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One hit wonders
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Subject: One hit wonders From: GUEST,Rana Date: 30 Apr 01 - 12:22 PM OK, this isn't (necessarily) folk, but Peter T's "obscure thread" and a film clip featuring Thunderclap Newman classic caused me to wonder about other one hit marvels. So there is (as mentioned) Thunderclap Newman (remember seeing them on the Beeb's TOTP (Top of the Pops). Also Mungo Jerry, and Norman Greenbaum. Greenbaum has a web page marketing Spirit in the Sky - a whole industry arising from one song. So any other nominations out there? Rana |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: mousethief Date: 30 Apr 01 - 12:27 PM Anybody remember Mashmakhan? I had a 45 of their one hit -- "As the Years Go By". lyrics here. Reached #31 in the USA in 1970. Alex |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Bagpuss Date: 30 Apr 01 - 12:33 PM "Gordon is a Moron" by John Shuttleworth, though I'm sure he was called something else at the time. Refresh my memory someone? Bagpuss |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Will Bakker Date: 30 Apr 01 - 12:34 PM There is a TV programme in Holland, called "Single Luck". One of the programs was about Steeleye Span's "All around my hat". I will dig in my memory to think about other one hit wonders. |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: GUEST,Matt_R Date: 30 Apr 01 - 12:35 PM Steeleye Span is a one-hit wonder??? Um.... |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: mousethief Date: 30 Apr 01 - 12:37 PM Clint Holmes, "Playground in my Mind," 1973, #2. Alex
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: GUEST,JohnB Date: 30 Apr 01 - 12:37 PM Have I the right :- Applejacks Come outside :- Mike Sarne Had another but it's gone now. JohnB |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: mousethief Date: 30 Apr 01 - 12:41 PM The Stories, Brother Louie, 1973, #1 Alex |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Bagpuss Date: 30 Apr 01 - 12:42 PM "Wonderful Life" - Black "Star Trekkin'" - The Firm
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Will Bakker Date: 30 Apr 01 - 12:43 PM Streets of London- Ralph Mc Tell Where do you go to my lovely- Peter Sarstedt Eve of Destruction- Barry McGuire |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: mousethief Date: 30 Apr 01 - 12:43 PM Gary Numan, Cars, 1980, #3 Alex |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Will Bakker Date: 30 Apr 01 - 12:46 PM This thread promises to be a many-hit wonder! |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Les from Hull Date: 30 Apr 01 - 12:47 PM Jilted John you mean Bagpuss? I'm sure there's a Hull connection with him as well. Maggie had suggested that I did that song in singarounds until I pointed out that the rhythm and the words are a bit hard to do at the same time. Still who knows, one day? Les |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Bagpuss Date: 30 Apr 01 - 12:51 PM For uk one hit wonders that were at number 1 http://www.hart87.freeserve.co.uk/onehitwonders.html
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Bagpuss Date: 30 Apr 01 - 12:59 PM And if you click onto the homepage, you can get all sorts of chart facts and figs. Bagpuss |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: mousethief Date: 30 Apr 01 - 01:13 PM That's too easy, Bagpuss! |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: John Hardly Date: 30 Apr 01 - 01:14 PM Danny O'Keefe- "Good Time Charlie's Got The Blues" Dave Loggins- "Please Come To Boston" These two have written for others and If you've never heard a full album of their's I HIGHLY redommend them, but they never repeated the level of the above mentioned "hits" |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Lonesome EJ Date: 30 Apr 01 - 01:14 PM Judy in Disguise John Fred and his Playboy Band. Actually, Norman Greenbaum had a followup to Spirit in the Sky called "Canned Ham". Sounded exactly like the first one. Come to think of it, that's also a phenomenon. So many groups who came out with a monster hit, followed with a sound-alike which flopped,ie Procol Harum Whiter Shade of Pale followed by Homberg...."You'd better take off your Homberg, you're overcoat's too long" is a sample line. |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: mousethief Date: 30 Apr 01 - 01:18 PM Procol Harum also had a gen-u-wine hit with "Conquistador" (1972, #16). Alex |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Lonesome EJ Date: 30 Apr 01 - 01:23 PM Barry Maguire's Eve of Destruction would qualify. He claims that he ticked off the record industry with his no-compromise stance. |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: MARINER Date: 30 Apr 01 - 01:33 PM Tell Laura I Love Her by Ricky Valence (U.K.) Elusive Butterfly by Bob Lind, When by The Kalen Twins, Sugar , Sugar by The Archies, Nut Rocker by BBumble and the Stingers, It's almost to morrow