THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

141-Beatles-All You Need Is Love.

1967-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 1.02. At the time of writing the most viewed YouTube video in a 24 hour period was achieved by the South Korean band ‘BTS’, with the video for their single ‘Butter,’ that was watched 108,200,000 times. On June 25th, 1967, the Beatles were asked to take part in the very first ever live international satellite television programme called ‘Our World,’ alongside other creative artists such as Opera singer Maria Callas, and the painter Pablo Picasso. They were some of the performers representing 19 nations over a two and a half hour live broadcast fed to 24 counties around the world.’All You Need Is Love’ was performed for the first time to an estimated audience of somewhere between 400-700 million people.

On May 18th, 1967, the Beatles (see also best songs 599-319-238-218-157-80-51-10 and 5) signed a contract to appear as Britain’s representatives on ‘Our World.’The Beatles were asked to provide a song with a message that could be easily understood by everyone, and using “basic English” terms. John Lennon who was the writer of ‘All You Need Is Love’ (1940-1980) (see also best songs 927-473-456-168 and 20) realised that he could send out a message to the world, and he made the lyrics as simple as possible so every nation could understand them.

‘All You Need Is Love’ was written by John Lennon, but as always was contractually attributed to ‘Lennon/McCartney, with the production credited to George Martin. (1926-2016) The song was released as a stand alone single, but later was included on the United States version of the ‘Magical Mystery Tour’ Album, and also featured in the 1968 animated film ‘Yellow Submarine.’ The song was released at the height of the ‘Summer of Love’ social phenomenon, when as many as 100,000 people, mostly young people sporting hippie fashions of dress and behaviour, converged in San Francisco’s neighbourhood of Haight-Ashbury, where ‘All You Need Is Love’ became the theme song of the ‘Summer of Love’ movement.

‘All You Need Is Love’ opens with a few bars of the French National Anthem ‘La Marseillaise,’ and also includes elements of the traditional English Folk song ‘Greensleeves,’ and also Glen Miller’s 1939 hit ‘In the Mood’ (see also best songs 146.) Towards the end of the song Lennon can be heard saying ‘Yesterday,’ (see also best songs 319) and Lennon and McCartney can be heard breaking out into a rendition of their 1964 hit ‘She Loves You.’

The Beatles performed ‘All You Need Is Love’ on ‘Our World’ with a pre recorded backing track, with Lennon singing live, McCartney (see also best songs 646 and 107) played double bass, George Harrison (1943-2001) (see also best songs 737 and 726) played the violin, and Ringo Starr was on the drums. There was also a specially invited selection of friends and acquaintances who were seated on the floor for the ‘Our World’ recording, that included Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton, Marianne Faithfull, and Keith Moon, (1946-1978) and they and others can be heard singing on the song as it fades out.

‘There’s nothing you can do that can’t be done, nothing you can sing that can’t be sung. Nothing you can say, but you can learn how to play the game, it’s easy.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

142-Wham!-Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go.

1984-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 0.36. If your a DJ playing to the 40-60 age group, and you can’t think what to play, try this, and if they don’t dance, it’s not your fault.

Wham! (see also best songs 991) were formed in Bushey, Hertfordshire, England, in 1981 by George Michael, (1963-2016) (see also best songs 342) and Andrew Ridgeley. The pair had first met at school and played in a band called ‘The Executive,’ with four others, before splitting to form Wham! in 1982, they remained active as a duo until 1986. Andrew Ridgeley has explained how the name ‘Wham!’ came about, saying it originated from a need for,’Something that captured the essence of what set us apart, our energy and our friendship, and then it came to us, Wham! Wham! was snappy, immediate, fun and boisterous too.’ It was the British design studio ‘Stylorouge’ who created the exclamation mark to the name of the band. The discography of Wham! consists of two studio Albums,’Fantastic’ from 1983, and ‘Make It Big’ from 1984, and 12 singles, all of which made the UK top 40, with six of those reaching Number 1. While in America on Billboard they have charted on seven occasions, with three of those songs making the top spot, Wham! have sold in excess of 30 million records worldwide.

