Providing Disco & Karaoke Since 19770113 266 8963 0113 266 8963
Posted by: In: Other 10 Jun 2022 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.


270-James Brown-I Got You (I Feel Good)


1965-Number 29 single.


Best Bit-At 0.01. There is probably no other song that is known instantly by two different titles, some call it ‘I Feel Good,’ and some call it ‘I Got You.’


James Joseph Brown was born on May 3rd, 1933, in Barnwell, South Carolina, United States, he died on Christmas Day 2006, from congestive heart failure at the age of 73. His honorific nicknames include,’Godfather of Soul,’ Mr Dynamite, and ‘Soul Brother No 1,’ he was also referred to as ‘The hardest working man in show business,’ due to his very active stage shows, and for performing over 300 times each year.


James Brown (see also best songs 880-349 and 88) wrote what was later to become ‘I Got You (I Feel Good’) in 1962, calling the song ‘I Found You,’ and releasing it as a single for Yvonne Fair (1942-1994) (see also best songs 480) who was a member of his live backing band, at that time, the song failed to chart. In 1964 Brown recorded a version of ‘I Got You (I Feel Good’) with a different arrangement, and that recording appears on ‘Out of Sight’ his ninth studio Album. The songs writing is credited to ‘Ted Wright,’ which is James Brown using a pseudonym, the reason for this will probably have been for either tax reasons concerning royalties, or a contractual dispute with his record label. The song had been planned for release as a single, but was withdrawn due to a court order from ‘King Records’ with whom Brown was involved in a contractual dispute with at the time. The ‘Out of Sight’ Album had been released on the Smash Records’ label, which was a subsidiary of ‘Mercury Records’ because of the legal problems. This version of the song is also the one James Brown lip syncs when performing with ‘The Famous Flames’ in the 1965 American musical comedy film ‘Ski Party.’


‘I Got You (I Feel Good’) was written and produced by James Brown, with this defining version being released in October 1965, with many now calling it Brown’s signature tune. The song became James Brown’s highest charting single on the Billboard Hot 100 when reaching Number 3 in 1965. In total Brown achieved 91 Hot 100 hits, the most by any artist to never make the Number 1 spot. ‘I Got You (I Feel Good’) was also the opening track from Brown’s 1966 Album of the same name, which was mainly a compilation Album made up of ‘B’ sides, and alternate takes. The song has also appeared on four of Brown’s live Album releases, the first being in 1967, on ‘Live at the Garden,’ in New Jersey, United States.


‘When I hold you in my arms I know that I can do no wrong, and when I hold you in my arms my love can’t do me no harm.’

Posted by: In: Other 10 Jun 2022 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.


271-Camisra-Let Me Show You.


1998-Number 5 single.


Best Bit-At 4.13. It is said by some that the anticipation during the build up to this songs ‘drop’ is even better than sex. I’ll let you judge for yourself, have a listen.


Camisra is one of the stage names used by Paul Newman, who was born in Blackpool, England, in 1971. I was rather hoping that the word ‘Camisra’ would have had an exciting or mysterious meaning to go alongside such a wonderful song, but it appears it is no more than just a made up word. Newman is probably better known by his original stage name of ‘Tall Paul’ (due to his height, he stands around six foot and six inches) a name he began using in 1994, and still does at the time of writing, but he also used ‘Camisra’ for that project between 1998-1999.


Tall Paul started his career in music in 1985 at ‘Turnmills’ nightclub in Clerkenwell, London, England, which was owned by his father John Newman. After perfecting his craft he has gone on to headline events around the world including in America, and Europe. His breakthrough as a music producer came in 1997 when as Tall Paul his first single release ‘Rock Da House’ reached Number 12 in the UK. As Tall Paul he has released a further five singles between 1997-2002, with a remix of ‘Rock Da House’ making Number 29 in 2001, and ‘Precious Heart’ reaching Number 14 in the same year. Newman has also charted twice in the UK using the name ‘Escrima,’ with ‘Train of Thought’ (1995, Number 36) and ‘Deeper’ (1995, Number 27) Under the name ‘Partizan’ his song ‘Drive Me Crazy’ reached Number 36 in 1997, and in 1999 he also recorded using the name ‘Grifters.’


Newman’s biggest chart success was achieved with this song which peaked at Number 5 in the UK in February 1998, it also made Number 19 in Ireland, and Number 53 in Holland. As Camisra, Newman has issued a further two tracks, ‘Feel the Beat’ which was the follow up single to ‘Let Me Show You’ reached Number 32 in 1998, and ‘Clap Your Hands’ made Number 34 in 1999.


‘Let Me Show You’ would be filed under the genre of ‘House Music.’ The genre was created in Chicago, Illinois, United States, in the early 1980’s, and took over from the ‘Disco’ music of the late 1970’s. While Disco was associated with live orchestration, House music incorporated sounds produced by synthesizers, and electronic drum machines. There are various explanations as to where the name ‘House’ music originated, with some stating it got it’s name from the ‘Warehouse’ nightclub which existed in Chicago from 1977-1983. Frankie Knuckles (1955-2014) who was known as the ‘Godfather of House’ has said that the first time he heard the term house music was upon seeing ‘we play house music’ on a sign in the window of a bar on Chicago’s South Side. One of the people with Knuckles joked ‘You know that’s the kind of music you play down at the Warehouse.’


‘Let me show you what I’m capable of. Honey, would you just give me the chance by doing something you won’t ever believe.’

Posted by: In: Other 10 Jun 2022 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.


272-Fats Domino-Blueberry Hill.


1956-Number 6 single.


Best Bit-At 0.10. In 1969 Elvis Presley (see also best songs 954-664-442 and 194) said,’A lot of people seem to think I started this business, but ‘Rock N’ Roll’ was here a long time before I came along. Let’s face it I can’t sing like Fats Domino can, I know that.’


Fats Domino (see also best songs 617) was born Antoine Dominique Jr. on February 26th, 1928, in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, he died of natural causes on October 24th, 2017, at the age of 89. Although Fats Domino is considered to be one of the leading lights in the development of Rock N’ Roll in the 1950’s, he was never convinced that Rock N’ Roll was a new genre. In 1957 he said,’What they call Rock N’ Roll now is Rhythm and Blues. I’ve been playing it for 15 years in New Orleans.’ Music critics writing for the ‘Rolling Stone’ magazine have backed up this statement by stating that ‘All Fifties rockers, black and white, country born, and city bred, were fundamentally influenced by ‘R&B,’ the black popular music of the late Forties and early Fifties.’ Fats Domino has sold in excess of 65 million records, with five of his songs including ‘Blueberry Hill’ selling over one million copies each. In America on Billboard, 35 of his singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Blueberry Hill’ charting the highest when making Number 2, while in the UK, 17 of his songs have reached the top 40.


‘Blueberry Hill’ was written in 1940 by Vincent Rose, (1880-1944) who wrote the music, and Larry Stock, (1896-1984) and Al Lewis (1901-1967) who co-wrote the lyrics. Vincent Rose wrote over 200 songs including ‘Avalon’ in 1921, which was a big hit for Al Jolson, who also wrote the lyrics. Larry Stock’s other writing credits include ‘You’re Nobody till Somebody Loves You,’ of which the best known recording is by Dean Martin from 1960, and Al Lewis was the co-writer of ‘Tears on My Pillow,’ first recorded by Little Anthony and the Imperials, and covered by Kylie Minogue, who took her version to Number 1 in the UK in 1990.


‘Blueberry Hill’ was recorded six times in 1940, with the original version being by the Sammy Kaye Orchestra, with vocals by Tommy Ryan, recorded on May 31st. The most successful version prior to Fats Domino was recorded by the Glenn Miller Orchestra which reached Number 2 on the American chart in 1940. In 1949 Louis Armstrong recorded a version which reached Number 29 on Billboard, and it was Armstrong’s recording that inspired Domino to record it in 1956.


Dave Bartholomew (1918-2019) who was a long time collaborator with Fats Domino had reservations about recording ‘Blueberry Hill,’ stating that it had been done too many times already, he can be heard playing the trumpet on the track. The song is about lost love, the narrator has fond memories of his time with his partner on Blueberry Hill, but now he is alone, and sadly reminiscing.


‘The wind in the willows played love’s sweet melody, but all of those vows you made were never to be. Though we’re apart you’re part of me still, for you were my thrill on Blueberry Hill.’

Posted by: In: Other 10 Jun 2022 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.


273-The Damned-New Rose.


1976-Has never charted in the UK.


Best Bit-At 0.18. This song is generally accepted as the very first British Punk Rock single.


The Damned (see also best songs 515) were formed in London, England, in 1976 by Dave Vanian. (born David Lett) Brian James, (born Brian Robertson) Captain Sensible, (born Raymond Ian Burns) (see also best songs 833) and Rat Scabies (born Christopher John Millar.) Vanian, Sensible, and Scabies had all previously been members of ‘Masters of the Backside’ who were an early Punk Rock Band managed by Malcolm McLaren, (see also best songs 751-576-92 and 27) another member of that group was Chrissie Hynde who would later go on to be the lead singer of The Pretenders. Prior to joining The Damned Brian James had been a member of the Pub Rock outfit ‘London SS,’ whose other members included Mick Jones, who went on to form The Clash, and Big Audio Dynamite, (see also best songs 867-638 and 294) and Tony James who would join the Punk band ‘Chelsea,’ before finding further success with Generation X, and Sigue Sigue Sputnik (see also best songs 163.) In total there have been 19 official members of The Damned come and go, and they remain active, with David Vanian being the bands one constant. They have released 11 studio Albums between 1977-2018, and 45 singles, of which 10 have reached the UK top 40, with their cover of ‘Eloise’ being the most successful when making Number 3 in 1986.


‘New Rose’ was added to The Damned’s debut studio Album ‘Damned Damned Damned’ released in February 1977, four months after the release of ‘New Rose,’ which is considered to be the first British Punk Rock single, from the first full length Album released by a British Punk group. The majority of the Album, and ‘New Rose’ was written by Brian James who would also write the bands second Album ‘Music for Pleasure’ before leaving the band at the end of 1977. James has explained the songs meaning,’Everyone thinks New Rose is about a girl or a new relationship, but it’s not. It was about this emerging scene, this lovely buzz that you’d never dreamed could possibly happen. It was like,I’d got my own Swinging 60’s, that sorta vibe.’


‘New Rose’ and it’s parent Album was produced by Nick Lowe who was born Nicholas Drain Lowe on March 24th, 1949, in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, England. Lowe would go on to produce all of the first five studio Albums for Elvis Costello, (see also best songs 836) as well as releasing 14 solo studio Albums between 1978-2013, he has also had three UK top 40 hit singles including the 1978 Number 7 song ‘I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass.’


At the very start of ‘New Rose’ David Vanian says ‘Is she really going out with him,’ this is a tribute to the ‘Shrangri-Las’ 1964 classic ‘Leader of the Pack’ (see also best songs 833.) ‘New Rose’ is about the emergence of a new scene, a new fashion, a new culture, and of course a new genre of music that was happening in 1976, which was to be coined ‘Punk Rock,’ a term previously used by American Rock critics in the early 1970’s to describe the mid-1960’s ‘Garage’ bands.


‘I got a feeling inside of me, it’s kind of strange like a stormy sea. I don’t know why, I don’t know why, I guess these things have got to be.’

Posted by: In: Other 10 Jun 2022 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.


274-Charles Trenet-La Mer.


1946-Has never charted in the UK. There was no UK chart until 1952.


Best Bit-At 2.28. ‘La Mer’ has been recorded in several different languages, in Italy it is ‘II Mare,’ while in Belgium it is ‘De Zee.’ German speaking countries call it ‘Das Meer,’ in Russia it is known as ‘Volna,’ and in English speaking countries it is called ‘Beyond The Sea.’


‘La Mer’ (in English the sea) was written by the French singer/songwriter Charles Trenet, who was born Louis Charles Augustin Georges Trenet on May 18th, 1913, in Narbonne, France, he died after suffering a second stroke on February 19th, 2001, at the age of 87. Trenet is one of France’s most celebrated artists, who wrote nearly 1000 songs, his other notable compositions include ‘Boum!’ from 1938, and ‘Que reste-t-il de nos amours?’ from 1942.


Trenet said that he wrote the lyrics in the form of a poem to ‘La Mer’ in 1929 at the age of 16, but didn’t come up with the melody until 1943 when he was travelling by train between Montpellier and Perpignan, his inspiration came as he was gazing out the window at the ‘Etang de Thau, a lagoon in the South of France. Trenet took his ideas to Leo Chauliac (1913-1977) a Jazz pianist who Trenet was working with at that time, and further input was provided by Albert Lasry (1903-1975) who also produced Trenet’s recording of the song in 1946.


Trenet wrote ‘La Mer’ as an ode to the sea, but the English language lyrics which were written by Jack Laurence are about a couple who are separated by the sea, and the narrator lives in hope that one day they will be reunited. Jack Laurence was born Jacob Louis Schwartz on April 7th, 1912, in Brooklyn, New York, United States, he died after a fall at his home on March 16th, 2009, at the age of 96. Other notable songs written by Laurence include ‘If I Didn’t Care,’ recorded by the Ink Spots, (see also best songs 266) and ‘Linda,’ a 1947 Billboard Number 1 for Ray Noble & Buddy Clark. Laurence wrote ‘Linda’ in 1942 taking the name from the then one year old daughter of his attorney, Lee Eastman. The Linda in question would grow up to be the future wife of Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman (1941-1998.)


‘La Mer’ is a ‘Chanson,’ which is generally any lyric-driven French song, it was first recorded by Roland Gerbeau (1919-2012) with Jo Bouillon (1908-1984) and His Orchestra in 1945, Charles Trenet made his first recording of the song a year later. Over the years the song has become a Chanson, and Jazz standard, and has been recorded hundreds of times. The most famous and successful English language version is the recording by Bobby Darin. (1936-1973) (see also best songs 43) The English version is known as ‘Beyond the Sea,’ and became Darin’s signature song after reaching Number 6 on Billboard, and Number 8 in the UK in 1960. Prior to Bobby Darin charting with the song it had been a hit twice before in instrumental form, for Benny Goodman in 1948, and for Roger Williams in 1956, when reaching Number 37 on Billboard.


‘La mer qu’on voit danser le long des golfes clairs a des reflets d’argent.’

Posted by: In: Other 10 Jun 2022 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.


275-Coldplay-Yellow.


2000-Number 4 single.


Best Bit-At 1.50. Chris Martin is very well known for being coy, and for also teasing interviewers when it comes to explaining his songs meanings, but it is probably safe to say this ones not about The Simpsons.


Coldplay were formed in London, England, in 1996 by Chris Martin, (vocals and piano) Jonny Buckland, (guitar) Guy Berryman, (bass) and Will Champion, (drums) the bands former manager, and creative director Phil Harvey is considered a fifth group member. Martin and Buckland first met each other in September 1996 while studying at University College London, where using the name ‘Pectoralz’ they began to write songs together. It was in 1998 that Berryman and Champion who were also students at University College London would join forces with Martin and Buckland and perform as a quartet, this time using the name ‘Starfish.’ Prior to releasing their first EP called ‘Safety’ which had been financed by Phil Harvey in May 1998, the band finally settled on the name ‘Coldplay,’ which was suggested to them by another student called Tim Crompton, who had been using the name for a group of his own.


Coldplay have gone on to sell in excess of 100 million Albums, making them the most successful band worldwide of the 21st Century, and one of the best selling acts of all time. They have released nine studio Albums to date between 2000-2021, and 39 singles between 1999-2022. Each one of their nine Albums has reached Number 1 in the UK, while 27 of their singles have made the UK top 40, with ‘Viva la Vida,’ (2008) and ‘Paradise,'(2011) both reaching Number 1. In America four of their Albums have topped the Billboard 200 Album chart, and 17 of their singles have made the Billboard top 40, with ‘Viva la Vida,’ (2008) and ‘My Universe’ featuring the South Korean ‘K-Pop’ boy band ‘BTS,’ (2021) both reaching Number 1.


‘Yellow’ was the second single released from Coldplay’s debut studio Album ‘Parachutes’ from July 2000. In America it was the first single issued, while in the UK ‘Shiver’ had been the first release. The song was co-written by all four band members, who also produced the track along with Ken Nelson. According to Nelson, during a break from recording he had taken the band outside, and told them to look up at the stars, this he said inspired Chris Martin to write the songs main melody.


Probably being bored with being asked the same question every time when interviewed Martin has admitted to giving several different explanations as to what ‘Yellow’ means. He told one interviewer that he got the idea from the book that happened to be nearest him when writing the song, it was the UK telephone directory, which is named ‘Yellow Pages,’ Martin has also said that the lyrics are about being devoted to someone, wanting to do anything for them. ‘Writing a song for them, swimming across the sea for them. It’s not necessarily a romantic devotion, but could be about someone that you look up to and would do anything for, a brotherly love.’


‘Look at the stars, look how they shine for you, and everything you do, yeah, they were all yellow. I came along, I wrote a song for you and all the things you do, and it was called yellow.’

Posted by: In: Other 09 Jun 2022 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.


276-Rupert Holmes-Escape (The Pina Colado Song)


1979-Number 23 single.


Best Bit-At 2.32. They have both just found out that their partner has been cheating on them, so what do they do? They laugh for a moment and say,’ I never knew that you liked Pina Colada.’


Rupert Holmes was born David Goldstein on February 24th, 1947, in Northwich, Cheshire, England, at the age of six he emigrated with his family to Nanuet, New York, United States. Holmes has had a varied career as a successful singer/songwriter, musician, playwright, and author. He has released nine studio Albums between 1974-2012, and 18 singles between 1974-1983, three of which have reached the Billboard top 40 singles chart, with this song making Number 1. In the UK two of his songs have charted, with this song reaching Number 23, and the follow up ‘Him’ making Number 31 in 1980. His songs have been recorded by many of the worlds top artists including Barbra Streisand, and Dolly Parton, and as a music producer he has worked with artists including Sparks, producing their 1976 Album ‘Big Beat,’ Holmes is also a playwright, he made his professional debut as a playwright in 1985 with the musical ‘The Mystery of Edwin Drood,’ in total he has worked on 18 musicals. Holmes has also written for film and television, most famously the American comedy drama series ‘Remember WENN,’ writing all 56 episodes, he has also written three books. Holmes has said of his varied career, ‘I have a feeling that if I saved an entire orphanage from a fire and carried the last child out on my shoulders, as I stood there charred and smoking, they’d say,’Aren’t you the guy who wrote the pina colada song?’


‘Escape (The Pina Colada Song) was the lead single from Rupert Holmes fifth studio Album ‘Partners in Crime’ from 1979, the song was written by Holmes, and co-produced by Holmes and Jim Boyer. Rupert Holmes got the initial idea for the song after seeing the personal columns in ‘The Village Voice’. He got to thinking what it would be like to arrange a meeting with a complete stranger, and then he let his imagination run wild, what if the stranger turned out to be his partner.


It had been a last minute decision to introduce pina colada into the song. The original lyrics written by Holmes were ‘If you like Humphrey Bogart and getting caught in the rain’, but Holmes felt that someone yearning escapism would want something more exotic sounding, and also more modern. Holmes thoughts turned to escaping to a vacation on a beach where you may order a pina colada, he has acknowledged that the last minute decision to change the lyrics changed his life.


‘Escape (The Pina Colada Song’) is the tale of a man who reads the personal advertisements in the newspaper and spots an ad that catches his attention, a woman seeking a man who among other things enjoys pina colada’s. He replies to her ad, and they arrange to meet, where on meeting they are both shocked to realise that they are each others partners. The morale of the story is give your relationship every chance to blossom, before looking elsewhere. The song was the last Number 1 on the American Billboard chart for the 1970’s, and after being knocked off the top spot the following week, regained the Number 1 spot again for the second week of 1980. At the time of writing the song is the 357th best selling song on Billboard since it’s inception in 1958.
‘So I waited with high hopes, then she walked in the place. I knew her smile in an instant, I knew the curve of her face. It was my own lovely lady, and she said, ‘Oh it’s you,’ and we laughed for a moment, and I said ‘I never knew.”

Posted by: In: Other 09 Jun 2022 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.


277-Nina Simone-My Baby Just Cares for Me.


1958-It did not chart in the UK until 1987 when it reached Number 5.


Best Bit-At 1.13. It is said that Sybil Burton (1929-2013) the ex wife of the actor Richard Burton (1925-1948) became incensed when she heard this song, having heard the lyric ‘Liz Taylor is not his style.’ Sybil and Richard had recently divorced, after Richard had left her for Liz Taylor.


‘My Baby Just Cares for Me’ is considered a Jazz Standard. A Jazz Standard is a song that is widely known, and performed often by many Jazz musicians. The song was written for the 1928 American Musical Comedy ‘Whoopee!’ which starred the American actor/dancer/singer/songwriter Eddie Cantor (1892-1964) who first introduced the song in the film, and went onto become one of his signature tunes. ‘My Baby Just Cares for Me’ was co-written by Walter Donaldson (1893-1947) who provided the lyrics, and Gus Khan (1886-1941) who wrote the melody, both had been commissioned to write the soundtrack for ‘Whoopee!’ which also included the other notable song ‘Makin’ Whoopee,’ also introduced by Cantor.


In 1957 Nina Simone recorded ‘My Baby Just Cares for Me’ for her debut studio Album ‘Little Girl Blue,’ (also known as ‘Jazz As Played in an Exclusive Side Street Club’) it was released on the ‘Bethlehem Records’ label in February 1959. Simone only recorded the Album as a way to financing her true love which was to become a Classical concert pianist, so she immediately sold the rights for the Album to ‘Bethleham Records’ for $3,000 (around 28,000 in 2020.)


‘My Baby Just Cares for Me’ remained relatively obscure until it was used in a 1987 television commercial for ‘Chanel No. 5’ perfume. To follow up the exposure the song was receiving, record companies fought over the rights to release the song as a single with ‘Charly Records’ winning the battle. Simone who had sold her rights to the song many years earlier, and had always had a tenuous relationship with record labels was outraged, claiming she didn’t receive any royalties.’They went behind my back and stole from each other like I was a slave. They took me and sold me, from one record company to another, because they couldn’t deal with me openly.’ It is probably the case that Nina Simone selling the rights to the song cost her well over one million Dollars.


Nina Simone was born Eunice Kathleen Waymon on February 21st, 1933, in Tryon, North Carolina, United States, she had suffered from breast cancer for several years, before she died in her sleep on April 21st, 2003, at the age of 70. In 1954 in order to make a living she played piano in a nightclub in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and because her parents didn’t approve of her playing the ‘devils music’ she changed her name to ‘Nina Simone,’ ‘nina’ was a nickname given to her by a boyfriend, and ‘Simone’ was taken from the French actress ‘Simone Signoret,’ (1921-1985) whom she had seen in the 1952 movie ‘Casque d’Or.’


Nina Simone was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in the late 1980’s. She was known for her temper, and outbursts of aggression, and after an incident in 1995 she was sentenced to eight month in prison, which was suspended pending a psychiatric evaluation, and treatment. In the 1960’s Simone was a prominent public figure as a civil rights activist for ‘The American Civil Rights Movement,’ with her own composition ‘Mississippi Goddam’ from 1964 becoming a well known song during the civil rights years. Another of Nina Simone’s best known songs is ‘To Be Young, Gifted and Black,’ which has famously been recorded by Aretha Franklin in 1972, and was a 1970 UK Number 5 hit for the Reggae duo of Bob and Marcia. In total Nina Simone released 19 studio Albums between 1959-1993, and 14 live Albums. Her only Billboard Hot 100 top 40 single was ‘I Love You, Porgy,’ which made Number 18 in 1959, while in the UK five of her singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Ain’t Got No, I Got Life,’ making Number 2 in 1968.
‘My baby don’t care for shows,my baby don’t care for clothes, my baby just cares for me. My baby don’t care for cars and races, my baby don’t care for high-tone places.’

Posted by: In: Other 09 Jun 2022 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.


278-N-Trance-Set You Free.


1994-Number 39 single. When it was re-issued in 1995 it peaked at Number 2. In 2001 it was again re-issued with new remixes, and this time reached Number 4.


Best Bit-At 4.23. Because they made one of the best Dance songs of the 1990’s, I think we should forgive them for some horrendous cover versions.


N-Trance were formed in Oldham, England, in 1990 by the Electronic music producers Kevin O’Toole, and Dale Longworth. The pair met at Oldham College in Greater Manchester, where they were both studying sound engineering. They were initially signed to ‘380 Records’ which was a subsidiary of the ‘PWL’ label which at that time was owned by Pete Waterman, (see also best songs 627) but they were not happy with that labels marketing, so they moved to the ‘All Around he World’ label in September 1993.


N-Trance have released three studio Albums between 1995-2009, and a ‘Best of N-Trance 1992-2002,’ in 2001. They have also released 19 singles, including the three re-issues of ‘Set You Free,’ between 1994-2009, of which 13 have made the UK top 40. The duo of O’Toole and Longworth have also had a further UK top 40 hit using the alias ‘Freeloaders’ in 2005, when ‘So Much Love to Give,’ reached Number 9. N-Trance remain active with Kevin O’Toole now being the only constant, as Dale Longworth split from the group in 1999. Since 1991 Lee Limer, also from Oldham, has worked as a dancer for the group.


