THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

40-Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars-Uptown Funk.

2014-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 3.54. It took 66 years, but finally a song reached Number 1 on Billboard with the word ‘Funk’ in the title.

Two songs with the word ‘Funky’ had previously topped the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, ‘Play That Funky Music,’ from ‘Wild Cherry,’ (see also best songs 240) in 1976, and ‘Funkytown’ by ‘Lipps Inc,’ in 1980. In America ‘Uptown’ is slang for the affluent side of a city or town. Other well known songs that have used ‘Uptown’ include,’Uptown Girl,’ (Billy Joel) ‘Uptown Uptempo Woman,’ (Randt Edelman) and ‘Uptown Top Ranking’ (Althea and Donna) (see also best songs 101.)

Bruno Mars (see also best songs 174) was born Peter Gene Hernandez on October 8th, 1985, in Honolulu, Hawaii, United States, with sales in excess of 130 million records he is one of the best selling artists of all time. At the age of two, he was nicknamed ‘Bruno’ by his father because he thought that he resembled the professional wrestler Bruno Sammartino (1935-2018.) Bruno has said that he chose his stage name ‘Mars’ at a time when he was living in, and was also surrounded by poverty,’I felt like I didn’t have no pizzazz, and a lot of girls say I’m out of this world, so I was like I guess I’m from Mars.’

The discography of Bruno Mars includes three studio Albums released between 2010-2016, and 32 singles issued between 2010-2022, he has also released a collaborative Album in 2021, ‘An Evening with Silk Sonic (with Anderson Paak as Silk Sonic.’) In America on the Billboard Hot 100 top 40 singles chart, he has had 25 hits, either charting as a solo artist or in collaboration, of which eight of those singles have made Number 1. In the UK he has charted on 20 occasions, with five of his singles reaching the top spot.

‘Uptown Funk’ was first released as a single in November 2014, and later appeared on the fourth studio Album ‘Uptown Special,’ from Mark Ronson (see also best songs 806) in January 2015. ‘Uptown Funk’ was co-written by Mark Ronson, Bruno Mars, Philip Laurence, (see also best songs 174) and Jeff Bhasker, the song was produced by Ronson, Mars, and Bhasker. ‘Uptown Funk’ has been the subject of several lawsuits due to sampling disputes, with two of those lawsuits being successful. In 2015 similarities with ‘Oops Up Side Your Head,’ the 1979 song by The Gap Band led that band, along with keyboardist Rudolph Taylor, and producer Lonnie Simmons to be added as co-writers of ‘Uptown Funk,’ and receiving 17% of the publishing royalties. The other name added to the songwriting credits is that of the American rapper, and songwriter ‘Trinidad James, whose 2012 single ‘All Gold Everything’ is heavily sampled in ‘Uptown Funk.’ There have been many more lawsuits issued, including the band ‘Collage,’ who claimed similarities to their 1983 song ‘Young Girls,’ also the Rap group ‘The Sequence,’ with their 1979 song ‘Funk You Up,’ and ‘Zapp,’ with their 1980 track ‘More Bounce to the Ounce,’ and on listening to all these songs, it is impossible to not make a good case for plagiarism. Whether any other artists have ever received royalties has not been revealed.
Another piece of music that can claim an influence on ‘Uptown Funk’ is the theme to the 1980’s BBC television children’s wildlife show ‘The Really Wild Show,’ that shows presenter Michaela Strachan has said,’It hadn’t occurred to me that it sounded like the theme tune until I listened to it again. Maybe that’s why I like it so much.’

‘Uptown Funk’ name checks the American actress Michelle Pfeiffer, this is a reference to her role in the 1983 movie ‘Scarface,’ the ‘white gold’ is Cocaine, which played a part in that movies story line. On being mentioned in one of Pop Music’s most successful ever songs Michelle Pfeiffer has said,’I was incredibly flattered. It was very cool. It was a little embarrassing at times. You know, carpool with the kids and the song comes on and my son’s like… (imitates him shrinking back into his seat.) Or I’m in exercise class, and the song comes on and (sighs with exasperation). But yeah, I love the song.’

‘Stop, wait a minute fill my cup, put some liquor in it. Take a sip, sign a check, Julio get the stretch. Ride to Harlem, Hollywood
Jackson, Mississippi, if we show up, we gon’ show out smoother than a fresh jar of Skippy.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

41-Kraftwerk-Autobahn.

1974-Number 11 single.

Best Bit-At 13.27. If you’re planning on listening to this song in one sitting, then I suggest you take a packed lunch.

