THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

795-Maria Muldaur-Midnight at the Oasis.

1974-Number 21 single.

Best Bit-At 1.20. I always thought that the plural of cactus was cacti,but it appears that cactuses is also acceptable.

Maria Muldaur was born Maria D’Aato on September 12th, 1943, in New York City, United States. She was the wife of the musician Geoff Muldaur, but after they divorced, she continued to use the surname for her solo career.Before the release of her self titled debut Album in 1973 she had been a member of the ‘Even Dozen Jug Band,’in the 1960’s, they were a Folk group whose members included Steve Katz (later of Blood, Sweat and Tears,) and John Sebastian (later with the Lovin’ Spoonful.)

‘Midnight at the Oasis’ was written by the American songwriter, and television composer, soundtrack artist, and Buddhist teacher, David Nichtern, he also plays acoustic guitar on this track.Other top session musicians to play on the song included,Jim Gordan (drums,) Daniel Friedberg (bass,) and Amos Garrett, who played the famous instrumental guitar section.

The song is full of sexual innuendo, but the tone is playful throughout. Muldaur has said that people have approached her at concerts, or other events, and claimed that the song had inspired sexual encounters, loss of virginity, and pregnancy.

The song has been covered many times, most notably by the Acid Jazz, and Funk group The Brand New Heavies, who took their version to Number 13 in the UK in 1994.

‘But you won’t need no harem honey when I’m by your side, and you won’t need no camel, no no, when I take you for a ride.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

796-Bingo Players featuring Far East Movement-Get Up (Rattle.)

2013-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 0.46. It’s amazing what a difference adding some ‘party lyrics,’and a sprinkling of ‘dirty bass’ can make.

‘Get Up (Rattle’) started out life as an instrumental called ‘Rattle,’ by the Bingo Players, and released to very limited success in Europe in 2011. It wasn’t until the Far East Movement added the vocal, that it became a major hit in early 2013. The song was added to the deluxe editions of the Far East Movement’s fourth studio Album ‘Dirty Bass.’

The Bingo Players were the Dutch Electric Dance Music duo of Paul Baumer, and Maaten Hoogstraten, Baumer died of cancer in 2013, with Hoogstraten continuing to work using the name Bingo Players.This song is their only UK top 40 single, making them ‘One Hit Wonders,’ but their track ‘Cry (Just a Little’) from 2011 did reach Number 44, and was later covered by American Rap artist Flo Rida, who took his version to Number 3 in the UK in 2012.

The Far East Movement were formed in Los Angeles, California, United States, in 2004. to date they have achieved five UK top 40 singles, while in America on Billboard,’Like a G6,’ featuring The Cataracs, and Dev, was Number 1, in 2010. That achievement made the band members the first ever Asian/American group to top the Billboard Hot 100. Their latest Album release,’Identity,’ in 2016 featured many Asian performers, in an attempt to bridge the gap between Asian, and American artists.

‘Yeah, we be raging round the clock, feel that bass around the block, fill that red cup up to the top,birthday shots.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

797-AC/DC-Whole Lotta Rosie.

1980-Number 36 single.

Best Bit-At 0.31-The chubby chasers anthem.

AC/DC (see also best songs 245 and 170) were formed in 1973 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, by the Scottish born brothers Malcolm (1953-2017,) and Angus Young. They have sold in excess of 200 million records, with their 1980 Album ‘Back In Black,’ being the second highest selling Album of all time, with sales of over 50 million copies.

‘Whole Lotta Rosie’ is based on the true experiences of Bon Scott, who was born Ronald Scott in Forfar, Scotland on July 9th, 1946, he died on February 19th, 1980, like the Young brothers, he had also emigrated to Australia from Scotland as a child.

The story goes that one night after a show, Scott was propositioned by an obese Tasmanian woman, they ended up spending the night together at the Freeway Gardens Motel, in North Melbourne.Despite her size Scott found her to be one of the most talented lovers he had ever experienced (see also best songs 939.)

The songs intro is based on the 1955 Chuck Berry song,’No Money Down,’ which AC/DC originally used as the main riff for an earlier song of their’s called ‘Dirty Eyes,’ which they re-worked in to ‘Whole Lotta Rosie.’

‘She ain’t exactly pretty, ain’t exactly small, ’42,’ ’39,’ ’56,’ you could say she’s got it all.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

798-Fatback Band-(Are You Ready) Do The Bus Stop.

1975-Number 18 single.

Best Bit-At 2.52. I would queue for a lifetime to catch this tune.

The Fatback Band are the brainchild of Bill Curtis who formed the band in 1970, in New York City, United States. Since their inception there have been 21 personnel changes, with Curtis being the one constant. Their last Album of original material was released in 1988, but they still tour to this day.Curtis had already been an experienced session drummer in the 1950’s, and 1960’s, and wanted to merge the ‘Fatback Jazz Beat’ sound of New Orleans, into a streetwise Funk band.In 1977 they dropped the ‘Band,’ and just called themselves ‘Fatback.’

