THE BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

To compliment my recently completed ‘1000 BEST SONGS LIST,’ here is another that just missed the cut.

1024-Kevin Johnson-Rock and Roll (I Gave You the Best Years of My Life.)
1974-Number 23 single.
Best Bit-At 4.01.This could be the theme tune for countless X-Factor wannabees.
Kevin Stephen Johnson was born July 3rd,1942 in Rockhampton,Queensland, Australia, he is best remembered for this song, but also charted in the Australian top 20 in 1971 with ‘Bonnie Please Don’t Go.’Although Johnson did eventually become successful,many still think he has not received the accolades his talent deserves.
This song is one of the most covered songs written by an Australian, with 27 different artists having already covered it by 1975.In America country singer Mac Davis took his version to Number 15, in Holland it was the Dutch Rock band The Cats who had the hit version, and in France,singer Joe Dassin scored with his French language rendition.
Johnson has stated that the song is semi-autobiographical.The lyrics describe a musician recalling his childhood dreams of being a star, and follow his life through his musical work.Johnson said, ‘I decided to write a song not about giving someone the best years of my life,but to write about the pursuit of success, which I thought related to a lot of people around the world,not just in music, but anything.’
‘And she followed me when,finally,I sold my old guitar, and she tried to help me understand, I’d never be a star.’
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For a list of all the best 1000 songs click on the blog at www.barryphilipsdiscos.

THE BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

To compliment my recently completed ‘1000 BEST SONGS LIST,’ here is another that just missed the cut.

1023-Vaughn Monroe-Mister Sandman.
1954-Has never been released as a single in the UK.
Best Bit-At 0.47.When choosing which version to post,It was a toss up between the wonderful melodic vocal sparing harmonies of The Chordettes, or the big band sounds of Vaughn Monroe, with his Orchestra,in the end I remembered that ‘It don’t mean a thing,if it ain’t got that swing.’
‘Mr Sandman'(sometimes Mister Sandman) was written by the American songwriter Pat Ballard,he was born Francis Drake Ballard in Troy,Pennsylvania,on June 19,1899,he died of a cardiac arrest in New York, on October 26.1960,his other best known song is ‘Oh Baby Mine,’ a 1954 hit for The Four Knights, which has sold in excess of one million copies.
The first recording of Mister Sandman was this one by Vaughn Monroe,it was released a the ‘B’ side of his 1954 single ‘I Don’t Wanna See You Cryin.”
Back in the 1950’s it was not unusual for the best songs of the day to have multiple recordings, and the most successful version of this song was by the American all female quartet The Chordettes, who spent seven weeks at Number 1, on Billboard during 1954.
Incidentally just in case you wanted to know,the ‘Sandman’ is a mythical character in Western, and Northern European folklore, who puts people to sleep,and encourages, and inspires beautiful dreams, by sprinkling magical sand onto their eyes.Two other very famous songs that are the subject of the Sandman are, Enter Sandman by Metallica (see also best songs 730,) and In Dreams from Roy Orbison.
‘Mister Sandman bring me a dream,make her complexion like peaches and cream.’
IF YOU LIKE THIS PLEASE SHARE.
For a list of all the best 1000 songs click on the blog at www.barryphilipsdiscos.

THE BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

To compliment my recently completed ‘1000 BEST SONGS LIST,’ here is another that just missed the cut.

1022-Brothers Johnson-Strawberry Letter 23.
1977-Number 35 single.
Best Bit-At 2.30.It’s the second best song in the world ever with the word strawberry in the title.
‘Strawberry Letter 23’ was written in 1971 by a then 17 year old Shuggie Otis,it was released on his second studio Album, ‘Freedom Flight.’Otis was born Johnny Veliotes in Los Angeles,California,he is the son of Johnny Otis (1921-2012,) who is universally recognised as one of the main players in the development of Rock ‘N’ Roll, and R&B music.
‘Strawberry Letter 23’ is a poetic love song,the narrator is so in love that all he can see around him appears beautiful.He and his partner have been sending each other love letters,the songs lyrics refer to strawberry letter 22,because what we are hearing is the as yet not composed strawberry letter 23.The letters the narrator receives are scented of strawberry,there are rose petals inside.
In 1977 the Brothers Johnson,George and Louis (see also best songs 889) recorded this version for their second studio Album ‘Right on Time,’it was produced by the legendary Quincy Jones.The 12 inch version was pressed on red strawberry scented vinyl, and the 7 inch version had a strawberry scented sleeve.
‘Pretty music I hear,so happy and loud,blue flowers echo from a cherry cloud.’
IF YOU LIKE THIS PLEASE SHARE.
For a list of all the best 1000 songs click on the blog at www.barryphilipsdiscos

THE BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

To compliment my recently completed ‘1000 BEST SONGS’ list, here is another that just missed the cut.

