h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Is there a difference? Perhaps a novelty record is one that cannot be followed-up, while a OHW mabye could be but wasn't...hmm. But that would stop Jive Bunny being a novelty record, and I definintely want to consign that to the sinbin of history....

Many of the OHWs from the 70's I would definitely say are novelty and shoud go the same way....

What about Spitting Image and The Chicken Song? Novelty or ohw?

Well, they did chart again, I think, so probably not one hit wonder...

Did they? What with? The mind boggles!!

Jive Bunny certainly can't be a one-hit wonder having got into the Top Ten three times: Swing the Mood; That's What I Like; Let's Party.

Alas yes - they go straight into the categpory of 'Should have been One Hit Wonders (preferably less than One!) but weren't'

Go and was your ears out, AI...AL(PN:B)!

The difference, surely, is intent. Eric Clapton fell into the charts by accident a couple of times, but you wouldn't call him a one hit wonder. He's had a pretty healthy career.

Los Lobos had a number one by covering La Bamba, a deliberate attempt to create a hit by a band that needed the money to go and plough their own field. One hit wonders? Possibly, but certainly not a novelty.

I mean, logically, you could probably label Ktaftwerk as one hit wonders (two if you count Tour De France), but does that do justice to their legacy as probably the most influential band of the last thirty years? I think not.

Ones with straight TV tie-ins, tend to be novelties -

Mr Blobby, Bob the Builder etc.

Although I'd class The Grange Hill Gang's "Just Say No" as educational, really....

Though Bob's had two big hits, of course...

Band Aid. (Bob Geldoff and chums).

Are they classified an OHW?

Umm - tricky - not least because they also charted a few years later with a different version of exactly the same song. But if you accept Band Aid, then you also get USA for Africa, and every other charity record you can ever think of. You'd get about 8 Comic Relief ones for a start - you need to ask yourself 'Do I really want to include Hale & Pace doing The Stonk?'.

Unfortunately -- The Spice Girls, Boyzone and Westlife did the last three, and, sadly, they're all a long way from being one hit wonders. Isn't it strange that a comedy telethon could have promotion records made by people who aren't at all funny and the songs aren't at all funny themselves. (I realise this applies to Hale & Pace too, but, well, they tried, I suppose.)

On reflection, I think a OHW differs from a NR in that an NR plays on an emotion that a 'normal' chart record would not: It attempts to be funny (Chicken Song, Ernie, Stasr Trekkin' etc etc) or it tugs at the sentimental heartstrings (Seasons in the Sun, No Charge, Billy don't be a hero, etc etc) or it goes for genuine nolety value by being about a specific contemporary subject: Wimbledon, football finals, Christmas, or a recent hit skitted - does that make sense?

Are there any other variaions?

A bit subjective, no?

Safety Dance tugs at my heartstrings.

Hey Mickey you're so fine you're so fine it blows my mind hey Mickey makes me suicidal.

Walkin back to happiness just sends me walkin back to happiness.

Oom pa oh ye-ea-eah.

Ditto on the sfaety dance and Mickey... but I don't think that was the various creators' intention. Would it make more sense if I had said 'is intended to' play on different emotions?

Is only a suggestion - I doubt it's possible to cover all eventualities with one definition.

Did MICKEY DO THAT TO YOU FROM THE VERY FIRST LISTEN< OR WAS REPEATED EXPOSURE TO BLAME? Another potential part of the definition is that NRs don't stand the test of time, while OHWs (like the Safety Dance) are still listenable...

...bearing in mind that overplay can make almost any record unbearable for ever - Wet Wet Wet!

sorry about capitals - typing with baby

Wouldn't it be easier typing with your fingers?

You just couldn't resist, could you?