THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

230-Beck-Loser.

1994-Number 15 single.

Best Bit-At 1.07. After many years of trying to incorporate ‘Rapping’ into his music Beck finally realised that he was no good at it, which is the inspiration for this songs chorus.

Beck (see also best songs 879) was born Bek David Campbell on July 8th, 1970, in Los Angeles, California, United States. Before achieving success, and also after receiving recognition, he has continually experimented in many different musical genres, including Alternative Rock, Anti-Folk, Hip-Hop, Psychedelia, Lo-Fi, and Art Pop, with many of his Album releases being a completely different genre to the previous one. To date Beck has released 14 studio Albums between 1993-2019, and 52 singles between 1993-2021, he has also issued official remixes for other artists including David Bowie, (‘Seven’) and Bjork (‘Alarm Call.’) In America on the Billboard singles chart this song remains his only top 40 hit, when reaching Number 10 in 1994, while in the UK, 10 of his singles have made the top 40, with ‘The New Pollution’ charting the highest when reaching Number 14 in 1997.

‘Loser’ was initially released as Beck’s second single on the small independent record label ‘Bong Load Custom Records,’ and when it began receiving airplay on various Modern Rock Radio stations, it came to the attention of the bigger labels who began a bidding war for Beck’s signature. ‘Loser’ was written by Beck, and Carl Stephenson, whom Beck had met in 1990 in Los Angeles when Stephenson had been a member of the Modern Rock band ‘Forest for the Trees.’ The pair of them are also credited as the songs producers, along with Tom Rothrock, who is the owner of ‘Bong Load Records,’ and has gone on to produce for several other artists.

When Beck was a struggling musician trying to make a name for himself, if he saw the audience losing interest during a performance, and start chatting among themselves, he would make up nonsensical lyrics to try to grab back their attention. This led to the early development of ‘Loser,’ as the songs verses are just a stream of unrelated sentences strung together. As stated at the top of this article, the chorus of ‘Loser’ is Beck admitting that he hasn’t got the required skills to be a ‘Rapper.’

In the chorus Beck sings ‘Soy un perdedor,’ which is Spanish for ‘I’m a loser,’ this harks back to when Beck was growing up in the Latin section of Los Angeles, where most of his schoolmates were of Mexican descent, and he felt the odd one out. Beck has acknowledged how his eclectic taste in different musical genres impacted on the making of ‘Loser,’ including ‘Folk Music.’ Beck has said, ‘I’d realised that a lot of what Folk Music is about is taking a tradition and reflecting your own time. I knew my folk music would take off, if I put Hip-Hop beats behind it.’ He has also spoken about the similarities between Delta Blues, and Hip-Hop, which he has said helped to inspire the song.

‘In the time of chimpanzees I was a monkey, Butane in my veins so I’m out to cut the junkie. With the plastic eyeballs, spray paint the vegetables, dog food stalls, with the beefcake pantyhose. Kill the headlights and put it in neutral.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

231-Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong-Summertime.

1958-It has never been released as a single in the UK.
Best Bit-At 0.27. Probably the best vocal pairing in the world ever. Surely even Simon Cowell and his X-Factor expert mates would be able to recognise that!

Between 1956-1957 the ‘First Lady of Song,’ Ella Fitzgerald (1917-1996) (see also best songs 944-702-286 and 100) and ‘Satchmo,’ Louis Armstrong (1901-1971) (see also best songs 1039-767-286 and 100) collaborated on, and released three studio Albums together. The three Albums were ‘Ella and Louis,’ (1956) ‘Ella and Louis Again,’ (1957) and ‘Porgy and Bess,’ (1957) which is where ‘Summertime’ can be found. The Album ‘Porgy and Bess’ is made up of songs that were originally written for the George Gershwin (1898-1937) (see also best songs 286) opera ‘Porgy and Bess,’ which had received it’s premier in 1935.

