Top 10 Bow Wow Wow Songs

Photo: Braunov, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Our list of the top 10 Bow Wow Wow songs showcases a band that left a significant mark on the music scene, notably with their hit song “I Want Candy,” famously performed by a young teenage lead singer named Annabella Lwin. Bow Wow Wow was formed in 1980, largely due to the efforts of Malcolm McLaren, the former manager of the Sex Pistols. McLaren convinced members of Adam and the Ants to create a new group under his management, including drummer Dave Barbarossa, bassist Leigh Gorman, and guitarist Matthew Ashman. With Adam Ant no longer part of this new ensemble, Bow Wow Wow was in need of a lead vocalist. McLaren spearheaded a months-long audition process to find the ideal lead singer to meet their vision for a groundbreaking new wave band.

The breakthrough came when talent scout David Fishel recommended Annabella Lwin, a thirteen-year-old he overheard singing to the radio in a laundromat. Lwin seized the opportunity and impressed McLaren and the rest of Bow Wow Wow. Shortly after that, Boy George briefly appeared with the band as a secondary vocalist under the name Lieutenant Lush before leaving to form Culture Club, where he found immense international success. Despite this, Bow Wow Wow remained a highly influential group, known for their danceable new wave tunes and provocative lyrics. Here are the top 10 Bow Wow Wow songs that encapsulate their best surf-inspired instrumentals and Burundi beat influences.

#10 – W.O.R.K.

Leading off our top 10 Bow Wow Wow songs is “W.O.R.K.” This track is irresistible, with its superb drum and bass instrumentals setting the stage for Bow Wow Wow’s distinctive musical flair. Annabella Lwin’s powerful vocals shine, showcasing one of the most remarkable young voices in the new wave genre. In an effort to capitalize on the success of the “I Want Candy” music video and its accompanying releases in 1982, EMI America issued the LP Twelve Original Recordings, on which “W.O.R.K.” appeared.

#9 – C30, C60, C90, Go!

In the number nine spot on our Bow Wow Wow songs list we present the song “C30, C60, C90, Go!” This track marked the groundbreaking first release by Bow Wow Wow. Crafted by the collaborative genius of Malcolm McLaren, Matthew Ashman, Leigh Gorman, and Dave Barbarossa, this track holds the distinction of being the first single released on cassette.

Initially, the release of this single was exclusive to cassette format, a decision met with reluctance from EMI, who hesitated to endorse the cassette single due to its lyrics that seemingly encouraged home recording—a contentious issue at the time given concerns over music piracy. Despite its unconventional release, “C30, C60, C90, Go!” eventually made its way to vinyl as a 7-inch single, peaking at No. 34 on the UK Singles Chart and remaining on the chart for seven weeks.

#8 – Fools Rush In (Where Angels Fear to Tread)

There is a reason they call certain songs standards. “Fools Rush In” is most definitely one of the most famous. The song was originally written by Johnny Mercer and Rube Bloom in 1940. It has been covered by everyone from Frank Sinatra to Elvis Presley to Norah Jones. However, no one has ever covered it the way Bow Wow Wow did, putting their own twist on the song that made it work extremely well.

#7 – The Man Mountain

The song “The Man Mountain” sounds very different from the rest of the band’s material. Gone are the tribal beats and party atmosphere surrounding most of their material. There is a distinct 1960s moody groove happening here. However, as serious as the music sounds, the silly lyrics contradict the musical mood in every direction.

#6 – Go Wild in the Country

This band had so many fun songs, but this was one of the most enjoyable. “Go Wild in the Country,” featured on Bow Wow Wow’s album See Jungle! See Jungle! Go Join Your Gang Yeah, City All Over! Go Ape Crazy!, marked a departure as one of the band’s first singles not produced by McLaren. Garnering favorable reviews, the track enjoyed a 13-week stint on the U.K. Singles Chart, reaching its peak at number seven. The lyrics express a clear preference for the natural over the urban, critiquing city life and the mundanity of fast food, while celebrating the idea of embracing a wilder existence. This track distinguished itself as the band’s inaugural foray into the top ten of the U.K. Singles Chart.

