Perhaps the best example of a song that nearly everyone sort of sung along to yet the artist who performed it was certainly not a singer, was Wandering Star by Lee Marvin,
Did absolutely nothing in US but a massive number one in UK.
Beyond The Voice
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jingle_jangle
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Lee Marvin--Mr. Silver Nose himself.
Kate Bush's voice gets dangerously close to operatic in its purity and range, and I believe that may be the source of some folk's hesitancy in this regard. I love her voice, but can't "get" her persona (I believe it's a chick thing), and the real person is a bit too much a media victim for my taste. Still, a nice throwback to a time when female stars could sing a note without wandering all over the friggin' scale.
Kate Bush's voice gets dangerously close to operatic in its purity and range, and I believe that may be the source of some folk's hesitancy in this regard. I love her voice, but can't "get" her persona (I believe it's a chick thing), and the real person is a bit too much a media victim for my taste. Still, a nice throwback to a time when female stars could sing a note without wandering all over the friggin' scale.
“I say in speeches that a plausible mission of artists is to make people appreciate being alive at least a little bit. I am then asked if I know of any artists who pulled that off. I reply, 'The Beatles did.”
― Kurt Vonnegut
― Kurt Vonnegut
http://s52.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1DSJI068SPY7N0H394ZGXV0T7U
A wonderful kid asked me to post this one, claiming it's the worst vocals she has ever heard, may not be a good example since the singer didn't write it actually (and in fact, i do like the guy's voice).
A wonderful kid asked me to post this one, claiming it's the worst vocals she has ever heard, may not be a good example since the singer didn't write it actually (and in fact, i do like the guy's voice).
Nothing will get you dead quicker than being deadly serious about yourself.
Song written by Fats Waller and I don't doubt recorded by him but originally a hit for Johnny Ray in 1956 in UK reached number 17.
However this version by Tommy Bruce (version you posted Sheena sounds like a re-recording to me) was a massive hit here in UK in 1960 made number 3, credited to Tommy Bruce and The Bruisers who had a hit in their own right in 63 with a great track called Blue Girl(think I'll post it).
Tommy Bruce only had 2 other minor hits but did release between 1960 - 1968 about 16 singles. If ever there was a case of someone making a career out of one song , this was it, he has continued on and off to perform to this day, he's now 68.
His story is one of those right place right time fate things, he was working as a porter at covenant garden, in the sixties a thriving market in london, one of his neighbours was an aspiring songwriter called Barry Mason who did go on to write a number of hit songs. Mason liked Bruce's voice when he heard him sing for a bit of fun and persuaded him apparently to make a demo, rest is history.
How many others can we come up with from the sixties, UK or US who basically had just the one big hit but sustained a career out of it.
I'll start off with Susan Maughan who covered Marcie Blaine's Bobby's Girl here in UK and had a big hit with it, but never really had another big success, but is still performing, she was some looker in her day I hasten to add.
However this version by Tommy Bruce (version you posted Sheena sounds like a re-recording to me) was a massive hit here in UK in 1960 made number 3, credited to Tommy Bruce and The Bruisers who had a hit in their own right in 63 with a great track called Blue Girl(think I'll post it).
Tommy Bruce only had 2 other minor hits but did release between 1960 - 1968 about 16 singles. If ever there was a case of someone making a career out of one song , this was it, he has continued on and off to perform to this day, he's now 68.
His story is one of those right place right time fate things, he was working as a porter at covenant garden, in the sixties a thriving market in london, one of his neighbours was an aspiring songwriter called Barry Mason who did go on to write a number of hit songs. Mason liked Bruce's voice when he heard him sing for a bit of fun and persuaded him apparently to make a demo, rest is history.
How many others can we come up with from the sixties, UK or US who basically had just the one big hit but sustained a career out of it.
I'll start off with Susan Maughan who covered Marcie Blaine's Bobby's Girl here in UK and had a big hit with it, but never really had another big success, but is still performing, she was some looker in her day I hasten to add.
TODAY'S THE FIRST DAY OF THE REST OF YOUR LIFE
Could be a re-recording Roy, since most of the songs from the compilation i borrowed it from are re-recordings (like, "Game of love" and "Groovy kind of love" recorded by Wayne Fontana, a different version of "Wild thing" by Troggs, etc.)
Continuing the list of one-hit wonders, would like to add Edison Lighthouse - "Love grows", albeit do not know about chart positions.
Continuing the list of one-hit wonders, would like to add Edison Lighthouse - "Love grows", albeit do not know about chart positions.
Nothing will get you dead quicker than being deadly serious about yourself.
Yes good one Edison lighthouse though technically 1970 but that is being pedantic, a case though Sheena of a act having a career, because a version of the group still performs today,based on a song they had absolutely nothing to do with. The song was made by a group of session musicians with Tony Burrows on lead vocal, he's appeared on loads of stuff credited to groups which were really him.
Also Sheena a nice tie in with the Tommy Bruce story, because Love Grows, which made number 1 incidentally,was co-written by Barry Mason.
