THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

896-Billy Paul-Me and Mrs Jones.

1972-Number 12 single.

Best Bit-At 3.37. There is a very clever hint as to what this song is about at 0.17 seconds, when the saxophonist is playing the 1953 song,’Secret Love,’ by Doris Day.

Billy Paul was born Paul Williams, on December 1st, 1934, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, he died on April 24th, 2016, from pancreatic cancer, at the age of 81. It was his manager at the time, Jules Malvin, who suggested his stage name, to avoid confusion with the songwriter Paul Williams, and saxophonist Paul ‘Hucklebuck’ Williams (1915-2002.) Prior to signing with the newly set up ‘Philadelphia International Records’ in 1971, Billy Paul had recorded two studio Albums, and six singles between 1952-1970, and although none had been commercially successful, they had been critically well received. His earliest recordings were ballads, but he was heavily influenced by Jazz, and also recorded in that genre. On signing with ‘Philadelphia International Records,’ his music was redefined by Leon Huff, and Kenny Gamble (see also best songs 1001-896-725-648-604-571-338 and 322) who sought to find the balance between Paul’s ‘Jazz roots,’ and the ‘Funky Soul’ that they hoped would bring mainstream success.

The discography of Billy Paul includes 13 Albums released between 1968-1988, and 37 singles, (including re-issues) released between 1952-2011. His only charting Album in America on Billboard was ‘360 Degrees of Billy Paul,’ which made Number 17 in 1972, but seven of his other Albums did chart within the top 40 on the Billboard R&B chart. Two of his singles also made the top 40 on Billboard, with Me and Mrs. Jones’ going all the way to Number 1. In the UK, Billy Paul has had six top 40 hit singles, with ‘Me and Mrs. Jones,’ charting the highest.

‘Me and Mrs. Jones’ was the first of two singles released from Billy Paul’s fourth Album, ‘360 Degrees of Billy Paul,’ from 1972, it was his second album release on ‘Philadelphia International Records.’ ‘Me and Mrs. Jones,’ was written by the legendary songwriting, and production duo of Leon Huff, and Kenny Gamble, who wrote the music, with the lyrics written by Cary ‘Hippy’ Gilbert, (1942-1993) (see also best songs 725) Huff and Gamble also produced the single, as well as the parent Album.

‘Me and Mrs. Jones’ is a romantic song that tugs at the heartstrings, so it is easy to forget that it’s subject is actually adultery, and although the narrator is cheating on someone, Billy Paul’s heartfelt delivery makes you feel sorry for the adulterers. Kenny Gamble has explained how he and Leon Huff got the idea for ‘Me and Mrs Jones,’ after several visits to a little bar downstairs in the Schubert Building, which was where their record company ‘Philadelphia International Records’ was located. Kenny Gamble has said, ‘This guy used to come into the bar every day, a little guy that looked like a judge. We’re songwriters, so we’re always thinking about a song. The next day he came in again, and every day after he’d come in, this girl would come in 10-15 minutes after he’d get there, and they’d sit in the same booth, then go to the jukebox, and play the same songs. We said, ‘That’s me and Mrs. Jones.’ Then, when they’d get ready to leave, he would go his way and she would go hers. It could have been his daughter, his niece, anybody, but we created a story that there was some kind of romantic connection between these people, so we went upstairs to our office and wrote the song.’

Billy Paul would probably have been an even bigger star had he just stuck to singing love songs, but although he has been critically acclaimed for his pro ‘Black Power’ political songs, such as ‘Am I Black Enough for You? and ‘Let Em In,’ these tracks didn’t find favour at the time with mainstream radio, and goes someway to explaining why he failed to come anywhere near matching the success of ‘Me and Mrs. Jones’ again. Perhaps the greatest tribute to Billy Paul came from Stevie Wonder who called him,’One of the criminally unmentioned proprietors of socially conscious post-revolution ’60’s Civil Rights’ music.’ After Billy Paul’s death in 2016, Leon Huff and Kenny Gamble released a statement saying,’Our proudest moment with Billy was the recording of the salacious smash ‘Me and Mrs. Jones.’ In our view, it is one of the greatest love songs ever recorded. Billy was one of the first artists to help launch the ‘PIR/TSOP’ brand, and he will forever have a special place in music history.’

‘We meet every day at the same cafe, six-thirty, and no one knows she’ll be there. Holding hands, making all kinds of plans, while the jukebox plays our favourite songs.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

897-Simple Minds-Don’t You (Forget About Me.)

1985-Number 7 single.

Best Bit-At 3.43. The moment you have sung all the lyrics, but it’s so good, you can’t stop yourself from improvising.

Simple Minds were formed in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1977. At the time of writing the group remain active, with the two constants being Jim Kerr, and Charlie Burchill. Kerr and Burchill, had known each other since the age of eight, and just prior to forming Simple Minds, they had both been members of the short lived ‘Punk Rock’ outfit ‘Johnny & The Self-Abusers,’ but that group folded after bad reviews in the music press, for their debut single, ‘Saints and Sinners.’ The first line up of Simple Minds comprised Kerr and Burchill, and four others who had been in ‘Johnny & The Self-Abusers,’ in total there have been 23 different members come and go over the years, Simple Minds chose their stage name from lyrics in the song ‘Jean Jeanie,’ by David Bowie, (1948-2016) and made their very first live performance at Glasgow’s ‘Satellite City,’ on 17th January, 1978.

