THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

416-Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson-I Need It.

1975-Number 36 single.

Best Bit-At 2.25. He wasn’t christened ‘Guitar,’ but he should have been.

Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson was born John Watson Jr. on February 3rd, 1935, in Houston, Texas, United States, he died on May 17th, 1996. He died from heart attack, collapsing on stage while on tour in Yokohama, Japan, at the age of 61.

At the age of 15 Watson moved with his mother to Los Angeles, California, after his parents divorced. It was there that he first entered talent contests, which led to him performing with local Blues bands, as a pianist, guitarist and vocalist. He recorded his first songs in 1952 as ‘Young John Watson,’ but he changed to Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson after watching the 1954 American Western ‘Johnny Guitar’ starring Joan Crawford. Over the years Watson developed a flamboyant stage act, appearing confident with a humorous personality, and he would often wear outrageous flashy clothing when performing.

Over the course of his career Watson toured and recorded with artists as diverse as Little Richard, Frank Zappa, Herb Alpert, and many more. His recording output altered with the decades changing music tastes, as he moved from the Blues in the 1950’s, to Soul in the 1960’s, through to the 1970’s when he turned to Funk. He released 27 Albums between 1958-1994, with 20 of his 53 singles between 1954-1995 charting on the Billboard R&B chart.

Watson’s 1954 single ‘Space Guitar’ is considered a very early example of the use of ‘feedback’ and ‘reverb,’ which would influence the next generation of guitarists. The American artist Steve Miller covered Watson’s 1957 song ‘Gangster of Love’ in 1968, he also made reference to it in his 1969 song ‘Space Cowboy,’ as well as in his 1973 hit ‘The Joker’ (see also best songs 715.) In a 1994 interview Watson was asked if his 1980 song ‘Telephone Bill’ anticipated Rap Music, to which Watson replied,’I damn well invented it.’

‘I Need It’ is the opening track on Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson’s 1976 Album ‘Ain’t That a Bitch.’ The Album is a mixture of Soul and Funk, and is Watson’s most successful with sales in excess of 500,000 copies.

‘You’ve got a thang for me, even the blind could see. Something you got, you can’t beat it, no, well, girl I need it.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

417-Crosby, Stills & Nash-Marrakesh Express.

1969-Number 17 single.

Best Bit-At 0.48. Marrakesh is a city in Morocco. The Marakesh Express is the train Graham Nash took on a trip there from Casablanca in 1966. The lyrics tell the tale of the sights and sounds that he encountered on that trip.

Crosby, Stills & Nash (CSN) are often cited as the first ‘Supergroup.’ It was the coming together of three already highly respected, and successful musicians. David Crosby had been a founding member of the American Folk Rock band The Byrds from 1964 until his dismissal in 1967, (see also best songs 621) Stephen Stills had been a founding member of the American Rock group Buffalo Springfield,(see also best songs 559) who had split, and he was looking for a new band, and Graham Nash who had just left the English Pop band the Hollies, (see also best songs 369) due to musical differences. After the success of their self debut Album in 1969 the trio went on tour, hiring other musicians to play with them including the equally highly respected and successful, and also former Buffalo Springfield member Neil Young (see also best songs 602 and 559.) Young would become the bands fourth member, as they would then perform as ‘Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (CSNY.) There has never been any official parting of the ways, although there has been no new activity since 2015.

Graham Nash was born on February 2nd, 1942, in Blackpool, England, he was a co-founder of the Hollies, but left the band in 1968. Nash had written ‘Marrakesh Express’ in 1966 with the aim of it becoming a future Hollies song, but when it was rejected for not being commercial enough, Nash became frustrated, leading to him leaving the band. Nash has explained how the song came about.’In 1966 I was visiting Morocco on vacation to Marrakesh, and getting on a train, and having a first class ticket, and then realising that the first class compartment was completely f..king boring, you know, ladies with blue hair in there, it wasn’t my scene at all. So I decide I’m going to go and see what the rest of the train is like, and the rest of the train was fascinating. Just like the songs says, there were ducks and pigs and chickens all over the place, and people lighting fires. It’s literally the song as it is, what happened to me.’