Who are the most influential group in Pop Music history? Some say it’s the Beatles, but you might be surprised if I told you that many music critics think it’s this lot. ‘Kraftwerk,’ which means ‘power station’ in English were formed in Dusseldorf, West Germany, in 1970, by Ralf Hutter, and Florian Schneider, (1947-2020) and at the time of writing Kraftwerk remain active. Hutter (organ and synthesizers) and Schneider (flutes, synthesizers, and violin) first met as students in the late 1960’s, sharing a passion in German experimental music. The pair first recorded in 1970 as part of a quintet called ‘Organisation,’ releasing an Album called ‘Tone Float,’ which the British music press jokingly dubbed ‘Krautrock.’ Between 1970-1974 Hutter and Schneider worked with other musicians under the ‘Kraftwerk’ banner developing a growing interest in synthesizers and ‘Electronic Music.’ In total there have been 20 official members of Kraftwerk come and go, and the four current members include Ralf Hutter.

The discography of Kraftwerk includes 10 studio Albums released between 1970-2003, and 24 singles issued between 1973-2021. In Germany, six of their singles have reached the top 40, with ‘The Model’ charting the highest at Number 7, when it was re-issued in 1981. In the UK nine of their singles have charted with ‘The Model’ making Number 1 in 1981, while in America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, only ‘Autobahn’ has made their top 40, reaching Number 25 in 1974.

Kraftwerk’s experimentation with electronic instrumentation would lead to a body of work that was unique for it’s day, baffling many listeners, and influencing many more. It is not overstating the facts to say that Kraftwerk laid the foundations for the ‘Electronic Music’ that came out of the early 1980’s, from artists such as Depeche Mode, (see also best songs 968-261 and 134) Gary Numan, (see also best songs 772-232 and 177) and New Order (see also best songs 885 and 619.) Kraftwerk’s influence continued in to the 1990’s, as their music is seen as playing a part in the development of ‘Electronic Dance Music,’ and ‘Hip-Hop.’ Martin Gore of Depeche Mode has said,’For anyone of our generation involved in Electronic Music, Kraftwerk were the godfathers.’

‘Autobahn’ was taken from Kraftwerk’s fourth studio Album of the same name, and was co-written by Ralf Hutter and Florian Schneider, with Emil Schult collaborating on the lyrics, the track and the Album were both produced by Hutter and Schneider. There was also additional production on the track ‘Autobahn’ from Konrad ‘Conny’ Plank, (1940-1987) who had previously worked with Kraftwerk, and the ‘Organisation.’The Album contains five tracks with ‘Autobahn’ at 22.30 taking up the whole of side 1 of the original vinyl issue. The single version of ‘Autobahn’ was released to radio stations in a severely edited 3.28, although in the UK the edit was 3.06.

‘Autobahn’ was the first Kraftwerk song to include lyrics, and was written to capture the feeling of driving on the motorway. The lyrics are sung in German, with the English translation (approximately) being,’We drive, drive, drive on the motorway. Before us is a wide valley, the sun shines with gliltter ray. Roadway is a grey band, white stripes, green border.’ Ralf Hutter who provided the vocals which would become his trademark delivery, also featuring on many other Kraftwerk songs has said,’It’s called Sprechsingen, It means ‘talk-sing.’ It’s like a form of rap. This started with ‘Autobahn.”

‘Wir fahren, fahren, fahren auf der Autobahn. Wir fahren, fahren, fahren auf der Autobahn. Vor uns liegt ein weites Tal, die Sonne scheint mit Glitzerstrahl.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

42-The Smiths-Panic.

1986-Number 11 single.

Best Bit-At 1.33. If I had £1 for every time someone has sung this song to me, I could afford to buy my own gallows.

The Smiths (see also best songs 673-222 and 167) were formed in Manchester, England, in 1982, and remained active until 1987. In total there were nine members come and go, but the classic line up consisted of Morrissey, (lead vocals) (see also best songs 940 and 72) Johnny Marr, (guitars) Andy Rourke, (bass) and Mike Joyce, (drums) the vast majority of the groups songs were written by Morrissey, (lyrics) and Johnny Marr (music.)

The discography of The Smiths includes four studio Albums released between 1984-1987, and 10 compilation Albums that have been issued between 1984-2011. The Smiths also released 25 singles, which have been made available between 1983-2017, of which 18 of those have reached the UK top 40, with the re-issue of ‘This Charming Man’ charting the highest when making Number 8 in 1992. In America on the Billboard chart, The Smiths have never had an Album or a single chart within the top 40.

‘Panic’ was the 14th single released by The Smiths in July 1986, as a stand alone single, it’s first appearance on an Album was on The Smiths second compilation Album ‘The World Won’t Listen,’ issued in February 1987. The Album’s title is Morrissey’s frustration that The Smiths were not receiving the mainstream radio play that he thought the band deserved. ‘Panic’ was written by Morrissey and Marr, with the production by The Smiths long time collaborator John Porter. Porter was born in Leeds, England, on September 11th, 1947, and had attended ‘Allerton Grange School,’ in Leeds, (the same school that this author also attended some 14 years later.) Prior to working with The Smiths, Porter had been the bass player with Roxy Music (see also best songs 721-316 and 57) between 1972-1973, playing on that bands 1973 Album ‘For Your Pleasure.’

‘Panic’ is probably The Smiths most controversial song. Morrissey and Marr had been listening to the UK BBC Radio 1 ‘Newsbeat’ programme reporting about the ‘Chernobyl Nuclear’ disaster that occurred on April 16th, 1986, in the Soviet Union. As soon as the report was over the radio DJ Steve Wright played the song ‘I’m Your Man’ by ‘Wham!’ This led Marr to think that the radio station was not showing enough respect to the tragedy by playing an upbeat Pop song that was meant to have no serious meaning. Marr remembers saying,’What the f..k has this got to do with people’s lives? We hear about Chernobyl, then, seconds later, we’re expected to jump around to ‘I’m Your Man.” The Smiths later commissioned a T-shirt featuring Steve Wright’s portrait, and the phrase ‘Hang the DJ.’

Musically ‘Panic’ is heavily based on the 1972 UK Number 1 song ‘Metal Guru,’ by T.Rex (see also best songs 790-386 and 67.) Johnny Marr has said,’When we wrote ‘Panic,’ Morrissey was obsessed with ‘Metal Guru’ and wanted to sing in the same style. He didn’t stop singing it in an attempt to modify the words of ‘Panic’ to fit the exact rhythm of ‘Metal Guru.’ He also exhorted me to use the same guitar break so that the two songs are the same!’

As previously stated, Morrissey hated the fact that The Smiths were not receiving enough airplay, and therefore not selling the quantity of records he thought the group deserved. ‘Panic’ bemoans the trivial state of contemporary pop music, and begins with Morrissey name checking a handful of cities and towns in Britain and Ireland where unrest (probably from youths) could occur. He reveals the source of the chaos is ‘Pop Music’ which ‘Says nothing to me about my life.’ In reaction he tells the listeners to ‘Burn down the Disco,’ and ‘Hang the DJ.’ This caused a lot of controversy at that time as many people paired ‘Disco music’ with ‘Black music,’ and this led to some calling Morrissey a racist. This incensed Johnny Marr who countered that,’Disco music’ could not be simply equated with ‘black music’, saying, ‘To those who took offence at the ‘burn down the disco’ line, I’d say please show me the black members of New Order!’ (see also best songs 885.)

‘Burn down the disco hang the blessed DJ, because the music that they constantly play it says nothing to me about my life. Hang the blessed DJ, because the music they constantly play. On the Leeds side-streets that you slip down, the provincial towns you jog ’round, hang the DJ, hang the DJ, hang the DJ.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

43-Bobby Darin-Mack the Knife.

1959-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 2.01. By 1959 Bobby Darin had become a teen idol and was very reluctant to release this song as a single for fear of losing his teenage fan base, as this song originates from a 1928 Opera, and it’s subject matter is murder and rape.

Bobby Darin was born Walden Robert Cassotto on May 14th, 1936, in New York City, New York, United States. Darin had suffered with heart problems all of his life, and on December 11, 1973, he checked himself in to ‘Cedars of Lebanon Hospital’ in Los Angeles for another round of open-heart surgery to repair the two artificial heart valves he had received in January 1971. On the evening of December 19, a four-person surgical team worked for over six hours to repair his damaged heart. Shortly after the surgery ended in the early morning hours of December 20, 1973, Darin died in the recovery room without regaining consciousness, he was 37 years old. Bobby Darin started his musical career as a songwriter in 1955, and was responsible for co-writing his first million selling hit ‘Splish Splash’ in 1958, Darin also wrote his 1959 American Number 1 single ‘Dream Lover.’ He took his stage name ‘Darin,’ having adapted it from the first name of the actor Darren McGavin, (1922-2006)

The discography of Bobby Darin includes 27 studio Albums issued between 1958-1972, and 70 singles released between 1956-1973. There are also two unreleased Albums, one from 1964 on ‘Capitol Records,’ and one from 1972, on the ‘Motown’ label. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, 22 of his tracks have reached the top 40, with ‘Mack the Knife’ giving him his only Number 1. While in the UK, 15 of his songs have made top 40, with ‘Dream Lover,’ and ‘Mack the Knife’ both reaching Number 1 in 1959. Bobby Darin was also an actor, appearing in 13 films between 1961-1973, and in 1962, he won the ‘Golden Globe Award’ for ‘New Star of the Year – Actor’ for his role in ‘Come September.’

‘Mack the Knife’ was composed by Kurt Weill, (1900-1950) with lyrics by Bertolt Brecht, (1898-1956) (see also best songs 460) for their 1928 music drama ‘Die Dreigroschenoper,’ or as it is known in English ‘The Threepenny Opera.’ The dramas main character ‘Mack the Knife’ is based on the highwayman ‘Macheath’ from the 1728 Ballad Opera ‘The Beggars Opera,’ by John Gay (1685-1732.) After the second World War productions of ‘The Three Penny Opera’ opened in America, with the lyrics translated into English from the German original by Marc Blitzstein (1905-1964.) It was the American musician Louis Armstrong (1901-1971) (see also best songs 1039-767-286-231 and 100) who recorded the first ‘Jazz’ version of ‘Mack the Knife’ in 1956, having been encouraged by a ‘Columbia Records’ executive who thought that it would make a good ‘Swing’ song. The Bobby Darin version was heavily influenced by the Louie Armstrong recording.

‘Mack the Knife’ has been recorded on dozens of occasions down the decades, and has been a Billboard top 40 hit eight times for differing artists. The first hit version was an instrumental by ‘The Dick Hyman Trio,’ which made Number 8 in 1956, while the Louis Armstrong recording (the first vocal hit version) reached Number 20, also in 1956, while in the UK, the only top 40 hit version is this one by Bobby Darin. I would also highly recommend the 1994 recording by Frank Sinatra (1915-1998) (see also best songs 877-567-469-120 and 73) and Jimmy Buffet, from Sinatra’s ‘Duets 2’ Album.

‘Oh, the shark, babe, has such teeth, dear, and it shows them pearly white. Just a jackknife has old MacHeath, babe, and he keeps it, ah, out of sight. You know when that shark bites with his teeth, babe,scarlet billows start to spread.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

44-ABBA-Dancing Queen.

1976-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 0.01. What is Pop Music’s infatuation with the age of 17? You can probably think of a song right now that sings about someone of that age, or has the song title ’17.’ For example Meatloaf was barely that age, and he was barley dressed. Whereas Kid Rock was infatuated with a 17 year old girl who ‘was far from in-between,’ and as music moved on into the second decade of the 21st Century, Sam Fender kept that all important Number at the forefront with the wonderful ‘Seventeen Going Under.’ There of course is no hidden meaning, or any great mystery, it is simply that ’17’ fits in so much easier to the beat and lyrics than any other Number. For the songs in this best songs list that mention ’17’ see best songs 942-433-353-90 and 44.

ABBA were formed in 1972, in Stockholm, Sweden, by Benny Andersson, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Agnetha Faltskog, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, they were all born in Sweden, with the exception of Lyngstad who was born in Norway. ABBA remained active until 1982, but officially reformed in 2016, and at the time of writing they remain active. It was the groups manager Stig Anderson (1931-1997) who came up with the name ‘ABBA,’ by taking the first letter from each of the bands members first names, but it has never been revealed whose name relates to the first ‘A,’ or whose name relates to the first ‘B.’

ABBA are one of the best selling acts of all time with sales in excess of 350 million records sold worldwide. In the UK their 1992 release ‘ABBA Gold Greatest Hits,’ is the second best ever selling Album in that country, with sales in excess of 5.5 million copies. ABBA have released nine studio Albums between 1973-2021, and 50 singles between 1972-2022. In Sweden 19 of their singles have made the top 40, with four reaching Number 1, while in the UK, 27 of their singles have reached the top 40, with nine of those making Number 1. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, they have reached the top 40 on 14 occasions, with ‘Dancing Queen’ giving them their only chart topper.

‘Dancing Queen’ was co-written by Benny Andersson, and Bjorn Ulvaeus, with song writing credit also given to Stig Anderson for his lyrical input. The writers have said that ‘Dancing Queen’ was inspired by many other songs, including the Phil Spector (1939-2021) ‘Wall of Sound’ arrangements, and also by the 1974 ‘Disco’ hit ‘Rock Your Baby’ (see also best songs 64.) Other inspirations that are cited is the drumming on ‘Dr. John’s 1972 Album ‘Dr. John’s Gumbo,’ and the 1971 song ‘Sing My Way Home.’ by ‘Delaney & Bonnie,’ whose harmonies definitely echo those of ‘Dancing Queen.’The song was the first of four singles released from ‘Arrival,’ which was the fourth studio Album released by ABBA. from 1976. The Album was produced by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, and is the bands best selling single, with sales in the UK in excess of 1.6 million copies, and is the only ABBA song in that country to have topped one million copies sold.

‘Dancing Queen’ tells the story of a 17 year old girl realising her potential. She goes to the discotheque to have a good time knowing that she could make any man she wants hers, but she is in charge, and they will play by her rules.

