It always baffles me that a band can write a song that’s absolutely perfect, only to never even come close to doing so again. This phenomenon happens across other art forms too, but there’s something special about the musical one-hit wonder. Maybe it’s that these singular songs stick around on radio stations for years and get incorporated into television broadcasts and interwebs clips. A song just kind of hangs out (and on) in ways films and novels can’t. It can be perfect for three minutes and then slip out the back door, only to come in the front again when you need it but don’t expect it to show up.

So below you’ll find one of my favorite one-offs. These guys made other songs, I know, but nothing approaching this gem that’s everything U2 could have been if Bono had an ounce of shame. Please share some of your favorites with us on Twitter (@general_reader) or in the comments section.