THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

703-Quincy Jones featuring Chaka Khan and Ashford & Simpson-Stuff Like That.

1978-Number 32 single.

Best Bit-At 4.21. Quincy Jones has certainly crammed a whole lot of ‘STUFF’ into his 90+ years.

Quincy Jones (see also best songs 1022-889-812-511-357 and 191) was born Quincy Delight Jones Jr. on March 14th, 1933, in Chicago, Illinois, United States, he is a record producer, conductor, arranger, record executive, and songwriter, who has worked in the genres of Rhythm and Blues, Soul, Funk, Big Band, Swing, Bossa Nova, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Rock and Roll, Pop, and Disco. Quincy Jones has several career highlights, which include producing the three Michael Jackson Albums, ‘Off the Wall,’ (1979) ‘Thriller,’ (1982) and ‘Bad,’ (1987) (see also best songs 889-812 and 703) with sales in excess of 70 million copies sold worldwide, ‘Thriller’ is the best selling Album of all time. In the early to mid 1960’s, Quincy Jones produced all four of the million selling singles by the American singer Lesley Gore, (1946-2015) including ‘It’s My Party,’ (1963) and ‘You Don’t Own Me,’ (1963) he was also the co-producer, and conductor on the 1985 charity single ‘We Are the World,’ which was recorded in order to raise funds for the famine in Ethiopia, with physical sales in advance of 20 million copies sold worldwide, ‘We Are the World’ is currently the eighth best selling single of all time, in that format. Quincy Jones also worked closely with Frank Sinatra, (1915-1998) (see also best songs 877-567-469-120 and 73) arranging and conducting Sinatra’s second Album with Count Basie, (1904-1984) ‘It Might as Well Be Swing’ (1964.) He also conducted and arranged Sinatra’s live album with the Basie Band, ‘Sinatra at the Sands’ (1966.)

The discography of Quincy Jones includes 16 studio Albums, 24 soundtrack Albums, four official compilation Albums, and three live Albums, released between 1955-2010. He has also played on the recordings of many of the top Jazz artists of the 20th Century, including Dizzy Gillespie, (1917-1993) and Dinah Washington, (1924-1963) with his compositions being recorded by such legendary names as Ray Charles, (1930-2004) and Tony Bennett (1926-2023.) The 16 film soundtrack Albums that Quincy Jones produced, and also wrote music for, include, ‘The Italian Job,’ (1969) and ‘The Wiz’ (1978.) He has also issued 22 singles between 1962-2010, of which five have reached the Billboard Hot 100 singles top 40 in America, with ‘One Hundred Ways,’ with James Ingram, peaking the highest at Number 14 in 1981, and ‘Stuff Like That’ reaching Number 21. In the UK, he had had five top 40 hits, with ‘Razzamatazz,’ with Patti Austin, charting the highest at Number 11 in 1981. Now that is a lot of ‘STUFF!’

‘Stuff Like That’ has a star studded cast, and is taken from Quincy Jones’ 27th Album release ‘Sounds…and Stuff Like That!!’ from 1978. ‘Stuff Like That’ which was written at the height of the ‘Disco’ era, originally started out life as an instrumental track, which was worked on by the top session musicians Steve Gadd, (percussion) Richard Tee, (1943-1993) (piano) and Eric Gale (1938-1994) (guitar.) The song was completed, with lyrics added by by Quincy Jones, (production) Ashford & Simpson, (vocals) (see also best songs 1001-359-228 and 28) and Chaka Khan, (vocals) (see also best songs 228 and 85) with the songs arrangement being by Ralph MacDonald (1944-2011.) The memorable alto saxophone which can be heard at 4.21, was played by the American Jazz saxophonist George Young, who can also be heard prominently on ‘A Fifth of Beethoven,’ which was a Billboard Number 10, and UK Number 28 hit for ‘Walter Murphy and the Big Apple Band’ in 1976. Incidentally Steve Gadd, who played the percussion on ‘Stuff Like That,’ is probably best known for providing the drums on the Paul Simon track ’50 Ways to Leave Your Lover,’ which was a 1976 Billboard Number 1 single, and also reached Number 23 in the UK.

Quincy Jones re-recorded ‘Stuff Like That’ for his 1995 Album ‘Q’s Jook Joint,’ where this time the vocals were provided by Ashford & Simpson, Chaka Khan, Brandy, Charlie Wilson, and Ray Charles (1930-2004.) In 2002 the song was featured in a ‘Gap’ television commercial, this time the track was credited to ‘QJ’s Jook Joint and Brothers Johnson’ (see also best songs 1022 and 889.) ‘Stuff Like That’ is probably a song about ‘love at first sight,’ or maybe even ‘lust at first sight.’

‘Before my eyes was the promise of paradise, is she real, can she feel, is she a dream, if you know what I mean. ‘Cause she was built out of stuff like that.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

704-Whitney Houston- I Will Always Love You.

1992-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 3.08. Dolly Parton has said that she wrote ‘I Will Always Love You’ on the same day that she wrote ‘Jolene,’ a fairly productive, and profitable day then.