‘Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go’ was the first of four singles released from the second and final studio Album from Wham!, ‘Make It Big,’ from 1984, and was written and produced by George Michael. The story goes that Andrew Ridgeley needed a wake up call, so he left a note for his mother on his door, he wrote, ‘Wake me up up, and then realising that he had duplicated a word, finished the sentence with ‘Before you go go.’ George Michael on hearing the tale thought that it was very funny, and decided to use it for a song title.

‘Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go’ has a retro feel to it, opening with the word ‘Jitterbug,’ which is repeated four times, the ‘Jitterbug’ was a very popular dance in America in the 1930’s, and was still performed regularly at the onset of the Rock N’ Roll’ era. Another nod to the past comes with the name checking of the late great Doris Day (1922-2019) (see also best songs 333.) A ‘Go-Go’ is the name used to describe a club where people would go to dance, and it is dancing which is partly the theme of this song. The lyrics tell the story of someone who sleeps while his girlfriend goes out dancing, he is upset by this and insists that next time she takes him with her as he doesn’t want to miss the fun. He has also heard rumours that she may not be being faithful to him, but he is so smitten, so he will ignore that.

George Michael has said about writing the song,’I just wanted to make a really energetic pop record that had all the best elements of fifties and sixties records, combined with our attitude and our approach, which is obviously more uptempo and a lot younger than some of those records. It’s one of those tracks that gets rid of a lot of your own personal influences, it reminds me of so many different records that I couldn’t actually nail them down. I’d done a demo at home that just had a bass line and a vocal on it. Usually, I write the record in my head, I know what all the parts are going to be and I sing them to all our musicians, and it was great, we actually did it as a rehearsal. We used a LinnDrum, (drum machine) because the drummer was late, and it was such a good track that we kept it.’

‘You take the grey skies out of my way, you make the sun shine brighter than Doris Day. Turned a bright spark into a flame, my beats per minute never been the same.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

143-Parliament-Aqua Boogie (A Psychoalphadiscobetabioaquadoloop’)

1978-It has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 0.36. If music is a universal language then ‘A Psychoalphadiscobetabioaquadoloop’ is a bit hard to fathom.

In 1968 George Clinton formed two bands simultaneously due to contractual problems with his record label, they were the ‘Funk,’ ‘R&B,’ and ‘Psychedelic Soul’ orientated ‘Parliament,’ (see also best songs 612) and the more ‘Rock’ based ‘Funkadelic,’ (see also best songs 340 and 26) their sound was to become known as ‘P-Funk,’ achieving a large following. ‘Funkadelic’ were active between 1968-1982, and reformed again in 2014, while ‘Parliament’ were active from 1968-1970, and then again between 1974-1980, and then reformed again in 2018. In total there have been 41 different members come and go during those time periods.

‘Aqua Boogie (A Psychoalphadiscobetabioaquadoloop’) was the first of two singles released from Parliament’s seventh studio Album ‘Motor Booty Affair’ from 1978, and although only reaching Number 89 on America’s Billboard Hot 100, it did achieve four weeks at Number 1 on the Billboard R&B singles chart. The song was co-written by the band members George Clinton, Bootsy Collins (see also best songs 850-612-340 and 88) and Bernie Worrell, (1944-2016) who had also been a founding member of ‘Parliament-Funkadelic.’

Worrell who was considered a child musical prodigy had begun formal piano lessons at the age of three, and had already written a concerto by the age of eight. One of his first musical collaborations was as a college student where he played with a group called ‘Chubby & The Turnpikes,’ which would eventually evolve into ‘Tavares’ (see also best songs 514.) When Parliament-Funkadelic went on hiatus in 1982 Worrell recorded and played live with the American Rock band ‘Talking Heads,’ (see also best songs 540) although he never became an official member. He also released 12 solo Albums between 1978-2016, as well as contributing to many more artists work including the Funk band ‘Mtume,’ where he played keyboards on their 1983 Billboard R&B Number 1 song ‘Juicy Fruit.’ In 1997 along with 14 other members of Parliament-Funkadelic, he was inducted into the ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.’

