Barry Philips Discos

Published by Barry Philips · February 29 at 1:00 PM · 

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
25-Electric Light Orchestra-Mr. Blue Sky.
1978-Number 6 single.
Best Bit-At 3.47.At the very end of the song there are four spoken words, a lot of people (including me) think that what is said is ‘Mis-ter Blue Sky,’ but what actually is being spoken is, ‘Please turn me over.’
In 1978 the ELO released their seventh and most successful studio Album ‘Out of the Blue,’ it was a double Album (two 12 inch vinyl discs with music on both sides.) Side three of the release is subtitled ‘Concerto for a Rainy Day,’ it is a four track musical based on the weather and how it affects mood change, ending with the eventual sunshine and happiness of ‘Mr Blue Sky.’
The songs writer and producer Jeff Lynne has spoken about how he came to write ‘Mr Blue Sky’ while visiting Switzerland for inspiration. He said, ‘It was dark and misty for two weeks and I didn’t come up with a thing. Suddenly the sun shone and it was ‘wow’ look at those beautiful Alps. I wrote Mr Blue Sky and thirteen other songs in two weeks.’
Jeff Lynne (see also best songs 970 and 769) was born in Birmingham,England on December 30th,1947, prior to forming the ELO he had been a member of ‘The Move’ from 1968. After the ELO split in 1986 he went on to form the ‘supergroup’ the Traveling Wilburys with Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Roy Orbison, and Tom Petty.
In 1994 Lynne worked with the three surviving Beatles on their Anthology Album series, at George Harrison’s request Lynn was asked to assist with unreleased studio material originally recorded by the late John Lennon,
‘Mr Blue Sky please tell us why you had to hide away for so long.’
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The countdown continues tomorrow at 1.0.pm.YOUTUBE.COMElectric Light Orchestra – Mr. Blue SkyElectric Light Orchestra’s Mr. Blue Sky from Out of the Blue ,1977. Note: I…

Barry Philips Discos

Published by Barry Philips · February 28 at 1:00 PM · 

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
26-Funkadelic-One Nation Under a Groove.
1978-Number 9 single.
Best Bit-At 7.53. Funkadelic had just finished playing a gig in Washington DC when two young girls approached George Clinton’s car and told him it was the best concert they had ever seen, they said ‘It was like one nation under a groove.’ The girls in question were called LaTanya and Darlene, their names appear in the credits on Funkadelic’s critically acclaimed 1978 Album ‘One Nation Under a Groove.’
George Clinton was born in 1941 in Kannapolis, North Carolina,U.S.,he is a pioneering figure in the genre of Funk Music. He will be best remembered for forming two bands that he would front concurrently, the Funk band Parliament, and the more psychedelic Funk Rock band Funkadelic.
Clinton (see also best songs 612-340 and 143) co-wrote this song along with Garry Shider (1953-2010) and Walter Morrison (1954-2017.) The line ‘So high you can’t get over it, so low you can’t get under it,’ was used by the Temptations in ‘Psychedelic Shack,’ but it actually goes back much earlier to Gospel music.
On the subject of other lyrics in the song Clinton said,’I took a catchphrase used by the chauffeur character in the Charlie Chan movies when he was ready to run from the ghost, ‘Feet don’t fail me now,’ and the line ‘Dance your way out of your constrictions,’ is about people’s hangups,’ Clinton said, ‘You can deal with them by being grumpy, or with a smile.’
‘Do you promise to funk, the whole funk, nothin’ but the funk.’
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This is the highest placed ‘Funk’ song on this countdown.YOUTUBE.COMFunkadelic – One Nation Under A Groove [12″ Limited Edition Remix]FUNKNATION Facebook Group Link Below:…