‘You’re a teaser, you turn ’em on, leave ’em burning and then you’re gone. Looking out for another, anyone will do, you’re in the mood for a dance, and when you get the chance.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

45-Danny Williams-Moon River.

1961-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 2.14. Even though Johnny Mercer wrote the lyrics to fit the films story, they are actually semi autobiographical.

‘Moon River’ was written for the 1961 movie ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s, where it was performed in the film by Audrey Hepburn, (1929-1993) her recording wasn’t made commercially available until after her death in 1993, when it was issued on ‘Music from the Films of Audrey Hepburn.’

‘Moon River’ was written by Henry Mancini, (1924-1994) (music) and Johnny Mercer (1909-1976) (lyrics.) Mancini was born Enrico Nicola Mancini on April 16th, 1924, in Cleveland, Ohio, United States, he died of pancreatic cancer on June 14th, 1994, at the age of 70. Mancini was a composer, conductor, arranger, pianist and flautist, and is remembered as one of the greatest composers in film. He wrote music that was heard in approximately 100 films between 1952-1993, which included ‘The Pink Panther,’ (1963) and he also wrote around 24 Television Themes that include ‘Peter Gunn’ (1958.)

Johnny Mercer (see also best songs 934 and 281) was born John Herndon Mercer on November 18th, 1909, in Savannah, Georgia, United States, he died on June 25th, 1976, from an inoperable brain tumour, at the age of 66. Mercer was a lyricist, a writer of music, a singer, record producer and the co-founder of ‘Capital Records’ in 1942. As well as the three songs he has in this ‘1000 best songs list,’ of the more than 1,500 song lyrics he wrote, they also include, ‘That Old Black Magic,’ (1942) and ‘One for My Baby (and One for the Road’) (1943.)

‘Moon River’ has probably been covered on hundreds of occasions. It became the signature tune of Andy Williams, (1927-2012) (see also best songs 914 and 112) who although he never released his version as a single, he would always open his television show which ran from 1962-1967 with a short burst of the song. The track was only originally available on Williams 1962 Album ‘Moon River and Other Great Movie Themes,’ which went on to sell in excess of 1 million copies by 1963. Henry Mancini released an instrumental version which made Number 11 on Billboard in 1961, where simultaneously the American Soul singer Jerry Butler also released a version, which also peaked at Number 11 on Billboard.

In the UK ‘Moon River’ was even more successful when covered by Danny Williams, who became the first African to have a UK Number 1 single when ‘Moon River’ reached the top of the chart in the final week of 1961. Danny Williams was born on January 7th, 1942, in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa, he died on December 6th, 2005 of lung cancer at the age of 63. Danny Williams came to the UK in 1959 as part of a touring show, and would live in the United Kingdom for most of his life, earning himself the nickname ‘Britain’s Johnny Mathis.’ Danny Williams released 12 studio Albums between 1961-1977, and 39 singles between 1959-1980. In the UK four of his singles made the top 40, while in America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart his only hit was ‘White on White,’ which reached Number 9 in 1964.

When Johnny Mercer was a boy he would look at the river which overlooked his home in Savannah, Georgia, it was called the ‘Back River.’ Mercer would dream of crossing the river to start out on his life’s journey, to which there would be no going back. The line ‘My Huckleberry friend’ is a reference to a childhood friend who Mercer would go picking Huckleberries with. The ‘Back River’ has since been renamed ‘Moon River’ in honour of the song, and Mercer’s childhood home along the river has become known as the ‘Moon River House.’

‘Two drifters off to see the world, there’s such a lot of world to see.We’re after the same rainbow’s end, waitin’ ’round the bend,my Huckleberry friend, moon river, and me.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

46-Hamilton Bohannon-Let’s Start the Dance.

1978-Number 56 single.

Best Bit-At 6.08. It was 1978, Disco Music was at it’s peak, 12 inch vinyl was not a novelty anymore, so if a song had an extended version you had it. It was easy to get the crowd on to the dance floor because it seemed that every other record released was something that you could dance to, but even as a naive youth I was aware that this one was only for ‘the cool people.’

Hamilton Frederick Bohannon (see also best songs 626) was born on March 7th, 1942, in Newnan, Georgia, United States, he died on April 24th, 2020, at the age of 78. Bohannon’s professional musical career began in 1964 when he was hired as a drummer in 13 year old Stevie Wonder’s touring band. In 1967 he moved to Detroit where he was employed by the ‘Motown’ organisation as the leader and arranger of ‘Bohannon & The Motown Sound,’ who were the touring backing band for some of ‘Tamla Motown’s’ biggest names, including ‘Diana Ross and the Supremes,’ ‘Marvin Gaye,’ and ‘The Temptations.’

