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BS: 'One and a Half Hit Wonders'
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Subject: 'One and a Half Hit Wonders' From: Tom D. Date: 02 May 01 - 12:19 AM The two recent threads on "One Hit Wonders" brought to mind an equally interesting phenomenon--groups or performers who had a big hit (one that might have made the Top 40 on AM RAdio, for example, in the old days before much FM) that may have been followed up by another release that just never had the same bullets as the first one. These are what we might call "1.5 Hit Wonders." Here are some examples, and I'll bet that there are a lot more: The Box Tops struck a big chord, especially among those of us who hitch hiked across country, in and around 1967/68 with "The Letter"--aka 'Give me a ticket for an airplane.' It was followed up by what decent, but not as hot tune? Dobie Gray had an AM smash around 1965/66 with "I'm in with the In Crowd"(that might have been Hendrix on guitar). It was followed up several years later with what other hit? Admitting that there are a lot of regional variances, and that rock and roll--even mid to late 60's AM Rock--was not monolothic, are there others that come to mind that fit this pattern? Narrow but fertile minds want to know, Tom D. |
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Subject: RE: BS: 'One and a Half Hit Wonders' From: Lonesome EJ Date: 02 May 01 - 12:37 AM Dobie Gray's later hit was Drift Away, I think. I'm stumped on the Box Tops, although I caught my Girlfriend having breakfast with them at a Village Inn in Louisville back in 1969. They were all about 5'6" tall. True story. |
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Subject: RE: BS: 'One and a Half Hit Wonders' From: Gary T Date: 02 May 01 - 12:56 AM I remember "Choo Choo Train" by the Box Tops. I know there are plenty of other groups whose chart action fits the pattern, but they're not coming to mind right now. |
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Subject: RE: BS: 'One and a Half Hit Wonders' From: M.Ted Date: 02 May 01 - 01:05 AM "I Met Her in Church", "Cry Like a Baby"(a number 2 hit, so they didn't fall that far short). Alex Chilton had one of the great rock'n'roll voices(has, he is still around, I think--) and, at least based on talent, could have been a considerably bigger star-- |
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Subject: RE: BS: 'One and a Half Hit Wonders' From: M.Ted Date: 02 May 01 - 01:05 AM "I Met Her in Church", "Cry Like a Baby"(a number 2 hit, so they didn't fall that far short). Alex Chilton had one of the great rock'n'roll voices(has, he is still around, I think--) and, at least based on talent, could have been a considerably bigger star-- |
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Subject: RE: BS: 'One and a Half Hit Wonders' From: Banjer Date: 02 May 01 - 04:28 AM Oh, yeah...who was the guy that did 'Eve Of Destruction'? Ssort of a weird name that just escapes me at the moment. |
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Subject: RE: BS: 'One and a Half Hit Wonders' From: Skipjack K8 Date: 02 May 01 - 04:35 AM Barry summat, wasn't it, Banj. Gravelly voiced fellow. John Otway about fits this bill. He had a hit with Cor Baby That's Really Free in 1977, then came out in the top ten greatest songs of the millenium with the flipside of aforesaid hit, Watch Out For The Flowers. Gotta a letter from John only yestetday, saying he's mounting a second assualt on the charts in 2002 to be a two hit wonder, twenty five years after being a one hit wonder, thus entering the record books. And good luck to him, I say Skipjack |
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Subject: RE: BS: 'One and a Half Hit Wonders' From: Frug Date: 02 May 01 - 07:42 AM Eve of destruction was Barry Mcguire where he now? |
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Subject: RE: BS: 'One and a Half Hit Wonders' From: LR Mole Date: 02 May 01 - 08:23 AM McGuire is twice- born and singing in that cause, I believe.The Boxtops' "Cry Like a Baby" featured the Vincent Bell/Danelectro electric sitar, as did Joe South's "Games People Play". Now, there's an instrument you don't see every day. And another 1.5 (well, #1 wasn't that big, but #2 was even smaller): Crispian St.Peter (?) had a hit with "(I'm The) Pied Piper", and then almost hit with an octave-vaulting cover of Phil Ochs "Changes".(Time to sing Phil's "Birmingham Sunday" again: the alleged bastard who allegedly blew up four children in church is going to trial, finally). LRM, up too early and into work before everyone else |
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Subject: RE: BS: 'One and a Half Hit Wonders' From: Grab Date: 02 May 01 - 08:32 AM In the days of my youth (the 80s), examples would be Glenn Medeiros, Bobby McFerrin and Tiffany - all had a top 10 first song, then the rest went nowhere. Plenty more, and plenty of 80s 1-hit wonders too, but I can't be bothered dredging them up right now. Afraid I can't think of any 90s ones though - very few 90s bands I'd bother listening to, never mind remembering their names. Graham. |
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Subject: RE: BS: 'One and a Half Hit Wonders' From: Pseudolus Date: 02 May 01 - 08:57 AM How about the Five man electrical Band? They had "Signs" and then another hit that hasn't exactly stood the test of time (but a good song) called "Absolutely Right".
