THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

74-Beach Boys-Do It Again.

1968-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 1.24. ‘Do It Again’ is about fondly reminiscing the past, and remembering things correctly as they were, which is ironic really, because Brian Wilson thinks the song was written at Mike Love’s house, and Love thinks it was written at Wilson’s house.

The Beach Boys (see also best songs 930 and 180) were formed in Hawthorne, California, United States, in 1961. The original lineup consisted of the brothers Brian, Dennis, (1944-1983) and Carl Wilson, (1946-1996) their cousin Mike Love, and their school friend Al Jardine. There have been three other band members come and go, they were David Marks, who joined in 1962, and stayed until 1963, but rejoined in 1997-1999, and then again between 2011-2012. Also Blondie Chaplin was a member between 1972-1973, and Ricky Fataar was a Beach Boy between 1972-1974. At the time of writing the bands official members are Brian Wilson, (see also best songs 811) Mike Love, Al Jardine, and Bruce Johnston, who joined the band in 1965. The Beach Boys discography includes 29 studio Albums released between 1962-2012, and 75 singles issued between 1961-2012. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, 29 of their singles have reached the top 40, with four making Number 1. While in the UK they have reached the top 40 on 25 occasions, and made the Number 1 spot twice. The Beach Boys are one of the worlds best selling artists, with sales in excess of 100 million records.

‘Do It Again’ was co-written by Brian Wilson, and Mike Love, with all six members of the Beach Boys at that time credited as the tracks producers. The song was released as a stand alone single, having not been part of the bands 14th studio Album ‘Friends,’ which had only been released two weeks earlier.

By 1968 the Beach Boys had moved away from their earlier 1960’s ‘Surf Music’ based material, and their record sales were in decline. Mike Love was inspired to write the songs lyrics after spending a day at the beach in which he had gone surfing with an old friend named Bill Jackson. Love has said,’I went to the beach with my friends and we went to the surfing spot down at a place called San Onofre, down near the Marine Corps base down south, and it was such a beautiful day and the waves were great. And then of course one of the great things about the beach is it attracts good looking girls. I came back, and we sat down at Brian’s piano, and we banged that song out in maybe 15 minutes, something like that. I had the concept and the lyrics in mind, and he just got a good groove going on the piano.’

‘Do It Again’ was initially recorded with the title ‘Rendezvous,’ but later changed. The songs melody was a return to the more commercial sound of the Beach Boys earlier output, as in recent years their music had become far more experimental, but for all that the song still failed to live up to expectations in America where it stalled at Number 20. In the UK it gave the Beach Boys their second Number 1 single, topping the chart for one week, with Mike Love commenting that it ‘Was unbelievable, It showed how many fans we had there, and how attractive the whole California lifestyle is.’

‘Well I’ve been thinking ’bout all the places we’ve surfed and danced and all the faces we’ve missed, so let’s get back together and do it again.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

75-House of Pain-Jump Around.

1992-Number 32 single. When it was re-issued in 1993 it reached Number 8.

Best Bit-At 1.05. Just one of the many things that captures the imagination in ‘Jump Around,’ is the high pitched squealing sound that appears at the beginning of almost every bar, 66 times in total (so I have read.) The origin of the sampled squeal has always been subject to debate. Some think it is sampled from the tenor saxophone on the Junior Walker (1931-1995) song ‘Shoot Your Shot,’ while it has also been suggested it is ‘Prince’ (1958-2016) (see also best songs 884-487-269-85 and 54) squealing on his 1991 song ‘Gett Off.’ House of Pain group members have categorically said that it is definitely not Prince, but as it has been pointed out that admitting to a Prince sample would have dire financial consequences.

