THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER

620-The Vaccines-If You Wanna.

2012-Number 35 single.

Best Bit-At 0.47.When they originally chose their name, they could not possibly have known it would become one of the most important words in the English language.

The Vaccines are an Indie Rock band formed in West London, England, in 2010 by Justin Hayward-Young (lead vocals, and guitar,) Freddie Cowan (lead guitar, and vocals,) Arni Amason (bass, and vocals,) and Pete Robertson (drums, and vocals.) In 2016 Robertson left the band, and the touring musicians Timothy Lanham (keyboards,) and Yoann Intonti (drums,) both became full time members.To date they have released four studio Albums, including their second release ‘Come of Age’ in 2012,’ which went to Number 1 in the UK, they have sold in excess of 2 million records worldwide to date.

The Vaccines, especially on their earlier Albums, have a retro sound, dating back to the ‘Punk’ era of the mid to late 1970’s, and this song, particularly to my ear sounds like something The Ramones (see also best songs 707 and 102) would have been proud of, perhaps The Vaccines would have been even more successful had they been born 40 years earlier.

‘If You Wanna’ is the third single taken from The Vaccines debut Album ‘What Did You Expect from The Vaccines?’ from 2010, with songwriting credits given to all of the band members. The song is about a break up, with the narrator trying to come to terms with the fact that his girlfriend doesn’t want to be with him anymore. Justin Haywood-Young has said,’The lyrics are pretty defeatist, maybe even slightly pathetic, but we’ve all been there. I wanted us to have a song with really downbeat lyrics, juxtaposed with a poppy, and upbeat melody. Hayward-Young has also said that the song had a different chorus before he came up with a new one,’I thought it was like super cheesy, and I kind of got shivers down my spine like,’Eww, I feel dirty,’ and everyone in the room was like,’No’, that was really cool, that’s a much better chorus.’ I think that was a real turning point for the band, because I think it was like me accepting that I write really cheesy pop songs, and so I should embrace that as a writer.’

‘Well I don’t want to wake up in the morning, but I’ve got to face the day, that’s what all the friends I do not like as much as you say.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

621-The Byrds-All I Really Want to Do.

1965-Number 4 single.

Best Bit-At 0.20. Using the lyrics of Bob Dylan, and heavily influenced by the harmonies of the Beach Boys, and arranged in a ‘Beatlesque’ manner, ‘Folk Rock’ had just been invented.

The Byrds were formed in Los Angeles, California, United States in 1964, they were active until 1973, but reformed again in 1989-1991, and again in 2000, for the final time, after which the band name was retired. The groups only constant was Roger McGuinn (lead guitar and vocals,) who was known as Jim McGuinn until mid 1967.The other four original members were Gene Clark (1944-1991,) (rhythm guitar, and vocals,) David Crosby (see also best songs 417) (rhythm guitar, and vocals,) Michael Clarke (1946-1993,) (drums,) and Chris Hillman (bass guitar, and vocals.) There have been a further five subsequent members between 1968-1973, including Gram Parsons (1946-1973.)

‘All I Really Want to Do’ was written by Bob Dylan (see also best songs 792-358-103-36 and 7) for his forth studio Album ‘Another Side of Bob Dylan’ from 1964. The lyrical content was a departure for Dylan from his normal topical songwriting, to a more personal one. The song was inspired by Dylan’s recent separation from his girlfriend of three years, Suze Rotolo (1943-2011,) although some have speculated that the song is a message from Dylan to his fans, that regardless of any change in musical style, he will always be there for them.

This was The Byrds second Dylan cover, as in January 1965 they had recorded ‘Mr. Tambourine Man,’which went to Number 1 on Billboard, and also in the UK. The Byrds had not wanted to do another Dylan cover, but Columbia Records had insisted, thinking a follow up hit was a certainty, but the singer Cher (see also best songs 672) also released her version of ‘All I Want to Do’ at the same time, as her debut solo single, and a chart battle ensued. In the UK, The Byrds were the winners, with there version reaching Number 4, and Cher making Number 9, but in America Cher was the winner reaching Number 15, while The Byrds could only get to Number 40.

