THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

401-Velvet Underground-Sweet Jane.

1970-Has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 0.17. Lou Reed wrote lots of songs about drugs, and even the odd one about transvestites, but this isn’t one of them.

The Velvet Underground (see also best songs 165) were formed in 1964, in New York City, United States by Lou Reed, (1942-2013) (vocals, and guitar) John Cale, (bass guitar, and keyboards) Sterling Morison, (1942-1995) (guitar) and Angus MacLise (1938-1979) (percussion.)Prior to the Velvet Underground performing their first gig in 1965 MacLise quit, stating that the band were selling out, he was replaced by Moe Tucker, (drums) and those four are considered the classic line up.The Velvet Underground released five studio Albums between 1967-1973, but the fifth Album ‘Squeeze’ from 1973 features no original band members. There were also 11 singles released, with none of them reaching the charts. Although during their years together they achieved little commercial success, since their split they have become recognised as one of popular musics most influential acts. Music critics now see them as crucial in the development of Alternative Rock, Punk Rock, and New Wave.

‘Sweet Jane’ was released as a single from the Velvet Underground’s fourth studio Album ‘Loaded’ from 1970, and was written by Lou Reed (see also best songs 131 and 58.) The record company ‘Atlantic’ records had told the band that they needed hit singles, which is why the Album was called ‘Loaded,; as in loaded with hits. Although of course because of the groups reputation many thought that ‘Loaded’ was a drugs reference. There was a lot of infighting during the recording of the Album, and Reed left before it was finished. In his absence ‘Sweet Jane’ was edited down for radio play. This angered Reed who said,’If I knew they were going to press on with the Album I would have stayed with them and showed them what to do.’

‘Sweet Jane’ is a message, telling the younger generation not to make assumptions that they know everything, maybe the older people (Jack and Jane) were once like them. The song is partly about inter-generational understanding. Just because Jack and Jane have now compromised, and settled for a 9-5 suburban existence, doesn’t mean that they have forgone their thoughts and actions of yesteryear.

‘And everyone who ever had a heart, oh, that would turn around and break it. And anyone who ever played a part, whoa, and wouldn’t turn around and hate it.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

402-Blondie-Heart of Glass.

1979-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 1.51. A lot of the Debbie Harry fan base were not pleased at the bands change in musical style, but I bet they left her posters on their walls.

In 1978 the successful music producer Mike Chapman (see also best songs 860-773 and 686) who had already had a string of hits with acts including The Sweet, Suxi Quatro, and Mud, was drafted in to produce what would become Blondie’s third studio Album ‘Parallel Lines.’ He wanted to know if there were any demo’s from the past that had not been used. Debbie Harry, and Chris Stein played him a song that they had written back in 1974 called ‘Once I Had A Love,’ the song had a slow funky sound, with a disco beat, for this reason the band referred to it as ‘The Disco Song.’ Chapman convinced them to record the track in a Disco style, and ‘Heart of Glass’ was born, thus projecting the band Blondie in to the mainstream, and making them household names. Up until this point Blondie had been a Rock, and New Wave outfit, respected among their peers, but many of their early fan base chose to disown them, citing that they had sold out.

Debbie Harry was born Angela Trimble on July 1st, 1945, in Miami, Florida, United States. At the age of three months she was adopted by Catherine and Richard Harry, and renamed Deborah Ann Harry. She began her musical career as a backing singer in the Folk Rock band ‘The Wind in the Willows’ in the late 1960’s. In 1974 she joined the ‘Stilettoes,’ which was where she first met Chris Stein, who became her boyfriend, and the two would go on to form the band Blondie. The band took their name from comments made by truck drivers who catcalled ‘Hey Blondie’ to Harry as they drove past her. In total Blondie have recorded 11 studio Albums between 1976-2017, there have also been 45 singles released, including remixes. In the UK Blondie have achieved six Number 1 singles, the first five topped the chart between 1979-1981, with ‘Marie’ reaching Number 1 in 1999, which was taken from ‘No Exit,’ the bands first Album in 17 years.

‘Heart of Glass’ was the 10th single release by Blondie, and taken from the bands third studio Album ‘Parallel Lines,’ it was co-written by Debbie Harry and Chris Stein, and produced by Mike Chapman. There have been 16 members of Blondie throughout the years, but the six who recorded this track, and Album were Debbie Harry (vocals) Chris Stein (guitar) Clem Burke (drums) Jimmy Destri (keyboards) Nigel Harrison (bass) and Frank Infante (guitar.)

