THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

590-Pluto-Dat.

1975-Number 6 single.

Best Bit-At 0.13. And you thought a trip to Tesco’s was stressful.

Pluto Shervington also known as Pluto, was born Leighton Shervington on August 13th, 1950, in Kingston, Jamaica, he acquired the nickname ‘Pluto’ while at school. He has been involved in music since 1970, working as a singer, bass guitarist, audio engineer, and music producer. He emigrated to Miami, Florida, United States, in 1982, and regularly performs in and around the State of Florida, when not touring.

Pluto Shervington started his career in the early 1970’s as a member of the Jamaican band ‘Tomorrow’s Children,’ heavily inspired by the fellow Jamaican Reggae singer Ernie Smith, whose lyrical delivery is in heavy Jamaican patois, in later years both Shervington and Smith have recorded together. He released his first solo Album ‘Ram Goat’ in 1974, and his latest release is 2009’s ‘Second Wind’. He has had two top 40 UK hit singles, with the other one being ‘Your Honour,’ which reached Number 19 in 1982.

Some consider ‘Dat’ to be almost a novelty song, probably because of it’s subject matter, and Jamaican patois delivery. The song is about a Rastafarian secretly buying pork (pork is not allowed in the Rastafarian religion) instead of more expensive meats, in order to keep his shopping bill down, so that he has enough money left ‘to buy a little weed,’ presumably Cannabis. The song is a humorous take on the lengths the narrator will go in order to keep what he is doing a secret.

‘Ozzy pay off the butcher bill, take him parcel, and trod up the hill.Like a spy, who do you think he meet? Rasta Jeremiah from down the street.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

591-Kid Creole & The Coconuts Present Coati Mundi-Que Pasa/ Me No Pop I.

1980-Number 32 single.

Best Bit-At 0.04. They’ve got a lovely bunch of Coconuts.

‘Que Pasa/Me No Pop I’ was released as a stand alone single just prior to the release of Kid Creole & The Coconuts debut Album ‘Off the Coast of Me,’ in 1980. The songs writer, and co-producer was Andy Hernandez, better known by his stage name ‘Coati Mundi. Hernandez was born January 3rd, 1950, in New York City, United States, and had previously been a member of the very successful mid 1970’s Disco group ‘Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band,’ along with this songs other co-producer Kid Creole. As ‘Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savanah Band they released three studio Albums between 1976-1979, as well as the Billboard Number 27 hit single ‘Cherchez La Femme,’ from 1976. As well as providing vocals. and playing the Vibraphone in King Creole & The Coconuts, Hernandez has also released two solo studio Albums, and appeared in many films, and TV shows including ‘Who’s That Girl,’ starring Madonna, and ‘Miami Vice.’

Kid Creole was born Thomas August Darnell Browder on December 12th, 1950, in The Bronx, New York City, United States, he took his stage name from the 1958 film ‘King Creole’ starring Elvis Presley. Along with Hernandez, and Adriana Kaegi, who had also been a member of Dr. Savannah’s, they formed Kid Creole & The Coconuts in 1980, and the three of them remain active with the band at the time of writing. They have released 14 studio Albums to date, between 1980-2011, and although never achieving a top 40 single on Billboard, they have had six in the UK, including the 1982 Number 2 single ‘Annie I’m Not Your Daddy.’

With me not being fluent in Spanish, I can only make an educated guess as to what this song is about. It appears that the narrator and his girlfriend are not compatible anymore, and in his anger he tells her what he thinks of her. Whereas Popi and Olive Oil were made for each other, it appears that these two were not.

‘You ain’t got no class, with brains like a Medano glass. You’re full of fertiliser, number two is your appetiser.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

592-Manfred Mann-Semi-Detached Suburban Mr James.

1966-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 2.08. There is nothing boring about owning a suburban semi detached, actually it’s a great investment.

