One hit wonders - General Discussion Discussion

[–] BourbonKing (5787) 4 years ago

Mmm Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm by Crash Test Dummies. That song was so iconic and unique I thought it reflected a grander musical vision from the band but all of their other songs just sound like discarded pieces by They Might Be Giants but with CTD's lead singers voice

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[–] Capnbucky (2218) 4 years ago

What a great choice

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[–] sslssg (35129) 4 years ago

I wouldn't consider that a one hit wonder though. Although I'm not sure which country you are from.

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[–] Capnbucky (2218) 4 years ago

I’d love you’re input

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[–] sslssg (35129) 4 years ago

I met them at West Ed in line for the Mind Bender right after Superman's Song came out. They were surprised that someone knew who they were. Still have those autographs

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[–] Capnbucky (2218) 4 years ago

You’re talking about the crash test

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[–] sslssg (35129) 4 years ago

Yes

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[–] Capnbucky (2218) 4 years ago

Peter pumpkin head from dumb and dumber

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[–] sslssg (35129) 4 years ago

I guess that makes them 3 hit wonders.

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[–] sslssg (35129) 4 years ago

4 if you count Swimming in Your Ocean.

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[–] Capnbucky (2218) 4 years ago

So that’s not really the threads

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[–] Moonglum9 (11336) 4 years ago

I thought Peter Pumkinhead was by XTC. Did Crash Test Dummies cover it?

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[–] Capnbucky (2218) 4 years ago

Crash test dummies did it for the dumb and dumber soundtrack but it’s called the ballad of peter pumpkin head . Good song

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[–] Moonglum9 (11336) 4 years ago

It is a catchy tune. Must be the same song, the XTC name is also The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead.

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[–] BourbonKing (5787) 4 years ago

Here in California this was their only song in rotation on the radio. I bought their album but never heard any other songs played or charting from what I can remember.

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[–] sslssg (35129) 4 years ago

That explains it. In Canada they had a few more songs which charted. It's kinda funny to me as I still think that Superman's Song was their biggest hit. I guess I'm wrong on that for sure. 😁

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[–] Capnbucky (2218) 4 years ago

Two hit wonders

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[–] kukuxu (5409) 4 years ago

Mary Hopkin - Those were the days
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3KEhWTnWvE

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[–] MovieManCin2 (26342) 4 years ago

Good choice, k.

😎

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[–] Capnbucky (2218) 4 years ago

Spin Doctors

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[–] sslssg (35129) 4 years ago

Little Miss Can't be Wrong and Two Princes. Two hit wonders. Lol

EMF Unbelievable

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[–] Capnbucky (2218) 4 years ago

For some reason I get that song mixed up with good vibrations by mark walburg

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[–] AndyKing1967 (39757) 4 years ago

EMF had a few hits in the UK.

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[–] sslssg (35129) 4 years ago

I liked a few of their songs, but I don't think any of them had any radio play here other than Unbelievable. It's kind of funny how that happens.

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[–] AndyKing1967 (39757) 4 years ago

Oh, you’d be surprised how often a band will be big in one country and not so much elsewhere. The funniest example is when a band is unheard of in their home country, but is massive elsewhere.

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[–] Mrmojo4700 (21703) 4 years ago

EMF Unbelievable

I used to love this song and it was played a lot in the early 90’s. 👍👍

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[–] sslssg (35129) 4 years ago

Some other Canadian ones which aren't all totally one hit wonders, but close

When the night feels my song - Bedouin Soundclash
I Rhyme the World in 80 Days - Kish
Seasons in the Sun - Terry Jacks
Drinking in LA - Bran Van 3000
Run With Us - Lisa Lougheed (I loved The Raccoons)

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[–] Capnbucky (2218) 4 years ago

Sound clash is awful

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[–] sslssg (35129) 4 years ago

Its an earworm song, like steal my sunshine, which I didnt include

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[–] Capnbucky (2218) 4 years ago

Len

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[–] sslssg (35129) 4 years ago

Yep. Much prefer Brendan Canning's stuff with Broken Social Scene

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[–] Capnbucky (2218) 4 years ago

They are doing a Calgary Christmas special

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[–] sslssg (35129) 4 years ago

Nice.

