THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

500-Tenacious D-Tribute.

2002-The song has never been released as a single in the UK, but did reach Number 84 on downloads in 2012.

Best Bit-At 1.56. Yes I am well aware this is not the best song in the world, it’s not even the 499th best.

Tenacious D are the duo of Jack Black, and Kyle Gass who first met in 1986, and then again in the early 1990’s, when both were members of ‘The Actor’s Gang’ theatre company. They both connected musically and formed the duo in 1994, taking their stage name from ‘tenacious defence,’ which is a well known phrase used by ‘NBA’ basketball sports presenter Marv Albert. As Tenacious D the duo have achieved great success, hosting their own three season television series between 1997-2000, released by ‘HBO,’ and in 2006 they starred in their own film’Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny.’ They have released four studio Albums between 2001-2018, two of which reached the Billboard 200 Album chart top 10, there has also been one live Album as well to date.

Jack Black was born on August 28th, 1969, in Santa Monica, California, United States, he has been even more successful as an actor, with two of his many starring roles coming in the films ‘Shallow Hal,'(2001,) and ‘School of Rock'(2003.) Kyle Gass was born on July 14th, 1960, in Castro Valley, California, United States, he too has appeared in movies, as well as performing in two other bands, the ‘Kyle Gass Band,’ and ‘Trainwreck,’ releasing studio Albums with both.

‘Tribute’ was the first single released by Tenacious D, and can be filed under the musical genre of ‘Comedy Rock,’ but don’t be fooled into thinking that they are just a novelty comic act. They have toured, opening for acts including The Foo Fighters, and Beck, and have used many top musicians to accompany them on their Albums. David Grohl played on the duo’s self titled debut Album, as well as this single, playing guitar, and drums, he also appears in the songs famous video, playing the part of the devil.

‘Tribute’ finds Black and Gass hitchhiking down the road when Satan appears and tells them to play the best song in the world, or he will eat their souls. Having nothing to lose by trying, the duo play the first thing that comes into their heads,the devil is impressed thinking it is the best song in the world, but the duo having panicked and forgotten what the best song was, playing another song instead as a tribute.

‘And the peculiar thing is this my friends, the song we sang on that fateful night, it didn’t actually sound anything like this song.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

501-Black Box-Ride on Time.

1989-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 3.15. Having listened to music for approximately 50 years, I can succinctly remember those rare occasions when I knew I was hearing something fresh and new that hadn’t been done before. This song hailed the start of the musical genre that would become known as ‘Italian House’ music.

Black Box were formed in 1988 by the Italian music producers Daniele Davoli, Valerio Semplici, and Mirco Limoni. As well as achieving nine UK top 40 singles, they have also charted on two other occasions, as ‘Starlight’ in 1988, with ‘Numero Uno (UK Number 9,) and as ‘Mixmaster in 1989 with ‘Grand Piano’ (UK Number 9.) There have also been two studio Albums,’Dreamland,’in 1989, and the less successful ‘Positive Vibration’ in 1995.

‘Ride on Time’ spent six weeks at Number 1 in the UK in 1989, and was later added to Black Box’s debut Album ‘Dreamland,’ the song, the group, and the Album are among the most controversial in all of this countdown. Daniele Davoli had visited New York and purchased a 12-inch acapella of the 1980 Disco hit ‘Love Sensation’ by Loleatta Holloway (1946-2011,) which was written by Dan Hartman (1950-1994.) (see also best songs 1012.) Back in Italy, and using the newly invented ‘Akai S900’ sampler, he created the first version of ‘Ride on Time,’ using the ‘Love Sensation’ vocals. The three music producers then added piano chords, and additional vocal samples to create the track.

‘Ride on Time’ was released without the samples being cleared by ‘Salsoul Records’ which owned the rights to ‘Love Sensation,’ leading to long legal battles over royalties. Dan Hartman the writer of ‘Love Sensation’ was happy to settle for a third of the royalties, leading Davoli to call him ‘A true gentleman,’ as he could have asked for far more. ‘Love Sensation’s’ singer Loleatta Holloway’ was never paid for her vocals, as the sample was owned by ‘Salsoul Records.’ Davoli said that he regretted not meeting Holloway before her death in 2011, and would like to apologise ‘For how messy things got.’After the initial legal action was taken, Black Box were forced into reissuing ‘Ride on Time’ with rerecorded vocals. The identity of the singer was kept quiet, as she was about to launch her own career, the vocalist was Heather Small, who would go on to great success with ‘M People,’ and also as a solo artist.

