C&L's Late Nite Music Club with Murray Head
I was in a conversation about one-hit wonders recently and started thinking about a subset: songs that everyone knows the name of, but few know the artist.
Case in point, Murray Head. It actually turns out (thank you, music dork utopia songfacts.com) that Murray Head had a hit with "Superstar" from Jesus Christ Superstar, in which he played Judas, so he technically isn't a one-hit wonder -- but who's counting.
Anyways, "One Night In Bangkok" (which was written by consummate tunesmithing professionals Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson from ABBA, with Tim Rice) made the top ten despite being about an epic chess match in the far east, and containing a flute solo. Well played, gents.
What other songs can you think of with equally high levels of ubiquity and anonymity?



The Friends Of Mr. Cairo
Don't know if it fits the bill, but whenever I hear One Night... I think of this song.
Don't try to confuse the issue with half-truths and gorilla dust.
The first song of the evening and I totally missed it until now!
This song is a special treasure ... and you know how I feel about you, sweetheart!
Matthew Gonder - Der Kommissar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7Uwvt8enBw
Matthew Gonder - Clair, Commisaire
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbhjyfrUeZ8
This guy’s version I picked because I worked with his sister at Frederick And Nelson, selling hosiery when his version went to No1 in France. She said girls in Paris chased him down like he was the Beatles…she was one of the nicest co workers I ever had. They're from Wenatchee, WA
After The Fire - Der Kommissar
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2efwb_after...
Falco - Der Kommissar
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5kym_falco-...
me-oww!
Don Quixote- Magazine 60
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFQhgmQcYeM
Pop Rockariffic!!
oops, sorry ... perhaps I should re-word that!
I love that song, Max!
ps, I'm still working on that question from the other night ...
I was thrilled to find it, but got it home and found it was warped.
OK, maybe it's not always done perfectly, but really, is there such a thing as bad head?
"Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage, but may not be worn in flight."
---Southwest Airlines
The Viscounts / Harlem Nocturne
me-oww!
I have added this one to my fave list. It just may be my all-time fave, evah!
What I Am.
What is your conceptual, continuity?
Thank you, mudshark, for that gem!
My kids just realized that I kept track of the music I listened to during my pregnancies with all of them. I carried my oldest daughter to Edie and the New Bohemians :)
FB
99%
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBbF74JnKhI&fe...
Whisper to a Scream.
What is your conceptual, continuity?
Great choice!!
My daughter loves that song.
From a Whisper to a Scream
And here is a good link for the post above.
Fantasy
What is your conceptual, continuity?
Rose Rouge SAINT GERMAIN
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUvpLlVJKQs&fe...
St. Germain - Sure Thing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhOfC4FOaeE&fe...
edited to include other works of genious
Judy in Disguise by John Fred & the Playboy Band
me-oww!
.
Hot Chocolate. You Sexy Thing.
I don't know how much more I can take. :>
What is your conceptual, continuity?
I just repeated this. below. It IS ubiquitous.
me-oww!
(with glasses, no less) ...
Classic, and classy, miss_k!
about this song is that there's a Robert Plant style moaning interlude in the middle. What's up with that?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hxe85iErew
Q: How many times have I heard those guys play that at the bar?
A: Too many. Way too many.
Don't try to confuse the issue with half-truths and gorilla dust.
No Rain.
What is your conceptual, continuity?
Cough Cool
What is your conceptual, continuity?
Who was in my Room Last Night?
What is your conceptual, continuity?
The Shah Sleeps In Lee Harvey's Grave
Don't try to confuse the issue with half-truths and gorilla dust.
Merrilee Rush & the Turnabouts - Angel of the Morning.
I remember hearing about Merilee Rush and the Turnabouts playing at Parker's Ballroom on Aurora or at the Spanish Castle on Highway 99, as shouted by the drive time dj Pat O'Day.
And just because I mentioned it here's a little Spanish Castle Magic
me-oww!
....in the Seattle area. I met some folks last year who are friends with her.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g40c6iAEHpc
It's where music would have gone without the corporations.
I think this guy fits the bill.
What is your conceptual, continuity?
Thanks for that Muddy!
"Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage, but may not be worn in flight."
---Southwest Airlines
Sugar Hill Gang - Rapper's Delight
me-oww!
,
A big hit for this sister act a few years ago uses mangled lyrics from Rapper's Delight. It's a catchy song, but seeing what they do to the lyrics is funny.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mc_rQYlb7EY
Soft Cell - Tainted Love
me-oww!
Ani DiFranco
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vjizt4Ixt6E&fe...
I am also shameless and I love Ani's music (and attitude) as well!
Hot Chocolate - You Sexy Thing
me-oww!
I was just thinking about him last week.
Oh. This too.
Leavin On That Midnight Train To Georgia, Woo W00 !
What is your conceptual, continuity?
