Last Updated on September 17, 2022
Have you ever wanted to learn how to play BJ Thomas’s “Hooked On A Feeling”? Whether you’re new to playing guitar, or have been playing for years, you can learn to play this popular song in no time! BJ Thomas is an American rock band from New Jersey and their latest single is “Hooked on a Feeling”. In this article, you’ll learn how to play this song using the guitar tabs and chords that you’ll need.
Blue Swede’s version of “Hooked on a Feeling”
Hooked on a Feeling is the title of an album by Swedish rock band Blue Swede. The album was released in 1974 and immediately became a global sensation due to the band’s cover of Jonathan King’s 1971 version of the 1968 Mark James song. Originally released by the Velvet Underground, the song’s original version had already become a classic.
The original version by B.J. Thomas was a hit in Sweden. The Swedish group remained in place until the mid-70s. They achieved their greatest success with “Hooked on a Feeling”, which reached #1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Cashbox Top 100. The song reached platinum status in the US and reached gold in the UK. The album was released two years after the movie “Guardians of the Galaxy.”
The original version of “Hooked on a ’Feeling’” was written by Mark James. He was a friend of B.J. Thomas, and he had worked with legendary Memphis producer Chips Moman. The two collaborated on this song, and Blue Swede covered it a few years later. This version was released in October 1974, serving as the title track to their second album.
The song also made a comeback in the 1990s. The Swedish band was featured on the soundtrack of Quentin Tarantino’s crime thriller “Reservoir Dogs” and the soundtrack of the Guardians of the Galaxy. The song’s cover version was also featured in the film Ally McBeal’s “dancing baby” scene.
Jonathan King’s song, originally written by Johnny Preston, was covered by a number of popular groups. The version Blue Swede recorded was based on Jonathan King’s 1971 cover, and retained the “ooga chaka” intro. The original version had a pronounced drug presence, but Blue Swede’s cover removed all traces of the substance.
The song became so popular that it was featured in movies like the Reservoir Dogs movie released in 1992, and in 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy. “Hooked on a Feeling” is the band’s only number-one single in the United States, and it spent 18 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100. Despite its popularity, the band only lasted from 1973 to 1975, and frontman Skifs later went solo.
Aside from Bjorn Skifs, Blue Swede has other talented musicians as well. The band featured Hinke Ekestubbe, trumpeter Tom Berger, guitarist Michael Areklaw, pianist Ladslav Balatz, bassist Bosse Liljedahl, and drummer Jan Guldbach. The vocals on “Hooked on a Feeling” are soulful and sultry.
James’ version of “Hooked on a Feeling”
Blue Swede’s 1974 album Hooked on a Feeling featured the ’ooga chaka’ cover of Jonathan King’s famous Mark James version. The band’s version of the song was one of their most popular, reaching number five on the Billboard Hot 100. All songs on the album were written by Bengt Palmers and Bjorn Skifs.
After a feature on FOX’s “Ally McBeal”, Vonda Shepard covered the song. Her performance coincided with the release of the internet meme “Dancing Baby”. The song subsequently went viral, appearing everywhere for a year. Later, David Hasslehoff covered it for his album. His version was featured on the album, and reached number 36 in Australia and number 49 in Switzerland.
Hooked on a Feeling was first featured on the soundtrack of the film, Guardians of the Galaxy. The film’s trailer included the song as well. It was the opening theme, and featured a lullaby. The ooga-chaka refrain is the signature melody of the film. Blue Swede’s version is quite a bit more popular than James’ original.
The original song was penned by Mark James, who was also a friend of B.J. Thomas, and had worked with legendary Memphis producer Chips Moman. Blue Swede’s version of the song reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. This version was later stripped of any reference to drugs, but the title remains unchanged. It is one of James’ best-known songs, and remains a classic.
In addition to the trailer for “Guardians of the Galaxy,” “Hooked on a Feeling,” which James performed on the soundtrack, is another classic. The track first appeared in the 1992 film Reservoir Dogs, and has since been featured in several television shows and movies. However, the song didn’t reach the top of the charts on iTunes or Spotify. Nevertheless, it’s certainly still worth a listen before the film opens.
The song’s chorus describes the vocalist as being “hooked on a feeling,” and is akin to a love-struck p-sywoppiness. The vocalist is enamored with the addressee, and relishes the physical contact. Ultimately, the song is a powerful statement about the power of love.
BJ Thomas’ version
“Hooked on a Feeling” was written by Mark James and first released in 1968. It featured Reggie Young, who is regarded as one of the greatest studio guitarists of all time, and an electric sitar. The song peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 that year, and the movie version resurfaced this hit song, as well. BJ Thomas’ version of hooked on a feeling is one of the most popular rock anthems of all time, and can be heard on any number of streaming services and devices, including JioSaavn App.
The song was a huge hit for Thomas, who was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2001. He had a long career as a singer and songwriter, and recorded many original versions of hit songs, including “Hooked on a Feeling.” Sadly, he passed away due to complications resulting from his stage-four lung cancer, which caused him to suffer from pneumonia and other medical problems.
Though a classic rock song, “Hooked on a Feeling” enjoyed a revival in the 1990s. It featured on the soundtrack of Reservoir Dogs, and it was also used in Ally McBeal’s famous “dancing baby” scene in the film Guardians of the Galaxy. But what made the song a hit in the cinema was the film’s popularity.
The song was written by Morris Albert, who also wrote the song’s lyrics. The song was released as a single in 1974, and became the title track for his debut album in 1975. Thomas was raised on the soul and country music of the South. He sang in church and later joined a rock band. He was also inspired by the blues and later covered Jackie Wilson’s “To Be Loved.”
Blue Swede’s version of “Hooked on a Feeling” was released in Sweden in spring 1973 and in the US in early 1974. It was a hit for the band and made the song an international chart hit. Without King’s original version, the song almost reached the UK top 10.
Although this song is not popular with American audiences, it has reached the top twenty-three British charts. Thomas married his wife in 1968 and they have three daughters. The two collaborated on the memoir “In Tune: Finding How Good Life Can Be” together. The song also features a cover by Jerry B. Jenkins, the author of the Left Behind religious novels. This version of “Hooked on a Feeling” became an instant hit and was released as a single in the UK.
About The Author
Mindy Vu is a part time shoe model and professional mum. She loves to cook and has been proclaimed the best cook in the world by her friends and family. She adores her pet dog Twinkie, and is happily married to her books.