Dolly Rebecca Parton was born on January 19th, 1946, in Pittman Center, Tennessee, United States, the fourth of 12 children, she is a singer, songwriter, and an actress. She has sold in excess of 100 million records worldwide, and has been described as a ‘Country Music legend.’ Up until around 1976 Parton recorded solely in the ‘Country Music’ genre, but then successfully transitioned in to mainstream ‘Pop Music.’ The extensive discography of Dolly Parton includes 49 solo studio Albums released between 1967-2023, and 198 singles released as the lead artist between 1959-2023, she has also released 13 studio Albums, and 21 singles with the American Country Music singer Porter Wagoner between 1967-1980. Dolly Parton also has 237 official compilation Albums, and nine live Albums available in her discography. In America on the ‘Billboard Top Country Songs’ chart Dolly Parton hold the record of 25 Number 1 singles by a female artist. On the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, she has had seven top 40 hits, with ‘9 to 5,’ reaching Number 1 in 1980, and ‘Islands in the Stream,’ with Kenny Rogers, making Number 1 in 1983. while in the UK, she has had three top 40 hits, with both ‘Jolene’ (1973) and ‘Islands in the Stream,’ (1983) both peaking at Number 7.

Whitney Elizabeth Houston was born on August 9th, 1963, in Newark, New Jersey, United States, she died on February 11th, 2012, which was caused by drowning and the ‘effects of atherosclerotic heart disease and cocaine use.’ The manner of her death was listed as an ‘accident,’ she was 48 years old. Whitney Houston who was nicknamed ‘The Voice,’ is one of the best selling artists of all time, with record sales in excess of 220 million worldwide, Whitney was also an actress, appearing in seven films that have been released between 1992-2018. The discography of Whitney Houston includes seven studio Albums released between 1985-2009, and 57 singles released between 1984-2022, she has also appeared on a further four singles as the featured artist. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, she had had 30 top 40 hits, including 11 Number 1 singles, which include ‘I Will Always Love You,’ which with worldwide sales in excess of 22 million is the best selling single of all time by a female artist. In the UK, Whitney Houston has had 33 top 40 hits, with four of those tracks reaching Number 1.

‘I Will Always Love You’ was written by Dolly Parton, and was written as a farewell to Parton’s business partner and mentor Porter Wagoner, (1927-2007) as a way of expressing her decision to pursue a solo career, Dolly Parton’s original version of the song was a commercial success, reaching Number 1 on the ‘Billboard Hot Country Songs’ chart in 1974. In 1982 Dolly Parton re-recorded the song for the film ‘The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas’ soundtrack, starring Dolly Parton, and once again it became a ‘Billboard Hot Country Songs’ Number 1 hit. In 1995 Dolly Parton recorded the song for a third time, this time as a duet with the American Country singer Vince Gill, for her 33rd solo studio Album ‘Something Special,’ this time the song when issued as single reached Number 15 on the ‘Billboard Hot Country Songs’ chart.

In 1992 Whitney Houston recorded a new arrangement of ‘I Will Always Love You,’ for the soundtrack to ‘The Bodyguard,’ which was her film debut, the song was produced by the Canadian composer, arranger, and music producer David Foster. Whitney Houston was originally going to record Jimmy Ruffin’s 1966 Motown track ‘What Becomes of the Brokenhearted,’ but it was soon discovered that the song had been used previously in the 1991 film ‘Fried Green Tomatoes.’ It was Whitney’s co-star in ‘The Bodyguard,’ Kevin Costner, who suggested ‘I Will Always Love You,’ having heard the recording of the song by the American singer Linda Ronstadt, on her 1975 Album ‘Prisoner in Disguise.’ Whitney Houston’s version of ‘I Will Always Love You’ is not the only version of the song featured in the film. In a scene where she dances with Kevin Costner, a recording by the American Rock artist John Doe can be heard playing on a jukebox.

‘I Will Always Love You’ which was the best selling single of 1992 worldwide, spent 14 weeks at Number 1 on Billboard, which was a new record at that time, it also spent 10 weeks at Number 1 in the UK. It’s parent Album ‘The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album,’ is the best selling soundtrack Album worldwide of all time. Speaking about Whitney Houston’s cover of ‘I Will Always Love You,’ Dolly Parton has reminisced about the first time she heard Whitney’s rendition of her song, ‘I turned the radio on, and all of a sudden I heard that a cappella part. I knew it was something familiar, and then by the time it dawned on me what I was hearing, when Whitney went into the chorus, I had to stop the car because I almost wrecked it. I thought my heart was gonna just bust right out of my body.’

‘If I should stay, I would only be in your way, so I’ll go, but I know I’ll think of you every step of the way. And I will always love you.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

705-Example-Kickstarts.

2010-Number 3 single.

Best Bit-At 1.03. His real name is Elliot Gleave, and when Rapping as a youngster in the playground, one of the kids gave him the nickname ‘Example,’ which are his initials. ‘E.G.’ is an abbreviation of the Latin phrase ‘exempli gratia,’ meaning ‘for example.’

‘Example’ was born Elliot John Gleave, on June 20th, 1982, in Hammersmith, London, England, he is a singer, songwriter, rapper and record producer. In 2012 he stated that he has Asperger syndrome, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder. He has said, ‘I was diagnosed with Asperger’s when I was younger. I was amazing with numbers, I had a photographic memory, and I hated reading fiction, preferring books on nature and history. All symptoms of mild autism.’

The discography of Example includes eight studio Albums released between 2007-2022, and 54 singles that have been released between 2006-2023, there are also three official compilation Albums, and three Mixtapes available. In the UK, four of Example’s Albums have reached the top 40, with his third studio Album ‘Playing in the Shadows,’ (2011) reaching Number 1. He has also reached the UK top 40 singles chart on 13 occasions as the lead artist, with two of those tracks, ‘Changed the Way You Kiss Me.’ (2011) and ‘Stay Awake,’ (2011) both reaching Number 1. He has also charted within the top 40 on five occasions as a featured artist. Example has written songs for other artists, including the 2012 UK Number 2 & American Billboard Number 50 hit, ‘Chasing the Sun,’ for the British/Irish boy band the ‘Wanted.’

‘Kickstarts’ was the third of five singles released from ‘Won’t Go Quietly,’ which was the second studio Album released by Example from June 2010, the track was written by Example, with the production being by ‘Sub Focus.’ Sub Focus is the stage name of Nicolaas Douwma, who was born on April 13th, 1982, in Guildford, Surrey, England, he works in the musical genres of ‘Drum and Bass,’ ‘Drumstep,’ ‘Dubstep,’ and ‘Electro House.’ Sub Focus has stated that his first love was ‘Rock’ music as a schoolboy, but after hearing the ‘Drum and Bass’ track ‘Incredible,’ (1994) by General Levy, (see also best songs 1053) he was converted. As ‘Sub Focus’ he has released four studio Albums between 2009-2023, and 31 singles between 2003-2023, of which seven have reached the UK top 40, with ‘Endorphins,’ featuring Alex Clare, (2013) and ‘Turn Back Time,’ (2013) both peaking the highest at Number 10.

Example has explained how ‘Kickstarts,’ which is an ‘Electro/Pop’ song came about, when he was on tour and missing his girlfriend. ‘I heard the beat and I was on tour at the time. Sub Focus, the Drum’n’Bass producer, sent it to me, and I was on tour supporting Lily Allen. When you’re on tour non-stop for three weeks you kind of get a bit lonely and miss your loved ones. You miss your bed because you’re staying in hotels every night and driving everyday. It came from quite an emotional place and out of that emotion I just started thinking about life without my girlfriend, which is where the lyrics ‘Think of life without you’ comes from. The song suggests going through a bad stage with your girlfriend or boyfriend. I wasn’t so much going through a bad stage with my girlfriend it was more just a case of feeling a bit lonely on tour. I wrote the whole song in about two hours on the way back from Glasgow to London. That’s where that song stems from. Some people have read into it and thought it’s about love fizzling out, and what makes you stay with a person. Other people have interpreted it as drugs kicking in at a festival so it’s open to interpretation.’

‘You want me to come over I got an excuse. Might be holding your hand, but I’m holding it loose. Go to talk then we choke its like our necks in a noose, avoid the obvious we should be facing the truth. Start to think it could be fizzling out, kinda shocked because I never really had any doubts. Look into your eyes imagine life with out ya, and the love kick starts again.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

706-Johnny Mathis-Misty.

1959-Number 12 single.

Best Bit-At 0-14. Hey Mr DJ,’Play Misty for me.’

Johnny Mathis was born John Royce Mathis, on September 30th, 1935, in Gilmer, Texas, United States, with worldwide record sales in excess of 360 million, he is one of the best selling artists of all time. Johnny Mathis has recorded in many musical genres, including ‘Traditional Pop,’ ‘Latin American,’ ‘Soul,’ ‘Rhythm and Blues,’ ‘Show tunes,’ Country,’ and ‘Disco,’ his 1958 Album ‘Johnny’s Greatest Hits,’ which is often described as the ‘original greatest hits package,’ once held the record of most weeks on the American Billboard 200 Album chart, notching up a total of 490, three of which were spent at Number 1. The extensive discography of Johnny Mathis includes 73 studio Albums released between 1956-2017, and 113 singles issued between 1956-2013, there are also 30 official compilation Albums, and three live Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, 20 of his singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Chances Are,’ (1957) and ‘Too Much, Too Little, Too Late,’ (1978) which was a duet with Deniece Williams, both making the Number 1 position. On Billboard ‘Misty’ peaked at Number 12, the same position it reached in the UK. In the UK, Johnny Mathis has had 12 top 40 hits, with ‘When a Child Is Born,’ making Number 1 in 1976.

‘Misty’ in it’s original form is considered to be a ‘Jazz Standard.’ It was written as an instrumental by the American Jazz pianist Erroll Garner, (1921-1977) in 1954, and recorded for his 1955 Album ‘Contrasts.’ Garner was inspired to write ‘Misty while on a flight from San Francisco to Chicago, which passed through a thunderstorm. As the plane descended into the Chicago airport, Garner looked through the window to see a rainbow glowing through a haze, and was moved to begin composing ‘Misty’ on the spot. The lyrics to ‘Misty’ were added sometime between 1955-1956 by the American lyricist Johnny Burke, (1908-1964) at the insistence of the pianist Herb Mesick. It was said that Mesick would play the tune every time Burke came into the room, until Burke said, ‘Alright, give me the damn music, and I’ll do it.’ It is said that Burke wrote the lyrics in two to three hours in his bedroom.

