THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

210-Chris Brown featuring Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes-Look at Me Now.

2011-Number 44 single.

Best Bit-At 1.15. If Rapping was an Olympic sport then Busta Rhymes would be Usain Bolt.

Christopher Maurice Brown (see also best songs 785) was born on May 5th, 1989, in Tappahannock, Virginia, United States, along with his contemporaries R Kelly, (see also best songs 993 and 800) Usher (see also best songs 982) he is considered by many to be the ‘King of R&B.’ and with record sales in excess of 140 million he is one of the worlds best ever selling artists. At the time of writing Chris Brown has issued 10 studio Albums between 2005-2022, and 58 singles in the same time period. He has also appeared as the guest artist on an amazing 129 singles between 2006-2021, with 21 of those reaching the Billboard top 40, with ‘Freaky Friday’ with Lil Dicky charting the highest at Number 8 in 2017. In the UK he has charted 10 times as the guest artist, with ‘Freaky Friday’ making Number 1. Chris Brown has achieved a further 29 hit single as lead artist on Billboard, hitting Number 1 twice with ‘Run It,’ in 2007, and ‘Kiss Kiss,’ also in 2007. In the UK he has had 26 top 40 singles as the lead artist, with ‘Turn Up the Music’ from 2011 reaching the top spot.

‘Look at Me Now’ was the second of six singles released from Chris Brown’s fourth studio Album ‘F.A.M.E.’ from 2011, with Brown, Lil Wayne, Busta Rhymes, Diplo, (see also best songs 915) Jean Baptiste, Ryan Buendia, and Afrojack (see also best songs 531) all receiving the song writing credits. ‘F.A.M.E.’ is a backronym of ‘Forgiving All My Enemies,’ Chris Brown has also said it stands for ‘Fans Are My Everything.’ In the early part of the 21st Century collaborations between two or more established artists were becoming more and more the norm, and this track brought together three of the most successful artists of the period. Lil Wayne, and Busta Rhymes (see also best songs 675) who are both critically acclaimed rappers, and Chris Brown who is better known as a singer, rapped the first verse, Busta Rhymes raps the second verse, and Lil Wayne does the third verse.

‘Look at Me Now’ was produced by Diplo, and according to Afrojack it developed from a ‘beat’ that he had given to Diplo, Afrojack has said,’Diplo called me and he was like, ‘We are in the studio right now, and we are gonna do a track on the beat.’ and I was like, ‘OK, whatever. have fun.’ Afrojack went on to say,’Busta’s verse on it is really sick, it’s like I can’t even hear what he said, but I love the part where he goes [mimics Busta’s rapid flow], and then pauses, and goes rapping really quickly, and I don’t know how to do it, I don’t even try. But it was really, really cool.’

‘I don’t see how you can hate from outside of the club,you can’t even get in, ha ha ha, Leggo. Yellow model chick, yellow bottle sipping,yellow Lamborghini, yellow top missing, yeah, yeah.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

211-Bee Gees-Stayin’ Alive.

1978-Number 4 single.

Best Bit-At 0.01. Until John Travolta (see also best songs 768) made Disco dancing appear glamorous, I think it is safe to safe that the majority of the male population didn’t think it was a very masculine thing to do. In fact I vaguely remember in my early days of being a DJ the dance floor being completely dominated by the ladies, but after ‘Saturday Night Fever,’ there was a little more levelling up.

‘Stayin’ Alive’ was written by Barry, Robin, (1949-2012) and Maurice Gibb. (1949-2003) who also produced the song, along with two of their long time collaborators Albhy Galuten, and Karl Richardson. The song is one of eight songs that the Bee Gees (see also best songs 459 and 35) contributed to the 17 tracks that make up the ‘Saturday Night Fever’ soundtrack Album, which is at the time of writing the eighth best selling Album worldwide of all time, with sales in excess of 40 million copies. Up until ‘The Bodyguard’ soundtrack (see also best songs 704) in 1992, (45 million sales) it was the best selling soundtrack Album of all time.

