Hooked On A Feeling
There are some tunes that, for whatever reason, just seem to stick with you. They get into your head, play on repeat, and suddenly, you're humming along without even trying. One of those very memorable songs, for so many people, is the classic "Hooked on a Feeling." It's a pop song from 1968, originally put out by B.J. Thomas, and it has quite a story.
This particular melody, with its sweet sound, has been around for a good while. It first made its way into the world thanks to the writing talents of Mark James. The song quickly found its way onto radios and into the hearts of listeners, becoming a familiar sound for a whole generation. It's almost as if it was always meant to be a favorite.
Then, decades later, this same song found a whole new crowd. Many of us in recent times, you know, became quite familiar with it through its spot in a very popular film. It played a part in one of the film's previews, too, giving it a fresh moment in the spotlight and making it a hit all over again. It truly has staying power.
Table of Contents
- The Start of Something Special
- A Different Take on Hooked on a Feeling
- Why Does This Song Stick With Us?
- Hooked on a Feeling and the Big Screen
- What About the Visuals for Hooked on a Feeling?
- How Did B.J. Thomas Keep Hooked on a Feeling Alive?
- Is Hooked on a Feeling Just a Catchy Tune?
- The Enduring Appeal of Hooked on a Feeling
The Start of Something Special
The song "Hooked on a Feeling" first saw the light of day in 1968. It was a pop creation, written by a fellow named Mark James. The very first person to sing it and put it out for the public was B.J. Thomas. His rendition of the piece had a special sound, you see, because it included the distinct tone of an electric sitar. A musician named Reggie Young was the one playing that instrument, which gave the recording a certain flavor. This song was part of B.J. Thomas's 1968 studio collection, which he called "On My Way." It did quite well, reaching the fifth spot in the United States, the tenth in New Zealand, and the third in Canada, which is pretty good for a new song.
A Different Take on Hooked on a Feeling
Years later, a group from Sweden called Blue Swede put out their own version of "Hooked on a Feeling." This happened in 1974. They had actually released it in Sweden a bit earlier, in May of 1973, before it made its way to the United States in February of 1974. Their cover really took off. For one week in April of 1974, it held the very top spot on the music charts. So, you might have heard B.J. Thomas's original, or perhaps the Blue Swede take on "Hooked on a Feeling," but either way, it's a song that tends to stay with you, permanently fixed in your memory.
Why Does This Song Stick With Us?
So, what is it about this song that makes it so enduring? Well, it's got a way of expressing a feeling that many people can relate to. The words of "Hooked on a Feeling" speak of a deep affection, a kind of sweet obsession. The singer expresses a sense of being completely caught up in someone, almost as if they are high on the belief that the other person feels the same way. It's a feeling of pure joy and hope, you know, wrapped up in a melody.
The lyrics paint a picture of someone completely smitten. They talk about "lips as sweet as candy" and how their "taste stays on my mind." It's a powerful description of how someone can truly captivate your thoughts. The line, "Girl, you keep me thirsty for another cup of wine," really gets across that feeling of wanting more and more of that person's presence. It's a simple way of saying, "I've got it bad for you." These lines, you see, do more than just make a chorus that's easy to remember; they capture the sheer happiness and that brave step of trusting in love.
Hooked on a Feeling and the Big Screen
In recent times, "Hooked on a Feeling" found a whole new audience, thanks to its appearance in a well-liked film. Many of us became familiar with it through its spot in "Guardians of the Galaxy." It was even used in one of the film's previews, which really helped it get noticed again. The film's musical collection includes songs from the 1960s to the 1980s, so it made perfect sense to include a piece as memorable as "Hooked on a Feeling." It helped introduce this classic to people who might not have heard it before, giving it a fresh life.
What About the Visuals for Hooked on a Feeling?
When you think about songs today, you often think about how they look, not just how they sound. The official video for "Hooked on a Feeling" on platforms like Spotify, for instance, might be something you've come across. It's interesting how content is put together these days. There's a particular way some videos are made, like using a 1:1 shape, which is done on purpose. This makes sure that when you're watching on your phone, it appears the same size, no matter what. This kind of detail shows how much thought goes into how we experience things digitally now. You can even get live TV without needing a cable box or a satellite dish, which is just another sign of how media has changed, isn't that something?
How Did B.J. Thomas Keep Hooked on a Feeling Alive?
B.J. Thomas, the original singer of "Hooked on a Feeling," was a truly great voice. He did a lot to keep his music, including this song, present for his listeners. He recorded something called "The Living Room Session," which was a collection of his most popular pieces done in an acoustic style. This gave fans a different way to hear the songs they loved, in a more stripped-down, intimate setting. It's a testament to his lasting ability as a singer and how much people enjoyed his work.
Is Hooked on a Feeling Just a Catchy Tune?
Some songs are just catchy, but "Hooked on a Feeling" seems to be more than that. It truly captures a deep human experience. The song, as performed by Blue Swede, suggests a person who is completely taken with someone's looks and hopes that the feeling is returned. It's that moment of being totally captivated and wishing for a shared connection. The words, "I'm hooked on a feeling, I'm high on believing, that you're in love with me," really sum up that sense of intense happiness and the hopeful step of trusting in someone else's affection. It's a song that speaks to the heart, you know, in a very direct way.
The Enduring Appeal of Hooked on a Feeling
So, whether you first heard it from B.J. Thomas back in 1968, or perhaps the Swedish group Blue Swede's take from 1974, or maybe even through a popular film, "Hooked on a Feeling" has a way of staying with you. It's a song that tells a story of intense affection and the hope that it's returned. From its start with an electric sitar to its new life on the big screen, this piece of music has truly traveled through time. It speaks to the joy of being utterly smitten and the belief that someone feels the same way about you. It's a testament to how some songs just connect with people, across generations, and stay in our minds.
Blue Swede - Hooked On A Feeling - 40th Anniversary Collection | iHeart
Acheter "Hooked On A Feeling" - Blue Swede - Microsoft Store fr-FR
Hooked On A Feeling (arr. Rick Stitzel) - Trumpet 1 by Blue Swede Sheet
