Then and Now: Michael Martin Murphey

This one isn't from an actual one-hit wonder. Murphey had some other hits in the country music world.

Wildfire is so over-the-top its painful. But when I was 9 year old, there was nothing more romantic than a story of a girl searching Yellow Mountain for her lost pony, dying in a "killing frost" and forever after haunting the night with her calls. A confession: The emotions "Wildfire" engendered must have set some pretty deep roots, because listening to this cheesy video gave me goosebumps. (Embarrassing, I know, but I'm trying for blog-honesty)

I guess I wasn't alone in loving "Wildfire". It was one of the biggest songs of 1975, and fits pretty well, with the similarly melodramatic "Brandi" and "Shannon".

They must have liked to cry back in the 70's.

In 2007, David Lettermen invited Murphey to play Wildfire on his show:

Then and Now: Walter Egan

Walter Egan pioneered Yoda-speak ("With you, I'm not Shy") and this song (however awful) totally sticks in your mind, doesn't it?

When I was a kid, I could swear he was singing "You are a madman and I am a steal". But the Magnet thing -- "You are a magnet and I am steel"-- is much better. Can't count the number of times I've told my honey this very thing.

Walter is still touring some, and also works as a substitute teacher in Tennessee.

Here he is:

Then and Now: Nick Gilder

If you are of a certain age, you might recall this one:

Technically, Gilder is NOT a one-hit-wonder, but this song says 1978 to me. (Whether that's a good thing remains to be seen)

Here's Mr. Gilder nowadays:

Then and Now: Billy Joe Royal

Then....

Now.....

1999 anyway.

I love how these guys keep at it. Gives me hope for the world.