Barry Philips Discos

Published by Barry Philips · Yesterday at 1:00 PM · 

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
82-Paul Robeson-Ol’ Man River.
1936-Has never charted in the UK.There was no chart until 1952.
Best Bit-At 1.38.The Mississippi river is the second longest river on the North American continent.It flows generally south for 2,320 miles(3,730 km) to the Mississippi’s River Delta in the Gulf of Mexico,but were not here for a geography lesson,so let me tell you about the song.
‘Ol Man River’ was written for the 1927 musical ‘Show Boat,’ with music by Jerome Kem(see also best songs 687) and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein(see also best songs 842.)The musical is based on the best selling novel,’Show Boat’ written by American author and dramatist Edna Ferber(1885-1968) and published in 1926.Ferber had serious reservations about her work being turned in to a musical.Up until that time musicals were basically ‘boy meets girl,they break up,reconcile and live happily ever after,’but she was reassured this would be different.’Show Boat’ was groundbreaking in that it remained loyal to the story’s serious subject matter,leading the way for future musicals.
The song was originally performed in the first production in 1927 by Jules Bledsoe(1897-1943,) he also sang it in the first film version in 1929.The most famous version is this one by Paul Robeson(1898-1976,) he sang it for the 1936 film re-make.
The song tells of the hardships of Indians,now known as African Americans working tirelessly on the boat and in ports where it stops.It also tells us of the way white European travellers on board were uncaring and disinterested in their plight.
‘I get weary and so sick of tryin’,I’m tired of livin’,but I’m feared of dyin.’
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The countdown continues tomorrow at 1.0.pm.
This is the 3rd highest placed pre Rock ‘N’ Roll era(before 1955) song on this countdown.YOUTUBE.COMPaul Robeson – Ol’ Man Riverlyrics: Here we all work ‘long the Mississippi Here we all work, while the white boys play Gettin’ no rest from the dawn till the sunset Gettin’ no…

Barry Philips Discos

Published by Barry Philips · January 2 at 1:00 PM · 

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
83-Frankie Valli-My Eyes Adored You.
1975-Number 5 single.
Best Bit-At 2.06.I get the feeling all his other body parts were just as keen.
Yet another classic from the pen of Bob Crewe,who this time teamed up with American Soul singer/songwriter Kenny Nolan.I have already written in detail many times of the achievements of Bob Crewe(see also best songs 914-863-739-499-393-284-164 and 112,) and undoubtedly his collaboration with Kenny Nolan in the 1970’s is on a par with his 1950’s and 1960’s output.
In 1974 ‘My Eyes Adored You’ went to Number 1 on Billboard and the song which replaced it was ‘Lady Marmalade’ by Labelle,another Crewe/Nolan composition.
This song was originally recorded by the Four Seasons in 1974,but rejected by the Motown record label. Franki Valli(see also best songs 739 and 284) still had faith in the song and actually bought the rights to it for what now looks a bargain $4000.There were further rejections from Capital and Atlantic Records before Valli got to record it for the smaller label,Private Stock.
The lyrics are fairly easy to understand.The narrator is reminiscing about the time he was in love as an adolescent,but never got the nerve up to tell her how much he loved her.Now many years later he wonders how different things could have been.
‘Carried your books from school,playin’ make believe you’re married to me.’
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The countdown continues tomorrow at 1.0.pm.
This is the highest placed Frankie Valli song on this countdown.YOUTUBE.COMFrankie Valli – My eyes adored you (video/audio edited & restored) GQ*RETRORETROCHANNEL ANGLO* Video canal especializado en la edición tanto de audio como de imagen de algunos videos musicales de los años…

Barry Philips Discos

Published by Barry Philips · January 1 at 1:00 PM · 

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
84-U2-All I Want Is You.
1989-Number 4 single.
Best Bit At 4.08. The songs video tells the tale of a dwarf who falls in love with a trapeze artist while working in a circus,one of them tragically dies towards the end of the story.There is a disagreement amongst fans as to who actually died as it leaves the viewer in doubt.Another longstanding mystery was who actually played the part of the dwarf,many think it is future ‘Game of Thrones’ star Peter Dinklage in an early role,but it isn’t,it was actually an actor of around the same age named Paolo Risi.
‘All I Want Is You’ was the fourth and final single released from U2’s(see also best songs 766-320 and 190) sixth studio Album ‘Rattle and Hum’ released in 1988,although it received mixed reviews from critics the Album went onto sell over 14 million copies worldwide.
The songs lyrics were written by Bono,with the music being credited to the whole band.The orchestration on the track was arranged by the much acclaimed American musician Van Dyke Parks who since the 1960’s has worked with such names as The Beach Boys,Harry Nilsson and Ringo Starr.
When playing the song live Bono often dedicates it to his wife.In the song the narrator is telling someone that material things are not important,it is love that really matters.
‘But all the promises we make from the cradle to the grave,when all I want is you.’
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The countdown continues tomorrow at 1.0.pm.
This is the highest placed U2 song on this countdown.YOUTUBE.COMU2-All I Want Is You (Lyrics)