As a teenager Johnny Mathis had heard Garner’s original version of ‘Misty,’ and had told him that if words were ever added he would record the song himself. It finally came to fruition in 1959 when Johnny Mathis recorded the song for his eighth studio Album ‘Heavenly,’ which would become his most successful studio Album, spending 295 weeks on the Billboard Album chart. Both ‘Misty’ and it’s parent Album ‘Heavenly’ were produced by Mitch Miller, (1911-2010) and Al Ham (1925-2001.) At first there was no plans to release ‘Misty’ as a single, with the song, and the Erroll Garner original, being sent only to the broadcasting industry as a back-to-back single for promotional use, but such was the interest in the Johnny Mathis recording, that Columbia Records decided to issue the track as a single in September 1959.

‘Misty’ was first recorded with vocals by the American Jazz vocalist Dakota Staton, (1930-2007) in 1957, with the first vocal version that attracted attention being by Sarah Vaughan in 1958. The most successful version of ‘Misty’ on both sides of the Atlantic is the 1975 recording by the American Country singer Ray Stevens, whose version made Number 14 on Billboard, and Number 2 in the UK. In 1971 the American actor and film director Clint Eastwood, who was always a fan of the Erroll Garner recording, used that version in his 1971 psychological thriller film ‘Play Misty for Me’ (see also best songs 251.) Garner drove a hard bargain, by charging Eastwood $25,000 for the right to use the song in the film.

‘Look at me I’m as helpless as a kitten up a tree, and I feel like I’m clinging to a cloud. I can’t understand, I get misty, holding your hand. Walk my way, and a thousand violins begin to play, or it might be the sound of your hello. That music I hear, I get misty the moment you’re near.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

707-Ramones-Don’t Come Close.

1978-Number 39 single.

Best Bit-At 0.01. ‘1-2-3-4!’

The Ramones (see also best songs 102) were formed in 1974, in Forest Hills, Queens, New York, United States, by Jeffrey Hyman, (1951-2001) who was a guitarist, and went by the stage name of ‘Joey Ramone,’ he died of lymphoma, at the age of 49. John Cummings, (1948-2004) was also a guitarist with the group, who went by the stage name of ‘Johnny Ramone,’ he died after a five year battle with prostrate cancer, at the age of 55. Douglas Colvin, (1951-2002) played bass, and went by the stage name of ‘Dee Dee Ramone,’ he died of a Heroin overdose, at the age of 50, and the other founding member was Thomas Erdelyi, (1949-2014) who was the groups drummer, and took the stage name ‘Tommy Ramone, he died of bile duct cancer, at the age of 65. These four are considered, along with Marc Bell, (Marky Ramone) who replaced Erdelyi on drums in 1978, as the classic line up, in total there have been eight different members, with Richard Reinhardt, (Richie Ramone) being the groups drummer between 1983-1987, Clem Burke, (Elvis Ramone) (see also best songs 402) was the groups drummer for part of 1987, and Christopher Ward, (C. J. Ramone) who played bass between 1989-1996. Although none of the group members were related, they all used the same surname ‘Ramone,’ which was inspired by Paul McCartney, who used the the name ‘Paul Ramon,’ when touring with an early incarnation of the ‘Beatles,’ in Scotland in 1960.

The Ramones are considered by many music critics to be one of the most influential groups of all time, with some placing them second in importance only to the Beatles (see also best songs 599-319-238-218-157-141-80-51-10 and 5.) On both sides of the Atlantic, they are considered as the main forerunners in what was to become known as ‘Punk Rock,’ with British groups such as the Sex Pistols, (see also best songs 967-323 ans 27) and The Clash, (see also best songs 867-638 and 294) both acknowledging their influence on them, while in America their influence was just as great on bands, including Black Flag, Dead Kennedy’s, and Bad Religion.

‘Don’t Come Close’ was the first of four singles released from ‘Road to Ruin,’ which was the fourth studio Album released by the Ramones, from September 1978. ‘Don’t Come Close’ which was written by Dee Dee Ramone, (Douglas Colvin) and produced by Tommy Ramone, under his real name Thomas Erdelyi, along with Ed Stasium, was the second longest track on the Album at 2.44. ‘Road to Ruin’ was the first Ramones Album to feature new drummer Marky Ramone, who replaced Tommy Ramone, who had grown tired of continuous touring, and the groups lack of commercial success, but he stayed with the band to be co-producer.

‘Road to Ruin’ was a marked change in the musical style of the Ramones, whereas previously they had been out and out ‘Punk Rock,’ with the majority of their songs barely approaching the two minute mark, this Album was more ‘Heavy Metal’ based, with guitar solos, and 1960’s style ballads. The songs on ‘Road to Ruin’ are considered by some music critics as an attempt to get the band more airplay. The Album did not sell as well as the group had hoped, peaking at only Number 103 on the American Billboard 200 Album chart. Many of the groups fan base felt that the Ramones had sold out with their more commercial sound, but over the years many have mellowed, and now see the Album in a more favourable light.

‘Don’t Come Close,’ along with it’s parent Album ‘Road to Ruin,’ was co-produced by Ed Stasium, who was born in New Jersey, United States. Stasium began his music career in 1970 fronting the band ‘Brandywine,’ and appearing on their only Album called ‘Aged.’ In 1973 he started work as a recording engineer, and was the engineer on ‘Midnight Train to Georgia,’ by Gladys Knight and the Pips (see also best songs 667.) His first production work with the Ramones was on their second studio Album ‘Leave Home’ in 1977, he would go on to work with the group on a five further of their Albums. It was in the latter half of the 1980’s where Stasium had his greatest successes, with Album productions including, ‘ Living Colour’s, ‘Vivid’, (1988) Soul Asylum’s, ‘Hang Time,’ (1988) and Julian Cope’s, ‘Saint Julian’ (1987.)