‘Stayin’ Alive’ was the third of six singles released from the ‘Saturday Night Fever’ soundtrack, and went on to spend four weeks at Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in America. ‘Stayin’ Alive’ was the second of six consecutive Number 1 singles on Billboard by the Bee Gees, tying the record with the Beatles for most consecutive chart toppers, the record would be broken in 1987 when Whitney Houston made it seven consecutive Number 1’s with ‘Where Do Broken Heart Go.’

‘Saturday Night Fever’ (see also best songs 184 and 35) is a 1977 American dance drama film starring John Travolta as Tony Manero a young Italian-American man who spends his weekends dancing and drinking, in order to relieve the social tensions, and the disillusionment with his life that appears to be going nowhere in his working class ethnic neighbourhood, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. The films script was based upon a mainly fictionalised article written by the British Rock journalist Nik Cohn, that first appeared in 1976 in the American biweekly publication ‘New York Magazine.’ Robert Stigwood (1934-2016) who was the executive producer of the film and also the Bee Gees manager asked the band to write a few songs for the soundtrack, which they did over the course of a few days at the ‘Chateau d’Herouville’ studio near Paris, the recordings were made in France for tax reasons.

Robin Gibb has explained the songs meaning,’It’s about survival on the streets of New York, and the lyrics actually say that. Barry Gibb recalled,’It’s about people crying out for help. Desperate songs, those are the ones that become giants. The minute you capture that on record it’s gold,’Stayin’ Alive’ is the epitome of that.’

‘Well, you can tell by the way I use my walk I’m a woman’s man, no time to talk. Music loud and women warm, I’ve been kicked around since I was born, and now it’s all right, it’s okay, and you may look the other way. We can try to understand, ‘The New York Times’ effect on man.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

212-Supremes-Baby Love.

1964-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 0.06. Tamla Motown has become a legendary name in popular music because of their 1960’s output, but you will be probably surprised to learn that only three of their singles released in the 1960’s got to Number 1 in the UK in that decade. Can you name the other two? The answer is at the end of this piece.

The Supremes (see also best songs 1001-411 and 148) were formed in Detroit, Michigan, United States, in 1959 as ‘The Primettes,’ they became ‘Diana Ross & the Supremes’ in 1967, and when Diana Ross (see also best songs 900-519-183 and 28) left the band for a solo career in 1970, they reverted once again to ‘Supremes,’ through until the groups disbandment in 1977. When most people think of the Supremes they think of three female singers, but over the course of the 18 years there were 10 different vocalists.

‘Baby Love’ is one of the 12 tracks all recorded between 1963-1964 that made up the Supremes second studio Album ‘Where Did Our Love Go’ first issued in 1964. The song was written by the legendary song writing team of Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Eddie Holland, (see also best songs 969-823-650-553-411 and 148) and produced Brian Holland, and Lamont Dozier. The song spent four weeks at Number 1 on Billboard giving the Supremes their second chart topper, after ‘Where Did Our Love Go,’ they would eventually achieve 12 Billboard Number 1 singles, the most by any American group, and only second to the Beatles who had 20. ‘Baby Love’ also topped the chart in the UK, giving them their only Number 1 in that country.

‘Baby Love’ was performed by Diana Ross, Florence Ballard (1943-1976) and Mary Wilson, (1944-2021) who are the three who are considered to be the Supremes classic line up, the instrumentation was performed by the ‘Funk Brothers (see also best songs 948-650-569-414-382-148 and 28.) Mary Wilson has said,’Once ‘H-D-H’ found that formula for us, we had five consecutive [U.S.] number ones. Baby Love was our second hit, and our first UK Number one. Again, we initially felt that the song was a bit cute, but the upbeat feeling of the music is counterbalanced by the lyrics, someone pleading with a lover not to leave them. It’s the Motown way, the music is beautiful but the words are stories about life and hurt, which reflect the way life is.The combination of the two made the music last.’ Lamont Dozier has said that the song is about ‘My first love who I never really got over.’ Dozier has said that many of the songs he wrote while at Motown were inspired by her.

So what is baby love? It is the love that you feel for the first person you love, usually when you’re a teen, they can do no wrong, so you love them regardless of how they treat you. It’s an immature way of loving someone and it isn’t really love, it’s infatuation, that’s what the term “baby love” mean….probably.

