ONE HIT WONDERLAND: "Hooked on a Feeling" by Blue Swede

[@gwitch]

I can never remember how old these videos are until Todd says things like, “Fancy is the song of the summer” and then it feels as distant as the 1960s.

[@ronan-outoftime]

time sure does fly

[@adrianbooklecter7545]

so real for this

[@ingsve]

This song actually has historical significance in Sweden. It reached the no 1 spot on the Billboard hot 100 on the exact day that ABBA won the Eurovision song contest. Because of that the 6th of April 1974 is viewed as the birth date of Sweden on the international music scene which lay the ground work for not only ABBAs careers but everything that came afterwards from Roxette to Ace of Base to Max Martin, Aviici and Swedish House Mafia etc.

[@AnarchistMetalhead]

so without this we wouldn"t have garbage like Aviici and Swedish House Mafia?

[@CTyankee]

Hey, I like Aviici

[@ayyguevara8448]

Completely ignoring the greatest export in Swedish history, The Hives

[@ZeroneAngel]

@@AnarchistMetalhead Exactly. But on the other hand you wouldn't have At the Gates, Meshuggah, Watain, In Flames, Arch Enemy or Sabaton either...I know it sounds wierd, but it's the truth. The sucesses of swedish music export in the 70's is a major reason why sweden invested in schools and education for music loving kids in the 80's. And each and every one of the sucessful metal bands mentioned above is a result of that.

[@helpfulplaylists3933]

​@@CTyankeeI like Swedish House Mafia as well.

[@ArchangelSteve]

The best part about Todd going "Brits, how does that keep happening?" after the bit about Jonathan King is that the clip of him is preceded by Jimmy Saville.

[@franf.4479-v9z]

💀

[@blanket4763]

Ikr

[@farshnuke]

I mean to be fair virtually everyone powerful in America (not forgetting Britain's Prince Andrew) has been photographed with Jeffrey Epstein

[@buckleygeneration]

I'm Swedish. I grew up hearing this song. I actually like this song. And I had NO IDEA they were called Blue Swede. I was certain they were called Blue Suede.

[@comettamer]

I think its one of those examples of the Mandela Effect.

[@RegebroRepairs]

Dom hette Blåblus ffs. :-)

[@calmbbaer]

@@comettamer - No, it's just that, outside the context of the band, "blue suede" is a thing and "blue Swede" is not.

[@Syndikalisten]

Because like Lennart said their name in sweden was Blåblus or Sailor's shirt in English.

[@mariovaccarella6854]

Same here. I always thought that they were Blue Suede

[@heavycritic9554]

Damn, it feels weird to hear Björn Skifs and "one hit wonder" in conjunction. The guy is basically one of the most respected and loved artists in Swedish music history. He's left a mark on Swedish music that very few people can match. And Hooked on a Feeling in Blue Swede's version isn't about love, it's about being horny. Björn Skifs is a comedian.

[@JBergmansson]

Heavy Critic Super agree!

[@r0kus]

Todd did not say so this episode, but the _One Hit Wonderland_ series refers to a song's impact in North America. He has covered quite a few songs from singers and groups outside NA that have had very successful careers in their home countries. But if the USA and Canada generally only know one of their works, he includes it. Note that the series has included British and Australian artists as well, so the scope is not even English, but specific to NA.

[@BlueGuy98]

Not to mention that he also voiced Woody in the Swedish dubs of Toy Story 1 and 2. But not 3 for some reason

[@cognitivedissonance8406]

@@BlueGuy98 Hahaha Woody. Horny. Hahaha

[@Stroheim333]

The only big problem with Björn Skifs' international career, was his manager, who wanted them to perform in silly viking clothes and things like that. Skifs have a fantastic voice, he is funny and his charisma leave nothing else to desire.

[@SpazTac13]

I always thought the ooga chaka part was a reference to cavemen (as depicted in pop culture at least) and how "this feeling deep inside of me" has him regressing all the way back to base primal instincts.

[@ivanriskin1167]

Same! (:

[@Kenshiro3rd]

Yup... or rather the cave man part of your brain, and urges. XD

[@anarchomando7707]

Horny

[@bartholen]

So he's basically saying he's about to go awooga mode. Makes sense.

[@TransRoofKorean]

Because that's exactly what it is. Personally, I think his version of the song is just as good as BJ Thomas's, but it's totally different, more about sex than romance. I'd never given the two versions much thought, and realize in hindsight that I didn't even know which came first. And it's not like BJ Thomas was writing his own songs either.

[@dbdeg88]

"BJ Thomas always sounds like a complete dork with a head cold." That's probably because raindrops keep fallin' on his head.