The opera Porgy and Bess was adapted by George Gershwin from the 1925 novel ‘Porgy’ written by Edwin DuBose Heyward (1885-1940.) It was Gershwin who approached Heyward, having read the novel, and seen the Broadway play based on the book, written by Heyward and his wife, (without music) to propose that they should collaborate on an opera based on his novel, which they did, along with Heyward’s wife Dorothy (1890-1961) who was a playwright. George Gershwin wrote the music, while Heyward and Gershwin’s brother Ira Gershwin (1896-1983) collaborated on the lyrics. In 1959 ‘Porgy and Bess’ was made into a musical film starring Sidney Poitier, Pearl Bailey, and Sammy Davis Jr.

The novel ‘Porgy’ tells the story of Porgy, a crippled beggar living in the black tenements of Charleston, South Carolina, in the 1920’s. The lyrics to ‘Summertime’ are open to interpretation, the song was introduced as a lullaby that could be sung as a mother to their child, or as a slave/nanny to a white baby. The nanny is telling the child that they are assured of a good life with parents to love them, and wealth to protect them. The slave/nanny knows that she and her race have none of these privileges to look forward to.

According to the ‘Guinness World Records’ ‘Summertime’ is the most covered song of all time, with over 25,000 recordings. It was first recorded in 1935 by the American soprano opera singer Abbie Mitchell, (1884-1960) with George Gershwin playing the piano, and conducting the orchestra. The first hit version was recorded by Billie Holiday, (see also best songs 624) who took the song to Number 12 in America in 1936. The most commercially successful version was by Billy Stewart, (1937-1970) who reached Number 10 on Billboard in 1966, and Number 39 in the UK. While in the UK, the highest charting version of the song was by the ‘Fun Boy Three,’ who made Number 18 in 1982. Both George Gershwin and Edwin DuBose Heyward died young so never knew of the great success, longevity, and significance of this song,

‘Your daddy’s rich, and your ma is so good-looking, baby. She’s looking good now, hush, baby, baby, baby, baby, baby, No, no, no, no, don’t you cry, don’t you cry.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

232-Gary Numan-Cars.

1979-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 2.22. In Britain 33.3 million people hold a driving licence, but there are only 30,000 active pilots, one of which is Gary Numan.

Gary Numan (see also best songs 772 and 177) was born Gary Anthony James Webb on March 8th, 1958, in London, England, he has written around 400 songs, and sold in excess of 10 million records.

‘Cars’ was written and produced by Gary Numan, and was the first of two singles released from his Album ‘The Pleasure Principle’ from 1979, the other single release was ‘Complex’ which reached Number 6 on the UK top 40, also in 1979. ‘The Pleasure Principle’ is considered to be the first solo studio Album release from Gary Numan, although there were two previous releases in 1978, (‘Tubeway Army’) and in 1979 (‘Replicas’) which although credited to the band ‘Tubeway Army,’ were in fact both written and produced by Numan, and has a similar line up of musicians on all three Albums.

Gary Numan has said that his inspiration for the songs lyrics were inspired by an incident of road rage, Numan said,’I was in traffic in London once, and had a problem with some people in front. They tried to beat me up and get me out of the car. I locked the doors and eventually drove up on the pavement and got away from them. It’s kind of to do with that, it explains how you can feel safe inside a car in the modern world… When you’re in it, your whole mentality is different… It’s like your own little personal empire with four wheels on it.’ As far as the music is concerned Numan has said,’I have only written two songs on bass guitar, and the first one was ‘Cars.’ I had just been to London to buy a bass and when I got home the first thing I played was that intro riff. I thought, ‘Hey, that’s not bad!’ In 10 minutes, I had the whole song. The quickest one I ever wrote. And the most famous one I’d ever written. More people should learn from that.’

In America Gary Numan is known as a ‘one hit wonder’ as ‘Cars’ remains his only Billboard Hot 100 hit, when reaching Number 9. In the UK ‘Cars’ went to Number 1, giving Numan his second, and consecutive chart topper, following on from ‘Are Friends Electric’ from earlier on in 1979. In 1987 ‘Cars’ was remixed and titled ‘Cars (E Reg Model’) and became a hit all over again, this time reaching Number 16. The song became a hit for a third decade running when making Number 17 in 1996, following it’s use in an advertisement for ‘Carling Premier’ beer.

‘Here in my car I feel safest of all, I can lock all my doors, it’s the only way to live in cars. Here in my car I can only receive, I can listen to you, it keeps me stable for days in cars.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

233-Rose Royce-Wishing on a Star.