‘Set You Free’ was the debut single from N-Trance, and was added to their 1994 debut studio Album ‘Electronic Pleasure,’ both O’Toole. and Lomgworth, co-wrote, and co-produced the Album, and the single. The vocals on ‘Set You Free’ were provided by a then 16 year old Kelly Llorenna, who was born in Slough, England, in 1975, but raised in Oldham. Llorenna has explained how she first met ‘N-Trance,’They came to my college and asked if anyone sung, and everyone replied ‘Kelly sings!’ Llorenna has said of the song,’When people hear the opening, which features thunder, lightning and rain, their faces light up, and the’re transported back to where they were. Kelly Llorenna went on to record further songs with N-Trance, and also has achieved five solo top 40 singles on the UK top 40 between 2002-2004.


‘Set You Free’ was inspired by a night out at the ‘Hacienda’ club in Manchester that Kevin O’Toole had in 1989. He has said,’They used to pass round pints of water, and a woman came up to me and I felt her heartbeat through her top, the song created a diary of what was happening at the time.’ Initially only 500 12 inch vinyl copies were made for promotional use in 1992, but slowly the record grew in popularity, and was pushed to even greater success by several remixes, it has currently sold in excess of 600,000 copies in the UK.


‘Oh, oh, yeah. When I hold you baby, feel your heartbeat close to me, wanna stay in your arms forever, only love can set you free.’

Posted by: In: Other 09 Jun 2022 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.


279-Perez Prado-Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White.


1955-Number 1 single.


Best Bit-At 1.01. Perez Prado may have written ‘Mambo No 5,’ but this was definitely Mambo’s Number 1 song.


Mambo is a genre of Cuban dance music that was developed by the Cuban multi-instrumentalist Orestes Lopez, (1908-1991) his brother Israel ‘Cachao’ Lopez, (1918-2008) and the Cuban flautist Antonio Arcario (1911-1994) in the late 1930’s. By the late 1940’s Mambo had become a dance craze in the United States, with bandleaders such as Perez Prado refining the genre. Prado adapted the fast Mambo rhythm to the American style Big Bands of the 1940’s, distancing the style away from it’s more traditional quieter Cuban roots.


Perez Prado was born Damaso Perez Prado on December 11th, 1916, in Matanzas, Cuba, he died of complications from a stroke after being in ill health for the previous two years on September 14th, 1989, at the age of 72. In 1949 Prado moved to Mexico where he formed his own band, after signing with ‘RCA Victor’ records in Mexico City. Prado had 23 Albums released by that label between 1951-1976, he also provided the soundtrack to four films in the 1950,s. His most well known compositions include his 1958 American Number 1 song ‘Patricia,’ and ‘Mambo No 5,’ from 1949. In 1999 ‘Mambo No 5’ was sampled by the German singer Lou Bega for his worldwide hit ‘Mambo No 5 (A Little Bit’) In 2001 the song once again topped the UK chart, when a novelty version by ‘Bob the Builder,’ from the BBC children’s television show, was sung by the British actor Neil Morrissey. Perez Prado who became affectionately known as the ‘King of the Mambo’ performed for the last time in 1987, but his son Perez Jr. continues to direct the Perez Prado Orchestra in Mexico City.


‘Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White’ is the English version of ‘Cerisiers Roses et Pommiers Blancs’ with the music written by Louiguy,’ (1916-1991) his other most notable composition is ‘La Vie en Rose,’ which became the signature song of Edith Piaf (see also best songs 178.) The French lyrics to ‘Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White’ were written by Jacques Larue, while the English lyrics were written by Mack David, (1912-1993) the older brother of Hal David.


Perez Prado’s instrumental with his orchestra, which features the very distinctive trumpet playing of Billy Regis, was first recorded for the 1955 movie ‘Underwater!’ where Jane Russell can be seen dancing to the song. When released as a single it topped the American chart, and went onto be the best selling song of 1955. The most successful vocal version in America was by Alan Dale (1925-2002) whose recording made Number 14, also in 1955. In the UK the Perez Prado version spent two weeks at Number 1, while a competing instrumental recording by the British trumpeter Eddie Calvert (1922-1978) also made Number 1, but for four weeks. The song also charted in the UK in 1982 for the British Pop/Salsa group ‘Modern Romance,’ whose vocal version peaked at Number 15.