‘I don’t want to meet your kin, make you spin, or do you in, or select you, or dissect you, or inspect you, or reject you.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER

622-Fleetwood Mac-Everywhere.

1988-Number 4 single.It also re-entered the chart on downloads in 2013, this time reaching Number 4.

Best Bit-At 0.01. I don’t mean to be rude, but if you would rather ‘Jack’ than listen to Fleetwood Mac, then I feel sorry for you.

Fleetwood Mac have a long, and turbulent history. They were formed in London, England, in 1967 by Peter Green (1946-2020,) (guitar,) Mick Fleetwood (drums,) and Jeremy Spencer (guitar.) Before the release of their self titled debut Album in 1968 they were joined by John McVie (bass,) also Danny Kirwan (1950-2018.) joined as a third guitarist in the same year, and the first classic lineup was completed in 1970 with the addition of Christine McVie (keyboards.) This first edition of Fleetwood Mac was very different musically to the incarnation of the mid 1970’s onward, with this sextet playing a mixture of Blues Rock, and Folk Rock. The band chose their name from the surnames of Mick Fleetwood and John McVie, and have released a total of 17 studio Albums, the first in 1968, and the latest in 2003.

Their musical style changed radically in 1975 with the arrival of Lindsey Buckingham (guitar,) and Stevie Nicks (vocals,) and together with Fleetwood, and John, and Christine McVie would record ‘Rumours in 1977, the eighth biggest selling Album of all time, with sales in excess of 40 million.

‘Everywhere’ was taken from ‘Tango in the Night,’ which is the bands 14th studio Album recorded during 1985-1986. The song was written and sung by Christine McVie, who probably wrote the lyrics about her husband Eddy Quintela, whom she had married in 1986. Christine McVie was born Christine Anne Perfect on July 12th, 1943, in Bouth, Lancashire, England. Before joining Fleetwood Mac she had been a member of the Blues band Chicken Shack, and had sang lead vocals on their 1969 Number 14 hit ‘I’d Rather Go Blind.’

‘Can you hear me calling out your name? You know that I’m falling, and I don’t know what to say.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

623-Hole-Celebrity Skin.

1998-Number 19 single.

Best Bit-At 0.59. Ignore all that 1990’s media fake news you were force fed by the tabloid trash. The real ‘Girl Power’ wasn’t all that spice hype, it was ladies like this.

Courtney Michelle Love was born on July 9th, 1964, in San Francisco, California, United States. Love formed the Alternative Rock band ‘Hole’ in 1989 with Eric Erlandson, who had answered an advertisement placed in ‘Recycler’ magazine in the summer of 1989. Hole were active until 2002, but reformed in 2009, and disbanded in 2012. In total there have been 15 different band members, and Hole have recorded four studio Albums, the first three all being critically acclaimed.

‘Celebrity Skin’ was the title track, and the first single release from the Album in 1998. It represented a departure from the bands first two Albums, which were more aggressive in melody, and less lyrically restrained. The song was co-written by Love, and Erlandson, and Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins (see also best songs 374.) It is said that Love was in need of inspiration at the time, and brought in Corgan, who wrote the songs main guitar riff, as well as co-writing another four tracks on the Album. The lyrics were written by Love, as were all the lyrics on the Album.The song tells of the futility of celebrity, and fame, and is anti Hollywood.The lyrics contain literary references, the line ‘Oh look at my face/ my name is might have been,’ is directly lifted from the opening verse of Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s poem ‘A Superscription’, and the phrase ‘Pound of flesh,’ originates from William Shakespeare’s ‘The Merchant of Venice.’A line from the song ‘Beautiful garbage,’ inspired the Rock group Garbage to call their third studio Album in 2001, ‘Beautiful Garbage.’

‘When I wake up in my makeup, it’s too early for that dress.Wilted and faded somewhere in Hollywood.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER

624-Billie Holiday-Strange Fruit.

1939-Has never charted in the UK. There was no UK chart until 1952.

Best Bit-At 1.06.’ The Lady Sings the Blues.

