THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

640-Tears for Fears-Change.

1983-Number 4 single.

Best Bit-At 2.31.’Dance like nobody’s watching.’

Tears for Fears were formed in Bath, England, in 1981, by Roland Orzabal, who was born August 22nd, 1961, in Portsmouth, England, and Curt Smith, who was born June 24th, 1961, in Bath. Shortly after forming they were joined by Ian Stanley (keyboards,) and Manny Elias (drums.) Elias left the band in 1986, and Stanley in 1987. Orzabal and Smith recorded, and toured together until falling out with each other in 1991 (see also best songs 24.) The bands name was inspired by ‘Primal Therapy,’ developed by the American psychologist Arthur Janov, which gained tremendous publicity after John Lennon became Janov’s patient in 1970. ‘In 2000, after not speaking to each other in nearly 10 years, Orzabal and Smith had to meet up to sign some routine paperwork, and this led to a re-union, and the recording of their sixth studio Album,’Everybody Loves a Happy Ending,’ in 2004.Between 1983-2004 Tears for Fears recorded six studio Albums, although Smith didn’t appear on ‘Elemental’ (1993,) and ‘Raoul and the Kings of Spain,'(1995.) In the UK they have achieved 17 top 40 singles, with the highest chart placing being ‘Everybody Want’s to Rule the World,’ which reached Number 2 in 1985, but a cover version of their 1982 Number 3 song ‘Mad World,’ did become the Christmas Number 1 of 2003, when covered by Michael Andrews and Gary Jules. In America they became one of the most successful British bands of the 1980’s, achieving two Billboard Number 1’s, (‘Shout,’ and ‘Everybody Wants to Rule the World.’) and a Billboard Number 1 Album with ‘Songs from the Big Chair’, in 1985.

‘Change’ is taken from the bands debut Album,’The Hurting,’ and was written by Roland Orzabal, who has said about the songs meaning,’It’s not really about much. It’s just one of those cheap pop lyrics.’Of the song Curt Smith said,’A strange little pop song.’

‘You walked in to the room, I just had to laugh, the face you wore was cool, you were a photograph.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

641-Sonic Youth-Bull in the Heather.

1994-Number 24 single.

Best Bit-At 0.15. Undoubtedly the best song ever written about a racehorse.

Sonic Youth were an Alternative Rock group, formed in New York City, United States, by Kim Gordon (vocals, and bass,) Thurston Moore (vocals, and guitar,) Lee Ranaldo (guitar,) Anne DeMarinis (keyboards,) and Richard Edson (drums). Gordon, and Moore were married in 1984, but divorced in 2013, and along with Ranaldo were the bands three constants until they split in 2011. The group had three previous drummers until Steve Shelley joined them permanently in 1985. They took their name from the nickname of the MC5’s Fred ‘Sonic’ Smith (see also best songs 155,) and ‘Youth’ from the reggae artist Big Youth.Sonic Youth are considered one of the most important acts in the development of experimental rock music, redefining what a guitar could do, by using a wide variety of unorthodox guitar tuning’s. Thurston Moore has said the odd tuning’s were an attempt to introduce new sounds. Between 1983-2009 they released 15 studio Albums, with all of the bands members also releasing solo material, or working with others.

Kim Gordon who was five months pregnant when recording this songs video explained what ‘Bull in the Heather’ is about. She said,’Using passiveness as a form of rebellion-like, I’m not going to participate in your male dominated culture, so I’m going to be passive.’Bob Nastanovich who is a member of the American Indie Rock band ‘Pavement,’ and a big horse racing fan, had told Kim Gordon about a horse called ‘Bull in the Heather,’ who had won at big odds. In the context of the song the horses odds probably represent coming out on top, even when the odds are against you.’

Time to tell your dirty story, time turning over and over, time turning, four leaf clover, betting on the bull in the heather.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

642-The Osmonds-Crazy Horses.

1972-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 0.09.They needed something that sounded like a horse. They tried everything, until they finally found something on Donny’s organ that sounded like a neighing stallion.

The Osmonds father was George (1917-2007,) and their mother was Olive (1925-2004,) together they had nine children, George Jr, Virl, Tom, Alan, Merrill, Jay, Donny, Marie, and Jimmy. George Osmond was a devout Mormon, and brought his family up to be the same, when he died in 2007, as well as his nine children, he left 55 grandchildren, and 48 great grandchildren.

Between their formation in 1962, until 1970, they were a quartet, comprising Alan, Wayne, Merrill, and Jay, their big break came when they were booked to appear on a regular basis on the Andy Williams television show between 1962-1969 (see also best songs 914 and 112.) They would become a quintet for the first time in 1970, when joined by their younger brother Donny. Between 1970-1980 The Osmonds released 10 studio Albums, with Donny, Jimmy, who is the youngest sibling, and their only sister, Marie, all pursuing successful solo careers. On top of this, Donny and Marie also teamed up to record several successful duets.