[@ValkyrieTiara]

This is one of those times where I really gotta disagree with Todd. The ooga chaka is definitely obnoxious, but the falling long I is what Michael Jackson would call "the jelly". It's SO GOOD, and Bjern fucking belts it in the best way. NOBODY would care about this song if it weren't for that hook. I respect not liking it because it differs so significantly in a very specific way from your preferred version, though. I understand that feeling VERY well.

[@carlkolthoff5402]

Whether you like this song or not, it does play an incredibly important role in modern music history. April 6th 1974 two things happened: 1. ABBA won the Eurovision with Waterloo. 2. Blue Swede charted number one on Billboard hot 100. None of these things had ever happened before. The combination of the two events sparked a never before seen confidence in swedish artists, songwriters and record producers. Finally we were on the world map, determined to never leave. I would argue that the Max Martins, Aviciis, Roxettes, Ace of Bases, Shellbacks, In Flames and Opeths would've been a lot fewer and less successful if it wasn't for ABBA and Blue Swede showing it's possible even for us as a small cold country up north.

[@garystack9537]

Every video you put in of Björn Skifs makes him seem like kind of a himbo who’s just happy to be there. I can’t hate that

[@riabouchinska]

I know, I kinda love him, he just looks so damn happy

[@jodawoe]

This is one of the few times that I absolutely disagree with Todd. I love this song.

[@lisaTHS4lf]

Exactly!

[@PKMN37]

The reason he didn't like it is because it sounds different from the one he grew up with, which I can understand, as it's the same thing with me and certain versions of songs. However, I like this version of the song more than the orignal one. It's the perfect vacation song.

[@luigiepic]

I love his videos but often find myself disagreeing on the songs he talks about when it comes to One Hit Wonderland, but oh well.

[@synthmalicious7541]

Only time?

[@oof-rr5nf]

Joe McGregor ME TOO!!!!!! Makes me really happy.

[@badlydrawnavocado2569]

Three interesting facts related to this video: 1. Björn Skiffs is also a comedian. One of his most famous acts is pretending to be a car for 13 minutes. 2. There's a song from chess called "Nobodys side" that is like just about the most brilliant musical number ever written. Its just pure Björn-and-Benny-ABBA- musical- explosion. 3. Every year when Eurovision song Contest hits Sweden, we all go batshit crazy for it- media, schools, workplaces. It's like a mass psycosis. God, i love Sweden some times.

[@AmericasComic]

Nobody’s Side is the absolute banger of the whole album

[@SlashCampable]

@@livedandletdie what's wrong with you?

[@larshansson1953]

@@SlashCampable He's the stereotypical scanian racist. Sometimes we wish we could give Scania back to Denmark but then we remember Peps Persson and change our minds.

[@trapadvisor]

I wish I lived in Sweden sometimes. The trans people there describe a pretty good experience.

[@badlydrawnavocado2569]

@@trapadvisor come for the Eurovision mania, stay for the trans rights 💪

[@dominicmilani4637]

Blue Swede's version is a different view of what it feels like to be in love. The sweetness of the original is replaced with this oozing loud passion and seventies style charisma that other versions lack. It's not better, it's not worse, it's just different.

[@admiralcrackbar8465]

Dominic Milani yeah, he sounds like the guy that’s chilling and having fun in a relationship, rather than all lovey dovey

[@patrickrowan6001]

Much tackier, you could argue. Idc I love it. Long live tacky.

[@Clean.Eastwood]

It is worse.

[@jhutt8002]

I never thought of it as a love song... That's pretty boring. I've always associated that song with drinking and partying. The descending line Todd doesn't like really pushes some power to the chorus that original didn't have. Who cares about the lyrics with the hooks like that (no pun intended)?

[@hiimemily]

I mean... it's worse. But it's not bad.

[@ajeetminhas7969]

Best use of the Swedish Chef ever...

[@GoldPrince2468]

OK. Speaking of chefs; when Todd mentioned Chess the musical or whatever... For a split second, I thought I saw Gordon Ramsey.

[@CubanWriter]

I feel that I-I-I-I-I adds a little kick to the song. And I think the forceful delivery helps make you feel how ecstatic the guy is.

[@ruthw1995]

anyone else recoil in fear when jimmy saville popped on screen for a second

[@TheDrugOfTheNation]

And while scrolling down to up-vote this, Jonathan King shows up.

[@nellfromhell7192]

Kids on children in need did

[@chernobylcoleslaw6698]

Yeah and then Todd mentions British showbiz being filled with pbombs. 😢

[@NemFX]

I honestly like this version. The descending tone on the I part actually hits my ear better than holding it. I think the reason a lot of us like this version is because the singer isn't great. It's like watching someone singing Tom Jones and doing pretty good even if it's not all the way there. There's something earnest in his overpowered singing.

[@TheAmazingBlackStar]

Oh man, the Association! That band is very familiar to me as Windy was one of my mom's favorite songs.

[@matthewramroop]

They actually don't sound that bad. Besides...cover bands aren't supposed to straight up re-perform other artists' songs, they're supposed to give a different angle.

[@RadioGaGago]

I'm from Sweden, and Björn Skifs is kind of a personal god to me. And he has definitely had a more glamorous career here in Swedenland, he is well known and beloved by almost all, he still sells out every concert he puts up and his voice is still holding (and I love his voice). They could have made it bigger in the US if they hadn't taken so long to start touring there, had better management and transitioned from covers to original compositions by Bengt Palmers who is an amazing and prolific composer, who did their arrangements with help from keyboardist Anders Berglund who later became one of our most well known composer/conductor. But Björn is probably pretty happy about how his career went, he also did comedy movies which to be honest are pretty awesome and funny (except one, yuck... "Strul"). He is an Swedish icon, and Blue Swede was the first swedish band to have a hit in the us, opening up for many artists to come.

[@MetalTraveler]

My mother is from Åland and I listened way too much Michelangelo as a kid and I love the song :D

[@felafnirelek8987]

GutentagCharlie hey, ever heard of sabaton?

[@RadioGaGago]

***** Sure have - seen them live many times at festivals. Not a favourite of mine though.

[@petewadesays12]

Sabaton is sooooooooooo good

[@Kojak0]

@OVERCRITCAL NERD - err... they came WAY later than Blue Swede, competes with among other bands Amon Amarth for the American market's attention, and you also had Abba in between, as well as a whole range of other bands preceding Sabaton, especially during the ninties and oughties like Ace of Base and Roxette to just mention two of them. All that said: Sabaton is my favourite band, no doubt.

[@idab9958]

I saw Björn Skifs live a few years ago and even at 70 years of age he KILLED it. He may be a one-hit wonder elsewhere but in Sweden he is a bona fide legend.

[@daretodream9765]

You're right. I'm from Russia and for me Björn is the legend too (and most favorite Eurovision participant from Sweden)

[@KanjoosLahookvinhaakvinhookvin]

Relying on covers isn't bad. The Animals did it right. Really fucking right.

[@Apemopo]

+Kanjoos “ProJared 2” Lahookvinhaakvinhookvin yeah, a lot of wonderful bands in the sixties and seventies did! did it right, i mean

[@HaydenX]

There is a house in New Orleans They call the Rising Sun And it's been the ruin of many a poor boy And God I know I'm one

[@redfarmer1980]

So did The Byrds, at least for their hits. The difference is I love The Animals and The Byrds (their Bob Dylan and Pete Seeger covers got me to explore deeper into their discography and discover some really cool proto-alt country), but Blue Swede just sound horrible to me. Like, their Association cover doesn't even sound like the same song...

[@riabouchinska]

redfarmer1980 Sweetheart of the Rodeo is a bitchin' album

[@jessicazeller8060]

90% of Linda Ronstadt 's catalog is comprised of covers. She did pretty well for herself. ☺️

[@emileetelles3122]

"Chess" is about the cold war. no seriously. It's about an American chess master and a USSR chess master playing against each other.

[@Archeopteryxman421]

It's based on the famed 1971 World Chess Championship match between Boris Spassky and Bobby Fischer.

[@mierardi88]

yeah... unfortunately for Todd, Chess has never had a solid script in America, and at this point it's incredibly antiquated and would need another update.

[@SophiaShaw1]

The main character is a spy that is playing in international chess tournaments. He keeps switching from the American to Russian sides of the Cold War. The plot is fairly incomprehensible. The music isn't bad, it is almost like it was written by a pop band .... I like a lot of the songs, but they are better as stand alone songs, then as a part of the story.

[@SophiaShaw1]

They have tried to redo it multiple times, each version revamps/recuts the script to make it more understandable. There is a concert version with Idina Menzel (from Frozen) and Josh Groban.

[@riahlexington]

Emilee Telles oh cool I want to see that!

[@seangarner2687]

"I get a lot of requests for Rick Astley and that will NEVER happen.NEVER!" Sounds like Todd is setting up the ultimate Rickroll.

[@hiimemily]

He literally had two #1 hits, and "Together Forever" isn't exactly forgotten.

[@uglyaniimals]

@@hiimemilyi'd argue it's pretty damn forgotten but yea, even if the second hit is pretty obscure. i think having it go #1 should immediately disqualify it

[@femboy-gardevoir]

Buddy, the reason he's not gonna talk about Rick Astley on One Hit Wonderland is because Astley *isn't* a one hit wonder.

[@Craig_Spurlock]

Much like Manfred Mann's iconic cover of "Blinded by the Light", sometimes the original just gets totally eclipsed by a more popular cover.

