THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

954-Elvis Presley-Jailhouse Rock.

1958-Number 1 single. When it was re-issued in 2005, it once again became a UK Number 1.

Best Bit-At 0.01. When an old person tells you that today’s songs would make a vicar blush, ask them how this song of debauchery, and ‘Sodom and Gomorrah,’ managed to get past the censors in 1957.

‘Jailhouse Rock’ was one of four songs written and produced by the legendary songwriting team of Jerry Leiber, (1933-2011) and Mike Stoller, (see also best songs 804-524-124 and 86) for the 1957 American musical film drama ‘Jailhouse Rock,’ starring Elvis Presley (1935-1977) (see also best songs 664-442 and 194) as Vince Everett, who accidentally kills a drunken, belligerent man in a barroom brawl, and is sentenced to 10–14 months in the state penitentiary for manslaughter. The film was the third of 31 films that Elvis Presley appeared in between 1956-1969, and one of his more ‘critically approved.’ The dance scene in the film to the song ‘Jailhouse Rock,’ which Presley performed in, and also choreographed, is agreed upon as his greatest on screen moment. In 2013 the English boy band ‘One Direction’ payed homage to the iconic ‘Jailhouse Rock’ scene, when recreating it as part of the video for their UK Number 9 hit single ‘Kiss You.’

Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller are one of the most successful and influential songwriting teams in ‘Pop Music’ history, having together, or with others, or solo, written over 70 chart hits. Jerry Leiber was born on April 25th, 1933, in Baltimore, Maryland, United States, he died on August 22nd, 2011, from cardio-pulmonary failure, at the age of 78. Michael Stoller, who would later legally change his name to ‘Mike’, was born on March 13th, 1933, in Long Island, New York, United States, the pair first met in Los Angeles, California, in 1950, while both were just finishing school, although Leiber attended ‘Fairfax High,’ and Stoller, ‘Bellmont High.’ Leiber and Stoller are credited with bringing ‘black’ music (Rhythm and Blues) to the attention of a white audience in the 1950’s. Working, and writing with acts such as the ‘Coasters,’ (Yakety Yak -1958)) and the ‘Drifters,’ (see also best songs 568) (There Goes My Baby -1959) Leiber and Stoller introduced the use of strings for saxophone-like riffs, and also lavish production values into the established black ‘R&B’ sound, laying the groundwork for the ‘Soul Music’ that would follow.

‘Jailhouse Rock’ was first released as a single in 1957, with ‘Treat Me Nice,’ which was another Leiber and Stoller song from the ‘Jailhouse Rock’ soundtrack on the ‘B’ side. In America on Billboard ‘Jailhouse Rock’ would spend seven weeks at Number 1 in 1957, while in the UK, the song spent three weeks at Number 1 in early 1958. In 2005 to commemorate what would have been the 70th birthday of Elvis Presley, this was one of the songs that was re-issued, and it once again became a UK Number 1.

Leiber and Stoller obviously had a lot of fun writing the lyrics to ‘Jailhouse Rock,’ which are very much tongue in cheek. Some of the characters are fictional, but some were real,’Shifty Henry’ (1921-1958) was an American ‘Blues’ songwriter, who in ‘Jailhouse Rock’ says to ‘Bugs,’ For heaven’s sake, no one’s looking, now’s a chance to make a break.’ ‘The Purple Gang’ who were ‘The whole rhythm section,’ were in fact a criminal mob of murderers, and armed robbers, who operated in Detroit, Michigan, in the 1920.s, during the Prohibition era. ‘Sad Sack’ is another character mentioned, Sad Sack was originally a comic book character created during World War 2, for the comic book ‘Yank the Army Weekly.’ Sad Sack depicted a lowly private, experiencing some of the humiliations of military life, the title was a euphemistic shortening of ‘Sad sack of s..t.’ For it’s time the lyrics were fairly controversial, particularly the suggestion of gay romance, when inmate Number 47 tells Number 3, ‘You’re the cutest jailbird I ever did see.’ The American film historian Douglas Brode wrote about the ‘Jailhouse Rock’ production, ‘It’s amazing that the sequence got passed by the censors.’

‘The warden threw a party in the county jail, the prison band was there and they began to wail. The band was jumpin’ and the joint began to swing, you should’ve heard them knocked out jailbirds sing.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

955-The Notorious B.I.G. featuring Puff Daddy and Mase-Mo Money Mo Problems.

1997-Number 6 single.

Best Bit-At 2.09. It appears that the more money you have, the more problems you have. ‘I’ll risk it.’

The Notorious B.I.G. (see also best songs 307) was born Christopher George Latore Wallace, on May 21st, 1972, in New York City, United States, he was assassinated, by a still unknown gunman, in Los Angeles, on March 9th, 1997, at the age of 24. ‘Mo Money Mo Problems’ was the second single, after ‘Hypnotize’ to reach Number 1 on the American Billboard Hot 100, making The Notorious B.I.G. the only artist to have two Number 1 singles on that chart posthumously.

