THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

559-Buffalo Springfield-For What It’s Worth (Stop, Hey What’s That Sound.)

1967-Has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 0.01.The name of the song came about when Stephen Stills presented the song to the record company executive, ‘I have this song here, for what it’s worth, if you want.’

Buffalo Springfield were formed in Los Angeles, California, United States in 1966 by the Canadian musicians Neil Young (see also best songs 602,) Bruce Palmer (1946-2004,) and Dewey Martin (1940-2009,) they were joined by the American musicians Stephen Stills, and Richie Furay. They were active through until 1968, releasing three studio Albums, and nine singles, of which this song provided them with their only Billboard top 10 single, when reaching Number 7 in 1968. Stills, Nash, and Furay reformed in 2010-2012 to tour, and have since been officially on indefinite hiatus.Buffalo Springfield are remembered as one of the originators in the development of the musical genre ‘Folk Rock,’ they also introduced ‘Psychedelic Rock’ in to their music on their second Album. The bands name was taken from a brand of steamroller made by the ‘Buffalo-Springfield Roller Company. After the band split Stephen Stills went on to form the ‘supergroup’ Crosby, Stills and Nash, with Neil Young joining them after a brief solo career (see also best songs 417.) Furay went on to form the Country Rock band ‘Poco,’ along with Jim Messina who had joined Buffalo Springfield in 1968.

‘For What It’s Worth (Stop, Hey What’s That Sound’) was written by Stephen Stills, who was born on January 3rd, 1945, in Dallas, Texas, United States. The part of the songs title in brackets is so that people can identify better which song it is. The song has been adopted as an anti war song, but in fact was written by Stills about youth gatherings, protesting anti-loitering laws, and the closing of the West Hollywood Nightclub,’Pandora’s Box’ in 1966.After the songs success it was added to the bands self titled re-issued debut Album in place of the track ‘Baby Don’t Scold Me,’ another Stephen Stills composition.

‘There’s something happening here, but what it is ain’t exactly clear.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

560-Barry White-You See the Trouble With Me.

1976-Number 2 single.

Best Bit- At 2.28. Barry White was affectionately nicknamed ‘The Walrus of Love.’ I would imagine he had at least 20 master bedrooms, and 10 refrigerators in his love nest.

Barry Eugene Carter was born on September 12th, 1944, in Galveston, Texas, United States, he died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on July 4th, 2003. Barry White had been overweight for all of his adult life, and suffered from related health problems.While undergoing dialysis, and waiting for a kidney transplant, he suffered a severe stroke, which he never recovered from.

Having a career as a singer was not White’s intention when he started out in music. His first ventures were in songwriting, and producing, with his co-write with Paul Politi of the song ‘I Feel Love Comin’ On,’ reaching Number 11 in the UK in 1967 when recorded by Felice Taylor (1944-2017.) In 1972 he took over the handling of the female vocal trio ‘Love Unlimited,’ and in 1973 White created the 40 piece orchestral group’The Love Unlimited Orchestra.’ His next task was to find a male singer to perform his songs, but after recording demos, he was persuaded to release the songs himself, although reluctant at that time to perform on stage.

Barry White (see also best songs 560 and 476) would go on to sell in excess of 100 million records, making him one of the worlds best selling artists.In total he recorded 19 solo studio Albums between 1973-1999, and achieved 16 UK top 40 singles, including the 1974 Number 1 ‘You’re the First, the Last, My Everything.’ On Billboard he topped the singles chart also in 1974 with ‘Can’t Get Enough of Your Love Babe.’ There were five studio Album releases by ‘Love Unlimited,’ and a further 10 recorded with ‘The Love Unlimited Orchestra.’

‘You See the Trouble With Me’ was taken from Barry White’s fifth solo studio Album ‘Let the Music Play’ from 1976, and was co-written by White and Ray Parker Jr. Parker Jr. was born on May 1st, 1954, in Detroit, Michigan, United States. After starting out as member of Hamilton Bohannon’s house band in the late 1960’s, he would go on top write and produce, and do session work for many of the worlds biggest artists. He also had a solo career as a singer, and will always be best known for his 1984 Billboard Number 1 single ‘Ghostbusters.’

