THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER

645-Armand van Helden-The Funk Phenomena.

1996-Number 38 single.

Best Bit-At .0.15. It’s the point where the sampled vocals of the Rapper Redman become slightly, but adictivally repetitive.

Armand van Helden was born on February 16th, 1970, in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, he is a record producer, songwriter, remixer, and DJ, in the musical genre of Electronic Dance Music.’To date Armand van Helden has released eight studio Albums, the first being ‘Old School Junkies,’ which is the Album that contains this song, released in 1996, and the latest being 2016’s ‘Extra Dimensional.’ Helden has also released 10 compilation Albums, two remix Albums, eight DJ mix Albums, 19 extended plays, and 62 singles. He is also a prolific producer of remixes for dozens of other artists, including The Rolling Stones, Blondie, Janet Jackson, and Wu Tang Clan. In the UK he has had three Number 1 singles, in 1996 it was his remix of the Tori Amos song ‘Professional Widow’ which made that song a chart topper, and in 2009, he was the co-writer, and producer of the Dizzee Rascal song ‘Bonkers.’ (see also best songs 138) He also co-wrote with Duane Harden the 1999 Number 1 single ‘You Don’t Know Me.’

‘The Funk Phenomena’ samples three other songs. The repeated line ‘The Funk Phenomena’ is the voice of the American Rapper Redman, sampled from 1995 Billboard Number 13 hit ‘How High,’ by Method Man & Redman. The other two samples are from the 1970’s American R&B group ‘Creative Source,’ with their version of the Bill Withers song ‘Who Is He (And What Is He to You?’) and also, the most prominent sample from the 1993 song ‘Don’t Throw My Love Around,’ by Cooly’s Hot Box.

‘The Funk Phenomena.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

646-Paul McCartney and Wings-Junior’s Farm.

1974-Number 16 single.

Best Bit-At 3.56. Of the naming of ‘Wings,’ Paul McCartney has said that his wife Linda was in hospital giving birth to their second child Stella, there were complications, at the birth, and both Linda and the baby nearly died. McCartney was praying, and the image of wings came to his mind.He decided to call his new band ‘Wings.’

Paul McCartney (see also best songs 599-456-319-238-141-107-80-51-10 and 6) had finally achieved critical acclaim away from the Beatles with the success of the ‘Band on the Run’ Album in 1974. The next studio Album ‘Venus and Mars’ wouldn’t be released until 1975, so ‘Junior’s Farm’ was released without appearing on any Album.While recording in July 1974 in Nashville, Paul McCartney and Wings, who were Linda McCartney (1941-1998) Denny Laine, Jimmy McCullock (1953-1979) (see also best songs 891) and Geoff Britton, had been invited to stay at the ‘Lebanon,’Tennessee farm of Country Music singer/songwriter Curly Putman Jr.(1930-2016,) which accounts for the songs title.In the UK Putman’s best known songs are ‘Green Green Grass of Home,’ a UK Number 1 song for Tom Jones (see also best songs 964) and ‘D-I-V-O-R-C-E,’ a UK Number 12 hit for Tammy Wynette.

McCartney has said that we should not study the lyrics of ‘Juniors Farm’ has it has ‘Silly lyrics, and basically means, let’s get out of the city.’ But I have studied the lyrics, and come to the conclusion that there is a drug reference, a comment on the state of the economy at that time, and a disguised mention about America’s disgraced President Nixon.

‘I was talking to an Eskimo, said he was hoping for a fall of snow, when up popped a sea lion ready to go.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

647-Van Halen-Jump.

1984-Number 7 single.

Best Bit-At 3.34. Here’s an interesting coincidence for those of us with lots of spare time on our hands. The ‘B’ side of the U.S. single release of ‘Jump’ is a song called ‘House of Pain.’ In 1992 the American Hip-Hop group House of Pain had a hit with a song called Jump (see also best songs 75.)

Van Halen were formed in Pasadena, California, United States, in 1974, and remained active until the death of Eddie Van Halen in 2020. The bands original line up from 1974-1985 were the brothers, Eddie Van Halen 1955-2020,) (lead guitarist,) his brother Alex Van Halen (drummer,) David Lee Roth (lead vocalist,) and Michael Anthony (bass.) In 1985 Roth left the band to pursue a solo career, and was replaced by a new lead vocalist Sammy Hagar. Roth returned to the band in 2006, replacing Hagar. In the same year Michael Anthony left, and was replaced by Eddie’s son Wolfgang Van Halen. Between 1978-2012 the band released 12 studio Albums, and with sales in excess of 80 million records, they are one of the worlds best selling artists.

