one-hit wonder

one-hit wonder (plural one-hit wonders)

1. (idiomatic) A recording artist known for only one hit song, especially after failing at subsequent attempts at success.
   • 2003, Jon Caramanica, "Music: When Rap Sounds Anything but Urban," New York Times, 21 Sep. (retrieved 3 Aug. 2009):

     Eleven years ago, Arrested Development became one of Southern hip-hop's first crossover successes with “Tennessee,” a wistful, bohemian-influenced song about the scars of history. But the group was a one-hit wonder.

2. (idiomatic, by extension) A person or group known for achieving only a single major accomplishment.
   • 1990, S. C. Gwynne, "Two Sides of a Giant," Time, 19 Feb:

     The European company is no one-hit wonder. The company has another best seller in its J-class car, sold as a Vauxhall Cavalier.

3. (marijuana subculture) An instance of getting high off the first hit.

• Sometimes refers to the song, rather than the musical artist.

• one-trick pony