‘Mo Money Mo Problems’ was the second of three singles released from The Notorious B.I.G.’s second and final studio Album ‘Life After Death,’ from March 1997, it was released 16 days after his murder. ‘Mo Money Mo Problems’ is credited to five writers, Christopher Wallace, Steven Jordan, Mace, Bernard Edwards, (1952-1996) and Nile Rodgers, with the songs production credited to Steven Jordan, and Sean ‘Puffy’ Combs. The song has three verses, with Mace rapping the first, the second verse is by Sean Combs, who was known as ‘Puff Daddy’ at that time, and the third verse was by The Notorious B.I.G. Nile Rodgers and Bernie Edwards (see also best songs 175 and 17) receive songwriting credit as it is their 1980 song ‘I’m Coming Out,’ that is heavily sampled on the track. ‘Mo Money Mo Problems’ also has unaccredited female vocals that were provided by Kelly Price, who also features elsewhere in this countdown, as providing backing vocals on the Mariah Carey song ‘”All I Want for Christmas Is You’ (see also best songs 822.)

Sean Combs was born on November 4th, 1969, in New York City, United States, he has released music under three pseudonyms,’Puff Daddy,’ ‘P. Diddy,’ and then ‘Diddy.’ As well as making music Combs also founded the record label ‘Bad Boy Records,’ in 1993, where he has also served as a singer/songwriter, and producer. Combs has also acted in, and produced for film, and television, in 2022 the ‘Forbes’ business magazine estimated his wealth at US$1 billion. The discography of Sean Combs includes six Albums released between 1997-2014, and 72 singles, issued between 1997-2022. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 top 40 singles chart, as either the lead artist, or as the featured artist, he has charted on 27 occasions, with five of those songs reaching Number 1, including ‘Mo Money Mo Problems.’ On the UK top 40 singles chart, as either the lead, or featured artist, Combs has charted on 31 occasions, with three of those songs making the Number 1 spot.

‘Mace’ was born Mason Durell Betha, on August 27, 1975, in Jacksonville, Florida, United States, it was after coming to the attention of Sean Combs that Mace was signed to ‘Bad Boy Records.’ Mace had great success with his first two studio Albums that sold around 400,000 copies between them, but in 1999 he announced his retirement from music in order to pursue a ‘Calling from God,’ Mace said that he was ‘Leading people, friends, kids, and others down a path to hell,’ also saying it was time to serve God in ‘His’ way. After five years away from music, during which time he had become an ordained minister he returned and recorded his third studio Album ‘Welcome Back,’ in 2004. The discography of Mace includes those three studio Albums released between 1997-2004, and 22 singles that have been issued between 1997-2013. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, he has had 12 top 40 hits as either the lead or featured artist, with two of those songs making Number 1, while in the UK he has reached the top 40 on 11 occasions, with ‘Top of the World,’ by Brandy featuring Mace, charting the highest at Number 2 in 1998.

The lyrics to ‘Mo Money Mo Problems’ explain how money and success can lead to problems, with people being jealous, and bad mouthing you. The ‘Bad Boy Records’ label had just taken off, and they were subject to aggression, including violent attacks, and a whole host of lawsuits.

‘B-I-G P-O-P-P-A. No info for the DEA. Federal agents mad ’cause I’m flagrant, tap my cell and the phone in the basement. My team supreme, stay clean, triple beam lyrical dream, I be that.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

956-Boston-More Than a Feeling.

1976-Number 22 single. It also returned to the UK chart in 2010, and peaked at Number 21.

Best Bit-At 3.48. It is just possible that an impressionable nine year old by the name of Kurt Cobain could have been listening to this song, and thinking, that’s a great guitar riff.

Boston are a Rock group who were formed in 1975, in Boston, Massachusettes, United States, by Tom Scholz, in total there have been 20 different members come and go, with Scholz being the one constant, and at the time of writing they remain active. Tom Scholz was born on March 10th, 1947, in Toledo, Ohio, United States, he started his music career recording demos in his home studio, then unsuccessfully submitting them to record companies, while working at ‘Polaroid’ to earn a living. Eventually the demos did attract interest from ‘Epic Records,’ who signed Scholz, along with the singer Brad Delp, (1951-2007) who Scholz had known, and worked with since 1970. The demos which Scholz had been working on in his home studio, would become Boston’s debut Album.

It is said that Tom Scholz is a perfectionist who doesn’t believe in releasing new material until he is at least 100% satisfied, hence the release of just six studio Albums between 1976-2013. The discography of Boston also includes two compilation Albums issued in 1997 and 1998, and 16 singles that have been released between 1976-2013. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart they have charted within the top 40 on eight occasions, with ‘More Than a Feeling’ making Number 5, and their 1986 song ‘Amanda’ reaching Number 1. On the UK top 40 ‘More Than a Feeling’ remains their only hit single to date.

‘More Than a Feeling’ was the first of three singles released from Boston’s self titled debut Album from August 1976, and was written by Tom Scholz, with the production credited to Scholz, John Boylan, and Rodney C. Thompson. The five members of Boston at that time, and those who played on ‘More Than a Feeling,’ and it’s parent Album, were Tom Scholz, (lead guitar) Brad Delp, (vocals) Barry Goudreau, (rhythm guitar) Fran Sheehan, (bass) and Sib Hashian (drums.) The Album ‘Boston’ would go on to sell in excess of 20 million copies worldwide, and was the best selling debut Album of all time, until overtaken by ‘Guns N’ Roses’ studio debut ‘Appetite for Destruction’ (see also best songs 463 and 8.)