The other two UK Motown Number 1 singles in the 1960’s are, ‘Reach Out I’ll Be There,’ for the Four Tops in 1966, (see also best songs 650) and ‘I Heard It Through the Grapevine,’ for Marvin Gaye in 1969.

‘All of my whole life through, I never love no one but you. Why you do me like you do, I guess it’s me, Ooh, need to hold you once again my love, feel your warm embrace my love.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

213-Tony Joe White-Rainy Night in Georgia.

1969-It has never been released as a single in the UK.

Best Bit-At 0.35.On October 15, 2014, Tommy Joe White appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman alongside the Foo Fighters (see also best songs 999 and 292) to perform “Polk Salad Annie,” pointing to White, Letterman told his TV audience, “Holy cow! … If I was this guy, you could all kiss my ass, and I mean that.’

Tommy Joe White was born on July 23rd, 1943, in Louisiana, United States, he died of a heart attack on October 24th, 2018, at the age of 75. His son Jody White said, ‘He just had a heart attack…there was no pain or suffering,’ Tommy Joe White was nicknamed ‘Swamp Fox,’ as the genre of music he played was ‘Swamp Rock,’ which is a genre that derives from 1960’s Rock, other artists who epitomised the genre include Creedence Clearwater Revival, (see also best songs 502) and Little Feat.

Tommy Joe White has had 16 studio Albums released between 1968-2021, and 29 singles between 1967-1983. None of his Albums, or singles have ever charted in the UK, but in America on the Billboard Hot 100, ‘Polk Salad Annie’ reached Number 8 in 1968. ‘Polk Salad Annie’ was a favourite of Elvis Presley, (1935-1977) and he would often sing it in his live shows, and had planned on recording a studio version for release, but he died before that came about. Other significant songs written by White include writing four tracks for Tina Turner’s 1989 ‘Foreign Affair’ Album, including ‘Steamy Windows,’ and the Album’s title track.

‘Rainy Night in Georgia’ was written by Tommy Joe White in 1967, but wasn’t released until 1969 on his second studio Album ‘Continued,’ which was produced by Billy Swan, who is probably best remembered for his 1974 American Number 1, and UK Number 6 single ‘I Can Help.’ Shortly after the Album’s release a cover version was released by Brook Benton, (1931-1988) which reached Number 4 in America, giving Benton his first hit in almost six years. The song has also been a hit in the UK, reaching Number 18, when covered by Randy Crawford (see also best songs 588) for her 1981 Album ‘Secret Combination,’

Tommy Joe White has stated his inspiration for becoming a songwriter, he has said,’I heard “Ode to Billie Joe” (see also best songs 18) on the radio and I thought, man, how real, because I am Billie Joe, I know that life. I’ve been in the cotton fields. So I thought if I ever tried to write, I’m going to write about something I know about. At that time I was doing a lot of Elvis and John Lee Hooker onstage with my drummer. No original songs, and I hadn’t really thought about it, but after I heard Bobbie Gentry I sat down and thought … well I know about Polk because I had ate a bunch of it, and I knew about rainy nights, because I spent a lot of rainy nights in Marietta, Georgia. So I was real lucky with my first tries to write something that was not only real and hit pretty close to the bone, but lasted that long. So it was kind of a guide for me then on through life to always try to write what I know about.’

‘How many times I wondered, it still comes out the same. No matter how you look at it or think of it, it’s life and you just got to play the game.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

214-Gladys Knight & the Pips-The Way We Were/ Try to Remember.

1975-Number 4 single.

Best Bit-At 1.38. A ‘Brucie’ bonus today, two songs for the price of one.

Gladys Maria Knight (see also best songs 667) was born on May 28th, 1944, in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, she was a member of the ‘Pips’ from their inception in 1952, through until 1962, then rejoined the band in 1964, through until their breaking up in 1989, when she then continued as a solo artist. Gladys Knight and the Pips released 24 studio Albums between 1962-1987, and 76 singles between 1958-1988. there are also two Albums recorded in 1977 and 1978 by the ‘Pips’ without Gladys Knight. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 Gladys Knight and the Pips achieved 25 top 40 singles, with ‘Midnight Train to Georgia’ making Number 1, while in the UK, 18 of their singles have made the top 40, with this song and ‘Baby Don’t Change Your Mind,’ both charting the highest at Number 4. As a solo artist Gladys Knight has issued 10 studio Albums between 1978-2014, and 18 singles, reaching Number 1 on Billboard with her collaborations on ‘That’s What Friends Are For’ in 1985, and also reaching Number 25 in 1996, when featuring on the song ‘Missing You,’ but she has never had an American hit single with only her name given as the sole performer, while in the UK she did reach Number 6 in 1989 with ‘Licence to Kill,’ the theme from the 16th James Bond film.

‘The Way We Were’ was originally recorded by Barbra Streisand, (see also best songs 699 and 145) and was written by Alan Bergman, and his wife Marilyn Bergman, (1928-2022) (see also best songs 229) with music by Marvin Hamlisch, (1944-2012) for the 1973 film ‘The Way We Were’ starring Barbra Streisand. In 1974 Gladys Knight and the Pips recorded a live version of the song as part of a medley with a spoken intro taken from the 1960 composition ‘Try to Remember,’ which had originally been written for the musical comedy ‘The Fantasticks.”Try to Remember was co-written by Tom Jones, (not the Welsh one you are thinking of) who provided the lyrics, and Harvey Schmidt, (1929-2018) who wrote the music. The pair teamed up on many occasions during their illustrious careers, with ‘The Fantasticks’ becoming the longest running musical in history, which ran off-Broadway for 42 years, from 1960 to 2002. Prior to the Gladys Knight and the Pips recording, the most successful version of ‘Try to Remember’ was by the Australian band ‘New World,’ who took their recording to Number 11 on Billboard in 1968.

‘The Way We Were/Try to Remember’ was released as the fourth and final single from Gladys Knight and the Pips 13th studio Album ‘I Feel a Song’ from 1974. The Album was their third release on the ‘Buddah’ record label, after they had left ‘Motown’ records in 1973. The band had always thought they were second class citizens at Motown, with high profile acts such as the Supremes, and Marvin Gaye always being offered the best songs ahead of them. ‘The Way We Were/Try to Remember’ was recorded live at the ‘Pink Knob Music Theartre’ in Clarkson, Michigan, United States, and is one of three live recordings on this ‘1000 Best Songs’ list (see also best songs 924 and 56.)

‘Memories like the corners of my mind, memories, misty watercolour memories of the way we were. Scattered pictures of the smiles we left behind, smiles we gave to one another for the way we were.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

215-Billy Joel-Piano Man.

1973-It has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 0.08. The piano’s great, but what about the ‘Dylanesque’ harmonica…man.

William Martin Joel (see also best songs 810) was born on May 9th, 1949, in New York City, United States, he has sold in excess of 150 million records worldwide, making him one if the best selling artists of all time. In America he is the sixth best selling act, and the third best selling solo artist ever in that country. Billy Joel has released 13 studio Albums between 1971-2001, and 61 singles between 1971-2008, and although he doesn’t record any new material, he is still active touring. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, 33 of his singles have reached the top 40, with three making Number 1, while in the UK, 16 of his songs have reached the top 40, with the most successful being ‘Uptown Girl,’ which made Number 1 in 1983.

‘Piano Man’ was written by Billy Joel, and it is also the title track of his second studio Album which was first released in November 1973. It is now considered to be his signature song, and the one he nearly always closes his concerts with. The song and it’s parent Album were both produced by Michael Stewart (1945-2002) who had previously been a founding member of the American Folk/Rock group ‘We Five,’ who are best remembered for their 1965 American Number 3 hit ‘You Were on My Mind.’

Billy Joel’s debut Album ‘Cold Spring Harbor’ released in November 1971 had failed to capture the public’s imagination, and on top of that Joel was very disappointed with the Album’s production, as there had been an error in it’s mastering causing the songs to play slightly too fast, with Joel joking that he sounded more like ‘Alvin and the Chipmunks’ than himself. On top of that he found himself naively tied into a very unfair recording contract with his record label ‘Family Productions,’ and he was having to higher lawyers to get him out of it. So while he was contemplating his next move he relocated from New York to Los Angeles where he worked in a bar in L.A. called the ‘Executive Room’ as a piano player for six months between 1972-1973, in order to pay the bills.

