THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

906-Booker T. & the M.G.’s-Green Onions.

1962-It didn’t chart in the UK until 1979, when reaching Number 7.

Best Bit-At 1.52. For a healthy musical life, make this one of your five a day.

Booker T. & the M.G.’s were formed in 1962 by Booker T. Jones, (organ, and piano) Steve Cropper, (guitar) (see also best songs 828-712 and 530) Lewie Steinberg, (1933-2016) (bass) and Al Jackson Jr. (1935-1975) (drums) (see also best songs 828 and 347.) As well as releasing music as ‘Booker T. & the M.G.’s,’ they also provided backing for numerous artists on the ‘Stax Records’ label, they were the house band at ‘Stax,’ the equivalent at ‘Motown Records’ were the ‘Funk Brothers.’ Booker T. & the M.G.’s, who were one of the first racially integrated ‘Rock’ groups, having two white members, took their name from the British sports car manufacturer ‘MG Cars,’ for many years ‘Stax Records’ said that the ‘MG’ stood for ‘Memphis Group,’ for fear of being sued in court. In 1965 Lewie Steinberg was replaced by Donald ‘Duck’ Dunn (1941-2012) on bass, and this line up remained intact until the departure of Booker T. Jones in 1971. In total there have been 10 different band members, as the group reformed to tour, and record between 1973-1977, and again between 1992-2012.

As well as playing on classic ‘Stax’ tracks for legendary artists such as Otis Redding, (1941-1967) Rufus Thomas, (1917-2001) and Wilson Pickett, (1941-2006) Booker T. & the M.G.’s also released 13 studio Albums between 1962-1994, and 30 singles in the same time period. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, seven of those singles made the top 40, with ‘Green Onions’ charting the highest at Number 3, while in the UK, they have reached the top 40 on four occasions, with ‘Time Is Tight’ peaking the highest at Number 4 in 1969.

Booker Taliaferro Jones Jr. was born on November 12th, 1944, in Memphis, Tennessee, United States. Jones was musically a child prodigy, playing the oboe, saxophone, trombone, double bass, and piano at school, and the organ at church. Jones’ first professional recording was playing baritone saxophone on the 1960 track ‘Cause I Love You’, by Carla and Rufus Thomas, on the ‘Satellite’ record label, which would soon become ‘Stax Records.’ Since leaving Booker T. & the M.G.’s in 1971, Booker T. Jones has released nine solo Albums between 1974-2019, he has also performed on numerous Albums, for artists of the calibre of Rod Stewart, (A Night on the Town-1977) and Bill Withers (Just as I Am-1971.)

The instrumental ‘Green Onions’ which is also the title of the debut Album by Booker T. & the M.G.’s from October 1962, has song writing, and production, credited to all four band members at that time. ‘Green Onions’ was improvised in the studio, but was mainly written by Booker T. Jones at the age of 16, on a ‘Hammond M3 organ.’ Speaking about the song Jones has said,’Green Onions’ appears to be a simple song, but every time I play it I have to pay attention. I have to remember, and school myself on how the notes go, because it’s just not as simple as it sounds.’ The song got it’s name after Jones had listened to an early version of the track played to him by ‘Stax Records’ co-founder, and music producer Jim Stewart (1930-2022.) Stewart was enthusiastic about the recording, but Jones felt it was far from the finished article. Stewart said,’If we released this as a record, what would you want to call it?’ ‘Green Onions,’ was Booker T. Jones’ reply. ‘Why ‘Green Onions,’ Jim asked, and Booker T. replied,’Because that is the nastiest thing I can think of, and it’s something you throw away.

When ‘Green Onions’ was completed, Steve Cropper took a copy straight down to the Memphis radio station ‘WLOK,’ that very same morning. A DJ at the station called Rueben Washington was a friend of Cropper’s, and had a listen to the song off air, then having been impressed, he immediately played it on air. Cropper has said,’He played it four or five times in a row. We were dancing around the control room, and believe it or not, the phone lines lit up. I guess we had the whole town dancing that morning.’

‘Green Onions’ was not initially a hit in the UK, until it was chosen as one of the tracks for the soundtrack to the 1979 film ‘Quadrophenia,’ (see also best songs 265) in the film ‘Sting,’ (see also best songs 1020 and 727) in his role as ‘Ace Face,’ is seen dancing to ‘Green Onions.

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

907-Puddle of Mudd-She Hates Me.

1993-It wasn’t released until 2002, when reaching Number 14.

Best Bit-At 1.36. I don’t think this guy is under any illusion as to what she thinks of him.

Puddle of Mudd were formed in Kansas City, Missouri, United States, in 1992, by Wes Scantlin, (vocals, and rhythm guitar) Jimmy Allen, (lead guitar) Sean Salmon, (bass) and Kenny Burkitt, (drums) they used to practice next to the ‘Missouri River Levee,’ which inspired the groups name. In total there have been 15 different members come and go, with Wes Scantlin being the bands one constant. The discography of Puddle of Mudd includes six studio Albums released between 1997-2019, an Album of cover versions issued in 2011, and one ‘best of’ compilation released in 2010. Puddle of Mudd have also released 16 singles between 2001-2019, with two of those tracks ‘Blurry,’ (Number 5 in 2001) and ‘She Hates Me,’ (Number 13 in 2002) both making the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in America. In the UK, they have charted within the top 40 on three occasions, with ‘Blurry’ being the most successful, when peaking at Number 8.

