THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

688-Pixies-Cactus.

1988-It has never been release as a single in the UK.

Best Bit-At 1.11. ‘P.I.X.I.E.S.’ Surely there is no need to spell out to you how good this song is.

The Pixies were formed in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, in 1986, by Charles Michael Kittridge Thompson IV, who is better known by his stage name Black Francis, (vocals, rhythm guitar, songwriter) Joey Santiago, (lead guitar) Kim Deal, (bass, and vocals) and David Lovering (drums.) The Pixies split in 1993, but reformed in 2004, and at the time of writing they remain active. Paz Lenchantin, (violin, bass, piano, and vocals) joining the group in 2016, after Kim Deal had left in 2013. The groups name was chosen by Joey Santiago, who selected the word ‘pixies’ randomly from a dictionary, liking how it looked, and its definition as ‘mischievous little elves.’

The Pixies are considered one of the most influential acts of the 1990’s in the genre of ‘Alternative Rock,’ being an influence on acts such as Nirvana, (see also best songs 788 and 9) Radiohead, (see also best songs 33) and the Smashing Pumpkins (see also best songs 374.) Kurt Cobain (1967-1994) has spoken about the Pixies influence on his classic ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit,’ (1991-Billboard Number 6 & UK Number 7) ‘I was trying to write the ultimate pop song. I was basically trying to rip off the Pixies. I have to admit it, when I heard the Pixies for the first time, I connected with that band so heavily I should have been in that band, or at least in a Pixies cover band. We used their sense of dynamics, being soft and quiet and then loud and hard.’

The discography of the Pixies includes eight studio Albums released between 1988-2022, and 22 singles issued in the same time period, there are also six official compilation Albums, five extended plays, and 17 live Albums available. The Pixies have never charted on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, although six of their tracks have reached the Billboard ‘Alternative Airplay’ chart, with ‘Here Comes Your Man,’ peaking the highest at Number 3 in 1989. In the UK, the Pixies have had three top 40 hits, with ‘Debaser’ from 1997, charting the highest at Number 23. Black Francis has also released 15 studio Albums as ‘Frank Black,’ ‘Frank Black and the Catholics,’ and ‘Black Francis,’ between 1993-2011, while Kim Deal who would go on to form ‘The Breeders,’ has released five studio Albums between 1990-2018, with that group.

‘Cactus’ is track eight of 13 on the critically acclaimed ‘Surfer Rosa,’ which was the debut studio Album from the Pixies, from March 1988. ‘Cactus’ was written by Black Francis, with, the production being by Steve Albini, who also produced all of the other 12 tracks on the Album. Steve Albini who is a singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, audio engineer, and music journalist, was born on July 22nd, 1962, in Pasadena, California, United States. As a musician, Albini has fronted the ‘Rock’ bands ‘Big Black,’ ‘Rapeman’ and ‘Shellac’ on guitar and vocals, and since going in to music production, he has in his own words, ‘Worked on several thousand Albums,’ over his career. His production work includes producing ‘In Utero,’ the 1993 third and final studio Album by Nirvana.

‘Cactus’ tells the story of a man in prison who is missing his wife. He wishes that she would send him something with her scent on, hence the lyrics,’Bloody your hands on a cactus tree, wipe it on your dress, and send it to me.’ Between the second verse and the chorus, the group can be heard chanting ‘P.I.X.I.E.S.’ this is in order to pay homage to one of the bands heroes Marc Bolan, (1947-1977) (see also best songs 790-386 and 67) who chanted ‘T.R.E.X.’ on his 1973 UK Number 4 single ‘The Groover.’ In 2002 David Bowie (1947-2016) (see also best songs 807-440-334-302-209-186-118-47-31 and 5) covered ‘Cactus’ for his ‘Heathen’ Album, and during the instrumental break he spells out ‘D.A.V.I.D.’

‘I miss your kissin’ and i miss your head, and a letter in your writing doesn’t mean you’re not dead. Run outside in the desert heat, make your dress all wet and send it to me.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

689-Chris Rea-The Road to Hell (Parts 1 & 2)

1989-Number 10 single.

Best Bit-At 4.53. Bloody speed cameras, traffic jams, and middle lane drivers, he’ll be lucky to make it home for New Year, let alone Christmas.

Christopher Anton Rea was born on March 4th, 1951, in Middlesbrough, North Riding of Yorkshire, England. He was a late starter in the world of ‘Pop Music,’ as he didn’t join his first band ‘Magdelene’ until he was 22 years old, and he didn’t release his first solo Album until he was 27 years old. As this songs suggests, Chris Rea was always reluctant to play at being a celebrity, he has been quoted as saying,’There’s a certain discipline involved in being a real ‘rock star,’ and I just don’t have it.’ Since his early thirties Chris Rea has suffered with life threatening health issues. In 1994 he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and underwent a life saving operation to remove his pancreas, gallbladder, and a portion of his liver, as a result, he has type 1 diabetes, for which he takes multiple tablets, and has to inject himself several times a day for the rest of his life. In 2016 he suffered a stroke, which left him with slurred speech, and reduced movement in his arms and fingers. Soon afterwards he quit smoking to deter further strokes, and has since recovered enough to record and tour. Chris Rea has had a lifelong passion for motor cars, which could explain the inspiration for this song, as well as his perennial festive favourite ‘Driving Home for Christmas.’ He is a fan of historic motor racing, and races a ‘Ferrari Dino,’ a ‘Ferrari 328,’ and a 1955 ‘Lotus 6.’ In 1993, he participated in the 1993 ‘British Touring Car Championship ToCa’ shootout, as a guest driver. In 1995 he took the opportunity to get involved in Formula One, when he worked as a pit lane mechanic for the Jordan team, during the 1995 Monaco Grand Prix.

