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.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

103-Bob Dylan-Blowin’ in the Wind.

1963-It has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 2.21. This was the first song to make Bob Dylan financially secure. He had released the song as a single himself, but without any success, but after letting the Folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary record a version, which reached Number 2 on Billboard, things were to change forever. Peter Yarrow (of Peter, Paul and Mary) recalled that when he told Dylan he would make more than $5,000 (equivalent to around $48,000 in 2022) from the publishing rights, Dylan was speechless!

‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ was written by Bob Dylan, (see also best songs 792-621-358-36 and 7) and first recorded by him in July 1962, and became the opening track on his second studio Album ‘The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan,’ which was released in May 1963. ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ was produced by John Hammond, (1910-1987) who played a major part in the early development of Dylan’s music career, as well as helping many other major artists of the 20th Century.

Bob Dylan has said that it took him around 10 minutes to write ‘Blowin’ in the Wind,’ taking some inspiration for the song from his idol the Folk singer Woody Guthrie, (1912-1967) whose autobiography ‘Bound for Glory’ includes Guthrie comparing his political sensibility to newspapers blowing in the winds of New York City’s streets and alleys. The melody to ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ is not totally a Dylan original, and he has stated that it was adapted from an old African/American slave song called ‘No more auction Block/We Shall Overcome.’

‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ is a protest song, it tells us that peace and freedom are achievable, as is the ending of war, the answer to all of these questions are right in front of us, yet we do not see it. The song also caught the attention of the ‘Civil Rights Movement,’ with the American singer Mavis Staples stating her surprise that these words had come from a 21 year old white man. Another singer who was heavily influenced on first hearing the song was Sam Cooke, (1931-1964) who is said to have been inspired to write ‘A Change Is Gonna Come’ (see also best songs 156.)

In June 1962 Bob Dylan spoke about the song in the Folk Music journal ‘Sing Out!’ ‘There ain’t too much I can say about this song except that the answer is blowing in the wind. It ain’t in no book or movie or TV show or discussion group. Man, it’s in the wind, and it’s blowing in the wind. Too many of these hip people are telling me where the answer is, but oh I won’t believe that. I still say it’s in the wind, and just like a restless piece of paper it’s got to come down some, but the only trouble is that no one picks up the answer when it comes down, so not too many people get to see and know and then it flies away. I still say that some of the biggest criminals are those that turn their heads away when they see wrong and know it’s wrong. I’m only 21 years old and I know that there’s been too many wars. You people over 21, you’re older and smarter.’

‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ marked a big step forward lyrically for Bob Dylan, and it was the music critic Andy Gill (1953-2019) who wrote,’A song as vague as ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ could be applied to just about any freedom issue. It remains the song with which Dylan’s name is most inextricably linked, and safeguarded his reputation as a civil libertarian through any number of changes in style and attitude.’

‘How many roads must a man walk down, before you call him a man? How many seas must a white dove sail, before she sleeps in the sand? Yes, ‘n’ how many times must the cannon balls fly, before they’re forever banned? The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind, the answer is blowin’ in the wind.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

104-Dexys Midnight Runners-Geno.

1980-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 2.39. I’ve never been the greatest fan of Brass Band music, but if it all sounded like this, then convert me quick.

Dexys Midnight Runners were formed in Birmingham, England, in 1978 by Kevin Rowland, and Kevin ‘Al’ Archer, who had both previously been members of the Punk Rock group ‘The Killjoys,’ who released two singles in 1977. Dexys Midnight Runners remained active until 1986, but reformed again in 2003, and at the time of writing they are still performing. The bands name was derived from ‘Dexedrine,’ which was commonly used as a recreational drug among ‘Northern Soul’ fans, in order to give them energy to dance all night. In total there have been 53 different members of Dexys Midnight Runners come and go, with Kevin Rowland being the bands one constant. They have released five studio Albums between 1980-2016, and 25 singles, of which nine have made the UK top 40, and two have made Number 1 (see also best songs 913.) In America the band are a ‘one hit wonder,’ because ‘Come On Eileen’ is their only charting single, which reached Number 1 on Billboard in 1982.

‘Geno’ was the second single released by Dexys Midnight Runners, and the first of two from their debut studio Album ‘Searching for the Young Soul Rebels’ from July 1980. ‘Geno’ was co-written by Kevin Archer, (music) and Kevin Rowland (lyrics) and was produced by Pete Wingfield, who is probably best remembered for his 1975 hit ‘Eighteen with a Bullet,’ which reached Number 7 in the UK, and Number 15 in America.