Manfred Mann were formed in London, England in 1962 as the ‘Mann-Hugg Blues Brothers’ by the keyboard player Manfred Lubowitz (Manfred Mann,) and Mike Hugg, who played the drums. They were soon joined by Mike Vickers (guitar,) Dave Richmond (bass,) and Paul Jones (vocals.) The group would become known as Manfred Mann in 1963, on the advice of the music producer John Burgess (1932-2014.) The band initially formed as a ‘Jazzy, Blues’, based music group, but found mainstream success when turning to ‘Pop,’ having chart success with many cover versions, but several of their early ‘EP’s,’ and ‘B’ sides would still be ‘R&B’ material that the band wrote themselves. Richmond left the group in 1964, and was replaced by Tom McGuinness, and in 1965 Jack Bruce (1943-2014) was a member for around a year, before going on to be co-founder of ‘Cream.’ In 1966 Klaus Voormann joined, as did the new lead singer Mike d’Abo, who replaced Paul Jones, who left for a solo career. The band were active through until 1969, releasing five studio Albums, and achieving 17 top 40 UK hits, which included three Number 1’s.

‘Semi-Detached Suburban Mr Jones’ was released as a non Album track, it was later added to the North American release of their fifth and final Album,’Mighty Garvey,’ from 1968. The song was co-written by Geoff Stephens (1934-2020,) and John Carter. Stephens wrote, or co-wrote numerous hits, including two UK Number 1 songs, ‘You Won’t Find Another Fool Like Me,’ for The New Seekers,’ and ‘Silver Lady’ for David Soul. John Carters best known songs include The Ivy League’s ‘Tossing and Turning,’ and The First Class”Beach Baby’ (see also best songs 1000.)

The lyrics to this song are told from the point of view of a lover spurned. He tries to convince his ex girlfriend that she would find life with the new man in her life Mr James tedious and boring, where as with him it would be excitement and adventure.

‘So you think you will be happy taking doggie for a walk, with your semi-detached suburban Mr James.

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

593-The Sisters of Mercy-Lucretia My Reflection.

1988-Number 20 single.

Best Bit-At 1.28. To have a song written about you must be wonderful, but perhaps not so wonderful when you are being compared to Lucrezia Borgia.

The Sisters of Mercy were formed in Leeds in 1980 by Andrew Eldritch, and Gary Marx, the bands name was influenced by the Robert Aitman 1971 film,’McCabe & Mrs Miller, which featured the Leonard Cohen song ‘Sisters of Mercy.’ In total 20 band members have come and gone, with Eldritch being the bands one constant.

They have released only three studio Albums between 1985-1990, being only a touring band since then, with Eldritch reasoning that he can make more money on the road than in the studio. The band have made new music since 1990, and premier it while on stage. The Sisters of Mercy are often pigeon holed as a ‘Goth Rock’ band, but Eldritch laughs that off, insisting they are no part of the ‘Goth’ scene. There have been some very famous names who have been members of the group before moving on, including Tony James who before joining the band in 1989, had been a member of ‘Generation X’, and ‘Sigue Sigue Sputnik’ (see also best songs 163,) he stayed until 1991. Another ex member was Wayne Hussey between 1983-1985, who would go on to form ‘The Mission’ (see also best songs 1051 and 984.)

‘Lucretia My Reflection’ was written by Andrew Eldritch, and was the third single released from The Sisters of Mercy’s second studio Album ‘Floodland’ from 1987. The title of the song refers to Lucretia Borgia of the prominent Borgia family, of the Italian Renaissance,who were notorious for their ruthless political tactics, and alleged crimes.Eldritch wrote the song for band mate, and bass player Patricia Morrison, of whom Eldritch said, ‘She always strikes me as a Lucretia type person.’ In 1996 Morrison by now a member of the Punk Rock band ‘The Damned’ married their lead singer David Vanian (see also best songs 273.)

‘I hear the roar of a big machine, two worlds, and in between,hot metal, and methedrine, I hear empire down.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

594-Kurtis Blow-The Breaks.

1980-Number 47 single.

Best Bit-At 1.25. There is no cussing on this ‘Old School Rap,’ so you can let your granny listen to it.