This is one of three songs on this countdown that appear twice in recordings by different artists (see also best songs 931-863-214-145 and 112.) In the year 2000 the Dance Music producer ‘Black Legend’ took his version of this song to Number 1 in the UK, and like the Barry White original it too sold around 200,000 copies (see also best songs 931.)

‘I’m like a blind man who lost his way, I can’t see nothin,’I’m like a deaf man who can’t relay, yeah, I can’t hear nothin.”

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

561-Bobby Byrd-Hot Pants (I’m Coming.)

1971-Has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 0.30. If you are too young to know what hot pants are, then my advice is download some images.

Bobby Howard Byrd was born on August 15th, 1934, in Toccoa, Georgia, United States, he died from cancer on September 12th, 2007, aged 73.Bobby Byrd first met James Brown (see also best songs 880-349-270 and 88) in 1952, Brown was a pitcher on the baseball team in the Georgia youth prison where he was an inmate after being convicted of car burglary. Byrd was playing for a local team, who had come to the prison for a game. The two of them hit it off, and after Brown’s release, Byrd invited him to join his musical group ‘The Avons,’ who would later become ‘The Flames,’ and then ‘The Famous Flames.’ Byrd and Brown had an on and off working relationship until 1973, with their sound evolving from ‘Do Wop,’ to ‘R&B,’ to ‘Soul,’ and then becoming leading exponents in the new musical genre that was to become known as ‘Funk.’

‘Hot Pants (I’m Coming’) should not be confused with the James Brown song of the same name ‘Hot Pants (She Got to Use What She Got to Get What She Wants,’) which Bobby Byrd played the organ on. When Brown and Byrd, and the ‘J.B.’s’ were touring Europe, they had seen girls wearing the garment known as ‘Hot Pants,’ and that was where the inspiration for the song came from.

It has been hotly disputed how much input Bobby Byrd had on many of James Brown’s recordings, but the chances are his influence is far greater than the songwriting credits would have you believe. Many of Byrd’s songs have been sampled over the years, including this songs famous drumbeat, which was played by John ‘Jabo’ Starks (1938-2018.)The most famous sampling of the drumbeat was by The Stone Roses on their 1989 song ‘Fools Gold’ (see also best songs 253.)The most successful collaboration between Byrd and Brown is their 1970 recording ‘Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine,’ which is a call and response song, where Brown sings ‘Get up, and Byrd responds,’Get on up.'(see also best songs 88.)

‘I can’t knock it,’cause I need to rock it. This day or night, yesterday was the wrong day, I missed you the wrong way.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

562-Eurythmics-Here Comes the Rain Again.

1984-Number 8 single.

Best Bit-At 2.35. No expense spared, there’s a 30 piece orchestra playing on this.

The Eurythmics were formed in 1980, in Wagga Wagga, Australia, by Dave Stewart, and Annie Lennox. The pair had first met in a London restaurant in 1975, where Lennox was working at that time. They first played together in 1976 in the Punk Rock band ‘The Catch,’ who after one unsuccessful single release evolved into ‘The Tourists.’ With The Tourists they released three studio Albums, and six singles, of which four made the UK top 40 between 1979-1980.It was during this period that Stewart and Lennox were romantically involved, but both felt stifled at ‘The Tourists’ lack of creativity, and they decided that they wanted to branch out on their own as a duo, even so their romance had come to an end.

David Allan Stewart was born on September 9th, 1952, in Sunderland, England, and Ann Lennox was born on December 25th, 1954, in Aberdeen, Scotland. As the Eurythmics they have released eight studio Albums between 1981-1999, and achieved 23 UK top 40 singles, including the 1995 chart topper ‘There Must Be an Angel (Playing with My Heart’.) The Eurythmics were active between 1980-1990, and again between 1999-2005, with both artists pursuing very successful solo careers in the interim. The bands name ‘Eurythmics’ came about from a method of teaching music through movement, developed by the Swiss musician Emile Jaques-Dalccroze (1865-1950,) Lennox had studied it while a student.

