Someone, somewhere decided that Sept. 25 is National One-Hit Wonder Day.
It’s the day each year when we dance the “Macarena” and “Mambo No. 5,” release “99 Luftballons” into the sky, and remember the advice: “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.”
On this day, we pause to ask “Who Let The Dogs Out?” as we look into the “Eye of the Tiger” and heal our “Achy Breaky Heart.”
But, before we poke fun at the irony that Gotye is someone we used to know, let’s remember that Canada has produced its fair share of one-hit wonders.
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So, on National One-Hit Wonder Day, here is a list of 10 wonderful homegrown one-hit wonders.
(Before you “Call Me Maybe” to point out that some of these acts had more than one successful single, “Let Your Backbone Slide” and just agree that a one-hit wonder is defined as an act predominantly known for a specific song.)
This single from the B.C. native’s second album was a Top 5 hit in 10 countries, including Canada. In the U.S., it became the first song ever to sell 2 million digital copies and was certified 3x Platinum.
This track from B.C. native Shiloh Hoganson was a Top 40 hit in Canada and achieved Platinum status. It was also nominated for Best Pop Video at the MMVAs.
Toronto’s Jane Child enjoyed huge success with this song, which spent three weeks at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. You may have heard it since in Grand Theft Auto V.
As Kish, Andrew Kishino of Toronto scored a big hit in Canada with this rap song.
Winnipeg’s Remy Shand included this song on his debut album, which won a Juno and was nominated for four Grammys.
This track from Winnipeg’s Tal Bachman was a No. 3 hit in Canada and reached No. 1 on the Billboard Adult Top 40. It also charted in the Top 10 in New Zealand.
Montreal collective Bran Van 3000 debuted with this song, was huge in the UK, Norway, Iceland and the Netherlands – and reached the Top 40 in Canada.
This power ballad from the Toronto-based band went to the top of the Canadian chart and reached No. 2 south of the border.
Ontario’s Len had a smash hit around the world. It reached No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified Gold in the UK. At home, the song went to No. 3 and earned Len three MMVA nominations and a Juno nomination for Best New Group.
This reggae rap track from Toronto’s Snow (aka Darrin O’Brien) spent seven weeks at No. 1 in the U.S. and topped the charts in several countries around the world.
This song from Edmonton's Kreesha Turner, was a Top 10 hit in Canada, where it was the year's most-played song by a homegrown artist and helped earn her a pair of Juno nominations. The track also went to No. 1 on the dance chart in the U.S.