As Labor Day weekend continues, I’m reminded of some songs from the late 1990’s, a collection of one-hit wonders that exploded onto the radio, appeared in heavy rotation on music video channels – and then the song, and the band, disappeared as if it never existed.
And I thought it might be nice to hear them again. Of course, this is why I feature this little K-Chuck Radio routine on my blog once in a while. And besides, it’s not like FLY 92.3 is going to play them any time soon…
So here we go, starting with..
LEN
Steal My Sunshine
Okay, the “old head” in me recalls the original rhythm track being borrowed from the 1970’s hit by the Andrea True Connection, “More More More,” and the lyrics to this version seem to make ab – so – lute – ly – no – frea – king – sense. But it’s still a nice summertime song.
OMC
How Bizarre
Another song that borrows a riff or three from a classic hit, in this case, the Joe Walsh song “A Life of Illusion” is borrowed here. This little classic from OMC was played to death all over the radio stations; now, you barely hear it at all.
CHUMBAWAMBA
Tubthumping
Yes, this is the “I get knocked down, but I get up again” song. Not sure where the tubthumping is coming from, but it’s still a cool song.
PEACH UNION
On My Own
I don’t know much about Peach Union; I think they were members of a dark-wave band who decided to record some sunshine-rock songs under this name.
ORBIT
Medicine (Baby Come Back)
I don’t really care for the blah lyrics to this song, but hell that refrain is simply kickass. Why they didn’t just release the refrain as the song itself… oh well.
NADA SURF
Popular
The only thing I can imagine about this song is that the lead singer must have gotten a copy of one of those “how to date someone” books from the 1950’s and used the instructions as his lyrics.
PRIMITIVE RADIO GODS
Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth with Money In My Hand
Or, as it should be properly called, B.B. King’s “How Blue Can You Get” with a whole new orchestration.
THE TUESDAYS
It’s Up To You
I guess this was another one-hit wonder group, but The Tuesdays did have at least one radio hit with the track below.
SPACE
Female of the Species
This was played in heavy rotation on MTV (yeah, MTV once played music videos, I know, right?), and then the song just disappeared. And the next time I heard it – was a snippet of it in the first Austin Powers movie.
REPUBLICA
Ready to Go
This song was more memorable for its rock-influenced rhythm track that seemed to clone Donna Summer’s “I Feel Love” backing music. Lots of drums, lots of enthusiasm… and never another hit.
But what can I say? At least they had ONE hit. How many musicians out there wish they had at least ONE hit? Something to wonder about, I guess… right here on K-Chuck Radio!
Chuck The Writer 
I’m just happy I even recognized two of them without listening,, tracks 2 and 3. (Too early to play when the house is asleep…)
LikeLike
One-hit wonder in US, but NOT in their native New Zealand: http://amerinz.blogspot.com/2014/05/nzmm-day-20-omc.html
LikeLike
I would respectfully add the following:
4 Non-Blondes: What’s Up? (A: their music careers)
Rednex: Cotten Eyed-Joe
Aqua: I’m a Barbie Girl
Crash Test Dummies: Mmmm mmmm mmmm mmmm
Hanson: MmmBop — Ok, somehow these guys are more than a one-hit wonder and they still show up places, but if anyone other than a select few devoted fans can name one of their other charted singles, I’d be surprised.
LikeLike
You should check out Todd in the Shadow’s series “One Hit Wonderland” on tgwtg.com. He analyzes one hit wonders in detail, probably on par with VH1. Actually, he does a better job.
http://thatguywiththeglasses.com/videolinks/teamt/tis/one-hit-wonderland
LikeLike