‘Once I had a love and it was a gas, soon turned out to be a pain in the ass.Seemed like the real thing only to find, mucho mistrust love’s gone behind.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

403-Fatman Scoop featuring the Crooklyn Clan-Be Faithful.

1999-It didn’t chart until 2003, when reaching Number 1.

Best Bit-At 0.23. If your looking for the answers to the great questions, such as the meaning of life, then your definitely on the wrong page this time.

Just because a song is not serious, or doesn’t have any hidden meaning, is not justification for passing it over. If there is a message it is ‘have fun,’ and that is just what this song has achieved, bringing together, and putting a smile on many a face.

Fatman Scoop was born Isaac Freeman on August 6th, 1971, in New York City, New York, United States. He acquired his nickname, which is also his stage name as a baby from his Unkle Jack, who would call him ‘Fatman Scoop,’ because he loved to eat ice cream. Fatman Scoop has released three Albums between 2003-2015, and nine singles as lead artist between 1998-2013, he has also appeared on 43 singles as featured artist to date. Fatman Scoop is also very famous as a ‘Hype Man,’ in Hip-Hop, and Rap, a hype man is a backup rapper or singer who supports the main act with interjections, and who attempts to increase the audience’s excitement with ‘call-and-response’ chants. They are also of great use if a Rapper is on stage for long periods, by taking over for a short while to let the main act catch their breath.

‘Be Faithful’ was produced by DJ Sizzahandz and DJ Riz, who formed a partnership in 1993 in Brooklyn, New York, and go by the stage name of ‘Crooklyn Clan,’ they have worked on many tracks for other artists over the years, with this song being their most successful. ‘Be Faithful’ was originally released in 1999, but due to getting in to legal difficulties over the many samples in the song having to be cleared it was taken off the market, in 2003 after everything was sorted the track was reissued.

‘Be Faithful’s’ main sample ‘Love Like This’ by Faith Evans, was a 1998 song that reached Number 24 in the UK chart, the ‘Faith’ in ‘Be Faithful’ is Faith Evans, she is the widow of ‘The Notorious B.I.G.'(see also best songs 955 and 307) ‘Love Like This’ itself was created from the 1978 track ‘Chic Cheer’ by the band ‘Chic,’ from their Album ‘C’est Chic.’ The song also samples the 1991 Hip-Hop song ‘The Choice Is Yours’ by the American Rap duo ‘Blacksheep. ‘The Choice Is Yours’ quotes ‘Engine, Engine Number 9,’ which in turn is used in ‘Be Faithful,’ ‘Engine, Engine Number 9′ was originally written and performed in 1965 by the American Country singer/songwriter Roger Miller (1936-1992,) although Miller does not receive songwriting credit. There are also another four songs that were sampled,’Party Ain’t a Party’ from Queen Pen,’Hip Hop Hooray’ by Naughty By Nature, ‘Off the Books’ by The Beatnuts,’ and ‘Can I Get A….’ from Jay-Z. In total 16 artists receive songwriting credits on the track, including Nile Rogers and Bernie Edwards of Chic,(see also best songs 175 and 17) and members of the American Funk band the ‘Bar-Kays'(see also best songs 831.)

‘Engine, engine number 9, on the New York transit line. If my train goes off the track, pick it up, pick it up, pick it up.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

404-Tennessee Ernie Ford-Sixteen Tons.

1956-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 2.13. We all like a good moan from time to time about our working conditions, but at least your not working to pay the company store.

The song is about the terrible conditions coal miners in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, United States, had to work in during the middle of the 20th Century. Apart from the dangers to their health, and possible injury from faulty machinery, they were also very poorly paid. Employee’s were paid in commodities rather than actual money. They would receive credit vouchers which had to be spent at the company run, and owned store, and their rent would be deducted from their wages, leaving many with little, or in debt.

‘Sixteen Tons’ was written, and first performed by Merle Travis in 1946. The line ‘You load sixteen tons and what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt,’ came from a letter written to Travis by his brother John. Another line came from his father who had been a coal miner, who would often say,’I can’t afford to die, I owe my soul to the company store.’