‘Crazy Horses’ was a turning point in the bands career, as prior to this they recorded songs written by other artists, and chosen for them by their record company. Merrill has said,’We were rehearsing in a basement one day when Wayne started playing this heavy rock riff. I came up with the melody, and Alan got the chords.’The songs subject was way ahead of it’s time. It’s a song about the environment, those’Crazy Horses, smoking up the sky,’ are gas-guzzling cars, destroying the planet with their fumes’.

‘Never stop, and they never die, they just keep on puffin’, how they multiply.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

643-DJ Jazzy Jeff & The French Prince-Summertime.

1991-Number 8 single.

Best Bit-At 0.05. Unlike the majority of Rappers, you will never need a Parental Advisory Label on one of Will Smith’s records.

Willard Carroll Smith Jr. was born on September 25th, 1968, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, he is the only actor to have starred in eight consecutive films which have grossed over $100 million in the United States box office, and 11 consecutive films, which grossed over $150 million internationally. As a solo artist Smith has released four studio Albums between 1997-2005, and in the UK he has had 12 top 40 singles,(one as a featured artist) including his debut hit ‘Men in Black,’ which reached Number 1.

DJ Jazzy Jeff was born Jeffrey Allen Townes on January 22nd, 1965, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, he has stated that he wanted to be a DJ from the age of 10. He has been highly praised for his skills on turntables, and is credited with making the ‘Transformer Scratch’ famous. After parting ways with Will Smith in 1994 he has written and produced for himself, and numerous other artists.

Will Smith who uses the stage name The Fresh Prince first met DJ Jazzy Jeff in 1985 when DJ Jazzy Jeff was performing at a house party only a few doors down from where Smith lived. Smith took the microphone and showed off his rapping skills, and the two decided to work together. Between 1987-1993 they released five studio Albums, and achieved four top 40 singles on Billboard, and six in the UK. In the states this song is their biggest hit, reaching Number 4, while in the UK, 1993’s’Boom! Shake the Room’ made Number 1.

‘Summertime’ is taken from the duo’s fourth studio Album ‘Homebase’ from 1991, and samples Kool & the Gang’s 1974 instrumental ‘Summer Madness,’ taken from their fifth studio Album ‘Light of Worlds.’ Smith and Townes both receive writing credit, along with eight members of Kool & the Gang, and Lamar ‘Hula’ Mahone, who would go on to find success as one half of The Outhere Brothers in the mid 1990’s. In recognition of the Kool & the Gang original, the last line of ‘Summertime’ as rapped by Will Smith is,’And this is the definition of Summer Madness.’

‘Leanin’ to the side, but you can’t speed through, two miles an hour, so everybody sees you.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

644-Aretha Franklin-I Say a Little Prayer.

1968-Number 4 single.

Best Bit-At 2.02. In the words of Green Gartside,’Each time I go to bed, I pray like Aretha Franklin.’ (see also best songs 554)

‘I Say a Little Prayer’ was written by the legendary songwriting team of Burt Bacharach (music,) and Hal David (1921-2012) (lyrics.) The song was originally recorded by Dionne Warwick (see also best songs 224) who took her version to Number 4 on Billboard in 1967. A year later the song was recorded by Aretha Franklin (see also best songs 366) for the ‘B’side of ‘The House That Jack Built,’ but ‘I Say a Little Prayer’ was favoured by radio stations and began receiving all of the air play. Franklin’s version reached Number 10 on Billboard, and also became, at that time her biggest UK hit, when making Number 4.

Both versions have the American R&B girl group ‘The Sweet Inspirations’ in common, as they were in on rehearsals when Warwick was recording her version, and can be heard performing backing vocals on Franklin’s recording. ‘The Sweet Inspirations’ (see also best songs 882) at that time were Cissy Houston, the mother of Whitney, Estelle Brown, Sylvia Shemwell, and Myrna Smith (1941-2010.) The song has also been a hit in the UK for two other artists. In 1988 Tim Simenon using his alias ‘Bomb the Bass’ took his electronic dance version, featuring the singer Maureen, to Number 10, and a reggae version by Diana King, which was featured prominently in the 1997 comedy film ‘My Best Friends Wedding,’ reached Number 17 in 1997.

Burt Bacharach (see also best songs 902-815-740 and 224) never wanted the Dionne Warwick version to be released, he has said,’I think I made the tempo a little too fast, I didn’t want the record to come out, but got overridden. I’m glad that I got overridden’.He has also stated that he much prefers the Aretha Franklin arrangement, and production of the song by Jerry Wexler. As for how the song was inspired, Hal David wrote the lyrics with the intention to convey a woman’s concern for her man who is serving in the Vietnam War.

