A few of the artists on this multi-day list are artists whom I actually follow. Personally, I have multiple albums by Dexys Midnight Runners in my collection for I find the mastermind behind the band, Kevin Rowland, a fascinating pop visionary. Still, I can understand why only “Come on Eileen” broke big here in the States. The same can be said for Fiona Apple, Madness, Nick Lowe, Midnight Oil, Frank Zappa, Devo and so many others.
And, of course, there are intriguing artists littered throughout the countdown whom I was certain big things were going to be heard from them only to watch them disappear. Take Natalie Imbruglia as my first example. I distinctly remember her mid-Nineties SNL appearance being pimped so hard along with a major star-making machine placing all over the music media. Then, her hit “Torn” was a truly great song. She had “The Look.” She had the musical goods, a pretty good album, a fantastic video, etc. But, where is she now? Anyone remember Robbie Nevil? He had a huge hit in 1986, “C’est la Vie.” At one time, I actually owned his debut album, and it was a good album. But, he simply fell off the face of the musical world. And there are others, such as Nu Shooz, Kajagoogoo and Crazy Town.
Yet, as I stated earlier in this series, this is what makes the whole history of rock music so very compelling to me. The fact that a person or a group of people bottled enough rock mojo into one song that they are forever remembered by people. That type of notoriety never really happened in the days of Mozart or even in jazz. Nor are these types of songs held onto so endearingly in country music. Yet, we continue to hear on all forms of rock and pop radio “One-Hit Wonder Weekends” or even a “One-Hit Wonder Day.”
With that said, let’s continue the countdown.
200. Toby Beau – “My Angel Baby” (1978)
199. Dionne Farris – “I Know” (1995)
198. Bob & Doug McKenzie featuring Geddy Lee – “Take Off” (1982)
197. The Swingin’ Medallions – “Double Shot (Of My Baby’s Love” (1966)
196. Mungo Jerry – “In the Summertime” (1970)
195. Tag Team – “Whomp! There It Is” (1993)
194. Brewer & Shipley – “One Toke over the Line” (1970)
193. Right Said Fred – “I’m Too Sexy” (1991)
192. Europe – “The Final Countdown” (1986)
191. Mary Jane Girls – “In My House” (1985)
190. The Music Machine – “Talk Talk” (1966)
189. Van McCoy – “The Hustle” (1975)
188. The Ataris – “The Boys of Summer” (2003). These guys were from nearby Anderson, Indiana.
187. Eagle-Eye Cherry – “Save Tonight” (1997). His sister, Neneh Cherry, is also a one-hit wonder, making the Cherry family a double shot of one-hit wonders.
186. Walter Egan – “Magnet and Steel” (1978)
185. Marcy Playground – “Sex and Candy” (1997)
184. Information Society – “What’s on Your Mind (Pure Energy)” (1988)
183. Deee-Lite – “Groove Is in the Heart” (1990)
182. Cutting Crew – “(I Just) Died in Your Arms” (1986)
181. Ten Years After – “I’d Love to Change the World” (1971)
180. Alicia Bridges – “I Love the Nightlife” (1978)
179. Fiona Apple – “Criminal” (1997)
178. The Wallflowers – “One Headlight” (1996)
177. Vixen – “Edge of a Broken Heart” (1988)
176. Aldo Nova – “Fantasy” (1982)
175. Aqua – “Barbie Girl” (1997)
174. The La’s – “There She Goes” (1990)
173. ‘Til Tuesday – “Voices Carry” (1985)
172. Robbie Dupree – “Steal Away” (1980)
171. The Flying Lizards – “Money (That’s What I Want)” (1979). This song was a one-hit wonder for TWO artists.
170. Jean Knight – “Mr. Big Stuff” (1971)
169. Mathew Wilder – “Break My Stride” (1983)
168. Blue Swede – “Hooked on a Feeling” (1973)
167. La Roux – “Bulletproof” (2009)
166. Timbuk 3 – “The Future’s So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades” (1986)
165. Billy Swan – “I Can Help” (1974)
164. Paul Hardcastle – “19” (1985)
163. The Boomtown Rats – “I Don’t Like Mondays” (1979)
162. Nik Kershaw – “Wouldn’t It Be Good” (1984)
161. OMC – “How Bizarre” (1996)
160. Musical Youth – “Pass the Dutchie” (1982)
159. Maria Muldaur – “Midnight at the Oasis” (1974)
158. Gregory Abbott – “Shake You Down” (1986)
157. Eddy Grant – “Electric Avenue” (1983)
156. Capital Cities – “Safe and Sound” (2013)
155. Madness – “Our House” (1983)
154. Billy Vera & the Beaters – “At This Moment” (1985)
153. Patrick Hernandez – “Born to Be Alive” (1979)
152. Grover Washington Jr. – “Just the Two of Us” (1981)
151. Michael Sembello – “Maniac” (1983)
And, now, we are half-way through this countdown. See ya tomorrow! Same Bat-Time! Same Bat-Channel!
If My Records Could Talk 