We read somewhere that "(Hey Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song" is the longest song title to reach No. 1 on the Billboard chart. That didn't seem right, so we did some checking and sure enough, the B.J. Thomas song was the leader in the clubhouse back in 1975.
But six year later along came another, and "Venus" was its name. Actually the official title was "Medley: Intro Venus/Sugar Sugar/No Reply/I'll Be Back/Drive My Car/Do You Want to Know a Secret/We Can Work it Out/I Should Have Known Better/Nowhere Man/You're Going to Lose That Girl/Stars on 45."
Which is just plain silly, both the title and the fact that a medley by a group of studio musicians in Holland could rise to No. 1. Poor B.J. and songwriters Chips Moman and Larry Butler, who 35 years ago today were Numero Uno. "(Hey Won't You Play)" is one of those songs that lives forever in its chorus. In fact, the title alone includes enough words to piece together the medley.
For the record, here was the Billboard Top 5 on April 26, 1975:
1. (Hey Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song, B.J. Thomas
2. Philadelphia Freedom, Elton John
3. He Don't Love You (Like I Love You), Tony Orlando & Dawn
4. Lovin' You, Minnie Riperton
5. Supernatural Thing Part 1, Ben E. King
A week later Tony Orlando & Dawn moved up two slots for a three-week run at No. 1. Now don't ask us if this was the first time songs with parenthetical titles were back-to-back chart toppers. We just don't want to know.
Loved the song by BJ Thomas. It amazes me how you remember all these songs you do.
ReplyDeleteShorter title, but I always liked B.J.'s "Rock 'n' Roll Lullaby better. Dig those backup Beach Boy harmonies.
ReplyDeleteNow, here's a strange thought that has nothing to do with the subject: Remember "To Love Somebody"?
It's a BeeGees song done by both the BeeGees and Janis Joplin.