‘Here Comes the Rain Again’ was the third single releases from the Eurythmics third studio Album ‘Touch’ from 1984, and was co-written by David Stewart, and Annie Lennox. The string arrangements were by Michael Kamen (1948-2003,) who was an American composer, especially of film scores, and performed by members of the British Philharmonic Orchestra. Stewart has said that the song was written while he and Lennox were staying at the Mayflower Hotel in New York.It was an overcast day, and while Stewart was playing a melancholy melody on his keyboard, Lennox looked out the window at the grey skies over the New York skyline and spontaneously sang ‘Here comes the rain again,’

‘Here Comes the Rain Again’ is probably a song about unrequited love. The narrator wants the one she loves to share the same feelings, but when they don’t, she gets depressed.

‘So baby talk to me like lovers do, walk with me like lovers do, Talk to me like lovers do.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

563-Fine Young Cannibals-Johnny Come Home.

1985-Number 8 single.

Best Bit-At 0.44. The age of 17 is the most used number in ‘Pop’ lyrics (see also best songs 353,) and ‘Johnny’ must be the most used name. From the 50’s Rock N’ Roll classic, ‘Johnny B Goode,'(see also best songs 30) to the 60’s Pop of ‘Johnny Remember Me,’ and ‘Johnny Angel,’ to the 1980’s, and that guy who sings ‘Be, Bop, A, Lua, Baby,’ in the Dire Straits song ‘Walk of Life,’ are just some of many examples.

The Fine Young Cannibals were formed in 1984, in Birmingham, England, by Andy Cox (guitar,) David Steele (bass guitar, synthesizers, piano, and drum machine,) and Roland Gift (vocals.) They took their name from the 1960 film ‘All the Fine Young Cannibals.’ Cox and Steele had both previously been members of the Ska band The Beat, known in America and Canada as ‘The English Beat,’ and in Australia as ‘The British Beat.’ With The Beat, Cox and Steele recorded three studio Albums between 1980-1982, and were involved in the writing of six of their eight UK hit singles (which would be eight if you include the bands two double ‘A’ sided singles.)

When The Beat split in 1983, Cox and Steele auditioned for a lead singer for their next project which would become The Fine Young Cannibals. Their choice was Roland Lee Gift who was born on May 28th, 1961, in Birmingham, England. His previous musical experience had been as the lead singer of the Hull based Ska band ‘Akrylykz,’ who had released two singles in 1980 without success, but had toured as the opening act for The Beat, The Specials, Madness, and The Clash.The Fine Young Cannibals stayed together for eight years, until 1992, releasing just two studio Albums, and achieving eight UK top 40 singles. They also had great success in America, where two of their songs, ‘She Drives Me Crazy,’ and ‘Good Thing,’ were both Billboard Number 1’s. Between the release of their self titled 1985 Album, and their 1989 Album,’ The Raw & the Cooked,’ Cox and Steele had chart success with their side project ‘Two Men, A Drum Machine and A Trumpet,’ while Gift pursued an acting career, appearing in the 1987 film ‘Sammy and Rosie Get Laid.’ and the 1989 film ‘Scandal.’

‘Johnny Come Home’ was taken from The Fine Young Cannibals self titled debut Album from 1985, and was co-written by Steele, and Gift, with all three band members credited as the songs producers. The song tells of ‘Johnny’ leaving home because of tensions in the family, even if it means he has to sleep rough, it is better than living with at least one alcoholic parent. His parents plead with him to come home, promising to change their ways.

‘What is wrong in my life, that I must get drunk every night?’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

564-N.W.A.-Straight Outta Compton.

1988-Has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 0.24. After listening to Ice Cube’s opening verse, I think I would rather be his friend than his enemy.

