THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

852-Crown Heights Affair-Galaxy of Love.

1978-Number 24 single.

Best Bit-At 5.21. Yes, it really is totally out of this world.

The Crown Heights Affair were a R&B, Disco, Dance, and Funk group, who formed in 1967, in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York, United States. On forming they were originally called ‘Ben Iverson and the Nue Dey Express,’ the groups founding member was Donnie Linton, who was also the bands bassist. The rest of the original line up were Phillip Thomas, (vocals) William Anderson, (guitar/vocals) Howard Young, (keyboards), Bert Reid, (trumpet) (he died in 2004) James “Ajax” Baynard, (1952-2015) (trumpet), Raymond Reid, (1952-2013) (trombone), Arnold ‘Muki’ Wilson, (bass) Julius Dilligard Jr. (trombone), and Raymond Rock, (drums, and percussion.)

‘Ben Iverson and the Nue Dey Express,’ became ‘The Crown Heights Affair,’ (named after a neighbourhood in Brooklyn) before the release of any of their Albums or singles. They were first contracted to ‘RCA’ records, on which their self titled debut Album was released in 1974, then following personnel changes, they moved to the ‘De-Lite Records’ label the following year. The discography of The Crown Heights Affair includes nine studio Albums released between 1974-1983, and 16 singles issued between 1974-1989. None of the bands Albums or singles managed to break in to the American Billboard Album or singles charts top 40, although two of their Albums reached the Billboard ‘R&B’ Album chart, and seven of their singles made either the ‘R&B,’ or ‘Dance Club Charts,’ with ‘Dreaming a Dream,’ from 1975, reaching the Number 1 spot on the ‘Dance Club Chart.’ In the UK, only their fifth studio Album ‘Dream World,’ from 1978 has broken in to the top 40, (making Number 40) while two of their singles have also charted, with the other being ‘You Gave Me Love,’ which is also their highest charting song, reaching Number 10 in 1980. ‘The Crown Heights Affair,’ remained active until 1983, but on 22nd June, 2013, they reunited to play at the ‘Coronet,’ in London, as part of the ‘Streetsounds’ record labels Summer Ball.

The Crown Heights Affair were one of the big names signed to the ‘R&B’ record label,’De-Lite Records,’ the best known and most successful act on the label were ‘ Kool and the Gang,’ who signed with ‘De-Lite Records’ in 1969, and remained there until 1984, having released 16 studio Albums, two live Albums, seven compilation Albums, and 52 singles, including the Billboard Number 1 single ‘Celebration,’ in 1980. ‘De-Lite Records’ had been founded in 1967 by Fred Vigorito, (1922–2008) Fred Fioto, (1920–1999) and Ted Simonetti, (1902–1985.) A prominent member of the labels staff was Gene Redd, (1916-1983) who was the father of the American singers Sharon Redd, (1945-1992) (see also best songs 287) and Penny Ford.

‘Galaxy of Love’ was co-written, and co-produced by Freida Nerangis, and Britt Britton, and is the opening track on the Crown Heights Affair’s’ fifth studio Album ‘Dream World,’ from 1978. The lyrics to ‘Galaxy of Love’ are a promise made by the narrator, that if his love interest should stick by him, he not only can offer them the world, but the Galaxy as well.

‘Ladies and gentlemen, the captain has turned off the no smoking and seat belt signs for your convenience. We are travelling at twice the speed of light, and are entering warp factor three, at that time we will be experiencing a period of weightlessness. On behalf of myself and the crew here at CHA Airlines, we wish you a happy flight.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

853-Da Hool-Meet Her at the Love Parade.

1998-Number 15 single. When remixed, and re-issued in 2001, it peaked at Number 1.

Best Bit-At 3.08. Instrumental hits could be counted on the fingers of one hand back in the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s, but with the emergence of ‘Electronic Dance Music’ in the 1990’s, lyricists could no longer take their jobs for granted.

