THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

580-Happy Mondays-Step On.

1990-Number 5 single.

Best Bit-At 0.01.Don’t panic this is not fruit abuse. The term ‘Twistin’ my melon man,’ actually means being confused by something to the point that it’s really annoying.

The Happy Mondays were formed in Salford, England, United Kingdom, in 1980 by the brothers Shaun Ryder (vocals,) Paul Ryder (bass,) Mark Day (guitar,) Paul Davis (keyboard,) and Gary Whelan (drums.) They were soon joined by Mark ‘Bez’ Berry (percussion, and dancer,) and in 1990 by Rowetta Idah (vocalist.) The Happy Mondays played an important part in the development of the Manchester music scene, which became known as ‘Madchester,’ by incorporating Rock music, with Psychedelica, Funk, and House Music, helping to pave the way to ‘Dance Music. They were also an influence on bands such as The Stone Roses, and Oasis.The Happy Monday were active until 1993, but have reformed on three other occasions. They have released five studio Albums between 1987-2007, and achieved six UK top 40 singles.

‘Step On’ was taken from the bands third studio Album ‘Pills ‘n’ Thrills and Bellyaches’, from 1990. The song is actually a cover version of the 1971 John Kongos hit ‘He’s Gonna Step on You Again,’ co-written by Kongos, and Christos Demetriou, and peaking at Number 4 in the UK. Before the Happy Mondays released their version, two other remakes of the song had been a hit in 1987 in Australia. The Australian Rock band ‘The Party Boys’ took there version to Number 1, while the Australian Pop group ‘The Chantoozies’ took their remake to Number 36.

The original version of the song by John Kongos was written as a protest song against the white man’s appropriation of native territory in Africa.

In 1990 Paul McCartney told the ‘New Musical Express,’ I saw the Happy Mondays on TV, and they reminded me of the Beatles in their ‘Strawberry Fields’ phase.’

‘You’re twistin’ my melon man, you know you talk so hip man. You’re twistin’ my melon man, call the cops.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

581-Shalamar-Take That to the Bank.

1978-Number 20 single.

Best Bit-At 3.06. For a brief period in the early 1980’s ‘SOLAR’ records were being talked up as being the new Tamla Motown,’ and Shalamar were the labels biggest band.

Shalamar was the brainchild of Don Cornelius (1936-2012,) and Dick Griffey (1938-2010.) Cornelius was the creator, and presenter of the American nationally syndicated music show ‘Soul Train,’ and Griffey was a music producer, concert promoter, and booking agent for the ‘Soul Train’ show.

The first hit credited to Shalamar was the 1977 song ‘Uptown Festival’ (UK Number 30,) which had been recorded by studio session musicians. Due to it’s success Cornelius, and Griffey decided to put together a band comprising Soul Train dancers Jody Watley, and Jeffrey Daniel, as well as singer Gary Mumford, who had performed on ‘Uptown Festival.’ Mumford soon quit the band and was replaced by Gerald Brown who sang lead vocals on this song, but left the band before it was officially released, and replaced by Howard Hewett who lip synced Brown’s vocals for the songs promotion.

The classic lineup of Watley, Daniel, and Hewett remained active until 1983, when both Watley and Daniel both left to pursue solo careers, leaving Hewett to continue the band with new members. As of 2021 the current lineup is Hewett, Daniel, and Carolyn Griffey, the daughter of Dick Griffey, and the singer Carrie Lewis.In total Shalamar have released 10 studio Albums between 1977-1990, and achieved 11 top 40 UK singles.

Jody Watley went on to have a very successful solo career, releasing nine studio Albums between 1987-2006, and reaching Number 2 on Billboard with her debut solo single ‘Looking for a New Love’ in 1987.Jeffrey Daniel went on to choreograph the video’s for ‘Bad,’ and ‘Smooth Criminal,’ with Michael Jackson. It was Daniel who first performed ‘The Backslide,’ which would later become known as the ‘Moonwalk,’ a full year before Michael Jackson first performed it.

‘Take That to the Bank’ was taken from Shalamar’s second studio Album ‘Disco Gardens’ from 1978, and was written by Kevin Spencer, and Leon Sylvers, who also produced the song. Sylvers had been a member of ‘The Sylvers’ who were nine family members who had three top 40 hits on Billboard including the 1976 Number 1 ‘Boogie Fever.’ Leon Sylvers was the main driving force behind the successful sound of ‘SOLAR’ records, working with acts such as ‘The Whispers,’ ‘Dynasty,’ and ‘Lakeside,’ incidentally ‘SOLAR’ stands for ‘Sound of Los Angeles records.”

‘Cause we build a strong love affair, on investments of equal share. Two hearts that beat as one, just look what love has done.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

582-Kenny Rogers and The First Edition-Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town.

