Best One-Hit Wonders of the 2000s

2024-11-25

Alien Ant Farm.

We’re about 25 years into the 2000s, and the century has already produced some of the best one-hit wonders of the 2000s for our listening pleasure. – Author: Anne Erickson, Alien Ant Farm photo via K. Baldes and Big Picture Media

We’re about 25 years into the 2000s, so it’s safe to say that we’ve already heard some of the best one-hit wonders of the 2000s. The century has brought a few new sounds, but at lot of it has also been derivative, with everything from post-grunge to nu-metal to classic rock-sounding bands. Regardless, the first 25 years of this century has already brought the world some catchy, hooky one-hit wonders, and some of them leave listeners scratching their heads, wondering just where these guys went. In honor of these great songs, we’re presenting a handful of the best one-hit wonders of the 2000s to enjoy.

The Greatest One-Hit Wonders of the 2000s

Alien Ant Farm, “Smooth Criminal”

As with many of the artists on this list, Alien has enjoyed success beyond their massive cover of “Smooth Criminal,” but nothing else came close to topping it. There’s no shame in hitting it big with a cover, especially when it’s as electrifying a version as Alien Ant Farm’s rendition. Aside from this one-hit wonder, Alien Ant Farm is still active and still solid live.

Baha Men, “Who Let the Dogs Out”

At the dawn of the decade, Bahamian junkanoo band Baha Men released their 2000 anthem, “Who Let the Dogs Out.” The catchy song became an international hit with its huge chorus chant of, “Who let the dogs out?” and earned the group a Grammy award for best dance recording.

Fountains of Wayne, “Stacy’s Mom”

Fountains of Wayne released their power-pop hit “Stacy’s Mom” in 2003, and it marked the third track on their third studio album, “Welcome Interstate Managers.” While Fountains of Wayne had already been a band for quite a long time at this point, “Stacy’s Mom” made them stars overnight. The music video featured model Rachel Hunter as mom, and the storyline following Stacy, played by Gianna Distenca, whose best friend and crush, played by Shane Haboucha, likes Stacy’s mom.

Hinder, “Lips of an Angel”

Hinder charted well on the rock charts with songs such as “Get Stoned” and “Better Than Me,” but nothing was like the mainstream success they saw with 2006’s “Lips of an Angel.” The heartfelt ballad sounded like something The Rolling Stones would have made as young men in the 2000s and found success beyond rock onto the top 40 charts. It’s one of the best one-hit wonders of the 2000s, for certain.

James Blunt, “You’re Beautiful”

James Blunt released “You’re Beautiful” in 2004, coupled by an emotional music video of him singing the song in the rain on a beach. Both the song’s emotive lyrics and cinematic video made “You’re Beautiful” one of the biggest songs of the 2010s. He’s had success since “You’re Beautiful,” both nothing as bit as this hit, which he talked about with Esquire.

Trapt, “Headstrong”

Now, Trapt had more than just one rock hit, but when it came to their huge, mainstream success, it really all rested on “Headstrong.” The 2002 rock anthem scored them a top hit and is still in rotation on rock stations around the world. It’s a meaty post-grunge anthem with a catchy chorus.

Wheatus, “Teenage Dirtbag”

Wheatus unleashed “Teenage Dirtbag” in 2000 as the lead single off their debut album, and the song took off. The defiant song has a pop-infused sound but a gritty production, so it fit perfectly on alternative radio in the early 2000s. Speaking about the tune in 2024, Wheatus frontman Brendan B. Brown told the Massachusetts Daily Collegian that the fact the song is still popular gives him “an overwhelming feeling of being fortunate.” It’s certainly one of the best one-hit wonders of the 2000s.

If you’d like to go back a few more decades, enjoy our tally of the best one-hit wonders of the ’90s.

Anne Erickson
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Posted by Anne Erickson | Features, Music, Rock