THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

568-The Drifters-Saturday Night at the Movies

1964-It didn’t chart until re-issued in 1972, when reaching Number 3.

Best Bit-At 0.36. The Drifters must have been very partial to a night out at the movies, because I can recall another occasion when they told us what they got up to when sitting in the back row.

The Drifters are one, if not the longest running act in Pop music, having formed in New York City, United States in 1953.Since their inception there has been a total of 43 different group members, with several splinter groups being formed by former members, usually identified with a ‘possessive credit’ such as ‘Bill Pinkney’s Original Drifters.’

The Drifters have had nine lead singers appear on their chart hits between 1953-1976, with perhaps the best acknowledged being Clyde McPhatter (1932-1972,) a band member between 1953-1955, Johnny Moore (1934-1998,) who joined the band in 1954, and intermittently was in and out of the band until his death in 1998, and Ben E. King (1938-2015.) a member between 1958-1960, before rejoining again in 1981-1985 (see also best songs 804.)

‘Saturday Night at the Movies’ was added to The Drifters fifth studio Album ‘The Good Life With The Drifters’ released in 1965, with lead vocals by Johnny Moore. The song reached Number 18 on Billboard in 1964, but wasn’t a hit until re-issued in the UK in 1972 as a double ‘A’ side with ‘At the Club.’ The success of the song led to a renewed interest in the band, as their current record label ‘Bell’ released new material, which gave the band eight consecutive top 40 singles between 1973-1976.

‘Saturday Night at the Movies’ was co-written by the legendary song writing duo of the husband and wife team Barry Mann, who provided the melody, and Cynthia Weil who wrote the lyrics (see also best songs 782 and 247.) Mann and Weil were also responsible for providing The Drifters with their 1963 Billboard Number 9 hit single ‘On Broadway.’

‘Who cares what picture you see, when your huggin’ with your baby in the last row in the balcony.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

569-The Temptations-Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone.

1972-Number 14 single.

Best Bit-At 3.53. The legend is that the songs lead singer Dennis Edwards thought that the songs co-writer Norman Whitfield was trying to aggravate him with the songs opening line,’It was the 3rd of September, that day I’ll always remember, yes I will,’cause that was the day my daddy died.’ Edwards father was said to have died on that date, but he actually found out later it had been October 3rd. Whitfield said that he chose the date because it fit in well with the song, he said he had no idea when Edwards’ father had died.

The Temptations (see also best songs 1031 and 777) were formed in Detroit, Michigan, United States in 1960, they remain active, with the bands one constant being Otis Williams, who was born October 30th, 1941, in Texarkana, Texas, United States, he currently owns the rights to the bands name ‘The Temptations.’ Over the 60 plus years there have been 25 different band members, but the five who performed on this song were Dennis Edwards (1943-2018,) Damon Harris (1950-2013,) Richard Street (1942-2013,) Melvin Franklin (1942-1995,) and Otis Williams.

‘Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone’ was taken from The Temptations 15th studio Album ‘All Directions’ from 1972. The song was co-written by Norman Whitfield (1940-2008,) (see also best songs 911-777-533-480-346 and 233) and Barrett Strong who had recorded Tamla Motown’s first million selling single ‘Money (That’s What I Want’) in 1959. ‘Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone’ was originally written in 1971, and first recorded by fellow Motown group ‘The Undisputed Truth,’ but when released as a single got no higher than Number 63 on Billboard in 1972. Whitfield who was always trying to push the barriers, reworked the song in to a near 12 minute epic, filling the song with long instrumental parts. This didn’t please everyone, with some saying that The Temptations were only playing a bit part, while Whitfield put the music first.

Lead vocals on the track were performed by Dennis Edwards, Melvin Franklin, and Richard Street, who sang a verse each, taking on the roles of siblings questioning their mother about their now dead father.This was the last classic Motown song to be recorded at the original famous ‘Studio A’ in Detroit, as most of Motown’s studio work had moved to Los Angeles by then, but The Temptations chose to record this in Detroit.

