We've all heard of a "one-hit wonder." This is an artist who has one very popular song and then is not heard from much again. In this video, we look at why this happens and if it is a real problem.

A Look Back in Time

A long time ago, it was normal for artists to have only one hit song that people knew. The music business was different then. Sometimes, record labels only needed one hit song from an artist. The Penguins, who sang "Earth Angel," are a good example from this time [02:43].

How MTV Changed Music

When MTV came out, music was not just something you listened to. It was something you watched. Artists had to have a cool look and make great videos. This made it harder for some artists who did not want to change their style, like the band Dexys Midnight Runners [05:02].

The Digital Age

Today, anyone can become famous very fast with the help of the internet. But you can also lose that fame just as fast. The pressure to make another big hit can be too much for an artist. We see this with artists like Gotye and Carly Rae Jepsen [06:59].

The Real Problem is the Mind

The "one-hit wonder" problem is not about magic. It is about how people think. When you have a giant hit, that song can become who you are to everyone else. It is hard to be known for anything else [08:38]. This can make an artist feel lost or overwhelmed. It is a big challenge to deal with sudden fame.