THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

290-Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five featuring Melle Mel and Duke Bootee-The Message.

1982-Number 8 single.Best Bit-At 3.44. This is the song that changed Rap music forever. Before this song MC’s only told people to take to the dance floor, and put their hands in the air.

‘The Message’ was the first Hip-Hop song to provide a social commentary rather than the self congratulatory boasting, or party chants of earlier Hip-Hop. It’s influence cannot be stressed enough, as it paved the way for artists such as Public Enemy (see also best songs 578 and 37) and N.W.A., (see also best songs 564 and 128) In 2012 ‘Rolling Stone Magazine’ named the song the greatest Hip-Hop song of all time.

The original demo of ‘The Message’ was written in 1980 by Edward ‘Duke Bootee’ Fletcher (1951-2021) who at that time was employed as a songwriter at Sugar Hill Records. He took the demo which included his own Rap to Sylvia Robinson (1935-2011) (see also best songs 597-523-466-87 and 17) the co-founder of Sugar Hill Records, who asked Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five to record it, but they initially wanted nothing to do with it, Grandmaster Flash has said,’The subject matter wasn’t happy, It wasn’t no party s..t, it wasn’t even some real street s..t. We would laugh at it.’ With the group not wanting to record it Sylvia Robinson talked Melle Mel (see also best songs 523 and 85) of the Furious Five to perform the song with it’s writer ‘Duke Bootee. Grandmaster Flash then had a change of mind and wanted to record the track, but Robinson refused. The only input on the song from Grandmaster Flash, (see also best songs 87) or the other four members of the Furious Five is at the end of the song, where they do a skit about being arrested by the police while stood on a street corner minding their own business.

As well as writing the majority of the songs lyrics ‘Duke Bootee’ also wrote the music, which unlike many ‘Hip-Hop’ tracks at the time didn’t have an up-tempo ‘Disco’ beat. ‘The Message’ has a ‘slow groove,’ and a reverberated synthesizer hook. ‘Duke Bootee’ has said that he was influenced to write the music after hearing the songs ‘More Bounce to the Ounce’ by ‘Zapp’ from 1980, and ‘Genius of Love’ by ‘Tom Tom Club’ from 1981. The other songwriting credits on the song include Melle Mel who provided additional lyrics, and Clifton ‘Jiggs’ Chase, who was a producer at Sugar Hill Records, and also worked on this track, along with Sylvia Robinson.

‘A child is born with no state of mind, blind to the ways of mankind. God is smilin’ on you, but he’s frownin’ too, because only God knows what you’ll go through.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

291-The Maytals-Monkey Man.

1969-Number 47 single.

Best Bit-At 0.47. This songs writer, and lead singer Toots Hibbert is responsible for introducing the word ‘Reggae.’

Frederick Nathaniel ‘Toots’ Hibbert, ‘OJ,’ was born on December 8th, 1942, in May Pen, Colony of Jamaica, he died of COVID-19 during the pandemic in Jamaica, on September 11th, 2020, at the age of 77. In 2012 he was awarded the ‘Order of Jamaica,’ which is the equivalent of a British Knighthood. Hibbert formed The Maytals in 1962 with Henry ‘Raleigh’ Gordon, and Nathaniel ‘Jerry’ Mathias, as a vocal trio, in Kingston, Jamaica. According to Hibbert, ‘Maytals’ is a reference to the ‘Rastafari’ term for ‘do the right thing,’ but there have also been suggestions that the name was influenced by Hibbert’s hometown of ‘May Pen.’

The Maytals were initially a sought after vocal group, working with some of Jamaica’s top music producers such as Coxsone Dodd, (1932-2004) Byron Lee, (1935-2008) and Prince Buster (1938-2016) (see also best songs 734 and 139.) In the mid 1960’s the group was expanded, when musicians were added to the band, In total there have been 17 different group members come and go, with the band still active as ‘The Maytals’, which was the name that they had originally started out with. They were known from 1972, until Hibbert’s death in 2020, as ‘Toots and the Maytals.’ The discography of Toots and the Maytals consists of 24 studio Albums released between 1964-2020, and 137 singles released between 1963-2007. Toots Hibbert also released 17 solo singles between 1981-2017.

