THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

93-Luciano Pavarotti-Nessun dorma.

1990-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 2.45. ‘You’re not singing anymore,’ ‘Three Lions on a shirt,’ and ‘You only sing when your winning,’ are favourite chants among football fans, but this is the daddy of them all.

Luciano Pavarotti was born on October 12th, 1935, in Modena, Kingdom of Italy, he died of pancreatic cancer on September 5th, 2007, at the age of 71. Pavarotti made numerous recordings of complete operas, and individual arias, gaining worldwide fame for his tone, and achieving the honorific title ‘King of the High Cs’. In 2013 he posthumously received the ‘Italy-USA Foundation’s America Award,’ and then in 2014 the ‘Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music’, During the latter part of his career he embraced ‘Popular Music,’ and his recording of ‘Nessum dorma’ is the most successful ‘Opera’ song ever to chart in the UK, and with sales in excess of 100 million records he is one of the best selling artists of all time. ‘Nessun dorma’ isn’t the only hit single for Luciano Pavarotti in the UK top 40 singles chart, as in 1995 he sang on the ‘Passengers’ Number 6 hit single ‘Miss Sarajevo’. The ‘Passengers’ were in fact the Irish Rock band ‘U2’ (see also best songs 766-320-190 and 84) using a pseudonym, Bono, the lead vocalist of U2, has said that ‘Miss Sarajevo’ is his all time favourite U2 song.

‘Nessun dorma’ which in English means ‘none shall sleep’, is an ‘aria,’ (a self contained piece of music from a larger work) and is from the final act of the Italian composer Giacomo Puccini’s (1858-1924) opera ‘Turandot,’ which was written in 1924, but not first performed until after his death in 1926. Puccini never got to complete ‘Turandot’ as he died of throat cancer, and it was finally completed by the Italian composer Franco Alfano (1875-1954) in 1926. The opera’s libretto (the text used in, or intended for, an extended musical work) was written by the Italians Guiseppe Adami, (1878-1946) and Renato Simoni (1875-1952.)

‘Opera’ originated in Italy at the end of the 16th Century, and soon spread through Europe, it is a form of theatre in which music is a fundamental component, and dramatic roles are taken by singers. Opera incorporates a number of the performing arts, such as acting, scenery, costume, and sometimes dance or ballet. The literal translation of the Italian word ‘opera’ in English, is ‘work.’

On July 7th, 1990, on the eve of the ‘FIFA World Cup Final’ in Rome, a charity concert took place, with the three performers being Luciano Pavarotti, Jose Carreras, and Placido Domingo, for the encore Pavarotti sang ‘Nessun dorma.’ The sight of the three ‘tenors’ in full costume dress singing in a ‘World Cup’ captivated a global audience. An Album of the concert called ‘The Three Tenors in Concert’ was issued, which has gone on to become the best selling operatic Album of all time. Such was the popularity of that concert that the three tenors were asked to perform the aria at three subsequent World Cup Finals, in 1994 in Los Angeles, 1998 in Paris, and 2002 in Yokohama.

‘Nessun dorma! Nessun dorma. Tu pure, o Principessa, nella tua fredda stanza, guardi le stelle che tremano d’amore, e di speranza!’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

94-The Jam-Going Underground.

1980-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 2.09. In his youth Paul Weller was known as ‘the angry young man.’ It’s a shame we haven’t got any young man, or woman as angry today.

Paul John Weller was born John William Weller on May 25th, 1958, in Woking, England, despite being named ‘John,’ he became known to everyone as ‘Paul.’ In his youth Weller was heavily influenced by the ‘Mod’ groups of the 1960’s such as The Who, (see also best songs 926-891-306 and 265) and The Small Faces, (see also best songs 1048 and 872) and it was these musical influences that helped construct the sound of ‘The Jam,’ (see also best songs 670 and 59) and earning Weller the honorific title of ‘The Modfather.’