The discography of Chris Rea includes 25 studio Albums released between 1978-2019, and 72 singles issued between 1974-2011, there are also 14 official compilation Albums, one live Album, and one soundtrack Album available. In the UK, 14 of his studio Albums have reached the top 40, with both ‘The Road to Hell,’ (1989) and ‘Auberge,’ (1991) both making the Number 1 spot. In America, only his debut Album ‘Whatever Happened to Benny Santini?’ has made any commercial impact, when reaching Number 49 in 1978. In the UK, he has achieved 13 top 40 singles, with ‘Driving Home for Christmas,’ (1988) and ‘The Road to Hell’ (Part 2′) (1989) both peaking the highest at Number 10. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, only ‘Fool (If You Think It’s Over’) has charted within the top 40, when reaching Number 12 in 1978.

‘The Road to Hell (Parts 1 & 2’) which are actually stated as two separate tracks, although they segue together, are the opening two songs on ‘The Road to Hell,’ which is the 10th studio Album from Chris Rea from October 1989. ‘The Road to Hell (Parts 1 & 2’) was written by Chris Rea, with the production being by Jon Kelly, who has worked alongside Rea on other occasions. He has also produced or engineered with other artists, including Kate Bush, with whom he co-produced with Bush, her third studio Album ‘Never for Ever’ in 1980.

‘The Road to Hell (Parts 1 & 2’) opens with sounds simulating the traffic on the M4. We hear rain, windshield wipers, and a series of disjointed traffic reports in different languages, including one that states the delay will last about four hours. Chris Rea got the idea for ‘The Road to Hell (Parts 1 & 2’) when he was stuck in traffic, and feeling frustrated, while on the ‘M4’ Motorway in England. At the start of the song Rea imagines the ghost of his dead mother, who had died in 1983, approaching his vehicle, and she warns him that he is on ‘the road to hell,’ and that he should choose a different path through life. Rea was never in love with the ‘Pop Star’ lifestyle, and all that it entailed, and the song is a warning to himself to follow his own dreams, and not those of others.

‘Oh look out world, take a good look what comes down here, you must learn this lesson fast and learn it well. This ain’t no upwardly mobile freeway, oh no, this is the road, this is the road, this is the road to hell.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

690- Van McCoy & the Soul City Symphony-The Hustle.

1975-Number 3 single.

Best Bit-At 0.35. Strictly Come (Disco) Dancing.

Van Allen Clinton McCoy was born on January 6th, 1940, in Washington D. C. United States, on June 29th, 1979, he suffered a heart attack, and was hospitalised and went in to a coma, he died on July 6th, 1979, at the age of 39. Van McCoy who had learned to play the piano at an early age, was already writing songs by the age of 12, as well as performing as a ‘Doo-Wop’ combo with his older brother Norman. In 1956 while still at school he formed the ‘Starlighters’ with three others, recording the novelty song ‘The Birdland,’ which gained some local interest. Over the next 23 years Van McCoy would go on to write approximately 700 songs, which have been recorded by many of the worlds top artists, including Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, and The Stylistics. Some of his best known compositions include, ‘When You’re Young and in Love,’ (The Marvelettes) ‘I Get the Sweetest Feeling,’ (Jackie Wilson) and ‘This Is It,’ (Melba Moore.) He was also responsible for bringing together and mentoring the original American R&B duo of ‘Peaches & Herb,’ who were Herb Fame, and Francine Day (1947-2005.)

The discography of Van McCoy includes 11 studio Albums released between 1966-1979, and 33 singles issued between 1961-1979, there are also four official compilation Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, ‘The Hustle’ was his only top 40 hit, reaching the Number 1 spot, while in the UK, four of his singles made the top 40, with ‘The Shuffle,’ being his other top 5 hit, when peaking at Number 4 in 1976.

‘The Hustle’ was the only single released from Van McCoy’s second studio Album as ‘Van McCoy & the Soul City Symphony,’ and his fourth studio Album overall. The track was written by Van McCoy, with the production being by Hugo Peretti, (1916-1986) and Luigi Creatore (1921-2015.) Van McCoy’s long term collaborator Charles Kipps had visited the ‘Adam’s Apple’ nightclub in New York City, and had watched the patrons doing a dance that they called ‘the hustle.’ Kipps reported to Van McCoy what he had seen, and McCoy wrote ‘The Hustle’ to compliment the dance. ‘The Hustle’ can boast some of the worlds top musicians playing on the track, which was recorded at New York’s ‘Mediasound’ studio. Van McCoy played the piano, and was supported by Gordon Edwards, (bass) Steve Gadd, (drums) Richard Tee, (1943-1993) (keyboards) Eric Gale, (1938-1994) (guitar) John Tropea, (guitar) and Phil Bodner (1917-2008) (piccolo.)

‘The Hustle’ was co-produced by Hugo Peretti, (1916-1986) and Luigi Creatore, (1921-2015) (see also best songs 194) and released on their record label ‘Avco Records,’ which they co-owned with the American film distributor, financier, and producer, Joseph E. Levine (1905-1987.) In 1976 Peretti, and Creatore bought out Levine, and renamed the label ‘H&L Records,’ which in 1978 filed for bankruptcy. According to Peretti, and Creatore, shortly before his death in 1979, Van McCoy had met with them to discuss the idea of releasing a new longer version of ‘The Hustle,’ as McCoy had been told that there would be a market for a ’12 inch Disco single’ release. The new version of ‘The Hustle’ was put together soon after the death of McCoy in 1979, and runs for around six and a half minutes. The track was assembled using parts of the original recording, plus new parts, including drum, Syndrum, and a ‘little’ Moog synthesizer. The track was credited to ‘Van McCoy’ alone, and mixed by ‘The Mixmasters,’ whose identity was not revealed, the remix is well worth a listen.

‘Do the Hustle.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

691-Missy Elliott-Get Ur Freak On.

2001-Number 4 single.

Best Bit-At 0.08. At the beginning of the song a voice in Japanese says, ‘これからみんなでめちゃくちゃ踊って騒ごう、騒ごう。」’Kore kara minna de mechakucha odotte. Sawagou, sawagou!’ Which in English means, ‘Everyone start dancing together wildly now. Let’s make some noise, let’s make some noise.’

Missy Elliott was born Melissa Arnette Elliott, on July 1st, 1971, in Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, with worldwide record sales in excess of 40 million, she is the best selling female rapper of all time. Missy Elliott has received numerous accolades, including in 2019, being the first woman rapper to be inducted into the ‘Songwriters Hall of Fame.’ In 2021, she was honoured with a star on the ‘Hollywood Walk of Fame,’ and in 2023, she became the first woman rapper to be nominated, and inducted into the ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.’ Missy Elliott who has been referred to as the ‘Queen of Rap,’ the ‘Queen of Hip Hop,’ and the ‘First Lady of Hip Hop,’ is considered to be one of the most innovative recording artists of all time, with the British weekly newspaper ‘The Economist’ writing that Elliott ‘Is to rap what Prince was to R&B, due to their impact upon the genre, and her ability to weave in styles and strands from outside it.’

The discography of Missy Elliott includes six studio Albums released between 1997-2005, and 74 singles that have been issued between 1997-2023, there are also three official compilation Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, she has had nine top 40 hits as the lead artist, with ‘Work It,’ from 2002, peaking the highest at Number 2, with ‘Get Ur Freak On’ reaching Number 7. As a featured artist, Missy Elliott has had 12 ‘Hot 100’ top 40 entries, with ‘1, 2 Step’ by Ciara, featuring Missy Elliott, peaking at Number 2 in 2004. In the UK, Missy Elliott has had 15 top 40 hit singles as the lead artist, with ‘Get Ur Freak On’ peaking the highest at Number 4, while as the featured artist she has appeared in the UK top 40 on a further 16 occasions, with ‘I Want You Back,’ by Melanie B, featuring Missy Elliott, reaching Number 1 in 1998. Missy Elliott is also a prolific songwriter and producer for many other artists, including Aaliyah, (One in a Million-1998, on nine tracks) and Whitney Houston (My Love Is Your Love-1998, on two tracks.)

‘Get Ur Freak On’ was the first of five singles released from ‘Miss E… So Addictive,’ which is the third studio Album by Missy Elliott from May 2001, the song was co-written by Missy Elliott, and Timbaland, with the production also being by Timbaland, who is a long term collaborator with Missy Elliott. Timbaland is the stage name of Timothy Zachery Mosley, who was born on March 10th, 1972, in Norfolk, Virginia, United States, he was given the name ‘Timbaland’ by the American music producer ‘DeVante Swing,’ who named him after the ‘Timberland’ brand of construction boots. Timbaland is considered to be an important figure in the creation of American ‘R&B,’ for his ‘stuttering kick-drums template.’ He is also considered highly influential in the fusing together of the genres ‘R&B,’ and ‘Hip-Hop,’ and his production style has also been a major influence in the development of ‘UK Garage’ music.

As well as producing for dozens of other artists, including Madonna, and Jay-Z, Timbaland has also released three studio Albums between 1998-2009, and 17 singles between 1998-2023. As the lead artist, six of his singles have reached the Billboard Hot 100 top 40, with ‘Give It to Me,’ featuring Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake, reaching Number 1 in 2007. He has also had eight ‘Hot 100’ top 40 hits as the featured artist, with ‘Promiscuous,’ by Nelly Furtado, featuring Timbaland, (2006) and ‘SexyBack’ by Justin Timberlake, featuring Timbaland, (2006) both reaching the Number 1 spot. In the UK Timbaland has had eight top 40 hits as the lead artist, with both ‘Give It to Me,’ featuring Nelly Furtado, and Justin Timberlake, and ‘The Way I Are’ featuring Keri Hilson, both reaching Number 1 in 2007. Timbaland has also appeared on 11 UK top 40 hits as the featured artist, with ‘SexyBack’ by Justin Timberlake, featuring Timbaland, (2006) and ‘4 Minutes’ by Madonna, featuring Justin Timberlake, and Timbaland, (2008) both making the Number 1 spot.