by The Dreamwaevers, Here comes Summer by Jerry Keller, In the year 2525 by Zager and Evans. I can go on but I fear the titles are disclosing my age. |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: John Hardly Date: 30 Apr 01 - 01:33 PM Best Norman Greenbaum song--"Good Lookin' Woman" Gonna take money to keep you around, baby Gonna take money to keep you around, Baby Worried 'bout the future? babe you can end it, I got the money, I'm willin' to spend it On a good lookin' woman...Like You. |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Noreen Date: 30 Apr 01 - 01:34 PM Considering how much sense A Whiter Shade Of Pale made, LeeJ...... :0) |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: mousethief Date: 30 Apr 01 - 02:02 PM I used to have a 45 of "In the year 2525"! Boy, what a stinker! Some others:
Starland Vocal Band, Afternoon Delight, 1976, #1 (can you believe it?!) Alex |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: M.Ted Date: 30 Apr 01 - 02:23 PM There is a problem we'll hit on soon (actually, it will be now, since I am bringing it up) Gary Numan, who had only one hit in the US, actually had about 25 hits in the UK--including his other #1-"Are Friends Electric" and five or so other top ten hits (my 18 year old daughter is a big fan of his), Mungo Jerry had a number of UK hits as well ("Baby Jump" was one)--Those of us in the US don't think of the Archies as one hit wonders, although "Sugar,Sugar". "Jingle, Jangle" and "Bang Shangalang" did sound a lot alike--The biggest discrepency though is "Status Quo" who had one top 40 hit in the US, with "Pictures of Matchstick Men" but had 42 charted hits in the UK (more than the Beatles, though the Beatles spent a bit more time on the charts than they did)- |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: lady penelope Date: 30 Apr 01 - 02:29 PM Geprgia Sattelites also had a hit in the UK with "Battle ship chains" off the same album as "hands to yourself" John Shuttleworth was THE Gordon of THE Morons, if I remember rightly ( Parker isn't here to provide me with his wealth of obscure references for this particular era ) With the classic 'b" side" Two pints of lager and a packet of crisps, please" My favourite "I think I'm Turning Japanese" by the Vapours |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: mousethief Date: 30 Apr 01 - 02:33 PM Yes, similarly, and amazingly, Bruce Cockburn only had one top 40 hit in the US, although he was all over the charts in the 1970's in Canada. Alex |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Lonesome EJ Date: 30 Apr 01 - 02:42 PM And that was one of his worst songs, MT. If I had a Rocket Launcher was inferior to the rest of the material on the Stealing Fire album. One of my all time favorites was a one-hit wonder...Dancing in the Moonlight by King Harvest. |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: mousethief Date: 30 Apr 01 - 02:46 PM According to my sources, Rocket Launcher didn't break 40; whereas Lions hit #21 in 1980. Unfortunately I don't have access to numbers less than 40 so I can't verify that they didn't just leave RL out. Alex |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: catspaw49 Date: 30 Apr 01 - 02:47 PM One has been mentioned, but I think there are four where the VERY FIRST release went to #1 and they never had another crack the top 100.
Zager and Evans......"2525" ..........so does anybody know the 4th one? Spaw |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: mousethief Date: 30 Apr 01 - 02:48 PM Any of you Canadians remember Trooper? Did they have any other hits in Canada besides "Two for the Show"? Loved that song; was sorry it never got airplay in the US. Alex |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Jim the Bart Date: 30 Apr 01 - 02:54 PM How about "Reach Out In the Darkness" (I think it's so groovy now, that people are finally getting together. . .) by Friend and Lover? The "Friend" half of this duo was Jim Post. |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Gary T Date: 30 Apr 01 - 03:03 PM "Brandy" by (The?) Looking Glass. Well-crafted song, nicely told story, good arrangement and performance--it's a shame they didn't get another hit, but I guess that's show biz. |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: LR Mole Date: 30 Apr 01 - 03:21 PM "Yellow Balloon" by the Yellow Balloon: the b side was the same song backwards: "Noollab Wolley" And how about "Hot Smoke and Sassafrass" by Bubble Puppy? |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: vindelis Date: 30 Apr 01 - 03:35 PM Bernie Flint (from 'Opportunity Knocks') trouble is I can't remember the song title, but I can still see him singing it! |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Benjamin Date: 30 Apr 01 - 03:45 PM Would you consider M.C. Hammer a one hit wonder? How about Extreme, Trixter, War Babies? Ahh, precious memories of the 80's (and early 90's)!! BMW |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: GUEST,Rana