THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

516-Black Box Recorder-England Made Me.

1998-Number 89 single.

Best Bit-At 0.59. Don’t get this lot confused with ‘Ride On Time,’ (see also best songs 501) they haven’t got a lot in common.

Black Box Recorder were formed in London, England, in 1998 by Luke Haines, John Moore, and Sarah Nixey. They were active until unofficially splitting in 2003 to work on solo projects, but they did reform again in 2007, until the final parting of the ways in 2010.Luke Michael Haines was born on October 7th, 1967, in Walton-on-Thames, England, he is best known as the co-founder of the Alternative Rock group ‘The Auteurs’ who were active between 1991-1999, releasing four studio Albums. Haines has claimed that The Auteurs debut Album ‘New Wave’ from 1993 started ‘Britpop.’Black Box Recorder were formed by Haines, and the former drummer of ‘The Jesus and Mary Chain’ (1986-1988) John Moore, they persuaded Sarah Nixey to join them as lead vocalist, by promising her that she would become famous. Moore and Nixey were married in 2001, and had a child, but they divorced in 2006.

Black Box Recorder were critically acclaimed, releasing three studio Albums, and a compilation ‘The Worst of Black Box Recorder’ in 2001, which brought together tracks from the bands first two Albums, plus their singles ‘B’ sides. They released eight singles, with ‘The Facts of Life’ being their only UK top 40 entry, reaching Number 20 in 2000.’England Made Me’ was the second single released from Black Box Recorder’s debut Album, and was the title track, it was written by Haines, and Moore, as were all of the other tracks on the Album, with the exception of a cover version of the Althea & Donna song ‘Uptown Top Ranking.’The songs lyrics are a reflection on growing up in England, and trying to escape the mundane existence of everyday life by imagining exciting, and dangerous situations.

‘I trapped a spider underneath a glass, I kept it for a week to see how long he’d last. He stared right back at me, he thought that he could win. We played a waiting game, he thought that I’d give in.’