THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

411-Diana Ross & the Supremes-I’m Living in Shame.

1969-Number 14 single.

Best Bit-At 2.25. Thankfully not all Pop songs are about boy meets girl, they fall in love, and live happily ever after. Some have much deeper meanings.

‘I’m Living in Shame’ was inspired by plot of the 1959 American drama film ‘Imitation of Life.’ The song was also written as a sequel to the Supremes 1968 Billboard Number 1 single ‘Love Child.’

‘I’m Living in Shame’ tells the story of a woman who was born in to poverty, and being ashamed of her hard working mother since being a child. She grows up and leaves home, and lies about her past in order to move up in to higher society. She marries a man who is well off, and tells him that her mother died in Spain. After giving birth to her first child, she doesn’t tell her mother that she is now a grandmother. One day she receives a telegram saying that her mother has died, and now she feels extremely sad and guilty.

‘I’m Living in Shame’ was written by the team of writers assembled by Motown supremo Berry Gordy to replace the recently departed Holland Dozier Holland (see also best songs 969-823-650-553-411 and 212.) The four writers of this song were known as ‘The Clan’ and were active as a unit between 1967-1969. The consisted of Frank Wilson, (1940-2012) (see also best songs 1001-491 and 97) Pam Sawyer,(see also best songs 519) R. Dean Taylor,(1939-2022) (see also best songs 911) and Deke Richards (1944-2013.) (see also best songs 365 and 137)The Clan were also responsible for writing ‘Love Child.’By 1969 the Supremes line up was now Diana Ross,(see also best songs (900-519-183- and 28) Mary Wilson, (1944-2021) and Cindy Birdsong, but like many of the Supremes (see also best songs 1001-212 and 148) recordings from around that period Wilson, and Birdsong did not perform on record, because Berry Gordy chose to use Motown’s in house female session singers ‘The Andantes’ instead. The songs instrumentation was provided by Motown’s in house group of session musicians ‘The Funk Brothers.’ Here is the list of songs in this countdown that The Andantes,(see best songs 650-414 and 28) and The Funk Brothers (see best songs 948-650-569-414-382-212-148 and 28) can by heard on.

‘I’m Living in Shame’ was taken from ‘Let the Sunshine In,’ the 16th studio Album by Diana Ross & the Supremes, there would be two more studio Albums before Diana Ross would depart for her solo career in 1970. In total the Supremes under various line ups released 29 studio Albums between 1962-1976. There were also 66 singles released, of which 12 became Billboard Number 1 songs.

‘Mom was cooking bread, she wore a dirty raggerty scarf around her head. Always had her stockings low, rolled to her feet, she just didn’t know.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

412-Fats Waller-Ain’t Misbehavin.’

1929-Has never charted, there was no UK chart until 1952.

Best Bit-At 3.20. Fats Waller wasn’t just a gifted musician, he was also a comedian. In a 1941 interview Waller said that this song was written while he was lodging in prison for an alimony violation, and that was why he was not misbehaving. Another story goes that on completing the song, Waller and fellow composer Andy Razaf were heading to the theatre when a bird dropped it’s load on the song sheet.’That’s good luck’ said Waller,’But I’m sure glad elephants ain’t flyin.’

‘Thomas Wright Waller was born on May 21st, 1904, in New York City, United States, he died on December 15th, 1943, at the age of 39 after contracting pneumonia. During his lifetime Waller copyrighted over 400 songs, many written with Andy Razaf. It is suspected that Waller wrote many more, but in times of financial difficulties he sold them to other writers and performers who would pass them off as their own, the best example being the 1930 song ‘On the Sunny Side of the Street.’

Andy Razaf was born Andrimanantena Paul Razafinkarefo on December 16th, 1895, in Washington, D. C. United States, he died from cancer at the age of 77 on February 3rd, 1973. Razaf was a poet, composer, and lyricist, his other most famous compositions include the Fats Waller collaboration with ‘Honeysuckle Rose,’ from 1929, and the writing of the lyrics for ‘In the Mood,’ made famous by Glen Miller and His Orchestra in 1939 (see also best songs 146.)

