16 Country One-Hit Wonders That Should’ve Soared

Hits That Left a Lasting Mark on Country Music

There are some country artists who are remembered for just one big hit. However, those songs have built a legacy of their own.

These one-hit wonders range from emotional to fun, and people still love listening to them. Their music remains popular and meaningful even though the artists have only one major hit song.

Jeanne Black’s “He’ll Have to Stay” (1960)

“He’ll Have to Stay” was produced in 1960 and became a major hit by reaching No. 6 on the Country chart and No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was released as an answer to Jim Reeves’s “He’ll Have to Go,” telling the women’s side of the story.

“He’ll Have to Stay” was written by Audrey Allison, Charles Randolph Grean, and Joe Allison. The song was produced by Ken Nelson and sold over a million copies, earning a gold disc, but it remained Jeanne Black’s biggest hit, making her a one-hit wonder.

Bruce Channel’s “Hey! Baby” (1962)

“Hey! Baby” was a breakout hit for Bruce Channel in 1962. The song reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, holding the top spot for three consecutive weeks beginning March 10, 1962. In the UK, it peaked at No. 2 on the Official Singles Chart.

The song was written by Bruce Channel and Margaret Cobb and recorded in Fort Worth, Texas. Its distinctive harmonica part was played by Delbert McClinton, who later influenced artists like John Lennon with his playing style.

“Hey! Baby” found renewed fame decades later when it was featured in the 1987 film Dirty Dancing, notably in the scene where Johnny and Baby dance on a log. It has since been covered by several artists, including Anne Murray in 1982 and DJ Ötzi, whose 2000 version topped charts across Europe.

J.J. Barrie’s “No Charge” (1976)

J.J. Barrie’s version of “No Charge” hit No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart for a week in 1976. The song tells a touching story of a child giving his mother a bill for chores, and the mother responds by reminding him of a parent’s love.

It was first written by Harlan Howard and first recorded by Melba Montgomery in 1974. Barrie’s version was produced by Bill Amesbury.

Molly Bee’s “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” (1952)

Molly Bee was born on August 18, 1939, in Oklahoma City. She was discovered by country singer Rex Allen at age 10 and later rose to fame after moving to Los Angeles.

She became a regular on “Hometown Jamboree” and later recorded “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” at the age of 13.

Cyndi Thomson’s “What I Really Meant to Say” (2001)

“What I Really Meant to Say” was the debut single of Cyndi Thomson, which hit No. 1 on the country charts in 2001 and stayed there for almost three weeks. The song was a part of her album “My World,” which had over 500,000 copies sold and earned a Gold certification.

She stepped away from music in 2002. Although she left the spotlight, she continued writing songs and co-wrote “Life Ain’t Always Beautiful”, which became a major hit for Gary Allan in 2006.

Deana Carter’s “Strawberry Wine” (1996)

Deana Carter’s “Strawberry Wine” became a big hit in 1996, reaching No. 1 on the country charts. The song was about young love and won “Single of the Year” at the 1997 CMA awards.

It was written by Matraca Berg and Gary Harrison. It also won “Song of the Year” for its deep and emotional lyrics.

The Tractors’ “Baby Likes to Rock It” (1994)

In 1994, The Tractors released “Baby Likes to Rock It,” which became their biggest hit that year. The song reached No. 11 on the country charts.

“Baby Likes to Rock It” was featured in their first album, which was certified double platinum and sold over 2 million copies. The band used their country and rockabilly style to create a unique sound that fans loved.

Mary Chapin Carpenter’s “Down at the Twist and Shout” (1991)

Mary Chapin Carpenter’s “Down at the Twist and Shout” was released in 1991. Later on that year, it reached No. 2 on the country charts, becoming a great hit. Mary won a Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal Performance in 1992.

She performed this song at the Super Bowl pre-game show in 1997. She still makes music and connects with her fans online.

Lee Ann Womack’s “I Hope You Dance” (2000)

“I Hope You Dance” became a hit in 2000 by topping the country charts. The song also found success in pop music due to the message it delivered.

It won major awards, including a Grammy Award and CMA “Single of the Year.” People prefer to use this song at many special occasions.

Lonestar’s “Amazed” (1999)

Lonestar’s song “Amazed,” released in 1999, became a major hit by reaching No. 1 on the country charts and staying at the top for eight weeks. In 2000, a remixed version of the song was produced, which also topped the charts in that year, making history.

The romantic lyrics of this song made it a fan favorite love song, especially for weddings. Drew Womack, the lead singer of the band in 2023, re-recorded this song.

Mark Wills’ “19 Somethin'” (2002)

“19 Somethin,” released in 2002, topped the chart at No. 1 on the country charts for six weeks. Mark Will’s song takes the listeners back to the 1970s and 1980s, mentioning many memories.

The song was nominated for “Single of the Year” in 2003. Will became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 2019.

Heartland’s “I Loved Her First” (2006)

Heartland’s “I Loved Her First” topped country charts two times. First, it reached the No. 1 spot on country charts in 2006, and in 2015, it pushed up the charts again after a viral video brought it back into the spotlight.

The song is about a father’s emotions as he gives his daughter away at her wedding. Even in 2025, people prefer to use this song at their weddings, symbolizing a special bond between fathers and daughters.

Emerson Drive’s “Moments” (2007)

“Moments” was released in 2006 and became Emerson Drive’s No. 1 country hit in 2007. The song tells the story of a homeless man who remembers the meaningful moments in his life and finds hope again.

It was praised for the deep message it sent and was nominated for major country music awards, such as “Single of the Year” at the Canadian Country Music Association Awards.

David Lee Murphy’s “Dust on the Bottle” (1995)

“Dust on the Bottle” became a hit when it was listed No. 1 on the country charts in 1995. It was the biggest hit song produced by David Lee Murphy.

Murphy wrote this song himself, showing his songwriting skills, which people connect with. He later went on to use his skills to write hits for artists like Kenny Chesney and Jason Aldean, whose Full Throttle tour 2025 is already generating excitement.

Billy Ray Cyrus’s “Achy Breaky Heart” (1992)

Billy Ray Cyrus recorded “Achy Breaky Heart” in 1992, which became a great hit. It topped the country charts and hit No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.

“Achy Breaky Heart” was part of Billy’s debut album, “Some Gave All.” The album became the best-selling album of the year, selling over 9 million copies in its first year.

Want to see how the Cyrus legacy lives on? Listen to Billy Ray and Braison Cyrus’ new album today and discover the next evolution of a country music dynasty.

What do you think about these one-hit wonders? Let us know in the comments, and don’t forget to leave a like.

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