Agency playlist: One Hit Wonder Day 2019

By Melissa Severin, VP Director of Agency Communications

I have a touchy relationship with the notion of one hit wonders because, so often, you look into an artist’s work and find gems that were never fully appreciated by the masses. In fact, some of my favorite records are from groups that are considered one hit wonders: The Divinyls first album Desperate and The Proclaimers Sunshine on Leith, (which contains their alleged one hit “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)”) are records I return to over and over again. Ask any supporter of Scotland’s Hibernian soccer team which Proclaimers song they prefer and it won’t be “I’m Gonna Be.” The album’s title track, “Sunshine on Leith,” is the club’s anthem and sung at every match. Do yourself a favor and go listen to thousands singing it upon winning the Scottish Cup in 2016. Chills.

C-K’s National #OneHitWonderDay playlist.

Our one hit wonder list elicited some lively debate, especially when you ask for people’s favorites without giving any parameters (i.e. can only have one song that ever reached the top 20). If you hear a tune that you don’t consider a true one hit wonder rest assured it was discussed. Some selections were definitely more contentious than others. (Calm down, Oasis fans.)

If you want to know why C-Kers selected the songs they did, here are a few of them to tell you. Enjoy the sonic nostalgia trip!

I chose When In Rome’s “The Promise” because of the great lyrics and hook. Added bonus: it also reminds me of my wife 😊.

When I think of great 80’s DOR (Dance Orientated Rock), I think of bands like New Order, Depeche Mode, Bronksi Beat, The Cure, YAZ, ABC and more. But all of those had multiple jams.

This song was right up there with those, but When In Rome sadly only seemed to figure it out this one time.

Craig Likhite, Vice President, Creative Manager

I grew up in the 80s so I remember this song vividly. When “I Can’t Wait” by Nu Shooz dropped in 1986 I was in middle school, and I remember how it blew up on the radio. It was the JAM! That bass line and that groove are timeless. It may be a one-hit-wonder, but the song still goes hard today.

Sonya Jagers, Office Administrator/Proofreader

I chose Come On Eileen because it’s an upbeat hit for any occasion – wedding, jog, karaoke, yelling the lyrics with your friends in a pub. Key and tempo changes make it a fun and memorable one-hit-wonder. You can’t help but dance.

Kate Fiala, Programmatic Manager

BONUS TRACK: Spotify can’t cage this hurricane. So, here’s “Dig It” by Mancho Man Randy Savage.

The unimpeachable and poetic wisdom of Macho Man Randy Savage. In a music video. Best there is… past, present and future! Ohhhhh yeahhhh!

Eric Rice, Senior Art Director