‘Hey Momma, is it true what they say, that Papa never worked a day in his life, and Momma, some bad talk goin’ ’round town sayin’ that Papa had three outside children.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER

570-Jermaine Jackson-Let’s Get Serious.

1980-Number 8 single.

Best Bit-At 2.50. When his four brothers in The Jackson Five left Motown in 1975 to join Epic Records, Jermaine was the only one who stayed with the label.It is possible that his decision was made because at that time he was married to Hazel Gordy, the daughter of Motown owner Berry Gordy.

Jermaine La Jaune Jackson was born on December 11th, 1954, in Gary, Indiana, United States, he is the forth oldest of the 10 Jackson children (Brandon died shortly after his birth in 1957.) The Jackson Five first signed with ‘Steeltown Records’ in 1967, and released their first single ‘Big Boy,’ which failed to chart. Success came when signing with Motown Records in 1969, when their first single release ‘I Want You Back’ went to Number 1 on Billboard, and Number 2 in the UK.(see also best songs 812-511-249-191 and 137.) Along with his brother Michael, Jermaine pursued a solo career in the early 1970’s, reaching Number 9 on Billboard in 1973 with ‘Daddy’s Home,’

After his brothers parted with Motown in 1975, Jermaine struggled to stay successful as a solo artist. Berry Gordy became concerned that his son-in-law’s career was waning, so approached fellow Motown artist Stevie Wonder, who provided three songs for Jermaine’s sixth studio Album ‘Let’s Get Serious,’ released in 1980.

‘Let’s Get Serious’ was co-written by Stevie Wonder (see also best songs 920-843-834-682-503-366-205-152 and 65) and his long term collaborator Lee Garrett. Wonder also produced the song, sang some of the vocals, and played numerous instruments on the track.Lee Garrett was born on June 30th, 1943, in Mississippi, United States. Other songs he co-wrote with Wonder include ‘Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours,’ and ‘It’s a Shame’ (see also best songs 834.) Garrett released one solo studio Album in 1976, which produced his only hit single,’You’re My Everything,’ which reached Number 15 in the UK. Like Stevie Wonder, Garrett is also blind.

‘Longing for each other just ain’t fair, when we’ve got so much we wanna share.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

571-Archie Bell & the Drells-Here I Go Again.

1969-It didn’t chart in the UK until 1972, when reaching Number 11.

Best Bit-At 0.05. There have been some unusual names for backing groups over the years. According to my research ‘Drell’ is a fairly uncommon surname, but is in use. In science fiction a Drell is a ‘Reptilian Humanoid,’ that evolved on the arid world of ‘Rakhana,’ but the most likely reason this band were called the ‘Drells,’ is because it rhymes with ‘Bell.’

Archie Bell was born on September 1st, 1944, in Henderson,Texas, United States. He is the second oldest of seven brothers, his brother Ricky Bell, (1955-1984) was a professional American football player, Bell is also related to the record producer Thom Bell (see also best songs 765.)

Archie Bell formed ‘Archie Bell & the Drells’ in 1966, with his friends James Wise, Willie Parnell, and Billy Butler, they were active until 1981, but reformed to tour some 20 years later, which continued until 2016. They released seven studio Albums between 1968-1979, the first three were on ‘Atlantic Records’, and the other four were recorded for ‘Philadelphia International’ records. There was also an eighth Album released on ‘Becket Records’ in 1981, which was the only solo Album recorded by Archie Bell. On the singles chart their biggest success was ‘Tighten Up,’ which gave them a Billboard Number 1 song in 1968, although it never charted in the UK. While in the UK, this song was their biggest hit, but failed to make the American chart.

‘Here I Go Again’ was co-written by the legendary song writing duo of Kenny Gamble, and Leon Huff (see also best songs 1001-896-725-648 and 322,) and was taken from Archie Bell & the Drells third studio Album ‘There’s Gonna Be a Showdown,’ from 1969. Largely ignored upon it’s initial release, it would gain popularity over the next three years in the UK, due to interest from ‘Northern Soul’ fans (see also best songs 845,) who would request the song in nightclubs, which led to it becoming a surprise hit single in the UK, when it reached Number 11 in 1972. The band would have further British success during the ‘Disco’ era, when ‘The Soul City Walk’ made Number 13 in 1975.