Simple Minds were the best selling Scottish act of the 1980’s, and have sold over 65 million records worldwide. Their discography includes 21 studio Albums released between 1979-2022, and 68 singles issued within the same time period, there are also 10 official compilation Albums, and 11 live Albums available. In the UK, three of their studio Albums have made Number 1, while 24 of their singles have made the top 40, with ‘Belfast Child,’ reaching Number 1 in 1989. In America their only charting Album was ‘Once Upon a Time,’ (Billboard Number 10) from 1985, which was released around the same time as ‘Don’t You (Forget About Me,’) which went all the way to Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. In total Simple Minds have achieved five top 40 hit singles on Billboard.

‘Don’t You (Forget About Me’) was written by Keith Forsey, and Steve Schiff, with the production being by Forsey, for the 1985 American teen coming-of-age comedy-drama film ‘The Breakfast Club,’ which would become one of the most critically acclaimed films of the 1980’s, although the films soundtrack, was given the thumbs down, with only ”Don’t You (Forget About Me’) receiving praise. Keith Forsey was heavily involved in the ‘Disco’ scene of the mid to late 1970’s, and became the go to drummer for Giorgio Moroder, (see also best songs 78 and 11) Albums he played on include ‘Bad Girls’ for Donna Summer,’ and ‘”No. 1 in Heaven,’ for Sparks, both issued in 1979. Other career highlights for Forsey include, producing Billy Idol’s (see also best songs 945) first two solo studio Albums, and co-writing ‘Flashdance… What a Feeling,’ with Giorgio Moroder, and Irene Cara, (1959-2022) for the 1983 movie ‘Flashdance.

‘Don’t You (Forget About Me’) was the gem that nobody wanted. Both Forsey and Steve Schiff were big fans of Simple Minds, and had written the song with them in mind, but initially Simple Minds declined the song, with Jim Kerr explaining,’We were young, we were a bit brattish, we were insecure. We were loving what we were doing and thinking, ‘Hang on a minute, you want us in ’cause you love us because we write these songs, but you want us to do your song?’ We weren’t even willing to listen initially. We were like, ‘No, we don’t do other people’s songs. End of story.’ And of course, later on it was explained, but the song was written to the script and every time they tried to make it more amenable, it sounded worse, because they would say, ‘It sounds really like Simple Minds,’ and we would be infuriated. ‘How dare you rip us off, and then try and sell us on an idea!’

With Simple Minds initially turning down the song, it was next offered to Bryan Ferry, (see also best songs 721-316 and 57) who due to other work commitments had to turn it down. It was then offered to Billy Idol, but he was not interested. Eventually after a lot of persuasion from their record label, and Kerr’s wife Chrissie Hynde, Simple Minds recorded it, believing it would be a throwaway song, on a soundtrack, to a forgettable movie. The rest of course is history, as ‘The Breakfast Club,’ would go on to become one of the most popular films of the 1980’s. The song played out over the films end credits, and broke Simple Minds in America, and as of 2018 ”Don’t You (Forget About Me’) was the 485th best selling single of all time in America on Billboard.

‘Won’t you come see about me? I’ll be alone, dancing, you know it, baby. Tell me your troubles and doubts, giving everything inside and out and love’s strange, so real in the dark. Think of the tender things that we were working on.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

898-Buddy Holly-Peggy Sue.

1957-Number 6 single.

Best Bit-At 1.24. Air guitar for the 1950’s teenager.

Buddy Holly (see also best songs 264) was born Charles Hardin Holley, on September 7th, 1936, in Lubbock, Texas United States, he died in the early hours of February 3rd, 1959, in a plane crash, at the age of 22. In his 1971 song ‘American Pie,’ (see also best songs 4) Don McLean refers to the event as ‘The day the music died.’ Buddy Holly was signed to ‘Decca Records’ in 1956, on the contract, Decca misspelled Holley’s surname as ‘Holly,’ and from then on he was known as ‘Buddy Holly’, instead of his real name ‘Holley.’

Buddy Holly (lead vocals, and guitar) was one of the four original members of the group ‘The Crickets’ who signed that contract with ‘Decca’ in February 1957, the other three were Jerry Allison, (1939-2022) (drums) Joe B. Mauldlin, (1940-2015) (bass) and Niki Sullivan (1937-2004) (guitar.) In total there have been 11 different official members of ‘The Crickets,’ with Jerry Allison being the groups one constant, through until Allison announced ‘The Crickets’ retirement in 2016. The Crickets had noticed that many contemporary groups had taken their names from birds, so they chose an ‘insect-centred name. They almost chose the name ‘Beetles,’ which years later the ‘Beatles’ chose, partly in homage to the Crickets. The Crickets are considered to be one of the most influential groups of all time, especially in the development of ‘Rock’ music, and are considered to be one of the first to perform as a ‘Rock’ group, with two guitarists, a bass player, and a drummer. John Lennon, (1940-1980) and Paul McCartney, have said that they studied Holly’s records, learned his performance style, and lyricism, and based their act on his persona. Other artists who have said that they owe a debt to Holly, include Bob Dylan, who saw Holly perform live, three days before his death on New Years Eve, 1958, in Duluth, Minnesota. Keith Richards has said that he modelled his early guitar work on the 1957 Crickets song ‘Not Fade Away.’ Richards also said that Holly has passed on his guitar playing, via the Beatles, and via The Rolling Stones, Richards has said,’He’s in everybody.’

