THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

161-Nat King Cole-When I Fall in Love.

1957-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 0.29. Why was Nat King Cole the greatest singer of the pre ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll’ era? Imagine listening to a song that aggravates the hell out of you, then imagine Nat King Cole singing it,….it sounds better already doesn’t it.

Nathaniel Adams Cole (see also best songs 988-327 and 226) was born on March 17th, 1919, in Montgomery, Alabama, United States, he died of lung cancer on February 15th, 1965, at the age of 45. The extensive discography of Nat King Cole includes 28 studio Albums, and one live Album, issued in 12 inch format between 1955-1966. His first four Album releases between 1945-1949 as ‘The King Cole Trio,’ were issued in 10 inch format, as were his first seven solo Albums released between 1950-1954. Since his death there have been 61 official compilation Albums made available to date, which have been issued between 1965-2014. Unfortunately I have no reliable source as to how many singles Nat King Cole released, but in America he has achieved 89 top 40 singles between 1943-2007, with three of those making the Number 1 spot, while in the UK, from the first chart in 1952, he has had 32 top 40 singles, with three of his songs, including this one, peaking at the Number 2 position. Nat King Cole was also a regular on television, including hosting 42 episodes of ‘The Nat King Cole Show’ between 1956-1957, he also appeared in several films, and documentary’s, released between 1943-1989.

‘When I Fall in Love’ was co-written by Victor Young, (1900-1956) who wrote the music, and Edward Heyman, (1907-1981) who provided the lyrics, the song was first introduced in the 1952 American romantic war film ‘One Minute to Zero,’ where it was sung by Jeri Southern (1926-1991.) The song has become a standard with hundreds of versions being recorded over the years. In America on Billboard the first hit version was by Doris Day who reached Number 20 in 1952, while other charting versions have come from ‘The Lettermen,’ (1961, Number 7) and Celine Dion and Clive Griffin, (1993, Number 23) while in the UK, Donny Osmond made Number 4 with the song in 1973.

Nat King Cole recorded ‘When I Fall in Love’ for his 1957 Album ‘Love Is the Thing,’ he also performed the song in the 1957 American crime film ‘Istanbul.’ In 1987 the English singer Rick Astley (see also best songs 627) released his version of the song as a ‘double-A-side,’ with ‘My Arms Keep Missing You,’ in order to challenge for that years Xmas Number 1 single. His main rival was the ‘Pet Shop Boys,’ (see also best songs 871 and 378) with their cover of ‘Always on My Mind,’ and their record label ‘EMI’ decided to re-release the Cole version in an attempt to split the sales of both versions. The ploy was successful as the Pet Shop Boys managed to sneak that years prestigious Xmas Number 1. Rick Astley stalled at Number 2, and Nat King Cole, on the songs 30th anniversary, peaked at Number 4.

‘In a restless world like this is love is ended before it’s begun, and too many moonlight kisses seem to cool in the warmth of the sun.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

162-Sylvester-You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)

1978-Number 8 single.

Best Bit-At 2.18. I can see why Jimmy Somerville and Byron Stingily both did cover versions, and I could imagine the Bee Gees or even Frankie Valli making a very good attempt, but Barry White would have had no chance.

Sylvester James Jr. was born on September 6th, 1947, in Watts, Los Angeles, California, United States, he died on December 16th, 1988, at the age of 41, from AIDS-related complications. Sylvester was known for his flamboyant and androgynous appearance in an era where being Gay was not accepted in the same manner as it is today. Sylvester has come to be seen retrospectively as an icon, as he openly flaunted who he was, but even so he knew he could be leaving himself open to dangers, he wouldn’t let that stop him from being himself.

The discography of Sylvester consists of 11 studio Albums issued between 1973-1986, and 38 singles released between 1973-2013, which includes the issuing of updated remixes of his most successful songs. In America on Billboard he has had three top 40 hits with ‘Dance (Disco Heat’) charting the highest when making Number 19 in 1978, while in the UK he has also charted on three occasions, with this song being the most successful.

