Day 14 of my series of Songs That Peaked at No. 11: I don't think the world will ever hear another song as fabulously bizarre as this pairing of the British electronic band KLF and American country legend Tammy Wynette back in 1991. But while the equally delightful career-resuscitating "What Have I Done to Deserve This?" (1987) by Pet Shop Boys and Dusty Springfield and "Take Me Home Tonight" (1986) by Eddie Money with Ronnie Spector reached No. 2 and No. 4, respectively, on the Billboard Hot 100, "Justified and Ancient" couldn't quite get over the hump, peaking at No. 11, around the same time Hillary Clinton told the world "I'm not sitting here -- some little woman standing by my man like Tammy Wynette" while campaigning for husband Bill.
Still, it remains Tammy's biggest single on the pop charts. Even "Stand by Your Man," her biggest crossover hit, only reached No. 19 on the Billboard Hot 100.
I remember going to the Works on the Upper West Side back in the day.
ReplyDeleteThey played this video all the time and was a suitably wacky entre into my gay life.
I loved the Works.
ReplyDeleteMet one of my best NYC friends there in 1998!
:-)
I had forgotten about this song. Thanks Ken for jogging the memory. I remember KLF. Tammy Wynette's vocals is why I like this song.
ReplyDeleteFYI - I was also a big fan of the works in the 90s!
We all met friends (and boyfriends and shorter stays) at the Works!
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