By 1999 the original line up of Puddle of Mudd had split, leaving only Wes Scantlin to continue the bands name. Scantlin’s big break came after a copy of a demo tape was heard by Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit (see also best songs 583.) Durst got in touch with Scantlin, and after hearing that Puddle of Mudd had split, he set about putting together a group of musicians to record new material, and re-record some of their old songs. The end result was ‘Come Clean,’ which was released in August 2001, as the debut studio Album from Puddle of Mudd, which has since gone on to sell in excess of 5 million copies worldwide.

‘She Hates Me’ (also known as ‘She F..king Hates Me’) was written as far back as 1993, but remained unreleased until 2002 when appearing as one of the 11 tracks on ‘Come Clean,’ ‘She Hates Me’ was the last of four singles issued of the Album in August 2002. ‘She Hates Me’ was co-written by Wes Scantlin, and Jimmy Allen, with the production being by John Kurzweg. Although Allen hadn’t been a member of Puddle of Mudd since 1997, he is credited as a co-writer on three of the tracks on ‘Come Clean.’ Wes Scantlin was inspired to write the lyrics to ‘She Hates Me’ after an incident in his relationship with the mother of his son, Scantlin has said,’I came home really late, she was furious, and she wouldn’t let me sleep in the bed. She made me sleep in the corner on the carpet, and I had no pillow. I had a little notebook, and I grabbed a little pencil, and I just started writing, ‘She f–king hates me. She f–king hates me.’ She was always talking about, ‘Sex isn’t everything in a relationship.’ And I was like, ‘Alright. But I’m home and feeling frisky, so let’s get down.’ She was like, ‘Nope, you’re not getting nothing,” and that’s how that went.’

‘She Hates Me’ should be filed under the musical genre of ‘Post-Grunge,’ which is an offshoot of ‘Grunge,’ which is less abrasive or intense in tone than traditional Grunge. ‘Grunge’ is an ‘Alternative Rock’ genre that emerged during the mid-1980’s in the American Pacific Northwest state of Washington, particularly in Seattle and nearby towns. Among the most notable and successful names in the genre of ‘Grunge,’ were ‘Nirvana,’ (see also best songs 788 and 9) and Pearl Jam’ (see also best songs 458). It was in the 1990’s that ‘Post Grunge’ bands such as ‘Bush,’ ‘Creed,’ and ‘Nickleback,’ (see also best songs 415) began to come to the fore, playing a more ‘radio friendly’ type of music, that often had a production quality that was much higher and cleaner than ‘Grunge.’

There have been accusations that ‘She Hates Me’ is very similar to the main chord progression used in the 1983 song ‘I Saw Your Mommy,’ by the American ‘Thrash Metal’ band ‘Suicidal Tendencies,’ leading to claims that Puddle of Mudd plagiarised that song. ‘She Hates Me’ also shares similar chords and melodies with the song ‘Summer Nights,’ (see also best songs 768) by John Travolta and Olivia Newton John, (1948-2022) from the 1978 musical film ‘Grease,’ so much so, that sometimes at gigs, Puddle of Mudd perform the two songs together as a medley.

‘Met a girl, thought she was grand, fell in love, found out first hand. Went well for a week or two, then it all came unglued. In a trap trip I can’t grip, never thought I’d be the one who’d slip.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

908-Guy Marks-Loving You Has Made Me Bananas.

1968-It didn’t chart in the UK until 1978, when on it’s re-issue it reached Number 25.

Best Bit-At 0.58. The greatest compliment I can pay to this song, is to say it sounds just as authentic as the ‘Big Band’ radio broardcasts from the early 20th Century that it parodies.

Guy Marks was born Mario Scarpa on October 31st, 1923, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, he died at the ‘Atlantic City Medical Centre-Pomona,’ in Pomona, New Jersey, on November 28th, 1987, at the age of 64. Guy Marks who was the youngest of 11 children, was a very successful impersonator, comedian, actor, and singer, who appeared alongside all of the biggest American entertainment stars of the day, including regular appearances on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show,’ ‘The Dean Martin Show,’ and ‘The Joey Bishop Show.’ As part of his night club act, Guy Marks would do a routine where he would mimic a local radio broadcaster from the 1930’s era, and then go in to a routine where he would parody the singer of a Big Band. In 1968 Marks recorded the first of his two studio Albums,’Loving You Has Made Me Bananas,’ on the ‘ABC Records’ label, the other tracks on that Album including this songs ‘B’ side ‘Forgive Me My Love,’ are legitimate songs from an earlier era, also performed in the same 1930’s, and 1940’s style. Guy Marks would also release one further Album, ‘Hollywood Sings as impersonated by Guy Marks.’ Marks is considered to have been one of the greatest impersonators of all time, and is best remembered for his 1975 stand up routine ‘How The West Was REALLY Won? where he was critically acclaimed for his flawless impersonations of characters such as Humphrey Bogart, (1899-1957) Gary Cooper, (1901-1961) and Robert Mitchum (1917-1997.)