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[–] Capnbucky (2218) 4 years ago

And a band called the fronteers

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[–] sslssg (35129) 4 years ago

I like Stu's Song by them.

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[–] Capnbucky (2218) 4 years ago

Great song

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[–] whoanelly (1592) 4 years ago

Seasons in the Sun?

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[–] sslssg (35129) 4 years ago

Yeah. It was the only number 1 hit for Terry Jacks, and one of his few songs which charted outside of Canada.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJehPcqk_5I

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[–] whoanelly (1592) 4 years ago

Yes, I remember it. Iirc written by Rod McKuen, or maybe translated by him (or am I confusing it with another McKuen project?).

I find that song and Rod McKuen a bit too saccharine. Sorry! 🙃

Edit
Just remembered the McKuen translation project Was “If We Only Have Love” by Jacques Brel (can’t believe I remembered that). Also too saccharine for me. Oh, well.

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[–] sslssg (35129) 4 years ago

This is the song translated by McKuen. I think Brel's version came out a few years before this one, and I think the Kingston Trio's version came out before this one as well. I know of at least six other covers of it.

I agree, it's very sappy.

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[–] whoanelly (1592) 4 years ago

Ahh, thanks for clearing that up. I could have googled it but I was being lazy lol

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[–] chilidoggg (14574) 4 years ago

"Kiss Me" Stephen Duffy 1985

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSv3kSK41Oo

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[–] NotoriousRio (12927) 4 years ago

I don't wanna be that guy but he had two hits. Great song though, he was a former frontman of Duran Duran, who went onto make an album with Nick Rhodes under the name The Devils in 2002.

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[–] AndyKing1967 (39757) 4 years ago

I have The Devils album, plus his solo stuff.

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[–] mikethemartian (6986) 4 years ago

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=657TZDHZqj4&list=RDOFjaiktubsE&index=8

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[–] RebelBlood (213) 4 years ago

Damn classic! I was on on 80s binge last month and heard this great one. Stay Alive!

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[–] AndyKing1967 (39757) 4 years ago

They had quite a few hits in the UK.

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[–] Furienna (3375) 4 years ago

Here are some examples from my Spotify playlists:

* "Tainted love" - Soft Cell
* "Don't stop the music" - Yarbrough & Peoples
* "Just an illusion" - Imagination
* "Words" - F.R. David
* "It's raining men" - The Weather Girls

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[–] Mrmojo4700 (21703) 4 years ago

"Tainted love" - Soft Cell

I have always loved this one and it was massive in the EDM world. Lots of their songs are really good but just never hit mainstream.

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[–] Furienna (3375) 4 years ago

Lots of their songs are really good but just never hit mainstream.

That is what happens with several groups and singers, sadly enough.
It is hard to make it in show business though, so I guess that getting even one hit is good for many.

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[–] RebelBlood (213) 4 years ago

Non-Stop Exotic Cabaret is such a good album. Youth is one of the best and saddest songs about lost opportunities.

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[–] AndyKing1967 (39757) 4 years ago

Soft Cell were big in the UK.

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[–] Furienna (3375) 4 years ago

Maybe.
It is hard to know some times if a group or singer had other hits in a different country.

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[–] Sparky123 (1697) 4 years ago

Chesney Hawkes

The one and only

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[–] AndyKing1967 (39757) 4 years ago

Written by the immense Nik Kershaw!

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[–] Sparky123 (1697) 4 years ago

Never knew that, great song tho

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[–] AndyKing1967 (39757) 4 years ago

And now you know, next time you hear it, you’ll think, oh yeah, it sounds like Nik Kershaw.

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[–] Capnbucky (2218) 4 years ago

Isn’t he a pitcher

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[–] AndyKing1967 (39757) 4 years ago

Different Kershaw, lol.

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