Barry Philips Discos

Published by Barry Philips · February 11 at 1:00 PM · 

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
43-Bobby Darin-Mack the Knife.
1959-Number 1 single.
Best Bit-At 2.04.By 1959 Bobby Darin had become a teen idol and was very reluctant to release this song as a single for fear of losing his teenage fan base, as this song originates from a 1928 opera and it’s subject matter is murder and rape.
‘Mack the Knife’ was composed by Kurt Weill(1900-1950,) with lyrics by Bertolt Brecht(1898-1956) for their 1928 music drama ‘Die Dreigroschenoper,’ or as it is known in English,’The Threepenny Opera.’ The dramas main character Mack the Knife is based on the highwayman Macheath from John Gay’s 1728 Ballad Opera ‘The Beggars Opera.’
After the second world war productions of The Threepenny Opera opened in America with lyrics translated into English by Marc Blitzstein. It was Louis Armstrong who recorded the first Jazz version of the song in 1956 having been encouraged by a Columbia records executive who thought it would make a good ‘Swing’ song.Armstrong improvised on the lyrics using American euphemisms and adding new lyrics.The Bobby Darin version is done in the same manner.I would also highly recommend the 1994 recording by Frank Sinatra and Jimmy Buffett from Sinatra’s ‘Duets 2’ Album.
Bobby Darin was born Walden Rodert Cassotto in East Harlem,New York City,May 14,1936, he died on December 20,1973, he had suffered from heart problems all his life.
‘Oh the shark babe has such teeth dear and he shows them pearly white.’
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This is the highest placed Swing song on this countdown and the 2nd highest placed song from the 1950’s.YOUTUBE.COMBobby Darin Mack The Knife (HQ Stereo) (1960)

Barry Philips Discos

Published by Barry Philips · 47 mins · 

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
44-ABBA-Dancing Queen.
1976-Number 1 single.
Best Bit-At 0.01.What is Pop Music’s infatuation with the age of 17? You can probably think of a song right now that sings about someone of that age, and if you listen closely to song lyrics you will become aware how often 17 is mentioned. I personally don’t think there is any hidden meanings or any great mystery, it is simply that singing ‘seventeen’ fits in so much easier to a beat and lyrics than any other number.Mystery solved.
‘Dancing Queen’ was co-written by the male ABBA group members Benny Anderson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, songwriting credit is also given to ABBA’s manager Stig Anderson(no relation,) for his lyrical input.The song was inspired by Phil Spector’s ‘Wall of Sound’ arrangements and the 1974 Disco hit ‘Rock Your Baby'(see also best songs 64.) Other inspirations cited are the drumming on Dr. John’s 1972 Album ‘Dr. John’s Gumbo,’ and the songs intro echoes ‘Sing my way Home,’ which is a 1971 song from the American duo Delaney & Bonnie.
The lyrics tell of a young girl realising her potential, she goes to the discotheque to have a good time, knowing that she could make any man she wants hers, but she is in charge and they will play by her rules.
‘Dancing Queen’ gave ABBA there only Billboard Number 1 single,while in the UK it is one of their nine chart toppers.
‘You’re a teaser,you turn ’em on,leave ’em burning, and then you’re gone.’
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This is the highest placed ABBA song on this countdown.YOUTUBE.COMAbba – Dancing Queen (Official Video)Listen to ABBA: https://play.lnk.to/ABBA Follow ABBA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ABBA/ Instagram:…