‘Marrakesh Express’ is track 2 on the Crosby, Stills & Nash self titled debut Album from 1969. The trio were joined by the top session drummer Jim Gordon on the track. Gordon is a veteran performer on hundreds of songs, who in 1970 co-founded the ‘Supergroup’ Derek and the Dominos. At the very start of the song you can hear David Crosby talking gibberish,’Whoopa, hey mesa, hooba huffa, hey meshy goosh goosh.’

‘Looking at the world through the sunset in your eyes. Trying to make the train through clear Moroccan skies. Ducks and pigs and chickens call, animal carpet wall to wall. American ladies five foot tall in blue.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

418-Rick James-Super Freak.

1981-Has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 2.33. When it comes to quality Funk on Motown, ‘U Can’t Touch This.’

Rick James was born James Ambrose Johnson Jr. on February 1st, 1948, in Buffalo, New York, United States, he died on August 6th, 2004, from pulmonary failure, and cardiac failure. James had suffered from drug abuse since his teens, and at the time of his death he had various health conditions including diabetes. He had also previously suffered a stroke, and a heart attack, and was fitted with a pacemaker.

Rick James joined the U.S. Navy Reserve in order to avoid being drafted in to the army, but in 1964 he deserted to Toronto, Canada, where he co-founded the R&B, and Rock band ‘The Mynah Birds,’ whose line up of 14 rotating members between 1964-1967 included Neil Young (see also best songs 602 and 599) and Bruce Palmer (1946-2004) who would go on to form Buffalo Springfield. On finding out that Johnson was a fugitive it was the Canadian Pop singer Shirley Matthews (1942-2013) who suggested he changed his name to Ricky James Matthews, after a cousin of hers who had died. The Mynah Birds were signed to Motown records, but none of their recordings on that label were officially released until 2006.

The authorities eventually caught up with Rick James, and he was sentenced to a one year prison term for desertion. After his release he started a variety of musical projects, and he finally found success in 1977 when signing with ‘Gordy Records’ a subsidiary of Motown.Rick James released 12 studio Albums between 1978-1997, there was also a posthumous release called ‘Deeper Still’ in 2007. James also had great success writing and producing for other artists on Motown including The Temptations,(see also best songs 1031-777 and 569) Teena Marie,(1956-2010) (see also best songs 735) and The Mary Jane Girls.

‘Super Freak’ was taken from Rick James’ fifth studio Album ‘Street Songs’ from 1981, and was co-written by James, and Alonzo Miller, with James producing. Miller was a Los Angeles radio DJ who modified the tone of the lyrics in order that the song had a better chance of being played to a crossover white audience. It is said that Rick James was not initially excited about the song, but reputedly wanted to have something on the Album that ‘White folks could dance to.’ Some of the backing vocals on the track were provided by The Temptations who had recently returned to Motown records.

‘Super Freak’ is about a girl who is very adventurous sexually, a ‘Freak’ is slang for someone willing to try various fetishes, thus a ‘Super Freak’ will try just about anything.

In 1990 Rick James successfully sued the American rapper MC Hammer for his sampling of this song on his 1990 Billboard Number 1 single ‘U Can’t Touch This’, having both James’ name and Miller’s added to the writing credits. In 2006 the Dutch Dance Music group ‘Beatfreakz’ covered ‘Super Freak,’ taking their version to Number 7 in the UK.

‘She’s a very kinky girl, the kind you don’t take home to mother. She will never let your spirits down, once you get her off the street.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

419-Percy Faith-Theme from A Summer Place.

1960-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 1.01. You say it better when you say nothing at all.

‘Theme from A Summer Place was written for the 1959 American romantic drama film ‘A Summer Place.’ Originally called the ‘Molly and Johnny Theme,’ it was performed for the movie by the American ‘Easy Listening’ music arranger Hugo Winterhalter (1909-1973.) The music was not the films main title music, and was only played intermittently during the film, it only came to be immediately associated with the movie after this recording by Percy Faith.