Due to contractual legal reasons of Buddy Holly having already recorded for ‘Decca’ records in 1956, and the ‘Crickets’ being signed to ‘Brunswick’ records, and ‘Coral’ records, which were both subsidiary labels of ‘Decca,’ it meant that no recordings of the group before Holly’s death were stated as ‘Buddy Holly and The Crickets,’ with releases being by either Buddy Holly, or by ‘The Crickets.’ After the death of Holly, The Crickets continued to record, releasing new music, as well as completing songs that Holy had been working on before his death, that they would add to, and re-record. The discography of The Crickets includes 15 studio Albums released between 1957-2005, and 32 singles issued between 1957-1988. There are also 18 EP’s that were released between 1957-1998, and there are 20 official compilation Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, five of those songs credited to The Crickets have made the top 40, with their debut single release ”That’ll Be the Day,’ from 1957, reaching Number 1, while in the UK, 12 of their singles, have made the top 40, with ‘That’ll Be the Day,’ also being their only Number 1.

‘Peggy Sue’ was co-written by Jerry Allison, and Norman Petty, (1927-1984) with the production being by Petty, The Crickets are not mentioned on the label, with the song credited to just Buddy Holly. After the death of Holly, at the insistence of Allison, Holly’s name was added to the writing credits. The song was originally entitled ‘Cindy Lou,’ after Buddy Holly’s niece, the daughter of his sister Pat Holley Kaiter, (1929-2008) but the title was later changed to ‘Peggy Sue,’ in reference to ‘Peggy Sue Gerron, (1940-2018) who was the then girlfriend, and future wife of Jerry Allison. Allison and Gerron had had a serious fallout, and ‘Peggy Sue’ is Allison pouring his heart out in the song. The couple would marry in 1958, and divorce nine years later.

One of the incomplete songs that Holly left behind before his death was a ‘demo’ called ‘Peggy Sue Got Married,’ which he had recorded in December 1958. In 1960 The Crickets released their own version as a single. They followed the original arrangements, with David Box, a Holly soundalike, as the lead vocalist, the song was issued as the ‘B’ side to The Crickets ‘A’ side ‘Don’t Cha Know,’ which failed to chart. The Buddy Holly original, undubbed home recording, was used as theme music in the 1986 American fantasy comedy-drama film ‘Peggy Sue Got Married.’ ‘Peggy Sue’ is also name checked in the 1961 hit ‘Barbara Ann’ by The Regents, (Billboard Number 13) and later covered by the Beach Boys in 1965 (Billboard Number 2, and UK Number 3.) ‘Peggy Sue’ is also mentioned in the 1958 novelty hit ‘Splish Splash’ by Bobby Darin (Billboard Number 3 and UK Number 18.)

‘If you knew Peggy Sue, then you’d know why I feel blue without Peggy, my Peggy Sue. Oh well, I love you gal, yes, I love you Peggy Sue.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

899-Black Eyed Peas-Boom Boom Pow.

2009-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 2.00. Will. i. am’s unfathomable dislike of fairies who mend shoes, surfaces again, or is he just talking a load of old cobblers.

The Black Eyed Peas (see also best songs 234) were formed in Los Angeles, California, United States, the classic line up, and the four who performed on this song, are the three founding members, William Adams, (Will.i.am) Allan Lindo, (apl.de.ap) Jaime Gomez, (Taboo) and Stacy Ferguson, (Fergie) (see also best songs 909) who replaced the original lead singer Kim Hill in 2002, and was a group member until leaving in 2017.

‘Boom Boom Pow’ was the first of five singles released from the Black Eyed Peas fifth studio Album ‘The E.N.D.’ (The Energy Never Dies) from June 2009. ‘Boom Boom Pow’ credits all four group members as songwriters, with the production credited to Will.i.am. ‘The E.N.D.’ was a conscious decision by the Black Eyed Peas to re-invent themselves as a commercial outfit, moving away from their ‘Hip-Hop’ roots, to a more radio friendly ‘Electronic Dance Music/Dance Pop’ group. The decision proved very successful, as the Album has gone on to sell in excess of 8 million copies worldwide, while ‘Boom Boom Pow’ went on to become the best selling single worldwide in 2009, spending 12 consecutive weeks at Number 1 on Billboard in America. It’s run at the top of the chart was brought to an end when the Black Eyed Peas released their follow up single ‘I Gotta Feeling,’ which took over the Number 1 spot, and stayed there for the next 14 weeks. The Black Eyed Peas became only the 11th act ever to have the Number 1, and Number 2 songs in the same week on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

Will.i.am had got the idea for ‘Boom Boom Pow’ while he was in Australia filming for his role as ‘John Wraith,’ in his major film debut, ‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine,’ which was a prequel to the ‘X-Men’ film series. Will.i.am had been spending evenings in nightclubs in Sydney, where he was influenced by the ‘Electronic Music’ that he heard. He has stated that the song ‘Planet Rock’ by Afrika Bambaataa (see also best songs 716) was a major influence, which is ironic, because ‘Boom Boom Pow’ is a meant to be a ‘futuristic’ sounding track, while ‘Planet Rock’ dates back to 1982. ‘Boom Boom Pow’ features a vocal sample from the 1990 ‘House Music’ track ‘Reach Out,’ by the British duo ‘Sweet Mercy’ featuring the vocals of ‘Rowetta.’ ‘Sweet Mercy’ are not credited as songwriters on ‘Boom Boom Pow,’ and no lawsuit has ever come to light.

Will.i.am was born William James Adams Jr. on March 15th, 1975, in Los Angeles, California, United States. Away from music he has appeared in eight films between 2004-2014, and has worked in television since 2012, as either a judge or mentor on shows such as ‘American Idol,’ ‘The Voice Australia,’ and ‘The Voice Kids UK.’ Will.i.am has also released four solo studio Albums between 2001-2013, and 59 singles without the Black Eyed Peas, between 2001-2020. 12 of those singles have charted on the Billboard Hot 100, with the 2010 track ‘OMG’ by Usher featuring Will.i.am making Number 1. In the UK, without the Black Eyed Peas he has achieved 24 top 40 hits, with five of those tracks reaching Number 1. Will.i.am also has an extensive production discography, between 1998- 2018.

Will.i.am has explained the meaning behind those very unusual lyrics ‘Beats so big I’m steppin on leprechauns,’ he has said,’It’s not about actual leprechauns. I’m rapping about, um, er… Cons. Convicts. Criminals. Who are leopards. Leopard-cons. So it’s not offensive at all.’ Fergie has also commented on the song saying,’I feel that ‘Boom Boom Pow’ is not your typical first single. It’s not the typical, let’s do a hooky chorus, and you know, have a feel good-heart love song, or anything like that. It’s basically kind of to the left. We’ve always been kind of misfits, and so it kind of fits. The song is to the left, but it works, because we’re being true to ourselves.’ The songs attempts a futuristic theme, with Fergie rapping,’I’m so three thousand and eight, you so two thousand and late.’

And finally to save you from having to do the totting up, the word ‘Boom’ is spoken 168 times.

‘People in the place, if you wanna get down, put your hands in the air. Will.i.am drop the beat now.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

900-Diana Ross-Touch Me in the Morning.

1973-Number 9 single.

Best Bit-At 2.28. It’s the best offer you’ll get all day.

‘Touch Me in the Morning’ is the title track, and the first of two singles released from Diana Ross’ fourth studio Album from June 1973. The song was co-written by Michael Masser, (1941-2015) (music) and Ron Miller, (1932-2007) (lyrics) with the production credited to Masser, and Tom Baird (1943-1975/1976?) Tom Baird, who was also a songwriter, and session musician, worked for many years for ‘Motown Records,’ and it’s subsidiary labels ‘Rare Earth,’ and ‘Tamla.’ The songs title is actually very fitting, because at that time Diana Ross would only record her vocals in the early morning hours. In an interview with Diana’s second eldest daughter many years later, Tracee Ellis Ross said that her mother would put them to bed and record all night, in order to wake her children, and send them to school the next morning. Also commenting on the recording process Michael Masser recalled,’She always tried to push hard to get the vocals right for this particular song.’ Masser called it a ‘Draining experience, that resulted in several near-emotional breakdowns when she wasn’t up to her abilities.’

1973 was another very busy year for Diana Ross, (see also best songs 1001-900-519-411-365-212-183-148 and 28) she was now three years in to her solo career, and had just completed her first film ‘ Lady Sings the Blues,’ in 1972, for which she had won the ‘Golden Globe Award,’ and ‘Academy Award’ nominations, for ‘Best Actress,’ for her portrayal of Billie Holiday (1915-1959) (see also best songs 624.) This would be the first of three major films that Diana Ross would star in, with the other two being ‘Mahogany,’ (1975) and ‘The Wizz’ (1978.) With Diana Ross having spent time on her acting career, Motown supremo Berry Gordy felt that Ross needed a ‘big’ song to get her solo singing career back on track, and ‘Touch Me in the Morning’ certainly did the trick, giving Diana her second solo American Billboard Number 1 single, after 1970’s ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.’ In fact 1973 proved to be very productive musically, with the release of three studio Albums. Following on from ‘Touch Me in the Morning,’ in June, came the duets Album ‘Diana & Marvin,’ with Marvin Gaye, (1939-1984) (see also best songs 723-183 and 114) in October, and then December saw the release of ‘Last Time I Saw Him,’ Diana’s sixth solo studio Album. Incidentally the soundtrack of ‘Lady Sings the Blues’ had proved to be a major success, reaching the Number 1 spot on Billboard, and selling in excess of 2 million copies in the States.

‘Touch Me in the Morning’ was co-written by Michael Masser, and Ron Miller. Ronald Norman Miller, was born on October 5th, 1932, in Chicago, Illinois, he died of cardiac arrest, after a long battle with emphysema, and cancer, at the age of 74. Whereas Michael Masser was a relative newcomer, Miller was a veteran by comparison, having co-written many of Stevie Wonder’s 1960’s hits, including ‘For Once in My Life,’ (1968-Billboard Number 2, and UK Number 3) and ‘Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday,’ (1969-Billboard Number 7, and UK Number 2.) Miller was also the co-writer of ‘I’ve Never Been to Me,’ for Charlene (1982-Billboard Number 3, and UK Number 1.)