[@kylehegedus5498]

Craig Spurlock Wrapped up like a douche!!!! 😂😂😂😂😂

[@donweatherwax9318]

Good example! That weird Manfred Mann cover thing was certainly a random event.

[@NJGuy1973]

Oh, and it was in Reservoir Dogs.

[@MikeKiker]

And it was in Dick. (That Kirsten Dunst Richard Nixon movie if you've never seen it. It was OK.)

[@shkeni]

That is probably where everyone else picked it up from from the 90s on. So weird that no one remembers that OST today given how huge it was.

[@66cuda]

Pass me the bear claw

[@JesusSalazar]

This

[@AmericasComic]

Here’s the general outline of Chess (it changes a lot between productions) it’s the Cold War, The Russian Chessmaster is facing off the bratty American Chessmaster. The “Arbiter” is a minor character who is basically the ref of the chess match. During the match, The American’s second (like, assistant) joins up with the Russian instead and they fall in love, even though the Russian has a wife. At the end of the first act the Russian wins and defects. In the second act the Russian is now living in America with a second, estranged from his wife. He faces off against another challenger (which changes from production to production, sometimes a rematch with the American, sometimes another Russian) in Bangkok (“One Night in Bangkok”). KGB agents pressure both the second and the Russian to throw the game, offering them the chance to be reunited with estranged family members. The ending from there depends on the production, sometimes the Russian decides to win but loses anyways sometimes he decides to throw the match, sometimes he wins. But it turns out that it all was in vain as the promises of the KGB were false: nobody’s on nobody’s side.

[@CatLives9]

I enjoy the Blue Swede version. Your disdain for their version hurts.

[@livedandletdie]

Feline Fatale, actually his disdain for it is proof that it's good, because Todd has shit taste in music, and if he thinks it's shit, then it's per definition good.

[@putridmoldyman306]

@@livedandletdie Thats an insanely stupid thing to say

[@ElFreakinCid]

Nah, it's been true ever since he gave a glowing review to Anaconda and decided he loves Nicki Minaj's work.

[@putridmoldyman306]

@@ElFreakinCid Even though he didnt?

[@Mewobiba]

@@putridmoldyman306 nuance is for weaklings, gays and europeans /s

[@princesskyrie]

Another connection from Björn Skifs to ABBA: Blue Swede was the first Swedish act to hit # 1 on the US charts with "Hooked on a Feeling." On the exact same day - April 6, 1974 - ABBA won Sweden's first Eurovision Song Contest victory with "Waterloo." Sweden hosted the 2016 Eurovision and the hosts claimed that day as a watershed in Swedish music.

[@uglyaniimals]

more like a waterloo in swedish music amirite

[@JacobHillSBD]

Just gonna say it, the video for that David Hasselhoff cover of Hooked on a Feeling is freaking gold. David Hasselhoff slides down a green screen mountain, rides a prop motorcycle, and then leaps off of it and FLYS. It has got to be the best example of horrible green screen ever.

[@taylorward3773]

+Jacob Hill Birdemic doesn't count?

[@JacobHillSBD]

Taylor Ward No that's CGI.

[@taylorward3773]

Jacob Hill CGI birds on horrible green screen.

[@JacobHillSBD]

True. But Birdemic just made me smile with how bad it was. Hasselhoff's Hooked on A Feeling made me laugh uncontrollably.

[@cameronlingo2969]

I think that sums up Hasselhoff's entire career. He's so cheesy and awful, but he's also clearly in on the joke and has the charm and charisma to just make it all somehow work.

[@hikaruk.981]

Swedes have amazing English prowess, by and large.

[@DrGandW]

I will never come up with anything as good as Slam Creepers :o

[@fakepro5848]

the whammy?

[@nikh7222]

would have liked this comment but it already had 69 likes

[@sofioremskoglund8396]

The name Slam Creepers is a joke based on the fish mudskipper which is called slamkrypare in swedish (krypare means creeper). There was also a popular type of shoe nicknamed slamkrypare around the same time.

[@NostalgiNorden]

Björn Skifs i basically one of swedens most famous and beloved persons. He went on to do alot of acting and comedy while still producing hitsongs in swedish. After a while the whole "Hooked on a feeling"-period became more of a cool "Also this thing happened"-story that he always got asked about. He blamed the manger for not going bigger with Blue Swede as he thinks that they should have gone touring in the states the minute the song got big but it didn't happen for some reason. The song going no.1 was not planned the say the least.

[@ronan-outoftime]

from what i can tell he's one of the most well respected musicians in sweden, gonna be honest i only really know him from this song and his esc entries but he seems cool

[@Tim_the_Enchanter]

The brief shot of Todd not in the shadows was ... unnerving.