A ‘Psychoalphadiscobetabioaquadoloop’ is actually (not surprisingly) a word made up by George Clinton, in an attempt to create his own ‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’, as heard in the 1964 film ‘Mary Poppins,’ as Clinton is telling us that the life that you are living is like a movie, and you are starring in it. Although many people think that ‘Aqua Boogie’ is a song about having a party, or dancing underwater, it isn’t, the water imagery is actually a metaphor for how people have to bend and jump through hoops in order to deal with everyday life.

‘Aqua boogie baby, never learned to swim. Underwater boogie baby, can’t catch the rhythm of the stroke. Aqua boogie baby, why should I hold my breath, underwater boogie baby, feelin’ that I might choke.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

144-Scooter-Move Your Ass!1995-Number 23 single.

Best Bit-At 4.02. ‘It’s important to be nice, but it’s more nice to be important’….Oh silly me, I’ve got it the wrong way around again.

Scooter were formed in 1993 by H.P. Baxxter, who was born Hans Peter Geedes on March 16th, 1964, in Leer, West Germany, and Rick J, Jordan, who was born Hendrik Stedler, on January 1st, 1968, in Hanover, West Germany. The pair first met in 1985 after they both replied to a classified advertisement, together they formed the Synth-Pop/New Wave band ‘Celebrate the Nun,’ along with Britt Maxine, and Slin Tompson. The band achieved initial success, but as musical tastes changed they would take their sound in a different direction, hence the move to ‘Techno,’ and ‘Happy Hardcore.’ ‘Celebrate the Nun’ would continue with other members, but Baxxter and Jordan would leave to form ‘Scooter’ in 1993 along with Ferris Bueller who would a remain member until 1998, Jordan would leave in 2014, with Baxxter remaining as the bands one constant. In total there have been nine different members come and go and they remain active. Scooter (see also best songs 1033 and 437) have sold in excess of 30 million records worldwide, and are Germany’s most successful singles act with 23 top 10 hits in that country.

‘Move Your Ass!’ was the third single release from Scooter, and the second track released from their debut studio Album ‘….and the Beat Goes On,’ from January 1995, all four band members at that time all receive the songwriting, and producing credits. In total four singles were issued from that debut Album, and in order to promote the band in the UK all of those singles were issued together on an ‘Extended Play,’ with ‘Move Your Ass!’ bringing the band to the attention of the British public for the first time. The other three tracks were their breakthrough hit in Germany ‘Hyper Hyper,’ along with ‘Friends,’ and ‘Endless Summer.’

Initially in the UK ‘Move Your Ass!’ failed to garner much interest, as it stalled at Number 98 in April 1995, but with further promotion of the ‘EP,’ the song took off, and on re-release it peaked at Number 23. The song was a top 20 hit in many European countries, where it’s highest chart positions were in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland where it made Number 3.

‘Scooter, back in the house, get off your shirts and wait for further instructions. Starting the microphone business, I’ve got one message for the next decade,’Move Your Ass!’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

145-Barbra Streisand-The Way We Were.

1974-Number 34 single.

Best Bit-At 1.30. This is one of three songs that appear twice in some form on this countdown. They are recorded in radically different ways by different artists, and are therefore worthy of inclusion (see also best songs 931 and 560, and also 863 and 112, and also 214.)

Barbara Joan Streisand was born on April 24th, 1942, in New York City, United States, she has said that she was never a big fan of her first name, so when taking up singing professionally she dropped an ‘A’ from Barbara. Barbra Streisand has had two highly successful careers in music, and acting, running concurrently side by side, and reaching the very top in both professions. She has released 36 studio Albums between 1963-2018, and is the only artist to have had a Number 1 Album on Billboard in each of the last six decades. Streisand has also released 117 singles between 1962-2018, of which five have reached Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, including this song, while in the UK her sole Number 1 record is the Barry, and Robin Gibb penned ‘Woman in Love’ from 1980. With sales in excess of 150 million records she is the second best selling female artist of all time behind Mariah Carey (see also best songs 822.) On the acting front Barbra Streisand has won numerous awards including the ‘Academy Award for Best Actress’ for ‘Funny Girl,’ (1968) and a second ‘Academy Award’ for writing the love theme from ‘A Star Is Born,’ (1976) making her the first woman to be honoured as a composer. Also in 1983 with the release of ‘Yentl,’ Barbra Streisand became the first woman to write, produce, direct, and star in a major studio film. The film went on to win an Oscar for ‘Best Score,’ and a ‘Golden Globe’ for ‘Best Motion Picture Musical.’ Streisand also received the ‘Golden Globe Award’ for Best Director, becoming the first woman to win that award.