Barry Philips Discos

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

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
45-Danny Williams-Moon River.
1961-Number 1 single.
Best Bit-At 2.14.Even though Johnny Mercer wrote the lyrics to fit the film’s story,they are semi autobiographical.
‘Moon River’ was written for the 1961 movie ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s,’ it was performed in the film by Audrey Hepburn.The music was written by Henry Mancini(1924-1994,) with lyrics by Johnny Mercer(1909-1976.)
There are many well known versions,it became the signature tune of Andy Williams who would always open his television show with a short burst of the song.Henry Mancini released an instrumental version which reached Number 11 on Billboard in 1961,simultaneously American Soul singer Jerry Butler took his recording to Number 11 as well. In the UK South African singer Danny Williams(1942-2005) took the song to Number 1,becoming the first African to top the UK chart.
When Johnny Mercer(see also best songs 934 and 281) was young he would look out at the river which overlooked his home in Savannah,Georgia, it was called ‘The Back River,’Mercer would dream of crossing the river to start his life’s journey,to which there would be no going back. The line ‘My huckleberry friend’ is a reference to a childhood friend who Mercer would go picking huckleberries with as a child.’The Back River’ has since been renamed ‘Moon River’ in honour of Johnny Mercer.
‘Two drifters off to see the world,there’s such a lot of world to see.’
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This is the 2nd highest placed song on this countdown that was a UK Number 1 single in the 1960’s.YOUTUBE.COMDanny Williams..Moon River .

Barry Philips Discos

Published by Barry Philips · February 8 at 1:00 PM · 

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
46-Hamilton Bohannon-Let’s Start the Dance.
1978-Number 56 single.
Best Bit-At 4.58.It was 1978,Disco music was at it’s peak,12 inch vinyl was not a novelty anymore,so if a song had an extended version you had it.It was easy to get people on the dance floor because it seemed that every other record released was something you could dance to.but even as a naive youth I was aware this one was only for ‘the cool people.’
Hamilton Frederick Bohannon(see also best songs 626) was born March 7,1942 in Newnan,Georgia,United States.At the age of 22 he was recruited as the drummer in 13 year old Stevie Wonder’s touring band and then in 1967 he moved to Motown Records where he was employed as the musical arranger for the likes of Marvin Gaye and The Supremes when they toured.
Bohannon released the first of his 22 studio Albums ‘Stop & Go’ in 1973 and his final one ‘It’s Time To Jam’ in 1990.He has had three UK top 40 singles,his biggest hit was the 1975 Number 6 single ‘Disco Stomp,’he retired from music in 1990,he is a devout Christian.
The female vocals on this song are provided by Caroline Crawford who recorded three singles for the Motown label in the 1960’s.In 1981 Bohannon remixed the song,adding an ‘Old School Rap,’provided by Dr. Perri Johnson.
‘Well I’ve been watching you all night,Don’t you wanna dance.’
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The countdown continues tomorrow at 1.0.pm.YOUTUBE.COMHamilton Bohannon – Let’s Start The Dance (Original 12 Inch V)

Barry Philips Discos

Published by Barry Philips · February 7 at 1:00 PM · 

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
47-Queen and David Bowie-Under Pressure.
1981-Number 1 single.
Best Bit-At 2.38.If you behave yourself you can listen to Under Pressure,but if your naughty I’m gonna make you listen to Ice Ice Baby.
The songs title is very apt because when two of Pop Music’s greatest legends collaborate you can only hope for something very special,while deep down knowing when you hear it you will probably be disappointed.I remember being in awe the first time I heard it and over the years it only gets better,it’s a fitting tribute to both David Bowie(see also best songs 807-440-334-302-209-186 and 118) and Freddie Mercury(see also best songs 918-615-208 and 126.)
According to Queen bass player John Deacon,Freddie Mercury did most of the songwriting on this,although everyone contributed.The iconic bass riff however was written by Deacon and was first used on a song called ‘Feel Like,’Queen were never happy with the results so modified the riff with help from Bowie for use in Under Pressure.Brian May recalled that the sessions for the song between Queen and Bowie at times became very strained with them both having different ideas,May said,’David had a vision in his head and it’s quite a difficult process and someone has to back off and eventually I did back off,which is unusual for me.’
The lyrics deal with how pressure can destroy lives,but love can be the answer.
The song gave Queen their second UK Number 1 after ‘Bohemian Rhapsody,’it became Bowie’s third chart topper after ‘Space Oddity’ and ‘Ashes to Ashes.’
”Cause loves such an old fashioned word and love dares you to care for the people on the edge of the night.’
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This is the 2nd highest placed Queen song on this countdown,and the 3rd highest placed David Bowie song.YOUTUBE.COMQueen – Under Pressure (Official Video)Subscribe to the Official Queen Channel Here http://bit.ly/Subscribe2Queen Taken from Hot Space, 1982. Queen – ‘Under Pressure’ Click here to buy…