[@rbailey1240]

Deep lore: Johnathan King produced the first Genesis album and (supposedly) gave them their name.

[@whiterabbit75]

I had no idea that _One Night in Bangkok_ was part of an opera type thing. That's pretty awesome, and adds a lot of context to the lyrics.

[@RatelHBadger]

Chess is a decent musical

[@Hidfors]

Song is still quite populare in Sweden, typical summer-song blasted for the whole neighborhood through your open balcony-door - not Björn Skifs fault (pronounced like Byeorn Shiffs, i guess :) ). He also made a couple of absolutely hilarious movies, during the 1980s (when swedish cinema wasn't an embarrasment) called Strul, 1988 (rough translation: Haslse) and Drömkåken, 1993 (The Dream House). They're all hilarious farces, where a nice, naive guy (Always Skifs) who end up in the most messed up, confusing situations, all wrapped up in that "it'll be alright if i close my eyes" attitude. If you can find these translated into English, you're in for a somewhat unusual and hilarious time. Not to mention there's some Swedish culture in there, god knows we're not too good at marketing who we are. I'm not saying Sweden is a country without an identity, i'm just implying it. ;)

[@clwireg]

Victor Hyde It’s like, how a spanish person would say ”Jiffs”

[@Emmuzka]

It's 2019 and I only just learned that it's Blue Swede, not Blue Suede.

[@BillyPilgrim1959]

That's knocked me back too and I love the song

[@RatelHBadger]

Damn Limewire

[@seed_drill7135]

A few trivia bits. Hush was originally a cosmic country song by Joe South. Deep Purple's version is a cover. And Running Bear was written by J.P. Richardson, aka, The Big Bopper, and it's him and George Jones doing the "Ooga Oogas" on the track.

[@BillAbendroth]

Oh my lord...... Running Bear..... loves a Little White Dove..... I remember hearing that on country radio in the 1970s.... and being embarrassed.

[@oof-rr5nf]

I love you but I disagree. It is so distinct, the love the singing voice. And it can be upbeat and be about love! Love can be upbeat! But. I still love ya. In a non creepy way.

[@markfx12]

...and the sitar intro was played by Reggie Young, who also toured with The Highwaymen in the 1990's playing tasty guitar fills...

[@dynaboyjl.4220]

Man this episode's full of great lines. I could watch Todd react to 70s kitsch for hours.

[@bewilderbeastie8899]

Whenever "Running Bear" is mentioned I have traumatic flashbacks to when my mother used to make me dance to it as a small child. I stepped on the record and broke it out of sheer spite.

[@elliefitzpatrick2791]

I need to hear the full context because this is such a deeply fascinating image

[@bewilderbeastie8899]

@@elliefitzpatrick2791 My mum liked this record for some bizarre reason, and she'd make me do this little dance that basically reenacted the song? (she'd do it with me) and she made me do it in front of guests, like a party trick. I must've been... four years old? Anyway, I was so humiliated by the experience that I found the record in her collection and stepped on it so I never had to do it again.

[@elliefitzpatrick2791]

@@bewilderbeastie8899 good for you

[@elliefitzpatrick2791]

For breaking the record

[@bewilderbeastie8899]

@@elliefitzpatrick2791 literally just fucking told you

[@drummr1313]

Sometimes love hits like a truck, and I like Blue Swede incorporating that into this version. The lead singer's vocals remind me a little of Tom Jones.

[@annnee6818]

Am I the only one who thinks the "Iiiihahahahai" gives the song more power rather than less?

[@VeryDryBones]

it's harder to sing one long note well then do that. but it's your opinion what sounds better. but that's why people would say that

[@annnee6818]

VeryDryBones I sing myself. It's not necessarily more difficult to hold one note, it depends on which note it is. Then again I'm not a baritone, it's very possible it's difficult to hold that particular note. It's probably just the fact that I heard the blue swede version first why I prefer it, I guess. But it just sounds better to me. I have to admit though, I prefer the rest of the original to Blue Swedes version. Just not that line 😄

[@RatelHBadger]

It makes the song infinitely more singable as a sports arena singalong tune.

[@annnee6818]

@@RatelHBadger That is very true😂

[@cyanmanta]

The Association is also known for (Everyone Knows it's) Windy.

[@TheSamuraiXX011]

cyanmanta, The Association has other great songs too: Cherish, Along Comes Mary...and more that I can't think of right now. 😂

[@riabouchinska]

Time It Is Today, Everything That Touches You, etc...

[@jinxie712]

Wait, that wasn't Tom Jones?

[@samuelsagins4876]

Came for Todd's review, stayed for the Meshuggah reference.

[@annnee6818]

Meshuggah is just one of the coolest words of all time

[@Lee.Higginbotham]

I love the Blue Swede version! There follow up a cover of the Association's Never My Love was excellent too!

