THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

426-Neil Diamond-Cracklin’ Rosie.

1970-Number 3 single.

Best Bit-At 2.33. I am confident that from this point onward in this song, even I could do a karaoke performance justice.

Neil Leslie Diamond was born on January 24th, 1941, in Brooklyn, New York, United States, with record sales in excess of 100 million he is one of the worlds best selling artists. In 2018 he announced that he would retire from touring due to having been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, but added that he would continue to write and record.To date Diamond has recorded 34 studio Albums, between 1966-2018.

‘Cracklin’ Rosie’ was written by Neil Diamond,(see also best songs 536 and 13) and was taken from his sixth studio Album ‘Tap Root Manuscript.’ In America it gave him the first of his three Billboard Number 1 singles, while in the UK the song is his highest charting, when reaching Number 3 in 1970. Many rumours have circulated over the years as to the true meaning of the lyrics, but Diamond has confirmed that his inspiration for writing the song came after hearing a story about a native Indian Canadian tribe who had more men than women in their flock, and that the lonely men of the tribe, who couldn’t get a partner would sit around the camp fire and drink their wine together.’Crackling Rose’ is the name of an inexpensive sparkling wine once produced by Andres Wines of British Columbia, and it is said that while on tour in the early days, Diamond may have purchased the product.

It is also rumoured that in a piece of very clever marketing in order to get his song played on the radio, Diamond directed the lyrics ‘Play it now, Play it now my baby’ directly at Rosalie Trombley who was the music director at the Canadian radio station ‘CKLW’ at that time. Trombley had the final say as to what got played, and what didn’t, and could make or brake a song, the 1973 song ‘Rosalie’ by Bob Seger, and later covered by Thin Lizzy (see also best songs 125) in 1975 is about her.

The session musicians who played on this song were members of the Los Angeles based ‘The Wrecking Crew’ who were employed for thousands of studio recordings during the 1960’s and 1970’s. Members of the ‘Crew’ who appear on this track, and it’s parent Album include Hal Blaine (1929-2019) (drums) Larry Knechtel (1940-2009) (keyboards) Joe Osborn (1937-2018) (bass) Al Casey (1936-2006) (guitar) Tony Terran (1926-2017) (trumpet) and Gene Estes (1931-1996) (percussion.) At a later date I will list all the songs in this countdown that The Wrecking Crew appeared on.

‘Cracklin’ Rose you’re a store bought woman, you make me sing like a guitar hummin,’ so hang on to me girl, our song keeps runnin’ on.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

427-Alice Cooper-Teenage Lament ’74.

1973-Number 12 single.

Best Bit-At 2.46. ‘We’re not worthy, we’re not worthy.’

Alice Cooper, also known as the ‘Alice Cooper Band’ can trace their roots back to ‘Cortez High School’ in Phoenix, Arizona, United States, where a 16 year old Vincent Furnier, and his school friends in 1964 formed a band to enter a local annual ‘Letterman’s’ talent show which they subsequently won using the stage name ‘The Earwigs’ (a probable nod to the Beatles.) They soon renamed themselves ‘The Spiders,’ and recorded their first single ‘Why Don’t You Love Me’. By 1967 the band members had graduated from high school, and once again changed their stage name, this time to ‘Nazz,’ but after finding out that the artist Todd Rundgren was already using that name for his backing band, they settled upon ‘Alice Cooper in 1968, Alice cooper was a character in the 1960’s, and 1970’s American television series ‘Mayberry R.F.D.’ The band remained active until 1975, with the original line up consisting of, Vincent Furnier (vocals and harmonica) Glen Buxton (1947-1997) (lead guitar) Michael Bruce (rhythm guitar and keyboards) Dennis Dunaway (bass) and Neal Smith (drums.) Two additional members, Mick Mashbir (guitar) and Bob Dolin (keyboards) performed with the band in 1973-1974. They released seven studio Albums between 1969-1973, and achieved five top 40 singles on Billboard. Five of their singles also made the UK top 40, including the 1974 Number 1 ‘Schools Out’. When the Alice Cooper Band split in 1975 the lead singer Vincent Furnier legally changed his name to Alice Cooper so that he could continue to perform with that stage name.

