We all know about the sad legacy of a one hit wonder – a singer or band that has one hit then that is it. You would think if you had one hit, the others would come easily, but that isn’t so. What is worse that being a one hit wonder? How about being a two hit wonder?
That’s right, here is a brief list of people who had one hit, then another, then faded into obscurity.
Kim Wilde – “Kids in America” and “You Keep Me Hangin’ On”
It was a long haul between Kim’s first hit “Kid’s in America,” which reached #25 in 1982, and her second hit “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” in 1986. For some reason, my iPod loves to repeat “Kid’s in America,” which features the lyrics “There’s a new wave coming I warn you.” And there was – New Wave music was about to break with artists like Duran Duran, Culture Club, and Billy Idol.
Kim Wilde Update: Kim remains active in music, but she has returned to her true passion – gardening. She attended college for horticulture and spent two years on the BBC show “Garden Invaders.” She also has written children’s books about gardening.
Blue Oyster Cult – “(Don’t Fear” The Reaper” and “Burnin’ for You”
Okay, I have to argue with this title a bit. “(Don’t Fear” The Reaper” reached #12 in 1976 and “Burnin’ for You” reached #40 in 1981, but any fan of a classic rock station has undoubtedly heard “Godzilla.” Regardless, Blue Oyster Cult has its place in rock history – they are often known for their use of the cowbell, which became a hilarious Christopher Walken Saturday Night Live skit.
Blue Oyster Cult Update: The lineup for the band has changed, but Blue Oyster Cult continues to tour.
Crowded House – “Don’t Dream It’s Over” and “Something So Strong”
I am not a fan of Crowded House – that is to say they could have been a No Hit Wonder band and I would have been fine. But someone liked them as “Don’t Dream It’s Over” made it all the way to #2 in 1987 and “Something So Strong” made it to #7 the same year. They seemed to have been victims of the dreaded “sophomore slump,” where your first album sells a gazillion copies and your second one sells…fifty.
Crowded House Update: Despite the death of co-founder Paul Hester in 2005, the band continues to record and tour.
Stay tuned…there are more Two Hit Wonders to come!