Good morning, Kittens and Dawgs! This is “freebie week” which means there is NO THEME and it’s your choice to share whatever mewsic moves you! Today, I’m picking up again my “One-hit Wonders” series with these #1 charting classics from 1970-1974!
- “Venus” – Shocking Blue (1970) Dutch musician, background vocalist, and songwriter, Bobbie Van Leeuwen wrote this classic one-hit wonder that went #1 in nine countries by Dutch band, Shocking Blue, and it returned to the top of the chart in 1986 by the all-girl group, Bananarama.
- “Me and Bobby McGee” – Janis Joplin (1971) Kris Kristofferson & Fred Foster penned this song and first performed by Roger Miller. Several artist recorded the song but it Joplin’s cover that topped the chart, making it her only #1 hit. Interesting, she recorded this song for her Pearl album two days before her death in 1970.
- “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey” – Paul & Linda McCartney (1971) The husband/wife duo stitched together several unfinished songs making this McCartney’s first post-Beatles’ #1 hit. It’s said this song’s interpretation is an apology to McCartney’s Uncle Albert’s generation from his generation with mixed depression over the Beatles’ breakup. The song is particular noted for its thunder and rain sounds, telephone effects added to the vocals, chirping birds and seashore wind.
- “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia” – Vicki Lawrence (1973) Bobby Russell wrote this southern gothic song. The spine-tingling tale of a man wrongly accused of murdering his wife and lover told by the real killer the man’s baby sister. Bobby was married to Vicki when he penned the song. He didn’t like it and had no intentions of recording it but Lawrence felt different, deciding to recorded it for her album with the same name and the rest is history.
- “Brother Louie” – Stories (1973) is a song about an interracial affair written by UK Hot Chocolate band members Errol Brown & originally recorded by the group which did well but six months later Stories covered the song taking it to #1 in the USA and Canada.
- “Seasons in the Sun” – Terry Jacks (1974) Jacks’ song is an English-translation of “Le Meribond” written by Belgian singer/songwriter, Jacques Brell. Originally the song was written as a farewell from a dying husband to his wife but Jacks’ rendition in version one he sings to a trusted friend he’s known since childhood, the second version he down plays the regret and the 3rd he bids goodbye to his little daughter. This song stayed at #1 for three weeks and remained in the top 40 six months after it’s release.
- TSOP (The Sounds of Philadelphia) – MFSB (1974) is an instrumental piece depicting Philadelphia soul by Mothers, Fathers, Sisters, Brothers featuring vocalists, The Three Degrees. It became Soul Train’s theme and the first TV show song to reach #1. Don Cornelius expressed regret for making a stink about not allowing MFSB original reference in the song to the Soul Train.
- The Night Chicago Died – Paper Lace (1974) The Valentine’s Day massacre where Capone’s men killed several members of the Bugs Moran gang (no police involvement) inspired the songwriters Paper Lace band members, Peter Callender and Mitch Murray spinning a fictitious blood bath between mobsters and coppers with the anxious await of news for a mother about her husband’s fate, a Chicago policeman.
- “I Can Help” – Billy Swan (1974) Usually one-hit wonder artists don’t have little success outside their one time hit but that’s not the case with Swan. I Can Help is consider his biggest hit but what made so special is that it’s crossover smash hit Billboard Hot 100 and Hot Country Singles charts. It peaked at #1 on several international charts as well.
- “Kung Fu Fighting” – Carol Douglas (1974) This one-hit wonder is a case of another song needed for side B (I Want To Give YOu My Everything) and not taken seriously; recording it in the last ten minutes of a three-hour recording session in only two takes but after Robin Blanchflower of Pye Records heard it, insisted “Kung Fu Fighting” be the A-side. Sales and radio play time were slow in the first five weeks but then gained momentum going on to be one of the best-selling singles of all times with more than 11M record sales worldwide.
I like to fit in at least one post in this series each month but honestly I don’t believe there’s a snowball chance in heck that, that will happen, so I will resume with in January with more #1 One-Hit Wonders!
Are you ready to groove? My partners XmasDolly, Stacy, & Colette are ready to boogie with you and you’re invited to step out on the dance floor with us now!
This is a weekly hop for mewsic enthusiasts regardless if you follow our weekly theme or not if you have mewsic to share then we’re ready to dance with you. Otherwise, I ask that you do not link non-mewsic posts below to boost traffic to your site. You’re welcome to leave your URL in comments with a brief description inviting me to check it out. Thank you!
[tweetthis]Tell a friend & hit the dance floor with “freebie style” #music with the #4M gals! @xmasdolly [/tweetthis]
What mewsic moves you today? ?
I invite you hop over to McGuffy’s Reader for more “Sparks” of inspiration/encouragement. Let’s make the world a better place, one person at a time beginning with #1! 😉
I can honestly say I have a happy heart because I am thankful for everything in my life, the good and the not-so good. Every experience is meant to shape me into the person God wants me to be and it’s truly up to me to use these moments to grow from and to enrich another person’s life. Do you have a thankful heart? What are you thankful for today?
Keep those tunes playing and your body swaying, I’ll see ya around the cyber block!