Razaf described Waller as ‘The soul of melody, a man who made the piano sing. Both big in body, and in mind, known for his generosity, a bubbling bundle of joy.’ Waller will also be remembered for being one of the innovators in ‘Stride Jazz piano,’ taking his influence from the ‘Ragtime’ players, and incorporating the style in to what would become modern Jazz.

‘Ain’t Misbehavin” is the second oldest song on this countdown, having been co-written in 1929 by Fat Waller, Harry Brook (1895-1970) and Andy Razaf. The song was first performed at the premiere of the Broadway musical ‘Connie’s Hot Chocolates’ as the opening song sung by Paul Bass, and Margaret Simms. There were six successful recordings of the song in 1929 in terms of sheet music sold, with the best selling being by Leo Reisman (1897-1961) and His Orchestra.The recording by Fats Waller that year was an instrumental version, another recording of note was from Louis Armstrong (see also best songs 1039-767-286-231 and 100,) Fats Waller has also re-recorded the song with vocals for his performance in the 1943 film ‘Stormy Weather’ (see also best songs 634) In the UK the song has been a hit twice, in 1957 Johnny Ray took his version to Number 17, and in 1960 Tommy Bruce and the Bruisers made Number 3.

‘No one to talk with, all by myself. No one to walk with, but I’m happy on the shelf. Ain’t misbehavin,’ I’m savin’ my lovin’ for you.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

413-Walk the Moon-Shut Up and Dance.

2014-Number 4 single.

Best Bit-At 1.40. Can you guess from which Police song this band took their name?

Walk the Moon is the brainchild of Nicholas Petricca who formed the band in 2006 while a student at ‘Kenyon College,’ in Gambler, Ohio, United States. In total there have been 11 different band members come and go, with Petricca who is the lead singer being the bands one constant. Petricca has cited the music of the 1980’s as his major influence, naming artists such as Talking Heads, Tears for Fears, and the Police.

Without a recording contract, Walk the Moon financed the recording and release of their debut studio Album ‘I Want! I Want!’ in 2010, with the track ‘Anna Sun’ receiving multiple plays on American Alternative radio stations. This led to a bidding war between several record labels, with Walk the Moon signing to ‘RCA Records’ in February 2011. In total Walk the Moon have released five studio Albums to date between 2010-2021, there have also been seven EP’s, and 10 singles. On both sides of the Atlantic, on the Billboard top 40 singles chart, and on the UK top 40, ‘Shut Up and Dance’ remains the bands only top 40 single, coincidentally reaching the Number 4 position on each chart.

‘Shut Up and Dance’ was taken from the bands third studio Album ‘Talking Is Hard’ from 2014, with songwriting credits given to all four band members at that time. Also credited are Ryan McMahon, and Ben Berger, who are two of the three songwriters, and music production team known as ‘Captain Cuts.’

Petricca got the idea for the songs lyrics while in a Los Angeles nightclub. He had frustratingly been waiting ages to get served at the bar, and was itching to get on to the dance floor with his female friend. He started complaining about the slow service when his female friend approached him and said,’Just shut up and dance with me.’ Petricca has said that the song does actually have a deeper meaning though,’The song is not so much about my personal experience, but about living in the moment.’

Petricca has also spoken about the time when the the band first realised that they had a potential massive hit on their hands, after playing it at a gig at ‘St. Louis University. ‘We had just learned the song and no one had ever heard it, so we thought we’d try it out for these kids. From moment one it was obvious there was something about the song. The kids were singing along wit the chorus the second time around. We tried to capture that energy on the record.’

‘A backless dress and some beat up sneaks, my discotheque Juliet teenage dream. I felt it in my chest as you looked at me, I knew we were bound to be together, bound to be together.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

414-FPI Project-Going Back to My Roots/Rich in Paradise.

1989-Number 9 single.

Best Bit-At 1.20. ‘Put your hands up in the air.’ (It’s an old saying.)

