Today’s country music has evolved, with several subgenres thrown into the mix. However, upon its development in the 1920s, this genre of music started as a way to sing about the working class in America. A key feature in country music is the stringed instruments like bass, banjo, or fiddle. Names such as George Strait, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, and Patsy Cline are synonymous with country music. Aside from the big names and well-known hits, there have been numerous catchy and unforgettable one-hit wonders in country music.
A one-hit-wonder is defined as “a musical group that has achieved recognition based on only one widely popular song” or “a person, group, or organization that is known only for a single notable event, product, etc.” by Merriam-Webster Dictionary. With this definition in mind, it’s safe to define a one-hit-wonder in country music as a song that a particular group is best known for because it is an artist’s only hit to reach the Country Music Top 40 record chart.
Several catchy and iconic one-hit wonders in the country music genre have existed. While many artists went on to create and produce more music, the one-hit wonders remain their only hits that made it to the chart, at least for an extended period of time. Additionally, these artists are known for these particular songs. (Check out our list of most hated people in country music.)
To compile a list of unforgettable one-hit wonders in country music, 24/7 Tempo consulted the top Billboard charts and entertainment sites to garner a list of artists with only one song on the top 40 charts.
“Shut Up and Kiss Me”
- Artist: Mary Chapin Carpenter
- Year: 1994
Mary Chapin Carpenter’s catchy song about love saw her gain incredible success in 1994, even earning a Grammy Award. This Grammy Award was for the Best Female Country Vocal Performance.
“Harper Valley PTA”
- Artist: Jeannie C. Riley
- Year: 1968
In 1968, Jeannie C. Riley sang about a woman taking on the PTA and taking on their hypocritical views. This song still resonates today. Calling out those who are hypocritical is something many people dream of doing. In “The Harper Valley PTA,” a woman receives a letter from the PTA about how she simply isn’t raising her daughter right. Oh, the scandal. Instead of listening or taking offense quietly, she walks down to the PTA meeting and calls all of them out on their hypocrisy boldly and iconically.
“Harper Valley PTA” was written by Tom T. Hall, who stated in an interview that it was based on his mother. She was the one who “socked it” to the PTA during a time when women were often judged for doing the same things that men did, such as smoking or drinking. Oh, to be a fly on the wall in the meeting room during this time period.
“Butterfly Kisses”
- Artist: Bob Carlisle
- Year: 1997
“Butterfly Kisses” came out in 1997 and is a beautiful ballad about a dad reminiscing on his daughter’s childhood. He is thinking about the years he spent watching his daughter grow up and how sweet those butterfly kisses (and other moments) were through the years now that she is getting married.
This song is a sweet one that many fathers and daughters dance to on their wedding day.
“Rose Garden”
- Artist: Lynn Anderson
- Year: 1970
In this catchy song, a woman sings about how she never promised their life would be all sunshine and rainbows (or, in other words, a rose garden). You cannot have the roses without the rain. “I Never Promised You a Rose Garden” stayed on the top charts for 14 weeks in 1971.
“Strawberry Wine”
- Artist: Deana Carter
- Year: 1996
“Strawberry Wine” explores a woman’s memories as she looks back on her first love and the time she lost her innocence. She asks the question, “Is it him or the loss of my innocence, I’ve been missing so much?” It is a beautiful song that perfectly captures how many people long for the days when their innocence was still intact. Deana Carter’s hit topped the charts in 1996 and stayed there for two weeks.
“Achy Breaky Heart”
- Artist: Billy Ray Cyrus
- Year: 1992
Billy Ray Cyrus is now known for “Old Town Road.” Yet, before this catchy tune came out, “Achy Breaky Heart” captured the hearts of country music fans everywhere. It’s a snappy, albeit humorous, song about not telling his heart their love is over. She can tell his arms, his lips, and his feet, but she can’t tell his heart because if she does, it may just “blow up and kill this man.”
“Achy Breaky Heart” is a song that is hard to get out of your head once it enters.
“Dust on the Bottle”
- Artist: David Lee Murphy
- Year: 1995
Real love just gets better with time, and David Lee Murphy captures this sentiment iconically in “Dust on the Bottle.” The comparisons between love and wine are both sweet and relevant in this unforgettable country song.
On October 28, 1995, “Dust on the Bottle” reached the top spot and stayed there for two weeks.
“In Color”
- Artist: Jamey Johnson
- Year: 2008
Looking back at black-and-white pictures of your family can be an awe-inspiring experience. “In Color” captures the heart of exploring one’s heritage through the art form of photos and imagining what it would have been like “in color.”
Jamey Johnson beautifully strings together lyrics that paint a compelling story about one’s past. In 2009, Johnson earned a Song of the Year award twice for this song: once at the ACM Awards and once at the CMA Awards. “In Color” was so popular that it was on the country charts for 40 weeks.
“I Loved Her First”
- Artist: Heartland
- Year: 2006
The popular song “I Loved Her First” is commonly heard during the father-daughter dance at weddings. This song was Heartland’s debut single and topped the Billboard country music charts on October 28, 2006.
“Lost in This Moment”
- Artist: Big & Rich
- Year: 2007
Big & Rich are known for songs like “Ride a Horse Save a Cowboy” and “Fake ID.” However, their only song to reach number one on the Billboard country charts was “Lost in This Moment.”