Michael Masser was born on March 24th, 1941, in Chicago, Illinois, United States, he died on July 9th, 2015, at the age of 74.’Touch Me in the Morning’ was the first major composition by Masser, who would go on to even greater success, writing two Billboard Number 1 singles for Whitney Houston,’Didn’t We Almost Have It All,’ (1987) and ‘Saving All My Love for You,’ (1985) Masser also co-wrote with Linda Creed, (1948-1986) the George Benson, and Whitney Houston hit ‘The Greatest Love of All.’ Other hits co-written by Masser for Diana Ross include ‘Last Time I Saw Him,’ and ‘Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To)’

Ron Miller was impressed by Michael Masser’s ‘Pop’ composition, but was worried that a pure Pop record would alienate Ross’ fans. Miller freely admits pinching some ‘Soul’ from one of Diana’s earlier hits.’I didn’t want Diana to lose her base, so we ripped off a riff from Ashford and Simpson (see also best songs 703-359-228 and 28.) One part is straight out of ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,’ and then we had her talking in parts, all of which we did to keep the identity she established with ‘Mountain,’ and to add some ‘Soul’ to the record.’

‘Hey! Wasn’t it me who said that nothing good’s gonna last forever? And wasn’t it me who said, let’s just be glad for the time together? It must’ve been hard to tell me that you’ve given all you had to give. I can understand you’re feeling that way, everybody’s got their life to live.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

901-Manic Street Preachers-The Everlasting.

1998-Number 11 single.

Best Bit-At 3.41. If all songs were as a easy to decipher as boy meets girl, boy and girl get married, boy and girl live happily ever after, then we wouldn’t have to engage our brains.

The Manic Street Preachers (see also best songs 248) were formed in Blackwood, Wales, in 1986, by James Dean Bradfield, (lead vocals, and lead guitar) his cousin Sean Moore, (drums) Nicky Wire, (bass, piano, and vocals) and Miles ‘Flicker’ Woodward (bass.) Woodward left in 1988 claiming he was unhappy that the band were moving away from their ‘Punk Rock’ roots. The classic line up was completed in 1989 when the ‘Manics’ former driver and roadie Richey Edwards became a full time band member. Edwards went missing on February 1st, 1995, and after 28 years, 2 months, and 12 days, on November 24th, 2008, he was ‘Declared dead in absentia.’

‘The Everlasting’ was the second single released from the Manic Street Preachers fifth studio Album ‘This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours,’ from September 1998, the song was written by James Dean Bradfield, and Sean Moore, who wrote the music, and Nicky Wire, who provided the lyrics, the production was by Mike Hedges. The first three ‘Manics’ Albums had lyrics that had all been co-written by Wire and Richey Edwards, with the fourth ‘Everything Must Go’ (1996) using lyrics on five tracks that had been written by Edwards before his disappearance. ‘This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours,’ was the first ‘Manics’ Album to only use just the lyrics of Nicky Wire. Dave Eringa who co-produced the Album, along with Mike Hedges, and has worked on 10 ‘Manics’ Albums in total has said,’You get midweek chart positions, and sales figures all week, and it was my first chance of a possible Number 1, which is such an exciting thing. Every day it was just getting worse and worse. I was becoming more and more psychotic. If it had been released the same week as a ‘Nirvana’ record or an ‘Oasis’ record, you’d just have to put your hands up and say ‘c’est la vie,’ but the horror of losing out to ‘Steps’ would have been unbelievable!’ Eringa could breathe a sigh of relief as the ‘Manics’ Album did go straight in at Number 1, while the debut Album from ‘Steps,’ called ‘Step One’ entered the chart at Number 2. ‘This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours,’ gave the ‘Manics’ their first UK Number 1 Album, and then in 2021, ‘The Ultra Vivid Lament,’ finally gave them their second chart topper.

Nicky Wire was born Nicholas Allen Jones, on January 20th, 1969, in Llanbadoc, Monmouthshire, Wales, he first met his fellow band mates at ‘ Oakdale Comprehensive School,’ in Caerphilly, Wales, where they all attended as students. He chose his stage name ‘Wire,’ because of his lanky ‘wiry’ frame, as he is 6 feet 3 inches tall. At school he was very athletic, and was the captain of the ‘Welsh national football schoolboys’ team, at the age of 14. He was also offered a trial at both Tottenham Hotspur, and Arsenal football clubs in England, but back and knee problems brought his football career to an end. Away from the ‘Manics,’ Wire has released one solo studio Album ‘I Killed the Zeitgeist,’ in 2006, and also four solo singles, issued between 2005-2006.

Nicky Wire was looking for a ‘grand’ title for a song. He was impressed by song titles such a ‘The Universal,’ by ‘Blur,’ and ‘The Eternal,’ by ‘Joy Division,’ and was looking for something similar. In the end he chose the title ‘The Everlasting,’ from a poem that had been written by his brother Patrick Jones. There are many ways of trying to interoperate the meaning of ‘The Everlasting,’ and what Wire is telling us, so I can only offer my interpretation. ‘The Everlasting’ is probably partly about how life can grind you down, as you grow from a carefree youth, into the dissolution of becoming an adult. At the start of the journey,’Our smiles were genuine,’ but as you grow older, you become exhausted. Nicky Wire has said,’I was tired. I’d got to my little house, I was reading R.S. Thomas, (Welsh poet-1913-2000) and thinking how comfortable things were, but how things might be getting too big.’