In 1968 Toots Hibbert wrote a song called ‘Do the Reggay,’ which led to the then new genre of music being called ‘Reggae.’ Reggae Music originated in Jamaica in the late 1960’s strongly influenced by traditional Jamaican Folk music, as well as American Jazz, and R&B, and evolving from Ska, and Rocksteady.

‘Monkey Man’ was written by Toots Hibbert, and produced by Leslie Kong, who had worked with Hibbert from the early 1960’s. Kong (1933-1971) who was responsible for recording Bob Marley’s (see also best songs 618 and 56) first songs ‘Cup of Coffee’ and ‘Judge Not’ in 1962, also discovered Jimmy Cliff, and produced Reggae Music’s first international hit ‘Israllites’ in 1969, for Desmond Dekker (see also best songs 122.)

‘Monkey Man tells the tale of someone who has been dumped by his girlfriend, and has taken up with a big ugly brute of a man. In Jamaica a ‘Monkey Man’ is a slang word for a doorman, or a bouncer.

‘I see no sign of you, I only heard of you hugging up the big monkey man. Aye, aye, aye, aye, aye, aye, tell you baby, you’re hugging up the big monkey man.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

292-Foo Fighters-Everlong.

1997-Number 18 single.

Best Bit-At 1.29. David Grohl is down on record as saying that one of his musical influences was the Scottish boy band The Bay City Rollers. I honestly don’t know if he is pulling our legs or not.

David Eric Grohl was born on January 14th, 1969, in Warren, Ohio, United States. At the age of 13 he attended his first concert, where he was totally converted to ‘Punk Rock’ music, after seeing the American Punk band ‘Naked Raygun’ play live. While in high school he played guitar in several local bands, but switched to percussion, after teaching himself to play the drums. Grohl has said that he learned to play the drums by listening to the Canadian Rock band ‘Rush,’ of whom he names ‘Rush’ drummer Neil Pearl (1952-2020) an early influence. He has also stated that Led Zeppelin (see also best songs 135 and 66) drummer John Bonham (1948-1980) as his greatest influence, and has Bonham’s ‘three-rings symbol’ tattooed on his right shoulder.

After the demise of Nirvana (see also best songs 788 and 9) Grohl went into the studio and recorded a 15 track demo, on which he played every instrument, with the exception of a single guitar part on the song ‘X-Static,’ which was played by Greg Dulli of the American Rock band ‘Afghan Whigs.’ After passing the demo around a bidding war began, with Grohl signing to ‘Capitol Records’. Grohl did not wish to be known as a solo artist so recruited three band members, but the debut studio Album called ‘Foo Fighters’ from 1995, only featured the playing on it of Grohl. David Grohl chose the bands name from the UFO’s, and various aerial phenomena that were reported by Allied aircraft pilots in World War 2. To date the Foo Fighters have released 10 studio Albums between 1995-2021, and 57 singles, of which 21 have reached the UK top 40, with ‘Best of You’ from 2005 being the highest charting when reaching Number 4. While in America on Billboard only three of their singles have charted, with ‘Best of You’ also being the highest charting. when making Number 18.

‘Everlong’ was the second single released from the Foo Fighters second studio Album ‘The Colour and the Shape’ (see also best songs 999) from 1997, and was written by Dave Grohl, and produced by Gil Norton (see also best songs 904 and 490.) ‘Everlong’ was written soon after the breakup of Grohl’s first marriage to Jennifer Youngblood. He wrote the lyrics after falling for Louise Post of the American Alternative Rock band Veruca Salt, she can be heard singing backing vocals on this track.

On the songs meaning Grohl has said,’It’s about a girl that I’d fallen in love with, and it was basically about being connected to someone so much, that not only do you love them physically and spiritually, but when you sing along with them you harmonise perfectly.’

‘And I wonder when I sing along with you, if everything could ever feel this real forever. If anything could ever be this good again. The only thing I’ll ever ask of you, you’ve got to promise not to stop when I say when.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

293-Hank Mizel-Jungle Rock.

1958-It did not chart until it was re-released in 1976, when reaching Number 3.