Billy Joel wrote ‘Piano Man’ based on some of the people who frequented the bar, with some of their stories being fictionalised. For example ‘John at the bar’ was really the bartender, who worked shifts during Joel’s stints at the piano. The character ‘Paul is a real estate novelist,’ refers to a real estate agent called Paul who would sit in the bar each night instead of working on the book he would state he was going to write that would become the next great American novel. ‘The waitress who is practising politics’ is Billy Joel’s first wife Elizabeth Weber, who had travelled to Los Angeles with him, and worked in the bar also to help make ends meet, they would marry in 1973, and divorce in 1982. Billy Joel has spoken about his time at the Executive Room,’It was a gig I did for about six months just to pay rent. I was living in LA and trying to get out of a bad record contract I’d signed. I worked under an assumed name, ‘The Piano Stylings of Bill Martin’, and just bulls–ted my way through it. I have no idea why that song became so popular, it’s like a karaoke favourite. The melody is not very good, and very repetitious, while the lyrics are like limericks. I was shocked and embarrassed when it became a hit, but my songs are like my kids, and I look at that song and think, ‘My kid did pretty well.”

‘And the piano sounds like a carnival, and the microphone smells like a beer, and they sit at the bar and put bread in my jar, and say “Man what are you doing here?”

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

216-Leslie Hutchinson-These Foolish Things (Remind Me of You.)

1936-It has never charted in the UK. There was no UK chart until 1952.

Best Bit-At 0.41. The way in which the lyrics are written would become known as a ‘List Song.’ A list song is based wholly or in part on a list. Unlike songs with a narrative and a cast of characters, list songs develop by working through a series of information, sometimes humorous or comical (see also best songs 930-810-800-792-767-710-655-587 and 332.)

‘These Foolish Things (Remind Me of You’) was composed in 1934 by Jack Strachey, (1894-1972) (music) and Eric Maschwitz, (1901-1969) (lyrics) who used the pseudonym Hot Marvell. The American songwriter Harry Link (1896-1956) would later add an instrumental part to the song which many performers have used, but his name doesn’t appear on the songs writing credits. In 1939 Eric Maschwitz arguably wrote even more famous lyrics for ‘A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square,’ another song which has become a ‘standard,’ with the music written by Manning Sherwin (1902-1974.)

‘These Foolish Things (Remind Me of You’) was written in haste by Maschwitz for a BBC weekly radio revue programme that needed a piece of music. On quickly completing the lyrics Maschwitz read them out over the phone to Strachey who immediately set about composing the music. The song garnered little interest, despite also being featured in ‘Spread It About,’ a London revue of 1936.

It was the West Indian singer Leslie Hutchinson (‘Hutch’) (1900-1969) who while on a visit to Naschwitz’s office at the BBC discovered the song on top of a piano, Hutch liked it and recorded it on ‘HMV Records’ in 1936. This led to several recordings of the song being recorded for the American market the same year, including notable versions by Billie Holiday, and Benny Goodman. The song is now considered a Jazz standard but has been interpreted in many other genres, including James Brown (1933-2006) who has recorded the song on three occasions, and Bryan Ferry who covered the song for his first solo Album ‘These Foolish Things’ in 1973.

There has been speculation as to whom Eric Maschwitz had in mind when he quickly penned the songs lyrics. His wife the English actress Hermoine Gingold, (1897-1987) who Maschwitz was married to at the time speculated that it was either written about her or the actress Anna May Wong, (1905-1961) but Maschwitz eventually admitted the romantic lyrics were about the actress and singer Jean Ross (1911-1973) citing ‘Fleeting memories of a young love,’ as inspiring the song. The two of them had been romantically linked when they were younger.

A cigarette that bears a lipstick’s traces, an airline ticket to romantic places. A fairgrounds painted swings, these foolish things remind me of you.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

217-Fatback Band-Yum Yum (Gimme Some.)

