Friday, February 15, 2019

"Hot Smoke and Sasafrass" by Bubble Puppy debuts on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending February 15, 1969


Bubble Puppy, a one-hit wonder psychedelic band from Houston, made their only appearance on the Billboard Hot 100 with "Hot Smoke and Sasafrass".  The single debuted at #84, spent 12 weeks on the chart, peaking at #14.

In other chart action, David Ruffin also made his first, though not his last, appearance with "My Whole World Ended, one of three of this week's debuts to reach the top 10.  The Temptations' "Runaway Child, Running Wild" became the group's 9th single to reach the top 10.  Edwin Starr, another Motown artist, scored his most successful recording to date with "Twenty-Five Miles".

It's worth noting that in their first and only appearance on the Hot 100, the Nazz notched 13 weeks on the chart even though "Hello It's Me" never went higher than #68.




Related article:
Bubble Puppy's one hit remains a wonder.  (Houston Chronicle, 11/7/2013)
The song's appeal is obvious. It's tough and gentle, with a forceful beat and lighter harmonies, as well as some alterations in time signature that suggested future prog rock. The song retains a feeling of improvisatory jamming without meandering. The lyrics are the most psychedelic thing about it. 

Related posts:
August 1968
"I Say a Little Prayer" by Aretha Franklin
"In-a-gadda-da-vida: by Iron Butterfly
"Piece of My Heart" by Brother and the Holding Company 

September 1968
"Fire!" by The Crazy World of Arthur Brown
"Hey Jude" by the Beatles
"All Along the Watchtower" by the Jimi Hendrix Experience
"Bang-shang-a-lang" by the Archies

October 1968
"White Room" by Cream 
"Ride My See-Saw" by the Moody Blues
"Love Child" by Diana Ross and the Supremes
"Abraham, Martin & John" by Dion

November 1968
"For Once in my Life" by Stevie Wonder 
"Hang 'em High" by Booker T. & the MG's
"Hooked on a Feeling" by B. J. Thomas 
"I Heard It Through the Grapevine" by Marvin Gaye
"Everyday People" by Sly and the Family Stone

December 1968
"Going Up The Country" by Canned Heat
"Crimson and Clover" by Tommy James and the Shondells
"Ramblin' Gamblin' Man" by Bob Seger
"Touch Me" by the Doors

January 1969
"Build Me Up Buttercup" by the Foundations
"Games People Play" by Joe South
"I Got a Line on You" by Spirit
"Proud Mary" by  Credence Clearwater Revival

February 1969
"Do Your Thing" by the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band
"Time of the Season" by the Zombies

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