THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

122-Desmond Dekker & The Aces-Israelites.

1969-Number 1 single. When it was re-issued in 1975 it made Number 10.

Best Bit-At 0.19. If you can’t make out the lyrics to a song, like me, do you make your own up?

Desmond Dekker was born Desmond Adolphus Dacres on July 16th, 1941, in Saint Andrew Parish, Colony of Jamaica, he died of a heart attack on May 25th, 2006, in his adopted home of London, England, at the age of 64. In 1961 he auditioned for Leslie Kong (1933-1971) (see also best songs 291) who was the owner of ‘Beverley’s’ record label, which was situated on Orange Street in Kingston, Jamaica, he was signed to his first contract by Kong, although it would be a further two years until his first recording would be released. It was Dekker who having heard Bob Marley (1945-1981) (see also best songs 618 and 56) alerted Leslie Kong, who signed him, and released his first singles ‘Judge Not,’ and ‘One Cup of Coffee,’ in 1962.

The discography of Desmond Dekker includes 12 studio Albums issued between 1967-2019, and a further 25 compilations Albums released on various labels between 1969-2021. His first four solo singles which were released between 1963-1964 were all local hits in Jamaica, as were his next four recorded with his backing band the ‘Four Aces’ in 1965. He finally broke through internationally in 1967, with his backing band ‘Aces,’ with a cover version of ‘007 (Shanty Town’) which reached Number 14 in the UK, making it the first Jamaican produced record to reach the UK top 20. Dekker would go on to issue a further 20 singles with the Aces through until 1969, and then a further 18 as a solo artist between 1970-1993. In total Desmond Dekker achieved five UK top 40 singles, while in America on Billboard the ‘Israelites’ was his only charting song, reaching Number 9 in 1969.

‘Israelites’ was co-written by Desmond Dekker and Leslie Kong, and also produced by Kong, and was also the title track of Dekker’s third studio Album from 1969. The song became an international hit, with sales said to be around the 2 million mark worldwide. It became the first Reggae song to reach Number 1 in the UK, and it also topped the charts in Germany, and Holland, while making Number 5 in Australia. Dekker composed the lyrics after overhearing an argument, he has explained,’I was walking in the park, I heard a couple arguing about money. She was saying she needs money, and he was saying the work he was doing was not giving him enough.’

The songs title has always been a source of confusion, but the best explanation is that of the ‘Rastafarians’ religious similarities to the religion of ‘Judaism,’ and being likened to the ‘Twelve Tribes of Israel,’hence the application of the ‘Israelites’ to refer to fellow devout Rastafarians. In the 1960’s Jamaican Rastafarians were seen as outsiders even by the conservative Christian church in Kingston. Many Rastafarians living in Jamaica were destitute (‘slaving for bread’) and unkempt (‘shirt them a tear up, trousers is gone’) which led to some Rastafarians being tempted to a life of crime (‘I don’t want to end up like Bonnie and Clyde.’) The ‘Israelites’ tells of the struggle of living day to day, not only for the Rastafarians, but also for the poor people of Jamaica.

‘After a storm there must be a calm, they catch me in the farm you sound your alarm, poor me Israelites.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

123-Avicii and Nicky Romero-I Could Be the One.

2013-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 3.00. In the religion of Buddhism ‘Avici’ is the lowest level of Hell, with most of the suffering, it is where those who have committed the worst crimes go.