[@ManOutofTime913]

You know what; the original songs still exist. As a cover band, I like Blue Swede's sound.

[@KidSnivy69]

They're alright

[@xSwordLilyx]

Me too. You know what's truly awful? You light up my life. That's all original, honey. Good. God. Fucking trash sappy love song. The bane of weddings. And it's like about jesus or something? Me, that song, and a loaded handgun should never exist in the same room.

[@caspermcgoangle975]

Yeah I like it too I agree with Todd it doesn’t sound like a love song but it still fun and does sound like he’s hooked on a feeling

[@AwesomeShotStudios]

Don't blame the lead singer. He was Bjorn that way. (sorry, I couldn't resist).

[@thebeebz9511]

Over the next 9 yeas, Todd would learn that Sweden is the capital of earworms. A surprisingly big chunk of catchy melodies had at least one swedish person in the writers room.

[@r0kus]

This video is one of my favorites in the _One Hit Wonderland_ series. The humor is spot on, and the research that went into it made it very interesting.

[@theneonchimpchannel9095]

I grew up on the BJ Thomas version, so when I first heard this version on a trailer for Ally McBeal, I thought it was something they'd recorded for the show. I remember people telling me "no, that's the original version", but I was sure I remembered it being much less goofy. Classic hits radio started playing this version only though, so at one point I started to think that maybe the good version never really existed. It never seemed to be played anywhere, it was always Blue Swede's version. So I'm glad someone else of my age group (you're a bit younger than me I think) actually remembers the original, far superior version.

[@hankhill1964]

One of my favorite memories from high school was being on the bus to school and then as soon as the chanting came on the radio me and literally every other guy on the bus started to chant along. Wierd thing is I think it wasn't the actual hooked on a feeling but a song that sampled the chanting because the chant we started doing went "oga chaca oga chaca ooh ooh" like five times before the rest of the song started.

[@joelbaldwin4051]

Do Murray Head, Todd! ("One Night in Bangkok")

[@simonmacomber7466]

Of the three versions of Hooked on a feeling, I prefer the Blue Suede... uh... Swede version of the song. You could probably do entire series on all the songs from both Guardian's albums.

[@riahlexington]

I want to listen to the association now they sound good.

[@riinak7212]

They are. Check out "Never My Love", "Cherish", "Windy", and especially "Along Comes Mary".

[@andrewf6167]

Thank you for your non-stop hard work....you do some impeccable research

[@kewlusername6692]

So glad he cited the original. No one EVER talks about Blue Swede's "Hooked on a Feeling" being a cover

[@VvVLuffyM2]

Because its superior

[@stormkat3399]

I felt like I was going crazy when I heard this version and everybody acted like it was the only one, I grew up on oldies so the BJ Thomas version is my jam, and I felt like I was the only person who knew it existed for a bit.

[@joshhale9355]

This song brings back some fond memories. My dad and I would sing along to it when I was like 5 in the car.

[@AJWalkincoma]

The deep purple version of Hush is also a cover.

[@AJWalkincoma]

@Hilltop JD614 you watched the video, right?

[@AJWalkincoma]

@Hilltop JD614 watch the bit where he claims it's a deep purple song again

[@TR-ru7wl]

i actually didnt know that, cool

[@philjamprimate]

The story of this song is hilarious from a Swedish point of view. It charted in the US unexpectedly, Björn was doing a musical stage show at the time and didn't want to tour it. They where rushed over by label executives and pushed around the country totally baffled and reluctant. The whole thing was a farce, and they returned to Sweden asap to get on with their lives. Or that's how Björn tells it over here 😎

[@hoodiereviews6003]

“Because who wants to listen to that” Literally everyone but you

[@UBvtuber]

I don't

[@colinschmitz8297]

Thank you. I couldn't have put it better myself. The original was beautifully sung. Their version...you already said it perfectly. I wish the BJ Thomas version would be used instead

[@chooseymomschoose]

"...bellowing ox of a singer..." For years, I just assumed this was a Tom Jones version, until I saw the band name pop up on a digital radio.

[@lawrencescales9864]

Todd I can confirm when I'm happy and in love I bellow like a Swedish ox speak for yourself

[@girlhunter2102]

I would argue that you could also do “come and get your love” by Redbone off the Awesome Mix as well.

[@assiqtaq]

I mean, I grew up listening to 70's music. Like literally, I was born in '69 so my first decade of music was 70's... I sometimes think you should get a second take on your songs from someone who grew up listening to them, but I occasionally think you should get a female perspective too, and then I think better of it. I love hearing your take on songs that resonate with me in a way that is different than your perspective as a male, and I think that should be appreciated for these older songs as well. That being said, this version of this song hit a chord in the 70's, and I think you are far too severely discounting how exultant he sounds while singing this song. And the "ooga chaka" adds a "caveman," or primitive, feeling to the thing that makes you think of just how PRIMAL an emotion love is. I absolutely love this song, and even more so because it is just so unique and energetic.