1975-Number 40 single.

Best Bit-At 0.01. The songs lyrics tell us that the singer likes ice cream, and he also likes chips, but most of all he likes girls. Let me assure you that I have chosen this song for it’s exceptional Funky Music, and not for it’s lyrical content.

The Fatback Band (see also best songs 798) whom have been known as just ‘Fatback’ since 1977, were formed in New York City, United States, in 1970, by Bill ‘Fatback’ Curtis, who was born in 1932, and up until 1970 had worked as a session drummer. The first line up of the Fatback Band included Johnny King,(guitar) Johnny Flippin, (bass) George Williams,(trumpet) Earl Shelton, (saxophone) George Adams,(flute) and Gerry Thomas (keyboards.) In 1977 the American singer Deborah Cooper joined the band, and can be heard first performing on ‘Double Dutch,’ she would later go on to work with Robert Clivilles, and can be heard singing lead vocals on C+C Music Factory’s 1991 UK Number 15 hit ‘A Deeper Love.’ In total there have been 27 different band members come and, and as of 2022 they remain active as a touring act, with Bill Curtis being the bands one constant.

The Fatback Band have released 23 studio Albums between 1972-1988, there is also remix Album that was issued in 2003, and a best of called ’21 Karat Fatback.’ They have also issued 42 singles between 1973-2005, and although they have never charted on the Billboard Hot 100 in America, 11 of their singles have reached the Billboard R&B top 40 chart. In the UK six of their singles have made the top 40, with ‘I Found Lovin” charting the highest at Number 7 on it’s second re-release in 1987.

The Fatback Band’s founding member Bill Curtis has described the Fatback Band’s sound,’Street Music is what I always called it because it came from the top of my head, and we never rehearsed. Everything was just raw energy, most of the guys had no idea until it was time to do it. That’s how we made all our first records.’ When asked why the Fatback Band never had a hit in America, Curtis blamed the lack of the bands exposure on his own stubborn unwillingness to hire a manager,’I told myself, whatever we do, I ain’t working for no Berry Gordy.’

‘Yum Yum (Gimme Some’) was the sixth single release from the Fatback Band, and it was also the title track of their fifth studio Album released in 1975, it was written and arranged by the bands guitarist at that time Johnny King, with the production credited to all the band members.

‘I like ice cream, and I like cake, but most of all I like the girls for goodness, goodness sake’s. Ha ha ha, yes, yes. My name is Yum Yum gimme some.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

218-Beatles-In My Life.

1965-It has never been released as a single in the UK.

Best Bit At 2.10. John Lennon shows off his vocal versatility, as he goes all falsetto on us. This was a technique he would later use on ‘Revolution,’ (‘You Know it’s gonna be alright) and in ‘Imagine,’ (‘Living life in peace, you-oh-oh-oh, you may say I’m a dreamer.)

As with nearly all of the Beatles original songs the writing credits were shared as Lennon/McCartney (see also best songs 599-319-238-141-80-51-10 and 5) but this one was mainly the work of John Lennon. There have always been disputes about how much input into a song Lennon or McCartney had, but McCartney disputes this one more than most stating that he had a major influence on the songs melody, and admitting that his inspiration was Smokey Robinson, (see also best songs 1031-309 and 193) the Beatles had previously recorded Robinson’s song ‘You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me’ for their second Album ‘With the Beatles’ in 1963.

There is no dispute that the lyrics were primarily written by John Lennon, (see also best songs 927-473-456-168 and 20) who has called the song his ‘first real major piece of work,’ because he had written lyrics from a personal point of view for the first time. The original lyrics were written by Lennon in 1964, and were based on a bus route he had used as a youngster, naming sites in Liverpool he had seen on the journey such as ‘Penny Lane,’ and ‘Strawberry Fields.’ places he would revisit in later songs. Lennon wasn’t happy with that lyrical idea when coming to recording, so instead chose to generalise the thoughts of his past .Lennon called his original lyrics ‘ridiculous,’ and re-worked the words in to a more personal account of his past memories and present situation. According to Lennon’s friend and biographer Peter Shotten, (1941-2017) the lines “Some friends are dead, and some are living, In my life I’ve loved them all,’ referred to himself (Shotten) and the ex Beatles bass guitarist Stuart Sutcliffe (1940-1962.) It is speculated that others who were in Lennon’s thoughts included his Aunt Mimi, (1906-1991) and his wife at the time Cynthia (1939-2015.)

