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Posted by: In: Other 12 Jun 2022 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.


250-Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers-Why Do Fools Fall in Love.


1956-Number 1 single.


Best Bit-At 0.14. The founder of Motown records Berry Gordy based much of the sound of this band on the development of Michael Jackson and The Jackson 5, as well as many of his other Motown acts.


The group who would become Frankie Lyman & the Teenagers were formed in 1954 in Harlem, New York City, New York, United States. In total there have been 22 members come and go, with the groups one constant being Herman Santiago, as of 2022 they are still a touring band. In 1954 a 12 year old Frankie Lymon met with Santiago, and Jimmy Merchant, another founding member of the group who would become the Teenagers, and Lymon helped re-write an earlier Santiago/Merchant composition that would become ‘Why Do Fools Fall in Love.’ As Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers they released one studio Album ‘The Teenagers Featuring Frankie Lymon’ in 1956, and 12 singles, three of which reached the top 40 in America on Billboard, and also three which made the UK top 40.


Frankie Joseph Lymon was born on September 30th, 1942, in Harlem, New York, United States, he died of a Heroin overdose on February 27th, 1968, at the age of 25, having been an addict since the age of 15. At the age of 13 he became the youngest person at that time to achieve a UK Number 1 single with this song, he was surpassed in 1972 by Little Jimmy Omond singing ‘Long Haired Lover from Liverpool,’ at the age of nine years and eight months, a record which still stands. Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers have the distinction of being called ‘Rock Music’s’ first successful all-teenaged act, and in 1998 Lymon’s life was dramatised in the film ‘Why Do Fools Fall in Love.’


The songs royalties have been the cause of constant dispute. When the song was first issued in 1956 on the ‘Gee’ record label, the labels owner George Goldner (1918-1970) added his own name to the credits, with later releases attributed to just Goldner and Lymon, leaving off Santiago and Merchant. When Goldner sold his record label to Morris Levy, (1927-1990) Levy replaced his name on the songs writing credits removing that of Goldner. After a lengthy court battle in 1992, Santiago and Merchant were awarded the songs writing credits, but in 1996 the ruling was overturned by the Court of Appeals under the stature of limitations and authorship, because Santiago and Merchant did not bring the case to court soon enough, with the songs rights being given back to Lymon and Levy.


In 1981 Diana Ross (see also best songs 1001-900-519-411-365-212-183-148 and 23) recorded ‘Why Do Fools Fall in Love’ for her first single for ‘RCA’ since leaving ‘Motown,’ taking the song to Number 4 in the UK, and earning in excess of one million in royalties worldwide. This led to legal cases being brought to court by the family of the late Frankie Lymon. Lymon had been married three times during his short life, although two of those marriages were legally dubious. Eventually Lymon’s third wife, and probably the only legal one, Emira Eagle Lymon Bryant (1939-2019) was awarded Lymon’s estate, which is depicted in the 1998 film ‘Why Do Fools Fall in Love, where Bryant is played by the actress Lela Rochon.


Oh wah, oh wah, oh wah, oh wah, oh wah, oh wah, why do fools fall in love? Why do birds sing so gay? And lovers await the break of day, why do they fall in love?

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THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.


251-Roberta Flack-The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.


1972-Number 14 single.


Best Bit-At 0.34. It is said that the songs writer Ewan MacColl disliked the many cover versions of his song. He had a special section in his record collection for them entitled ‘The Chamber of Horrors.’ He said that the Elvis Presley version was like ‘Romeo at the bottom of the Post Office Tower singing up to Juliet,’ and the other versions, he thought, were ‘Travesties: bludgeoning, histrionic, and lacking in grace.’


Ewan MacColl was born James Henry Miller on January 25th, 1915, in Broughton, Salford, Lancashire, England, After many years of poor health, having suffered the first of many heart attacks in 1979, he died following complications after having had heart surgery, on October 22nd, 1989, at the age of 74. MacColl was a Folk singer/songwriter, and a collector of traditional Folk songs. He was a Labour activist, and a communist throughout his life, and many of his songs were politically motivated. His extensive discography includes 17 solo Albums released between 1956-1972, and 41 Albums recorded with his third wife Peggy Seeger between 1958-1986. MacColl is the father of Kirsty MacColl (1959-2000) (see also best songs 32) whose mother was MacColl’s second wife Jean Newlove (1923-2017.)


