THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

64-George McCrae-Rock Your Baby,

1974-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 0.09. Do you ever think to yourself, I’m going to give myself a treat, and choose a song to listen to. Those are the songs which are for you ‘the best songs in the world ever.’ In my opinion if they have Disco’s in heaven, then surely this is the song they play.

‘Rock Your Baby’ which is also the title of George McCrae’s debut Album from 1974, was written by Harry Wayne Casey, and Richard Finch, (see also best songs 893 and 375) and was also produced by them as well. The song is considered to be groundbreaking as it is one of the first ‘Disco’ hits, and with worldwide sales in excess of 11 million copies it is the 27th best selling single of all time. The story goes that Casey and Finch were to audition McCrae’s wife Gwen for the song, but after she arrived late to the studio, they listened to George, and after hearing his impressive falsetto it was a done deal.

At that time Casey and Finch were just setting out together as a song writing team, working together as ‘KC and the Sunshine Band,’ for which they would go on to write a further five Billboard Number 1 singles. One of the session musicians on ‘Rock Your Baby’ was Jerome Smith, (1953-2000) who also worked on many of the KC and the Sunshine Band’s hits. He provided the guitar playing on the track for which he received $15, it is said that his style and sound was an inspiration for Nile Rogers of Chic (see also best songs 175-87 and 17.) The song was also an inspiration for Benny Andersson, and Bjorn Ulvaeus of ABBA, who have said that the backing track of ‘Dancing Queen,’ (see also best songs 44) was based on this song.

‘Rock Your Baby’ was also one of the first hit singles to use a drum machine, in this case it was the one which belonged to Timmy Thomas, (1944-2022) (see also best songs 498) Richard Finch has said,’His organ was left up in the studio, and ‘Rock Your Baby’ became born unto this crazy drum machine that was inside of this Lowry organ that he left there. I used to use that as a tempo map, and I would play along with the drum machine. In the beginning it would hide my errors, but it would also teach me to be a better drummer, because I was paying attention to it that closely. Then we would build on that. We had a 1-inch 8-track machine and I had a cheap Japanese bass. We were just recording and recording and recording, and one night, this one track came out like better than anything else. It was like God was in the building or something, we had been blessed. It was like the hunger and desire was so incredibly overwhelming that some magical moment happened in there. We knew to build on that track.

In 1992 ‘Rock Your Baby’ returned to the UK top 40 when the British ‘Dance’ act ‘KWS’ took their version to Number 8, it was released as the follow up to their UK Number 1 of the same year,’Please Don’t Go,’ which had also been written by Casey and Finch.

George Warren McCrae Jr. was born on October 19th, 1944, in West Palm Beach, Florida, United States, one of his his first ventures in to music was as a teenager when forming his own singing group the ‘Jivin’ Jets,’ before joining the United States Navy in 1963. Also in 1963 McCrae married Gwen (nee Mosley) and after leaving the navy in 1967 reformed the ‘Jivin’ Jets’ with Gwen. They soon decided to work as a duo, and when Gwen won her first solo contract, George became her manager. The discography of George McCrae includes 17 Albums released between 1974-2016, and 34 singles issued between 1974-2009. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart two of those songs have reached the top 40, with ‘Rock Your Baby’ making Number 1, while in the UK, he has achieved seven top 40 singles, with this song also being his only chart topper.

‘Woman, take me in your arms Rock your baby. Woman, take me in your arms Rock your baby. There’s nothing to it, just say you wanna do it. Open up your heart, and let the loving start.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

65-Stevie Wonder-Living for the City.

1973-Number 15 single.

Best Bit-At 5.18. Because Stevie Wonder was already a superstar by the age of 13, it is easy to forget that he was still only 23 when he wrote this.

