THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

875-Love Affair-Everlasting Love.

1968-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 2.31.Everlasting Love is the only song to have been a top 40 hit in the UK in the 1960’s. 1970’s, 1980’s, 1990’s, and the 2000’s.

‘Everlasting Love’ is one of the most covered songs of all time. Other significant versions are the original version from Robert Knight (1967,) Town Criers (1968,) Carl Carlton (1974,) Sandra (1987,) the Cast of Casualty (1998,) and Jamie Cullum (2004,) the song has also charted for other artists, worldwide down the years.

‘Everlasting Love’ was written especially for Robert Knight (1940-2017) by Buzz Cason, and Mac Gayden, they also wrote his other UK hit ‘Love on a Mountain Top.’ The Love Affair who were formed in London in 1966 were the second choice to record the song, after it had been turned down by the Scottish group Marmalade. The only member of Love Affair who actually appeared on the song was 16 year old lead singer, Steve Ellis, as it was decided to use session musicians, including backing singers Kiki Dee, Madeline Bell, and Lesley Duncan. The famous bass part was played by Russ Stableford, and the drums were played by Clem Cattini, who has appeared on more than 40 UK Number 1 singles.

‘Where life’s river flows, no one really knows, ’til someone’s there to show the way to lasting love.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

876-Jennifer Lopez featuring Pitbull-On the Floor.

2011-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 3.15.’You’ve gotta dance like there’s nobody watching. Love like you’ll never be hurt, sing like there’s nobody listening, and live like it’s heaven on earth.’ That probably sums up what this song is all about.

‘On The Floor’ is taken from Jennifer Lopez’s seventh studio Album ‘Love?,’ released in 2011, two months after this songs release, which gave Lopez her third UK Number 1 single.The track features a rap by Pitbull, who has also topped the UK chart on three occasions.’On the Floor’ samples the 1989 hit ‘Lambada,’ by the French/Brazilian group Kaoma, who in turn sampled the ‘Lambada’ from a song called ‘Llorando se fue,’ which is a 1981 Bolivian folk song, recorded by the band Los Kjarkas, so Gonzalo Hermosa of that group, is given co-songwriting credit.

The song was also co-written, and produced by Nadir ‘RedOne’ Khayat, who based parts of the song on the 2010 track ‘Party O’Clock’ by Kat DeLuna, which he also wrote,and produced, and had only been a top 20 hit in Belgium.

‘If you go hard, you gotta get on the floor. If you’re a party freak, then step on the floor.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

877-Frank Sinatra-You Make Me Feel So Young.

1956-Has never been released as a single.

Best Bit-At 1.21.The very first British Album chart was published on July 22, 1956, and ‘Songs for Swingin’ Lovers!’ by Frank Sinatra, became the first ever Number 1 Album, staying at the top for two weeks.

‘Songs For Swingin’ Lovers’! was the 10th Album release by Frank Sinatra (1915-1998,) the arrangement was by Nelson Riddle, and is considered by many to be their best work.

The Album opens with ‘You Make Me Feel So Young,’ a song which was originally written in 1946 for the musical film,’Three Little Girls in Blue’, with lyrics by Mack Gordon (1904-1959,) (see also best songs 321 and 775,) and the music by Josef Myrow (1910-1987.)

Sinatra’s (see also best songs 567-469-120 and 73) musical career was badly in need of a boost, and that happened when he signed with Capital Records in 1953, but essentially when being teamed up with arranger, composer, and band leader Nelson Riddle (1921-1985,) Riddle had already arranged ‘Mona Lisa’ for Nat King Cole, the best selling song of Cole’s career, and the team at Capital brought Sinatra, and Riddle together, for the 19 Albums they collaborated on.

‘You and I are just like a couple of tots, runnin’ across the meadow, pickin’ up lots of forget me nots.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

878-The Jesus and Mary Chain-Sometimes Always.

1994-Number 22 single.

Best bit-At 1.57.In one last ditch attempt to get on the Radio 2 playlist, they came up with this.

The Jesus and Mary Chain (see also best songs 336) were formed in East Kilbride, Scotland in 1983, by the brothers Jim (singer/songwriter,and lead vocalist,) William Reid (composer,singer. and lead guitar,) Douglas Hart (bass,) and Murray Dalglish (drummer.) Over the years the Reid brothers have seen 18 other members come and go.They were active between 1983-1997, but reformed in 2007, and are still active to this very day.