1021-Kenny Lynch-Up on the Roof.
1962-Number 10 single.
Best Bit-At 1.32.When life becomes too stressful,when all you want is some time alone,why not climb the steps, and sit on the roof. It’s even more fun if you take some binoculars with you.
‘Up on the Roof’ was written by the legendary songwriting team of Gerry Goffin (1939-2014,) and his then wife Carole King (see also best songs 98,) in later years, Goffin would cite this song as his favourite lyric.The first recording of the song was by Little Eva, but in America the track was made famous by The Drifters, who took their cover to Number 5 on Billboard.In the UK there were two versions competing,Julie Grant peaked at Number 33, with her Tony Hatch produced version,and this more true to The Drifters recording by Kenny Lynch.
Kenny Lynch,O.B.E.(18 March,1938-18 December,2019,) was born in Stepney, London, England, he was a singer, songwriter, music producer, and actor. He co-wrote, with Mort Shuman, two UK top 5 singles,’Sha-La-La-La-Lee,’ for the Small Faces, and ‘Love’s Just a Broken Heart,’ for Cilla Black. Lynch was also the first artist to release a cover version of a Lennon/McCartney song, when he released his version of ‘Misery’ in 1963.10 years later, Lynch was one of the 10 famous faces that appeared on the cover of the Paul McCartney Album sleeve, ‘Band on the Run.’
‘At night the stars put on a show for free,and darling you can share it all with me.’
IF YOU LIKE THIS PLEASE SHARE.
For a list of all the best 1000 songs click on the blog at www.barryphilipsdiscos

THE BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

To compliment my recently completed ‘1000 BEST SONGS LIST,’ here is another that just missed the cut.

1020-The Police-Don’t Stand so Close to Me.
1980-Number 1 single.
Best Bit-At 1.03.This guy has been given a position of trust, authorised to teach his pupils, but he abuses that trust, what shall we do? I know, let’s call the Police.
The Police (see also best songs 727,) were formed in 1977, by Sting, and Stewart Copeland,a third member, Henry Padovani was soon added,but was replaced within a year, by Andy Summers.
‘Don’t Stand so Close to Me’ became the third of five UK Number 1’s for the band, and is also the best selling song of 1980.
The song is about a school teacher who finds one of his pupils attractive,the tracks writer Sting was a school teacher before becoming a musician.The line ‘Just like the old man in the book by Nabokov,’ refers to the novel ‘Lolita,’ written by Vladimir Nabokov,which is about an older man pursuing underage girls
In a 2001 interview for the concert DVD ‘All This Time,’ Sting denied that this song is autobiographical.
‘Temptation,frustration, so bad it makes him cry.Wet bus stop,she’s waiting, his car is warm and dry.’
PLEASE SHARE TO REACH A WIDER AUDIENCE.
For a list of all the best 1000 songs click on the blog at www.barryphilipsdiscos.

THE BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

To compliment my recently completed ‘1000 BEST SONGS LIST,’ here is another that just missed the cut.

1019-Lizzo Juice.
2019-Number 38 single.
Best Bit-At 0.50.Lizzo is an advocate of self love, and having a positive body image of yourself,which of course should be commended,but she should also preach the equally important benefits of eating healthily, and regular exercise.
Lizzo was born Melissa Jefferson in Detroit,Michigan,U.S.,on April 27,1988,she acquired the nickname ‘Lizzo’ at the age of 14,inspired by the Jay-Z song ‘Izzo (H.O.V.A.) Her success was finally achieved with the release of her third studio Album ‘Cuz I Love You’ in 2019,’Juice’ was the first single released off it.The song has a retro inspired ‘Funk-Pop’ production,not unlike the Mark Ronson/Bruno Mars track Uptown Funk.
Lizzo has said,’At the end of the day, I want my music to make people feel good, I want it to help people love themselves.This song is about looking in the mirror,loving what you see, and letting everyone know.’
‘If I’m shinin’,everybody gonna shine.I was born like this, don’t even gotta try.’
PLEASE SHARE TO REACH A WIDER AUDIENCE.
For a list of all the best 1000 songs click on the blog at www.barryphilipsdiscos

THE BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

To compliment my recently completed ‘1000 BEST SONGS LIST,’ here is another that just missed the cut.

1018-Elastica-Connection.
1994-Number 17 single.
Best Bit-At 0.19.If you blatantly copy chunks of other peoples songs, you will have to pay the price in royalties.
Elastica were often accused of plagiarising the work of others,but that should not detract from what they added to the music scene,over the course of just two studio Albums.
The opening riff for this song is obviously very heavily influenced by the 1977 song ‘Three Girl Rhumba,’ by the critically acclaimed Punk Rock group Wire,a judgement resulted in an out of court settlement between both parties.
Elastica were formed in 1992 by ex-Suede band members Justine Frischmann, and Justin Welch.’Connection’ was written by Frischmann, who has never discussed the songs true meaning,but it’s theme is of giving something up, in order to form a connection.This can be interpreted as sacrificing your musical ambitions, in order to sustain a personal, or professional relationship.
The song may sound familiar to many, as it was used as the opening theme to the TV programme ‘Trigger Happy TV,’ which ran between 2000-2003, on Channel 4.
‘I don’t understand how a heart is a spade,but somehow the vital connection is made.’
IF YOU LIKE THIS PLEASE SHARE.
For a list of all the best 1000 songs click on the blog at www.barryphilipsdiscos.