Kurt Cobain (1967-1994) and Nirvana have never tried to hide the similarities between ‘More Than a Feeling,’ and Nirvana’s classic ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ (see also best songs 9.) On occasions when playing live, Nirvana would play a brief version of ‘More Than a Feeling,’ before sending shivers down your spine, by going straight into the intro of ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit.’ When asked about Nirvana pinching the songs chord progression Tom Scholz confusingly said,’They didn’t do a great job on the chorus. I heard the story about people thinking that part of that song sounds like it was a swipe from ‘More Than a Feeling.’ I don’t hear it. If it were, I would consider it a compliment.’

Nothing in ‘Pop Music’ is totally original, or for that matter ‘influence free,’ with Tom Scholz stating that he was a big fan of the American Rock band the ‘James Gang,’ with some music critics noting the resemblance between the ‘James Gang’s’ 1970 track ‘Tend My Garden,’ and ‘More Than a Feeling.’ Others have also noted similarities between ‘More Than a Feeling,’ and the ‘Kingsmen’s’ 1963 recording of ‘Louie Louie.’

Tom Scholz has said that ‘More Than a Feeling’s’ subject matter was based on the ‘Heart tugging mood’ of ‘Walk Away Renee’ (Billboard-Number 5, 1966,) by the American Pop group ‘The Left Banke.’ ‘The lyrics of ‘More Than a Feeling’ express the author’s discontent with the present, and his yearning for a former love named ‘Marianne’, whose memory is strongly evoked when hearing an old familiar song. Scholz has said that ‘Marianne’ was a real person, explaining that when he was eight years old he had a much older cousin whom he thought was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen, and that he was secretly in love with her. He has also said that the lyrics were inspired by his emotions after a school love affair had ended,

‘When I’m tired and thinking cold, I hide in my music, forget the day, and dream of a girl I used to know. I closed my eyes and she slipped away.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

957-Nicki Minaj-Starships.

2012-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 1.09. She might look like butter wouldn’t melt, but she’s got one hell of a potty mouth!

Nicki Minaj was born Onika Tanya Maraj, on December 8th, 1982, in Saint James, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, she is the most successful female Rapper of all time, with record sales in excess of 100 million sold worldwide, and is often referred to as the ‘Queen of Rap.’ She originally adopted the stage name ‘Nicki Maraj, but it was later changed by the ‘CEO’ ‘Big Fendi,’ of ‘Dirty Money Records,’her label at that time, to ‘Nicki Minaj,’ with Minaj stating that ‘My real name is Maraj. Fendi flipped it when he met me, because I had such a nasty flow.’

As a child Nicki Minaj was brought up by her grandmother in Saint James, but at the age of five she moved to the ‘Bronx’ New York, where she lived with her mother, father and brother. Minaj started her music career in 2004 in a quartet called ‘The Hoodstars,’ she later uploaded songs on her ‘Myspace’ profile, sending several of her songs to people in the music industry, which brought her to the attention of the label ‘Dirty Money Records,’ where her first three releases were all ‘mixtapes,’ issued between 2007-2009. This led to her fellow American Rapper Lil Wayne (see also best songs 210) recommending her to ‘Young Money Entertainment.’

The discography of Nicki Minaj includes four studio Albums that have been released between 2010-2018, and 123 singles issued between 2010-2021. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart she has charted within the top 40 on 25 occasions as the lead artist, with ‘Trolz,’ featuring ‘6ix9ine,’ (2020) and ‘Super Freaky Girl,’ (2022) both making Number 1. As the featured artist Nicki Minaj has achieved a further 33 top 40 hits, with ‘Say So’ (Remix) (2019) reaching Number 1, with ‘Doja Cat’ as the lead artist. On the UK top 40 singles chart she has had 21 entries as the lead artist, with ‘Bang Bang’ with Jessie J, and Ariana Grande, making Number 1. As the featured artist she has achieved a further 20 hits with ‘Woman Like Me’ (2018) reaching Number 1, with ‘Little Mix’ as the lead artist.

‘Starships’ was the first of six singles released from Nicki Minaj’s second studio Album ‘Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded,’ from April 2012. The song is credited with six writers, including Nicki Minaj, RedOne, Wayne Carter, and Bilai Hajji, with the production being by RedOne, Rami Yacoub, and Carl Falk, who were also the other co-writers of the song.

‘Starships’ started out life as a ‘beat’ that Nadir Khayat, who is better known by his stage name ‘RedOne’ (see also best songs 363) had sent to Nicki Minaj. Minaj has said that she took the ‘beat’ into the studio and improvised the first verse, she recalled,’Mumbling and just saying the first thing that came into my head, and we recorded it, because I just felt like, let’s go to the beach… let’s go get away. It was just so good. It feels good.’ During the song Nicki Minaj quotes from the English nursery rhyme, ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,’ which dates back to 1806, and was written by the English poet Jane Taylor (1783-1824.) In 2013 the songwriters were all sued by the American Electronic artist Clive Tanaka, who claimed that they stole his 2010 song ‘Neu Chicago,’ to create ‘Starships,’ the case was dismissed, but it is worth taking a listen to ‘Neu Chicago,’ to note the similarities. Also well worth taking a listen to is the 2011 Britney Spears single ‘Till the World Ends,’ which also bares more than the odd similarity in structure.

‘Starships’ is among the best selling songs of all time, with sales in excess of 7.2 million copies worldwide, with around 4.5 million sold in America. On Billboard ‘Starships’ peaked at Number 5 for four non-consecutive weeks, and in July 2012 it made history on that chart by having spent 21 consecutive weeks in the top 10 from its debut week, surpassing the Black Eyed Peas’ single ‘I Gotta Feeling’ (see also best songs 234) from 2009. Nicki Minaj has explained the songs meaning,’Starships are meant to fly,’ is a line about reaching one’s full potential in life. That’s what I feel. Just go for it! Stop limiting yourself! And that’s a great feeling. It’s a great feeling to not box yourself into anyone’s limitations or ideas or judgements. That’s what it means to me.’

‘Uh, let’s go to the beach-each, let’s go get a wave, they say what they gonna say. Have a drink, clink, found the Bud Light, bad bitches like me is hard to come by.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

958-The Ruts-Staring at the Rude Boys.

1980-Number 22 single.

Best Bit-At 1.59. Did your mother never tell you it’s rude to stare.

The Ruts were formed in London, England, in 1977, by Malcolm Owen, (1953-1980) (vocals) Paul Fox, (1951-2007) (guitar) John ‘Seggs’ Jennings, (bass) and Dave Ruffy (drums.) The Ruts played a mix of ‘Punk Rock,’ ‘Reggae Rock,’ and Ska Punk,’ and were one of many artists who were championed by the legendary DJ John Peel (1939-2004) (see also best songs 435) on his BBC Radio 1 sessions programme. The Ruts lead singer Malcolm Owen had suffered from Heroin addiction for the majority of his adult life, and as the group were approaching the height of their success he died of a Heroin overdose on July 14th, 1980, at the age of 26. The last single recorded with Owen as lead singer was the follow up to ‘Staring at the Rude Boys,’ it was ‘West One (Shine on Me’) which would eventually peak at Number 43 in the UK. The Ruts were asked to perform the song on the BBC television programme ‘Top of the Pops,’ which the band refused, as ‘Top of the Pops’ insisted that group member John ‘Seggs’ Jennings who had now taken over the vocal duties mime Owen’s vocal part, which the band found distasteful.

After the death of Owen, The Ruts decided to continue as ‘Ruts D.C.’ standing for the Italian term ‘da capo,’ meaning ‘back to the beginning’ in a different musical vein. ‘Ruts D.C.’ would remain active until splitting in 1983. In 2007 the band reformed to play a benefit concert for founding member Paul Fox following his diagnosis as having lung cancer, Fox died later that year, and at the time of writing ‘Ruts D.C.’ remain active, with the two original living members having been joined by Leigh Heggarty (guitar) since 2011.

The Ruts are remembered for being vigorous opponents of racism, and played several benefit gigs for ‘Rock Against Racism’ (RAR) As ‘The Ruts’ they released two Albums in 1979 and 1980, and then as ‘Ruts D.C.’ there have been a further six Albums issued between 1981-2022. The discography also includes four official live Albums, and two ‘John Peel’ sessions compilations. As ‘The Ruts’ they released six singles between 1979-1980, with four of those songs making the UK top 40, with ‘Babylon’s Burning’ charting the highest at Number 7 in 1979. As ‘Ruts D.C.’ they have issued eight singles between 1981-2020, with none of them charting.

‘Staring at the Rude Boys’ is track 2 on side 1 of The Ruts second Album ‘Grin & Bear It,’ which was first issued in December 1980, with all four band members receiving the writing and production credits, with Tony Wilson also credited as co-producer. ‘Grin & Bear It’ featured a compilation of singles, ‘B’-sides, and live performances that had been recorded at the ‘Marquee Club’ in London. In 1988 the American ‘Hardcore’ band ‘Dag Nasty’ covered ‘Staring at the Rude Boys,’ on their third studio Album ‘Field Day.’ The other significant cover version was by the English ‘Hardcore Punk’ band the ‘Gallows’ who covered the song as ‘Staring at the Rude Bois,’ featuring Lethal Bizzle (see also best songs 813) for their 2007 debut studio Album ‘Orchestra of Wolves,’ the song became a hit in the UK, reaching Number 31 in 2007.

‘Staring at the Rude Boys’ tells the story of three different groups of people all menacingly eyeing each other up in night club, where loud music is being played. The three distinct groups are the ‘Rude Boys,’ the ‘Skinheads,’ and ‘the Punks.’ all of which was not an unusual sight to see back in 1980. According to the songs lyrics,’The ‘Rude Boys’ are dancing to some heavy heavy Ska,’ which was their choice of music. The Punks in the corner are speeding like a jet,’ this is a reference to amphetamines, a popular drug in Punk culture. A bunch of ‘B.M’s march in on ‘D.M’s, refers to ‘B.M.’ the abbreviation for the ‘British Movement,’ an extreme-right wing political group, with ties in the Skinhead community. Meanwhile, the ‘D.M’.s are Doc Martin boots, the footwear of choice for Punks, Skinheads, and their affiliated subcultures. Thankfully just before all hell breaks loose in the club, ‘Everyone leaves when the heavies arrive,’ this is a reference to the clubs security stepping in to ease the tensions.

‘It’s a very small world in the middle of a crowd, the room gets dark when the music gets loud. Treble cuts through, when the rhythm takes the bite, but there’s no room to move ’cause the floor is packed tight.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

959-Bon Jovi-Dry County.

1994-Number 9 single.

Best Bit-At 5.57. I used to joke that Jon Bon Jovi was the equivalent of Barry Manilow (see also best songs 750) with an electric guitar, and a big set of drums, but after hearing this I’m eating humble pie.

Bon Jovi (see also best songs 325) were formed in Sayreville, New Jersey, United States, in 1983, by Jon Bon Jovi, (vocals) David Bryan, (keyboards) Tico Terres, (drums) Alec John Such, (1951-2022) (bass) and Dave Sabo (guitars.) Sabo left soon after their formation, and in 1986 he became a founding member of the American Rock band ‘Skid Row.’ Sabo was quickly replaced by Richie Sambora, (guitars) who would stay with the band through until departing in 2013. Another founding member of the group, Alec John Such would remain a member until 1994, having played on the bands first five studio Albums. In total there have been eight different members of Bon Jovi, and at the time of writing they remain active.

Bon Jovi are one of the worlds best selling acts with sales in excess of 100 million records sold. Their discography includes 15 studio Albums released between 1984-2020, and 66 singles issued between 1984-2021, there are also five official compilations available, and three live Albums. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 top 40 singles chart they have achieved 16 hits, with three of those songs reaching Number 1, ‘You Give Love a Bad Name,’ (1986) ‘Livin’ on a Prayer,’ (1986) and ‘Bad Medicine,’ (1988) while on the UK top 40 they have charted on 37 occasions, with ‘Always,’ from 1994, charting the highest at Number 2.

‘Dry County’ was written by Jon Bon Jovi, with the production being by Bob Rock, the songs guitar solo which has been critically acclaimed was played by Richie Sambora. At 9 minutes and 52 seconds it remains the longest song that Bon Jovi have released to date. ‘Dry County was never issued as a single in America or Canada, but in parts of Europe, excluding the UK, it was issued to radio stations as a 6 minutes and 37 seconds edit. The song was the sixth and final single released from Bon Jovi’s fifth studio Album ‘Keep the Faith’ from November 1992. The Album was a turning point for Jon Bon Jovi, who felt that if the group were going to continue then a change of musical direction was essential, he has said,’We closed the door and ignored what had happened to our genre of music. We’d been kicked in the teeth by Nirvana, (see also best songs 788 and 9) but we didn’t pay attention to that. We got rid of the clichés, wrote some socially conscious lyrics, and got a haircut. I didn’t do a ‘Grunge’ thing, and I didn’t do a ‘Rap’ thing, but I knew I couldn’t re-write ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’ again, so I didn’t try, and it paid off.’

A change of musical direction also brought about a change in producer, with Bob Rock being brought in. Bob Rock was born Robert Jens Rock, on April 19th, 1954, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Rock began his music career when co-founding the Canadian Rock band ‘Payolas,’ stylised as ‘Payola$,’ in 1978. The group had great success in their native Canada with six of their singles reaching the Canadian top 40 chart, but it is as a music producer that Bob Rock has become critically acclaimed. He has worked as a producer with dozens of artists of varying genres including Michael Buble, Bryan Adams, and Metallica (see also best songs 730.)

Although ‘Dry County’ is a fans favourite, it was only played regularly on the ‘Keep the Faith’ tour, and was not played at all from 1996, until Jon Bon Jovi reintroduced it in 2006, since when it has become more of regular, with fans often displaying signs requesting the song at concerts. When playing the song live during the build up to the second guitar solo, Jon Bon Jovi often includes a monologue about the struggles of life generally. ‘Dry County’ is about the decline of the United States domestic oil industry. The lyrics tell of the struggle of someone who is living and working in what was once a thriving environment, now facing up to the reality of economic decline.

‘Across the border, they turn water into wine. Some say it’s the devil’s blood They’re squeezing from the vine. Some say it’s a saviour In these hard and desperate times. You see, it helps me to forget that we’re just born to die.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

960-The Mills Brothers-Paper Doll.

1943-It has never charted in the UK. There was no UK chart until 1952.

Best Bit-At 1.04. If you want to keep your paper doll satisfied, learn Origami.

The Mills Brothers (see also best songs 535) were four of nine siblings from the same family, that were born in Piqua, Ohio, United States. They were a ‘Jazz,’ and ‘Pop’ quartet that consisted of Donald (1915-1999) lead tenor vocals, Herbert (1912-1989) tenor vocals, Harry (1913-1982) baritone vocals, and John Jr. (1910-1936) guitar, double bass, and vocals. The brothers were influenced by their father John Hutchinson Mills, (1882-1967) who was a barber with his own shop, and was also a member of a ‘barbershop quartet.’

