Recorded - October 26, 1970
Released - November 1970
#1 for weeks of February 13, 20 and 27 & March 6 and 13, 1971.
Ok, what was it about early 1971 that saw such a rise in squeaky-clean pop hits? Alright, it's probably just a coincidence... But man, let me tell you, this next musical group makes The Partridge Family seem butch in comparison. Ladies and Gentlemen...The Osmonds.
Just like The Cowsills, The Jackson Five, and even the very early Bee Gees, The Osmonds were a family singing group. Now, just because these were family-oriented bands doesn't mean they were all sappy. The Cowsills fiddled around with sunshine pop, The Jacksons packed a surprisingly strong soulful whollop in their music, and the brothers Gibb wrote their own material.
As for The Osmonds, they can best be described as the most wholesomely innocent and non-threatening of these groups. In fact, that's an understatement, you can't find a group more overly-pure than The Osmonds. In 1970, they released the Jackson 5 soundalike song "One Bad Apple". Written by George Jackson (No relation to the Jacksons), the song was originally intended for Michael and company, but it was The Osmonds that ended up recording the song and scoring a #1 with it.
Well, the Jackson 5 sound is no doubt prominent in "One Bad Apple". In fact, one might even mistake this for a Jackson 5 song. However, this is where the similarities end. Little Donny Osmond was no little Michael Jackson, and his voice lacks the soulful spirit of Michael's. The overall music arrangement is far more sugary and twee than anything The Jacksons put out.
Overall, "One Bad Apple" comes across as a tailor-made kiddie pop hit. It epitomizes non-serious AM Radio pop music of the early 1970's. These were the target audience who brought this record in droves. I just don't get it, perhaps people wanted more Jackson 5 songs, and this watered down imitation had to suffice?
"One Bad Apple" is one of the most appropriate song titles ever. Unfortunately, the song sticks around in my head after listening and I can't for the life of me get it out! Waiter...I think there's a ear-worm in my apple.
Final Verdict - "One Bad Apple" is a Jackson 5 soundalike that is devoid of the soul and power that The Jackson brothers brought to the table. I didn't dislike it as much as I thought I would, and it's not one of the worst songs of the year. However, it's not a song I'd care to hear again, and I don't consider its hit status to be justified. It's simple pop, for a simple audience.
Coming Up Next - "Me And Bobby McGee" by Janis Joplin.
Until Next Time, I'm Dr. Rock and I've just devoured one sour apple -
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