20 Country Music One-Hit Wonders

Country music may have gotten its start in the 1920s, but this genre has continued to grow in popularity over the years. From honky tonk to bluegrass and pop cross-overs, country music continues to grow and change, leaving several one-hit wonders in its path. 

Clearly defining a one-hit wonder can be difficult. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a one-hit wonder as “a musical group that has achieved recognition on the basis of only one widely popular song.” This definition was taken into consideration when reviewing the songs below for this article. It’s also worth noting that a few artists or groups mentioned here went on to see other marginal success, even though they only had one chart-topping song. 

Additionally, from Billy Ray Cyrus’s “Achy Breaky Heart” to C.W. McCall’s “Convoy,” the songs below have stood the test of time. Regardless of when they were recorded, you can often find these hits on various playlists, making them a historical landmark in the timeline of country music. (For more music news, check out the 20 biggest pop hits of the last 20 years.) 

To compile this list of 20 country music one-hit wonders, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data from various musical sources, including Playback.fm, Apple Music, and Billboard. Let’s dive in and review these iconic one-hit wonders. 

“Strawberry Wine”

• Recorded by: Deana Carter
• Year Released: 1996

This coming-of-age country ballad was part of Deana Carter’s debut album, “Did I Shave My Legs for This?” It was also her first debut single and reached #1 on both the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs and the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart. This song earned Carter and the writer, Matraca Berg a Grammy nom and went on to win Song of the Year from the Country Music Association Awards in 1997. 

“Achy Breaky Heart”

• Recorded by: Billy Ray Cyrus
• Year Released: 1992

While Billy Ray Cyrus was a household name in the early 90s, he only had one song to ever reach No. 1 on the Billboard charts. The cult classic, “Achy Breaky Heart” was released in 1992 on his debut album “Some Gave All.” This song also reached popularity in other countries such as the U.K. and Australia, where it achieved triple platinum status as a single. 

“Dust on the Bottle”

• Recorded by: David Lee Murphy
• Year Released: 1995

David Lee Murphy was both the writer and recording artist behind this wildly popular 90s classic. “Dust on the Bottle” was part of Murphy’s album “Out With a Bang” which was released on August 7, 1995. This song was his only single to reach No. 1. However, in 2018, Murphy again hit No. 1 status with his Kenny Chesney collaboration on the song “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright.” 

“Don’t Get Me Started”

• Recorded by: Rhett Akins
• Year Released: 1996

For millennials, Rhett Akins is simply known as the father to Thomas Rhett, who, as of 2022, has seen 20 No. 1 hits according to CMT. However, Rhett Akins was known for his songwriting and performing in the 90s. His song “Don’t Get Me Started” was the only one to ever reach No. 1 on the Billboard charts, however. Akins also co-wrote the song with Sam Hogin and Mark D. Sanders.

“Harper Valley P.T.A.”

• Recorded by: Jeannie C. Riley
• Year Released: 1968

Jeannie C. Riley hit cross-over magic with her song “Harper Valley P.T.A.” which reached No. 1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the U.S. Hot Country Singles chart. The song tells the tale from the perspective of a daughter whose widowed mother takes a shot at the local P.T.A. group after they call her an unfit parent. The song struck a nerve and became highly relatable and popular in the late 1960s. 

“In Color”

• Recorded by: Jamey Johnson
• Year Released: 2008

While Jamey Johnson is more known for his stellar songwriting talent, that didn’t stop the artist from hitting No. 1 with his single “In Color.” The song, from his 2008 album “That Lonesome Song,” is a heartwarming ballad about a grandfather retelling his life story to his grandson through several black and white photos. This chart-topping single also earned Johnson Song of the Year in 2009 at both the ACM Awards and the CMA Awards. 

“I Loved Her First”

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• Recorded by: Heartland
• Year Released: 2006

The group Heartland saw much success throughout the early 2000s, but it was this song off of their debut album with the same name that sent them to No. 1 on the Billboard charts. The song comes from the perspective of a father as he watches his daughter grow up and eventually marry. Additionally, this song has gone on to be incredibly popular at weddings. 

“Shut Up and Kiss Me”

• Recorded by: Mary Chapin Carpenter
• Year Released: 1994

Mary Chapin Carpenter both wrote and recorded this spicy 90s classic that spent one week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks in November of 1994. The song was her first single from her album “Stones in the Road.” It’s still the only song that has ever reached No. 1 for Carpenter. 

“Leave the Pieces”

• Recorded by: The Wreckers
• Year Released: 2006

A newer song, “Leave the Pieces” was the first No. 1 debut single to hit the hot country charts by a female duo since 1953. The song was part of The Wreckers debut album “Stand Still, Look Pretty” and was written by Jennifer Hanson and Billy Austin. The duo (made up of Michelle Branch and Jessica Sharp) parted ways in 2007, leaving this song to be their only No. 1 hit. 