You know it’s generally known, you got everything at home. Kisses out of desperation, bring you more aggravation. And you don’t come close, you don’t come close, you don’t come close.

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

707-Ramones-Don’t Come Close.

1978-Number 39 single.

Best Bit-At 0.01. ‘1-2-3-4!’

The Ramones (see also best songs 102) were formed in 1974, in Forest Hills, Queens, New York, United States, by Jeffrey Hyman, (1951-2001) who was a guitarist, and went by the stage name of ‘Joey Ramone,’ he died of lymphoma, at the age of 49. John Cummings, (1948-2004) was also a guitarist with the group, who went by the stage name of ‘Johnny Ramone,’ he died after a five year battle with prostrate cancer, at the age of 55. Douglas Colvin, (1951-2002) played bass, and went by the stage name of ‘Dee Dee Ramone,’ he died of a Heroin overdose, at the age of 50, and the other founding member was Thomas Erdelyi, (1949-2014) who was the groups drummer, and took the stage name ‘Tommy Ramone, he died of bile duct cancer, at the age of 65. These four are considered, along with Marc Bell, (Marky Ramone) who replaced Erdelyi on drums in 1978, as the classic line up, in total there have been eight different members, with Richard Reinhardt, (Richie Ramone) being the groups drummer between 1983-1987, Clem Burke, (Elvis Ramone) (see also best songs 402) was the groups drummer for part of 1987, and Christopher Ward, (C. J. Ramone) who played bass between 1989-1996. Although none of the group members were related, they all used the same surname ‘Ramone,’ which was inspired by Paul McCartney, who used the the name ‘Paul Ramon,’ when touring with an early incarnation of the ‘Beatles,’ in Scotland in 1960.

The Ramones are considered by many music critics to be one of the most influential groups of all time, with some placing them second in importance only to the Beatles (see also best songs 599-319-238-218-157-141-80-51-10 and 5.) On both sides of the Atlantic, they are considered as the main forerunners in what was to become known as ‘Punk Rock,’ with British groups such as the Sex Pistols, (see also best songs 967-323 ans 27) and The Clash, (see also best songs 867-638 and 294) both acknowledging their influence on them, while in America their influence was just as great on bands, including Black Flag, Dead Kennedy’s, and Bad Religion.

‘Don’t Come Close’ was the first of four singles released from ‘Road to Ruin,’ which was the fourth studio Album released by the Ramones, from September 1978. ‘Don’t Come Close’ which was written by Dee Dee Ramone, (Douglas Colvin) and produced by Tommy Ramone, under his real name Thomas Erdelyi, along with Ed Stasium, was the second longest track on the Album at 2.44. ‘Road to Ruin’ was the first Ramones Album to feature new drummer Marky Ramone, who replaced Tommy Ramone, who had grown tired of continuous touring, and the groups lack of commercial success, but he stayed with the band to be co-producer.

‘Road to Ruin’ was a marked change in the musical style of the Ramones, whereas previously they had been out and out ‘Punk Rock,’ with the majority of their songs barely approaching the two minute mark, this Album was more ‘Heavy Metal’ based, with guitar solos, and 1960’s style ballads. The songs on ‘Road to Ruin’ are considered by some music critics as an attempt to get the band more airplay. The Album did not sell as well as the group had hoped, peaking at only Number 103 on the American Billboard 200 Album chart. Many of the groups fan base felt that the Ramones had sold out with their more commercial sound, but over the years many have mellowed, and now see the Album in a more favourable light.

‘Don’t Come Close,’ along with it’s parent Album ‘Road to Ruin,’ was co-produced by Ed Stasium, who was born in New Jersey, United States. Stasium began his music career in 1970 fronting the band ‘Brandywine,’ and appearing on their only Album called ‘Aged.’ In 1973 he started work as a recording engineer, and was the engineer on ‘Midnight Train to Georgia,’ by Gladys Knight and the Pips (see also best songs 667.) His first production work with the Ramones was on their second studio Album ‘Leave Home’ in 1977, he would go on to work with the group on a five further of their Albums. It was in the latter half of the 1980’s where Stasium had his greatest successes, with Album productions including, ‘ Living Colour’s, ‘Vivid’, (1988) Soul Asylum’s, ‘Hang Time,’ (1988) and Julian Cope’s, ‘Saint Julian’ (1987.)

You know it’s generally known, you got everything at home. Kisses out of desperation, bring you more aggravation. And you don’t come close, you don’t come close, you don’t come close.

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

708-Jeannie C. Riley-Harper Valley PTA.

1968-Number 12 single.

Best Bit-At 2.47. ‘Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.’

Jeannie C. Riley was born Jeanne Carolyn Stephenson, on October 19th, 1945, in Anson, Texas, United States, she gained her initial success as a ‘Country Music’ singer, but in the early 1970’s she became a born-again Christian, and started recording ‘Gospel Music’ during the late 1970’s. Jeannie C. Riley has released 26 Albums between 1968-2017, and 29 singles between 1968-1991. Her debut studio Album called ‘Harper Valley PTA,’ was a Number 1 Album on the Billboard ‘Top Country Albums’ chart in America in 1968. Her only top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart remains ‘Harper Valley PTA,’ which has gone on to sell in excess of six million copies worldwide, though she has had 13 top 40 hits on the Billboard ‘Hot Country Songs’ chart. In the UK, ‘Harper Valley PTA,’ remains her only top 40 entry to date. In America on Billboard, ‘Harper Valley PTA,’ was the first single to top both the Billboard Hot 100, and the Billboard Country chart by a female artist, although it happened on alternate weeks.