Date: 30 Apr 01 - 04:03 PM I never realised that this thread would generate so much rapid interest! Did Peter and Gordon have more than one hit? (If they did I missed it). Forgot about 2525 - which was probably fortunate! (Now what were the other years?). Rana (who should get back to work) |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: GUEST Date: 30 Apr 01 - 04:07 PM I know i'm young but how comes no1's mention the master chesney hawkes with the #1 single the 1 and only or is that just me |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: gnu Date: 30 Apr 01 - 04:18 PM LonesomeEJ.... did you catch Bruce's recent CBC rendition of Rocket Launcher ? I will never erase the video tape I made of this program just for that one tune. The guitar work was beyond excellent. Alex.... didn't Trooper do (don't know the actual title) We're Here for a Good Time, Not a Long Time... This still gets airplay on the "classic" rock stations around here. |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: GUEST Date: 30 Apr 01 - 04:20 PM Just gotta pipe in with these two:
A good one, by two guys (twins?) whose nutsy
And that god awful Vicky Lawrence classic: "The Night
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: mousethief Date: 30 Apr 01 - 04:30 PM Anybody remember "Popcorn" by "Hot Butter"? It was a completely synthesizer thing. Early 1970's. Alex |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Gary T Date: 30 Apr 01 - 04:50 PM I remember Peter and Gordon for "I Go to Peices," "A World Without Love," "Woman," and "Lady Godiva." |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Peter T. Date: 30 Apr 01 - 04:59 PM "Duke of Earl" by the guy who was called blank "Duke of Earl" blank, about whom I have blanked. "You Don't Have To Be a Baby to Cry", The Caravelles. "Big John", Jimmy Dean "Classical Gas", John Hartford. and my all-time favourite (be still my beating heart): "Johnny Angel", Shelley Fabares. yours, Peter T. P.S. I am not sure that I like being referred to as a one hit wonder, given that I haven't even had one hit, nor am I particularly wonderful. Still, people will talk. |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Lonesome EJ Date: 30 Apr 01 - 05:02 PM Peter...Classical Gas was Mason Williams |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: mousethief Date: 30 Apr 01 - 05:02 PM The only version of "Classical Gas" I know of is the one by Mason Williams (the author of the piece). He was the music guru (whatever the exact title was, I don't know) for the Smothers Brothers TV show. ALex |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: GUEST,Rana Date: 30 Apr 01 - 05:13 PM Peter, I badly phrased my first sentence - did not mean to imply that you were a one hit wonder - just that one hit wonders probably ended up as obscurities and hence your thread helped pose the question. But then there is no smoke without ... (:-)) Rana |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Allan C. Date: 30 Apr 01 - 05:20 PM Few people will remember this: I really don't know how far up the charts it got but David Nelson, (Rick's brother,) made it onto the charts with "Wonderful! Wonderful!" which, I believe, he was the first to introduce. It was his first and only attempt. Later, in '57 Johnny Mathis covered it (#14) and then the finger-snapping Tymes scored a hit with it (#7) in '63. It is still among my favorites. Sometimes we walk hand in hand by the sea And we breathe in the cool salty air... |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Peter T. Date: 30 Apr 01 - 05:39 PM Sorry, stupid mistake. Gene Chandler, Duke of Earl. yours, Peter T. |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: MARINER Date: 30 Apr 01 - 05:42 PM Then there was;Althea and Donna "Up Town TopRankin'", JJ.Barrie's "No Charge"Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg"Je T'aime" (pant pant), The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown, "Fire", Floaters "Float On", Matthew's Southern Comfort, "Woodstock", Overlanders ,"Michelle", Simon Park Orch. "Eye Level", all U.K. one hit wonders. And speaking of one hit brothers, didn't Pat Boone's brother Nick Todd dent the charts with his version of Fabian's "Tiger"??.And there's more!!. |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Benjamin Date: 30 Apr 01 - 07:30 PM She Drives Me Crazy by Fine Young Cannibals King of Wishful Thinking by Go West Steel Heart's Angel Eyes (I think that was their hit). BMW |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: kendall Date: 30 Apr 01 - 08:35 PM The Wayward Wind, Gogi Grant Dark Moon, Bonnie Guitar. Itsy bitsy yellow polka dot bikini, Renato Carasoni? The Witch Doctor, I think it was Sheb Wooley Purple People eater? that may have been Sheb Wooley. |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: John Hardly Date: 30 Apr 01 - 09:58 PM Gary, Looking glass also cracked the charts with "Jimmy Loves Maryanne", though they probably should have left well enough alone.