Stevie Wonder (see also best songs 920-843-834-682-570-503-366-205 and 152) was born Stevland Hardaway Judkins, on May 13th, 1950, in Saginaw, Michigan, United States, he was considered a child prodigy, and when signing with ‘Motown’s’ ‘Tamla’ label at the age of 11, he was given the stage name of ‘Little Stevie Wonder’ by his mentor and producer at Tamla, Clarence Paul (1928-1995.) At the age of 13 as ‘Little Stevie Wonder’ he achieved his first American Billboard Number 1 single, with the Clarence Paul co-written ‘Fingertips,’ making Wonder the youngest ever artist to top the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

The discography of Stevie Wonder includes 23 studio Albums released between 1962-2005, and 91 singles issued between 1962-2020, of which 46 have made the Billboard Hot 100 top 40 singles chart, with eight of those reaching Number 1. While in the UK, 37 of his singles have made the top 40, with his only solo Number 1 being ‘I Just Called to Say I Love You,’ which topped the chart in 1984. He also had previously reached Number 1 in the UK in 1982 as the featured artist on the Paul McCartney song ‘Ebony and Ivory.’

Although Stevie Wonder achieved 17 hit singles on Billboard in the 1960’s it is his early to mid 1970’s output for which he is even more critically acclaimed, particularly his Albums ‘Music of my Mind,’ (1972) ‘Talking Book,’ (1972) ‘Innervisions,’ (1973) ‘Fulfillingness’ First Finale,’ (1974) and ‘Songs in the Key of Life’ (1976.) After Stevie Wonder allowed his contract with ‘Motown’ to run out in 1971, he renegotiated getting himself improved royalties, and complete control over his studio output. He brought in Robert Margouleff, and Malcolm Cecil (1937-2021) to work with him as engineers, and associate producers, and they would work with Wonder on four of those classic 1970’s Albums.

‘Living for the City’ was the second of four singles released from Stevie Wonder’s 16th studio Album ‘Innervisions’ from 1973. As well as writing the song, Wonder also played all of the instruments, and sung lead and backing vocals, the synthesizer, and handclaps were provided by Margouleff and Cecil. ‘Living for the City’ is considered groundbreaking for it’s social commentary, and use of sampling, such as the sounds of voices, buses and traffic which were recorded in the streets, and mixed with the music in the studio.

‘Living for the City’ tells the story of a young black man born in to a poor but respectable family in Mississippi. He can’t get a job because of discrimination, so he goes to New York, and naively get’s caught up in crime, he is arrested, convicted, and sentenced to 10 years in jail. Stevie Wonder has said,’I really got into how I feel about the way things are was in ‘Living For The City.’ I was able to show the hurt and the anger. You still have that same mother that scrubs the floors for many, she’s still doing it. Now what is that about? And that father who works some days for 14 hours. That’s still happening.’

‘His sister’s black but she is sho ’nuff pretty, her skirt is short but Lord her legs are sturdy. To walk to school she’s got to get up early, her clothes are old but never are they dirty,living just enough, just enough for the city.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

66-Led Zeppelin-Stairway to Heaven.

1971-It was never released as a single until the bands back catalogue was made available in 2007 for download, then the song peaked at Number 37 in the UK.

Best Bit-At 6.44. Led Zeppelin played the song for the first time in Belfast in 1971. The bands bass player John Paul Jones recalled that the crowd was unimpressed,’They were all bored to tears waiting to hear something they knew.’

Led Zeppelin (see also best songs 135) were formed in London, England, in 1968 by Jimmy Page, (guitarist) (see also best songs 361-135 and 67) Robert Plant, (vocalist) John Bonham, (1948-1980) (drums) and John Paul Jones, (bass, and keyboards) the group remained active until the death of Bonham in 1980. The four group members first played together as the ‘New Yardbirds’ in August 1968, on a tour of Scandanavia. Due to a legal objection by Chris Dreja of the original ‘Yardbirds’ (see also best songs 361) the quartet had to find themselves a new name. One account of how the new band’s name was chosen tells that Keith Moon (1946-1978) and John Entwistle (1944-2002) of the group ‘The Who’ (see also best songs 926-306 and 265) had suggested that a super-group with them and Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck (see also best songs 361 and 205) would go down like a “lead balloon”, which is an idiom for disastrous results. The group dropped the ‘a’ in lead at the suggestion of their manager, Peter Grant, (1935-1995) so that those unfamiliar with the term would not pronounce it “leed”. The word “balloon” was replaced by “zeppelin”, a word which, according to music journalist Keith Shadwick, (1951-2008) brought ‘The perfect combination of heavy and light, combustibility and grace to Page’s mind.’