Merle Robert Travis was born November 29th, 1917, in Rosewood, Kentucky, United States, he died of a heart attack in 1983 at the age of 65. Travis was a leading exponent in the development of Country, Western Swing, and Folk music. He developed a unique style of playing the guitar, which has become known as ‘Travis Picking,’ which was popularised by artists including John Lennon, and Chet Atkins. During his lifetime Travis released a total of 23 Albums between 1947-1982. Since his death there have been a further 17 releases of compilations, and reissues to date.

Tennessee Ernie Ford was born Ernest Jennings Ford on February 13th, 1919, in Bristol, Tennessee, United States, he died on October 17th, 1991, at the age of 72. Ford had been a heavy drinker for many years, having ignored warnings from his doctors many years earlier, he finally succumbed to liver failure. As well as being a singer with a rich baritone voice, Ford also worked as a DJ, and radio personality, where he created the stage name ‘Tennessee Ernie,’ In 1954 he became a household name in America due to his portrayal of the character ‘Cousin Ernie’ in three episodes of the ‘I Love Lucy’ sit com. Ford would go on to host his own prime-time variety program ‘The Ford Show,’ recording 125 episodes between 1956-1961. There are a total of 60 Albums of his recordings available, and 89 singles, of which 13 reached the Billboard top 40.

‘Sixteen Tons’ spent eight weeks at Number 1 in America for Tennessee Ernie Ford in 1955, selling over two million copies, despite a competing version from Johnny Desmond (1919-1985) which made Number 17. In the UK the song reached Number 1, and stayed there for four weeks in 1956, with competing versions being released by Edmund Hockridge (1919-2009) on the ‘B’ side of his single ‘Young and Foolish,’ (UK Number 10) and Frankie Laine (1913-2007) (UK Number 10.)

‘You load sixteen tons, what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt. St Peter don’t you call me ’cause I can’t go, I owe my soul to the company store.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

405-John Cougar-Jack & Diane.

1982-Number 25 single.

Best Bit- At 2.31. In America Jack & Diane are probably Pop Music’s most famous couple, but worldwide there are others. Dire Straits sang about ‘Romeo and Juliet,'(see also best songs 298) Bon Jovi told us of Tommy and Gina,'(see also best songs 325) the Beatles introduced us to Desmond and Molly, Lesley Gore was sobbing her heart out over Judy and Johnny, I could go on, but I won’t.

John J. Mellencamp was born on October 7th, 1951, in Seymour, Indiana, United States, his first major breakthrough in the music industry occurred when being signed by Tony DeFries of MainMan Management, DeFries had already managed artists of the calibre of David Bowie, and Lou Reed. DeFries thought the name Mellencamp was unmarketable, and insisted that Mellencamp release his debut Album ‘Chestnut Street Incident’ in 1976 using the name Johnny Cougar, which Mellencamp hated, but felt he had to go along with. It wasn’t until he became a major star, that he got his own way, with the release of his seventh studio Album ‘Uh-Huh,’ recorded under the name John Cougar Mellencamp. In total Mellencamp has released 23 studio Albums between 1976-2017, and a total of 67 singles, with 21 of then reaching the Billboard top 40, with this song being his only chart topper.

‘Jack & Diane’ was the second single released from John Cougar’s fifth studio Album ‘American Fool,’ from 1982, the song was written by Cougar, and co-produced by Cougar, and Don Gehman. ‘Jack & Diane’ tells the tale of two American teenagers who take their relationship to levels that they are not yet ready to cope with. They eventually realise that being 16 and carefree is better than being grown up with all of life’s responsibilities. When Mellencamp first wrote the lyrics the song was about an interracial couple, with Jack being African/American, but his record label persuaded him to change that as they felt more people would relate to Jack being an aspiring football player.

Mellencamp has stated his debt to Mick Ronson (1946-1993) (see also best songs 661-440-334-186-131-58-37 and 5) for his input, he has said,’Mick was instrumental in helping me arrange that song, as I’d thrown it on the junk heap. Mick said,’Johnny, you should put baby rattles on there.’ I thought,’What the f..k does put baby rattles on the record mean?’ So he put percussion on there, and then he sang the part ‘Let it rock, let it roll,’ as a choir-ish type thing, which had never occurred to me, and that is the part everybody remembers on the song. It was Ronson’s idea.’