Avicii was born Tim Bergling on September 8th, 1989, in Stockholm, Sweden, during his short lifetime he suffered from depression, culminating with him taking his own life on April 20th, 2018, at the age of 28. During his lifetime Avicii released two studio Albums,’True’ in 2013, and ‘Stories’ in 2015, and following his death a posthumous third Album ‘Tim’ was issued, containing previously unreleased material. Avicii has also released 56 singles as lead artist between 2008-2020, with 27 of those reaching the top 40 in his native Sweden, and eight making the Number 1 spot. While in the UK he has charted on 15 occasions, with two of his songs reaching Number 1, the other being ‘Wake Me Up’ in 2012. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 top 40 only two of his tracks have made their chart, with ‘Wake Me Up’ charting the highest when reaching Number 4. In March 2019 his family launched a mental illness and suicide prevention foundation in his name, the ‘Tim Bergling Foundation’ which also works to tackle climate change, and conserve endangered species. Avicci struggled with the pressures of touring, and it is said that although he was a performer he hated all the publicity it brought, which led to extreme stress. His death has led to a lot more awareness of mental health problems in the music business.

Six days after his death Avicii’s family issued a open letter which partly read, ‘Our beloved Tim was a seeker, a fragile artistic soul searching for answers to existential questions. An over-achieving perfectionist who travelled and worked hard at a pace that led to extreme stress. When he stopped touring, he wanted to find a balance in life to be able to be happy and to do what he loved most, music. He really struggled with thoughts about Meaning, Life, Happiness. He could now not go on any longer. He wanted to find peace. Tim was not made for the business machine he found himself in, he was a sensitive guy who loved his fans but shunned the spotlight.’

‘I Could Be the One’ has several writing credits, as well as Avicci the song is credited to the Dutch music producer Nicky Romero, Arash Pournouri who was also Avicci’s manager at the time, Linus Wiklund, Mans Wredenberg, and also Noonie Bao, who provides the songs unaccredited vocals. In 2017 Bao revealed that despite working on this song, and also another for Avicci from his 2013 Album ‘True,’ she never actually met him until a number of years later.

‘I Could Be the One’ has a very clever and memorable video that was directed by Peter Huang, who originates from Jiamusi, China, and stars the American comedy actress Inessa Frantowski. In the songs video Frantowski plays the part of a bored office worker who dreams of a more glamorous life, she finally plucks up the courage and buys a one way ticket to Barbados, but as she excitedly bursts out of the office and into the road, she is hit by a delivery van with a written sign on it saying ‘2Late.’ The songs lyrics are written to sound like a love song, but in my opinion it is someone telling themselves to live each day to the full, as there may not be a tomorrow.

‘I could be the one to make you feel that way, I could be the one to set you free. I could be the one to make you feel that way, I could be the one to set you free.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

124-Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood-Jackson.

1967-Number 11 single.

Best Bit-At 2.05. It is rumoured, although denied by Paddy McAloon, that it was the misheard lyrics ‘hotter than a pepper sprout’ that led to him naming one of the great bands of the 1980’s (see also best songs 718.)

‘Jackson’ was originally written and recorded in 1963 by Billy Edd Wheeler, and the legendary lyricist Jerry Leiber, (1933-2011) and first recorded by Wheeler that same year. Billy Edd Wheeler who is a Folk, and Country Music performer was born on December 9th, 1932, in Boone County, West Virginia, United States, and has issued 15 Albums between 1961-2006, with his greatest success coming in 1979 when co-writing ‘Coward of the County,’ which reached Number 1 in the UK, and Number 3 in America on Billboard when recorded by Kenny Rogers (1938-2020.) The other writer of ‘Jackson’ was Jerry Leiber (see also best songs 954-804 and 86) who is best remembered as one half of the songwriting duo Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller who together wrote in excess of 70 chart hits for artists such as Elvis Presley, The Drifters, and The Coasters. On ‘Jackson’ the songwriting credit is actually given to Gaby Rodgers, who was the wife of Jerry Leiber.

Billy Edd Wheeler has explained the writing of ‘Jackson,’ and also Jerry Leiber’s involvement. ‘Jackson’ came to me when I read the script for Edward Albee’s ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf.’ When I played it for Jerry Leiber, he said ‘Your first verses suck,’ or words to that effect. ‘Throw them away and start the song with your last verse, “We got married in a fever, hotter than a pepper sprout.” When I protested to Jerry that I couldn’t start the song with the climax, he said, ‘Oh, yes you can.’ So I rewrote the song and thanks to Jerry’s editing and help, it worked.’

In 1967 Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood (1929-2007) (see also best songs (1010-978 and 367) recorded ‘Jackson,’ which was later included on their 1968 Album ‘Nancy & Lee,’ reaching Number 14 on Billboard, and Number 11 in the UK, when issued as a double ‘A’ side with ‘You Only Live Twice.’ Also that same year Johnny Cash (1932-2003) and June Carter (1929-2003) released a version which made Number 2 on the Billboard Country Music chart.

‘Jackson’ tells the story of the fiery relationship between a husband and wife, while arguing he threatens to go to Jackson where he feels that he will be more appreciated, particularly by the ladies. She scoffs at this, telling him that he will only make a fool of himself, and anyhow she feels that if she went, she would receive even more attention than him.

There has always been speculation as to which city of ‘Jackson’ the song refers to, with Wheeler saying,’Actually, I didn’t have a specific Jackson in mind. I just liked the sharp consonant sound, as opposed to soft-sounding words like Nashville.’ Incidentally I have done my research, and I find that there are 32 places in America named Jackson.

‘We got married in a fever, hotter than a pepper sprout, we’ve been talkin’ ’bout Jackson, ever since the fire went out. I’m goin’ to Jackson, I’m gonna mess around, yeah, I’m goin’ to Jackson, look out Jackson town.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

125-Thin Lizzy-The Boys Are Back in Town.

1976-Number 8 single.

Best Bit-At 3.23. Lock up your daughters, just in case.

Thin Lizzy were formed in Dublin, Ireland, in 1969 by Phil Lynott, (1949-1986) and Brian Downey, who had both known each other from their school days, and they had also both been members of a band called ‘Orphanage.’ The original line up was completed when the pair were introduced to Eric Wrixon, (1947-2015) and Eric Bell, who had both previously been members of the Rock band ‘Them’ (see also best songs 762.) In total there were 10 different official members between 1969-1983, with Lynott, and Downey being the only two constants. The band took their name from a robot character in the British children’s comic ‘The Dandy,’ which was called ‘Tin Lizzie,’ which they adjusted to ‘Thin Lizzy’ as a playful reference to the local Dublin accent, in which “thin” would be pronounced as ‘t’in.’ The discography of Thin Lizzy consists of 12 studio Albums released between 1971-1983, and 33 singles issued between 1970-1991, with two of those singles ‘Whiskey in the Jar,’ and ‘The Boys Are Back in Town,’ both reaching Number 1 in their native Ireland. In the UK, 15 of their singles have made the top 40, with ‘Whiskey in the Jar’ charting the highest at Number 6 in 1972, while in America on Billboard only this song has charted, when reaching Number 12.

Philip Parris Lynott was born on August 20th, 1949, in West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England, he died on January 4th, 1986, at the age of 36, having been addicted to drugs and alcohol for many years. Lynott’s mother, Philomena (1930-2019) was Irish, and his father Cecil Parris (1926-2012) was from British Guiana, due to accounts of racism, and Lynott being of mixed race, his mother sent him to live with his grandparents, in Crumlin, Dublin, at the age of eight. Such is the esteem that Phil Lynott is held in, particularly in Ireland, that in 2005 a life-size bronze statue of Lynott by Dublin sculptor Paul Daly was unveiled on Harry Street, off Grafton Street, in Dublin.

‘The Boys Are Back in Town’ was the first single released from Thin Lizzy’s sixth studio Album ‘Jailbreak’ from 1976, and was written by Phil Lynott, with production by John Alcock. There are many theories regarding the inspiration behind ‘The Boys Are Back in Town,’ although none have ever been verified, but the most likely is the one about the ‘Quality Street Gang.’ Lynott’s mother Philomena was the proprietor of the Clifton Grange Hotel, in Manchester, England, in the 1970’s, where many known criminals operating in the Manchester area would congregate, it has been claimed the ‘Gang’ had ties with organised football hooliganism connected to Manchester United Football Club, as well as being involved in countless other criminal activities. On a lighter note it is said that the ‘Gang’ were named after the Quality Street confectionery, because most of the gangs members were overweight.

‘Guess who just got back today, them wild-eyed boys that had been away. Haven’t changed that much to say, but man, I still think them cats are crazy.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

126-Queen-We Will Rock You.

1977-It has never been released as an official single ‘A’ side in the UK, but it did reach Number 2 as the ‘B’ side of ‘We Are the Champions’ (see also best songs 208.)

Best Bit-At 1.33. It does exactly what it says on the tin.

Brian Harold May CBE was born on July 19th, 1947, in Hampton Hill, Middlesex, England, he was a founding member of Queen in 1970, and at the time of writing Queen remain active with both May and Roger Taylor being the only two official members. Brian May is considered to be one of the greatest guitarists of all time, and always features highly in best of lists. He has also written many of Queen’s best loved songs including the UK 1991 Number 1 single ‘The Show Must Go On,’ and ‘Brighton Rock’ (see also best songs 918) the fans live favourite, which is considered by some music critics to feature one of the greatest guitar solos of all time. In 2005 Brian May was appointed a ‘CBE’ for his services to the music industry, and also for his charity work. Away from music he achieved a ‘PhD’ degree in astrophysics from the Imperial College London in 2007, he had first begun studying for the ‘PhD’ in 1971, but had put the study’s on hold, as he pursued music instead. Brian May has released three solo studio Albums, and one live Album between between 1992-2000, and 21 singles as the lead artist between 1983-2022, for the discography of Queen see best songs number 3.

‘We Will Rock You’ is the opening track on Queen’s sixth studio Album, ‘News of the World,’ and was written by Brian May, with the production being by Mike Stone (1951-2002) who had also produced all of Queen’s five previous studio Albums. ‘We Will Rock You’ came about because Brian May wanted to create a song that the audience could participate in. He remembered a concert where Queen (see also best songs 918-615-208-47 and 3) had just come off the stage and the crowd were singing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone,’ (see also best songs 60) Brian May has said,’I went to bed thinking, what could you ask them to do, they can clap their hands, they can stamp their feet, and they can sing. In the morning I woke up and had the idea in my head for ‘We Will Rock You.’

Along with ‘We are the Champions’ the song has been adopted by sporting events for celebratory moments all around the world, but the songs meaning has nothing to do with sport or success. In fact the songs meaning is not a happy one at all. It is about three stages of a mans life, the first verse tells of a young boy dreaming of being a big man one day, in the second verse he is a young man taking on the world, ’waving his banner,’ and finally in verse three he is an old man realising he has failed to change things for the better. The ‘We’ in we will rock you represents society, you may have your dreams, but ‘We’ will rock you.

Queen have also performed an alternative version of ‘We Will Rock You,’ which is known as the ‘fast version.’ This version was frequently used to open the bands live shows, and can be heard on their 1979 Album ‘Live Killers.’ In 2000 the British boy band ‘Five’ released a cover of ‘We Will Rock You’ which featured Brian May on guitar, and Roger Taylor on drums, the track was issued as ‘Five + Queen,’ and reached the Number 1 spot in the UK, giving Queen a fifth UK Number 1 chart topper.

‘Buddy, you’re an old man, poor man, pleading with your eyes, gonna make you some peace someday. You got mud on your face, big disgrace, somebody better put you back into your place.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

127-Ronettes-Be My Baby.

1963-Number 4 single.

Best Bit-At 0.38. Those rather lovely Ronettes are offering an irresistible three kisses for everyone you give them, sounds good to me.

The Ronettes were made up of the sisters Veronica, and Estelle Bennett, (1941-2009) and their cousin Nedra Talley, both Veronica (Ronnie) and Nedra were born in New York City, while Estelle was born in New Jersey, United States, Veronica who would marry Phil Spector in 1968, but divorce in 1974, is best known as Ronnie Spector (1943-2022.) Initially starting out as ‘The Darling Sisters’ in 1957 with other family members, they then became ‘Ronnie and the Ronettes, before settling on ‘Ronettes in early 1962. The Ronettes remained active until 1967, having issued one studio Album,’Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes’ in 1964, and 17 singles between 1961-1974, seven of which reached the Billboard Hot 100 top 40 in America, with this song charting the highest at Number 2, while in the UK four of their songs have made the top 40, with this song being the most successful.

‘Be My Baby’ was co-written by Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich (1940-2009) (see also best songs 820-331-262 and 192) who were married at the time, as often was the case Phil Spector (1939-2021) (see also best songs 820-782-737-262-192-91 and 20) would insist on his name being added to the writing credits. ‘Be My Baby’ is considered to be Phil Spector’s most critically acclaimed work, and was one the first songs to use his groundbreaking ‘Wall of Sound’ production (see also best songs 262.) The only member of the Ronettes to perform on ‘Be My Baby’ was Ronnie who overdubbed her vocals after the backing track had been painstakingly put together by Phil Spector who was a perfectionist. Some of the musicians who were brought in to record the song included the legendary drummer Hal Blaine (1929-2019) (see also best songs 978-811-672-527-426-202-110 and 71) who is thought to have performed on approximately 6,000 singles, which include 150 top 10 Billboard hits, 40 of which went to Number 1. The backing singers on ‘Be My Baby’ included Sonny Bono, (1935-1998) and Cher, (see also best songs 672) who was making her recording debut. ‘Be My Baby’s’ opening drumbeat has become iconic, and has been pinched by many others to use on their records, but according to Hal Blaine,’That famous drum intro was an accident. I was supposed to play the snare on the second beat as well as the fourth, but I dropped a stick. Being the faker I was in those days, I left the mistake in and it became ‘Bum-ba-bum-BOOM!’ And soon everyone wanted that beat.’

It is a well known fact that Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys (see also best songs 930-811-180 and 74) was profoundly inspired when first hearing ‘Be My Baby’, and has always stated that it is his favourite song, he has said,’This is a special one for me, what a great sound, boy, first heard this on the car radio and I had to pull off the road, I couldn’t believe it. The chorus blew me away, the strings are the melody of love. It has the promise to make the world better.’

‘The night we met I knew I needed you so, and if I had the chance I’d never let you go. So won’t you say you love me, I’ll make you so proud of me, we’ll make ’em turn their heads every place we go.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

128-N.W.A.-F..k tha Police.

1988-It has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 1.48. Don’t worry, this has nothing to do with Andy, Stuart, and Sting, they are completely innocent.

N.W.A. (see also best songs 564) which is an abbreviation for ‘Niggaz Wit Attitudes’ were formed in Compton, California, United States, in 1987, and remained active until 1991. Although they only ever released two studio Albums, 1988’s ‘Straight Outta Compton,’ and 1991’s ‘Niggaz4Life’ they are considered one of the most influential groups in the history of ‘Hip-Hop’ music, particularly in the genre of ‘Gangsta Rap.’ The discography of N.W.A. also consists of six official compilation Albums, and eight singles issued between 1987-1999. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart their only top 40 entry was ‘Straight Outta Compton’ which made Number 38 in 1988, while in the UK they have charted twice, with ‘Express Yourself’ making Number 26 in 1989, and ‘100 Miles and Runnin’ reaching Number 38 in 1990.

‘F..k tha Police’ was co-written by N.W.A. members Ice Cube, (see also best songs 681) and MC Ren, along with a collaboration with the American producer ‘The D.O.C.’, the track was produced by the the group members Dr Dre, (see also best songs 664-544-482-189 and 48) and DJ Yella, and is the second of the 13 tracks on their debut studio Album ‘Straight Outta Compton’ from 1988. ‘F..k tha Police’ is a protest song, the lyrics protest about police brutality, and ‘racial profiling,’ with the song becoming one of the most controversial in the history of Pop music.

