One Hit Wonders - Part III

I had an idea when I started writing Part I and II of this set of posts which, at the time, seemed to flow fairly easily. Then I got distracted by life and here I am 13 months+ later writing Part III, for no other reason than I kind of forgot to...oops.

Oddly enough I am writing this a week after Mental Health Awareness Week and less than 24 hours after I found out that Tina Turner had passed away at the age of 83 after battling cancer and various other ailments. Whilst this isn't directly relevant to my topic of choice, I feel compelled to pay tribute to a lady who walked away from an absolute fucking animal of a man who abused her mentally and beat her over a period of years, almost killing her on several occasions. In spite of this, she had an incredible career as an artist, and her voice will always be remembered as iconic. The more important legacy for me and for a father of girls is to NEVER accept the notion that an unequal relationship - whether physically or mentally abusive - is in any way normal, and don't compromise on who you are for someone else.

Anyway, I am back (as if anyone cares) writing about the most informative era of Electronic music (the 90's) and the One Hit Wonders that informed my view and made me fall in love with the genre.

Some of these are not so much OHW tracks in the popular sense of the word; moreover artists or DJs who had a modicum of success or emerged during the 90s and have gone on to greater things since. Anyway, I enjoyed compiling the list so see what memories it evokes and where you were/who you were with when you first heard the track; that for me is where music can take you and it helps us remember those times.

Trance / House

CeCe Peniston - Finally (1992)

I don't think anyone can deny that CeCe peaked early with her debut single when it peaked at Number 5 in the Billboard 100 charts. Her sultry voice accompanied with those lyrics ("finally it happened to me right in front of my face only words can describe it") just got the crowd jumping in the club. It is a true feelgood track about a girl finding a guy - and probably falling in love to boot - and who doesn't like a happy story in a tune?! The crying shame is this was never really emulated in the following tracks CeCe released but it stands as a classic in its own right.

Daft Punk - Around The World (1997)

Guy-Manuel de Homem Christo and Thomas Bangalter took the world of detroit techno and bent it to create a totally new sound which had elements of funk and disco interwoven into some of the tracks on their debut album, Homework. 26 years later it is clearly a classic and shows how ahead of everything they truly were. Around The World is a standout track and single from the album, and it is certainly one of the more radio-friendly and accessible tunes. The bass kicks in after the slow initial build then it grabs you and doesn't let go. What a banger.

Everything But the Girl - Missing (Todd Terry Remix) (1995)

I was never truly a fan of EBTG at the time, but of course this track was everywhere and has been ever since. The Todd Terry treatment just elevates it to another level and Tracey Thorn's vocals are both beautiful, haunting and uplifting in equal measure. What is truly amazing is that within the slew of reforming artists EBTG have come together to release their first album in decades, Fuse, just last month and it is if anything of a higher quality than anything they produced in their heyday. Bravo indeed.

Nightcrawlers - Push the Feeling On (1992)

This track has constantly been reworked, remixed and used by so many artists over the years, but it was DJ Marc Kinchen's remix which really propelled the single - original #86 in the charts - into the internationally successful tune it became. Push the Feeling On (New MK Mixes For '95) basically reformed the track into the version most people would know and love on dancefloors, and it became a mainstay in the clubs and mix CDs of the era.

Robin S - Show Me Love (1993)

Struggling to finish the recording of the original tune in the studio, Robin S was actually suffering from flu whilst this track was being crafted. You'd never have known, as her strong and impassioned vocal about the unpredictability and fragility of relationships - "heartbreaks and promises, I've had more than my share. I'm tired of giving my love and getting nowhere" - really suited the organs, drums and strings that accompany her. I don't think I know anyone alive at that time who didn't (and still doesn't) sing along and knows all the words! SO very iconic and danceable.

Stardust - Music Sounds Better With You (1998)

Taking a brief break from the (then emerging) success of Daft Punk, Thomas Bangalter teamed up with fellow countryman Alan Braxe and vocalist Benjamin Diamond to craft this toe-tapping tune which sampled a Chaka Khan song called Fate. Originally written with more lyrcis, the trio decided to pare it right back to the mantra-chant "Oooh baby, i feel right, the music sounds better with you. Love might bring us back together" on a loop. It became an almost instant hit internationally and Virgin Records purportedly offered Stardust $3m to record an album, which sadly never happened due to the various incumbents commitments elsewhere. Shame, but maybe this is a necessary 'gem' as a result.

Ultra Naté - Free (1997)

Hailing from a church background Ultra Naté brought a strong vocal to a track that distinctively begins with a little guitar riff before the beats kick in. Quite unusual in the context of the genre, but it works. The lyrics and beats both help the track soar, and the chorus is definitely a prototypical hands-in-the-air moment as you feel the collective euphoria of your fellow dancers pronouncing "'cos you're freeeeeeeee, to do what you want to do". Powerful stuff.

I was a relative latecomer to Trance as a genre, finding a lot of it through mix albums like Euphoria but predominantly through my friend Ben, who I thank for introducing me to some of these tracks. I won't delve into detail but sufficed to say they're all worthy of a listen....trust me.

Agnelli & Nelson – Everyday (Original Mix) (1999)

Solar Stone – Seven Cities (Solar Stone’s Atlantis Mix) (1999)

William Orbit – Barbers Adagio For Strings (Ferry Corsten Remix) (1999)

BT – Flaming June (Paul Van Dyk Remix) (1997)

Energy 52 – Cafe Del Mar (Three ‘N One Mix) (1998)

That concludes my series on One Hit Wonders. What was nice was listening back to all of these tracks and realising how relevant they still seem. Yes, production techniques have changed and styles differ from 25 years ago but a good track is a good track, forever. It feels about time for a more recent release review (or two) soon so watch this space! 😉

Badger x