Black Betty by Ram Jam
Editor’s note: Jim Barton, our resident heavy metal expert, puts his own spin on the classic “Black Betty” by Ram Jam. Although Michael has already written about Ram Jam and Black Betty, I also wanted to include it in this survey of rock one-hit wonders and heavy metal one-hit wonders since Ram Jam’s debut album was on the fringes of metal and their second (and last) LP Portrait of the Artist as a Young Ram was … Read entire article »
Telephone Man – Meri Wilson
Cheese. Pure titillating cheese. That’s how I would describe “Telephone Man” by Meri Wilson. It’s the soul-stirring story of a woman who rents an apartment and is visited by the telephone man who is there to…install her telephone line. At least that’s the arc the story follows. But if you read between the lines, maybe this telephone is really just a euphemism. A little double entendre, if you know what I mean. The opening … Read entire article »
Gonna Fly Now (Theme From Rocky) – Maynard Ferguson
Here’s an unexpected twist for you: two versions of Bill Conti’s “Gonna Fly Now” hit the Billboard Top 40 in 1977. The first and most successful version is by Bill Conti from the official soundtrack recording of Rocky. This is the song that makes you want to drink raw eggs and run until you puke. It hit #1 on the Billboard Top 40 and also won a Grammy Award for Best Original Song in 1977. Then … Read entire article »
Filed under: 1970s
Gonna Fly Now (Theme From Rocky) – Bill Conti
I still remember the first time I heard the theme from Rocky. I was riding in my parent’s Ford Country Squire station wagon when the song came on the AM radio. I suddenly wanted to leap from my seat and bash through the window so I could run alongside the station wagon. With “Gonna Fly Now” playing in my head, I was going to conquer my fear of snakes. I was going to eat four … Read entire article »
Filed under: 1970s
You Light Up My Life Lyrics – Debby Boone
Click to read how You Light Up My Life became a one-hit wonder You Light Up My Life Lyrics So many nights I sit by my window Waiting for someone to sing me his song So many dreams I kept deep inside me Alone in the dark but now You’ve come along You light up my life You give me hope To carry on You light up my days and fill my nights with song Rollin’ at sea, adrift on the water Could it be finally I’m turning … Read entire article »
Filed under: 1970s
You Light Up My Life – Debby Boone
Ten weeks. Ten long weeks. That’s how many weeks “You Light Up My Life” by Debby Boone spent at the #1 position on the Billboard Hot 100. At the time, that was the longest-lasting #1 hit of all time. Better than Elvis. Better than The Beatles. Better than everyone, in fact, until Boyz II Men landed at #1 for 13 weeks with “End of the Road” in 1991. That’s 70 days. That’s 2.5 months. That’s a really … Read entire article »
Filed under: 1970s
Spring Rain – Bebu Silvetti
Some one-hit wonders are simply forgettable. Some are awful. A few are awful and forgettable. It takes a special combination to be both awful and utterly forgettable. But “Spring Rain” by Silvetti (Bebu Silvetti if you’re feeling formal) is just that kind of song. Click to hear more of the worst one-hit wonders ever What does it sound like? How about the background music to a cheesy 1970s movie you might catch on cable TV at … Read entire article »
Filed under: 1970s
Disco Lucy ( I Love Lucy Theme ) – Wilton Place Street Band
Some songs are so bad they’re good. Others are simply bad. Really bad. Like this-song-has-no-redeeming-quality-so-why-did-it-ever-get-recorded bad. “Disco Lucy ( I Love Lucy Theme )” by the Wilton Place Street Band is one of those rare songs that is simply awful. Listen to it now (I’ll wait for you to return….) Still waiting…. Awful, right? A horrible, disco mess that does the theme from the TV classic I Love Lucy a grand disservice. It’s a novelty song with no … Read entire article »
Filed under: 1970s