McDuffRuleThis week’s ONE-HIT WONDER is ‘The Hitman’ by AB Logic (#3 1992) They were a Eurodance project from Belgium that were active from 1991-1996. Its members included rapper K-Swing (Cedric Murril) and vocalist Marianne Festraets. They released only one album and four singles. This song ‘The Hitman’ was more successful in Australia than anywhere else in the world.
This Week’s One-Hit Wonder (OHW) is ‘Remember Me’ (#12 – 1997) by British DJ Blue Boy (Lex Blackmore). Blue Boy, who was 24 when this song was released sampled the vocals from an American Blue Note recording ‘Woman of the Ghetto’ (1969) by Marlena Shaw. He toured with acclaimed electronic outfit ‘The Shamen’
This Week’s One-Hit Wonder (OHW) is ‘Landslide’ (#9 – 2003) by American Country Music band The Dixie Chicks (now known as ‘The Chicks’). From Dallas, Texas, the group comprises lead vocalist Natalie Maines and sisters Martie McGuire & Emily Strayer (both incredible multi-instrumentalists). The group has sold over 33 million albums and received 13 Grammy awards. This song is a cover of the Stevie Nicks (Fleetwood Mac) song from 1975 and appeared on their album ‘Home’ (2002). I love this band and have all their albums. A good entry level album is their ‘Essential’ compilation.
This Week’s One-Hit Wonder (OHW) is ‘Farewell Aunty Jack’ (#1 – 1974) by Grahame Bond and the Aunty Jack Cast. A slice of Australian comedy gold, the song was a number one smash hit for 10 weeks. From the ground-breaking ABC-TV series that ran from 1972 to 1973 and achieved instant cult status. The series included many songs like ‘Teenage Butcher’ & ‘Wollongong the Brave’. Cast members included Rory O’Donoghue (Thin Arthur), Gary McDonald (Kid Eager) & Sandra McGregor (Flange Desire). So please don’t be afraid of Auntry Jack even though she might be threatening to “rip ya bloody arms off”.
This Week’s One-Hit Wonder (OHW) is ‘Owner of a Lonely Heart’ (#9 Adelaide 1984) by English Progressive Rock (Prog) band YES. YES have been in existence ever since 1968 with an ever-evolving cast of characters. This period however was the closest they had come to ending. Bassist and YES leader, the late, great Chris Squire was starting a new band that he intended to call ‘Cinema’. He recruited a South African musician, Trevor Rabin, who came with this song in his pocket. It was a very different sound to the band previously recorded material. Chris then asked YES vocalist Jon Anderson to join the project, but all agreed to add Jon’s vocal would make the band sound just like YES so, they again adopted the name YES and put out their album 90125 (named after a part of the barcode). ‘Owner of a Lonely Heart’ was a U.S. No. 1 and a smash hit all around the world. To be clear YES were never a singles band. They are the premier Prog band in musical history and my favourite band … period. The song was produced by the mercurial Trevor Horn.
This Week’s One-Hit Wonder (OHW) is ‘Underwater Love’ (#12 Adelaide & #37 nationally 1997) by English blended acid jazz and trip hop trio Smoke City (1996-2002). Vocalist Nina Miranda was born in Brazil and contributes the samba and bossa nova style along with a portion of the lyrics in Portuguese. The song’s success was aided by its use in a Levi’s television commercial. The band made two studio albums during their time together. I loved it for its exotic nature and it reminds me of the years I spend working in The Compact Disc shop in Unley and the great friends I made there.
This Week’s One-Hit Wonder (OHW) is ‘Every Night’ (#15 1979) by the great American performer Phoebe Snow. An incredibly versatile musician she performed music from many genres. This song was written by Paul McCartney and was her only hit here in Australia. She is also remembered for her song Poetry Man. She won the 1975 Grammy for Best New Artist which led to an appearance on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine, and we all know how important that is don’t we music fans 😊 During her life Phoebe was a carer for both her parents. A short late seventies marriage resulted in the birth of her daughter Valerie Rose, who was born severely disabled. Phoebe vowed never to institutionalize her and cared for her until she passed at the age of 31. Phoebe died suddenly three years later from a brain haemorrhage in 2010. She possessed a wonderful voice. Personally, I was always a fan and today we remember her as a great artist and superior human being, thank you Phoebe.
This Week’s One-Hit Wonder (OHW) is ‘High’ (#2 1998) by British duo ‘Lighthouse Family’. Comprising singer Tunde Baiyewu and songwriter Paul Tucker they formed in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne in 1993. Their 1995 debut album Ocean Drive sold more than 1.8 million copies in the UK alone and established them as a popular easy listening duo throughout Europe.
Lighthouse Family – High
This Week’s One-Hit Wonder (OHW) is ‘Believe it or Not’ (#1 1982) by Joey Scarbury. Composed by Mike Post with lyrics by Stephen Geyer it was the title track to the TV series ‘The Greatest American Hero’ (1981-1983). The series starred William Katt as a school teacher who is given a red and black suit that grants him superhuman abilities. Joey is 67 and lives in California.
JOEY SCARBURY – Believe It Or Not (1981) – YouTube
This Week’s One-Hit Wonder (OHW) is ‘Talk it Over’ (#3 1989) by Grayson Hugh. Grayson was the first member of his family born in the USA. His father was a classical music radio host from Rutland and the mother was born in Shanghai, the daughter of a missionary family. This song was written by Sandy Linzer & Irwin Levine and Grayson was arranger and piano player on the original sessions. It was later recorded by Olivia Newton-John before Grayson recorded it himself and had a major hit internationally. It was included on his excellent album ‘Blind to Reason’, a recent Op Shop addition to my collection.