‘Geno’ is a tribute song to the American Soul singer Geno Washington, who was born William Francis Washington, in December 1943, in Evansville, Indiana. As ‘Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band,’ they were active between 1965-1968 having no success in America, but in the UK they achieved two top 40 singles, with ‘Walter,’ and ‘Michael (the Lover’) both reaching Number 39 in 1966. In fact after ‘Geno’ was a hit, Geno Washington became far more famous than he had been in his heyday in the 1960’s. Kevin Rowland who wrote the lyrics to ‘Geno’ has said,’I saw Geno Washington in 68 at the Railway Hotel in Harrow. I was 15 years old and out with all the older kids, you had to be 18 to get in, short haired, cool-looking mods, turning into skinhead types. Looking back, it’s probably not the best gig I’ve ever been to, but I didn’t have anything to compare it to.’

‘Geno’ was very much written in the style of the type of music that Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band would perform live, the ‘Geno,’ Geno,’ Geno,’ chant at the beginning and end of the song is reminiscent of Washington’s 1960’s live performances, where the shows compare would excite the audience before Washington took to the stage. The ‘Geno’ chant was actually sampled from the crowd noise on Van Morrison’s (see also best songs 762) 1974 live Album ‘It’s too Late to Stop Now.’ I would also urge you to take a listen to the 1964 song ‘One and Only Man,’ by the British R&B group ‘Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band,’ and you will hear where Kevin Archer got his ideas for ‘Geno’s’ melody from.

‘Back in ’68 in a sweaty club, before Jimmy’s Machine and The Rocksteady Rub. On a night when flowers didn’t suit my shoes, after a week of flunkin’ and bunkin’ school. The lowest head in the crowd that night, just practicin’ steps and keepin’ outta the fights.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

105-Village People-Y.M.C.A.

1978-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 1.02. Village People band members dress as policemen, naval officers, leather clad bikers, construction workers, Native American Indians, and cowboys. They say that ladies are attracted to men dressed in uniform, but I don’t think they will have much luck with this lot.

The Village People were formed in Greenwich Village, New York City, United States, in 1977, by Jacques Morali, (1947-1991) Henri Belolo, (1936-2019) and Victor Willis (see also best songs 630.) Prior to the forming of the Village People, both Morali, and Belolo had worked successfully together creating the female Disco group ‘The Ritchie Family,’ who had hits with ‘Brazil.’ (1975) and ‘The Best Disco in Town’ (1976.) Morali got the idea for creating the Village People after attending a costume ball at ‘Les Mouches,’ a gay disco in Greenwich Village, as he gazed around the room, he was impressed by all the ‘macho male stereotypes’ portrayed by the party guests.

The six members of the Village People who sang the vocals on ‘Y.M.C.A.’ and performed in the video were Victor Willis, (policeman) Felipe Rose, (Native American) Glenn Hughes, (1950-2001) (leather clad biker) Alex Briley, (soldier) David Hodo, (construction worker) and Randy Jones (cowboy.) In total there have been 24 different members of the Village People come and go, and they remain active with Victor Willis being the only original member. The discography of the Village People includes 10 studio Albums issued between 1977-2018, and 34 singles released between 1977-2020. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, three of their singles have made the top 40, with ‘Y.M.C.A.’ reaching Number 2, while in the UK, they have achieved seven top 40 singles, including the 1993 remix of ‘Y.M.C.A.’ which peaked at Number 12, and also the 1999 ‘Millennium Mix’ of the song which made Number 35.

At the time of writing ‘Y.M.C.A.’ is currently the 21st best selling song of all time, with worldwide with sales in excess of 12 million copies. It was co-written by Jacques Morali, and Victor Willis, and produced by Morali, and first appeared as the opening track on the Village People’s third studio Album ‘Cruisin’ from September 1978.

The ‘YMCA’ which stands for ‘Young Men’s Christian Association’ was originally founded in London, England,in 1844 by George Williams (1821-1905.) In the United States, the YMCA began building single room occupancy facilities in the 1880’s to house people from rural areas who moved into cities to look for work. By the 1970’s, the typical YMCA tenants were more likely to be homeless people, and youth’s facing life issues, rather than people migrating from rural areas. The YMCA that Jaques Morali saw that inspired the song was the ‘McBurney YMCA,’ on West 23rd Street, in New York City, between 7th and 8th avenues. This is the building that the Village People perform in front of in the songs video.

‘Y.M.C.A.’ has become a staple at celebrations, mainly because of it’s now famous dance moves that people perform to it. The dance moves incorporate the moving of your arms to spell out the songs letters. It came about in 1979 when the Village People were appearing on the ‘Dick Clark American Bandstand’ television programme (similar to ‘Top of the Pops’ in the UK.) Legend has it that audience members randomly began doing the now famous actions, after the show Dick Clark showed Victor Willis the tape of the hand gestures. Clark said to Willis,’Victor, think you can work this dance into your routine? Willis responded,’I think we’re gonna’ have to.’

