'cause this is what Forgotten Hits is all about!
Was there anything cooler than Paul Wingfield's One Hit Wonder "Eighteen With A Bullet" reaching #18 ... with a bullet ... on Billboard's Hot 100 Pop Singles Chart for the week ending November 22nd, 1975???
The song is chock-full of radio references ... and just seemed to be the perfect fit for all the Casey Kasem - American Top 40 discussions we've been having here lately (which will continue TOMORROW, by the way ... so don't miss it!)
The song ultimately peaked at #15 and still ranks as one of my all-time favorite '70's songs with a '50's feel, made all the merrier by the inside jokes contained within its short four minutes.
And how about The Floaters? Their One Hit Wonder went all the way to #2 on the Billboard Chart in 1977. (Have you ever seen anything sexier ... AND cornier ... at the same time before?!?!) My favorite is Larry ... 'cause he lets it be known, without pulling any punches, that THAT'S the love you need!
And since The Floaters want to take you to Love Land, we figured we'd just give you an express ticket now that you're all worked up! Charles Wright and the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band placed three songs in Billboard's Top 20 between 1969 and 1970 ... "Do Your Thing" was the biggest ... it reached #11 in 1969. "Love Land" went to #16 the following year ... and then "Express Yourself" took them back up to #12 a few months later.
"All Day Music," War's first big hit (without Eric Burdon) went to #35 in 1971 a year after "Spill The Wine" went to the top of the charts. (This song was nominated for our Top 100 All-Time Favorite Songs Of Summer List ... but didn't make the final cut ... but their song ... appropriately titled "Summer" ... did.
"Summer" reached #7 in 1976 ... and in between they also scored Top Ten Hits with "The World Is A Ghetto" (#7, 1973), "The Cisco Kid" (#2, 1973), "Gypsy Man" (#8, 1973), "Why Can't We Be Friends?" (#6, 1975) and "Low Rider" (#7, 1975).
I just like the way "All Day Music" blends into Herb Alpert's chart-topping hit from 1979, "Rise." (You can play deejay yourself using the videos above to see what I mean.)
Alpert's only other #1 Hit came when he SANG "This Guy's In Love With You" in 1968 ... despite the fact that, next to The Beatles, they were the best-selling albums act of the '60's.
And, speaking of The Beatles, when's the last time you heard "So Bad" by Paul McCartney, a #23 hit from 1984? This one has definitely slipped between the cracks ... a pretty song with Paul singing in his highest register (and playing some incredible bass, too.) But for me, the REAL kicker on this video is Ringo ... he's just fun to watch!
Jazz greats Stanley Clarke and George Duke teamed up in 1981 to create a Top 20 Pop Hit ... "Sweet Baby" went to #19, becoming their only chart single. Here's another one you just NEVER hear on the radio.
The Manhattans had TWO Top Five Pop Singles ... "Kiss And Say Goodbye" went all the way to #1 ... but this one is MY favorite. "Shining Star" as a #5 hit in 1980 ... and won them the Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Group.
And finally, as we wrap up a very soulful Tuesday, here is "Strawberry Letter 23" by The Brothers Johnson. These guys scored five Top Ten Pop Hits of their own between 1976 and 1980 ... "I'll Be Good To You" went to #3 in 1976, "Strawberry Letter 23" reached #5 in 1977 and "Stomp!" peaked at #7 in 1980. (I always dug their 1976 #30 Hit "Get The Funk Out Ma Face," too!)
A change of pace today in Forgotten Hits ...
Enjoy the music you just don't get to hear much anymore ...
'Cause it's all good stuff! (kk)
