THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

815-Herb Alpert-This Guy’s in Love with You.

1986-Number 3 single.

Best Bit-At 2.16.Even my musically uneducated ears can tell he is a lot better trumpeter than singer.

Herb Alpert was born on March 31st, 1935, in Los Angeles,California,United States, he has sold in excess of 72 million records to date.He is also the co-founder of the record label ‘A&M,’ along with Jerry Moss,whose acts included The Carpenters, The Police, and Supertramp, among many others.In 1989 they sold the label to PolyGram for $500 million, and received a further $200 million in 1998.

By the time Herb Alpert came to record this song he was already an international star due to the success of his hit records with his band The Tijuana Brass.’This Guy’s in Love with You’ was written by the legendary songwriting team of Burt Bacharach, and Hal David (see also best songs 902-832-740-644 and 224,) according to Bacharach, the recording originated when Alpert asked Bacharach, ‘Say Burt do you happen to have any old compositions lying around that you and Hal have never recorded,’Alpert has said, he made it his practise to ask songwriters that particular question.

The song became the first A&M recording to top the Billboard chart, and also give Bacharach, and David their first American Number 1 as well.Herb Alpert is also the only artist ever on Billboard to have a Number 1 vocal, and Number 1 instrumental, when ‘Rise’ also topped the chart in 1979.

‘My hands are shakin,’ don’t let my heart keep breaking,’cause I need your love, I want your love.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

816-John Cooper Clarke-Evidently Chickentown.

1980-Has never been released as a single.

Best Bit-At 0.49.It’s a bloody good song.

John Cooper Clarke was born on January 25th, 1949, in Salford, Lancashire, England, he is a performance poet, who first became famous during the Punk era of the late 1970’s.He would tour, often as an opening act for some of the biggest names of the day, including, the Sex Pistols, and New Order.Clarke has cited his English teacher, John Malone, and the works of the poet Sir Henry Newbolt (1862-1938,) as an inspiration. He also attributes English poet Pam Ayres, as inspiring him,after seeing her run of success on the British television talent show ‘Opportunity Knocks.’

‘Evidently Chickentown’ is from Clarke’s forth studio Album ‘Snap, Crackle & Bop’ released in 1980, the lyrics are by Clarke, and the music was written by Martin Hannett (1948-1991,) and Steve Hopkins, together with drummer Paul Burgess, the three were known as ‘The Invisible Girls.”Evidently Chickentown’ uses repeated profanity to get it’s point across about how tough life can be, when played live, Clarke will often substitute the word ‘Bloody’ for the ‘F’ word.

The lyrics (poem,) bears more than a passing resemblance to an earlier work titled ‘The Bloody Orkneys,’ written by the author, and journalist Andrew Blair, under the pseudonym Captain Hamish Blair. Clarke has said he ‘Didn’t consciously copy it, but I must have heard that poem, years ago, it’s terrific.’

‘The bloody pubs are bloody dull, the bloody clubs are bloody full, of bloody girls, and bloody boys, with bloody murder in their eyes.

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

817-Dillinger-Cokane in My Brain.

1976-Has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 2.08.You can not learn your ‘A-B-C’ with kitchen utensils alone.

Dillinger was born Lester Bullock on June 25th, 1953, in Kingston, Jamaica,he was part of what has become known as the second wave of ‘DeeJay Toasters,’ who rose to prominence in the mid 1970’s in Jamaica.His first records were produced by the legendary Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry,but met with little success, it was Perry who gave him his stage name ‘Dillinger,’ after the American gangster of the Great Depression, John Dillinger.

‘Cokane In my Brain’ was taken from Dillinger’s second studio Album ‘CB200,’the first to be produced by Joseph ‘Jo Jo’ Hoo Kim (1942-2018,) and became a big hit in three European countries,reaching Number 1 in the Netherlands, Number 2 in Belgium, and Number 35 in West Germany.The song has several samples, most notably the beat of American funk band Peoples Choice’s 1975 song ‘Do It Any Way You Wanna,’ though that songs writers do not receive writing credits,(see also best songs 604.) The lyrics ‘A knife, a fork, a bottle, and a cork,that’s the way we spell New York,’ are taken from the 1962 Walt Disney children’s album, called ‘Acting Out the ABC’s.

‘No matter where I treat my guests, you see they always like my kitchen best.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

818-Tulisa-Young.

2012-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 1.16.Every generation need their own music, so that they have something to identify themselves with, and separate themselves from previous generations, so be young, be foolish, be happy.

Tulisa was born Tula Paulinea Contostavios on July 13th, 1988, in Camden Town, London, England. She first found success as part of the trio N-Dubz with her cousin Dappy, and Richard Rawson, who went by the name of Fazer, they achieved 13 top 40 singles between 2006-2011. Tulisa has also found success as an actress, and as an X-Factor judge. In 2011 Tulisa mentored the ‘Groups Category,’which included the shows winners Little Mix.She is also credited as one of the songwriters on the 2012 UK Number 1 single,’Scream & Shout,’ by Will.i.am, and Britney Spears.

In 2012 Tulisa launched her singing solo career releasing her debut Album ‘The Female Boss,’ from where ‘Young’ was it’s first single release. The song was co-written by Richard Rawson, Pete Ibsen, and Ali Tennant, who had previously written two top 10 singles for the boy band ‘JLS,’

While in the studio with Rawson, Tulisa overheard the song being developed for another singer, and was determined to record it for herself.She recalled,’They didn’t even get a chance to pitch it to the other singer,it wasn’t even finished, and I was like, ‘I’m having that song, give it to me.”According to Rawson, the song is about making mistakes during youth.He said the dance tune has,’A great message behind it.”Forgive us for what we have done,’cause we are young, that’s it,simple.’

‘We live on the edge of life, we don’t even compromise, we rush because we’re out of time.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

819-Killing Joke-Love Like Blood.

1985-Number 16 single.

Best Bit-At 0.17.Jaz Coleman, one of the bands founding members, explained the evolution of their name,’The killing joke is like when people watch something like Monty Python on the television and laugh, when really their laughing at themselves. It’s like a soldier in the first Word War, he’s in a trench,he knows his life is gone, and in the next 10 minutes he’s gonna be dead, and then suddenly he realises that some c”’t back in Westminster’s got him sussed,-‘What am I doing this for? I don’t want to kill anyone, I’m just being controlled.’

Killing Joke were formed in Notting Hill, London, England in 1978, they were active until 1996, but reformed in 2002, with the original four members of Jaz Coleman, Geordie Walker, Paul Ferguson, and Martin ‘Youth’ Glover (see also best songs 1047,) all still part of the band.They have covered many genres of music including, ‘Industrial Rock,’ and ‘Synth Pop,’ with artists such as Nirvana,and Metallica siting them as a major influence.

‘Love Like Blood’ is a call to live every day like it is your last, don’t be afraid to take that extra step, be brave, and fearless, as you are only hear for a short time.Do everything with a passion, and don’t wait for others to do it for you.

‘We must play our lives like soldiers in the field. The life is short, I’m running faster all the time, strength and beauty destined to decay.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

820-Darlene Love-Christmas (Baby Please Come Home.)

1963-It didn’t chart in the UK until the introduction of digital downloads. It’s highest chart placing to date, was in 2018, when it peaked at Number 22.

Best Bit-At 1.16.The Spector of Christmas past.’Christmas (Baby Please Come Home’) is taken from the 1963 Album,’A Christmas Gift for You from Philles Records,’ which over the years has become known as ‘A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector.’The Album is rated by music critics as the greatest festive Album of all time, with this track being the only original song, of the 13 compositions.All of the artists performing on the Album were under the management of Phil Spector (see also best songs 782-737 and 192,) including The Ronettes, and The Crystals.

The song was written by the legendary song writing team of Jeff Barry, and Ellie Greenwich (see also best songs 331-262 and 192,) with Phil Spector also receiving writing credits.It was written with Spector’s future wife, Ronnie in mind, but Darlene Love was chosen instead, as her voice suited the song better.

Darlene Love was born Darlene Wright on July 26th, 1941, in Los Angeles, California, United States.In 1962 she achieved a Billboard Number 1 single with ‘He’s a Rebel,’ although it is credited to The Crystals.Beginning in 1986, and continuing for 29 years, Darlene Love performed this song annually on the final episode before Christmas of ‘Late Night With David Letterman,’ the exception was in 2007 when there was a writers strike, a repeat of her 2006 performance was shown instead.’

The snow’s coming down, I’m watching it fall, lots of people around, baby please come home.

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

821-Wizzard-I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday.

1973-Number 4 single.Since digital downloads were included in 2007, the song has re-entered the chart every year, with it’s highest chart position being Number 10 in 2019.

Best Bit-At 3.24.If your entertaining relatives you only see once a year, and are having to make small talk, you probably will find it difficult to relate to this songs message.

Roy Wood was born in Kitts Green, Worcestershire, England, on November 8th, 1946, he was the co-founder of The Move, the Electric Light Orchestra, and Wizzard (see also best song 575 and 239,) as well as having a very successful solo career.

Like other songs recorded by Wizzard, this song is influenced by the sound, and production of Phil Spector, and the music he produced in the 1960’s, known as the ‘Wall Of Sound.’

The song has a very unusual intro, Wood has explained,’We hired a proper old fashioned metal cash register, with all the scroll work on the sides, and I pressed the buttons while Rick (Price, bassist,) dropped the coins in. It was exactly what I wanted.’The children’s choir used in the song were from Stockland Green School in Birmingham, Wood insisted that they had to be from his hometown.