Barry Philips Discos

Published by Barry Philips · February 27 at 1:00 PM · 

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
27-Sex Pistols-Pretty Vacant.
1977-Number 6 single.
Best Bit-At 0.26.Arguably the best ‘Boy Band’ in the world ever, and as a added bonus, they were pretty……..vacant.
The Sex Pistols are arguably the most influential band in the development of Popular Music since the mid 1970’s, with many of the most talented artists of the 1980’s and 1990’s stating a debt to them, these include Morrissey, Oasis,Nirvana, the Stone Roses, John Cooper Clarke, Guns N’ Roses and many, many more. I think it is fair to say that dozens of songs that appear in this countdown have been inspired by the Punk movement of the mid to late 1970’s.
As with many of the Sex Pistols songs, writing credits are given to all five members, but this track is mainly the work of the bands bassist Glen Matlock, in fact he had a major input in the majority of the tracks on the Sex Pistols only Studio Album ‘Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols,’ although fellow band members Paul Cook and Steve Jones dispute just how much.
For me ‘Pretty Vacant’ oozes sarcasm, Johnny Rotten (see also best songs 967-576-323 and 92) who wrote some of the songs lyrics is saying, (in my opinion) what is the point of trying to tell you what we think because you ain’t gonna listen, you don’t think we have a brain capable of understanding, but the telling line when the sarcasm stops is, ‘So stop you’re cheap comment, ‘cos we know what we feel.’
‘I got no reason, it’s all too much, you’ll always find me out to lunch.’
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This is the highest placed Punk Rock song on this countdown.YOUTUBE.COMSex Pistols – Pretty VacantListen to more from Sex Pistols: https://SexPistols.lnk.to/Essentials Think you know Sex Pistols? Test your knowledge with this quiz:…

Barry Philips Discos

Published by Barry Philips · 30 mins · 

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
28-Diana Ross-Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.
1970-Number 1 single.
Best Bit-At 4.37.Eat your heart out ‘Lhotse,’ ‘Kangchenjunga,’ ‘K2’ and ‘Everest, ‘because when it comes to hitting the heights this song towers above you all.
‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’ was written in 1966 by the songwriting team of Nickolas Ashford (1941-2001) and Valerie Simpson (see also best songs 703 and 228,) they would marry in 1974.They also recorded and performed their own songs as well, in 1984 they had a UK Number 3 hit with ‘Solid.’
British Soul singer Dusty Springfield had heard ‘Ain’t No Mountain’ and wanted to record it, but Ashford and Simpson wanted to work for Tamla Motown records and knowing they had a good song waited for them to come calling.
In 1967 the Motown duo of Marvin Gaye and Tammy Terrell recorded the song with great success reaching Number 19 on Billboard. Ashford and Simpson would go on to write many hits for the duo including ‘You’re All I Need to Get By’ and ‘Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing.’
In 1970 Diana Ross (see also best songs 900-519-411-365-212-183 and 148) was in need of a big hit in order to kick start her solo career, she recorded a radically rearranged version which includes the addition of new lyrics, the song gave her, her first Billboard Number 1 single to add to the twelve she had already had with The Supremes.
‘No wind, no rain, nor winter’s cold can stop me babe, if your my goal.’
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This is the highest rated Tamla Motown song on this countdown.YOUTUBE.COMDiana Ross: Ain’t No Mountain High Enough (Ashford / Simpson), 1970 – Lyrics-Тексти-ParolesNick Ashford: Songwriters Hall of Fame: http://songwritershalloffame.org/index.php/songs/detailed/C324/…

Barry Philips Discos

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

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
29-William Orbit-Barber’s Adagio For Strings.(Ferry Corsten Remix.)
1999-Number 4 single.
Best Bit-At 3.56.The song’s writer was born in 1910 and wrote this piece of music in 1936, had he lived long enough I wonder if he would have loved or hated this rendition?
‘Adagio for Strings’ was originally a work by Samuel Barber (1910-1981,) he was an American composer of orchestral, opera, choral and piano music, he is one of the most celebrated composers of the 20th Century. ‘Adagio for Strings’ has been performed many times in public,especially during times of mourning.
Music producer and songwriter William Orbit recorded his version for his 1999 ‘Electronic Classical Album, ‘Pieces in a Modern Style.’ Other composers whose work he covered for that project included Beethoven and Handel.
Orbit’s version is very true to Barber’s original and it goes without saying both would comfortably get a place in this countdown, but it is the remix which I have chosen. Ferry Corsten is a Dutch music producer who was born in 1973 in Rotterdam.Since 1991 he has released countless ‘Mix Tapes’ under many different names, and produced remixes for many artists. Prior to this track he was best known in the UK for the ‘Trance’ track ‘Gouryella’ recorded with fellow Dutch music producer Tiesto (see also best songs 368.) Incidentally in 2005 Tiesto took his version of Adagio for Strings to Number 37 in the UK chart.
Starting out life in 1936 and having every generation since listen in awe, this song has gone from ‘Classical Music to classic Dance music.’
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Of all the great dance music produced in the 1990’s, this is the highest placed on this countdown.YOUTUBE.COMWilliam Orbit – Adagio For Strings (Ferry Corsten Mix)