1978-Number 3 single.

Best Bit-At 1.47. The ancient Greeks believed that Greek deities would look down on you, and as they did stars would sometimes slip down to the earth. If you were to make a wish at that moment it would ensure that the deities would watch over you, and therefore hear your requests.

In 1975 the legendary songwriter, record producer, and arranger Norman Whitfield (1940-2008) (see also best songs 911-569-533-480 and 346) left Motown Records, following it’s move from Detroit, setting up his own record label ‘Whitfield Records,’ among the labels first signings were the ex Motown acts The Undisputed Truth, and Yvonne Fair (see also best songs 480.) It was Edwin Starr, (1942-2003) (see also best songs 429) another ex Motown artist who recommended his touring backing band then called ‘Total Concept Unlimited’ to Whitfield, who signed them, and renamed them ‘Rose Royce’ (see also best songs 533.) It was Joe Harris of The Undisputed Truth who during a trip to Miami, had heard Gwen Dickey singing, and it was on his recommendation that she auditioned for Whitfield, who changed her stage name to Rose Norwait, and made her the lead singer of Rose Royce for the recording of the soundtrack to the film ‘Carwash’ in 1976.

The original line up of what was to become Rose Royce were formed in Los Angeles, California, United States, in 1973, there have been 10 members come and go over the years, and at the time of writing they remain active. They have released 11 studio Albums between 1976-1989, there is also rumoured to be an unreleased Album in the vaults recorded in 1985. They have achieved four top 40 singles on Billboard in America, including their debut single ‘Carwash,’ which made Number 1. In the UK, seven of their singles have made the top 40, with ‘Love Don’t Live Here Anymore’ charting the highest when reaching Number 2 in 1978.

‘Wishing on a Star’ was the fourth and final single released from Rose Royce’s second studio Album ‘In Full Bloom’ from 1977, although reaching Number 3 in the UK, it failed to make the Billboard Hot 100 chart at all. The song was written by Billy Rae Calvin, and produced by Norman Whitfield. Calvin who had been a forming member of The Undisputed Truth in 1970, had originally been hired by Motown Records to sing backing vocals. One of the notable songs she can be heard on is ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,’ (see also best songs 28) which reached Number 1 on Billboard, and Number 6 in the UK for Diana Ross in 1970.

Although ‘Wishing on a Star’ was not a hit for Rose Royce in America, the song did reach Number 9 on Billboard (Number 38 in the UK) in 1992 when recorded by ‘The Cover Girls.’ In the UK, in 1998 the American rapper Jay-Z (see also best songs 636-477 and 23) took his version to Number 13, with re-recorded vocals from Gwen Dickie, and in 2004 a version by Paul Weller (see also best songs 670-94 and 59) made Number 11. The song saw it’s greatest success when recorded by ‘The X Factor Contestants 2011,’ which included One Direction, and JLS. The song was a charity single for ‘Together for Short Lives,’ and reached Number 1 in November 2011.

‘I feel it’s time we should make up baby, I feel it’s time for us to get back together, and make the best of things, oh, baby when we’re together, whether or never.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

234-Black Eyed Peas-I Gotta Feeling.

2009-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 3.46. Will.i.am appears to have acquired an extra Saturday. In this wonderful world of Pop Music, I wonder if he might have taken one from ‘The Diary of Horace Wimp,’ because he hasn’t got any.

The Black Eyed Peas were formed in Los Angeles, California, United States, in 1995, (see also best songs 899) with Will.i.am, Apl.de.ap, and Taboo, being the groups three constants. There have also been three female vocalists, Kim Hill, from 1995-2000, Fergie (see also best songs 909) from 2002 to 2016, and J. Rey Soul, from 2018, to the present. The Black Eyed Peas have released eight studio Albums between 1998-2020, and 39 singles, of which 16 have made the American Billboard top 40 singles chart, with three of those reaching Number 1. In the UK 18 of their singles have made the top 40, with five of them making Number 1.