Nine songs were produced for the ‘Dreamland’ Album, and six were sung by Martha Wash, who had previously found success as a backing singer with ‘Sylvester,'(see also best songs 162) and also as one half of ‘The Weather Girls.’ Wash had been told by Black Box that she was only recording ‘demos,’ and her vocals were to be used as a guide for another singer, but when the Album came out it was her voice on the recordings. Wash successfully sued, which has led to all vocal credits becoming mandatory on Album, and music video’s ever since.Further controversy occurred when ‘Ride on Time’ was performed on shows such as ‘Top of the Pops,’ as Black Box hired French model Katrin Quinol to mime the vocals. Although it was a common practise in Italy, at the time it was heavily frowned upon in America, and in the UK.

In the song ‘Love Sensation’ Holloway sings the lyrics ‘right on time,’ but Davoli whose English was very limited at that time, thought she was singing ‘ride on time,’ hence the songs title.

‘Let me tell you what to do. You’re such a hot temptation, you just walk right in, walk, walk, walk right in.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

502-Creedence Clearwater Revival-Bad Moon Rising.

1969-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 0.32.’There’s a bathroom on the right.’

This song contains one of the most famous misheard lyrics.’There’s a bad moon on the rise,’ is often heard of as ‘There’s a bathroom on the right.’ The mishearing became so famous that when the bands lead singer John Fogerty performs the song live, he sings the bathroom line, and points towards the toilets from the stage.

Creedence Clearwater Revival were formed in 1959, in El Cerrito, California, United States, by three school friends, John Fogerty, Doug Clifford, and Stu Cook, originally calling themselves the ‘Blue Velvets, after a short while they were joined by Fogerty’s older brother Tom (1941-1990.) In 1964 they signed with ‘Fantasy Records,’ and were renamed ‘The Golliwogs,’ and then in January 1968 they had a final name change to Creedence Clearwater Revival. ‘CCR’ were active until 1972 as a trio, as Tom had left the band the previous year.They released seven studio Albums between 1968-1972, and achieved 12 top 40 singles on Billboard, they never had a Number 1 single in America, but five of their songs peaked at Number 2.

‘Bad Moon Rising’ was the first single released from the ‘CCR’s third studio Album ‘Green River’ from 1969,the songs writer John Fogerty readily admits borrowing the songs guitar riff from the 1955 Elvis Presley song ‘I’m Left, You’re Right, She’s Gone,’ which was written by Scotty Moore. (1931-2016) In 1986 at an awards function, Moore jokingly grabbed Fogerty from behind and said,’Give me back my licks.’ Fogerty got the idea for the songs subject after watching the 1941 fantasy film ‘The Devil and Daniel Webster,’ being inspired by a scene involving a hurricane. It is ironic that a song inspired by a film should itself be used in so many movies over the years, most famously in ‘An American Werewolf in London,’ in 1981.’Bad Moon Rising’ warns us that armageddon is just around the corner, but what Fogerty was probably referring to was the the state of America in the late 1960’s.John Fogerty was born on May 28th, 1945, in Berkeley, California, United States. The majority of ‘CCR’s material was written by him, including ‘Proud Mary’ which reached Number 2 on Billboard in 1968, and has been made even more popular by the Ike and Tina Turner version (see also best songs 752.) In 1975 as a solo artist Fogerty wrote, and recorded the original version of ‘Rockin’ All Over the World,’ which was made famous by Status Quo, who opened ‘Live Aid’ with the song in 1985.

‘Don’t go ’round tonight it’s bound to take your life, there’s a bad moon on the rise.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

503-Minnie Riperton-Lovin’ You.

1975-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 3.23. I bet your surprised to see I’ve included the birdie song.

Minnie Julia Riperton Rudolph was born on November 8th, 1947, in Chicago, Illinois, United States, she died from breast cancer at the age of 31, on July 12th, 1979. Riperton’s parents recognised her vocal abilities from a young age, and sent her for operatic vocal training, however the young Riperton was more interested in Soul, R&B,and Rock music.At the age of 15 Riperton joined the all girl group ‘The Gems,’ providing backing vocals for some songs recorded on the ‘Chess’ record label including ‘Rescue Me’ for Fontella Bass. With ‘The Gems,’ and using different names, she featured on many mid to late 1960’s singles, as well as releasing her first two solo singles using the pseudonym Andrea Davis. In 1966 Riperton joined the American Psychedelic Soul band ‘Rotary Connection,’ who released six Albums between 1967-1971. In 1970 Riperton released her first solo Album ‘Come to My Garden,’ before going into a period of semi retirement from music, to raise a family.