Sylvester who had a striking falsetto singing voice was signed by Harvey Fuqua (1929-2010) to the ‘Fantasy Record’ label in 1977. Fuqua had been an influential name at ‘Motown’ records in the 1960’s, as a songwriter, producer, and label executive, and was the producer of this song, as well as the aforementioned ‘Dance (Disco Heat.’) ‘You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real’) was co-written by Sylvester, and James Wirrick. Wirrick would go on to great success as a writer of music featured in many major motion pictures, and television programmes, such as ‘Beverley Hill Cops,’ and ‘Friends.’

‘You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real’) was originally recorded as a mid-tempo piano based Gospel song, but after hearing the song being rehearsed the music producer Patrick Cowley (1950-1982) offered to remix it. Cowley’s (see also best songs 11) use of electronic instrumentation, and use of effects on the track was ahead of it’s time, and would have a big influence on Dance Music of the 1980’s, and 1990’s. Cowley who played the synthesizers on ‘You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real’) as well as it’s parent Album ‘Step 2,’ would go on to work with Sylvester for the rest of his short life. Along with Giorgio Moroder, (see also best songs 163-78 and 11) Cowley is considered as a major pioneer of Electronic Dance Music.

‘You mean I’ve been dancin’ on the floor darlin,’ and I feel like I need some more, and I feel your body close to mine, and I move on love it’s about that time. Make me feel mighty real.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

163-Sigue Sigue Sputnik-Love Missile F1-11.

1986-Number 3 single.

Best Bit-At 0.29. Is that a Love Missile F1-11 in your pocket, or are you just pleased to see me.

Sigue Sigue Sputnik were formed in 1982, in London, England, by Tony James, (bass) and Neal X, (guitar) they would be soon joined by Martin Degville, (vocals) and Chris Kavanagh (drums.) The band with differing members remained active until 1990, but did re-unite in 1995 for a short time, before reforming again in 1998 to the present day. In total there have been 10 different members come and go, with Tony James, and Neal X being the only two constants. It was Fachna O’Kelly who has managed artists such as U2, and The Boomtown Rats who gave the band their name, it is a reference to a Filipino street gang, and meaning, in rough translation, ‘go, go satellite,’ ‘sigue’ coming from Tagalog, and from the original Spanish meaning “go on”, and Sputnik referencing the first man-made satellite launched by the Soviet Union in 1957. Prior to forming Sigue Sigue Sputnik, Tony James had been a member of the 1970’s Punk Rock group ‘Generation X,’ (see also best songs 945) and between 1990-1991 he was also a member of ‘The Sisters of Mercy'(see also best songs 593.) With their various line ups Sigue Sigue Sputnik have issued six studio Albums between 1986-2003, and 15 singles between 1986-2011, in the UK three of their singles have made the top 40, with this song being the most successful.

‘Love Missile F1-11 was the debut single release from Sigue Sigue Sputnik, and was one of six singles issued from their 1986 debut studio Album ‘Flaunt It.’ James, Degville, and Whitmore, are credited as the songs writers, while the track, and the Album, were produced by the legendary music producer Giorgio Moroder (see also best songs 78 and 11.)

‘Love Missile F1-11’ features a pulsating Electronic beat, over which many futuristic sound effects, and samples are played, including film dialogue, as Tony James was a big fan of the movies. The sampling on the record includes dialogue from the films ‘Scarface,’ and ‘The Terminator, and it’s use is considered a forerunner, and inspiration for groups such as ‘The KLF,’ (see also best songs 329) and ‘Pop Will Eat Itself,’ as well as in the genre of ‘Hip-Hop’ music.

The lyrics to ‘Love Missile F1-11’ probably tell of the perils of living in a nuclear war threatened world in the mid 1980’s, and in order to escape the terrors of what might be, the narrator turns to sex and drugs for his escapism, well at least that is the way I see it. Incidentally an ‘F-111’ was a supersonic, medium range, multi-role combat aircraft, whose roles included ground attack, and strategic bombing, and was in use between 1964-1998.

‘The US bombs cruising overhead, but there goes my love rocket red, shoot it up, oh, shoot it up. Blaster bomb bomb bomb ahead,multi millions still unfed.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

164-The Walker Brothers-The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore.

1966-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 2.01. Brothers by different mothers.

The Walker Brothers were formed in Los Angeles, California, United States, in 1964, by Noel Scott Engel, (Scott Walker) (1943-2019) John Maus, (John Walker) (1943-2011) and Gary Leeds, (Gary Walker) they remained active until 1968, but did reform again in 1975, through until their final parting in 1978.

Prior to forming The Walker Brothers all three members had been performing either solo, or with other musicians for sometime. John Maus had been performing as John Walker for quite a while, and it was at his suggestion that the trio decided to become ‘The Walker Brothers,’ It was in late 1964 that Gary Leeds, who had already toured in England, suggested that the bands ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll,’ and ‘Blues’ style would go down well in ‘Swinging London,’ Engel and Maus agreed to an exploratory visit which was financed by Leeds’ stepfather. In some ways this was an unusual move at the time as British bands were having great success in America, which would become known as ‘The British Invasion.’

The Walker Brothers went on to great short time success, with it said that at one point their British fan club, especially with teenage girls, being bigger than that of the Beatles. In total The Walker Brothers released eight studio Albums between 1965-1978, and 20 singles between 1965-1991, including re-issues. In the UK they achieved 10 top 40 singles, of which two made Number 1, the other being their Bacharach and David cover of ‘Make It Easy on Yourself’ in 1965, while in America on Billboard they only charted twice, with this song reaching Number 13, and being their highest charting in their home country. During The Walker Brothers first split, and then again after parting ways for a second time in 1978, all three artists continued recording separately, with Scott Walker achieving the greatest success, and in later years attaining a cult following for his music.

‘The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore’ was written by the legendary songwriting duo of Bob Crewe, (1930-2014) (see also best songs 914-863-739-499-393-284-112 and 83) and Bob Gaudio, (see also best songs 1007-914-863-739-499-393-284 and 112) and was originally recorded by Franki Valli in 1965 as his first single as a solo artist in around a decade, but surprisingly the song flopped when only making Number 128 on the Billboard chart.

In January 1966 The Walker Brothers decided to cover ‘The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore’ for their fourth studio Album of the same name. The track was co-produced Johnny Franz, (1922-1977) and Ivor Raymonde, (1926-1990) both were already very experienced music producers, and were often dubbed as the ‘Best British equivalents to ‘Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound.” Johnny Franz produced 10 UK Number 1 singles between 1954-1973, while Raymonde is probably best remembered for co-writing and arranging Dusty Springfield’s debut solo single ‘I Only Want to Be with You,’ which made Number 4 in 1963.

‘The sun ain’t gonna shine anymore, the moon ain’t gonna rise in the sky. The tears are always clouding your eyes, when you’re without love, baby.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

165-Velvet Underground-I’m Waiting for the Man.

1966-It has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 3.41. On which ever day that you wait for the man, be sure that it will never be a ‘Perfect Day.’

The Velvet Underground (see also best songs 401) were formed in New York City, New York, United States, in 1964, by Lou Reed, (1942-2013) (see also best songs 131 and 58) John Cale, (see also best songs 219) Sterling Morrison, (1942-1995) and Angus MacLise, (1938-1979) who was replaced by Moe Tucker in 1965. They took their name from a paperback book published in 1963 by the journalist Michael Leigh called ‘The Velvet Underground.’

‘I’m Waiting for the Man’ was first released on the Velvet Underground’s debut Album ‘The Velvet Underground & Nico’ from March 1967, and was written by Lou Reed. The production credit for the song is stated as Andy Warhol, (1928-1987) but although the band acknowledged Warhol for his insight, and financial backing, it was in fact the band themselves, and the legendary music producer Tom Wilson (1931-1978) who produced all of the tracks on that debut Album. Wilson (see also best songs 358-103-96 and 7) who was one of the most important producers of the 1960’s, and is considered by many to have turned around the careers of both Bob Dylan, and Simon & Garfunkel, by adding ‘Rock Music’ to their ‘Folk Music’ sound.

‘I’m Waiting for the Man’ is about Lou Reed’s true life experience of being addicted to drugs. The lyrics tell the story of Reed waiting on a street corner in Harlem, near the intersection of Lexington Avenue and 125th Street in New York City, and purchasing $26 worth of Heroin, (equivalent to $234 in 2022) the lyrics are sung from the point of view of the purchaser who has travelled to Harlem from another part of the city. The ‘man’ in the title is the drug dealer, and Lou Reed has said,’Everything about that song holds true, except the price.’

Although ‘I’m Waiting for the Man,’ and it’s parent Album ‘The Velvet Underground & Nico,’ only achieved a cult following initially, it has become in subsequent years to be regarded as one of the most important Albums of all time, for it’s influence on other artists, and for the development of Rock Music in general. The Album was a big influence on a young David Bowie, (1947-2016) who would play ‘I’m Waiting for the Man’ live many times over the years at his concerts. Another artist who was heavily influenced was Jimmy Page who has said,’I’m pretty certain we (the Yardbirds) were the first people to cover the Velvet Underground.’

‘Here he comes, he’s all dressed in black, PR shoes and a big straw hat. He’s never early, he’s always late, first thing you learn is you always gotta wait. I’m waiting for my man.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

166-Wu-Tang Clan featuring Paulissa Moorman-Gravel Pit.

2000-Number 6 single

Best Bit-At 0.25. Back in the day when Hip-Hop made sense, not cents.

The Wu Tang Clan were formed in 1992, in Staten Island, New York City, United States, by the collective of ‘RZA,’ (Robert Diggs) ‘GZA,’ (Gary Grice) ‘Ol’ Dirty Bastard,’ (Russell Jones) (1968-2004) ‘Method Man,’ (Clifford Smith) (see also best songs 359) ‘Raekwon,’ (Corey Woods) ‘Ghostface Killah,’ (Dennis Voles) ‘Inspectah Deck,’ (Jason Hunter) ‘U-God,’ (Lamont Hawkins) and ‘Masta Killa,’ (Elgin Turner) in 1995 ‘Cappadonna,’ (Darryl Hill) became the groups 10th member. In total The Wu Tang Clan have released seven studio Albums between 1993-2015, and 16 singles between 1993-2017. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 they have never had a top 40 single, while in the UK this song remains their only chart hit to date. Worldwide The Wu Tang Clan have sold in excess of six million records, but with all the individual band members also releasing solo Albums, or working with others, it is reckoned that the collective have in fact sold in excess of 40 million records worldwide.

The Wu Tang Clan are critically acclaimed among music critics, with the ‘Rolling Stone’ magazine calling them ‘The best Rap group ever. The American digital media company ‘About,’ that publishes articles and videos about various subjects agreed with ‘Rolling Stone’ by also calling them ‘The Number 1 greatest Hip-Hop group of all time,’ and in 2004 the ‘NME’ magazine hailed them as one of the most influential groups of the last 10 years. It was the groups members ‘RZA.’ and ‘The ODB’ who chose the bands name as a tribute to the 1983 Hong Kong martial arts film ‘Shaolin and Wu Tang.’

‘Gravel Pit’ was the second single released from The Wu Tang Clan’s third studio Album ‘The W’ from 2000, with all the groups members receiving the song writing credits, the track was produced by ‘RZA.’ Also credited is Paulissa Moorman who provides the female vocals on the song. The three versus are performed firstly by Method Man, then Ghostface Killah, and finally by U-God, other spoken words on the track are provided by RZA and Raekwon. The songs chorus ‘Back, back and fourth,’ is taken from the Funk group Cameo’s (see also best songs 312) 1987 song ‘Back and Fourth.’ Like many a good ‘Hip-Hop’ song the track has many samples, most notably the soundtrack to the French 1965 miniseries ‘Belphegor.’ The trumpet introduction is lifted from the 1966 James Brown song ‘It’s a Man’s Man’s World,’ and samples are also taken from the films ‘Enter the Dragon,’ (1973) and ‘Short Eyes’ (1977.)

‘Check out my gravel pit, a mystery unravelin.’ Wu-Tang is the CD that I travel with, don’t go against the grain if you can’t handle it.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

167-Smiths-What Difference Does It Make?

1984-Number 12 single.

Best Bit-At 2.41. Of course Morrissey performs a wonderful falsetto, one that even the Bee Gees would have been proud of.