In 1982 to the complete surprise of his two band mates Bruce Foxton, and Rick Buckler, Weller decided he had had enough of The Jam, and needed to explore other musical genres, which led to him forming ‘The Style Council,’ where he would explore ‘Jazz,’ ‘Pop,’ ‘New Wave,’ and ‘Blue Eyed Soul.’ The Style Council remained active until record sales began to wane, and they split in 1989. Weller would once again resurrect his career in 1990 when this time launching a solo career, which has once again seen him critically acclaimed.

Although Paul Weller is considered to be one of ‘Pop Music’s’ greatest ever exponents, his success outside of the UK has remained limited, with many putting it down to him being too ‘English’ for the foreign markets. With The Style Council, Weller issued five studio Albums between 1984-1989, and 24 singles between 1983-1989, of which 16 made the UK top 40, with ‘Long Hot Summer’ charting the highest at Number 3 in 1983. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart only ‘My Ever Changing Moods’ (Number 29 in 1984) has charted. As a solo artist Weller has issued 16 studio Albums to date, between 1992-2021, and 39 singles between 1991-2022. In the UK, 32 of those singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Peacock Suit’ from 1996 charting the highest at Number 5, while on Billboard none of his singles have ever charted. For the discography of The Jam see best songs 59.

‘Going Underground’ was written by Paul Weller, and produced by Vic Coppersmith-Heaven, as a stand alone single, and did not appear on a ‘Jam’ Album until 1982’s live Album ‘Dig the New Breed.’ The songs producer Vic Smith who would work with The Jam on their first five studio Albums had previously worked as a sound engineer for Cat Stevens, (see also best songs 384) and The Rolling Stones, as well as many others.

It was only by fortune that ‘Going Underground’ was ever an ‘A’ side, as the intention had been to release ‘Dreams of Children,’ but following a mix up at the pressing plant the single was issued as a double A’ side, and it was the radio DJ’s who chose to play ‘Going Underground,’ which would eventually go on to give The Jam’ the first of their four UK Number 1 singles. ‘Going Underground’ was Paul Weller’s angry outcry against the British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative government. In particular the way it seemed more keen on spending tax payers money on nuclear weapons, rather than the ‘National Health Service’. In recent years Paul Weller has stated that he has no time anymore for politicians of any party.

‘You choose your leaders and place your trust, as their lies wash you down and their promises rust. You’ll see kidney machines replaced by rockets and guns, and the public wants what the public gets, but I don’t get what this society wants.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

95-Fatboy Slim-The Rockafeller Skank.

1998-Number 6 single.

Best Bit-At 4.02.’My favourite artist right now is Fatboy Slim, that guy kicks ass.”How tremendous is Fatboy Slim?”The band of the 90’s, if you wanna call it a band, because it’s a one man name,’ ‘Wow, Fatboy, and you wanna hear that new Fatboy song?”Absolutely!”Which one?”The huh…it’s funk soul brother, check it out.’

Fatboy Slim (see also best songs 950-760 and 387) was born Norman Leo Cook, on July 31st, 1963, in Bromley, Kent, England, in 1996 he adopted the name ‘Fatboy Slim,’ of which he has said,’It doesn’t mean anything. I’ve told so many different lies over the years about it I can’t actually remember the truth. It’s just an oxymoron, a word that can’t exist. It kind of suits me, it’s kind of goofy and ironic.’ During his music career which began in 1979 he has used at least 25 different stage names including ‘DJ Quentox,’ ‘Drunk Soul Brother,’ and ‘Margret Scratcher.’ In the 1980’s Cook encouraged the youth of Brighton, England, to get involved in music by staging events, which proved to have a positive effect in the city. This was acknowledged with Cook being awarded a star on the city of ‘Brighton’s Walk of Fame’, next to that of Winston Churchill.

