The 1960s was a very fertile and exciting time for popular music. Think of the British Invasion of bands like the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and the Who. There were fabulous Motown groups like the Supremes and the Temptations. And solo artists such as Bobby Darin and James Brown. And of course there were the one hit wonders. They came along and beguiled us, then apparently disappeared into the mist. I still enjoy some of their songs. Even now, decades later, these tunes by Richard Harris, Zager and Evans, John Fred and His Playboy Band, and the New Vaudeville Band retain much of their nostalgic appeal. We want to share them with you now. Prepare to boogie!
Videos by Wide Open Country
'MacArthur Park' by Richard Harris
Richard Harris (1930-2002) had an incredibly distinguished acting career. Among his honors were an Emmy, a Golden Globe, and two Academy Award nominations. He recorded this Jimmy Webb-written song in 1967, earning a Grammy nomination for it. The song was offered to The Association, but they gave it a thumbs-down. Other singers have tried their hand at it over the years, including Waylon Jennings and Donna Summer, who did a fizzy, disco-tinged version. I still like Harris's version best though. He lends it a certain gravitas and bravura that can't be matched.
'In The Year 2525 (Exordium & Terminus)' by Zager And Evans
Nebraskans Denny Zager and Rick Evans have a dubious albeit notable distinction. They were the sole singers to score a simultaneous chart-topper here and in England without ever having another hit song. Their dystopian anthem was wildly successful back in the day. Per the Nebraska State Historical Society's blog, "Considered one of the most famous 'one hit wonders' in U.S. recording history, it topped Billboard's Top 40 chart for six weeks during the summer of 1969. Billboard later declared it the Record of the Year for 1969." In case you are curious, Exordium and Terminus means the Beginning and the End. Pretty grim outlook!
'Judy In Disguise (With Glasses)' by John Fred & His Playboy Band
Per Songfacts,"This is a parody of 'Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds,' which The Beatles released a year earlier. Instead of the psychedelic sound of the Beatles song, 'Judy in Disguise' is bubblegum pop, but with similarly obtuse lyrics. According to John Fred [his full name was John Fred Gourner], John Lennon loved the song." In fact, Lennon supposedly told John Fred that he intended to write a song himself called "Froggy in a Pond with Spectacles." Whimsical and cute, this song found its audience in 1967.
'Winchester Cathedral' by The New Vaudeville Band
This clever song was crafted by songwriter Geoff Stephens "as a pastiche of the music hall style that was popular in the early 20th century...The distinctive vocal style, which mimicked the megaphone crooning of Rudy Vallée, was a deliberate attempt to evoke the sound of the 1920s and 1930s," per capitol.fm. The song was awarded a Grammy in 1967 for Best Contemporary (R&R) Recording.