‘(Are You Ready) Do The Bus Stop’ is typical of their Funky sound, and also became a very popular Disco hit.The song has dance moves, which appear to have been lost in the annals of time, but the song is credited with helping popularise Line Dancing.

The Fatback Band were also forerunners in the genre of Rap music.In 1979 an unknown rapper by the name of Tim Washington was given the opportunity to Rap over a Bill Curtis beat as an experiment, the track called ‘King Tim 111 (Personality Jock’) became the first commercially released Rap song, just weeks ahead of Rap’s major breakthrough, ‘Rappers Delight,’ by the Sugarhill Gang.

‘Four to the front,then four to the back.Two to the front,but two to the back.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

799-The Everly Brothers-Walk Right Back.

1961-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 0.07.Phil and Don in perfect harmony, at least when they were singing.

The Everly Brothers were Isaac Donald Everly who was born on February 1st, 1937, and his younger brother Phillip Jason Everly, who was born on January 19th, 1939, and died on January 3rd, 2014.Don was born in Brownie, Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, U.S., and Phil in Chicago, Illinois, they were born in to a musical family, with their father Isaac (1908-1975) being a guitar player.The brothers were active together between 1951-1973, and again between 1983-2005.They were making their way in the music business at the same time as the onset of the Rock ‘N’ Roll era, and are considered an important part in it’s development, heavily influencing the next generation, including the Beatles, The Beach Boys, Simon & Garfunkel, and the Bee Gees, with their close harmony singing.Shortly after the death of Phil in 2014, his brother Don admitted that he had lived ‘a very difficult life’ with his brother, and they had become estranged again in later years.

‘Walk Right Back’ was written by Sonny Curtis, who was born in Meadow, Texas, United States, on May 9th, 1937,he was a member of the Crickets from late 1958, but had performed alongside Buddy Holly in 1955 when opening for Elvis Presley,after Holly’s death, Curtis took over as lead singer of the Crickets.Other well known songs he has written include ‘I Fought the Law,’later covered by the Bobby Fuller Four, and the Clash, ‘More Than I Can Say,’ a hit for Bobby Vee, and Leo Sayer, and he also wrote the theme tune to The Mary Tyler Moore Show,’Love Is All Around.’

‘Walk right back to me this minute, bring your love to me, don’t send it, I.m so lonely everyday’.

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

800-Beyonce featuring R Kelly-If I Were a Boy.

2008-This remix version has never officially charted, but the original Beyonce solo version peaked at Number 1.

Best Bit-At 1.28.Even in the battle of the sexes,’The grass is always greener.’

‘If I Were a Boy’ is taken from Beyonce’s third solo studio Album ‘I Am…Sasha Fierce.’It was a double CD release with disc 1 being ballads, and disc 2 all uptempo, in order to show Beyonce’s full range.This song from disc 1, and ‘Single Ladies’ from disc 2 were released simultaneously to promote the Album.

Beyonce co-wrote every song on the Album with the exception of this one, which was co-written by Britany Jean Carlson, and this songs co producer Toby Gad.Initially Carlson didn’t want Beyonce to record it as she as an aspiring singer/songwriter wanted it to launch her own career with, but she came to an arrangement that was amicable to them both.

Most of the lyrics were written by Carlson, who took her inspiration from the break-up of a romantic relationship.She concluded that if she was a boy, she would be a better man than her past lover.Beyonce (see also best songs 23) wanted to record the song as it was different from the traditional R&B songs that she usually recorded, she has said,’I had to try it, because I remember Aretha Franklin said a great singer can sing anything, and make it their own.’

I have chosen to post the songs remix featuring R Kelly (see also best songs 993,) as both vocals compliment each other perfectly.

‘It’s a little too late for you to come back,say it’s just a mistake, think I’d forgive you like that.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

801-Madness-House of Fun.

1982-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 2.08.I have it on very good authority from someone who should be in the know that ‘Joe’ is in fact a name check for the fictional character Joe Sugden, from the TV soap Emmerdale Farm, but he may have been fibbing to me.

Madness (see also best songs 69) were formed in Camden Town, London, England in 1976, and are still active, having released their 12th, and latest Album ‘Can’t Touch Us Now’ in 2017.Although they have had 30 top 40 singles, this song remains their only Number 1 song in the UK.

‘House of Fun’ was written by band members Lee Thompson, and Mike Barson, it was originally recorded under the title ‘Chemist Facade,’without the ‘Welcome to the house of fun chorus. Head of ‘Stiff Records’ Dave Robinson insisted that if the song was going to be a single it needed a chorus, and although unaccredited Suggs claims to have written that chorus.

The song is about coming of age,telling the story of a boy on his 16th birthday attempting to buy condoms, at a pharmacy. However the boy is misunderstood by the chemist, as he uses slang euphemisms, such as ‘box of balloons,’and ‘party hats with the coloured tips.’The chemist sends him to the house of fun, which is a joke shop down the road.