N.W.A.(see also best songs 126) is an abbreviation for ‘Niggaz Wit Attitudes,’ who were formed in 1987, in Compton, California, United States, by Eric Lynn Wright (Easy-E) (1964-1995,) Andre Young (Dr. Dre,) O’Shea Jackson (Ice Cube,) Lorenzo Patterson (MC Ren,) Antoine Carraby (DJ Yella,) and Kim Nazel (Arabian Prince.) N.W.A. were the first group to make a commercial breakthrough with the genre of music that would become known as ‘Gangsta Rap,’ with the release of their debut Album ‘Straight Outta Compton’ in 1988. ‘Gangsta Rap’ was initially called ‘Reality Rap,’ and emerged in the mid 1980’s, describing the culture, and values that were typical of American street gangs. N.W.A. have said that they were heavily influenced by the Philadelphia Rapper Schooley D, and the Los Angeles Rapper Ice-T, who were both early exponents of the genre.

‘Straight Outta Compton’ details the everyday ups and downs of gangsta life on the streets of South Central, Los Angeles, with critics accusing the group of glorifying the gangsta lifestyle.The opening verse is rapped by Ice Cube (see also best songs 681) with MC Ren delivering the second, and Easy-E (see also best songs 802) the third. Dr Dre (see also best songs 544-482-128 and 48) does the intro, as well as introducing Easy E’s verse. Ice Cube who wrote the majority of the lyrics has said,’The parents, the police, and the people of the local community are scared of what we say.We use the same kind of language as the kids use everyday.In the black community, the ministers, and teachers don’t deny that the problems we rap about exist, but they’d rather sweep it under the rug.’ Ice Cube in later years has also admitted to being a hot headed angry young man at that time.

In 2015 a biographical drama film called ‘Straight Outta Compton’ was made, depicting how the group got together, and changed the Rap world forever. In the film Ice Cube is played by his son O’Shea Jackson Jr. Ice Cube, and Dr Dre worked on the films production, with Dr Dre also releasing the films soundtrack ‘Compton,’ as his third studio Album, and his first since 2001.

‘You are now about to witness the strength of street knowledge

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

565-Faces-Pool Hall Richard.

1973-Number 8 single.

Best Bit-At 4.20. If you don’t think the song is ‘SMASHING’ by now you never will.

Faces were formed in 1969 after Steve Marriott (1947-1991) left the Small Faces (see also best songs 1048 and 872) to form Humble Pie. The remaining three Small Faces, Ian McLagan (1945-2014,) (keyboards,) Ronnie Lane (1946-1997,) (bass guitar, and vocals,) and Kenney Jones (drums,) joined with Ronnie Wood (guitar,) and Rod Stewart (vocals,) who had both just left ‘The Jeff Beck Group,’ to form the Faces. The new bands record label wanted to stick with the ‘Small Faces’ name for marketing purposes, but the group insisted on dropping the ‘Small,’ stating that the new members Wood, and Stewart were 5’9” and 5’10” respectively.

The Faces (see also best songs 70) were active until 1975 releasing four studio Albums, and 10 singles. of which four entered the UK top 20. As well as being the bands lead singer, Rod Stewart (see also best songs 965-206-179-70 and 34) also had a very successful solo career running concurrently with his time with the Faces. Ronnie Lane left the band shortly before the recording of this song, stating his frustration at, has he saw it, the lack of opportunities to contribute new songs, and take the lead vocal, Lane would later develop multiple sclerosis, and he passed away on June 4th, 1997.Lane was replaced by the Japanese bass guitarist Tetsu Yamauchi, who played on this song, and the bands final Album release, the live recording ‘Coast to Coast; Overture and Beginners,’ from 1974. In 1978 drummer Kenney Jones joined The Who as the replacement for the recently deceased Keith Moon, Ronnie Wood joined The Rolling Stones, and has played on all 11 of their studio Albums since 1976, and keyboard player Ian McLagan also joined The Rolling Stones as part of their touring band, as well as playing electric piano on their 1978 single ‘Miss You’ (see also best songs 160.)

‘Pool Hall Richard’ was released as a stand alone single in 1973, and was co-written by Rod Stewart, and Ronnie Wood. The songs narrator is a pool player, but knows he has met his match in his opponent, who goes by the nickname of ‘Pool Hall Richard.’ He is in awe of his talent, and also thinks that he could take his lady as well, if he wanted to.

‘You ought to hear the silence when the kid walks in, his reputation’s bigger than gasoline. I don’t mind but he’s tryin’ to fill my lady too.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

566-Rihanna-Where Have You Been.