With record sales estimated at anywhere between two to three million copies, Led Zeppelin are one of the worlds very best selling artists. Their discography includes eight studio Albums released between 1969-1979, seven of which reached Number 1 in the UK, and six which topped the Billboard chart in America. In the UK, Led Zeppelin didn’t issue singles, so if you wanted to buy their music you would have to purchase their Albums, but in America where they were legally obliged, 16 of their songs were issued as singles, with five of those making the Billboard Hot 100 top 40, with ‘Whole Lotta’ Love’ charting the highest (Number 4, 1969.)

‘Stairway to Heaven’ was co-written by Jimmy Page, who wrote the music, and Robert Plant, who provided the lyrics, Page was also the songs producer. ‘Stairway to Heaven’ is track 4 on side 1 of Led Zeppelins fourth studio Album ‘Led Zeppelin 1V’ from 1971, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest Rock songs of all time. The song has three sections, each one progressively increasing in tempo and volume. ‘Stairway to Heaven’ begins in a slow tempo with acoustic instruments (guitar and recorders,) before introducing electric instruments. The final section is an uptempo hard rock arrangement highlighted by Jimmy Page’s guitar solo, which is considered by many to be one of the greatest ever.

Like many great songs in this countdown, the songs lyrics are open to interpretation. Robert Plant who wrote the lyrics at the age of 23 has said,’Depending on what day it is, I still interpret the song in a different way, and I wrote the lyrics.’ Many who have studied the song agree that the first verse is about a woman who has the means to get whatever she wants, at any cost. This can be interpreted as selling her soul, for instant satisfaction, and that over the course of time it will leave her feeling hollow. It appears that there are one of two paths you can take in life. One is by learning to respect yourself, respect others, and respect your surroundings, which is the ‘Stairway to Heaven,’ or you can choose the other route, which is the ‘Highway to Hell.’

‘There’s a lady who’s sure all that glitters is gold, and she’s buying a stairway to Heaven. When she gets there she knows if the stores are all closed with a word she can get what she came for.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

67-T. Rex-20th Century Boy.

1973-Number 3 single. When it was re-issued in 1991 it made Number 13.

Best Bit-At 1.37. If you think that this song is so last century, then let me tell you something, it’s still ahead of it’s time, even now!!

Marc Bolan (see also best songs 790 and 386) was born Mark Feld on September 30th, 1947, in Hackney, London, England, he died on September 16th, 1977, when a car he was a passenger in struck a fence post, and then a tree. Bolan was killed instantly, while the cars driver Gloria Jones (see also best songs 848) suffered a broken arm and broken jaw, Bolan was 29 years old.

Marc Bolan recorded one of his first songs in 1964, which was called ‘All at Once,’ the track remained unreleased until 2008 when a very limited edition seven-inch vinyl of the original tape recording was issued. Soon after he began using the stage name ‘Toby Tyler,’ but no recordings have been issued under that name. On signing with Decca Records in 1965 he changed his stage name to Marc Bolan, as a tribute to Bob Dylan, (see also best songs 792-358-103-36 and 7) choosing the first two letters of ‘Bob,’ and the last three letters of ‘Dylan.’ Using his new name he released his first single ‘The Wizard’ on November 19th, 1965, with Jimmy Page, (see also best songs 361-135 and 66) and Big Jim Sullivan (1941-2012) among the musicians providing the backing track. In 1967, and now under the management of Simon Napier-Bell, Bolan became a member of the ‘Mod/Rock’ band ‘Johns Children,’ where he became their main songwriter. His tenure with ‘Johns Children’ was brief, and he would quickly create his own band ‘Tyrannosaurus Rex,’ playing an experimental mixture of ‘Psychedelic Folk’ music on the first three Album releases, and then a fourth and final Album of more mellow ‘Psychedelic Rock.’ By 1970 Bolan began to change the band’s style towards ‘Electric Rock’, and shortened their name to T. Rex.

The discography of Tyrannosaurus Rex includes four studio Albums released between 1968-1970, and then eight studio Albums issued between 1970-1977 as T. Rex. As Tyrannosaurus Rex there were six singles released, of which three made the UK top 40, and it was the 1972 re-issue of ‘Debora.’ and ‘One Inch Rock’ as a double ‘A’ side which charted the highest when making Number 7 in 1972. As T. Rex they released 22 singles, of which 17 made the UK top 40, with four of those reaching Number 1. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart their only top 40 hit was ‘Bang a Gong (Get It On,’) which reached Number 10 in 1971.

’20th Century Boy’ was issued as a stand alone single on March 2nd, 1973, two weeks before the release of the bands eighth studio Album ‘Tanx,’ it was written by Marc Bolan, and produced by the legendary Toni Visconti (see also best songs 790-386-302-209 and 118.) ’20th Century Boy’ was recorded on December 3rd, 1972, in the Toshiba Recording studios in Tokyo, Japan, the backing vocals, hand claps, acoustic guitar, and saxophones were recorded in England when the band returned after their tour. According to Marc Bolan, some of the lyrics are based on quotes taken from notable celebrities, such as Muhammad Ali, (1942-2016) who is famously remembered for saying ‘Sting like a bee.’ People have argued for a long time as to what Bolan is actually singing in the songs first line. The correct lyrics are,’Friends say it’s fine, friends say it’s good, everybody says it’s just like Robin Hood,’ while some people incorrectly hear, ‘Friends say it’s fine, friends say it’s good, everybody says it’s just like Rock ‘N’ Roll.’

‘I move like a cat, charge like a ram, sting like a bee, babe, I wanna be your man, hey! Well, it’s plain to see you were meant for me, yeah, I’m your boy, your 20th century toy yeah!’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

68-Judy Garland-Over the Rainbow.

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

Best Bit-At 0.31. Among the many honours bestowed on this song, the American Film Institute have named it, the best movie song ever.

‘Over the Rainbow’ was composed by Harold Arlen, (1905-1986) (see also best songs 934-634 and 281) who wrote the music, and Yip Harburg, (1896-1981) (see also best songs 259) who was responsible the lyrics, the pair had been commissioned to write songs for the 1939 film ‘The Wizard of Oz.’ Other enduring songs that they wrote for the movie include,’Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead,’ ‘If I Only Had a Brain,’ and ‘We’re Off to See the Wizard.’ Although it had nothing to do with the films story, it is said that Yip Harburg took his inspiration for ‘Over the Rainbow’s’ lyrics from what was going on politically at that time. Harburg was expressing hope for America under President Franklin Roosevelt’s ‘New Deal’ programme, which was designed to get America out of ‘The Great Depression,’ which had been ongoing since the early 1930’s (see also best songs 259.)

‘The Wizard of Oz’ is a 1939 American musical fantasy film, that had been adapted from the 1900 children’s fantasy novel ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’ which was written by L. Frank Baum (1856-1919.) The film starred the 16 year old Judy Garland, whose role in the film as ‘Dorothy Gale’ shot her to international stardom as an actress, it is the role she is best remembered for. Garland performs ‘Over the Rainbow’ early on the film, and the song is now recognised as her signature song.

Judy Garland was born Frances Ethel Gumm on June 10th, 1922, in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, United States, she died on June 22nd, 1969, after accidentally overdosing on barbiturates at the age of 47. At the inquest the Coroner stated that the overdose had been unintentional and no evidence suggested that she had committed suicide.Like many child stars Garland had found the pressures of fame too much at times, and throughout her adulthood she was plagued by alcohol and substance abuse, as well as financial instability, often owing hundreds of thousands of dollars in back taxes. Judy Garland had three children, two of which followed her in to acting, Lorna Luft, and Liza Minnelli (see also best songs 427 and 182.) As well as appearing in 34 feature films Judy Garland also has had seven studio Albums, six live Albums, and 14 soundtrack Albums issued between 1940-2012. She has also released 67 singles between 1936-1967, of which 17 have charted in the top 40 in America, while in the UK, her only charting single remains ‘The Man That Got Away’ (1955, Number 18.)

In ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ Judy Garland sings ‘Over the Rainbow’ as Dorothy Gale, at around five minutes in to the film. She sings the song after failing to get ‘Aunt Em,’ ‘Uncle Henry,’ and the farm hands to listen to her story of an unpleasant incident involving her dog, ‘Toto,’ and the town spinster. Garland recorded the film version of the song on October 7th, 1938, and the studio version in September 1939. The film version was not released for the public to purchase until the films soundtrack was first made available in 1956.

