THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

557-Safri Duo-Played-A-Live (The Bongo Song)

2001-Number 6 single.

Best Bit-At 3.09. The tribal drum is said to have been invented in the 12th Century in West Africa. In African culture the beating of the drum is performed on important occasions such as weddings or funerals. It is said that once fully engaged, a performer or listener can reach a ‘trance’ like state through hypnotic beats, which leads me nicely into this song.

The Safri Duo were formed in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1990, by the ‘Electronic Percussion’ duo composed of Uffe Savery, who was born on 5th April, 1966, and Morten Friis, who was born on 21st August, 1968, they took their stage name from the first letters of their respective surnames. The pair had first met at the ‘Tivoli Garden,’ which is an amusement park in Copenhagen, and then again later, during their time at the ‘Royal Danish Conservatory of Music,’ also in Copenhagen, where they formed an experimental musical duo. In 2019 Uffe Savery would become the 16th different ‘Rector’ of that academy since it was first established in 1867. The duo’s early releases were in the genre of ‘Classical Music’ between 1990-1998, with much of their work being critically acclaimed.

The discography of the Safri Duo includes 10 studio Albums released between 1990-2008, with the first six all being in the genre of ‘Classical Music.’ They have also released 14 singles between 2000-2023, and there is one official greatest hits Album, called ‘Greatest Hits,’ that was released in 2010, which has selected tracks lifted from three of their studio Albums, ‘Episode II,’ (2001), ‘3.0,’ (2003) and ‘Origins,’ (2008) the Album also included the new track ‘Helene’ (2010.) In their home country of Denmark, six of their singles have reached the ‘Hitlisten,’ which is also known as ‘Tracklisten,’ the Danish top 40 singles chart, with three of those tracks ‘Played-A-Live (The Bongo Song’) (2000) ‘Fallin’ High,’ (2003) and ‘Dimitto (Let Go’) (with Kato, featuring Bjørnskov) (2013) all reaching the Number 1 spot, while in the UK, ‘Played-A-Live (The Bongo Song’) remains their only charting single to date.

‘Played-A-Live (The Bongo Song’) was the first of four singles released from ‘Episode II,’ the seventh studio Album from the Safri Duo, from 2001, the song was co-written by Morten Friis, Uffe Savery, and Michael Parsberg, with all three also producing the track. The Album represented a seismic change for the duo, as they moved away from ‘Classical Music,’ into ‘Tribal,’ and ‘Trance’ music. ‘Played-A-Live (The Bongo Song’) has gone on to sell 1.5 million copies worldwide, and at the time became the fourth-fastest-selling single ever in Europe. The track was produced by Michael Parsberg, who was born Michael Parsberg-Hansen, on September 16th, 1974, in Copenhagen, Denmark. Parsberg is a ‘Trance’ and ‘House Music’ producer, who has co-produced other Danish acts including ‘DJ Encore,’ ‘Barcode Brothers,’ and ‘Pegboard Nerds,’ he has also done remixes for the Danish acts ‘Aqua,’ and ‘Infernal.’

‘Played-A-Live (The Bongo Song’) can be filed under the musical genres of ‘Tribal,’ and ‘Trance,’ for an explanation of ‘Trance’ music see also best songs 79. ‘Tribal House’ is a sub-genre of ‘House Music,’ combined with ‘World Music’ rhythms. It is broadly characterised by elements of indigenous musical percussion’s, typically conga drums, or its synthesised derivative. In many ‘Tribal House’ tracks, it is rare to find a core melody or prolonged synth sound, such as those found in ‘House Music’ and similar electronic music styles. Instead, ‘Tribal House’ tracks rely on sophisticated drum patterns for their rhythm. A track can consist of several different drum sounds. In the early 2000’s, ‘Tribal House’ evolved into a very percussive, repetitive hard-edged sound that was frequently described as ‘pots and pans,’ for its supposed similarity to the sound made by banging such cookware together. In the mid-2000’s, the sound shifted to incorporate more vocals, perhaps as a reaction to the extremity of the ‘pots and pans’ sound.

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

558-Nazareth-This Flight Tonight.

1973-Number 11 single.

Best Bit-At 2.17. Joni Mitchell was so impressed with Nazareth’s version of her song, that when she was playing a gig in London, she told the audience,’I’d like to open with a Nazareth song.’

Nazareth were formed in 1968, in Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland, United Kingdom, by Dan McCafferty, (1946-2022) (vocals) Manny Charlton, (1941-2022) (guitar) Pete Agnew, (bass) and Darrell Sweet (1947-1999) (drums.) McCafferty, Agnew and Sweet had all previously been members of the semi-professional local group ‘The Shadettes,’ while Charlton had played in the bands ‘Mark V.’ and ‘The Red Hawks.’ At the time of writing, Nazareth still tour and record as a quartet, with only Pete Agnew, (the only surviving original member) remaining from the original lineup, in total there have been 12 official members come and go. The group took their name from the opening line from the song ‘The Weight,’ by ‘The Band’ (see also best songs 629.)

