THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

847-Taylor Swift-Love Story.

2008-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 3.18.In William Shakespeare’s version of Romeo and Juliet there is a tragic ending, but in Taylor Swift’s version they live happily ever after.

Taylor Alison Swift was born 13th December, 1989, in West Reading, Pennsylvania, United States, she was named Taylor after the singer/songwriter James Taylor.At the age of 14 she became the youngest artist to be signed by ‘Sony/ATV Music,’ with her self titled debut Album in 2006, going on to become the longest charting Album of the 2000’s, on the Billboard Top 200 Album chart.Over the course of her seven Album career to date, she has covered music genres as diverse as Country Pop, Synth Pop, Rock, and Hip-Hop.

Many of Taylor Swift’s songs are based on her real life experiences, and this one is rumoured to be about Swift’s relationship with Joe Jonas, of the Jonas Brothers, whom she dated for much of 2008, and Swift’s father who objected to the relationship.Swift had always been a fan of the William Shakespeare play Romeo and Juliet, and likened her situation to that of those lovers, but instead of a tragic ending like that in the Shakespeare play, Swift opted for a happy ending, where her Romeo asks for her hand in marriage.

‘He knelt to the ground, and pulled out a ring, and said, ‘Marry me Juliet, you’ll never have to be alone.”

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

848-Soft Cell-Tainted Love.

1981-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 4.00. Everyone knows about the fun you can have with an air guitar, but what about air percussion, space age noises,and clicking fingers.

Marc Almond was born Peter Mark Sinclair Almond, 9th, July, 1957, in Southport, England, he took his stage name, and it’s spelling Marc, from his boyhood idle Marc Bolan. The other half of Soft Cell was David Ball, born 3rd May,1959, in Chester, England, they met, while both studying at Leeds Polytechnic in 1977.

‘Tainted Love’ was written in 1964 by Ed Cobb (1938-1999,) and originally recorded by Gloria Jones as the ‘B’ side to her 1965 single ‘My Bad Boy’s Coming Home’. In 1973 British club DJ Richard Searling, purchased a copy while on a trip to the United States. The tracks Motown influenced sound, fit in perfectly with the music favoured by those involved in the UK Northern Soul scene, of the early 1970’s.Marc Almond and David Ball became aware of the song , and recorded a drastically different arrangement with synthesizers, which were very much the latest thing at the time. Marc has called the song,’A mixture of cold electronics, with an over passionate, over exuberant, slightly out of key vocal.’The song went on to become the best selling single of 1981.

‘Once I ran to you, now I’ll run from you.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

849-Kanye West, Big Sean, Pusha T, and 2 Chainz-Mercy.

2012-Number 55 single.Best Bit-At 3.13.The Fuzzy Jones sample, that takes us in to Kanye West rapping over some ‘EDM’, that’s come absolutely out of nowhere,just ahead of 2 Chainz introducing himself. As the ‘Big O’ said, some 48 years earlier, ‘MERCY.’

It must be difficult living inside the head of Kanye West, on the one hand you can’t help yourself, because you have to brag about all the trappings of your success, such as your ‘Lamborghini Murcielago,’ (Mercy for short,) and on the other hand as a God fearing born again Christian, you feel you must spread the word that if you break the rules on earth, you will end up in hell, with no ‘MERCY’ being shown, hence the opening line,’Well it is a weeping, and a moaning, and a gnashing of teeth.

In 2004 Kanye West (see also best songs 1049-636-477 and 267) set up his own record label ‘GOOD Music,’ in order to release his own music, and that of the artists he would sign, which include Big Sean, and Pusha T, who perform on this song. In 2012 West released an Album of new music, featuring many artists from his record label to showcase the labels talent. The compilation was called ‘Cruel Summer,’ and ‘Mercy’ was the first single released, peaking at Number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100.

‘Most Rappers taste level, ain’t at my waist level,turn up the bass ’til it’s up in your face level’.

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

850-Deee-Lite-Groove Is in the Heart.

1990- Number 2 single.

Best Bit At 3.43.Once the groove is in your heart, with the right mindset, if your lucky, it will spread to all those other vital organs.

Deee-Lite were the trio of Lady Miss Kier (born Kierin Kirby,) Supa DJ Dmitry (born Dmitry Brill,) and DJ Towa Tel ( born Dong-hwa Chung.) They were active between 1986-1996, releasing three studio Albums, they took inspiration for their name from the Cole Porter song ‘It’s De-Lovely,’ which is mentioned in this song, in the line,’Just de-lovely and delicious.’

