99 Red Balloons and 100 Other All-Time Great One-Hit Wonders [Paperback]

BRENT MANN (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Citadel (November 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806525169
• ISBN-13: 978-0806525167
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,159,134 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Smart, funny and well written, March 5, 2005

By 

David (Marin County, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 99 Red Balloons and 100 Other All-Time Great One-Hit Wonders (Paperback)

I'll tell you just how good this book is: I've had two copies of "99 Red Balloons" lifted from my office cubicle over the past four months. Note to my co-workers: Buy your own copy! As I read this fascinating book, I felt like I was back in high school doing homework and listening to all my favorite songs on the radio. It's smart, funny and extremely well written. Brent Mann gives you the intriguing inside story behind classic one-hit wonders from Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs ("Stay") to Ace ("How Long") to Dexys Midnight Runners ("Come on Eileen") to Chumbawamba ("Tubthumping"). If you like music and pop culture, you will really dig "99 Red Balloons."

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Marvelous Reference Book, January 12, 2004

By 

Kathryn (Louisiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 99 Red Balloons and 100 Other All-Time Great One-Hit Wonders (Paperback)

Essentially, if you have been listening to Top 40 radio at any point since the days of Rock Around The Clock, you know (and love) at least one of the songs referenced in this book.

The book is eminently readable. Each of the 101 One-Hit Wonders is given its own chapter, and you learn the history of the song/artist, with an exploration into what happened with the artist to send them into One-Hit Wonder Land.

Good Job, Brent! we await the sequel!

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stylish & Informative -- Highly Recommended, August 20, 2004

By 

Rusty (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 99 Red Balloons and 100 Other All-Time Great One-Hit Wonders (Paperback)

Did you know that "Seasons in the Sun" was recorded by The Kingston Trio long before Terry Jacks ever got his hands on this tune? If you remember your radio cranking out classic one-hit wonders like Katrina & the Waves ("Walking on Sunshine"), The Standells ("Dirty Water"), Marc Cohn ("Walking in Memphis"), and Ace ("How Long"), you won't be able to put this book down. Brent Mann writes beautifully and his research is impeccable. Anyone who grew up listening to Top 40 music will enjoy 99 Red Balloons -- highly recommended.