Beyond the Hit:

In the ever-changing world of music, some artists burst into the spotlight with one massive hit that defines their legacy. But beneath the surface of these so-called 'one-hit wonders' lies a treasure trove of musical brilliance. Join us as we delve into the discographies of 10 such artists who, despite being remembered for a single chart-topper, have a vast collection of unforgettable tunes. From dance floor anthems to soulful melodies, prepare to be pleasantly surprised by the hidden gems that prove these artists were much more than their big hit.

1. Deee-lite -often remembered for “Groove is in the Heart”

Similar to the 1970’s disco scene, dance groups with 1 massive hit absolutely littered the 90’s. When you make that one great song that gets everyone on the dance floor and keeps them there, it's difficult to come up with a follow-up. 

Deee-Lite are a good example of this and couldn't seem to get past "Groove Is in the Heart." In terms of popular appreciation.  Everything was in that song: A killer hook, a Herbie Hancock sample, a Q-Tip verse, and even some Bootsy Collins bass work. It quickly rose to the top of the charts all across the world. 

Dee-Lite disbanded six years later, but their third album, 'Dewdrops In The Garden,' is vastly under-appreciated.

Check Out - Deee-lite  “Call Me” 

2. The Eels - often remembered for “ Novocaine For the Soul”

Mark Oliver Everett, the lead singer, has spent his entire career meticulously cultivating an image as a cantankerous jerk, but the slacker genius of his music shines through on every beat. To begin with, you have no idea where the music is headed because it thrives on contrasts, with the cheerful and childlike xylophone placed against sinister and threatening strings. The Eels are known for Novocaine For the Soul, but have an immense catalogue well worth exploring. 

Check Out - The Eels “Fresh Blood” 

3. The Cardigans often remembered for “Lovefool”

Some say being a one-hit wonder gives you the freedom to pursue whatever artistic path appeals to you without consequence. The Cardigans, a Swedish pop quartet, took full advantage of this independence, earning Top 40 radio's temporary attention with "Lovefool" in 1996. The ultra-hooky "Lovefool," with its roller-rink-ready disco tempo, became The Cardigans' hallmark hit  although it bears no resemblance to any future Cardigans songs. Following First Band On The Moon, the record that gave birth to "Lovefool," the Cardigans destroyed and rebuilt their sound multiple times. The Cardigans' choices, on the other hand, were always unexpected. Gran Turismo, released in 1998, was the band's first foray into icy electronica, which featured harsh synthesisers and distorted guitars. Long Gone Before Daylight, a country-inflected pop single with dark lyrics to match lead singer Nina Persson's new jet-black coiffure, abandoned that sound in 2004.

Check Out - The Cardigans - My Favourite Game “Stone Version”

4. Devo often remembered for “Whip It”

A one-hit wonder is typically defined by radio popularity or single sales success. 

In this sense Devo can be considered one-hit wonders. 

Despite their cult following and popularity, most people associate Devo with only two of their albums: their biggest hit single "Whip It" and their debut album "Q: Are We Not Men?" 'We Are Devo!' 

According to some Devo aficionados 'Whip It' is one of Devo's least fascinating tracks from one of their least interesting eras

Some interesting Devo trivia reveals that at one point Bowie and Brian Eno were fighting over the opportunity to produce a Devo album. Another strange occurrence in their history was when their record label pleaded with them to bring Johnny Rotten (John Lydon) from The Sex Pistols into the band.

Devo were hugely influential to music fans in the 1970s who were seeking out that next great thing. Many die-hard fans will argue the first 3 Devo albums are required listening. For those interested in music history, or post-punk in particular, Hardcore Devo Volumes 1 & 2 as well as Greatest Misses are often recommended. And many claim the least commercial Devo songs are generally the most interesting.

Despite where you may sit on the taste spectrum, Devo managed to gain credibility in both alternative and pop scenes at different times.