MacColl wrote ‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’ in 1957 for (and probably about) his future wife, the Folk singer Peggy Seeger, with whom he was having an affair with, at that time he was still married to Jean Newlove. Seeger has said MacColl had been challenged to write a love song, given that his repertoire was largely political, and this song was his response. The first recording of the song was in 1960 by the Canadian Folk singer Bonnie Dobson, and over the course of the next few years the song grew in popularity, with versions recorded by artists such as Peter, Paul and Mary, and Gordon Lightfoot.


Roberta Cleopatra Flack was born on February 10th, 1937, she has released 19 studio Albums between 1969-2018, which includes two Albums in collaboration with Donny Hathaway (see also best songs 541.) She has also released 48 singles between 1969-2021, of which 11 have made the American Billboard top 40, while in the UK she has charted on six occasions. In America ‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’ spent six weeks at Number 1, and was the best selling single in that country in 1972.


Roberta Flack had originally recorded the song in 1969 for her debut Album ‘First Take,’ but it was not released as a single until receiving exposure in the 1971 Clint Eastwood film ‘Play Misty for Me’ (see also best songs 706.) The story goes that Eastwood first heard the song on his car radio while driving down the L.A. Freeway. He phoned Flack and said,’I’d like to use your song in this movie…about a disc jockey [with] a lot of music in it. I’d use it in the only part of the movie where there’s absolute love.’ The pair came to an agreement where Eastwood paid Roberta Flack $2,000 for the rights.


Roberta Flack has said about the song,’It’s a perfect song, second only to “Amazing Grace, I think.”It’s the kind of song that has two unique and distinct qualities, it tells a story, and it has lyrics that mean something. Because of it’s meaningful lyrics the song can be interpreted by a lot of people in a lot of different ways, the love of a mother for a child, for example, or that of two lovers. I wish more songs I had chosen had moved me the way that one did. I’ve loved most every song I’ve recorded, but that one was pretty special.’


‘The first time ever I saw your face, I thought the sun rose in your eyes, and the moon and the stars were the gifts you gave, to the dark and the endless skies.’

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THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.


252-The Andrews Sisters-Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.


1941-Has never charted in the UK. There was no UK chart until 1952.


Best Bit-At 0.17. 1940’s ‘Girl Power’ that helped win World War 2.


The Andrew Sisters were made up of the three sisters LaVerne, (1911-1967) Maxene, (1916-1995) and Patty, (1918-2013) there was also a fourth sister Anglyn, who died at eight months old on March 16th, 1914, all of the sisters were born in Minneapollis, Minnesota, United States.


The Andrews Sisters (see also best songs 934) were at the height of their fame in the 1940’s, and are fondly remembered for boosting morale during the War years, where they would entertain the Allied forces in Africa, and Italy, as well as in the United States, where they would visit Army, Navy, Marine and Coast Guard bases, war zones, hospitals, and munition factories. With record sales in excess of 80 million The Andrews Sisters were the most successful girl group of the first half of the 20th Century, and the second best selling artists of the 1940’s behind Bing Crosby (see also best songs 934-457 and 259) They teamed up with Bing Crosby (1903-1977) on record on many occasions recording 47 songs with him, of which 23 charted on Billboard in America. The Andrews Sisters had in total 113 Billboard hit singles, of which 46 reached the top 10, and eight made Number 1, between 1938-1955, they also appeared in 17 Hollywood films between 1940-1948.


‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy’ was written by Don Raye, (1909-1985) and Hughie Prince, (1906-1960) who were commissioned by ‘Universal’ pictures to compose songs for the 1941 musical military comedy ‘Buck Privates,’ starring Bud Abbott, (1897-1974) and Lou Costello, (1906-1959) The Andrews Sisters who were also under contract at ‘Universal’ at that time were asked to perform the song in the film. ‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy’ is heavily based on the 1940 song ‘Beat Me Daddy, Eight to the Bar,’ which had also been written by Raye and Prince, and had been recorded by The Andrews Sisters in 1940.


‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy’ had originally been written for Lou Costello to perform, but with amendments it was decided that it should be performed by The Andrew Sisters. The song is about a renowned trumpeter who is drafted into the army, and is given the task of blowing the wake up call, which is known as the ‘reveille.’ He grows tired of this mundane activity, until the Captain empathises and drafts in other musicians, the bugler is inspired by this and he now plays reveille in his own ‘Boogie Woogie’ style, which has a positive effect on everyone.


In 1972 Bette Midler recorded the song for her debut Album ‘The Divine Miss M,’ it was produced by Barry Manilow (see also best songs 750.) When it was released as a single in 1973 it reached Number 8 on Billboard, bringing the song to the attention of a whole new generation. In 2007 Christina Aguilera (see also best songs 373) and Linda Perry (see also best songs 296) co-wrote ‘Candyman’ for Aguilera’s Album ‘Back to Basics,’ the song was a tribute to The Andrews Sisters, and ‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.’


‘He was a famous trumpet man from out Chicago way, he had a boogie style that no one else could play. He was the top man at his craft, but then his number came up and he was gone with the draft.’

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THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.


253-The Stone Roses-Fools Gold.


1989-Number 8 single. It re-entered the chart in 1995, reaching Number 25, and after being remixed in 1999, it once again charted at Number 25.


Best Bit-At 4.03. I can’t help feeling that if Ian Brown had stood closer to the microphone we would have heard him a little clearer.


The Stone Roses were formed in Manchester, England, in 1983, and remained active until 1996, they re-united in 2011, and parted ways again in 2017. In total there have been 11 official members of the group, with the classic line up consisting of Ian Brown, (lead vocals) John Squire, (guitar) Gary Mounfield, (bass) and Alan Wren (drums.) The Stone Roses (see also best songs 979) have released just two studio Albums, ‘The Stone Roses’ in 1989, and ‘Second Coming’ in 1994, They have also issued 15 singles between 1985-2016, with only their debut release ‘So Young’ failing to make the UK top 40.


The Stone Roses are one of Pop Music’s most critically acclaimed acts although they only released two studio Albums. Their mix of Rock, Funk, and Psychedelic Rock was the inspiration for many bands of the early 1990’s including fellow Manchester band Oasis (see also best songs 1006-758 and 15.) Noel Gallagher has said,’When I heard ‘Sally Cinnamon’ for the first time, I knew what my destiny was,” while his brother Liam has stated that they were the first band he saw live, and that seeing them perform influenced him to become a singer.


‘Fools Gold’ was taken from The Stone Roses critically acclaimed self titled debut studio Album released in May 1989. ‘Fools Gold’ was co-written by Ian Brown, and John Squire, and produced by John Leckie who also produced the Album. The song was initially planned as the ‘B’ side to ‘What the World Is Waiting For,’ but after their record label ‘Silvertone’ suggested ‘Fools Gold’ for the ‘A’side, the band and the record label compromised, and both tracks were issued as a double ‘A’ sided single.


‘Fools Gold’ is built around a loop from the 1970 song ‘Funky Drummer’ by James Brown (1933-2006) (see also best songs 880-349-270 and 88) ‘Funky Drummer’ is a song John Squire had first heard on a compilation Album he had picked up in a Manchester record store.’Funky Drummer’ is also one of the most sampled songs in the history of Pop Music, especially in the ‘Hip-Hop’ community. ‘Fools Gold’ also samples the bassline from a 1988 song called ‘Know How,’ by the English Rapper ‘Young MC.’


‘Fools Gold’ is a song about greed, with the lyrics written by Ian Brown who had got inspiration having seen the 1948 Humphrey Bogart film ‘The Treasure of the Sierra Madre.’ In the film friends go up a mountain in search of gold, and after being successful their greed gets the better of them, and they turn on each other, Brown has said,’That’s how it felt once the Roses started getting successful. Suddenly everyone was after their piece of gold.”


‘These boots were made for walking,The Marquis de Sade don’t wear no boots like these. Gold’s just around the corner, breakdown’s coming up ’round the bend.

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THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.


254-Peter Gabriel-Games Without Frontiers.


1980-Number 4 single.


