Sometimes it just takes one.
For every Morgan Wallen or Luke Combs out there who’s able to top the charts with pretty much everything they release, there are many more artists who come onto the scene, have a couple of hits, and then slowly fade away as the next crop of artists comes along. But there are also plenty of artists who burn bright, have a massive hit, and then just…kind of disappear.
There are plenty of one hit wonders who are still in my regular playlist rotation today, showing just how big of an impact an artist can have with just one song. So I figured I’d try to put together a list of some of the best one hit wonders in country music, just in case others have forgotten about these songs that everybody loved in the past.
“That’s Just Jessie” – Kevin Denney
One of the greatest one hit wonders of all time, and one of the greatest songs of the 2000s that never gets the respect it deserves.
“Hillbillies” – Hot Apple Pie
This song from 2005 may not exactly be awards show material, but man was it fun.
“Break Down Here” – Julie Roberts
Julie Roberts had a massive hit with her debut single (which was actually a cover of a Trace Adkins song) back in 2004, but was never really able to match its success. She even tried out for The Voice a decade later, but wasn’t able to get any of the judges to turn their chairs.
“I Loved Her First” – Heartland
It’s hard to tell how many times this song has been used for father/daughter dances over the years, and still is today. But for Heartland, their 2006 debut single turned out to be their only top 40 hit.
“Yes!” – Chad Brock
The former professional wrestler scored his first and only career number one with “Yes!,” the title track for his 2000 album. He had another top 5 single with “Ordinary Life” but never recreated the magic or staying power of his signature song.
“Pray For You” – Jaron & the Long Road To Love
Jaron Lowenstein is actually a two-time one hit wonder: Not only was his debut country single the only hit for Jaron & the Long Road to Love, but he also had a single pop hit with “Crazy for This Girl,” released with his identical twin brother as the duo Evan and Jaron.
“You Can’t Hide Beautiful” – Aaron Lines
Canadian country singer Aaron Lines had a string of hits in his home country, but the only one that really took off here in the United States was his 2002 single “You Can’t Hide Beautiful,” which reached #4 on the charts.
“99.9% Sure (I’ve Never Been Here Before)” – Brian McComas
The early 2000s was a great time in country music, but the fierce competition led to quite a few one hit wonders, including this banger from Brian McComas that was his only top 10 single.
“Lipstick” – Rockie Lynne
A former US Army paratrooper, Rockie Lynne had his only top 40 hit with “Lipstick” in 2005.
“Just Got Started Loving You” – James Otto
With a voice like his I can’t believe James Otto never became a star. He’s been radio silent since 2015 but his first and only number one is a classic.
“Don’t Ask Me How I Know” – Bobby Pinson
Full of life lessons, “Don’t Ask Me How I Know” was Bobby Pinson’s debut single in 2005 and became his only top 50 hit. But his biggest career success came when he began writing with Toby Keith, the two of them creating some of Toby’s greatest songs, like “She Never Cried In Front Of Me” and “Made In America.” And since then he’s written numerous #1 hits including “Some Of It” by Eric Church.
“I Don’t Have To Be Me (‘Til Monday)” – Steve Azar
Steve Azar’s biggest hit “I Don’t Have To Be Me” was released in October of 2001 and peaked at number two on the country charts.
“Baby Likes To Rock It” – The Tractors
While the song was a massive hit, the best thing we got from The Tractors was the incredibly-90s music video for this song: A guy getting on a train and finding himself in the middle of one of the most ridiculous dance parties you’ve ever seen…it’s incredible.
“Jukebox Junkie” – Ken Mellons
While he may have only had one real hit single, Ken Mellons still has one of the greatest country music voices of the 90s – and one of the decade’s defining hits.
“You Have the Right to Remain Silent” – Perfect Stranger
After getting their start in Texas, Perfect Stranger managed to find mainstream success along with the rise of bands like Ricochet, Little Texas and BlackHawk in the early 90s. But their only top 5 single was also their only top 40 hit with “You Have the Right to Remain Silent” in 1994.
“Wild At Heart” – Gloriana
As country music began to move towards a more pop sound in the early 2000s, it seemed like Gloriana was poised to dominate country music following the success of their debut single “Wild At Heart.” But drama in the band and the departure of lead singer Cheyenne Kimball before they even released their second album brought their success to a premature halt and resulted in Gloriana becoming a one hit wonder.
“Should’ve Asked Her Faster” – Ty England
Ty England was roommates with Garth Brooks while the two were in college at Oklahoma State, and became a member of Garth’s band after he signed his recording contract in 1988. But England left in the early ’90s to pursue his own solo career, resulting in a massive hit with his debut single…and not much else. More recently, England ran for the nomination for US Senate in Oklahoma, but was defeated in the Republican primary.
“Mrs. Steven Rudy” – Mark McGuinn
One of the creepier one hit wonders of all time: It’s basically about a guy who has some kind of voyeuristic obsession with his neighbor’s wife. He’s going outside in the mornings just to catch a glimpse of her sitting on her porch in a robe, he’s dreaming about her every night, and he’s fantasizing about finally getting his shot to be with the “neighborhood beauty.” Is this what I was jamming out to back in 7th grade? But nonetheless, it’s still a banger.