"Pips" are the dots on dice!
... what more can I say, miss_kitty ....
Urban Dance Squad - Deeper Shade Of Soul
me-oww!
Wow, Miss Kitty. Just...wow.
.
"Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage, but may not be worn in flight."
---Southwest Airlines
The Vapors - Turning Japanese
The Divinyls - I Touch Myself
me-oww!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2krsx7IUEQ
When The Vapors tune was out I had the 45, but didn't know what it was about until a woman I knew told me. 10 years later I shared the same fact about this Jellyfish tune to fans of the group that I worked with at a comic book studio.
with the theme of Courtship of Eddie's Father and that is sooooo wrong.....
I miss Jellyfish... great band.
...he uses big words like 'particularly' and 'delicatessen.' -- Jack
Funky Cold Medina.
Ok I'm outta here.
Ga Nite Folks. Be Well.
What is your conceptual, continuity?
U Can't Touch This
What is your conceptual, continuity?
You are such a teaser!
haha
'The The' on the internets?
The The - This Is The Day
me-oww!
Was (Not Was) - Walk The Dinosaur
me-oww!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HorPRiN5iL8
"Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage, but may not be worn in flight."
---Southwest Airlines
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJtr9iGtTDI&fe...
"...19 tequilas later we had a deal
Havana goes back to the mob
And Fidel and I open a chain of Kentucky Fried Chicken shops
Ain't life sweet? I feel good
I feel better than James Brown..."
"Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage, but may not be worn in flight."
---Southwest Airlines
I believe.
"Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage, but may not be worn in flight."
---Southwest Airlines
Puttin' on the Ritz http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OG3PnQ3tgzY
It was ubiquitous in the early 80's
Disco Duck - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97RjuC9YeXg
Was #1 for a single week in 1976. And I still can get it out of my head.
dude is 90 and still trying to sound hip
My boss and I met Rick Dees back in the 80's. Creep likes really young girls, whether his wife Julie is around or not. *shudder*
FB
99%
carl douglas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZGMVKaLLOI
The Promise
in a store got me to buy this when it was new, and a disk by Ofra Haza at the same time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilP0X2FNRCI
Hi, Miss Kitty, Mudshark, AndyK et. al.
Seems like this place is livening up again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us-TVg40ExM&fe...
music club thread go for 24 hours just the other day...one went to 200 the a couple of nights ago...
me-oww!
Always glad to see you pop in!
Don't try to confuse the issue with half-truths and gorilla dust.
but it was in an Ali G movie so now it's ubiquitous
M-Beat & General Levy - Incredible
me-oww!
Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b714Wi4CDsQ
norman greenbaum....spirit in the sky
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAwo-F9CpVE
here is nina hagen's cover
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJ2UROhv-PI
Cameo - Word Up
me-oww!
The Humpty Dance
I felt like an idiot when I found out they were the same person. That explained why in the movie, "Nothing But Trouble", they're not really on screen at the same time.
It was that big fake nose that threw you off, huh?
even had people believing that his nose had been shot off in a street fight
totally brilliant
Ha! Right...cuz he was so hard.
The first time I saw Eric Cantor I thought he looked like Shock G.
We were watching CNN at work I told the guys I want to see this guy do the Humpty Dance.
Digital Underground - Doowutchyalike
me-oww!
Del The Funky Homosapien - Mistadobalina
me-oww!
Let Me Clear My Throat
Probably one of the most ubiquitous club songs EVAH!
LaBelle -- Lady Marmalade
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZejEpoNiy0w
The flat cover of this that came out a few years ago just makes this even more astounding.
Surely, Patty is not a one-hit-wonder.
The post of "Kung Fu Fighting" made me think of the song, and I had to vent about the recent version.
with all the comments on other peoples comments,
is difficult.(Understatement!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fpupBCL6TE&mo...
Laid
Sorry, I could only find the "clean" version. Whatever.
That looks like a sufficient NSFW warning in my eyes.
:D
Don't try to confuse the issue with half-truths and gorilla dust.
We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off
Probably one of the catchiest songs ever written. I didn't even know that this was performed by a dude until like 2 years ago. It's so upbeat it will make you cry. RIP, Jermaine.
both only one hit wonders in the sense that they never again had a top ten hit in america, but stayed huge in europe
Kim Wilde - Kids in America
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hWZqllm3mQ&fe...
Nena- 99luft Balons
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQYQTFudrqc&fe...
The Nails
One summer, about 20 years ago, this song was everywhere.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_wzi-kTVOI
Because of Fine Young Cannibals and Terence Trent D'Arby Wishing Well
me-oww!
I saw him around this time as a blade wielding pimp in the English movie, "Scandal".
mangled...I still love original
Modern English - I Melt With You
me-oww!
