After my series on second hits by one-hit wonders, frequent commenter Dana suggested I feature some artists who have had long career despite never having a single hit. It’s a good idea I will add to the list.
In the meantime, the Random iTunes Fairy has made one such selection today, offering up a song from Canadian singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith’s 2002 album Cobblestone Runway.
Sexsmith certainly fits the criteria as he has been recording for more than 30 years, releasing 16 albums during that span, with no hit singles to his name. I’d venture to guess that no casual music fan has even heard his name.
Not to pile on, but the YouTube video for today’s song has just 85 views.
Sexsmith is very well regarded by his peers, has won a couple of songwriting awards, and probably makes a comfortable living as an artist, so I won’t shed any tears for the man. We should all be so lucky.
As your mind’s taken by surprise
But there’s a reason to the rhyming of
Your heart’s desire
Though it seems too good to last
Don’t write it off too fast
For there’s a method to the madness of
Your heart’s desire, yes
I guess it’s out of our hands
Though we try to understand
It’s not for us to know
Where the night is going
Though you may say
That it’s not what you’re looking for
How can you be so sure?
How can you be so sure?
I guess it’s out of our hands
Still we try to understand
It’s not for us to know
Where the night is going
Though you may say
That it’s not what you’re looking for
But how can you be so sure?
How can you be so sure?
In your heart that this isn’t it?
In your plans it just won’t fit
And so you keep on second guessing it
Your heart’s desire
‘Cause you don’t believe your eyes
As your mind’s taken by surprise
But there’s a reason to the rhyming of
Oh, your heart’s desire, your heart’s desire
Heart’s desire
Oh, heart’s desire
There’s a reason to the rhyming of
Your heart’s desire, your heart’s desire
Meet Me In Montauk 
Exactly! He fits my no-hit wonder criteria perfectly!