‘The moment I wake up, before I put on my makeup, I say a little prayer for you.

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER

645-Armand van Helden-The Funk Phenomena.

1996-Number 38 single.

Best Bit-At .0.15. It’s the point where the sampled vocals of the Rapper Redman become slightly, but adictivally repetitive.

Armand van Helden was born on February 16th, 1970, in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, he is a record producer, songwriter, remixer, and DJ, in the musical genre of Electronic Dance Music.’To date Armand van Helden has released eight studio Albums, the first being ‘Old School Junkies,’ which is the Album that contains this song, released in 1996, and the latest being 2016’s ‘Extra Dimensional.’ Helden has also released 10 compilation Albums, two remix Albums, eight DJ mix Albums, 19 extended plays, and 62 singles. He is also a prolific producer of remixes for dozens of other artists, including The Rolling Stones, Blondie, Janet Jackson, and Wu Tang Clan. In the UK he has had three Number 1 singles, in 1996 it was his remix of the Tori Amos song ‘Professional Widow’ which made that song a chart topper, and in 2009, he was the co-writer, and producer of the Dizzee Rascal song ‘Bonkers.’ (see also best songs 138) He also co-wrote with Duane Harden the 1999 Number 1 single ‘You Don’t Know Me.’

‘The Funk Phenomena’ samples three other songs. The repeated line ‘The Funk Phenomena’ is the voice of the American Rapper Redman, sampled from 1995 Billboard Number 13 hit ‘How High,’ by Method Man & Redman. The other two samples are from the 1970’s American R&B group ‘Creative Source,’ with their version of the Bill Withers song ‘Who Is He (And What Is He to You?’) and also, the most prominent sample from the 1993 song ‘Don’t Throw My Love Around,’ by Cooly’s Hot Box.

‘The Funk Phenomena.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

646-Paul McCartney and Wings-Junior’s Farm.

1974-Number 16 single.

Best Bit-At 3.56. Of the naming of ‘Wings,’ Paul McCartney has said that his wife Linda was in hospital giving birth to their second child Stella, there were complications, at the birth, and both Linda and the baby nearly died. McCartney was praying, and the image of wings came to his mind.He decided to call his new band ‘Wings.’

Paul McCartney (see also best songs 599-456-319-238-141-107-80-51-10 and 6) had finally achieved critical acclaim away from the Beatles with the success of the ‘Band on the Run’ Album in 1974. The next studio Album ‘Venus and Mars’ wouldn’t be released until 1975, so ‘Junior’s Farm’ was released without appearing on any Album.While recording in July 1974 in Nashville, Paul McCartney and Wings, who were Linda McCartney (1941-1998) Denny Laine, Jimmy McCullock (1953-1979) (see also best songs 891) and Geoff Britton, had been invited to stay at the ‘Lebanon,’Tennessee farm of Country Music singer/songwriter Curly Putman Jr.(1930-2016,) which accounts for the songs title.In the UK Putman’s best known songs are ‘Green Green Grass of Home,’ a UK Number 1 song for Tom Jones (see also best songs 964) and ‘D-I-V-O-R-C-E,’ a UK Number 12 hit for Tammy Wynette.

McCartney has said that we should not study the lyrics of ‘Juniors Farm’ has it has ‘Silly lyrics, and basically means, let’s get out of the city.’ But I have studied the lyrics, and come to the conclusion that there is a drug reference, a comment on the state of the economy at that time, and a disguised mention about America’s disgraced President Nixon.

‘I was talking to an Eskimo, said he was hoping for a fall of snow, when up popped a sea lion ready to go.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

647-Van Halen-Jump.

1984-Number 7 single.

Best Bit-At 3.34. Here’s an interesting coincidence for those of us with lots of spare time on our hands. The ‘B’ side of the U.S. single release of ‘Jump’ is a song called ‘House of Pain.’ In 1992 the American Hip-Hop group House of Pain had a hit with a song called Jump (see also best songs 75.)

Van Halen were formed in Pasadena, California, United States, in 1974, and remained active until the death of Eddie Van Halen in 2020. The bands original line up from 1974-1985 were the brothers, Eddie Van Halen 1955-2020,) (lead guitarist,) his brother Alex Van Halen (drummer,) David Lee Roth (lead vocalist,) and Michael Anthony (bass.) In 1985 Roth left the band to pursue a solo career, and was replaced by a new lead vocalist Sammy Hagar. Roth returned to the band in 2006, replacing Hagar. In the same year Michael Anthony left, and was replaced by Eddie’s son Wolfgang Van Halen. Between 1978-2012 the band released 12 studio Albums, and with sales in excess of 80 million records, they are one of the worlds best selling artists.

