This blog is inspired by Dexy's Midnight Runners "Come On Eileen". That's one of the best one hit wonders and also one of the best 80s songs ever. It made me start thinking of what are the greatest one hit wonders of all-time. Which ones are the best sellers, the most popular or any other metric that can be used.
According to Ranker.com, these are the Top 26 one hit wonders:
Why Top 26? Because this song is so cool, it's definitely an all-time Top 100 song. 26) Lipps Inc. "Funky Town":
Perhaps the worst facial hair ever? 25) Mungo Jerry "In The Summertime":
24) Gary Numan "Cars":
They have a lot of great songs, I doubt they are a one hit wonder. 23) Dead or Alive "You Spin Me 'Round (Like A Record)":
22) Semisonic "Closing Time":
21) Chumbawumba "Tubthumping":
20) Toni Basil "Mickey":
19) M "Pop Musik":
18) Fountains of Wayne "Stacy's Mom":
17) Men Without Hats "Safety Dance":
16) Thin Lizzy "The Boys Are Back In Town":
15) Nena "99 Luftballoons"
14) The Vapors "Turning Japanese":
13) Naked Eyes "There's Always Something To Remind Me":
I've worked on blogs about the concerts the last several days and I fully intend to finish this. I still have an Incubus concert review blog to write, but after that I'll be focusing on finishing the final 33 80's era musicians. For review's sake, I've included Loverboy and Thompson Twins as those were the last two greatest 80's era musicians blogs I've already finished. The percentage symbol is the percentage of that blog that's been finished. For most of these acts I need to finish listening to their 80's era songs. As for the songs I posted one of my favorite songs for that band.
35) Loverboy, 100% complete
"The Kid Is Hot Tonite":
34) Thompson Twins, 100% complete
"King For A Day":
33) RUN-D.M.C. 40% I'm about halfway listening to their qualifying cds.
"King of Rock":
32) The Knack 60%, I've got all 4 cds that qualify listened to, I just need to put them in countdown mode and post.
"Maybe Tonight":
31) Violent Femmes 0%
"Add It Up":
30) George Michael 25%, I've started listening to some of his 80's era music, which I've included his music with Wham.
"Monkey":
29) Van Halen 0%
"Finish What You Started":
28) Billy Idol 0%
"Blue Highway":
27) Cinderella 0%
"The Last Mile":
26) Elton John 15%, I've already posted a blog about his best non 80's era songs.
Located in Montfermeil and Paris are a couple of locations in "Les Miserables":
"One Day More":
"At The End of the Day":
On September 12th, 2001 Newfoundland landed solidly in the news, it's chronicled in "Come From Away":
"Welcome To The Rock":
"Me and the Sky":
I could have included "One Night In Bangkok", but that's not the only great song from this play. A classic chess battle in Thailand is covered in "Chess":
An incredibly beautiful song: "I Know Him So Well":
"Anthem":
"Evita" is located in Argentina:
An incredibly joyous song "Buenos Aires":
Samantha Barks, who was one of the way too few good singers in the "Les Mis" movie adaption. "Another Suitcase in Another Hall":
"Jesus Christ Superstar" is set in Jerusalem:
"Hosanna":
"I Don't Know How To Love Him":
"Miss Saigon" is located in Vietnam:
"The Last Night of the World":
"The Heat Is On In Saigon":
New York and Yorktown are some of the locations set in "Hamilton":
"Immigrants, we get the job done". "Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down":
"Forgiveness, can you imagine?" Kelly Clarkson "It's Quiet Uptown":
"The Phantom of the Opera" is mostly based in a Parisian opera house:
Nightwish "Phantom of The Opera":
"The Music of the Night":
"The Book of Mormon" is set in Uganda, not in Salt Lake City.
KJQ was a Salt Lake radio station that played "new wave" music back in the early to mid 80's. I did some research, but couldn't find the exact years it was operating. Anyway they played so-called new wave music. Some of the most famous artists of that genre include U2, Pet Shop Boys, New Order, The Fixx, Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, Thompson Twins, The Human League, The Smiths and probably my favorite new wave band, R.E.M. Some of these bands are still performing today.
