my List of one hit wonders that often still make my playlist

(Bear with me…a couple of them have at least one other good song and several are relatively young artists that have hope of shifting into “multiple hit wonders”)

Band of Horses “No One’s Gonna Love You“ – They may end up singing a better song but with such an unusual sound this song fits into their sweet spot perfectly. And the message with their sound makes it one of those songs that makes you want to put it number one on any mix tape you made for someone you loved.

Baby Animals “Painless“ – I don’t know where they came from or where they went. They only had one listenable song and this is it. Powerful driving song.

Lone Justice “Shelter” – Maria McKee was overall a wasted talent. This one song captures everything good about her and her talent. She is one of those singer songwriters you wonder what would have happened if she had found the “group” to play with.

Azure Ray “Displaced“ – Haunting. It has been used in TV shows several times. Maria Taylor, the lead singer has gone off and done some nice solo stuff but this song is the best.

It’s just a simple line
I can still hear it all of the time
If i can just hold on tonight
I know that nothing
Nothing survives
Nothing survives

I am displaced
I am displaced

The opening makes you stop. Listen. And think. You can’t ask for anything more in a song.

Edie Brickell & the New Bohemians “What I Am” – Philosophy is a dog’s smile and slippery rocks. I may never forgive her for marrying Paul Simon but this song is fun to listen to and makes you think a little.

Michelle Malone and Drag the River “Big Black Bag“ – Michelle Malone’s voice should have made it big. This song is bluesy and drags along with a slight harshness that makes it listenable over and over again.

46bliss. “The Way You Are” – the song was featured on Veronica Mars. When listening to it you figure you have to get their CD because they would be great. Don’t be fooled. This song is worth putting on any mix (and I keep hoping someone uses it for say a Military commercial or some real estate company or something). Not only was Veronica Mars a great TV show but it gave us this song.

Sneaker Pimps “6 Underground” – Everything else this group did is incredibly unlistenable. Then they go ahead and invite Nellee Hooper to mix and Kelli Dayton to sing and lo and behold it is the ‘one hit’ that is amazing to listen to.

Reubens Accomplice “This Town” – An unknown Arizona band who happened to write an outstanding song (that I am pretty sure never made it past college stations). The CD this song is on is pretty good but this song is the standout. It makes it onto my mp3 players all the time.

The Stabilizers “One Simple Thing” – Four minutes of non-stop hook and harmony. I believe this song comes from the only album they ever released (in 1990 or something like that). It’s kind of crazy they didn’t put anything else out. Great vocals, production and arrangement.

Ginny Owens “If You Want Me To” – She is Christian. And I would imagine this song is metaphorical for some god like thing. But if you ignore this and think of it as a love song it is pretty spectacular and thought provoking after a couple of beers thinking about someone you may love.

Mozella “Light years Away“ – “Shake my hand and say I’m about to screw you” in the second line. Doesn’t get any better.

Gorillaz “Feel Good Inc“ – I have a friend who calls this the laughing song. Nice mix of rap and Blur-like hooks.

Full Blown Rose “In the Light” – Wow. Killer female lead singer smoky voice. It is unfortunate the band couldn’t get out of its own way (egos and such) to make more music like this. I believe about the only place you can find this song is on the Daredevil soundtrack.

Jurassic 5 “What’s Golden“ – One of the most underappreciated bands of all time. They write rap with a message. Not angry. Not happy. Just to the point and fun to listen to. “What’s Golden” has a musical hook that people would kill for.

The Feeling “Sewn“ – Often called the ‘Na Na song’ it is beautifully crafted pop at its best. I am not sure I get all the words but I could sing along every day.

Filter “Hey Man Nice Shot“ – Everybody debates the reason this song was written but regardless it is about the way suicide is viewed and managed (glorified in all its horror) by media. And the impact suicides have on lives.

Gomez “See the World“ – I am relatively confident this band will add more hits to the list of songs they will do but for now this is the standout song. You kind of hope someone uses it in a critical movie soundtrack or a TV campaign so that it gets listened to.

Seether “Broken ” (with Amy Lee) – Dating at the time (Amy Lee of Evanescence and Shaun Morgan of Seether) the song is very non-Seether and the video is awesome.

Good Charlotte “River“ – Good Charlotte is a surprisingly good band with an odd reputation of goth and punk and whatever. Lots of glam to their image but they write incredible poppy hooks.

Pousette Dart Band “Amnesia“ – a Canadian band that never really made it big but they had a song called Amnesia that was played incessantly in New England bars in the late 70’s and would sound good today. One of the ultimate drinking bar songs that should never be forgotten.

Steve Forbert “Romeo’s Tune“ – odd folksy singer with one song that was catchy and great to listen to over a beer.

Frou Frou “Let Go” – Catchy. Upbeat. Great hook.

Alice Peacock “Some Things Get Lost” – Most of her songs are folksy but this one is somber, thoughtful and has the resonance to keep playing over and over. Captures the essence of finding “one of the ones” but at the wrong time. The lyrics capture life pretty well.

And last, but not least,

Mason Williams “Classical Gas” – C’mon. I cannot believe this song doesn’t make every one hit wonder list. Other than maybe American Pie I can’t think of any other song someone over say 28 or so can hear and immediately know what it is.