Debunking One-Hit Wonder Myths

We are blowing the whistle on the tactics used by the crafters of sleaze (i.e. the media) who ceaselessly attempt to discredit recording artists by relegating their handiwork to the storage box labelled “one-hit wonder” tacking on phrases of false apology like, “it’s nothing against them”. Canada has very few actual one-hit wonders, part of the reason being CanCon legislation which helps ensure artists don’t get sidelined by British and American invasion traffic and cultural imperialism. Because the “one-hit wonder” term is often used negatively, we will not mention who the actual Canadian ones are but instead point out those who are constantly accused of this but who are in fact not.

A “one-hit wonder” is defined as an artist who has scored only one Top 40 hit on the official charts of the country. In Canada, the official charts are the RPM top singles chart from 1964 to 2000, the Canadian Singles Chart from 2001-2007, and the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 from 2007 to present. One of the treasonous habits of the Canadian media is that, for some odd reason, the journalists do not look at the performance of Canadian artists on Canadian charts (which are a reflection of Canadian tastes in music) but on the charts of a foreign country. The last time I checked, Canada was still under the Queen, but oddly, they do not look at chart performance in the UK, rather the USA. Strange, not to mention unprofessional.

Below is a list of Canadian artists who are often charged with one-hit wonder status but who, in reality, are not. In other words, these artists have scored more than one Top 40 hit on the Canadian charts.

Motherlode
“When I Die” topped the charts in 1969; however, the London, ON band scored a second Top 40 hit the same year – “Memories of a Broken Promise”. Motherlode is not a one-hit wonder.

Crowbar
Crowbar was a rock band from Hamilton. “Oh What a Feeling” peaked at #10 in 1971 but it was not the band’s only Top 40 hit. “Million Dollar Weekend” reached #22 in 1974. Crowbar is not a one-hit wonder.

Terry Jacks
“Seasons in the Sun” was a #1 hit in 1974, but Terry was anything but a one-hit wonder. He scored several Top 40 hits including “I’m Going to Love You Too” #7 in 1973 and “Christina” #9 in 1975. Terry Jacks is far from being a one-hit wonder.

Sweeney Todd
Not quite. “Roxy Roller” hit #1 in 1976 but the same year “Sweeney Todd Folder” made the Top 40. Sweeney Todd is technically not a one-hit wonder.

The Payola$
Not even close. “Eyes of a Stranger” was a #3 hit in 1982. However, “Soldier,” “You’re the Only Love,” “Dirty Water,” “I Will,” plus “Never Said I Loved You” (with Carole Pope) were all Top 40 hits. Not a one-hit wonder at all.

The Partland Brothers
“Soul City” was a moderate hit at #25 in 1986. The group’s “Honest Man” did slightly better at #24 in 1990. Not a one-hit wonder.

Mitsou
“Bye Bye Mon Cowboy” hit the airwaves in 1988. But it was not the female soloist’s only hit. “Heading West” and “Loving Me is Not a Sin” both made the Top 40. Mitsou is not a one-hit wonder.

Alias
“More Than Words Could Say” reached #1 in 1990. “Waiting For Love” made #4 in 1991. Moreover, “Haunted Heart” and “The Power” both made the Top 40. Alias is not a one-hit wonder.

Snow
“Informer” peaked at #9 in 1993. But the male soloist scored an even bigger hit in 2000 – “Everybody Wants to Be Like You” reached #2. “Legal” and “Girl I’ve Been Hurt Before” were also Top 40 hits. Snow is not at all a one-hit wonder.

Bass is Base
“I Cry” made it to #18 in 1996. The same year “Why” also made the Top 40. Bass Is Base is not a one-hit wonder.

Bran Van 3000
“Drinking in LA” is cited as the outfit’s only Top 40 hit (it peaked at #35 in 1997). Two of its subsequent hits performed much better: “Everywhere” #12 in 1998 and “Astounded” #9 in 2001. Bran Van 3000 is not a one-hit wonder.

Tal Bachman
“She’s So High” hit #3 in 1999. The same year his song “Strong Enough” reached #31. Tal Bachman is not a one-hit wonder.

Daniel Powter
“Bad Day” made the Top 30 in 2005 at #27. 2013’s “Crazy All My Life” did even better at #23. Daniel Powter is not a one-hit wonder.

Carly Rae Jepsen
Carly Rae Jepsen is absolutely not a one-hit wonder. While “Call Me Maybe” was #1 for four weeks in the winter of 2012, she has scored several other Top 40 hits. “Curiosity” peaked at #18. It and two other Top 40 hits achieved gold certification. For those who think “Call Me Maybe” was her only international hit, wrong! “Tonight I’m Getting Over You” was a Top 40 hit in several countries including Britain and “This Kiss” in New Zealand. Carly Rae Jepsen is not even close to being a one-hit wonder. Sorry, detractors.

If we want to talk about an actual one-hit wonder, the media, which seems so intent on glorifying American musician Lou Reed, ought to walk on the wild side and mention the fact that Lou Reed was a one-hit wonder. … It’s nothing against him.