2005’s One-Hit Wonders: Where Are They Now?
In 2005, the world was a different place. You were probably still watching Lost and Desperate Housewives without knowing they’d both go off the rails. YouTube had just launched, meaning we were all about to waste more time online. Tom Cruise jumped on Oprah’s couch, MySpace was the social media king, and the iPod Nano was the must-have gadget—because carrying all your music in your pocket was still a novel concept.
Musically, 2005 was the year of crunk, ringtone rap, and inescapable pop earworms. The Pussycat Dolls purred their way onto the charts with “Don’t Cha,” Daniel Powter made sure everyone had a “Bad Day,” and Crazy Frog somehow became a global sensation (we still haven’t forgiven 2005 for that one). But for every artist who stuck around, there were plenty who had their moment in the sun before fading into pop history.
So, what happened to the artists behind 2005’s biggest one-hit wonders? Let’s take a trip down memory lane—hopefully without getting “Obsession (No Es Amor)” stuck in your head again.
10. Crazy Frog – “Axel F”
- Album: Crazy Frog Presents Crazy Hits
- Release Date: May 2005
- Achievements: Topped the UK Singles Chart, reached No. 50 on the Billboard Hot 100
This CGI amphibian was everywhere in 2005, riding a wave of ringtone-driven hysteria. While many hoped Crazy Frog would disappear, the character never entirely left. In 2021, it resurfaced with the single “Tricky” and continues to rack up millions of YouTube views, proving that nostalgia (and irritation) never dies.
9. Daniel Powter – “Bad Day”
- Album: Daniel Powter
- Release Date: January 2005
- Achievements: No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, most played song of 2006 in the U.S.
Powter’s piano-driven pop ballad became the go-to anthem for American Idol eliminations, cementing its place in pop culture. However, his mainstream success was short-lived. He continued releasing music, with his last album, Giants, arriving in 2018. Today, he stays mostly behind the scenes, focusing on songwriting and production. Listen to the “Bad Day” on Youtube.
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8. The Click Five – “Just the Girl”
- Album: Greetings from Imrie House
- Release Date: June 2005
- Achievements: No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100, major teen pop success
With their preppy image and catchy power-pop sound, The Click Five had a built-in fanbase of teenage listeners. However, lineup changes and declining interest led to their breakup in 2013. While the band is gone, former members continue working in the music industry as producers and songwriters.
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7. DHT – “Listen to Your Heart”
- Album: Listen to Your Heart
- Release Date: 2005 (cover of Roxette’s 1988 hit)
- Achievements: No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100, club hit
This Belgian duo turned Roxette’s power ballad into a trance anthem, dominating radio and dance floors alike. Despite their brief success, DHT never recaptured the spotlight. They released a few more singles before quietly fading from the industry. “Listen to Your Heart” on Youtube.
6. Amerie – “1 Thing”
- Album: Touch
- Release Date: April 2005
- Achievements: No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100, Grammy nomination
Driven by a go-go-inspired drum beat, “1 Thing” was a defining R&B hit of the year and a personal favorite of mine. Amerie continued releasing music but never achieved the same level of success. In recent years, she has shifted her focus to writing and publishing, becoming a successful novelist in the sci-fi and fantasy genres.
5. Natalie – “Goin’ Crazy”
- Album: Natalie
- Release Date: February 2005
- Achievements: No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100
This heartfelt pop-R&B ballad gave the Texan singer a breakthrough moment, but her career stalled soon after. Natalie released a follow-up album in 2006, but when it failed to gain traction, she stepped away from the music industry altogether.
4. Bobby Valentino – “Slow Down”
- Album: Bobby Valentino
- Release Date: February 2005
- Achievements: No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100, platinum certification
This smooth R&B jam made Bobby Valentino (now known as Bobby V) a rising star. While he never matched the mainstream success of “Slow Down,” he has continued releasing music independently and occasionally appears on collaborations with other artists.
3. Frankie J – “Obsession (No Es Amor)”
- Album: The One
- Release Date: May 2005
- Achievements: No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100
Frankie J’s Latin-pop crossover was a massive hit, blending English and Spanish lyrics with a heartfelt melody. While he never reached the same heights again, he remains active in the industry, still recording and performing—though largely outside of mainstream charts.
2. Trillville – “Some Cut”
- Album: The King of Crunk & BME Recordings Present: Trillville & Lil Scrappy
- Release Date: January 2005
- Achievements: No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100, major crunk anthem
This Atlanta group capitalized on the crunk movement with their raunchy, bass-heavy hit. While they never duplicated that success, Trillville remains a cult favorite in Southern hip-hop and continues releasing music sporadically.
1. Pussycat Dolls – “Don’t Cha” ft. Busta Rhymes
- Album: PCD
- Release Date: April 2005
- Achievements: No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, global success
Technically, the Pussycat Dolls had multiple hits, but none reached the level of “Don’t Cha.” The group disbanded in 2010, and an attempted 2019 reunion collapsed amid legal battles between Nicole Scherzinger and founder Robin Antin. While Scherzinger found TV fame as a judge on The Masked Singer, the other members faded from the spotlight.
Like low-rise jeans and Bluetooth earpieces, not everything from 2005 was built to last. While some of these artists tried to keep the momentum going, others quietly stepped away from the spotlight, leaving behind one perfect time capsule of a hit.
But even if they never topped the charts again, their songs are still out there—blasting from throwback playlists, popping up in nostalgic TikToks, and haunting anyone who lived through the Crazy Frog era. Whether you were belting out “1 Thing” in the car, awkwardly slow-dancing to “Goin’ Crazy”, or texting your crush on a flip phone while “Just the Girl” played in the background, these one-hit wonders gave 2005 its soundtrack. And honestly? We wouldn’t have it any other way.