‘Teenage Lament ’74’ was taken from the Alice Cooper Band’s seventh and final studio Album ‘Muscle of Love,’ and was co-written by Furnier, and the bands drummer Neal Smith. The song tells of a young boy working his way through adolescence, with all the usual trials and tribulations. He thinks that being 15 will be a breeze, but trying to impress his peers, and hearing his parents squabble is taking it’s toll. The song is also noteworthy for it’s female backing vocals, which include contributions from Liza Minnelli,(see also best songs 182) Ronnie Spector, (1943-2022) (see also best songs 127) Labelle, and The Pointer Sisters.

Vincent Furnier was born on February 4th, 1948, in Detroit, Michigan, United States.As Alice Cooper he has gone on to have a very successful solo career, releasing 21 studio Albums between 1975-2021, he has also acted in several films, and appeared on many television programmes. When a member of the Alice Cooper Band he became famously known for his elaborate stage shows, and eccentric behaviour when performing. The music press dubbed this ‘Shock Rock,’ and Cooper is recognised as a major influence on future Heavy Rock performers.

‘Well I cut my hair weird, I read that it was in. I looked like a rooster that was drowned and raised again.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

428-Johnny Cash-San Quentin.

1969-Has never been released as a single in the UK.

Best Bit-At 1.42. Johnny Cash playing to a captive audience.

Johnny Cash was born J. R. Cash on February 26th, 1932, in Kingsland, Arkansas, United States, he died on September 12th, 2003, at the age of 71 of complications from diabetes. Cash suffered from drug addiction for long periods in his life which led to him being arrested on occasions for possession, although he never spent more than one night in prison, (on at least seven occasions) he had great empathy with the conditions that long term inmates had to endure during their custodial sentences.

Johnny Cash (see also best songs 857 and 199) is one of the worlds best selling artists with sales in excess of 90 million records, he wrote over 1000 songs, and there have been a total of 97 Albums released since 1957. Among the Albums released include 15 live recordings, of which four were recorded in prisons. Cash first performed at San Quentin (also his first ever prison performance) on January 1st, 1959. San Quentin State Prison is in California, United States, and first opened in July 1852. In the audience that day was an inmate by the name of Merle Haggard (1937-2016) who at the age of 18 had been sentenced to 15 years in San Quentin for burglary. Seeing Cash perform turned Haggard’s life around, and he went on to become one of Country Musics most successful acts with 38 Number 1 songs on Billboard’s Country Music chart. In 1969 when appearing on the ‘Johnny Cash Show’ Haggard told Cash that the first time he had ever seen him perform was at San Quentin, to which Cash replied ‘I don’t remember you being in that show Merle,’ to which Haggard responded,’I was in the audience Johnny.’

‘Johnny Cash at San Quentin’ was the 31st overall Album release by Johnny Cash, it was recorded on February 24th, 1969, and released on June 16th, 1969. His first recorded for release concert prison Album had been the previous year, the ‘Folsom Prison,’ Album, which had also been met with critical acclaim. There would be two more ‘prison albums,’ ‘Pa Osteraker’ recorded in 1972 in Sweden, and ‘A Concert Behind Prison Walls,’ recorded in 1974 at Tennessee State Prison, but not released until 11 days after Cash’s death, on September 23rd, 2003.

The concert at San Quinton in 1969 was filmed by the English television company ‘Granada’ as part of a documentary about prison life. The music that appears on the Album has been heavily edited due to timing limitations on vinyl LP formats, but reissues on other formats have seen the Album expanded. Two songs from the concert were both being performed for the very first time. ‘San Quentin,’ and the Shel Silverstein (1930-1999) (see also best songs 242) cover of ‘A Boy Named Sue.’

‘San Quentin I hate every inch of you. You’ve cut me and scarred me through and through, and I’ll walk out a wiser weaker man, Mister Congressman you can’t understand.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

429-Edwin Starr-Contact.

1979-Number 6 single.

Best Bit-At 4.04. ‘Oi! Mush, what’d yu’ think yur lookin’ at!’

Edwin Starr was born Charles Edwin Hatcher on January 21st, 1942 in Nashville, Tennessee, United States, he died of a heart attack at the age of 61, in Chilwell, Nottinghamshire, England. Edwin Starr’s professional music career began in Detroit, Michigan, in 1957 when he formed a Doo-Wop group called the ‘Future Tones,’ As a solo artist in the early 1960’s he signed with the small independent record label ‘Ric-Tic’ records. The owner of ‘Motown’ records Berry Gordy, who didn’t want competition bought ‘Ric-Tic’ records, and took the labels artists, one of whom was Starr, to record for him, on Motown, and it’s subsidiary’s. Edwin Starr’s biggest success while at Motown was with the Norman Whitfield (see also best songs 911-777-569-533-480-346 and 233) produced anti war song ‘War,’ which spent three weeks at Number 1 on Billboard in 1970.

By 1978 ‘Disco Music’ was at it’s peak and it appeared that everyone was jumping on the bandwagon. Edwin Starr was now signed with ’20th Century’ records, and recorded the Album ‘Clean’ which contains other Disco influenced songs as well as ‘Contact,’ but also sees Starr perform ‘R&B,’ and ballads. ‘Contact’ was co-written by Starr, along with Robert Dickerson, and Arthur Pullam, and was produced by Starr. Although the 12 inch single had already been around for a number of years by 1979, it was still unusual for them to sell in any great number, and ‘Contact’ was one of the first big sellers (many on coloured vinyl) to sell in excess of 100,000 copies in the UK.

Edwin Starr uprooted and came to live in England in 1983, and would stay until his death. In total he recorded 14 studio Albums between 1968-1991. Four of his singles made the Billboard singles chart in America, and eight have charted in the UK top 40. Starr was a very popular performer in the UK, especially on the Northern Soul circuit, where many of his early recordings on ‘Ric-Tic’ records, and Motown, have become sought-after Northern Soul classics.

‘Across the crowded disco room, through a maze of dancing people, she sits so quiet and all alone wanting to get the disco fever.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

430-M People-Moving On Up.

1993-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 4.37. The ‘Saxy’ bit.

M People were formed in Manchester, England, in 1990, by Mike Pickering who chose the stage name ‘M People’ from the first letter of his name. He was soon joined by Paul Heard who had previously been a member of the Acid Jazz band ‘Ace of Clubs,’ the percussionist Andrew ‘Shovel’ Lovell, whose previous band were called ‘Natural Life,’ and the vocalist Heather Small, who had just left the Soul band ‘Hot House.’ M People have gone on to sell in excess of 11 million records, releasing five studio Albums between 1991-1997, and five compilation Albums between 1998-2007. They have released 19 singles all of which have reached the UK top 40, with this track being the most successful, as well as being their only charting song on Billboard, when reaching Number 34 in 1993. In 1999 the band went on hiatus, but reformed to sporadically tour, and remain active, although there has been no new music since 1999.

Mike Pickering was born on February 21st, 1954, in Manchester, England, prior to forming M People he had been a member of the critically acclaimed Electronic Music group ‘Quando Quango,’ who had failed to break into the mainstream. The original idea was for M People to use different guest vocalists on each track, but after hearing Heather Small they had a change of mind.

Heather Small was born on January 20th, 1965, in West London, England, as well as providing the vocals for M People she has also released two solo Albums in 2000, and 2006. She has had hits with the song ‘Proud’ (UK Number 16) in 2000, and in the same year ‘You Need Love Like I Do,’ a duet with Tom Jones reached Number 24. Small has also provided vocals to two UK Number 1 singles. In 1997 as part of the charity single ‘Perfect Day,(see also best songs 131) and in 1989 for the re-recorded version of ‘Ride on Time’ by Black Box(see also best songs 501.)

‘Moving On Up’ was the seventh overall single release from M People, and the second from their second studio Album ‘Elegant Slumming’ from 1993, the Album went on to win the UK 1994 ‘Mercury Music Prize, and is currently closing in on 800,000 sales worldwide.’Moving On Up’ was co-written by Mike Pickering, and fellow M People band member Paul Heard, and has become one of the most popular Dance/Pop tracks of the 1990’s. Although the song sounds uplifting, and inspiring, it is actually about a woman telling her man he is no longer wanted, as he doesn’t treat her the way he should. She is taking control of the situation, and telling him to go, which of course is inspiring for people in a similar situation to hear.