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

To compliment my recently completed ‘1000 BEST SONGS LIST,’ here is another that just missed the cut.

1017-The Big Bopper-Chantilly Lace.
1958-Number 12 single.
Best Bit-At 0.32.’But February made me shiver, with every paper I’d delivered.’
Jiles Perry Richardson was born on October 24,1930, in Sabine Pass,Texas.U.S.,he died on February 3,1959, while travelling on a chartered aircraft from Mason City,Iowa, to Moorhead,Minnesota, alongside fellow musical performers Buddy Holly,and Ritchie Valens,the pilot who also perished, was 21 year old Roger Peterson.The event is one of the main subjects of the classic 1972 song American Pie, by Don McLean (see also best songs 4.)
Prior to Richardson becoming a singer/songwriter, he worked as a DJ at ‘KTRM’ in Beaumont,Texas,he took his stage name The Big Bopper’ from the latest dance craze of the time,’The Bop.’At the time of his death, Richardson was at the start of what would have been a very successful career, as two of his songs both became massive hits for other artists,’Running Bear’ became a Number 1 song for Johnny Preston in 1960, and ‘White Lightnin” gave Country legend George Jones his first hit, in 1959.
‘There ain’t nothin’ in the world like a big eyed girl, that makes me act so funny,make me spend my money.’
IF YOU LIKE THIS PLEASE SHARE.
For a list of all the best 1000 songs click on the blog at www.barryphilipsdiscos.

THE BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

To compliment my recently completed ‘1000 BEST SONGS LIST,’ here is another that just missed the cut.

1016-Jilted John-Jilted John.
1978-Number 4 single.
Best Bit-At 1.53.The original Daft Punk.
Jilted John is the comedy creation of actor, and musician Graham Fellows,Fellows was born 22 May,1959 in Sheffield,England.He is also known for his portrayal of the fictional singer/songwriter John Shuttleworth,whom he created in 1986
In 1982 he made an appearance in the British soap opera Coronation Street as a biker called Les Charlton,who had a brief flirtation with the soaps longstanding character ‘Gayle,’nothing came of their meeting,he appears to have had a very lucky escape!
Fellows took his song ‘Jilted John’ to the small independent record label ‘Rabid,’ who initially promoted the track. It was first played by John Peel on Radio 1, who commented that if the single was promoted by a major label, it would be a big hit,it was EMI International who stepped in, and the rest is history.
The song is a send up of Punk Rock Music,a tale of an adolescent teenager called John, who is dating Julie,but Julie is attracted to a better looking guy called Gordon.I always felt sorry for people who were called Gordon in 1978.
‘But I know he’s a moron,Gordon is a moron,Gordon is a moron.’
IF YOU LIKE THIS PLEASE SHARE.
For a list of all the best 1000 songs click on the blog at www.barryphilipsdiscos.

THE BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

To compliment my recently completed ‘1000 BEST SONGS LIST,’ here is another, that just missed the cut.

1015-AJ Tracey-Ladbroke Grove.
2019-Number 3 single.
Best Bit-At 0.07.AJ Tracey likes to tease the general public, by keeping the identity of his ‘Old School Rapping’ father a mystery.
AJ Tracey was born Che Grant on March 4,1994 in Ladbroke Grove,London,England,he is named after the Marxist revolutionary Che Guevara.He was certainly bred for the music scene,as his Welsh mother was a ‘Jungle’ music DJ, and his father is a former rapper,Tracey has said that one day he will reveal who is father is.
This song ‘Ladbroke Grove’ finds AJ Tracey recalling his early days as a ‘Garage MC’ on pirate radio stations.The song files under the genre of UK Garage, which first came to prominence in the early 1990’s,Tracey has stated that the track ‘Flowers’ from the group Sweet Female Attitude,a Number 2 hit in the year 2000, is a major influence on the song.British singer/songwriter Jorja Smith is given songwriting credits, as her track ‘Wandering Romance’ is heavily sampled.
I would also recommend searching out the General Levy remix,Levy was the first ‘Ragga,and Jungle’artist to have a UK hit, when his song ‘Incredible’ charted in 1994.
‘Yo,it’s the hyperman set, AJ Tracey live and direct.’
IF YOU LIKE THIS PLEASE SHARE.
For a list of all the best 1000 songs click on the blog at www.barryphilipsdiscos.