For all the negative connotations of the phrase one-hit wonder, one can look on the bright side and take its meaning to a special place. Besides, it takes a massive success to even be considered for the tag and every artist should have one great song enjoying mainstream success than none at all.
This subject has been tackled by other music writers and will always appear in certain discussions. For this column piece, I would be extra subjective and name what I value as ten of the best one-hit wonder songs in the history of Filipino music. Let’s run them down in no particular order.
Ako’y Sa Iyo, Ika’y Sa Akin (Iaxe)
I found it amusing to hear straight from the band’s keyboardist and founder, Archie Valencia, that he delightfully came up with that percussion bit appearing on and off throughout the song. It’s a little detail that greatly contributed to the song’s strong character. Of course, lead singer Jek Manuel’s delivery is sublime.
If you listen to the band’s self-titled album released in 1994 which this song closes, this is the one perfectly fitted to his voice and does not sound like it was written or arranged in the 90s. Talkin’ about a timeless track.
Boy (Timmy Cruz)
This piece was written by top-notch composer Mon Del Rosario around the time when it was a novelty to write Tagalog-English lyrics.
“Bakit gan’to I can’t get over you,” it says. Its caressing melody carries the track along with sincere singing.
Timmy Cruz is a beautiful face but not a typical hot chick who changes boyfriends like a dress, which makes her perfect for the track. She’s that quiet girl in the class who’s in love with the boy escorting the muse. She has good-natured feelings best showcased through this gem of a song.
Girl (Immaculate)
If your song is not that good, you’d rather not come up with a title already used by a band called The Beatles. But this one is beautiful enough to earn the right. For one, the bass line is busy for the right reason, filling up some empty spaces with the right notes.
It’s a pity that this song is quite a forgotten classic. People who haven’t heard this track are missing some four minutes of authentic OPM beauty.
Ikaw Lang (Chad Borja)
The singer behind this song is more than just a pop balladeer. He’s a jazzer who plays golf, a singer comfortable with a big band backdrop. But this radio-friendly piece is that song that gave him a name and eventually a spot in The OPM Hitmen that also includes Richard Reynoso, Renz Verano, and Rannie Raymundo.
The song’s calming chorus is rare in the world of hit ballads that bank on ground-shaking choruses. You can sing this song cooly smiling and swaying to the flow throughout.
Long Hair (Weedd)
I recall one of my high school teachers wittily telling a schoolmate that it doesn’t matter whether or not the latter is a member of the band Weedd, his long hair must be cut to conform with the rules of the school.
The vocal quality on this is not appealing but it goes well with the anti-establishment tone of the record, one that contains a steadily rich-sounding bass line. I wonder if the members of this band ever decided to shave their heads to summon the music gods to give them a second hit.
Magkaisa (Virna Lisa)
This song goes hand in hand with “Handog Ng Pilipino Sa Mundo” as the theme songs for the People Power Revolution of 1986. Whereas the latter is a gathering of stars during that era, this track penned by comedian-politician Tito Sotto was sung by a singer who had one job which she delivered on every note.
It still gives me goosebumps listening to her voice sing about a glorious time to be a Filipino. There’s no political color in that statement. The people coming out together to face the tanks weaponless and toppling a tyrannical regime backed by a pop recording is just pure beauty.
Just A Smile Away (Jaime Garchitorena)
Thanks to a toothpaste commercial for ensuring that this song would make a mark, even if its singer’s next recallable appearance must be as a villain, a good-looking goon, in some 90s action flick.
How Did You Know (Chiqui Pineda)
Some listeners may associate this tune more with Gary Valenciano than its original singer Chiqui Pineda. But one can’t just dismiss the original version and say Mr. Pure Energy did it better.
Chiqui’s voice brings the song with an emphatic touch, and the melody and words were finely written by the iconic Cecile Azarcon. Girl power!
Sabi Nila (Agaw Agimat)
The group’s band leader and drummer Renmin Nadela has done a good job in keeping the band active most of the time since scoring this breakthrough hit in the mid-90s, as well as being relevant in the underground rock scene to this day.
This same song earned its lady singer a line to sing in the legendary rock ensemble that sang “Hanggang Ngayon” in 1996, including Ely Buendia, Rico Blanco, and the late Francis Magalona, to commemorate the centennial of the Philippine Revolution against Spanish colonizers.
Larawang Kupas (Jerome Abalos)
It’s a personal honor to have Jerome sing my entry “Ang Taging Pag-Asa” to the A Song Of Praise Festival that won the weekly challenge in August of 2013.
I knew by then that he was more than just the voice behind this hit song penned by Manila Sound stalwart Snaffu Rigor who produced my band Syato’s self-titled album. The guy is a rock singer whose vocal range is wide and wild. Sir Snaffu told me that he was thinking of Bon Jovi’s “Bed of Roses” when writing this one. Listen to the verse and hear the connection between the songs. That’s being influenced and coming up with something new.
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