They did have another chart entry, but for one week only,number 49 with a song called It's Up To You Petula, but Burrows was not on it.
Also Sheena a nice tie in with the Tommy Bruce story, because Love Grows, which made number 1 incidentally,was co-written by Barry Mason.
They did have another chart entry, but for one week only,number 49 with a song called It's Up To You Petula, but Burrows was not on it.
TODAY'S THE FIRST DAY OF THE REST OF YOUR LIFE
Love Affair had 5 chart hits Sheena between 68 and 69, though the only actual member on the records was the lead vocalist Steve Ellis.
Everlasting Love was a number one and they did have 3 other top ten hits but you are right none did compare to Everlasting Love, great arrangement and to be fair a great vocal, far superior to the original, in my opinion of course, by Robert Knight.
Everlasting Love was a number one and they did have 3 other top ten hits but you are right none did compare to Everlasting Love, great arrangement and to be fair a great vocal, far superior to the original, in my opinion of course, by Robert Knight.
TODAY'S THE FIRST DAY OF THE REST OF YOUR LIFE
Roy: I've always wondered whether there's a songwriting connection between 'Love Grows' (recorded by Edison Lighthouse) and 'Smile A Little Smile For Me' (recorded by The Flying Machine). They are both about girls by the same name and were recorded within a year or two of each other. I've never bothered researching this, but I thought you might know. It's always intrigued me.
Not strictly in-topic, an artist who came into my mind, actually started in 50s: Bill Haley. I'd rather doubt, if an average listener is asked about this artist, he/she recalls anything but "Rock around the clock".
Another one, if we're not being pedantic, is Brian Hyland, he had several chart entries, but, as well as in case of Love Affair's "Everlasting love", his "Sealed with a kiss" is unbeatable, although "Itsy bitsy" is also remarkable.
Third one - a "mystic" band from States, ? & the Mysterians, whose "96 tears" is one of the best examples of garage classics, actually if i'm not mistaken a single from "Action" album, "Can't get enough of you baby", was also a minor hit and was discovered for the "younger generations" by Smash Mouth in '98.
Another one, if we're not being pedantic, is Brian Hyland, he had several chart entries, but, as well as in case of Love Affair's "Everlasting love", his "Sealed with a kiss" is unbeatable, although "Itsy bitsy" is also remarkable.
Third one - a "mystic" band from States, ? & the Mysterians, whose "96 tears" is one of the best examples of garage classics, actually if i'm not mistaken a single from "Action" album, "Can't get enough of you baby", was also a minor hit and was discovered for the "younger generations" by Smash Mouth in '98.
Nothing will get you dead quicker than being deadly serious about yourself.
Brian Hyland had 8 top 40 hits in States and 7 top 50 in UK but I agree SheenA if you asked most people to name Brian Hyland songs "Sealed with A Kiss" would be it, certainly in UK. "Itsy" made number one in US though again off top of their head most I reckon could name 3 BH Songs.
Haley had 15 hits in UK, though 13 were before the sixties and 16 top 40 hits in US and I suspect most who contribute to the forum could name at least 4, without checking,of his Sheena.
Your last example is a good one though I have no idea if a version of the group still performs, they meant nothing in UK.
Rudi Martinez was ? and they had 2 US hits with "96 Tears" making number one of course, follow up "I Need Somebody" made number 22, they may have had some other minor hits but reference source I am using ony lists top 40 hits.
Haley had 15 hits in UK, though 13 were before the sixties and 16 top 40 hits in US and I suspect most who contribute to the forum could name at least 4, without checking,of his Sheena.
Your last example is a good one though I have no idea if a version of the group still performs, they meant nothing in UK.
Rudi Martinez was ? and they had 2 US hits with "96 Tears" making number one of course, follow up "I Need Somebody" made number 22, they may have had some other minor hits but reference source I am using ony lists top 40 hits.
TODAY'S THE FIRST DAY OF THE REST OF YOUR LIFE
Roy: According to the source of information i'm using, they (talkin' bout ? & the Mysterians) had a long break in 70s-80s, regrouped in late 90s and perhaps still active, albeit it isn't the original lineup, of course.
Yes thanks for correcting me as far as Haley is concerned, it seems like all of his other hits were completely lost here. An interesting detail: the song in question went here as "Rock vokrug chasov", which creates an impression of people dancing around the tall-case clock...
Yes thanks for correcting me as far as Haley is concerned, it seems like all of his other hits were completely lost here. An interesting detail: the song in question went here as "Rock vokrug chasov", which creates an impression of people dancing around the tall-case clock...
Nothing will get you dead quicker than being deadly serious about yourself.
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jingle_jangle
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Anyone remember a song by Brian Hyland that was about Sherman's march to the sea during the American Civil War?
It actually charted in the USA for a couple of weeks.
Title, anyone?
It actually charted in the USA for a couple of weeks.
Title, anyone?
“I say in speeches that a plausible mission of artists is to make people appreciate being alive at least a little bit. I am then asked if I know of any artists who pulled that off. I reply, 'The Beatles did.”
― Kurt Vonnegut
― Kurt Vonnegut