‘Loving You Has Made Me Bananas’ can be filed under the genre of ‘Novelty Songs.’A novelty song is a type of song that built upon some form of novel concept, such as a gimmick, or a piece of humour, or a sample of popular culture. Novelty songs partially overlap with ‘Comedy Songs,’ which are more explicitly based on humour, and with musical parody, especially when the novel gimmick is another popular song. ‘Novelty’ songs have always been a staple of the music charts, and dozens have been hits down the decades, including many that have reached the Number 1 spot. Some prime examples are ‘Patti Page, with ‘(How Much Is) That Doggie in the Window?’ (Billboard Number 1, and UK Number 9 in 1953) and Chuck Berry, with ‘My Ding-a-Ling,’ (Billboard and UK Number 1 in 1972) ‘Novelty Songs’ have also proved very popular when used in aid of charity, with one of many examples being the 1991 UK Number 1 hit ‘The Stonk’ by ‘Hale and Pace,’ which raised over £100,000 for the ‘Comic Relief’ charity. ‘Novelty Songs’ have also been very successful over the Christmas period, with the English ‘You Tuber,’ musician, and blogger Mark Hoyle, using his pseudonym ‘LadBaby,’ in collaboration with his wife Roxanne, having achieved five consecutive UK Christmas Number 1 ‘Novelty’ hit singles, from 2018-2022.

‘Loving You Has Made Me Bananas’ was the only hit single released by Guy Marks, where in America on it’s release in 1968, it peaked at Number 51 on Billboard. The song, and it’s parent Album of the same name, were both produced by Peter DeAngelis, (1929-1982) who also wrote the songs ‘B’ side ‘Forgive Me My Love.’ When the song became a surprise hit in the UK in 1978, Guy Marks was invited on to the music programme ‘Top of the Pops’ to promote it. This was one of the rare occasions where an act sang live, rather than the usual miming that was insisted on by the shows producers. When performing the song on ‘Top of the Pops’, Marks name checked Johnny Pearson (1925-2011) who led the ‘Top of the Pops’ orchestra for the performance. There were also three female singers providing the backing vocals live, and in a very comical moment, you can hear one of them singing ‘shop fitter blues,’ instead of the correct ‘ship fitter blues,’ which is followed by audible howls of laughter. ‘Loving You Has Made Me Bananas’ has nonsensical lyrics, with the only thing they have in common, being that they rhyme.

‘Oh, you burned your finger that evening, while my back was turned. I asked the waiter for iodine, but I dined all alone. Your red scarf matches your eyes, you closed your cover before striking. Father had the ship fitter blues, loving you has made me bananas.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

909- David Guetta and Chris Willis featuring Fergie and LMFAO-Gettin’ Over You.

2010-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 1.08. Turn up that Guetta Blaster!

The original mix of ‘Gettin’ Over You’ was called ‘Gettin’ Over,’ and was a collaboration between David Guetta, and Chris Willis, and can be found on Guetta’s fourth studio Album ‘One Love’ from August 2009. The version I have chosen, was re-titled ‘Gettin’ Over You,’ and was remixed for Guetta’s ‘Deluxe Edition’ of that Album, now called ‘One More Love,’ which was issued in November 2010, and now featured ‘Fergie,’ and ‘LMFAO.’ Along with the aforementioned artists, the other songwriters for the track were Will.i.am, Jean Claude Sindres, Frederic Riesterer, and Sandy Vee, with the production credited to David Guetta, and the last three named writers.

David Guetta (see also best songs 260 and 234) had produced the ‘Black Eyed Peas’ (see also best songs 899 and 234) 2009 American Billboard, and UK Number 1 single ‘I Got A Feeling,’ and ‘Will.i.am’ of that group wanted to include ‘Gettin’ Over You’ on the Black Eyed Peas Album ‘The E.N.D.,’ but Guetta wanted to use the song himself. Fergie, also of the Black Eyed Peas, was also very keen on the song, and a compromise was reached where the song would be re-recorded with vocals provided by Fergie, Chris Willis, and Red Foo, and Sky Blu of ‘LMFAO’ (see also best songs 63.) ‘Gettin’ Over You’ went on to top the charts in four countries including France, where the song gave Guetta his first Number 1 hit in the country of his birth. Although the song only peaked at Number 31 in America, worldwide it has sold in excess of 800,000 copies to date.

‘Fergie’ was born Stacy Ann Ferguson on March 27th, 1975, in Hacienda Heights, California, United States. Between 1984-1989 she starred in the American television children’s programme ‘Kids Incorporated,’ before becoming a member of the American female ‘R&B’ trio ‘Wild Orchid,’ where she recorded two issued studio Albums between 1997-2001, before leaving the group, Fergie was then invited to join the Black Eyed Peas in 2003. Fergie was a part of the Black Eyed Peas during their most successful period, where she appeared on four of their studio Albums between 2003-2010, she quit the Black Eyed Peas before the release of their seventh studio Album ‘Masters of the Sun Vol. 1’ in 2018. Fergie has also had great success as a solo artist, having released two studio Albums, the first in 2006, and the second in 2017, and she has also released 13 singles between 2006-2017. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, she has achieved seven top 40 solo hits, with three of those tracks making Number 1, while in the UK, she has charted on four occasions, with ‘Big Girls Don’t Cry,’ peaking the highest at Number 2 in 2007. She has also made the top 40 twice as a featured artist, on this song, and on ‘Party People’ by Nelly (Billboard Number 40, and UK Number 14, in 2008.)

