There are many songs that define a generation or a decade, many of which are one-hit wonders.

A one-hit wonder is a widely successful single that never goes beyond the one song. There’s all this build up and talk of “What will they do next?” and then absolutely nothing follows.

Today, if you couldn’t already tell, is National One-Hit Wonder Day! It’s time to celebrate all those catchy songs that were inevitably doomed to become torturous elevator music.

The music channel VH-1 already did this not long ago, compiling a list of the greatest one-hit wonders of all time.

The one-hit wonder will forever be a nostalgic pop-culture reference to the 80’s wild and radical life-style. The reigning champion of one-hit wonders is, of course, the 80’s followed by the 90’s.

Here’s a list of a few one-hit wonders that we love: Barbie Girl, Safety Dance, Mambo No. 5, It’s Raining Men, Mickey, I’m Gonna Be (500 miles), Don’t Worry Be Happy, Whip It, Baby Got Back, Take On Me, Ice Ice Baby, Who Let the Dogs Out, Tainted Love, Macarena, Achy Breaky Heart, Electric Avenue, Kung Fu Fighting, Cotton Eyed Joe, The Final Countdown, You Spin Me Round (Like a Record), and many more.

“If I could’ve written any one of the one-hit wonders in the world it would have to be ‘The Future Is So Bright I Got to Wear Shades,’” stated Senior Noah Burns.

One-hit wonders of the past have not fallen in popularity. They have even been referenced in multiple TV shows and Movies. One of the more popular references was on the children’s show Phineas and Ferb.

In the one episode, Phineas and Ferb plan to accomplish the entire process of a one-hit wonder in a single day. To accomplish this feat, they devise a checklist that is as follows: 1) Create a song that dominates the charts, 2) Throw a massive diva tantrum, 3) Song becomes elevator music, 4) Throw a reunion concert (years later), and 5) Never sing again.

It’s no surprise that the song you probably have stuck in your head is a one-hit wonder. You just can’t help that they are so catchy and fun.

But not everyone likes a catchy little ditty. Sophomore Alexis Parson said, “I hate most one-hit wonders. They just get stuck in my head and never get out.”

Either way, next time you catch yourself singing into your hair brush in your room, turn off that One Direction and listen to a one-hit wonder and jam on!

You’re Welcome.