Hoobastank, The Reason | 1 Hit WONDERful

In the 49th edition of 1 Hit WONDERful (2024), we highlight “The Reason” performed by Grammy-nominated rock band, Hoobastank.

It only takes ONE hit to solidify a musical legacy 💯! On 1 Hit WONDERful, we highlight songs that were the SOLE hit by a given musician.  It is possible that the artists appearing on this list earned a minor hit or two, BUT for the most part, that ONE hit earned them recognition. So, in the 49^th edition of 1 Hit WONDERful (2024), we dive into “The Reason”,  the one-hit wonder by Hoobastank.

“I’m not a perfect person / There’s many things I wish I didn’t do / But I continue learning.”  Learning is key, Douglas Robb! In 2004, the singer and his band, Hoobastank (what a name, right), scored a big hit with “The Reason”.  “The Reason” appeared as the eighth track on their double platinum sophomore album, The Reason.  How big was “The Reason?” It peaked at no. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.  It was certified multiplatinum by the RIAA.  Hoobastank was nominated for two Grammys: Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal (“The Reason”) and Best Rock Album (The Reason). It’s reasonable to assert that “The Reason” was ‘kind of a big deal.’ It’s also notable that despite charting three singles on the Billboard Hot 100, “The Reason” earned Hoobastank their sole top 40 hit, hence making them a one-hit-wonder.

“The Reason” is rock/pop gold, PERIOD.  Douglas Robb sings authentically, dynamically, and expressively – you buy what he’s selling.  Matters of the heart, aka love, drive the reason.  In the chorus, the centerpiece, he reveals the R-E-A-S-O-N and it’s big:

“I’ve found a reason for me

To change who I used to be

A reason to start over new

And the reason is you.”

Once you hear the infectious, tuneful melody, there is no getting it out of your head! It is a classic, big-time pop/rock chorus.  In the second verse and pre-chorus, Robb continues to share regret – he did her wrong! “I’m sorry that I hurt you / It’s something I must live with every day.” Word! “The Reason” is not only an enjoyable pop/rock record that seems rarer in the 2020s, but it is a song that superbly captures a life lesson.  Robb realizes the errors of his ways, and he’s taking what he’s learned to become a better person.  Yes, “The Reason” exemplifies the one-hit-wonder but man, it’s a great one! Robb and Dan Estrin penned a surefire classic!

Hoobastank // The Reason // UMG Recordings, Inc. // 2004

Hoobastank, The Reason: 1 Hit WONDERful No. 49 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; UMG Recordings, Inc.; Antoni Shkraba, KoolShooters, Pavel Danilyuk, Photo By: Kaboompics.com, RDNE Stock project from Pexels; OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay]