I’m revamping the ‘Random Runners-Up’ feature. From this post on, you’ll be getting three tunes for the price of one. All of them sitting at number two on a specific date. All of them still – hand on heart – chosen completely at random. Starting with…
‘Simon Says’, by 1910 Fruitgum Company
#2 for 1 week in 1968, behind ‘What a Wonderful World’ / ‘Cabaret’
A good old-fashioned novelty. With emphasis on the ‘old-fashioned’ bit, because we had definitely dropped the ‘Simple’ by the time I was playing Simon Says in the late eighties. Let’s not get all self-righteous, though, as this is fun slice of late-sixties pop: a nicely judged blend of bubblegum and garage rock. Not something I’d add to a playlist, but an undeniably catchy way to spend two minutes.
It’s also sent me down the rabbit hole of discovering who Simon was, and apparently it goes back to Simon de Montford, Earl of Leicester in the 13th century, or perhaps even Cicero in ancient Rome, which sounds sort of like ‘Simon’. The ‘simple’ came, perhaps, from an 18th century London begging ‘simpleton’ named Simon Edy. It’s a shame this never got to number one, really, as that’s a fairly unique backstory. As for the 1910 Fruitgum Company, they were one-hit wonders in the UK, but remained popular for a while longer in their native US. They reformed in 1999, and Wikipedia lists over thirty past and present members of the band.
‘Back Off Boogaloo’, by Ringo Starr
#2 for 2 weeks in 1972, behind ‘Amazing Grace’
Ringo is, of course, the only Beatle not to manage a solo UK #1. The Victoria Beckham of his day, as it were. But oh, if only. If only this glam rock stomper had managed to outsell the bagpipes and drums of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards. I’m not exaggerating, but this would probably have been my favourite ex-Beatle number one. Yes, ahead of ‘My Sweet Lord’. Yes, ahead of ‘Imagine’.
The lore surrounding this song is legendary. George Harrison co-wrote it, and played slide guitar on it. The bizarre video, in which Ringo is followed around by a Frankenstein’s monster, was filmed in John Lennon’s garden. The ‘boogaloo’ is Marc Bolan, who Starr was making a movie about (‘Born to Boogie’) at the same time. The line give me something tasty was inspired by none other than Jimmy Hill, he of the legendary chin, who often used ‘tasty’ to describe a piece of footballing skill. My favourite fact, though, is that Starr offered the song to Cilla Black, who turned it down. I would give good, good money to hear Cilla’s interpretation… One thing that Ringo has denied is that the nasty ‘boogaloo’ is Paul McCartney, with whom he was wasn’t on the best of terms at the time.
‘Opposites Attract’, by Paula Abdul & The Wild Pair
#2 for 1 week in 1990, behind ‘Vogue’
Number two on this day thirty-five years ago, a perfect example of early-nineties synth-funk, with a healthy splash of new jack swing. Paula Abdul never came close to replicating her US success in Britain (this was her fourth of six Billboard #1s in a row). But we chose the best song to become her biggest hit, as this is gloriously catchy.
The video is a treat too, and pretty impressive from a technical point of view, as Paula dances, frolics, and at one point strangles, a cartoon cat (MC Skat Kat). The raps and male vocals are provided by the Wild Pair, regular backing vocalists for Abdul. And it would be remiss not to include a link to Peter Griffin’s famous interpretation of the song too.
The UK Number Ones Blog 
People crap on “Opposite’s Attract”, but I think it’s a really fun and catchy song. I like a good amount of Paula Abdul’s hits. “Straight Up” is another one of hers I like a lot. She and Janet Jackson are similiar in that they were massive in their time, but have been forgotten, though Janet is way more critically respected and influential. Paula Abdul’s kinda the Katy Perry of her time. All sugar, not substance
Love “Back off Boogaloo”. Awesome glam rock stomper. Wish he did more of these type of songs, but he’d unfournately delve more into 70s schlock like so many of his generation who became sellout yuppie scum. Ringo had two #1s in the US and the first “Photograph” is my favourite of his solo songs (also co-written by George). “It Don’t Come Easy” is also a close second. Crazy to think Ringo at one point in the US was the most successful solo Beatle. Apparently John sent him a telegram congratulating him on his success and jokingly asked him to write him a hit single (John’s solo career was kinda on a downswing at the time).
“Simon Says” is a fun slice of American bubblegum. Fun song, but I prefer 1910 Fruitgum Company’s other hit “Indian Giver”.
Opposites Attract is great pop, and you can’t watch that video and not smile.
It does really interest me that all four Beatles had more succesful solo careers in the US (in terms of number ones, at least; I haven’t delved deeper).
I have a love for that really specific sounding American bubblegum that was coming out in 1967-68, like this, the Monkees, the Turtles etc. By 1969 it had gotten a bit too sugary, i.e. the Archies (no pun intended), and by the 70s it had descended into Tony Orlando schmaltz..
3 faves here, Simon Says I played to death in 1969/70 when my dad bought 16 Big Hits Of 1968 – an Australian compilation album, I urged him to buy as it had so many classic faves on it I needed to have! This was one of the least-classic tracks, but it’s still great fun. Bubblegum was better than the Rock Critics gave it credit for, and even if it wasn’t – there’s nowt wrong with writing music for a younger audience as a gateway drug towards more serious music. Boogaloo is a stomping glam thrash that should have topped the charts indeed, I never forgave Amazing Grace for the blocking and neither did Ringo. It’s not quite as fabulous as Ringo’s other George classic, Photograph, but then the only solo Beatle record of 1973 that was on a par with that was Jet – and that was a great year for all 4 of them.
Paula Abdul had a thin-sounding vocal, for the most part, and I dont think they have dated as well as contemporaries of the time, but Opposites Attract is def her best track. Fun!
How I remember my peers loathed ’Simon Says’ after they’d heard it a couple of times. But I always had a soft spot for those bubblegum one-hit wonders of the late 60s – 1910 FC, Ohio Express, and the Kasenetz-Katz Singing Orchestral Circus. Total one-off creations, but there was a special kind of magic top them the I for one still cherish.
As for ‘Back Off Boogaloo’, it wasn’t a song, but an incredible good-time groove. Just imagine a hybrid between ‘Give Peace a Chance’ and ‘Whole Lotta Love’. A huge production sound driven by Ringo’s drums, Madeline Bell & Co’s backing vocals, Gary Wright’s insistent keyboards, Klaus Boorman’s sax, and above all George H’s inimitable slide guitar – what’a not to like? To think it was held off No 1 by the Scots Guards no justice (oops, sorry, you are Scottish, I realise…). Strange to think that chartwise it was his least successful US hit – where both his follow-ups did top the charts.
>
I like that John Lennon/Led Zeppelin mash-up comparison. Suits it perfectly.
Despite being Scottish I have no affinity for either the pipes or the drums. From a distance they can be pleasant, but up close I find them an absolute racket. I’ll have to return my tartan card once this gets out…
I don’t know why you put up with me…damn I can’t believe I’ve done this again!
Back off Boogaloo…oh yes! My favorite Ringo song next to “Early 1970″…. have you heard that song? It’s not a great song but he sings about each one of the Beatles. George – John – and then Paul.
Ha! Don’t feel you have to comment on each one. Just if there’s one that catches your eye…
I just listened to ‘Early 1970’. Its quite interesting – he’s basically saying he needs the other three… Not something that Lennon, McCartney or Harrison would ever have admitted, you feel!
Yea I know…it was much easier on commenting in the 20th century lol.
Yea it was the B side to It Dont’ Come Easy…he is so honest and open. Not a work of art or even kinda good as music…but it works becasue of him.