Are They A One-Hit Wonder?

Basia
#26 "Time And Tide"
#29 "Cruising For Bruising"

If it weren't for the VJ40, I wouldn't know "Time And Time" (didn't know it in '88). Listening to "Cruising" now and the only thing that sounds familiar is the way she sings "second cha-a-a-a-ance". So maybe I heard it once or twice back in '90?

Zero hit wonder subjectively in my book.
 
Basia
#26 "Time And Tide"
#29 "Cruising For Bruising"

If it weren't for the VJ40, I wouldn't know "Time And Time" (didn't know it in '88). Listening to "Cruising" now and the only thing that sounds familiar is the way she sings "second cha-a-a-a-ance". So maybe I heard it once or twice back in '90?

Zero hit wonder subjectively in my book.
I liked Basia. "Time and Tide" was played quite a bit on VH1. I remembered "Cruising for Bruising" too, perhaps from the radio. She was apart of group named Matt Bianco, but never charted on the Hot 100. She left Matt Bianco to pursue a solo career. I liked "New Day for You" too which peaked at #53.
 
#44 "Trouble Me"
#66 "These Are Days"
#67 "Candy Everybody Wants"
#68 "Like The Weather"
#80 "What's The Matter Here?"
#95 "Few And Far Between"


Yeah I was shocked to learn that "Trouble" and "Days" weren't top 40s. The others look about right though.
I agree. "Like the Weather" was played on VH1 quite a bit too.
 
Swing Out Sister
#6 "Breakout"
#31 "Twilight World"

VH1 calls them a one-hit wonder. Technically (by the strict 'top 40 = hit' rule) they had two hits. Play them both at a high school reunion for a class that graduated in the 80s. Do people recognize both? How many even knew the second one back when it was on the charts.... I don't recognize it!
I liked Swing Out Sister a lot and remember "Twilight World". I liked "Surrender" too, but it didn't chart in the US. They are still together making music.
 
Jermaine Stewart
#5 "We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off"
#27 "Say It Again"
#41 "The Word Is Out"
#42 "Jody"


I'd say definitely a OHW subjectively.
I liked all of these songs and thought "The Word is Out" and "Jody" could have at least peaked in the lower reaches of the 40.

Comments on other songs: The video for "Get Lucky" was played on BET and "Don't Talk Dirty to Me" was a huge hit in Germany.
 
Club Nouveau
#1 "Lean On Me"
#39 "Why You Treat Me So Bad"

WTF is that other hit? Listening now and I'd say they're definitely a OHW subjectively.

Interesting story about this group. Timex Social Club producer Jay King was upset when, as "Rumors" was climbing the charts, TSC still wasn't under contract and went with another record label than his. So he formed a TSC clone (originally Jet Set, soon renamed as Club Nouveau - French for 'new club') and promoted them as 'Formerly of a different club. Now a better club. The new club' (as a dig against Timex Social Club). Club Nouveau's debut single was "Jealousy", basically a photocopy of "Rumors". "Lean On Me", the big hit, was their third single.
"Why You Treat Me So Bad" was huge on my local urban station. In 1995, a rap group called Luniz sampled the track called "I Got 5 on It" and hit the top 10 in five countries including the US.
 
In 1995, a rap group called Luniz sampled the track called "I Got 5 on It"
That's interesting! I read a little more about this and found out the guy singing the chorus on "I Got 5 on It" was a member of Timex Social Club. The funny thing about him singing over a Club Nouveau sample is this:

Timex Social Club producer Jay King was upset when, as "Rumors" was climbing the charts, TSC still wasn't under contract and went with another record label than his. So he formed a TSC clone (originally Jet Set, soon renamed as Club Nouveau - French for 'new club') and promoted them as 'Formerly of a different club. Now a better club. The new club' (as a dig against Timex Social Club).

So... basically, it's this:

"We don't need you, Mr producer man!"
"Oh yeah, well I'll score two top 40 hits with this new group, using music I was gonna give you!"
"Oh YEAH! Well, I'll sing over one of those top 40s and make THAT a top 10 hit!"
 
Basia
#26 "Time And Tide"
#29 "Cruising For Bruising"

If it weren't for the VJ40, I wouldn't know "Time And Time" (didn't know it in '88). Listening to "Cruising" now and the only thing that sounds familiar is the way she sings "second cha-a-a-a-ance". So maybe I heard it once or twice back in '90?

Zero hit wonder subjectively in my book.
Zero-hit wonder or two-hit wonder depending on whether you're into sophisti-pop or adult contemporary.
 
That's interesting! I read a little more about this and found out the guy singing the chorus on "I Got 5 on It" was a member of Timex Social Club. The funny thing about him singing over a Club Nouveau sample is this:

Timex Social Club producer Jay King was upset when, as "Rumors" was climbing the charts, TSC still wasn't under contract and went with another record label than his. So he formed a TSC clone (originally Jet Set, soon renamed as Club Nouveau - French for 'new club') and promoted them as 'Formerly of a different club. Now a better club. The new club' (as a dig against Timex Social Club).

So... basically, it's this:

"We don't need you, Mr producer man!"
"Oh yeah, well I'll score two top 40 hits with this new group, using music I was gonna give you!"
"Oh YEAH! Well, I'll sing over one of those top 40s and make THAT a top 10 hit!"
I remember hearing someone sing that part, but I had no idea. The plot thickens!!!
 
Johnny Kemp
#10 "Just Got Paid"
#36 "Birthday Suit"

I'm backwards on this one. I remember "Birthday Suit" and liked it back in the day. My room mate even had the cassingle. I didn't hear "Just Got Paid" until the 2000s on SXM.

When he died, everyone talked about "Paid", but I didn't hear a soul talk about "Birthday".
 
I'm Your Puppet by James & Bobby Purify (cousins James Purify and Robert Lee Dickey) reached #6 on the Hot 100 in November 1966 and has been played on oldies stations for decades. They had three more top-40 hits in 1967: Wish You Didn't Have To Go (#38), Shake A Tail Feather (#25) and Let Love Come Between Us (#23). I don't think any oldies stations ever played any of those three songs. (Q.E.D.) I nominate James & Bobby Purify as a one-hit wonder.
 
I figured I'd throw one out there:

Stacey Q
#3 "Two of Hearts"
#35 "We Connect"

I remembered both songs, but "We Connect" is pretty forgettable.
 
I have never heard of "We Connect" before. But in Canada, to make room for 1/3 of all songs played on radio being Canadian, radio stations routinely dropped stuff that won't break the top 30 on Billboard so we never hear it.
 
So we can assume that you're not a Child of the 1980s.
You don't have to assume anything. You can just look at the last 60 pages of Scotch Sampler, to see what I listen to. I start in the late 60s, and go up to this year.

In the 80's, I was mostly listening to either alt rock/new wave, or adult contemporary. I avoided top 40 radio. I think I know the cover by Club Nouveau, but the name doesn't ring a bell.
 
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