Today in The Music of New Coke, “One Night In Bangkok” performed by Murray Head on the original cast soundtrack for the musical Chess. The song spent two weeks at #3 during the May of New Coke and has the honor of being the last show tune to reach the top five.Â
It seems like a good time to mention that one of the best things that happened during the New Coke Era was the release of Coca-Cola Cherry, which was a massive hit with the soda masses. Why does “One Night In Bangkok” remind me of Cherry Coke? Because in the spring of 1985 my best friend — also named Sarah — and I would play chess and sip Cherry Cokes all afternoon long, thinking both were the height of sophistication and adulthood.Â
Looking back now, calling ourselves “Sarah Squared” might have been a bit too on the nose.