‘I should have learned my lesson, you hurt me before, but every time I see you, I keep runnin’ back for more.

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

572-Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr.-You Don’t Have to Be a Star (To Be in My Show.)

1976-Number 7 single.

Best Bit-At 1.16. In 1978 Janet Jackson performed this song in the final season of the ‘CBS’ sitcom ‘Good Times,’ she was 11 years old at the time.

Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. are husband and wife, having married in 1969. McCoo was born September 30th, 1943, in Jersey City, New Jersey, United States, and began her musical career as a member of the ‘Hi-Fi’s’ who would often open for Ray Charles. She first met Billy Davis Jr., who was born June 26th, 1938, in St. Louis, Missouri, United States, in 1966, when he founded the ‘Versatiles,’ who would soon become ‘The 5th Dimension.’ With The 5th Dimension, McCoo and Davis Jr. had great success, staying with the band until they both left in 1975. They recorded 10 studio Albums, and achieved 20 top 40 hit singles, on Billboard, including two Number 1’s.

‘You Don’t Have to Be a Star (To Be in My Show’) was taken from Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr’s debut Album,’I hope We Get to Love in Time’ from 1976. The song went on to top the Billboard singles chart in January 1977, and also made Number 1 in Canada. It was co-written by John Glover, and James Dean (1943-2006,) Dean had already been a very successful songwriter in the 1960’s when working for ‘Motown Records,’ among his best known co-writes, and productions are,’What Becomes of the Broken Hearted’ (Jimmy Ruffin,) ‘I’ll Pick a Rose for My Rose,’ (Marv Johnson,) and ‘When Your Young and in Love,'( The Marvelettes,) he was the cousin of Eddie and Brian Holland.

In the 1980’s McCoo became the host of the American music television series ‘Solid Gold,’ which ran between 1980-1988. McCoo and Davis Jr, also became the first African American married couple to host a network television series,’The Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr Show,’ on ‘CBS’ in 1977.

‘Somebody nobody knows could steal the tune that you want to hear. So stop your running around,’cause now you’ve found what was cloudy is clear.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

573-Jackie DeShannon-When You Walk in the Room.

1963-Has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 0.04. One of the best guitar riffs in the world ever. Even Lennon and McCartney would have been proud of this.

Jackie DeShannon was born Sharon Lee Myers on August 24th, 1941, in Hazel, Kentucky, United States, she chose her stage name in 1960 when signing with ‘Liberty Records,’ believing that one of her Irish ancestors went by that name, she has also said that she liked the fact that ‘Jackie’ is a cross gender name. DeShannon has been married to her second husband Randy Edelman since 1976 (see also best songs 761.)

Jackie DeShannon was one of the first female singer/songwriters of the ‘Rock ‘N Roll’ era, although as a singer it took her 23 releases before finally making the Billboard top 40, with her cover of the Bacharach and David composition ‘What the World Needs Now Is Love,’ in 1965. Her other major Billboard hit was with her own song ‘Put a Little Love in Your Heart, which made Number 4, in 1969. That song would later be a hit in 1988, when recorded as a duet by Annie Lennox and Al Green.In 1960 DeShannon teamed up with Sharon Sheeley (1940-2002,) (see also best songs 422,) the girlfriend of Eddie Cochran, and together they wrote ‘Dum Dum,’ and Heart in Hand,’ which were both hits for Brenda Lee, and ‘Breakaway,’ for Irma Thomas, which in the 1980’s became a top 10 single in the UK for Tracy Ullman. But perhaps DeShannon’s best known song, and most successful was ‘Bette Davis Eyes,’ co-written with Donna Weiss in 1974, and when recorded by Kim Carnes in 1981, went to Number 1 on Billboard.

‘When You Walk in the Room’ was one of the tracks added to the 1964 Jackie DeShannon compilation Album ‘Breakin’ It Up on The Beatles Tour!’ Although DeShannon had opened for the Beatles on their 1964 North American tour, the 12 tracks on the Album are songs recorded for Liberty Records between 1962-1964, and have nothing to do with the tour. The song was most successful when covered by the British group ‘The Searchers in 1964, reaching Number 3 in the UK. In America the most successful version is by Pam Tillis who peaked at Number 2 on the Billboard Country Music chart in 1994.

