Breaking out into any genre ofmusicis going to be a hard feat, and many bands and artists only manage to do it once. Though they may be labeled as “one-hit wonders,” these artists have defined moments in time that will stay with us forever. Their songs became popular for a reason, becoming staples of mainstream music for their catchy tunes or memorably unique lyrics.
Thepop-punkscene is no stranger to one-hit wonders. Even if you’re not a huge fan of the genre itself, you might recognize some of the songs on this list. Even though their moment in the sun has come and gone, many of these bands are still around. That begs the question: where are they now?
7"Fall For You" By Secondhand Serenade
2008
From the very first heartbreaking piano note to singer John Vesely’s pining vocals, his hit song “Fall for You” will take you right back to that first high school crush that broke your heart. The song comes from his 2008 sophomore album,A Twist In My Story.Though he had another album previously,this is the song that put Secondhand Serenade on the map.
Secondhand Serenade toured as recently as May, with his last stop being in the Philippines. According to the singer’s Instagram account, his last two great adventures have been with his family, as they spent some time at Disneyland, and they got to see Vesely’s son graduate from UC Santa Barbara.
While new music doesn’t seem to be on the horizon quite yet, his most recent release is a 2023 cover of Handsomer by Russ.
6"Stacy’s Mom" By Fountains Of Wayne
2003
Perhaps one of the most iconic songs of the early 2000s, “Stacy’s Mom” by Fountains of Wayne is an instant earworm. It’s no wonder that this song was everywhere and can still be heard in soundtracks to this day. The song is unserious and fun, something easy to sing along to with the windows down in the car. It’s the quintessential campy anthem.
It’s no wonder that this song was everywhere and can still be heard in soundtracks to this day.
As of June 2025,Fountains of Wayne are scheduled to perform at Summerfest on July 4th, 2025. In September 2025, they will be performing at the Oceans Calling Festival. The band is still active in the scene and is still performing, even though they haven’t released an album since 2011.
5"My Own Worst Enemy" By Lit
1999
From 1999, this song has the classic guitars and drums that you look for in a great pop punk song. Its riff and angst-filled lyrics make ita standout song from this era of music, creating a feeling so unique and yet so widely universal. The song comes from their second album and is without a doubt their most popular.
The band released a single in 2024, and their most recent full-length album was released in 2022. They are still releasing music and performing as of May 2025. They are currently touring and are set to perform at the Summer of ‘99 and Beyond Festival 2025 alongside Nickelback and Daughtry.
4"The Middle" By Jimmy Eat World
2001
Whenever you need a boost of confidence and energy after the world has beaten you down, this is the song that you put on. It reminds you thatyou are trying your best and that this is not the end or the beginning. No wonder it became so popular in the early 2000s, with its explosive chorus and encouraging lyrics.
Jimmy Eat World hasn’t slowed down since this big hit.
Jimmy Eat World hasn’t slowed down since this big hit. According to their website, they have tour dates scheduled along the east coast in July 2025. They haven’t released any new music since 2021, but that doesn’t mean that we won’t be seeing anything new from them in the future. We should definitely keep them on our radar.
3"Teenage Dirtbag" By Wheatus
Though this song is over two decades old now,“Teenage Dirtbag” still makes us feel like teenagers in love whenever we hear it.The punch of the guitar right before the bridge is always a welcome surprise. It may be considered a one-hit wonder, but it still continues to make waves, with perhaps its most iconic moment coming fromDawson’s Creekseason 4.
In honor of the 20th anniversary of their debut album, Wheatus released a new version in 2020 with 10 additional songs that didn’t make the original cut.
As for what the band is up to now, the answer is traveling. They posted back in April 2025 about a United Kingdom and Ireland tour, with one special stop to include Bowling For Soup and Punk Rock Factory on July 28, 2025. They will be playing their debut album from start to finish, as well as taking fan requests.
2"Face Down" By The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
2006
Perhaps one of the most shocking songs to come from the mid-2000s pop punk scene is “Face Down” by The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. A closer look at the lyrics reveals the story of a woman in the midst of an abusive relationship and one day finding the strength to leave him.
Many pop punk songs over the years have covered heavy topics such as this one, using their music to speak to the issue.
We need to keep our eyes on what The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus has planned next. Their latest Instagram posts reveala cryptic message and countdown that is supposed to end on July 10, 2025. With each post signed “XX” and a call to “join the alliance,” could this be the title of their next album?
1"Scotty Doesn’t Know" By Lustra
2004
Sometimes fame can take a few years to kick in. The band Lustra started out in Boston in 1996 with the name Seventeen, before contention with the well-known magazine caused them to change it in 2001
In the following years, their biggest break came in the form of the comedy filmEuroTrip, which includes “Scotty Doesn’t Know,” with Matt Damon starring as the lead singer (even though he’s lip-syncing to the original track).
The news is sad for fans of Lustra, as the group broke up in 2016 and has not recorded or released anything new since then. There seems to be a somewhat active Facebook page, and even a link to MySpace pops up when you Google the band.
As of 2025, there are no hints or clues that the band might get back together, butwe will always be able to go back and relive the glory days, maybe even put onEuroTripfor an added layer of nostalgia.