Catspaw, |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Pseudolus Date: 30 Apr 01 - 10:14 PM How about J. Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers original version of "Last Kiss"?? Not sure what Pearl Jam was thinkin when they tried that one..... Frank |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Bugsy Date: 30 Apr 01 - 10:51 PM Napoleon XIV(real name: Jerry Samuels) - "They're Coming to Taken Me Away" Laurie London - "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands". CHeers Bugsy |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: rangeroger Date: 30 Apr 01 - 10:54 PM Then there is Willis Alan Ramsey,who put out his one and only album in 1972,and every song on it became a hit. For someone else. IE; Jimmy Buffet "Ballad of Spider John",Lyle Lovett "Sleepwalker", Shawn Colvin "Satin Sheets", and the timeless "Muskrat Love" by the Captain and Tenille. rr |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: mousethief Date: 30 Apr 01 - 11:09 PM Witch Doctor was David Seville -- same guy who later went on to invent the Chipmunks. He also had a hit with "I'm Just Sitting in a Vacant Lot with a Bird Sitting on my Head." So he's not a 1-hit wonder. I love "Wayward Wind"! Shows what an old fart I am!
Alex |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Amergin Date: 30 Apr 01 - 11:14 PM Uh, Jimmy Buffet isn't exactly a one hit wonder.... What about that one hilarious song....the one about how this guy and his girl got stuck on the tracks and they escaped the car...but then she went back for the class ring and got killed? |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: mousethief Date: 30 Apr 01 - 11:17 PM That's Teen Angel. Not sure who did it. |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Amergin Date: 30 Apr 01 - 11:19 PM That's the one...it's one of the funniest things I have heard...gets me rolling everytime I hear it... |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: mousethief Date: 30 Apr 01 - 11:26 PM Amergin, I think it's supposed to bring a lump to your throat and all that. Have you ever heard the one with the refrain, "Strange things happen in this world"? The guy goes to the football game and meets this pretty girl and she's cold so he gives her his letterman's sweater to wear. He drives her home. Before he gets home he realizes she has his sweater so he goes back to her house to get it. Her father says is this some kind of sick joke? My daughter died a year ago tonight. He goes to the graveyard and his sweater is on her gravestone. Amazing song for a rock/pop hit. Very ghost-folky, really. Alex |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Matt_R Date: 30 Apr 01 - 11:34 PM Um, "Muskrat Love" is America, not Captain and Tenille. Peter and Gordon one hit wonders? NEVER! I have their greatest hits! |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Matt_R Date: 30 Apr 01 - 11:41 PM Also, I think their cover of "True Love Ways" is better than the orginal. Peter & Gordon got me through some tough times...especially them doing TLW. Still makes me cry when I hear it. |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Bugsy Date: 30 Apr 01 - 11:43 PM Trouble is, Matt R, just because someone has a "Greatest Hits" album doesn't necessarily mean they had more than one hit. I remember our record company used to sell a "Rocking Berries - Greatest Hits". Trouble was they only had the one. "He's In Town". Though I will concede that Peter and Gordon may have had maybe 3 hits. CHeers Bugsy
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: rangeroger Date: 30 Apr 01 - 11:49 PM Matt,I beg to differ with you, "Muskrat love" was Captain and Tenille,written by Willis Alan Ramsey.I'm holding the 45 in my hand. Nathan, there was a parody on Teen Angel called "Tame Eagle" done by a British singer(Billy Barty?) that was very funny. rr |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Amergin Date: 30 Apr 01 - 11:51 PM Uh, Matt....Muskrat Love was Captain and Tenille..... alex, i think I have heard that one...though i can't be sure...it does sound vaguely familiar.... |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Matt_R Date: 30 Apr 01 - 11:52 PM Peter & Gordon:
A World Without Love--1964: # 1. |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Matt_R Date: 01 May 01 - 12:02 AM Muskrat Love (The Captain & Tennille) The Captain & Tennille burst on to the pop music scene in a hurry with their 1975 smash hit, "Love Will Keep Us Together," which ultimately knocked America's "Sister Golden Hair" out of the Number One position in June 1975. They made amends the next year by taking an old America hit, "Muskrat Love," all the way to the Number Four position. Most people not familiar with America's work assume that The Captain & Tennille wrote "Muskrat Love." The Captain & Tennille themselves assumed that it had been written by America. Poor Willis Alan Ramsey -- no one ever remembers him. Old America cohort Hal Blaine contributes percussion on the track. |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Bugsy Date: 01 May 01 - 12:03 AM Three Major Hits. In those days a Major Hit was in the top 10.
A World Without Love--1964: # 1.
