New World Man by Rush
Editors note: Here is Jim Barton’s take on “New World Man” by Rush. You can also read Michael Waterman’s thoughts on the one song that made Rush a one-hit wonder. Featuring three of the most amazing musicians ever to walk the planet, Rush have been a fixture on the album chart and concert stage for more than 35 years, selling millions and millions of albums and tickets. Their specialty is highly intellectual lyrics set to … Read entire article »
Easy Livin – Uriah Heep
Uriah Heep (named for a character in Charles Dicken’s Great Expectations) and Deep Purple are two of the earliest bands to introduce progressive-rock elements to heavy metal. Without these two groups, it would be difficult to imagine the existence of one-hit wonders Rush, Triumph, Queensryche, Metallica, Dream Theater, even Tool. British rockers Uriah Heep were also one of the first groups to incorporate “swords ‘n sorcery” lyrics in their songs and soon, songs about castles, … Read entire article »
All Along the Watchtower – Jimi Hendrix
Editor’s note: Another post from Jim Barton, our resident rock and metal expert. Cue the “Twilight Zone” theme. What could be written about Jimi Hendrix that hasn’t already? Suffice to say that in his hands, the electric guitar became truly electric; his revolutionary playing style turned thousands of heads. Without Hendrix, the likes of Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Aerosmith, Metallica, AC/DC and boatloads of other metal bands would never have existed. Decades after his death, “Purple … Read entire article »
Me and Bobby McGee – Janis Joplin
Here is another one-hit wonder by an artist you will swear had more chart hits. But “Me and Bobby” McGee” represents Janis Joplin’s only flirtation with the Billboard Top 40. Think about that for a moment; Janis Joplin, a woman who is widely regarded as one of the great all-time rocks singers and a cautionary tale about the perils of alcholism, is a one-hit wonder artist. Just like Lou Reed, The Grateful Dead, Rush, Kraftwerk and … Read entire article »
Filed under: 1970s
On the Loose – Saga
Keyboard solo. Check. Guitar solo. Check. Bigger fanbase in Europe vs. North America. Double check. Sounds like a progressive rock one-hit wonder to our ears. And that’s exactly what Saga was when they hit the Billboard Top 40 for their one and only time in February of 1981 with their biggest hit, “On the Loose.” Click here to read the “On the Loose” lyrics Don’t remember Saga? This is another Canadian rock band who, like Rush, hit the … Read entire article »
Touch of Grey – Grateful Dead
Quick quiz #1: Name the best Grateful Dead songs. We’re guessing many of you will suggest “Truckin’” or “Friend of the Devil” or “Ripple” or “Sugar Magnolia” or “Uncle John’s Band” or “Franklin’s Tower” or if you’re a true Deadhead (or dropped a lot of acid during your Deadhead days), you might even choose “Space/Drums.” We’re guessing none of you will choose “Touch of Grey.” Quick quiz #2: Name the most commercially successful … Read entire article »
One Hit Wonders of 1982
Looking back, it’s obvious that 1982 was a transition year as pop music tastes swung wildly from new wave fun (“Tainted Love” by Soft Cell and “Love Plus One” by Haircut 100) to novelty hits (“Take Off” by Bob and Doug McKenzie featuring Geddy Lee of Rush and “Pac-Man Fever” by Buckner and Garcia”). Two classical songs (“Chariots of Fire Theme” and “Hooked on Classics”) and one big-band song (“Hooked on Swing”) also reached the … Read entire article »
Take Off – Bob and Doug McKenzie
In 1982, Rush was riding high (at least among Canadian bands). Moving Pictures had sold millions of records and Signals would soon reach stores and turn Rush into a one-hit wonder with their one and only top 40-charting song “New World Man.” For a couple of Canadian comedians, there was no better better choice than to have fellow Canadian and Rush lead singer Geddy Lee sing on Bob and Doug McKenzie’s hit single, “Take Off.” … Read entire article »