‘Jump’ is Van Halen’s most successful single, taken from their 1983 Album called ‘1984,’ it reached Number 1 on Billboard in 1984. The song introduced the use of a synthesizer by Eddie Van Halen, which David Lee Roth objected to, as he thought it would be seen as them selling out in order to get more radio play. Eddie had written the music in 1981, admitting he had copied the synth part from the Hall and Oates song ‘Kiss On My List.’ Daryll Hall has stated that he had no problem wit Eddie doing that. David Lee Roth wrote the lyrics, and has teased with various accounts as to what the song is about, but usually tells the story of a news story he saw on television about a man about to kill himself by jumping off a building, Roth thought to himself,’might as well jump,’ but in a positive sense. Don’t jump to your death, but instead jump in to a more positive frame of mind, and make the most of your life’.

‘I get up, and nothin’ gets me down. You got it tough, I’ve seen the toughest around, and I know baby just how you feel. You got to roll with the punches, and to get to what’s real.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

648-The O’Jays-Love Train.

1973-Number 9 single.

Best Bit-At 2.25. While appearing on the legendary American music television programme ‘Soul Train,’The O’Jays were asked if this song was inspired by ‘Soul Train,’ they replied ‘yes,’ but of course they were just being nice.

The O’Jays were formed in 1958, in Canton, Ohio, United States, by Eddie Levert, Walter Lee Williams, William Powell (1942-1977) Bobby Massey, and Bill Isles (1941-2019.) They were originally known as ‘The Mascots,’ and then ‘The Triumphs,’ before deciding on ‘The O’Jays,’they took the name in tribute to the Cleveland radio DJ, Eddie O’Jay. Between 1960-1972 they released five studio Albums, and 33 singles, with their biggest success coming in 1965 with ‘Lipstick Traces (On a Cigarette’) which peaked at Number 48 on Billboard.Shortly before their big breakthrough, when being signed by ‘Philadelphia International ‘ records, the quintet had become a trio with the departure of Bill Isles, and Bobby Massey. The legendary song writing team of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff (see also best songs 1001-725-604 and 322) had formed the ‘Philadelphia International’ label in 1971, and would work with the O’Jays, writing, and producing their next eight studio Albums, through until 1979.

‘Love Train’ was taken from the O’Jays 1972 debut Album for ‘Philadelphia International,’ ‘Backstabbers,’ coincidentally the single entered the Billboard top 40 on January 27th, 1973,the same day that the agreement on ending the war, and restoring peace in Vietnam was signed, and went on to become the O’Jays only Number 1 song on Billboard.

‘All of you brothers in Africa, tell all the folks in Egypt, and Israel too. Please don’t miss this train at the station, ’cause if you miss it, I feel sorry, sorry for you.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER

649-Slade-Cum On Feel the Noize.

1973-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 0.01. Three very noisy babies.

The songs introduction of Noddy Holder shouting ‘Baby, Baby, Baby,’ was only meant to be a microphone test, and not intended for the finished recording, but it appeared everybody liked it, so they kept it in.Slade were formed in 1966 in Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, England, by Neville ‘Noddy’ Holder (lead singer,) Jim Lea (bass guitar) Dave Hill (guitar,) and Don Powell (drums,) the band are still active, with Dave Hill being the only original member. When first forming they called themselves ‘The N’Betweens,’ changing to ‘Ambrose Slade’ in 1969, before finally settling on ‘Slade’ in 1970. They were managed by Chas Chandler (1938-1996) between 1969-1979, who had previously been the manager of Jimi Hendrix, and the bass player with the Rock and R&B band The Animals (see also best songs 851.)

‘Cum On Feel the Noize’ was co-written by Noddy Holder and Jim Lea, together they wrote all six of the bands UK Number 1 singles, and the majority of their 25 top 40 singles. Slade were the best selling act of singles in the UK in the 1970’s, and have sold in excess of 50 million records worldwide. The songs title caused controversy, especially with school teachers, who said that the deliberate misspelling of this, and many other Slade songs, was not setting a good example to school children.

Slade had tried to achieve success in America with extensive touring between 1975-1977, but had failed. In 1983 the American Heavy Metal band Quiet Riot covered this song, taking it to Number 5 on Billboard, and selling over 1 million copies, this finally brought Slade to the attention of the American public, and they finally got a hit in the States when ‘Run Runaway’reached Number 20 in 1984.

‘So come on feel the noise, girls grab your boys, we get wild, wild, wild, we get wild, wild, wild, at your door.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

650-Four Tops-Reach Out I’ll Be There.

1966-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 2.37. The ad lib, ‘Just look over your shoulder.’ Levi Stubbs was a passionate singer, and when he improvised that line, Holland-Dozier-Holland liked it so much, they left it in.