Barry Philips Discos

Published by Barry Philips · February 6 at 1:00 PM · 

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
48-BLACKstreet featuring Dr.Dre and Queen Pen-No Diggity.
1996-Number 9 single.
Best Bit-At 3.16.’Diggity’ is urban slang meaning ‘absolutely’ or ‘for sure.’
This song is the crowning glory of American singer/songwriter Teddy Riley who is credited with the creation of the ‘New Jack Swing’ music genre,which is a fusion of R&B and Hip-Hop.Artists who Riley has worked with include Michael Jackson,Bobby Brown and Doug E.Fresh.
This is the song nobody wanted,but when it took off there were several regretting that decision.The beat of the song was written by Dr.Dre(see also best songs 564-544-482 and 128) who used a sample of ‘Grandma’s Hands’ a 1971 song by Bill Withers,Dr.Dre sold the beat to Teddy Riley.The song was offered to the R&B band ‘Guy’ who turned it down,it was then offered to ex Guy lead singer Aaron Hall but he also refused it.Riley then offered the song to the band BLACKstreet a group he helped put together back in 1992.
Between BLACKstreets’ sung verses are three Rap verses performed by Dr.Dre,Teddy Riley and Queen Pen who was a protege of Teddy Riley and signed to ‘Interscope’ the same record label as BLACKstreet.
‘No Diggity’ tells the tale of a man who becomes infatuated with a high class hooker,it can only end in tears.
‘She’s got class and style,street knowledge by the pound.’
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This is the 3rd highest placed Rap song on this countdown.YOUTUBE.COMBlackstreet ft. Dr. Dre, Queen Pen – No Diggity (Official Video)Music video by Blackstreet performing No Diggity. (C) 1996 Interscope…

Barry Philips Discos

Published by Barry Philips · 1 hr · 

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
49-Vera Lynn-(There’ll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs of Dover.
1942-Has never charted in the UK.There was no UK chart until 1952.
Best Bit-At 2.20.If you’re waiting to see Bluebirds don’t hold your breath.
Vera Lynn(see also best songs 172) is the proud holder of many UK and Billboard chart records.She was born Vera Margaret Welch in East Ham,Essex,England on the 20th March,1917.At her current age of 102 she is the oldest living person to have had a UK Number 1 with ‘My Son,My Son,’ which topped the chart in 1954.When the first UK chart was released in November 1952 she had three songs in the top 15.In 2009 at the age of 92 she became the oldest living artist to top the UK Album chart with ‘The Very Best of Vera Lynn,’ and in 2017 she released the compilation,’Vera Lynn 100′ to commentate her centennial year,it charted at Number 3 making her the first centenarian to have an Album in the charts.In America in 1952 she had a Number 1 on Billboard with ‘Auf Wiederseh’n,Sweetheart,’this made her the first ever foreign artist to top their chart.
‘The White Cliffs of Dover’ was composed by Walter Kent(1911-1994) with lyrics by Nat Burton(1901-1945.) The song was written about a year after the Royal Air Force and German aircraft had been fighting over southern England,including the White Cliffs of Dover,in the Battle of Britain.In America the song was a hit for Kate Smith(1907-1986) in 1942, the first recording of the song was by the Glen Miller Orchestra in November 1941.There are also a further two verses to the song which do not feature in any of the other hit versions,including The Righteous Brothers 1966 Number 21 hit and the Robson & Jerome 1995 Number 1 remake.
‘There’ll be love and laughter and peace ever after,tomorrow when the world is free.’
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This is the highest placed pre Rock ‘N’ Roll era song on this countdown.YOUTUBE.COMVera Lynn The White cliffs of DoverFor readers of CanKiwi2’s “Alternative Finland” website (http://www.alternativefinland.com) and CanKiwi2s Finnish Winter War…