‘When the snowman brings the snow, well he just like might to know, he’s put a great big smile on somebody’s face.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

822-Mariah Carey-All I Want for Christmas Is You.

1994-Number 2 single.It has also reached Number 2 in 2017-2018, and 2019, and finally in 2020 it peaked at Number 1.

Best Bit-At 0.54.The last truly great Christmas song, well worth it’s place among the acknowledged festive classics.

Since the introduction of digital downloading this song re-enters the top 40 every December.With sales of over 16 million, it is currently the 11th biggest selling single of all time, earning over $50 million in royalties to date.In America, on the Billboard Hot 100, it finally reached Number 1 for the first time in December 2019, 25 years after it was first released.

‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ was co-written by Mariah Carey, and long time collaborator Walter Afanasieff, in the Summer of 1994, they set out to write an uptempo Xmas track in the style of Phil Spector’s ‘Wall Of Sound.’The song was taken from Mariah’s forth studio Album ‘Merry Christmas’ which included three original songs, and seven cover versions.Walter Afanasieff (see also best songs 220) said of Mariah’s input,’She created a lyric that probably to this day is the only uptempo Christmas love song.Anybody can sing it to anybody, it’s about everybody, and it can only mean one thing, from father to child, or mother to child, or wife to husband, it’s just,’All I Want for Christmas Is You.’

‘Initially Mariah Carey didn’t want to do a Christmas Album, as it is normally done when an artists career is coming to an end.She was worried that it might damage her ‘Hip-Hop’ credibility. When she saw the now-famous cover, with her dressed in a Santa suit, she said,’What are you trying to do,turn me in to Connie Francis.’

‘I won’t make a list and send it, to the North Pole, for Saint Nick, I won’t even stay awake, to hear those magic reindeer click.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

823-The Isley Brothers-This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You.)

1966-Number 47 single.When re-issued in 1968 it peaked at Number 3.

Best Bit-At 1.41.The Isley Brothers can boast hits in six consecutive decades, from ‘Shout’ in 1959, all the way through to ‘Contagious’ in 2001.

As the name suggests The Isley’s are brothers, who originated from Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, they officially began their singing career in 1954, with Ronald, and Ernie still performing to this day.The only member who was not a brother was Chris Jasper, who in fact was the brothers, brother-in-law,he was a band member between 1973-1983.

The Isley Brothers (see also best songs 176) only had a short stay at Motown records, between 1965-1967, when they left they found great success, when forming their own record label,’T-Neck.’

‘This Old Heart of Mine’ was written by the legendary songwriting team of Holland-Dozier-Holland (see also best songs 969-650-553-411-212 and 148,) and Sylvia Moy (1938-2017.) Moy was a big influence on the early career of Stevie Wonder, the first hit she co-wrote with Wonder was ‘Uptight (Everything’s Alright.’) Of the songs meaning, Lamont Dozier said it was about a girl he couldn’t give up,’The more I tried, the deeper I fell.I made excuses for her, and all the wrong she did to me. She was a necessary evil that I just couldn’t overcome.’

In 1975 Rod Stewart recorded a version for his Album ‘Atlantic Crossing,’ which reached Number four in the UK. In 1989 he recorded the song again, this time as a duet with Ronald Isley, which peaked at Number 10 on Billboard.

‘But if you leave me a hundred times, a hundred times, I’ll take you back.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

824-Katy Perry-Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)

2011-Number 9 single.

Best Bit-At 3.33.Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, except for poor Barbie, who’s on the barbecue.

Katy Perry revealed she was inspired to write the song after running naked through a park with friends,’We had a couple of beers, and danced until we died, most of the song is actual truth, apart from the menage a trois….unfortunately!’

Katy Perry was born on October 25th, 1984, in Santa Barbara, California, United States, she is one of the credited writers of this song along with Max Martin, Dr Luke (see also best songs 870,) and Bonnie Mckee, who is a long term collaborator with Perry, together McKee and Perry have co-written six Billboard Number 1 singles.When this song went to Number 1 on Billboard, Katy Perry became the first woman to achieve five Number 1 singles from the same Album (Teenage Dream,) equalling the fete achieved by Michael Jackson in 1987, with his Album ‘Bad.’

The song has a critically acclaimed video, in which Perry plays the part of a nerdy 13 year old alter-ego named Kathy Beth Terry.Some famous faces from the world of music make an appearance, including saxophonist Kenny G, the band Hanson, and 1980’s star Debbie Gibson, plays Perry’s mother.

‘Pink flamingos in the pool, I smell like a minibar, DJ’s passed out in the yard, Barbie’s on the barbecue.’