He released a new single, “Survivor”, in December 2018.Ĭhart Performance: “Somebody That I Used To Know” peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and it stayed there for eight weeks.Īftermath: While Kimbra released new music as recently as April 2018, Gotye did not produce a follow-up to 2011’s Making Mirrors.Is there a case for reclaiming Halloween as an intrinsic element of the Christian celebration of All Saints? Laurence Wareing believes there may be. The mainstream pop song relies heavily on piano, and it differs from the hip-hop and emo genres that emerged during that era.Īftermath: Powter continued to make music after “Bad Day,” but it failed to reach the charts. The RIAA certified it triple-platinum in the U.S., indicating that it sold over three million copies. How it embodies the decade: The first single released from Powter’s sophomore album, “Bad Day” received plenty of airplay in 2006, and it became the #1 song of the year. Also, the device (CD players) people used to listen to music changed when CDs became more popular than cassettes and tapes for their improved sound quality.Īftermath: Bachman released his most recent album, Staring Down the Sun, in 2004 it did not chart in the US.Ĭhart Performance: This song reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Bands like Nirvana pioneered the grunge movement that began in the middle of the decade. How it embodies the decade: This pop rock song emulates the guitar-centric style of the alternative rock and happy rock subgenres that became popular during the ’90s. The song incorporates elements from the new wave genre, which relied heavily on synthesizers and electronic instruments.Īftermath: Rockwell’s next two singles, “Obscene Phone Caller” and “He’s A Cobra” peaked at #35 and #108, respectively, and he subsequently retired from music.Ĭhart Performance: “She’s So High” peaked at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached #1 on the US Adult Top 40. How it embodies the decade: The perfect example of a one-hit wonder, “Somebody’s Watching Me” combines the synth-pop sounds with a catchy hook sung by Michael Jackson and an eerie, yet playful tone, to create a single that went on to sell over one million copies. Though disco’s popularity quickly ceased at the beginning of the 1980s, the ideas of unity it left behind inspired a carefree, innovative generation.Īftermath: After the release of “Ring My Bell,” Ward’s only other charting single, “Don’t Drop My Love”, peaked at #87 in the US.Ĭhart Performance: This song remained on the Billboard Hot 100 for nine weeks and peaked at #2. “Ring My Bell” utilizes chimes and an early version of synthesized drums. Ward actually did not like the song when the owner of her record label, Frederick Knight, first presented her with it, but the popularity of disco music prompted her to record the song, and it became Ward’s only hit.
How it embodies the decade: This song ended a decade where disco music dominated the charts. Other popular rock subgenres during this era included psychedelic rock, folk rock, and hard rock.Īftermath: The group failed to make an impact on the charts following the hit song’s release.Ĭhart Performance: This track reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed on the charts for 8 weeks total. Groups like The Ventures, The Champs, and The Beach Boys enjoyed mainstream success within this genre. How it embodies the decade: The song exemplifies the surf rock subgenre that emerged from Southern California during the mid-1960s. Rock ‘n’ Roll music played an integral role in the teenage rebellion of the 1950s.Īftermath: Day shifted from singing to songwriting in 1960.Ĭhart Performance: “Wipeout” peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remained there for four months. The song’s homophonic texture highlights the artist’s vocal talents and makes it easy to listen to. How it embodies the decade: This classic Rock ‘n’ Roll song’s simple rhythm and timeless lyrics allowed it to remain popular 60 years after its initial release. Erin GrierĬhart Performance: “Rockin’ Robin” peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed on the charts for 11 weeks. I compiled a list of one-hit wonders from each decade, in order to reveal its distinct, most popular sounds. Despite their odd nature, one-hit wonders show what sounds and music genres America enjoys at any given time. One-hit wonders become overwhelmingly popular-seemingly out of the blue-but then, when the public finds another song to play on the radio ad nause um, the artist fades into obscurity, overshadowed by their own creation.
It happens all the time-we hear songs we know all too well by artists we do not know at all.