‘What Difference Does It Make?’ was the first single released from the Smiths (see also best songs (673-222 and 42) self titled debut Album from 1984, and their third single release overall to that point. As usual the lyrics were written and performed by Morrissey, (see also best songs 940 and 72) with the music written by Johnny Marr, who also played guitar on the track. This track, and the Album were produced by John Porter, who was born on September 11th, 1947, in Leeds, England, and he would go on to work with the Smiths through until 1986.

‘What Difference Does It Make?’ is a song about being rejected by a close friend after they find out a secret about you. Although he has never confirmed it, the rumours are that Morrissey is singing about how he was snubbed by a friend, after revealing that he was gay. The line ‘What Difference Does It Make?’ was taken by Morrissey from the Jack Kerouac (1922-1969) 1958 novel ‘The Dharma Bums,’ where the character Ray Smith repeatedly says ‘What Difference Does It Make?’ Another line also from the novel repeatedly said by Smith is ‘Pretty Girls Make Graves,’ which is the title of track 4 side 1 on the Smiths debut Album. Morrissey has said that the lyrics to ‘What Difference Does It Make?’ are not amongst his favourite works, he has said,’What Difference Does It Make?’ is musically interesting, but lyrically it is very Simon Le Bon, I find the lyrics facile and mildly embarrassing. Otherwise it’s a majestic Pop melody by Johnny and, ironically, had the lyrics indeed been penned by Simon Le Bon, I would probably cover it! As it is I’d feel too ashamed.’

Johnny Marr was born John Martin Maher on October 31st, 1963, in Manchester, England, he is considered to be one of the greatest guitarists of all time, having been described by Phil Alexander, the editor of ‘Mojo’ magazine as ‘Arguably Britain’s last great guitar stylist.’ In 2013 the ‘NME’ magazine honoured Marr with it’s ‘Godlike Genius’ award, and saying,’Not content with rewriting the history of music with one of the world’s greatest ever bands, the Smiths, he’s continued to push boundaries and evolve throughout his career, working with some of the best and most exciting artists on the planet.’ After the Smiths parted ways in 1987, Marr went on to record five solo studio Albums between 2003-2022, he has also released 20 singles between 2001-2022. Immediately after leaving the Smiths he briefly joined ‘The Pretenders’ in August 1987, and then recorded and toured with ‘The The’ from 1988 to 1994, he also formed ‘Electronic’ with Bernard Sumner (see also best songs 885 and 619) in 1988, and they remained active until 2001. Marr has also performed and recorded with several other acts since the demise of the Smiths, and continues to do so to this day.

‘All men have secrets and here is mine, so let it be known. We have been through hell and high tide, I think I can rely on you, and yet you start to recoil. Heavy words are so lightly thrown, but still, I’d leap in front of a flying bullet for you.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

168-Plastic Ono Band-Give Peace a Chance.

1969-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 0.18. When John Lennon saw the television footage of nearly half a million anti-Vietnam War protesters singing this song outside the White House in November 1969, he considered it to be ‘One of the biggest moments of my life.’

As the Vietnam War was taking place in 1969 John Lennon, (1940-1980) (see also best songs-solo- 927-473-456 and 20) and (with the Beatles-599-319-238-218-157-141-80-51-10 and 6) and his wife Yoko Ono held a ‘Bed-In’ for peace in The Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, Canada, between May 26th, 1969 to June 1st, 1969.

Lennon and Ono had been married on March 20th, 1969, and knowing that it would be a huge press event they decided to use the publicity to promote world peace. Their first ‘Bed-In’ (derived from a ‘Sit-In) took place in Amsterdam, Netherlands, between March 25th, to March 31st, 1969, which Lennon felt hadn’t achieved the desired effect, with the press not taking the point he was trying to get across seriously enough, which was why a second ‘Bed-In was arranged. This time along with the press, Lennon and Ono invited several influential celebrities to join them in their hotel bedroom during the seven days peaceful protest.

It was during that time that Lennon wrote ‘Give Peace a Chance,’ which was recorded on June 1st, 1969, in Room 1742, of The Queen Elizabeth Hotel. The recording was made by Andre Perry who was the owner of a local recording studio in Montreal, Lennon acknowledged Perry’s contribution by naming him one of the songs official producers on the songs release, alongside himself and Yoko Ono. The recording session was attended by dozens of journalists, and influential celebrities, including Timothy Leary, the American psychologist, Rabbi Abraham Feinberg, Joseph Schwartz, Rosemary Woodruff Leary, Petula Clark, (see also best songs 838) Dick Gregory, Allen Ginsberg, Roger Scott, Murray the K and Derek Taylor, many of whom are mentioned in the songs lyrics. Lennon played acoustic guitar, and was joined by Tommy Smothers of the American Folk duo the Smothers Brothers, also on acoustic guitar.

