Debating The 25 Best One-Hit Wonders Of The 90s
By Lance Pauker
Songs 25-21:
Lance:
24. She’s So High – Tal Bachman
23. mmm mmm mmm mmm – Crash Test Dummies
22. Bittersweet Symphony – The Verve
21. Sex and Candy – Marcy Playground
Rob:
24. Tonic – If You Could Only See
23. House of Pain – Jump Around
22. Eagle Eye Cherry – Save Tonight
21. The Proclaimers – I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbNlMtqrYS0&w=584&h=390]
Lance: Solid selections, Rob. Had this been a power ranking of 90s karaoke songs, it’d be pretty hard not to give the top spot to The Proclaimers.
Gotta say though, I strongly disagree with your (radically premature) placement of Eagle Eye Cherry. I’ve always admired Save Tonight‘s versatility. It’s a song seemingly sculpted for any situation — from a memorable summer barbecue, to a messy breakup that’s temporarily halted by intense sexual desire.
Rob:
At first I was thinking that maybe I was wrong for not including Hooch, but then I saw the video and now I never want that song near me again. It looks like the Oak Ridge Boys just gave up. Also I refuse to believe that you can listen to more than 40 seconds of She’s So High without wanting to drive your car into a ravine.
Songs 20-11:
Rob:
20. Sir Mix a Lot – Baby Got Back
17. Charles & Eddie – Would I Lie to You?
16. Mighty Mighty Bosstones – The Impression That I Get
13. Tony Rich Project – Nobody Knows
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1fzJ_AYajA&w=584&h=390]
Lance:
19. All For You – Sister Hazel
18. Breakfast At Tiffanys – Deep Blue Something
17. I Love You (Always Forever) – Donna Lewis
16. Flagpole Sitta – Harvey Danger
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVOD5D4IArw&w=584&h=390]
15. Just A Friend – Biz Markie
13. I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) – The Proclaimers
12. Baby Got Back – Sir Mix A Lot
Rob: I feel like Would I Lie to You is one of those songs that no one would actually put on a list, but if it came on the radio there’s no way you would turn it. It’s a lost gem. I am saddened by how low Just a Friend fell on your list. That song would be a hit even if it came out today. I love some Biz Markie.
Lance: Sorry bro. Love me some Biz as well, but you’d think he’d have figured out what was going on long before he made that surprise visit. I can’t completely support such irresponsible airfare spending.
Songs 10-6:
Lance:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvjLgjtJKsc&w=584&h=390]
9. The Impression That I Get – The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
8. Jump Around – House Of Pain
7. Save Tonight – Eagle Eye Cherry
6. Barely Breathing – Duncan Sheik
Rob: I just hope more than anything that you actually have Bewitched in your iTunes library somewhere or at least on a Spotify playlist. I’ve noticed you have a deep love for Save Tonight. Did you have a special kiss during that song? The world wants to know.
Rob:
10. Duncan Sheik – Barely Breathing
Lance: Of course I have Bewitched in my iTunes library. I believe I even went as far as to purchase the song — as instrumental to my freshman year as sour apple vodka and trying way too hard to fit in.
THE TOP 5:
Rob:
4. Marcy Playground – Sex and Candy
2. Harvey Danger – Flagpole Sitta
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aofoBrFNdg&w=584&h=390]
Lance:
5. Get Ready 4 This – 2 Unlimited
3. The Freshman – The Verve Pipe
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2H5uWRjFsGc&w=584&h=390]
Lance: Pretty incredible we have no matches here. Though I guess it shows how great an era the 90s were for the one-hit wonder. And steroids.
Instead of playing the hater, I’ll justify why I (strongly) feel my selections are worthy of the top spots:
- Get Ready 4 This: For a list like this, being the Space Jam theme is kind of like being the son of a rich Wall Street Guy; nepotism is gonna get you places.
- Macarena: VH1 called this the best one hit wonder of the 90s. VH1 one-hit wonder countdowns are tough to disagree with.
- The Freshman: I like this song, and used to listen to it when talking long, #deep walks in college.
- Closing Time: Out of any 90s song, this one might prove to last the longest.
- Tubthumping: More of an anthem than a song. Shame that none of the other songs on this album really took off (I’m a huge fan of the song Scapegoat), but Tubthumping blows nearly every other song ever made out of the water.
Rob: I don’t think yours are wrong at all, but they were a little too novelty for my taste. All of my top five songs are tracks that I still frequently listen to, but I’m willing to bet you haven’t listened to the Macarena or Tubthumbing since your cousin Greg got married in Palm Springs.
Lance: Greg’s wedding was pretty incredible. The chocolate fountain was to die for.
Suddenly irrationally mad at one of us? Think we missed one? Comment away!