Who's behind the notes? Discover Blue Swede: The Swedish Sensation Behind 'Hooked on a Feeling'
"Hooked on a Feeling" is a popular song by the Swedish band Blue Swede, released in 1974. Here are some interesting facts about the song and the band:
Original Recording: "Hooked on a Feeling" was originally written by Mark James in 1968 and was first recorded by B.J. Thomas in 1969. Blue Swede's version, with its distinctive "ooga-chaka" intro, gave the song a unique and memorable twist.
The "Ooga-Chaka" Chant: The iconic "ooga-chaka" chant that opens the song was not originally part of the song. Blue Swede added this element to the song, and it has since become one of the most recognizable parts of their version.
Chart Success: Blue Swede's version of "Hooked on a Feeling" became a major hit in the United States, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1974. It also reached the top of the charts in several other countries.
Guardians of the Galaxy: The song experienced a resurgence in popularity after it was featured on the soundtrack of the 2014 Marvel movie "Guardians of the Galaxy." The film's success and the catchy nature of the song helped introduce it to a new generation of music listeners.
Bilingual Lyrics: Blue Swede recorded a bilingual version of "Hooked on a Feeling" with verses in both English and Swedish. This version was released in Sweden to cater to their local audience.
The Band: Blue Swede was a Swedish rock band formed in 1973. The band members included Björn Skifs, who provided the distinctive lead vocals for "Hooked on a Feeling." The band had a few other minor hits in the 1970s, but "Hooked on a Feeling" remains their most well-known song.
Björn Skifs: Björn Skifs, the lead singer of Blue Swede, is a respected Swedish musician with a successful solo career. He is known for his versatile vocal range and has had a long and varied career in the music industry.
Cover Versions: "Hooked on a Feeling" has been covered by numerous artists over the years, further solidifying its place in popular music history. Artists like Vonda Shepard, David Hasselhoff, and Michael Bublé have all recorded their own versions of the song.
Movie and TV Appearances: Beyond "Guardians of the Galaxy," the song has appeared in various other movies and TV shows, further cementing its status as a pop culture classic.
Enduring Popularity: "Hooked on a Feeling" continues to be a favorite on oldies radio stations and remains a well-loved and recognizable song to this day.
Blue Swede's version of "Hooked on a Feeling" is a classic example of how a unique interpretation of a song can become just as, if not more, iconic than the original.