‘I Gotta Feeling’ was the second of six singles released from The Black Eyed Peas fifth studio Album ‘The E.N.D.’ (an abbreviation for ‘The Energy Never Dies’) All four band members at that time, along with the songs two producers David Guetta (see also best songs 909 and 260) and Frederic Riesterer, are all credited as the songs writers. On it’s release ‘I Gotta Feeling’ entered the Billboard Hot 100 at Number 2, behind the bands previous single ‘Boom Boom Pow,’ making The Black Eyed Peas only the 11th act to have the top two songs on the chart simultaneously. ‘Boom Boom Pow’ spent 12 weeks ant Number 1, before ‘I Gotta Feeling’ took over for a further 14 weeks. With over nine million downloads in America, ‘I Gotta Feeling’ holds the ‘iTunes’ record for being the most downloaded song of all time in that country.

‘I Gotta Feeling samples the 2007 song ‘Love Is Gone,’ originally co-written and performed by David Guetta, while according to Jimmy Iovine of the A&M Record label group, the melody was inspired by the U2 song “I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight.’ Iovine has said, “I sent Will.i.am over to the studio to do some remixes on ‘I’ll Go Crazy,’ he works on them for two weeks, comes back and writes ‘I Gotta Feeling,’ the chords are U2 chords, 100 per cent. Will even told them.’ The song also samples the ‘woo-hoo’ from The Police’s 1983 hit ‘Every Breath You Take’ (listen at 3.28.)

The Black Eyed Peas had toured Israel, and played in Tel Aviv in 2006, which might explain the use of the ‘Yiddish’ phrases in the song. Will.i.am sings ‘Fill up my cup…Mazel Tov,’ to which Fergie replies ‘L’chaim.’ ‘Mazel Tov’ is a Hebrew expression of good cheer, often used as a toast to congratulate someone, while ‘L’chaim’ is more esoteric meaning ‘to life,’ and is also a traditional Hebrew toast.

Will.i.am has explained his interpretation of ‘I Gotta Feeling’, he has said, ‘What is the easiest emotion to act? Anger. What is the hardest? Joy. That’s ’cause joy is complex. It’s sombre, sad, happy, heartbroken, hopeful, it’s all these emotions in one. What you hear in ‘I Got A Feeling’? To me, that’s joy. You’re in pain, but tonight’s going to be a good night. You can’t feel happy when you’ve been p….d off the whole week. You have to go straight to joy.” Will.i.am has also said that he wrote the song within an hour after standing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial at the inauguration of President Obama. ‘Nobody asked me to write ‘I Gotta Feeling.’ It just came.’

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Saturday to Sunday. Get, get, get, get, get with us, you know what we say, say, party every day, p-p-p-party every day.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

235-The Doors-Light My Fire.

1967-Number 49 single. When it was re-issued in 1991 it reached Number 7.

Best Bit-At 3.12.The band took their name from the title of Aldous Huxley’s 1954 book ‘The Doors of Perception,’ itself derived from a line in William Blake’s ‘The Marriage of Heaven and Hell,’ a work written between 1790-1793. “If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is: infinite.”

The Doors (see also best songs 133) were formed in Los Angeles, California, United States, in 1965 by Jim Morrison. (1943-1971) (lead vocals) and Ray Manzarek, (1939-2013) (keyboards) who had known of each other from having earlier attended the ‘UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television.’ The classic line up was completed in the same year by Robby Krieger, (guitar) and John Densmore, (drums) both of them were also local musicians from Los Angeles. Up until the death of Jim Morrison in 1971, The Doors had released six studio Albums, and following his death the remaining three band members released a further two studio Albums in 1971, (‘Other Voices’) and in 1972 (‘Full Circle.’) The Doors officially split in 1973, but in 1978 a ninth and final studio Album (‘An American Prayer’) was put together by the three remaining members which featured Morrison’s poetry, recorded by Morrison, from around 1969-1971, and performed by Morrison in spoken word form.

