THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

633-The B-52’s-Love Shack.

1989-Number 2 Single.

Best Bit-At 3.48 Fred Schneider exclaims ‘You’re what!,’ to which Cindy Wilson replies.’Tin roof rusted.’ This is Southern American slang, meaning she’s pregnant.

The B-52’s were formed in Athens, Georgia, United States, in 1976 by Fred Schneider (vocals,) Kate Pierson (vocals, and keyboards,) Keith Strickland (drums,) Cindy Wilson (vocals,) and her brother Ricky Wilson (1953-1985,) (lead guitar.) They took their name from a particular hairdo, resembling the nose cone of the Boeing B-52 aircraft, which Kate Pierson, and Cindy Wilson wore in performances during the bands first decade. To date they have released seven studio Albums, the first in 1979, and the latest in 2008.

In 1985 one of the bands founding members Ricky Wilson died of Aids at the age of 32, which affected all the other members, who went on hiatus until reforming 1988, and continuing as a four piece. It was the release of their fifth studio Album ‘Cosmic Thing’ in 1989 which took them from a cult following, to mainstream success, particularly with the release of the second single off the Album,’Love Shack.’ The songs inspiration came from a real club outside of Athens, Georgia, called the ‘Hawaiian Ha-Le,’ where the band would meet up, Cindy Wilson has said,’I personally was thinking about this bar that was out in the country, it was a really cool place, a run-down love shack kind of thing, but it was a disco. It was a really interesting place.’ For Kate Pierson, the actual love shack for her was where she lived in the 1970’s, in a five room cabin where the band would sometimes work on songs such as ‘Rock Lobster,’ and ‘Planet Claire.’ Pierson has said,’ It really was set back in the middle of a field, with no plumbing, or running water, but it did have a tin roof.’ Unfortunately the building isn’t there anymore, as it burned down in 2004, the reason being arson.

‘Hop in my Chrysler, it’s as big as a whale, and it’s about to set sail. I got me a car, it seats about twenty, so come on and bring your jukebox money.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

634-Lena Horne-Stormy Weather.

1941-Has never charted in the UK. There was no UK chart until 1952.

Best Bit-At 0.12.As the old saying goes,’It never rains, but it pours.’

‘Stormy Weather’ was written in 1933 by Harold Arlen (1905-1986,) who composed the music, and Ted Koehler (1894-1973,) who wrote the lyrics, Other collaborations between the two include ‘Get Happy from 1930. and ‘Let’s Fall in Love,’ from 1933. Harold Arlen wrote the music for over 500 songs, collaborating with other lyricists including Johnny Mercer (see also best songs 934-281 and 68.)

The first recording of ‘Stormy Weather’ was in 1933 by Ethel Waters (1896-1977,) who also first sang the song at ‘The Cotton Night Club’ in Harlem, New York City, United States, also in 1933.Perhaps the most famous version of the song is this one by Lena Horne (1917-2010,) she recorded it for the first time in 1941, but when appearing in the 1943 movie of the same name, she re-recorded it. In 1957 she once again redid the song, as the title track of what would be her seventh studio Album.

Lena Horne was born on June 30th, 1917, in New York City, United States, she was a singer, dancer, and actress. She appeared in 24 films, and there are 53 official Albums of her music available, spanning her career through until her last release ‘Seasons of a Life’ recorded between 1993-1997, but not made available until 2006.

‘Stormy Weather is a ‘Torch Song,’ which is typically a sentimental love song, where the singer laments an unrequited, or lost love. In ‘Stormy Weather’ the weather is a metaphor for the feelings of the singer. The song has been recorded by dozens of artists including Billie Holiday, in 1955, Ringo Starr in 1969, Bob Dylan in 2017, and there is a ‘Disco’ version of the song by Viola Wills, recorded in 1982. In 1991 the Australian band Crowded House paid homage to the song on their hit ‘Weather With You,’ with the lyrics,’Walking ’round the room singing stormy weather.’

‘When he went away, the Blues walked in and met me.If he stays away, old rocking chair will get me.