Cook holds the UK record for most top 40 chart entries under different names, these are, as ‘Fatboy Slim’, and also with ‘The Housemartins,’ (see best songs 387) ‘Beats International,’ ‘Freak Power,’ and ‘Pizzaman.’ As ‘Fatboy Slim’ he has recorded four studio Albums between 1996-2004, and 28 singles between 1996-2020, he has also remixed tracks for dozens of other artists including ‘Brimful of Asha’ which was a UK Number 1 for ‘Cornershop’ in 1998. As Fatboy Slim, 12 of his singles have reached the UK top 40, with ‘Praise You’ making Number 1 in 1999, while in America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, only ‘Praise You (Number 36) has ever charted.

‘The Rockafeller Skank’ was both written and produced by Fatboy Slim, and was the first of five singles to be issued from his second studio Album ‘You’ve Come a Long Way Baby,’ which was released in October 1998. ‘The Rockafeller Skank’ features a total of six different samples, and in order to get clearance so that he could release the song, Fatboy Slim ended up having to pay 100% of the tracks royalties to the original writers, meaning he made no money from the song himself. The ‘Right about now, the funk soul brother,’ is a vocal sample by the rapper ‘Lord Finesse’ from the 1990’s Hip-Hop song ‘Vinyl Dog Vibe,’ by ‘Vinyl Dogs,’ Lord Finesse has said that the money he has made from ‘The Rockerfeller Skank’ is his ‘retirement money.’ The other prominent sample on the record is the 1972 instrumental ‘Sliced Tomatoes’ by the ‘Just Brothers,’ which is a popular ‘Northern Soul’ song. The drum intro to the 1966 hit ‘I Fought the Law,’ by ‘The Bobby Fuller Four’ can be heard prominently, although I can’t hear the David Bowie song ‘Join the Gang’ from 1967, which is also stated to be another song sampled. The other two samples are ‘Beat Girl,’ by John Barry, from 1960, and also a guitar line from the song ‘Twistin’ ‘N’ Twangin” by Dwane Eddy, from 1962.

‘Right about now, the funk soul brother, check it out now the funk soul brother.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

96-Simon & Garfunkel-The Sound of Silence.

1965-It has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit At. 2.21. In 2015 the American Heavy Metal band ‘Disturbed’ released their version of ‘The Sound of Silence.’ On hearing it Paul Simon verbally endorsed the cover, and also in an e-mail to David Draiman the bands lead singer he wrote,’Really powerful performance on Conan (television show) the other day. First time I’d seen you do it live. Nice. Thanks.’ Draiman responded,’Mr. Simon, I am honoured beyond words. We only hoped to pay homage and honour to the brilliance of one of the greatest songwriters of all time. Your compliment means the world to me/us and we are eternally grateful.’

Paul Frederick Simon was born on October 13th, 1941, in Newark, New Jersey, United States, he first began performing as part of a vocal duo with Art Garfunkel who was a school friend in 1956. For the discography of ‘Simon & Garfunkel’ see best songs 71, and for the solo discography of Art Garfunkel see best songs 529. The solo discography of Paul Simon includes 14 studio Albums released between 1965-2018, and 61 singles issued between 1958-2016, with some of those singles issued under different names. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart 13 of his songs have made the top 40, with his 1975 single ’50 Ways to Leave Your Lover’ reaching Number 1. While in the UK he has charted on nine occasions with ‘You Can Call Me Al’ attaining the highest chart placing when making Number 4 in 1986.

‘The Sound of Silence’ was written over several months during 1963 and 1964 by the then unknown Paul Simon. He has said that he would go to write and play his guitar in the bathroom alone, (hence the line ‘Hello darkness my old friend,’) because it gave an echo chamber effect. When ‘The Sound of Silence’ was first released it met with public indifference, as had it’s parent Album ‘Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.’ which had been released in October 1964. Following the lack of commercial interest in the Album ‘Simon & Garfunkel’ (see also best songs 529-200 and 71) both decided to go their separate ways, with Simon returning to England, and Garfunkel going back to Columbia University to continue his studies.