When ‘Motown’ moved from Detroit to Los Angeles in 1972 Hamilton Bohannon didn’t make the move with them, and embarked on a solo career, which included the recruitment of new musicians, Ray Parker Jr, (see also best songs 560) and Dennis Coffey, who had been a member of the ‘Funk Brothers’ studio band at Motown. As a solo artist Hamilton Bohannon was very much at the forefront in the development of ‘Disco’ music and ‘Funk’, with his repetitive dance beats proving highly influential in the genre of ‘House Music,’ that was only just around the corner.

The discography of Hamilton Bohannon includes 19 studio Albums released between 1973-1989, and 21 singles issued between 1973-1983. Unfortunately his music rarely crossed over in to the mainstream charts, and he never achieved a top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in America, although in the UK, three of his singles did reach the top 40, with ‘Disco Stomp’ charting the highest at Number 6 in 1975. Over the years many of the songs of Hamilton Bohannon have been widely sampled by the ‘Dance,’ and ‘Hip-Hop’ community, with the most successful being his 1978 song ‘Me and the Gang,’ which when sampled by the American ‘House Music’ producer Paul Johnson (1971-2021) in 1999, and titled ‘Get Get Down,’ made Number 5 in the UK.

‘Let’s Start the Dance’ was written, produced, and arranged by Hamilton Bohannon, and was the only single released from his ninth studio Album ‘Summertime Groove,’ from 1978. The vocals on the track are provided by Caroline Crawford, who at the ages of 14 and 15 had recorded three singles on ‘Motown Records.’ Crawford was the featured vocalist on six of Bohannon’s Albums, and she also released two solo studio Albums in 1978, and 1979, which were both produced by Bohannon. In 1981 Hamilton Bohannan remixed and re-issued ‘Let’s Start the Dance,’ as ‘Let’s Start 2 Dance Again,’ this time with a ‘Rap’ that was written and performed by ‘Dr Perri Johnson.’ The Rap’ was very typical of it’s era, and can definitely be filed firmly under ‘Old School,’ think ‘Sugarhill Gang,’ (see best songs 17) and ‘Kurtis Blow'(see also best songs 594.)

Hamilton Bohannon was a devout Christian, and retired from making music in 1989, but he did make a comeback when touring in 2014 behind a drum kit, at the age of 72. In 1976 Bohannon dedicated his album ‘Dance Your Ass Off’ to ‘God, my master, saviour and Jesus Christ’. The album also included a disclaimer that ‘Dance Your Ass Off’ is not used in the sense of profanity.’

‘Oh, you I’m talking to you, get up and shout. Hell don’t hang the dance, think what you wanna anyhow, but shout to the music, well the Funky, Funky music.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

47-Queen and David Bowie-Under Pressure.

1981-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 2.30. If you behave yourself you can listen to Under Pressure, but if you’re naughty I’m gonna make you listen to Ice Ice Baby.

The songs title is very apt, because when two of Pop Music’s greatest legends collaborate you can only hope for something very special, while deep down knowing that when you hear it you will more than likely be disappointed. Not with this one though. I remember being in awe the very first time that I heard it, and over the years it only gets better. The song is a fitting tribute to both David Bowie, (1947-2016) and Freddie Mercury (1946-1991.)

‘Under Pressure’ was recorded at the ‘Mountain Studios’ in Montreux, Switzerland, in July 1981, while Queen (see also best songs 918-615-208-126 and 3) were working on their 10th studio Album ‘Hot Space.’ At that same time David Bowie (see also best songs 807-440-334-302-209-186-118-31 and 5) & (see also for his production work (701-131 and 58) was also at the same studios recording his vocals for ‘Cat People (Putting Out Fire,’) it was this unplanned meeting that brought about the collaboration. As well as working together on ‘Under Pressure,’ Bowie also provided backing vocals for ‘Cool Cat,’ which would later appear on the 1982 ‘Hot Space’ Album, but Bowie was not satisfied with his performance, and had his vocals removed from the final take.

The iconic bass riff for ‘Under Pressure’ actually started out life in a song that Queen had been working on called ‘Feel Like,’ but none of the band members had been happy with the way it had developed. The bass riff had been written and performed by John Deacon of Queen, and it was Bowie who modified it for it’s use in ‘Under Pressure.’ Over the years ‘Feel Like’ has become widely available in bootleg form, and it’s writing is largely credited to Queens drummer Roger Taylor. Queen guitarist Brian May has said,’It was hard, because you had four very precocious boys and David, who was precocious enough for all of us. David took over the song lyrically. Looking back, it’s a great song but it should have been mixed differently. Freddie and David had a fierce battle over that.’ Brian May has also added,’Suddenly you’ve got this other person inputting, inputting, inputting…he (David) had a vision in his head, and it’s quite a difficult process, and someone has to back off, and eventually I did back off, which is unusual for me.’

