One Hit Wonder Wednesday: A lawsuit with rock legends and more
It’s the day of the week were we celebrate those groups, bands and artists who made it big…even if it was with only one song.
It’s ONE HIT WONDER WEDNESDAY!!!
“Kiss You All Over” from Exile (1978)
Despite only having this single song success in mainstream pop, Exile went on to have massive success in another genre of music.
Ten of their songs reaching #1 on the country charts in both the US and Canada.
“Kiss you all Over” is still the one song that they are most well known for.
It was a smash hit, holding the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for four consecutive weeks.
Billboard also calls it one of the “sexiest songs of all time”. It makes sense because apparently it was inspired by the Berry White track “It’s Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next to Me”.
Bonus Song!
“Don’t Worry, Be Happy” from Bobby McFerrin (1988)
This song was inspired by a famous quote from the Indian spiritual master Meher Baba. Bobby saw on a poster.
It swept the 1989 Grammys, winning Song of the Year, Record of the Year and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.
This song features no actual instruments! Every sound, including the percussion and bassline, was created by Bobby using his own voice.
It became the first acappella song to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The music video features comedians Robin Williams and Bill Irwin.
This song is frequently misattributed to Bob Marley, even though he died seven years before its release.
“Bitter Sweet Symphony” from The Verve (1997)
This was a Top 10 hit in multiple countries, including here in Canada were it went to #5.
It was named Single of the Year by Rolling Stone and NME, and it was also nominated for Best Rock Song at the Grammys.
The song is built around a distinctive orchestral loop sampled from the Andrew Oldham Orchestra’s symphonic recording of The Rolling Stones’ song “The Last Time”.
This group had permission to use a small sample, but the Rolling Stones’ former manager, Allen Klein, sued, claiming that they used too much.
The band’s front man, Richard Ashcroft, was forced to hand over 100% of the royalties and songwriting credits to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.
In 2019, Mick and Keith formally returned the rights and royalties back to him.
Bonus Song!
”Bette Davis Eyes” from Kim Carnes (1981)
This song spent nine weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
It won Record of the Year and Song of the Year at the 1982 Grammys.
Bette Davis, the actress from Hollywood’s Golden Age who inspired the song, apparently sent letters to the creators thanking them for making her “a part of modern times” and she even accepted gold and platinum records from them as gifts.
One of the reasons the legendary actress loved the song is that her granddaughter thought her grandmother was “cool” for having a hit song written about her.
Bonus Betty Davis Pic!