‘Groove Is in the Heart’ has several guest artists, and also several samples.The Rap is performed by Q-Tip, of A Tribe Called Quest, guest vocals, and the bass are provided by Bootsy Collins, and the horn section is Fred Wesley, and Maceo Parker.There are several samples, most notably the bass-line from the Herbie Hancock song ‘Bring Down the Birds,’ Hancock receives songwriting credits.Another sample is from a song called ‘Get Up’ by Vernon Burch, which provides the songs drum track.

The song reached Number 2 in the UK in September 1990, with the compilers admitting that the song, and the previous weeks Number 1, ‘The Joker’ by the Steve Miller Band, had sold approximately the same during the previous week, and therefore couldn’t be split,the rules which dated back to the 1980’s said that the song which had increased it’s sales the most from the previous week, would be placed higher,

‘The chills that you spill up my back, keep me filled with satisfaction, when we’re done.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

851-The Animals-The House of the Rising Sun.

1964-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 1.38.As a traditional Folk song recorded by a Electronic Rock band, this song has been described as the first ever ‘Folk Rock’ hit.’

The House of the Rising Sun’ is a traditional Folk song sometimes called ‘Rising Sun Blues.’ Like many classic Folk ballads, the song has uncertain authorship,which is probably one of the reasons why it has been recorded so many times, as an artist doesn’t have to pay royalties on it.There are several schools of thought as to what the ‘Rising Sun’ was, but it was probably a place of gambling, drinking, and prostitution, in New Orleans, U.S., around 1860. The oldest known recording of the song under the title ‘Rising Sun Blues’ dated back to 1933, by Clarence Ashley, and Gwen Foster.

The Animals were formed in 1963 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, and were active until 1969, reforming with differing lineups on several occasions down the years.The original classic lineup was Eric Burdon (see also best songs 756,) Alan Price, Chas Chandler (1938-1996,) Hilton Valentine, and John Steel.

Bob Dylan recorded his first version of the song for his 1962 self titled debut Album, using a Folk arrangement. It is said that on hearing this song on the radio,he was inspired to buy an electric guitar, and the rest is history.

‘And it’s been the ruin of many a poor boy, and God knows I’n one.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

852-Crown Heights Affair-Galaxy of Love.

1978-Number 24 single.

Best Bit-At 5.21.Yes, it is totally out of this world.

The band were originally formed in 1967, by then bassist, Donnie Linton, and went by the name of ‘Ben Iverson and the Nue Dey Express.’ Before the release of their self titled debut Album in 1974, they changed their name to Crown Heights Affair, Crown Heights being a neighbourhood in Brooklyn, New York, U.S.,where they originated from.

Personnel changes occurred in 1975, along with a change of record label, as they moved to ‘De-Lite Records,’ also the home of Kool and the Gang.They would go on to record a further eight studio Albums until they split in 1983.They never achieved a top 40 single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, but in the UK they achieved three with ‘You Gave Me Love’ being their most successful, peaking at Number 10, in 1980.

The lyrics to ‘Galaxy of Love’ are a promise by the narrator, that if they stick by him, he not only can offer them the world, but the Galaxy as well.

‘Ladies and Gentlemen the Captain has turned off the no smoking, and seat-belt signs for your convenience, we are travelling at twice the speed of light, and are entering Warp Factor 3.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

853-Da Hool-Meet Her at the Love Parade.

1998-Number 15 single. When remixed, and re-issued in 2001 it peaked at Number 11.

Best Bit-At 2.48.Instrumental hits could be counted on the fingers of one hand back in the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s, but with the emergence of Electronic Dance Music in the 1990’s, lyricists could no longer take their jobs for granted.

Da Hool is the stage name of the music producer Frank Toniczek, who was born in 1968 in Bottrop, Germany. This song first charted around the world in 1997, and 1998, heavily aided by the Nalin & Kane remix. In 2001 the song became a hit again, when being remixed by Northern Irish music producer Fergie.

The songs title pays tribute to the ‘Love Parade,’ which was a German electronic dance music festival, and parade. The Love Parade was first held in 1989, in West Berlin, Germany, it was conceived as a political demonstration for peace, and international understanding through love, and music.The event grew year on year, with similar events taking place in other countries, including Roundhay Park in Leeds, England, in 2000.In 2010 the German event took place in Duisburg, with an alleged 1.4 million people in attendance, in an incident on an overcrowded ramp, leading from a tunnel, 21 people were killed, and a further 500 injured in a crush, this led to the festival organisers cancelling all future events.

