HAN’S WORST HITS OF THE 70’S–‘TELEPHONE MAN’- MERI WILSON

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Han’s Worst Hits of the 70’s today goes to 1977 and Meri Wilson’s Telephone Man. Over Christmas in a discussion with my sister-in-law I asked her what she thought were some of the worst songs ever- her first was a bulls eye- Playground In My Mind by Clint Holmes and the second one she mentioned I agreed with also- 1977’s Telephone Man by Meri Wilson.

Telephone Man was one of those surprise novelty songs that became a hit and at the first moment you heard it you knew this wasn’t going to be anything but a one-hit wonder. It went to #18 on the Hot 100 in the US- and was even a bigger hit in the UK where it went to #6 on the singles chart. The song is full of suggestive lyrics and breathy squealing vocals. The first time I heard it I laughed- the second time I heard it- it was “OK that’s enough” It sold a million copies and was a Gold single. For two weeks in a row on the Hot 100- Telephone Man and ELO’s Telephone Line were back to back on the countdown. Some trivia to tell your friends.

Meri Wilson recorded an album that went nowhere then went back to singing jingles, modeling and songwriting. She wrote some more novelty type songs “Peter The Meter Reader”, “Dick The DJ”, “Santa’s Coming” and “My Valentine’s Funny” but like in most cases – thankfully lightening didn’t strike twice. In 1999 she tried to update Telephone Man into “Internet Man.” Sadly, Wilson was killed in a car accident in 2002 when her car lost control on an icy highway in Americus, Georgia {Jimmy Carter Country} Meri Wilson was only 53.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTDzFUlrDYM

 

16 responses to “HAN’S WORST HITS OF THE 70’S–‘TELEPHONE MAN’- MERI WILSON”

  2. I just knew this one would be featured. It was played a lot despite having more innuendos than a Carry On film. However I liked the bit she did in a deeper register.

  4. Ok you have finally featured one that I have never heard before – thankfully… 🙂 This is just horrible, rising up there to the top of your list for me

  7. I’ve never heard this song before. But the topic then led directly (for me) to Witchita Lineman, which I then called up on YouTube and listened to several times to get the taste of Telephone Man out of my mouth! 🙂

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