‘Get Ur Freak On’ came about after Timbaland had been working on some Indian music, the beat for ‘Get Ur Freak On’ is based on ‘Bhangra’ music (see also best songs 966.) Missy Elliott has explained the songs meaning,’It could be about dancing, the bedroom, whatever. You’re cleaning your house? Get your freak on!’

‘People you know, me and Timbaland been hot since twenty years ago. What da dilly yo, now what da drilly yo. If you want to battle me, then people lemme know. (Holla) Got the feeling son, lemme throw you some, people here I come. Now sweat me when I’m done, we got the radio shook, like we got a gun.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

692-Mary Hopkin-Those Were the Days.

1968-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 0.40.’Don’t look back in anger, I hear you say.’

‘Those Were the Days’ started out life as a ‘Russian Romance’ song ‘Дорогой длинною,’ literally meaning ‘By the Long Road.’ It was composed by the Russian musician Boris Fomin, (1900-1948) with lyrics by the Russian poet Konstantin Podrevsky (1888-1930.) The earliest recordings of the song were probably made by the Georgian singer Tamara Tsereteli, (1900-1968) in 1925, and also by the Russian singer Alexander Vertinsky (1889-1957) in 1926. In the early 1960’s, the American Folk musician, playwright, and professor of architecture Gene Raskin, (1909-2004) who had grown up listening to different renditions of the song, wrote new English lyrics to the medley, which he slightly changed, and copyrighted both the music and the lyrics in his own name. Gene Raskin, and his wife Francesca played Folk Music around Greenwich Village in New York, and they were also international performers, and played at London’s ‘Blue Angel’ every year, always closing their performance with ”Those Were the Days.’ Paul McCartney, (see also best songs 646-599-456-319-238-218-141-107-80-51-10 and 5) who frequented the ‘Blue Angel’ and had known of the song for sometime, realised it’s hit potential, if he could find the right artist to fit the song. It was the English ‘Supermodel’ ‘Twiggy’ (see also best songs 807) who after watching the Welsh singer Mary Hopkin win the British television talent show ‘Opportunity Knocks,’ who recommended her to McCartney, who then immediately recorded Hopkin at the ‘Abbey Road Studios’ in London. McCartney would later say, ‘I thought it was very catchy, it had something, it was a good treatment of nostalgia. She picked it up very easily, as if she’d known it for years.’

‘Those Were the Days’ songwriting credits are shared between Boris Fomin, and Gene Raskin, with the production being by Paul McCartney, who also played acoustic guitar on the track.’Those Were the Days’ didn’t appear on Mary Hopkin’s debut Album ‘Post Card’ from February 1969 in the UK, although in America and Canada it did, replacing the track ‘Someone to Watch Over Me.’ ‘Those Were the Days’ was arranged by Richard Anthony Hewson, who was born on November 17th, 1943, in Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham, England. Hewson would go on to arrange the Beatles tracks ‘I Me Mine,’ and ‘The Long and Winding Road,’ both from the 1970 Album ‘Let It Be.’ Hewson found chart success as ‘The Rah Band,’ of which he was the sole member, and which took its name from his initials, with three top 40 UK singles, including ‘The Crunch,’ (1977-Number 6) and ‘Clouds Across the Moon,’ (1985-Number 6.)

Mary Hopkin was born on May 3rd, 1950, in Pontardawe, Wales, she was married to the American music producer Tony Visconti (see also best songs 386-302-209 and 118) between 1971-1981, and is credited on some of her recordings as Mary Visconti. Mary Hopkin came to the attention of the British public after winning the ‘ITV’ television talent show ‘Opportunity Knocks’ in 1968, after which she signed with ‘Apple Records.’ In 1970 she represented the UK in the ‘Eurovision Song Contest,’ with the song ‘Knock, Knock Who’s There?’ which finished in second place. Following on from Eurovision, she had her own peak time television series, ‘Mary Hopkin in the Land of …,’ on BBC 1, which ran for six episodes in 1970. After marrying Tony Visconti, she semi retired from recording until 1976, in order to have a family, although she contributed backing vocals to many other artists songs, including David Bowie’s 1977 released Album ‘Low.’ The discography of Mary Hopkin includes 10 studio Albums released between 1969-2023, and 25 singles between 1968-2014, there are also seven official compilation Albums, and one live Album available. In the UK, six of her singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Those Were the Days’ reaching Number 1, while in America on Billboard, she has had three top 40 hits, with ‘Those Were the Days’ peaking the highest at Number 2.

‘Those Were the Days’ was held off the top spot in America by the Paul McCartney penned Beatles song ‘Hey Jude,’ which was released on August 26-1968, with both songs being issued within four days of each other, on the newly set up ‘Apple Records’ label which was owned by the Beatles. ‘Those Were the Days’ (August 30-1968) is considered the first ever official hit on ‘Apple,’ as ‘Hey Jude’ had been given a ‘Parlophone Records’ catalogue number.

The original lyrics for ‘Those Were the Days’ tells the story of a journey on a horse-drawn sleigh, with the narrator seeking music and romance, while the re-written lyrics tell of someone looking back on their life, and realising that they have failed to achieve what they hoped they would, back in their youth.