This iconic wedding song describes exactly how the groom is feeling as he watches his bride-to-be on their wedding day.
“Leave the Pieces”
- Artist: The Wreckers
- Year: 2006
Jessica Harp and Michelle Branch formed The Wreckers and once produced a country album titled “Stand Still, Look Pretty.” Their one hit from this album was “Leave the Pieces.” This song is about love, heartache, being dragged around, and a lot of pain. “Leave the Pieces” stayed on the top charts for 20 weeks and received two nominations, one for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group and Vocal Duo of the Year.
“Don’t Get Me Started”
- Artist: Rhett Akins
- Year: 1996
In 1996, Rhett Akins released “Don’t Get Me Started.” On August 3, it rose to number one on the Billboard charts.
This one-hit wonder was a song about a man looking back when he first fell in love.
“Break Down Here”
LAS VEGAS - MAY 16: Musician Julie Roberts performs onstage at the 2nd Annual New Artist Show at the Mandalay Bay on May 16, 2005 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
- Artist: Julie Roberts
- Year: 2004
Julie Roberts released this number-one hit in 2004. It is a beautiful ballad about a woman who just wants to keep moving forward. “Break Down Here” can be taken both figuratively and literally.
“Single White Female”
- Artist: Chely Wright
- Year: 1999
In 1999, Chely Wright released a song that resounded within the hearts of her audience. It is a simple song about a woman looking for love, and she has her eye on one specific fellow.
“Pour Me”
- Artist: Trick Pony
- Year: 2000
Trick Pony has great songs like “What I Do” and “On a Night Like This.” However, “Pour Me” was their one-hit wonder. It has a catchy vibe and a perfect beat. Additionally, it spent time at number 12 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs and continues to be a great party song.
“One Voice”
- Artist: Billy Gilman
- Year: 2002
Billy Gilman is the youngest person to find himself on the Country Music Billboard charts. His song “One Voice” is a deeply felt piece about the realities so many children face with violence. It continues to be a powerful hit today.
“Complicated”
- Artist: Carolyn Dawn Johnson
- Year: 2001
Falling in love, especially with a friend, can be, well, complicated. Carolyn Dawn Johnson captures these feelings perfectly in her song titled “Complicated.”
“Who I Am”
- Artist: Jessica Andrews
- Year: 2000
Being confident in who you are is a great trait to have. Your heritage, your DNA, and your strengths are all things to be proud of. Jessica Andrews displayed this confidence perfectly in her one-hit wonder, “Who I Am.” It dropped in 2000 and stayed on the top charts for four weeks.
This beautiful song captures all the strengths that she sees within herself, including who her grandma is and how her mom is her biggest fan. Although she makes mistakes, she will learn from them. “Who I Am” resonated with audiences everywhere then, and 24 years later, it still does.
“What I Really Meant to Say”
- Artist: Cyndi Thomson
- Year: 2001
Most people have a conversation that never happened ringing in their heads. Someone is standing right in front of you, and as they walk away, you repeatedly play what you should’ve said inside your brain. Cyndi Thomson captures the words so many wish they dared to say in her one-hit wonder “What I Really Meant to Say.”
“Should’ve Asked Her Faster”
- Artist: Ty England
- Year: 1995
Ty England was once a guitarist for Garth Brooks. However, when he ventured out on his own, he secured a one-hit wonder with “Should’ve Asked Her Faster.” This song describes the regret a man feels as he realizes, well, he should’ve asked her faster.
“I Don’t Have to Be Me”
- Artist: Steve Azar
- Year: 2001
In 2001, Steve Azar summed up how many people feel about the weekend or a vacation: He’s done punching the clock for a few days, and he doesn’t have to be himself until Monday. So, what does he do?
“I Don’t Have to Be Me” was incredibly successful as a one-hit wonder. In fact, it stayed on the Billboard Hot Country Singles and Tracks charts for 44 weeks.
“You Can’t Hide Beautiful”
- Artist: Aaron Lines
- Year: 2003
Insecurities caused by unrealistic expectations can be a heavy load to carry. In 2003, Aaron Lines sang lyrics that many would love to hear from their significant other: “You can’t hide beautiful.” A message that no matter what, you are beautiful and loved.
“Just Got Started Lovin You”
- Artist: James Otto
- Year: 2008
In 2008, “Just Got Started Lovin’ You” stayed on the top charts for 32 weeks. Who doesn’t dream of staying home with their love and forgetting the outside world?
“Ode to Billy Joe”
- Artist: Bobbie Gentry
- Year: 1974
“Ode to Billy Joe” is a sad song about a fictional Billy Joe McCallister’s suicide. This overnight sensation explores themes of gossip, apathy, and desensitization as the family discusses his suicide over dinner. Additionally, a movie based on the song was also filmed, with the same title.
Bobbie Gentry has stated that there was no actual suicide that happened in her life to draw from. Though not confirmed, many people believe the song was inspired by the tragic murder of Emmet Till.
“Baby Likes to Rock It”
- Artist: The Tractors
- Year: 1994
In 1994, “Baby Likes to Rock It” peaked on the Top 40 charts at number 11. With its catchy beat, it’s a familiar song played at parties and even has a line dance accompanying it. (Next, read our list of the all-time favorite country artists of millennials.)