Best Bit-At 0.16. Where you will hear one of Pop Music’s most misheard song lyrics. Some people hear ‘she’s so popular,’ I always thought she was saying ‘she’s so funky yeah.’ The actual lyrics are ‘Jeux Sans Frontieres,’ and were sung by Kate Bush, (see also best songs 866) who would later record the 1986 UK Number 9 hit single duet with Peter Gabriel called ‘Don’t Give Up.’


Peter Brian Gabriel was born on February 13th, 1950, in Chobham, England, before embarking on a solo career in 1975 he had been a founding member, and the lead singer of the Progressive Rock band Genesis (see also best songs 741.) Gabriel is one of the leading exponents in the making and promoting of the genre ‘World Music,’ which is basically music not associated with Western Countries. As a solo artist Peter Gabriel has released nine studio Albums between 1977-2011, and 43 singles, of which 10 have reached the UK top 40, with both this song and ‘Sledgehammer’ from 1986 both charting highest when making Number 4. In America on Billboard, five of his songs have reached the top 40, with ‘Sledgehammer’ making Number 1. In 2010 Gabriel was inducted into the ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’ as a member of Genesis, and in 2014 he was inducted as a solo artist.


‘Games Without Frontiers’ was taken from Peter Gabriel’s third solo Album ‘Peter Gabriel (Melt’) from 1980, and was written by Gabriel, and produced by Steve Lillywhite. ‘Games Without Frontiers’ is an anti-war song, comparing world leaders squabbling with each other like children in the school playground. The lyrics ‘jeux sans frontieres’ is French for ‘games without frontiers, ‘Jeux sans Frontieres was the name of a long running television programme broadcast in several European countries between 1962-1999, the British version of the show was called ‘It’s a Knockout.’ The show featured teams from different countries competing against each other in absurd games, and generally dressed in ridiculous outfits, such as large foam rubber suits.


Gabriel has explained the songs meaning,’I just began playing in a somewhat light-hearted fashion, ‘Hans and Lottie …’ – so it looked, on the surface, as just kids. The names themselves are meaningless, but they do have certain associations with them. So it’s almost like a little kids’ activity room. Underneath that, you have the TV programme [and the] sort of nationalism, territorialism, competitiveness that underlies all that assembly of jolly people.”


‘Andre has a red flag, Chiang Ching’s is blue, they all have hills to fly them on, except for Lin Tai Yu. Dressing up in costumes, playing silly games, hiding out in treetops, shouting out rude names.’

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THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.


255-Buffy Sainte-Marie-Universal Soldier.


1964-Has never been released as a single in the UK.


Best Bit-At 2.01. One of the greatest anti war songs, but perhaps more poignantly, the most controversial of them all.


Buffy Sainte-Marie whose real name is Beverly Sainte-Marie was born on February 20th, 1941, on the Piapot 75 reserve, in the Qu’ Appelle Valley, Saskatchewan, Canada, to Cree parents. As an infant she was abandoned, and then adopted by Albert and Winifred Sainte-Marie, who were a couple of ‘Mi’kmaq descent, who took her to live with them in Massachusetts, United States, where she grew up, attending the University of Massachusetts, earning degrees in teaching, and Oriental philosophy. Throughout her life Buffy Sainte-Marie has always fought for, and championed the rights of the indigenous peoples of the America’s. Between 1976-1981 she regularly appeared on the educational television programme ‘Sesame Street,’ helping with their Native American programming, and in 1997 she founded the ‘Cradleboard Teaching Project,’ an educational curriculum devoted to better understanding of Native Americans. Buffy Sainte-Marie has released 17 studio Albums between 1964-2017, there are also seven official Anthologies available. She has issued 13 singles between 1965-2017, with two of those songs reaching the Canadian top 40, and three making the UK chart, where ‘Soldier Blue’ from 1971, charted the highest when making Number 7.