The Mills Brothers began singing in the local church choir, before entering amateur talent contests as the ‘Four Kings of Harmony,’ and then after auditioning for the radio station ‘WLW’ in Cincinnati, Ohio, they got their first major big break when coming to the attention of ‘Duke Ellington,’ (1899-1974) (see also best songs 1039) who on his recommendation got them signed to ‘Okeh Records.’ During a career that spanned 54 years, from 1928-1982, The Mills Brothers made over 2,000 recordings, and sold over 50 million records worldwide. For the discography of The Mills Brothers in more detail, see best songs 535.

After the death of Donald who was the last surviving brother, his son John became the next family member to tour under the name ‘The Mills Brothers,’ with Elmer Hopper, who had previously sung lead with the ‘Platters.’ They were at times joined by John’s eldest brother, Don Mills, Jr. and then following Hopper’s death in 2019, John started performing with Randy Taylor as a featured vocalist, and at the time of writing they continue to perform as ‘The Mills Brothers.’

‘Paper Doll’ is one of the oldest songs in this countdown, having been written in 1915. The songs author was Johnny S. Black, who was born on September 30th, 1891, in St. Louis, Missouri, United States, he died after receiving a blow to the head in a car park altercation on June 9th, 1936, at the age of 44. Black’s other great musical success was the song ‘Dardanella,’ which was a ‘Fox Trot’ that he co-composed with Felix Bernard (1897-1944) in 1919. ‘Dardanella’ went on to sell in excess of five million copies when recorded by the American bandleader Ben Selvin (1898-1980) in 1920, but unfortunately for Black he had sold his interest in the song for just $25. ‘Dardanella’ went on to earn over $12 million, and several years later after litigation Black received somewhere between $12,000 to $20,000.

Although ‘Paper Doll’ had been written by Black in 1915, it wasn’t actually published until 1930, as in 1922 Black had sold the song to the music publishers Edward B. Marks for $25, Marks then put ‘Paper Doll’ on the market, but it failed to gain any interest. Johnny S. Black didn’t live long enough to see his greatest success ‘Paper Doll,’ as he died seven years before The Mills Brothers recorded it. The song’s success sparked a royalties battle between his ex two wives, his widow, and the teenage daughter of his late father’s housekeeper. It was following a lengthy courtroom battle that his first wife convinced the court that her song ‘My Doll,’ was the genesis of ‘Paper Doll.’

Johnny S. Black had apparently been inspired to write ‘Paper Doll’ after being jilted by a girlfriend. Black was a keen boxer, and it is said that his girlfriend had run off with another boxer who known to him. The Mills Brothers had originally released ‘Paper Doll’ as the ‘B’ side to their 1942 single ‘I’ll Be Around,’ but eventually it was ‘Paper Doll’ that became the song people wanted to listen to, with a ‘Billboard’ review in May 1942 calling the song ‘more pleasing.’ ‘Paper Doll’ spent 12 weeks at Number 1 in America on the Billboard chart between 1943-1944, the song is one of fewer than 40 all time singles to have sold in excess of 10 million physical copies worldwide. It is rumoured that it took less than 15 minutes for The Mills Brothers to record the song.

‘I’m gonna buy a paper doll that I can call my own, a doll that other fellows cannot steal. And then the flirty, flirty guys with their flirty, flirty eyes will have to flirt with dollies that are real.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER

961-Eddie Holman-Hey There Lonely Girl.

1974-Number 4 single.

Best Bit-At 0.17. If the work ever drys up, he could always form a Bee Gees tribute act.

‘Hey There Lonely Girl’ was written in 1963 by Leon Carr, (1910-1976) and Earl Shuman, (1923-2013) with the original version of the song being recorded by the American R&B group ‘Ruby & the Romantics, as ‘Hey There Lonely Boy,’ which reached Number 27 on the American Billboard Hot 100 in 1963, although it failed to chart in the UK. The song became a hit for a second time on Billboard in 1970, when the version I have chosen by Eddie Holman reached Number 2, the song also became a hit for a third time on Billboard, when in 1980 the American singer/songwriter Robert John took his recording to Number 31.

Leon Carr one of the songs co-writers was born on June 10th, 1910, in Allentown, Pennsylvania, he died on March 27th, 1976, at the age of 65. Carr’s other big success on the Pop charts was co-writing the 1949 Billboard Number 2 hit single ‘There’s No Tomorrow,’ recorded by the American singer Tony Martin, (1913-2012) that songs melody was based on the Italian song ‘O Sole Mio,’ (1898) which would be popularised again in 1960 when Elvis Presley (1935-1977) recorded ‘It’s Now or Never.’ Leon Carr found his greatest success as a writer of marketing jingles used in advertisements, which include, ‘Mounds Candy’ (‘Sometimes You Feel Like a Nut,’), ‘Chevrolet’ (‘See the U.S.A. In Your Chevrolet,’), and the ‘Bert the Turtle’ theme song, for the nuclear public education awareness film ‘Duck and Cover.’ The other writer of ‘Hey There Lonely Girl’ was Earl Shuman who was born on August 2nd, 1923, in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, he died on February 13th, 2019, at the age of 95. Other songs that Shuman co-wrote include ‘Starry Eyed’ for Michael Holliday, (UK Number 1-1960) and ‘The Young Mexican Puppeteer’ for Tom Jones, (UK Number 6-1972) which was another song which Shuman co-wrote with Leon Carr.

