December 7: Singing Nun hits #1 in U.S.

On this date in History .... 1963:

No one could have predicted that a song about a Catholic saint, sung in French by a Belgium nun could have become a U.S. hit.  But “The Singing Nun” did just that when her song “Dominique” hit #1 and stayed there for four weeks, stopping (Click here to hear) the song "Louie Louie" from ever reaching the #1 slot. 

After the Nov 22 death of John Kennedy, radio pop stations were toning down the music they played in a period of respect for the President.  “Dominique” arrived during this lull period in the music world and is the only Belgium song to ever become a #1 hit single in the U.S. 

Click here to play the song "Dominque"

However, after tasting “pop immortality”, the nun left the church to pursue a singing career which did not take off as expected.  In 1985, she committed suicide over a Belgium Government bill for a royalties tax issue.

A semi-biographical movie was made in 1966 starring Debbie Reynolds.

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