In 1973 an employee for ‘Epic Records’ persuaded Riperton to record again, the result was the 1974 Album ‘Perfect Angel.’ ‘Lovin’ You’ was the fourth single released from the Album, the record label were wanting to promote Riperton as a ‘Soul’ and ‘Rock’ singer, and had been reluctant to release a ballad, but finally gave in to Riperton’s, and Richard Rudolph’s insistence. As well as being Riperton’s husband, Rudolph was also the writer of ‘Lovin’ You’ (see also best songs 735.) After the success of the song reaching Number 1 on Billboard, Rudolph has gone on to write, and produce hundreds of songs for many of the worlds top artists.

Minnie Riperton asked Stevie Wonder (see also best songs 920-843-834-682-570-503-366-205-152 and 65) to produce ‘Perfect Angel,’ on which he also wrote two of the nine tracks, including the title track, he also played many instruments on the Album, and also on this single. Wonder asked Riperton, and Rudolph to come up with a tune that they considered to be their ‘most embarrassing song,’ Riperton mentioned a lullaby she sang to her daughter ‘Maya’ to put her to sleep at night, so that she and Rudolph could spend some ‘grown up time’. The song became ‘Lovin’ You,’ and was recorded with Wonder on electric piano, and synthesizers, the unusual addition of chirping bird noises was recorded from a sound effects reel.

I am sure it will come as no surprise whatsoever that Mariah Carey (see also best songs 822) states Minnie Riperton as a significant influence.

‘Stay with me while we grow old, and we will live each day in springtime.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

504-Jess Glynne-Hold My Hand.

2015-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 0.49. ‘I Cry When I Laugh’ is the title of Jess Glynne’s debut Album. Glynne has said,’I do actually cry when I laugh, it’s a known fact about me, the minute I laugh, I cry.’

Jessica Hannah Glynne was born on October 20th, 1969, in Hampstead, London. Prior to achieving success as a solo artist, Glynne appeared as the featured vocalist on two Number 1 UK singles in 2014. First with Clean Bandit on ‘Rather Be,’ and then with Route 94 on ‘My Love.’ To date she has released two studio Albums, which have both topped the chart in the UK, in 2015, and 2018. Glynne has also had 10 top 40 singles as lead artist, and a further four as the featured artist, all of which reached Number 1. With also a total of three solo Number 1 singles, Glynne with seven Number 1’s has topped the chart on more occasions than any other British female artist.

‘Hold My Hand’ was the second single released from Jess Glynne’s debut Album ‘I Cry When I Laugh,’ and was co-written by Glynne, Jack Patterson of Clean Bandit, Ina Wroldsen, and Janee Bennett, Jess Glynne has spoken about the song,’It’s one of those songs that just kind of makes you feel at ease. It was inspired by my severe anxiety. It’s just about somebody being there when you feel insecure in a situation, and that person is just there to make you feel better.’ She added, ‘I love it, it’s got me written all over it.’

‘Standing in a crowded room and I can’t see your face. Put your arms around me, tell me everything’s okay. In my mind I’m running round a cold and empty space’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

505-Eagles-Lyin’ Eyes.

1975-Number 23 single.

Best Bit-At 4.57. Have you ever seen a beautiful young woman with a much older fat guy? If you have then maybe too you could have let your imagination run wild, and written this song as well.

The Eagles were formed in Los Angeles, California, United States, in 1971 by Glenn Frey (1948-2016) (guitars and vocals) Don Henley (drums and vocals) Bernie Leadon (guitars and vocals) and Randy Meisner (bass guitar and vocals.)They originally started out as touring members as the backing band for the American singer Linda Ronstadt, they also played on her self titled third solo Album from 1972. The American singer/songwriter J. D. Souther claims that the bands name came about when he and Glenn Frey were out together, and Frey saw eagles flying above and shouted out ‘Eagles!’ In December 1995 Bernie Leadon left the group, due to musical differences and was replaced by Joe Walsh, who played on the Eagles 1976 Album ‘Hotel California,’ (see also best songs 198) which would go on to become the third best selling Album in American history behind Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller,’ (see also best songs 511) and the Eagles own ‘Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975’)

‘Lyin’ Eyes’ was released as the second single from the Eagles fourth studio Album ‘One of These Nights’ from 1975, and was co-written by Don Henley, and Glenn Frey. The idea for the song came about when Frey and Henley were sat in ‘Dan Tana’s’ restaurant/bar in West Hollywood, California. They would see all these beautiful women come in to the venue in search of male company, and then they saw a young girl with a much older fat, wealthy man, who was obviously a kept woman, and Frey commented,’She can’t hide those lyin’ eyes.’

