Thanks to anyone who read my previous blog containing the very worst one hit wonders on Countdown.

I’ve had some feedback from friends, especially old school mates in WA who it appears have some emotional attachment to Paper Lace and Racey.

Despite these diabolical decisions I still respect you. I’m just flabbergasted that’s all. 🙂

So in order for me not to appear as a cynical old fossil, I will endeavour to re-frame the conversation and provide a list of songs from the Countdown years that were one hit wonders in a positive sense.

They came, they went, they delivered. All the ratings in this list are positive food packages, albeit not particularly healthy. Here goes:

  • My Sharona – The Knack. Who will ever forget Molly’s claim that these guys were the next Beatles? Rating: Steak Eggs and Chips.

  • Don’t Fall In Love – The Ferrets. The band’s main man Billy Miller has been a highly respected mainstay in the Melbourne music scene for decades but this was his only commercial success sadly. Rating: Chicken Parma at The Clifton Hill Hotel.

  • Pressure Sway – Machinations. A bit of new wave chic from this Melbourne band that weren’t around for long. A great demonstration of mid 80’s dancing displayed. Rating: Strawberry Milkshake…in the can.

  • Black Betty – Ram Jam. Originally written and recorded by Leadbelly in 1939, this rather non-descript US band turned up with a rocking version of it, which was decades later recorded by Spiderbait. Rating: BBQ Ribs, southern style.

  • What I Like About You – The Romantics. Proof that you just need one good song, the Romantics disappeared as quickly as they arrived. Apparently still playing at a Holiday Inn near you. Rating: Spaghetti Marinara.

  • Groove Is In The Heart – Dee-lite. If you can’t dance to this with a bit of ‘white man’s overbite’ you’re not alive. Technically not Countdown but what the hey? Rating: Jumbo Burrito from Zambreros.

  • Baby It’s You – Promises. Didn’t this disrupt the conversation amongst pre-pubescent teenagers in the mid 70’s? A classic one hit wonder. Rating: A Peters Ice Cream Cake.

  • Man Overboard – Do Re Mi. A quality band with one fantastic hit. A feminist anthem that stands the test of time. Rating: A Brownes Percolated Iced Coffee (WA).

    • Play That Funky Music – Wild Cherry. I’m not big on white boys pretending to be black complete with afros, but I’m afraid of the backlash if I don’t include this. Popular at weddings when everyone’s had a gutful of grog and has enough Dutch courage to dance. Rating: 3 x flavours of Gelato from Sophia’s in Camberwell.

 

    • Isn’t It Time – The Babys. My goodness this song was huge in 1977. As we wandered aimlessly through the streets as the dishevelled youth we were, this song pumped from so many houses in the neighbourhood. Rating: Half Chicken and Chips from Red Rooster.

  • More Than A Feeling – Boston. I love the guitars in this song. They followed the trend of naming themselves after US cities such as Chicago and Kansas which didn’t do them any good. Probably my favourite one hit wonder and made whoever Marianne is, very famous. Rating: A Kattlers Pie with Sauce and Cream Donut (Medina WA 1975).