‘The Way We Were’ was written for the 1973 film ‘The Way We Were’ by the husband and wife songwriting team of Alan Bergman, and Marilyn Bergman, (1928-2022) (see also best songs 229 and 214) who provided the lyrics, and Marvin Hamlisch, (1944-2012) who wrote the music, it was produced by Marty Paich (1925-1995.) ‘The Way We Were’ is the opening song on the soundtrack Album to the film which starred Barbra Streisand as Katie Morosky, and Robert Redford as Hubbell Gardiner, it was also released as the lead single from Barbra Streisand’s 15th studio Album from 1974, which was also called ‘The Way We Were Were.’ The single went on to spend three non consecutive weeks at Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, and was also the best selling single in America in 1974. The song is about a couple who fell deeply in love despite being the complete opposites, in the song they are reminiscing their memories of their time together.

‘Mem’ries light the corners of my mind, misty water-coloured mem’ries 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.

146-Glenn Miller and His Orchestra-In the Mood.

1939-It has never charted in the UK. There was no UK chart until 1952.

Best Bit-At 3.07. The false ending would catch out (I won’t call them DJ’s since it was 1939) music presenters, as it was very rare if ever up until then that a song would conclude in such a manner.

Alton Glenn Miller (see also best songs 808 and 321) was born on March 1st, 1904, in Clarinda, Iowa, United States, he died on December 15th, 1944, when the aircraft he was travelling on disappeared in bad weather over the English Channel. The actual cause of the crash has never been confirmed , but the general consensus is that the plane probably crashed as it’s carburettor froze in the cold weather, Glenn Miller was 40 years old. The discography of Glenn Miller consists of 266 singles which were issued on 10 inch shellac 78 rpm format, with 69 of his recordings reaching the top 10 on the music charts in America. On the very first national Billboard chart on July 27th, 1940, Glenn Miller had three of the countdowns first ever top 10 singles.

I suppose you could say that ‘In the Mood’ is a very early example of ‘sampling.’ The song is ‘based’ on the composition ‘Tar Paper Stomp’ which was written and performed in 1930 by the American Jazz trumpeter Wingy Manone, (1900-1982) hence his name being added to ‘In the Mood’s’ song writing credits. It was the American Jazz saxophonist Joe Garland (1903-1977) who is credited as the composer of ‘In the Mood’ which has many similarities to ‘Tar Paper Stomp.’ Under copyright laws at that time, a tune that had not been written down and registered with the copyright office could be appropriated by any musician with a good ear.

The first recording of ‘In the Mood’ was made in 1938 by Edgar Hayes and his Orchestra, and released as the ‘B’ side to his rendition of ‘Stardust.’ The song was then sold to Artie Shaw (1910-2004) (see also best songs 295) who after experimenting with it decided not to record it as his arrangement lasted six minutes, and when played live received a lacklustre response. Then in 1939 ‘In the Mood’ was sold to Glenn Miller, who with others rearranged the song, and it would go on to become the most successful ‘Swing’ instrumental of all time. In 1941 Miller performed ‘In the Mood’ in the movie ‘Sun Valley Serenade’ (see also best songs 321.)