In 1965 ‘The Sound of Silence’ finally began to attract airplay at radio stations in Boston, and throughout Florida, which helped encourage the songs producer Tom Wilson (1931-1978) (see also best songs 358-165-103 and 7) to remix the track, adding electric instruments and drums. The remixed version was released in September 1965, without Simon & Garfunkel’s knowledge or consent, and climbed all the way to Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in America. At first Paul Simon was horrified on hearing what Wilson had done to his song, but the success probably helped him change his mind. Simon & Garfunkel reformed and would go on to release a further four Studio Albums up until they split in 1970.

With the adding of electric instrumentation ‘The Sound of Silence’ can be considered a forerunner to the musical genre of music that would become known as ‘Folk/Rock,’ which would be heavily popularised by bands such as ‘The Byrds’ (see also best songs 621.) As for the songs meaning, Art Garfunkel has given his interpretation,’It is about a world not willing to love each other, they no longer even know how, and the lack of communication on an emotional level.Yes we speak, but we say nothing of value, nothing worth sharing. He wrote it when he was 21, so it is also a song of youthful angst, and want for meaning and communication between all.’

‘Hello darkness, my old friend, I’ve come to talk with you again Because a vision softly creeping left its seeds while I was sleeping, and the vision that was planted in my brain still remains, within the sound of silence.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

97-Frank Wilson-Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)

1965-It has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 0.11. The song became popular in the UK after repeated plays at the ‘Wigan Casino’ All-nighters, therefore it is fitting that the most popular ‘Northern Soul’ song of all time was also the very last record ever played at the venue when it closed in 1981.

The ‘Wigan Casino’ was a nightclub in Wigan, in the North of England that operated between 1973-1981, it became known as the primary venue for Northern Soul music, for an explanation of what Northern Soul music is (see also best songs 969.) The ‘Wigan Casino’ All-nighters generally ended with three songs that became known as the ‘3 before 8,’ the songs were ‘Time Will Pass You By’ by Tobi Legend, ‘Long After Tonight Is All Over’ by Jimmy Radcliffe, and “I’m on My Way” by Dean Parrish. On the clubs final night those three songs were played three times consecutively, but the crowd still refused to go, so the DJ who was Russ Winstantley picked a 7 inch single randomly,which just so happened to be this song. In many lists of the best Northern Soul songs of all time, this song is generally regarded as the Number 1 choice.

Frank Edward Wilson was born on December 5th, 1940, in Houston, Texas, United States, he died on September 27th, 2012, at the age of 71 after a long battle with prostrate cancer. Wilson was employed as a songwriter and record producer at Motown Records by the founder of the label Berry Gordy. In 1965 Wilson wrote and recorded ‘Do I Love You (Indeed I Do’) with the intention of releasing it as a single on the Motown subsidiary label ‘Soul,’ Approximately 250 demo 45’s were pressed, but after a deliberation, both Wilson and Gordy decided it would be better for Wilson to just concentrate on song writing and production. Gordy didn’t want to lose one of his best songwriters, and Wilson had very little desire to perform. The demo’s were destroyed, apart from two, with maybe even as many as five surviving. In 2009 at auction one of the copies fetched £25,742, which is a world record for a ‘Soul’ song.

‘Do I Love You (Indeed I Do’) was produced by Motown’s in house producers Hal Davis, (1933-1998) (see also best songs 519) and Marc Gordon (1935-2010) (see also best songs 446.) As was customary at that time other Motown artists would also be asked to record a version of a new song, and it was Chris Clark who recorded the song in 1966, which remained in the Motown vaults until 1979, when it was issued as the ‘B’ side to the first release of the Frank Wilson version.