Best Bit-At 0.10. It took 18 years for this song to become a hit, so it appears that the ‘Jungle Drums’ were communicating very slowly.

Hank Mizel was born William M. Mizel, on November 9th, 1923, in Daytona Beach, Florida, United States, he died on December 23rd, 1992, at the age of 69. After joining the United States Army, and serving in the Second World War, Mizel decided to take up singing professionally in a band that included a guitarist called Jim Bobo. Mizel got a job in Montgomery, Alabama, singing regularly on a local radio station, where one of the presenters nicknamed him ‘Hank’ after the Country singer Hank Williams (see also best songs 555.)

In 1958 Mizel and Bobo were approached by a local Country vocalist called Gene Parsons, who had just set up his own record label called ‘Eko Records,’ the duo recorded three songs for the label, including ‘Jungle Rock.’ Although ‘Jungle Rock’ made no impression with the record buying public, it did receive favourable reviews from the Billboard magazine which wrote,’A persistent jungle blues item would make good swingin’ dance fare.’ Some eight months later after the song had come to the attention of an employee at the ‘King Records’ label the song was re-issued, but once again failed to make any real impact. Mizel and Bobo continued playing live together until 1962, until it was no longer financially viable. Mizel was now married, and also had four children to support, and he took the decision to give up music, and become a preacher for the Church of Christ.

In 1971 unbeknown to Mizel, ‘Jungle Rock’ was one of the tracks reissued on a Dutch bootleg compilation Album called ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll, Vol 1,’ it had been issued by the Dutchman Cees Klop who was a collector of rare 1950’s Rock ‘N’ Roll. Some of the early ‘Eko Records’ recordings of ‘Jungle Rock’ has mistakenly credited Jim Bobo with being the songs writer, and Klop took that information, and Bobo was credited as the songs writer on the Album. The Album came to the attention of the British DJ Roy Williams, who started playing ‘Jungle Rock,’ this led to ‘Charly Records’ who specialised in reissuing old songs releasing it in the UK in 1976. The song went on to reach Number 3 in the UK, Number 9 in Sweden,Number 2 in Belgium, and Number 1 in the Netherlands.

Hank Mizel who was now 53 years old had no idea that ‘Jungle Rock’ had become a European hit some 18 years after he first recorded it. The British flagship music programme ‘Top of the Pops,’ had to use their in house dancers ‘Pans People’ to perform the song when it first charted, but Mizel was finally tracked down in Tennessee, and was persuaded to come over to England and perform the song on the show, he also appeared on the Dutch music programme ‘Toppop.’

‘Jungle Rock’ would be Hank Mizel’s only hit, although ‘Charly Records’ reissued another old Mizel song ‘Kangaroo Rock’ in 1976 as the follow up single, which reached Number 59 in the UK. An Album was also hastily put together of Mizel’s old material, and some covers, which was also called ‘Jungle Rock,’ and charted in Sweden where it made Number 36.

‘Oh well the fox grabbed the rabbit and they hit the bunny hug, and all the beasts that fly was a cutting the rug.Oh well the camel was a jitter buggin’ with a kangaroo, and the elephant, the mover with the ring-ding-oo.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

294-Clash-The Call Up.

1980-Number 40 single.

Best Bit-At 0.16. The song opens and closes with a U.S. Marines traditional call and response marching, or running song, which was provided by Band Sgt. Dave Yates, who was drafted in for his appearance.

The Clash (see also 867 and 638) were formed in 1976, in London, England, before coming together the bands future members had been active in the London music scene. The classic line up of the Clash, who also played on this track were Joe Strummer, (1952-2002) (lead vocal, and rhythm guitar) Mick Jones, (lead guitar) Paul Simonon, (bass guitar) and Nicky ‘Topper’ Headon (drums.) Headon left the band in 1982, and Mick Jones left in 1983, the group remained active until 1986, with six other members coming and going in that 10 year period. The Clash released six studio Albums between 1977-1985, and 31 singles, of which 16 reached the UK top 40. When ‘Should I Stay or Should I Go’ was re-issued in 1991, it gave the Clash their only UK Number 1 single, and only top 10 hit. In America on Billboard two of their singles made the Billboard top 40, with ‘Rock the Casbah’ being the most successful, when reaching Number 8 in 1982.

Joe Strummer was born John Graham Mellor, in Ankara, Turkey, on August 21st, 1952, he died of a heart attack due to an undiagnosed congenital defect, on December 22nd, 2002, at the age of 50. Strummer started his music career playing Rock music, but after seeing the Sex Pistols (see also best songs 576-92 and 27) perform in April 1976, he saw that the way forward was ‘Punk Rock’ music. As the Clash developed, their music incorporated Experimental Rock, Reggae, Ska, and Dub, with the bands lyrics being political, and thought provoking.

‘The Call Up’ was the first single released from ‘Sandinista!’ the fourth studio Album by the Clash from 1980. ‘Sandinista!’ was a triple Album containing 36 tracks, with six on each side. In order for the record label to agree to such a large release, the Clash had to compromise by forgoing any royalties on the first 200,000 copies sold in the UK, and a 50% cut in royalties elsewhere.

Strummer had been unhappy that ‘CBS’ records had rejected their previous Album ‘London Calling’ being released as a double Album, and said,’It was doubly outrageous, actually it was triply outrageous.’ Mick Jones said,’I always saw it as a record for people who were, like, on oil rigs, or Arctic stations, people that weren’t able to get to the record shops regularly.’

‘The Call Up’ like all the other tracks on ‘Sandinista’ has the songwriting credited to all four members of the Clash at that time, their three previous Albums had just credited only Strummer and Jones. ‘The Call Up’ is a song about ‘The Draft,’ and war in general. It also tells of things that a soldier may miss out on,’There is a rose that I want to live for.’

‘All the young people down the ages, they gladly marched off to die. Proud city fathers used to watch them, tears in their eyes.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

295-Art Shaw and his Orchestra-Begin The Beguine.

1938-Has never charted in the UK.There was no UK chart until 1952.

Best Bit-At 2.29. The songs author Cole Porter christened the dance that is performed to this song, he called it ‘The Beguine.’

Artie Shaw was born Arthur Jacob Arshawsky on May 23rd, 1910, in New York City, United States, he died on December 30th, 2004, having been in ill health for sometime. The specific cause of death was never made public, but he had been a long term sufferer from diabetes, he was 94. Shaw who is probably best remembered as one of Jazz’s finest clarinetists, was one of the United States most popular band leaders in the late 1930’s, through to the early 1940’s.Between 1936-1946, he had 44 songs chart on Billboard, with four reaching the Number 1 spot, including ‘Begin The Beguine,’

Although having been successful prior to recording ‘Begin The Beguine’ it was that song which propelled Artie Shaw to stardom. Shaw soon grew tired of of playing ‘mainstream’ music, and was keen to experiment, his blending of Jazz and Classical music, was later coined in 1957 by the American composer Gunther Schuller (1925-2015) as ‘Third Stream’ music. Shaw grew tired of being a major celebrity, and professional musician, and completely retired from music in 1954. He once said that he got sick of having to play ‘Begin The Beguine’ 500 times a year.

Cole Porter (1891-1964) (see also best songs 944-655 and 73) wrote the music and the lyrics to ‘Begin The Beguine’ during a 1935 Pacific cruise between Kalabahi, Indonesia, and Fiji. It was first performed in October 1935 by the American actress June Knight (1913-1987) in the Broadway Musical ‘Jubilee,’ but didn’t become a major hit until Artie Shaw rearranged it, and recorded it in 1938. Cole Porter got the idea for the song, and invented the word ‘Beguine’ after watching people perform a dance he had never seen before which was similar to a ‘Rhumba.’

Like many songs on this countdown ‘Begin The Beguin’ has been recorded numerous times by many of the worlds top artists down the decades. The song featured in the 1940 musical film ‘Broadway Melody of 1940,’ with Fred Astaire (see also best songs 385) and Eleanor Powell dancing to it, with a Flamenco choreography. Frank Sinatra (see also best songs 877-567-469-120 and 73) took his version of the song to Number 23 on Billboard in 1946, and Ella Fitzgerald (see also best songs 944-702-286-231 and 100) included the song on her ‘Verve’ release ‘Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Songbook’ in 1956.

The most successful charting version in the UK was the recording by Julio Iglesias who made Number 1 in 1981. Apart from the opening line which is sung in English, the rest of the song is sung in Spanish. Iglesias wrote new lyrics, and the music was based on a Disco version recorded by Johnny Mathis (see also best songs 706) in 1979. When Julio Iglesias took his version to Number 1 it became the first Spanish language song to top the chart, and Iglesias became only the second Spanish artist to reach Number 1, the first being ‘Baccara’ in 1997 with ‘Yes Sir I Can Boogie.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

296-Pink-Get the Party Started.

2001-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 0.10. At the age of 14, she chose the stage name ‘Pink,’ she had already had that as a nickname for quite sometime, calling herself after the character ‘Mr Pink’ in Quentin Tarantino’s film ‘Reservoir Dogs’ (see also best songs 524.)

‘Pink’ was born Alecia Beth Moore on September 8th, 1979, in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, United States, with sales in excess of 100 million records, she is one of the best selling artists of all time. At the age of 16 she formed an R&B girl group called ‘Choice’ with two others. A copy of their debut single ‘Key to My Heart’ was sent to L.A.Reid of ‘LaFace Records’ who signed them in 1995, but by 1998 Reid gave Pink an ultimatum, go solo or go home.

‘Pink’s debut solo Album ‘Can’t Take Me Home’ from 2000 was recorded in the R&B genre, eventually selling over two million copies in America, and producing three top 40 singles on both sides of the Atlantic. In total Pink has released eight studio Albums between 2000-2019, and 53 singles. She has achieved 24 Billboard top 40 singles in America, with four of them reaching Number 1, while in the UK, 36 of her singles have made the top 40, with three getting to Number 1. Pink has also released an Album called ‘Rose Ave.’ in 2014 as part of a duo called ‘You+Me,’ with the Canadian Folk singer/songwriter Dallas Green, the Album reached Number 4 on Billboard, and Number 10 in the UK.

‘Get the Party Started’ was the first single released from Pink’s second studio Album ‘Missundaztood’ from 2001. Even so her R&B debut had been a great success, Pink was frustrated with the lack of creative control she had, and was dissatisfied with being marketed as a white R&B singer. Aspiring to pursue a more Rock orientated sound she approached one of her childhood idols Linda Perry. Perry not only wrote ‘Get the Party Started,’ but also wrote and produced eight tracks on the ‘Missundaztood’ Album.

Linda Perry was born on April 15th, 1965, in Springfield, Massachusetts, United States, she first found success as the primary songwriter, and lead vocalist of the American Alternative Rock band ‘4 Non Blondes,’ who were active between 1989-1994, and are best remembered for the 1993 UK Number 2, and Billboard Number 14 hit single ‘What’s Up,’ written by Perry. ‘Get the Party Started’ was written by Perry as an experiment to see if she could write something in a completely different style to what she had previously done. As well as using different instruments, she also wrote the songs lyrics, deliberately using every party cliche she could think of. By the time Perry was approached by Pink, the song had been completed, and had already been offered to Madonna, who had turned it down.

In 2006 the Welsh singer Dame Shirley Bassey (see also best songs 441) covered the song for their Marks & Spencer Christmas television advertising campaign. It was later released as a single in 2007, and reached Number 47 in the UK, giving Bassey her 33rd charting song since ‘The Banana Boat Song (Day-O’) had made Number 8 in 1957. This made Shirley Bassey the first female artist in the UK chart to have had chart entry’s spanning over a 50 year period.

‘Pumpin’ up the volume, breakin’ down to the beat, cruisin’ through the Westside, we’ll be checkin’ the scene.Boulevard is freakin’ as I’m comin’ up fast, I’ll be burnin’ rubber, you’ll be kissin’ my ass.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

297-Swing Out Sister-Where in the World.

1989-Number 47 single.

Best Bit-At 4.14. They took their name from the title of an obscure 1945 musical movie called ‘Swing Out Sister,’ They claim they chose the name because it was the only one they could all agree on, in that they all hated it.

Swing Out Sister were formed in 1985, in Manchester, England, by Andy Connell, (keyboards) and Martin Jackson, (drums) prior to joining forces Connell had performed in other bands, with the highest profile being the Manchester based Post Punk band ‘A Certain Ratio.’ Jackson had also been in other bands, most notably ‘Magazine,’ who were another Post Punk band, also from the Manchester area. The pair recorded demo’s for ‘Phonogram Records,’ who insisted that they added vocals to their Electronic based music, and they turned to the Soul singer Diane Charlemagne. (1964-2015) Due to contractual problems Charlemagne was unable to officially work with the pair, so they approached Corinne Drewery whom they had first met in 1984, to become the groups vocalist, Drewery had previously been a fashion designer.Jackson stayed with Swing Out Sister for the release of their debut Album ‘It’s Better to Travel,’ although he is credited with co-writing two of the tracks on the bands second Album ‘Kaleidoscope World’. Since Jackson’s departure Swing Out Sister have been a duo, bringing in several high profile musicians to perform on their 11 studio Albums to date, which have been released between 1987-2017. They have also released 23 singles between 1985-2007, of which six have made the UK top 40. In America the have had two hits on the Billboard top 40, with ‘Breakout’ from 1986, making Number 6.

‘Where in the World’ was the second single released from Swing Out Sister’s second studio Album ‘Kaleidoscope World’ from 1989. Where their debut Album ‘It’s Better to Travel’ had been recorded with mainly Electronic instruments,’Kaleidoscope World’ was recorded with the addition of an Orchestra, making for a retro sounding sophisticated ‘Easy Listening’ sound. This sound would be continued throughout the duo’s career. Their music is heavily influenced by the ‘Easy Listening’ genre of the 1960’s, you could say they were the Bacharach and David of the 1980’s (see also best songs 902-832-815-740-644 and 224.)

‘Where in the World’ was co-written by Andy Connell (music) and Corinne Drewery, (lyrics) and tells the tale of a woman who for whatever reason has parted from her lover. She is making herself physically and mentally ill because she is missing this person so much. Notable musicians who performed on this track include, Vini Reilly who played the Spanish guitar on the surprise ending to the song. Reilly also features in this countdown, having played guitar and keyboards on the Morrissey song ‘Suedehead’ (see also best songs 940.) The drummer on this song is Chris Whitten who was also the drummer on ‘The Whole of the Moon’ by the Waterboys (see also best songs 755.)

‘Keep telling me my condition hasn’t changed, can’t appreciate there’s no one but myself to blame.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

298-Dire Straits-Romeo and Juliet.

1981-Number 8 single.

Best Bit-At 2.23. Romeo and Juliet is Mark Knopfler’s ‘Play’ on words.

Mark Freuder Knopfler OBE was born on August 12th, 1949, in Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom, he moved to Blyth, near Newcastle, England, with his parents, and his brother and sister, when he was seven years old.

Dire Straits (see also best songs 829) were formed in Deptford, London, England, in 1977, by Mark Knopfler,(lead vocals, and lead guitar) his younger brother David, (born 1952) (rhythm guitar) John Illsley, (bass) and David ‘Pick’ Withers (drums.) David Knopfler left the band in 1979 after the recording of their second studio Album ‘Communique,’ and Withers left after the completion of the bands fourth studio Album ‘Love Over Gold’ in 1982. Dire Straits were active between 1977-1988, they then went on hiatus, before reforming in 1990, until finally retiring the band in 1995, In total there have been 10 band members, with Mark Knopfler and John Illsley being the groups only too constants. They released six studio Albums between 1978-1991, with their fifth Album ‘Brothers in Arms’ from 1985 becoming the first Album on Compact Disc to sell one million copies in the UK, where it is currently the eighth best selling Album of all time in that country. They have released 23 singles between 1978-1994, with 11 of those reaching the UK top 40, and four making the Billboard top 40 in America, where ‘Money for Nothing’ reached the Number 1 spot in 1985.

‘Romeo and Juliet’ was written by Mark Knopfler, and produced by Knopfler, and Jimmy Lovine, it was the third and final single released from Dire Straits third studio Album ‘Making Movies’ from 1980. The song is based on Knopfler’s own real life experience of falling in love as a young man. He was dating the American singer/songwriter Holly Vincent, and he felt he was being used by her so that she could further her own musical career. The line in the song,’Now you just say, oh Romeo, yeah, you know I used to have a scene with him,’ refers to an interview with Holly Vincent where she says,’What happened was that I had a scene with Mark Knopfler, and it got to the point where he couldn’t handle it, and we split up.