Barry Philips Discos

Published by Barry Philips · February 24 at 1:00 PM · 

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
30-Chuck Berry-Johnny B. Goode.
1958-Has never charted in the UK.
Best Bit-At 0.01.’I guess you guys aren’t ready for that yet, but you kids are gonna love it.’
I suppose that very famous quote from the film ‘Back to the Future’ is true as this song never saw the light of day in the UK chart in 1958 and yet the horrendous ‘My Ding-a-Ling’ would give Chuck Berry his only UK Number 1 in 1972, proving fact can be stranger than fiction.
‘Johnny B. Goode’ was originally written by Chuck Berry in 1955, it tells the story of an illiterate country boy who has a gift for playing the guitar and may one day become famous for his talent. The original lyrics were ‘coloured boy,’ but Berry knew if the song was to be played on the radio he would have to change them to ‘country boy.’ The ‘Johnny’ whom the song is named after is Johnny Johnson (1924-2005) who collaborated with Berry for many years playing piano in his band.
Remember in Pop Music nothing is totally original.The opening guitar riff is essentially a note for note copy of the opening single note solo on Louis Jordan’s 1946 R&B song ‘Ain’t That Just Like a Woman,’ while the guitar break in the middle of the track is influenced by T Bone Walker’s 1950 song ‘Strollin’ With Bones.’
Chuck Berry(1926-2017,) (see also best songs 548 and 308) is considered one of the most important figures in the development of Rock Music, inspiring the next generation which included the Beatles and The Rolling Stones. John Lennon said of Berry,’If you tried to give Rock and Roll another name you might call it Chuck Berry.’
‘His mother told him someday you will be a man, and you will be the leader of a big old band.’
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This is the highest placed Rock ‘N’ Roll song on this countdown.YOUTUBE.COMChuck Berry – Johnny B. Goode

Barry Philips Discos

Published by Barry Philips · February 23 at 4:00 PM · 

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

COMING NEXT THE BEST 30.

It’s been a long road but now we approach the final furlong. Over the next 30 days you will read about wall to wall classics, with each day being just that slightly bit better than the last.

STILL TO COME.

Tamla Motown’s greatest song.
The best Rock ‘N’ Roll record.
The Beatles greatest song.
The best ‘Disco’ song ever made.
Heavy Metal’s greatest song.
The best ever Punk song.
The best ever Rap record.
The greatest ‘Dance Music’ track of all time.
The best song of the 60’s and the 70’s and the 80’s and the 90’s
The best song so far this Century.
THE GREATEST SONG IN THE WORLD EVER
will be revealed on March 24th.

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The countdown continues tomorrow at 1.0.pm.