As a songwriter and producer Frank Wilson was one of the four song writers at Motown that were known as ‘The Clan,’ (with Pam Sawyer, R. Dean Taylor, and Deke Richards) who had been put together to replace the legendary Holland Dozier Holland when they split with the label. The other songs in this countdown that Frank Wilson either wrote are produced are ‘I’m Gonna Make You Love Me,’ (see also best songs 1001) ‘I’m Living in Shame,’ (see also best songs 411) and the 1973 American Number 1 single ‘Keep On Truckin” (see also best songs 491.) Wilson left Motown in 1976 and became a born again Christian. He became a minister, travelling and writing books with his wife Bunny Wilson, and he was also later involved in the production of Gospel music.

‘Here I am on bended knees, I lay my heart down at your feet, now do I love you. All you have to do is ask, I’ll give until there’s nothing left, do I love you.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

98-Marlena Shaw-Yu Ma/Go Away Little Boy.

1977-It has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 2.48. The heart 1 – The head 0.

‘Go Away Little Girl’ was written by the legendary songwriting team of Gerry Goffin, (1939-2014) and his then wife Carole King (see also best songs (1030 and 1021.) The song was written with the intention of giving it to Bobby Vee (1943-2016) as the follow up to his Billboard Number 1 ‘Take Good Care of My Baby,’ which was also a Goffin/King composition, but a last minute decision by the music producer Don Kirshner (1934-2011) meant the song was given to the American singer Steve Laurence instead. The song was a great success for Laurence reaching Number 1 on Billboard in 1963, and then in 1971 Donny Osmond (see also best songs 642) also took his version to Number 1, making it the first time on the American Billboard Hot 100 that a song has made Number 1 twice by different artists, at the time of writing it has happened on a further eight occasions since. In 1966 a recording by the American Pop group ‘The Happenings’ also made Number 12 on Billboard, while in the UK the song reached Number 6 for the English singer Mark Wynter in 1962.

Marlena Shaw was born Marlena Burgess on September 22nd, 1942, in New Rochelle, New York, United States, she has recorded in the genres of Jazz, Blues, Soul, and Disco. The music of Marlena Shaw is often sampled, particularly by Hip-Hop artists, and also is sort after by enthusiasts of ‘Rare Groove.’ ‘Rare Groove’ is music that is very hard to source or relatively obscure. and is primarily associated with Funk, R&B and Jazz funk, but it is also connected to sub-genres including Jazz rock, Reggae, Latin jazz, Soul, Rock music, Northern Soul, and disco. Vinyl records that fall into this category generally have high re-sale prices. Marlena Shaw has released 17 Albums between 1967-2004, and the closest she ever came to a hit single on Billboard was with her 1967 single ‘Mercy, Mercy, Mercy,’ which reached Number 58.

Yu Ma/Go Away Little Boy’ can be found on Marlena Shaw’s eighth Album release ‘Sweet Beginnings’ from 1977, which was produced by Bert DeCoteaux (1944-2005.) Although Goffin and King received the song writing credits, Marlena Shaw’s rendition is poles apart, and is given a complete overhaul. Her Soulful performance of the song starts off with a monologue, (the ‘Yu Ma’ part of the song, written by Shaw) where she tells her man that he had better shape up or get out of her life, but by the time the song reaches it’s climax, love and lust have taken over, and she is ready to forgive all of his misdemeanours, even promising to try to work harder herself to make the relationship work…..as long as he gets a job by Thursday.

‘Don’t, don’t kiss my eyelids like that, and please don’t suck my ear lobes like that, and don’t no baby, don’t, don’t! Well look, you think you can get a job by Thursday? You promise?

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

99-Jerry Lee Lewis-Great Balls of Fire.

1958-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 0.01. It is said that if he hadn’t have married his 13 year old cousin once removed, then he could have been as big as Elvis.

It was while touring Britain in May 1958 that the news finally became public that Jerry Lee Lewis had married a 13 year old girl by the name of Myra Gale Brown some five months earlier, and what shocked the public even more was that she was the daughter of his cousin J.W. Brown, who was also had played bass in a group with Lewis prior to Lewis signing with ‘Sun Records.’ The scandal of the marriage led to tour cancellations worldwide, while his record contracts were torn up, and radio stations refused to play his songs. Although Lewis still released new music, and toured during the 1960’s, the stigma of the past always hung over him, and it wasn’t until 1968 when the ‘Country Music’ producer Eddie Kilroy suggested to him the idea of recording in ‘Nashville’ that Lewis’ career finally took off again. Between 1968-1977 Lewis achieved 17 top 10 hits, which included four Number 1’s on the Billboard Country chart in America.

