RECORD STORE TALES Part 144:  Mambo #5

Ahh, December.  Christmas!  Traditionally, it’s a time when people used to come in, by the masses, looking for whatever that season’s one hit wonder was.  I was just thinking today about this goof that’s out right now, this Psy person.  I was thinking about how people are probably buying his song like there’s no tomorrow this season.  Then in the new year, when his 15 minutes are up, he’ll be in every bargain bin across the nation.

A similar thing happened in 1999.  You might remember a one hit flash in the pan called Lou Bega.  A little number called “Mambo #5”.

I had the unfortunate experience of having to hear his album over and over that season. Y’see, it’s not just the general public that was going for that one hit wonder crap, there were also a couple record store people too.  (For shame!)  I won’t say who subjected us to this album, numerous times, but she knows who she is.

It’s because of her that I know there’s also another song on Lou Bega’s album called “1+2=2”, which is basically the exact same song as “Mambo #5”, just with different words.

As is always the case, in the new year, we couldn’t give that sucker away.  As it sat collecting dust on our shelves, one of our customers put it succinctly:

“Lou Bega?  Huh huh huh…more like Lou Beggin’ for Change!”

Couldn’t have said it better myself.

Happy holidays!