#5 – Chihuahua

The song “Chihuahua” is important in the band’s history for several reasons. The song was released on the band’s debut album for RCA Records entitled See Jungle! See Jungle! Go Join Your Gang Yeah, City All Over! Go Ape Crazy! I’m not sure why they released an album with such a long title, as that makes marketing the band much harder, but that’s what they did. The song “Chihuahua” was also released as a single. It did well in the band’s homeland in the UK, peaking at number 51. It did not chart in the US. Matthew Ashman, Dave Barbarossa, Leigh Gorman, and Malcolm McLaren wrote the song, and Alan Tarney produced it; Tarney was best known for his work with Cliff Richard as a songwriter and producer, as well as many other acts, including A-Ha.

#4 – Aphrodisiac

Showcasing the band’s tribal beats that were a hallmark of the musicians in the group’s former band, Adam and the Ants, the group’s song “Aphrodisiac” stands as one of their most interesting releases. The song was released on their second full-length album, When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going, in 1983. Even the background vocals on this one sound like Adam and the Ants.

#3 – Do You Wanna Hold Me?

“Do You Wanna Hold Me?” was released on the album When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going. The song was released as the album’s lead single. Its 1960s girl-group vibe played well for the band. However, Matthew Ashman, Dave Barbarossa, Leigh Gorman, and Annabella Lwin wrote the song. The Mickey Mouse hat in the video added an interesting touch to the band’s performance in the video. This was a fun one showcasing the UK band’s commentary on the US.

#2 – Baby, Oh No!

As we close in on the top spot of our Bow Wow Wow songs list, we showcase one of our favorites by the band, “Baby, Oh No!” There is just something so captivating about the band’s performances of this song. The surf guitar meets punk club riff works so well in the song’s intro and throughout the song. But of course it’s Annabella Lwin’s fantastic vocal performance that drives this one home. She sounds a lot like Debbie Harry of Blondie on this track.

#1 – I Want Candy

There should have been no doubt which song would place number one on our Bow Wow Wow songs list. I’m sure if you grew up during the early MTV era, you remember seeing the video in constant rotation on the channel. However, there is a lot of history behind this song.

The song “I Want Candy” was originally composed in 1965 by Bert Berns, Bob Feldman, Jerry Goldstein, and Richard Gottehrer. Feldman, Goldstein, and Gottehrer had previously achieved success as writers and producers with hits like “My Boyfriend’s Back” by the Angels and recorded “I Want Candy” under the guise of the Strangeloves. It’s worth noting that Berns did not participate in the recording session.

In an intriguing twist, Feldman, Goldstein, and Gottehrer, despite using their real names for their roles in writing and production, concocted a fictional backstory for the Strangeloves. They claimed the group consisted of three Australian brothers and former sheep farmers named Giles, Miles, and Niles Strange. To add to the mystique, they adopted shaggy wigs and flamboyant attire for promotional images.

As the second single by the Strangeloves, “I Want Candy” achieved notable success, reaching number 11 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. However, the record did not make an impact in the UK or, ironically, in Australia, the fictional homeland of the Strangeloves.

In 1982, “I Want Candy” by Bow Wow Wow charted in various countries, showcasing the song’s international appeal. In Australia, according to the Kent Music Report, the track reached the 39th spot, while in Belgium’s Ultratop 50 Flanders chart, it climbed to number 30. The song enjoyed significant success in Ireland, securing the 7th position on the IRMA chart. In the Netherlands, it was well-received, landing at number 26 on the Dutch Top 40 and improving slightly to number 23 on the Single Top 100 chart. New Zealand’s Recorded Music NZ chart also saw the song at number 30.

In the band’s home country, the UK, the song was a top 10 hit, peaking at number 9 on the Official Singles Chart. Across the Atlantic in the US, the song’s reception was modest yet noteworthy; it reached number 62 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 36 on the Hot Dance Club Play chart, and number 22 on the Top Tracks chart. Additionally, the song appeared on the Cash Box Top 100, where it hit number 61, further cementing “I Want Candy” as a memorable track from the early ’80s new wave scene.