THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

766-U2-I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.

1987-Number 6 single.

Best Bit-At 2.31.On an episode of the American talk show ‘Late Night with Conan O’Brien,’U2 took part in the ‘Celebrity Secrets’ portion of the show, where they joked that at one time the band was in a grocery store and could not find the cereal ‘Boo Berry,’ and that was the inspiration for the song.

‘I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For’ was written by Bono (lyrics,) and U2 (music,) it was produced by Daniel Lanois, and Brian Eno, who also provided backing vocals. The song was released as the second single from their 1987, fifth studio Album ‘The Joshua Tree, an Album on which U2 wanted to explore various forms of American music. Bono had been listening to Gospel music from such artists as The Staple Singers, and this was to be U2’s Gospel song. In an interview with ‘Rolling Stone’ magazine, Bono (see also best songs 320-190 and 84) said the song was ‘An anthem of doubt, more than faith.’It was ‘The Edge'(David Evans) who came up with the songs title, he said it was influenced from a line in the Bob Dylan song ‘Idiot Wind,’You’ll find out when you reach the top, you’re on the bottom.’The lyrics are open to interpretation, they may be about a search for love, but more than likely are about a search for spiritual enlightenment. In my opinion Bono wants to believe that there is a God 100%, but can only get 99% of the way there. He knows that 100% ‘Faith’ without any proof is not logical.

‘I believe in the Kingdom come, then all the colours will bleed into one, bleed into one, but yes, I’m still running.

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

767-Louis Armstrong-What a Wonderful World.

1968-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 1.17. I always thought Teresa Green was a real person, until I read the lyrics.

‘What a Wonderful World’ was co-written by Bob Thiele (1922-1996,) and George David Weiss (1921-2010.) Thiele was best known for working as a producer on numerous classic Jazz Albums, collaborating with many of the all time greats of the genre including Duke Ellington, and Gil Scott Heron. George David Weiss (see also best song 194) was a songwriter, and arranger,who collaborated on three Broadway musicals.He wrote the lyrics to ‘Lullaby of Birdland,’ made famous initially by Ella Fitzgerald.

Louis Daniel Armstrong (see also best songs 286-231 and 100) was born on August 4th, 1901,in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, and died July 6th, 1971, he is regarded as one of the most important figures in the development of modern music. He released his first recordings ‘Froggie Moore’/’Chimes Blues’ in 1923, and his final Album, which included this song,’Louis Armstrong and His Friends,’ in 1970.

In the UK ‘What a Wonderful World’ became the biggest selling song of 1968, making Armstrong the oldest ever solo male artist at 66 years old to have had a UK Number 1 single. In 2007 the duet between Eva Cassidy, and Katie Melua, took the song back to the top of the charts again.

‘I see friends shaking hands, saying how do you do, they’re really saying I love you.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

768-John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John-Summer Nights.

1978-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 3.47.As they said in ‘Gavin and Stacey,”It’s not a proper wedding disco until we’ve done the ‘Grease Megamix.”

‘Summer Nights’ was written by Jim Jacobs, and Warren Casey (1935-1988,) who together also wrote the original Grease musical, which was first performed in Chicago, United States, in 1971.The musical was named after the 1950’s United States working class youth subculture, known as ‘Greasers.’The musical is set in 1959, at fictional Rydel High School, and follows the lives of 10 working class teenagers.

In 1978 the musical was made in to a film, with some of the original songs dropped, and others commissioned for the film.The two main characters are John Travolta, who played Danny Zuko, and Olivia Newton-John, who played Sandy Olsson. The main story line of Grease is the relationship between Danny and Sandy, who had first met in the summer of 1958, at the beach, and fall in love, at the end of summer Sandy was meant to be going back to Australia, and the two thought they might never meet again.Sandy’s parents have a change of mind, and she enrols at Rydel High School, both unaware of each others presence.

In ‘Summer Nights’ Danny and Sandy recount events of their romance to their respective groups, ‘The T Birds,’ and ‘The Pink Ladies,’Sandy’s version tells of the romance of their relationship, while Danny’s version is more sexual.

In 1991 ‘Summer Nights,’ along with two other songs from the Grease soundtrack,’You’re The One That I Want,’ and ‘Greased Lightnin” were remixed into a new song called the ‘Grease Megamix,’ this song was created to promote the films release on home video,it reached Number 3 in the UK.

‘She swam by me, she got a cramp.He went by me, got my suit damp. I saved her life, he nearly drowned, he showed off splashin’ around.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

769-Tom Petty-Free Fallin.’

1989-Number 59 single.

Best Bit-At 0.42.The start of your San Fernando Valley geography lesson.

Thomas Earl Petty was born October 20th, 1950, in Gainesville, Florida, United States, he died October 2nd, 2017 from an accidental overdose of prescribed painkillers, having been suffering from emphysema, knee difficulties, and a fractured hip.He was one of the world’s best selling artists, with sales of singles, and Albums, in excess of 80 million.He released three solo Albums including the critically acclaimed ‘Full Moon Fever,’ from where this song is taken, as part of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, he released 13 studio Albums, between 1976-2014. Petty was also a member of the supergroup the Traveling Wilburys, who released two Albums in 1988, and 1990.