Such was the uproar on the songs release that it led to the assistant director of the ‘F.B.I.’ Milt Ahlerrich writing a letter to N.W.A.’s record label ‘Ruthless Records,’ in response to the songs message. Ahlerrich claimed N.W.A. were advocating violence and disrespect towards the law. Ice Cube who wrote the majority of the songs lyrics has said that he was an angry young man when he wrote the song, and that he was simply lashing out at the problem of police brutality without understanding it or offering solutions. “It was easy for me to say, ‘F–k the police, f–k everything, f–k the world,’ but that’s not going to help you,” he said. ‘What’s going to help you is for me to say, ‘F–k the police, and here’s how,’ or to be the example of how to get out of the hood.’

In response to the letter from the ‘F.B.I.’ MC Ren of N.W.A. responded with,’ The FBI claim that ‘F–k tha Police’ incites violence and has been responsible for the death of police officers is bulls..t. There was violence long before N.W.A. came along, the same as there was profanity, and there’ll be violence and profanity long after we’ve gone. If the F.B.I. are looking for a cause of violence, they should take note of what’s on TV.’ Although no radio stations would play the song, all of the publicity gained by the ‘F.B.I’s involvement helped pushed sales of the Album ‘Straight Outta Compton,’ which has currently sold in excess of 3 million copies in the United States.

‘Right about now N.W.A. court is in full effect. Judge Dre presiding in the case of N.W.A. versus the police department. Prosecuting attorney’s are MC Ren, Ice Cube, and Eazy muthaf…in E. Order order order, Ice Cube take the muthaf…in stand.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

129-Tom Jones-It’s Not Unusual.

1965-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 1.16. At the height of Tom Jones’ fame his female fans would throw their knickers onto the stage while he performed, nowadays the same fans throw their bloomers.

Tom Jones (see also best songs 964) was born Thomas John Woodward on June 7th, 1940, in Treforest, Pontypridd, Wales, he was given his stage name by his then manager Gordon Mills (1935-1986) to exploit the popularity of the Acadamy Award winning 1963 film ‘Tom Jones.’ In 1998 he was awarded an ‘OBE,’ and in 2005 he was ‘knighted’ by the Queen, on both occasions for his services to music. With record sales in excess of 100 million he is one of the worlds best selling artists of all time, he has also appeared as an actor in films, and had his own television show ‘This Is Tom Jones,’ which ran for 65 episodes between 1969-1971. In 1967 he first performed in Las Vegas, and went back there for at least a one week residency every year through until 2011. The discography of Tom Jones consists of 40 studio Albums released between 1965-2021, and 126 single issued between 1964-2021. In the UK, 38 of his singles have reached the top 40, with three of those making Number 1, while in America on the Billboard Hot 100 top 40, he has charted on 18 occasions, with ‘She’s a Lady’ from 1971 charting the highest when reaching Number 2.

It’s Not Unusual’ was the second single released by Tom Jones, and his first to reach the singles chart, it was taken from his debut studio Album ‘Along Came Jones (It’s Not Unusual,’) which was released two months after ‘It’s Not Unusual’ had made Number 1 in the UK in May 1965. The song was co-written by Les Reed, (1935-2019) and Gordon Mills, (1935-1986) and was produced by Peter Sullivan (1933-2020.) Les Reed OBE was a prolific songwriter, who wrote or co-wrote 60 hit singles, including three UK Number 1’s, the other two being ‘The Last Waltz’ for Engelbert Humperdinck in 1967, and ‘I Pretend’ for Des O’Connor in 1968. Reed was also the co-writer of the Leeds United football club anthem ‘Marching On Together,’ which was released as a ‘B’ side in 1972, but when re-issued as a ‘A’ side in 2010, made Number 10 in the UK singles chart. The songs other writer Gordon Mills would remain Tom Jones’ manager until his death in 1986, when Jones’ son Mark took over as his new manager, Mark had been born in 1956 when Tom Jones was only 16 years old. Gordon Mills was also the manager of both Engelburt Humperdinck, and Gilbert O’Sullivan, (see also best songs 949 and 111) and had also given both those artists their stage names as well.

