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One-Hit Wonder Day
In 1990, music journalist Steve Rosen established September 25th as “one-hit wonder day”.
In the spirit of the holiday, and without quibbling too much about what constitutes a “hit”, what group/song is your favorite one-hit wonder from the 60’s?
I’d have to go with this one, which has been suggested in this forum a couple of times as possibly being worthy of an MLT treatment:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-7QHWJOzbE
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36 Replies
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Well, there have been many candidates David, but I’d definitely have to start with this classic from an Aussie, Buddy England.
“Movin’ man”
There is actually a topic dealing with this subject back in the early days of the Club.
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This big 1981 one hit wonder by Softcell always sounded like a 60s song, and it turns out it was a Gloria Jones song from 1964.
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Well, Jung, Soft Cell may have been a ‘one-hit-wonder’ in Canada, but hardly elsewhere!
In the United Kingdom, they had ten Top 40 hits including “Tainted Love” (#1 UK), “Torch” (#2 UK), “Say Hello, Wave Goodbye” (#3 UK), “What!” (#3 UK), and “Bedsitter” (#4 UK), and also had four Top 20 albums between 1981 and 1984. In 1984, the duo split but reformed in 2001 to tour and record new material, releasing their fifth studio album, Cruelty Without Beauty in 2002.
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Interesting Howard. I guess a one hit wonder in one continent is not in another.
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Another one from 1962 I always liked.
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Certainly no one-hit-wonders, but what a version of Locomotion!
Grand Funk Railroad live 1974
Everybody’s doing a brand-new dance, now
(Come on baby, do the loco-motion)
I know you’ll get to like it if you give it a chance now
(Come on baby, do the loco-motion)
My little baby sister can do it with me
It’s easier than learning your A-B-C
So come on, come on, do the Loco-motion with me
You gotta swing your hips, now -
Nice video Howard. Although this is a drastically different version, I think Grand Funk Railroad stayed true to the essence of the original Locomotion and did it great justice, I like it, just like MLT do with their covers.
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Winchester Cathedral – The New Vaudeville Band (1966)
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It has always amazed me that this anachronistic song became such a big hit. According to Wikipedia, it topped the U.S. charts for three weeks out of four, with the off-week being won by “Good Vibrations”. Strange times…
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I think you’ll find it had everything to do with timing. Swinging London was in full flight by 1966 and the time was ripe for a little vaudeville, and utilising a notable local landmark hit the right note for Brits at the time. Also, a catchy tune and smart marketing!
You’re not the only one who appreciates Wikipedia.
“Winchester Cathedral is a cathedral of the Church of England in Winchester, Hampshire, England. It is one of the largest cathedrals in Europe, with the greatest overall length of any Gothic cathedral.”
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Always liked this controversial song from the sixties. Yes, I like both kinds of music, Country AND Western!
Harper Valley P.T.A. – Jeannie C. Riley (1968)
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This band is important as it was one of the few sixties bands to feature a female drummer.
Have I The Right – The Honeycombs (1964)
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I didn’t know that, Howard! As many times as I’ve heard this song, I’ve never seen a picture of the group.
Here’s what I learned from Wikipedia. The founder of the group was a hairdresser, and the drummer was his salon assistant. Her name was Honey Lantree, and the group got its name because as part of her job… Honey combs!
Unfortunately she passed away just last December.
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Definitely one for the Mumager. If Michaela can play the saxophone like she does, I’m sure she could come to grips with the clarinet!
I played this number so much in the seventies, I got sick of it. Nice to hear it again. Just listen as you lay back, chill out and dream of that lovely beach with its crystal clear blue water and a gentle sun warming your soul!
Stranger On The Shore – Mr. Acker Bilk (1962)
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Apparently you’re not the only one who got sick of it, Howard. According to Wikipedia, “in 2012 Bilk said that, after fifty years, he was ‘fed up’ with playing his most famous tune, ‘Stranger on the Shore’.”
The first time I heard of Acker Bilk was when I was browsing through a record store in the 80’s and found (and purchased) this album:
Also according to Wikipedia, which is seemingly the source of everything I know, in 1965 Bilk released a recording of “Mona Lisa”.
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While we’re on the ocean theme. This is a very beautiful tune to chill out to as well!
LOVE IS BLUE – Paul Mauriat (1968)
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Nothing Compares 2 U – Sinead O’Connor (1990)
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I never noticed before, but she actually sheds some tears singing this. It was one of the most emotionally moving songs I think from that time. Sinead’s best and most heartfelt song.
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This song has an interesting back story.
“Sakamoto (坂本 九 Sakamoto Kyū, born Hisashi Sakamoto (坂本 九 Sakamoto Hisashi), raised as Hisashi Ōshima (大島 九 Ōshima Hisashi), 10 December 1941 – 12 August 1985) was a Japanese singer and actor, best known outside Japan for his international hit song “Ue o Muite Arukō” (known as “Sukiyaki” in English-speaking markets), which was sung in Japanese and sold over 13 million copies. It reached number one in the United States Billboard Hot 100 in June 1963, making Sakamoto the first Asian recording artist to have a number one song on the chart. Sakamoto, along with 519 others onboard the flight, was killed in the crash of Japan Airlines Flight 123 on 12 August 1985; the deadliest single-aircraft accident to date. His number 1 hit song had lyrics which translate to ‘Happiness lies beyond the clouds” and “Happiness lies up above the sky’.”
It’s a shame, and weird that they didn’t just translate the Japanese, “Ue o Muite Arukō” into English for the title – “I look up when I walk”. Far more romantic. The other way is like marketing “Moon River” to the Japanese as “Beef Stew”! The song has nothing to do with food.
Sukiyaki – Kyu Sakamoto (1963)
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For all you surfers/ex-surfers and drummers out there in MLT Clubland
Sufaris – Wipepout. Extended ending version.
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