Kurtis Blow was born Kurtis Walker on August 9th, 1959, in New York City, United States, he is a Rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, DJ, actor, and became an ordained minister in 2009, founding ‘The Hip-Hop Church,’ in Harlem. In 1979 at the age of 20, he became the first Rapper to be signed to a major record label, ‘Mercury Records,’ for which between 1980-1988 he released eight studio Albums, he has also released a further three Albums between 2007-2010. Kurtis Blow has also produced , or collaborated with other Hip-Hop artists including The Fat Boys, Wyclef Jean, and Run DMC,(see also best songs 305 and 113) DJ Run actually started his career being billed as ‘The Son of Kurtis Blow.’ He has had two singles make the UK top 40, in 1979 ‘Christmas Rappin’ reached Number 30, and in 1985 ‘If I Ruled the World,’ which was covered by Nas in 1996 (UK Number 12) made Number 24.

‘The Breaks’ is taken from Kurtis Blow’s self titled debut Album from 1980, which was placed at Number 71 on ‘The Greatest 80 Albums of 1980,’ by Rolling Stone Magazine. Kurtis Blow wanted to make a tribute song for all the ‘Break Dancers’ who lived in around the South Bronx, and Harlem, in the early 1970’s. He took his idea to the songs producers, J.B. Moore, and Robert Ford, who suggested expanding the concept of other implied meanings for ‘breaks,’ such as the good, or bad breaks in life.

Kurtis Blow performed the song on Soul Train,’ whose host, and creator Don Cornelius (1936-2012) told the Rapper after the performance,’It doesn’t make sense to old guys like me…I don’t understand why they love it so much.’ Cornelius was expressing how many of his generation felt about the emergence of Hip-Hop.’

‘Clap your hands everybody if you’ve got what it takes,’cause I’m Kurtis Blow and I want you to know that these are the breaks.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

595-The Cranberries-Zombie.

1994-Number 14 single.

Best Bit-At 0.14. In April 2020 The Cranberries became the first Irish band to surpass 1 Billion views on You Tube with this song.

The Cranberries were formed in Limerick, Ireland, in 1989, originally called,’The Cranberry Saw Us,’ by Niall Quinn (vocals,) Noel Hogan (guitar,) his brother Mike Hogan (bass,) and Fergal Lawler (drums.) In 1990 Quinn left the group and was replaced as vocalist by Dolores O’Riordan (1971-2018.) The Cranberries were active until 2003, but got back together in 2009, and then were again active until the band retired in 2019. They released eight studio Albums between 1993-2019, and 22 singles, of which 10 entered the UK top 40.’Zombie’ was taken from The Cranberries second studio Album ‘No Need to Argue’ from 1994 and was written by Dolores O’Riordan. She was born on September 6th, 1971, in Ballybricken, County Limerick, she died on January 15th, 2018, when she drowned while under the influence of alcohol.

‘Zombie’ is a protest song, inspired by the ‘IRA’ bombing in Warrington, England, on March 20th, 1993, when two children, Johnathan Ball who was 3, and Tim Parry who was 12, both lost their lives, when two devices hidden in litter bins were detonated. O’Riordan had previously been on a tour bus in London, and had heard a bomb going off close by, and this, along with her Irish heritage inspired her to write this song. Musically the song was a departure from the bands previous output, as the band had been known for a more mellow sound, but O’Riordan wanted to get her point across with a ‘harder’ sound, hence the elements of ‘Grunge,’ which was very popular at that time.

The ‘IRA’ (Irish Republican Party) is a militant group, that were determined to remove British troops from Northern Island. On August 31st, 1994, just a few weeks after the song was released, the ‘IRA’ declared a ceasefire after 25 years of conflict.

‘It’s the same old theme since 1916, in your head, in your head, they’re still fighting. With their tanks, and their bombs, and their bombs, and their guns.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

596-Muddy Waters-Hoochie Coochie Man.

1954-Has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 0.01. I could tell you what a ‘Hoochie Coochie’ is, but it’s probably better you don’t know, but I’ll tell you anyway.

‘Hoochie Coochie Man’ is a ‘Chicago Blues’ song written by Willie Dixon, and first recorded by Muddy Waters, it is considered one of the most important links between ‘Blues’ music, and the onset of ‘Rock N’ Roll,’ and eventually ‘Rock’ music. The lyrics deal with superstitions, and mysticism, that have been passed on down through the generations, with the narrator telling us that even before he was born, ‘A gypsy woman told my momma,’ that he was ‘Gonna make these pretty women jump and shout.’ The term ‘Hoochie Coochie’ was first used in the mid-to late 1800’s, to describe several provocative ‘belly dances.’ In America, specifically in African-American culture, a hoochie coochie refers to the genitals of a drunken woman, the phrase is derived from the term ‘hooch,’ which is a slang word for alcohol, while ‘coochie’ is a slang word for a woman’s genitals.