‘Jump’ is Van Halen’s most successful single, taken from their 1983 Album called ‘1984,’ it reached Number 1 on Billboard in 1984. The song introduced the use of a synthesizer by Eddie Van Halen, which David Lee Roth objected to, as he thought it would be seen as them selling out in order to get more radio play. Eddie had written the music in 1981, admitting he had copied the synth part from the Hall and Oates song ‘Kiss On My List.’ Daryll Hall has stated that he had no problem wit Eddie doing that. David Lee Roth wrote the lyrics, and has teased with various accounts as to what the song is about, but usually tells the story of a news story he saw on television about a man about to kill himself by jumping off a building, Roth thought to himself,’might as well jump,’ but in a positive sense. Don’t jump to your death, but instead jump in to a more positive frame of mind, and make the most of your life’.

‘I get up, and nothin’ gets me down. You got it tough, I’ve seen the toughest around, and I know baby just how you feel. You got to roll with the punches, and to get to what’s real.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

648-The O’Jays-Love Train.

1973-Number 9 single.

Best Bit-At 2.25. While appearing on the legendary American music television programme ‘Soul Train,’The O’Jays were asked if this song was inspired by ‘Soul Train,’ they replied ‘yes,’ but of course they were just being nice.

The O’Jays were formed in 1958, in Canton, Ohio, United States, by Eddie Levert, Walter Lee Williams, William Powell (1942-1977) Bobby Massey, and Bill Isles (1941-2019.) They were originally known as ‘The Mascots,’ and then ‘The Triumphs,’ before deciding on ‘The O’Jays,’they took the name in tribute to the Cleveland radio DJ, Eddie O’Jay. Between 1960-1972 they released five studio Albums, and 33 singles, with their biggest success coming in 1965 with ‘Lipstick Traces (On a Cigarette’) which peaked at Number 48 on Billboard.Shortly before their big breakthrough, when being signed by ‘Philadelphia International ‘ records, the quintet had become a trio with the departure of Bill Isles, and Bobby Massey. The legendary song writing team of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff (see also best songs 1001-725-604 and 322) had formed the ‘Philadelphia International’ label in 1971, and would work with the O’Jays, writing, and producing their next eight studio Albums, through until 1979.

‘Love Train’ was taken from the O’Jays 1972 debut Album for ‘Philadelphia International,’ ‘Backstabbers,’ coincidentally the single entered the Billboard top 40 on January 27th, 1973,the same day that the agreement on ending the war, and restoring peace in Vietnam was signed, and went on to become the O’Jays only Number 1 song on Billboard.

‘All of you brothers in Africa, tell all the folks in Egypt, and Israel too. Please don’t miss this train at the station, ’cause if you miss it, I feel sorry, sorry for you.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER

649-Slade-Cum On Feel the Noize.

1973-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 0.01. Three very noisy babies.

The songs introduction of Noddy Holder shouting ‘Baby, Baby, Baby,’ was only meant to be a microphone test, and not intended for the finished recording, but it appeared everybody liked it, so they kept it in.Slade were formed in 1966 in Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, England, by Neville ‘Noddy’ Holder (lead singer,) Jim Lea (bass guitar) Dave Hill (guitar,) and Don Powell (drums,) the band are still active, with Dave Hill being the only original member. When first forming they called themselves ‘The N’Betweens,’ changing to ‘Ambrose Slade’ in 1969, before finally settling on ‘Slade’ in 1970. They were managed by Chas Chandler (1938-1996) between 1969-1979, who had previously been the manager of Jimi Hendrix, and the bass player with the Rock and R&B band The Animals (see also best songs 851.)

‘Cum On Feel the Noize’ was co-written by Noddy Holder and Jim Lea, together they wrote all six of the bands UK Number 1 singles, and the majority of their 25 top 40 singles. Slade were the best selling act of singles in the UK in the 1970’s, and have sold in excess of 50 million records worldwide. The songs title caused controversy, especially with school teachers, who said that the deliberate misspelling of this, and many other Slade songs, was not setting a good example to school children.

Slade had tried to achieve success in America with extensive touring between 1975-1977, but had failed. In 1983 the American Heavy Metal band Quiet Riot covered this song, taking it to Number 5 on Billboard, and selling over 1 million copies, this finally brought Slade to the attention of the American public, and they finally got a hit in the States when ‘Run Runaway’reached Number 20 in 1984.

‘So come on feel the noise, girls grab your boys, we get wild, wild, wild, we get wild, wild, wild, at your door.’