‘Young man, there’s a place you can go, I said, young man, when you’re short on your dough. You can stay there, and I’m sure you will find many ways to have a good time. It’s fun to stay at the YMCA.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

106-Kings of Leon-Sex on Fire.

2008-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 2.56. They say sex sells anything, but I have a sneaky feeling this would have sold anyway.

The Kings of Leon were formed in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, United States, in 1999, by Caleb, Jared, and Nathan Followill, along with their cousin Matthew Followill, for the discography of the band see best songs 551.

Prior to the release of ‘Sex on Fire’ the Kings of Leon had already achieved some success, especially in the UK, with their three previous Albums, but it was this single which greatly helped take the band to the next level, particularly in America where up until then their success had been very limited. ‘Sex on Fire’ was the first of six singles released from the King of Leon’s fourth studio Album ‘Only by the Night’ from September 2008, the lyrics were written by the groups lead singer Caleb Followill, with all four band members credited with writing the music. The song was jointly produced by Angelo Petraglia, and Jacquire King, who has also produced three other Kings of Leon Albums to date.

Caleb Followill wrote the lyrics with his then girlfriend Lily Aldridge in mind (they married in 2011.) Nathan Followill has said that the band never intended the song to be named ‘Sex on Fire,’ and that it was not intended to be about sexuality. He has said,’They were totally different lyrics. Depending on whether a song starts with a melody or starts with lyrics, you know if it starts with a melody you just keep playing the melody over and over until you get it down and just throw in any lyrics that fit the verbal flow. It was actually going to be “Set Us on Fire”, but one of the sound mixers in the studio walked in as we were playing and said, “‘Sex on Fire’, huh?” And it just kind of became a running joke, and we stuck with it. Commenting on the song Caleb Followill has jokingly said,’There’s always been an element of sex in our music, so I thought I’d just wrap it all up in one song and be done with the sex for the rest of the record.’ Caleb has also said, ‘It’s about a great sexual relationship with hot, hot sex that you remember for ever.’

As well as reaching Number 1 in the UK, ‘Sex on Fire’ also made Number 1 in Australia, Ireland, and Finland, although in America on the Billboard Hot 100 it stalled at Number 56. It did find greater success in the States though by reaching Number 1 on the ‘Alternative Airplay’ chart, and Number 10 on the ‘Hot Rock & Alternative Songs’ chart, greatly helping to raise the bands profile in their home country. With sales in excess of 1.2 million copies ‘Sex on Fire’ is one of the best selling songs of the 21st Century in the UK. It has also spent a total of 90 nonconsecutive weeks in the UK top 40, which makes it the third most charted single of all time in that country.

‘Hot as a fever, rattle of bones. I could just taste it, taste it. But it’s not forever, but it’s just tonight. Oh we’re still the greatest, he greatest, the greatest.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

107-Paul McCartney and Wings-Band on the Run.

1974-Number 3 single.

Best Bit-At 2.15. On the Album sleeve of ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ there are 58 different people depicted, while on the Album sleeve of ‘Band on the Run’ there are just nine. Paul McCartney. Linda McCartney, (1941-1998) Denny Laine, Michael Parkinson, Kenny Lynch (1938-2019) James Coburn, (1928-2002) Clement Freud, (1924-2009) Christopher Lee, (1922-2015) and John Conteh.

After the Beatles (see also best songs 599-238-218-157-141-80-51-10 and 6) parted ways in 1970, Paul McCartney (see also best songs 646) released his first two solo Albums ‘McCartney,’ (1970) and ‘Ram.’ (1971) He then formed the band ‘Wings’ in 1971, with his wife Linda, Denny Seiwell, and Denny Laine, ‘Wings’ remained active through until 1981, with a total of 10 members coming and going. As ‘Wings’ there were seven studio Albums issued between 1971-1979, and 29 singles released between 1972-2016, with 20 of those reaching the UK top 40, and ‘Mull of Kintyre’ making Number 1 in 1977, and becoming the first single to sell over 2 million copies in the UK. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart top 40, ‘Wings’ have achieved 24 hits, with six of those songs reaching Number 1, including ‘Band on the Run.’

All of McCartney’s four previous Albums post the Beatles had met with a mixed reception from the music press, and the general public, so McCartney felt that he needed to re-establish his career. In order to give himself a fresh start he decided to record his next Album ‘Band on the Run’ somewhere exotic, so he chose Lagos in Nigeria, but it was not the glamorous location he was expecting. The ‘EMI’ recording studio turned out to under equipped, and to add to their woes Paul and Linda were robbed at knife point while out walking in Lagos, and among the things taken were a notebook full of handwritten lyrics, and cassettes containing demos for songs already recorded.