‘Theme from A Summer Place’ was written by Max Steiner (melody) and Mack Discant (lyrics.) Although the lyrics were not used in the film, or in the Percy Faith version, there have been dozens, or maybe even hundreds of vocal versions recorded. Max Steiner was born Maximilian Raoul Steiner on May 10th, 1888 in Vienna, Austria-Hungary, he died from congestive heart failure in 1971 at the age of 83. Steiner composed over 300 film scores, including ‘Casablanca’ (1942) ‘Gone With the Wind’ (1939) and ‘King Kong’ (1933.) He is referred to as the ‘Father of film music,’ or the ‘Dean of film music.

In 1959 prior to the film ‘A Summer Place’ being released, Percy Faith had already recorded and released ‘Theme from A Summer Place’ as a single. At first it only charted moderately, but it eventually took off in February 1960, spending nine consecutive weeks at Number 1 on Billboard, which at that time set a new record, which would stand until 1977. The song remains the longest running Number 1 instrumental in the history of the Billboard singles chart.

Percy Faith was born on April 7th, 1908, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, he died from cancer in 1976 at the age of 67. Percy Faith recorded around 100 studio Albums between 1951-1976, 21 of which made the Billboard Hot 200 chart. He also had great success as a music producer for himself, and others. His production can be heard on 16 Billboard hit singles, including both of his Number 1’s, this song in 1960, and the ‘Moulin Rouge Theme’ in 1953. Faith is credited with popularising the genre of ‘Easy Listening’ or ‘Mood Music,’ although at times he has been ridiculed for inventing ‘elevator music.’ Percy Faith re-recorded ‘Theme from A Summer Place’ twice. In 1969, as a female choral version, and then in 1976 as a ‘Disco’ version titled ‘Summer Place 76,’ which was released posthumously.

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

420-Janet Kay-Silly Games.

1979-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 4.20. For those about to ‘Lovers Rock’ we salute you.

The genre of music that is known as Lovers Rock has nothing to do with Rock music, it is in fact a style of Reggae music that is noted for it’s romantic content, rather than carrying a political message. It combines the Soul sounds that were coming out of Chicago, and Philadelphia in the early 1970’s, with Rocksteady, and Reggae bassline rhythms. The genre evolved out of London, England, and would go on to inspire future acts such as Boy George and Culture Club to bring it in to the mainstream.

‘Silly Games’ was written by Dennis Bovell who was born on May 22nd, 1953, in Saint Peter, Barbados, West Indies, in the 2021 Birthday Honours he was awarded an ‘MBE’ for services to music. He has released 14 studio Albums between 1978-2015, either using his real name, or the stage name ‘Blackbeard.’ He is also a long term associate of the Jamaican ‘Dub Poet’ Linton Kwesi Johnson,’ working with him on several of his Albums. Bovell is also a music producer, having worked with artists as diverse as Madness, The Thompson Twins, The Slits, and I-Roy.

Janet Kay Bogle was born on January 17th, 1958, in Willesden, London, England, she has released 12 studio Albums between 1982-2012. She came to the attention of Tony ‘Gad’ Robinson of the British Reggae band Aswad while singing impromptu at a rehearsal studio. Robinson was impressed and recommended her to the Jamaician singer/songwriter Alton Ellis who was now based in London, and was looking for a female singer who could hit the high notes comfortably. One of Kay’s earliest recordings was a cover of the Minnie Ripperton song ‘Lovin’ You,’ (see also best songs 503) which was produced by Ellis.

‘Silly Games’ was written by Dennis Bovell who has explained how it came about.’There was an advert for ‘Memorex’ where Ella Fitzgerald sang a note and broke a glass, and I wanted a song with a note like that, little girls always try to sing a high note, so when I wrote Silly Games and put that high note in there, it meant that every female in the dance would try and sing that note.’

‘Silly Games’ was split in to two parts for the 7 inch single release, with the ‘Dub’ part of the song released as the ‘B’ side, and called ‘Dangerous.’ For the 12 inch release the full six minutes and 18 seconds appears in full as one track. This song would prove to be Janet Kay’s only solo chart entry, although in 1990 a cover version by Lindy Layton featuring Janet Kay on backing vocals reached Number 22 in the UK.