‘I can feel a new expression on my face, I can feel a glowing sensation taking place. I can hear the guitars playin’ lovely tunes, every time that you walk in the room.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

574-Placebo-Nancy Boy.

1997-Number 4 single.

Best Bit-At 1.47. One of the songs co-writer’s Brian Molko has called the lyrics ‘Obscene,’ so we had better read on.

Placebo were formed in London, England, in 1994 by Brian Molko (vocals, and guitar,) and Stefan Olsdal (bass.) Years before, as students they had both attended the ‘American International School of Luxembourg, in Luxembourg, but had never mixed socially. The two met by chance at the ‘South Kensington tube station’, in London in 1994, and realised that musically they had a lot in common.The duo were soon joined by drummer Robert Schultzberg who was an acquaintance of Olsdal, he would remain until 1996, then Steve Hewitt took over drumming duties until leaving in 2007. The bands final drummer to date was Steve Forrest who remained until 2015, Molko and Olsdal remain active as a duo.When first forming they called themselves ‘Ashtray Heart,’ but later chose ‘Placebo,’ due to it’s Latin meaning,’I shall please.’ They have released seven studio Albums between 1996-2013, and achieved 15 UK top 40 singles to date.

‘Nancy Boy’ is credited as being co-written by all three band members at that time, and was taken from their self titled debut Album from 1996, it became their breakthrough hit. The lyrics refer to a man who is very feminine in appearance, putting on makeup, and perfume in his room. Molko was angered by Brett Anderson, the lead singer of ‘Suede,'(see also best songs 695 and 244) who claimed that he was bi-sexual, but had never experimented. Molko said,’I’m questioning people’s reasons for sleeping with someone of the same sex. In the same way that Heroin is very hip today, being bi-sexual seems to be very chic.’ Molko has also said about the song,’It’s an exploration into somebody’s misogyny, yet heartfelt. It’s angry, nasty, and completely politically incorrect.’

‘And it all breaks down, at the role reversal. Got the muse in my head, she’s universal.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

575-The Move-Blackberry Way.

1969-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 0.36. I do realise some will think it a bit sad, but I checked my sat-nav, and it appears that there are nine Blackberry Way’s in the UK.

The Move were formed intentionally from the best musicians in the Birmingham, United Kingdom, area in 1965. The reason they called themselves ‘The Move’ was because all the band members had moved from other groups. The original lineup comprised of Roy Wood (multi-instrumentalist,) Bev Bevan (drums,) Carl Wayne (1943-2004,) (vocals,) Trevor Burton (guitar,) and Ace Kefford (bass.) Kefford left the band in 1968, Wayne left in 1970, and Burton in 1969. Jeff Lynne (see also best songs 970 and 25) joined the band in 1969, until leaving to form the Electric Light Orchestra with Wood, and Bevan in 1972. There have been reformations from members in 2004-2014, and again in 2016 to the present day. The Move released four studio Albums between 1968-1971, and achieved 10 UK top 40 singles, but unlike many of their British contemporaries of that time, they failed to achieve any success in America, despite spending time there touring.

‘Blackberry Way’ was The Move’s most successful single, it was released in 1968, and went to Number 1 in February 1969, giving the band their only chart topper. The song was written by Roy Wood (see also best songs 821 and 239) who also sang the lead vocals. The producer was Jimmy Miller (1942-1994,) who had, and would go on to produce for many of the worlds top artists, his credits include producing five of The Rolling Stones Album’s in the 1960’s, and 1970’s.

‘Blackberry Way’ is a sad song about a failed love affair. The narrators memories of a failed romance come flooding back as he walks around Blackberry Way. The song has been cited as an answer song to the Beatles ‘Penny Lane. Roy Wood admitted the influence,’We were all very influenced by what the Beatles were doing, because they were the best songwriters around.’

‘So now I’m standing on the corner, lost in the things that I say, what am I supposed to do now?’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

576-Sex Pistols-God Save the Queen.