David Guetta has spoken about how the collaboration for the song came about,’Even after I refused to let the Peas have it, Fergie was still saying, ‘I love that track!’ So I said, ‘If you still want to do it, then we’ll do it together’. I wanted to keep Chris Willis on there because I’ve been working with him since the beginning. He’s the best singer on the planet.’ Chris Willis has also recalled the collaboration,’I was really intimidated because I was familiar with The Black Eyed Peas, and had followed their career. There was Fergie right there, in all of her glory, singing and being the diva. I hadn’t really had a whole lot of experience with videos, so watching the directors, and all the dancers, and all of that was just really overwhelming. But it was a really good idea, the concept that David had to invite ‘Fergie’ and ‘LMFAO’ on the record. I think that really took it far beyond. Redfoo of ‘LMFAO’ has discussed the songs meaning,’The concept is, you’re in love with a girl, and then you guys separate. She probably got with Lil Jon (see also best songs 982 and 943) or somebody, so I’m gonna party till you come get me.’

‘Wish I could spin my world into reverse, just to have you back again. There’s no gettin’ over, there’s no gettin’ over, there’s just no gettin’ over you.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

910-Peter Sarstedt-Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)?

1969-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 2.31. First of all lets get the important bit out of the way. The ‘Topless Swimsuit,’ consisting of only a brief, close fitting bottom, and two thin straps, was conceived by the Austrian fashion designer Rudi Gernreich, (1922-1985) in 1964.

Peter Eardley Sarstedt was born on December 10th, 1941, in New Delhi, British India, in 2015 he was found to have progressive supranuclear palsy, (PSP) which was originally misdiagnosed as dementia in 2013, he died on January 8th, 2017, at the age of 75. Peter Sarstedt was the brother of the teen idol Eden Kane, (see also best songs 997) who had a UK Number 1 single in 1961, with ‘Well I Ask You.’ Another brother Robin Sarstedt (1944-2022) also charted in the UK with a cover version of the Hoagy Carmichael (1899-1981) (see also best songs 288 and 185) song ‘My Resistance Is Low,’ which reached Number 3 in 1976. This makes the brothers the only three siblings to have had solo hits in UK chart history.

Both of Peter Sarstedt’s parents had trained as Classical musicians, and following the death of his father, the family moved to Britain, just prior to the onset of the ‘Rock N’ Roll’ era, where Peter and his two brothers started out performing ‘Skiffle,’ in a group called the ‘Fabulous Five,’ The discography of Peter Sarsdedt includes 15 Albums released between 1969-2013, which includes two Albums recorded with his brother Clive Robin Sarsdedt, and another credited to ‘The Sarstedt Brothers.’ Peter also released 20 singles between 1967-1987, with ‘Chinese Restaurant’ from 1973, credited to ‘The Sarstedt Brothers.’ In the UK, Peter Sarsdedt has charted twice on the top 40, with this songs follow up ‘Frozen Orange Juice’ reaching Number 10 in 1969, and therefore stopping Sarstedt from becoming a ‘one hit wonder.’ In America on the Billboard Hot 100, his only chart entry was with this song, that peaked at Number 70 in 1969.

‘Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)?’ was written by Peter Sarstedt, and produced by his long term collaborator Ray Singer, and appeared on Sarstedt’s debut Album, which was also called ‘Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)?’ Ray Singer released a single in 1964 called ‘Tell Me Now,’ but he then turned his hand to songwriting and producing. Aside from producing for Peter Sarstedt, Singer also found great success producing the first two studio Albums for the British ‘New Wave’ group ‘Japan,’ in 1978. Singer also has production credits for his work with Joan Armatrading, (see also best songs 732) and the British Boy Band ‘Child.’

‘Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)?’ is a song about a fictional girl called ‘Marie-Claire,’ who grew up in the poverty stricken back streets of Naples, who becomes a member of the ‘Jet Set,’ and goes to live in Paris. Peter Sarstedt has said that the song is not about one particular person, but was inspired by his future wife, Anita Atke. Starstedt has said,’I wanted to write a long, extended piece because I was working in Folk clubs and universities, and Al Stewart had something that was half an hour long, and Bob Dylan’s ‘Sad Eyed Lady Of The Lowlands’ took a whole side of an Album. Where Do You Go To My Lovely was my first attempt at writing something longer than my normal three minutes. It was amazingly easy to write, but I knew what I wanted to say. I wanted to say something about this particular person, although it wasn’t about anyone specific.’ Initially Sarstedt’s record label were not interested in issuing the song as a single, Sarstedt commented,’They said it has no drums, it is too long, and there are only three instruments.’

‘Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)?’ contains several name checks. The girl ‘Marie-Claire,’ who the song is about, is named after the French monthly magazine, that was first issued in 1937. Other famous names mentioned include the German/American actress Marlene Dietrich, (1901-1992) the Spanish painter Pablo Picasso, (1881-1973) and the British Rock group The Rolling Stones (see also best songs 933-662-452-160 and 77.) In 1997 Peter Sarstedt wrote a sequel to the song called ‘Last of the Breed,’ this song can be found on his Album ‘England’s Lane.’ There were plans for a third and final instalment, but because of ill health, Sarstedt never got around to completing it.

‘Your name is heard in high places, you know the Aga Khan. He sent you a racehorse for Christmas, and you keep it just for fun, for a laugh ha-ha.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

911-Stargard-‘Theme Song from ‘Which Way Is Up.’

1978-Number 19 single.

