THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

685-Public Domain-Operation Blade (Bass in the Place.)

2000-Number 5 single.

Best Bit-At 0.59.’Everybody in the house make some noise’, and, ‘I want everyone in the house to say ‘Ho.’There’s a couple of crowd-pleasers for you party DJ’s to add to your repertoire.

Public Domain were formed in 1999 in Ayr, Scotland, by Mark Sherry, James Allan, and Alistair MacIssac, they were joined soon after by Mallorca Lee, and David Forbes. MacIssac, Forbes, and Lee have since left, with Neil Skinner joining the lineup. Their genre of music is Electronic, and they can be filed under ‘Happy Hardcore,’ Hard Trance,’ and Acid,’ In the UK they achieved three top 40 singles, in 2001 the follow up to this song ‘Rock Da Funky Beats,’ featuring Chuck D of Public Enemy (see also best songs 578 and 37) reached Number 19, and in late 2001 the double ‘A’ side release ‘Too Many MCs/Let Me Clear My Throat,’ made Number 31.They also released one Album ‘Hard Hop Superstars,’ featuring all four tracks in 2002.

‘Operation Blade’ was co-written, and produced by Sherry, MacIssac, and Allan, it heavily samples the ‘Pump Panel Reconstruction Mix’ of the New Order song ‘Confusion,’ which was featured in the 1998 superhero horror film ‘Blade,’ hence this songs title,’Operation Blade.’ Although members of the band New Order (see also best songs 885 and 619) wrote ‘Confusion,’ only Public Domain are officially credited as this songs writers.

‘Public Domain kickin’ it to you man. Bass in the place, London.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

686-Suzi Quatro-Can the Can.

1973-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At-2.40. Many Pop stars need to choose a cool stage name in order to appear cool, Suzi Q was born with hers.

Suzi Kay Quatro was born on June 3rd, 1950, in Detroit,Michigan, United States. In 1964 she joined the all girl group ‘The Pleasure Seekers,’ which included two of her sisters, Patti, and Arlene, they released two singles without success.It was Suzi’s brother Michael who recommended her to Mickie Most (1938-2003,) the owner of the ‘RAK’ record label, who introduced her to the songwriters Nicky Chin, and Mike Chapman (see also best songs 860 and 773.)

Suzi Quatro led and others followed, she was the first female bass guitar player, and band front woman, to become a major Rock star, influencing future ladies of Rock, such as Joan Jett, The Runaways, and Girlschool. She has sold in excess of 50 million records worldwide, with her greatest success’ being achieved in Europe, and Australia, but never achieving a solo top 40 hit in the United States, although her 1979 duet with Chris Norman,’Stumblin’ In,’ did reach Number 4 on Billboard.In America she is best known for playing the character ‘Leather Tuscadero,’ in the television sitcom ‘Happy Days.’

Suzi Quartro has had 11 UK top 40 singles, with the first 10 all being co-written by Nicky Chin, and Mike Chapman. Nicky Chin has explained’Can the Can’s’ meaning,”It means something that is pretty impossible, you can’t get one can inside another if they are the same size, so we’re saying,you can’t put your man in the can, if he is out there. and not willing to commit.’

‘Well you call your mamma tiger, and we all know you are lying, and your boyfriend’s name is eagle, and he lives up in the sky.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

687-The Platters-Smoke Gets in Your Eyes.

1958-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 0.03.Jerome Kern’s widow disliked The Platters recording so much, she considered taking legal action, she thought the song was ‘Too Rock ‘N Roll.’

‘Smoke Gets in Your Eyes’ was written for the 1933 musical ‘Roberta,’by Jerome Kern (1885-1945) (see also best songs 82,) who provided the melody, and the lyricist Otto Harbach (1873-1963.) The song was first sung in the Broadway show by Tamara Drasin (1905-1943,) and first recorded by Gertrude Niesen (1911-1975.) Four different versions of the song reached the Billboard chart in 1934, with the most successful by Paul Whiteman (1890-1967) getting to Number 1.The song has been recorded by many artists over the years, including hit versions in the UK by Blue Haze (1972-Number 32,) Bryan Ferry (1974-Number 17,) and John Alford (1996-Number 13.)

