One-Hit Wonders That Ruled the Early 2000s
Certain one-hit wonders became omnipresent in the early 2000s, and they helped pave the way for a new generation of music-makers. – Author: Anne Erickson, Photo of The Darkness via Simon Emmett
The early 2000s were an interesting time in popular music. Even though the grunge movement of the early 1990s was long gone by 2000, those Seattle voices and grungy sounds prevailed in numerous post-grunge bands and songs into the next decade and, eventually, the new millennium. Outside of rock music, pop was having its moment in the early 2000s, with artists such as Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera rising to major popularity. While Spears and Aguilera had many hits throughout the years, there are a handful of acts who hit it big with one song and then didn’t really have that level of success again. Not that there’s anything wrong with having one-hit wonder. It’s better than having a no-hit wonder. To commemorate these songs, Audio Ink Radio presents its tally of one-hit wonders that ruled the early 2000s, as part of our continuing series on single hits.
Early 2000s One-Hit Wonders
American Hi-Fi, “Flavor of the Weak”
As with many of the artists and bands mentioned here, American Hi-Fi had more than just one hit, but 2000’s “Flavor of the Weak” was by far their biggest moment. The track came off their 2000 self-titled debut album and reached No. 41 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. It’s a punk-fueled pop song that put them in the same breath as bands such as Sum-41 and Blink-142.
Howie Day, “Collide”
The early 2000s didn’t want for pretty, talented vocalists, but female and male. Howie Day was one of those guys who could pull off the kind of heartfelt, albeit rocky, love song that could make any girl tear up. This one is a stretch for the “early” 2000s, because it arrived in 2004, but it’s a good one. “Collide” plays like a story between two people destined to be together, no matter what.
Nine Days, “Absolutely (Story of a Girl)”
Nine Days were four albums in by the time they notched a song high up on the Billboard Hot 100, and that song was “Absolutely (Story of a Girl)” off their 2000 studio album, “The Madding Crowd.” This power pop anthem was perfect for the times, with a super catchy chorus and big, power-packed guitars. It’s said that the band’s guitarist wrote this song after getting into a fight with his girlfriend, so maybe the fight was worth it?
The Calling, “Wherever You Will Go”
The Calling had the kind of debut single any band would love with “Wherever You Will Go,” because the lead single off their 2001 debut album, “Camino Palmero,” reached No. 5 on the Billboard 100 and made them a popular name. It’s still their most successful hit.
The Darkness, “I Believe in a Thing Called Love”
The Darkness are more than a one-hit wonder band, like many names on this tally, but one hit does seem to stand above the rest. The early 2000s were a time when guitars didn’t really rule and hair metal seemed like an eternity ago. But, the Darkness broke that norm with their wild, freewheeling 2003 hit “I Believe in a Thing Called Love.” Packed with falsetto vocals and crazy guitar lines, this song hits the listener like a brick and stays with them long after it’s been played. This band is still going strong decades after “I Believe in a Thing Called Love” hit big.
While these one-hit wonders tell the story of the early 2000s, find more one-off hits in Audio Ink Radio’s feature about one-hit wonders from the entire decade.
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