‘Once upon a time there was a tavern, where we used to raise a glass or two. Remember how we laughed away the hours, think of all the great things we would do. Those were the days, my friend.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

693-William DeVaughn-Be Thankful for What You Got.

1974-Number 31 single.

Best Bit-At 2.11. ‘I cried because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet.’

William Edward DeVaughn Jr. was born on November 28th, 1947, in Washington D. C. United States, he has chosen to only record sporadically, with religion playing a big part in his life. The discography of William DeVaughn includes three studio Albums released between 1974-2008, and 13 singles issued between 1974-2017. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, only ‘Be Thankful for What You Got’ has reached the top 40, when peaking at Number 4, and selling in excess of two million copies. His only other Billboard Hot 100 entry remains ‘Blood Is Thicker than Water,’ which reached Number 43 also in 1974. William DeVaughn has also had three entries on the Billboard ‘Hot R&B’ chart, with ‘Be Thankful for What You Got’ getting to Number 1. In the UK, his only top 40 entry is ‘Be Thankful for What You Got,’ but his re-recorded version of the same track, did reach Number 44 in 1980.

In 1972 William DeVaughn was only a part time singer, as he had a full time job working as a drafting technician for the government. After hearing about an initiative run by ‘Omega Sound,’ a Philadelphia music production company, DeVaughn invested $900 of his own money to record a self penned track called ‘A Cadillac Don’t Come Easy,’ with the promise being that if the people at ‘Omega Sound’ liked what they heard, then he would get a recording contract. After being accepted ‘A Cadillac Don’t Come Easy,’ was worked on by John Davis who was the music producer at ‘Omega Sound’ as well as a member of the ‘Philadelphia International Records’ studio session group ‘MFSB.’ Davis, along with other ‘MFSB’ members helped DeVaughn to transform the track with a smoother arrangement.

‘Be Thankful for What You Got’ was the first of four singles released from William DeVaughn’s debut studio Album of the same name from 1974, the song was written by William DeVaughn, with the production being by Frank Fioravanti, and John Davis. Many members of ‘MFSB’ were involved in the making of ‘Be Thankful for What You Got,’ including Norman Harris, (1947-1987) (guitar) Bobby Eli, (1946-2023) (guitar) (see also best songs 742) Earl Young, (drums) (see also best songs 184) and Vince Montana Jr. (1928-2013) (vibraphone.) ‘MFSB’ which officially stood for ‘Mother Father Sister Brother,’ were a pool of 31 musicians, who after signing with ‘Philadelphia International Records’ in 1972, became the labels house band, in the same way the ‘The Funk Brothers’ were at ‘Motown Records. Many of the ‘MFSB’ group members left ‘Philadelphia International Records’ in the mid 1970’s over a financial dispute, those that left moved on to ‘Salsoul Records,’ where they became known as the ‘Salsoul Orchestra.’ Other members began performing as the ‘Ritchie Family Orchestra,’ and the ‘John Davis and the Monster Orchestra.’

‘Be Thankful for What You Got’ has some very famous lyrics, ‘Diamond in the back, sunroof top, diggin’ the scene with a gangsta lean.’ These lyrics have been sampled in many well known tracks over the years, including,’Gangsta Gangsta, by N.W.A., (1988) ‘Keepin’ the Faith,’ by De La Soul, (1991) and ‘Shut Up and Drive,’ by Rihanna (2007.) A ‘diamond in the back’ is a reference to the signature style of the diamond shaped rear window of a ‘Cadillac Coupe DeVille’ convertible car, and a ‘gangsta lean’ is African/American slang for the driving position in which the driver holds the wheel with the hand nearest the window while leaning toward the passenger seat, or sitting in a very reclined position.

‘Be Thankful for What You Got’ reminds us to be appreciative of our current situation in life. Don’t be jealous of what your neighbour has, but be thankful for what you got.

Though you may not drive a great big Cadillac, gangsta whitewalls, TV antennas in the back. You may not have a car at all, but remember brothers and sisters you can still stand tall. Just be thankful for what you’ve got.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

694-Bobby Brown-Two Can Play That Game. (K Klassic mix)

1994-Number 38 single. When it was re-issued in 1995 it peaked at Number 3.

Best Bit-At 1.01. Bobby Brown is no stranger to games, especially dangerous ones.

Bobby Brown was born Robert Barisford Brown, on February 5th, 1969, in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. He was a child star, having been an original member of the American ‘R&B/Pop’ group New Edition (see also best songs 236) at the age of 12. In 1986 Brown mutually parted company with New Edition, and launched what would become a very successful solo career. He has since performed and recorded with New Edition on several occasions. Like many child stars, Bobby Brown has had a very troubled life, and has suffered with drug addiction, and alcoholism. He has had many legal issues since 1989, leading to his imprisonment on four occasions, for driving under the influence, and owing $63,000 in back child support. In 1992 Brown married the American singer Whitney Houston, (1963-2012) (see also best songs 704) and they had one child together, Bobbi Kristina Brown (1993-2015.) Throughout their marriage, there were rumours of infidelity on Brown’s part, as well as alcohol, and drug abuse, and domestic violence. In 2005, the couple participated in the reality television show ‘Being Bobby Brown,’ which gave a picture of their lives behind the scenes, the couple divorced in 2007.

