The Dynamic Superiors, Shoe Shoe Shine | 1 Hit WONDERful

In the 26th edition of 1 Hit WONDERful (2025), we highlight “Shoe Shoe Shine” performed by The Dynamic Superiors.

It only takes ONE hit to solidify a musical legacy 💯! On 1 Hit WONDERful, we highlight songs that were the SOLE hit by a given musician.  It is possible that the artists appearing on this list earned a minor hit or two, BUT for the most part, that ONE hit earned them recognition. So, in the 26^th edition of 1 Hit WONDERful (2025), we dive into “Shoe Shoe Shine”, the one-hit wonder by The Dynamic Superiors.

“First of all, let’s get one thing straight.” Okay, I’m… we’re all ears! “All the things you desire will have to come late.” Hmm, K… please, continue. “Ain’t handing you no jive / Tellin’ you it is what it ain’t.” Word. We’ll revisit that. Moving on, unfortunately, not every talented musician, band, or group achieves much commercial success, let alone sustainable success.  That was the case with the Washington, D.C.📍 Motown quintet, The Dynamic Superiors. The Dynamic Superiors charted only one song on the pop charts, “Shoe Shoe Shine”.  “Shoe Shine” didn’t even earn the distinction of being a top 40 pop hit. It peaked modestly at number 68 on the Billboard Hot 100. Despite the lack of commercial success, The Dynamic Superiors were a respectable, well-rounded 70s Motown collective. Tony Washington (d. 1989), the lead singer, was openly gay, which was a big deal for Motown and the 1970s. However, most important is the talent that Washington and his fellow bandmates brought to the table. “Shoe Shoe Shine” is the opener from their self-titled 1975 album. It was written and produced by Motown royalty: Nikolas Ashford (1941 – 2011) and Valerie Simpson (1946 – ), best known as Ashford & Simpson.

The Dynamic Superiors eat on “Shoe Shoe Shine.” This underrated soul gem has smooth, lush, and soulful vibes from the beginning.  The sound is characteristic of the ‘70s, with dramatic, striking orchestration (winds and strings).  Furthermore, the rhythm section is in the pocket, providing sweet accompaniment for Tony and company.  Washington sounds elite, with his high tenor delivering truly ripe, high-flying falsetto.  He keeps it real in the first verse, excerpted earlier. The second verse is written similarly, “You might as well get rid of those crazy ideas / Rainy days will outnumber the ones you see clear / The picture in your dreams, no / That ain’t the way it’s gonna be.” Ugh, bummer! The best moment of the song should come as no surprise – the incredibly tuneful, nostalgic chorus performed collectively, led by Tony’s prodigious pipes:

“Shoe, shoe shine used to cost a dime
A penny could buy you plenty
A nickel was the fare to take you anywhere
Troubles, we didn’t have many
I may not have much to speak of
But there’ll always be plenty of love.” 

The shoes, let alone the shoe shine, aren’t important here. But, recollecting those good old days, something we all do as adults, is what the songwriters and Tony Washington were going for. The Dynamic Superiors deserved far more notoriety, particularly for the superb “Shoe Shoe Shine”.