[@Admiralex91]

"Ooga-chaka" is a reference to Brian Wilson's Smile Session's Song: "Heroes And Villains"

[@victormunroe2418]

There's no Ooga-chaka part in Heroes and Villains, though

[@riinak7212]

@@victormunroe2418 There is a similar part on some of the unused tapes for the song that didn't make it into the final cut of the song. How Blue Swede would've heard them in the early 70s is beyond me, so it's probably not that.

[@SINIESTRA]

Could you put the actual dates when you uploaded the videos originally please?

[@ncisfan1002]

This was released in 2014, probably October because the album was released for free that month by Google

[@TheEMFB]

It always reminds me of Reservoir Dogs and I love it.

[@leepshin]

I still have the dancing baby software. I didn't get it so much for the dancing baby but for the absolute shit ton of MIDI files included with it which I quickly utilised for ringtones on my mobile before MP3's became a thing.

[@seananderson7153]

You had me at the conspiracy wall. ✨♥️✨

[@joellapuma8183]

Isolating that "Keep it up girl/Yeah, you turn me on" line immediately made this a Raspberries song. Eric Carmen definitely had a similar thing of dropping into the bellowing ox baritone when he wanted to, but it was always punctuation for a rocking song or angsty moment; most of the time he'd sing higher and smoother. I kinda want to hear what he would've done with this song back then.

[@JepMasta]

Ugh...seeing that clip of Jimmy Savile made me SICK when I saw it

[@dynaboyjl.4220]

That first transition into Bjorn Skifs live from the Guardians trailer is one of those magic music-doc-editing moments that I really hope to pull off someday

[@MrMortull]

"Brits; how the hell does that keep happening?" We don't know, Todd. If we knew why it happens, *it wouldn't happen*. O nO

[@RatelHBadger]

Catholic Priests

[@kathycoleman4648]

Listening to the two versions, the extended "I" in the Blue Swede version actually makes it questionable to me whether the singer loves the person back, or whether he is only concerned with the fact that he has obtained or possessed the love in question. Paired with the "Oga-chaga" background noise, which has always sounded like a war chant to me (and the horns, for similar reason), it feels the love in question is a conquest, not a two way street. The other version you played sounds like the love extends both ways. It's simpler, more introverted and more personal. He doesn't have the big group of people amplifying what's happened or the "I" that always sounded like "Ahhhhh!" (almost a battle charge as far as realizing one has obtained a goal).

[@RubberyCat]

You're hearing things that aren't there, and so do Todd. But, i'm biased, as I grew up with this song, and had no idea this was a cover. Thing is, if one is used to one version in a good way, it makes it harder to find good qualities in versions that are different ... which Blue Swede's most definitely is. And the "ooga-chacka" is only an added disturbance in that case, both musically and today morally as well, because it do refer to a pretty ... culturally insensitive way of looking at native americans back then .... an insensitivity at least partially imported from the US, by the way. This version's greatness otherwise actually do lie in not only the variant of the "i'm", but also in that the "ooga-chacka" stops two of the three times that "I'm" is drawn out, and during the "i'm", the music stops, and after it, the music starts or resumes.

[@medes5597]

​@@RubberyCatexcept they correctly interpreted why King inserted Ooga Chaka. As a war chant to represent conquest. So no they're not. Also you people need to familiarise yourself with thirty years of media literacy surrounding death of an author and how personal interpretation trumps everything. So it doesn't matter at all if those things aren't there to you. Their interpretation is valid and supported textually. But seriously if you're going to criticise their media literacy via "reading too much into it" word of God says they're right, the King version is intended the way they interpreted as a "darker take on the song" and Blue Swedes greatest hits album lists their love of King's "dark sense of humour" as why those chose his arrangements and flourishes. Also I grew up on this song as well and I still hate it.

[@andreafranzen7088]

As I understand it. Björn Skifs didn't really want to break in America, but when he did he was forced to tour as a novelty act with Swedish folk costumes. He did better when he returned home.

[@zenagitana]

“It's a little less awesome than you think it is." That's your opinion. I love both versions of the song and Awesome Mix Vol.1 is completely awesome. I adore the ooga shaka.