Frank |
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Subject: RE: BS: 'One and a Half Hit Wonders' From: InOBU Date: 02 May 01 - 10:26 AM Hi Skipjack. When you next speak to John, tell him his distant cuz in the states is workin away at his first one hit, my Ballad of Amadou Diallo, about the police shooting of a young African immagrant, a live recording there of, is being played every once and awhile on progressive radio stations, and of course, our own dear Rick Fielding's show - though it still needs a good studio recording to be done, - Tell John to watch the acrobatics on stage, and all the best, Lorcan (Larry) Otway... |
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Subject: RE: BS: 'One and a Half Hit Wonders' From: GUEST,BpbP Date: 02 May 01 - 10:36 AM Thanks for reminding about "Drift Away". Great, great tune with easy-to-learn, sing-along chorus. Great middle link between folk, R&R & blues. Terrific "soul" bridge; pure southern gospel. Very much like the frugality of melody; barebones, like a children's song. Better than 90% of VH1's "100 Best R&R's". Written by "Mentor Williams" about whom I know absolutely nothing, except that he's the brother of Paul Williams.
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Subject: RE: BS: 'One and a Half Hit Wonders' From: Skipjack K8 Date: 02 May 01 - 11:02 AM Strewth, InOBU, I thought you were Wild Willy Barret! That's got to be the best album title, ever, after Wild Willy spilt with John, Otway cane up with "All Balls and no Willy" You're right about the acrobatics, don't know how his back stands up to it! Skipjack
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Subject: RE: BS: 'One and a Half Hit Wonders' From: mousethief Date: 02 May 01 - 11:30 AM "Drift Away" wasn't a .5 hit; it was huge. Up to #5 on the US charts. "The In Crowd" only went up to #13. Alex
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Subject: RE: BS: 'One and a Half Hit Wonders' From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler Date: 02 May 01 - 11:36 AM You'll get there, Larry,just needs a little publicity! *BG* I played your CD again only this Monday, it's a haunting song. RtS |
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Subject: RE: BS: 'One and a Half Hit Wonders' From: Jim the Bart Date: 02 May 01 - 12:00 PM The Box Tops also did "Neon Rainbow" and "Sweet Cream Ladies". Mentor Williams has a lot of co-writing credits, if I'm not mistaken, in the Nashville country music genre. How about the Lefte Bank who originally recorded "Walk Away Renee" and followed up with "Pretty Ballerina". There's a hit and a half for ya. How about the Beau Brummels with "Laugh, Laugh" and "Cry Just a Little"? They laughed, they cried. . . |
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Subject: RE: BS: 'One and a Half Hit Wonders' From: GUEST,JohnB Date: 02 May 01 - 12:25 PM On the other end of the spectrum, pre success. Barry Mcquire was in the "New Christy Minstrels" before he got his 15 min, I seem to recollect that you can pick out his voice on Three Wheels on My Wagon. I fortunately do not have a copy to verify that. Maybee this deserves another thread of its own. JohnB |
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Subject: RE: BS: 'One and a Half Hit Wonders' From: mousethief Date: 02 May 01 - 12:42 PM Strawberry Alarm Clock, "Incense and Peppermints" -- #1 in 1967 -- another one I once had a 45 of! Then a follow-up hit, "Tomorrow" which made it up to #23. (same calendar year). Alex |
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Subject: RE: BS: 'One and a Half Hit Wonders' From: InOBU Date: 02 May 01 - 03:30 PM Thanks Roger! As soon as I can get my kiddies into the studio - jeeze it is right here and FREE and I still can't get them to buckle down... - well as soon as that happens I have to get you the new STUDIO version! As to great album names, (Skipjack) I am thinking of calling the CD Nilamid Sasta, (we aren't satisfied) as one of my band mates left to join a band "Sasta" and he was never much into the political - human rights thing, so the fact his band is satisfied, and ours is not, makes some sense! By the By Skipjack old pal, I was the chief mate on a skip jack many years ago, for a few years, (the last working sailing vessles in the US, not the fish). Cheers, Larry |
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Subject: RE: BS: 'One and a Half Hit Wonders' From: LR Mole Date: 02 May 01 - 03:45 PM Strawberry Alarm Clock followed "Tomorrow" with "Sit with the Guru". I"m sorry I remembered that. But another 1.5 is Dave Dee, Dozy Beaky, Mick and Tich, who followed "Bend It" with "The Legend of Xanadu"(complete with real whiplash sounds. EEEw. |
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Subject: RE: BS: 'One and a Half Hit Wonders' From: mousethief Date: 02 May 01 - 04:02 PM Sit with the Guru never charted in the US. Alex |