‘Light My Fire’ was the second single released by The Doors in January 1967, and later added to their debut studio Album ‘The Doors’ in April 1967. Most of ‘Light My Fire’ was written by Robby Krieger, but all four band members received the writing credits, which was what they always did at that time. Morrison had been the bands main writer, but he asked the other members to contribute, Krieger has said,’ I asked Jim what I should write about? He said,’Something universal, which wont disappear two years from now. Something that people can interpret themselves.’ I said to myself I’d write about the four elements, earth, air, fire, and water, I picked fire as I loved the Stones song ‘Play With Fire,’ (side ‘B’ of The Rolling Stones 1965 UK Number 1 single ‘The Last Time’) Krieger came up with the melody and wrote the majority of the lyrics, but it was Morrison who added the second verse ‘Our love become a funeral pyre,’ It was Manzarek who developed the the songs Organ part, and the drummer Densmore came up with the rhythm. The theme of the song is about leaving your inhibitions behind in flames of passion.

‘Light My Fire’ was the breakthrough song for The Doors spending three weeks at Number 1 on Billboard in America in 1967, and has bone on to sell in excess of 1 million copies. On initial release it failed to reach the UK top 40, but did finally become a hit in 1991, when reaching Number 7, after revived interest in the band following the Oliver Stone film biopic ‘The Doors.’

‘Light My Fire’ has been covered many times, including as early as 1968, when the Puero Rican vocalist Jose Feliciano took his ‘Latin’ influenced version to Number 3 on Billboard, just a year after The Doors, the song also peaked at Number 6 in the UK. In 1979 the American singer Ami Stewart released a Disco version of ‘Light My Fire’ as part of a medley titled ‘137 Disco Heaven,’ which reached Number 5 in the UK, but only made Number 69 on Billboard. The most successful UK hit version of the song was in 2002 when the English singer Will Young topped the UK chart for two weeks with his rendition that was in the same style as the Jose Feliciano version.

‘You know that it would be untrue, you know that I would be a liar, if I was to say to you, girl we couldn’t get much higher.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

236-New Edition-Hit Me Off.

1996-Number 20 single.

Best Bit-At 0.05. The band were named ‘New Edition’ to promote them as the next edition of ‘The Jackson 5.’ They were forerunners of the ‘Boy Band’ craze of the 1980’s and 1990’s.

‘New Edition’ was founded in 1981 by 12 year old Bobby Brown, (see also best songs 694) and his childhood friends Michael Bivins, and Ricky Bell, Ralph Tresvant who knew Bell was soon asked to join. In 1982 they became a quintet when their manager Brooke Payne (who had named them New Edition) insisted that his nephew Ronnie DeVoe should also join the group, all five members were from Boston, Massachusetts, United States. Payne entered the group in a local talent contest at Boston’s ‘Strand Theatre’ and although they only finished second the music producer Maurice Starr was impressed enough to offer them a recording contract.

New Edition would stay with Starr through until 1984 when disputes of money brought about a parting of the ways, Starr would later go on to mould ‘New Kids on the Block’ as a white version of New Edition. In 1985 Bobby Brown was voted out of the group for behavioural problems, and the band remained a quartet until Johnny Gill was drafted in, in 1987. Inspired by the success Bobby Brown was having as a solo artist New Edition went on hiatus in 1990, Bell, Bivins, and DeVoe, formed the trio ‘Bell Biv DeVoe,’ and Tresvant, and Gill both released solo Albums. In total New Edition released seven studio Albums between 1983-2004, and 27 singles during the same time period. In America on Billboard, eight of their singles reached the top 40, with this track being the most successful peaking at Number 3, while in the UK four of their songs have charted, with the bands debut single ‘Candy Girl’ reaching Number 1, incidentally ‘Candy Girl’ only reached Number 45 in America.

By 1996 all six members had achieved greater success with their side projects than they had done as New Edition, but as they were still under contract with ‘MCA Records’ to record one more Album, all six members joined forces to record ‘Home Again’ the bands first new Album in eight years. The Album would become the bands best seller, but the subsequent tour to promote it was fraught with in fighting, leading to Brown and Bivens leaving, and the other four completing the dates as a quartet. All six members have re-grouped on occasions over the years to perform together, and they released their final studio Album ‘One Love’ in 2004, without Brown. As of 2022 the band still tour, with all six artists officially still ‘New Edition’ members

‘Hit Me Off’ was the first single released from New Edition’s sixth studio Album ‘Home Again’ from 1996. The song was co-written by the bands producers Philip ‘Silky’ White, Dinky Bingham, and Jeff Dyson, along with DeVoe, and Bivins. The other writer credited is the American Jazz musician Bob James, as his composition ‘Storm King’ is heavily sampled. Another song that is sampled, although not credited is ‘I Got Cha Opin’ from the New York early 1990’s Hip-Hop group ‘Black Moon.’