Jerry Lee Lewis (see also best songs 678 and 362) was born on September 29th, 1935, in Ferriday, Louisiana, United States, his nickname is the ‘Killer,’ and he has been described as ‘Rock N’ Roll’s’ first great wild man,’ and one of the most influential pianists of the 20th Century. The discography of Jerry Lee Lewis includes 40 studio Albums released between 1958-2014, and 77 singles issued between 1956-2009. On the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in America six of his singles have reached the top 40, with this song charting the highest at Number 2, while in the UK he has charted on eight occasions, with this song being his most successful.

‘Great Balls of Fire’ was co-written by Otis Blackwell, (1931-2002) (see also best songs 468) and Jack Hammer, (1925-2016) and was produced by Sam Phillips (1923-2003) the founder of the legendary ‘Sun Records’ label. Initially Lewis had been reluctant to record the song having grown up in a religious household, and it wasn’t until he became embroiled in a heated argument with Phillips that he finally agreed to record the song which would become his signature tune.

‘Great Balls of Fire’ was one of the songs chosen for the 1957 black and white film ‘Jamboree.’ The movie is famous for showcasing many of the days top ‘Pop’ acts including Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Carl Perkins, and Frankie Avalon, all lip-syncing their performances. Basically the film had a very flimsy script, and was more a promotional tool for the artists and their music.

‘Great Balls of Fire’ was recorded on October 8th, 1957, at the legendary ‘Sun Studio’ in Memphis, Tennessee. Instead of using the usual in house studio musicians Jimmy Van Eaton, (drums) and Roland Janes, (1933-2013) (guitar) Lewis was accompanied by Sidney Stokes on bass, and Larry Linn on drums. Lewis has said,’I knew Sidney Stokes, but I didn’t know him that well either, and I don’t know what happened to them people. That’s the last time I ever seen ’em. That’s strange isn’t it?’

‘You shake my nerves and you rattle my brain, too much love drives a man insane. You broke my will, oh what a thrill, goodness gracious great balls of fire.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

100-Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong-Cheek to Cheek.

1956-It has never been released as a single in the UK.
Best Bit-At 4.50. In a land where it is said that there are 1000 dances, dancing cheek to cheek has to be the most sensual. Irving Berlin, you old romantic.

‘Cheek to Cheek’ was one of the songs especially written for the 1935 American comedy film ‘Top Hat,’ by Irving Berlin. (1888-1989) (see also best songs 731-457 and 385) ‘Cheek to Cheek’ was written for the movies star Fred Astaire, (1899-1987) (see also best songs 385) who sang the song in the film, while dancing with his co-star Ginger Rogers (1911-1995.) The films scene would become one of Fred Astaire’s most iconic, and ‘Cheek to Cheek’ also provided him with a five weeks run at Number 1 on ‘Your Hit Parade,’ which was a precursor to the Billboard singles chart.

According to the database of ‘Secondhandsongs.com. ‘Cheek to Cheek’ has been recorded by over 400 different artists, with some of the most famous being by The Boswell Sisters, (1935) and Frank Sinatra, (1959) and more recently by Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga (2014.) The version I have chosen is the 1956 recording by Ella Fitzgerald, (1917-1996) (see also best songs 944-702-286 and 231) and Louis Armstrong, (1901-1971) (see also best songs 1039-767-286 and 231) who recorded the song as one of 11 tracks for their duets Album ‘Ella and Louis, accompanied by the Oscar Peterson Quartet, on the ‘Verve’ record label in 1956. The Album was critically acclaimed leading to two further releases,’Ella and Louis Again,’ (1957) and ‘Porgy and Bess (1958.)

