My Favorite One Hit Wonders of the 70s: Cruel to Be Kind (#5)

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It seems that yesterday's one-hit wonder selection wasn't all that popular. And I'll admit that "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia" is one of those songs of the 70s that people either loved or hated (along with things like "The Night Chicago Died" and "Kung Fu Fighting"...spoiler alert, neither of them are on this list), with no middle ground. I'll hopefully rebound today. #5: Cruel to Be Kind - Nick Lowe When I posted a Delbert McClinton song in my favorite 80s one-hit wonders list I said it's hard to think of him as a "one-hit wonder" because he's so legendary in blues-rock, Americana, and Texas rock (the stuff I listen to all the time). Multiply that by tenfold for Nick Lowe. In addition to writing "(What's So Funny About) Peace, Love, and Understanding" that Elvis Costello did and being a member of Rockpile, Lowe has been on the stage of post-punk "power pop" (just regular ol' rock and roll to me) for over 35 years. And yet, for all of his success throughout the world and long-standing popularity (I saw him last December in Nashville, and the place was packed), 1979's "Cruel to Be Kind" was his only top 40 hit. This follows the trail of a Boz Scaggs song I mentioned in my list of songs on him, "Pain of Love," that addresses that alleged oxymoron that love has to hurt to feel good. No, it doesn't, as the narrator of this song acknowledges, but his girl doesn't see it that way: "you've got to be cruel to be kind, it's a very good sign...it means that I love you." To me, Nick Lowe should be much, much bigger in the US. Cruel to Be Kind Written by Nick Lowe and Ian Gomm Recorded by Nick Lowe From Labour of Lust, 1979 Here's Nick with Rockpile, singing the song on Britain's Top of the Pops: