THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

376-Jack Jones-Wives and Lovers.

1963-Has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 1.44. This is probably the most controversial song in the world ever (especially if your female.) There will be people out there who’s blood will be boiling at the very mention of it.

‘Wives and Lovers’ is a song of advice to married women, to stay attractive to their husband’s (‘wives should always be lovers too,’) to avoid their husband’s straying with girls at the office. In defence of the song, I suppose it can always be sang by the wife to the husband. It can also be seen as a warning not to take each other for granted.’Wives and Lovers’ was written by the legendary song writing team of Burt Bacharach (music) and Hal David (1921-2012) (lyrics.) The song was written for the the 1963 comedy film ‘Wives and Lovers,’ the song doesn’t appear in the film but was written to promote it, this was known as an ‘exploitation song,’ Bacharach and David had done the same the previous year with the song ‘The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.’

Jack Jones was born on January 14th, 1938, in Hollywood, California, United States, his father Allan Jones (1907-1992) was an actor, and tenor, and his mother Irene Hervey (1909-1998) was a film and television actress. Jones who has been married six times is probably thought of an an ‘easy listening’ singer, he has released 61 Albums between 1959-2002, and 41 singles between 1962-1980, with five of them reaching the Billboard top 40. As well as his recording career as a singer Jones has also made appearances as an actor, and singer in films, he made his first appearance in 1959 in ‘Juke Box Rhythm.’ In the 1960’s he became a regular on American television variety shows Including ‘The Ed Sullivan Show,’ and ‘The Dean Martin Show.’

Like many other Bacharach and David compositions (see also best songs 902-832-815-740-644 and 224) ‘Wives and Lovers’ has been recorded over the years by dozens of other artists. The song was also the title track of Jack Jones eighth studio Album released in 1963, and gave Jones his first top 40 hit on the Billboard top 40 singles chart when reaching Number 14. In 1979 when Jones moved to ‘MGM’ records he recorded the Album ‘Nobody Does It Better’ which featured a ‘Disco’ re-make of ‘Wives and Lovers,’ as well as ‘The Love Boat,’ the theme from the television series of the same name, which is perhaps his most famous song.

‘Hey, little girl comb your hair, fix your makeup soon he will open the door. Don’t think because there’s a ring on your finger you needn’t try anymore.’