There are some versions of ‘In the Mood’ that include lyrics. These lyrics were written by Andy Razaf (1893-1973) (see also best songs 412) who co-wrote 215 published compositions including ‘Honeysuckle Rose,’ (1929) and ‘Ain’t Misbehavin” (also 1929.) ‘In the Mood’ has been recorded numerous times by artists of many different genres including Ernie Fields (1904-1997) who took his recording to Number 4 on Billboard in 1959, but perhaps the most famous cover is by the British novelty Pop act ‘Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers,’ who prominently featured ‘In the Mood’ as part of their hit medley ‘Swing the Mood’ which reached Number 1 in the UK, and Number 11 on Billboard in 1989.

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

147-Charles Aznavour-She.

1974-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 1.45. The most poignant lyrics ever written about natures greatest creation.

Charles Aznavour was born Shahnour Vaghinag Aznavourian on May 22nd, 1924, in Paris, French Third Republic, he died on October 1st, 2018 of cardio respiratory arrest complicated by an acute pulmonary edema, at the age of 94. Aznavour wrote or co-wrote over 1000 songs, and recorded more than 1,200 songs, and was one of the worlds best ever selling artists with sales estimated between 180 to 200 million records sold. He released 91 studio Albums between 1953-2015, and 225 singles between 1948-2014, there are also 193 official compilation Albums available. One of the reasons for such a large discography is that he recorded many of his songs in French, English, Spanish, Italian, and German, and when performing live he would sing in many different languages. In the UK, his only other top 40 single was ‘The Old Fashioned Way,’ which reached Number 38 in 1973, while he has never had a single chart on the Billboard Hot 100 in America. Charles Aznavour also had a long career as an actor appearing in 60 feature films between 1936-2009, and there are at least three documentary films made about him. In 2017 Aznavour and his sister Aida were awarded the ‘Raoul Wallenberg Award’ for there rescue activities during World War 2. The Aznavour’s were closely linked to the ‘Missak Manouchian Resistance Group’, and in this context they offered shelter to Armenians, Jews, and others at their own Paris flat, risking their own lives.

‘She’ was co-written by Charles Aznavour (music) and Herbert Kretzmer, (1925-2020) who provided the lyrics, for the UK ‘ITV’ television series ‘Seven Faces of Women.’ Kretzmer who is perhaps best remembered for being the lyricist for the English language adaption of ‘Les Miserables,’ and also had a long time collaboration with Aznavour has said,’What they needed was a song to link the seven plays, and the producer thought I might write something for Marlene Dietrich as she represented the ageless woman. I didn’t like that idea much as if you’re going to write about a woman’s mystique, it would be better if it were not sung by a woman. If she sung about her own mystery the song would be too calculated and knowing. I said, ‘It should be a song about a woman as seen by a man, and what better man than Charles Aznavour, who sings about love and romance?’ I brought him into the project and it turned out terribly well.’

‘She’ spent four weeks at Number 1 in the UK in 1974, fulfilling a life time ambition of Aznavour’s to have an English sung Number 1 hit, he also recorded the song in several other languages. The song was revived in 1999 when Elvis Costello’s (see also best songs 836) version was featured over the closing credits of the film ‘Notting Hill,’ except in America, where the Boyzone song ‘No Matter What’ was played instead. The Elvis Costello version reached Number 19 on the UK top 40, giving Costello his first top 20 hit in the UK in 16 years.

‘She may be the beauty or the beast, may be the famine or the feast, may turn each day into a heaven or a hell.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

148-The Supremes-You Can’t Hurry Love.

1966-Number 3 single.

Best Bit-At 0.01. The group were originally known as ‘The Primettes,’ but Motown owner Berry Gordy refused to sign them unless they changed their name. He gave Florence Ballard (1943-1976) a choice between ‘The Darleens,’ The Sweet P’s,’ ‘The Melodees,’ ‘The Royaltones,’ ‘The Jewelettes,’ or ‘The Supremes.’ On Ballard choosing ‘The Supremes’ (see also best songs 1001-411 and 212) Diana Ross expressed her disappointment saying ‘It felt too masculine.’

The core of the group who would become known as The Supremes were formed in Detroit, Michigan, United States, in 1959, they remained active until 1977 when the final founding member Mary Wilson (1944-2021) left to pursue a solo career, and Motown decided to disband the group as there were no original members left. The discography of The Supremes consists of 29 studio Albums release between 1962-1976, and 66 singles issued between 1960-1979. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart they achieved 33 top 40 singles, with 12 of those making Number 1, while in the UK they have charted on 29 occasions, with ‘Baby Love’ being their only chart topper.