‘You’ve done me wrong, your time is up. You took a sip from the Devil’s cup. You broke my heart, there’s no way back, move right out of here, baby, go on pack your bags.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

431-Lead Belly-Where Did You Sleep Last Night?

1944-Has never charted in the UK. There was no chart until 1952.

Best Bit-At 2.31. The more I read and write about music the more I realise that if it wasn’t for the previous generations influence on the next generation, our music heritage would be an awful lot poorer. Perhaps Lead Belly was the most influential of them all.

Huddie William Ledbetter was probably born on January 23rd, 1888, in Mooringsport, Louisiana, United States, he died on December 6th, 1949, having earlier on that year been diagnosed with Motor Neuron disease.

Lead Belly was known for playing a twelve-string guitar, as well as the piano, mandolin, harmonica, violin, and windjammer. He recorded in many genres including Folk Blues, and Gospel, and also wrote many songs himself. George Harrison said,’If there was no Lead Belly, there would have been no Lonnie Donegan, no Lonnie Donegan,(see also best songs 484 and 136) no Beatles, therefore no Lead Belly no Beatles. Bob Dylan said,’Somebody I’d never seen before handed me a Lead Belly record with the song ‘Cotton Fields,’ on it, and that record changed my life right there and then.’From the current crop of musicians George Ezra (see also best songs 355) has said that he developed his singing style from listening to Lead Belly. ‘On the back of one of his records it said his voice was so big, you had to turn your record player down. I liked the idea of singing with a big voice, so I tried it, and I could.’

‘Where Did You Sleep Last Night?’ is a traditional American Folk song that developed from two songs, ‘In the Pines,’ and ‘The Longest Train, it is also known as ‘My Girl,’ and ‘Black Girl,’ and both were probably written around 1870 by an unknown source. Like many other Folk songs ‘In the Pines’ was passed down from generation to generation, and over time lyrics have been added, and also changed. The earliest recordings of the song date back to 1925, with many versions in differing genres recorded since. Lead Belly recorded the song at least six times between 1944-1948, most often under the title of ‘Black Girl,’ or ‘Black Gal.” Bill Monroe (1911-1996) recorded the song in 1941 and then again in 1952, with both versions being highly influential on the ‘Bluegrass’ and ‘Country Music’ genres. In the UK the song has charted on one occasion when the English Beat group ‘The Four Pennies’ reached Number 20 in 1964 with their version called ‘Black Girl,’ they never released the song as a single in America. The most famous, and also critically acclaimed version of the song is the 1993 MTV Unplugged recording by Nirvana,(see also best songs 788 and 9) which earned Kurt Cobain universal acclaim from critics and fellow musicians. Neil Young was deeply impressed with Cobain’s performance, he said,’The tortured final vocals sounded unearthly, like a werewolf, unbelievable.’

‘My girl, my girl, don’t lie to me, tell me where did you sleep last night. In the pines, in the pines, where the sun don’t ever shine.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

432-Robert Palmer-Addicted To Love.

1986-Number 5 single.

Best Bit-At 0.18. As I watch the iconic video I think to myself, if these girls have taken care of themselves, then they will now be very ‘glamorous grannies.’ (If you watch the video closely you can also see Robert Palmer.)

Robert Palmer was born on January 19th, 1949, in Batley, West Riding of Yorkshire, England, He died from a sudden heart attack in a Paris hotel room on September 26th, 2003, at the age of 54. During the course of his career he experimented and recorded many different genres of music including Rock, Reggae, Bossa Nova, and the Blues. Palmer was born in Batley, but shortly after his birth his family uprooted and they moved 76 miles across Yorkshire, where he grew up in the seaside town of Scarborough.Before setting out on a solo career Palmer joined his first band the ‘Mandrakes’ at 15 while still at school, he was then a member of ‘The Alan Bown Set’ from 1969. In 1970 he joined the Jazz/Rock group ‘Dada’ which was where he first played with Elkie Brooks, and Pete Gage, the three of them would go on to co-form the Rock band ‘Vinegar Joe’ in 1972. When they disbanded in 1974 after three studio Albums Palmer pursued a solo career, releasing 15 studio Albums between 1974-2003. He has also released two Albums with the ‘supergroup’ The Power Station’ in 1985 and 1996.