‘Sometimes Always’ is a very different sound to that which got them signed to ‘Creation Records’ in 1983. The Reid brothers were originally influenced by bands like The Stooges. and The Ramones, but this track sounds like the the best song Lee Hazelwood never wrote.The song is taken from the bands fifth studio Album,’Stoned & Dethroned, and is a duet between Jim Reid, and guest vocalist Hope Sandoval, who at that time was a member of the American Alternative Rock band ‘Mazzy Star.’ The songs lyrics are very straightforward,with him wanting to get back, after leaving her, but before she takes him back, she has to be sure, and he must beg forgiveness.

‘I won’t get on my knees, don’t make me do that please, I’ve been away, but now I’m back.

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

879-Beck-Where It’s At.

1996-Number 35 single.

Best Bit-At 2.44.He’s got two turntables, and a microphone, all he needs now is a few flashing lights, and he can do mobile disco’s.

Beck Hansen (see also best songs 230) was born Bek David Campbell on July 8, 1970, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., he is considered to be one of the most innovative artists, since the start of the 1990’s.He has covered many musical genres, including,Alternative Rock, Folk, Americano, and Hip-Hop. His mother, Bibbie Hansen is a musician, and actress, who has performed in the Andy Warhol film ‘Prison,’

‘Where It’s At’ is taken from Beck’s critically acclaimed fifth studio Album, ‘Odelay’, released in 1996. The song was co-written by Beck, and The Dust Brothers, who are John King, and Michael Simpson. The song references early Hip-Hop, when DJ’s would use two turntables, and a microphone to create the right atmosphere.Beck also reminisces about his early days as a struggling musician,when having to work odd jobs to make ends meet. There are also several samples in the song, including audio from a 1969 middle-school sex education Album called ‘Sex For Teens (Where It’s At’) The line, ‘That was a good drum break’ is sampled from the 1989 song ‘I Don’t Care If U Disrespect Me,’ by The Frogs, and the sample, ‘Two turntables and a microphone,’ is lifted from the song ‘Needle to the Groove,’ by the Old School Hip-Hop group The Mantronix.

‘Move through the room like ambulance drivers,shine your shoes with your microphone blues.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

880-James Brown-Get Up Offa That Thing.

1976-Number 22 single.

Best Bit-At 0.20.By 1976 James Brown had been having hits for 18 years, and he wanted to let everyone know that he was still Number one, which is why you hear him taunt those young whippersnappers,The Ohio Players, KC and The Sunshine Band, and Barry White,(Barry who?)

‘Get Up Offa That Thing’ is taken from James Brown’s 43rd studio Album of the same name, and written by Brown.The song writing credits are actually registered as his wife Diedre, and their two daughters, Deanna, and Yamma, as James Brown was in trouble with the ‘IRS’ at that time, for failure to pay back taxes.

Brown (see also best songs 612-340-143 and 88) has said that the inspiration for the song came to him while performing in Fort Lauderdale.’The audience were sitting down, trying to do a sophisticated thing,listening to Funk.One of the tightest bands they’d ever heard in their lives, and they were sitting.I had worked hard,and dehydrated myself, and was feeling depressed. I looked out at all those people sitting there, and because I was depressed, they looked depressed.I yelled,’Get up offa that thing and dance till you feel better.’ I probably meant until I felt better.’

‘Get up offa that thing, and shake ’till you feel better.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

881-Hall & Oates-She’s Gone.

1973-Did not chart until re-released in 1976, when it peaked at Number 42.

Best Bit-At 4.35.The all time best selling duo’s are, at 3/ The Everly Brothers, at 2/ Siimon & Garfunkel, and at Number 1/ Hall & Oates.

Daryl Hohl was born October 11, 1946, in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, U.S,,and John Oates was born April 7, 1948, in New York City, U.S., they first met when they members of different musical groups playing at the Adelphi Ballroom, in Philadelphia, in 1967.They discovered that they both had the same taste in music, and also attended the same University.One of the apartments at the University had a mailbox with the name ‘Hall and Oates’ written on it, and that is how they chose their name.

‘She’s Gone’ was taken from the duo’s second studio Album ‘Abandoned Luncheonette,’ released in 1973, before they had achieved great success. On it’s release it peaked at Number 33 on Billboard, but in 2002, it passed one million sales, 29 years after it’s initial release.

She’s Gone’ is based on the duo’s true life experiences Daryl Hall had just got divorced from his first wife, Bryna Lublin. and John Oates had been stood up on New Years Eve by his girlfriend.Many of the duo’s songs are written independently, but this one was a team effort, John Oates wrote the chorus, and Daryl Hall added the verses.