‘Under Pressure’ was released as a single in October 1981, and gave Queen their second UK Number 1 single after ‘Bohemian Rhapsody,’ (1975) and Bowie his third following ‘Space Oddity,’ (1975) and ‘Ashes to Ashes,’ (1980) ‘Under Pressure’ would later become one of the tracks that made up Queen’s 1982 Album ‘Hot Space.’ The songs writing and production is credited to all four band members of Queen, and David Bowie. ‘Under Pressure’ has appeared on many of the greatest hits compilations of both artists, but Bowie and Mercury never sang the song live together in a concert, in fact Bowie didn’t perform the song live until after the death of Mercury, and after that it became a regular at his shows.

In December 1999 a remixed version of the song called the ‘Rah Mix’ was issued in order to promote Queen’s ‘Greatest Hits 3’ Album, the remixed version charted in the UK reaching Number 14. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart the original 1981 version only reached Number 29, while the ‘Rah Mix’ failed to chart. In 1990 the American rapper Vanilla Ice used the songs iconic bassline for ‘Ice Ice Baby,’ which went on to sell in excess of two million copies worldwide. Vanilla Ice initially did not credit Bowie or Queen for the sample, which resulted in a very expensive lawsuit against Vanilla Ice, which eventually saw him having to add the names of Bowie and Queen to the songwriting credits, and for Vanilla Ice to have to hand over a substantial amount of the royalties of ‘Ice Ice Baby.’

The majority of the lyrics to ‘Under Pressure’ were probably written by Freddie Mercury, and are open to a certain amount of interpretation, with some saying it is a reflection on Mercury’s personnel battles with his own sexuality (see also best songs 3.) A wider view can be taken that it is about the daily struggles with life that we all face, that are being sung about. In the last verse Mercury concludes that if we are to overcome the stresses of everyday life, then we must all learn to love and care for each other.

‘Cause love’s such an old fashioned word, and love dares you to care for the people on the edge of the night and love dares you to change our way of caring about ourselves. This is our last dance, this is our last dance, this is ourselves.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

48-BLACKstreet featuring Dr. Dre and Queen Pen-No Diggity.

1996-Number 9 single.

Best Bit-At 3.15. ‘Diggity’ is urban slang meaning ‘absolutely,’ or ‘for sure.’

‘No Diggity’ has five writers credits, which include William ‘Skylz’ Stewart, who is also co-producer of the song, along with Teddy Riley. Riley had heard Stewart using a sample of the 1971 song ‘Grandma’s Hands’ by the American Soul singer Bill Withers, (1938-2020) and asked him if he could use it for his track that would eventually become ‘No Diggity.’ On completing the song Riley offered the track to the American R&B group ‘Guy,’ who Riley was also an official member of, but the other band members rejected it, so Riley then offered the song to ‘BLACKstreet’ of whom Riley was also a member. Riley has said,’None of the guys liked ‘No Diggity,’ none of them. They would even say it. That’s why I’m singing the first verse. You know how they say they pushed the little one out there to see if it tastes good, and see if he would get egged? Well they pushed me out there, and it became a hit, and now they wish they were singing the first verse, so that they can have the notoriety like me. So they trust what I’m saying.’

Teddy Riley was born Edward Theodore Riley on October 8th, 1967, in New York City, United States, he is credited with the creation of the ‘New Jack Swing’ musical genre (see also best songs 694 and 236.) Other career highlights include co-producing the influential Rap song ‘The Show,’ in 1985, for ‘Doug E. Fresh & the Get Fresh Crew,’ and also for co-producing Michael Jackson’s (1958-2009) eighth studio Album ‘Dangerous’ from 1991, which is the best selling ‘New Jack Swing’ influenced Album of all time, with sales in excess of 15 million copies worldwide.

‘New Jack Swing’ is a fusion genre of the rhythms and production techniques of Hip-Hop, and Dance-Pop, and the urban contemporary sound of R&B. The American online dictionary ‘Merriam-Webster’ defines New Jack Swing as ‘Pop Music usually performed by black musicians, that combines elements of Jazz, Funk, Rap, and Rhythm and Blues.’ The term ‘New Jack Swing’ was coined by Barry Michael Cooper, who in October 1987 wrote a profile of Teddy Riley for the American news and cultural paper ‘Village Voice.’ ‘New Jack’ was a slang term meaning ‘Johnny come-lately’, which had been used in a song by Grandmaster Caz (see also best songs 17) of the American ‘Old School Hip-Hop’ group the ‘Cold Crush Brothers,’ and “Swing” was intended by Cooper to draw an ‘analogy between the music played at the ‘Speakeasies’ of the novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald’s (1896-1940) time, to the ‘Crackhouses’ of Teddy Riley’s time.