Da Hool is the stage name of Frank Tomiczek, who was born on December 30th, 1968, in Bottrop, West Germany, he is a songwriter, and music producer of ‘Acid House,’ and ‘Electronic Dance Music.’ His discography includes the release of 14 singles between 1994-2022, (the first three as ‘DJ Hooligan’) with four of those tracks charting within the ‘GfK Entertainment,’ German top 40 singles chart, with ‘Meet Her at the Love Parade,’ peaking the highest at Number 4 in 1997. In the UK, he has charted on three occasions, with the 2001 ‘Fergie’ remix of ‘Meet Her at the Love Parade,’ charting the highest at Number 11, his other UK hit was ‘Bora Bora,’ which made Number 35 in 1997. He has also charted twice in America on the Billboard ‘Dance Club Songs’ chart, with ‘Meet Her at the Love Parade,’ (Number 30-1997) and ‘Mama Sweet’ (Number 12-1998.)

The original version of ‘Meet Her at the Love Parade’ was released by Da Hool in August 1997 in many countries, and appears on the Album ‘Here Comes Da Hool,’ the track was written, and produced by Da Hool. The song was not released officially in the UK until February 1998, after it had been remixed by ‘Nalin & Kane,’ who are the German music production, and remixing team of Andre Nalin, and Harry Kane. The duo first began working together in 1993, and are best known for their 1997 hit ‘Beachball,’ (German, Number 10) and (UK, Number 17, in 1998.) The other song to appear in this 1000 best songs list which was remixed by the duo, is ‘Cafe Del Mar,’ from ‘Energy 52’ (see also best songs 79.) As aforementioned ‘Meet Her at the Love Parade,’ received a further remix by the Irish Electronic Dance Music producer Robert ‘Fergie’ Ferguson in 2001, with the song reaching a new peak position of Number 11 in the UK.

The songs title ‘Meet Her at the Love Parade’ pays tribute to ‘The Love Parade,’ which was an Electronic Dance Music festival, and Technoparade, that originated in 1989 in West Berlin, Germany. It was held annually in Berlin from 1989, to 2003, and then again in 2006, and then from 2007 to 2010, in the Ruhr region of Germany. The first parade took place in 1989, when 150 people took to the streets in Berlin, it was started by Matthias Roeingh, who is better known as ‘Dr Motte,’ and his then girlfriend, the American musician and filmmaker Danielle de Picciotto. It was originally conceived as a political demonstration for peace and international understanding, through love and music. Over the course of the next two decades the ‘Love Parade’ grew and grew, with over one million attending each year between 1997-2000. In 2010 tragedy struck when an alleged 1.4 million people attended the ‘Love Parade,’ in Duisburg, Germany. On July 24th, a crowd crush caused the deaths of 21 people, with at least 500 others injured. As a consequence, the organiser of the festival announced that no further Love Parades would be held, and that the festival would be permanently cancelled.

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

854-Cult-She Sells Sanctuary.

1985-Number 15 single. In 1993 the song was re-released on two different CD singles, with several remixes, and once again it peaked at Number 15.

Best Bit-At 1.02. The wonderful low key intro only serves for greater anticipation, as you await that first big bang on the drum. For even greater anticipation, try the extended version, you get an extra 43 seconds of anticipation.

The Cult were formed in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England, in 1983, by Ian Astbury, (lead vocals) Billy Duffy, (lead guitar) Ray Mondo, (drums) and Jamie Stewart, (bass) Ray Mondo was replaced later in 1983 by Nigel Preston (1963-1992) (drums.) The Cult were active between 1983-1995, and then again between 1999-2002, before reforming again in 2006, with Ian Astbury, and Billy Duffy, being the bands two constants. In total there have been 32 different members come and go, and at the time of writing they remain active. The origin of the bands name can be traced back to when Astbury formed a band called ‘Southern Death Cult.’ On meeting Duffy in 1983, they teamed up to form ‘Death Cult,’ and using that name they released their first single, and an EP, but due to commercial reasons it was felt that a change to just ‘Cult,’ would bring more accessibility with the general public. Prior to teaming up with Astbury, Duffy had been in the ‘Punk Rock’ band ‘The Nosebleeds,’ with Vini Reilly, who would go on to form the ‘Durutti Column,’ and Morrissey, who would go on to form the ‘Smiths.’

The Cult who started out as a ‘Post-Punk,’ and then a ‘Gothic Rock’ band, would change their style of music to ‘Hard Rock,’ and ‘Heavy Metal,’ in the later 1980’s. Their discography includes 11 studio Albums released between 1984-2022, and 37 singles issued between 1983-2016, there are also six official compilation Albums, and two live Albums available. In the UK, 11 of their singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Lil Devil,’ from 1987, charting the highest at Number 11. In America they have had success on the Billboard ‘Alternative Airplay,’ and ‘Mainstream Rock’ music charts, with 13 of their tracks charting within those charts top 40 lists.

‘She Sells Sanctuary’ was the first of three singles released from the ‘Cult’s’ second studio Album ‘Love,’ from October 1985, the Album is estimated to have sold in excess of 2.5 million copies worldwide to date. ‘She Sells Sanctuary’ was co-written by Ian Astbury, and Billy Duffy, with the songs production, and it’s parent Album being by Steve Brown (1956-2021.) Brown had began his musical career in the role of an engineer, and before becoming involved in the ‘Punk’ scene, he had worked on ‘Wizzard’s’ ‘I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday’ (see also best songs 821.) The other songs in this 1000 best songs list that were produced by Brown are, ‘Motorcycle Emptiness’ (see also best songs 248) and ‘Club Tropicana’ (see also best songs 991.)

Billy Duffy has spoken about how the iconic intro to ‘She Sells Sanctuary’ came about,’I found a violin bow, and I started to play the guitar with the bow like Jimmy Page. I did it to amuse Astbury, who was in the control room, and in order to make it sound weirder, I just hit every pedal I had on the pedal board. Then once I stopped banging the strings and doing all that, I played the middle section of the song, which was kind of a pick thing with all the ‘BOSS’ pedals on, and that sound just leaped out. The producer went, ‘Hold it, hold it, that’s great!’ And we decided to start the song with that mystical sound. If I hadn’t found that violin bow laying around, we wouldn’t have gone there.’

When asked what ”She Sells Sanctuary’ is about, Ian Astbury said,’Sex. Plain and simple, it’s about sex. I’ve had sex, and I’m very proud of that fact.’

‘Oh, the heads that turn make my back burn, and those heads that turn make my back, make my back burn. The sparkle in your eyes keeps me alive, and the sparkle in your eyes, keeps me alive, keeps me alive.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

855-Big Joe Turner-Shake, Rattle and Roll.

1954-It has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 2.16. Make no mistake, ‘A one eyed cat peepin’ in a seafood store,’ is no children’s story.

‘Shake, Rattle and Roll’ is considered by many music critics to have been the first ever major ‘Rock N’ Roll’ hit. This original version by Big Joe Turner (1911-1985) (see also best songs 257) went to Number 1 on the American Billboard ‘R&B’ chart in June 1954, and reached Number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart around the same time. Bill Haley & His Comets (see also best songs 628) recorded their version in June 1954, and the song peaked at Number 7 on the Billboard singles chart, eventually going on to sell in excess of one million copies worldwide.

‘Shake, Rattle and Roll’ was written by Jesse Stone (1901-1999) (see also best songs 257) using the pseudonym Charles E. Calhoun. The idea for the song came about in early 1954 when Ahmet Ertegun (1923-2006) (see also best songs 715) the co-founder of Atlantic Records suggested to Jesse Stone that he write an up-tempo ‘Blues’ song for Big Joe Turner, a ‘Blues Shouter,’ whose career had begun as far back as the 1920’s. Stone who played Poker weekly, had a favourite saying when he played, that was ‘shake, rattle and roll,’ which he thought was a good basis for a song. This was actually not the first time that ‘Shake, Rattle and Roll’ had been used, because in 1910, the Vaudeville performer ‘Baby’ Franklin Seals (1880-1915) published ‘You Got to Shake Rattle and Roll,’ which was a ‘Ragtime’ tune about gambling with dice.

The best known version of ‘Shake, Rattle and Roll’ is the one recorded by Bill Haley & His Comets, and is the version that many music critics point to as the first ever commercial ‘Rock N’ Roll’ hit record. The Big Joe Turner recording is very sexually suggestive, with lyrics that include,’You wear those dresses, the sun comes shining through,’ and, ‘I can’t believe my eyes all that mess belongs to you.’ In order to assure that the song would be played on the radio, Bill Haley & His Comets replaced those lyrics with, ‘You wearin’ those dresses, your hair done up so nice,’ and ‘You look so warm but your heart is as cold as ice.’ One line that did appear in both the Big Joe Turner, and the Bill Haley & His Comets versions is the ‘One-eyed cat peekin’ in a seafood store.’ It is possible that Bill Haley (1925-1981) thought that a white audience wouldn’t understand that lyrics connotation, or maybe Bill Haley didn’t realise the meaning himself, or maybe it was because Haley had been blind in one eye since childhood, and felt a certain empathy.

Ahmet Ertegun who suggested to Jesse Stone that he write an up-tempo ‘Blues’ song for Big Joe Turner, was born on July 31st, 1923, in Istanbul, Ottoman Empire, which is now Istanbul, Turkey. After falling and striking his head on a concrete floor, at a Rolling Stones concert at the Beacon Theatre, in New York City, on October 29th, 2006, he fell in to a coma. He never recovered, and died on December 14, 2006, at the age of 83. Ertegun was the co-founder, and president of ‘Atlantic Records,’ he discovered and promoted many leading ‘Rhythm and Blues,’ and ‘Rock’ musicians, including Aretha Franklin, (1942-2018) (see also best songs 644 and 366) and Led Zeppelin (see also best songs 135 and 66.) Ahmet Ertegun was also a music producer, and a songwriter, his best known compositions include ‘Mess Around,’ for Ray Charles, (1953) and ‘Lovey Dovey,’ (1954) for the ‘Clovers,’ some of the lyrics of ‘Lovey Dovey’ were used by the ‘Steve Miller Band’ in their 1973 song “The Joker’ (see also best songs 715.) Ahmet Ertegun also provided backing vocals on the Big Joe Turner version of ‘Shake, Rattle and Roll.’

‘I’m like a one-eyed cat peepin’ in a seafood store. Well, I can look at you till you ain’t no child no more. Ah, shake, rattle and roll, shake, rattle and roll, shake, rattle and roll, shake, rattle and roll. Well, you won’t do right to save your doggone soul. I get over the hill and way down underneath.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

856-Eric B. & Rakim-Paid in Full ((Coldcut ‘Seven Minutes of Madness’ remix.)

1987-Number 15 single.

Best Bit-At 1.55. ‘This is a journey in to sound.’ Each and everyone of these 1000 + songs is a ‘journey into sound.’ Please take time to have a listen, you might hear something you like.

Eric B, & Rakim are the American ‘Hip-Hop’ duo of Louis Eric Barrier, (Eric B.) who was born on November 8th, 1963, in New York City, United States, and William Michael Griffin Jr. (Rakim) who was born on January 28th, 1968, in Wyandanch, New York, United States. The duo formed in 1986, in Long Island, New York, and were active until 1993, but reformed in 2016, to perform together, but to not release any new music. Eric B. & Rakim were active during the so called ‘Golden Age’ of ‘Rap Music,’ with many music critics citing them as the most influential artists of that period. The duo came together when Eric B. was DJing for the radio station ‘WBLS,’ in New York City, which included promotional events around the city. Eric B. who was by then producing his own music, and experimenting with samples, was looking for a Rapper to work with, when he was recommended to William Griffin (Rakim.) Rakim is considered to be one of the most innovative performers in ‘Rap’ music, being one of the first to deliver intricately crafted lyrics packed with clever word choices and metaphors, rather than the more improvisational styles and simpler rhyme patterns that predominated before him. It was also noted that Rakim’s vocal delivery was less ‘shouty’ than was often heard on ‘Rap’ records, which led him to become a major influence on future generations.