‘House of Pain’ were formed in Los Angeles, California, United States, in 1991, by Erik Schrody, (Everlast) Daniel O’Connor, (Danny Boy) and Leor Dimant, (DJ Lethal) (see also best songs 583) they remained active until 1996, but have since worked together again between 2010-2011, and then again in 2017. The groups name is a reference to the 1896 science fiction novel ‘The Island of Dr. Moreau’ by H.G.Wells. The discography of the ‘House of Pain’ includes three studio Albums released between 1992-1996, and eight singles issued between 1992-1998. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart,’Jump Around’ remains their only charting top 40 song, which reached Number 3, while in the UK they have charted in the top 40 on five occasions.

‘Jump Around’ was the first of two singles released from the ‘House of Pain’s’ self titled debut studio Album, which is also sub-titled ‘Fine Malt Lyrics,’ the song was co-written by Laurence Muggerud, (DJ Muggs) (see also best songs 963) with the lyrics being provided by Everlast. DJ Muggs has stated that he originally produced the beat for his own group Cypress Hill, but ‘B-Real’ also of Cyprus Hill did not want to record it at that time. It was subsequently offered to the rapper Ice Cube, (see also best songs 681-664 and 128) who refused it, before finally being taken and used by House of Pain.

‘Jump Around’ can boast many samples. The track opens with a distinctive horn fanfare, this is sampled from the 1963 ‘Bob & Earl’ song ‘Harlem Shuffle’ (see also best songs 696.) Another sample, but less distinctive to my ears is the 1962 Billboard Number 10 hit ‘Popeye the Hitchhiker,’ from Chubby Checker, (see also best songs 749) but as I mentioned earlier the song is best known for it’s high pitched squealing sound. Everlast who wrote the songs lyrics has said that the ‘sample’ was actually taken from the American Hip-Hop artist ‘Divine Styler’s’ 1988 song ‘Ain’t Sayin’ Nothin,’ which in turn samples the Junior Walker track ‘Shoot Your Shot.’ Everlast has also said that he was surprised that the song crossed over so well to a ‘Pop’ audience considering the tracks aggressive lyrics, such as ‘I bust him in the eye, and then I’ll take the punk’s ho,’ but this can probably be explained to a point with comedy lines such as ‘I got more rhymes than there’s cops at a Dunkin’ Donuts shop,’ which makes it sound a lot less threatening.

‘Pack it up, pack it in, let me begin, I came to win, battle me, that’s a sin. I won’t ever slack up, punk, you better back up, try and play the role and yo, the whole crew’ll act up.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

76-Candi Staton-Young Hearts Run Free.

1976-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 0.53. The actual pronunciation of her surname is ‘STAY-TAN.’ How many of you DJ’s and presenters have been getting it wrong all these years?

Candi Staton was born Canzetta Maria Staton, on March 13th, 1940, in Hanceville, Alabama, United States, he unusual first name ‘Canzetta’ was given to her by her grandfather, and she acquired the nickname ‘Candi’ as a teenager when performing Gospel music. Staton’s first venture in to music was as being part of the ‘Jewel Gospel Trio,’ with her sister Maggie, and a third girl Naomi Harrison, who toured the traditional Gospel circuit in the 1950’s with acts such as the ‘Soul Stirrers,’ and Mahalia Jackson (1911-1972.)

Candi Staton launched her solo career in 1968, recording in the genre of R&B music, she would go on to record in other genres including ‘Disco,’ ‘Soul,’ and ‘House’ music. The discography of Candi Staton includes 28 studio Albums released between 1970-2014, and 30 singles issued between 1969-1999. On the Billboard R&B singles chart in America she has achieved 19 top 40 hits, with ‘Young Hearts Run Free’ reaching Number 1, while on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart she has only charted twice, with her 1970 cover of the Tammy Wynette song ‘Stand by Your Man,’ which reached Number 24, and ‘Young Hearts Run Free,’ which made Number 20. In the UK she has charted on seven occasions, which include the 1999 re-recording of this song, which made Number 29, and the 1997 remix of ‘You Got the Love’ which reached Number 3.

