“MacArthur Park” (36) is a song written by American singer-songwriter Jimmy Webb that was recorded first by Irish actor and singer Richard Harris in 1968. Harris’s version peaked at number two on the Billboard chart and number four on the UK Singles Chart. In 1967, producer Bones Howe had asked Webb to create a pop […]
The Top 40 Covers Songs (37)
“Twist and Shout” (37) is a 1961 song written by Phil Medley and Bert Berns (later credited as “Bert Russell”). It was originally recorded by the Top Notes, an American R&B vocal group, at the Atlantic Studios in February 1961. The session was arranged by Teddy Randazzo and produced by Phil Spector. The Top Notes’ […]
The Top 40 Covers Songs (38)
“You’ve Got a Friend” (38) is a 1971 song written by Carole King. It was first recorded by King and included in her album Tapestry. Another well-known version is by James Taylor from his album Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon. His was released as a single in 1971, reaching number 1 on the […]
The Top 40 Cover Songs (39)
“Blue Suede Shoes” is a rock-and-roll standard written and first recorded by Carl Perkins in 1955. It is considered one of the first rockabilly records, incorporating elements of blues, country and pop music of the time. Perkins’ original version of the song appeared on the Cashbox Best Selling Singles list for 16 weeks and spent […]
Top 40 Cover Songs (40)
Today, we begin a new series based on the most successful covers of other artists songs. However they will be some omissions from the list if the song has already been referred to within the One Hit Wonders compilation. I shall post both the original version and then the cover or covers that became more […]
Today – UK One Hit Wonders – Honourable Mentions
In our final post about UK One Hit Wonders, I have choosen some songs for an honourable mention. “Fire” is a 1968 song written by Arthur Brown, Vincent Crane, Mike Finesilver and Peter Ker. Performed by Thhe Crazy World of Arthur Brown, it was released as a single and on the band’s epoonymously named debut […]
Today – Top 50 UK One Hit Wonders (1-5)
Finally we have arrived at the Top 5 Uk One Hit Wonders. I wonder if you will agree with these final choices or whether you think that I have missed ot some better songs. “Mambo No. 5” (5) is an instrumental mambo and jazz dance song originally composed and recorded by Cuban musician Damasoo Perez […]
Today – Top 50 UK One Hit Wonders (6-10)
And so we reach the Top Ten of UK One Hit Wonders and I wonder what musical gems await us today. “Macarena” (10) is a Spanish dance song by Los del Rio about a woman of the same name. Appearing on the 1993 album A mi me gusta, it was an international hit and dance […]
Today – Top 50 UK One Hit Wonders (11-15)
Our next selection of One Hit Wonders take through the higher reaches of the Top Twenty from No.’s 11-15 “Saturday Night” (15) is a song by Italian Eurodance project Whigfield, fronted by Danish-born Sannie Charlotte Carlson. It was first released in 1992 in Italy and November 1993 in Spain through Prodisc. In 1994, it was […]
Today – Top 50 UK One Hit Wonders (16-20)
Today our One Hit Wonders countdown finally moves into the Top Twenty. “Mickey” (20) is a song recorded by American singer and choreographer Toni Basil for her debut studio album, Word of Mouth, in 1981. Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn wrote the song, while production was helmed by Greg Mathieson and Trevor Veitch. It is […]