Just about anything from the Valley Girl (unofficial) soundtrack is a gem. e.g., A Million Miles Away by the Plimsouls
but i'm kinda partial to the knack's "my sharona."
now married with 4 kids
but 20 years ago...she was wild
thinking about it...she might even be a grandma now...gonna have to ask if her eldest is married yet
seriously?
:)
but not one hit wonders
Franz Ferdinand - No You Girls Never Know
me-oww!
Here's another new ubiquitous. I heard it like 4 times last weekend:
Kings of Leon - Sex on Fire
... most excellent ... :)
the LNMC is smokin' hawt ...
Joe Boxer got lucky with this hit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frPQTiryRzw
Come On Eileen
Too ra loo ra too ra loo ra ay....
Don't try to confuse the issue with half-truths and gorilla dust.
Don't Try to Stop it.
I'm sensing a theme here. Lovable scamp-type English boys from the 80s? I'm totally there.
Pass The Dutchie
Don't try to confuse the issue with half-truths and gorilla dust.
because the rest of the songs on the album were unbelievable -- as in bad. The cd with different mixes is pretty groovy, though
EMF - Unbelievable
me-oww!
Can U Dig It?/Wise Up Sucker
Don't try to confuse the issue with half-truths and gorilla dust.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L30VL4IFzkw
I almost think it's impossible for me to get bored with this song. 15 years and still rocks my c**k right out of my pants.
"Ali Click" by Brian Eno uses same beat track
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFNFDPpkTJs
"Jump into The Fire" by Harry Nilsson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8X6mlbq45k
and
"Something In The Air" by Thunderclap Newman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JAX****hbc
a few years ago. Great song! I could listen to it for hours on end.
Don't try to confuse the issue with half-truths and gorilla dust.
There She Goes
I saw them open for Elvis Costello in the brief time they were promoting the album. I didn't know them, but was blown away, and bought the CD and the shirt. Then they were gone.
Sir Mix A Lot - Baby Got Back
me-oww!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6txTYkdvMz8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noNp8jlaIWc
Reminds me I need to burn a little something...8)
me-oww!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chess_(musical)
Digable Planets - Rebirth of Slick
me-oww!
No Matter What
Don't try to confuse the issue with half-truths and gorilla dust.
This band was everywhere when I was a kid, but I never knew their name. I saw them a few times live. Here they are doing a few covers:
MGMT - Electric Feel
Love in the Club - Usher
Awesome!
This thing was in like almost every movie soundtrack in the 1980's
Yello - Oh Ya
...he uses big words like 'particularly' and 'delicatessen.' -- Jack
This is probably the most perfect example of tonight's theme. Even more perfect than the original example.
I thought everyone knew it was Yello.
Don't try to confuse the issue with half-truths and gorilla dust.
until Ferris Bueller came out on VHS and could freeze frame the music list in the credits..
...he uses big words like 'particularly' and 'delicatessen.' -- Jack
I always looked for it, but didn't realize I already had it in its original form by the Engish Beat's "Rotating Head".
It now occurs to me that I've had the Laser Disk for 13 years and could have copied it from that.
Popcorn
Don't try to confuse the issue with half-truths and gorilla dust.
Ferris Bueller, after having the shit knocked out of him trying to catch Ferris, who's running home to the tune of March of the Swivelheads, which I've never been able to find as a vid on line. Wait someone posted it a few months back. It's a mix of Rotating Heads, also by The English Beat (Mirror in the Bathroom)
me-oww!
What about his brother's singing ability.
http://s63.photobucket.com/albums/h142/Efwas/...
Yep, he is one of the better singers in REPO: The Genetic Opera.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1PLT0GljPA
This one was on the radio all the time:
Wall of Voodoo - Mexican Radio (Live, US Festival '83)
...he uses big words like 'particularly' and 'delicatessen.' -- Jack
Joy
Don't try to confuse the issue with half-truths and gorilla dust.
I didn't know this was the backing track of "Am I the Same Girl" and then I didn't know AITSG had lyrics until Swing Out Sister covered it in 1992 although the Barbara Acklin version is just as good.
Young Holt Unlimited - Soulful Strut
Swing Out Sister - Am I the same girl? - 1992
...he uses big words like 'particularly' and 'delicatessen.' -- Jack
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0L1hD5OlPtw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fT-aEcPgkuA
'Night all!
;)
Don't be a stranger!
Don't try to confuse the issue with half-truths and gorilla dust.
Place seems to be livening up a bit lately.
Maybe I will.
;)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcuvjYxYJz0
Sally Go Round The Roses
Don't try to confuse the issue with half-truths and gorilla dust.
My Boy Lollipop
Don't try to confuse the issue with half-truths and gorilla dust.
Ooh Child
Don't try to confuse the issue with half-truths and gorilla dust.
Give Me Just A Little More Time
Don't try to confuse the issue with half-truths and gorilla dust.
... I'm saving the rest of these goodies for tomorrow :)
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