Barry Philips Discos

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

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER
50-Eddie Cochran-C’mon Everybody.
1959- Number 6 single,when re-released in 1988 it reached Number 14.
Best Bit-At 1.37.Teenagers must always have their own new music that the previous generations will detest.Remember when a 75 year old tells a teenager that the music he listens to is rubbish,he was told the same thing by someone sixty years ago.
Eddie Cochran(see also best songs 422) was born Ray Edward Cochran October 3,1938,in Albert Lea,Minnesota,U.S.,he was only 21 years old when he was killed in a car crash on April 17,1960.The taxi he was travelling in lost control and crashed in to a lamppost,no other vehicle was involved.At the moment of impact Cochran who was seated in the centre of the backseat threw himself over his fiancee Sharon Sheeley to shield her,he was thrown out of the car when a rear passenger door opened in the collisions force,he died from severe head injuries.
During his lifetime he only released one Album called ‘Singin’ to My Baby’ in 1957,but after his death the remainder of his music has been released on many compilations including his posthumous UK Number 1 single ‘Three Steps to Heaven.’ In 1988 following the use of ‘C’mon Everybody’ in a Levi’s Jeans commercial the song once again became a hit.
‘C’mon Everybody’ was co-written by Cochran and his manager Jerry Capehart(1928-1998,) they also teamed up to write ‘Summertime Blues.’
‘Well my baby’s number one,but I’m gonna dance with three or four.’
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This is the 2nd highest placed Rock ‘N’ Roll song on this countdown.YOUTUBE.COMC’mon Everybody Eddie Cochran HQ {Stereo}Stereo Remix by Chris Turner / Video Edit by Smurfstools 1959….#6…

Barry Philips Discos

Published by Barry Philips · February 3 at 4:00 PM · 

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER

COMING NEXT THE BEST 50

This is how the top 50 songs breakdown.
2010-2020- 1 song
2000-2009- 3 songs
1990-1999- 6 songs
1980-1989- 9 songs
1970-1979- 21 songs
1960-1969- 7 songs
1950-1959- 2 songs
1940-1949- 1 song

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For a list of all the best 1000 songs so far click on the blog at www.barryphilipsdiscos.

Barry Philips Discos

Published by Barry Philips · February 3 at 1:00 PM · 

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
51-Beatles-Strawberry Fields Forever.
1967-Number 2 single.
Best Bit-At 0.10.Whenever John Lennon was stressed or needed a break,he would go to his ‘Happy Place,”Strawberry Field.’
Strawberry Field was the name of a Salvation Army children’s home close to John Lennon’s childhood home in Woolton,a suburb of Liverpool.One of Lennon’s childhood treats was to attend the garden party held each summer,where a Salvation Army brass band played, but John’s aunt Mimi did not like him going there as she felt he would mix with the wrong crowd.When John and his aunt would argue about him going John would say’What are you going to do,hang me?’Hence the line in the song,’Nothing to get hung about.’
Lennon wrote the song at a very difficult time in his life,the Beatles had just agreed to quit touring and there was no new music planned,all four members were pursuing solo projects with Lennon in Spain filming for the movie ‘How I Won the War,’he was also having problems bonding with the other cast members.
‘Strawberry Fields Forever’ signified a major change in the Beatles musical style,at first confusing the contemporary Pop audience and music critics alike,in time the song would become highly influential on the emerging psychedelic rock genre.The songs promotional film which nowadays would be called a video is also considered groundbreaking(see also best songs 927-599-473-456-319-238-218-168-141 and 80.)
The song was released as a double ‘A’ side with the McCartney written ‘Penny Lane’ on the other side,as was the norm both songs were credited to Lennon/McCartney.The song stalled at Number 2 in the UK behind Engelbert Humperdincks’ ‘Release Me,bringing to an end a run of eleven consecutive Number 1 singles in the UK.
‘Living is easy with eyes closed,misunderstanding all you see.’
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This is 3rd highest placed Beatles song on this countdown.YOUTUBE.COMThe Beatles – Strawberry Fields ForeverMusic video by The Beatles performing Strawberry Fields Forever. © 2015 Calderstone Productions Limited (a division of Universal Music Group) /…