Any bands you know of who’s reputation you think is ruined because of the popularity of one song?
J. Geils Band (Centerfold)-This is probably their most popular song but is hardly representative of who they were. Listen to any J. Geils live music and you can get a sense of what a great party band they were. I wish I were around in the 70’s when they brought the house down.
Dire Straights (Money for Nothing)-I like this song but to many the band is thought of only because of this song. Great blues work by their catalog that goes unnoticed.
“Beth” - KISS. It is well known that the other members of the band HATE this song. I saw a behind-the-scenes video of a concert they did a few years ago where Peter was on stage (alone) singing the song, Gene, Ace, and Paul were backstage make faces at the camera. Funny stuff.
I wasn’t a big fan, but I think “She’s a Beauty” by The Tubes qualifies. I think that was their only top ten hit, and my friends who were Tubes fans were all pissed off that everyone else was getting into this “new” band when “She’s a Beauty” was being overplayed on the “top 40” radio stations.
I don’t know about ruined, but I always liked Incubus until they recorded “I Wish You Were Here.” I don’t know if this will sink them, because there are loads of 13-year-olds who think they’re headbangers and will still buy the album. All I’m saying is this song is the kind of song that deserves to ruin a band.
Well there’s poor Bobby McFarrin, who will be forever linked to an idiotic tune about the mindless optimism of the Reagan years despite the fact that:
A. He meant it ironically and
B. he has apparently done many other wonderful things (umm…not that I would know, I only know him for that song. Poor guy.)
And I can’t think Simple Minds and the Pyschedelic Furs (two fairly cool bands) are happy about being permanantly associated with John Hughes movies.
I don’t know about this. I would say that a lot of people have heard “Sultans of Swing” and dig that song too. It could just be unique to my local radio station, but it seems that it’s about a 1:1 Sultans:Money ratio.
Hmmmm, the first example that comes to mind is “Invisible Touch” by Genesis. They had gone through so much and retained credibility, but when Phil went pop and they came out with this album, any prog cred went down the drain.
Any takers for:
“Dancin’ in the Dark” - by Bruce Springsteen?
“All of My Love” - by Led Zeppelin? (not that it mattered since Bonzo died at around the same time)
“You Better You Bet” - by the Who?
“Emotional Rescue” - by the Rolling Stones?
re: “All my Love”. I wouldn’t quite count that because it’s not really what you think of when you think Zeppelin. If anything, maybe Stairway to Heaven. All My Love is one of two Zep songs where Jimmy Page doesn’t get a writing credit. Also, it was so near to the end of the Band.
Bob Seger-Old Time Rock and Roll
(I was going to say Like a Rock but he sold that to Chevy so it’s his own fault)
I cant pinpoint an Aerosmith song, but I would have to say it was on Pump or Get a Grip. Pump was really the last acceptable album they made, so maybe “janies got a gun”? anyone?..
The Who was my favorite band. It was so sad to see Pete Townshend enter his dotage, and begin to churn out dreck like the one you mentioned, or, even worse, the execrable “Squeezebox”. Pathetic.
Another of my favorites was the Jefferson Airplane (dating myself here, huh?). I was apprehensive when they transmogrified into J. Starship, and my worst fears were confirmed with “We Built This City”.