‘Young Hearts Run Free’ which is also the title of Candi Staton’s fifth studio Album from 1976, was written and produced by David Crawford, who was born on October 24th, 1943, in Jacksonville, Florida, United States, he was murdered in Brooklyn, New York, in June 1988, at the age of 44. Aside from ‘Young Hearts Run Free’ he is probably best remembered for writing ‘What a Man,’ originally recorded by Linda Lyndell in 1968, and later reinterpreted by the Hip-Hop group ‘Salt-n-Pepa,’ together with the R&B girl group ‘En Vogue,’ for their 1993 Billboard Number 3, and UK Number 7 hit. David Crawford was also the co-producer of the American Rock band ‘The J. Geils Band’s’ self titled debut studio Album in 1970.

Candi Staton has explained how David Crawford got the idea to write ‘Young Hearts Run Free,’David Crawford was always asking me,’What’s happening in your life,’ and I was then with someone I shouldn’t have been with, and it was hard getting out of that…very abusive relationship. I noticed that he was taking notes, and he said,’You know I’m gonna write you a song that’s gonna last forever.’ The songs lyrics are based on Candi Staton’s real life experiences, particularly while married to her third husband between 1974-1977, the song is a warning to young girls to not stay in an abusive relationship.

From a personal point of view as a ‘party’ DJ who plays at weddings, birthdays and other celebrations, I have found that ‘Young Hearts Run Free’ is one of those few songs that have grown and grown in popularity over the years, and with it’s appeal to all age groups, it is always one of the first songs I reach for to fill the dance floor.

‘What’s the sense in sharing this one and only life? Endin’ up just another lost and lonely wife. You’ll count up the years, and they will be filled with tears. Love only breaks up to start over again, you’ll get the babies, but you won’t have your man, while he is busy loving every woman that he can.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

77-Rolling Stones-(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.

1965-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-0.01. At the 51st ‘Super Bowl’ in 2006 the Rolling Stones performed during the halftime show. Just prior to the band performing ‘I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction’ Mick Jagger quipped,’Here’s one we could have done at Super Bowl I.’

The Rolling Stones (see also best songs 933-662-452 and 160) were formed in London, England, in 1962, with the first stable line up consisting of Mick Jagger, (vocals) Brian Jones, (1942-1969) (multi instrumentalist) Keith Richards, (guitar) Bill Wyman, (bass) and Charlie Watts (1941-2021) (drums.) In total there have been eight different members come and go, with founding member Ian Stewart (1938-1985) (keyboards) removed in 1963 as he didn’t fit the bands image, although he did remain the groups road manager, and pianist until his death. In 1969 Mick Taylor replaced Brian Jones who had recently died, as a guitarist, and he stayed as a band member until 1974, and was then replaced by Ronnie Wood, (guitars) (see also best songs 565-160 and 70) who along with Jagger and Richards are the three official members of the group which remain active at the time of writing.

It was Brian Jones who named the band during a phone call with the music magazine ‘Jazz News.’ When he was put on the spot by a journalist who asked him what the band were called, Jones saw a Muddy Waters (see also best songs 596) LP lying on the floor, where he spotted that one of the tracks was called ‘Rollin’ Stone.’ Shortly after that on July 12th, 1962, the group played their first show together billed as the ‘Rollin’ Stones,’ at the ‘Marquee Club,’ in London. It was after that first gig that they changed their name to the ‘Rolling Stones.’ With sales in excess of 200 million records the Rolling Stones are one of the best selling artists of all time. Their discography includes 30 studio Albums released between 1964-2016, and 121 singles issued between 1963-2021, of which 45 had reached the UK top 40 singles chart, with eight of those making Number 1. While in America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, the have reached the top 40 on 41 occasions, where they have also achieved eight Number 1 songs.

