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20 YEARS AGO artists like The Tony Rich Project, Donna Lewis & Deep Blue Something were topping the charts. The artists who created their 1996 smash hits were never able to replicate the success. But for us 90's babies, the music never fails to bring the nostalgia. Let's take a look at some of the best one hit wonders of 1996!
Disclaimer: These lists are based on U.S. Billboard Hot 100 only. Sorry to those who disagree with certain choices!Everything But The Girl - Missing (Todd Terry Club Mix)Everything But the Girl emerged in the same cool, jazzy environment that turned Sade’s “Smooth Operator” into a hit way back in 1985. Everything But the Girl continued to evolve and over the course of 11 albums and 15 years, they explored everything from cocktail party jazz to acoustic music to club beats. That leads us to their 1996 breakthrough hit, “Missing.” Although the song was strong in its original version on (1994's) Amplified Heart, it was a remix by Terry Todd that set that dance floors in America and Europe on fire. The remixed song peaked at no. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1996 and remains one of the best pop/dance song of the 90's.
The Tony Rich Project - Nobody Knows"Nobody Knows" was Tony Rich’s first single off his debut album Words. The song skyrocketed to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Rich received a nomination for the 1997 Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance but lost to Eric Clapton.
Donna Lewis - I Love You (Always Forever)Donna Lewis' pop hit "I Love You (Always Forever)" spent 9 weeks at no. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. But like many artists' hits this year, it never stood a chance at the no. 1 position because the phenomenon “Macarena” by Los del Rio dominated the charts for more than three months. No more chart hits followed and Lewis parted ways with Atlantic Records. But the British singer songwriter continues to make music.
Athena Cage - [Keith Sweat's] NobodyBefore you bite my head off, I know that Keith Sweat is not considered a one hit wonder and "Nobody" is not his only hit! HOWEVER, this song is too iconique not to include when it is equally shared by Athena Cage, a member of the band Kut Klose, who saw her one and only hit with this BOP. The hit song spent three weeks at number-one on the US R&B chart, and reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Merril Bainbridge - MouthThis unique 1994 song by Australian songstress, Merril Bainbridge gained her worlwide success outside of her home country. She made it all the way to number 4 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, assuring her status as one of the biggest one hit wonders of the decade.
Joan Osborne - One of UsJoan released "One of Us" in 1995 and the song became a top 40 hit that same year. But it wasn't until 1996 that the song peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at no. 4. Osborne is currently a member of rhythm and blues band Trigger Hippy, and was nominated for a Grammy in the Blues category for her seventh solo album in 2013.
Deep Blue Something - Breakfast at Tiffany's"Breakfast at Tiffany's" was recorded in 1995, originally appearing on their album '11th Song', it was later re-recorded and released on their album 'Home'. It was the band's only hit, peaking at no. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1996.
The Verve Pipe - The FreshmenThis is TECHNICALLY a 1997 song because that is when it peaked and was most successful. However, it was released in 1996 and deserves a spot on one of these lists. “The Freshman” had lyrics that contained enough angst to vaguely fit into the post-grunge fallout, painfully detailing the suicide of his girlfriend. This candid portrayal of tragedy obviously struck a chord with swarms of listeners, carrying the song to No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Primitive Radio Gods - Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth with Money in My HandThis song not only has a title that lengthy but is by an obscure band called Primitive Radio Gods. Hypnotic and detached, the gloomy song features a steady beat reminiscent of Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side.” After peaking at no. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, Primitive Radio Gods would quickly fade into obscurity after the monster success in the wake of logistical difficulties trying to release their next album and a failed attempt at a follow-up single.
Ghost Town Djs - My BooWhen Jermaine Dupri attempted to reinvigorate the whole booty-bass movement with the So So Def Bass All-Stars, he was onto something with Ghost Town DJs. Their song ‘My Boo’ was the epitome of a summer soundtrack, with a video showing off girls washing cars and everyone having a good time. We never really heard from Ghost Town DJs after this track, but it still resonates every time, especially in the social media age, which caused the song to reach an all time high peak on the Hot 100 this year! Thanks to the "Running Man Challenge", the song skyrocketed to no. 27 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2016! It peaked at no. 31 in 1996.
H O N O R A B L E | M E N T I O N S- Dog's Eye View, "Everything Falls Apart"
- 3T, "Anything"
- Dishwalla, "Counting Blue Cars"
- BoDeans, "Closer To Free"
- Butthole Surfers, "Pepper"
- Spacehog, "In The Meantime"What were you listening to in '96, ONTD?
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