Best Bit-At 5.22. On the Richter scale of ‘Funky’ music, this one has a seismographic oscillation of 8.9. …, and I’m not exaggerating!!!!!!!

Stargard were an American R&B, Funk, And Soul girl group, originally consisting of Rochelle Runnells, Debra Anderson, and Janice Williams. They were similar in appearance to the ‘Disco’ group ‘Labelle,’ and could possibly described as a more raunchy ‘Pointer Sisters.’ They were active between 1977-1982, and as of 1979 when Debra Anderson left to pursue a solo career, the other two continued as a duo. The discography of Stargard includes four studio Albums released between 1978-1982, (the final two as a duo) and 10 singles that were issued between 1977-1982. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, only this song charted, when peaking at Number 21 in 1977, although it did make Number 1 on the Billboard ‘Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs’ chart. In the UK, Stargard have achieved two top 40 hits, with ‘What You Waitin’ For,’ being the other, which reached Number 39 in 1978.

All three members of Stargard have also provided backing vocals on other artists Albums, including on Junior Walker’s 15th studio Album ‘Back Street Boogie,’ from 1979. In 1978 Stargard also appeared in the American jukebox musical comedy film,’Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,’ as the fictitious group the ‘Diamonds.’ They were featured on two songs that were released on the films soundtrack Album in 1978, on ‘I Want You (She’s So Heavy,’) and ‘Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,’ both songs were originally written and performed by John Lennon, (1940-1980) and Paul McCartney.

‘Theme Song from ‘Which Way Is Up’ was the debut single from Stargard, and the opening track on side 2 of the groups self titled debut Album from 1978. The song was written by the legendary songwriter, and producer Norman Whitfield, and produced by Mark Davis. Whitfield had written the song for the 1977 American comedy film ‘Which Way Is Up? starring Richard Pryor (1940-2005.) Whitfield also wrote ‘The Force,’ which was another track on the Stargard debut Album.
‘
Norman Jessie Whitfield (see also best songs 777-569-533-480-346 and 233) was born on May 12th, 1940, in Harlem, New York, New York, United States, during the last few months of his life he was bed-ridden, where he underwent treatment for diabetes and other ailments. He fell into a coma, briefly improved, but eventually succumbed to diabetic complications, and died on September 16th, 2008, at the age of 68. At the age of 19, Whitfield made himself known to the founder of ‘Motown’ records Berry Gordy Jr. who was impressed enough to hire him to work in ‘Motown’s’ quality control department, determining which songs would or would not be released. Whitfield soon joined Motown’s in-house songwriting team, and in 1966 took on the role as the main producer of the ‘Temptations.’ Together with the lyricist Barrett Strong, (1941-2023) (see also best songs 777 and 569) Whitfield moved the Temptations (see also best songs 1031-777 and 569) away from ‘mellow love songs,’ into a harder, darker sound, that featured a blend of ‘Psychedelic Rock,’ and ‘Funk,’ heavily inspired by groups such as ‘Sly & the Family Stone,’ (see also best songs 589) and ‘Funkadelic’ (see also best songs 340 and 26.)

In 1975 Whitfield left Motown, to form his own record label ‘Whitfield Records,’ taking the Motown act ‘Undisputed Truth’ with him, soon to be followed by Yvonne Fair, (1942-1994) (see also best songs 480) and Junior Walker (1931-1995.) Another of his big signings were ‘Rose Royce,’ (see also best songs 533 and 233) who in 1976 had a worldwide hit with the Whitfield song ‘Car Wash,’ the theme song of the motion picture ‘Car Wash,’ for which Whitfield won a ‘Grammy Award’ for ‘Best Album of Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or a Television Special.’

‘I had a little trouble in my hometown, things got funky, so I had to leave right away. So I went to the city on the bus next morning, ha, but trouble had a way of finding me, and I ain’t joking.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

912-Weezer-Buddy Holly.

1994-Number 12 single.

Best Bit-At 1.39. This is a song for all the ages. ‘Happy Days’ was set in the 1950’s, and was a very popular show in the 1970’s. Weezer recorded this song in the 1990’s, and you are listening to it in the 2020’s.

Weezer were formed in Los Angeles, California, United States, in 1992, in total there have been eight official members come and go, with Rivers Cuomo, and Patrick Wilson being the bands two constants. Rivers Cuomo who was born on June 13th, 1970, in New York City, United States, is the groups main songwriter, and lead vocalist. His first name was given to him by his father Frank Cuomo who was also a musician, who played drums on the 1971 album ‘Odyssey of Iska,’ by Jazz saxophonist Wayne Shorter (1933-2023.) Rivers father has said that he named his son after three Brazilian, and Italian soccer players, Roberto Rivellino, Luigi Riva, and Gianni Rivera, all of whom played in the 1970 World Cup. ‘Weezer’ was the nickname that Frank called Rivers during his childhood, and that is why he chose that name for the group. Rivers Cuomo’s work with Weezer is considered to be groundbreaking in the genres of ‘Emo,’ and ‘Pop Punk,’ with artists such as ‘Fall Out Boy,’ ‘My Chemical Romance,’ and ‘Blink-182,’ all being influenced, in turn Cuomo has credited the ‘Beach Boys,’ (see also best songs 930-811-180 and 74) and in particular the ‘Pet Sounds’ Album, (1966) as one of the biggest influences in Weezer starting out.