(‘I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction’ was co-written by Mick Jagger, who provided the lyrics, and Keith Richards who wrote the music, the song was produced by Andrew Loog Oldham, who was also the bands manager at that time. The song was first released in America in June 1965, and gave the band their first American Number 1 single. In the UK, the track was issued around three months later, and provided the group with their fourth UK Number 1 hit. Keith Richards has stated that he awoke in the middle of the night with this songs riff in his head, he immediately recorded it with his acoustic guitar on to a ‘Philips’ cassette player, then went back to sleep.The lyrics written by Jagger are about sexual frustration, and commercialism, for example the line,’but he can’t be a man because he doesn’t smoke the same cigarettes as me,’ is a reference to the ‘Marlboro Cowboy,’ which was a figure used by the ‘Marlboro Tobacco Company’ to advertise cigarettes from 1955-1999. Another lyric,’baby, better come back maybe next week, can’t you see I’m on a losing streak,’ is a reference to menstruation. On the songs completion Keith Richards was not totally happy with all of the tracks instrumentation, as he felt it would benefit if a horn section was added, but he was overruled by his other band members, and Andrew Loog Oldham. Later in 1965 the American Soul legend Otis Redding (1941-1967) (see also best songs 712 and 377) recorded a version using a horn section which Richards fully endorsed. In a way the Rolling Stones had now come full circle, as they had started out as a white British R&B group playing black American Soul music, and now the American Soul artists were playing the songs of the Rolling Stones.

Mick Jagger has said,’It was this song that really made the Rolling Stones, changed us from just another band into a huge, monster band. It has a very catchy title. It has a very catchy guitar riff. It has a great guitar sound, which was original at that time, and it captures a spirit of the times, which is very important in those kinds of songs … Which was alienation. Or it’s a bit more than that, maybe, but a kind of sexual alienation. Alienation’s not quite the right word, but it’s one word that would do.’

‘When I’m ridin’ ’round the world, and I’m doin’ this and I’m signin’ that, and I’m tryin’ to make some girl, who tells me baby, better come back maybe next week can’t you see I’m on a losing streak?I can’t get no, oh, no, no, no, hey, hey, hey.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

78-Donna Summer-Love to Love You Baby.

1975-Number 4 single.

Best Bit-At 11.40. (It’s well worth the wait.) If you were born sometime in 1976, then there is a fair chance that you were conceived to this song.

Donna Summer (see also best songs 11) was born LaDonna Adrian Gaines on December 31st, 1948, in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, she died from lung cancer on May 17th, 2012, at the age of 63. In 1973 she married the Austrian actor Helmuth Sommer, and took his surname for her recording career, but due to an error in printing on the record cover of her 1974 single ‘Denver Dream,’ Donna Sommer became Donna Summer, and the name stuck. Donna Summer who was a leading light in the ‘Disco’ era of the 1970’s, also became known as the ‘Queen of Disco.’

In 1968 Donna Summer landed the part of ‘Sheila’ in the Munich production of ‘Hair,’ (see also best songs 202) and moved to Germany, where she became fluent in the language. It was in 1968 as Donna Gaines that she released her first single, a German version of ‘Aquarius,’ from the musical ‘Hair.’ During the next three years Donna would appear on three Albums of cast recordings, and release three commercially unsuccessful singles. For a more in depth discography for Donna Summer see best songs 11.

It was while working as a part time model, and backing singer in Munich in 1973 that Donna Summer first met the music producers Giorgio Moroder, and Peter Bellotte, which led to the recording of Summer’s debut studio Album ‘Lady of the Night,’ which was issued in February 1974, and included her breakthrough hit single ‘The Hostage,’ which peaked at Number 2 in the Netherlands.

‘Love to Love You Baby’ which was also the title track of Donna Summer’s second studio Album from August 1975, was co-written by Summer, Giorgio Moroder, and Pete Bellotte, with the songs production being credited to Bellotte. It was Summer who suggested to Moroder that the lyrics ‘Love to Love You Baby’ might make for a song, and Moroder went away and came up with a demo recording. A tape was sent to Neil Bogart (1943-1982) who was the president of ‘Casablanca Records’ who played it at a party at his home. His guests were so impressed that they kept on asking to hear it again, leading to Bogart asking Moroder if he could write a longer version. Moroder came up with a recording that lasted 16.49, which became an inspiration for extended ‘Disco’ versions of songs to be made, and it also was one of the songs that kick started the release of the 12 inch single format.

Donna Summer had had a religious upbringing, and at first wanted someone else to record the song, but after hearing Donna’s erotic moans and groans Moroder was very impressed, and managed to persuade her to perform the song. Summer tried to record the track in the conventional manner, but realised she was too shy, so Moroder suggested that that she could have the studio to herself with all the lights turned down. In an interview in 1976 Summer finally answered the question everyone was asking.’Were you alone in the studio?’Yes, I was alone in the studio. ‘Did you touch yourself?’ Yes, well, actually I had my hand on my knee.’ According to a tally by ‘Time’ magazine, Summer can be heard simulating 22 orgasms over the course of the song.

‘I love to love you baby. When you’re laying so close to me, there’s no place I’d rather you be than with me. Do it to me again and again, you put me in such a awful spin, in a spin.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

79-Energy 52-Cafe Del Mar (Three ‘n’ One Remix.)

1993-It never charted when the original version was released. The ‘Three ‘n’ One’ remix reached Number 51 in 1997, in 1998 the ‘Nalin & Kane remix peaked at Number 12, and in 2002 the ‘Marco V’ remix made Number 24.

Best Bit-At 5.59. Fittingly for what many people consider to be the best ‘Trance’ tune of all time, it is named after the world famous ‘Cafe Del Mar’ bar.

‘Energy 52’ was a short lived project comprising of the two German music producers Harold Bluchel, and Paul Schmitz-Moormann, (also known as ‘Kid Paul’) who formed in Berlin, Germany, in 1991, and remained active together until 1993. Bluchel was born on February 19th, 1966, in Nuremberg, Germany, and at the age of six he started taking lessons in classical piano. In 1976 he started taking an interest in ‘Electronic Music,’ and in particular ‘Kraftwerk,’ (see also best songs 41) and ‘Tangerine Dream.’ In 1986 he moved to West Berlin where he entered into the ‘Berlin University of the Arts’ to study. It was while living in Berlin, that he first met Kid Paul, and then in 1988 he started to compose in ‘Techno’ music and ‘House’ music. Bluchel has worked under seven different stage names, releasing seven Albums as ‘Cosmic Baby’ between 1992-2007, and four Albums as Harold Bluchel between 2006-2020.

‘Cafe Del Mar’ by ‘Energy 52’ is recognised as one of the most popular ‘Trance’ songs in the world, and in lists compiled is often voted at Number 1. The song appears on hundreds of compilation Albums, and has been remixed, and re-recorded by dozens of artists and producers since it’s initial release. Other notable acts to have covered or remixed the track include ‘Tall Paul,’ (see also best songs 271) in 2006, ‘Deadmau5’ in 2008, and ‘Dimitri Vegas’ in 2022. The main melody of ‘Cafe Del Mar’ is based on the 1983 Classical piece ‘Struggle for Pleasure,’ which was written by the Belgium composer Wim Mertens.

‘Trance’ music is a genre of Electronic Dance Music’ that developed in the early 1990’s from the German ‘Techno,’ and ‘Hardcore’ scenes.Trance music is characterised by a tempo generally lying between 135–150 beats per minute, (BPM) with repeating melodic phrases, and a musical form that distinctly builds tension and elements throughout the track often culminating in 1 to 2 “peaks” or ‘drops.’ Although trance is a genre of its own, it incorporates influences from other musical styles such as Techno, ‘House,’ Pop,’ ‘Chill-out,’ Classical Music,’ Tech House,’ Ambient,’ and ‘Film Music.’

