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The only Belgian song to reach #1 in the USA? What do Singing Nuns and Blind Melons Have in Common?
Written by Jimmy
We are fairly certain this was troubling you. And it troubled us. The answer, of course, is Dominique, by the Singing Nun, or Sister Smile as she called herself on stage, or by Jeanine Deckers, her actual name. Probably the only good thing about her story is this song: The rest is too sad… So let’s start with the song:
Now here are some sad facts:
- Although the song went number 1 in US and became an internatioanl hit, she received no royalties – they were taken by Philips, the producer and the convent. She was the writer of music and lyrics and the performer.
- Although she toured that year with the stage name, Sœur Sourire (Sister Smile), she did not ‘own’ the name – Philips did. When she later quit the convent, she was forced to tour as Luc Dominque.
- She never had commercial success after – her second and third albums drifted away, as did she.
- There was a movie made in 1966 telling her story, called the Singing Nun, and staring Debbie Reynolds. Jeanine dismissed it as pure fiction.
- Having quite music, she opened a school for autistic children – the Belgium government claimed she owed taxes and she had no receipts for donations to the children’s school and essentially was bankrupted.
- She and her partner commited suicide in 1985.
- In 1996 an off Broadway play called Tragic and Horrible Life of the Singing Nun opened. It wasn’t very good, but very cruel.
A sad story about a lovely singer songwriter who had a lovely little hit. There are lots of lists of the greatest one hit wonders of all time, for example, click here. My top five are:
1. Nena, 99 Luftballoons (1984) Nena isn’t technically a one hit wonder – she had a very successful career in Germany. But this was her only English Speaking Hit.
2. OMC, How Bizzare (1996): Absolutely a one hit wonder from the Kiwis. Great song.
3. Dexys Midnight Runners, Come on Eileen (1982): most would disagree these guys are one hit wonders – their albums have lots of great songs. Geno and Come on Eileen were number 1 in the UK. But this was their only US hit and top single in US in 1982.
4. New Radicals, You Get What You Give: Debut single was the hit! Caused a minor media flap with the lyrics slagging off various celebreties: “With the aid of 8 dust brothers, Beck, Hanson, Courtney Love and Marylin Manson, you’re all fakes, run to your mansions. Come around, we’ll get your asses in!” They only released one album.
5. Blind Melon, No Rain. Sadly, their front man, Shannon Hoon died of a cocaine overdose in 1995.