Strange or Surprising #1 songs

[skye]

This?

weird... it's a bit weird!

Right Said Fred - I’m Too Sexy OFFICIAL music Video​

 

[Alan Stallion]

99 Luftballons (99 Red Balloons) - Nena
German song tops non German-speaking charts.
US an Australia preferred the German version whilst the Brits favored the English version.
Technically #2 on Billboard's Top 100 but charted #1 on Cashbox in the US. Also #1 in Australia and New Zealand. Not surprising #1 in West Germany, Austria and Switzerland. #1 in Belgium, Netherlands and Sweden. #1 in Japan too!

 

[Alan Stallion]

This?

weird... it's a bit weird!

Right Said Fred - I’m Too Sexy OFFICIAL music Video​

Yes! My theme song!
#1 in the US, Australia, Austria, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, just missed in the UK (#2 there)

 

[Alan Stallion]

Speaking of songs sung in German.

Rock Me Amadeus - Falco
A (largely) German-speaking song about an 18th Century composer by new wave/rapper artist Falco. Ooooh, Rock Me Amadeus!
#1 in the US, Canada, Ireland, the UK, South Africa, and New Zealand. #1 in many other countries including Spain, Sweden, and of course West Germany and Austria.

 

[Alan Stallion]

Mrs. Brown, You've Got A Lovely Daughter - Herman's Hermits
The #1 song on my day of birth in the US. Goofy.

 

[Alan Stallion]

Winchester Cathedral - the New Vaudeville Band
The Brits can sure put out goofy stuff.
Even reached #1 in... Singapore!

 

[Alan Stallion]

Fire - The Crazy World of Arthur Brown
Need I say more?
#1 in the UK and Canada. Just fell short in the US at #2.

 

[Alan Stallion]

The Stripper - David Rose

This very familiar instrumental stripper song did top the Billboard chart in 1962. The song was actually a B-side to "Ebb Tide"

 

[Alan Stallion]

Monster Mash - Bobby "Boris" Pickett and the Crypt-Kickers

It was a graveyard smash.
It caught on in a flash.
Now this 1962 novelty song is a Halloween favorite.

 

[Alan Stallion]

Sukiyaki (Ue o Muite Aruko) - Kyu Sakamoto

A song in Japanese hits #1 in America in 1963? Yes, indeed. Also #1 in Australia, New Zealand, and Norway, and naturally, Japan.

 

[Alan Stallion]

I'm Henry the VIII, I Am - Herman's Hermits

Second verse, same as the first!

 

[Alan Stallion]

Okay, here we go....

My Ding-A-Ling - Chuck Berry

Chuck Berry's one and only #1 in the United States and it's this song about a "cute little toy." The Brits, Canadians, and Irish were also caught playing with this #1 song.

 

[Alan Stallion]

By request (just kidding)

MacArthur Park - Richard Harris

The epic seven-and-half minute version.
And I'll never have that recipe again. Oh nooooooo!
#1 in Canada and Australia. Just missed in the US (#2)

 

[Alan Stallion]

Eloise - Barry Ryan

Enjoy. It's even "better" with the music video.
This 1968 song didn't do much in the United States, but top the charts in Australia, Belgium, France, Italy, Netherlands, Malaysia, New Zealand, Rhodesia, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, and West Germany. #2 in many other countries.

 

[Alan Stallion]

Okay, you asked for it (not really)

Gangnam Style - PSY
Everybody's "favorite" chubby South Korean dancer/rapper. Too many countries to name had this at #1.

 

[Alan Stallion]

Lovin' You - Minnie Riperton

La-la-la-la-laaaa
La-la-la-la-laaaa
La-la-la-la-laaaa-la-laaa-laaa-laaa---laaa
Doo-doo-do-do-do-do-doooooo
AAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!
#1 song in the US in 1975.
She died so young (only 31)

 

[Alan Stallion]

Taco revised this Irving Berlin classic in 1982.

Puttin' On The Ritz - Taco
#1 in Canada, Finland, New Zealand, Sweden, US (Cashbox)

 

[Alan Stallion]

Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen) - Baz Luhrmann

Essentially the reading of a Chicago Tribune article to a backing track. Yup.
#1 in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada (adult contemporary chart)

 

[Alan Stallion]

Chocolate Salty Balls - Chef (Isaac Hayes) from South Park

#1 UK Single. They like their chocolate salty balls. Ireland too.

 

[Alan Stallion]

Axel F - Harold Faltermeyer

Beverly Hills Cop instrumental hits #1 on US Adult Contemporary and Hot Dance Play. #1 in Ireland, Netherlands, Canada (Adult Contemporary


But then it gets weird...

Axel F - Crazy Frog
The Annoying Thing took this to #1 in Australia, Belgium, Denmark, France, Hungary, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and, of course, the UK.

Ding ding