‘Addicted to Love’ was written by Robert Palmer, and produced by Bernard Edwards (1952-1996) (see also best songs 175 and 17) and was released in edited form from Palmer’s eighth studio Album ‘Riptide’ from 1985. Edwards (bass) Andy Taylor (guitar) (see also best songs 903) and Tony Thompson (drums) (see also best songs 175) who had all been part of The Power Station played on the track. When Palmer originally wrote the song, he wrote it as a duet with Chaka Khan in mind, but due to contractual problems her record label refused permission, but Khan (see also best songs 703-228 and 85) still received credit on the Album sleeve for vocal arrangements.For his inspiration on writing the song Palmer has said that it all started with a guitar riff he heard in a dream,’That noisy riff woke me up. I went downstairs, got out the tape recorder, then went back to bed.Next morning, I thought, phew, caught one there!’

The songs video is one of the most famous in Pop music history, and was directed by Terence Donovan (1936-1996.) Five glamour models were chosen to appear wearing heavy makeup, dressed seductively, and showing a mannequin-like expression, they were also told there was no need to dance in sync, and there was no need to know how to play the instruments. One of the girls, Mak Gilchrist who was 21 at the time has said,’I remember feeling an acute sense of embarrassment when I first saw how sexy the video was. The most unusual place I saw it was on a huge screen on the side of a Tokyo building.’

‘Your lights are on, but you’re not home, your mind is not your own. Your heart sweats, your body shakes, another kiss is what it takes.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

433-Kid Rock-All Summer Long.

2008-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 1.07. If he could have so much fun reminiscing about ‘Sweet Home Alabama,’ just think how much more he would have enjoyed those memories if it had been ‘Freebird.’ (see also best songs 12.)

Kid Rock was born Robert James Ritchie on January 17th, 1971, in Romeo, Michigan, United States. He has released 11 studio Albums between 1990-2017, of which eight have reached the Billboard Album chart top 10. He has had three of his 41 singles chart in America, and three also reach the UK top 40.

Kid Rock was brought up in an affluente family on his fathers six acre estate. As a teenager he became interested in Hip-Hop music, he learnt how to breakdance, and taught himself to Rap, entering talent shows around the Detroit area. His first endeavour as a professional musician was as a member of a Hip-Hop group called ‘The Beast Crew,’ where he came to be noticed by the music producer Mike E. Clark. Kid Rocks sound has gradually changed over the years, having began as a Rapper, he moved away from that genre, and over the course of his Albums he became a singer, encompassing Rock, Country, and Nu Metal. His song ‘Cowboy’ from 1999 is considered a pioneering song in the Country Rap genre.

‘All Summer Long’ was the third single released from Kid Rock’s seventh studio Album ‘Rock n Roll Jesus’ from 2007. The song samples two classic tracks from the 1970’s first suggested by Mike E. Clark,’Sweet Home Alabama’ (see also best songs 204) from 1973 by Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Werewolves of London,’ from 1977 by Warren Zevon, because of this there are a total of eight people credited as the songs writers, the production is credited to Clark and Kid Rock. Billy Powell (1952-2009) who had been a member of Lynyrd Skynyrd and had played keyboards on ‘Sweet Home Alabama,’ also played the piano on ‘All Summer Long.’

‘All Summer Long’ sees the songs narrator reminiscing fondly about his youth. Kid Rock has said,’I knew the track was solid, it’s got two of the best songs of all time mashed up together. It’s got great melodies, so really, my work was done’.

‘Splashing through the sand bar, talking by the campfire, it’s the simple things in life, like when and where.We didn’t have no internet, but man I will never forget the way the moonlight shined upon her hair.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

434-Procol Harum-A Whiter Shade of Pale.

1967-Number 1 single. When re-issued in 1972 it reached Number 13.