‘Get up in the morning,look in the mirror, I’m worn as her toothbrush hanging in the stand.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

882-Dusty Springfield-Son of a Preacher Man.

1968-Number 9 single.

Best Bit-At 1.44.’I’m on the intercom,’ ‘Where is it, where is the intercom,”It’s on the wall by the two African fellows,”to your right,’Warm, warmer,”Disco.’

‘Son of a Preacher Man’ was used in one of the key scenes in the classic 1994 film Pulp Fiction.Quentin Tarantino said that if he hadn’t been allowed to use the song, he would have cut the scene from the movie.

The song was written by John Hurley (1941-1986,) and Ronnie Wilkins, their other major success was ‘Love of the Common People,’ a hit in the 1970’s for Nicky Thomas, and again in the 1980’s for Paul Young. Music producer Jerry Wexler (1917-2008) had asked the pair to write a song for Aretha Franklin, and remembering that Franklin’s father was a gospel preacher, they came up with this song. Franklin recorded the song, but Wexler thought it didn’t sit right with the rest of her output at that time, and offered it to Dusty Springfield, for her ‘Dusty in Memphis’ Album. Aretha Franklin’s version eventually appeared on her 1970 Album’This Girl’s in Love With You, and also as the ‘B’ side of her 1970 single,’Call Me.’

‘Son of a Preacher Man’ gave Dusty Springfield (see also best songs 171) her last top 10 hit in the UK, for 19 years, until she collaborated with The Pet Shop Boys on the 1987 Number 2 single,’What Have I Done To Deserve This?’

‘Billy Ray was a preacher’s son, and when his daddy would visit, he’d come along.

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

883-Swedish House Mafia vs. Tinie Tempah-Miami 2 Ibiza.

2010-Number 4 single.

Best Bit-At 1.04. Let me explain one or two of the acronyms. AP, is Audemars Piguet, which is a watch company, MP3,is a music file. Bold BB, is a model of Blackberry, CK, is Calvin Klein, LV, is a Louis Vitton handbag, APC,is a French fashion brand, and ‘BGS,’ is my own acronym for Bloody Good Song.

The Swedish House Mafia (see also best songs 483) are a collective of Swedish music writers and producers, who during the late 1990’s, and early 2000’s would often collaborate together.Steve Angelo, and Sebastian Ingrosso had grown up together as children in Stockholm, and in the late 1990’s they would often cross paths with Axel ‘Axwell’ Hedfors, and then in the early 2000’s they met Eric Prydz. The four of them were nicknamed ‘Swedish House Mafia,’ and when they decided to officially form in 2008, they kept the name, but Prydz declined the offer to join, saying he wanted to pursue a solo career.

Tinie Tempah was born Patrick Okogwu in London, England in 1988.To date he has featured on six UK Number 1 singles, which is more than any other UK born Rap artist.

‘Miami 2 Ibiza’ originally started out as an instrumental on the Swedish House Mafia’s debut Album ‘Until One,’ from 2010, the lyrics were written by Tinie Tempah, and the track also appears on his debut Album,’Disc-Overy,’ also from 2010.’

She said she likes my watch,but she wants Steve’s AP, and she stays up all hours watching Q.V.C.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

884-Prince-Alphabet St.

1988-Number 9 single.

Best Bit-At 4.39. ‘A.B.C.D.E.F.H. I love you’. Prince could sing the alphabet, and I’d still think it was fantastic.

This is one of the most sexually explicit songs on this countdown, and yet as far as I know, not one radio station, or television broadcaster has ever refused to play it.

The subject is oral sex, and the letters of the alphabet represent the shapes he can make with his tongue. Astute readers will hear in the song that there is no ‘G,’ did you ‘spot’ that.

‘Alphabet St’ was the lead single from Prince’s 10th studio Album ‘Lovesexy,’ released in 1988, it was his least successful release of the 1980’s, with only this song charting, from the Album’s three singles, the other two being ‘Glam Slam,’ and ‘I Wish U Heaven’ (see also best songs 487-269-85 and 54.)

The Rap on the track was performed by Cat Glover, who is also a choreographer, singer,and dancer, she travelled with Prince on both his ‘Sign o’ the Times,’ and ‘Lovesexy’ tours, in the late 1980’s.She also rapped on the song ‘Cindy C,’ from Prince’s 1987 Album,’Black Album’.

‘Talk to me lover, come on tell me what you taste, didn’t your mamma tell you, life is too good to waste.’