Barry Philips Discos

Published by Barry Philips · February 23 at 1:00 PM · 

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
31-David Bowie-Five Years.
1972-Has never been released as a single in the UK.
Best Bit-At-2.50.To fully appreciate what this song is all about plug your ear piece into your phone, and take a walk around town. While listening to this song watch people going about their everyday business, be careful not to stare though, because that would be rude.
‘Five Years’ is the opening track on David Bowie’s 1972 Album ‘The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars,’ to date it has currently sold in excess of 7.5 million copies worldwide (see also best songs 807-440-334-302-209-186-118 and 47.)
The song is about someone having just been told that the world has only got five more years until it destructs.The narrator is walking through the market square observing people’s reactions to this news, some lose self control and others try to remain calm. He observes how everybody is different, but realises that really we are all the same. At first the situation feels very surreal, but as reality kicks in he finds it difficult to control his emotions.
Bowie has stated that he chose five years as the length of time following a dream he had in 1971 in which his late father came to him and told him that he had only five years left to live, and that he must never fly again.
‘Smiling and waving and looking so fine, don’t think you knew you were in this song.’
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This is the second highest placed David Bowie song on my countdown.YOUTUBE.COMFive years – [The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars] – David BowiePushing through the market square So many mothers sighing News had just come over We had five years left to cry in News guy wept when he told us…

Barry Philips Discos

Published by Barry Philips · February 22 at 1:00 PM · 

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
32-The Pogues-Fairytale of New York.
1987-Number 2 single.
Best Bit-At 1.25.It is fitting that the greatest Christmas song in the world ever should be written and sung by Shane MacGowan, whose Birthday is on Christmas Day.
Since the introduction of downloads it has made it possible for any song to re-enter the UK chart at anytime. ‘Fairytale of New York’ has charted every December since 2005, and in total has been a hit in seventeen separate years, the song is also the most broadcast Christmas song of the 21st Century.
‘Fairytale of New York’ was co-written by MacGowan and fellow Pogues band member Jem Finer, who presented MacGowan with two songs he had written of which neither he was fully satisfied with, MacGowen tweaked them both and ‘Fairytale’ was born (see also best songs 283.)
The songs producer was Steve Lillywhite who asked his then wife Kirsty MacColl to record the female part for the tracks demo, she fit the song perfectly and was asked to be the co-singer. MacColl died in Cozumel, Mexico in the year 2000 after being hit by a speeding boat while diving in a designated area that watercraft were restricted from entering, she was 41.
‘Fairytale of New York’ is a song of regret, the narrator is sat in the ‘drunk tank’ reminiscing of missed opportunities.The hopes and dreams he shared with his partner have now long gone because of his alcoholism and her drug addiction.The lyrics suggest to me that they still care deeply for each other.
‘Happy Christmas your arse, I pray God it’s our last.’
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This is the 6th highest rated song on this countdown from the 1980’s.YOUTUBE.COMThe Pogues – Fairytale Of New York (Official Video)Official video for Fairytale Of New York by The Pogues featuring Kirsty MacColl Stream The Pogues greatest hits here �…

Barry Philips Discos

Published by Barry Philips · 1 hr · 

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
33-Radiohead-Creep.
1993-Number 7 single.
Best Bit-At 2.45.I remember making my regular weekly trip to the record shop and seeing a box full of approximately 200 copies of this song on 7 inch clear vinyl in a flashy picture sleeve. No one had heard of Radiohead back then, but it looked so attractive I bought a copy for 50 pence.The current going rate for a copy in mint condition starts at £50. Needless to say I wore my copy out many years ago.
Radiohead were formed in Abingdon-on-Thames, England in 1985 by Thom Yorke (vocals,) the brothers Jonny Greenwood (lead guitar) and Colin Greenwood ( bass,) Ed O’Brien (guitar) and Philip Selway (drums.) They took their name from the Talking Heads song ‘Radio Head.’
Thom Yorke, this songs writer had written much of the track back in 1987, he had based the melody on the 1972 song ‘The Air That I Breathe’ written by Albert Hammond and Mike Hazelwood, who Radiohead agreed to share songwriting royalties with (see also best songs 369.)
On the Album version Thom Yorke sings ‘You’re so f…ing special, for the radio version he recorded ‘You’re so very special.’ Yorke has said he regrets changing the line for radio saying it disturbed the sentiment of the song, he said, ‘the song lost it’s anger as a result’. As for the songs meaning Yorke also said, ‘It’s about being in love with someone but not feeling good enough.’ He describes the feeling as, ‘There’s the beautiful people and then there’s the rest of us.’
‘But I’m a creep, I’m a weirdo, what the hell am I doing here.’
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This is the 5th highest placed son