Phil Harrell

For "One-Hit Wonders/Second-Best Songs," Jayna Brown, Black culture researcher at the Pratt Institute, recommends "Kong" by Neneh Cherry. Cherry is best known for her 1989 hit "Buffalo Stance."

The electronic duo, composed of improvisational musician and comedian Reggie Watts and LA dance music powerhouse John Tejada, talk about their second album, Don't Let Get You Down.

As part of NPR's series One-Hit Wonders/Second-Best Songs, Guy Raz recommends "Ascension Day" by Talk Talk. The group is mostly known for its 1984 hit, "It's My Life."

For our series One-Hit Wonders/Second-Best Songs, NPR Music Senior Director Lauren Onkey recommends "Out of Left Field" by Percy Sledge. He's known mostly for his 1966 hit, "When a Man Loves a Woman."

For "One-Hit Wonders/Second-Best Songs," veteran music writer Maura Johnston recommends "The Sweetest Girl" by the band Scritti Politti. They're known mostly for their 1985 hit "Perfect Way."

For "One-Hit Wonders/Second-Best Songs," Alt.Latino host Felix Contreras recommends "Momotombo" by Malo. The band is known for hit "Suavecito," and often overshadowed by rock peer Santana.

As part of NPR's "One-Hit Wonders/Second-Best Songs," Vanderbilt professor Emily Lordi recommends "Woman of the Ghetto" by Marlena Shaw. She's known mostly for her 1969 hit, "California Soul."

For NPR's "One-Hit Wonders/Second-Best Songs," NPR Music's Stephen Thompson recommends "Happiness Writes White" by the band Harvey Danger. The band is known mostly for their 1997 hit "Flagpole Sitta."

For NPR's One-Hit Wonders / Second-Best Songs series, Rolling Stone's Anthony DeCurtis recommends "Battleship Chains" by The Georgia Satellites, known for "Keep Your Hands to Yourself."

As part of NPR's series "One-Hit Wonders / Second-Best Songs," NPR Music's Ann Powers nominates "Jesse" by Janis Ian. She's known mostly for her 1975 hit "At Seventeen."

As part of NPR's series "One-Hit Wonders / Second-Best Songs," BBC Radio legend Zane Lowe nominates "Gold" by Spandau Ballet. The group is mostly known for its 1983 Top 10 hit "True."

As part of NPR's series One-Hit Wonders / Second-Best Songs, musician Ted Leo says the British band known for "Come On Eileen" has more to offer — and points to one song as a perfect example.

Saturday Night Live alum Ana Gasteyer's new Christmas album, Sugar & Booze, is partly a send-up of the holiday and partly an earnest embrace of its warmth.

Spam was at the center of a classic Monty Python sketch, and their association with the forcemeat had an even longer shelf life than the product itself.

Born in Sweden to Iranian parents, musician Nadia Tehran uses her debut album, Dozakh: All Lovers Hell, to chronicle her heritage.

NPR's American Anthem series brings together two songwriters — Ernie Isley of The Isley Brothers and Chuck D of Public Enemy — whose respective versions of "Fight the Power" eyed the same struggle.

Talk about ironic: Twisted Sister's 1984 anthem to bucking authority has since been adopted by religious entities, teachers and even politicians, each bending it to their own definition.

Scissors Sisters won the hearts of Elton John, David Bowie and Bono before going on hiatus in 2012. Lead singer Jake Shears is back with a debut solo album, full of familiar quirks and dizzying fun.

Ann Powers talks about curating NPR Music's new list of the 200 greatest songs of the 21st century by women and non-binary artists.

The rapper released his debut album July 20, the second anniversary of his brother's death. FreeJAH is an ode to his brother Jahiem, who was murdered after serving five years in prison.