14 one-hit wonders from the first half of the 2010s you forgot you loved

Hooks you couldn’t stop humming

Remember that song you swore you’d only play once, then looped all summer? The early 2010s were a gold rush of lightning-in-a-bottle hits: choruses that hit like confetti cannons, beats built for car speakers, and artists who briefly owned every playlist before vanishing from the charts.

This countdown dusts off the bangers you forgot you loved, from synth-bright sing-alongs to dance-floor detonators. Get ready for instant nostalgia: songs that sound like glow sticks, cheap perfume, and Friday nights, proof that one perfect hit can last longer than a career.

Iyaz – “Replay” (2010)

In 2010, U.S. listeners couldn’t escape Iyaz’s Replay. This Caribbean-influenced pop-R&B tune climbed into the Top 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming synonymous with summer chill vibes.

With its catchy hook, “Shawty’s like a melody in my head…”, it dominated radio and early digital play. Despite follow-up tracks failing to replicate its success, Replay remains a nostalgic marker of the early 2010s, a one-time global bop that still gets airplay today.

La Roux – “Bulletproof” (2010)

British synth-pop duo La Roux penetrated American consciousness with Bulletproof, reaching No. 8 on the Hot 100 in 2010. Its driving beat and sultry vocals made it a frequent feature on pop radio and club playlists.

Despite later singles like I’m Not Your Toy and In for the Kill connecting in niche circles, none topped that mainstream breakthrough. Bulletproof endures as one of the decade’s defining electro-pop moments.

Far East Movement ft. Cataracs & Dev – “Like a G6” (2010)

The track Like a G6 marked a milestone: the first rap song entirely by Asian-American artists to top the U.S. charts. Its energetic, party-ready sound dominated summer 2010 airwaves, and northern-American audiences still sing “Sippin’ sizzurp in my ride…”.

The group had some follow-ups, but none hit the same cultural mark. Their anthem-style jam captured the early digital era’s electronic dance flavor and remains a high-energy flashback today.

Yolanda Be Cool & DCUP – “We No Speak Americano” (2010)

Australian duo Yolanda Be Cool and DCUP surprised U.S. audiences with We No Speak Americano, borrowing from the 1950s Italian hit Tu Vuò Fa’ L’Americano. The track reached global success and danced its way into American clubs and daytime sets.

Though they didn’t follow it with another hit of that scale, the tune’s cheeky swing and danceable rhythm still pop up in 2010s throwback playlists.

Rebecca Black – “Friday” (2011)

Remember Friday? Rebecca Black’s viral debut topped charts in YouTube views and ridicule alike. Critics and listeners called it catchy yet cringeworthy, but the internet-driven virality secured its place in pop-culture history.

Despite Black’s later growth as a serious singer-songwriter, Friday alone dominates her mainstream legacy, proof that a viral moment can etch a tune in collective memory, for better or worse.

Foster the People – “Pumped Up Kicks” (2011)

With its cheery guitar riff and haunting chorus, Pumped Up Kicks became Foster the People’s breakout anthem, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Beneath its upbeat exterior lay darker themes, captivating both radio listeners and critics.

Though the band continued releasing albums, nothing matched the cultural impact or chart success of this track. It remains a shadowed highlight of early-2010s alt-pop.

Gotye feat. Kimbra – “Somebody That I Used to Know” (2011)

Perhaps the decade’s most defining one-hit wonder, Gotye’s duet with Kimbra became a global phenomenon, No. 1 on the Hot 100 for eight weeks. The song’s emotional rant and minimalist aesthetic resonated, earning Grammy awards and massive cultural traction.

Though Gotye released more music, none achieved that level. This track lives on in heartbreak playlists and remains an emotional benchmark of 2010s pop.

Carly Rae Jepsen – “Call Me Maybe” (2012)

Carly Rae Jepsen rose from Canadian karaoke to U.S. obsession with Call Me Maybe, peaking at No. 1. The song’s irresistible chorus and innocent charm made it a viral sensation, spawning endless parodies and celebrity lip-sync videos.

Though Jepsen built a respected career in indie-pop, she never struck mainstream gold again. But Call Me Maybe remains a glittering artifact of mid-decade optimism.

The Lumineers – “Ho Hey” (2012)

With handclaps, foot-stomps, and a catchy rallying cry, Ho Hey became The Lumineers’ signature hit, peaking in the Top 10. Its stripped-down folk-pop sound launched the band into festival fame.

Although they later charted again, no track surpassed Ho Hey in ubiquity. The song’s warm simplicity typified early 2010s Americana, and it still echoes in road-trip playlists today.

Walk the Moon – “Shut Up and Dance” (2014)

Walk the Moon struck lightning with Shut Up and Dance, a No. 4 hit full of dancepop energy and nostalgia-filled lyrics. Fusing urgent rhythm and 1980s-style synth with sing-along excitement, it became a wedding primary pick.

While they had other charted songs, none reached this height. Its catchy beat and car-radio sing-along charm persist, making it one of the decade’s most memorable hits.

Magic! – “Rude” (2014)

Canadian reggae-pop group Magic! scored with Rude, topping the Hot 100 in 2014. The song’s cheeky tale, “Why you gotta be so rude?”, struck a chord, turning it into a global sing-along.

Though their musical momentum faded quickly, Rude still floats across radio airwaves. It’s an unlikely but enduring earworm that cemented itself into pop’s lighter, more playful catalog.

Vance Joy – “Riptide” (2015)

Riptide brought acoustic folk-pop into the mainstream back in 2015, peaking at No. 30 on the Hot 100. With whimsical lyrics, “Lady, running down to the riptide…”, the track became a soundtrack staple on Spotify and live acoustic sets.

Joy later had moderate follow-ups but never reached that chart height. Today, Riptide remains a feel-good flashback to when indie-folk met pop charts.

OMI – “Cheerleader” (Felix Jaehn Remix) (2015)

Jamaican singer OMI found mainstream U.S. success when German DJ Felix Jaehn remixed Cheerleader. It surged to No. 1 on Billboard in 2015. The track’s tropical house beats and upbeat lyrics captured the summer mood perfectly.

OMI released follow-up singles, but none charted. Cheerleader remains a nostalgic summer anthem, proof that cross-cultural remixes can break global barriers.

Rachel Platten – “Fight Song” (2015)

Fight Song became Rachel Platten’s signature anthem of resilience, reaching No. 6 on the Hot 100. Its empowering lyrics touched a generation, spawning TV placements and motivational campaigns. While Platten released more tracks, none dominated the charts like this.

It remains an emotional cornerstone for graduation ceremonies, recovery playlists, and moments when courage matters most.

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DNCE – “Cake by the Ocean”

Fronted by Joe Jonas, DNCE dropped Cake by the Ocean. The song hit No. 9 on the Hot 100. Its funky beat, playful lyrics, and Jonas’s swagger made it a party anthem.

After that, DNCE faded as Jonas returned to Jonas Brothers. But this track stands as a slice of late-decade pop-funk exuberance, bright, breezy, and unforgettable.

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Do you remember blasting any of these songs on your speakers? Tell us in the comments below!

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.