THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

588-The Crusaders-Street Life.

1979-Number 5 single.

Best Bit-At 1.27. The Crusaders were Jazz musicians, they played Jazz. they played Jazz fusion, they played Soul Jazz, and they played Jazz Funk….’Niiice.’

The classic lineup of Joe Sample (1939-2014) (piano,) Wilton Felder (1940-2015) (saxophone,) and Nesbert ‘Stix’ Hooper (drums,) first met at high school in Houston, Texas, United States, and formed their first band ‘The Swingsters’ in 1954, These were the three musicians who played as The Crusaders on their most successful Album ‘Street Life,’ from 1979. Soon after their formation they were joined by Wayne Henderson (1939-2014) (trombone,) he would stay with the band until 1976. Other early members were Hubert Laws (flute,) and Henry Wilson (bass.)

In 1960 the band changed their name to the ‘Jazz Crusaders,’ releasing 16 studio, and live Albums between 1961-1970. In 1970 the group changed record labels, and the decision was taken to shorten the name to ‘The Crusaders,’ in an attempt to widen their potential audience. As The Crusaders there have been a further 22 Album releases between 1971-2004, all of the band members have also worked with other artists, and also released solo material.

Randy Crawford was born Veronica Crawford on February 18th, 1952, in Macon, Georgia, United States. She achieved her big breakthrough when singing on The Crusaders 1979 song ‘Street Life’ as the unaccredited vocalist, leading to a very successful solo career. She had already released three solo Albums prior to ‘Street Life,’ and would have her fourth ‘Now We May Begin’ produced by Felder, Hooper, and Sample, which included her 1980 UK Number 2 single,’One Day I’ll Fly Away.’ Randy Crawford released a total of 16 studio Albums between 1976-2008.

‘Street Life’ was co-written by Joe Sample, and the prolific songwriter Will Jennings.Other songs he has written lyrics for include ‘My Heart Will Go On,’ a 1998 UK Number 1 for Celine Dion (see also best songs 220,) ‘Tears in Heaven,’ with Eric Clapton, and ‘Up Where We Belong,’ a 1982 Billboard Number 1 single for Joe Cocker and Jenifer Warnes. An inspiration for the song was the beginner’s ski slope at ‘Mammoth Mountain’ in California, Joe Sample said,’I saw people falling, running into each other, it was absolute chaos. It looked like a boulevard of madness, and I said.’That’s what street life is.”

‘There’s always love for sale, a grown up fairy tale. Prince Charming always smiles, behind a silver spoon.’