‘In the song the couple are referred to as Romeo and Juliet, which of course is a reference to the William Shakespeare play. Knopfler also makes a point of mentioning other works involving young love, including the song ‘Somewhere’ from ‘West Side Story,’ which itself is based on the Shakespeare play, and also the 1963 song ‘My Boyfriends Back,’ from the American girl group ‘The Angels.’

‘Juliet when we made love you used to cry. You said I love you like the stars above, said I’ll love you baby till I die, and there’s a place for us, you know the movie song. When you gonna realise it was just that the time was wrong Juliet.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

299-Judy Collins-Both Sides Now.

1968-It didn’t chart in the UK until 1970, when reaching Number 14.

Best Bit-At 1.36. It’s one of Pop Music’s most thought provoking songs, but the great mystery is how a 22 year old could have acquired the knowledge to write about life’s experiences, so accurately, without having lived through them yet.

‘Both Sides Now’ was written in 1966 by Joni Mitchell, (see also best songs 637 and 558) who was born Roberta Joan Mitchell on November 7th, 1943, in Fort Macleod, Alberta, Canada. The exact date she actually wrote the the song is unknown, but it was definitely before November 17th, 1966, because that was when she first performed it live at ‘The Second Fret,’ Folk club, in Philadelphia, the song and the rest of her performance was released in 2014 on ‘All Access Records,’ as the Album ‘Joni Mitchel: Live at the Second Fret 1966.’ Mitchell has said that ‘Both Sides Now’ was inspired by a passage in ‘Henderson the Rain King,’ which is a 1959 novel by Saul Bellow (1915-2005.) Mitchell has said,’I was reading ‘Henderson the Rain King’ on a plane, and early on in the book Henderson is also up in a plane. He’s on his way to Africa and he looks down and sees these clouds too, and I immediately started writing the song. I had no idea that the song would become as popular as it did.’

Judith Marjorie Collins was born on May 1st, 1939, in Seattle, Washington, United States, this song, along with her renditions of ‘Amazing Grace’, and ‘Send in the Clowns’ are considered her signature songs. Her discography consists of 27 studio Albums, four live Albums, at least 24 compilation Albums, three tribute Albums, and 14 singles, since her first release ‘A Maid of Constant Sorrow’ in 1961. As a teenager Collins studied Classical piano under the tutelage of Antonia Brico, (1902-1989) Brico took a dim view when Collins developed an interest in Folk music. Years later after she became internationally known, she invited Brico to one of her concerts in Denver. When they met after the performance, Brico took both of Collin’s hands into his, looked wistfully at her fingers and said,’Little Judy- you really could have gone places.’

In the 1960’s Judy Collins would perform many songs by aspiring Folk music writers such as Eric Anderson, Fred Neil, (see also best songs 388) and Joni Mitchel, well before they became famous. It was Collins who introduced a then unknown Mitchell to the crowd at the 1966 ‘Newport Folk Festival’. Collins recorded the first commercially released version of ‘Both Sides Now’ for her 1967 Album ‘Wildflowers,’ when released a a single in 1968 it reached Number 8 in America on Billboard, and Number 6 in Canada. Joni Mitchell included the song on her 1969 second studio Album ‘Clouds,’ (which was named after a lyric in the song) and again in 2000 she re-recorded the song in an Orchestral fashion, for her 17th studio Album ‘Both Sides Now.’ The song has been covered on numerous occasions down the years by dozens of different artists, including notable versions by Frank Sinatra,(1968) and Herbie Hancock (2007.)

‘Both Sides Now’ is about how your views, and the views and expectations of people you know change as you experience events that happen in your life. The wonderful future you imagined as a youngster may not have turned out as you expected. What seemed a simple path to follow at 16, proved to be fraught with dangers at 66.

‘Bows and flows of angel hair, and ice cream castles in the air, and feathered canyons everywhere, I’ve looked at clouds that way.’