‘Someday I’ll wish upon a star, and wake up where the clouds are far behind me. Where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops that’s where you’ll find me.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

69-Madness-Night Boat to Cairo.

1980-Number 6 single.

Best Bit-At 2.37. According to the songs co-writer Mike Barson,’It was supposed to be an instrumental, and then Suggs bloody got hold of it and wrote all those dodgy lyrics.’

Madness (see also best songs 801) were formed in Camden Town, London, England, in 1976, and remained active until 1986. They reformed in 1992, and are still performing at the time of writing. In total there have been 12 official members come and go, with only Chas Smith, who left in 2014 not being a current member of seven that are considered to be the classic line up. The other members of the classic line up are Chris Foreman, (guitar) Mike Barson, (keyboards) Lee Thompson, (saxophone, and percussion) Graham ‘Suggs’ McPherson, (vocals) Dan Woodgate, (drums) and Mark Bedford (bass.)

Along with ‘The Specials,’ (see also best songs 924 and 372) Madness were one of the most prominent bands of the late 1970’s, and early 1980’s ‘Two Tone Ska Revival’, with both bands being heavily influenced by the Ska music of the 1960’s that had come out of Jamaica. For Madness a particular influence was Prince Buster, (1938-2016) (see also best songs 734 and 139) as Madness took their name from the Prince Buster 1964 song ‘Madness,’ and their first hit ‘The Prince’ (UK, 1979, Number 16) was a song written as a tribute to him. Over the course of time, in the groups early years, their sound moved away from all out ‘Ska,’ and by the time of their third Album ‘7,’ released in 1981, the band were showing a more ‘Pop’ orientated sound, which has become known as ‘Ska/Pop.’ The discography of Madness includes 12 studio Albums released between 1979-2016, and 43 singles issued between 1979-2019. In the UK, 31 of those singles have reached the top 40, with ‘House of Fun’ making Number 1 in 1982, while in America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, two of their songs have reached the top 40, with ‘Our House’ from 1982 being the most successful, when making Number 7.

‘Night Boat to Cairo’ was co-written by Mike Barson, (music) and Graham ‘Suggs’ McPherson, (lyrics) and was produced by Clive Langer, and Alan Winstanley (see also best songs 903.) There had already been three hit singles released from their debut Album ‘One Step Beyond,’ and Madness were keen to release new material, but their record label were insisting that a further track off the Album should be a single. The compromise was the the release of ‘Night Boat to Cairo,’ along with three new songs on an ‘EP’ (extended play) which would be called the ‘Work Rest and Play EP.’ ‘Night Boat to Cairo’ soon became a fans favourite and is still often played as the encore at the bands live concerts. The song has an unusual structure, with a single verse, followed by an even longer instrumental section. Suggs has described the song as,’Miles of introduction, a couple of verses, then miles of instrumental, no chorus, and the title isn’t even mentioned apart from me shouting it at the beginning. It’s an atmosphere with great music and words. Of course it it a song, but not a traditional one.’ The songs video features the band dressed as soldiers in British colonial attire, where during the long instrumental part they are seen marching and performing their signature ‘Nutty Train’ dance.

‘It’s just gone noon, half-past monsoon on the banks of the river Nile. Here comes the boat only half-afloat, Oarsman grins a toothless smile. Only just one more to this desolate shore, last boat along the river Nile.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

70-Faces-Stay with Me.

1972-Number 6 single.

Best Bit-At 3.20, and again at 3.42, and again at 3.53, and again at 4.03, and again at 4.14.

The Faces (see also best songs 565) were formed in London, England, in 1969 by Ian McLagan, (1945-2014) Ronnie Lane, (1946-1997) and Kenney Jones, who had all been members of the Small Faces, (see also best songs 1048 and 872) along with Rod Stewart, (see also best songs 965-565-206-179 and 34) and Ronnie Wood, (see also best songs 160) who had both been members of the Jeff Beck Group. They remained active through until 1975, before reforming between 2009-2011, and then again in 2021. In total there have been nine official members come and go, with Jones, Stewart, and Wood being the three current ones. The Faces have released four studio Albums between 1970-1973, and one live Album ‘Coast to Coast: Overture and Beginners,’ in 1974. They also released 11 singles between 1969-1974, of which four made the UK top 40, with ‘Cindy Incidentally’ charting highest at Number 2 in 1973, while in America on the Billboard Hot 100 top 40 they have charted twice, with this song being the most successful when reaching Number 17.

‘Stay With Me’ was co-written by Rod Stewart, and Ronnie Wood, and produced by Glyn Johns, and the Faces, and was taken from the groups third studio Album ‘A Nod Is As Good As a Wink…to a Blind Horse,’ from 1971. If you think that is a fairly long song title then try another of the groups records, ‘You Can Make Me Dance, Sing or Anything (Even Take the Dog for a Walk, Mend a Fuse, Fold Away the Ironing Board, or Any Other Domestic Shortcomings)” / “As Long as You Tell Him,’ which is the longest ever song title of a single to make the UK top 40 (1974 Number 12.)

Glyn Johns was born on February 15th 1942, in Epsom, Surrey, England, over the course of his career he has worked as a producer, engineer, and musician, and he is credited by music critics, and fans of the ‘Faces’ for ‘A Nod Is As Good As a Wink…to a Blind Horse’ being a more focused and concise offering that the two previous ‘Faces’ Albums. Glyn Johns has worked with many of the worlds to artists including the Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and the Eagles. He would also go on to produce the Faces fourth and final studio Album ‘Ooh La La,’ and also work on separate projects with Ronnie Wood, and Ronnie Lane.

‘Stay With Me’ tells of a one night stand, where Rod Stewart informs us about picking up a ‘groupie’ by the name of Rita while on tour. He makes it very clear that she must be gone in the morning before he awakes, but he does offer to pay her cab fare home. He notes her ‘red lips, hair, and fingernails,’ and he repeats the rumour that she is a ‘mean old Jezebel,’ and he also tells us that she has a face that has ‘nothing to laugh about.’ Rod Stewart had recently just had a Number 1 song on both sides of the Atlantic with ‘Maggie May,’ (see also best songs 34) which was partly based on a true story where he had been the subject of a sexual conquest by an older woman. Perhaps a very experienced psychologist could write a detailed thesis on this to help us (and Rod) to understand what it all really means.

‘So in the mornin’ please don’t say you love me, ’cause you know I’ll only kick you out the door. Yeah, I’ll pay your cab fare home, you can even use my best cologne, just don’t be here in the mornin’ when I wake up, come on, honey.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

71-Simon & Garfunkel-Bridge over Troubled Water.

1970-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 3.20. The third and final verse which starts with the line ‘Sail on silver bird,’ was inspired by Paul Simon’s future wife Peggy Harper on finding out she had a few grey hairs beginning to appear, which was upsetting her. Simon used to tease her by calling her ‘Silver girl.’ For many years ‘conspiracy theorists’ thought the line referred to a drug abuser’s hypodermic needle, meaning the song is about Heroin.

Paul Frederic Simon was born on October 13th 1941, in Newark, New Jersey, New York, United States, and Arthur Ira Garfunkel was born on November 5th, 1941, in New York City, New York, United States. The discography of Simon & Garfunkel includes five studio Albums released between 1964-1970, and 26 singles issued between 1957-1992, of which 16 made the Billboard Hot 100 singles top 40 in America, with two of those reaching Number 1. While in the UK they have charted in the top 40 on eight occasions, with this song being their only chart topper.

‘Bridge over Troubled Water’ was written by Paul Simon, with the first two verses sung by Art Garfunkel, with Simon joining in on the third, it was produced Roy Halee who was a long time collaborator with the duo. The song is also the title track to Simon & Garfunkel’s (see also best songs 529-200 and 96) fifth and final studio Album released in 1970, and was the second of four singles taken from it.

Paul Simon composed ‘Bridge over Troubled Water’ in early 1969, he has said that the song came to him very quickly, so much so that he asked himself,’Where did that come from? It doesn’t seem like me.’ The songs title was inspired by an ad-lib line from the American Gospel singer Claude Jeter, (1914-2009) whom Simon had heard singing on the 1959 ‘Spiritual’ song ‘Mama Don’t You Weep,’ with his group the ‘Swan Silvertones.’ Jeter sang the line ‘I’ll be your bridge over deep water if you trust in my name,’ (at 2.10 seconds into the song.) Paul Simon recognised the inspiration by giving Jeter a cheque for $1,000 as royalties. Jeter would also go on to work with Simon, providing the falsetto background vocal on Simon’s 1973 song ‘Take Me to the Mardi Gras.’

The songs vocals and music production was modelled on Phil Spector’s arrangement of The Righteous Brothers (see also best songs 782 and 91) rendition of ‘Old Man River,’ where Spector (1939-2021) (see also best songs 820-782-737-262-192-127-91 and 20) had kept it mainly piano through most of the song, but had it end with a flourish of instruments. This songs musicians did in fact include members of the ‘Wrecking Crew,’ such as Hal Blaine, (1929-2019) and Larry Knechtel, (1940-2009) who had also performed on Phil Spector’s ‘Wall of Sound’ productions previously. Initially Paul Simon told Art Garfunkel that he should sing the song alone, which in later years he came to regret, as he saw the song as his baby, and he has admitted to being jealous when seeing Garfunkel receive standing ovations in concerts. Simon of course does duet with Garfunkel on the songs third and final verse, which was added after Simon’s decision to let Garfunkel perform the vocals alone.

‘Bridge over Troubled Water has been covered on numerous occasions. In 1970 Elvis Presley recorded the song for his Album ‘That’s the Way It Is,’ Simon has said that he was honoured that Presley sang one of his songs. Perhaps Aretha Franklin’s Gospel inspired version is the one truest to how Simon originally envisaged it sounding, Franklin’s version peaked at Number 6 on Billboard in 1971. I would also recommend the 10 minute ‘Disco’ version by Linda Clifford, which reached Number 28 in the UK in 1979. ‘Bridge over Troubled Water’ became a UK Number 1 for a second time in 2017. In order to raise money for the families of the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire, a charity record was released which featured many of the current crop of Pop stars at that time.

‘Sail on silver girl, sail on by, your time has come to shine. All your dreams are on their way, see how they shine.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

72-Morrissey-First of the Gang to Die.

2004-Number 6 single.

Best Bit-At 2.26. I am a great believer in the theory that nearly all of the best songs are written by people under the age of 30. That is to say that an artist has produced their best material by that age, but of course there is always an exception to every rule, and here it is.

Steven Patrick Morrissey (see also best songs 940) was born on May 22nd, 1959, in Davyhulme, Greater Manchester, England, he claims that his parents named him after the American actor Steve Cochran, (1917-1965) although his fathers brother who had died in infancy had been called Patrick Steven Morrissey. Morrissey has said that he never liked being called Steven, and preferred just being called Morrissey. His first venture into being a lead singer occurred when meeting Billy Duffy (see also best songs 854) in 1977, and joining his Punk band the ‘Nosebleeds,’ he then followed Duffy into another Punk band called ‘Slaughter & the Dogs,’ where his reputation around the Manchester area continued to grow in the late 1970’s. Morrissey had first met Johnny Marr in 1978, but it wasn’t until 1982 when Marr reintroduced himself to Morrissey that the Smiths (see also best songs 673-222-167 and 42) were formed.

After the Smiths split in 1987 Morrissey embarked on a solo career that has to date included the release of 13 studio Albums between 1988-2020, and 59 singles that have been issued within the same time span. In the UK, 33 of his singles have reached the top 40, with his 2004 hit ‘Irish Blood, English Heart,’ charting the highest at Number 3. In America none of Morrissey’s singles have ever broken into the Billboard Hot 100, but seven of his Albums have made the top 40 Billboard 200 Album chart, for the discography of the Smiths see best songs 42.

‘First of the Gang to Die’ was the second single released from Morrissey’s seventh solo studio Album ‘You Are the Quarry,’ from 2004, and was his first new release in seven years. The song was written by Morrissey, (lyrics) who was 45 years old at the time, and Alain Whyte, (music) who was 37, with the production being by Jerry Finn (1969-2008.) Alain Whyte is a long term collaborator with Morrissey and he first began working with him in 1991. Whyte has co-written at least 80 songs with Morrissey, which have appeared on seven of his solo Albums issued between 1992-2009, Whyte has also been credited with co-writing many of the songs that have appeared as ‘B’ sides. After 2009 Whyte went on to write for other artists including Madonna, Chris Brown, and The Black Eyed Peas.