Best Bit-At 1.17. The songs title has become so ingrained in people’s consciousness that it has almost become a cliche.

Procol Harum were formed in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England, in 1967, and were active until 1977, the band was reformed in 1991 and remain active. The groups one constant is Gary Brooker (vocals and piano) who had been a former member of the English beat group the ‘Paramounts’ who had a 1964 UK Number 35 hit with a cover version of ‘Poisen Ivy.’ The other four founding members who played on this track, the bands debut single, were Matthew Fisher (Hammond organ) Ray Royer (guitar) David Knights (bass) and Bill Eyden (1930-2004) (drums.) In total since the bands inception there have been 24 group members come and go. They have released 12 studio Albums between 1967-2017, and 21 singles between 1967-1977, with five of those singles reaching the UK top 40.

At the time of writing’A Whiter Shade of Pale’ is still one of the top 40 best selling singles worldwide of all time, with sales in excess of 10 million copies. It is also recognised by ‘Phonographic Performance Limited’ as the most played record by British Broadcasting in the last 70 years. The songs lyrics were written by Keith Reid, and the music by Gary Brooker, but on July 30th 2009 after many years of legal wrangling the name of Matthew Fisher who provided the distinctive Hammond organ on the song had his name added to the writing credits.

One of the probable reasons for the songs enduring popularity is it’s unusual lyrics. Keith Reid has said he was at a party and he heard someone saying to a woman,’You’ve turned a whiter shade of pale,’ and the phrase stuck in his mind. Of the song Reid has said,’I was trying to conjure a mood, as much as tell a straightforward girl leaves boy story. With the ceiling flying away, and the room humming harder, I wanted to paint an image of a scene. I wasn’t trying to be mysterious with those images, I was trying to be evocative.’

‘We skipped the light fandango, turned cartwheels ‘cross the floor. I was feeling seasick, but the crowd called out for more. The room was humming harder, as the ceiling flew away. When we called out for another drink, the waiter brought a tray.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

435-The Undertones-Teenage Kicks.

1978-Number 31 single.

Best Bit-At 0.30. The late great DJ John Peel’s favourite ever song, enough said.

The Undertones were formed in Derry, Northern Island, in 1974, by John O’Neill (rhythm guitar) Feargal Sharkey (vocals) Michael Bradley (bass) Billy Doherty (drums) and Vincent O’Neill (guitar,) Vincent left the group in 1976 and was replaced by his younger brother Damian O’Neill (lead guitar.) They were active between 1974-1983 releasing four studio Albums, and 13 singles, of which seven reached the UK top 40.By 1983 the hits had dried up, with lead singer Feagal Sharkey unhappy about the musical direction the band had taken, he left the group to pursue a solo career. In 1999 The Undertones reformed without Sharkey who declined their invitation, so fellow Derry born Paul McLoon was drafted in as the new lead singer. Two further Albums were recorded in 2003, and 2007, with tours in Europe and North America undertaken, they remain active.

‘Teenage Kicks’ was the debut single by The Undertones, and appears on the band’s self titled debut Album from 1979, the song was written by John O’Neill. The song is famous for being the all time favourite of the influential BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel (1939-2004,) it is said that on first hearing the song in September 1978 Peel burst in to tears. In a 2001 interview Peel stated that apart from his name, the only words he wished to be engraved on his gravestone were the opening lyrics to Teenage Kicks (‘Teenage dreams so hard to beat.’) Peel’s wife Sheila said,’We have put the words on the stone that he world have wanted, I wouldn’t dare do anything else.

‘The songs writer John O’Neill has said of the song,’In 1978 we didn’t think Teenage Kicks was the best song, True Confessions was the one we thought people would go for, and we only named the EP after it because we were teenagers, and it seemed appropriate. When John Peel played it twice on his show we were in shock. I came up with the title, I was a MC5 (see also best songs 155) fan and they had a song called Teenage Lust and we used to cover Route 66, so with the licks in the chorus I just made the connection.

‘I’m gonna call her on the telephone, have her over ’cause I’m all alone. I need excitement, oh I need it bad and it’s the best I’ve ever had.’