‘No Diggity’ was the first of three singles released from BLACKstreet’s second studio Album ‘Another Level’ from 1996, and has gone on to sell in excess of two million copies worldwide, and topped the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in 1996, ending the 14 weeks Number 1 run of the ‘Macarena,’ by ‘Los Del Rio.’ Teddy Riley sings the tracks vocals, and there are also two guest Rappers who are also featured. The first Rap which opens the song is provided by Dr. Dre, (see also best songs 564-544-482-189 and 128) with the songs closing Rap being provided by Lynise Walters, who goes by the stage name of ‘Queen Pen.’ At that time Walters, like ‘BLACKstreet’ were both signed to the same record label ‘Interscope.’ ‘No Diggity’ tells the tale of a man who becomes infatuated with a high class hooker, and of course it can only end in tears.

‘She’s got class and style, street knowledge by the pound. Baby never act wild, very low key on the profile. Catchin’ feelings is a no, let me tell you how it goes.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

49-Vera Lynn-(There’ll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs of Dover.

1942-It has never charted in the UK. There was no UK chart until 1952.

Best Bit-At 2.20. If you’re waiting to see the Bluebirds, don’t hold your breath.

Dame Vera Margaret Lynn (see also best songs 172) was born Vera Margaret Welch on March 20th, 1917, in East Ham, Essex, England, she died on June 18th, 2020, at the age of 103. Vera Lynn was the proud holder of many UK, chart records. When the first UK chart was published on November 14th, 1952, she had three singles in the top 15. This longevity with the chart culminated in 2009, when at the age of 92 she became the oldest living artist to top the UK Album chart with ‘The Very Best of Vera Lynn,’ and then in 2017 in order to commemorate her centennial, she released The Album ‘Vera Lynn 100,’ which peaked at Number 3, making her the first centenarian to have an Album in the UK chart.

The discography of Dame Vera Lynn includes 24 studio Albums released between 1949-2010, and five compilation Albums issued between 1985-2017. In the UK, 10 of her singles have made the top 40, with ‘My Son, My Son,’ reaching Number 1 in 1954. While in America on their singles chart, she has had seven entries between 1948-1967, with the 1954 recording of ‘Auf Wiederseh’n, Sweetheart’ reaching Number 1, and making her the first ever foreign artist to have a Number 1 single in America.

(‘There’ll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs of Dover’ was composed by Walter Kent, (1911-1994) (music) and Nat Burton (1901-1945) (lyrics.) Walter Kent wrote many songs for films and musicals, with perhaps his other best known composition being his 1943 co-write of ‘I’ll Be Home for Christmas,’ which was first recorded by Bing Crosby. ‘The White Cliffs of Dover’ was written in 1941, about a year after the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force and German Luftwaffe aircraft had been fighting over Southern England, including the White Cliffs of Dover, which is the region of English coastline in the county of Kent, in what was to become known as the ‘Battle of Britain.’ Nazi Germany had conquered much of Europe, and in 1941 was still bombing Britain. With neither America nor the Soviet Union having yet joined the war, Britain was the only major power fighting the Axis powers in Europe.

Nat Burton who wrote the lyrics was perhaps unaware that the ‘Bluebird’ is not indigenous to Britain, although the migrant ‘Swallow Bluebird’ is a well known British harbinger of Spring and Summer, (so I will give him the benefit of doubt) and say that he was possibly referencing that. Of course with not knowing the outcome of the war in 1941, the lyrics look forward to a time when the war would be over, and peace would rule over the iconic white cliffs, which is Britain’s symbolic border with the European mainland.

(‘There’ll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs of Dover’ has been recorded by several artists over the years, and while many of the recordings (including this version) only sing four verses, Nat Burton in fact wrote a further two. The first recording was made by Glenn Miller (1904-1944) in 1941, but the first hit version was by the American contralto Kate Smith, (1907-1986) who took her recording to Number 9 in America in 1942. Other notable hit versions of the song are from ‘The Righteous Brothers’, who made Number 21 in 1966 in the UK, and the British Pop duo ‘Robson & Jerome,’ who spent seven weeks at Number 1 in the UK in 1995, with the song as part of a double ‘A’ side with ‘Unchained Melody,’ (see also best songs 91) which went on to sell in excess of one million copies. Incidentally when Robson & Jerome took the song to the top of the UK chart it made (‘There’ll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs of Dover’ the longest song title ever to reach Number 1 in the UK.

‘The shepherd will tend his sheep, the valley will bloom again, and Jimmy will go to sleep in his own little room again. There’ll be bluebirds over the White Cliffs of Dover, tomorrow ,just you wait and see.’