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Subject: RE: BS: 'One and a Half Hit Wonders' From: mousethief Date: 02 May 01 - 05:10 PM The Stampeders hit #8 with "Sweet City Woman" (of which I once had a 45!) in 1971. The follow-up hit was a remake of "Hit the Road, Jack" which just peeked into the charts at #40 in 1976. Oh, the banjo and me have got a feel for singin'.... Alex |
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Subject: RE: BS: 'One and a Half Hit Wonders' From: John Hardly Date: 02 May 01 - 06:49 PM The Critter's "Mr. Dieingly Sad" followed by "Don't Let The Rain Fall Down On Me" Sugarloaf "Green-Eyed Lady" followed by "Don't Call Us, We'll Call You" Livingston Taylor barely cracked the top 40 with "I WillBe In Love With You" at 30 and followed it with "First Time Love" at 38 so I'd say 2X3/4 still equall 1 1/2. |
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Subject: RE: BS: 'One and a Half Hit Wonders' From: mousethief Date: 02 May 01 - 11:34 PM Brownsville Station, 1974, "Smokin' in the Boys Room" went all the way to #3. The follow-up, Kings of the Party, limped up to #31. How about 0.5 hit wonders? Rick Derringer's Rock and Roll Hootchie-Koo made it up to #23. Was he with some band or something? Alex |
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Subject: RE: BS: 'One and a Half Hit Wonders' From: Tom D. Date: 03 May 01 - 01:03 AM As the thread indicates, there was (and still is) a lot of really fine music being made by a lot of individuals and groups that only had a couple of hits. Yet, in many ways, they have contributed a lot to the overall texture of the ongoing sound track that we have grown up (or steadfastly refused to grow up)with. Thanks Catters, Tom D. |
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Subject: RE: BS: 'One and a Half Hit Wonders' From: Jim the Bart Date: 03 May 01 - 11:11 AM Rick Derringer and his brother Randy played with the McCoys, the band that did "Hang on Sloopy". The entire band later backed up Johnny Winter, who first recorded "Rock 'n Roll Hootchie Coo" with them backing him. A similar circumstance applies to the Amazing Rhythm Aces, who had a hit and a half with "Third Rate Romance" and it's follow-up, which I believe was called "The End is Not in Sight" (it started, "You know, I knew it all along. It's time to come back home. . .) The Aces recorded both of those songs, with significantly different arrangements, on a Jesse Winchester album. They were his back-up band on tour at the time. |
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Subject: RE: BS: 'One and a Half Hit Wonders' From: GUEST,Curtis Date: 03 May 01 - 11:54 AM Thinking about Bobby McFerrin... He just happens to be one of the most famous JAZZ voices around, he did that "Don't worry be happy" stuff just for funsies and was (ahem) "..slightly.." surprised over the success...
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Subject: RE: BS: 'One and a Half Hit Wonders' From: M.Ted Date: 03 May 01 - 12:39 PM Alex, "Sit with the Guru" spent about 5 weeks on the US charts, topping out at 65, beinging the middle of March of '68----I Am I the only one who remembers "Barefoot in Baltimore", and the follow-up of that, "Good Morning Starshine", which, at least as far as I remember, actually came up before the Oliver version, but promptly disappeared when it came out-- |
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Subject: RE: BS: 'One and a Half Hit Wonders' From: Margo Date: 03 May 01 - 01:24 PM So I have this problem with dyslexia, and I wondered what a "half wit wonder" was.... maybe Cletus? |
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Subject: RE: BS: 'One and a Half Hit Wonders' From: mousethief Date: 03 May 01 - 02:19 PM I should have said "never top 40 in the US" and not "never charted in the US"; sorry. My crib-sheet website only looks at top 40 hits. So if something is at 65 or even 41, I don't see it. The Oliver version of "Good Morning Starshine" is so wonderful, though -- unless this other version is awesome, it's easy to see why it couldn't stand the head-to-head competition. The nylon-string guitar, and the wonderful percussion. Great arrangement of a great song! So what else did Oliver do? Ah, "Jean, Jean, roses are red!" Bleh. I'm not a big fan of Rod "Listen to the Smarm" McKuen. Oliver should've stuck with Ragni & Rado. Alex |
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Subject: RE: BS: 'One and a Half Hit Wonders' From: M.Ted Date: 03 May 01 - 03:57 PM Alex, You are right, the Oliver version is great--the Strawberry Alarm Clock version was sort of messy, and it sort of chunks along--Oliver had two other songs chart, one called Sunday Mornin' that hit #35, and another, "Angelica" that topped out about #65--1969 was his only year, but, between his two biggies, he was on the charts(and hence, on every top 40 station) for about six months--then there was nothing else--
I dug out "Sit with a Guru", and here is a line from the refrain--
"Stretch out your mind to humanity, Great Stuff!!!