The original version of ‘Harper Valley PTA’ was recorded by the Country singer Margie Singleton, who had asked the songwriter Tom T. Hall to write her a song similar to Bobby Gentry’s ‘Ode to Billie Joe’ (see also best songs 18.) Jeannie C. Riley got to hear Singleton’s version, and recorded her own version, which was rush released ahead of Singleton’s. Such was the popularity of the song that it inspired the 1978 comedy film ‘Harper Valley PTA,’ and the 1981 television series ‘Harper Valley,’ that ran for two seasons.

‘Harper Valley PTA’ was written by Tom T. Hall, with the production being by Shelby Singleton, (1931-2009) and was released as a single in August 1968 by Jeannie C. Riley. Tom T. Hall was born Thomas Hall, on May 25th, 1936, in Tick Ridge, Kentucky, United States, he died at his home on August 20, 2021, of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. He left no suicide note, but was found to have ‘Chlordiazepoxide,’ which is used to treat anxiety, and alcohol withdrawal, in his system. At the time of his death he was rumoured to have been suffering from numerous old age related illnesses, he was 85 years old. Tom T. Hall was a Country Music singer, a songwriter, and an author, who was nicknamed ‘The Storyteller.’ He released 35 studio Albums between 1969-2007, and 50 singles between 1967-1986, there are also nine official compilation Albums available. He had 39 of his singles chart within the Billboard ‘Hot Country Songs’ chart, with seven of those tracks reaching Number 1. His 1973 song ‘I Love,’ was his only crossover hit, reaching Number 12 on the Billboard ‘Hot 100’ singles chart. Hall who was also the author of seven books between 1976-1996, wrote 12 Country Number 1 singles in total, with many of the genres greats, such as Johnny Cash, George Jones, and Loretta Lynn, covering his songs.

‘Harper Valley PTA’ tells the story of the widowed wife Mrs Johnson, who is frowned upon by members of the local schools PTA, who accuse her of wearing her skirts too short, drinking, and being seen with many men. Mrs Johnson addresses the PTA, and puts them in their place by pointing out their indiscretions. Tom T. Hall revealed in 2005 that his inspiration for the song came about after witnessing a similar scenario when he was a child in the mid 1940’s, when one of the mothers of one of his classmates had angered one of the local school board members, because of her modern ways, and the school was taking out their frustrations on her daughter. The mother gave a verbal tongue lashing at the school, which was something that was unheard of at the time.

In 1984, Jeannie C. Riley recorded a sequel to ‘Harper Valley PTA’ called ‘Return to Harper Valley,’ which was also written by Tom T. Hall, but it failed to chart. In the sequel, Riley sings as Mrs. Johnson, who is now a grandmother. She observes that some townsfolk conquered their vices, while others did not.

‘I wanna tell you all the story ’bout a Harper Valley widowed wife, who had a teenage daughter who attended Harper Valley Junior High. Well, her daughter came home one afternoon, and didn’t even stop to play, and she said, “mom, I got a note here from the Harper Valley PTA.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

709- Cliff Richard and the Drifters-Move It.

1958-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 1.16. John Lennon said,’Before Cliff and The Shadows, there had been nothing worth listening to in British Music.’ As you probably know, he didn’t live long enough to hear ‘The Millennium Prayer.’

Sir Cliff Richard OBE, was born Harry Roger Webb, on October 14th, 1940, in Lucknow, United Provinces, British India. In 1948 following Indian independence, he emigrated to Carshalton, South London, England, with his parents, and three sisters. His stage name ‘Cliff’ was chosen as it sounds like ‘cliff face,’ suggesting ‘Rock,’ and ‘Richard,’ which was suggested by this songs writer Ian Samwell, is in tribute to Webb’s musical hero Little Richard (1932-2020) (see also best songs 521.) In the UK, only the Beatles, and Elvis Presley (1935-1977) have sold more records.

The extensive discography of Cliff Richard, who has sold in excess of 250 million records worldwide, includes 49 studio Albums released between 1959-2023, and over 200 singles which have been issued worldwide, of which 159 have been released in the UK between 1958-2022, there are also 17 official compilation Albums, 11 live Albums, 12 box sets, and seven soundtrack Albums available. In the UK, Cliff Richard has had 123 top 40 hit singles, with 14 of those tracks reaching Number 1, while in America on the Billboard Hot 100, nine of his singles have made the top 40, with ‘Devil Woman’ from 1976, charting the highest at Number 6, in America, ‘Move It’ has never charted.

‘Move It’ was the debut single by Cliff Richard and the Drifters, from August 1958, it was written by Ian Samwell, with the production being by Norrie Paramor (1914-1979.) ‘Move It,’ which is credited with being one of the first authentic ‘Rock N’ Roll’ songs produced outside of the United States, was originally planned as the ‘B’ side to ‘Schoolboy Crush,’ however when producer Jack Good (1931-2017) heard ‘Move It,’ he insisted that Cliff Richard would have to sing that if he was to appear on his music television show ‘Oh Boy!’ ‘Move It’ proved very popular, and the decision was taken to flip sides, with ‘Schoolboy Crush relegated to the ‘B’ side.

Ian Ralph Samwell was born on January 19th, 1937, in Lambeth, South London, England, in the 1990’s he underwent a heart transplant, and died on March 13th, 2003, at the age of 66. Samwell first met Cliff Richard in 1958, when hearing him perform at the ‘2i’s Coffee Bar,’ in Soho, London, this led to Samwell joining Cliff’s group as a guitarist, which would soon be re-named ‘ Cliff Richard and The Drifters.’ Ian Samwell who was inspired to write ‘Move It’ after listening to the music of Chuck Berry, (1926-2017) (see also best songs 548-308 and 30) would go to write Cliff Richard’s second hit single ‘High Class Baby, (1956-UK Number 7) as well as several other of Richard’s early songs. In the early 1970’s while working as a staff producer at ‘Warner Bros, Records’ in London, Samwell discovered the American Rock band ‘America,’ he produced their self titled debut Album in 1972, as well as their signature song ‘A Horse with No Name.’

The original lineup who made up the ‘Drifters,’ who were Cliff Richards backing group, were Ken Pavey, (guitar) Terry Smart, (drums) Norman Mitham, (guitar) and Ian Samwell, (guitar) although only Samwell and Smart played on ‘Move It,’ as the session musicians Ernie Shears, (guitar) and Frank Clarke, (1924-2007) (upright bass) were used instead, as they were thought to be superior musicians. In 1959 the management of the American R&B vocal group ‘The Drifters’ (see also best songs 804 and 568)) threatened legal action over naming rights, forcing the ‘Drifters’ to re-name themselves. It was Jet Harris (1939-2011) who came up with the new name ‘The Shadows.’ In total there have been 17 different members of the ‘Drifters,’ and ‘The Shadows,’ who at the time of writing remain active.

‘Move It’ was written with only one verse, so Cliff Richard sang that verse twice. Finally in 1995 Ian Samwell wrote a second verse, which first appeared on the Hank Marvin Album ‘Hank Plays Cliff,’ The new version was debuted live at a ‘Royal Variety Performance’ in front of Queen Elizabeth II that year. Since then, Cliff Richard has continued to perform the song live with the additional verse. In 2006 Cliff Richard re-recorded ‘Move It’ with Brian May of Queen on guitar, and Brian Bennett of The Shadows on drums. The track was released as the second track on a double ‘A’ side CD single, alongside ’21st Century Christmas,’ which reached Number 2 on the UK top 40.

‘The rhythm that gets into your heart and soul, well, let me tell you baby, it’s called Rock N’ Roll. They say it’s gonna die but please let’s face it, Well, they just don’t know what’s a goin’ to replace it.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

710-R.E.M.-It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)

1987-Number 88 single. When it was re-released in 1991, it peaked at Number 39.

Best Bit-At 2.27. Because of the worldwide ‘Corona’ virus pandemic in March 2020, the song received an increase in downloads and streaming, alongside other apocalypse, and sickness themed songs. Online downloads increased by 184%, and streams rose by 48%.

R.E.M. were formed in Athens, Georgia, United States, in 1980, by Michael Stipe, (lead vocals) Peter Buck, (lead guitar) Bill Berry, (drums) and Mike Mills (bass, and keyboards) Berry left in 1997, and the other three continued, until retiring the group in 2011. R.E.M. who took their name from the well known abbreviation for ‘rapid eye movement,’ which is the dream stage of sleep, are considered pivotal in the development of ‘Alternative Rock,’ offering something different at the time when ‘Post Punk,’ and ‘New Wave’ was at it’s peak. R.E.M. were an inspiration for acts such as Nirvana, (see also best songs 788 and 9) Sonic Youth, (see also best songs 641) Radiohead, (see also best songs 33) and other ‘Alternative Rock’ bands of the following generations. Kurt Cobain (1967-1994) of Nirvana has said of R.E.M., ‘I don’t know how that band does what they do. God, they’re the greatest. They’ve dealt with their success like saints, and they keep delivering great music.’

The discography of R.E.M., who have sold in excess of 90 million records worldwide, includes, 15 studio Albums released between 1983-2011, and 63 singles that have been issued between 1981-2019, there are also 16 official compilation Albums, and five live Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, nine of their singles have reached that top 40, with ‘Losing My Religion,’ from 1991, peaking the highest at Number 4, ‘It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine’) stalled at Number 69 in 1987. In the UK, R.E.M. have charted within the top 40 on 31 occasions, with ‘The Great Beyond,’ from 1999, peaking the highest at Number 3.

‘It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine’) was the second of three singles released from ‘Document,’ the fifth studio Album by R.E.M., from August 1987, as with many R.E.M. songs, the writing credits are split amongst all group members regardless of input. R.E.M. are also credited as the songs producer, along with Scott Litt, who was also the Album’s co-producer, along with R.E.M. Scott Litt is an American music producer, who was born on March 10th, 1954, he is best known for co-producing six consecutive R.E.M. Album’s, from ‘Document’ in 1987, through to ‘ New Adventures in Hi-Fi,’ in 1996, during R.E.M.’s most commercially successful period. Feeling that they were going stale, R.E.M. and Scott Litt split in 1997, so R.E.M. could explore a different path for their music. Away from R.E.M., Scott Litt has worked with several different artists, including Nirvana, New Order, and Ziggy Marley.