The genres name of ‘Trance’ is taken from the medical term which may be associated with hypnosis, or meditation, also a trance like state can be associated with magic, flow, prayer, and altered states of consciousness. ‘Trance Music’ often uses the same repetitive melody throughout, and is often lengthy so as to incorporate sufficient time to build the ‘peaks’ and ‘drops,’ with many Trance songs also having a sparse opening and closing section in order to aid the mixing by DJ’s.

The ‘Cafe del Mar’ (‘Sea Cafe’) is a bar located in Sant Antoni de Portmany, Ibiza, which was established in 1980. In 1999, it founded the record label ‘Café del Mar Music,’ known for its series of ‘Chillout’ CDs. Today, Café del Mar is a bar brand that includes a bar in Ibiza, and 11 bars elsewhere in the world, including one in Malta. The Cafe del Mar was designed by ‘Lluis Guell, (1945-2005) who was in charge of the design, decoration and architecture. One of the first DJ’s at the Cafe del Mar was Jose Padilla (1955-2020) who created the first six volumes of the Cafe del Mar compilation CD albums issued between 1994 and 1999. In total to date there have been 26 volumes of music released, which include the genres of ‘Balearic Ambient,’ and ‘Easy Listening’ music.

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

80-Beatles-I Am the Walrus.

1967-It has never been released as a single in the UK.

Best Bit-At 2.36. I can vaguely remember being sat in an English literature lesson at school, I must have been around 12 years old. The subject was dissecting and understanding the meaning of the Beatles song ‘She’s Leaving Home.’

John Lennon (1940-1980) (see also best songs 927-473-456-168 and 20) got the idea for these, what appear to be randomly put together lyrics when he received a letter from a student who explained that his English teacher was having the class analyse Beatles songs. On the completion of this song Lennon told his close friend Pete Shotton, (1941-2017) ‘Let the f…..s work that one out.’

‘I Am the Walrus’ was conceived by John Lennon from many different ideas. He wrote the line,’Mis-ter cit-y police-man,’ to the melody of a siren he had heard in the street. The ‘Walrus’ refers to the Lewis Carroll (1832-1898) (see also best songs 512) poem ‘The Walrus and the Carpenter,’ which appears in the book ‘Through the Looking Glass,’ which was published in 1871. Lennon’s friend and former member of ‘The Quarrymen,’ Pete Shotten, had recently reminded Lennon of a playground nursery rhyme that they used to sing,’Yellow matter custard, green slop pie,all mixed together with a dead dog’s eye. Slap it on a butty, ten-foot thick, then wash it all down with a cup of cold sick.’ ‘Semolina pilchard’ refers to Sergeant Norman Pilcher (1935-2021) of the London drug squad. The words ‘Elementary penguin’ means it is naive to just go around chanting ‘Hare Krishna,’ or putting all of your faith in one idol. The voices you hear towards the fade out of the song were recorded by Lennon from a BBC radio broadcast of the Shakespeare play King Lear.

In 1980 Lennon reflected on his use of the Lewis Carroll poem ‘The Walrus and the Carpenter,’It never dawned on me that Lewis Carroll was commenting on the capitalist and social system. I never went into that bit about what he really meant, like people are doing with the Beatles’ work. Later, I went back and looked at it and realised that the walrus was the bad guy in the story, and the carpenter was the good guy. I thought, Oh, s–t, I picked the wrong guy. I should have said, ‘I am the carpenter,’ but that wouldn’t have been the same, would it?’

‘I Am the Walrus’ was one of six original compositions written by the Beatles for their 1967 television film ‘Magical Mystery Tour,’ which was meant to be a surreal comedy, and was first broadcast on BBC1 television on December 26th, 1967, to poor reviews. As with all of the Beatles songs the writing is credited to Lennon/McCartney, but ‘I Am the Walrus’ was the work of Lennon. In the UK, all six songs were released on a double ‘EP,’ while in America an Album was issued which included all six tracks on side 1, and five of the Beatles recent singles filled side 2. Whereas the film had received mostly negative reviews, the six songs that were included on the soundtrack were critically acclaimed.