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

854-Cult-She Sells Sanctuary.

1985-Number 15 single.In 1993 the song was re-released on two different CD singles, with several mixes, once again it reached Number 15.

Best Bit-At 1.02.The wonderful low key intro. only serves for greater anticipation, as you await that big bang on the drum.For even greater anticipation, try the long version, you get an extra 43 seconds of anticipation.

The Cult were formed in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England, in 1983 by Ian Astbury, (vocals,) Billy Duffy (lead guitar,) Ray Mondo (drums,) and Jamie Stewart (bass,) the band have had many different members over the years, with this songs writers, Astbury, and Duffy, being the only constants.

Ian Astbury had been in a band in the early 1980’s called Southern Death Cult, and when he joined forces with Billy Duffy, they changed the name to Death Cult, and finally just Cult. Before meeting Astbury, Billy Duffy had started his career as a member of the short lived Punk band The Nosebleeds, in 1976, whose lead singer was Morrissey, who would later form The Smiths.

When asked what the song ‘She Sells Sanctuary’ is about, Ian Astbury explained,’Sex, plain, and simple, it’s about sex, I’ve had sex, and I’m very proud of that fact.’

‘And the fire in your eyes keeps me alive, inside her you’ll find sanctuary.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

855-Big Joe Turner-Shake, Rattle and Roll.

1954-Has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 2.16.Make no mistake,’A one eyed cat peepin’ in a seafood store’, is no children’s story.

‘Shake, Rattle and Roll’ is considered to be the first major ‘Rock and Roll’ hit.This original version by Big Joe Turner was Number 1 on the Billboard R&B chart in June 1954, and reached Number 22 on the Billboard singles chart. Bill Haley & His Comets(see also best songs 628) recorded their version in June 1954, and the song peaked at Number seven on the Billboard singles chart, eventually going on to become a million selling record.

Big Joe Turners (see also best songs 257) version of the song has ‘raunchy’ lyrics, which were modified by Haley so that the song would receive more airplay,but he kept the line,’A one eyed cat peepin’ in a seafood store,’ presumably because he had been blind in one eye since childhood.

Big Joe Turner (1911-1985) was one of the most important figures in the development of Rock and Roll, he was a ‘Blues’ singer who shaped the genre by using more uptempo beats. According to the American songwriter Doc Pomus,’Rock and Roll would never have happened without him.’

‘Shake, Rattle and Roll’ was written by Jesse Stone (1901-1999) using the pseudonym Charles E. Calhoun.This was not the first time that the songs title had been used, because in 1910, Vaudeville performer ‘Baby’ Franklin Seals published ‘You Got to Shake Rattle and Roll,’ a Ragtime tune, about gambling with dice.

‘Way you wear those dresses, the sun comes shinin’ through. I can’t believe my eyes, all that mess belongs to you.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

856-Eric B. & Rakim-Paid in Full (Coldcut Seven Minutes of Madness remix.)

1987-Number 15 single.

Best Bit-At 2.06.Each and everyone of these 1000 songs is a ‘journey into sound’, please make sure you always have a listen, you might hear something you like.

‘Paid in Full’ is taken from the debut Album of the same name, released in 1987, and seen by many music critics as a turning point in the development of Hip-Hop music.Eric Barrier (Eric B,) and William Griffin (Rakim) met in Long Island, New York, U.S., in 1986, The 10 songs on the ‘Paid in Full’ Album helped mark the beginning of heavy sampling on Hip-Hop records, and it was also noted that Rakim’s vocal delivery was less ‘shouty’ than was often heard on Rap records, he was also praised for his more thoughtful lyrics, which led him to become a major influence on future generations.

This version of the song is different from the Album version, as it is the ‘Coldcut’ remix. Coldcut (see also best songs 754) are the duo of Matt Black, and Jonathan More, who originate from London, England.They took the original version of ‘Paid in Full,’ and added many more samples, including ‘Im Nin’ Alu,’ by the Israli singer Ofra Haza (1957-2000.) Further audio they sampled include the voices of James Brown, and Humphrey Bogart, as well as the very famous intro,’This is a journey into sound,’ spoken by the actor Geoffrey Sumner (1908-1969,) taken from a 1958 Album called ‘A Journey Into Stereo Sound.’

‘Thinkin’ of a master plan, ’cause ain’t nuthin’ but sweat inside my hand.’