The Four Tops certainly had longevity, having formed in 1953, in Detroit, Michigan, United States, by Levi Stubbs (1936-2008,) Renaldo ‘Obie’ Benson (1936-2005,) Laurence Payton (1938-1997,) and Abdul ‘Duke’ Fakir. The Four Tops still tour to this day, with the only living original member Abdul Fakir, being joined by three others, including Laurence Payton Jr, and the Tamla Motown veteran Ronnie McNeir.

The Four Tops were originally called ‘Four Aims,’ but decided to change their name, to avoid confusion with the American vocal group the ‘Ames Brothers.’For the first seven years of the bands existence, they recorded for four different record labels, releasing four singles, without success, before signing with Motown records, initially recording Jazz standards for one of Tamla Motown’s subsidiary labels, and also singing backing vocals on some Motown songs. Their big break came in 1964 when Motown’s main songwriting, and production team, Holland-Dozier-Holland selected them to record ‘Baby I Need Your Loving,’ which gave them their first hit on Billboard, peaking at Number 11. They would go on to become Motown’s most successful male group, with 17 Billboard top 40 singles, and a further five after leaving the label.

‘Reach Out I’ll Be There’ was co-written by the legendary songwriting, and production team of Holland-Dozier-Holland (see also best songs 969-823-553-411-212 and 148.) The song has become the Four Tops signature track, and like many of the labels songs it features Motown’s in house band ‘The Funk Brothers,’ and the female backing vocals of ‘The Andantes,’ who appear unaccredited.

‘Now if you feel that you can’t go on, because all of your hope is gone, and your life is filled with much confusion, until happiness is just an illusion.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

651-Dooley Wilson-As Time Goes By.

1942-It didn’t chart in the UK until 1977, when reaching Number 15.

Best Bit-At 1.30. Don’t forget, in the film nobody ever said,’Play it again Sam.’

‘As Time Goes By’ was written by Herman Hupfeld (1894-1951) for the 1931 Broadway Musical ‘Everybody’s Welcome,’ in the original show it was sung by Frances Williams, and first recorded by Rudy Vallee (1901-1986,) becoming a minor hit. After the success of the 1942 film ‘Casablanca,’ Brunswick records re-released the song, and it went to Number 1 on Billboard, in the same year. Hupfeld wrote well over 100 songs in his career, with this one being by far his most successful, in 2004 the American Film Institute unveiled it’s list of the top 100 songs from the cinema, from the 20th Century, and this was at Number 2, behind ‘Over the Rainbow,’ sung by Judy Garland (see also best songs 68.)

Arthur ‘Dooley’ Wilson was born on April 3rd, 1886, in Tyler, Texas, United States, he earned his nickname ‘Dooley’ for his ‘whiteface’ impersonation of an Irishman singing a song called ‘Mr Dooley’, he died on May 30th, 1953. Wilson was a drummer, and singer who took up acting in the 1930’s, eventually signing a contract with Paramount Pictures, which led to him being cast in the role of ‘Sam’ for the 1942 film Casablanca. In the film Wilson is seen sat at a piano performing the song at the request of Ingrid Bergman. Wilson couldn’t play the piano to the standard required, so in the film it was overdubbed by the studio pianist Jean Vincent Plummer. Such has been the impact of the film, and Wilson’s rendition of the song, that in 2014 the piano he played was put up for auction at Bonhams in New York, and sold for $3.4 million.

Because of contractual stipulations, meaning Wilson couldn’t release ‘As Time Goes By’ in the aftermath of the films success, two other versions, both recorded in 1931, from Rudy Vallee, and Jacques Renard, were both re-released, reaching Number 1, and Number 3 on Billboard. Wilson’s version finally charted in the UK, reaching Number 15, in 1977.

‘You must remember this, a kiss is just a kiss, a sigh is just a sigh, the fundamental things apply, as time goes by.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER

652-Dizzee Rascal featuring Chrome-Holiday.

2009-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 3.08. One of those wonderful hands in the air moments, where you can dance yourself Dizzee.

Dizzee Rascal was born Dylan Kwabena Mills on September 18th, 1984, in London, England, he was an important player in the development of the musical genre ‘Grime’ in the early 2000’s. His debut Album ‘Boy in da Corner’ was the winner of the 2003 ‘Mercury Prize, he has released seven studio Albums to date, and achieved 20 top 40 singles as the main artist, and a further three as a featured artist. He has had four UK Number 1’s, and another two which were charity singles, also topped the chart.