Buffy Sainte-Marie wrote ‘Universal Soldier’ in 1963, after seeing wounded soldiers returning from Vietnam. The song is very controversial because it says that the soldier is the one to blame, he or she is the one who has the choice to fire, or not fire their weapon, he or she has the choice to follow or not follow the politicians orders. Buffy Sainte-Marie has explained some of the songs lyrics,’I’ve always worked very hard to make my protest songs bulletproof, when it says, ‘He’s 5-foot-2 and he’s 6-feet-,’ I didn’t make that up, those were the height parameters of the Vietnam War.” She has also stated that she wrote the song from the perspective of a student writing an essay for a professor who didn’t see eye to eye with her perspective, in the hope that people could see a different point of view.


‘Universal Soldier’ was never issued as a single by Buffy Sainte-Marie, and first appeared on her debut Album ‘It’s My Way’ released in April 1964. In 1965 the song came to the attention of the Scottish Folk/Rock singer Donovan, who recorded it as part of his ‘Universal Soldier EP’. In 1965 Jan Berry (1941-2004) of Jan and Dean fame (see also best songs 811) released as a single an ‘answer song’ to ‘Universal Soldier,’ presenting the opposite point of view, it was called ‘The Universal Coward,’ which was a scathing attack on anti war protesters. Jan Berry’s musical partner Dean Torrence objected and did not participate in the recording.


‘He’s the Universal Soldier and he really is to blame, his orders come from far away no more. They come from him and you and me, and brothers can’t you see this is not the way we put an end to war.’

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THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.


256-Blur starring Phil Daniels-Parklife.


1994-Number 10 single.


Best Bit-At 0.21. This song is as quintessentially British as Fish N’ Chips, or the BBC, or making a cup of tea in response to a crisis, or of course talking about the weather.


‘Parklife’ is one of the songs that defined the genre of music that was known as ‘Britpop,’ ‘Britpop’ was a UK based music and culture movement in the mid-1990’s which emphasised ‘Britishness,’ and produced brighter catchier Alternative Rock, partly in response to the darker lyrical themes of the United States led Grunge Music. There were many bands around at that time who were placed under the Britpop banner, but the ones who were considered as the ‘big four’ were Oasis, (see also best songs 1006-758 and 15) Blur, (see also best songs 21) Suede, (see also best songs 695 and 244) and Pulp (see also best songs 605 and 285.) The ‘Britpop’ sound was influenced from the music of the 1960’s, the Glam Rock, and Punk Rock of the 1970’s, and the Indie Pop of the 1980’s. For example Blur were obviously heavily influenced by the Kinks, (see also best songs 1014 and 770) and Oasis were heavily influenced by the Beatles (see also best songs 599-319-238-218-141-80-51-10 and 5.)


Blur were formed in 1988, in London, England, by Damon Albarn, (vocals) Graham Coxon, (guitar) Alex James, (bass) and Dave Rountree (drums.) They were originally called ‘Seymour,’ but became Blur in March 1990, they have released eight studio Albums to date between 1991-2015, and since then the band have been on hiatus. ‘Parklife’ was the title track of Blur’s third studio Album from 1994, with all four band members receiving the song writing credit, Blur also produced the song along with Stephen Street, and John Smith.


The lyrics to Parklife were written by Damon Albarn, who also sings the songs chorus, Albarn had originally tried to perform the verses as well, but felt he couldn’t get into character. It was Graham Coxon who suggested the actor Phil Daniels, as Coxon was a big fan of the 1979 film ‘Quadrophenia,’ (see also best songs 265) which had starred a young Phil Daniels. At that time Daniels was not familiar with Blur, but after talking with Albarn he accepted the job. Daniels recorded his spoken lyrics in around 40 minutes, and opted for a share in the royalties rather than being paid a set fee.


Damon Albarn has said that inspiration for the song came to him after reading the 1989 novel ‘London Fields’ written by Martin Amis, he has also said, when introducing the song in 2009 at a concert in Hyde Park, London,’I came up with the idea for this song in this park. I was living in Kensington Church Street, and I used to, you know, watch people, and pigeons.’


‘Confidence is a preference for the habitual voyeur of what is known as… and morning soup can be avoided if you take a route straight through what is known as…’

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THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.


257-Big Joe Turner-Flip, Flop and Fly.


1955-Has never charted in the UK.


Best Bit-At 2.08. The lyrics tell us that the best was to beat the blues is to look forward to meeting up with your ‘main squeeze,’ but at the same time not to forget you are also very attractive, so it’s only fair to share yourself around.