‘I Am the Walrus’ much to the disappointment of Lennon was not chosen for release as a Beatles single, and was relegated to the ‘B’ side of the Paul McCartney (see also best songs 646 and 107) composition ‘Hello Goodbye,’ which Lennon considered to be far inferior,’Hello Goodbye’ which is also on the soundtrack of the ‘Magical Mystery Tour’ went on to top the charts in both the UK and U.S. in 1967.

As well as all four Beatles (see also best songs 599-319-238-218-157-141-51-10 and 5) playing on ‘I Am the Walrus,’ there is also an orchestra, whose arrangement was directed by this songs producer George Martin (1926-2016.) Providing backing vocals were Ray Thomas, (1941-2018) and Mike Pinder of the Moody Blues, (see also best songs 313) and also the 16 strong ‘Mike Sammes Singers,’ led by Mike Sammes (1928-2001.)

John Lennon went on to name check the ‘Walrus’ in three of his subsequent songs. In the 1968 Beatles song ‘Glass Onion’ he sings, “I told you ’bout the walrus and me, man. You know that we’re as close as can be, man. Well here’s another clue for you all, the walrus was Paul.’ In the third verse of his 1969 song ‘Come Together,’ he sings the line ‘He bag production, he got walrus gumboot,’ and in his 1970 solo song ‘God’, Lennon admits,’I was the walrus, but now I’m John.’

‘Expert, texpert choking smokers don’t you think the joker laughs at you. See how they smile like pigs in a sty see how they snide, I’m crying.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

81-John Miles-Music.

1976-Number 3 single.

Best Bit-At 2.58. Some songs have vague lyrics, some are practically impossible to decipher, others can appear to have more than one meaning, and some you can study for hours and hours and still get nowhere, but even my small brain had this one sussed in under five seconds.

John Miles was born John Errington on April 23rd, 1949, in Jarrow, County Durham, England, he died after a short illness on December 5th, 2021, at the age of 72. Miles became part of a local band in 1969 called ‘The Influence,’ which included Paul Thompson, who joined Roxy Music in 1971, (see also best songs 316 and 57) and Vic Malcolm who co-founded ‘Geordie’ (see also best songs 128) in 1971. In 1971 John Miles pursued a solo career, and although none of his songs from that period were commercially successful, his recording of the George Young (1946-2017) and Harry Vanda (see also best songs 939 and 447) song ‘One Minute Every Hour’ has become a ‘Northern Soul’ favourite.

In 1975 John Miles signed with ‘Decca Records’ which led to him working with Alan Parsons, (see also best songs 130) and Andrew Powell, (see also best songs 866-130-81 and 2) Parsons was this songs producer, and Powell did the orchestral arrangements. In total John Miles released 10 studio Albums between 1976-1999, and 18 singles between 1975-1994, of which four made the UK top 40, while in America on the Billboard Hot 100, his only top 40 hit was ‘Slow Down,’ which made Number 34 in 1976. From 1985 John Miles participated almost every year in the ‘Night of the Proms,’ which is a series of concerts held yearly in several European countries, and the United States. Miles’ song ‘Music’ became an anthem for these shows, and in 2009 he released a live Album,’The Best of John Miles at the Night of the Proms.’

‘Music’ was the second single released from John Miles’ first solo Album ‘Rebel’ from March 1976, on the Album’s cover Miles is posed with a big gun on his shoulders, reminiscent of James Dean, (1931-1955) who is considered a rebel. John Miles claims to have written ‘Music’ in around 30 minutes while performing in Leeds, England, at the ‘Cinderalla Rockerfellas’ nightclub, which was part of a chain of nightclubs owned by Peter Stringfellow (1940-2018.) In the UK ‘Music’ was released in it’s full entirety of 5.52 seconds, but in America it was heavily edited down to just over 3 minutes, which probably explains why it stalled at Number 88 on Billboard. In 2009 Miles collaborated with his son John Miles Jr. who is a member of the Belgium Dance act ‘Sylver,’ on a re-make of ‘Music,’ which saw this new version chart at Number 11 in Belgium.