Nobody I Know--1964: # 12
6 Also Rans
To Know You Is To Love You--1965: # 24 CHeeers Bugsy |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: mousethief Date: 01 May 01 - 12:10 AM Anything in the top 40 deserves to be called at least a minor hit. The fact is, many groups that put out a "greatest hits" album don't have more than 3 songs that even charted in the top 100. I'd say Peter and Gordon, for a relatively minor recording act, did pretty well for themselves. Alex |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Tom D. Date: 01 May 01 - 12:13 AM Here are some nuggets that probably reveal my age, but I don't care: "Mother in Law" by Ernie K. Dough (pronounced "Doe") "Money" by Barrett Srong "96 Tears" by Question Mark and the Mysterions. "Mule Skinner Blues" by the Fendermen "The Happy Organ" by Dave 'Baby' Cortez Let's hear it for those of us who grew up on AM Radio!! Tom D.
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: ddw Date: 01 May 01 - 12:13 AM Nobody's mentioned "Music Box Dancer" by (?) Frank Mills. Or one called "Endless Sleep" by somebody I can't remember — late '50s. |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Matt_R Date: 01 May 01 - 12:21 AM Someone on Paltalk asked me a question, since I pomposed about knowing everything about pop music (lol). He said that a problem that had been plaguing him for years was what was the B-side to "96 Tears" by Question Mark & The Mysterians. After 2 days of searching, I found it was "Midnight Hour" (nor the Wilson Pickett one). "Midnight Hour" was originally going to be the A-side (since it was more upbeat), but the band went with leader Question Mark on a whim to release the B-side instead. It worked. "96 Tears" is the one everyone knows, while "Midnight Hour" took 2 days to even locate.... |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: mousethief Date: 01 May 01 - 12:28 AM Also, "96 tears" was recorded in a garage on a really low-fi tape recorder and sent in as the demo for the band. The record company simply released the demo. Whether or not "Midnight Hour" was recorded under better circumstances, I do not know. But I do know that "96 tears" was a demo, home-recorded, on low-budget equipment. Alex |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Noreen Date: 01 May 01 - 12:39 AM I like it, Matt... v.i. pompose: to pose and posture pompously. (Not you, of course!) :0) |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: MARINER Date: 01 May 01 - 12:47 AM Endless Sleep was by Jody Reynolds (U.S.)and Marty Wild (U.K.). Teen Angel was Mark Dinning, a brother of the Dinning Sisters (whoever they were) Mariner. |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Amergin Date: 01 May 01 - 01:02 AM RR, that does sound very funny! I'll have to keep an eye out for it!
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Bugsy Date: 01 May 01 - 01:31 AM Terry - by Twinkle. ".......he waits at the gates fo heaven for me - TERRY" CHeers
Bugsy |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: GMT Date: 01 May 01 - 04:21 AM Some UK comedy hits that occur to me to be one hit wonders Jasper Carrot - Funky Moped Goodies - Funky Gibbon Mike Harding - Rochdale Cowboy Jimi Hendrix - Voodoo Chile (did he have anymore over here ?) Fiddlers Dram - Day trip to Bangor I may be wrong on all of these. I am trusting to memory Cheers Gary |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Lyndi-loo Date: 01 May 01 - 05:08 AM Bugsy, you beat me to it with Twinkle. Also what about "Little Arrows" by Leapy Lee, "A walk in the Black Forest" by Horst somebody, "I was Kaiser Bill's Batman" by Whistling Jack somebody. As you can see the memory isn't what it used to be. Wasn't there another one called "Leader of the PAck" about motorbikes, but I don't know if that was a one hit wonder |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: CRANKY YANKEE Date: 01 May 01 - 05:55 AM Hi Kendall, Sheb Wooley copied my record of "Good Morning Captain" note for note, yodel for yodel./ (Muleskinner Blues) Mine was only distributed in New England, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. It sold 400,000./ Was played on the AM pop and Rock and Roll stations because my EX Manager, who also owned TETRA records, was Alan Freed's son in law. I was a T/sgt Air traffic controller in the USAF at the time (1957) I was transferred to England shortly after it was released. My EX Manager held me to a 3year exclusive contract so that took care of any recording until 1959 when Wally Whyton of the Vipers Skiffle Group arranged an audition with George Martin who was with the Parlophone Co at the time.We recorded a bunch of good stuff. Two 45's were released before I was transferred back to the States, Kissin' Time-Man on my Trail and So You Think You've Got Troubles-If you Don't Know. There were 4 dead copies of Bobby Ridell's "Kissin' Time" and mine released at the same time. The public lost interest. Mine was entirely different with a guitar lead and instrumental done by the Parlophone Studio Musician, and he was some gopod [picker, I'll