‘She’s the finest thing I’ve ever seen, looking like a natural queen. I said let me take you for a ride umm baby, to the other side. We can do just what you like girl.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

237-Elton John-Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.

1973-Number 6 single.

Best Bit-At 0.40. ‘I shall take the heart, for brains do not make one happy, and happiness is the best thing in the world.’

As with the majority of Elton John songs,(see also best songs 946-481 and 62) he wrote the music, but it was Bernie Taupin who wrote the lyrics. Bernie Taupin was born on May 22nd, 1950, in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, England, he first met Elton John when they both answered an advertisement in the music paper the ‘New Musical Express,’ placed by ‘Liberty Records,’ who were seeking new songwriters. They both failed the audition with Elton telling a member of staff at ‘Liberty’ that he could not write lyrics, the man handed him a sealed envelope from the pile of people who had submitted lyrics, where on the train home, Elton read poems written by Taupin.

Bernie Taupin has written the lyrics to hundreds of songs, including ‘Candle in the Wind 1997,’ the tribute to ‘Diana, Princess of Wales.’ after her death. Taupin had written the lyrics to the original ‘Candle in the Wind,’ (UK Number 11) in 1973 in honour of Marilyn Monroe, (1926-1962) and for ‘Candle in the Wind 1997’ he re-wrote many of the lyrics, the song is currently the second best selling physical single of all time with sales in excess of 33 million copies, only bettered by ‘White Christmas’ by Bing Crosby (see also best songs 457.)

‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’ was also the title track of Elton John’s seventh studio Album released in May 1973, many music critics rate the Album as his best work. The lyrics written by Bernie Taupin are about how he was feeling at that time. Success had arrived, and life was 100 miles an hour, and Taupin was longing for the quieter times he had known as a youngster. Taupin has said,’There was a period when I was going through that whole ‘got to get back to my roots’ thing, which spawned a lot of like-minded songs in the early days, this being one of them. I don’t believe I was ever turning my back on success or saying I didn’t want it. I just don’t believe I was ever that naïve. I think I was just hoping that maybe there was a happy medium way to exist successfully in a more tranquil setting’.

Bernie Taupin got the title ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’ from the 1939 film ‘The Wizard of Oz’ (see also best songs 68.) The Yellow Brick Road is the road that is supposed to lead to life’s fantasies and life’s answers, it is only when you have walked it do you realise that what you were searching for, is what you have just left behind.

‘So goodbye yellow brick road where the dogs of society howl, you can’t plant me in your penthouse, I’m going back to my plough. Back to the howling old owl in the woods, hunting the horny back toad, oh I’ve finally decided my future lies beyond the yellow brick road.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

238-Siouxsie and the Banshees-Dear Prudence.

1983-Number 3 single.

Best Bit-At 1.28. I have chosen a cover version of a Beatles song, some may say that I am committing musical blasphemy.

‘Dear Prudence’ was written in 1968 by John Lennon (1940-1980) and first appeared on the Beatles ninth studio Album from November 1968 called ‘The Beatles,’ also known as the ‘White Album.’ As with all Beatles songs whether they were written by Lennon or Paul McCartney (see also best songs 646 and 107) they were always credited as Lennon/McCartney.

The subject of the song is Prudence Farrow who is the sister of the actress Mia Farrow, who were both present when the Beatles (see also best songs 456-319-141-107-80-52-10 and 5) went to India to study with Maharishi Mahseh Yogi (1918-2008) at his spiritual retreat in Rishikesh, in the foothills of the Himalayas. On observing Prudence, John Lennon felt that she was taking her meditation too far, cutting herself off from the rest of the world, sometimes spending days on end locking herself away in her bungalow. The Maharishi assigned Lennon, (see also best songs 927-473-218-168 and 20) and George Harrison (see also best songs 737 and 726) to act as her ‘team buddies,’ leading to Lennon writing the lyrics, urging Prudence to ‘Open up your eyes,’ and ‘See the sunny skies,’ and reminding her that she is ‘Part of everything.’

