THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

661-Ian Hunter-Once Bitten, Twice Shy.

1975-Number 14 single.

Best Bit-At 0.07. The warmest of welcomes.

Ian Hunter Patterson was born on June 3rd, 1939, in Oswestry, Shropshire, England, due to the onset of World War 2, he moved with his family to Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, Scotland, to live with the family of his Scottish father. Hunter lived in Scotland until the age of six, and has stated that he considers himself a Scot, but also identifies as English and British. Success for Ian Hunter came a little later in life than your average ‘Pop Star,’ as it wasn’t until 1972 at the age of 33, that as the lead singer of the English Rock group ‘Mott the Hoople,’ he achieved his first hit single, with the David Bowie (1948-2016) (see also best songs 807-440-334-302-209-186-118-47 and 31) written and produced ‘All the Young Dudes’ (see also best songs 334.) Mott the Hoople would achieve a further five UK top 40 singles, all written by Hunter., then in 1974 he left the group to pursue a solo career.

The solo discography of Ian Hunter includes 23 Albums released between 1975-2023, and 20 singles issued between 1975-2016. In the UK, only ‘Once Bitten, Twice Shy’ has charted within the top 40, when reaching Number 14 in 1975, Other career highlights away from Mott the Hoople include producing the second studio Album ‘Valley of the Dolls,’ by the English Punk Rock group Generation X, in 1979. Also in 1979 the American singer Barry Manilow covered Hunter’s song ‘Ships,’ taking it to Number 9 on Billboard, and then in 1997 the American Rock group ‘Presidents of the United States of America’ covered Hunter’s song ‘Cleveland Rocks,’ which was used as the theme song for the American television sitcom ‘The Drew Carey Show.’ ‘Cleveland Rocks’ became such an anthem in Cleveland, Ohio, by being played on the city’s radio station, and by being used as a victory song for the city’s sports teams, that in June 1979, Hunter was given the key to the city by Cleveland mayor.

‘Once Bitten, Twice Shy’ was Ian Hunter’s debut solo single, and the first of two singles released from his self titled debut studio Album, from March 1975. The song was written by Ian Hunter, with the production credited to Hunter, and Mick Ronson, (1946-1993) who also played guitar on the track. Mick Ronson (see also best songs 440-405-334-186-131-58-37 and 5) was born on May 26th, 1946, in Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire, England, he died of liver cancer on April 29th, 1993, at the age of 46. Mick Ronson had first met Ian Hunter in London in 1966 when both were trying to make the big time, Hunter with a group called ‘The Scenery,’ and Ronson with the ‘Voice,’ and also with ‘The Rats,’ whom with both groups, he was the guitarist at that time. Mick Ronson’s stellar career included working with David Bowie on five studio Albums between 1970-1973, and along with Bowie, working with Lou Reed (1942-2013) on his 1972 Album ‘Transformer.’ Ronson also had a long working relationship with Ian Hunter, working on six of his Albums, issued between 1979-1995. One of Ronson’s final assignments was producing ‘Your Arsenal,’ the third solo studio Album from Morrissey in 1992. Mick Ronson also released two solo Albums in 1974, and 1975, with a further four being issued after his death, between 1994-2001.

The definition of once bitten twice shy is, if you have failed, or been hurt when trying to do something, then you will be careful, or fearful about doing it again. The lyrics to ‘Once Bitten, Twice Shy’ maybe a true story, or just an observation. The song tells of a girl groupie, whom the narrator has taken a liking to. He first encounters her in the tour bus with the drummer, but before much action can take place between them, the narrator claims her, as he is a more senior member of the group. The groupie soon learns that ‘Rock ‘N Roll’ is a hard life, with lots of travel, and heaters on the bus that don’t always work, but as she gets the hang of it, she starts messing around with other guys, much to the narrators dismay.

In 1972 Ian Hunter wrote a book called ‘Diary of a Rock’n’Roll Star,’ which was published in 1974. The book chronicles the endless travelling, hotels, sound checks, performances. and notably, it strips away the ‘glittering facade’ of the ‘Rock Star’ that the music industry ‘PR’ machine would have music fans believe. A review of the book said,’Hunter delivers a distinctly British perspective, as he encounters the diverse American cultural landscape. Already in his 30’s and a show biz veteran, Hunter offers not only the usual cliché’s, but also mature, hard-won insights into the Rock game.’ In 1989 the American Rock group ‘Great White’ covered ‘Once Bitten, Twice Shy,’ with their version reaching Number 5 on Billboard in America, and stalling at Number 83 in the UK.

‘You didn’t know what rock and roll was, until you met a drummer on the Greyhound bus. I got there in the nick of time, before he got his hands across your state line.’