So why am I writing about this now in 2017. Reason #1 is I love 80's music. But more importantly reason #2, within the last few months there's been a new station in the Salt Lake radio market that plays those same songs (right now playing Men Without Hats "Safety Dance"). It's a flashback to the greatest music decade and some of the more obscure, but great, new wave hits from then.
Again this blog isn't about those famous artists, this blog is about the obscure artists and the obscure songs of this amazing era of music. Some bigger bands had some songs that were a bit obscure, so I will include some of those. I've also included some well known songs, just because I like them.
One small request for The Wave 103.1, I wish they would keep a running list of the songs they're playing. But other than that, good job. I also love Rewind 100.7, it also plays 80's music. However it leans towards the rock and pop of that decade.
I can't guarantee all these songs were played on KJQ or The Wave 103.1.
Most people remember the more timely than ever "Beds Are Burning", but who remembers 1) Midnight Oil's "The Dead Heart":
2) The Cult "Wildflower":
3) Martini Ranch "Reach":
4) OMD "(Forever) Live and Die":
5) Peter Murphy "Cuts You Up":
6) After The Fire "Der Kommissar":
7) Bow Wow Wow "I Want Candy":
8) The Call "I Still Believe (The Great Design)":
9) Echo and the Bunnymen "Bring On The Dancing Horses":
10) Jo Boxers "Just Got Lucky":
11) OXO "Whirly Girl":
12) The Smithereens "A Girl Like You":
13) China Crisis "Working With Fire and Steel":
14) Felony "The Fanatic":
15) Haysi Fantayzee "Shiny Shiny":
16) Total Coelo "I Eat Cannibals":
17) Heaven 17 "We Don't Need Another Fascist Groove Thing":
This is part 1 of a 2 part blog series. I'm reviewing the three pronged attack of Judah and the Lion, Jimmy Eat World and Incubus at West Valley City's USANA Amphitheater. Overall it was a very good concert and I was glad we were able to see all three bands. They all had multiple highlights and USANA Amphitheater has a great sound system. All three bands know how to rock, but also have softer moments. This first part of the blog will be about the two opening bands. I'll be posting the videos for my personal highlights. First up Judah and the Lion.
Judah and the Lion said they've been around for about three years, although it seems they've been around since 2011. While the two main bands changed up their setlists a bit Judah and the Lion played the same setlist they've played previously. They played six of their own songs, but mixed in a couple of covers to add a bit of spice. Both covers were entertaining in their own way.
As in this video the concert started out in the sunlight. We were able to sit close, but not this close. Judah is an able front man, other than the white man dancing. He's got a great voice and the whole band has great energy and musicianship as in this song. 1) "Suit and Jacket":
2) "Conversations":
For some reason this worked, they had their tongue very much in cheek. If you didn't know, and who would, this is a T Pain song. 3) "Booty Wurk (One Cheek At A Time):
4) "Reputation":
As in person last night and in this video the vocals were muddied up a bit. They weren't as clear as the other songs on the night. I'm not sure why there was a difference. 5) "Mr. Brightside":
6) "Going To Mars":
7) "Rich Kids":
Judah took off and ran out into the crowd during the "dance party" part of this song. 8) "Take It All Back":
Jimmy Eat World is:
Current members
Jim Adkins – lead guitar, lead and backing vocals (1993–present)[56][57]
Tom Linton – rhythm guitar, backing and lead vocals (1993–present)
Rick Burch – bass guitar, backing vocals (1995–present)
Current touring musicians
Robin Vining – keyboards, percussion, additional guitar, backing vocals (2011–present)
Jimmy Eat World almost played a hour, for some reason their set was two songs shorter than their previous concert. The songs they didn't play were "Lucky Denver Mint" and "Always Be". Those aren't two of my favorite songs of theirs so I was good with those songs not being played. Jimmy Eat World has been around since 1993. Adkins seemed to be shocked as I was that they've released nine CDs in that time. After "The Middle" they had completely fallen off my radar until I found out they would be coming in concert with Incubus. Jimmy Eat World put on a great performance, although they are led by a singer who looks like a rock star not at all. But again their 13 song setlist was good and very tight.