1977-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 2.30. When is a Number 1 single, not a Number 1 single?’God Save the Queen’peaked at Number 2 on the official UK top 40 singles chart on the week of Queen Elizabeth’s Silver Jubilee, being kept off the top spot by Rod Stewart’s double ‘A’ sided ‘The First Cut is the Deepest’/ ‘I Don’t Want to Talk About It’, but it is a widely held belief that those in charge rigged the chart that week in order to not cause further embarrassment to the Silver Jubilee celebrations.

The Sex Pistols were formed in London, England, in 1975, they were active until 1978, but did reform in 1996, and again in 2002-2003, and finally again in 2007-2008 (see also best songs 92 and 27.) The four original band members, Johnny Rotten (vocals) (see also best songs 967 and 323) Steve Jones (guitarist) Paul Cook (drums) and Glen Matlock (bass,) all share writing credits on this song, although the lyrics are mainly Johnny Rotten, and the music is mainly Glen Matlock. By the time the single, and it’s parent Album ‘Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols’ was released, Matlock had already left the band, having been replaced by Sid Vicious (1957-1979.)

It wasn’t just the songs lyrics which were deemed disrespectful, and worthy of a radio ban, with the BBC, and almost every single independent radio station refusing to play the song. The records sleeve which had been designed by Jamie Reid, who knew Malcolm McLaren (see also best songs 751) from their time at Croyden College of Art. depicted the Queen with the word ‘God Save the Queen,’ and ‘Sex Pistols,’ written across her face, in the form of how a ransom note is often written. Johnny Rotten has said that the songs real meaning is not a personal attack on the Queen, but an attack on the treatment of working class people in England in the 1970’s, by the UK Government.

When the Sex Pistols originally recorded this song they were signed to ‘A&M’ records. The record label dropped the band just as the song was released, pulling all the singles. The ones which slipped through have become very valuable collectors items. In 2010 ‘Record Collector’ magazine compiled it’s list, with a valuation of a copy of the song released on ‘A&M’ being worth at least £10,000.

‘God save the Queen, we mean it man, we love our Queen, God saves.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

577-Hawkwind-Silver Machine.

1972-Number 3 single.

Best Bit-At 0.22. The last song Lemmy wrote before being fired from Hawkwind, was a song called ‘Motorhead,’ and the rest is history.

Hawkwind were formed in Ladbroke Grove, London, England, in 1969 by Dave Brock, Mike Slattery, John Harrison, Terry Ollis, Nik Turner, and Michael ‘Dik Mik’ Davies. In total to date there have been 46 different band members come and go, with the only constant being Dave Brock. Some of the famous names who have played with the band over the years include Ian ‘Lemmy Kilmister (1945-2015) Simon House, and Ginger Baker (1939-2019.) Hawkwind have released 30 studio Albums to date between 1970-2020, they have also released 11 live Albums, and 22 singles.Their style of music is hard, progressive, psychedelic Rock, and they are also noted for being one of the leaders in ‘Space Rock.’ This is a genre of music that is characterised by lengthy song structures, that may feature distorted and reverberation laden guitars, lyrical themes often deal with science fiction.

‘Silver Machine’ was written by Dave Brock and Robert Calvert, (1945-1988) who joined Hawkwind in 1971, he was also the bands lead vocalist at that time, Brock also produced the track using the alias ‘Dr Technical.’ Calvert had sung the lead vocals on the original live recording of the song, but the majority verdict was that his voice sounded too week, so after others auditioned, it was the vocals of Lemmy (see also best songs 16) that were eventually used instead. Calvert suffered from Bi-polar disorder, and had been sectioned, so he didn’t know of the re-recording of the vocals at that time.

The song was inspired by the French writer Alfred Jarry’s (1873-1907) essay ‘How To Construct a Time Machine.’ The lyrics are a send up, whereas Jarry wrote about constructing a ‘Cosmic space travel machine,’ Brock and Calvert made it about a new silver racing bike.

‘It flies out of a dream, it’s antiseptically clean, you’re gonna know where I’ve been.’