The theme tonight was ONE-HIT WONDERS. Karen, Bounce, Arlene, Sam, Scott, Vin, Larry, Jack, Charles, Ken, Jen, WendySue and Suzala played them. Here's what we did.

1. Worst That Could Happen, Brooklyn Bridge, 1970 (Charles)

This dramatic song needs a singer with a broad vocal range. There was a modulation, which sunk a lot of us. Some of the chords were written A# and G#. Along with being a little hard to play, you had to think quickly to recognize them as Bb and Eb. That didn't help our playing.

2. Hooked on a Feeling, Blue Swede, 1974 (Charles)

This was a hit for B.J. Thomas in 1968. Blue Swede (from Sweden) made a novelty song out of it by chanting ooga chocka and doing a little different arrangement.

3. Gold, John Stewart, 1979 (Ken)

Very easy: mostly Am to F. Stewart had the benefit of the backing vocals of Stevie Nicks.

4. Star-Spangled Banner, F.S. Key, 1814 (Bill)

We did this quite slowly and it sounded good.

5. Alone Again (Naturally), Gilbert O'Sullivan, 1972 (Ken)

Gorgeous. Unrelentingly sad. Some chords we weren't used to, such as D7sus4 and Faug, but we did it well. It was my favorite song of the night.

6. In the Summertime, Mungo Jerry, 1970 (Vin)

I've heard this so many times over the years, but only recently picked out these lyrics:

"We're not bad people. We're not dirty. We're not mean.

We love everybody, but we do as we please."

7. Spirit in the Sky, Norman Greenbaum, 1970 (Dan)

This was a big hit for us Catholic-school kids. It seemed slightly irreverent. I don't think the nuns were amused.

8. Sunshine, Jonathan Edwards, 1971 (Vin)

Aside from not knowing how to end it, we did a good job.

9. Fly Me to the Moon, 1954 (Karen)

In two spots there was a jarring Eb when it should have been a G7. Why? Was it a deliberate sabotage? It partially ruined an otherwise really nice song, especially the lovely instrumental interlude.

10. Cast Your Fate to the Wind, Vince Guaraldi, 1963 (Karen)

This was the guy who did the music for the Charlie Brown cartoons. It's usually played as an instrumental, but the Johnny Rivers version we were following had words.

11. Canon in D Major, Johann Pachelbel, 1694 (Karen)

I recognized this melody once people started playing it and Karen hummed it.

12. A Little Bit of Soap, Jarmels, 1961 (Dan)

We had this 45 growing up. Only a few of us knew it. We played it well.

13. Rose Garden, Lynn Anderson, 1970 (Dan)

We played this before during the flower and plant session in April. Just so-so.

14. Shaving Cream, Benny Bell, 1956 (Vin)

Here was a bit of naughtiness.

15. Take On Me, a-ha, 1985 (Jen)

Only the chorus was attempted. No one could sing high enough to do the last line. Great song. Creative video. I have no idea what it's about. They're Norwegians.

16. Na Na Hey Hey, Steam, 1969 (Sam)

Just the first verse and chorus were done. We were out of time. I love this one.

There were still songs people posted that we couldn't get to, which is why we're extending this theme to the next session. So many songs fit this category that we could probably do ONE-HIT WONDERS Part 3 and Part 4.

-- Dan.