1969-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 1.57. When playing the song live, the band would often perform it in a jovial manner, and the audience would clap, and sing along, which was seen by some as disrespectful to war veterans.

‘The First Edition’ were formed in 1967, in California, United States, by Kenny Rogers (1938-2020) (lead vocals, and bass guitar,) Mickey Jones (1941-2018) (drums,) Terry Williams (guitar,) Mike Settle (guitar, and vocals,) and Thelma Camacho (lead vocals.) They were active until 1976, but some original members, and others who joined later reformed in 2010, and again in 2014-2015.The initial lineup were mainly made up of former members of the ‘New Christy Minstrels,’ who wanted to broaden their musical horizons. They began as ‘The First Edition’ recording, and experimenting with ‘Rock,’ ‘R&B,’ ‘Folk,’ and ‘Psychedelic Pop,’ before taking the ‘Country Rock’ route. It was just before the release of this song that they changed their name to ‘Kenny Rogers and The New Edition, and the name would remain until Rogers left the group for a solo career in 1976. In total the band released 13 studio Albums between 1967-1974, and achieved seven top 40 singles on Billboard, while in the UK there only other chart single was ‘Something’s Burning which reached Number 8 in 1970.

‘Ruby Don’t Take Your Love to Town’ was written and originally recorded by the Country Music artist Mel Tillis (1932-2017,) and prior to this definitive version, was recorded by Waylon Jennings (1937-2002,) and Johnny Darrell (1940-1997,) who took the song to Number 9 on the Billboard Country chart in 1967. The songs lyrics tell the story of a paralysed war veteran, who fears that his woman is cheating on him. He begs her to stay at home with him, but his pleas fall on deaf ears. Tillis was inspired to write the song, having lived near a couple in Florida. In real life the man had been wounded in Germany in World War 2, and his wife was seeing another man. The man murdered his wife, and then committed suicide. Tillis changed the setting to the ‘Korean War, and makes no mention of murder, but does say that the man would kill her if he could move to get his gun.

‘You’ve painted up your lips, and rolled and curled your tinted hair.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

583-Limp Bizkit-Rollin.'(Air Raid Vehicle.)

2000-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 0.08. At a cost of approximately $3 million, the songs video was filmed around, and on the roof of the World Trade Centre. The day before the twin towers were destroyed the band received a letter from the World Trade Centre thanking them for featuring the towers in the video.

Limp Bizkit were formed in Jacksonville, Florida, United States, in 1994, and were active until 2006, but reformed in 2009. The original lineup consisted of Fred Durst (vocals,) John Otto (drums,) Sam Rivers (bass,) and Rob Waters (guitars.) Waters left in 1995, and was replaced by Wes Borland (guitars,) DJ Lethal (turntables) joined the band after leaving the ‘House of Pain’ (see also best songs 75) in 1996. To date they have released five studio Albums between 1997-2011, with their sixth release ‘Stampede of the Disco Elephants,’ having been promised since 2018. Amazingly they have never achieved a top 40 single on Billboard, with this song being their highest chart placing when reaching Number 65. In the UK they have reached the top 40 on seven occasions, with this song being their most successful.

It was lead singer Fred Durst who named the band Limp Bizkit, because he wanted a name that would repel listeners, he said,’The name is there to turn people’s heads away.A lot of people pick up the disc and go,’Limp Bizkit, they must suck.’ Those are the people that we don’t even want listening to our music.’

‘Rollin” (Air Raid Vehicle) is taken from the bands third studio Album ‘Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavoured Water’ from 2000. Also included on the Album is an alternative Hip-Hop version of the song called ‘Rollin’ (Urban Assault Vehicle,) which features DMX (1970-2021,) Method Man, and Redman. The song has been critically acclaimed by many publications, but not always so the songs lyrics. My advice is don’t look for any in-depth meaning, after all the American wrestler ‘The Undertaker’ used the song for his entrance in the ‘WWE.’

‘Throw your hands up, ladies and gentlemen. Chocolate Starfish, keep on rollin’ baby.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

584-Johnny Nash-You Got Soul.

1968-Number 6 single.

Best Bit-At 0.06. You Got Soul. He was also blessed with more than his fair share of Reggae, and Pop.

John Lester Nash Jr. was born on August 19th, 1940, in Houston, Texas, United States, he died from natural causes at home in Houston, Texas, on October 6th, 2020.

Johnny Nash first began performing at the age of 13, in 1953, singing covers of R&B hits on the show ‘Matinee,’ which was a local variety programme on ‘KPRC-TV,’ shown regularly in Houston, Texas. He got his big break when signing with ‘ABC’ records in 1957, and scoring his first hit (Billboard Number 23) with his third single release, ‘A Very Special Love,’ in 1957. Nash sang in the style of Johnny Mathis, and was marketed as a competitor.

