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.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

630-Patrick Juvet-I Love America.

1978-Number 12 single.

Best Bit-At 1.20. It’s a good job the song has a strong chorus, because he repeats it 12 times.

Patrick Juvet was born on 21st August, 1950, in Montreux, Switzerland. One of his earliest jobs was becoming a model in Dusseldorf,Germany in 1968, before going to Paris in 1970 to pursue his real love of music. He recorded his first single in 1971, around the same time as writing ‘Le Lundi au soleil,’ for Claude Francois (1939-1978.) Juvet then began collaborating with the French composer, and producer Jean-Michel Jarre, and the recordings they made can be heard on Juvet’s second studio Album ‘Love,’ from 1973. Also in that year Juvet represented Switzerland in the Eurovision Song Contest, finishing in 12th place.Between 1973-2006 Juvet released 15 Albums, and had two UK top 40 singles, the other being ‘Got a Feeling,’ which reached Number 34.

In 1978 Juvet turned his attentions to ‘Disco,’ working with Jacques Morali (1947-1991,) Henri Belolo (1936-2019,) and Victor Willis.’I Love America’ was co-written by Juvet, Morali, and Willis, it was produced by Morali, and weighs in at a whopping 13.55 seconds. Morali was very influential in the genre of ‘Disco’ music, with his two biggest creations being The Ritchie Family, and the Village People (see also best songs 105.) The lyrics to ‘I Love America’ were written by Victor Willis, who also wrote the lyrics of many of the Village People’s biggest hits.Willis was also co-founder of the Village People, and the lead singer, who would perform in costume either as a policeman or naval officer.

In 1996 the British ‘House’ music producers Jon Pearn, and Michael Gray, working as ‘Full Intention’ sampled ‘I Love America, and took their version ‘America (I Love America,’) to Number 32 in the UK.

‘When I first heard funky music it just blew my mind, the funky music was so good,I’d play it all the time.

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

631-The Bucketheads-The Bomb (These Sounds Fall into My Mind.)

1995-Number 5 single

Best Bit-At 4.41. Did you know that a mishearing or misinterpretation of a phrase is called a ‘Mondegreen.’ When listening to ‘Street Player’ by Chicago, this songs creator Kenny ‘Dope’ Gonzalez misheard ‘Street sounds swirling through my mind,’ as ‘These sounds fall in to my mind.’ For Pop music’s most famous, and successful mondegreen see best songs 501.

‘The Bomb (These Sounds Fall into My Mind’) samples the song ‘Street Player,’ taken from the American Rock band Chicago’s Album ‘Chicago 13,’ from 1979 (see also best songs 328.) The song was co-written by the Chicago co-founder, and drummer Danny Seraphine, and David Wolinski who was the keyboard player, and songwriter for the American Funk band Rufus. The version by Rufus appears on their 1978 Album called ‘Street Player’, both Seraphine, and Wolinski receive writing credits on ‘The Bomb.’

‘The Bomb’ and it’s parent Album ‘All in the Mind’ were the brainchild of Kenny ‘Dope’ Gonzalez who was born on July 5th, 1970, in Brooklyn, New York, United States. He is best known for being one half of the House music production team ‘Masters at Work,’ with Little Louie Vega, who since 1990 have produced music, and remixed songs for many of the worlds top artists, they are probably best known for their ‘Nuyorican Soul’ project in 1996.

The spoken intro to ‘The Bomb’ is a sample taken from the 1993 song by ‘Green Velvet,’ called ‘Preacher Man.’ In 2008 the American Rapper Pitbull (see also best songs 876 and 531) sampled The Bucketheads interpretation of ‘Street Player’ for his song ‘I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho,’) which peaked at Number 4 in the UK in 2009.

‘These sounds fall in to my mind.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

632-The Boomtown Rats-Rat Trap.

1978-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 4.08. Many artists found that performing on Top of the Pops was a necessary evil, as the producers of the show would insist that they mime. Like many others, Bob Geldof knew if he wanted to get the best exposure for his song he would have to perform, but he got his own back on the show by miming the saxophone part on the candelabra.

The Boomtown Rats were formed in Dublin, Ireland, in 1975 by Bob Geldof (vocals,) Garry Roberts (lead guitar,) Johnnie Fingers (keyboards,) Pete Briquette (bass,) Gerry Cott (rhythm guitar,) and Simon Crowe (drums.) They were active until 1986, but reformed in 2013 without Fingers, or Cott. They have released seven studio Albums, the latest being ‘Citizens of Boomtown’ in 2020. They have also achieved 11 top 40 singles in the UK, including two Number 1’s (see also best songs 455.) The band took their name from the gang of children who are referred to in Woody Guthrie’s autobiography ‘Bound for Glory,’ which Geldof had read.

Bob Geldof had written the lyrics to ‘Rat Trap’ as far back as 1973, while working in an abattoir. The song tells the tale of young Billy who knows that he is already trapped by his surroundings, and if he is to have a better life, then he must move away from the town he lives in.In 1996 Geldof recorded a self mocking cover version of the song with the ‘RTE’ television puppet character ‘Dustin the Turkey,’ the song became the Christmas Number 1 in Ireland that year.

‘Billy don’t like it living here in this town, he says the traps have been sprung long before he was born. He says,’hope bites the dust behind all the closed doors,”and puss and grime ooze from it’s scab crusted sores.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

633-The B-52’s-Love Shack.

1989-Number 2 Single.