‘It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine’) is heavily influenced by Bob Dylan’s 1965 song ‘Subterranean Homesick Blues,’ (see also best songs 792) and although he has never admitted it, (as far as I know) Billy Joel could well have got his inspiration for his 1989 song ‘We Didn’t Start the Fire,’ (see also best songs 810) after hearing this. Michael Stipe has explained how he wrote the lyrics for ‘It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine.’) ‘The words come from everywhere. I’m extremely aware of everything around me, whether I am in a sleeping state, awake, dream-state, or just in day to day life. There’s a part in ‘It’s The End Of The World As We Know It’ that came from a dream where I was at Lester Bangs’ birthday party and I was the only person there whose initials weren’t L.B. So there was Lenny Bruce, Leonid Brezhnev, Leonard Bernstein… So that ended up in the song, along with a lot of stuff I’d seen when I was flipping TV channels. It’s a collection of streams of consciousness.’

‘That’s great, it starts with an earthquake, birds and snakes, and aeroplanes, and Lenny Bruce is not afraid. Eye of a hurricane, listen to yourself churn, world serves its own needs, don’t mis-serve your own needs. Speed it up a notch, speed, grunt, no, strength, the ladder starts to clatter.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

711-The Real Roxanne-Bang Zoom (Let’s Go-Go) with Hitman Howie Tee.

1986-Number 11 single.

Best Bit-At 4.18. This is ‘Old School Hip-Hop,’ when the female Rappers, unlike today’s generation, didn’t have to brag about how athletic their private parts were, in order to make a hit record.

The Real Roxanne is the stage name of Adelaida Martinez, who was born on July 24th, 1963, in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, United States. She initially made her mark when recording an ‘Answer Record,’ to the critically acclaimed ‘Old School Hip-Hop’ song ‘Roxanne Roxanne,’ (1984-Billboard Number 77 & UK Number 72) by the ‘Hip-Hop’ group ‘UTFO.’ At the same time another answer record to that same song was released by fellow American Rap artist Roxanne Shante, and this led to, what is believed to be somewhere between 30, to 100 different artists jumping on the bandwagon, and recording answer songs, this was to become known as the ‘Roxanne Wars.’ The discography of The Real Roxanne includes two studio Albums released in 1988 and 1992, and nine singles that have been issued between 1984-2019, her only top 40 single on either side of the Atlantic remains ‘Bang Zoom (Let’s Go Go’) with Hitman Howie Tee, that reached Number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100, and Number 11 in the UK, in 1986.

‘Bang Zoom (Let’s Go-Go’) with Hitman Howie Tee, was the first of three singles released from ‘The Real Roxanne,’ which was the debut studio Album by The Real Roxanne from 1988. ‘Bang Zoom (Let’s Go-Go’) was co-written by Full Force, The Real Roxanne, and Hitman Howie Tee, with the songs production credited to Full Force. The song is a very good example of the development of ‘Hip-Hop’ music at that time, for it’s sampling, and scratching, using several samples, from other records, as well as audio from other sources. ‘Bang Zoom (Let’s Go-Go’) can be considered a ground breaking song, as it has been sampled many times itself, and was a major influence on a generation of artists, including De La Soul, (see also best songs 444 and 246)The Jungle Brothers, (see also best songs 805)and DJ Jazzy Jeff (see also best songs 643.)

Hitman Howie Tee was born Howard Thompson, in England, but was raised in Brooklyn, New York, United States, he started his music career in the early 1980’s as a member of the ‘Electro Hip-Hop’ group ‘CD111,’ who released two singles on the ‘Prelude Records’ label. His breakthrough as a music producer came in 1985, when he co-produced the track ‘(Nothing Serious) Just Buggin,” for the American Hip-Hop & R&B group ‘Whistle’ (1986-UK Number 7.) Hitman Howie Tee is probably best remembered for his production work with the American R&B group ‘Color Me Badd,’ with whom he co-produced three of their top 40 Billboard Hot 100 hits, including the Billboard Number 1 hit ‘All 4 Love’ in 1991. He has also appeared on eight singles as a featured artist, with ‘Bang Zoom (Let’s Go-Go’) being the only charting song.

‘Bang Zoom (Let’s Go-Go’) was produced by the American ‘Hip-Hop,’ and ‘R&B’ group and music production team of ‘Full Force,’ who are a collective of six members, who were formed in Brooklyn, New York, United States, in 1976. Full Force have worked alongside dozens of artists over the years including James Brown, (I’m Real-1989) and the Backstreet Boys (All I Have to Give-1997 UK Number 2.) Full Force have released 10 Albums between 1985-2014, and 26 singles between 1980-1992. In the UK they have appeared on three top 40 singles, with ‘Alice, I Want You Just for Me!’ charting the highest at Number 9 in 1985.

‘You are now rocking with the best. Can I get a hit, Howie? Thank you. For I am the sure shockin’, head clocker, anything but non-rockin,’ Hip-hoppin’, Reebok’n, wear and tearin.’ Givin’ up to rock all the people in the place to be, can you hit me two times, Howie? Thank you, I’m gon’ put some karate in your body, some rhymes in your mind.’