The FPI Project are the trio of Italian Dance music producers Marco Fratty, Corrado Presti, and Roberto Intrallazzi, as you can probably work out for yourself they took their stage name from the first initial of each of their surnames. The FPI Project were formed in Milan, Italy, in 1989, and have been releasing new music, and remixes ever since. The trio are considered to be one of the main forces in the development of the musical genre ‘Italian House,’ with it’s use of predominantly electronic piano chords. This track remains their only UK top 40 hit to date, but they have charted on three further occasions in the 1990’s in the top 100.

The FPI Project released two versions of this song, one features the vocals of Sharon D. Clarke (see also best songs 787) with spoken lyrics by Paolo Dini. The other is mainly instrumental, with just the vocals of Dini. Nothing against the wonderful vocals of Clarke, but I have chosen to post the mainly instrumental version. Like many a good tune ‘Going Back to My Roots/Rich in Paradise’ contains many samples, including the Dance track ‘Too Nice to Be Real’ by the Belgium group ‘T99.’ The Dutch House Music act ‘Honesty 69’ (see also best songs 922) also recorded a song sampling ‘Rich In Paradise,’ and the FPI Project also took from that. Throughout the track you hear ‘Yeah! Woo!’ which is Bobby Byrd (see also best songs 561) saying ‘Yeah,’ and James Brown (see also best songs 880-349-270 and 88) replying ‘Woo,’ this was taken from the 1972 James Brown penned song ‘Think (About It’) performed by Lyn Collins,(1948-2005) and is one of the most sampled sounds in music history, appearing on many Dance tracks.

‘Going Back to My Roots’ was written by the legendary American singer/songwriter, and producer Lamont Dozier,(see also best songs 823-650-553-411-212 and 148) and first appeared on his 1977 Album ‘Peddlin’ Music on the Side.’ The songs lyrics deal with self identity, family, and soul fulfilment, and were written for the African/American market. In 1980 the American artist Richie Havens (1941-2013) covered the song, incorporating Disco influences, it is his version, rather than the Lamont Dozier original that the FPI Project were influenced by. The most successful, and best known recording of the song was the 1981 UK Number 4 hit version by the New York City Disco group Odyssey. The only other time to date that the song has charted was in 2002 when the American singer Linda Clifford took her 10 minutes Disco version to Number 85 for a single week.

‘Hey You, hey you don’t be silly. Put a condom on your willy. Rich in paradise.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

415-Nickleback-Rockstar.

2007-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 1.01. The song maybe about spending billions of Dollars but Nickleback took their name from the Nickel in change that band member Mike Kroeger gave customers at his job at Starbucks, he would frequently say, ‘Here’s your Nickel back.’

Nickleback were formed in Hanna, Alberta, Canada, in 1995 by Chad Kroeger (vocals,) his brother Mike Kroeger (bass,) their cousin Brandon Kroeger (drums,) and Ryan Peake (guitar, and keyboards.) Brandon left the band in 1997, with Mitch Guindon being his replacement between 1997-1998, followed by Ryan Vikedal, from 1998-2005, and since 2005 Daniel Adair has been the bands official drummer. Prior to becoming Nickleback the four founding members had played together as a covers band called ‘Village Idiot’ in the early 1990’s. Nickleback are one of Canada’s most successful acts with record sales in excess of 50 million Albums worldwide, having released nine studio Albums to date between 1996-2017. They have also released two compilation Albums, and 44 singles, of which 16 have charted in Canada, nine in the UK, and 10 on Billboard in America. There 2001 song ‘How You Remind Me’ is their best seller, reaching Number 1 in Canada, and America, and is considered their signature song.

‘Rockstar’ was taken from Nickleback’s fifth studio Album ‘All the Right Reasons’ from 2005, with all four band members sharing writing credits. Although the song was recorded in 2005, it didn’t become a hit in the UK until 2007, the song was proving very popular, reaching the top 50 on downloads alone, prompting the record company to give it a physical release. ‘Rockstar’ went on to sell just short of 600,000 copies in the UK, and is their most successful track in that country.’Rockstar’ was probably aided to it’s great success by it’s memorable video which features many rockstar’s miming the songs lyrics, including Billy Gibbons,(see also best songs 653) who actually performs the spoken words on the track. Other famous faces include Kid Rock,(see also best songs 433) and Nelly Furtado.