‘Lyin’ Eyes’ is a song about a young woman who marries a much older wealthy man for his riches, and her financial security, but she soon realises that it isn’t enough. He is distant, and shows no affection for her, so she goes seeking attention from a much younger man who can only offer her love, and she has to decide which she wants more, the money, or the love,as she can not have both.

‘My oh my you sure know how to arrange things, you set it up so well so carefully. Ain’t it funny how your new life didn’t change things, you’re still the same old girl you used to be.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

506-Ohio Players-Fire.

1974-Has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 1.43. All of the Ohio Players Album sleeves had pictures of scantily clad ‘Playboy’ girls on the cover, but that wasn’t the reason why this, then 13 year old boy, bought all of their records.

The Ohio Players were formed in 1959, in Dayton, Ohio, United States, originally calling themselves the ‘Ohio Untouchables.’ There were five co-founders of the group, all who have now died, initially playing what they called ‘R&B with a little flair.’ In their early days they gained recognition as playing as the backing band for ‘The Falcons,’ whose members included the future Soul legends Eddie Floyd (see also best songs 828) and Wilson Pickett (see also best songs 488.) The Ohio Players underwent many personal changes, and by 1971 had become a ‘Funk’ band, they remain active having had 30 different group members come and go. They have released 16 studio Albums between 1969-1988, and achieved eight Billboard top 40 singles, two of which reached Number 1, ‘Fire’ in 1974, and ‘Love Rollercoaster’ in 1975. In the UK their only charting single was ‘Who’d She Coo?’ which reached Number 43 in 1976.

‘Fire’ was the title track of the Ohio Players sixth studio Album of the same name, with all the then seven members of the band given song writing credits, they are also all credited as the songs producers. Leroy Roosevelt ‘Sugafoot’ Bonner (1943-2013) who wrote the lyrics has said,’We were in the studio making tracks, and all of a sudden it leaped out. If the music is good, it doesn’t take long to get inspired. The inclusion of the telltale fire truck sirens was a no brainer. Other people were using babies crying and kids singing and street sounds. A lot of people were using sound effects of various natures, so we thought about that also.’

‘Well I can tell by your game, you’re gonna start a flame, love, baby baby. I’m not gon’ choke from the smoke, got me tightenin’ up my stroke.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

507-Squeeze-Up the Junction.

1979-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 0.10. Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook were once hailed as ‘The heirs to Lennon and McCartney’s throne.’

Christopher Henry Difford who was born on November 4th, 1954, in Greenwich, London England, claims that in 1973 he stole 50p from his mothers purse to put a card in a local sweet shop window to advertise for a guitarist to join his band, although he wasn’t actually in a band at the time.Glenn Martin Tillbrook who was born on August 31st, 1957, in London, England, was the only person to respond to the advert. Jools Holland (keyboards) and Paul Gunn (drums) were the next two to join after seeing an advert placed in the ‘New Musical Express’. The band took their name from The Velvet Underground’s 1973 Album called ‘Squeeze’. They were active between 1974-1982, but reformed in 1985-1999, and then reformed again in 2007.There has been a total of 27 different band members over that time, with Difford and Tillbrook being the only constants. Squeeze have released 16 studio Albums between 1978-2017, and achieved 12 UK top 40 singles.

‘Up the Junction’ was the third single released from Squeeze’s second studio Album ‘Cool For Cats’ in 1979, with lyrics by Chris Difford, and the music by Glenn Tillbrook. Difford got his inspiration for the lyrics from the collection of short stories written by the English playwright Neil Dunn, one of which was called ‘Up the Junction,’ and was made in to a television play in 1965, and a film with a soundtrack by Manfred Mann in 1968. Although the song isn’t the same story as the book or film, it does allude to the same themes of a working class environment, and pregnancy.The song tells the story of a couple falling in love, and moving in together. She becomes pregnant, and he tries to do the right thing by getting a job, and saving some money each week, but by the end of the song he has become an alcoholic, and she has left him for another man, and taken the baby with her, and he is too proud to beg her forgiveness. Up the junction is London slang for being in big trouble, and is also a reference to the working class area of Clapham Junction, in London.

‘Alone here in the kitchen I feel there’s something missing. I’d beg for some forgiveness, but begging’s not my business, and she won’t write a letter, although I always tell her, and so it’s my assumption, I’m really up the junction.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

508-Lulu and the Luvvers-Shout.

1964-Number 7 single.

