Song of the Day 6/24: Blue Swede, “Hooked on a Feeling”

“Hooked on a Feeling” had been a hit twice and been recorded by several artists before it hit No. 1 in America in 1974 with this version by a group of Swedes, who reached the top by doing a cover of a cover.

The song was written by Mark James, best known for writing “Suspicious Minds” and “Always on My Mind,” while working as a staff songwriter for B.J. Thomas’ producer, Chips Moman. It brought B.J. Thomas his biggest hit to that point, and though the electric sitar screams “1968!” that’s not the reason this version faded away.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9j-wiwGXf-M

The next step in the song’s evolution came in 1971 courtesy of British hitmaker Jonathan King. By giving the song a reggae rhythm and the “ooga-chuka” introduction we all know and love today, he had a smash hit with the song in Britain and Holland.

That was the version Swedish singer Björn Skifs was covering with his backing band, Blue Swede (original Swedish name: Blåblus), which recorded two albums of covers of English-language hits. I don’t know if he changed some of the lyrics to avoid the word “addicted” or he really didn’t know the words.

Europeans clearly love the song, which led to David Hasselhoff recording the tune. In the 1990s his version became the soundtrack for the dancing baby from “Ally McBeal,” probably the world’s first viral video.

To bring it full circle, B.J. Thomas is still active, and in 2013 he released “The Living Room Sessions,” featuring stripped-down versions of many of his hits. On this one he gets an assist from singer/actress Sara Niemietz.

That, too, brings it full circle — Niemietz got her start in show biz at a B.J. Thomas concert at age 4, when he saw her in the audience singing along with “Hooked on a Feeling” and brought her up on stage.