‘Well hello Joe, hello Miss Clay, many happy returns from the day.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

802-Bone Thugs-n-Harmony-”Tha Crossroads.”

1996-Number 8 single.

Best Bit-At 2.59. ‘Well your toe bone connected to your foot bone,your foot bone connected to your heel bone, your heel bone connected to your ankle bone,your ankle bone connected to your leg bone. Ezekiel connected dem dry bones.

‘Bone Thugs-n-Harmony were formed in Cleveland, Ohio, United States in 1991 by Bryon McCane (Bizzy Bone,) Steven Howse (Layzie Bone,) Anthony Henderson (Krayzie Bone,) Charles Scruggs (Wish Bone,) and Stanley Howse (Flesh-n-Bone,) they remain active, with their latest release being the ‘New Waves’ Album in 2017.

After spending a great deal of time trying to get signed to ‘Ruthless Records,’ the label owned by N.W.A (see also best songs 564 and 128) rap legend Easy-E (1964-1995,) they finally succeeded in 1993.”Tha Crossroads” was originally written as a tribute to the late Wallace Laird a friend of the band, but after the death of Easy-E, the band’s mentor, in 1995, the songs lyrics were re-written to include him as well.

The song is one of the best ever selling Rap records, spending seven weeks at Number 1 on Billboard in 1996, it was also the best selling song in New Zealand, in that year.In 2002 the English Hip-Hop group Blazin’ Squad whose 10 members had an approximate age of 16, recorded the song as their debut single, with different lyrics, taking the song to Number 1 in the UK.

‘Lets all bring it in for Wally,Easy sees uncle Charlie, little boo, God’s got him, and I’m gonna miss everybody.

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

803-Lobo-I’d Love You to Want Me.

1974-Number 5 single.

Best Bit-At 0.51. Lobo is Spanish for Wolf, but I have no idea why he chose that as his stage name.

Lobo was born Roland Kent LaVoie on July 31st, 1943, in Tallahassee,Florida, United States.He has released 16 studio Albums to date, and has had seven top 40 singles on Billboard, of which this song was his most successful, peaking at Number 2 in 1972,in the UK he has charted twice, with his biggest success being ‘Me and You and a Dog Named Boo’ reaching Number 4 in 1971.

Lobo began his musical career in 1961 as a member of a local band called ‘The Rumors,’ the group included future stars Gram Parsons, and Jim Stafford. In 1974 Lobo alongside longtime collaborator Phil Gernhard (1940-2008) (see also best songs 923) produced Stafford’s ‘Spiders & Snakes’ Album.

‘I’d Love You to Want Me’ is taken from Lobo’s second solo studio Album,’Of A Simple Man’ from 1972. When originally released in the UK it failed to chart, but when re-released in 1974, this time on Jonathan King’s ‘UK’ record label, it finally became a hit.

‘When I saw you standing there, I about fell off my chair, when you moved your mouth to speak, I felt the blood go to my feet.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

804-Ben E. King-Stand by Me.

1961-Number 27 single. When re-released in 1987 it reached Number 1.

Best Bit-At 0.46.There are over 400 recorded versions of this song, with this, the original version alone, earning it’s writers in royalties, in excess of £17 million.

‘Stand by Me’ was co-written by the legendary song writing team of Jerry Leiber (1933-2011,) and Mike Stoller (see also best songs 954-124 and 86) along with this songs vocalist Ben E. King (1938-2015.)’Stand by Me’ was recorded by Ben E. King shortly after leaving The Drifters in 1960 (see also best songs 568.) Stand by Me was the name of a Gospel Hymn written in 1905 by Philadelphia minister Charles Tindley (1851-1933,) this is where King got the idea for the song from. King took his idea for the song to Leiber, and Stoller, and the three of them shared the royalties, with King receiving 50%, and Leiber, and Stoller, 25% each.

In 1986 the song was used in the movie of the same name, featuring River Phoenix, which introduced it to a whole new generation, but it wasn’t until 1987 when ‘Levi Jeans’ used the song for an advertising campaign, that it really took off, reaching Number 1 in the UK, and Number 9 in America.Benjamin Earl King was born in September 28th, 1938 in Henderson, North Carolina, United States, before finding success as a solo artist he had been lead singer with The Drifters between 1958-1960, he can be heard singing lead on songs including ‘There Goes my Baby’, and ‘Save the Last Dance for Me.’

Of all the cover versions of the song, King chose the 1975 recording by John Lennon as his favourite, King said, ‘He made the song his own.’Other notable hit versions of the song are from American Soul singer Spyder Turner (1967,) American Country singer Mickey Gilley (1980,) and 4 The Cause (1998.) In 2007 Reggae influenced singer Sean Kingston sampled the song for his UK Number 1 single, Beautiful Girls.

‘When the night as come,and the land is dark, and the moon is the only light we see.’