tell you. Anyway, we4 didn't sell very many of these. Then we Released, So You Think You've got Troubles. One line was, "My doctor told me not to smoke, drink nothing stronger than a COKE." and it got by everyone, including Mr Martin, so the BBC couldn't play it. Surprisingly enough, it sold qu ite a few in Sweden, Norway and Denmark. When I was transferred back to the USA, Mr Martin suggested that I contact "Capitol Records", Palophone's USA affiliate, and I did. They told me that they never talk to artists, only to professional representatives, because singers and musicians were too "flighty and undependable and unintelligent". (Truthfully) Mind you, I was Chief Air Traffic Controller of the USAF Base mostl;y responsible for the Air Defence of New York City. I decided that American recording Co. people were too flighty, unintelligent and undependable (not to mention dishonest) and that I could find other pastimes equally exiting and fulfilling. Which indeed I have. I've only just recently started recording again. The CD I'm producing, recording and, so far, distributing containes some of the Parlophoe recordings. The rest were done here in Newport. I do all the singing and all the instruments on these, including guitar, 5-string banjo, steel guitar bass and fiddle. Good Morning Captain is also on it (Sinsull found a copy for me) I've already sold some of the preliminary "burns", the final edition, "Spanning the Decades, 1957 ---2001" will be ready to go within the week. Oh Yes, it's me singing on "Captain Kangaroo's" "Working on the Sea" Let's see if I get out of the "one hit wonder" category. I'm still looking forward to meeting you. Maybe at the "Chantey Sing" coming up in Maine. Regards Jody |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Firecat Date: 01 May 01 - 06:52 AM Bagpuss, the song about Gordon is a Moron is actually called "Jilted John" and it was performed by Jilted John! |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Firecat Date: 01 May 01 - 06:58 AM BTW I've just had a look at the UK one hit wonders site, and they're WRONG!! Modjo had a top 20 hit earlier this year with "Chilling" and Rui Da Silva got to No 8 in March with "Touch Me". If you're wanting a UK No 1 one hit wonder, there's always Lou Bega with "Mambo No. 5". He lasted at No1 for 3 weeks, but his second single "I Got A Girl" didn't even make the top 40!! Does anyone even remember this "A little bit of Monica in my life, A little bit of Erica by my side..." No? Neither do I!! |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Bagpuss Date: 01 May 01 - 07:21 AM Firecat, I can only presume that the site hasn't been updated recently enough - so the more recent one hit woders will be out of date - but correct at the time of posting. Here's something to annoy you, as the tune goes through your head all day: Save Your Love : Rene and Renato |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Tom D. Date: 01 May 01 - 07:48 AM Does anyone recall "Quiet Village" by, I believe, Martin Denny? Corrections welcome. Tom D |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Orac Date: 01 May 01 - 07:55 AM Guest JohnB has mixed his one hit wonders a bit I think. The Applejacks recorded "Tell me when" whilst "Have I the right" was recorded by The Honeycombs who had a female drummer called Honey Lantree. But they were not one hit wonder as the Applejacks had a follow up with "Like dreamers do" written by Lennon and McCartney and the Honeycombs had a follow up hit with "Thats the way" |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: GUEST,Dita (at work) Date: 01 May 01 - 07:55 AM Guest John B. way back at the begining, Have I the Right- Honeycombs (female drummer)
I'll offer "Transfusion - Nervous Norvous |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: kendall Date: 01 May 01 - 09:37 AM Alex, Wayward Wind was one of the few "Pop" songs that I really liked. The first time I heard Muleskinner Blues it was done by Jimmy Rodgers. The original singing brakeman back in the 30's. It was on record of course, he died the year before I was born. Cranky, I'm looking forward to meeting you too. |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: voyager Date: 01 May 01 - 09:38 AM My vote goes out to The One-ders - "That Thing You Do" in the Tom Hanks movie (same name as song). I thought the film nailed the 'one-hit wonder' theme quite well. http://movie-reviews.colossus.net/movies/t/that_thing.html How about a second thread on 'one-hit folk wonders'. I'd start with Barry McGuire - Eve of Destruction. voyager FSGW Ghetto |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler Date: 01 May 01 - 09:46 AM Jody, George Martin should have stuck with you instead of wasting his time with those four Liverpool guys, what ever happened to them? More stories, please! RtS (who was the Parlophone session guitarist? Diz Disley. Ike Isaacs?) |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: LR Mole Date: 01 May 01 - 10:03 AM "I was Kaiser Bill's Batman" was Whistling Jack Smith. The motorcycle song thing was the