Eddie Holman was born on June 3rd, 1946, in Norfolk, Virginia, United States, during his career he has covered the genres of ‘R&B,’ ‘Soul,’ ‘Gospel,’ and ‘Pop.’ The discography of Eddie Holman includes four studio Albums released between 1969-2007, and four official compilations issued between 1989-2014. Holman recorded his first single ‘What You Don’t Know Won’t Hurt You,’ on the ‘Leopard Records’ label in 1962, and over the next few years his singles would find limited success on differing Billboard charts. His big breakthrough came in 1970 when his cover version of ‘Hey There Lonely Girl’ reached Number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in America, the song would also make Number 4 in the UK in 1974. ‘Hey There Lonely Girl’ has sold in excess of one million copies worldwide for Eddie Holman, but the song remains his only hit on both sides of the Atlantic.

Eddie Holman has a striking falsetto voice, which the British music journalist Tony Cummings has written about,’Eddie Holman’s voice, an astonishing precision instrument which can leap octaves with the speed of mercury and bend notes into shapes unimagined by lesser singers, has assured its possessor a place in Soul history.’ Holman went on to become an ordained Baptist minister, who believes that his talent is a gift from God, and therefore it must be used to glorify his maker. Holman has said,’That those who are blessed with creative talent have a responsibility to encourage personal accountability, and to set the best example possible because of the powerful influence that they have on the lives of so many young ones.’

‘In 2008 ‘Hey There Lonely Girl’ was brought to the attention of a whole new generation when it was used in the second series of the British television sitcom ‘Benidorm.’ In a very memorable scene the character ‘Mel,’ who was portrayed by Geoffrey Hutchings, (1939-2010) attempts to sing in the style of Eddie Holman, while performing on the karaoke machine, to his fiancee Madge Harvey.

‘Ever since he broke your heart you seem so lost each time you pass my way. Oh, how I long to take your hand, and say don’t cry, I’ll kiss your tears away.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

962-Big Country-Fields of Fire (400 Miles.)

1983-Number 10 single.

Beat Bit-At 2.00. But I would commute 400 miles, and I would commute 400 more. It appears that some Scottish bands do enjoy travelling (see also best songs 598.)

Big Country were formed in Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland, in 1981, the classic line up, and also the four who played on this track, comprised of Stuart Adamson, (1958-2001) (vocals, guitars, and keyboards) Bruce Watson, (guitar, and mandolin) Tony Butler, (bass) and Mark Brzezicki (drums.) Big Country remained active until 2000, then the surviving members embarked on a tour in 2007 to celebrate 25 years of Big Country, and then in 2010 they once again re-formed. In total there have been 14 different members come and go, with Bruce Watson being the bands one constant. It was Stuart Adamson who chose the bands name, as he wanted his new band to sound like a loud ‘Rock’ band, with a strong infusion of ‘Folk,’ and ‘Country.’ Adamson said,’The groups name was meant to represent new discoveries born of ambition.’

The discography of Big Country includes nine studio Albums released between 1983-2013, and 29 singles issued between 1982-2013, there are also 18 live Albums, and 25 compilation Albums, that have been officially released over the years. In the UK, Big Country have achieved 15 top 40 singles, with ‘Look Away’ from 1986 charting the highest at Number 7, while in America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, their only hit remains ‘In a Big Country,’ which reached Number 17 in 1983.

‘Fields of Fire (400 Miles’) was the second of four singles released from Big Country’s critically acclaimed debut studio Album ‘The Crossing,’ from July 1983, which would go on to sell in excess of one million copies worldwide. All four band members at that time receive the song writing credits, with the legendary Steve Lillywhite producing the single, and the Album.

William Stuart Anderson was born on April 11, 1958, in Manchester, England, but at the age of four moved with his family to ‘Crossgates,’ around a mile east from Dunfermline, in Scotland. Adamson’s first band in 1976 were called ‘Tattoo,’ but after seeing ‘The Damned’ (see also best songs 833 and 273) perform he founded his own ‘Punk Rock’ band called the ‘Skids’ in 1977, at the age 18. With the Skids he recorded three studio Albums between 1979-1980, and nine singles between 1978-1980, of which five reached the UK top 40, with ‘Into the Valley’ from 1979 charting the highest at Number 10. Stuart Adamson had experienced problems related to alcoholism, and depression in the 1980’s, but had been sober for over a decade before starting to drink again. All his problems finally took their toll, and on December 16th, 2001, he was found dead in a room that he had booked into in the ‘Best Western Plaza Hotel,’ in Honolulu, in Hawaii. According to a local police report he had died by hanging himself with an electrical cord from a pole in a wardrobe. A subsequent Coroner’s Office report found that he had consumed a ‘very strong’ amount of alcohol around the time of his death. Adamson was once described by the influential DJ John Peel (1939-2004) (see also best songs 435) as,’The new Jimi Hendrix,’ and U2’s ‘The Edge’ stated that Adamson, with Big Country,’Had written the songs that he wished U2 could write.’