In 1964 Nash and his manager Danny Sims formed ‘JoDa Records,’ and found it to be more commercially viable to promote American artists abroad. In 1965 both Nash and Sims relocated to Jamaica where around 1966 they were introduced to Bob Marley & The Wailing Wailers, Nash signed them to a contract for J$50 a week (see also best songs 618 and 56.)

Johnny Nash was obviously heavily influenced by the music coming out of Jamaica, as all of his recordings from then onward were influenced by Reggae Music. In 1968 his own composition ‘Hold Me Tight’ would go a long way to popularising Reggae Music in America, and the UK, when reaching the top 10 in both countries.The follow up was this song ‘You Got Soul’ which he also wrote, and appeared on his seventh studio Album ‘Hold Me Tight’ In total Nash released 17 studio Albums between 1958-1986, before going into an unofficial retirement. In America he is best remembered for his 1972 Billboard Number 1 single ‘I Can See Clearly Now,’ while in the UK he achieved eight top 40 singles, with ‘Tears on My Pillow,’ reaching Number 1 in 1975.

‘You got somethin’ good as gold, somethin’ that’ll never grow old, yeah, you got soul.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

585-Jo Stafford-You Belong to Me.

1953-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 2.32. Jo Stafford became the very first female singer to have a UK Number 1, when this song topped the chart in January 1953.

‘You Belong to Me’ was initially written by Chilton Price (1913-2010,) while working as a librarian at the Louisville radio station,’WAVE,’ where the Country Music artists Pee Wee King, (1914-2000) and Redd Stewart (1923-2003,) were regular performers. Price showed this song, and others she had written to King, and Stewart, and after they had made lyric, and melody adjustments, were co-credited as the songs authors. Although in a 2002 interview Price claimed that King and Stewart had no part in the writing of the song, but Billy Stewart the son of Redd refutes that claim, saying that Stewart and King revised the lyrics, and improved the melody. The other song of note to which all three are credited is the 1951 composition ‘Slow Poke,’ which gave Pee Wee King a Billboard Country Number 1 single in 1951, as well as topping the chart in Australia in 1952.

Jo Elizabeth Stafford was born November 12th, 1917, in Coalinga, California, United States, she died from congestive heart failure on July 16th, 2008. Her first venture into music was forming the ‘Stafford Sisters’ a vocal trio, with her two older sisters at the age of 12. In 1938 she became the lead singer of the ‘Pied Pipers,’ performing backing vocals with the ‘Tommy Dorsey’ Big Band.’ During World War 2, she regularly performed concerts for soldiers, which earned her the nickname ‘G.I. Jo.’ She was an actress appearing in 15 films between 1936-1947, and also had her own television show,’The Jo Stafford Show,’ in 1954, and again in 1961. Between 1944-1956 she achieved 80 top 40 singles on Billboard, including four Number 1 songs. Jo Stafford also recorded comedy with her second husband Paul Weston (1912-1996,) under the stage name of ‘Jonathan and Darlene Edwards, releasing five studio Albums, and two singles, including a cover of The Bee Gees ‘Stayin’ Alive.’

‘See the marketplace in old Algiers, send me photographs and souvenirs.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

586-Tinie Tempah-Pass Out.

2010-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 3.25. It appears that the very well travelled Tinie Tempah has visited Miami, and Ibiza, and also Southampton, but it appears he still has the delights of Scunthorpe to look forward to.

Tinie Tempah was born Patrick Chukwuemeka Okogwu on November 7th, 1988, in Plumstead, London, England. He has appeared as lead artist on four UK Number 1 singles, and a further three as a featured artist, with seven UK Number 1’s in total, he has topped the chart on more occasions than any other British born Rap artist. In total he has appeared on 24 UK top 40 singles, and released three studio Albums to date. He chose his stage name at 12 years old by using a thesaurus in school, juxtaposing ‘tempar’ (temper,) which he saw under ‘angry,’ with ‘tinie,’ (tiny,) to ameliorate the aggressive sound of ‘tempah'(see also best songs 883.)

‘Pass Out’ was co-written, and produced by Timothy McKenzie, who is better known by his stage name ‘Labrinth. He was born on January 4th, 1989, in Hackney, London, England. As well as working alongside Tinie Tempah he has released two solo studio Albums, and appeared on 10 UK top 40 singles, including the 2012 Number 1 song,’Beneath Your Beautiful,’ featuring Emeli Sandi. He also wrote the score for the ‘HBO’ series ‘Euphoria,’ and has written and produced for numerous other artists, including Beyonce, and Ed Sheeran.

