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Posted by: In: Other 11 Dec 2020 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

835-Flo Rida featuring T-Pain-Low.

2008-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 0.22.If you are stood in front of the bedroom mirror at home, and thinking which is the best song for me to practice my Twerking to, try this one.

‘Low’ has the distinction of being the most downloaded song of the 2000’s decade, with digital downloads in excess of six million.It went to Number one in nine countries, including in America, on Billboard, where it spent 10 consecutive weeks at the top of that chart.The song was co-written by Flo Rida, who provides the Rap, and T-Pain, who sings, and co produces the track, with DJ Montay. Flo Rida was born Tramar Dillard in Carol City, Florida (hence his stage name,) in 1979, he has achieved 20 top 40 singles in the UK to date, five of which have gone to Number 1, including collaborations.

The songs makes reference to a ‘Shawty’ in a club, a shawty is American slang, used as a term of endearment, for an attractive woman, or girlfriend.The song concentrates on two women, one is wearing ‘Apple Bottom Jeans,’ which is a fashion brand for women, and the other is wearing ‘baggy sweaty pants,’ and Reebok brand shoes. T-Pain prefers the former, and Flo Rida the later, but in the second verse T-Pain admits that he,’Prefers them, no clothes.’

‘Had a million dollar vibe, and a bottle to go, dem birthday cakes, they stole the show.’

Posted by: In: Other 11 Dec 2020 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

836-Elvis Costello and the Attractions-Oliver’s Army.

1979-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 1.54.A deceptively jolly ‘Abba’ type tune, that hides a sinister message.

Nick Lowe who was the songs producer has said that Costello was going to dump the song when they first started recording it,’We went through it all afternoon, and it just wasn’t happening at all.’ Then out of the blue Steve Nieve (who was one of the Attractions) said,’What about if I do a sort of Abba piano part on it?’ Lowe said,’We knew their records were good, but no one wanted to own up to it. Nieve did the piano part, and suddenly the thing went from black and white to fireworks.’ (see also best songs 44.)

Elvis Costello who was born Declan Patrick MacManus on 25th August, 1954, in Paddington, London, England, wrote the lyrics after visiting Belfast for the first time.He was shocked to see very young soldiers from the British Army walking around with machine guns.It was a time of great unemployment, especially in the North of England, and Costello is saying that the only real option that young men had to avoid unemployment was to join the army.The songs title is a reference to Oliver Cromwell who established the first professional, properly trained, fighting force, who were known as the ‘New Model Army,’ who fought the English Civil War against the Royalist army of Charles 1.

Elvis Costello has said,’Oliver’s Army became our biggest hit single, stalling at Number 2 on the charts, while records by Blondie, Boney M, and the Bee Gees all overtook us at the top of the hit parade. I thought briefly about changing my name again to something beginning with a ‘B.’

‘But there’s no danger, it’s a professional career, though it could be arranged with just a word in Mr Churchill’s ear.’

Posted by: In: Other 09 Dec 2020 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

837-Rage Against the Machine-Killing in the Name.

1993-Number 25 single. In 2009 it peaked at Number 1

Best Bit-At 3.50.As a protest against the monotony of the Christmas Number 1 being another mind numbing, syrupy, soulless, inane,predictable, X-Factor winning,depressing karaoke song, the general public finally saw sense, and purchased 502,672 downloads, in this songs first week of re-release.

In early December 2009, English DJ Jon Morter launched a group on Facebook encouraging people to buy the song in an attempt to prevent the winner of X-Factor from topping the Christmas chart for the fifth year running. Rage Against the Machine donated all profits to charity.

Rage Against the Machine are an Alternative Rock band who formed in Los Angeles, California, U.S.,in 1991, they have released four studio Albums,the latest being ‘Renegades’ in 2000.They are known for their revolutionary political views, which are expressed in many of their songs.

‘Killing In the Name’ makes the allegation that some members of the U.S. police forces are members of the ‘Ku Klux Klan.’The song reflects the racial tensions that exist in the United States.

‘Some of those that work forces, are the same that burn crosses.’

Posted by: In: Other 09 Dec 2020 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

838-Petula Clark-Downtown.

1964-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 1.58.In America ‘Downtown’ is the heart of the city where the action happens. The word isn’t used much in Britain, but it generally means the less affluent part of town.