‘Flip, Flop and Fly’ was co-written by Big Joe Turner, and Charles E. Calhoun, who also played the piano on the song. The two had previously teamed up in 1954 to write ‘Shake, Rattle and Roll,’ which is considered by many to be the very first ever Rock N’ Roll hit when recorded by Bill Haley & His Comets (see also best songs 855.) ‘Flip, Flop and Fly’ has a similar arrangement to ‘Shake, Rattle and Roll,’ and it is rumoured that some of the left over lyrics from that song were recycled for this. ‘Flip, Flop and Fly’ has been covered by many of the Rock N’ Roll greats including Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis, but the only charting version I could find was by the ‘Downchild Blues Band’ who took their version to Number 35 on the Canadian ‘RPM 100 singles chart’ in 1973.


Big Joe Turner was born Joseph Vernon Turner Jr. on May 18th, 1911, in Kansas City, ,Missouri, United States, he died of heart failure, having suffered the effects of arthritis, a stroke and diabetes, on November 24th, 1985, at the age of 74. Turner is recognised as one of the main protagonists in the development of Rock N’ Roll, transitioning from Big Bands, to Jump Blues, to Rhythm and Blues, and finally Rock N’ Roll. Turner was known as a ‘Blues Shouter,’ which is a Blues singer, often male, capable of singing unamplified with a band. On announcing his death in 1985, the British music magazine the ‘New Musical Express’ described him as the ‘Grandfather of Rock and Roll.’ There have been 39 official Albums of music released by Big Joe Turner between 1953-2013, including studio recordings, live music, and compilations. None of his singles released between 1941-1973 have charted on the Billboard or UK top 40, although 20 of his songs have made the Billboard R&B chart.


This songs other writer was Charles E, Calhoun who was born Jesse Albert Stone on November 16th, 1901 in Atchison, Kansas, United States, he died after a long illness on April 1st, 1999 at the age of 97. Stone first recorded music in 1927 as a member of the ‘Blue Serenaders,’ releasing the Blues song ‘Starvation Blues’ on ‘Okeh Records.’ He then went on to work as a pianist, before forming his own orchestra, and working as a bandleader. In 1947 he joined the staff at ‘Atlantic Records’ to work as a producer, songwriter and arranger, he was the only black person employed by Atlantic Records at that time. Other notable songs written by Stone include ‘Losing Hand’ for Ray Charles in 1953, and ‘Money Honey’ which became the first hit for The Drifters, also in 1953. Stone also notably arranged the song ‘Sh-Boom’ for The Chords, which reached Number 9 on Billboard in 1954, and is widely considered to be the first ‘Doo-Wop’/ ‘Rock N’ Roll’ song to reach the ‘Pop’ top 10.


‘Here comes my baby flashin’ her new gold tooth, well she’s so small she can Mambo in a pay phone booth. I’m like a Mississippi Bullfrog sittin’ on a hollow stump,, I got so many women I don’t know which way to jump.’

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THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.


258-McFadden & Whitehead-Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now.


1979-Number 5 single.


Best Bit-At 1.42. Their stage name may sound like a firm of accountants but they were actually one of the top song writing partnerships at Philiadelphia International Records.
Gene McFadden was born on January 28th, 1949, in Olanto, South Carolina, United States, he died from liver and lung cancer on January 27th, 2006, one day short of his 57th birthday. John Whitehead was born on July 10th, 1948, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, he died on May 11th, 2004, at the age of 55. Whitehead was fatally shot, possibly in a case of mistaken identity. While fixing a car outside his home in Philadelphia, he was approached by two gunmen who fired multiple shots, then fled the scene, the murder remains unsolved.