‘I’ve been wanting you for so long, it’s a shame, oh baby. Every time I hear your name, oh the pain, boy how it hurts inside.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

421-Garbage-Only Happy When It Rains.

1995-Number 29 single.

Best Bit-At 1.52. I guess they won’t be buying a holiday home in the Sahara Desert then.

Garbage were formed in Madison, Wisconsin, United States, in 1993 by Butch Vig (drums and production) Shirley Manson (vocals) Duke Erikson (guitar, bass and keyboards) and Steve Marker (guitar and keyboards.) The band derived their name from something that Butch Vig wrote in his studio journal in 1993,’I hope that all this garbage will become something beautiful’. They have released seven studio Albums to date between 1995-2021, two compilations, and 33 singles, 16 of which have reached the UK top 40. They remain active, with the same four band members always being constant, although they have all pursued solo projects, especially when the band went on hiatus in 2006, and again in 2008-2009.

Butch Vig (see also best songs 641) was born Bryan David Vig on August 2nd, 1955, he is acknowledged as one of the world’s best, and most successful music producers. He was the producer of the 1991 Album ‘Nevermind’ by Nirvana,(see also best songs 788 and 9) which has sold in excess of 15 million copies worldwide to date. Vig had first met fellow future band mate Steve Marker at the University of Wisconsin where they both were students. Both Vig and Marker had known Erikson as far back as 1983 when he helped them set up ‘Smart Studios’ in Madison, Wisconsin. It was Marker who saw Shirley Manson performing on ‘MTV’ and recommended her to the other three as a potential lead singer for the band. Shirley Ann Manson was born on August 26th, 1966, in Edinburgh, Scotland.Her career breakthrough occurred when becoming a member of the Scottish Rock band ‘Goodbye Mr Mackenzie, she would go on to front the band, who would later splinter to become ‘Angelfish,’ which was where she was first seen by Marker. Garbage have sold in excess of 17 million records to date.

‘Only Happy When It Rains’ was taken from the self titled debut Album by Garbage, with all four band members credited as the songs writers, and producers. The lyrics are Garbage mocking themselves, as they, and particularly ‘Alternative Rock,’ and Grunge’ artists at that time were singing dark and depressing song lyrics. Steve Marker has said,’It’s really just us poking fun of ourselves. We’re poking fun at the alternate rock angst, wearing your heart on your sleeve thing, and at ourselves for writing such dark songs.’

‘I only smile in the dark, my only comfort is the night gone black. I only listen to sad, sad songs, I’m only happy when it rains.

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

422-Eddie Cochran-Somethin’ Else.

1959-Number 22 single.

Best Bit-At 1.49. The moral of the song. If you work hard you can achieve.

Eddie Ray Cochran was born on October 3rd, 1938, in Albert Lea, Minnesota, United States, he died on April 17th, 1960, in Bath, Somerset, England, at the age of 21. During his lifetime he released just one studio Album, the 1957 release ‘Singin’ to My Baby.’ After his death there have been 26 official compilations issued, plus three live Albums. During his lifetime he released 15 singles, three of which charted on Billboard, and five which reached the UK top 40. Since his death a further five singles have charted in the UK, including the 1960 posthumous Number 1 ‘Three Steps to Heaven.’

Eddie Cochran (see also best songs 50) was one of the most important figures in the development of Rockabilly, Rock N’ Roll,’ and Rock music in general, with his experimentation with multi tracking recording, distortion techniques, and overdubbing, dating back to as early as 1955. Cochran portrayed the image that every young male 1950’s Rocker craved, with his portrayal of a sharply dressed, handsome young man, with a rebellious attitude.

