Crazy"
41.3x ratio
alternative hip hop · United States · 2006
ONE HIT WONDERIyaz
"Replay"
9.4x ratio
contemporary r&b · British Virgin Islands · Male · 2009
ONE HIT WONDERPlain White T's
"Hey There Delilah - Bonus Track"
9.7x ratio
acoustic rock · United States · 2006
ONE HIT WONDERFranz Ferdinand
"Take Me Out"
11.0x ratio
indie rock · United Kingdom · 2004
ONE HIT WONDERJimmy Eat World
"The Middle"
5.3x ratio
alternative rock · United States · 2001
ONE HIT WONDERWheatus
"Teenage Dirtbag"
48.3x ratio
alternative rock · United States · 2000
ONE HIT WONDERAaron Smith
"Dancin - Krono Remix"
849.5x ratio
indie folk · United States · Male · 2005
ONE HIT WONDERVanessa Carlton
"A Thousand Miles"
38.4x ratio
pop · United States · Female · 2002
ONE HIT WONDEREstelle
"American Boy"
88.6x ratio
contemporary r&b · United Kingdom · Female · 2007
ONE HIT WONDERCorinne Bailey Rae
"Put Your Records On"
7.3x ratio
soul · United Kingdom · Female · 2006
ONE HIT WONDERt.A.T.u.
"All The Things She Said"
9.7x ratio
pop · Russia · 2002
ONE HIT WONDERThe Temper Trap
"Sweet Disposition"
8.3x ratio
indie rock · Australia · 2008
ONE HIT WONDERModjo
"Lady - Hear Me Tonight"
23.2x ratio
french house · France · 2000
ONE HIT WONDERSophie Ellis-Bextor
"Murder On The Dancefloor"
22.6x ratio
dance-pop · United Kingdom · Female · 2001
ONE HIT WONDERFort Minor
"Remember the Name (feat. Styles of Beyond)"
6.3x ratio
hip hop · United States · 2005
ONE HIT WONDERCarlos Baute
"Colgando en tus manos (con Marta Sánchez)"
5.4x ratio
latin · Venezuela · Male · 2008
ONE HIT WONDERDaniel Powter
"Bad Day"
21.4x ratio
pop · Canada · Male · 2005
ONE HIT WONDERMario Winans
"I Don't Wanna Know"
158.3x ratio
gospel · United States · Male · 2004
ONE HIT WONDERCrazy Town
"Butterfly"
58.3x ratio
nu metal · United States · 2000
ONE HIT WONDEREdward Maya
"Stereo Love (Original)"
10.5x ratio
deep house · Romania · Male · 2009
ONE HIT WONDERAlien Ant Farm
"Smooth Criminal"
7.5x ratio
alternative rock · United States · 2001