Barry Philips Discos

Published by Barry Philips · December 31, 2019 at 1:00 PM · 

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
85-Chaka Khan-I Feel For You.
1984-Number 1 single.
Best Bit-At 0.06.To have your name constantly repeated in one of Pop Music’s most famous Raps must be very special,but it can also be a double edged sword.Poor Chaka Khan,everytime some ‘numpty’ thinking they are the first to do it,sings it to her,she will have to show remarkable patience.
‘I Feel For You’ was originally written and recorded by Prince(1958-2016)(see also best songs 884 and 487) and first appeared on his second studio Album called ‘Prince,’ in 1979.The song had been offered to Soul singer Patrice Rushen(Forget Me Nots) but she turned it down.
Chaka Khan(see also best songs 228) was born March 23,1953 and named Yvette Marie Stevens,her initial success came in the 1970’s with the Funk and Soul band Rufus.When she became a solo singer her record company wanted her to record a ‘Pop’ song as they felt this was the way to get her into the charts.This was against the wishes of Khan who always saw herself as a Soul,Gospel and Jazz singer.
The song is notable for the harmonica playing by Stevie Wonder,whose song ‘Fingertips’ is also sampled,but it is the tracks almost ‘novelty’ rap which captures the public’s imagination.It was written and performed by Melle Mel who had already received critical acclaim for two of Hip-Hops most groundbreaking songs,’The Message'(see also best songs 290) and ‘White Lines.'(see also best songs 523.)
The repetition of Khan’s name at the beginning of the song was a lucky mistake made by the producer Arif Mardin. While recording he pressed a wrong button causing the word ‘Chaka’ to repeat,he liked it so much that he decided to keep it in.
‘Chaka Khan let me rock you,let me rock you Chaka Khan.’
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The countdown continues tomorrow at 1.0.pm.
This is the 2nd highest placed Prince song on this countdown.YOUTUBE.COMChaka Khan – I Feel for You (1984)The most successful and well known version was recorded by female R&B…

Barry Philips Discos

Published by Barry Philips · December 30, 2019 at 1:00 PM · 

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
86-Big Mama Thornton-Hound Dog.
1952-Has never charted in the UK.
Best Bit-At 0.01.This original version and the Elvis cover are completely different renditions,but both equally as good and groundbreaking in the development of Rock ‘N’ Roll.I could have happily posted the Elvis as well,but this is a top 1000 countdown,not a top 1001.
In August 1952 R&B bandleader and music entrepreneur Johnny Otis(1921-2012) asked 19 year-old songwriters Jerry Leiber(1933-2011) and Mike Stoller(see also best songs 954-804 and 124) to his home to meet Blues singer Willie Mae ‘Big Mama’ Thornton(1926-1984.) After hearing her sing,they wrote a song to suit her personality. Leiber recalled,’She looked like the biggest,baddest,saltiest chick you would ever see,and she was mean,a ‘lady bear.’She must have been 350 pounds and she had scars all over her face.’Stoller said,’She was a wonderful Blues singer,with a great moaning style.’Thornton’s singing style was an influence on Rock ‘N’ Roll,which was now only just around the corner.
In 1955 Freddie Bell and the Bellboys who were one of the first white groups to play the R&B hits of the day recorded a version of Hound Dog.Elvis Presley(see also best songs 954-664-442 and 194) was impressed after hearing them perform the song and decided to record it in a similar style.Presley’s ‘gyrating’ performance of the song on television shocked many of the older generation and ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll’ had arrived.Presley’s version of Hound Dog spent eleven weeks at Number 1 on Billboard and is his best selling song.
‘You ain’t nothing but a hound dog,been snoopin’ ’round the door.’
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The countdown continues tomorrow at 1.0.pm.YOUTUBE.COMWillie Mae ‘Big Mama’ Thornton – Hound Dog