Ella Jane Fitzgerald was born on April 25th, 1917, in Newport News, Virginia, United States, she suffered from diabetes for several years of her later life, and in 1993 she had to have both of her legs amputated below the knee due to the effects of diabetes, her eyesight was affected as well. Ella Fitzgerald died from a stroke on June 15th, 1996, at the age of 79. Fitzgerald had several honorific titles, and is often referred to as the ‘First Lady of Song’, ‘Queen of Jazz’, and ‘Lady Ella’. She is critically recognised as one of the worlds greatest ever singers for her purity of tone, and impeccable diction, she is also recognised as one of the best ‘Scat’ singers of all time.

Away from music, Ella Fitzgerald was a Civil Rights activist, and was awarded the ‘National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People Equal Justice Award,’ and the American Black Achievement Award.’ In 1993 she established the ‘Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation,’ focusing on charitable grants, which offered academic opportunities for children in music education, basic care needs for the less fortunate, medical research revolving around diabetes, heart disease, and vision impairment.

The extensive discography of Ella Fitzgerald includes 59 studio Albums released between 1950-1989, as well as 38 live Albums issued between 1958-2018, there are also six extensive box sets that have been issued since 1994. Ella Fitzgerald has also accumulated 53 top 40 hit singles in America between 1936-1960, of which four reached Number 1, including ‘A-Tisket, A-Tasket,’ which she co-wrote in 1938. In the UK, since the chart first appeared in 1952, Ella Fitzgerald has had five top 40 singles between 1958-1964, with ‘The Swinging Shepherd Blues’ charting the highest at Number 15 in 1958.

‘Heaven, I’m in heaven, and my heart beats so that I can hardly speak, and I seem to find the happiness I seek when we’re out together dancing, cheek to cheek.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

101-Althea & Donna-Uptown Top Ranking.

1978-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 0.25. Even the worlds most influential DJ John Peel (1939-2004) made the odd mistake. I have heard it said that he occasionally played a 45 rpm at 33 rpm and sometimes visa versa. It appears that he played this song on his BBC Radio 1 show by accident, resulting in numerous requests from the listeners to hear it again.

‘Uptown Top Ranking’ has a long history, so if you’re sitting comfortably we’ll begin. The songs ‘riddim’ (Jamaican for rhythm) was first written and recorded in 1967 by the Jamaican singer Alton Ellis, (1938-2008) and called ‘I’m Still in Love.’ In 1977 the song took on a new lease of life when it was covered by the Jamaican singer Marcia Aitken, who took her version called ‘I’m Still in Love With You Boy’ to Number 1 in Jamaica. Prior to her recording, in 1976 the Jamaican ‘toaster’ (rapper) Trinity (1954-2021) had done a version which he called ‘Three Piece Suite,’ where he toasted over the riddim, to which the Althea & Donna recording is an ‘answer record.’ Another example of an answer record would be Carole King’s 1959 song ‘Oh Neil,’ being recorded in response to Neil Sedaka’s ‘Oh Carol,’

On hearing Trinity’s recording, it was the Jamaican Reggae producer Joe Gibbs (1942-2008) (see also best songs 952) who got the idea for a response song. His engineer Errol Thompson (1948-2004) whom Gibbs worked in partnership with as the ‘Mighty Two’ at the famous ‘Studio One’ recording studio in Jamaica co-wrote the lyrics to ‘Uptown Top Ranking,’ along with the songs vocalists Althea & Donna. Like the 1969 UK Number 1 single ‘Israelites,’ by Desmond Dekker (1941-2006) (see also best songs 122) the British general public had trouble understanding the Jamaican patois (English based Creole language with West African influences.) This fascination with the songs seemingly strange sounding lyrics helped to propel it’s popularity even more.