‘Somethin’ Else was co-written by Bob Cochran (Eddie’s brother) and Sharon Sheeley, at the time of Eddie Cochran’s death she was ‘unofficially engaged’ to him, the song was produced by Eddie Cochran. Sharon Sheeley was born on April 4th, 1940, in Newport Beach, California, United States, she died on May 17th, 2002 from a cerebral hemorrhage at the age of 62. Her other writing credits include ‘Poor Little Fool’ recorded by Ricky Nelson, (1940-1985) when the song made Number 1 on Billboard in 1958 Sheeley at the age of 18 became the youngest woman to write an American Number 1 hit. Sheeley also found great success as a songwriter when teaming up with fellow female American songwriter Jackie De Shannon (see also best songs 573.)

‘Somethin’ Else has been recorded by numerous artists over the years, notable covers include a live version from Johnny Hallyday (1943-2017) whose rendition topped the chart in France in 1962, and a version by the Sex Pistols with Sid Vicious (1957-1979) on lead vocals, which reached Number 3 in the UK in 1979.

‘Never thought I’d do this before, but here I am a-knockin’ on her door. My car’s out front and it’s all mine, just a ’41 Ford, not a ’59. I got that girl and I’m a-thinkin’ to myself, she’s sure fine lookin’ man, wow she’s something else.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

423-D’banj-Oliver Twist.

2012-Number 9 single.

Best Bit-At 3.04. ‘Please sir, I want some more.’

D’banj was born Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo on June 9th, 1980, in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria, his stage name is a combination of his first name and his surname. In 2001 he arrived in London, England, to continue his studies as a mechanical engineer, but his passion for music got the better of him when meeting the music producer and songwriter Michael Ajereh, better known by his working name Don Jazzy, who was also of Nigerian decent. Together they started the record label ‘Mo’Hits Records,’ from where D’banj released his first three studio Albums, and 13 singles between 2005-2008, the pair also released music from other artists who were signed to the label. D’banj and Don Jazzy worked together until their mutual split in 2011. By now D’banj had signed to the ‘G.O.O.D. Music’ record label owned by Kanye West, and appeared on the compilation Album ‘Cruel Summer,’ on the track ‘The Morning.'(see also best songs 849 and 267) D’banj is one of the most successful acts to come out of Nigeria, and Africa, his musical genres include Afrobeats, Pop, Hip-Hop, and R&B. According to ‘T.I.N. Magazine’ D’banj he is the wealthiest solo musician in Nigeria.In total he has released four studio Albums between 2005-2017, and 37 singles between 2005-2018, with this track being his only charting song in Europe.

‘Oliver Twist’ was co-written by D’banj and Don Jazzy, the song was also made available in 2013 on the compilation Album ‘D’Kings Men,’ released by the Nigerian record label ‘DB Records.’ As for the songs meaning, Charles Dickens’ poor workhouse boy Oliver Twist famously asked for more gruel, only to be rebuffed by Mr. Bumble. D’banj’s wish is more fanciful, he tells his girlfriend that his desire is to be with famous Pop Divas such as Beyonce, and Rihanna, but can’t, because he is just like Oliver Twist. He then tells his girlfriend that he knows that she is much the same as he is, because she desires the R&B singer Trey Songz, and also the music producer (of this song) Don Jazzy.

‘See I like Beyonce, but she dey with Jigga. I like Nikki, her yansh is bigger.I like Rihanna, she dey make me day go gaga.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

424-Technotronic-Pump Up the Jam.

1989-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 2.03. It’s a good job that the lyrics are not too taxing, as Congolese model Felly Kilingi who is lip-syncing couldn’t speak a word of English.

At that time it was considered normal to get someone attractive to appear on the CD sleeve, or front the video, pretending to be the actual vocalist on the track. Other well known examples include Milli Vanilli, C&C Music Factory, and Black Box (see also best songs 501)Technotronic was the brainchild of Jo Bogaert who was born in Aalst, Belgium, in 1956. Using the stage name Thomas de Quincey he co-wrote, and produced for Technotronic. Over the course of the bands existence from 1987-2001 he worked with 12 other artists releasing three studio Albums, and one remix Album. There have also been five official greatest hits compilations released between 1993-2012, and 25 singles, 12 of which reached the top 40 in Belgium (including two Number 1’s.) In the UK they have achieved nine top 40 singles, and in America they have charted on three occasions.