Shangri-La's, who also hit with "Remember (Walking In the Sand)" and "Give Us Your Blessing (Please Don't Make Us Run Away)". But who did "Swinging Safari", later theme song to "The match Game"? Billy Vaughan, perhaps? And how about "Thank U Very Much" by The Scaffold, said to have a McCartney in it? |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Lyndi-loo Date: 01 May 01 - 10:24 AM Thank u very much was by Scaffold, one of whom was Paul McCartney's brother although they didn't have the same surname. Anyway they weren't one hit wonders cos they also did Lily the Pink and one of their number (Roger McGough) became a famous poet |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler Date: 01 May 01 - 10:25 AM Mike McGear (Paul MacCartney's "our kid") was in Scaffold with poet Roger McGough and John (TISWAS) Gorman. Yes Billy Vaughan (and later Bert Kaempfert) did Swinging Safari RtS (remembering more awful songs than I want to though this thread!) |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: GUEST,Matt_R Date: 01 May 01 - 10:35 AM Lol, I absolutely ADORE "Have I The Right" by The Honeycombs! It never fails to get my blood pumping! Interesting someone mentioned "Funky Moped" by Jasper Carrot. The song was actually written by Jeff Lynne of ELO. (ELO, I might add, is coming out with a new album in June, the first in 15 years. The songs are awesome ;-)) |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Geoff the Duck Date: 01 May 01 - 10:41 AM Toe Knee Black Burn, by Binky Baker and the Pit Orchestra. (UK) early '80's Binky Baker was, I believe, married to DJ Anne Nightingale. Both John Shuttleworth and the pop star Jilted John are alter egos of Graham Fellows. Try this link Shuttleworths it's worth a look! It also give tour dates for the current show "One foot in the gravy". |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: mousethief Date: 01 May 01 - 10:58 AM How about that mid-70's thing, "How do you do?" by Mouth and McNeil? |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Lonesome EJ Date: 01 May 01 - 12:16 PM Peter and Gordon. I always had them mixed up with Chad and Jeremy. Anyone remember any Chad and Jeremy tunes? Great one hit wonder- Sam the Sham and the Pharoahs with Wooly Bully..."Let there be L7, come and learn to Dance!" Redbone, Native American band with their hit Come and Get Your Love and who did Winchester Cathedral? "A Little Bit of Monica" is an instance of a song you just KNEW was going to be a one-hit wonder even when it was hot. It had that novelty thing, like The Macarena. |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Lonesome EJ Date: 01 May 01 - 12:18 PM What One Hit Wonder was the first Reggae song to become a top 40 hit? And who performed it? |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: GUEST,Dita (at work) Date: 01 May 01 - 12:27 PM Winchester Cathedral by New Vaudiville Band, who also had UK hits with "Peek a boo" and "Finchley Central". First Reggie hit ? "My Boy Lollipop" - Millie. Very early "Island Records" release licenced to Fontana? |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: LR Mole Date: 01 May 01 - 12:48 PM Sam the Sham a one-hit wonder? "Hey,There, Little Red Riding Hood"!"My Boy Lollipop" was, I think, Millie Small,and some would argue for "The Israelites" by Desmond Dekker and the Aces as first reggae hit. |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: M.Ted Date: 01 May 01 - 12:52 PM The Dinning Sisters were one of many (and mostly forgotten) sister vocal groups from around the 40's. They are really great, and had a number of hits ("Buttons and Bows" being the biggest), but you can only find their stuff on nostalgia anthologies-- Jimi Hendrix had a bunch of top ten hits in the UK, but only grazed the top 20 once (with All Along the Watertower") in the US-- Martin Denny, with Quiet Village wasn't a one-hit wonder--he had several others, but his albums were really successful, and were typically played to show off the new HI-FI-- Kendall--Gogi Grant had a couple other hits, I remember "Suddenly, there's a Valley"--I have always liked (and liked to play) "Wayward Wind", too-- |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Lonesome EJ Date: 01 May 01 - 12:52 PM OK, LR, I forgot about Little Red Riding Hood. Sam was a Two-Hit wonder. Both were great songs. I never thought of Lollipop as Reggae, Dita, but yeah the beat is there. I was thinking of The Israelites. |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: John Hardly Date: 01 May 01 - 12:56 PM Amergin and Mousethief, Did you two actually have this "conversation" with neither of you aware that Steve Goodman used to string these together in an hilarious medley?!
Subject: RE: One hit wonders
Uh, Jimmy Buffet isn't exactly a one hit wonder....
What about that one hilarious song....the one about how this guy and his girl got stuck on the tracks and they escaped the car...but then she went back for the class ring and got killed?
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders
That's Teen Angel. Not sure who did it.
