Music holds an interesting place in our lives. It’s one of the things we use to define our character, our personality. Often, that means using music to rebel against your parents. When you’re young, you don’t want to hear what music they love; you want to hear the music you love. But sometimes your parents know where it’s at. Sometimes their tastes really are worth appreciating.
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That’s what we wanted to do here below. We wanted to examine three one-hit wonders from the 1960s that we bet your own mother would enjoy. Three tunes that are sweet but interesting, historic but timeless. Indeed, these are three one-hit wonders from the 1960s that we’re pretty sure your mother would love today.
“The Girl From Ipanema” by Stan Getz and João Gilberto from ‘Getz/Gilberto’ (1964)
Moms who spent time in the 1960s know this song well. It’s in their bones. It was a major part of the culture upon its release in the latter part of the decade. The tune, which hit No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, is transportive. At a time when the world felt like it was expanding, this song provided a portal into new lands, new sounds, and a new, almost tropical vibe. It took people to Brazil, where the air was warm and the music was sultry. Yet, the track was still sweet—sweet enough for Mom!
“Goldfinger” by Shirley Bassey from ‘Goldfinger (Soundtrack)’ (1964)
In 1964, one of the most popular movies to see at the theater was the new James Bond movie, Goldfinger. And if you went to see that film, which starred Sean Connery as the titular British spy, then you heard the big-voiced Shirley Bassey sing the theme song. With a swelling voice, Bassey filled the recording studio, the theater, the world with her rich, sumptuous voice. And we bet that your mom saw the movie, loved the song, which hit No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100, and would see a smile cross her face if she heard it right now!
“Oh Happy Day” by Edwin Hawkins Singers from ‘Let Us Go Into The House Of The Lord’ (1968)
Most mothers of a certain age enjoy having a sense of spirituality. They go to church, they have a relationship with God, or they’re just hopeful about the future thanks to a sense of spiritual connection that they probably learned from their own parents. Well, if that’s the case, then they will appreciate this uplifting, heartfelt spiritual song by the Edwin Hawkins Singers, which hit No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. It’s a happy day every time this tune comes on the speakers—both we and your mom would agree!
Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
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