One-Hit Wonders of the ’90s That Won’t Go Away
Audio Ink Radio presents its latest feature in our series on one-hit wonders. – Author: Anne Erickson, Album artwork via “The Best of Semisonic 20th Century Masters Millennium Collection” via McA
There’s something fun about a one-hit wonder, especially one that has so many good hooks it begs you to listen again and again. Thoughout the history of music, there have been plenty of great one-hit wonders, and many of them came out in the 1990s. What’s more, some of the one-hit wonders of the 1990s just won’t go away. But, that’s a good thing, because we love to sing along. Audio Ink Radio is presenting its latest feature in our series on one-hit wonders, this one highlighting one-hit wonders of the 1990s that won’t go away.
Hook-Filled One-Hit Wonders of the 1990s
Deep Blue Something, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”
If there’s one track that really is the anthem for Generation-X, it’s Deep Blue Something with 1995’s “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” The track, off their 1993 album “11th Song,” was one of the most popular non-grunge tunes on the decade, and it’s still a favorite among the Gen-Xers. It’s peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard 100, which was quite an accomplishment for the budding band.
Lit, “My Own Worst Enemy”
Lit probably didn’t know it at the time, but the Southern California alternative rock band scored a generational hit with their 1999 classic, “My Own Worst Enemy.” The song got played a ton on radio at the time, and it’s still a gold on alternative and mainstream rock playlists today. It has a catchy guitar riff, angsty vocals and memorable chorus, so it’s no wonder this song just won’t go away. We’re not bad about it, either.
Semisonic, “Closing Time”
Countless bars have played the 1998 Semisonic hit “Closing Time” as the clock gets closer to 2 a.m. It’s seriously the best bar “last call” jam ever, but aside from that, it’s a song that could be taken a few different ways. Some could think it’s about someone not wanting to go home alone after the bar and asking a new lover to go home with them, but it’s been stated that vocalist Dan Wilson wrote the song in anticipation of becoming a first-time dad.
Sister Hazel, “All for You”
There’s nothing wrong with a ’90s jangle-pop song about love, and that’s just what Sister Hazel delivered with their 1997 chart-topper “All for You.” Like many of the bands on this tally, Sister Hazel had much more success than just “All for You,” but for the most part, most listeners know of them from this one song.
Spin Doctors, “Two Princes”
Spin Doctors’ 1992 hit “Two Princes” is the kind of song that you might not even realize you’ve heard until you hear it again. Pretty much everyone has sung along to “Two Princes” at least a few times in life, and the song ended up on a handful of movie soundtracks from the 1990s, too. It’s really synonymous with the ’90s. The Spin Doctors are still kicking it today, so they’ve gone beyond this hit, but it’s definitely their most popular.
The Flys, “Got You Where I Want You”
There’s something about the Flys’ “Got You Where I Want You” that’s super grunge-sounding, but this song came out in 1998, so it was years after the grunge era had faded. One could certainly coin it post-grunge, but either way, it’s a catchy, dark anthem that ruled during the summer of 1998.
Find more one-hit wonders of the 1990s in this Audio Ink Radio feature.
- Best One-Hit Wonders From Every Decade - February 18, 2025
- One-Hit Wonders of the ’90s That Won’t Go Away - February 15, 2025
- Nu-Metal Songs With a Softer Side - February 14, 2025
