Everybody knows the legendary song, “The House of the Rising Song”. A traditional folk song about a life gone wrong in New Orleans, it was covered by many bands around the world, the most successful being the famous 1964 version of The Animals. However, Detroit-based band Frijid Pink also released a version in 1970 that went straight to the top of the charts.
A worldwide success, Frijid Pink’s version of the song was a psychedelic blues and heavy metal rendition that was still catchy enough to be loved by any type of listener. The distorted guitar and frantic drumming were an interesting take on the folksy song. Friid Pink’s version was certified gold in the US, and then they kind of faded in the years that followed.
"Playground In My Mind" by Clint Holmes
Clint Holmes is a famous singer that topped charts around the world with his cheerful song, "Playground in my Mind". By 1972, when the song was released, Holmes had already been in the military for many years, singing for three years in the U.S. Army Chorus during the Vietnam War.
So, it came as no surprise that people went crazy for such a hopeful and happy song, which was made even sweeter by children's vocals heard in the background. Holmes never wrote another hit song again, but he went on to be wildly successful in other venues, like the Joan Rivers Show, and several performances in Las Vegas.
"Kung Fu Fighting" by Carl Douglas
Carl Douglas's 1974 hit single is recognizable from the very first second. That unmistakable 'oriental riff' immediately makes whoever is listening want to dance uncontrollably.
In a time when kung fu movies were wildly popular around the world, Douglas seemed to strike gold with the hit song. Especially since martial arts king, Bruce Lee, had passed away some months before. Ironically, Carl Douglas was actually born in Jamaica.
"Ring My Bell" by Anita Ward
Even though Anita Ward didn't write the song, she brought it to life and made it the hit it still is today. Famous R&B singer Frederick Knight actually wrote the song, drawing inspiration on the teenagers of the time that were constantly talking on the phone. Knight wanted the song to be sung by Stacy Lattisaw, a known singer of the time. But, as it turns out, she signed with another label at the last minute. And then Anita Ward came along.
This couldn't have been a better turn of events, since Ward's 1979 version of "Ring My Bell" made it to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 list and the Soul Singles chart. Ironically, many people thought the lyrics of the song had a double meaning -implying its suggestiveness. Anita didn't like this one bit, as she was a devout catholic. Regardless, the song made it to the top and became a timeless hit.
"Cat Scratch Fever" by Ted Nugent
Ted Nugent may be known for his super conservative political views and rants, but way before he was an intolerant activist, Nugent was singing his lungs out in 1977. This heavy metal tune called "Cat Scratch Fever" talked about venereal diseases, which is not surprising when you know it's Ted Nugent singing.
For those who don't know, "Cat Scratch Fever" is what people used to call STDs. Classy, right? Anyway, Nugent's 1977 hit single rose to number 30 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The worse part was that the man in the song claims to have had his first STD at 10 years old! No wonder Nugent's success was a one-time hit.