‘You Can’t Hurry Love’ was written by the legendary song writing team of ‘Holland-Dozier-Holland,’ (see also best songs 969-823-650-553-411 and 212) and was released as the second single from The Supremes ninth studio Album ‘The Supremes A’ Go-Go,’ from August 1966. Diana Ross (see also best songs 900-519-183 and 28) sang lead vocals on 11 of the 12 tracks, including ‘You Can’t Hurry Love,’ with all the instrumentation being played by The Funk Brothers (see also best songs 948-650-569-414-382-212 and 28.) The songs lyrics were written by Eddie Holland who was inspired by a 1950’s Gospel song called (‘You Can’t Hurry God) He’s Right on Time,’ written by Dorothy Love Coates, (1928-2002) the lyrics include the lines ‘You can’t hurry God, you just have to wait.Trust and give him time, no matter how long it takes.’ On the making of the song Lamont Dozier has said,’We were trying to reconstruct ‘Come See About Me,’ and somehow it turned into ‘You Can’t Hurry Love.’ It was basically a gospel feel we were after.’ The song went on to give The Supremes their seventh Billboard Number 1 single.

In 1982 the song was even more successful in the UK when a cover version by Phil Collins (see also best songs 741) reached Number 1, in America it made Number 10. Collins had always been a big fan of Motown and wanted to replicate the Motown sound with 1980’s studio technology. In the songs video there are three Phil Collins singing and dancing at the same time, this was done to replicate and honour the three Supremes. Phil Collins version was also the very first track on the very first ‘Now That’s What I Call Music’ compilation CD, first issued in 1983.

‘No, I can’t bear to live my life alone, I grow impatient for a love to call my own, but when I feel that I, I can’t go on, these precious words keeps me hanging on. I remember mama said.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

149-Andrea True Connection-More, More, More.

1976-Number 5 single.

Best Bit-At 0.25. In 2002 Andrea True said,’I want to be remembered as a person who gave people pleasure,’- then emphasised the words – ‘with my music.’

Andrea Marie Truden was born on July 26th, 1943, in Nashville, Tennessee, United States, she died on November 7th, 2011, of heart failure at the age of 68. As a child she studied classical piano, and by the age of 15 she was hosting her own television programme called ‘Teen Beat’ for the Nashville station ‘WLAC.’ Andrea was married at 19, and relocated to New York City in the early 1960’s.

By the mid 1960’s Andrea began working in the adult film industry, initially in Scandinavia, but then moving back to America where she performed in more than 50 hardcore porn films throughout the 1970’s, and into the mid 1980’s. It was in 1975 in her heyday that she was hired by a real estate business in Jamaica to appear in their commercials, but while she was there the Jamaican Government brought in a new law that any foreigner working in the country couldn’t take their earnings back abroad with them, and the money must remain in Jamaica. Rather than leave the money in that country, Andrea decided to spend it on recording her own music. She had been thinking of going in to the music industry for a while, and got in touch with the record producer Gregg Diamond (1949-1999) and together they recorded a demo of ‘More, More, More’ which eventually would be sent to the legendary recording engineer Tom Moulton (see also best songs 604 and 184) for remixing.

‘More, More, More’ was also the title track for he debut Album working under the name ‘Andrea True Connection,’ released in 1976, four of the five tracks on the Album which were all written by Gregg Diamond were issued as singles. In total Andrea released three studio Albums between 1976-1980, and eight singles, two of which made the Billboard Hot 100 in America, with ‘More, More, More’ being the most successful in making Number 4. In the UK she has also charted twice, with ‘What’s Your Name, What’s Your Number’ being the other hit, when reaching Number 34 in 1977.