‘Pump Up the Jam’ is the opening track on Technotronic’s debut studio Album of the same name from 1989. The song was co-written by Jo Bogaert (music) and Manuela Kamosi (lyrics) using her stage name ‘Ya Kid K,’ she also provides the vocals on the track. Ya Kid K was born on January 26th, 1972, in Kinshasa, Zaire, she moved to Belgium at the age of 11. As well as providing input, and the vocals to other Technotronic Albums, she has also released two solo studio Albums in 1992, and 2014. She has a child with fellow Technotronic performer ‘MC Eric,’ who provided the vocals on ‘This Beat Is Technotronic.’ the bands third single release from 1990. Also in 1990 both Bogaert and Ya Kid K, using the stage name ‘Hi Tek 3,’ wrote, produced, and performed ‘Spin That Wheel,’ which appeared on the ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ soundtrack Album, and was released as a single, reaching Number 15 in the UK.

‘Pump Up the Jam’ is a ground breaking song, and is an early example of Rap and House Music joining forces, in what was to become known as ‘Hip-House.’ ‘Pump Up the Jam’ is credited with being the very first ‘House Music’ track to break in to the Billboard top 10 in America, when reaching Number 2 in 1989.

On a personal note, when I first heard the track back in 1989, my first thoughts were, is this a novelty song, maybe that was because it sounded so different to anything I had ever heard before. The song has stood the test of time a lot better than most, and still sounds fresh and new to this day.

‘Pump up the jam, pump it up, while your feet are stompin’ and the jam is pumpin.’ Look at here the crowd is jumpin.’ pump it up a little more, get the party going on the dance floor.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

425-Tracy Chapman-Fast Car.

1988-Number 5 single. In 2011 the song re-entered the chart, and this time peaked at Number 4.

Best Bit-At 2.01. What about this for an accolade! ‘Rolling Stone’ magazine ranked the song at 167 on their list of the 500 greatest songs of all time, the highest ranking song both written and performed by a female artist.

Tracy Chapman was born on March 30th, 1964, in Cleveland, Ohio, United States, she has released eight studio Albums between 1988-2008. There have also been two greatest hits compilations, and a total of 22 singles, her only UK hit is ‘Fast Car,’ but in America on Billboard she has charted twice, with this song reaching Number 6, and her most successful track ‘Give Me One Reason’ making Number 3 in 1995.

Tracy Chapman was already signed to ‘Elektra’ records when she got her big breakthrough. On June 11th, 1988, at Wembley Stadium, London , England, Chapman was one of the many artists booked to play at the Nelson Mandela 70th birthday tribute, which was being broadcast to 67 countries, and an audience of 600 million. Chapman had duly played her afternoon spot, but when problems arose over Stevie Wonder’s backing track being lost, Chapman was asked to fill in at prime time, bringing her acclaimed exposure. The sales of her self titled debut Album rocketed, taking it to Number 1 on the Billboard Album chart, with the single ‘Fast Car’ going top 10 in the UK and America.

‘Fast Car’ was released as the debut single by Tracy Chapman from her 1988 self titled debut Album. The lyrics tell the story of someone trying to escape a life where there is very little prospect of them being able to better themselves, because circumstances are heavily weighted against them. The sting in the tail is that what the narrator is trying to escape, comes around full circle, and history repeats itself, and she ends up back at square one. I personally find myself thinking of the Mac Davis composition, ‘In the Ghetto’ sung by Elvis Presley from 1969 (see also best songs 442.)

In 2011 ‘Fast Car’ re-entered the UK top 40 after Michael Collings a contestant on the television show ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ sang his rendition. This time the song charted one place higher when reaching Number 4. In 2015 the ‘Dance Music’ producer Jonas Blue released a version of the song as his debut single, featuring the vocals of Sophie Elton, better known by her stage name ‘Dakota,’ and this version reached Number 2 in the UK.

‘You got a fast car, I got a job that pays all our bills. You stay out drinking late at the bar, see more of your friends than you do of your kids. I’d always hoped for better.’