2012-Number 6 single.

Best Bit-At 2.15. Good ideas can emerge from the most of unlikely places.

‘Where Have You Been’ is loosely based around the 1959 Australian Country Music song ‘I’ve Been Everywhere,’ written by the Australian singer/songwriter Geoff Mack (1922-2017.) In Mack’s original version, he lists some of the places he has visited, whereas in Rihanna’s version she states that she has been everywhere in search of a sexual partner, who can please her all night long. The Geoff Mack song has been covered many times, notably by the Australian singer ‘Lucky Starr,’ who reached Number 1 on the Australian ‘Sydney’ chart in 1962, and in the same year by Hank Snow (1914-1999) who took his re-written ‘American friendly’ lyrics to Number 1 on the Billboard Country chart.

Robyn Rihanna Fenty (see also best songs 858) was born on February 20th, 1988, in Saint Michael, Barbados, to date her record sales are in advance of 250 million. She has released eight studio Albums between 2005-2016, and 75 singles. of which 52 have been as lead artist. In the UK she has had eight Number 1 songs as lead artist, and a further three as a featured artist.In America she has achieved 14 Billboard Number 1 singles, and a further 31 top 10 hits. Her hit single collaborations include ‘Umbrella,’ with Jay Z, ‘The Monster,’ with Eminem, and ‘FourFiveSeconds,’ with Paul McCartney, and Kanye West.’Where Have You Been’ was the third internationally released single from Rihanna’s sixth studio Album ‘Talk That Talk’ from 2011. Songwriting credits are attributed to Ester Dean (see also best songs 858) Dr Luke, Calvin Harris (see also best songs 760 and 652,) and Henry ‘Cirkut’ Walter, the later three along with Kuk Harrell also produced the song.

‘I’ve been everywhere man, looking for someone. Someone who can please me, love me all night long.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

567-Frank Sinatra & Sammy Davis Jr.-Me and My Shadow.

1962-Number 20 single.

Best Bit-At 2.28.’There’s no business like show business.’

‘Me and My Shadow’ was written in 1927 by Billy Rose (1899-1966,) who provided the lyrics, and Dave Dreyer (1894-1967) who was responsible for the music. Officially the singer Al Jolson (1885-1950) (see also best songs 310) is also credited as a co-writer, but his input would have been minimal, as he would often insist on having his name added to a song he was willing to record, although he only performed the song live, never getting around to producing a studio version.’Me and My Shadow’ has become a standard over the years with dozens of artists stamping their interpretation on it. One of the earliest recordings was by ‘Whispering’ Jack Smith (1896-1950,) in 1927. The American entertainer Ted Lewis (1890-1971) first performed the song in 1928, and for the rest of his career would use it to close his act. The comedy double act Morecambe and Wise recorded a parody version in 1961, and more recently Robbie Williams with Jonathan Wilkes duetted the song for Williams 2001 Album ‘Swing When Your Winning.’

Frank Sinatra (see also best songs 877-567-469-120 and 73) & Sammy Davis Jr. recorded the song twice. The first time was in 1958 for Capitol Records, conducted by Nelson Riddle, and released on the Album ‘Classic Duets.’This version of the song was recorded in 1962 for the ‘Reprise’ records label, with the arrangement by Billy May. The songs ‘B’ side is a duet between Sammy Davis Jr., and Dean Martin, singing ‘Sams Song.’

Sammy Davis Jr. was born on December 8th, 1925, in New York City, United States, he died on May 16th, 1990 from throat cancer. He is recognised as one of the greatest all round entertainers of the 20th Century, appearing in numerous films, and television programmes, including his own shows ‘The Sammy Davis Jr. Show’ in 1966, and the ‘Sammy and Company’ show between 1975-1977.He recorded numerous Albums during his career including an unreleased Album for ‘Motown’ records in 1970. He achieved 10 Billboard top 40 singles, the first being ‘Hey There,’ in 1954, and the last being ‘The Candy Man,’ his only Billboard Number 1, in 1972.

‘We’re closer than smog when it clings to L.A., we’re closer than Bobby is to JFK.’