‘Free Fallin” was co-written by Petty and fellow Traveling Wilbury Jeff Lynne (see also best songs 970 and 25,) they both also produced the song alongside fellow ‘Heartbreaker’ Mike Campbell, who had co-written with Petty, many of the Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers best known songs, Campbell also co-wrote ‘The Boys of Summer’ with Don Henley.

‘Free Fallin’ tells the story of a man who has his way with a naive girl, she believes everything he says, but when he has got what he wants he dumps her.At first he is pleased with himself, but after a while he realises that what he has done is wrong, and a more meaningful long term relationship would be more fulfilling.

‘She’s a good girl, loves her mama, loves Jesus and America too.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

770-Kinks-Waterloo Sunset.

1967-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 0.08.Be warned before listening, this is the ultimate ‘EARWORM’ song.

Of all the songs written by Ray Davis this is his most critically acclaimed (see also best songs 1014,) Paul Weller has stated it is his favourite song of all time.

The lyrics describe someone who is on their own, watching (or imagining) two lovers passing over a bridge, the Thames, and Waterloo Station, in London, the place of Davis’ birth. In 2010 Davis stated that the song was originally entitled ‘Liverpool Sunset,’ as his favourite city to perform in is Liverpool, and he was also inspired by ‘Merseybeat.’ He didn’t want to clash with the Beatles who had just released ‘Penny Lane,’ so he called it ‘Waterloo Sunset’ instead, because Waterloo was a very significant place for him when he was a child.

There are two significant cover versions, in 2003 David Bowie was joined on stage by Davis, and they performed a duet of the song at Carnegie Hall in New York City, for the Tibet House benefit. Bowie recorded a solo studio version of the song, as a bonus track for his 2003 Album ‘Reality.’ In 1997 Cathy Dennis (see also best songs 928) covered the song, taking it to Number 11 in the UK, the video showed Dennis singing the song while travelling in a taxi, driven by Ray Davis in a cameo role.

‘Millions of people swarming like flies ’round Waterloo underground,but Terry and Julie cross over the river, where they feel safe and sound.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

771-The Chainsmokers-Selfie.

2014-Number 11 single.

Best Bit-At 2.43.’It’s not even Summer, why does the DJ keep on playing Summertime Sadness.’

The Chainsmokers are the American Electronic Dance Music production team of Alex Paul, and Andrew Taggart, they formed in 2012, in New York City, New York, United States, when they tour they are joined by a third member, Matt McGuire.They have released three studio Albums to date, and had nine top 40 singles in the UK, including ‘Closer’ in 2016, which also made Number 1 on Billboard.Initially ‘Selfie’ was released as a free download, until it got the attention of ‘Dim Mak’ records, who gave it an official release. A selfie is a self portrait photograph, which is normally taken with a digital camera, or camera phone.The Chainsmokers, while working in the clubs realised how popular ‘selfie’s’ were becoming, and wanted to make a song to celebrate the new phenomenon, the female spoken vocals are by the unaccredited Alexis Killacram, who finishes each verse with,’Let me take a selfie.’

Music critics have pinpointed two songs which could have been an influence for this track,the spoken intro to the 1992 Sir Mix-A-Lot, Billboard Number 1,’Baby Got Back,’ and even more so, the 1982 song ‘Valley Girl,’ by Frank Zappa, and his daughter Moon Unit Zappa.

‘Oh my God, Jason just texted me, should I go home with him? I guess I took a good selfie.’

THE 100 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

772-Gary Numan-We Are Glass.

1980-Number 5 single.

Best Bit-At 3.42.According to Gary Numan the song was inspired by a comment from a writer in the Omni magazine (the Omni was a science fiction publication.) ‘He said that he thought I’d been put here by something…aliens, or something, to carry out a cause, which I thought was very flattering, but a little silly.’In the song Numan is saying that just because he is a Pop star, it doesn’t mean that he isn’t fragile, like everyone else, he can also be broken.

Gary Numan was born Gary Webb on March 8th, 1958, in Hammersmith, London, England, he took his stage name from an advert in the ‘Yellow Pages,’ for a plumber whose surname was ‘Neumann.’He first found success with the ‘New Wave’ band Tubeway Army, releasing two Albums, and four singles, including the 1979 UK Number 1 song ‘Are Friends Electric,’ (see also best songs 177.) For the third Album ‘The Pleasure Principle,’ Numan dropped the Tubeway Army name, and released music under his own name, as he was the sole songwriter, and producer, but he retained the musicians from Tubeway Army as his backing band.To date Gary Numan has released 22 studio Albums, the latest in 2017, three of those Album’s made Number 1 in the UK, while 2017’s ‘Savage (Songs from a Broken World’,) reached Number 2.He has also achieved two UK Number 1 singles,’Are Friends Electric,’ and ‘Cars,’ in total he has had 22 top 40 singles.