‘In My Life’ made it’s first appearance on the Beatles sixth studio Album ‘Rubber Soul’ which was released on December 3rd, 1965. The song, and it’s parent Album were both produced by George Martin (1926-2016) who was often referred to as the ‘Fifth Beatle.’ It was Martin who wrote, and played the instrumental break on ‘In My Life.’ Lennon had not decided which instrument should be used, but eventually asked Martin to play a piano solo, suggesting ‘something Baroque sounding.’ Martin wrote a Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) influenced piece, but then realised that it didn’t fit the songs tempo, so he recorded his part with the tape running at half speed, so when played back at normal pace the piano was twice as fast, and an octave higher. This gave the track a unique sound, reminiscent of a harpsichord, which led to other musicians and producers introducing the harpsichord into their arrangements.

John Lennon’s original lyrics for ‘In My Life’ which he later discarded included,’Penny Lane is one I’m missing, up Church Road to the clock tower. In the circle of the abbey, I have seen some happy hours. Past the tram sheds with no trams, on the five bus into town. Past the Dutch and St. Columbus, to the Dockers Umbrella that they pilled down.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

219-The Stooges-No Fun.

1969-It has never been released as a single in the UK.

Best Bit-At 3.17. The Three Stooges were fun, but these four Stooges were ‘No Fun.’

The Stooges were formed in 1967 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States, by what is considered the classic line up of Iggy Pop, (lead vocals) Dave Alexander (1947-1975) (bass guitar) Ron Asheton, (1948-2009) (lead guitar) and Scott Asheton (1949-2014) (drums.) They were active between 1967-1971, but reformed with a slightly different line up between 1972-1974, there was a further reformation with further changes in membership between 2003-2016, after which the band was finally retired as Iggy Pop was the only remaining founding member still living. In total there have been 14 different official band members, with Iggy Pop being the one constant. The Stooges issued five studio Albums between 1969-2013, and 24 singles, and although their early releases met with very little commercial success, their influence on future generations should not be under estimated, especially in the genre of Punk Rock.

The Stooges started out life as the ‘Psychedelic Stooges,’ and have also been known at one time as ‘Iggy and the Stooges,’ due to their flamboyant front man Iggy Pop (see also best songs 701.) He was born James Newell Osterberg Jr. on April 21st, 1947, in Muskegon, Michigan, United States. At the age of 18 he was given the nickname ‘Iggy’ by a member of ‘Prime Movers,’ a band he had recently joined, after leaving his previous group ‘The Iguanas.’ He was given the nickname ‘Pop’ while a member of The Stooges, as he resembled a local who was known to the band. Iggy Pop who is celebrated by being called the ‘Godfather of Punk’ is an outrageous performer, his act has included smearing himself in peanut butter, or sometimes raw meat, and occasionally revealing his genitalia on stage. Iggy Pop who often performs bare chested has also self mutilated while performing, and has rolled around on broken glass. He is also generally regarded as the person who invented ‘stage diving.’

‘No Fun’ is the opening track on Side 2 of The Stooges self titled debut studio Album from August 1969, with all four band members receiving the song writing credits, as they also were on the Albums other seven tracks. The Album was produced by the Welsh musician John Cale, who had been a founding member of the Velvet Underground (see also best songs 401 and 165.) ‘No Fun’ is a song about being bored, and also being somewhat of a loner, but not having enough get up and go to do anything about it. In 1977 the Sex Pistols (see also best songs 576-92 and 27) covered the song for the ‘B’ side of their single ‘Pretty Vacant,’ bringing The Stooges to the attention of a whole new generation.

‘No fun to be alone, walking by myself. No fun to be alone, in love with nobody else. Well, maybe go out, maybe stay home, maybe call Mom on the telephone.’