"Whirly Girl" by Oxo

Song#:  1351
Date:  02/19/1983
Debut:  73
Peak:  28
Weeks:  14
Genre:  Pop, New Wave



Pop Bits:  This Miami-based band was formed by Ish "Angel" Ledesma. After his previous band, Foxy (see below), broke up, Ledesma tried for a solo career with a 1979 LP titled "Ish." Nothing much happened with the album so he then formed Oxo. The band signed with Geffen Records and issued their self-titled debut. This first single did fairly well making it into the Top 30. Unfortunately, further singles failed to chart and their recording career ended as quickly as it began. This song would remain their only chart single. Ledesma would stay with Geffen and do another solo attempt with 1986's "On This Corner," but it failed to generate interest. However, he has remained a successful studio musician, songwriter, producer and performer over the years.

ReduxReview:  This frantic single didn't catch my ear back then, but like a lot of other singles I missed the first time around, this one came back to life thanks to its appearance on a couple 80s compilations. It's frenetic pace is hard to ignore. I just find it difficult not to start boppin' around. I wouldn't consider the song a favorite in any way, but it's fun when this ditty shuffles up on a playlist.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  Double Shot!  1) Ledesma's first band of note was Foxy. The Latin-tinged disco band hit it big with the title-track from their second LP "Get Off." The song would reach #9 on the pop chart while hitting #1 at R&B. Their next album would then yield the #4 R&B hit "Hot Number" (#21 pop). They would issue a fourth album, but unfortunately it wouldn't produce any significant hits. The band would fold soon after.  2) This song was originally titled "Worldly Girl," but it later got changed to "Whirly." Ledesma co-wrote the tune which was about his wife. Ledesma would later develop a female vocal trio called Company B that featured his wife. The dance trio would hit the pop chart in 1987 with the #21 single "Fascinated" (#1 dance).

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