IT’S an age-old question – is it better to have been a one-hit wonder or a no-hit wonder?
The answer might seem obvious, but those who have suffered being a flash in the proverbial pan might well disagree – and Ireland have had a few of those.
Here are 10 artists who enjoyed their 15 minutes of musical fame...
Terry Wogan – The Floral Dance (1978)
Bear with us.
By popular request from listeners who enjoyed hearing him sing over Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band’s instrumental version, Wogan recorded his own take on The Floral Dance in 1978.
Wogan’s jam reached #21 in the British singles chart and even secured him a place on Top of the Pops – but the Limerick native, who sadly passed away in January, never took to the mic to sing again.
He did however, become one of the most well-known and loved broadcasters in Britain. Rest in peace Sir Terry.
Those Nervous Animals – My Friend John (1984)
Sligo rock band Those Nervous Animals’ single The Business Enterprise (My Friend John) peaked at number 8 on the Irish singles chart in 1984, where it spent 7 long weeks.
The band released five other singles which all failed to chart, but the song did leave an impressive legacy.
In 2001, Today FM’s Tom Dunne named the song in his Top 30 Irish Hits, while listeners to the show voted the song the 16th best Irish single of all time.
Sinead O’Connor – Nothing Compares 2 U (1990)
Controversial. Though Dublin siren Sinead O’Connor has never left our hearts, there’s no question that she never quite topped 1990’s worldwide hit Nothing Compares 2 U.
The song reached #1 in more or less every reputable singles chart on earth, while its music video became iconic for its stripped-back cinematography and intimate feel.
If anything, O'Connor has become better known for her outspoken views on organised religion, women and human rights than the rest of her discography.
Mick Lally – The By-road to Glenroe (1990)
Most of us remember the cult RTE series Glenroe, which ran for 18 years between 1983 and 2001 – but what about the number one single it spawned?
The tune was performed by late Glenroe actor Mick Lally, in character as Miley Byrne for his on-screen beau Biddy.
It was released as a single in 1990 with the show’s theme song as a B-side, and spent five long weeks on top of the Irish singles chart – meaning Irish people spent actual money on this.
Sultans of Ping FC – Where’s Me Jumper (1992)
It had to be on the list.
Cork band Sultans of Ping FC came to the attention of the British and Irish music press with the release of the #8 hit Where’s Me Jumper in 1992.
Sadly the band never quite reached the same heady heights again, but who could forget such legendary lines as “where’s me jumper, where’s me jumper, where’s me jumper?”
Mark McCabe – Maniac 2000 (2000)
You laugh now but Mark McCabe’s Maniac 2000 spent 10 weeks at number one in the Irish singles charts back in 2000.
It became the fifth highest selling single ever in Ireland and remains one of the biggest cult hits in the country’s history.
Mistakes are forgivable if you learn from them – but Maniac 2000 topped the charts again for its 15th anniversary last year.
What does this say about us?
Fr. Brian and the Fun Lovin’ Cardinals – Who’s in the House (2000)
What was in the water back in 2000? Brendan O’Connor satirical character Father Brian spent 12 weeks in the top 40 with this holy rap.
Who’s in the House parodied the Catholic Church’s attempts to be ‘cool’ and ‘down with the kids’ and features the unforgettable reply: “Jesus in the House.”
Father Brian was never heard from again.
Six – Whole Lotta Lovin’ (2002)
Big things were expected of Six after their performances on Irish Popstars in 2002 – which saw them signed to Simon Cowell’s BMG label and managed by Louis Walsh.
Their debut single Whole Lotta Lovin’ was number one in Ireland for four weeks in early 2002 – and looking back, they were four weeks too many.
Who could forget the moving lyric: “Like a highway that goes on and on and never ends”. The band ignored their own advice and folded a year later.
Mickey Harte – We’ve Got the World (2003)
Who could forget Mickey Harte after he strutted on stage with that green guitar at Eurovision 2003 in Riga, Latvia?
Harte finished 11th that year but the song – We’ve Got the World – shot to number one in the singles chart back home.
Harte’s attempts at launching a fully-fledged career on the back of the song fell on deaf ears, and his subsequent releases failed to chart.
Jumbo Breakfast Roll – Pat Shortt (2006)
Remember when Pat Shortt’s ode to the breakfast roll spent six weeks at the top of the Irish singles chart in 2006?
It was the best selling song of the whole year, outselling Shakira’s Hips Don’t Lie by 500 copies and taking its place as the decade’s eleventh highest seller.
Like the fried delicacy from which it takes its name, Jumbo Breakfast Roll remains a guilty pleasure in Ireland – but don’t try and explain it to anyone else.