1) "Sure and Certain":
One of my top 5 favorite Jimmy Eat World songs. For those who are wondering the chorus starts out "Salt Sweat Sugar On The Asphalt". I was curious and looked it up. 2) "Bleed American":
3)"Big Casino":
4) "I Will Steal You Back":
5) "Futures":
6) "Pass The Baby":
7) "Pain":
8) "Work":
A rock band shouldn't have the ability to write this beautiful of a song, but I'm glad they do. 9) "Hear You Me":
10) "Get Right":
11) "A Praise Chorus":
12) "Sweetness":
This song needs no more publicity. 13) "The Middle":
Glen Campbell died yesterday after a brutal battle with Alzheimers, which he acknowledged his battle with in 2011. He released over 70 CDs and sold over 45 million CDs. Although he continued to tour and record until the very end of his life, his biggest success was in the 60s and 70s. Looking at the list below I'm not familiar with the #2, #3, and #7 to # 9 songs. I find that a bit odd as I've been listening to country music, off and on, for the last 40 + years. After a 6 + year battle with Alzheimers, and fighting family members, Campbell died yesterday in Nashville, Tennessee. He was 81. (Thanks to Wikipedia.org)
Here are Glen Campbell’s top 40 biggest Billboard hits:
Oh I have heard this song, but it's probably been a few decades. 3, “Bonaparte's Retreat,” 10/12/74, No. 3
4, “By The Time I Get To Phoenix,” 1/13/68, No. 2
5, “Wichita Lineman,” 12/21/68, No. 1 (2 weeks)
6, “Galveston,” 4/19/69, No. 1 (3 weeks)
7, “A Lady Like You,” 3/9/85, No. 4 (starring the incredibly beautiful Kate Beckinsdale)
8, “She's Gone, Gone, Gone,” 12/23/89, No. 5
9, “Country Boy (You Got Your Feet In L.A.),” 12/20/75, No. 3
10, “Southern Nights,” 3/19/77, No. 1 (2 weeks)
11, “Still Within The Sound Of My Voice,” 1/16/88, No. 5
12, “Honey Come Back,” 2/14/70, No. 2
13, “It's Only Make Believe,” 10/24/70, No. 3
14, “Try A Little Kindness,” 11/29/69, No. 2
15, “I Have You,” 8/20/88, No. 7
16, “Dreams Of The Everyday Housewife,” 9/7/68, No. 3
17, “The Hand That Rocks The Cradle,” 9/12/87, No. 6
18, “It's Just A Matter Of Time,” 2/15/86, No. 7
19, “Sunflower,” 9/3/77, No. 4
20, “Don't Pull Your Love/Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye,” 6/5/76, No. 4
21, “Everything A Man Could Ever Need,” 9/5/70, No. 5
22, “Any Which Way You Can,” 2/14/81, No. 10
23, “All I Have To Do Is Dream” (with Bobbie Gentry), 4/4/70, No. 6
24, “Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream),” 5/1/71, No. 7
25, “Manhattan Kansas,” 5/13/72, No. 6
26, “Faithless Love,” 9/8/84, No. 10
27, “True Grit,” 8/30/69, No. 9
28, “(Love Always) Letter To Home,” 8/3/85, No. 14
29, “I’m Gonna Love You,” 4/7/79, No. 13
30, “I Love My Truck,” 10/10/81, No. 15
31, “I Love How You Love Me,” 3/26/83, No. 17
32, “Can You Fool,” 12/2/78, No. 16
33, “Let It Be Me (with Bobbie Gentry),” 4/5/69, No. 14
34, “It's A Sin When You Love Somebody,” 2/22/75, No. 16
35, “Oklahoma Sunday Morning,” 3/4/72, No. 15
36, “Hey Little One,” 3/16/68, No. 13
37, “See You On Sunday,” 9/4/76, No. 18
38, “Houston (I'm Comin' To See You),” 3/16/74, No. 20
39, “Another Fine Mess,” 8/5/78, No. 21
40, “The Last Time I Saw Her,” 9/18/71, No. 21
Glen Campbell's Top 40 Biggest Billboard Hits chart is based on actual performance on the weekly Hot Country Songs chart, through the Aug. 19, 2017, ranking. Songs are ranked based on an inverse point system, with weeks at No. 1 earning the greatest value. Due to changes in chart methodology over the years, certain eras are weighted to account for different chart turnover rates over various periods. (Thanks to Billboard for the above rankings and thanks to Glen Campbell for all the years of great music.)