Before their collaboration on ‘Pass Out,’ Tiny Tempah, and Labrinth had never met, but Tempah has said that on meeting, he instantly related to Labrinth. He said that they spent many hours in the studio experimenting with different sounds, and by chance came up with the ‘Drum and Bass’ ending.’ Once we put it in there everyone went crazy in the studio, and that’s why we thought we would keep it there.’ As for the songs meaning (which I do not condone in any manner,) it is about ‘getting so out of it,’ that you end up passing out.

‘I’m born famous, I’m sort of known. If your son doesn’t, I bet your daughter knows.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

587-Madonna-Vogue.

1990-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 3.41.Greta Garbo, Marilyn Monroe, Marlene Dietrich, Joe DiMaggio, Marlon Brando, Jimmy Dean, Grace Kelly, Jean Harlow, Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Rita Hayworth, Lauren Bacall, Katharine Hepburn, Lana Turner, and Bette Davis. Alongside all of them, Madonna’s place in history is also assured.

Madonna Louise Ciccone was born on August 16th, 1958, in Bay City, Michigan, United States. Her first venture into performing music was as the drummer in the American Pop band ‘Breakfast Club’ in 1979, she later sang lead vocals with the band, before leaving to form a new band called ‘Emmy,’ and then moving on to start her solo career. With sales in excess of 300 million records Madonna is the best selling female recording artist of all time. In America on Billboard she has achieved 49 top 40 single, of which 12 have reached Number 1. She has released 14 studio Albums to date, the first was ‘Madonna,’ in 1983, and the latest being ‘Madame X,’ in 2019.

‘Vogue’ was the best selling single of 1990 worldwide, with sales in excess of 6 million copies, and topping the charts in 30 different countries. Madonna had just finished work on the film ‘Dick Tracy,’ and although this song has nothing to do with that film, ‘Vogue’ was added to the films soundtrack Album ‘I’m Breathless,’ as the final track of the Album’s 12 songs. ‘Vogue’ was co-written by Madonna and the American music producer Shep Pettibone, who had previously worked with Madonna on her 1989 hits ‘Like A Prayer’ (see also best songs 774,) and ‘Express Yourself,’ Pettibone has worked with many other of the worlds top artists including Michael Jackson, and George Michael.It was Madonna’s friend Debi Mazar who first told her of the dance craze that was known as ‘Vogueing.’It was a dance craze that was popular in the gay community, originating in Harlem, New York, in the late 1980’s, where dancers used elaborate hand gestures, and frequently stopped to pose. The style of dance originally arose from ‘Harlem ballroom cultures,’ as danced by African-American, and Latino gay/trans people, from the early 1960’s onward.

‘Ladies with an attitude, fellows that were in the mood. Don’t just stand there, let’s get to it, strike a pose, there’s nothing to it.’

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.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER

589-Sly and the Family Stone-Dance to the Music.

1967-Number 7 single.

Best Bit-At 1.30. The respected music critic Joel Selvin said,’There are two types of black music. Black music before Sly Stone, and black music after Sly Stone.

Sly and the family Stone were formed in San Francisco, California, United States, in 1968, they were active until 1983. The classic lineup consisted of Sly Stone (multi instrumentalist,) his brother Freddie (guitar,) their sister Rose Stone (keyboards,) Cythia Robinson (1944-2015) (trumpet, and vocals,) Jerry Martini (saxophone,) Larry Graham (bass,) and Greg Errico (drums.) They were the first successful American Rock group to have a racially integrated male and female lineup. Sly and the Family Stone are considered to be one of the most influential groups in the development of American Pop Music due to their experimentation. They were pioneers of the new music genre ‘Psychedelic Soul’, which was a major influence on Funk, Soul, R&B, and Hip-Hop, as well as the Motown music producer Norman Whitfield (see also best songs 911-777-569-533-480-346 and 233.)Sly Stone was born Sylvester Stewart on March 15th, 1943, in Denton, Texas, United States. He acquired the nickname Sly while at school when a classmate misspelled his name ‘Slyvester.’ The name ‘Stone’ was adopted by the family members as their stage name.

‘Dance to the Music’ was written by Sly Stone, and was taken from the bands second studio Album of the same name. In total they released 11 studio Albums between 1967-1982. After the critical success of.their debut Album ‘A Whole New Thing,’ in 1967, Clive Davis the executive of ‘CBS Records’ insisted that the band record a more commercial sounding song in order to gain more radio play, and get them in to the charts, which was something the band had no real interest in wanting to do, preferring their more experimental approach. A compromise was reached, but not everyone was happy, Jerry Martini dismissed the song as,’Glorified Motown beats, saying the song was an ‘Unhip’ thing for them to do. Martini also said that Sly Stone only did the song to satisfy the CBS executives desire for a hit, stating, ‘Sly hated it.’

‘You might like to hear my organ, I said ride Sally ride. If I could hear the horns blow, Cynthia on the throne, yeah.’