Another selection of One Hit Wonders for today moving from Numbers 25 to 21.
“99 Luftballons” (25) is a song by the German band Nena from their 1983 self-titled album. An English-language version titled “99 Red Balloons“, with lyrics by Kevin McAlea, was also released on the album 99 Luftballons in 1984 after widespread success of the original in Europe and Japan. The English version is not a direct translation of the German original and contains lyrics with a somewhat different meaning. In the US, the English-language version did not chart, while the German-language recording became Nena’s only US hit.
“What Is Love” (24) is a song recorded by Trinidadian-German Eurodance artist Haddaway for his debut album, The Album. The song was released in May 1993 as the album’s lead single. It was a massive hit in Europe, becoming a number-one hit in at least 13 countries and reaching number two in Germany, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Outside Europe, the single was a hit worldwide, reaching number 11 in the United States, number 12 in Australia, number 17 in Canada, and number 48 in New Zealand. The song earned Haddaway two awards at the German 1994 Echo Award, in the categories “Best National Single” and “Best National Dance Single”.
“Play That Funky Music“ (23) is a song written by Rob Parissi and recorded by the band Wild Cherry. The single was the first released by the Sweet City record label in April 1976 and distributed by Epic. The performers on the recording included lead singer Parissi, electric guitarist Bryan Bassett, bassist Allen Wentz, and drummer Ron Beitle, with session players Chuck Berginc, Jack Brndiar (trumpets), and Joe Eckert and Rick Singer (saxes) on the horn riff that runs throughout the song’s verses. The single hit No. 1 on the Billboard in September 1976; The single was certified platinum by the RIAA for shipments of over 2 million records and eventually sold 2.5 million in the United States alone. The song was listed at No. 93 on Billboard magazine’s “All-Time Top 100 Songs” in 2018. It was also the group’s only US Top 40 song.
“Stay” (22) is a song by UK-based pop act Shakespeare Sister, released by Loondon Records in January 1992 as the second single from their second album, Hormonally Yours. The single was written by Siobhan Fahey, Marcella Detroit, and Dave Stewart (under the pseudonym “Jean Guiot”), and became a global hit. It is the duo’s first and only number-one single in numerous territories, including the UK, where it topped the UK Singles Chart for eight consecutive weeks and was the 4th biggest selling single of 1992. “Stay” also reached No. 1 in Sweden and in birthplace, Ireland. It was a transatlantic hit as well, reaching No. 4 on both the US Billboard and the Canadian RPM Top Singles chart.
“Don’t Worry, Be Happy” (21) is a song by American musician Bobby Mc Ferrin released in 1988. It was the first a cappella song to reach number-one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, a position it held for two weeks. Originally released in conjunction with the film Cocktail, the song peaked at No. 1 in September 1988. The song was also a hit in the United Kingdom, reaching number 2 during its fifth week on the UK Singles Chart. In Canada, the song reached No. 1 in its eighth week. One critic noted it as a “formula for facing life’s trials”.