The song is also famous for it’s iconic drum break at 2.31. Mellencamp was inspired by the Phil Collins song ‘In the Air Tonight,’ and asked his drummer Kenny Aronoff to come up with something.The chances are that when you hear the song on the radio, you will find yourself doing some ‘air drumming.’

‘A little ditty ’bout Jack and Diane, two American kid’s growing up in the heart land. Jack he’s gonna be a football star, Diane debutante in the back seat of Jacky’s car.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

406-Robbie Williams-Angels.

1997-Number 4 single.

Best Bit-At 2.50. Noel Gallagher once famously called Robbie Williams ‘The fat dancer from Take That,’ but I wound imagine that even Noel Gallagher would have been proud to write this song.

It’s the song which probably saved Robbie Williams solo career.

The origins of who actually wrote ‘Angels’ is a little murky, and controversial to say the least. The Irish singer/songwriter Ray Heffernan insists he wrote the first version of ‘Angels’ in Paris in 1996, after his partner had a miscarriage. Heffernan has said that in Irish parlance a stillborn child is ‘born an angel,’ and that is what the song is about. Heffernan has also said that he met Williams in a pub by chance in Dublin. He showed him an incomplete version of the song, and later that week the two recorded a demo. Williams confirms he did record a demo, but said he rewrote the song significantly with Guy Chambers. When Heffernan learned that a version of ‘Angels’ was to appear on Robbie Williams debut Album ‘Life Thru A Lens’ he accepted an offer from William’s management to buy the songs rights for £7,500. To date it is estimated that ‘Angels’ has sold around 1.8 million copies, earning around £9 million in the UK alone. Heffernan’s name does not appear on the records song writing credits, which only names Williams, and Chambers. Hefernan has said that he was only 23 years old at the time, and naive, ‘For a long time I was angry about this, but as you get older you see things differently. The Angels connection has opened doors to publishing companies and earned me a few quid.’ In 2009 Williams told his biographer Chris Heath that ‘Angels’ is about his fascination with the paranormal, he said,’I believed that stuff when I wrote Angels, that’s why I wrote Angels. Angels isn’t about anybody, it’s about the thoughts that loved ones that have passed on, come back and take care of you.’

Robert Peter Williams was born on February 13th, 1974, in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England. His big break occurred after successfully applying to be a member of a new boy band to be called ‘Take That,’ being put together by Nigel Martin-Smith. In 1995 he mutually agreed to leave the band, but due to legalities in his contract he couldn’t start a solo career until June 1996. Williams first met Guy Chambers in January 1997, and has worked with him on nine of his studio Albums. In total Robbie Williams has released 12 studio Albums between 1997-2019. He has released 59 singles to date of which 33 have reached the UK top 40, of which seven have made Number 1. He has also had a further two top 40 hits as a featured artist, and appeared on five charity singles, of which four made Number 1. As a member of Take That he has appeared on six of their studio Albums in two stints between 1992-1995, and then between 2010-2018.

‘I sit and wait, does an angel contemplate my fate. And do they know the places where we go when we’re grey and old. ‘Cause I have been told that salvation let’s their wings unfold.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

407-Zombies-Time of the Season.

1967-Has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 3.07. It’s uncanny, but when listening to this song, it makes you feel nostalgic for an era when you weren’t even born.

The Zombies were formed in St Albans, Hertfordshire, England, in 1961, by Rod Argent, (keyboards) Hugh Grundy (drums) and Paul Atkinson, (1946-2004) (guitar) they were soon joined by Colin Blunstone, (vocals) and Chris White, (bass) to complete the classic line up.White was the last to join the group, being the replacement for the original bassist Paul Arnold who lost interest in the group, leaving to pursue a career as a physician in 1962. It was Arnold who chose the bands name.

The Zombies remained active until 1967, but have reformed with varying line ups, on and off since 1968. There have been three studio Albums released, the latest ‘R.I.P.’ which wasn’t released until 2000 consisted of material mainly recorded between 1964-1966. They also released 18 singles between 1964-1969, their only top 40 hit in the UK was their first release ‘She’s Not There,’ (see also best songs 158) while in America on Billboard, where they were part of ‘The British Invasion,’ they charted on three occasions.

