37 Best One Hit Wonders Of The 2010s

“Safe and Sound” by Capital Cities

Song Year: 2011

The LA-based group, Capital Cities started as a duo. Sebu Simonian and Ryan Merchant formed the band in 2008 and subsequently released their only hit. Despite adding additional musicians and releasing more music, this crew hasn’t landed another smash single.

This song is all about finding your people. It explores the feeling of knowing who has your back, whether it's a wingman at a club or a small crew to help you weather a particularly challenging storm.

“Clouds” by Zach Sobiech

Song Year: 2012

Zach Sobiech is an American artist with a story to tell and only a short time to do it. Though the song and subsequent Disney+ movie hope to immortalize the inspirational artist, Sobiech will remain a one-hit-wonder.

As one of the most heart-wrenching entries on this list, “Clouds” is about Sobiech’s fight against osteosarcoma, a kind of bone cancer that claimed his life in May 2013. The narrator addresses the person he cares about and sings about what they would do together if there were more time on Earth.

“The Fox (What Does The Fox Say?)” by Ylvis

Song Year: 2013

In Norway, Vegard and Brd Ylvisker are a famous comedy duo. They host a conversation program called I Kveld Med Ylvis (Tonight With Ylvis). The brothers maintain celebrity status due more to their comedic routines than having a viral hit on YouTube, but it only adds to their charm.

True to their comedic roots, the brothers say the meaning of the song is a genuine question. They truly want to know what the fox says because they didn’t know when writing and producing this earworm.

“Fight Song” by Rachel Platten

Song Year: 2015

Rachel Platten penned and recorded this empowering anthem to remind herself not to give up. She leaned on the lyrics when the urge to give up got too strong, and it paid off. The powerful melody only emphasizes the honesty and raw emotion.

This award-winning pop-rock ballad commanded attention, especially after Hillary Clinton used it during her failed 2016 presidential campaign. Clinton isn’t the only person or agency to capitalize on the song’s message of resilience though. It’s also aligned with the WWE and Susan G. Komen foundation.

“Riptide” by Vance Joy

Song Year: 2013

Vance Joy is another surprising entry on this list. Despite finding massive success and a loyal following, the former Australian footballer only has this one hit.

“Riptide” is a flowing blend of ideas and epiphanies. Joy wrote it in parts that only accentuated the stream-of-consciousness approach to telling his story. That’s right, this song is at least semi-autobiographical.

The song set records in Australia by being the longest-charting song. In addition, the song appeared in many mainstream TV shows, including Grey’s Anatomy and Hawaii Five-0, as well as the film The Inbetweeners 2 from 2014.

“Little Talks” by Of Monsters and Men

Song Year: 2011

This Icelandic group might be another shocker for many music lovers. The Reykjavikian crew boasts several indie-rock songs, but none of them managed to land on the charts like “Little Talks.”

The debut song might be engaging, but it’s a profound look at relationships and what it takes to survive losing one. In the song, the husband passes away and the wife doesn’t know if her conversations are real or if she’s losing her mind.

Although the follow-up Mountain Sound was a commercial success in the United States, it didn’t deliver on the charts.

“I Love It” by Icona Pop

Song Year: 2012

Icona Pop is a Swedish electro-pop duo that hit the mainstream with “I Love It.” The ultra-empowerment song features vocals from British star, Charli XCX, who co-wrote the song.

This song tells the story of a young woman coping with her breakup. Beneath the angry lyrics, you can feel the frustration and hurt as the young woman works through her loss with a touch of destruction and recklessness.

The song's platinum RIAA certification and number seven peak on the Billboard Hot 100 were well-deserved. It also landed on several hit shows, including Girls and The Vampire Diaries.

“Feel It Still” by Portugal. The Man

Song Year: 2014

The Alaskan alternative rock band boasts eight albums, including some independent releases. However, only this lead song from the eighth album, “Woodstock,” cracked the Billboard Hot 100 list.

When asked about the meaning behind the lyrics, lead singer John Gourley noted that it’s about being a rebel still. He is now a family man but still remembers the punk-rebel days of his youth and can still feel those vibes.

“Despacito” by Luis Fonci and Daddy Yankee

Song Year: 2017

Despite having some success in Puerto Rico, Luis Fonci and Daddy Yankee didn’t see mainstream accolades until they collaborated on this Latin-pop single. The duo wrote the song with Erika Ender and released it in early 2017. Justin Bieber released a cover of the song a few months later, which only helped Fonci and Daddy Yankee.

“Despacito” is a seductive number about getting your partner to dance slowly and closely to you. It’s all about seduction.

“Hand Clap” by Fitz and the Tantrums

Song Year: 2016

Few songs from the 2010s get people moving as much as “Hand Clap.” It’s another story of desire and seduction involving a late night call and bid to do something primal, but this one has an upbeat, light-hearted feel.

Fitz and the Tantrums combines indie pop and neo soul sounds to create upbeat tunes. Though They formed in 2008, the band only has one mainstream hit to their name. Of course, they have new releases coming, so maybe there will be another hit in their future.

“Harlem Shake” by Baauer

Song Year: 2012

Baauer is the stage name for Harry Bauer Rodrigues who gained fame as a DJ and music producer working with some major names in the industry. The “Harlem Shake” represents Baauer’s only solo hit, but that’s not to say there could be future chart toppers.

It’s not complex lyrically, since it basically encourages people to dance, but that doesn’t seem to matter. The song can partially attribute its success to a meme by Mad Decent and user-created films in which individuals in a room freeze throughout the buildup and then go crazy at the drop.

“Am I Wrong” by Nico and Vinz

Song Year: 2013

Norwegian musical duo Nico and Vinz gave dreamers worldwide an anthem to sing their hearts out. According to Nico, the song is about not succumbing to the naysayers and achieving what we set our minds to do, no matter our background and where we come from.

Following the song’s success in the Scandinavian countries, it was released internationally and ranked highly on various charts. Most notably, it peaked at number four on US Billboard Hot 100.