One Hit Wonders — ALL ARTICLES

One Hit Wonders: Why Brave Girls Chooses to Keep “Rollin’”

A reality show, an obsession with rankings, and the South Korean military have all redefined Brave Girls as a born-again viral hit in the quicksilver world of K-Pop ensembles.

One Hit WondersAfterglow ATXMay 18, 2022raymond lam, k-pop, korea

One Hit Wonders: Estelle’s “American Boy” is still a Timeless Dancing Anthem

While it seems like a standard dance song, the behind-the-scenes production and timing helped “American Boy” become an international sensation and a club scene classic to this day.

One Hit WondersAfterglow ATXMay 17, 2022mahina adams, krista mcleod

One Hit Wonders: How The Rickroll Revived Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up"

What happens when a one hit wonder resurfaces 19 years after its release? The most iconic meme of all time.

One Hit Wonders: The Verve’s “Bitter Sweet Symphony” Struck the Right Chord

‘C’est la vie’ in song form, ‘90s hit “Bitter Sweet Symphony” carries a legacy as complicated as its sentiments.

One Hit WondersAfterglow ATXApril 8, 2021myah taylor, one hit wonders, britpop

One Hit Wonders: A German Anti-War Song’s Meteoric Rise to the Top

In 1983, the obscure, Berlin-based band, Nena, unexpectedly broke through the decade's mold of big hair and brick-sized phones with its hit anti-war single, "99 Luftballons."

One Hit WondersAfterglow ATXMarch 10, 2021grace robertson, one hit wonders, nena

One Hit Wonders: How Adulation Boosted Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know”

At a time when upbeat pop dominated the airwaves and rap was on its way to ruling the mainstream, Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know” rode the coattails of numerous covers and an indie pop boom to become one of 2012’s unexpected hits.

One Hit WondersAfterglow ATXJanuary 27, 2021myah taylor, one hit wonders

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