Pop Music’s Most Unlikely Hits

By John Smistad

Some songs are surefire hits.  Some “surefire” hits go down in flames.  And a few turn out to be hits virtually regardless of themselves. Listed here are a few of pop music’s most shocking hit songs.

“Dominique” (1963)

“Dominique” just isn’t merely an unlikely hit track.  It touches upon the not possible.  That’s as a result of it was sung by a Belgian Dominican Convent nun for Heaven’s sake!  Sister Luc Gabrielle  (aka “The Singing Nun”) perched this peppy French-language efficiency atop the US charts for a full month in 1963. Gabrielle grew to become the primary musician in American chart historical past to have a #1 track and a #1 album (“Sister Smile”) on the similar time.

“The Ballad of the Inexperienced Berets” (1966)

In mid-Sixties America, opposition to the conflict in Vietnam was rising each in voice and vehemence.  Enter United States Military Particular Forces Workers Sergeant Barry Sadler. His Prime 10 hit “The Ballad of the Inexperienced Berets” was a reminder to a divided nation that in the end, we’re all on this collectively.

“This Man’s in Love with You” (1968)

Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass helped outline widespread music within the Sixties.  The band scored a string of energetic Latino-style instrumental hits over the last decade, every that includes the distinctive stylings of grasp trumpeter Alpert.  The prodigious musician, composer, and producer might additionally sing (somewhat).  His vocal efficiency on the 1968 hit “This Man’s in Love with You” oozes with vulnerability.

MacArthur Park (1968)

Richard Harris is likely one of the most interesting stage and display actors. But the fabled Irishman doesn’t precisely bowl anybody over along with his vocal vary within the 1968 smash “MacArthur Park.” Nonetheless, his strained efforts to hit all of the notes function an ideal interpretation for this off-beat chronicle of affection as cake “melting within the rain.”

“Hey Jude” (1968)

The Beatles’ epic “Hey Jude” was #1 for 9 consecutive weeks in 1968.  Nonetheless, the truth that this track was performed in all its wonderful 7 minutes 11 seconds on business AM radio, as a substitute of two standard-length tunes and a few commercials, was fairly beautiful.

“Oh, Pleased Day” (1969)

Some songs turn out to be widespread merely due to their capability to maneuver the listener.  “Get Collectively” and “The First Time Ever I Noticed Your Face” are some examples.  So too is the 1969 hit “Oh Pleased Day” from the Edwin Hawkins Singers.  If one isn’t touched (even somewhat) by this rousing gospel choir recorded in a California church, it’s time for a pulse examine.



“After the Lovin’” (1976)

It’s nothing in need of startling that anybody named “Engelbert Humperdinck” would have a success track — of any selection.  However this sensual intercourse image did simply that along with his 1976 Prime Ten ballad “After the Lovin’.” Now ain’t {that a} kick within the “Humperdinck”?

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This publish was beforehand printed on CultureSonar.

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Picture credit score: The Edwin Hawkins Singers (public area by way of Wikimedia)