McFadden & Whitehead first met each other at school in the 1960’s in Philadelphia, where they formed a group called ‘The Epsilons’ which included future Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes member Lloyd Parks (see also best songs 725.) When Otis Redding (see also best songs 712 and 377) came to Philadelphia, The Epsilons were invited to go on tour with him, which led to them signing to ‘Stax Records’ and releasing a single in 1970 called ‘The Echo.’ After the departure of Lloyd Parks, McFadden & Whitehead changed their name to ‘Talk of the Town,’ and began working with the legendary duo Kenny Gambol and Leon Huff (see also best songs 1001-896-725-648-604 and 322) at Philadelphia Records. Gamble and Huff soon realised their potential as songwriters, and the pair went on to co-write or co-produce for artists of the calibre of The Jacksons, and Archie Bell & The Drells. Their biggest success prior to this song came when they penned ‘Back Stabbers’ for the ‘O’Jays,’ which reached Number 3 in 1972 on the Billboard Hot 100. As McFadden & Whitehead the duo released three studio Albums between 1979-1982, and seven singles between 1979-1984, with ‘Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now’ being their only chart hit, reaching Number 13 on Billboard, and Number 5 in the UK.


‘Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now’ was written and produced by McFadden & Whitehead, along with their long time collaborator Jerry Cohen, who also played the keyboards on the song.The songs subject is about succeeding despite having faced previous disadvantages. Kenny Gamble didn’t want McFadden & Whitehead to record the track as he figured that the song had far more chance of being a hit if it was recorded by the O’Jays, which frustrated the duo. John Whitehead has said about the song,’If anything the song was a declaration of our independence from Gamble.’


Because of the songs lyrics it was soon adopted by the African/American community, and has been referred to as ‘The new black national anthem,’ and is often performed at major political and sporting events, replacing the 1900 written song ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing.’


‘There’s been so many things that’s held us down, but now it looks like things are finally comin’ around. I know we’ve got a long long way to go, and where we’ll end up I don’t Know.’

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THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.


259-Bing Crosby- Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?


1932-Has never charted in the UK, There was no UK chart until 1952.


Best Bit-At 2.59. In today’s money a dime is $1.50, which doesn’t seem to have the same ring to it.


The song is also known as ‘Buddy, Can You Spare a Dime? It was written in 1930, and became the ‘Anthem’ of the ‘Great Depression.’ The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression that took place mostly during the 1930’s, having begun in the United States following the stock market crash of October 29th, 1929, which was to become known as ‘Black Tuesday.’ The song asks why the men who built the nation, fought in World War 1, built the skyscrapers, and did what the nation asked of them, should find themselves abandoned and on the breadline.


‘Brother, Can You Spare a Dime’ was written by Yip Harburg, who wrote the lyrics, and Jay Gorney, who wrote the music. The song was first performed in 1932 as part of the musical revue ‘Americana.’ Jay Gorney was born Abraham Jacob Gornetzsky on December 12th, 1896, in Bialystok, Russia, he died on June 14th, 1990, at the age of 93. Gorney based the melody for ‘Brother, Can You Spend a Dime?’ on a Russian Jewish lullaby he had heard as a child. Gorney’s daughter is the actress and dancer Karen Lynn Gorney, who starred opposite John Travolta in the film ‘Saturday Night Fever’ (see also best songs 35.)


Yip Harburg was born Edgar Yipsel Harburg on April 8th, 1896, in Manhatten, New York, United States, he died on March 5th, 1981, from a heart attack, at the age of 84. Harburg contributed lyrics to several Broadway revues, Broadway musicals, and for films. His best known songs include ‘April in Paris,’ and ‘It’s Only a Paper Moon,’ but he will always be best remembered for providing all the lyrics to the 1939 film ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ including ‘Over the Rainbow’ (see also best songs 68.)


‘Brother Can You Spare a Dime’ has been covered on numerous occasions over the years. It was first performed by the vaudeville singer Rex Weber as part of the musical ‘Americana’ which was unsuccessful, as it only ran from October to December 1932. The first recorded version was by Bing Crosby, (1903-1977) (see also best songs 934 and 457) which was quickly followed by a competing version from Rudy Vallee (1901-1986.)


Bing Crosby was born Harry Lillis Crosby Jr. on May 3rd, 1903 in Tacoma, Washington, United States, he died after playing a round of golf at the ‘La Moraleja Golf’ course on October 14th, 1977, at the age of 74, from a massive heart attack, which killed him instantly, his last words were ‘That was a great game of golf fellas. Let’s go have a Coca-Cola.’


‘They used to tell me I was building a dream with peace and glory ahead, why should I be standing in line just waiting for bread.’