‘Uptown Top Ranking’ is credited to Althea & Donna, and Errol Thompson, (lyrics) with the production credited to Joe Gibbs. At the time of recording the song Althea Forrest was 17 years old, and Donna Reid was 18, both of the girls were born in Jamaica. On the strength of the song being a surprise hit an Album also called ‘Uptown Top Ranking’ was hastily put together, and a further three singles released in 1978, none of which found any success, making Althea & Donna true ‘one hit wonders’ (see also best songs 990-698-496-467 and 116.)

The title ‘Uptown Top Ranking’ is a description of what a native of Jamaica might do when they go in to Kingston to show themselves off. Basically the girls are saying ‘Look how great we dress, when you see us coming you will stop and stare. Watch us dance to Reggae music, because we are way too cool for ordinary ‘Pop Music.’

‘See me in me heels and ting, dem check sey we hip and ting. True them no know and ting, we have them going and ting. Nah pop no style, a strictly roots.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

102-Ramones-Sheena Is a Punk Rocker.

1977-Number 22 single.

Best Bit-At 0.01. ‘1-2-3-4!’

The Sheena referred to in the songs title is in fact the comic book character ‘Sheena, Queen of the Jungle,’ who is a fictional American comic book jungle girl heroine who was created by Will Eisner, (1917-2005) and Jerry Iger, (1903-1990) and first published in the comic book ‘Sheena Queen of the Jungle’ in 1938. ‘Sheena’ also has another claim to fame, as Ike Turner (1931-2007) (see also best songs 752-485 and 192) credited Sheena as one of his inspirations for creating Tina Turner’s stage persona. He chose the name Tina because it rhymed with Sheena.

The Ramones (see also best songs 707) were formed in Forest Hills, Queens, New York, United States, in 1974, and remained active through until 1996, in total there have been eight band members come and go, and all of the four who played on this song, and who are considered the classic line up have all now died. The discography of the Ramones includes 14 studio Albums released between 1976-1995, and 71 singles issued between 1976-1996. Amazingly, considering that the Ramones are one of the most influential groups of all time, they never achieved a top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in America, with ‘Rockaway Beach’ (1977 Number 66 single) being their highest charting of just three Hot 100 entries. In the UK they fared better with four of their singles reaching the top 40, with their cover of the Ronettes ‘Baby I Love You’ charting highest when making Number 8 in 1980.

The Ramones were probably the most influential artists in the development of what was to become known as ‘Punk Rock’ music, taking influences themselves from the ‘Surf’ music of the late 1950’s, and the ‘Garage’ bands of the early 1960’s. They rebelled against ‘Rock’ bands of the early to mid 1970’s who could make a ‘guitar riff’ play out endlessly, by going back to the roots of ‘Pop Music,’ where the 1950’s, and 1960’s singles would only last around two minutes each. As well as leading the American ‘Punk’ explosion, the Ramones were also a great influence in England, especially when they played live there, with pre fame acts including the ‘Sex Pistols,'(see also best songs 576-92 and 27) and The ‘Clash’ (see also best songs 867-638 and 294) in attendance at their shows.

‘Sheena Is a Punk Rocker’ was the first of three singles released from the Ramones third studio Album ‘Rocket to Russia’ from 1977, it was written by Joey Ramone, and co-produced by Tommy Ramone, and Tony Bongiovi, who is the cousin of Jon Bon Jovi. Joey Ramone has recollected his thoughts on the song,’To me ‘Sheena’ was the first Surf/Punk Rock/teenage rebellion song. I combined Sheena, Queen of the Jungle with the primalness of Punk Rock. Then Sheena is brought into the modern day, but she just couldn’t stay, she had to break away, well New York City really has it all. It was funny because all the girls in New York seemed to change their name to Sheena after that, everybody was a Sheena.’

‘Well the kids are all hopped up and ready to go, they’re ready to go now. They got their surfboards and they’re going to the discotheque Au Go Go. But she just couldn’t stay she had to break away, well New York City really has is all oh yeah, oh yeah.’