After the release of the bands debut Album ‘Begin Here,’ re-titled ‘The Zombies,’ for the American market was released on Decca records in 1965, the band moved to Columbia records where they recorded the critically acclaimed second Album ‘Odessey and Oracle.’ The Album is often included in ‘best of’ lists, with ‘Rolling Stone’ magazine placing it at Number 100 in their ‘500 Greatest Albums of All Time,’ Paul Weller of The Jam has stated it is one of his all time favourites. Shortly before the release of ‘Odessey and Oracle’ the band decided to split, with Rod Argent going on to form the Rock band ‘Argent,’ in 1969, and then pursuing a solo career with the release of his debut Album ‘Moving Home’ in 1978. Colin Blunstone went on to record 12 Albums between 1971-2012, and achieve four UK top 40 singles, one of them being a cover version of the Zombies ‘She’s Not There,’ recorded using the name Neil MacArthur, and reaching Number 34 in 1969.

‘Time of the Season’ was written by Rod Argent who has said of the song,’One of my favourite records was George Gershwin’s ‘Summertime,’ we used to do a version of it when we started out. The words in the verse,’What’s your name? Who’s your daddy? Is he rich like me,?’ were an affectionate nod in that direction.'(see also best songs 231.)

It was the A&R representative at Columbia records Al Kooper (see also best songs (see also best songs 204-12 and 7) who had faith in the ‘Odessey and Oracle’ Album that made ‘Time of the Season’ a surprise hit. Kooper saw the songs potential, and kept on promoting it, and after months of bubbling under it finally took off, eventually peaking at Number 3 on Billboard in 1969.

‘It’s the time of the season when love runs high, and this time give it to me easy, and let me try with pleasured hands to take you in the sun to promised lands.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

408-Erykah Badu-On & On.

1997-Number 12 single.

Best Bit-At 0.39. Some music critics were impressed enough to draw comparisons, calling her the ‘Billie Holiday of the 1990’s’ (see also best songs 624.)

Erykah Badu was born Erica Abi Wright on February 26th, 1971, in Dallas, Texas, United States, she has been dubbed ‘The Queen of Neo Soul.’ In her youth she changed the spelling of her name from Erica to Erykah, as she believed her original name was a ‘slave name,’ the term ‘kah’ signifies the inner self. She chose the name Badu as it is her favourite Jazz scat sound, and is also the term used for the 10th child among the Akan people, living in Ghana. Erykah Badu has released five studio Albums to date, between 1997-2010, there is also a live Album called ‘Live’ which was released shortly after her debut studio Album, also in 1997. Badu has also issued 31 singles, including 13 as the featured artist, of which four have reached the Billboard top 40, and five have charted in the UK top 40.

It was the record label executive Kedar Massenburg who on seeing Badu perform live, first signed her to the ‘Universal’ record label, it was also Massenburg who coined the phrase ‘Neo Soul’ to describe the kind of music Badu was making. ‘Neo’ means new, and ‘Soul’ in this context was used to describe something old, that had always been there. What Massenburg could hear in ‘Neo Soul’ is a blending of Hip-Hop, African/American music, Funk, Soul, and Jazz, creating new sounds.

‘On & On’ was the debut single release from Erykah Badu,(see also best songs 351) and was taken from her debut studio Album ‘Baduizm’ from 1997, the song was co-written, and co-produced by Badu. In the song Badu is saying we are all made in God’s image, and we all deserve the same respect. She tells us that most intellects are convinced that God doesn’t exist, but the fear of a higher being or some other unknown force scares us. The lyrics also feature teachings of the ‘Five-Percent Nation.’

‘Peace and blessings manifest with every lesson learn, if your knowledge were your wealth then it will be well earn. If we were made in his image then call us by our names, most intellects do not believe in God, but they fear us just the same.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

409-Clifford T. Ward-Gaye.

1973-Number 8 single.

Best Bit-At 1.13. Before the hits Ward was a school teacher, his pupils included the actress and future wife of Sting, Trudie Styler, and the co-founding member of Underworld, Karl Hyde (see also best songs 989.)