The discography of Weezer includes 15 studio Albums released between 1994-2021, and 37 singles issued between 1994-2022. In America on Billboard, 13 of those Albums have reached the top 10, with ‘Make Believe’ from 2005 charting the highest at Number 2. On the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, their only entry to date in the top 40 is ‘Beverley Hills,’ which reached Number 10 in 2005. In the UK, Weezer have achieved eight top 40 singles, with ‘Beverley Hills’ peaking the highest at Number 9. As a solo artist Rivers Cuomo has also released three studio Albums between 2007-2011, and was the featured artist on the Billboard Number 10, and UK Number 16 hit ‘Magic,’ by ‘B o B,’ in 2010.

‘Buddy Holly’ was the second single released from Weezer’s self titled debut Album (commonly referred to as the ‘Blue Album’) from May 1994. ‘Buddy Holly’ was written by Rivers Cuomo, and produced by Ric Ocasak. Ocasek was born Richard Theodore Otcasek on March 23rd, 1944, and is best remembered as the co-founder of the American Rock band the ‘Cars’ in 1978. With the Cars he released seven studio Albums between 1978-2011, and 26 singles in the same time period. Their 1984 single ‘Drive’ which was written by Ocasek, was their biggest hit in America on Billboard reaching Number 3, while in the UK, it was ‘My Best Friend’s Girl,’ also written by Ocasek, which charted the highest at Number 3 in 1978. Ocasek died on September 15th, 2019, at the age of 75, he had been suffering from both hypertensive heart and coronary artery disease.

‘Buddy Holly’ is loosely based on River Cuomo’s real life experiences. Cumono had a girlfriend (possibly only platonic) that his friends had teased him about because she was Asian. In the song Cumomo is saying he will stand by her because he is Buddy Holly, and she is Mary Tyler Moore. So why were these two iconic names chosen to represent the songs subject? Buddy Holly (1936-1959) (see also best songs 898 and 264) had married Maria Santiago, who was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and there had been some who disapproved of the marriage, while Mary Tyler Moore (1936-2017) has been described as having an ‘Outwardly bubbly personality, and trademark broad toothy smile,’ that is said to have disguised an inner fragility.

‘Buddy Holly was released as a single on September 7th, 1999, on what would have been the 58th birthday of Buddy Holly. The songs video is one of the most popular to ever air on ‘MTV.’ The video is set in the 1950’s, in a replica Drive-In, to replicate the one used in the American sit-com ‘Happy Days.’ Using some very clever editing of old ‘Happy Days’ clips, interspersed with Weezer performing the song, it appears as if Weezer are appearing alongside the shows original cast. Umberto Molinaro (1919-2015) who played Al Delvecchio the owner of ‘Arnold’s’ Drive-In in ‘Happy Days,’ makes a cameo appearance in the video.

‘What’s with these homies dissin’ my girl? Why do they gotta front? What did we ever do to these guys, that made them so violent?(Ooh ooh) But you know I’m yours. (Ooh ooh) and I know you’re mine. (Ooh ooh) and that’s for all of time.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

913-Dexys Midnight Runners and the Emerald Express-Come On Eileen.

1982-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 3.04. You must have to have a lot of patience, if you are a lady called Eileen, because every time that some joker thinks that they are the first to shout at you,’Come on Eileen,’ you have either got to smile, laugh, of give in to temptation, and punch them in the face.

Dexys Midnight Runners (see also best songs 104) who at the time of writing are officially called by their former nickname ‘Dexys,’ were formed in 1978, in Birmingham, England, by Kevin Rowland, who at that time was using the pseudonym ‘Carlo Rolan,’ and Kevin ‘Al’ Archer. Both had previously been members of the short lived ‘Punk’ band the ‘Killjoys.’ Archer who stayed with Dexys Midnight Runners until after the recording of the debut Album ‘ Searching for the Young Soul Rebels,’ an Album he wrote some of the songs for, said that he used the name ‘Al,’ because Kevin Rowland decided that the group was not big enough to accommodate two ‘Kevins.’

Kevin Rowland was born on August 17th, 1953, in Wednesfield, Wolverhampton, England, he has been the one constant member of Dexys Midnight Runners. Rowland was born to Irish parents, and many of ‘Dexys’ songs have been inspired by his Irish ancestry. Rowland has said that he felt it was important to achieve a recognisable vocal style, putting a ‘crying voice on,’ which he has said was partly inspired by General Johnson, (1941-2010) of the American/Canadian Soul group the ‘Chairmen of the Board.’ Away from ‘Dexys,’ Rowland has released two solo studio Albums, in 1988, and 1999, and four singles, none of which found any real chart success.

‘Come On Eileen’ was the second of four singles released from ‘Too-Rye-Ay,’ the second studio Album from Dexys Midnight Runners, from July 1982. ‘Come On Eileen’ was officially written by Kevin Rowland, with Jim Paterson, and Billy Adams, who were all band members at that time, although Rowland later stated that the essence of the tune should be attributed to Kevin ‘Al’ Archer, who was not a band member at the time, Rowland and Archer agreed on royalties, so a court case was never brought. In America on Billboard,’Come On Eileen’ remains the only hit single for ‘Dexys,’ and for that, in America, they are recognised as ‘one hit wonders,’ whereas in the UK,’Come On Eileen’ was their second chart topper after ‘Geno’ in 1980, and in total ‘Dexys’ have made the UK top 40 singles chart on nine occasions, for a fuller discography of ‘Dexys’ see best songs 104. The production of ‘Come On Eileen,’ and it’s parent Album ‘Too-Rye-Ay,’ is credited to Clive Langer, and Alan Winstanley, who are both veteran producers, who worked together from 1979 through until 2009 (see also best songs 69.)