Les Reed and Gordon Mills had written ‘It’s Not Unusual’ with the intention of having it recorded by Sandie Shaw (see also best songs 902) as her next single. Tom Jones had been brought in to demo the song, but after hearing Jones singing it Shaw suggested it should be Jones’ song. Tom Jones has said,’I did the demo on this song when it was being offered to Sandie Shaw. I was just starting out and, God bless her, she said: ‘Whoever’s singing this, it’s his song.’ Finding great new songs is never easy, and back in those days, finding one that would fit me, the way I felt and sang anyway was difficult. I’m indebted to Sandie for being so generous.’

‘It’s not unusual to be loved by anyone, it’s not unusual to have fun with anyone. But when I see you hanging about with anyone, it’s not unusual to see me cry, oh I want to’ die.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

130-Al Stewart-Year of the Cat.

1976-Number 31 single.

Best Bit-At 5.34. From my interpretation of the song lyrics it should be ‘Year of the Fox-y Lady.’

Al Stewart was born Alastair Ian Stewart on September 5th, 1945, in Greenock, Scotland, although he was born in Glasgow he grew up in Wimborne, Dorset, England. Stewart is a singer/songwriter, and his music includes Folk/Rock, Psychedelic Rock, and Soft Rock. He has released 16 studio Albums between 1967-2008, and 22 singles between 1966-2005. Two of his studio Albums have reached the Billboard Hot 200 chart top 10 in America, while his only charting single on either side of the Atlantic is this one. Stewart was one of the artists who played at the first ever ‘Glastonbury Festival’ in 1970, playing to around 1000 ‘hippies’ who paid £1 entrance fee each.

‘Year of the Cat’ is also the title track of Al Stewart’s seventh studio Album from 1976, and was was co-written by Stewart and Peter Wood, (1950-1993) and produced by Alan Parsons, the Album has gone on to sell in excess of 1 million copies worldwide, with the song ‘Year of the Cat’ becoming a staple of ‘AOR’ radio stations. Peter Wood whose name was added to the songwriting credits by Stewart had been a member of the Scottish Rock group ‘Quiver’ (see also best songs 697.) Stewart recalled that he was opening for Linda Ronstadt during a 1975 tour of the United States when he heard Peter Wood using a catchy chord progression during soundchecks, Stewart incorporated the notes into the melodic line of ‘Year of the Cat.’

The ‘Year of the Cat’ was produced by Alan Parsons OBE who was born on December 20th, 1948, in Willesden, London, England, at the age of 18 in 1967 he earned his first credit as the assistant engineer on the Beatles Album ‘Abbey Road,’ he would then go onto engineer for ‘Wings,’ the ‘Hollies,’ and ‘Pink Floyd’s’ ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ Album. Parsons then went onto produce ‘January,’ the 1975 UK Number 1 single by the Scottish group ‘Pilot,’ as well as two Albums for Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel, which included their 1975 UK Number 1 single ‘Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me’) Also in 1975 Parsons created ‘The Alan Parsons Project,’ releasing 11 Albums in it’s 15 year career.

Al Stewart has explained the songs meaning,’It’s about a business man who is extremely busy flying to a destination in the Far East when his plane has an unscheduled stop. He leaves the plane along with other passengers. He succumbs to this beautiful woman, he stays the night with her and by the time he wakes he realises the plane has gone and will not be back for some considerable time. His life has changed, it’s not a decision he would have planned but it’s a good turn in his life events, that time coinciding with the year of the cat.’ Incidentally the ‘Cat’ is one of the 12 signs of the Vietnamese Zodiac, it corresponds to that of the ‘Rabbit’ in the Chinese Zodiac.’ Al Stewart wrote the song in 1975, which was the year of the cat.