Clifford Thomas Ward was born on February 10th, 1944, in Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestshire, England. In 1987 Ward was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and in November 2001 he contracted pneumonia, and died in Tenbury Community Hospital on December 18th, 2001, at the age of 57. Ward’s first venture in to music was when forming a ‘Beat Band,’ called Cliff Ward and the Cruisers, which won the 1963 Midland Band of the year contest in Birmingham. The group would go through many name changes including ‘Martin Raynor and The Secrets,’ and ‘Simon’s Secrets,’ touring around Britain, and France, and releasing six singles, with little impact, the majority, including the ‘B’ sides being written by Ward.

Because of the failure to get a hit single, Gaye enrolled at teacher training college, and subsequently became a high school teacher. He continued to write, and after coming to the attention of the legendary Disc Jockey John Peel (1939-2004) (see also best songs 435) he signed with Peel’s record label ‘Dandelion Records,’ and released his first solo Album ‘Singer Songwriter,’ in 1972. Shortly after the Album’s release Dandelion Records went in to liquidation, but with Ward’s profile now higher, he was snapped up by ‘Charisma Records,’ where he recorded his second solo studio Album ‘Home Thoughts’ in 1973, from where ‘Gaye’ was released as a single. In total Ward released 15 Albums between 1972-2000, there have been a further 10 posthumous Album releases to date.

‘Gaye’ was the breakthrough hit for Clifford T. Ward, reaching Number 8 in the UK top 40 in 1973, his only other charting single was in January 1974 when ‘Scullery’ from his third Album ‘Mantle Pieces’ made Number 37. Ward was a family man, who preferred to be at home with his wife and children rather than spend weeks away on tour promoting his music, he was also a shy and private person, with a reluctance to perform live. Clive Selwood who was Ward’s manager in the early 1970’s said,’Clifford should have been a major star, he had hits, but he simply wouldn’t perform publicly.’

‘You’re the tray of nice things I upset yesterday. The display of bright rings I let slip away.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

410-Cockney Rebel-Judy Teen.

1974-Number 5 single.

Best Bit At 0.56. After checking out as many lyric websites as I could find, I was disappointed to see that everyone of them hear the lyrics as ‘She made us happy.’ I have always heard ‘Sh’made us appy,’ which I think sounds a lot more ‘Rock N’ Roll’.

Stephen Malcolm Ronald Nice was born on February 27th, 1951, in Deptford, London, England, as either ‘Cockney Rebel,’ ‘Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel’ or just as ‘Steve Harley’ he has released 12 studio Albums between 1973-2020. There have also been 41 single released in that time period, which include five re-issues of his UK Number 1 single ‘Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me,)” which has sold in excess of 1.5 million copies. In total Harley has achieved seven UK top 40 singles, including the 1986 duet with Sarah Brightman with ‘The Phantom of the Opera.’

Harley (see also best songs 2) formed the original Cockney Rebel in London, England in 1972, and with various member changes they were active through until 1977 when Harley officially went solo. He reformed Cockney Rebel in 1984, and again in 1989-1992, and various line ups have appeared as his touring band Cockney Rebel since 1996, in total 25 members have come and gone.

‘Judy Teen’ was the breakthrough hit for Cockney Rebel whose line up at that time was Steve Harley, (vocals) Jean-Paul Crocker, (electric violin, mandolin, guitar) Milton Reame-James, (keyboards) Paul Jeffreys, (1952-1988) (bass) and Stuart Elliott (drums.) In 1973 Cockney Rebel had just recorded their critically acclaimed debut Album ‘The Human Menagerie,’ but it wasn’t selling in great quantities due to the lack of a commercial song to release as a single. Harley explained,’The record company said we don’t have a single, and I said arrogantly, I’ll write one, now I think what an arrogant young man, fearless! Judy Teen was a boy/girl story, a teenage romance, a bit of sex in there. I was 18, or 19 when I had the experience, that the song came from.’

‘Judy Teen’ was co-produced by Steve Harley and the legendary producer Alan Parsons, whose previous work had included being the sound engineer on classic Albums such as ‘Abbey Road,’ by the Beatles, and ‘The Dark Side of the Moon,’ from Pink Floyd. Parsons would later go on to produce the second and third studio Albums for Steve Harley, as well as for many other artists including Al Stewart,(see also best songs 130) and John Miles (see also best songs 81.)

‘She took us on a carousel, she made us smile and oh, how we laughed. Together riding on a crest it was swell, we stole her face and oh how we laughed. She made us happy.’