‘Band on the Run’ was written by Paul and Linda McCartney, with Paul being the songs producer, the only other member of Wings at that time was Denny Laine who played lead guitar on the track, Linda played synthesizers, and Paul played all the other instruments on the song and sang the vocals. ‘Band on the Run’ is a song about escaping, McCartney was under pressure to prove he could still do it without the Beatles, he was being hounded by the law over his Cannabis use, and legal wranglings from his days with the Beatles had still not fully been sorted out. ‘Band on the Run’ was also inspired by something George Harrison (1943-2001) (see also best songs 737 and 726) had said back in 1969 when the Beatles were trying to get out of their contract with Alan Klein, (1931-2009) and the ‘Apple’ record label. During a business meeting Harrison had said,’We were all prisoners in some way,’ a remark which resonated with McCartney in his current situation, at that time.

Paul McCartney has said that ‘Band on the Run’ is about several different things, it was symbolic, he has said, ‘If we ever get out of here all I need is a pint a day.’ In the Beatles we’d started off as just kids really, who loved our music and wanted to earn a bob or two so we could get a guitar and get a nice car. It was very simple ambitions at first, but then, you know, as it went on it became business meetings and all of that, so there was a feeling of “if we ever get out of here”, yeah. And I did.’

‘Stuck inside these four walls, sent inside forever, never seeing no one nice again like you, mama you, mama you.

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

108-Status Quo-Caroline.

1973-Number 5 single.

Best Bit-At 0.01. They were first called ‘The Scorpions,’ (1962-1963) then they changed to ‘The Spectres,’ (1963-1967) this was followed by another name change to ‘Traffic,’ (1967) and then ‘Traffic Jam (1967.) Yet another change of name occurred when they became ‘The Status Quo,’ (1967-1969) before finally settling on just ‘Status Quo,’ (1969-present) which is their current ‘existing state of affairs.’

Status Quo (see also best songs 905) were formed in London, England, in 1962, by Francis Rossi, and Alan Lancaster, (1949-2021) while they were still schoolboys. The classic lineup, who also played on this song was completed by Rick Parfitt (1948-2016) who joined the band in 1967, and the bands drummer John Coghlan, who had joined in 1962, and left in 1982. Status Quo remain active, and in total there have been 14 different members come and go, with Francis Rossi being the bands one constant. For the discography of Status Quo see best songs 905.

‘Caroline’ was the only single released from Status Quo’s sixth studio Album ‘Hello,’ from September 1973, and was co-written by Francis Rossi, and Bob Young, with the songs production credited to all of the bands members. Bob Young who was born on May 16th, 1945, in Basingstoke, England, had been working with Status Quo in many capacities since 1968, and although he was never an official member of the band, he was known as ‘the 5th member.’ Along with Francis Rossi, he co-wrote several Status Quo songs, including ‘Paper Plane,’ and the bands only UK Number 1 single ‘Down Down.’

‘Caroline’ had been written as far back as 1971, and in it’s original form it was a slow ‘Blues’ song, it became the song we all know today after Rick Parfitt came up with the guitar riff. Bob Young has recalled how the song came about,’We stayed in a right grotty hotel because it was all we could afford and continued writing the song there in the dining room on a rainy day, when we couldn’t take the kids anywhere and everybody was miserable. The hotel manager wasn’t impressed that there were two members of Status Quo staying at the hotel. He was even less impressed when I leant against the dining room window and fell through it, but I managed to finish the lyrics on a napkin.’

There has been speculation over the years as to whom ‘Caroline’ is about. At the time the songs lyrics were written ‘Sweet Caroline'(see also best songs 13) by Neil Diamond was having it’s first taste of success in the UK, and many thought that ‘Caroline’ was a nod to that, but Francis Rossi has said,’We’d heard that around, and it was quite a nice phrase. Bob (Young) did know a Caroline, which I mustn’t talk about, but I suppose he was thinking that.’

‘Caroline,’ and it’s parent Album ‘Hello’ took Status Quo to the next level, with a ‘heavier’ sound that they had been working on since signing with their new record label ‘Vertigo’ in 1972. The song would go on to be among the bands opening numbers at concerts, and in 1985 when they became the opening act at ‘Live Aid,’ ‘Caroline’ was the second song they played, after opening with ‘Rockin’ All Over the World.’ In 1982 they released a live version of ‘Caroline’ which went on to reach Number 13 in the UK.

‘Come on sweet Caroline, you’re my sweet Caroline. You know I wanna take ya, I really gotta make ya, come on sweet Caroline, take my hand, together we can Rock’n’Roll.’

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.’