Check Out - Devo - “Mongoloid”

5. Sneaker Pimps often remembered for  “6 Underground”

Surprisingly, the Sneaker Pimps who produced "6 Underground" are extremely different from the Sneaker Pimps who came before and after. Kelli Dayton sings lead on the single, but she was only brought on board shortly before the recording and was fired from the band after the album was released. But for a brief moment in 1996, the Hartlepool band had the perfect combination of trip-hop smoothness and a seductive female lead, the kind of thing that would have guaranteed a hit. But there was something distinctive about this mix, a pop-friendly core that Liam Howe and Chris Corner couldn't reproduce later when they pursued more personal melodies.

Check Out Sneaker Pimps - “Spin Spin Sugar”

6. The Church often remembered for Under The Milky Way

After releasing their fifth album, Starfish, in 1988, The Church finally hit it big with "Under the Milky Way," a track that was "accidentally written and inadvertently became a hit," according to frontman Steve Kilbey. The Australian alt-rockers developed an anthem that has been featured in a slew of film and television projects; who can forget the weird party scene in Donnie Darko, which reintroduced the smash song to the charts and into the iPods of America's independent youth? It's been recorded by a slew of bands (including The Killers and Sia) and was chosen the best Australian song of the last 20 years in 2008. The Church is still in season nearly three decades later, though Kilbey has stated that he would be content if he never had to play the song again; 30 years of listening to those bagpipes just might push anyone over the edge

Check Out The Church - “The Unguarded Moment”

7. Young MC – “Bust a Move” (1989)

Young MC is a Queens rapper who has a number of catchy songs under his belt, but none of them have made him a household name like "Bust a Move." The 1989 smash hit struck the ground running. The song's groove is largely derived from the usage of silence, which is fueled by sparse guitar strums. The background yelps and street-style drumming provide plenty of rhythm, but "Bust a Move" is meant for making up dancing moves. Young MC takes it in stride, rambling off lines about impressing a girl by displaying your best movements. 

Check Out Young MC - “Know How”

8 . Soft Cell - “Tainted Love”

“Tainted Love” seems like the quintessential Eighties song, but it actually dates back to 1965, when it was recorded by Marc Bolan’s future girlfriend Gloria James. It wasn’t a hit at the time, but in 1981 British synthpop duo Soft Cell New-Waved it up and created a masterpiece. They never had another American hit, but singer Marc Almond went on to a rather respectable solo career – and in 1989 scored a solo smash with “Something’s Gotten Hold of My Heart,” a duet with Gene Pitney. Soft Cell reformed in 2001 and still tour occasionally. In 2001 Marilyn Manson covered “Tainted Love” for the soundtrack to Not Another Teen Movie.

Check Out Soft Cell - “Say Hello, Wave Goodbye”

9. Michael Sembello – “Maniac” (1983)

Michael Sembello's background includes performing as a guitarist for Stevie Wonder as early as the age of 17, but it doesn't mean a little luck and a little nudge aren't still required for a number-one hit. Due to its inclusion in the classic 1983 love movie Flashdance, Sembello's synthpop song "Maniac" soared to the top of the charts, an opportunity he stumbled upon when his wife unintentionally put it on a tape she submitted to executives at Paramount seeking for music for the soundtrack. Since then, the song has become inextricably linked to main character Alex Owens' intense training and practise of dance movements at her warehouse. In 1983, "Maniac" spent two weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Check Out - Michael Sembello “Gravity”

10. The Capitols – “Cool Jerk” (1966)

Everyone like a tune that they can groove to. But what about a song that comes with its own dance? Now you're getting serious! The Capitols, like Chubby Checker before them ("The Twist") and Los del Ro decades later ("Macarena"), scored large with a tune that told listeners exactly which move to bust. Originally dubbed "Pimp Jerk" in honour of those kitties who couldn't do The Jerk like everyone else, the band eventually opted on "Cool Jerk," a more marketable moniker that propelled them to a top-10 single. Even if the band never started another dance craze (not even among pimps), we're still asking ourselves the same question half a century later.

Check Out - The Capitols – “We Got a Thing That’s in the Groove”