One Hit Wondering – Republica

One Hit Wondering is a series of columns where I listen to the album of a one hit wonder, and find three songs, other than the hit, that people should hear. 

In the late summer of 1996 Republica had the entire world “Ready to Go.”

With a combination of electronic music, pop, rock, and punk, their unique sound, and unbridled energy kept “Ready to Go” on the Billboard Hot 100 from August through the entire fall. The song only reached #56 on that particular chart, but it hit #7 on the Alternative Airplay chart, and the video was a mainstay on MTV.

In fact, you may have heard “Ready to Go” recently, as it’s still being used in ad campaigns, and in movies nearly 30 years after its release. It’s also been a longtime favorite in stadiums, and arenas, right before games.

“Ready to Go” was off the English band’s self-titled debut album, which came out in July of ’96, and introduced the world to what the band called “technopop punk rock.”

In a decade where record labels, and listeners were ready to take chances on new styles of music, Republica, and frontwoman Saffron – now with a mega-hit on their hands – seemed “Ready to Go” when it came to superstardom.

The band’s follow up single, however, couldn’t match its predecessor’s success. Titled “Drop Dead Gorgeous,” while the video received airplay on MTV, the song peaked at #93 on the Hot 100, and just barely made its way into the Top 40 of the Alternative Airplay chart, reaching #39.

This would be the second, and final time the band was on any U.S. chart, and the final song released from Republica.

The band followed their self-titled effort with the 1998 album Speed Ballads. Speed Ballads didn’t produce any hits, but was well received enough for the band to release it on vinyl for the first time earlier this year, with a run of 1,000 copies for Record Store Day.

The Record Store Day release wasn’t just a nostalgia trip. After going on hiatus in 2001, the band reformed in 2008, and has been touring, and recording ever since, including releasing a new single titled “New York” just last month.

Rewinding back to ’96, “Ready to Go” made Republica a household name, but what about the rest of their self-titled debut album?

I popped in my copy of Republica, and found three songs, other than “Ready to Go,” that you should hear.

“Drop Dead Gorgeous”

 

Oftentimes I will seriously question what a record label was thinking when it comes to follow up singles. That is not the case with “Drop Dead Gorgeous,” which was absolutely the right choice, and should’ve been the perfect way to gently evolve from “Ready to Go.” It still had the same mix of genres, just with pop being a bit more at the forefront.

I actually feel “Drop Dead Gorgeous” is more catchy than “Ready to Go,” and still have no idea why it didn’t connect with listeners.

“Picture Me”

 

“Picture Me” is an example of Republica going in a different direction musically, and I absolutely love the electro-lounge feel of the song. It’s uptempo meets downtempo, and I can easily imagine it being the soundtrack to a midnight scene someplace dark that’s equal parts intimidating, and inviting. It almost had vampiric qualities in that way … thankfully, without any of the blood loss.

“Holly”

 

“Holly” is an electro-pop song, but with lyrics that have a punk rock feel to them. I know that sounds odd, but it actually works, as Saffron pulls no punches telling stories of the woe and despair of those attempting to live the Hollywood life.

I do wonder if there’s a rock version of “Holly” floating around somewhere. If there isn’t, someone needs to make it happen, because it’s perfectly suited for a punk rock band.

Until next time, here’s to discovering more great music from one hit wonders!