The Knack

The Knack were an American power pop band formed in Los Angeles in 1978. Fronted by singer-guitarist Doug Fieger, the group became an overnight sensation with their debut single «My Sharona», which topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1979 and became one of the defining songs of the power pop revival. Their debut album, Get the Knack, drew comparisons to early Beatles records both for its tight, hook-driven songwriting and for the frenzy of attention the band received upon release.

Musically, The Knack combined crunchy guitar riffs, driving rhythms, and instantly memorable choruses, drawing on 1960s British Invasion pop as much as contemporary new wave energy. Songs like «Good Girls Don’t» and «(She’s So) Selfish» showcased the band’s knack for irresistible, radio-ready hooks wrapped around cheeky, sometimes controversial lyrics. That combination made them one of the most commercially successful new acts of 1979, even as the backlash against their sudden ubiquity was swift.

While subsequent albums never matched the runaway success of their debut, The Knack retained a devoted cult following and left a lasting mark on the power pop genre, influencing later bands who embraced concise, hook-forward songwriting. «My Sharona» itself endured well beyond the band’s commercial peak, resurfacing in films and pop culture and remaining a staple of classic rock radio.