Can we talk about how you classify someone as a one-hit wonder? Is it just top 40? I ask because I was a little surprised to see Jimmy Eat World called one, since they've been rock radio mainstays for a decade, with some monster hits (as far as rock goes, anyway).
Fair question--I'd consider them a "one hit wonder" on two grounds. 1. "The Middle" is their only top 40 hit on the Hot 100 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Eat_World_discography), though they've had a bunch of hits on the Alternative chart. 2. You ask the average American "name a Jimmy Eat World song," and they'll be hard pressed to name more than one.
Technically, there are a number of bands that constitute one hit wonders. (Most famously? Grateful Dead, which only ever had one Top 40 hit with "Touch of Grey.") And then again, there are those who had a second Top 40 hit, but we still think of them as a One-Hit Wonder (e.g., A-Ha, LFO).
I think it's a connotation issue. "One hit wonder" evokes the idea of flash in the pan. It's not a label I'd throw on Jimi Hendrix, even if I technically could.
Yes, they are technically not a one-hit wonder (as I note above), but I suspect most folks could not recognize (much less sing a few bars) of "Sun Always Shines On TV" (or "The Living Daylights").
Can we talk about how you classify someone as a one-hit wonder? Is it just top 40? I ask because I was a little surprised to see Jimmy Eat World called one, since they've been rock radio mainstays for a decade, with some monster hits (as far as rock goes, anyway).
ReplyDeleteFair question--I'd consider them a "one hit wonder" on two grounds. 1. "The Middle" is their only top 40 hit on the Hot 100 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Eat_World_discography), though they've had a bunch of hits on the Alternative chart. 2. You ask the average American "name a Jimmy Eat World song," and they'll be hard pressed to name more than one.
ReplyDeleteFive top-three alternative singles? I can name Work, Pain, and Sweetness just off the top of my head. They're no Bloodhound Gang.
ReplyDeleteSo by those criteria, do you consider Rush to be one hit wonders?
ReplyDeleteTechnically, there are a number of bands that constitute one hit wonders. (Most famously? Grateful Dead, which only ever had one Top 40 hit with "Touch of Grey.") And then again, there are those who had a second Top 40 hit, but we still think of them as a One-Hit Wonder (e.g., A-Ha, LFO).
ReplyDeleteI think it's a connotation issue. "One hit wonder" evokes the idea of flash in the pan. It's not a label I'd throw on Jimi Hendrix, even if I technically could.
ReplyDeleteThe Sun Always Shines on TV, Matt. a-Ha is not a OHW.
ReplyDeleteYes, they are technically not a one-hit wonder (as I note above), but I suspect most folks could not recognize (much less sing a few bars) of "Sun Always Shines On TV" (or "The Living Daylights").
ReplyDelete