Number 564 - OMC
Number 564
OMC
"How Bizarre"
(1995)
New Zealand doesn't get many songs in the American Top 40. In fact, i bet i could count all the songs NZ have had with just one hand, maybe two (Maybe). "How Bizarre" has the unique pleasure of not just being an American/NZ smash but it was actually a worldwide hit.
Pauly Fuemana and Alan Jansson were, in effect, OMC. Whilst Pauly fronted the project and took it around the world, the music was created by both of them. Paul was the frontman and played much of the original instrumentation. Alan co-wrote all the tracks and produced the record. The group had a local hit with "We are the OMC". By mid-1995, OMC had broken up but Fuemana used the group's acronym as a solo artist. Pauly Fuemana is half-Niuean and half-Maori. His father, Takiula, is from Mutalau, Niue. Signed to Simon Grigg's huh label, OMC released the single "How Bizarre" in New Zealand in 1995. It was an immediate smash hit even without a video, reaching number one late that year and staying there for six weeks. It sold over 35,000 copies (3½ times platinum), a figure not exceeded in New Zealand as of 2005. It was followed by "Right On" which was a platinum single. In 1996 "How Bizarre" went number one in Australia, selling over 150,000 singles. Later in the year the single went to number 5 in the UK and number one in countries across Europe and much of the rest of the world. It was followed by the album, also entitled "How Bizarre" and the US release. Their third single "On The Run" reached #56 on the UK singles charts in 1997.
In 1997 and 1998, "How Bizarre" spent 36 weeks on Billboard's Hot 100 Airplay chart, peaking at 4. The song never charted on the regular Hot 100 as it wasn't released as a single. It also became BMI certified million airplay song two years in a row. The album went on to sell in excess of a million copies in the United States alone, as well as charting in many other countries. Between 1995 and 2000 OMC are estimated to have sold between three and four million records worldwide, and is the biggest selling NZ recorded and signed record ever. The album has been, over the years, often named as an influence by successful acts around the world, especially in the United States where the song "How Bizarre" remains a radio staple. Its merging of acoustic guitars with beats, a trademark of Alan Jansson's so-called "Urban Pacific" sound, has been widely imitated and copied since 1995. [Source:wikipedia]
In 2002, their song "How Bizarre" reached #71 on the 100 Greatest One-hit Wonders hosted by William Shatner.
OMC
"How Bizarre"
(1995)
.
Genre:Pop Hop
New Zealand doesn't get many songs in the American Top 40. In fact, i bet i could count all the songs NZ have had with just one hand, maybe two (Maybe). "How Bizarre" has the unique pleasure of not just being an American/NZ smash but it was actually a worldwide hit.Folklore says "OMC" stands for Otara Millionaires Club. Originally it was meant as a piss take as Otara is one of New Zealands poorest suburbs. But the joke turned to reality when Pauly Fuemana's (OMC) hit single and the album made him a millionaire. In 2007, Pauly Fuemana is making a comeback. He has just released a single with Lucy Lawless called "4 all of us" and no, i didn't know Lucy Lawless sang either.
Pauly Fuemana and Alan Jansson were, in effect, OMC. Whilst Pauly fronted the project and took it around the world, the music was created by both of them. Paul was the frontman and played much of the original instrumentation. Alan co-wrote all the tracks and produced the record. The group had a local hit with "We are the OMC". By mid-1995, OMC had broken up but Fuemana used the group's acronym as a solo artist. Pauly Fuemana is half-Niuean and half-Maori. His father, Takiula, is from Mutalau, Niue. Signed to Simon Grigg's huh label, OMC released the single "How Bizarre" in New Zealand in 1995. It was an immediate smash hit even without a video, reaching number one late that year and staying there for six weeks. It sold over 35,000 copies (3½ times platinum), a figure not exceeded in New Zealand as of 2005. It was followed by "Right On" which was a platinum single. In 1996 "How Bizarre" went number one in Australia, selling over 150,000 singles. Later in the year the single went to number 5 in the UK and number one in countries across Europe and much of the rest of the world. It was followed by the album, also entitled "How Bizarre" and the US release. Their third single "On The Run" reached #56 on the UK singles charts in 1997.
In 1997 and 1998, "How Bizarre" spent 36 weeks on Billboard's Hot 100 Airplay chart, peaking at 4. The song never charted on the regular Hot 100 as it wasn't released as a single. It also became BMI certified million airplay song two years in a row. The album went on to sell in excess of a million copies in the United States alone, as well as charting in many other countries. Between 1995 and 2000 OMC are estimated to have sold between three and four million records worldwide, and is the biggest selling NZ recorded and signed record ever. The album has been, over the years, often named as an influence by successful acts around the world, especially in the United States where the song "How Bizarre" remains a radio staple. Its merging of acoustic guitars with beats, a trademark of Alan Jansson's so-called "Urban Pacific" sound, has been widely imitated and copied since 1995. [Source:wikipedia]In 2002, their song "How Bizarre" reached #71 on the 100 Greatest One-hit Wonders hosted by William Shatner.
Rolling Stone have no view on OMC (Really?)
Rolling Stone Top 500 Songs ranked this song at Number (Who?) the Album ranked at Number (How bizarre)
This song has a Crowbarred rating of 73.3 out of 108
Tags:OMC, 1995, Pop Hop, Pauly Fuemana, Lucy Lawless, Otara, William Shatner, Scribe,YouTube, Music Video, Rolling Stone Magazine, Crowbarred, New Zealand, Crowbarred Unleashed, The Definitive 1000 Songs Of All Time, Mellow Mix Volume 1, Mellow Mix Volume 2, Mellow Mix Volume 3, Mellow Mix Volume 4, Mellow Mix Volume 5, Mellow Mix Volume 6, Mellow Mix Volume 7, Mellow Mix Volume 9, Mellow Mix Volume 10, Mellow Mix Volume 11, Mellow Mix Volume 12
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posted by crowbarred at 10:42 pm
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