Alan Parsons who produced ‘Music,’ and the rest of ‘Rebel’ as well has said,’Music’ is a milestone in the history of popular music, and John Miles is one of my favourite singers, and I am honoured that I have been able to put my mark onto his great music.’ Carl Huybrechts, who was one of the the joint creators of ‘Night of the Proms’ said,’I’ve heard him play ‘Music’ a thousand times. It always gave me goosebumps. With that huge orchestra there, it will always stay with me.’

‘Music was my first love, and it will be my last. Music of the future and music of the past.To live without my music would be impossible to do. In this world of troubles, my music pulls me through.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

82-Paul Whiteman and His Concert Orchestra with Paul Robeson and Mixed Chorus-Ol’ Man River.

1928-It has never charted in the UK. There was no UK chart until 1952.

Best Bit-At 2.19. The Mississippi river is the second longest river on the North American continent. It flows generally South for 2,320 miles (3,730 km) to the Mississippi Delta in the Gulf of Mexico, but we’re not here for a geography lesson, so let me tell you about the song.

‘Ol’ Man River’ was written for the 1927 musical ‘Showboat,’ with the music being written by Jerome Kern, (1885-1945) (see also best songs 687) and the lyrics being provided by Oscar Hammerstein (1895-1960) (see also best songs 842 and 60.) The musical is based on the best selling novel ‘Show Boat,’ written in 1926 by the American author and dramatist Edna Ferber (1885-1968) Ferber had serious reservations about her work being turned in to a musical.

Up until ‘Showboat’ as a general rule musicals were basically, boy meets girl, they break up, reconcile, and then live happily ever after. Ferber was reassured ‘Showboat’ would be different, and it is now seen as groundbreaking in that it remained loyal to the story’s serious subject matter, which led the way for future musicals. Ferber related in her autobiography that when Jerome Kern first played her ‘Ol’ Man River,’The music mounted, mounted, mounted, and I give you my word my hair stood on end, the tears came to my eyes, and I breathed like a heroine in a melodrama. This was great music. It was music that would outlast Kern’s day and mine.’

Edna Ferber’s novel ‘Show Boat’ chronicles the lives of a family of performers from the 1880’s to the 1920’s. They travelled on the ‘Cotton Blossom’, a floating theatre boat that provided entertainment for the small isolated towns on the banks of the Mississippi.’Ol’ Man River’ tells of the hardships of Indians, now known as African Americans working tirelessly on the boat, and in the ports where it docks. It also tells of the way white European travellers on board were uncaring and disinterested in their plight.

The musical ‘Show Boat’ opened to rave revues in 1927, with ‘Ol’ Man River’ being performed by Jules Bledsoe, (1897-1943) he also sang it in the first film version in 1929. The first hit version of the song was in 1928 by ‘Paul Whiteman (1890-1967) and His Orchestra, with Bing Crosby (1903-1977) (see also best songs 934-457 and 259) providing the vocals, this version gave Bing Crosby his second American Number 1 single. Just two months later Whiteman and His Orchestra recorded the song again, this time with the bass singer Paul Robeson (1898-1976) providing the vocals. This recording was far more up tempo than the version recorded with Crosby, and over the years has become the definitive recording.

Paul Leroy Robeson was born on April 9th, 1898, in Princeton, New Jersey, United States, he died on January 23rd, 1977, following complications of a stroke at the age of 77. Robeson had been the first choice to play the role of ‘Joe’ who sings ‘Ol’ Man River’ in the musical, but due to other commitments he was unavailable at that time, however he accepted the role for it’s 1928 London production, and it’s 1932 Broadway revival. Paul Robeson would also make the role of ‘Joe’ is own when accepting the part for the 1936 second film version of ‘Show Boat.’

‘I gets weary, sick of trying. I’m tired of living, feared of dying, but Ol’ man river he’s rolling along.’