The phrase 'one hit wonder' is used rather disparagingly though it applies to many walks of life and for many of us is just an aspiration. American Garage-Rock band ? and the Mysterians fit the bill though they are more interesting than some. Their name was inspired by the Japanese Sci-fi film 'The Mysterions.'
It may not be common to mathematicians but retiring early is becoming a theme in Song of the Week (Bobbie Gentry being the first). Janet Baker retired nearly 40 years ago and now, in her eighties, reserves her singing to the odd visit to church. Here in Strauss's Morgen! (Tomorrow!) she sings "And tomorrow the sun will shine again." Indeed.
It's hard to imagine George Ivan (Van) Morrison dancing to anything but here he is giving it a go "under cover of October skies." Van has said some questionable things about the Coronavirus recently but Song of the Week is a strictly neutral segment of the Bulletin so we will move on. And anyway, as they say, don't love your heroes.
Bobbie Gentry had great success until she threw it all up 40 years ago and socially distanced from the world. Admittedly this, her biggest hit, is not the most cheery of ditties but it is good and in the spirit of keeping things current, it is a rare example of the word 'virus' being used in a song.
"I saw a werewolf drinking a piña colada at Trader Vic's
And his hair was perfect"
Trader Vic's in London is still there. Below is the remastered version but for the purists and those who want to see Warren in action (and howling) here is the original.
Originally a hit for 60s Jamaican Rocksteady artist Dandy Livingstone, this version by the Specials comes from the Ska revival based around Coventry in the West Midlands of England in the late 70s. The movement was part of the anti-racism movement in music at the time. Time for a ska revival revival?
If you ever find yourself wandering an English coastal town you may notice curiously-dressed sixty-somethings lurking outside venues wearing badges proclaiming "Keep the Faith." Over 40 years ago they were part of the Northern Soul scene. Based in clubs in the North-West of England, Northern Soul was about clothes, dancing and, crucially, imported American soul music, most of it deliberately obscure. Keep the Faith.