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders
That's the one...it's one of the funniest things I have heard...gets me rolling everytime I hear it...
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders
Amergin, I think it's supposed to bring a lump to your throat and all that.
Have you ever heard the one with the refrain, "Strange things happen in this world"? The guy goes to the football game and meets this pretty girl and she's cold so he gives her his letterman's sweater to wear. He drives her home. Before he gets home he realizes she has his sweater so he goes back to her house to get it. Her father says is this some kind of sick joke? My daughter died a year ago tonight. He goes to the graveyard and his sweater is on her gravestone. Amazing song for a rock/pop hit. Very ghost-folky, really. Alex |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Lonesome EJ Date: 01 May 01 - 12:59 PM M Ted...you mean Hendrix didn't chart with Purple Haze? I think you're wrong about that. And I think Fire was also a top 40 hit. |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Matt_R Date: 01 May 01 - 01:38 PM Chad and Jeremy had some great songs as well,
Willow Weep For Me |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: mousethief Date: 01 May 01 - 01:56 PM I always wanted to do a faux commercial, a la late night television, for a compilation/collection of "dead lover" songs from the 1950's. ("K-Tel Records proudly presents....") While the names of songs scroll up the screen, and pathetic strains of "Teen Angel" and "Last Kiss" (and so forth) play, the background video would show cars skidding off the road and bursting into flames, and people standing around looking somber at funerals. It always struck me as bizarre how many "dead lover" songs attained such great popularity in the 1950's. Was this a working through of the shock of war? Or just a morbid glitch on the societal radar? Alex |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Little Hawk Date: 01 May 01 - 01:57 PM I hope I didn't miss it if someone else posted this, but there was this guy who did a song called "Shut-Uppa-You-Face!" I thought it was pretty funny. Anybody remember who he was? I think it might have been Joe Dolce. -LH |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Matt_R Date: 01 May 01 - 02:01 PM Lol, LH. It is Joe Dolce. I have the 45! In fact I have lots of 45's from one-hit-wonder bands. Did Mocedades ever have anything else besides "Eres Tu"? (Beautiful song, if I make so opine) |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Little Hawk Date: 01 May 01 - 02:08 PM "Eres Tu" is a beautiful song. I had an Ojibway girlfriend once, and she always referred to it as "Irish Stew"! It means "You're The One", loosely translated from Spanish. A literal translation would be: "It is you". - LH |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Matt_R Date: 01 May 01 - 02:17 PM Yep, I have the 45 that has the English version on the B-side. |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Jim the Bart Date: 01 May 01 - 02:34 PM Horst Jankowski did A Walk in the Black Forest One of my favorites was "The Monkey Time" by Major Lance, later redone by Fee Waybill of the Tubes. |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Metchosin Date: 01 May 01 - 02:47 PM Bound to Fly by We Five? "My stumblin" fumblin' fingers can't keep time With the drivin' power pistons of my mind And tho' the silver lace of reason Wets my skin, keeps me in I'm bound to fly-i..I'm bound to fly" ...from my "I want to be a seagull" era...way before Jonathan Livingston...gee, are we really joined on some cosmically concious level? ...I thought of that story before it was written.*BG*
kendal, I loved Bonnie Guitar's version of Dark Moon, I think Gail Storm? did a version too, but Bonnie's was supreme. LEJ didn't Redbone's Maggie Played the Hookin' Game and Chant make it on to the charts? great stuff! |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: mousethief Date: 01 May 01 - 02:57 PM Golden Earring, "Radar Love" Alex |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Matt_R Date: 01 May 01 - 02:58 PM I think Golden Earring had one other hit...but I'm not sure... |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Matt_R Date: 01 May 01 - 03:00 PM They did...it was "Twilight Zone"! How could I forget! |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: mousethief Date: 01 May 01 - 03:04 PM Never heard it. They'll always be a one-hit wonder in my heart. And what a hit! Alex |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: mousethief Date: 01 May 01 - 03:05 PM Well this has gotten largish, so I've created a NEW THREAD to continue this discussion. Alex |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: Jim Krause Date: 01 May 01 - 03:25 PM Alex, I kinda liked Afternoon Delight. The harmony was great, and I have always had a (ahem) soft spot in my heart for semi-pornographic songs. Jim |
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Subject: RE: One hit wonders From: GUEST,Rana Date: 01 May 01 - 05:15 PM For those half way up the list - sorry about the Peter and Gordon - I was pretty young and only ever recalled one. Now to add another one hit song from way back when (this time I'm fairly sure) My Boy Lollipop by Millie. Cheers Rana |
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