The version which has become the definitive one is this by The Platters, which topped the charts on Billboard, and in the UK in 1958. The Platters were formed in 1952 in Los Angeles, California,United States. In the 1940’s, and 1950’s Disc Jockeys would call their records ‘platters,’ and that is from where the band took their name.None of the original lineup are still alive, and none of the accepted classic lineup (1955-1959) are either.Between 1953-1967 they achieved 21 top 40 singles on Billboard, including four Number 1’s. After the group began to splinter around 1960, legal battles ensued as past members sought the right to use the name, and a current act still tour to this day keeping the name alive.

‘They asked me how I knew my true love was true,I of course replied, something here inside, cannot be denied.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER

688-Pixies-Cactus.

1988-Has never been released as a single in the UK.

Best Bit-At 1.10. P.I.X.I.E.S. Surely I have no need to spell out to you how good this song is.

The Pixies were formed in Boston, Massachusettes, United States, in 1986, they were active until 1993, but did reform in 2004.The original lineup was Black Francis (born Charles Thompson) (vocals,) Joey Santiago (lead guitar,) Kim Deal (bass,) and David Lovering (drums.) They are considered one of the most influential acts of the 1990’s, in the field of ‘Alternative Rock,’ being an influence on acts such as Nirvana, Radiohead, and the Smashing Pumpkins. They have released seven studio Albums to date, the latest being ‘Beneath the Eyrie’ in 2019.They have only released 18 singles to date, and have never had a single enter the Billboard Hot 100. In the UK they have had three top 40 hits, with ‘Debaser’ from 1997, being their highest charting song, when peaking at Number 23.

‘Cactus’ is taken from the Pixies 1988 debut Album ‘Surfer Rosa,’ telling the story of a man in prison missing his wife. He wishes she would send him something with her scent on, hence the lyrics,’ Bloody your hands on a cactus tree, wipe it on your dress, and send it to me.Between the second verse and the chorus, the band can be heard chanting ‘P.I.X.I.E.S.,’ this pays homage to one of the band’s heroes, Marc Bolan, who chanted the word ‘T.R.E.X.’ on his song ‘The Groover.’ In 2002 David Bowie covered ‘Cactus’ for his ‘Heathen’ Album, and during the instrumental break he spells out ‘D.A.V.I.D.’

‘Sitting here wishing on a cement floor, just wishing that I had something you wore.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

689-Chris Rea-Road to Hell.

1989-Number 10 single.

Best Bit-At 3.09.Bloody speed cameras, traffic jams, roadworks, and middle lane drivers, he’ll be lucky to make it home for new year, let alone Christmas.

Christopher Anton Rea was born on March 4th, 1951, in Middlesbrough, England. He was a late starter in the world of ‘Pop,’ as he didn’t join his first band ‘Magdalene’ until he was 22 years old, and didn’t release his first solo Album ‘Whatever Happened to Benny Santini?’ until he was 27 years old.He has since released a further 25 Albums, the latest being ‘One Fine Day’ in 2019.He has also achieved 12 top 40 UK hit singles, of which only ‘The Road to Hell’ in it’s edited form (Part 2 only) reached the top 10.

Chris Rea wrote the lyrics to ‘The Road to Hell (Parts 1 & 2’) while feeling frustrated in peak hour traffic on the M25 Motorway.At the start of the song (Part 1) Rea imagines the ghost of his dead mother approaching his vehicle, and warning him he is on ‘The Road to Hell,’ and that he should chose a different path through life. Rea was never in love with the ‘Pop Star’ lifestyle, and all it entailed, and the song is a warning to himself to follow his own dreams, and not those of others.

‘Oh look out world, take a good look what comes down here, you must learn this lesson fast, and learn it well.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

690-Van McCoy & the Soul City Symphony-The Hustle.

