Daily Dirt: ‘Ooga-chaka, ooga, ooga, ooga-chaka’

Ahhh, the 1970s represent a great decade for musical memories … You’re allowed to sing out loud while looking over today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 187 of the Daily Dirt.

1. For me, the decade that produced the largest amount of memorable one-hit wonders when it came to chart-topping songs was the 1970s.
There are all sorts of theories why this particular decade stands out. Some say it is because the 1970s and all of its musical experimentation followed the musical innocence that consumed most of the 1960s. Honestly, I have no real idea. I just know the 1970s provided us with some great songs from individuals and groups that we basically never heard from again.

The following are my favorites:

1. “Hooked On A Feeling,” Blue Swede: ABBA gets most of the headlines when it comes pop groups that emerged out of Sweden, but let’s not forget Blue Swede and its unforgettable “ooga-chaka, ooga, ooga, ooga-chaka” opening to this cover of the old B.J. Thomas song.

2. “You Sexy Thing,” Hot Chocolate: This song can be found in the movie soundtrack of “The Full Monty”.

3. “Spirit in the Sky,” Norman Greenbaum: Greenbaum said he was inspired to write this after hearing country star, the late Porter Waggoner, singing on a gospel TV show.

4. “American Pie,” Rob McLean: Even after hearing this song hundreds of times there is always something to new that pops out of the lyrics.

5. “In The Summertime,” Mungo Jerry: Carefree, somewhat goofy, addictive beat … it was perfect for 1970s.

6. “Driver’s Seat,” Sniff ‘N The Tears: This song ultimately wound up being part of the soundtrack for the film “Boogie Nights”.

7. “Stuck In The Middle With You,” Stealers Wheel: Ever see the gruesome flick “Reservoir Dogs”? Then you’ve heard this one-hit wonder.

8. “Video Killed the Radio Star,” Buggles: The video of this song was the first to appear on MTV when it launched in 1979.

9. “Lovin’ You,” Minnie Riperton: Many probably don’t realize “Saturday Night Live” star Maya Rudolph is the late Minnie Riperton’s daughter.

10. “My Sharona,” the Knack: When this group first appeared, some labeled it as the second coming of the Beatles. Uhh… no.

Honorable mention”Turn the Beat Around,” Vicki Sue Robinson: One of the best from the disco/dance era.

2. The best name in college basketball?

That’s easy. Would you believe Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu, a 6-foot-9 redshirt sophomore at the University of Texas-Arlington. Akobundu-Ehiogu is from Lagos, Nigeria. (I don’t even think a course in “Hooked on Phonics” could figure out the correct pronunciation of this name.)

3. Speaking of names, how about these MMA nicknames?

My all-time top five:

1. Andre “Touchy” Fili: He’s still one of the top featherweights.

2. Ian “Uncle Creepy” McCall: The Christian Bale lookalike retired in 2018.

3. Yosaihiro “Sexyama” Akiyama: He’s never been a huge star in the UFC, but everyone loves his nickname.

4. Wanderlei “The Axe Murderer” Silva: He’s said to have a cold demeanor. Well, duh.

5. Chan Sung John, “The Korean Zombie”: He’s described as “exciting, but risky”. Kind of like J. Robert Gough.

Steve Fact O’ The Day Steve has never dabbled in the mixed martial arts, unless you count a gathering of Eighinger’s around the dinner table.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. Speaking of MMA, how does he not include “Kung Fu Fighting” by Carl Douglas in his list of one-hit wonders?