Best Bit-At 3.48 Fred Schneider exclaims ‘You’re what!,’ to which Cindy Wilson replies.’Tin roof rusted.’ This is Southern American slang, meaning she’s pregnant.

The B-52’s were formed in Athens, Georgia, United States, in 1976 by Fred Schneider (vocals,) Kate Pierson (vocals, and keyboards,) Keith Strickland (drums,) Cindy Wilson (vocals,) and her brother Ricky Wilson (1953-1985,) (lead guitar.) They took their name from a particular hairdo, resembling the nose cone of the Boeing B-52 aircraft, which Kate Pierson, and Cindy Wilson wore in performances during the bands first decade. To date they have released seven studio Albums, the first in 1979, and the latest in 2008.

In 1985 one of the bands founding members Ricky Wilson died of Aids at the age of 32, which affected all the other members, who went on hiatus until reforming 1988, and continuing as a four piece. It was the release of their fifth studio Album ‘Cosmic Thing’ in 1989 which took them from a cult following, to mainstream success, particularly with the release of the second single off the Album,’Love Shack.’ The songs inspiration came from a real club outside of Athens, Georgia, called the ‘Hawaiian Ha-Le,’ where the band would meet up, Cindy Wilson has said,’I personally was thinking about this bar that was out in the country, it was a really cool place, a run-down love shack kind of thing, but it was a disco. It was a really interesting place.’ For Kate Pierson, the actual love shack for her was where she lived in the 1970’s, in a five room cabin where the band would sometimes work on songs such as ‘Rock Lobster,’ and ‘Planet Claire.’ Pierson has said,’ It really was set back in the middle of a field, with no plumbing, or running water, but it did have a tin roof.’ Unfortunately the building isn’t there anymore, as it burned down in 2004, the reason being arson.

‘Hop in my Chrysler, it’s as big as a whale, and it’s about to set sail. I got me a car, it seats about twenty, so come on and bring your jukebox money.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

634-Lena Horne-Stormy Weather.

1941-Has never charted in the UK. There was no UK chart until 1952.

Best Bit-At 0.12.As the old saying goes,’It never rains, but it pours.’

‘Stormy Weather’ was written in 1933 by Harold Arlen (1905-1986,) who composed the music, and Ted Koehler (1894-1973,) who wrote the lyrics, Other collaborations between the two include ‘Get Happy from 1930. and ‘Let’s Fall in Love,’ from 1933. Harold Arlen wrote the music for over 500 songs, collaborating with other lyricists including Johnny Mercer (see also best songs 934-281 and 68.)

The first recording of ‘Stormy Weather’ was in 1933 by Ethel Waters (1896-1977,) who also first sang the song at ‘The Cotton Night Club’ in Harlem, New York City, United States, also in 1933.Perhaps the most famous version of the song is this one by Lena Horne (1917-2010,) she recorded it for the first time in 1941, but when appearing in the 1943 movie of the same name, she re-recorded it. In 1957 she once again redid the song, as the title track of what would be her seventh studio Album.

Lena Horne was born on June 30th, 1917, in New York City, United States, she was a singer, dancer, and actress. She appeared in 24 films, and there are 53 official Albums of her music available, spanning her career through until her last release ‘Seasons of a Life’ recorded between 1993-1997, but not made available until 2006.

‘Stormy Weather is a ‘Torch Song,’ which is typically a sentimental love song, where the singer laments an unrequited, or lost love. In ‘Stormy Weather’ the weather is a metaphor for the feelings of the singer. The song has been recorded by dozens of artists including Billie Holiday, in 1955, Ringo Starr in 1969, Bob Dylan in 2017, and there is a ‘Disco’ version of the song by Viola Wills, recorded in 1982. In 1991 the Australian band Crowded House paid homage to the song on their hit ‘Weather With You,’ with the lyrics,’Walking ’round the room singing stormy weather.’

‘When he went away, the Blues walked in and met me.If he stays away, old rocking chair will get me.

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

635-T-Connection-At Midnight.

1979-Number 53 single.

Best Bit-At 3.07. The percussion intro was meant to go on for longer, but the bongo player got cramp.

T-Connection were a Funk, and Disco group formed in Nassau, the Bahamas in 1975 by Theophilus ‘T’ Coakley (guitar, and keyboards,) his brother Kirkwood Coakley (bass, and drums,) David Mackey (guitars,) Anthony Flowers (percussion,) Monty Brown, and Berkley VanByrd (drums,) who is now deceased. They were active until 1984, releasing eight studio Albums, and reaching the UK top 40 on two occasions.Their most successful song was the 1977 track ‘Do What You Wanna Do,’ which peaked at Number 11, and also in the same year they reached Number 16 with ‘On Fire.’

T-Connection relocated to Miami, Florida, United States in 1975, and signed with ‘T.K. Records,’ the home of KC and the Sunshine Band, and George McCrae (see also best songs 893-375 and 64.) The bands first four Albums were all released through TK Records subsidiary label ‘Dash.’ In 1980 they left ‘TK,’ and signed with ‘Capitol Records,’ where their other four Albums were recorded.

‘At Midnight’ was taken from the bands third Album called ‘T-Connection,’ and was co-written by Theophilus ‘T’ Coakley, and David Mackey. The 12 inch vinyl record for ‘At Midnight’ was ‘DJ friendly,’ as there were etchings on the record to let you know where to place the needle. For instance if you wanted to skip the drum intro, this was clearly marked. These were the days before mixing, but the seeds were being sown.

‘Look in to my eyes, tell me what you see, do you see some possibilities.’