‘Hoochie Coochie Man’ was written by Willie Dixon who was born William James Dixon on July 1st, 1915, in Vicksburg, Mississippi, United States, he died on January 29th, 1992, primarily as a result of long term diabetes. He is recognised as an important link between the Blues, and Rock N’ Roll, working with Chuck Berry, and Bo Diddley in the late 1950’s. Dixon’s songs have been covered many times, and include ‘Little Red Rooster,’ which when covered by The Rolling Stones, was a UK Number 1 in 1964. Another song,’I Just Want to Make Love to You’ is probably best known for it’s Etta James version, and his song ‘You Need Love,’ was a big inspiration on Led Zeppelin (see also best songs 135.)

Muddy Waters was born McKinley Morganfield in Issaquena County, Mississippi, United States, there is debate about his actual date of birth, but it was probably April 4th, 1913, he died on April 30th, 1983 from heart failure. His mother died shortly after his birth, and he was brought up by his grandmother Della Grant, who gave him his nickname ‘Muddy’ at an early age because he loved to play in muddy waters,’Waters’ was added in later years. Both Muddy Waters, and Willie Dixon were both employees of the ‘Chess Records’ label, and Waters influence on future generations of musicians such as Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and The Rolling Stones, is considered on a par with that of Dixon’s.’On the seventh hour, of the seventh day.

On the seventh month, the seventh doctor said,’He’s born for good luck, and I know you see.’ Got seven hundred dollars, and don’t you mess with me.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER,

597-Shirley & Company-Shame, Shame, Shame.

1975-Number 6 single.

Best Bit-At 0.38. There’s absolutely no shame whatsoever in lovin’ 70’s Disco.

Shirley & Company were an act put together by Sylvia Robinson to record the 1974 Album ‘Shame, Shame, Shame.’ The act consisted of six studio musicians, and two singers who would promote the songs in the media. Shirley was Shirley Goodman (1936-2005) who had initially found success in the 1950’s as part of the duo ‘Shirley and Lee, with Leonard Lee (1935-1976,) together they had two Billboard top 40 singles in 1956. Also worth noting is that Shirley was also a backing vocalist for other artists, she can be heard on The Rolling Stones 1972 Album ‘Exile On Main Street.’

The other vocalist on this song is Jason Alvarez, who was born Jesus Alvarus in Havana, Cuba, on December 28th, 1951. Since 1981 he has been a solo artist releasing 10 Albums in the ‘Christian R&B,’ and ‘Jesus Music,’ genres, he became an ordained minister in 1982.There is a debate about who actually wrote ‘Shame, Shame. Shame,’ as both Sylvia Robinson, and Donnie Elbert (1936-1989) both claimed authorship. This led to a rift, with Elbert leaving the ‘All Platinum’ record label, and Robinson remained the sole writer credited.

Sylvia Robinson was born Sylvia Vanderpool on May 29th, 1935, in Harlem, New York, United States, and died on September 29th, 2011, due to congestive heart failure. She is a very important figure, particularly in the development of ‘Hip-Hop.’ She first found success as half of the duo ‘Micky & Sylvia,’ who had the 1956 Billboard Number 11 hit single with ‘Love Is Strange,’ In 1973 she had a solo hit with ‘Pillow Talk,’ a song she had written. Robinson initially offered it to Al Green, but he turned it down, saying it’s suggestive lyrics went against his religious beliefs. The ‘orgasmic gasps,’ and moaning on the song, predate Donna Summer’s ‘Love to Love You Baby’ (see also best songs 78) by two years. Robinson has also been part of two consortium’s who have set up record labels. In 1967 she helped form ‘All Platinum Records,’ (see also best songs 466) and in 1979 she was part of the team responsible for the founding of ‘Sugar Hill Records.’ Two of ‘Hip-Hop’s’ most important songs ‘Rappers Delight,’ by The Sugar Hill Gang,’ (see also best songs 17) and ‘The Message,’ by Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five (see also best songs 290) would probably not have happened without her influence, this led to her becoming known as the ‘Mother of Hip- Hop.