1975-Number 3 single.

Best Bit-At 0.35.Strictly Come (Disco) Dancing.

Van Allen Clinton McCoy was born on January 6th, 1940, in Washington D.C.United States, he died of a heart attack on July 6th, 1979.At the time of his death he was credited with approximately 700 song copyrights. He wrote, and produced for some of the worlds biggest names, including Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, and The Stylistics.His best known writing credits include ‘When You’re Young and in Love’ (The Marvelettes,) ‘I Get the Sweetest Feeling'(Jackie Wilson,) and ‘This is It'(Melba Moore,) he also mentored the original Soul duo ‘Peaches & Herb.

While in New York City, Van McCoy visited the nightclub ‘Adam’s Apple’ where he watched people doing a dance that was known locally as ‘The Hustle,’He composed the song to compliment the dance moves, and released it on his mainly instrumental 1975 Album ‘Disco Baby.’The song, when released as a single, became a Billboard Number 1 in 1975. This was the only top 40 hit for McCoy on Billboard, but in the UK he achieved a further three top 40 songs including ‘The Shuffle,’ which peaked at Number 4 in 1977.

‘The Hustle’ was produced by Hugo Peretti (1916-1986,) and Luigi Creatore (1921-2015,) and released on their ‘Avco’ record label. which would later on become ‘H&L’ records (see also best songs 194.) In 1979 after the death of McCoy, the record label commissioned a posthumous remix 12 inch version of the song,using parts of the original recording, plus added Synthesizer, this version was credited to Van McCoy alone, mixed by ‘The Mix Masters,’ whose identity was not revealed, the remix is well worth a listen.

‘Do the Hustle.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

691-Missy Elliott-Get Ur Freak On.

2001-Number 4 single.

Best Bit-At 0.08.At the beginning of the song a voice in Japanese says,’Kore kara minna de mechakucha odotte. Sawagou, sawagou!’Which in English means ‘Everyone start dancing together wildly now. Let’s make some noise, let’s make some noise.’

Missy Elliott was born Melissa Arnette Elliott on July 1st, 1971, in Portsmouth, Virginia, United States.She is a rapper, singer, producer, and songwriter, who to date has released six studio Albums, the latest in 2005, but she has released new music since.She is the best selling female rapper of all time, with sales in excess of 30 million records, she also became the first female rapper inducted into the ‘Songwriters Hall of Fame.’

‘Get Ur Freak On’ was co-written by Elliott, and long time collaborator Timbaland, who also produced the song. Timbaland was born Timothy Zachary Mosley on March 10th, 1972, in Norfolk, Virginia, United States. He is considered highly influential in the fusing together of the genres ‘R&B,’ and ‘Hip-Hop,’ and his production style has also been a big influence in the development of ‘UK Garage Music.’

‘Get Ur Freak On’ came about after Timbaland had been working on some Indian music.,the beat is based on ‘Bhangra’ music. Missy Elliott explained the songs meaning,’It could be about dancing, the bedroom, whatever. You’re cleaning your house? Get your freak on!’

‘Missy be puttin’ it down, I’m the hottest ’round. I told y’all mother-ooh, y’all can’t stop me now, listen to me now.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

692-Mary Hopkin-Those Were the Days.

1968-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 0.40.’Don’t look back in anger, I hear you say.’

‘Those Were the Days’ started out life as a ‘Russian Romance’ song called ‘Dorogoi dlinnoyu,’ literally meaning ‘By the Long Road,’ with the music written by Boris Fomin (1900-1948,) and the lyrics by the poet Konstantin Podrevsky (1888-1930.) The earliest recording of the song was probably that by the Georgian, Russian singer Tamara Tsereteli (1900-1968,) from 1925.

In the early 1960’s the American professor of architecture, Folk musician, and playwright Gene Raskin (1909-2004) who had grown up listening to different renditions of the song wrote new lyrics to the melody, and copyrighted both the music, and lyrics in his own name. Raskin and his wife Francesca were international performers and played at London’s ‘Blue Angel’ every year, closing their show with this song. Paul McCartney (see also best songs 646-599-456-319-238-218-141-107-80-51-10 and 5) had heard their rendition, and realised it’s hit potential, if he could find the right artist to fit the song.