‘The gap that grows between our lives, the gap our parents never had. Stop those thoughts control your mind, replace the things that you despise. Oh you’re old I hear you say, it doesn’t mean that I don’t care. I don’t believe in it anymore, pathetic acts for a worthless cause.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

902-Sandie Shaw- (There’s) Always Something There to Remind Me.

1964-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 0.28. I am a great believer in that, the first version of a song you hear, will nearly always remain as your favourite version.

Sandie Shaw MBE, was born Sandra Ann Goodrich, on February 26th, 1947, in Dagenham, Essex, England, her manager Eve Taylor, (1915-1983) who had organised her first contract with ‘Pye’ records, also gave Sandie Shaw her stage name. In 1967 Shaw represented the UK, in that years ‘Eurovision Song Contest,’ with ‘Puppet on a String,’ the song went on to win the contest, giving the UK it’s first win in the competition, and with estimated sales worldwide in excess of four million copies,’Puppet on a String’ is the best selling ‘Eurovision’ song of all time. The song also went on to top the UK top 40 singles chart, making Sandie Shaw the first female to have had three Number 1 hits on that chart.

Sandie Shaw who was appointed ‘Member of the Order of the British Empire,’ (MBE) in the 2017 Birthday Honours, for her services to music, retired from the music industry in 2013. Her discography includes seven studio Albums released between 1965-1988, and 41 singles issued between 1964-1994, she has also released 10 ‘EPs’ in the UK, and 11 official compilation Albums, with several of her songs being sung by her in other languages as well as English. In the UK, 16 of her singles have reached the top 40, with three of those songs making Number 1, while in America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, she has never reached the top 40, with this song peaking at Number 52, although it did reach Number 1 in Canada.

(‘There’s) Always Something There to Remind Me’ was co-written by the legendary songwriting team of Burt Bacharach, (1928-2023) and Hal David, (1921-2012) (see also best songs 832-815-740-640-376 and 224) with the Sandie Shaw version being produced by Tony Hatch (see also best songs 838.) The first charting version of the song was by the American Soul singer Lou Johnson, (1941-2019) whose recording reached Number 49 on Billboard in 1964. Other noteworthy versions include, R.B. Greaves, (1943-2012) who was an American R&B performer, whose version reached Number 27 on Billboard in 1970. Dionne Warwick, (see also best songs 224) who had recorded the song as a ‘demo’ in 1963, released a studio version as a ‘B’ side in 1968. The most successful recording of the song in America was by the British ‘Synth-Pop’ duo ‘Naked Eyes,’ who made Number 8 on Billboard in 1984, although in the UK the song stalled at Number 59. In 1995 the English ‘Electronic Dance Music’ duo ‘Tin Tin Out’ recorded a ‘Dance’ version, which peaked at Number 14 in the UK. As I stated at the start, I am a great believer in that the first recording of a song you hear, generally had the greatest impact.

‘(‘There’s) Always Something There to Remind Me’ was the second single released by Sandie Shaw, in September 1964, her manager Eve Taylor had heard the Lou Johnson version while in America scouting for new material for Sandie Shaw to record. The song was Shaw’s breakthrough hit, and spent three weeks at Number 1 in the UK. Her first single release had been the Chris Andrews penned ‘As Long as You’re Happy Baby,’ in July of 1964, but that song had failed to chart. After the success of ‘(‘There’s) Always Something There to Remind Me,’ Sandie Shaw went on a run of scoring a further 14 top 40 hits, but after ‘Monsieur Dupont’ had made Number 6 in 1969, she failed to have a hit again in the UK until 1984, when the Johnny Marr, and Morrissey (see also best songs 940-673-222-167-72 and 42) track ‘Hand in Glove’ gave her one final top 40 hit, when peaking at Number 27. As a youth Morrissey had been a fan of Sandie Shaw, having being inspired by her 1969 song ‘Heaven Knows I’m Missing Him Now,’ which 15 years later would be an inspiration for the ‘Smiths’ 1984 Number 10 hit, ‘Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now.’

‘(‘There’s) Always Something There to Remind Me’ is about someone who has lost the love of their life, but that love is constantly in the narrators thoughts, because everywhere she goes, is a reminder of when they were together.

‘I walk along the city streets you used to walk along with me, and every step I take recalls how much in love we used to be. Oh, how can I forget you? When there is always something there to remind me.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

903-Duran Duran-Planet Earth.

1981-Number 12 single.

Best Bit-At 2.55. I think their message is, listen up world, we have something new, and exciting, that we want to show you.

Duran Duran were formed in Birmingham, England, in 1978, in total there have been 12 different members come and go, with the classic line up, (who also played on this song) being the founding members Nick Rhodes, (keyboards) and John Taylor, (bass) they were joined in 1979 by Roger Taylor, (drums) Andy Taylor, (guitar) and Simon Le Bon, both joined in 1980. Although there are three band members all sharing the surname of ‘Taylor,’ that is just coincidence, as none of them are related to each other. The group took their name from ‘Dr. Durand Durand,’ who was a character from the 1968 science fiction film ‘Barbarella.’

The discography of Duran Duran includes 15 studio Albums released between 1981-2021, and 46 singles issued during the same time period, there are also four official compilation Albums available. In the UK, Duran Duran have achieved 30 top 40 singles, with ‘ Is There Something I Should Know?’ (1983) and ‘The Reflex,’ (1984) both making the Number 1 spot, while in America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, they have charted within the top 40 on 15 occasions, with ‘The Reflex,’ (1984) and ‘A View to a Kill,’ (1985) both reaching the Number 1 spot.

