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.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

636-Jay-Z-Girls, Girls, Girls.

2002-Number 11 single.

Best Bit-At 1.22. Even if only 10% of what he brags about is true, he must still have a very understanding wife.

Jay-Z was born on December 4th, 1969, in New York City, United States, he is recognised as one of the greatest rappers of all time. He is one of the world’s best selling solo artists, with sales in excess of 50 million Albums, and 75 million singles. He has released 13 studio solo Albums between 1996-2017, with the last 11 all reaching Number 1 on Billboard. He has also achieved a further three collaborative Albums with R Kelly, Linkin Park, and Kanye West, which also all made Number 1.

‘Girls, Girls, Girls,’ is taken from Jay-Z’s (see also best songs 477-267 and 23) sixth studio Album ‘The Blueprint’ from 2001. The Album was unfortunately released on the same day as the 9/11 tragedy in 2001,.but that didn’t stop sales of the Album topping 427,000 in it’s first week, it has since gone on to sell in excess of 2 million copies in America. ‘Girls, Girls, Girls’ samples the 1974 song ‘There’s Nothing In This World That Can Stop Me From Loving You,’ by the American Soul singer Tom Brock (1942-2002.) which was produced by Barry White (1944-2003,) on the ’20th Century’ record label. The songs chorus of ‘Girls, Girls, Girls’ was inspired by the 1980 ‘Old School’ Hip-Hop song ‘High Power Rap,’ by the New York based the ‘Crash Crew.’ The song has additional vocals by Q-Tip, Slick Rick, and Biz Markie. There is also a remix of the song produced by Kanye West, which can be found as a hidden track on ‘The Blueprint,’ with unaccredited vocals from Michael Jackson.

‘I got this young chick, she’s so immature. She like,’Why you don’t buy me Reeboks no more?”Like to show out in public, throw tantrums on the floor, gotta toss a couple of dollars, just to shut up her holla.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

637-Joni Mitchell-Big Yellow Taxi.

1970-Number 11 single.

Best Bit-At 2.10. Joni Mitchell laughing at her own vocal gymnastics.

Joni Mitchell (see also best songs 558 and 299) was born Roberta Joan Mitchell on November 7th, 1943, in Fort Macleod, Alberta, Canada, she released her debut studio Album ‘Song to a Seagull’ in 1968, and after the release of her 19th Album ‘Shine’ in 2007, she said it would be her last. In the UK the only time she has made the top 10 singles chart was when guesting on the Janet Jackson song ‘Got ’til It’s Gone’, which reached Number 6 in 1997, the song samples

‘Big Yellow Taxi.”Big Yellow Taxi’ is a song about the damage being done to the environment.Joni Mitchell has said,’I wrote Big Yellow Taxi’ on my first trip to Hawaii. I took a taxi to the hotel, and when I woke up the next morning, I threw back the curtains and saw these beautiful green mountains in the distance.The, I looked down, and there was a parking lot as far as the eye could see,and it broke my heart, this blight on paradise. That’s when I sat down and wrote the song.The song also reminds us not to take anything for granted, and that if we don’t make a stand to protect the natural world it will be gone tomorrow.In the final verse ‘Joni’s ‘old man’ is taken away in a big yellow taxi. This refers to an old boyfriend, being arrested by the Canadian police, for being an environmental activist. In Toronto, Canada many of the police vehicles were yellow, with red flashing lights on the roof, and this is from where the song takes it’s title.The song has also charted twice in the UK for other artists. In 1995 the American singer Amy Grant took her version to Number 20, with slightly changed lyrics, at the request of Joni Mitchell,to bring the song more up to date, and in 2002 the American Rock band Counting Crows, with backing vocals from Vanessa Carlton made Number 16, after being featured in the film ‘Two Weeks Notice.’ In America the only version of this song to make the top 40 on Billboard was a 1970 cover from ‘The Neighborhood which made Number 29, although a live version by Joni Mitchell did reach Number 24 in 1974.

‘They paved paradise and put up a parking lot, with a pink hotel, a boutique, and a swinging hot spot.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER

638-The Clash-Bankrobber.

1980-Number 12 single.

Best Bit-At 4.29.The band filmed a low budget video for the song, depicting members of the band recording the track in the studio, interspersed with The Clash roadies Baker, and Green wearing bandanas over their faces, performing a bank heist in Lewisham, London. During filming, Baker and Green were stopped by the police who thought they were genuine bank robbers.

The Clash (see also best songs 867 and 294) were formed in London, England in 1976, and were active until 1986, the classic line up were Joe Strummer, who was born John Mellor (1952-2002,) (guitar, and vocals,) Mick Jones (lead guitar,) Paul Simonon (bass,) and Nicky ‘Topper’ Headon (drums.) Headon left the group in 1982, and Jones departed in 1983, with new members being recruited, through until their disbandment in 1986.

‘Bankrobber’ was released as a stand alone single in 1980, and did not appear on an Album until 1983’s compilation ‘Black Market Clash.’ The Clash experimented in many musical genres, and this song incorporated Reggae, with the band working with the Jamaican producer Mickey Dread (1954-2008,) who would also be very influential in the recording of their fourth studio Album ‘Sandinista!’ in 1980.

The songs lyrics are not meant to be taken literally, they are a continuation of the bands themes of dead end jobs, and escaping oppression that ran through so many of The Clash songs. In 1997 the Manchester band Audioweb covered the song, taking their version to Number 19 in the UK.

‘The old man spoke up in a bar, said,’I never been in prison.’A lifetime serving one machine, is ten times worse than prison.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

639-Carly Simon-You’re So Vain.

1973-Number 3 single.

Best Bit-At 2.56. One of Pop Music’s best kept fun secrets, is ironically taken from her 1972 Album,’No Secrets.’

Carly Elisabeth Simon was born on June 25th, 1945, in The Bronx, New York. Before finding worldwide success as a solo artist, she and her two older sisters, Joanna, and Lucy were signed to ‘Kapp Records’ in 1964, releasing two Albums. Simon signed as a solo artist with ‘Electra Records’ in 1970, and released her self titled debut Album in 1971, she has released 22 studio Albums to date. Both of her first two solo Albums fared well, with both reaching Number 30 on Billboard, but it was with the release of her third Album ‘No Secrets’ in 1972, that she achieved worldwide success, in the main,with thanks to this song.Carly Simon has had a lot of fun teasing the media, and the general public about whom ‘You’re So Vain’ is really about. Even now, nearly 50 years later, only a handful of people know the truth. In order to keep the mystery and intrigue going, Carly Simon from time to time drops hints. She has stated that the song refers to three men only, one of whom is the actor Warren Beatty, Carly Simon has said that the second verse is about him. She has also stated that the song isn’t actually just about one person, but an amalgamation of three men she has known. Unaccredited backing vocals on the track are provided by Mick Jagger (see also best songs 933-662-452-160 and 77) of whom Simon has stated is definitely not part of the subject of the song.In 2001 Carly Simon used the basis of this song in collaboration with Janet Jackson (see also best songs 679) and Missy Elliott (see also best songs 691,) recording a new ‘version’ called ‘Son of a Gun (I Betcha Think This Song Is About You.’) for Jackson’s Album ‘All For You.’ ‘Son of a Gun’ is what Simon can be heard whispering on the intro of ‘You’re So Vain.’

‘Well I hear you went to Saratoga, and your horse naturally won.’