Which 1974 song made Blue Swede the first Swedish act to top the US Billboard Hot 100?

“Hooked on a Feeling” made Blue Swede the first Swedish act to top the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1974.

The song was written by Mark James and first recorded by B. J. Thomas in 1968. Blue Swede’s version became distinctive for its repeated “ooga chaka” vocal opening, adapted from Jonathan King’s 1971 recording. The arrangement transformed the earlier pop-soul song into a more heavily rhythmic performance.

Blue Swede’s recording reached number one in the United States in April 1974. Although Sweden later produced many internationally successful artists, Blue Swede achieved its defining American hit with this recording. The song is also often confused with later soundtrack uses, especially its prominent appearance in Guardians of the Galaxy, which introduced it to another generation.