Duran Duran were one of the leading exponents in the ‘Synth-Pop’ explosion of the late 1970’s, having been heavily influenced by the ‘Electronic’ music of ‘Kraftwerk,’ (see also best songs 41) and Giorgio Moroder, (see also best songs 78 and 11) as well as the ‘Disco/Funk’ of ‘Chic,’ (see also best songs 175 and 17) along with others. Duran Duran won the hearts of teenage girls, and became regulars on the newly launched ‘MTV,’ partly due to becoming attached to the burgeoning ‘New Romantic’ movement, that had originated in the late 1970’s. The ‘New Romantic’ movement emerged from the nightclub scene in London, and Birmingham.’New Romantics’ were characterised by flamboyant, eccentric fashion, inspired by fashion boutiques such as ‘Kahn and Bell,’ in Birmingham, and ‘PX’ in London. The fashion was influenced by ‘Glam Rock’ artists such as David Bowie, (1948-2016) and Marc Bolan, (1947-1977) coupled with the early ‘Romantic’ period of the late 18th, and early 19th Century, from which the movement took its name. The term ‘New Romantic’ was coined by Richard James Burgess, who co-founded the ‘Synth-Pop’ group ‘Landscape,’ who had a 1981 Number 5 hit in the UK with ‘Einstein a Go-Go,’ Burgess also produced ‘To Cut a Long Story Short,’ (UK 1980 Number 5) which was the debut hit single for Spandau Ballet, another act who were heavily connected to the ‘New Romantic’ scene.

‘Planet Earth’ was the debut single from Duran Duran, and was the first of three singles issued from the bands debut studio Album ‘Duran Duran,’ from June 1981. ‘Planet Earth’ has writing credits given to all five band members at that time, with the production credited to Colin Thurston (1947-2007.) Prior to producing the first two Duran Duran Albums, Thurston had worked as a co-engineer on David Bowie’s ‘Heroes,’ and Iggy Pop’s ‘Lust for Life,’ Albums, both which were recorded in 1977. Thurston is also credited with co-producing the latter Album with David Bowie, and Iggy Pop, under the collective pseudonym ‘Bewlay Bros.’ His later production work in the 1980’s includes ‘Talk Talk’s’ debut studio Album ‘The Party’s Over,’ (1982) and Gary Numan’s seventh solo studio Album, ‘The Fury’ (1985.)

‘Only came outside to watch the nightfall with the rain. I heard you making patterns rhyme, like some new romantic looking for the TV sound. You’ll see I’m right some other time. Look now, look all around, there’s no sign of life, voices, another sound, can you hear me now? This is planet Earth, you’re looking at planet Earth.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

904-Feeder-Buck Rogers.

2001-Number 5 single.

Best Bit-At 0.24. For the youngsters out there, a C.D. player was something that you could listen to music on. Don’t ask me about the Gramophone, as I am far, far too young to remember.

Feeder are a British Rock group who were formed in Newport, Wales, in 1994, by Grant Nicholas, (guitar, vocals, and piano) Taka Hirose, (bass, and multi instrumentalist) and Jon Lee, (1968-2002) (drums) after the suicide of Lee in 2002, ex ‘Skunk Anansie’ drummer Mark Richardson took over the role of drummer until returning to a re-formed Skunk Anansie in 2009. At the time of writing, Feeder, who took their name from Grant Nicholas’ pet goldfish, remain active as a duo of Nicholas and Hirose.

Feeder who can be filed under ‘Post Britpop,’ Alternative Rock,’ and ‘Post Grunge,’ have released 11 studio Albums to date, between 1997-2022, and 40 singles between 1996-2022, there are also 12 official compilation Albums available. Feeder have achieved 10 top 40 Albums in the UK, with ‘Pushing the Senses’ from 2005, peaking the highest at Number 2, while on the UK top 40 singles chart, they have had 20 chart entries, with both ‘Buck Rogers,’ and ‘Tumble and Fall’ from 2005, making Number 5. Although they have never charted on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in America, they have charted twice on the Billboard ‘Rock’ airplay chart, and once on the Billboard ‘Alternative Rock’ chart as well.

‘Buck Rogers’ was the first of four singles released from ‘Echo Park,’ the third studio Album from Feeder, from April 2001. ‘Buck Rogers’ and it’s parent Album’s 12 tracks were all written by Grant Nicholas, with the production credited to Feeder, and Gil Norton (see also best songs 490 and 292.) Nicholas thought that ‘Buck Rogers’ was too commercial sounding, and too radio friendly, for the type of sound he was trying to achieve with Feeder, and had intended to offer the song to the American Rock band ‘SR-71,’ for them to release as a single, but after being persuaded by Gil Norton to have Feeder release it themselves, it has gone on to be there best known, and probably their best loved song. Grant Nicholas has said,’If I put my hand on my heart, I was just trying to write a song that sounded like the Pixies (see also best songs 688.) On the demos, it was much more raw, too, but I think the end result was a bit poppy, a bit throwaway.’