In 1983 the English Alternative Rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees (see also best songs 668) who were constantly touring at that time, and were in-between Albums, decided to record a cover of ‘Dear Prudence’ to fill the gap. They had already recorded another Beatles song ‘Helter Skelter’ back in 1978 for their Album ‘The Scream,’ and were pleasantly surprised when ‘Dear Prudence’ climbed all the way to Number 3 in the UK, giving them their highest ever charting song on the singles chart. ‘Dear Prudence’ was also recorded at the time when the bands guitarist John McGeoch had just left the band, and was temporarily being replaced by Robert Smith of the Cure (see also best songs 951.) Siouxsie Sioux has said, ‘It was an insane period for us, extremely busy. We were just being totally hyperactive. I think it took its toll maybe a year or so later. John had been hospitalised for stress and overworking, so he was suffering a bit. Robert stepped in, for the second time, as he did in ’79, so the show was still going on, and the touring was all pretty intense and crazy. We went on to record ‘Hyaena’ together, and then he imploded as well, he just couldn’t cope with it.’

‘Dear Prudence, won’t you come out to play? Dear Prudence, greet the brand new day. The sun is up, the sky is blue, it’s beautiful and so are you, Dear Prudence, won’t you come out to play?’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

239-Wizzard-See My Baby Jive.

1973-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 1.47. The song which inspired no lesser band than ABBA to write their breakthrough hit.

Wizzard was the brainchild of Roy Wood who was born on November 8th, 1946, in Kitts Green, Birmingham, England. After initially playing in local bands he became one of the co-founders of ‘The Move’ in 1965, and writing their 1968 UK Number 1 single ‘Blackberry Way’ (see also best songs 575.) While still with The Move, Wood, along with his band colleagues Jeff Lynne and Bev Bevan formed the ‘Electric Light Orchestra’ (see also best songs 970 and 25) in 1970. The original intention was for The Move at the end of 1970, but contractual obligations with their record company meant that both they and the ‘ELO’ existed together for a year, until the former finally broke up in June 1972.

Due to musical differences between Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne, Wood left the ‘ELO’ after just one Album release in July 1972, to form ‘Wizzard,’ taking ‘ELO’ band members Hugh McDowell, (1953-2018) and Bill Hunt with him. Although Wood is renowned for his ability to play multiple musical instruments, he still assembled another eight musicians for Wizzard, with the intention of emulating the Phil Spector (1939-2021) ‘Wall of Sound’ (see also best songs 782-737-192 and 127.) Wizzard remained active until 1975, releasing two studio Albums in 1974 and 1974, a third Album called ‘Main Street,’ also recorded in 1974 remained unreleased until 2000. Wizzard issued 10 singles between 1972-1976, with this song, and Angel Fingers’ from 1973 both reaching the UK Number 1 spot, but of course they will always be best remembered for their festive classic ‘I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday,’ which was first a hit in 1973 (see also best songs 821.) Roy Wood also released music as a solo artist during his time with Wizzard, and also after. He has released four solo studio between 1973-1987, and 19 singles between 1972-1987, with the highest charting being ‘Forever,’ which made Number 8 in 1973.

‘See My Baby Jive’ was written and produced by Roy Wood, who also sang the lead vocals, and also played 13 other instruments on the track including saxophone, tuba, and trombone. Roy Wood wanted to make a song that would mirror image the production Phil Spector had developed in the 1960’s, which would become known as the ‘Wall of Sound,’ where several instruments are used on a track, for example Spector would duplicate something played by an acoustic piano, with an electric piano, and a harpsichord. When mixed the three instruments would then be indistinguishable to the listener. ‘See My Baby Jive’ left a lasting impression on the Swedish Pop group ABBA. Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus have said that the song was a major influence on them writing their breakthrough hit ‘Waterloo,’ which attempts to use the same ‘Wall of Sound’ production techniques.

‘Look out, look out, your momma will shout, you might as well go home, She said my bed get’s into your hair, so give me back my comb. But you, you make things that get along turn out so wrong.’