The writer of the song Tony Hatch used the word in the American meaning, he recalled,’ I was staying at a hotel on Central Park, and I wandered down to Broadway, and to Times Square, and naively, I thought I was downtown. I loved the whole atmosphere there, and the music came to me very, very quickly.’

Tony Hatch was born in Pinner, Middlesex,England, in 1939, after the success of ‘Downtown’ he would go on to write many more of Petula Clark’s 1960 hits, including ‘Don’t Sleep in the Subway,’ and ‘The Other Man’s Grass Is Always Greener.’ Hatch is also responsible for writing several movie, and television themes, which include, the themes from ‘Neighbours,’ Crossroads,’ and ‘Emmerdale Farm.’

Petula Clark was born Sally Olwen Clark in Epsom, Surrey, England, in 1932, it is said her father chose her stage name from two of his old girlfriends,’Pet, and ‘Ula.’ Clark had her first UK hit in 1954 with ‘The Little Shoemaker,’ but her music career was on the wain until ‘Downtown’ broke her in America, going on to be Number 1 on Billboard, in early 1965.For the rest of the decade, her songs were far more successful in The States, than in the UK, where she achieved a further 13 top 40 singles.

‘Just listen to the music of the traffic in the city, linger on the sidewalk, where the neon signs are pretty.’

Posted by: In: Other 07 Dec 2020 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

839-Neneh Cherry-Buffalo Stance.

1988-Number 3 single.

Best Bit-At 2.35.Nenah Cherry received a lot of criticism when she performed the song live on Top of the Pops, as she was seven months pregnant. When asked by a reporter if it was safe to go up on stage and perform, Cherry answered,’Yes, of course! It’s not an illness.’

Neneh Cherry was born Neneh Karlsson 10th March, 1964, in Stockholm, Sweden.She has released five studio Albums to date, the first ‘Raw Like Sushi’ in 1989, and the latest ‘Broken Politics’ in 2018.In 1990 she married music producer Cameron McVey, they have two daughters, Tyson, born in 1989, and singer Mabel, who was born in 1996, and has had nine top 40 singles at the time of writing.

‘Buffalo Stance’ was co-written by Cherry, McVey, Jamie Morgan, and Phillip Ramacon, and is taken from her debut Album ‘Raw Like Sushi.’ An early version of the song appeared as the ‘B’ side of the Morgan-McVey 1986 single ‘Looking Good Diving,’and was chosen to be her debut single, when reworked, and produced by Tim (Bomb the Bass) Simenon.

The songs title ‘Buffalo’ refers to a group of photographers, models, musicians, hair, and makeup artists, etc,formed by fashion stylist Ray Petri (1948-1989,) of which Neneh Cherry, and Cameron McVey were both members.’Stance’ would be what you would do when posing for a photo shoot.

‘No moneyman can win my love, it’s sweetness that I’m thinking of.’

Posted by: In: Other 07 Dec 2020 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

840-Sparks-This Town Ain’t Big Enough for Both of Us.

1974-Nunber 2 single.

Best Bit-At 1.58.If Ron Mael, and his menacing Adolph Hitler moustache tell you there isn’t room for the both of you, you’d better leave.

Sparks are the duo of the brothers Ron (keyboards,) and Russell Mael (vocals,) who were both born in California, United States, Ron who was born in 1945, is three years older than Russell. Their first recordings in 1967 were made under the name ‘Urban Renewal Project,’ which they later changed to ‘Halfnelson,’ and eventually ‘Sparks,’ in recognition of ‘The Marx Brothers.’In the early part of the 1970’s their music was defined as ‘Glam Rock,’ but in 1978 they changed styles radically, by working with legendary producer Giorgio Moroder (see also best songs 11 and 78) on the Album ‘No. 1 in Heaven,’ making them forerunners of ‘Synthpop,’ influencing the next generation of musicians such as New Order, and Depeche Mode.

‘This Town Ain’t Big Enough for Both of Us’ was written by Ron Mael, and has quirky lyrics, as is the case with many of the bands songs, basically the songs main character, keeps trying to work up the nerve to ask girls out, but always chickens out, in order to make him feel better about himself, he watches old cowboy movies.

‘Shower, another shower,you’ve got to look your best for her, and be clean everywhere.’

Posted by: In: Other 05 Dec 2020 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

841-The Pussycat Dolls featuring Busta Rhymes-Don’t Cha.