‘Holiday’ is taken from Dizzee Rascal’s fourth studio Album ‘Tongue n’ Cheek,’ which was a further departure from his ‘Grime’ roots, as he moved towards a more ‘commercial’ sound, alienating some of his fan base. Dizzee Rascal (see also best songs 138) has said,’I live in a country house in Kent now, big pond, big fish, big whatever, and when I first moved in, I had a little pool party kind of thing. Where I lived before I didn’t really invite anyone around, but this time there were about 20 people there, and I suddenly realised that what I needed to do was make an Album you could play all the way through without spoiling the party.’

The songs music was written by Calvin Harris (see also best songs 760-652 and 566,) with the intention of giving it to the girl group The Saturdays, but their management rejected the song. Harris and Dizzee Rascal had teamed up previously for the UK Number 1 single ‘Dance Wit Me’ in 2008, and were joined again by the British singer ‘Chrome’ who also performed on that song, and sang the chorus on this, the lyrics were written by Dizzee Rascal.

‘And when we get there, it’s strictly VIP, no need for ID, security know me.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

653-ZZ Top-Legs,

1984-Number 16 single.

Best Bit-At 0.19. ZZ Top are Billy Gibbons, Frank Beard, and Dusty Hill, can you guess which one doesn’t sport a beard?

The classic line up of ZZ Top were formed in 1969, in Houston, Texas, by Billy Gibbons, born December 16th, 1949, in Houston, Texas, he is the bands lead singer, guitarist, and primary songwriter. Joseph ‘Dusty’ Hill, who was born May 19th, 1949, in Dallas, Texas, who plays bass, and Frank Beard, who was born June 11th, 1949, in Frankston, Texas, and is the bands drummer. It was Gibbons who chose the bands name, he had noticed that many acts such as ‘BB King,’ and ‘ZZ Hill’ used initials, and thought of combining the two into ‘ZZ King,’ but considered it too similar to the Blues legends name, so as he had always thought of King as a top performer, he came up with ZZ Top. To date the band have released 15 studio Albums, and sold in excess of 50 million records.

‘Legs’ is taken from the bands eighth studio Album ‘Eliminator,’ from 1983, which continued a shift towards a more radio friendly commercial sound, which wouldn’t have please some of their long term fans, who grew up listening to the more rawer Blues Rock the band had played in the 1970’s. ‘Eliminator’ was heavily influenced by the ‘new’ Electronic synthesizers used by bands such as Depeche Mode, and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark.

Billy Gibbons has explained how ‘Legs’ came about.’I was driving in Los Angeles, and there was this unusual downpour, and there was a real pretty girl on the side of the road. I passed her, and then I thought,well I’d better pull over, or at least turn around and offer her a ride, and by the time I got back she was gone. Her legs were the first thing I noticed. Then I noticed she had a Brooke Shields hairdo that was in danger of falling. She was not going to get wet. She had legs and she knew how to use them.’

‘She’s got legs, she knows how to use them, she never begs, she knows how to choose them.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

654-The Fratellis-Chelsea Dagger.

2006-Number 5 single.

Best Bit-At 0.33.’Do-do-do-do-do-do.’ The songs writer, John Lawler has said,’It came to me really quickly. I was going,’Do-do-do-do-do-do,’ and it was so easy to write, that I couldn’t believe nobody had ever used the melody before.’

The Fratellis were formed in Glasgow, Scotland in 2005, after John Lawler responded to an advert placed in a music shop by the bands future drummer Gordon McRory, the were joined soon after by the bass player Barry Wallace. They took the bands name from the criminal family in the 1985 American comedy film ‘The Goonies.’To date they have released five studio Albums, and have achieved five UK top singles. They were active between 2005-2009, and after a three year break, they reformed. In September 2006 they released their critically acclaimed debut Album ‘Costello Music,’ the success of the Album led to them winning the ‘Brit Award for the best Breakthrough Act’ in 2007.

‘Chelsea Dagger’ is taken from the bands debut Album’Costello Music.’ John Lawler wrote the song for his wife Heather, who worked as a burlesque dancer with the stage name ‘Chelsea Dagger,’ her stage name is a play on the name ‘Britney Spears.’ Heather performed at the ‘Club Noir’ in Glasgow, which was the biggest burlesque venue in the world, until it closed in 2017.

The song has become an anthem for sports teams all over the world, the first team to adopt it were Celtic football club, it is often played at Chelsea football club as well. The song has also been used in the North American National Hockey League, Australian Rugby League, by the Professional Darts Corporation, and many more sporting events, and teams, play the song.

‘Someone said you were asking after me, but I know you best as a blagger. I said tell me your name, is it sweet? She said, my boy it’s Dagger.