THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

316-Roxy Music-Street Life.

1973-Number 9 single.

Best Bit-At 0.24. The bands name was partly an homage to the titles of old cinemas, and dance halls, and partly a pun on the word rock. Bryan Ferry had named the band ‘Roxy’ originally, but after learning of an American group with the same name he changed it to Roxy Music (see also best songs 721 and 57.)

Bryan Ferry CBE was born on September 26th, 1945, in Washington, County Durham, England, like his contemporary David Bowie he influenced a generation with both his music, and his appearance. In November 1970 Ferry formed Roxy Music along with the bass player Graham Simpson, (1943-2012) whom he knew from Newcastle Art College. Ferry then advertised for other potential band members, leading to Andy Mackay, (saxophone) and on Mackay’s recommendation, Brian Eno, (synthesizer) joining the group. The classic line up was completed by Paul Thompson (drums) in 1971, and Phil Manzanera (lead guitar) in 1972, Brian Eno left the group in 1973, and was replaced by Eddie Jobson (keyboards, synthesizers, and electric violin.) Roxy Music were active until 1976 when they went on hiatus, they reformed in 1978, and stayed together until 1983. The band reformed without Brian Eno to tour on and off between 2000-2011, their final appearance together was on March 29th, 2019, when they performed six songs at their induction to the ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’ at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

‘Street Life’ was the opening track, and the only single released from Roxy Music’s third studio Album ‘Stranded’ from 1973, it was the bands first Album without Brian Eno, and their first with new member Eddie Jobson, the song was written by Bryan Ferry, and produced by Chris Thomas who also played bass on the track. Thomas who was born on January 13th, 1947, in Perivale, Middlesex, United Kingdom, is one of Pop Music’s most influential producers. Prior to working with Roxy Music he had produced (without credit) the Beatles songs ‘Happiness Is a Warm Gun,’ and ‘Birthday,’ he also produced Bryan Ferry’s ‘Let’s Stick Together’ (see also best songs 721.) The other songs he produced that appear in this countdown are by the Sex Pistols, (see also best songs 576-92 and 27) and Pulp (see also best songs 285.)

By 1973 Bryan Ferry had become a prolific songwriter, ‘Stranded’ was Roxy Music’s third studio Album in 18 months, and on top of that Ferry had also just released his first solo Album ‘These Foolish Things.’ ‘Street Life’ is about the pressures success can bring, it is about being hounded by ‘fans’ and the gutter press.

‘Wish everybody would leave me alone, yeah, they’re always calling on my telephone. When I pick it up there’s no one there, so I walk outside just to take the air.’