After recording her third Album the more Rock/New Wave ‘War Machine’ in 1980, Andrea developed a medical problem on her vocal chords that required surgery, and eventually led to her having to give up singing professionally. At the onset of her singing career Andrea had said that she was burned out and tired of doing porn, saying,’I’d rather be a waitress, or a typist than make another adult film, and also, don’t think of me as a porn star any more, think of me as a recording star. I just want to record and perform.’

In 1993 ‘More, More, More’ was covered by the English group ‘Bananarama,’ who took their version to Number 24 in the UK, but the highest charting version of the song came about in 2004 when ex ‘S Club 7’ singer Rachel Stevens took her remake to Number 3 in the UK. Also in 1999 the Canadian Rock duo ‘Len’ sampled the song for their track ‘Steal My Sunshine,’ which reached Number 3 in Canada, Number 8 in the UK, and Number 9 in America.

‘But if you want to know how I really feel, get the cameras rolling get the action going. Baby you know my love for you is real, take me where you want to, me and my heart you steal.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

150-Ian Dury and the Blockheads-Hit Me with Your Rhythm Stick.

1979-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 1.41. It’s the music loving masochists favourite beat.

Ian Robins Dury was born on May 12th, 1942, in Harrow, Middlesex, England, he died of metastatic colorectal cancer on March 27th, 2000, at the age of 57. At the age of seven Dury contracted polio, most likely he believed, from a swimming pool at Southend-on-Sea during the 1949 polio epidemic, this illness resulted in the paralysis and withering of his left leg, shoulders and arm.

Ian Dury formed the band ‘Kilburn and the High Roads’ in 1970, releasing two studio Albums, and two singles, and opening for ‘The Who’ in 1973, but despite this they never rose above cult status and split in 1975. In 1977 Dury set up a new band which included this songs co-writer Chas Jankel, which were named the ‘Blockheads,’ after an Ian Dury song of the same name. In total there have been 18 different members come and go over the years, and they remain active at the time of writing. They have released six studio Albums, and 10 singles, with five of those singles making the UK top 40, of which three have made the top 10.

In 1981 Dury wrote the song ‘Spasticus Autistcus,’ to show his disdain for that years ‘International Year of Disabled Persons,’ which he saw as patronising and counter productive. The song was banned by the BBC at the time for it’s uncompromising lyrics, but in 2012 it was one of the songs chosen for the opening of the ‘London Paralympics.’ On his death Dury received many tributes including from Suggs the lead singer of Madness who said ‘Possibly the finest lyricist we’ve seen,’ and in 2021 Robbie Williams cited Dury as his biggest influence as a lyricist.

‘Hit Me with Your Rhythm Stick’ was co-written by Ian Dury, (lyrics) and Chas Jankel, (music) but did not appear on their second studio Album from 1979 ‘Do It Yourself,’ as the policy was not to have singles as part of the Blockheads Albums,’Hit Me with Your Rhythm Stick’ was eventually added to the 1996 re-issue. Although the song was riding high in the Xmas chart of 1978, it didn’t make Number 1 until January 1979, selling approximately 970,000 copies. In 2004 with the advent of downloads the song finally surpassed the 1 million mark, and is currently the 114th best selling song of all time in the UK.

Ian Dury had initially written the lyrics for ‘Hit Me with Your Rhythm Stick around 1976, he has said,’I had Rhythm Stick for about three years on a bit of paper. I did a little demo with a drum machine and I gave it to Chaz. When the song was finished, Jankel phoned his mother and excitedly announced that he’d just written his first Number 1.’ Chas Jankel who was born on April 16th, 1952, in Stanmore, Middlesex, England, still tours with the Blockheads, and has released nine solo Albums between 1980-2010. As well as co-writing the Blockheads other UK top 3 single ‘Reasons to Be Cheerful, Part 3,’ he also wrote and recorded the original version of ‘Ai No Corrida,’ which when covered by Quincy Jones in 1981 reached Number 14 in the UK, and Number 28 on Billboard in America.

‘Hit me with your rhythm stick, hit me, hit me. Das ist gut! C’est fantastique! Hit me, hit me, hit me. Hit me with your rhythm stick, It’s nice to be a lunatic, hit me, hit me, hit me.’