The solo discography of Bobby Brown, who has sold in excess of 50 million records worldwide, includes five studio Albums released between 1986-2012, and 24 singles issued between 1986-2018, he has also appeared as a featured artist on a further six singles, and there are also six official compilation Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, nine of his tracks have made the top 40, with ‘My Prerogative’ reaching Number 1 in 1988, he has also had a further three hits as a featured artist, with ‘She Ain’t Worth It,’ by Glenn Medeiros featuring Bobby Brown, making Number 1 in 1990. In America ‘Two Can Play That Game’ has never charted. In the UK, as the lead artist, 14 of his singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Two Can Play That Game (K Klassic mix’) peaking the highest at Number 3. He has also charted as the featured artist on three occasions, with ‘She Ain’t Worth It,’ peaking the highest at Number 12.

‘Two Can Play That Game’ was co-written by Teddy Riley, (see also best songs 236 and 48) Bernard Belle, (1964-2022) David ‘Redhead’ Guppy, and Bobby Brown, with the production being by Riley. The original version of ‘Two Can Play That Game’ is significantly different from the ‘K Klassic’ mix, and was never issued as a single, but appeared on Bobby Browns’s third studio Album ‘Bobby,’ from August 1992. In it’s original form ‘Two Can Play That Game’ can be filed in the ‘New Jack Swing’ musical genre. ‘New Jack Swing’ is a fusion of ‘Hip-Hop,’ ‘Dance/Pop,’ and contemporary ‘R&B,’ which was at it’s commercial peak in the late 1980’s, to the early 1990’s.

The version of ‘Two Can Play That Game’ that I have chosen is the 1994 remix of the track by ‘K-Klass,’ which reached Number 38 in the UK when first released in June 1994. The song was re-issued in 1995 in order to promote Bobby Brown’s remix Album also called ‘Two Can Play That Game,’ and this time the song would reach Number 3 in the UK. ‘K-Klass’ are a British Electronic Music group from Wrexham, in Wales, and Chester, in England, the four members who made up ‘K-Klass’ at that time were Andy Williams, Carl Thomas, Russ Morgan and Paul Roberts. ‘K-Klass’ were formed in 1988, and at the time of writing they remain active as a trio of Morgan, Roberts, and Bobbi Depasois. In the mid 1990’s ‘K-Klass’ were one of the main go to production remixers, working on tracks for artists of the calibre of Blondie, and Janet Jackson, as well as being successful recording artists in their own right. They have released three Albums between 1993-2017, and 16 singles between 1990-2005, with five of those singles reaching the UK top 40, with ‘Rhythm Is a Mystery,’ peaking the highest at Number 3 in 1991. The ‘K-Klass’ remix of ‘Two Can Play That Game’ is filed under the musical genre of ‘House Music.’

‘Two Can Play That Game’ is a song about a guy whose girlfriend starts to act differently towards him. He suspects that she might be considering leaving him, and tells her to think about it before making a decision, because he knows that he can also play her at the same game, and find a new partner if he wishes. The crux is, ‘two can play that game,’ meaning, if his partner can do something, so can he.

‘Lately you’ve been acting mighty strange, to me it seems your attitude has changed. And suddenly you just don’t seem the same, instead of playing all those silly games.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

695-Suede-Saturday Night.

1997-Number 6 single.

Best Bit-At 2.46. While the rest of us are going to the pub on a Saturday night, this lot are going to freak shows.

Suede (see also best songs 244) were formed in London, England, in 1989, by Brett Anderson (vocals) and Justine Frischmann, (guitar) (see also best songs 1018) who had met in 1988, and became romantically attached while studying at the ‘University College London.’ The pair decided to form a band, and were soon joined by Anderson’s childhood friend Mat Osman (bass.) The original line up was completed by Bernard Butler, (guitars, keyboards and piano) and Simon Gilbert, (drums) who joined in 1990. After Bernard Butler left the group in 1994, he was replaced by Richard Oakes, (guitars and piano) Neil Codling, (synthesizers, and rhythm guitars) joined in 1995, and the other two members who have come and gone are Justin Welch, (drums) and Alex Lee (keyboards and guitars.) In total there have been nine different members, with Anderson, and Osman being the two constants since 1989. Suede were active until 2003, but then reformed in 2010, their ninth studio Album ‘Autofiction’ was released in 2022.

Brett Lewis Anderson was born on September 29th, 1967, in Lindfield, Sussex, England. After Suede disbanded in 2003, he once again joined forces with Bernard Butler who had left Suede in 1994 on bad terms, to form the ‘supergroup’ ‘The Tears,’ with three others. ‘The Tears were active between 2004-2006, issuing the studio Album ‘Here Comes the Tears,’ which reached Number 15 in the UK, as well as two single, ‘Refugees,’ (UK Number 9-2005) and ‘Lovers’ (UK Number 24-2005.) Bret Anderson has also released four solo studio Albums between 2007-2011, and six singles and EP’s in the same time period. Anderson caused anger and controversy in the early days of Suede when making the comment that he was ‘A bisexual man who never had a homosexual experience.’ He has also suffered from drug addition, and has said,’Anyone who has ever tried crack will know exactly why I took it. It’s the scariest drug in the world because the hit you get from it is so, so seductive. I wanted to experience that, and I did repeatedly. Bret Anderson’s music, and stage image, is heavily influenced by David Bowie, (1947-2016) and Marc Bolan, (1947-1977) from the ‘Glam-Rock’ era. The music press dubbed ‘Suede’ as one of the components of the ‘Britpop’ ‘big four’ alongside Oasis, Blur, and Suede, a term Anderson always hated, as he didn’t want his music pigeonholing.

