Sometimes, you just don’t have enough to say something long. Sometimes, brevity and concision win the day. Maybe we should leave it at that… Nah! We’ll save the short stuff for a bit later here. Why? Because we need to spill a little more ink on the music.
Videos by American Songwriter
Below, we wanted to explore three songs that shine. Three songs from 1969 that remind us of the glory days of that famous year. Three one-hit wonders that rocketed up the charts at the end of the decade. But what else do these songs have in common? They all boast one-word titles. Short… but sweet!
“Venus” by Shocking Blue from (Single, 1969)
A song with a supremely catchy chorus (no wonder it hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100), this is a song you will recognize whether you know the track name, the band that composed it, or anything else about its history. It’s a song you’ve heard on television commercials, in movies, or on your favorite playlists. That’s the beauty of a one-hit wonder. You don’t need to know anything about it other than its power.
“Tracy” by The Cuff Links from ‘Tracy’ (1969)
A psychedelic song that flits between proto-rock of the 1950s and modern rock of the late 1960s and even early 70s. The British Invasion had a definite impact on this rock group from Staten Island, New York. And for all their effort, The Cuff Links’ hit single peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. Not bad for a track with a single word for its title! Less really can be more!
“Israelites” by Desmond Dekker & The Aces from ‘The Israelites’ (1969)
This song is all about the demand for hard work for most people. Artist Desmond Dekker overheard a dispute one day between two people. One was complaining about his job, and the other said they didn’t have enough money. By the time Dekker got home, the lyrics had written themselves. We all know the feeling—working too hard for not enough cash. This track, which hit No. 9 on the Hot 100, is the anthem for that.
Photo by Roba Archive/United Archives via Getty Images
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