‘We are young,watch us fall, we can take some train, down to the sea.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

773-Mud Tiger-Feet.

1974-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 0.01.Not every song can boast it’s own dance that everyone over the age of 60 knows how to do, but this one does,-‘Yeah,Yeah!’

Mud were formed in Carshalton, Greater London, England in 1966 by Les Grey (vocals) (1946-2004,) Rob Davis (lead guitarist,) Dave Mount (drums) (1947-2006,) and Ray Stiles (bass.) After leaving Mud, Rob Davis has gone on to have a even more successful career as a songwriter, being the co-writer of three UK Number 1 songs, including the Kylie Minogoe 2001 song ‘Can’t Get You Out of My Head'(see also best songs 928.) Mud eventually found success when signing with Mickie Most’s ‘RAK’ records, and being teamed up with the songwriters, and producers Mike Chapman, and Nicky Chinn. In 1974 they had three UK Number 1 singles, and in 1975 they had seven top 40 singles, spending 45 weeks on the chart, more than anyone else that year.In total they had 15 top 40 singles between 1973-1976, the band still tour to this day, with none of the original members, now called ‘Mud 2.’

‘Tiger Feet’ has sold over 1 million copies worldwide, and was the best selling single in the UK in 1974, spending four weeks at Number 1.It was written by the legendary songwriting team of Mike Chapman, and Nicky Chinn (see also best songs 860-686 and 402) who were also responsible for the some of hits of many other artists, including The Sweet, Suzi Quarto, Smokie, Blondie, and Tina Turner.

‘All night long you’ve been looking at me, well you know you’re the dance hall cutie that you love to be.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

774-Madonna-Like a Prayer.

1989-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 4.17.’Once your a Catholic, your always a Catholic, in terms of feelings, or guilt, and remorse, and whether you’ve sinned or not.Sometimes I’m wracked with guilt when I needn’t be, and that to me, is left over from my Catholic upbringing. Because in Catholicism you are born a sinner, and you are a sinner all of your life. No matter how you try to get away from it, the sin is within you, all the time.’ MADONNA.

By 1989 Madonna’s career was in the balance, she had just had two films spectacularly fail, both critically, and commercially, it was three years since her last successful Album ‘True Blue,’ and her marriage had broken down.She realised that her fan base were growing up, and if she was to survive, she would have to take her career in a different direction (see also best songs 587.)

Before ‘Like a Prayer’ was officially released ‘Pepsi’ signed Madonna to a $5 million endorsement deal, which included a two minute commercial that would debut this song.The song was released the day after it aired worldwide to approximately 250 million viewers.It was also added to the MTV playlist, but instead of using scenes from the commercial, it showed Madonna witnessing a brutal crime, and taking refuge in a church. She shares an interracial kiss, gets stigmata on her hands, and dances in front of burning crosses.The Vatican condemned it, while religious groups protested it’s broadcast. They boycotted products by ‘Pepsi,’ forcing them to drop Madonna from their promotions, but still having to pay her.

‘Life is a mystery, everyone must stand alone, I hear you call my name, and it feels like home.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

775-Chris Montez-The More I See You.

1966-Number 3 single.

Best Bit-At 1.22.It is said that until people actually saw a photograph, they actually thought it was a female singer.

In the early 1960’s the Beatles opened concerts in London, York, and Northampton for Montez, who commented,’Who are these guys the Beatles? I try to keep up with the British scene, but I don’t know their work’.

Chris Montez was born Ezekiel Christopher Montanez on January 17th, 1943, in Los Angeles, California, United States.In 1962 he had two UK top 10 singles, with the Rock N’ Roll orientated ‘Let’s Dance,’ and ‘Some Kinda’ Fun,’ but struggled thereafter.In 1965 Montez signed with Herb Alpert’s ‘A&M’ record label (see also best songs 815,) and on Alpert’s advise changed tack, for an ‘Easy Listening’ sound, arranging and producing Montez’s comeback Album ‘The More I See You,’ which provided the hits ‘Call Me,’ (Billboard Number 22,) and ‘There Will Never Be Another You’ (UK Number 37.) Montez went on to record three more Albums for ‘A&M,’ in the 1960’s, with his last recording to date being the 1983 Album,’Cartas de Amor,’ recorded exclusively in Spanish.

‘The More I See You’ was originally written in 1945 by the legendary songwriters Mack Gordon, and Harry Warren(see also best songs 877-396 and 321,) for the 1945 film ‘Diamond Horseshoe,’The first recording of the song was sung in the film by Dick Haymes (see also best songs 842,) and it has gone on to become one of the most covered songs of all time, with artists as diverse as Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, and Marvin Gaye recording their renditions.

‘I know the only one for me can only be you, my arms won’t free you, and my heart won’t try.’