Ah, the one
hit wonder - an artist that suddenly appears from nowhere with a huge worldwide
smash, and then promptly returns to anonymity. Many are painful novelties that bear
little repetition (what was it about the 1970s?), but I always remember with
great affection ""How Bizarre" by OMC from 1996.
A three piece
group from New Zealand, OMC (Otara Millionaires Club - an ironic tag as it was
one of the poorest areas in Auckland), created a quirky and alluring fusion of
Polynesian and hip-hop. "How Bizarre" was written by the OMC singer Pauly
Fuemana and their producer Alan Jansson, trying to capture the absurdities of
modern life.
It describes
an eventful day for the group (band members Pele and Sina both get name checks),
as they cruise around the streets in their '69 Chevy. They are initially stopped by a cop, and then they decide to visit a circus. Sadly
the animals have now left, prompting a media circus ("TV news and cameras,
there's choppers in the sky"), so
they move on.
In truth, it
is not the most exciting day (or even that bizarre), but then ends with the coy
"Wanna know the rest, hey, buy the rights". What happened next ? Suggestions
include that they may be fugitives from the law.
It doesn't
really matter, as it is such a beguiling sound, with the hypnotic melody from Spanish
guitar and blasts from trumpets. Fuemana
vocals are spoken deadpan in the verses, with the sweet chorus vocals from
Sina.
"How
Bizarre" started as number 1 in New Zealand and Australia and then it
quickly spread across the world, reaching number 5 in UK. Peculiarly, in the US
it topped the radio play charts, but was never released as a single. How
strange.
OMC only
released one album, subsequent singles flopped, and Pauly Fuemana died in 2010 at the age of only 40.
"How
Bizarre" has endured as a memorable and fun pop song. It was even voted
34th New Zealand best song ever (which sounds like a Flight of the Conchords joke).
Hear Now - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2cMG33mWVY
Hear Next -
Nothing, as that is the nature of a one hit wonder.
