Those one-hit wonders, as we know them.
When most of us think about one-hit wonders, we are in the mind of music. But. Today, most of us are thinking of a different kind. Presidents. We really haven’t had that many one-term presidents. We, the United States, we. Of the 45 presidents so far, most have served two terms, with the exception of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who was in office for three.
But the one-hit wonders fall in the single digits. There have only been nine until Tuesday, November 3, 2020. Donald Trump (Republican) in 2020, makes ten.
The others are, from the most recent:
George H.W. Bush (Republican) 1993
Jimmy Carter (Democrat) 1981
Gerald Ford (Republican) 1977
Herbert Hoover (Republican) 1933
Howard Howard Taft (Republican) 1913
Benjamin Harrison (Republican) 1893
Martin Van Buren (Democrat) 1841
John Quincy Adams (Whig) 1829
John Adams (Federalist) 1801
The parties listed here are pretty straightforward. The only one in question is Donald Trump. Trump’s affiliation has changed numerous times. He registered as a Republican in Manhattan in 1987. He switched to the Reform Party in 1999 for a short time. Then, he went over to the Democratic Party in 2001. Eight years as a Democrat, and finally, back to the Republican Party in 2009. His home state changed from New York to Florida, as well.
But that is neither here nor there, now. Things change. People come and go, as do presidents. We transition, we move on, and we do the best we can. The past four years have been terrific for some people and absolutely awful for the rest. Now it is time we move toward making it good for everyone.
But, I didn’t mean to talk politics here, just history. I mentioned, first thing, those one-hit wonders. Those musical standouts. We love it when a group, or person, comes out with an incredible song. And then, we wait for the next big hit to come. But occasionally, we have those musical feats that occur only once.
I figured I’d give you a few, most of which I love.
How about:
Come On Eileen by Dexy’s Midnight Runners
I used to love this song. I can remember putting the speakers in our door room on the window sill, and the “all of us” going to the yard below to toss frisbee. Come On Eileen would invariably be in the line-up. That was 1982, I think.
Another one I loved?
Spirit In The Sky by Norman Greenbaum
This was a little later, in 2006. I’d run through downtown Charleston in the mornings, six miles or so, each day. This was on my playlist. Norman Greenbaum said of this song, that he wanted to write some gospel music. He penned, in the lyrics, “I got a friend in Jesus.” Funny. Norman Greenbaum is Jewish.
I can’t mention a one-hit-wonder without noting
Tainted Love by Soft Cell
Again, this falls during my college-era, this hit in 1981. We’d go to some pretty grand dance bars and always hit the floor with this one.
There are two that I still jump around and sing in my kitchen. I have to see something or hear something that makes me go into full-transformation, but here they are:
Turning Japanese by The Vapors 1980
My Sharona by The Knack 1979
Finally, a mix for all those people, who have struggled for the past four years. A song for every single person who woke daily and dreaded the morning news. A one-hit wonder song for you?
Tubthumping by Chumbawamba 1997
If it doesn’t sound familiar, perhaps the lyrics will remind you.
I get knocked down, but I get up again
You are never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down, but I get up again
You are never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down, but I get up again
You are never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down, but I get up again
You are never gonna keep me down
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“Life doesn’t get easier or more forgiving, we get stronger and more resilient.”
― Steve Maraboli
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“Enthusiasm is common. Endurance is rare.”
― Angela Duckworth
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“The oak fought the wind and was broken, the willow bent when it must and survived.”
― Robert Jordan, The Fires of Heaven
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One-hit-wonders or just one hit.