‘She comes out of the sun in a silk dress running, like a watercolour in the rain. Don’t bother asking for explanations, she’ll just tell you that she came, in the year of the cat.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

131-Lou Reed-Perfect Day.

1972-Number 10 single. It was issued as a double ‘A’ side with ‘Walk on the Wild Side’ (see also best songs 58.)

Best Bit-At 2.47. This is highly ‘addictive,’ a few plays and you will be ‘hooked.’

Lou Reed was born Lewis Allan Reed on March 2nd, 1942, in New York City, United States, he died on October 27th, 2013, from liver cancer at the age of 71, for the full solo discography of Lou Reed, and also his recordings with ‘The Velvet Underground’ see best songs 58. Lou Reed is considered to be one of the most influential artists in the history of Pop Music, with many of the all time greats including David Bowie (1947-2016) acknowledging his influence. Lou Reed suffered with many demons during his lifetime, which included drug dependency, alcoholism, and his sexuality, all of these would regularly be subjects in his songs. Although his work with The Velvet Underground (see also best songs 219 and 165) was critically acclaimed and had a cult following, it wasn’t until later years that it became appreciated by the wider general public, and it was the making of Reed’s second solo studio Album ‘Transformer’ in 1972, from where this song is taken, that turned him into a household name, and finally brought him full recognition.

‘Perfect Day’ was written by Lou Reed, and produced by David Bowie, (see also best songs 807-440-334-302-209-186-118-47-31 and 5) and Mick Ronson (1946-1993) (see also best songs 661-405 and 58) who was a member of Bowie’s backing band ‘The Spiders from Mars’ at that time. Bowie added a much more commercial sound to the music of Lou Reed that had not been there before, and Ronson arranged the strings, and was the primary session musician on the Album, contributing guitar, piano, and backing vocals.

There has always been speculation as to what ‘Perfect Day’ is really about, with many thinking that the subject matter is ‘Heroin,’ while others think it’s just Lou Reed enjoying a good day out. The drug interpretation according to the songs author Lou Reed himself is ‘laughable.’ In an interview in 2000 Reed said,’Your talking to the writer, the person who wrote it. No, that’s not true, (that the song is about Heroin use) I don’t object to that, particularly…what you think is perfect, but this guy’s vision of a perfect day was the girl, Sangria, in the park, and then you go home, real simple. I meant just what I said.’

In 1996 the song was brought to the attention of a whole new generation when it was featured in the film ‘Trainspotting,’ in the scene where the character ‘Renton’ overdoses on Heroin. In 1997 ‘Perfect Day’ was re-recorded by Lou Reed, where he was joined by many artists from the world of entertainment, who each sang sections of the song separately for an advertisement to promote the diverse musical output provided by the ‘BBC.’ This proved so popular that it was chosen for release as a single for that years ‘Children in Need’ charity song. It went on to spend three non consecutive weeks at Number 1 in the UK, and raised in excess of £2,000,000 for charity. Some of the artists who appeared on the new recording included David Bowie, Bono, and Elton John. The Jazz saxophonist Courtney Pine provided the instrumental break, and Reed’s then girlfriend and future wife ‘Laurie Anderson appears in the songs video which was commissioned by the BBC.

‘Perfect Day’ maybe about enjoying your day, but towards the end of the song Reed adds a very sombre note when he sings,’You’re gonna reap just what you sow.’ This alludes to St. Paul’s letter to the Galatians 6:7 in the New Testament, which reads, ‘Be not deceived, God is not mocked, for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.’

‘Oh, it’s such a perfect day, I’m glad I spent it with you. Oh, such a perfect day, you just keep me hanging on, you just keep me hanging on.’