‘Saturday Night’ was the third of five singles released from ‘Coming Up,’ the third studio Album from Suede, from September 1996, the song can be filed under the genres of ‘Britpop,’ Glam Rock,’ and ‘Alternative Rock.’ ‘Saturday Night’ was co-written by Brett Anderson, and Richard Oakes, with the production by Ed Buller, who was born Edmund Wilbur Hudson Buller, on August 9th, 1962, in Reigate, Surrey, England. Buller is a long term collaborator with Suede, having produced six of their nine studio Albums. His production work also includes Albums with Pulp, (His ‘n’ Hers) (see also best songs 605) The Courteeners, (Falcon) and The Boo Radleys (Everything’s Alright Forever.)

Brett Anderson has spoken about what inspired him to write ‘Saturday Night,’ The sentiment of ‘Saturday Night’ was something I’d never tried to do before, which was finding beauty in something ordinary and average. Before it was sort of casting myself as the kind of tortured Byronic hero.’ ‘Saturday Night’ comes across as a love song, where the narrator wants to give his girlfriend a memorable night out, but in my opinion it’s more about a couple going on a wild night out in order to forget the trivial everyday unsatisfying life of the rest of the week. The song may sound like fun, but there’s an underlying desperation there.

‘Today she’s been sat there, sat there in a black chair, office furniture. But it’ll be alright, ‘cos tonight we’ll go drinking, we’ll do silly things, and never let the winter in. And it’ll be okay, like everyone says, it’ll be alright and ever so nice. We’re going out tonight, out and about tonight.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

696-Bob & Earl-Harlem Shufle.

1963-It did not chart in the UK until it was re-issued in 1969, when reaching Number 7.

Best Bit-At 0.01. ‘JUMP!’

There have been two incarnations of the duo known as ‘Bob & Earl.’ The original duo who were active between 1957-1962, were Bobby Byrd, (1928-1990) and Earl Nelson, (1928-2008) who had both been members of the American ‘Doo-Wop’ group ‘The Hollywood Flames’ prior to teaming up, together they issued five non charting singles between 1957-1962. Bobby Byrd who is not to be confused with the Bobby Byrd (1934-2007) who closely collaborated with James Brown, also had a parallel solo career, writing and recording for contractual reasons as Bobby Day, and reaching Number 2 on the American Billboard Hot 100 in 1958 with ‘Rockin’ Robin.’ In 1962, Earl Nelson teamed up with a second ‘Bob.’ This was Bob Relf., (1937-2007) and together the new partnership would release two studio Albums, in 1964, and 1969, and nine singles between 1963-1973, with ‘Harlem Shuffle,’ which on it’s original 1963 release reached Number 44 on Billboard. In the UK their only charting song is ‘Harlem Shuffle,’ which peaked at Number 7 on it’s 1969 re-issue.

Earl Lee Nelson was born on September 8th, 1928, in Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States, he died on July 12th, 2008, at the age of 79, having earlier being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Earl Nelson recorded under different names in the 1960’s, and 1970’s, including ‘Chip Nelson,’ and ‘Earl Cosby,’ but he had the majority of his solo success as ‘Jackie Lee,’ using his wife’s name, and his own middle name. His biggest hit as ‘Jackie Lee’ was with the 1965 single ‘The Duck,’ which reached Number 14 on Billboard.

Bob Relf was born Robert Nelson Relf, on January 10th, 1937, in Los Angeles, California, United States, he died after several years of illness, on November 20th, 2007, at the age of 70. Away from ‘Bob & Earl,’ Relf is probably best remembered for the 1960’s track ‘Blowing My Mind To Pieces,’ which has become a very popular song within the ‘Northern Soul’ community. In the 1970’s Bob Relf worked with Barry White, (1944-2003) (see also best songs 560-476 and 153) co-writing with White, the song ‘Bring Back My Yesterday,’ which was released on White’s debut studio Album ‘I’ve Got So Much to Give,’ in 1973.

‘Harlem Shuffle’ was co-written by Bob Relf, and Earl Nelson, with the production being by Fred Smith, (1933-2005) who is also remembered for his work as a songwriter and producer with ‘The Olympics,’ ‘Bill Cosby,’ and the ‘Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band.’ His co-writes include The Olympics’ 1958 Billboard Number 8, and UK Number 12 hit ‘Western Movies,’ which he also co-produced. The ‘Harlem Shuffle’ describes a dance called the ‘Harlem Shuffle,’ and mentions several other contemporary dances of the early 1960’s, including the ‘Monkey Shine,’ the ‘Limbo,’ the ‘Hitch Hike,’ the ‘Slide,’ and the ‘Pony’ (see also best songs 488.) There were rumours for many years that Barry White had worked on the ‘Harlem Shuffle,’ but in a 1995 interview he stated that he had no involvement with the making of the song. The rumours probably originated because Gene Page, (1939-1998) who had arranged the ‘Harlem Shuffle,’ was a long term collaborator with Barry White.