[@catriona_drummond]

If you are baffled by these lyrics you have clearly never heard of "Ooh wee, chirpy chirpy cheep cheep chirpy chirpy cheep cheep chirp" or "Yummy, Yummy, Yummy. I got love in my tummy, "

[@flower-yl6iw]

how *dare* you remind me of ohio express 😭

[@spenzalii]

Poor man's Blood Sweat and Tears. Absolutely, positively perfect description and exactly who I thought it was when I first saw the movie trailer. Bravo good sir

[@EvolvementEras]

I remember it from pulp fiction but unfortunately it’s one of those songs that once he gets stuck in my head it’s there for like three months so thank you for now the next three months of my life being to the soundtrack of pulp fiction/guardians of the galaxy

[@mrcliff3709]

I heard it in Reservoir Dogs

[@EvolvementEras]

@@mrcliff3709 Quentin Tarantino tends to stick to songs he really likes in reality I heard 🤣🤣

[@graydeotto2820]

@@EvolvementEras its not in pulp fiction, just resevoir dogs, but an easy mistake

[@EvolvementEras]

@@graydeotto2820 As soon as you said that I could see the scene in my mind in reservoir dogs how could I have made that mistake? Thanks 😊

[@graydeotto2820]

No problem 😊 I only point it out since I watch them both WAY too often lol

[@frodofraggins]

His voice is definitely perfect for the song. I'm not sure what Todd is smoking

[@keithalcorn7050]

Solid hit! I liked it a lot.

[@MichaelBerthelsen]

I love both the Blue Swede version and the B.J. original... =D

[@househendoe7549]

Always thought the chant was a reference to essentially still being Cavemen when it came to hitting on a woman...

[@reesepacker7983]

actually i have a request i would LOVE to hear your take on ...its a single song .."Moonlight Feels Right" by Starbuck ..i am by no means a music instrument expert but i think its the only pop song i ever heard with xylophone solo ...also (for me personally ) it is just soooo am radio (pop music) musically ambient of what i remember from my late 70s childhood...it was one of those tunes that ALWAYS seemed to be in the rotation everyday ...right up to around 81 /82 when mid to late 70s pop music was still big staple am radio ..especially in the afternoons and on weekends

[@dibutler8935]

Old GenXer here, GFY, Todd. :DDDD Blue Suede and their version of HOAF is fucking awesome. I-I-I love it.

[@susieboo22]

I AM a Broadway person, and not even I know what's going on in CHESS.

[@ghostofabulletproducciones5748]

6:20 i think Jonathan King also produced Genesis' first album, or something like that

[@YoItsEvanAdams]

Yeah, he also made pretty much every bad decision involving that album including making the packaging without any description of the music that lead it being put into the religious sections of record stores

[@Fluteboy]

3:14 - "Slam Creepers". It's up there with "Sneaker Pimps". Beyond awesome!

[@Niinsa62]

"Slam Creepers" is kind of a Swedish-English translation joke. There was a quiz show on Swedish TV a long time ago where the final question was something about fish and if they could walk or crawl, or something. And the answer given by the the contestant ("yes") was deemed wrong, but later on experts confirmed that his answer was indeed right so he should have won the prize. Because there was this fish called a "slamkrypare" that fit the description. "Slamkrypare" translating as "Mud crawler". So now, in Swedish, a "slamkrypare" means a trick question - it doesn't matter if you get the answer right or wrong, you lose either way. Anyway, the band got inventive and made a translation of that Slamkrypare word, not into the correct Mud Crawler, but into something that sounded a whole lot more like Slamkrypare but really didn't mean the same thing at all - Slam Creepers. So it is a nonsense name, but a Swedish person will recognize where the nonsense came from.

[@earlofcumbrae-Ground_Zero]

The David Hasslehoff Version Rules !!! Great video too !!! 😜💕♥️❤️ DONT HASSLE THE HOFF !!!! 😂♥️

[@acertainanimetheorymakingg3875]

You must have hated last summer then.

[@louisduarte8763]

I never knew this version was a cover until now. It's like "Stripped" all over again; I heard RAMMSTEIN's version YEARS before the Depeche Mode original.

[@Abby-xo1de]

I spent a good bit of my childhood listening to a cd from an a cappella group out of Branson that covered this song and that is the only thing I can think about when I hear this

[@jaydee4697]

Todd, word of advice- avoid using clips from Top of The Pops from the 1970s if they have a presenter in them- in the past few years, at least two of them have been found guilty of sex offences with minors. A good video, otherwise, but I would edit that out if I were you.

[@gracecarpinter8623]

+Jack Dear I think he's well aware of that, but it would be difficult to edit out Jimmy Savile (much as one would like to).

[@jaydee4697]

Grace Carpinter Good point.

[@Zaslanetz]

This is most pointless comment I have ever seen under this video.

[@IsaacMayerCreativeWorks]

Why do you let this keep happening, Brits?

[@riinak7212]

You should do an episode on "Lucas With The Lid Off" by Lucas (real name Lucas Secon). Only had one hit in the States but is now a producer and songwriter for other artists, most recently Kylie Minogue.