Best Bit-At 0.01. Lulu was only 15 years old when she recorded ‘Shout,’ she is the youngest solo artist to place a song on this countdown.

The original version of ‘Shout’ was written, and first recorded by O’Kelly, Rudolph, and Ronald, who were the three performing members of the Isley Brothers in 1959 (see also best songs 823-382 and 176.) On stage in 1958 in their pre-fame days the Isley Brothers would end their shows with a rendition of the Jackie Wilson song ‘Lonely Teardrops.’ Ronald realised that the audience enjoyed participating, so he would improvise in a call and respond manner, with lines such as ‘You know you make me wanna…’Shout.’ The group took this idea in to the studio, and the original version of ‘Shout’ was born, with the production handled by Hugo Peretti, and Luigi Creatore (see also best songs 765.) Although the Isley Brothers version has never charted in the UK, and only reached Number 47 on Billboard, it has become one of their best known songs due to it’s many cover versions. Notably the cover by Lulu, but also the 1959 recording by Johnny O’Keefe, which reached Number 2 in Australia, and the most successful version in America from Joey Dee and the Starliters, which made Number 6 on Billboard in 1964.

Lulu was born Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie on November 3rd, 1948, in Lennoxtown, Stirlingshire, Scotland, she received her stage name ‘Lulu’ at the age of 14 from her future manager of 25 years Marion Massey, (1930-2014) who commented ‘Well, all I know is that she’s a real lulu of a kid.’ Lulu has had a long and varied career in entertainment as a singer, actress, and television personality. She has released 15 studio Albums between 1965-2015, and achieved 18 UK top 40 singles, including appearing as featured artist on the ‘Take That’ UK Number 1 single ‘Relight My Fire’ in 1992. In the States she has reached the Billboard top 40 on four occasions, including achieving America’s best selling song of 1967, with the Billboard Number 1 ‘To Sir With Love.’Other musical highlights of Lulu’s career include winning the ‘Eurovision Song Contest’ in 1969 with ‘Boom Bang-a-Bang,’ and recording the title song to the 1974 James Bond film ‘The Man with the Golden Gun.’ She has also worked with David Bowie, and Mick Ronson, when covering ‘The Man Who Sold the World’ in 1974, taking that song to Number 3 in the UK.

‘You been good to me baby, better than I been to myself, and if you ever leave me, I don’t want nobody else.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

509-The Javells featuring Nosmo King-Goodbye Nothin’ To Say.

1974-Number 26 single.

Best Bit-At 0.01. I’ll be honest with you, my intention was to write about the Maxine Nightingale song ‘Right Back Where We Started From’, but after hearing this….

In 1974 Barry Manstov and Dave McAleer who were both employees at ‘Pye Records’ set up a subsidiary label ‘Pye Disco Demand,’ with the intention of cashing in on the then growing popularity in ‘Northern Soul’ music. White labels of this song were sent out under the made up name of ‘Javells’ to the ‘Wigan Casino,’ The Twisted Wheel,’ in Manchester, and the ‘Blackpool Mecca,’ with a letter informing them that this was an American record which they were thinking about buying the rights to, and what did they think of it. The promotion that the song received saw it enter the UK chart at Number 54, leading to an appearance on ‘Top of the Pops’ the following week. In total there were 26 tracks released on the ‘Pye Disco Demand’ subsidiary label, between 1974-1975, including other charting hits such as ‘Wigan’s Chosen Few’ with ‘Footsee,’ and Wayne Gibson with ‘Under My Thumb.’

‘Goodbye Nothin’ To Say’ was co-written by Stephen Jameson, and Marshall Doctores, and started out life in early 1974 as the ‘B’ side to a song called ‘Teenage Love’ by Stephen Jameson. While searching through the ‘Pye Records’ back catalogue for potential future hits, Dave McAleer chose this for potential release. It was re-recorded by Jameson, who was now going by the name of ‘Nosmo King,’ which is ‘no smoking’ backwards, plus backing vocals were provided from the Chanter Sisters, and Tony Macaulay (see also best songs 1027.)In 1975 the song ‘Right Back Where We Started From’ written by Pierre Tubbs, and J. Vincent Edwards, and recorded by Maxine Nightingale reached Number 2 on Billboard, and Number 8 in the UK. The song ‘borrows’ heavily from ‘Goodbye Nothin’ To Say,’ and in order to avoid a court case, the writers of ‘Right Back Where We Started From’ settled with Jameson and Doctores out of court.

‘So goodbye there’s nothing to say, just goodbye there’s no other way.You know I love you, but you couldn’t see all the hurt you been doing to me’.