‘Billie Holiday was born Eleanora Fagan on April 7th, 1915, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, she died in 1959 at the age of 44, after a long battle with drugs, and alcohol. Billie Holiday had a turbulent upbringing, at the age of 11 she found a job running errands in a brothel, and at the age of 13 she became a victim of sexual trafficking.Holiday’s father Clarence (1898-1937) became her father at the age of 16, but didn’t stick around, and moved to Baltimore, to pursue a career in music. He became a well known musician, and when choosing her stage name, she kept his surname ‘Holiday.’ She chose the name ‘Billie’ in tribute to the actress Billie Dove (1903-1997.)

‘Strange Fruit’ was originally written as a poem in 1937 by a white, Jewish songwriter,school teacher, and union activist called Abel Meeropol (1903-1986.) Meeropol had been outraged after seeing a photograph of a horrific lynching in a civil rights magazine. The photo was a shot of two black men hanging from a tree, after they had been lynched in Marion, Indiana, United States, the two men are the ‘Strange Fruit.’

In 1939 while a performer at the first integrated venue in New York, the ‘Cafe Society Nightclub,’the song was brought to the attention of Billie Holiday.It was a very brave decision to record and perform the song, as it would be bound to cause controversy, putting Holiday’s own personal safety at risk, as well as potentially damaging her career as a black performer.

‘Strange Fruit’ became Holiday’s signature tune, and was the song she would always finish on for the rest of her career. In 1999 ‘Time’ magazine voted it the ‘Song of the Century,’ When the song had first come out in 1939, the same magazine had denounced it as ‘A piece of musical propaganda.’

There are some notable cover versions of ‘Strange Fruit,’ notably from Nina Simone, and the Reggae band UB40, who recorded the song as a bonus track for their debut Album ‘Signing Off,’ in 1980. Diana Ross also recorded the song for her performance in the film about Billie Holiday,’Lady Sings the Blues,’ from 1972.

‘Southern trees bear a strange fruit, blood on the leaves, and blood at the root. Black bodies swingin’ in the Southern breeze, strange fruit hangin’ from the poplar trees.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

625-Raspberries-Overnight Sensation (Hit Record.)

1974-Has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 4.18. It’s ironic that the main reason the song never became a hit was because radio stations didn’t like to play records which were more than three minutes long.

The Raspberries were formed in Cleveland, Ohio, United States, in 1970, from two local bands,’The Choir,’ and ‘Cyrus Erie.’ The classic lineup was Eric Carmen (vocal, guitar, bass, and piano,) Jim Bonfanti (drums,) Dave Smalley (bass,) and Wally Bryson (guitar.) They were active between 1970-1975, in 1999 Bryson reformed the band without Carmen, but with Smalley, and Michael McBride, they remained together until 2009.

The Raspberries recorded four studio Albums between 1972-1974, with most of the songwriting by Eric Carmen, it was resentment to the amount of input Carmen had, which led to the band splitting initially. Carmen went onto have a very successful solo career, achieving 11 top 40 hit singles on Billboard, including ‘Hungry Eyes,’ which was chosen for the soundtrack Album for the film ‘Dirty Dancing.’

The Raspberries were particularly influenced by the British Rock group The Who, with Carmen saying,’Pete Townshend (see also best songs 926-306 and 265) coined the phrase ‘Power Pop’ to define what The Who did. For some reason it didn’t stick to The Who, but it did stick to these groups that came out in the 70’s, that played that kind of melodic songs with crunchy guitars, and some wild drumming.”Overnight Sensation (Hit Record) was taken from the bands fourth studio Album ‘Starting Over’ from 1974. John Lennon (1940-1980) was a fan of the band, and was present at the recording of the Album, and although not credited is rumoured to have been involved in the mixing of ‘Overnight Sensation (Hit Record.’) Interestingly Lennon called a track on his final Album ‘Double Fantasy’ from 1980, (‘Just Like) Starting Over.’

‘I just want a hit record, yeah, wanna hear it on the radio.Want a big hit record,yeah, one that everybody’s got to know.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

626-Hamilton Bohannon-South African Man.

1974-Number 22 single.

Best Bit-At 4.31. If an alien came down to earth, and asked me what ‘FUNK’ is, I would tell them,’THIS IS.’