The rumour is that ‘Come On Eileen’ is based on Kevin Rowland’s first sexual encounter with a childhood friend called Eileen, but there was probably no Eileen. In fact the probability is that Eileen is a metaphor about Rowland’s Catholic upbringing, and the religion’s views on sexual relationships. The songs opening line ‘Poor old Johnny Ray,’ is probably a way of Rowland telling us that he won’t be repressed, as the previous generation were. Johnny Ray (1927-1990) was an American singer, who was a very big star for a short while in the early 1950’s, before suffering from alcoholism.

Some versions of ‘Come On Eileen’ open with a ‘Celtic’ fiddle solo, this is based on the Irish writer and poet Thomas Moore’s (1779-1852) Irish Folk song ‘Believe Me, if All Those Endearing Young Charms,’ which was first published in 1808. The songs chorus ‘Come On Eileen’ is said to be loosely based on the ‘Northern Soul’ favourite ‘A Man Like Me,’ by Jimmy James and The Vagabonds. Kevin Rowland who was very much influenced by ‘Soul’ music of the 1960’s has spoken about ‘Come On Eileen,’We wanted a good rhythm and we found one. Lots of records we liked had that rhythm: ‘Concrete and Clay,’ ‘It’s Not Unusual’ by Tom Jones. Lots of records we liked had that ‘Bomp ba bomp, bomp ba bomp.’ We felt it was a good rhythm. We came up with the chord sequence ourselves, and just started singing melodies over it. I remember thinking, ‘We’re really onto something here.’ I came up with that, ‘Too ra loo ra,’ and I remember thinking, ‘Wow, this is sounding really good.’ You get a feeling when you’re writing a song. Something happens. And in the end it kind of finished itself.’

‘Poor old Johnnie Ray, sounded sad upon the radio, moved a million hearts in mono. Our mothers cried, sang along, who’d blame them.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

914-Andy Williams-Music to Watch Girls By.

1967-Number 33 single. When it was re-released in 1999, it peaked at Number 9.

Best Bit-At 1.09. There’s only one thing better than listening to ‘Watching Girls Go By,’ and that is ‘Watching Girls Go By.’

‘Music to Watch Girls By’ started out life as jingle written by Sid Ramin in 1965, to promote ‘Diet Pepsi,’ in a television commercial. Sidney Nathan (or Norton) Ramin was born was born on January 22nd, 1919, in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, he died on July 1st, 2019, at the age of 100. His other most famous works include, co-orchestrating, with Leonard Bernstein, (1918-1990) and Irwin Kostal, (1911-1994) the music for ‘West Side Story,’ (1961) and with Robert Ginzler, (1910-1962) he arranged the music for the Broadway musical ‘Gypsy’ (1959.) Ramin was also the composer of ‘Smile, You’re on Candid Camera,’ the theme to the long running American television series ‘Candid Camera.’

It was on hearing Sid Ramin’s ‘jingle’ that Bob Crewe decided to put together a full version of the commercial song, and release it as a single. Bob Crewe (see also best songs 1007-863-499-393-284-164-112 and 83) who is one of the most featured artists on this countdown with nine entries, was born Robert Stanley Crewe, on November 12th, 1930, in Newark, New Jersey, United States, he died on September 11th, 2014, at the age of 83, having been in declining health for several years following a fall. Bob Crewe is probably best remembered for his songwriting and production work with Bob Gaudio, on a string of hit singles for ‘Franki Valli and the Four Seasons, but his songs have been popular, and to a point groundbreaking, from the 1950’s, through to the 1970’s. In 1957 Crewe along with Frank Slay, (1930-2017) co-wrote ‘Silhouettes,’ (see also best songs 499) which became a ‘Doo-Wop’ anthem when recorded by the ‘Ray’s.’ In the 1970’s, Crewe turned to ‘Disco’ music, collaborating with Kenny Nolan on the American Billboard Number 1 single ‘Lady Marmalade,’ for ‘LaBelle,’ in total Bob Crewe has been the co-writer of seven American Billboard Number 1 singles. Crewe who issued 11 studio Albums between 1960-2006, also had a hit single on Billboard as ‘The Bob Crewe Generation,’ with ‘Music to Watch Girls By,’ which made Number 15 in 1967.

The Bob Crewe recording of ‘Music to Watch Girls By’ had instrumentation, and arrangement provided by ‘Hutch Davie,’ (1930-1920) with the prolific session musician Ralph Casale providing guitar work. Casale has recalled the session for ‘Music to Watch Girls By,”They lost the three guitar parts and realised it after the other two guitarists left the studio. The problem with that which no one seemed to care about was that each guitar had a different sound. I had only one guitar with me, so I overdubbed the three different parts with the same guitar. The arrangement was really good, and the song was great.’

