What is the number 1 one-hit wonder of all time?
A one-hit wonder or viral hit is any entity that achieves mainstream popularity, often for only one piece of work, and becomes known among the general public solely for that momentary success. The term is most commonly used in regard to music performers with only one hit single that overshadows their other work.
- Desiigner, "Panda" — 5x platinum. ...
- Silentó, "Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)" — 6x platinum. ...
- Passenger, "Let Her Go" — 6x platinum. ...
- Survivor, "Eye of the Tiger" — 8x platinum. ...
- Gotye, "Somebody That I Used To Know (feat.
"Bitter Sweet Symphony" by The Verve (1997)
But even though the song defines an era, The Verve could never duplicate its success, especially in the US — it was their one and only song to ever reach the charts.
There are 10 acts in the history of the Billboard Hot 100 to have scored 10 or more No. 1 hits. The most modern act on the list is Rihanna, who has released 14 chart-topping singles in her career. The oldest is Elvis Presley, who's had 18 No.
According to Guinness World Records, Irving Berlin's "White Christmas" (1942) as performed by Bing Crosby is the best-selling single worldwide, with estimated sales of over 50 million copies.
You can absolutely retire off of a one hit wonder. The tricky part, no doubt, is writing that hit song — a song that isn't just popular when it's released, but that's able to stay relevant across future decades. “My Sharona” is perhaps the best example of a song that was able to accomplish this.
Chart hits
In most cases, the amount of weeks spent on either music chart may also play a big part in its relevance as a 'hit,' regardless of its peak chart position. A hit single is variously called a number one hit, a top 5 hit, a top 10 hit, a top 20 hit or a top 40 hit, depending on its peak position.
- "Tequila" — The Champs (1958) Tequila by The Champs album art. ...
- "Hey! Baby" — Bruce Channel (1961) ...
- "Wipe Out" — The Surfaris (1963) ...
- "But It's Alright" — J.J. Jackson (1966) ...
- "Spirit in the Sky" — Norman Greenbaum (1970) ...
- "Hooked on a Feeling" — Blue Swede (1974)
As we've mentioned earlier, in most markets, both songwriters and recording artists are typically paid royalties any time their music is played on the radio.
How many songs hit 1 billion streams?
Spotify keeps a playlist of nearly all songs with over one billion streams. As of January 2023, a total of at least 344 songs have reached this milestone.
Michael Jackson's Thriller, estimated to have sold 70 million copies worldwide, is the best-selling album ever. Jackson also currently has the highest number of albums on the list with five, Celine Dion has four, while the Beatles, Pink Floyd, Madonna and Whitney Houston each have three.

Benny Mardones – the only singer in history to be a one-hit wonder… twice! (June 30, 2020).
However, legendary musical artists like Jimi Hendrix, Lou Reed, Garth Brooks and the Grateful Dead are all technically one-hit wonders, too, in that none had more than one song among the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart throughout their careers.
Chris has garnered six No. 1 singles (two on the Hot 100; four on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs), 13 top 10 hits on the Hot 100 and 37 top 10 singles on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
This is a list of artists with the most number-ones on the U.S. Billboard Dance Club Songs chart. Madonna currently holds the record for the most number-one songs in the 43-year history of the chart, with 50. The only other artists to have achieved more than 20 chart toppers are Rihanna (33) and Beyonce (22).
Top-selling artists worldwide as of 2022. Perhaps unsurprisingly, British rock band The Beatles are top of the list for best-selling artists worldwide, with 183 million units certified sales. Second is Garth Brooks with over 157 million units sales, followed by Elvis Presley with 139 million units.
Elvis Presley was the first artist to log 60 weeks at No. 1. He reached that milestone in the Billboard issue dated April 14, 1962, when his Blue Hawaii soundtrack was in its 18th of 20 weeks on top. He has since spent seven additional weeks at No.
Madonna is recognized by Guinness World Records as the "Best-selling female recording artist of all time".
Aretha Franklin's 'Respect' named Greatest Song of All Time by Rolling Stone.
What are the 5 most recorded songs of all time?
- 'Yesterday' by The Beatles.
- '(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction' by The Rolling Stones.
- 'Cry Me A River' by Justin Timberlake Julie London.
- 'Imagine' by John Lennon.
- 'Over The Rainbow' by Judy Garland // 'What a Wonderful World' by Louis Armstrong.
Drake has broken the record for the most top 10 singles in the history of the US Billboard chart, overtaking previous record-holder Madonna.
Chart hits
In most cases, the amount of weeks spent on either music chart may also play a big part in its relevance as a 'hit,' regardless of its peak chart position. A hit single is variously called a number one hit, a top 5 hit, a top 10 hit, a top 20 hit or a top 40 hit, depending on its peak position.
Mariah Carey (USA) has topped the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart on 19 different occasions. Her first No.
Indeed, with 290 million records sold worldwide, the Beatles are at the top of many lists. Not surprisingly, the artist with the most No. 1 hits is the Beatles.
- I'm Good (Blue)David Guetta, Bebe Rexha.
- La JumpaArcángel, Bad Bunny.
- Nobody Gets MeSZA.
- Here With Med4vd.
- I Like You (A Happier Song) (with Doja Cat)Post Malone, Doja Cat.
- Rich FlexDrake, 21 Savage.
- 10:35Tiësto, Tate McRae.
- Made You LookMeghan Trainor.
Current | Previous | Title |
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1. (1) | 1 | Sos SZA peak position: 1 – total weeks: 4 |
2. (2) | 2 | Midnights Taylor Swift peak position: 1 – total weeks: 11 |
3. (4) | 4 | Heroes & Villains Metro Boomin peak position: 1 – total weeks: 5 |
4. (6) | 6 | Her Loss Drake and 21 Savage peak position: 1 – total weeks: 9 |