Hamilton Bohannon was born on March 7th, 1942, in Newnan, Georgia, United States, he died on April 24th, 2020, at the age of 78. Bohannon’s musical career began in 1964 when he was hired as a drummer in 13 year old Stevie Wonder’s touring band.In 1967 he moved to Detroit where he was employed by Motown as the leader, and arranger of ‘Bohannon & The Motown Sound,’ who were the touring backing band for Tamla Motown’s biggest names, including Diana Ross and the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, and The Temptations. When Motown moved from Detroit to Los Angeles in the early 1970’s Bohannon didn’t go with them, and embarked on a solo career, which started with the release of his first studio Album in 1973,’Stop & Go,’ in total between 1973-1989 Bohannon released 19 studio Albums. Unfortunately his music rarely crossed over in to the mainstream charts, and he never achieved a top 40 single on Billboard, although in the UK he did achieve three hits, with 1975’s ‘Disco Stomp’ the most successful, when peaking at Number 6.

Bohannon (see also best songs 48) was a devout Christian, and retired from the music business in 1989, but he did make a comeback, when touring, and making an appearance behind the drum kit in 2014, at the age of 72.’South African Man’ is taken from Bohannon’s second studio Album ‘Keep On Dancin’ from 1974, and is a call for peace, and the ending of apartheid.

‘South African man help me if you can.South African man, make it a better land.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

627-Rick Astley-Never Gonna Give You Up.

1987-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 2.16. The jewel in the Stock, Aitken, and Waterman crown.

‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ was the best selling single in the UK in 1987, spending five weeks at Number 1, and has recently surpassed the one million sales mark in the UK. The song also topped the chart on Billboard in 1988, and has also been Number 1 in 23 other countries around the world.

‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ was co-written, and co-produced by Mike Scott, Matt Aitken, and Peter Waterman. Stock has admitted that the bassline from the song ‘Trapped’ by Colonel Abrams was a big influence on this track (see also best songs 935.) From the mid 1980’s, through until the early 1990’s ‘SAW’ scored over 100 top 40 singles in the UK, including 13 Number 1 songs. They sold in excess of 40 million records, and earnings are an estimated £60 million. There are 96 different acts listed for whom ‘SAW’ have either written of produced for, including Donna Summer, Cliff Richard, and Kylie Minogue. Their first UK Number 1 was with the song ‘You Spin Me Round (Like a Record’,) with Dead or Alive, in 1985, and the last one was ‘Tears on My Pillow’ in 1990, with Kylie Minogue.

Richard Paul Astley was born on February 6th, 1966, in Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire, England. Astley began his music career performing with a Soul band by the name of ‘FBI,’ this was where he was noticed by Pete Waterman, who persuaded him to go to London, and be schooled for a career with ‘SAW.’ In total between 1987-2018, Astley has recorded eight studio Albums, and has had nine UK top 40 hits on the singles chart. On Billboard he has made the top 40 on seven occasions, and twice reached Number 1, his other chart topper being ‘Together Forever,’ in 1988. In 1994 Astley retired from the music business,to concentrate on bringing up his family, but he returned in 2000, and is still active now, recording and touring.

‘We’re no strangers to love, you know the rules and so do I. A full commitment’s what I’m thinking of, you wouldn’t get this from any other guy.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

628-Bill Haley & His Comets-Rock Around the Clock.

1955-Number 1 single. When reissued in 1968 it reached Number 20, and when reissued again in 1974 it made Number 12.

Best Bit-At 1.31. It was the end of the world as we know it. The onset of teenage anarchy, individuals gyrating in an unspeakable fashion, yes Rock N’ Roll had been invented.