‘Got my sunroof down, got my diamonds in the back, put on your shaky wig woman, if you don’t I ain’t comin’ back.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER

598-The Proclaimers-I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles.)

1988-Number 11 single.

Best Bit-At 1.34. To ‘haver’ is to talk foolishly. Some American radio stations initially banned the song, thinking that to ‘haver’ was something very rude.

The Proclaimers are the twin brothers Craig, and Charlie Reid, who were born on March 5th, 1962, in Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland. They started out as an acoustic duo, before recruiting a backing band, and becoming more Rock orientated.They have released 11 studio Albums to date, between 1987-2018, and have achieved six UK top 40 singles, including the 2007 Number 1 ‘Comic Relief’ remake of this song.’I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles’) was taken from The Proclaimers second studio Album ‘Sunshine on Leith’ from 1988, The song was mainly written by Craig who said,’I can remember sitting at the piano, and the chords just came to me. I reckon I just wrote the whole thing in 45 minutes.’ I knew that it was a good song, maybe even a single, but I had no idea how popular it would become.’

In 1993 the song was chosen for the American romantic comedy film ‘Benny & Joon’ starring Johnny Depp, and due to this exposure the song gave The Proclaimers their only hit on Billboard, reaching Number 3.

In 2007 The Proclaimers re-recorded the song with the British comedians Peter Kay, and Matt Lucas, for the ‘Comic Relief’ song of that year, it went to Number 1 in March, and ending 2007 as the eighth best selling single of the year. The popularity of the song led to renewed interest in the original, and it re-entered the UK top 40 at Number 37, which is possibly the only time that a re-recorded version, and an original version of a song have been new entries on the UK top 40 in the same week?

‘But I would walk five hundred miles,and I would walk five hundred more, just to be the man who walks a thousand miles, to fall down at your door.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

599-Beatles-Eleanor Rigby.

1966-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 1.17. It appears that when Eleanor Rigby was alive nobody had heard of her, but now she’s dead, she’s very well known.

‘Eleanor Rigby’ was released in August 1966 as a double ‘A’ sided single, with ‘Yellow Submarine’, both tracks were taken from the Beatles seventh studio Album ‘Revolver.’ although the song is credited to Lennon/McCartney, (as all the Beatles songs were) this one was mainly McCartney. None of the Beatles played an instrument on the song, with McCartney providing lead, and harmony vocals, and Lennon (see also best songs 927-473-218-168 and 20,) and Harrison (see also best songs 737) both providing harmony as well. It was a classical string ensemble of studio musicians comprising four violins, and two cellos, that played the music, which was arranged and produced by George Martin (1926-2016.)McCartney (see also best songs 646-456-319-238-141-107-80-52-10 and 6) has stated that he came up with the name ‘Eleanor’ from the actress Eleanor Bron who had starred with the Beatles in the 1965 film ‘Help.’ He has said that ‘Rigby’ came from a shop in Bristol called ‘Rigby & Evens Ltd, Wine & Spirit Shippers,’ which he had seen while on a visit to see his girlfriend of that time Jane Asher. However it has been pointed out that the graveyard of St Peter’s Church in Liverpool, which is in walking distance of the Woolton Village garden fete, where McCartney and Lennon first met on the afternoon of July 6th, 1957, contains the gravestone of an individual called Eleanor Rigby. McCartney’s explanation for this is that he must have subconsciously remembered the headstone, as he insists that he made the name up.

The song tells the story of two lonely people, the churchgoing woman Eleanor Rigby, and the pastor Father McKenzie, whose sermons no one will hear. In the third verse Eleanor dies, and only Father McKenzie is present at the funeral to bury her. McCartney said,’When I was really little, I lived on a housing estate, there were lots of old ladies, and I enjoyed sitting around with these older ladies because they had these great stories, in this case about World War 2. One in particular I used to visit, and I’d go shopping with her, you know, she couldn’t get out, so I figured in my mind, of a sort of lonely old lady.’

‘Eleanor Rigby died in the church, and was buried along with her name, nobody came.Father McKenzie wiping the dirt from his hands, as he walks from the grave, no one was saved.’