Initially the plan was to release ‘Give Peace a Chance’ in it’s original raw recorded form, but Lennon felt that there was too much background noise on the track, so back in the studio it was ‘cleaned up.’ There were also other voices added in the studio to the original recording, but all of the original vocals and instruments remained unaltered.

‘Give Peace a Chance’ although released using the name ‘Plastic Ono Band,’ was in fact the very first solo single released by any of the Beatles, and was released while Lennon was still a member of the band. The original songwriting credits as per their legal contract was given as Lennon/McCartney, but this was later changed to just Lennon, and years later to Lennon and Yoko Ono. The song continues to be an anthem for peace, as on March 4th, 2022 at 8.45.am, 150 European public radio stations broadcast the song for peace, and against the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, and on March 8th, at 12:00, 200 European private radio stations did the same.

‘Hit it, c’mon, ev’rybody’s talking about ministers, sinisters, banisters and canisters, Bishops and Fishops, and Rabbis and Popeyes and bye-bye, bye-byes. All we are saying is give peace a chance.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

169-James P. Johnson-The Charleston.

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

Best Bit-At 0.31. The majority of the older generation always dislike the music that the current younger generation enjoy, which makes me wonder what an Edwardian would have made of this outrageous song and dance of the Roaring Twenties.

James Price Johnson was born on February 1st, 1894, in New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States, he is considered to be one of the most important pianists in the evolution of Popular Music, who bridged the gap between the ‘Ragtime,’ and ‘Jazz’ eras. Among the musicians that Johnson inspired were names such as Count Basie, Duke Ellington,(see also best songs 1039) and Fats Waller, (see also best songs 412) who had been a student of Johnson.’

James P. Johnson was most notably a pioneer of ‘Stride Piano,’ ‘Stride’ employed left hand techniques from ragtime, wider use of the piano’s range, and quick tempos. The term “stride” comes from the idea of the pianist’s left hand leaping, or “striding”, across the piano.The left hand characteristically plays a four-beat pulse with a single bass note, octave, major seventh or major tenth interval on the first and third beats, and a chord on the second and fourth beats. This style of playing was different from the style of ‘Ragtime’ popularised by the previous generation of ‘Ragtime’ performers such as Scott Joplin (1868-1917.)

Johnson was at his most successful during the 1920’s, and early 1930’s, but was commercially less so after, as the onset of ‘Swing Music’s’ popularity took over. Johnson composed film scores for a number of movies, and his songs also appeared in many of the eras most successful films such as ‘Casablanca,’ (‘If I Could Be With You (One Hour Tonight’) and ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’ (‘Charleston’) there have also been 18 official Albums of his recordings made available. James P. Johnson suffered a stroke in 1940, but he did return to composing and performing in 1942. In 1951 he suffered a paralysing stroke, which forced him to retire, and he died four years later on November 17th, 1955, at the age of 61.

‘The Charleston’ is probably the most famous song of the ‘Roaring Twenties,’ and was composed by James P. Johnson, who wrote the melody, and Cecil Mack, (1873-1944) who wrote the lyrics. The majority of the recordings of ‘The Charleston’ are instrumental, but there are some that include the lyrics, the vocal version was first performed by Elisabeth Welch (1904-2003) in ‘Runnin’ Wild,’ ‘The Charleston was written to accompany the new dance craze called the ‘Charleston Dance,’ and was featured in the American black Broadway musical comedy show ‘Runnin’ Wild,’ which had it’s premiere at the ‘New Colonial Theatre’ in New York on October 29th, 1923.

‘Charleston! Charleston! made in Carolina. Some dance, some prance, I’ll say, there’s nothing finer, than the Charleston,Charleston. Lord, how you can shuffle. Ev’ry step you do leads to something new, man I’m telling you it’s a lapazoo.’