The discography of Eric B. & Rakim includes four studio Albums released between 1987-1992, and 15 singles issued between 1986-1992, there are also five official compilation Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, their only entry inside the top 40 is as the featured artists on ‘Friends,’ by Jody Watley, which reached Number 9 in 1989. They have also had nine songs which have reached the Billboard ‘R&B/Hip-Hop,’ and ‘Hot Rap Chart,’ including ‘Don’t Sweat the Technique,’ which made Number 1 in 1992. In the UK, three of their singles have made the top 40, with ‘I Know You Got Soul,’ charting the highest at Number 13 in 1987. Eric B. has also released a self titled solo studio Album in 1995, while Rakim has issued three solo studio Albums between 1997-2009, and five singles between 1997-2013, with ‘Guess Who’s Back’ from 1997, reaching Number 32 in the UK.

‘Paid in Full’ which was co-written, and co-produced by Eric B. and Rakim, was the fifth and final single released from the duo’s debut studio Album, from July 1987, of the same name, the Album is credited as a benchmark Album of the ‘Golden Age’ of Hip-Hop,’ and has gone on to sell in excess of one million copies worldwide. The version of ‘Paid in Full’ that I have chosen is the remix of the song by the English Electronic Music duo ‘Coldcut,’ (see also best songs 754) who were paid £700 for doing the remix, when it was decided to release the track as a single. ‘Coldcut’ who are the duo of Matt Black, and Jonathan More, remixed ‘Paid in Full’ by taking out some of the original samples, and adding many more of their own, extending the song by 3.32 seconds, to what has become known as the ‘Seven Minutes of Madness’ remix.

The Coldcut ‘Seven Minutes of Madness’ remix is considered ground breaking in that it is one of the very first commercially successful remixes to become a hit single. Despite its success, Eric B. has dismissed the remix as ‘girly disco music,’ Rakim, however, has called it ‘The best remix he had ever heard.’ The original Album version of ‘Paid in Full’ has many samples including the drum portion from the 1974 instrumental song from ‘Ashley’s Roachclip,’ by the American Funk group ‘The Soul Searchers.’ ‘Paid in Full’ also samples the bass line from the 1984 track ‘Don’t Look Any Further, by Dennis Edwards (1943-2018) and Siedah Garrett. Towards the end of the track, Eric B. also repeatedly scratches the line ‘This stuff is really fresh!’ which is taken from ‘Change the Beat,’ a much sampled 1982 record by the Hip-Hop artist Fab 5 Freddy.

The Coldcut remix adds several new music, and vocal samples, the most prominent of these is he voice of Israeli singer Ofra Haza, (1957-2000) taken from her 1984 recording of ‘Im Nin’alu,’ (UK Number 15-1988.) Jonathan More of Coldcut has said that when he lowered its pitch, it synced perfectly with the “Ashley’s Roachclip” drum sample. The opening vocal sample, ‘This is a journey into sound,’ is the voice of the British actor Geoffrey Sumner, (1908-1989) taken from a 1958 Album called ‘A Journey Into Stereo Sound.’ The line,’Now wait a minute, you better talk to my mother,’ comes from Humphrey Bogart, (1988-1957) as spoken in the 1946 classic film ‘The Big Sleep.’

‘Thinkin’ of a master plan, ’cause ain’t nothin’ but sweat inside my hand. So I dig into my pocket, all my money is spent, so I dig deeper but still comin’ up with lint.’