THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

844-The Charlatans-The Only One I Know.

1990- Number 9 single.

Best Bit- At 2.54.At the height of the ‘Madchester’ music scene in 1990, the University of Manchester was the most sought after destination for university applicants in the UK, it appears they didn’t want to just come and learn, they wanted to listen as well.

The Charlatans are considered one of the leading exponents of the ‘Madchester’ music scene, although they formed in the West Midlands, of England in 1988, with only their lead singer Tim Burgess hailing from the Manchester area, having been born in Salford. To date they have released 13 studio Albums, three of which have reached Number 1, and had 22 top 40 singles in the UK.’The Only One I Know’ was released as the bands second single, from their debut Album ‘Some Friendly’ in 1990, and although only the band members receive writing credits, this track is heavily influenced by two other songs.The lyrics,’Everyone has been burned before, everybody knows the pain,’ are from the ‘Byrds’ 1967 song ‘Everybody’s Been Burned,’ and the organ riff is lifted from Deep Purple’s version of the Joe South song ‘Hush’ (see also best songs 550.)

The lyrics to ‘Everybody’s Been Burned’ tell us that although you will probably get hurt by trying to love someone, it is still better than hiding away, and not trying to love at all.’The Only One I Know’ is a tale of loving someone far more, than they probably love you.’

The only one I see,is mine when she walks down the street. The only one I know, has carved her way in to me.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

845-Dobie Grey-Out on the Floor.

1965-It didn’t chart in the UK until re-released in 1975, when reaching Number 42.

Best Bit-At 2.16.In 2000 Wigan Casino DJ Kev Roberts compiled the Northern Soul Top 500, which was based on a survey of Northern Soul fans, and this song was placed at Number 2. Which song was Number 1? (see best songs 97.)

Northern Soul is Soul music that originated from American Northern cities such as Detroit, and Chicago, in the mid 1960’s, that was first introduced in clubs in the UK, in Northern England, and the English Midlands, in the late 1960’s.The term Northern Soul was devised by music writer, and record store owner Dave Godin (1936-2004,) he stated,’I had started to notice that Northern football fans who were in London to follow their team were coming in to the store to buy records,but they weren’t interested in the latest developments in the Black American chart. I devised the name as a shorthand term.It was just to say,’if you’ve got customers from the North, don’t waste time playing them records currently in the U.S. black chart, just play them what they like-‘Northern Soul.’

‘Out on the Floor’ was written by Alfred V. De Lory (1930-2012,) who was a record producer, arranger, conductor, and session musician (see also best songs 846.)

Dobie Grey (1940-2011) (see also best songs 243) was an American singer, and songwriter whose musical career spanned Soul, Country, Pop, and Musical Theatre.His two big hit singles were ‘The ‘In’ Crowd’ in 1965, and ‘Drift Away,’ in 1973.

‘The chicks are out of sight, and I am a groovin’,the crowd is in tonight beggin’ for more.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

846-Glen Campbell-Wichita Lineman.

1968-Number 7 single.

Best Bit-At 1.47.If you can make what is probably quite a mundane job appear mysterious, and romantic, you must be doing something right.

The songs writer is Jimmy Webb (see also best songs 119 and 1) who was born in Elk City, Oklahoma, United States, on August 15th, 1946, he is the only artist ever to have received Grammy Awards for music, lyrics, and orchestration.As well as writing, and arranging for others, he has released 13 studio Albums, and although not great sellers, they have been critically acclaimed, he is also the writer of the song I have chosen as the ‘Best song in the world ever.’

Webb’s inspiration for writing ‘Wichita Lineman’ came about while driving through Washita County in Oklahoma. At that time many telephone companies were county owned utilities, and their linemen were county employees. Webb drove past endless telephone poles, then in the distance he saw a solitary lineman atop a pole. He described it as ‘The picture of loneliness,’ as the lineman spoke in to the phone, Webb considered what the man was saying in to the receiver.

‘And I need you more than want you, and I want you for all time.’