One hit wonders are not unusual. But the two hit wonders, now that is something else. They come from bands or singers who hit the jackpot twice. It's like lightning striking two times in the exact same spot. Not an easy feat. We want to showcase a few of them from the 1970s. That was the funky era of disco, the Bee Gees, and mirror balls. Fun was had by all. More fun awaits as we stroll down memory lane with these wonderful two hit wonders from long ago. Get ready to rock and frolic with the Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Andrew Gold, Maxine Nightingale, and Blue Swede.
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Ozark Mountain Daredevils
This band had a catchy name and they cranked out two great 1970s songs. One was "If You wanna Get To Heaven" and the next was "Jackie Blue." They seemed destined for stardom. However, that was not to be. Per rebeatmag.com, their record label, A&M, called the shots. The band was reportedly stubborn about refusing to do what the suits wanted. That meant not pulling up stakes and moving to California, not always doing variations of "Jackie Blue," and not touring, The Daredevils thus vanished; their songs have not.
Andrew Gold
That name might not be familiar to you. But if you watched The Golden Girls, you recall the theme song, "Thank You For Being A Friend" (1978). That, folks, was by Andrew Gold. It was preceded by one year by "Lonely Boy" (1977). Per rebeatmag.com, Gold had a distinguished career recording with "many artists including Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Brian Wilson, Diana Ross, Neil Diamond, Roy Orbison, and many, many others," Sadly, Gold died of a heart attack in 2011 at age 59.
Maxine Nightingale
Do you recall "Lead Me On" and "Right Back Where We Started From"? If you do, then you probably remember the dynamic woman who sang both of them in the 1970s with such impeccable class, Maxine Nightingale. Her background includes working in the theater, which most likely accounts for her dramatic song delivery, whether she sings an upbeat dance tune or a melancholy ballad. Nightingale had just the right mix of vocals and verve.
Blue Swede
Per American Songwriter, this band successfully pulled off the two hit miracles with their songs (both were popular covers of 1960s songs) "Hooked on a Feeling" and "Never My Love." B.J. Thomas did the first one in 1968; the Association did the second one a year before. According to the outlet, "But the Swedish group made both their own, from Ooo-ga-chucka to disco stylings. The former hit No. 1 in the U.S. and the latter hit No. 7." Pretty good, I would say! Blue Swede brought something lively and different and memorable to these classics. That, to me, is what music should be about.