‘Rockstar’ does not condone what some perceive to be, and in some cases correctly, the decadence of a few. Instead ‘Rockstar’ pokes fun at the stereotypical lifestyle of a famous musician, complete with references to extravagant homes, groupies, drugs, and famous friends.

‘I want a brand new house on an episode of Cribs, and a bathroom I can play baseball in, and a king size tub, big enough for ten plus me.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

416-Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson-I Need It.

1975-Number 36 single.

Best Bit-At 2.25. He wasn’t christened ‘Guitar,’ but he should have been.

Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson was born John Watson Jr. on February 3rd, 1935, in Houston, Texas, United States, he died on May 17th, 1996. He died from heart attack, collapsing on stage while on tour in Yokohama, Japan, at the age of 61.

At the age of 15 Watson moved with his mother to Los Angeles, California, after his parents divorced. It was there that he first entered talent contests, which led to him performing with local Blues bands, as a pianist, guitarist and vocalist. He recorded his first songs in 1952 as ‘Young John Watson,’ but he changed to Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson after watching the 1954 American Western ‘Johnny Guitar’ starring Joan Crawford. Over the years Watson developed a flamboyant stage act, appearing confident with a humorous personality, and he would often wear outrageous flashy clothing when performing.

Over the course of his career Watson toured and recorded with artists as diverse as Little Richard, Frank Zappa, Herb Alpert, and many more. His recording output altered with the decades changing music tastes, as he moved from the Blues in the 1950’s, to Soul in the 1960’s, through to the 1970’s when he turned to Funk. He released 27 Albums between 1958-1994, with 20 of his 53 singles between 1954-1995 charting on the Billboard R&B chart.

Watson’s 1954 single ‘Space Guitar’ is considered a very early example of the use of ‘feedback’ and ‘reverb,’ which would influence the next generation of guitarists. The American artist Steve Miller covered Watson’s 1957 song ‘Gangster of Love’ in 1968, he also made reference to it in his 1969 song ‘Space Cowboy,’ as well as in his 1973 hit ‘The Joker’ (see also best songs 715.) In a 1994 interview Watson was asked if his 1980 song ‘Telephone Bill’ anticipated Rap Music, to which Watson replied,’I damn well invented it.’

‘I Need It’ is the opening track on Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson’s 1976 Album ‘Ain’t That a Bitch.’ The Album is a mixture of Soul and Funk, and is Watson’s most successful with sales in excess of 500,000 copies.

‘You’ve got a thang for me, even the blind could see. Something you got, you can’t beat it, no, well, girl I need it.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

417-Crosby, Stills & Nash-Marrakesh Express.

1969-Number 17 single.

Best Bit-At 0.48. Marrakesh is a city in Morocco. The Marakesh Express is the train Graham Nash took on a trip there from Casablanca in 1966. The lyrics tell the tale of the sights and sounds that he encountered on that trip.

Crosby, Stills & Nash (CSN) are often cited as the first ‘Supergroup.’ It was the coming together of three already highly respected, and successful musicians. David Crosby had been a founding member of the American Folk Rock band The Byrds from 1964 until his dismissal in 1967, (see also best songs 621) Stephen Stills had been a founding member of the American Rock group Buffalo Springfield,(see also best songs 559) who had split, and he was looking for a new band, and Graham Nash who had just left the English Pop band the Hollies, (see also best songs 369) due to musical differences. After the success of their self debut Album in 1969 the trio went on tour, hiring other musicians to play with them including the equally highly respected and successful, and also former Buffalo Springfield member Neil Young (see also best songs 602 and 559.) Young would become the bands fourth member, as they would then perform as ‘Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (CSNY.) There has never been any official parting of the ways, although there has been no new activity since 2015.