‘Fields of Fire (400 Miles’) was produced by Steve Lillywhite, who was born on March 15th, 1955, in Egham, Surrey, England. Lillywhite (see also best songs 1004-603-254 and 32) has been credited with working on over 500 different songs since entering the music industry as a tape operator in 1972. He has produced for some of the worlds top artists including working on nine studio Albums with ‘U2.’ His first commercial success came in 1978 as the producer of ‘Hong Kong Garden,’ the debut single from ‘Siouxsie and the Banshees,’ which reached Number 7 in the UK. In 2012 he was made a Commander of the Order of The British Empire ‘CBE,’ for his contributions to music.

‘Fields of Fire (400 Miles’) was originally titled ‘400 Miles’ as it was written when Stuart Adamson and Bruce Watson were taking regular trips from Edinburgh to London, the distances between those two cities is approximately 400 miles. Adamson has said that the song wasn’t to tell a coherent story,’It’s a selection of images, thoughts on a train journey.’

‘Between a father and a son, between the city and the one. Before the teacher and the test, before the journey and the rest. The shining eye will never cry, the beating heart will never die. The house on fire holds no shame, I will be coming home again.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

963-Cyprus Hill-Insane in the Brain

1993-Number 23 single.

Best Bit At 0.05. They say there is a fine line between genius and insanity, this song walks that very thin tightrope between the two.

Cyprus Hill are a Hip-Hop, and Rap/Rock group that were formed in South Gate, California, United States, in 1988, by the Cuban brothers Senen Reyes, (Sen Dog) and Ulpiao Sergio Reyes, (Mellow Man Ace) along with Laurence Muggerud, (DJ Muggs) and Louis Freese (B-Real.) Mellow Man Ace would leave soon after to pursue a solo career, and DJ Muggs left in 2004, before re-joining again between 2014-2018, the other official member is Eric ‘Bobo’ Correa,’ who joined the group in 1993. Cyprus Hill who took their name from a street in South Gate, are recognised for being among the earliest acts to fuse the genres of Hip-Hop, and Rock Music, and in 2019 they became the first Hip-Hop act to receive a star on the ‘Hollywood Walk of Fame.’All of the group members advocate for medical and recreational purposes the use of Cannabis in the United States. The bands second studio Album ‘Black Sunday’ came with a booklet containing 19 facts about the history of ‘Hemp,’ and the positive attributes of Cannabis.

Cyprus Hill have sold in excess of 20 million Albums worldwide, releasing their self titled debut in 1991, and their 10th and most recent to date in 2022. They have also released 37 singles in the same time period, with ‘Insane in the Brain’ giving them their only American Billboard Hot 100 top 40 single when reaching Number 19 in 1993. In the UK, Cyprus Hill have made the top 40 on 11 occasions, with (‘Rap Superstar’)/ (‘Rock Superstar’) charting the highest when making Number 13 in 2000.

‘Insane in the Brain,’ which was co-written by the Cyprus Hill band members B-Real, DJ Muggs, and ‘Sen Dog,’ with the production by DJ Muggs, was the first of four singles released from the groups second studio Album ‘Black Sunday,’ from July 1993. In 1992 DJ Muggs had written a beat which the other group members rejected, so he decided to shop it around, with the American Hip-Hop group ‘House of Pain’ accepting it. That beat would eventually become the ‘Hip-Hop’ classic ‘Jump Around,’ (see also best songs 75) and after it’s success the other members of Cyprus Hill gave DJ Muggs free rein with the bands second Album.

Like many a good ‘Hip-Hop’ track, ‘Insane in the Brain’ contains many samples from many different sources. The lyrics ‘I think I’m Going Crazy,’ are taken from the 1967 song ‘All Over the World’ by the ‘Youngbloods.’ Other samples used include a drum break from organist George Semper’s cover version of Lee Dorsey’s “Get Out of My Life, Woman,’ and there is also a sample of James Brown ‘grunting,’ from the opening of his song ‘Say It Loud-I’m Black and I’m Proud,’from 1968. The most prominent sample throughout the song has always been a matter of dispute, with DJ Muggs initially claiming that the sample was a pitched Blues guitar, although at a later date he claimed it was the sound of a horn. Many sources claim that it was actually a sample of a horse from the American Soul duo ‘Mel and Tim’s’ 1970 song ‘Good Guys Only Win in the Movies,’ but of course what has to be remembered is that admitting to using a sample can cost the user a great deal of money in royalties.

‘Insane in the Brain’ according to B-Real started out life as a ‘diss-song’ aimed at the American Rapper ‘Chubb Rock,’ after he had ridiculed their style on his 1992 Album ‘I Gotta Get Mine Yo.’ A ‘diss track’ is a song whose primary purpose is to verbally attack someone else, usually another artist. ‘Diss tracks’ are often the result of an existing, escalating feud between two people. ‘Insane in the Brain’ is a saying that derives from gang talk in Los Angeles between the rival gangs, the ‘Crips,’ and the ‘Bloods.’ DJ Muggs has said,’You could have a shootout with the police or anyone. So if you walked up to somebody and said, “I’m crazy insane, got no brain,” you’d better be ready to prove that sh.t. That lingo was reserved for the hardest homies.’

‘To the one on the flamboyant tip, I’ll just toss that ham in the frying pan. Like spam, get done when I come and slam, Damn, I feel like the Son of Sam.’