So what is ‘First of the Gang to Die’ actually about? In 1997 Morrissey relocated to Los Angeles, and the song is probably about the ‘Hispanic Gang’ culture in that city. Morrissey is telling the tale of thug life on ‘Hip-Hop’s’ home turf, in the land of the ‘Bloods,’ and ‘Crips,’ who are rival gangs. What makes the lyrics so compelling is that they are sung in a very ‘English’ manner, which his Hispanic fan base, for whom this song is seen as a tribute, must find very confusing….buts that’s Morrissey.

‘And he stole from the rich and the poor, and the not very rich, and the very poor, and he stole all hearts away. He stole all hearts away.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

73-Frank Sinatra with Count Basie & The Orchestra-I’ve Got You Under My Skin. (Live at the Sands Hotel And Casino.)

1966-It has never been released as a single in the UK.

Best Bit-2.11. Many genres of music have an exciting crescendo. For example in ‘Rock’ music it might be the guitar solo, while in ‘Pop’ music it could be that irresistible chorus, or in ‘Electronic Dance’ music it might be the drop, but in ‘Swing’ music, it doesn’t come any better than this.

Frank Sinatra (1915-1998) (see also best songs 877-567-469 and 120) recorded ‘I’ve Got You Under My Skin’ on four significant occasions during his long and illustrious career. His first recording of the song was for his 10th studio Album ‘Songs for Swingin’ Lovers!,’ which is noteworthy for being the first LP to top the first ever UK Album chart on July 22nd, 1956. That Album was arranged by Nelson Riddle (1981-1985) (see also best songs 877 and 286) who has stated that a big influence in his formative years was hearing Serge Koussevitsky (1874-1951) and the Boston Symphony Orchestra playing Maurice Ravel’s (1875-1937) ‘Bolero’ (1928.) He said,’I’ve never forgotten it. It’s almost as if the orchestra leaped from the stage and smacked you in the face.’ The other recordings of ‘I’ve Got You Under My Skin’ by Sinatra are a re-recorded version that appears on his 1963 Album ‘Sinatra’s Sinatra, and the version with U2 lead singer Bono, (see also best songs 766-320-190 and 84) which was recorded for his 1993 Album ‘Duets.’

‘I’ve Got You Under My Skin’ was originally written in 1936 by Cole Porter, (1891-1964) (see also best songs 944-655 and 295) and first performed by Virginia Bruce (1910-1982) in the musical film ‘Born to Dance’ in 1936. The song has been recorded by hundreds of artists down the years, with notable charting versions being from the Four Seasons (see also best songs 739-284 and 83) who reached Number 9 in America, and Number 12 in the UK in 1966, and Nenah Cherry (see also best songs 839) whose Hip-Hop version for the ‘Red Hot + Blue’ charity Album reached Number 25 in the UK in 1990.

The version of ‘I’ve Got You Under My Skin’ that I have chosen is the Frank Sinatra’s live recording from his 1966 Album ‘Sinatra at the Sands,’ which was recorded live in the ‘Copa Room’ of the former Sands Hotel and Casino, in Las Vegas, between January and February 1966. Sinatra was accompanied by Count Basie (1904-1984) and his orchestra, who were conducted and arranged by Quincy Jones, (see also best songs 1022-889-812-703-511-357 and 191) it was the first commercially released live Album from Frank Sinatra, with the production credited to Sonny Burke (1914-1980.)

If someone gets ‘under your skin’ it generally means that you are irritated with that person. This song twists the meaning of the idiom, as here a lady has gotten under Sinatra’s skin, but in a way that makes him crazy about her. Although it was Quincy Jones, and Count Basie instructing the orchestra on this recording, the arrangement still remains faithful to the Nelson Riddle ‘Songs for Swingin’ Lovers’ rendition, and you can hear Sinatra’s excitement as he shouts ‘Run for cover,’ and ‘Run and Hide,’ and then ‘Hey,’ just as the orchestra reaches it’s crescendo.

‘Don’t you know, little fool you never can win. Use your mentality wake up to reality, but each time that I do just the thought of you makes me stop before I begin, ’cause I’ve got you under my skin.’