Graham Nash was born on February 2nd, 1942, in Blackpool, England, he was a co-founder of the Hollies, but left the band in 1968. Nash had written ‘Marrakesh Express’ in 1966 with the aim of it becoming a future Hollies song, but when it was rejected for not being commercial enough, Nash became frustrated, leading to him leaving the band. Nash has explained how the song came about.’In 1966 I was visiting Morocco on vacation to Marrakesh, and getting on a train, and having a first class ticket, and then realising that the first class compartment was completely f..king boring, you know, ladies with blue hair in there, it wasn’t my scene at all. So I decide I’m going to go and see what the rest of the train is like, and the rest of the train was fascinating. Just like the songs says, there were ducks and pigs and chickens all over the place, and people lighting fires. It’s literally the song as it is, what happened to me.’

‘Marrakesh Express’ is track 2 on the Crosby, Stills & Nash self titled debut Album from 1969. The trio were joined by the top session drummer Jim Gordon on the track. Gordon is a veteran performer on hundreds of songs, who in 1970 co-founded the ‘Supergroup’ Derek and the Dominos. At the very start of the song you can hear David Crosby talking gibberish,’Whoopa, hey mesa, hooba huffa, hey meshy goosh goosh.’

‘Looking at the world through the sunset in your eyes. Trying to make the train through clear Moroccan skies. Ducks and pigs and chickens call, animal carpet wall to wall. American ladies five foot tall in blue.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

418-Rick James-Super Freak.

1981-Has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 2.33. When it comes to quality Funk on Motown, ‘U Can’t Touch This.’

Rick James was born James Ambrose Johnson Jr. on February 1st, 1948, in Buffalo, New York, United States, he died on August 6th, 2004, from pulmonary failure, and cardiac failure. James had suffered from drug abuse since his teens, and at the time of his death he had various health conditions including diabetes. He had also previously suffered a stroke, and a heart attack, and was fitted with a pacemaker.

Rick James joined the U.S. Navy Reserve in order to avoid being drafted in to the army, but in 1964 he deserted to Toronto, Canada, where he co-founded the R&B, and Rock band ‘The Mynah Birds,’ whose line up of 14 rotating members between 1964-1967 included Neil Young (see also best songs 602 and 599) and Bruce Palmer (1946-2004) who would go on to form Buffalo Springfield. On finding out that Johnson was a fugitive it was the Canadian Pop singer Shirley Matthews (1942-2013) who suggested he changed his name to Ricky James Matthews, after a cousin of hers who had died. The Mynah Birds were signed to Motown records, but none of their recordings on that label were officially released until 2006.

The authorities eventually caught up with Rick James, and he was sentenced to a one year prison term for desertion. After his release he started a variety of musical projects, and he finally found success in 1977 when signing with ‘Gordy Records’ a subsidiary of Motown.Rick James released 12 studio Albums between 1978-1997, there was also a posthumous release called ‘Deeper Still’ in 2007. James also had great success writing and producing for other artists on Motown including The Temptations,(see also best songs 1031-777 and 569) Teena Marie,(1956-2010) (see also best songs 735) and The Mary Jane Girls.

‘Super Freak’ was taken from Rick James’ fifth studio Album ‘Street Songs’ from 1981, and was co-written by James, and Alonzo Miller, with James producing. Miller was a Los Angeles radio DJ who modified the tone of the lyrics in order that the song had a better chance of being played to a crossover white audience. It is said that Rick James was not initially excited about the song, but reputedly wanted to have something on the Album that ‘White folks could dance to.’ Some of the backing vocals on the track were provided by The Temptations who had recently returned to Motown records.

‘Super Freak’ is about a girl who is very adventurous sexually, a ‘Freak’ is slang for someone willing to try various fetishes, thus a ‘Super Freak’ will try just about anything.

In 1990 Rick James successfully sued the American rapper MC Hammer for his sampling of this song on his 1990 Billboard Number 1 single ‘U Can’t Touch This’, having both James’ name and Miller’s added to the writing credits. In 2006 the Dutch Dance Music group ‘Beatfreakz’ covered ‘Super Freak,’ taking their version to Number 7 in the UK.

‘She’s a very kinky girl, the kind you don’t take home to mother. She will never let your spirits down, once you get her off the street.’