Hooked on a Feeling

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For the album of the same name by Blue Swede, see Hooked on a Feeling (Blue Swede album).

“Hooked on a Feeling”

Single by Blue Swede from the album Hooked On a Feeling
A-side	Hooked On a Feeling
B-side	Gotta Have Your Love
Released	1974
Format	7"
Recorded	1974
Genre	Pop
Length	2:48
Label	EMI Svenska
Writer(s)	Mark James

"Hooked on a Feeling" is a 1969 pop song written by Mark James originally performed by B. J. Thomas. Featuring the sound of the electric Sitar, that version reached number five in 1969 on the Billboard Hot 100. This then had two successful covers:

In 1971, Jonathan King produced his own version, adding ooka shaka jungle chants similar to, but not exactly the same as, Johnny Preston's "Running Bear." King described it as "a reggae rhythm by male voices." His version was a Top 30 hit throughout Europe.
In 1974 the Swedish pop group Blue Swede with Björn Skifs as lead singer did a cover, with the ooka shaka introduction, that reached number one in the USA, and was revived on the Reservoir Dogs soundtrack in 1992.

[edit] Other notable appearances

It was covered again in 1997 by David Hasselhoff. The music video of the Hasselhoff version became an Internet phenomenon due to its surreal visuals, low production quality, and Hasselhoff's pop icon status. Excerpts from the Blue Swede version of the song were used as the audio that accompanied the "Dancing Baby" Internet phenomenon of 1996-1997.

The introduction ("ooga chakka") of this song was sampled in the Offspring song "Special Delivery" off the Conspiracy of One album in 2000.

It was also covered 2003 by Vonda Shepard and was featured on the Ally McBeal soundtrack.

It was used in a 2005 Cheerios cereal commercial, as well as Listerine.

Preceded by "Sunshine on My Shoulders" by John Denver	Billboard Hot 100 number one single (Blue Swede version) April 6, 1974	Succeeded by "Bennie and the Jets" by Elton John