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B.J. Thomas and Mark James grew up together in Texas.
B.J., of course, became a singer of "Great Songs," and Mark grew up to be a WRITER of "Great Songs," including 1968's "Hooked on a Feeling," which his old friend B.J. took to #3 in Canada and #5 in the US. Of course, if you were around in the '70s, '90s, (or even 2014), you might remember a very "different version of the song. :-) Here's how it all happened: For some reason, British singer Jonathan King decided to add the chant, "OOGA CHAKA OOGA OOGA" to his 1970 cover version. Most people thought it was some sort of Native American chant...but Jonathan said it was more like Jamaican Reggae. If you say so, Mr. King. Anyway, Jonathan's version caught the ear of Blue Swede singer Björn Skifs and, with help from producer Bengt Palmers, he came up with a version that became an unlikely "Great Song of 1974!" (It also became the first Top 10 US hit by a Swedish group, pre-dating ABBA's "Waterloo" by several months). Speaking as a Top 40 DJ during the Summer of '74, I can tell you the "OOGA CHAKKA" song was all over the airwaves, and for a time, it was one of the most requested songs at stations throughout the US and Canada. Chartwise, it made it to #5 in both countries, as well as #10 in New Zealand. It was weird...but it was fun...and people would actually turn up the radio and sing along. They were "Hooked!" (Pun intended.) In 1992, Quentin Tarantino used it in his film, "Reservoir Dogs." In 1998, TV's "Ally McBeal," would use it whenever the Dancing Baby would appear. And then...in 2014, the song was used in the film "Guardians of the Galaxy," and it became popular once again! It just keeps coming back...and if that's not the definition of a "Great Song, I don't know what is! "Hooked on a Feeling:" A "great Song" of the '60s, '70s, ''90s and '10s! Blue Swede (1974-2014):
B.J. Thomas (1968):
Jonathan King (1970):
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