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.’