Earning a hit song isn’t the hardest part; it’s actually penning a follow-up hit. Many bands and artists struggle with this, as the initial hit was a tough enough feat in itself. Replicating success doesn’t always work out, and an artist can easily be forgotten or left behind in the mainstream while continuing to work to build a following on their own. This is why, 30 years later, these one-hit wonders of the 1990s still perform to this very day.

Los Del Río

In the mid-90s, Spanish pop duo Los Del Río penned a massive dance hit called “Macarena”. Initially released in 1993, an upbeat version dubbed the “Bayside Boys Remix” spent 14 weeks at No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1996. This version features an English spoken section by the Bayside Boys, who chant “Hey Macarena!” The dance craze was created after the duo noticed a flamenco dancer in Venezuela performing similar moves. Surprisingly, the duo formed in 1962 and released 20 albums in their career. The pop duo still performs to this day.

Haddaway

Though Haddaway penned only one major hit in the US, they penned multiple in Europe. Nonetheless, he’s included among the one-hit wonders of the 1990s. His 1993 hit “What Is Love” peaked at No. 11 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Though three more singles off the same album charted high in Europe and other countries, none broke into the top 40 in the US. In March, Haddaway released his sixth studio album and has many upcoming performances booked for fall 2026.

TOADIES

As much as their diehard fanbase would like to say otherwise, Toadies fall into the one-hit wonder category. Their signature track “Possum Kingdom” charted significantly higher than their other singles. In 1995, it peaked at No. 4 on the Modern Rock chart and No. 9 on the Mainstream Rock chart. Their follow-up single, “Away”, peaked at No. 28 on the Modern Rock chart and No. 23 on the Mainstream Rock chart. In the 2000’s, “Push The Hand” and “No Deliverance” landed at No. 34 and No. 38, respectively. Toadies still perform with a cult following who will be jumping to debate whether they belong on this list. They’re currently on The Charmer Tour with Local H, performing across the US throughout the fall.

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By 1996, hardcore punk was revitalized, and pop-punk was emerging. It was a turning point in the history of punk music in the US. The late 90s and early 2000s would see many different punk styles. In 1996, the heart of punk was still echoing the bands of the 1980s. Here are 3 no-skip punk albums turning 30 this year.

‘everything sucks’ by descendents

Descendents were at the forefront of the hardcore punk movement in the late 70s, representing the California scene. These pioneers released four defining punk albums throughout the 1980s, before vocalist Milo Aukerman left the group in 1987. The rest of Descendents went on under the name All until Aukerman’s return in 1996. Their fifth album, Everything Sucks, saw the band return to their more aggressive hardcore punk side from their early years. It peaked at No. 4 on the US Heatseekers Albums chart in 1996.

‘less talk, more rock’ by propagandhi

Their second album was also the last to feature bassist John K. Samson. Notably, Samson went on to find his own success as the frontman of the indie rock band the Weakerthans. The album served as a confrontation, calling out “jocks” and “bros” disguised as punk rockers. It’s a defining skate punk album in Canadian punk. They brilliantly blended skate punk and melodic hardcore, which would be heavily influential on bands of the late 90s and early 2000s.

‘h2O’ by H2O

H2O is a punk band that is closely associated with the New York City punk scene. Vocalist Toby Morse was a roadie for Sick of It All when he got the courage to front his own band. He would often join Sick of It All on stage during encores. This lit a fire inside him, and H2O was formed soon after. Throughout 1995 and 1996, H20 toured the East Coast extensively and opened for bands such as Rancid and No Doubt. Their 1996 self-titled debut reflected the city’s hardcore punk scene. In the coming years, they would open for the Misfits and Sick of It All and also join the Vans Warped Tour. H20 is among the most influential punk bands of the next decade of music. In Paramore’s music video “That’s What You Get”, Hayley Williams is seen wearing an H2O hoodie.

Photo by Lorne Thomson/Redferns

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Power ballads are often associated with the 1980s. This is mostly due to the rise of power ballads, which paired traditional ballads with modern distorted rock guitar. Many power ballads dominated the charts in the 1980s, but what many may not realize is that power ballads dominated the 90s as well. We often look at the 90s as primarily alternative or pop, but many 80s bands released their biggest power ballads in the 90s.

“always” by bon jovi

Initially, Jon Bon Jovi wrote and recorded this ballad for the 1993 film Romeo Is Bleeding, hence the opening line. Jon liked the film’s script, but didn’t like a preview of the film. Therefore, he decided against lending the song to the film, and it was shelved. Years later, the ballad was revisited, re-recorded, and released on Bon Jovi’s greatest hits album, Cross Road. The power ballad became a massive hit, peaking at No. 4 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1994.

“(everything i do) i do it for you” by bryan adams

Another 80s artist who penned one of their biggest power ballads in the 1990s is Bryan Adams. This song was written for a film and is the theme song for the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, starring Kevin Costner. It’s one of Bryan Adams’ four No. 1 hits, and topped the Billboard Hot 100 for seven consecutive weeks in 1991. Additionally, it topped the charts in 20 countries, earned Adams a Grammy Award and an Oscar nomination.

“iris” by the goo goo dolls

Not to sound repetitive, but this power ballad was also written for a movie soundtrack. In 1998, John Rzeznik wrote his signature song “Iris” for the film City of Angels. While peaking at No. 9 on the Hot 100, “Iris” hit No. 1 on the US Alternative Airplay, Mainstream Rock, and Pop Airplay charts. “Iris” is among the best-selling singles of all time.

“love of a lifetime” by firehouse

Firehouse had all the goods to become a legendary hair metal band. Though they just barely missed the peak of hair metal, they still penned major hits in the early 90s. Their highest-charting single, “Love Of A Lifetime”, peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1991, and No. 7 on the US Cash Box Top 100.

“i don’t want to miss a thing” by aerosmith

There’s no denying that Aerosmith is among the most recognizable American rock groups. Shockingly, the band has only earned one No. 1 hit in their career, and you guessed it, it was written for a film. In 1998, “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” debuted at No. 1 and served as the theme song for the film Armageddon.

Photo by Margaret Norton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

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