Scoring a hit on the Billboard Hot 100 is no easy feat. For some artists, it only happened once—but that one time was enough to cement their name in music history. These one-hit wonders of the 1990s gave us unforgettable tracks that dominated the airwaves and dance floors.
Whether they faded into obscurity, shifted careers, or found success behind the scenes, here’s a look at the artists who shined brightly—if only for a moment.
A’Me Lorain – “Whole Wide World” (1990)
A’Me Lorain (born Amy Trujillo) broke through with “Whole Wide World,” a dance-pop hit that reached No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and cracked the top 10 on the dance chart. The song also featured in the 1989 film True Love.
Despite the track’s success, Lorain quickly vanished from the spotlight. She hasn’t released another charting single, and little has been heard from her musically since.
Biz Markie – “Just a Friend” (1989–1990)
Released in late 1989, “Just a Friend” became Biz Markie’s signature song. It peaked at No. 9 on the Hot 100 in 1990 and sold over a million copies. The track’s charm came from its off-key singing and catchy chorus.
Biz Markie, however, became embroiled in legal trouble after sampling Gilbert O’Sullivan’s “Alone Again (Naturally)” without permission. The lawsuit, which he lost, set a precedent in music copyright law and stunted his career.
Markie remained a beloved figure in hip-hop culture. He made TV appearances on Yo Gabba Gabba! and Men in Black II before passing away in 2021.
Calloway – “I Wanna Be Rich” (1990)
R&B duo Calloway—brothers Reggie and Vincent—hit it big with “I Wanna Be Rich,” which climbed to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1990.
Follow-up singles didn’t replicate the success, and the duo soon pivoted to production work. They’ve since worked with major artists like Natalie Cole and Teddy Pendergrass.
Deee-Lite – “Groove Is in the Heart” (1990)
New York-based group Deee-Lite exploded with “Groove Is in the Heart,” a funky dance track featuring Bootsy Collins and Q-Tip. The song hit No. 4 on the Hot 100 and topped the dance charts.
While other singles like “Good Beat” and “Power of Love” did well on the club circuit, they never matched the mainstream popularity of their debut. The group disbanded in 1996. Vocalist Lady Miss Kier later pursued solo projects and activism.
Faith No More – “Epic” (1990)
Although active since the late 1970s, Faith No More didn’t reach mainstream fame until “Epic” dropped in 1990. Blending rap, metal, and funk, the song reached No. 9 on the Hot 100.
They followed up with alt-rock tracks like “Midlife Crisis” and “A Small Victory,” but never matched “Epic’s” commercial impact in the U.S. Nevertheless, Faith No More remains a cult favorite and continues to record and tour.
Faster Pussycat – “House of Pain” (1990)
Part of the glam metal wave, Faster Pussycat scored a surprise hit with “House of Pain,” a blues-tinged ballad that peaked at No. 28.
Their gritty sound fell out of favor with the rise of grunge. The band disbanded in 1993 but reunited in the 2000s, regularly touring with a dedicated fan base.
Jane Child – “Don’t Wanna Fall in Love” (1990)
Jane Child’s genre-blending hit “Don’t Wanna Fall in Love” soared to No. 2 on the Hot 100. Known for her edgy style—think nose chain and spiked hair—Child stood out visually as well as musically.
Despite follow-ups like “Welcome to the Real World,” she never replicated her initial success. Still, she’s remained active with independent releases and performances.
Mellow Man Ace – “Mentirosa” (1990)
“Mentirosa,” a bilingual hip-hop track that sampled Santana, reached No. 14 on the Hot 100. It was the breakout hit for Mellow Man Ace, one of the pioneers of Spanglish rap.
Though he didn’t have another Top 40 hit, he stayed connected to the hip-hop scene and is also the brother of Sen Dog from Cypress Hill.
Sinéad O’Connor – “Nothing Compares 2 U” (1990)
Originally written by Prince, “Nothing Compares 2 U” became a global sensation when covered by Irish singer Sinéad O’Connor. It hit No. 1 in the U.S., UK, and many other countries.
The song’s stark video and emotional performance left a lasting impact. Although she released several more albums, she never matched the song’s massive popularity. O’Connor passed away in 2023, leaving behind a powerful and often controversial legacy.
Bingoboys – “How to Dance” (1991)
Austrian trio Bingoboys landed on the U.S. charts with “How to Dance,” which reached No. 25 on the Hot 100. Featuring rapper Princessa and samples from disco hits, it became a club favorite.
They released a follow-up single, “Borrowed Love,” but failed to chart again. The group soon faded from public view.
Chesney Hawkes – “The One and Only” (1991)
Written by Nik Kershaw, “The One and Only” became a transatlantic hit for British singer Chesney Hawkes. It reached No. 10 in the U.S. and topped the UK chart for five weeks.
Hawkes continued to release music, mainly in the UK, and occasionally appeared on British reality TV. Despite his limited chart history, he remains a nostalgic favorite.
Corina – “Temptation” (1991)
Freestyle singer Corina hit No. 6 with her sultry track “Temptation.” Though her later singles didn’t chart, she released an album and appeared in films, including Cradle Will Rock (1999).
She remains involved in the arts, occasionally performing and working behind the scenes.
Jasmine Guy – “Just Want to Hold You” (1990)
Best known for her role on A Different World, Jasmine Guy tried her hand at music with her self-titled album. “Just Want to Hold You” peaked at No. 34 on the Hot 100.
Her music career was brief, but her acting and directing careers continued. She’s appeared in TV shows like Vampire Diaries and Grey’s Anatomy.
Londonbeat – “I’ve Been Thinking About You” (1990)
This dance-pop anthem reached No. 1 on the Hot 100 and topped charts worldwide. Londonbeat, a British-American group, mixed soul vocals with club beats.
Despite other releases, they never returned to the U.S. Top 40. The band continues to tour and release music in Europe.
Timmy T – “One More Try” (1991)
Timmy T’s heartfelt ballad “One More Try” became a surprise hit, reaching No. 1 on the Hot 100. It also charted well on adult contemporary radio.
After two albums and no further hits, Timmy T stepped away from the spotlight to focus on family. He occasionally performs at retro concerts and events.
Honorable Mentions
While some artists barely missed being true “one-hit wonders,” they’re often lumped into the category:
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Tag Team – “Whoomp! (There It Is)” (1993)
Though still popular in pop culture, they never had another major hit. -
Right Said Fred – “I’m Too Sexy” (1992)
The cheeky novelty song peaked at No. 1. Later singles flopped in the U.S., though they stayed active in Europe. -
Los Del Río – “Macarena” (1996)
This song topped the charts for 14 weeks but made them a one-hit novelty in the U.S.
These one-hit wonders may have had just one brush with fame, but their songs live on in playlists, karaoke nights, and 90s flashback parties. Whether they stayed in the industry or moved on, they each left their mark in pop music history.