“Nobody Knows”

• Recorded by: Kevin Sharp
• Year Released: 1996

This country ballad, a cover of Tony Rich’s 1996 single of the same name, hit No. 1 status for four straight weeks on the Billboard Country music charts in 1996. The single was part of Sharp’s first album, “Measure of a Man.” While Sharp went on to see other small successes in the country music industry, he was most known for his inspirational work regarding his fight with cancer as a teen. Sharp eventually succumbed to health issues due to the disease and passed away in 2014. 

“Break Down Here”

• Recorded by: Julie Roberts
• Year Released: 2004

This debut single from Julie Roberts’ self-titled album continued to make its way up the country music charts, peaking in September of 2004. The song is known for its reliability and metaphoric lyrics, discussing how the singer would hate for her car to break down in the middle of the freeway, while she would also hate to break down emotionally from the heartbreak she’s just experienced. Roberts continues to record music today, though none of her songs have seen the same success as “Break Down Here.”

“Just Got Started Lovin’ You”

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• Recorded by: James Otto
• Year Released: 2007

James Otto, a well-known songwriter, co-wrote and then recorded this upbeat country love song. “Just Got Started Lovin’ You” was released on Otto’s album “Sunset Man” in 2007, though it continued to rank high on charts in early 2008. Additionally, the song was listed as No. 1 on Billboard’s year-end 2008 Hot Country Songs. To date, it is Otto’s only No. 1 hit. 

“Rose Garden”

• Recorded by: Lynn Anderson
• Year Released: 1970

This song is also known as “(I Never Promised You a) Rose Garden” and was recorded by three male artists before Lynn Anderson recorded it as a single in 1970. The song earned major status for Anderson, earning cross-over No. 1 placement on both country and pop charts. It also earned her a Grammy award in 1971 for Best Country Female Vocal Performance. 

“Are You on the Road to Lovin’ Me Again”

• Recorded by: Debbie Boone
• Year Released: 1980

Up until her success with this song, Debbie Boone was known as a pop artist, having earned the Best New Artist Grammy Award for her hit “You Light Up My Life.” But Boone entered the country scene later, where this song hit No. 1 for one week on the country charts. 

“The Devil Went Down to Georgia”

• Recorded by: The Charlie Daniels Band
• Year Released: 1979

Entering a genre called “Southern Rock,” The Charlie Daniels Band wrote and recorded this iconic and catchy tune in the late ’70s. The song was part of their album entitled “Million Mile Reflections” and saw much success on the country charts. It also went on to hit No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was the group’s only No. 1 hit, however. 

“Butterfly Kisses”

• Recorded by: Bob Carlisle 
• Year Released: 1997

In a wild cross-over from country to adult contemporary, Bob Carlisle saw huge success with this 1997 single. The song, written by Carlisle himself along with Randy Thomas, was dedicated to his daughter as she turned 16. It recounts the life of fathers who watch their daughters grow up. The song itself won Carlisle two distinct awards: A Dove Award for Song of the Year along with a Grammy Award for Best Country Song. However, no other song has earned Carlisle as much success as this one. 

“Who I Am”

• Recorded by: Jessica Andrews
• Year Released: 2000

“Who I Am” was the first single from Jessica Andrews’ debut album of the same name. While the song is not about Andrews’ life specifically, she is on record for saying that the message was one she could relate to. The song has gone on to be covered by other artists, including Danielle Bradbery, and it earned Andrews a No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot Country Songs. 

“Single White Female”

• Recorded by: Chely Wright
• Year Released: 1999

With backup harmonies from Trisha Yearwood, “Single White Female” was a sure hit upon its release from Chely Wright’s new album of the same name back in 1999. The song hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. It also went on to see much success in Canada. Wright continues to write and record music today but has not hit No. 1 on the charts since this song was released.

“What I Really Meant to Say”

• Recorded by: Cyndi Thomson
• Year Released: 2001

“What I Really Meant to Say” was Cyndi Thomson’s debut single off her debut album “My World.” After the song reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, Thomson became the third country artist in 2001 to earn a No. 1 spot with a debut single.  While the song was relatable and caught on quickly, Thomson has not seen a No. 1 hit since its release.

“Convoy”

• Recorded by: C.W. McCall
• Year Released: 1975

Few songs in the 1970s saw as much success as C.W. McCall’s “Convoy.” Written by McCall and Chip Davis, the song tells the story of conveying truck drivers. It’s unique due to the C.B. chatter that takes place throughout the entirety of the music. The song earned McCall a No. 1 spot in the top country charts for 6 weeks, as well as a week at No. 1 on the pop charts. It also earned success in other countries including Australia and Canada. For more reading on music headlines, click here to see 35 unloved songs from the 70s that are secretly bangers.