THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

109-James-Laid.

1993-Number 25 single.

Best Bit-At 1.38. It’s the age old problem with relationships, ‘Can’t live with them, can’t live without them.’

‘James’ (see also best songs 490) were formed in Whalley Range, Manchester, England, in 1982, they were active until 2001 when lead singer Tim Booth announced that he was leaving the group. In 2007 Booth rejoined ‘James,’ and they are still performing together at the time of writing.
‘Laid’ was co-written by ‘James” band members Tim Booth, Larry Gott, and Jim Glennie, and was produced by the legendary Brian Eno, the song also serves as the title track of ‘James” fifth studio Album released in September 1993. It was the second and final single released from the Album, and was the follow up to ‘Sometimes (Lester Piggott.)

Brian Peter George St John le Baptiste de la Salle Eno (see also best songs 766-302-190-118 and 57) was born on May 15th, 1948, in Melton, Suffolk, England. Eno has many strings to his bow, including being a music producer, composer, songwriter, author, painter, and designer. His extensive discography includes 26 solo Albums issued between 1974-2022, and a further 26 collaborative Albums released between 1973-2020, he has also issued 13 solo singles between 1974-2022. Among the songs listed on this ‘1000 best list’ that Eno has either written or produced include working with David Bowie (1947-2016) on his ‘Berlin Trilogy,’ and also his work with ‘U2.’ Eno was also a founding member of ‘Roxy Music,’ and played on their first two studio Albums, before leaving over musical differences with Bryan Ferry. Eno is also acknowledged with being the main player in the development of ‘Ambient’ music, and bringing it in to the mainstream, with the release of his ‘Discreet Music’ Album in 1975.

‘Laid’ is a song about a destructive relationship that is addictive. The narrator is in love with a partner that he knows is bad for him. Their passion is shown with lyrics such as.’This bed is on fire with passionate love,’ and,’Fought with kitchen knives and skewers.’ There was controversy about the line ‘She only comes when she’s on top,’ which was banned for being too suggestive by many radio stations, and in order for the song to get radio play the line was replaced with ‘She only sings when she’s on top.’

In America this is ‘James” best known song having peaked at Number 61 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, but it found greater success on the Billboard Modern Rock chart where it reached Number 3, after extensive play on American college radio stations. The song has also been used as the theme song for the ‘American Pie’ films, with a cover of the song by the American singer/songwriter Matt Nathanson being used for the third film ‘American Wedding,’ both the original and Nathanson’s cover have been used many times since in the ‘American Pie’ franchise spin offs.

On the unofficial ‘James’ blog ‘One of the Three,’ it is stated that ‘Laid’ was,’Originally viewed by the band as a throwaway song and a possible ‘B’ side, Brian Eno soon convinced them of the potential of this track. Whilst only reaching a disappointing 22 in the UK charts, it made serious inroads for the band in the U.S. where it led to performances on prime time TV shows such as Letterman, Conan O’Brien and Jay Leno.’

‘Moved out of the house so you moved next door. I locked you out you cut a hole in the wall. I found you sleeping next to me. I thought I was alone. You’re driving me crazy when are you coming home.’