It was the ‘Supermodel’ Twiggy (see also best songs 807,) who after seeing the Welsh singer Mary Hopkin win the British ‘ITV’ television talent show ‘Opportunity Knocks,’ who recommended her to McCartney, who produced the song on the Beatles recently set up ‘Apple Records,’ giving the label it’s first official hit (Hey Jude was also on Apple, and released earlier, but was given a Parlophone Records catalogue number.)

‘Those Were the Days’ tells the story of someone looking back on their life, and realising that they have failed to achieve what they hoped they would in their youth.

‘Remember how we laughed away the hours, think of all the great things we would do.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

693-William DeVaughn-Be Thankful for What You Got.

1974-Number 31 single.Best Bit-At 2.11.’I cried because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet.

‘Willian Edward DeVaughn Jr. was born on November 28, 1947, in Washington D.C. United States. He has chosen to only record sporadically,with religion playing a big part in his life.He has released just three studio Albums,’Be Thankful for What You Got’ (1974,) ‘Figures Can’t Calculate'(1980,) and ‘Time Will Stand Still'(2008.)DeVaughn wrote a song called ‘A Cadillac Don’t Come Easy’ in 1972, which was eventually re-written to become’Be Thankful for What You Got.’ DeVaughn paid $900 in an initiative where if his recordings were approved he would receive a recording contract.When approved he was rewarded with working with session musicians that included members of the ‘Philadelphia International Records’ house band ‘MFSB,’ who had, and would go on to play on records by many artists including The Three Degrees, The O’Jays,(see also best songs 648 and Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes (see also best songs 725.)

‘Be Thankful for What You Got’ peaked at Number 4 on Billboard in 1974, selling just short of two million copies, in 1980 DeVaughn re-recorded the song in a more upbeat funkier style, for his second Album ‘Figures Can’t Calculate.

‘Diamond in the back, sunroof top, diggin’ the scene with a gangsta lean.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

694-Bobby Brown-Two Can Play That Game.(K-Klassic mix.)

1995-Number 3 single.

Best Bit-At 1.01.Bobby Brown is no stranger to games, especially dangerous ones.

Robert Barisford Brown was born February 5th, 1969, in Boston, Massachusetts, United States.He was a child star, having been an original member of New Edition at the age of 12 (see also best songs 236.) Brown left the group in 1986, and released his debut solo Album ‘King of Stage’ later that year, which unperformed. Success came in 1988 with the release of his second Album ‘Don’t Be Cruel’ which produced five Billboard top 10 singles, including the Number 1 hit ‘My Prerogative.’ Brown was married to Whitney Houston (see also best songs 704) from 1992 to 2007, they had a daughter, Bobby Kristina Brown (1993-2015.)

‘Two Can Play That Game’ is taken from Brown’s third studio Album ‘Bobby’ released in 1994. The Album version of the song is significantly different to the hit remix of the track in the UK. The Album version was co-written by Brown,Teddy Riley (see also best songs 48,) Bernard Belle, and David ‘Redhead’ Guppy, in the genre of ‘New Jack Swing, which is a fusion of Hip-Hop, Dance Pop, and contemporary R&B. In 1994 a ‘Piano House’ version of the song was released reaching Number 38 in the UK, it re-entered the chart in April 1995, this time peaking at Number 3.

The remix was made by the British electronic music group ‘K-Klass,’ who were formed in Wrexham, North Wales in 1988. They have mixed songs for some of Pop music’s biggest names including Blondie, and Janet Jackson, they have also had five UK top 40 hits in their own name including ‘Rhythm Is a Mystery’ (1991 Number 3,) and ‘Let Me Show You,'(1993 Number 13.)

‘Girl think about it before you leave, Bobby’s got a brand new swing, and if you want to do your own thing, I hear what your saying.’