Thirteen million copies sold, Number One in 25 countries, over half a billion YouTube views: that’s quite a sizeable win for a Belgian-born singer-songwriter who was previously unknown outside Australia. We also find it kind of reassuring, because ‘Somebody That I Used to Know’ is one of the classiest, subtlest, least Pitbull-esque mega-hits of our age. Gotye himself says he takes ‘a sort of perverse pleasure’ in being a one-hit wonder. So, just for once, everyone’s happy. James Manning
For some artists, a single hit song is enough. Some of the best songs in history have been one-offs, with their creators tasting the Top 40 then disappearing forever – but living on through one glorious hit. We’ve rounded up 20 of the best songs that, for one reason or another, never had successful sequels. Crank up the volume, listen well, and think about what might have been.
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