In 1986 The Rolling Stones (see also best songs 933-662-452-160 and 77) covered ‘Harlem Shuffle’ for their 18th British studio Album ‘Dirty Work,’ with the American Soul singer Bobby Womack (1944-2014) on backing vocals. ‘Harlem Shuffle’ had always been a particular favourite of Keith Richards, who thought the vocal style totally suited Mick Jagger perfectly. The Rolling Stones recording was issued a single, reaching Number 13 in the UK, and Number 5 on Billboard. The Bob & Earl recording has a memorable opening horn section, which was sampled by the ‘Hip-Hop’ group ‘House of Pain’ for their breakthrough hit single ‘Jump Around’ in 1992 (see also best songs 75.) The Beatles guitarist George Harrison, (1943-2001) (see also best songs 737 and 726) has stated that the Bob & Earl version of ‘Harlem Shuffle’ was his favourite song of all time.

You scratch just like a monkey, yeah you do real cool. You slide it to the limbo, yeah how low can you go. Now come on baby, don’t fall down on me now. Just move it right here, to the Harlem shuffle, yeah yeah yeah to the Harlem shuffle.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

697-Sutherland Brothers and Quiver-Arms of Mary.

1976-Number 5 single.

Best Bit-At 0.39. Mary sounds like she was an excellent teacher. I wonder if she made a career out of it.

The Sutherland Brothers were the Scottish ‘Folk’ and ‘Soft Rock’ duo of Iain George Sutherland, (1948-2019) who was born on November 17th, 1948, in Ellon, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and his younger brother Gavin Sutherland, who was born on October 6th, 1951, in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Iain was a vocalist, guitarist and keyboard player, and Gavin is a vocalist, and bass player. ‘Arms of Mary’ was written by Iain Sutherland, but their most commercially successful song ‘Sailing,’ (see also best songs 179) was written by Gavin Sutherland. The Sutherland Brothers who were active between 1968-1979, started their career as ‘A New Generation,’ before becoming the ‘Sutherland Brothers Band,’ with two additional group members being added. In 1972 they signed with ‘Island Records,’ with one of their single releases being their original version of ‘Sailing.’ With the lack of commercial success of their early singles and Albums, the brothers made the decision to diversify and expand their ‘Folk’ based sound, by joining forces with a local ‘Rock’ group called ‘Quiver,’ there after all subsequent releases were billed as ‘Sutherland Brothers and Quiver,’ through until the parting of the ways in 1978.

‘Quiver’ were a ‘Progressive Rock,’ and ‘Soft Rock’ group who were formed in England in 1970 by Tim Renwick, and Cal Batchelor. The other group members between 1970-1978 were Bruce Thomas, (bass) who in 1977 joined Elvis Costello’s backing group the ‘Attractions’ (see also best songs 836.) Peter Wood (1950-1993) (keyboards) who was the co-writer of Al Stewart classic ‘Year of the Cat,’ (see also best songs 130) and Willie Wilson, (drums) who would go on to tour with ‘Pink Floyd,’ on their ‘The Wall’ tour, in 1981 and 1982. One of the groups co-founders Tim Renwick (guitar) also worked alongside Pink Floyd, and Al Stewart.

The discography of ‘Quiver’ includes two studio Albums released in 1971 and 1972, and then a further six as ‘Sutherland Brothers and Quiver,’ released between 1973-1977. Prior to joining forces with Quiver, the Sutherland Brothers (band) released two studio Albums in 1972, and another one after the parting of the two groups in 1979, there are also two official Sutherland Brothers and Quiver compilation Albums, and three Gavin Sutherland solo Albums available. Prior to joining Quiver, the Sutherland Brothers released three singles in 1972, and a further five between 1978-1979. As Sutherland Brothers and Quiver, there were 10 singles issued between 1973-1977, with two of those tracks reaching the UK top 40, with ‘Secrets’ from 1976 being the other, and peaking at Number 35. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, (‘I Don’t Want to Love You But) You Got Me Anyway,’ from 1973, charted the highest at Number 48, while ‘Arms of Mary’ stalled at Number 81.

‘Arms of Mary’ was the second of three singles released from ‘Reach for the Sky,’ which was the fourth studio Album by Sutherland Brothers and Quiver from 1975. The song was written by Iain Sutherland, with the production being by Ron Howard, and Albert Howard, who are the American record production duo known as the ‘Albert Brothers.’ The duo have engineered or produced for many of the worlds top artists including, ‘Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs,’ by Derek and the Dominos, (1970) and ‘CSN,’ the Crosby, Stills, and Nash reunion Album (1977.)

‘Arms of Mary’ has several well known cover versions, including the Canadian group ‘Chilliwack,’ who in 1978 reached Number 32 on the Canadian singles chart, and Number 67 on Billboard, with their recording. The Everly Brothers recorded the song in 1985, and the Irish boy band ‘Boyzone’ released a version in 1995, while the German Techno band Scooter released their own version called ‘Mary Got No Lamb,’ in 2016, from their album ‘Ace.’

‘Arms of Mary’ is the tale of a boys first sexual encounter, as the narrator fondly reminisces.

‘The lights shine down the valley, the wind blows up the alley, oh well I wish I was lying in the arms of Mary. She took the pains of boyhood, and turned them in to feel good, oh how I wish I was lying in the arms of Mary.’