Why it’s so hard for a one-hit wonder to have a lasting music career

The musical qualities linked to a first hit conflict with those that make for lasting success

Aqua performing on stage at a music festival

Some consider the Danish band Aqua (seen performing at the 2018 Jelling Music Festival in Denmark) as a one-hit wonder, thanks to their 1997 megahit “Barbie Girl.”

Gonzales Photo/Alamy

It’s hard to predict which songs will become hits.