2005-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 1.04.Having a positive body image is a good thing, but this lot appear to suffer from a severe case of egotism.

The Pussycat Dolls were the brainchild of Robin Antin, who formed the original group in 1995 as a modern burlesque troupe, by 2003, with a revised lineup they signed a record deal. Although they have only ever released two studio Albums, they are the forth best selling ‘girl group’ of all time, with sales in excess of 55 million.

‘Don’t Cha’ was co-written, and produced by CeeLo Green (see also best songs 174,) it heavily samples the song ‘Swass’ by the Rap artist Sir Mix-a-Lot from 1988, therefore giving him co-writing credits.The original version of the song was recorded by R&B singer Tori Alamaze, a former backing singer with the Hip-Hop group Outkast, but after the song failed to chart it was offered to The Pussycat Dolls, and with the aid of Busta Rhymes (see also best songs 210 and 675) adding his part, the song went on to top the charts in 15 countries.Nicole Scherzinger said she did most of the singing ‘On my own,’ for the debut Album ‘PCD.’ I finished the Album, and the girls came in to the studio, and we played it for them, it was the first time they’d ever heard the songs, do you understand what I’m saying?’

‘Don’t cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me? Don’t cha wish your girlfriend was a freak like me.

Posted by: In: Other 05 Dec 2020 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

842-Dick Haymes-It Might As Well Be Spring.

1945-It has never charted in the UK. There was no UK chart until 1952.

Best Bit-At 1.16.Some music critics have commented that the lyrics verge on corny, well if that’s true, sign me up for the corny fan club immediately

‘It Might As Well Be Spring’ was written for the 1945 film ‘State Fair,’ the only Rodgers and Hammerstein musical written directly for film.In the movie version of the song, the actress Jeanne Crain (1925-2003) mimes to the dubbed vocals of Louanne Hogan.

Richard Rodgers (1902-1979) who wrote the melody, is one of the most acclaimed composers of the 20th Century, musicals he co-wrote include ‘Oklahoma!,’ ‘Carousel,’ ‘South Pacific,’ The Kind and I,’ and ‘The Sound of Music.’ Oscar Greeley Clendenning Hammerstein (1895-1960) was an American lyricist who co-wrote 850 songs, including the musical ‘Showboat,’ with Jerome Kern, as well as all of the musicals stated above (see also best songs 343-82 and 60.)

Dick Haymes (1918-1980) was an Argentinian actor, and singer who had acted in ‘State Fair.’ He recorded his version of this song in 1945, taking it to a peak of Number five on the American chart.In total Haymes had 62 top 30 hits on Billboard between 1941-1951.

‘I’m as busy as a spider spinning daydreams, I’m as giddy as a baby on a swing.’

Posted by: In: Other 03 Dec 2020 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

843-Gary Byrd and the GB Experience-The Crown.

1983-Number 6 single.

Best Bit-At 5.30.The musical royalty, that is his highness, Stevie Wonder, obviously.

In America this was the only song released on Stevie Wonder’s short lived ‘Wondirection’ record label, a subsidiary of the Motown label.It failed to chart on Billboard, as at the time of release Motown were in takeover negotiations with MCA records, and the small label received little promotion.

Gary Byrd was born in 1954, in Buffalo, New York, United States,he has been a radio disc jockey since the age of 15, and during the 1980’s he presented a Gospel music programme on BBC Radio 1 called ‘Sweet Inspirations.’Prior to this songs release, Byrd had released the Album ‘The Gary Byrd Experience, and the single ‘Every Brother Ain’t A Brother.’This wasn’t the first time that Byrd and Wonder had teamed up as they had previously collaborated on four songs, including ‘Village Ghetto Land,’ from Wonder’s ‘Songs in the Key of Life’ Album.

The Crown’ was co-written by Stevie Wonder (see also best songs 920-834-682-570-503-366-205-152 and 65) and Gary Byrd, and tells the story of human progress, beginning with the ancient Egyptians, and continuing to the present day.Gary Byrd described the songs meaning,’The idea is not that black, white or anyone is better, but we all have our place. We’ve all made contributions, and mistakes too. Wearing the crown is reaching the top of your potential.’

‘I wear the crown, you wear the crown,so proud to say that we all wear the crown,get down.’

Posted by: In: Other 03 Dec 2020 Comments: 0

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.’