Gil Norton was born in Liverpool, England, and is one of the most successful music producers of all time, since starting out on his first production work in 1981. As well as ‘Feeder,’ with whom he has produced three studio Albums, his other two productions on this ‘1000 Best Songs’ countdown are the ‘James’ song ‘Sit Down’ from 1990, and the ‘Foo Fighters’ 1997 single ‘Everlong,’ and it’s parent Album ‘The Colour and the Shape.’ Norton has also produced for many of the worlds top acts, including ‘Echo and the Bunnymen,’ the ‘Pixies,’ and ‘Patti Smith,’ along with many others.

‘Buck Rogers’ tells the story of a relationship ending, in which the girlfriend of the narrator leaves him for a character called Buck Rogers. Nicholas explained,’I was going through a break-up, and it was inspired by that. I just put a load of words down without really thinking about them. It was supposed to be stupid and funny, it was never supposed to be used for anything.’ The songs title was inspired by the 1979-1981 American science fiction adventure television series ‘Buck Rogers in the 25th Century.’ Nicholas had been experimenting on a keyboard, and told his engineer, Matt Sime, that he thought what he was playing sounder futuristic, they both agreed a good title would be ‘Buck Rogers.’

In admitting that the songs lyrics are meant to be stupid and funny, Nicholas has said that people always ask him about the lyrics,’Drink cider from a lemon. Nicholas has said that as a teenager he and his friends would go out drinking cider, but because of it’s taste, they would add lemonade.

‘He’s got a brand new car, looks like a jaguar. It’s got leather seats, it’s got a CD player, but I don’t wanna talk about it anymore. I think we’re gonna make it, I think we’re gonna save it, so don’t you try and fake it anymore, anymore.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

905-Status Quo-Forty Five Hundred Times.

1973-It has never been released as a single in the UK.

Best Bit-At 4.42. ‘You say tomato, I say tomahto.’

Status Quo (see also best songs 108) were formed in London, England, in 1962, by Francis Rossi, (guitar, and vocals) and Alan Lancaster, (1949-2021) (bass) while they were still at school, the classic line up was completed by John Coghlan, (drums) who joined later in 1962, and Rick Parfitt (1948-2016) (guitar, and vocals) who joined in 1967. In total there have been 14 different members come and go, with Francis Rossi being the bands one constant.

With sales in excess of 115 million records sold, Status Quo are one of the best selling acts of all time. Their extensive discography includes 33 studio Albums released between 1968-2019, and 98 singles, issued between 1966-2022, there are also 26 official compilation Albums, 12 live Albums, and 18 box sets available. In the UK, Status Quo have achieved 60 top 40 singles, which is more than any other ‘Rock’ group. Four of their studio Albums have reached the Number 1 spot, and one of their singles ‘Down Down,’ from 1974, has also made Number 1. In America, Status Quo have never captured the public’s imagination, as none of their Albums has ever charted on any Billboard chart, and it is also very slim pickings on the ‘Hot 100’ singles chart, where only ‘Pictures of Matchstick Men,’ (1968-Number 12 ) and ‘Ice in the Sun,’ (1968-Number 70) have ever charted.

Francis Dominic Nicholas Michael Rossi, OBE, was born on May 29th, 1949, in Forest Hill, London, England, in 2010, Rossi along with his fellow band mate Rick Parfitt were both appointed ‘Officer of the Order of the British Empire’ (OBE.) In 1984, both Rossi and Parfitt appeared on the ‘Band Aid’ charity single, ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas? (see also best songs 455) It is said that Bob Geldof (see also best songs 632) wanted them on the track, in order to represent the previous musical generation, and felt that having them on the song would generate many more sales, as Status Quo fans would want to buy a copy. A year later in 1985 Status Quo opened ‘Live Aid’ at ‘Wembley Stadium’ with ‘Rocking All Over the World.’ As well as appearing on all 33 Status Quo studio Albums, Rossi has also released three solo Albums in 1996, 2010, and 2019.

‘Forty Five Hundred Times’ is the final track on ‘Hello!’ the sixth studio Album by Status Quo from September 1973. ‘Forty Five Hundred Times’ was co-written by Francis Rossi, and Rick Parfitt, with all four members of Status Quo credited with the songs production. The Album version lasts for just short of 10 minutes, but there is a 17 minutes extended version on 1977’s ‘Live!’ Album, recorded at the ‘Glasgow Apollo.’ There is also a 20 minute recording performed at the ‘NEC Arena’ in 1982, at a charity concert for ‘The Prince’s Trust, which can be found on the 2017 release ‘Live at the N.E.C. ‘ The song has been voted the Number 1 Status Quo song of all time by the bands fans, and when played live in concert, it has been known for the group to stretch it out for around 30 minutes.

Status Quo had been touring America, and had picked up a few local colloquialisms. In the States they say ’45 hundred times,’ but in the UK they say, ‘four thousand, five hundred times,’ The reason why that particular number was chosen according to Francis Rossi, was because ‘It fit the song musically.”Forty Five Hundred Times’ is about pleading to a girl to stay in a relationship. Rossi has also said that it is one of his favourite ‘Quo’ songs, as did Rick Parfitt, who recalled,’The amps were all around the room, and we just sat in a circle and vibed with each other. Nobody knew where anybody was gonna go, and in those days, you didn’t give a f..k about over-spill, so the amps were cranked. It was magical.’

‘There’s nobody on the end of my line, I’m in time but somebody’s missing. Maybe I can find a hand for my hand, if I find a well for my wishing. Be my friend, be my friend.’