It may all appear very tame by today’s standards but back in 1955, this was Punk Rock, Thrash Metal, and Happy Hardcore, all rolled in to one.’Rock Around the Clock’ was originally written in 1952 by Max C. Freedman (1893-1963,) and James E. Myers (1919-2001,) using the pseudonym Jimmy De Knight, although there are disputes surrounding the songs authorship, with some suggesting that Freedman had written the song on his own.’Rock Around the Clock’ was written with Bill Haley in mind to record it, but due to contractual problems with his record label at the time he was unable to. The first version of the song to be recorded was by the American vocal and instrumental group ‘Sonny Dae and His Knights,’ in a completely different style, and released in March 1954, but failed to chart.When Haley was free to record, the song climbed to Number 13 on Billboard after it’s release in May 1954.It wasn’t until the song was chosen for the Hollywood movie ‘Blackboard Jungle’ later on in that year, that it took off on theatres.The film attracted large teenage audiences, and their response sometimes overflowed into violence, and vandalism at screenings.The film has been seen as marking the start of a period of visible teenage rebellion in the later half of the 20th Century.

‘Rock Around the Clock’ would go on to become the best selling single of the 1950’s,with sales now in excess of 25 million copies, it is also the first recognised Rock N’ Roll Number 1 single, Bill Haley was born William John Clifton Haley on July 6th, 1925, in Highland Park,Michigan, United States, he died February 9th, 1981.Haley had originally been a Country Music performer, but changed musical direction to a new sound which came to be called Rock N’ Roll, a genre of music that originated from musical styles including Jazz, R&B, and Country music. Before the name change to the ‘Comets’ in 1952, Haley and his backing band were called the ‘Saddlemen,’ having formed in 1949. One of the ‘Saddlemen,’ and ‘Comet’s,’ was the bassist Marshall Lytle (1933-2013,) who along with Haley co-wrote the bands first national hit ‘Crazy Man Crazy’ in 1953, some see this song as the first ever Rock N’ Roll record, where as some say it was the first ever Rock N’ Roll record to be a hit on Billboard.

‘We’re gonna rock,rock,rock,’til broad daylight, we’re gonna rock,gonna rock, around the clock tonight.’IF YOU LIKE THIS PLEASE SHARE.The countdown continues tomorrow at 1.0.pm.For a list of all the best 1000 songs click on the blog at www.barryphilipsdiscos.

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

629-The Band-The Weight.

1968-Number 21 single.

Best Bit-At 0.10. Here’s another one for the pub quiz. The Scottish Rock band Nazareth took their name from the opening line of this song.

The Band were officially formed in Toronto, Canada, in 1967, and were active until 1977. Some of the original band reformed with new members in 1983, and remained active until 1999. The five members who formed ‘The Band’ were Rick Danko (1943-1999,) (bass,) Garth Hudson (keyboards,) Richard Manuel (1943-1986,) (drums, and keyboards,) Robbie Robertson (guitar,) and Levon Helm (1940-2012,) (drums, and vocals.) The members of the band had gradually come together in the early 1960’s, when backing the Canadian Rock N’ Roll musician Ronnie Dawkins. In 1964 they split from Hawkins, and released a few singles using the names ‘Levon and the Hawks,’ and then the ‘Canadian Squires.’ In 1965 Bob Dylan (see also best songs 792-358-103-36 and 7) was looking for a backing band for his first ‘Electric’ tour, and on recommendation they toured as ‘Bob Dylan and The Band.’With Dylan they also recorded three Albums, including 1975’s ‘The Basement Tapes.’Along with those three Albums The Band also recorded a further 11 studio Albums between 1968-1998.

‘The Weight’ is taken from The Band’s debut Album ‘Music from Big Pink,’ and was written by Robbie Robertson, although other band members have said that they also contributed to the writing of the song.’The Weight’ tells the story of a man who visits Nazareth, Pennsylvania, United States,having been asked by a friend of his called Annie, to check on some people she knows, to make sure they are well. ‘The Weight’ is the responsibility the man has been given to check on all of these strangers. The characters in the song were based on real people who the band knew, for example ‘Crazy Chester’ was an eccentric character who used to go and watch the band perform.Robbie Robertson has said that he was influenced to write the song by the work of the Spanish film director Luis Bunuel, who made some of the first movies dealing with surrealism. Robertson was intrigued by the characters in his films, who were often good people who did bad things.Many music critics and Rock fans have deliberated over the true meaning of the song, some suggesting that it’s meaning is biblical, but Robertson has always said that it is not.

‘I pulled in to Nazareth, was feeling ’bout half past dead, I just needed some place where I can lay my head.’