In 1967 the American easy listening vocal artist Andy Williams (1927-2012) (see also best songs 112) recorded his version of ‘Music to Watch Girls By,’ with lyrics written by Tony Velona, (1920)-1986) for his 20th studio Album ‘Born Free,’ released in April 1967, the single and it’s parent Album were both produced by Nick De Caro (1938-1992.) The two other well known songs co-written, with lyrics by Tony Velona are ‘Domani (Tomorrow,’) a 1955 Billboard Hot 100 Number 13 hit for the American singer Julius La Rosa, (1930-2016) and ‘Lollipops and Roses,’ which was a ‘Grammy-Award’ winning recording by Jack Jones (see also best songs 376) in 1962. The Andy Williams recording of ‘Music to Watch Girls By’ became very popular for Williams after it was featured in a specially choreographed performance on his ‘Andy Williams Show,’ which aired between 1962-1971. In 1999 things came full circle when the song was once again used in a television advert. This time it was used as a promotion for ‘Fiat’ cars, and the Andy Williams version fared a lot better second time around, by reaching Number 9 in the UK.

‘The boys watch the girls, while the girls watch the boys, who watch the girls go by. Eye to eye, they solemnly convene to make the scene. Which is the name of the game, watch a guy watch a dame, on any street in town. Up and down, and over and across, romance is boss.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

915-M.I.A.-Paper Planes.

2007-It didn’t chart in the UK until 2009, when it reached Number 19.

Best Bit-At 0.56. The sound of gunfire frightens me, but the sound of tills cashing, gets me excited.

M.I.A. was born Mathangi Arulpragasam. in Hounslow, London, England, her stage name is an initialism for both ‘Missing in Action,’ or ‘Missing in Acton.’ M.I.A. was born to Sri Lankan Tamil parents, her father Arul Pragasam (1948-2019) was a political activist, and founding member of the ‘Eelam Revolutionary Organisation of Students’ (EROS), a political Tamil group affiliated with the ‘Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’ (LTTE.) The first 11 years of M.I.A.’s life was marked by displacement, caused by the Sri Lankan Civil War, with her fathers political views, and her upbringing having a great influence on her lyrics, including in this song. Her music is a mix of ‘Hip-Hop,’ Electronic.’ ‘World Music,’ and ‘Experimental,’ she is also a singer and a Rapper.

The discography of M.I.A. includes six studio Albums released between 2005-2022, and 40 singles, issued between 2003-2022, she has also released two ‘EP’s,’ and ‘two ‘Mixtapes.’ In the UK she has charted on five occasions within the top 40, twice as the lead artist, and a further three times as the featured artist, with ‘Paper Planes’ charting the highest at Number 19. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, M.I.A. has reached that charts top 40 on four occasions, where ‘Paper Planes’ peaked at Number 4 in 2008, her other three chart entries were as a featured artist, with ‘Franchise,’ by Travis Scott, and featuring Young Thug, and M.I.A. making Number 1 in 2020.

‘Paper Planes’ was the fourth and final single released from M.I.A.’s second studio Album ‘Kala,’ from August 2007, both the single and the Album have been critically acclaimed many times in the musical press for bringing ‘unconventional subject matter’ in to the world of ‘Hip-Hop,’ and ‘Dance Music.’ ‘Paper Planes’ was co-written by M.I.A. and Diplo, and because the song samples ‘Straight to Hell’ by ‘The Clash,’ (see also best songs 867-638 and 294) from their 1982 Album ‘Combat Rock,’ the four members of ‘The Clash’ at that time also receive song writing credits, the songs production is credited to M.I.A. and Diplo. Both ‘Paper Planes’ and ‘Straight to Hell’ have similar subject matter, in that both deal with immigration, and xenophobia. it was Diplo’s idea to use ‘The Clash’ sample. It has also been pointed out that the chorus of ‘Paper Planes’ sounds similar to the 1992 song ‘Rump Shaker,’ by ‘Wreckx-N-Effect’s (Billboard Number 2, and UK Number 24 hit.)

‘Diplo’ was born Thomas Wesley Pentz on November 10th, 1978, in Tupelo, Mississippi, United States, his stage name derives from his childhood fascination with dinosaurs, his alias is short for ‘Diplodocus.’ It was M.I.A. who first introduced herself to Diplo, after hearing one of his songs in 2004, which led to the pair working together, and also being in a romantic relationship, through until 2008. Diplo (see also best songs 210) has released four studio Albums between 2004-2022, and has also been a member of other projects including ‘Major Lazer,’ ‘Jack U,’ and ‘Silk City.’

‘Paper Planes’ is an attack on those who stereotype illegal immigrants, claiming that it not true that they all want to harm you, and take all your jobs. It also satirises American perceptions of visa seeking foreigners, and immigrants from Third World nations. M.I.A. wrote the lyrics while living in a rough area of Brooklyn, New York, she has said,’I was thinking about living there, waking up every morning, it’s such an African neighbourhood. I was going to get patties at my local, and just thinking that really the worst thing that anyone can say is some s–t like ‘What I wanna do is come and get your money.’ People don’t really feel like immigrants or refugees contribute to culture in any way. That they’re just leeches that suck from whatever. So in the song I say ‘All I wanna do is (sound of gun shooting and reloading, cash register opening) and take your money.’ I did it in sound effects. It’s up to you how you want to interpret. America is so obsessed with money, I’m sure they’ll get it.’

‘I fly like paper, get high like planes. If you catch me at the border, I got visas in my name. If you come around here, I make ’em all day. I get one done in a second if you wait, I fly like paper get high like planes.’