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Subject: RE: BS: 'One and a Half Hit Wonders' From: mousethief Date: 03 May 01 - 05:37 PM I never heard the Strawberry Alarm Clock version. Only other versions I've heard have been from original cast albums (of the play, and then of the late 1970's movie which had some great musical talent even if the story rewrite was lame), but I don't think they ever charted. Only thing by S.A.C. I'd heard was "Incense and Peppermints" which is about as psychadelic as you could possibly want. That and "Along Comes Mary" to me sort of define soft-rock psychadelia. But of course the Association had a plethora of hits, so they don't fit into any of these threads. Throw your pride to one side, it's the least you can do! Love your quote from the guru song. Weren't the 60's a riot? Alex |
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Subject: RE: BS: 'One and a Half Hit Wonders' From: M.Ted Date: 03 May 01 - 07:40 PM Music was different then, because for a while, it really slipped out of the control of the "music industry"--there were independent labels putting out wild music, and major labels trying like crazy to put out stuff that sounded like their impression of what was wild music--
Here is my favorite sixties one-hit-wonder:"Witchi Ti Ti". by Everything is Everything-- How do I remember all this music I never cluttered up my head with anything important-- |
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Subject: RE: BS: 'One and a Half Hit Wonders' From: Jim the Bart Date: 03 May 01 - 10:15 PM "One Toke Over the Line, Sweet Jesus, One Toke Over the Line. Sitting Downtown in a railway station, one toke over the line." Brewer & Shipley (and me, in spirit) Bart |
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Subject: RE: BS: 'One and a Half Hit Wonders' From: M.Ted Date: 04 May 01 - 10:24 AM The song that everyone sings along with, but no one understands!! |
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Subject: RE: BS: 'One and a Half Hit Wonders' From: Jim the Bart Date: 04 May 01 - 12:42 PM As a "child of the sixties" I always assumed it was a drug reference. Is there something I've been missing? Inquiring (abused and befuddled) minds want to know! |
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Subject: RE: BS: 'One and a Half Hit Wonders' From: mousethief Date: 04 May 01 - 12:51 PM I once came into a Brewer & Shipley songbook and ended up selling it on Ebay for $100. There was a fierce bidding war right at the end, so if I had another copy I could have sold it for about $100 also. Not sure I understand the attraction. Alex |
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Subject: RE: BS: 'One and a Half Hit Wonders' From: M.Ted Date: 04 May 01 - 01:46 PM Obviously a drug reference, but to what? Does the phrase "One toke over the line, sweet Jesus" mean something ?-- as for the E-Bay thing, don't take that too seriously-- my wife saw a video tape of a old french movie go for $50 when she had actually bought the same video from an on-line retailer about a week before for $12.88-- |
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Subject: RE: BS: 'One and a Half Hit Wonders' From: mousethief Date: 04 May 01 - 03:29 PM When you're collecting the $$, you can take it very seriously. All the way to the bank, in fact! Let's hear it for overinflated auction bidding! Yeeeeeee-haw! Alex |
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Subject: RE: BS: 'One and a Half Hit Wonders' From: M.Ted Date: 04 May 01 - 03:45 PM Of course, we make fun, but when those old record albums and music souvenirs, and especially the instruments come up, the tune changes! |
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Subject: RE: BS: 'One and a Half Hit Wonders' From: Jim the Bart Date: 05 May 01 - 11:33 AM M. Ted - I'm not sure if you were being serious or not so I'll assume you were and try to be informational. Maybe the terminology that is so obvious to us unreconstructed hippies has fallen out of the lexicon. "To toke" is to take a drag on a marijuana cigareet. To be "one toke over the line" is to be too high to function; also referred to back then as "smoked out", "zonked", "wasted" or "stoned to the bone". If you're wondering, I read about this once in Reader's Digest. Or was it High Times? |