The discography of Nazareth who are a ‘Hard Rock,’ ‘Heavy Metal,’ and ‘Blues Rock’ group, includes 25 studio Albums released between 1971-2022, and 50 singles released between 1972-1994, there are also 15 official compilation Albums, and eight live Albums available. In the UK, seven of their singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Broken Down Angel’ from 1973, charting the highest at Number 9, while in America on the Billboard Hot 100, their only chart entry remains their cover of the Everly Brothers 1960 original recording of ‘Love Hurts,’ which made Number 8 in 1974, that song also reached Number 1 in Canada, South Africa, and the Netherlands. ‘This Flight Tonight’ which stalled at Number 117 on Billboard, did find great success in Germany, where it went all the way to Number 1.

‘This Flight Tonight’ was the first of two singles released from ‘Loud ‘n’ Proud,’ the fourth studio Album from Nazareth, from November 1973, the song was written by Joni Mitchell, (see also best songs 637 and 299) and produced by Roger Glover (see also best songs 976-550 and 89.) The original recording of ‘This Flight Tonight’ had first appeared on Joni Mitchell’s 1971 Album ‘Blue,’ it was later issued as the ‘B’ side to her 1971 single ‘Carey.’ Nazareth had been big fans of the Album ‘Blue,’ and thought that ‘This Flight Tonight’ would make a good ‘Rock’ cover. Pete Agnew has said,’We used to listen to Joni as we were travelling round in the van, This Flight Tonight was a big favourite.’ Agnew has gone on to say that after the group met Joni Mitchell she told them how impressed she was,’We all happened to be in the studio the day the single was released, so we were introduced to her, and told her what we had done. She said, ‘What, with a Rock band?’ Nancy Wilson of the American Rock group ‘Heart,’ has admitted that the guitar riff for Nazareth’s version of ‘This Flight Tonight’ had inspired the riff for the Heart song ‘Barracuda,’ which reached Number 11 in America on Billboard in 1977.

‘This Flight Tonight’ was produced by Roger Glover, ((see also best songs 976-550 and 89) who was born Roger David Glover, on November 30th, 1945, in Brecon, Wales. Glover was a member of the English Rock group ‘Deep Purple’ between 1969-1973, during their most commercially successful period, playing bass, and appearing on five of their studio Albums. Since parting with Deep Purple he has produced Albums and singles for other many other artists, including Status Quo, and David Coverdale, he was the producer of three consecutive Nazareth Albums between 1973-1974. From 1979-1984, he was the bassist, lyricist and producer, for Ritchie Blackmore’s band, ‘Rainbow,’ working on four of the group’s studio Albums. Glover has also issued eight solo Albums between 1974-2011.

‘This Flight Tonight’ was written by Joni Mitchell about her romantic relationship with the American singer/songwriter James Taylor. As she is on an aeroplane flight, she contemplates the relationship, and decides that she wants to return to him. Other songs on the ‘Blue’ Album also refer to their romance.

‘I’m drinkin’ sweet champagne, got the headphones up high, can’t numb you, can’t drum you out of my mind. They’re singin’ Goodbye baby, baby bye-bye, ooh! love is blind.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

559-Buffalo Springfield-For What It’s Worth (Stop, Hey What’s That Sound)

1966- It has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 0.01. The title of the song came about when Stephen Stills presented the song to the record company executive. ‘I have this song here, for what it’s worth, if you want.’

Buffalo Springfield were formed in Los Angeles, California, United States in 1966, by the three Canadian musicians, Neil Young, (see also best songs 602) Bruce Palmer, (1946-2004) and Dewey Martin, (1940-2009) along with the two American musicians Stephen Stills, (see also best songs 417) and Richie Furay. Buffalo Springfield remained active through until 1968, with a further five members joining during the course of their time together. The group who took their name from a brand of steamroller, made by the ‘Buffalo-Springfield Roller Company,’ are remembered as one of the originators in the development of the musical genre ‘Folk Rock,’ which they further developed by introducing ‘Psychedelic Rock’ in to their music on their second Album. In 2010, and in 2011, Young, Stills and Furay, who were the three surviving members from the original lineup, reformed for a series of concerts, and in 2012 Furay announced that the band was on indefinite hiatus. After Buffalo Springfield split in 1968, Stephen Stills went on to co-form the ‘supergroup’ Crosby, Stills and Nash, (see also best songs 417) with Neil Young joining them after a brief solo career. Richard Furay went on to form the ‘Country Rock’ band ‘Poco,’ along with Jim Messina, who had joined Buffalo Springfield in 1968.

The discography of Buffalo Springfield includes three studio Albums released between 1966-1968, and nine singles released within the same time period, there are also four official compilation Albums available, that have been issued between 1969-2018. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, their only top 40 entry was this song, which peaked at Number 7 in 1967, while in the UK, none of their singles have ever charted.

Stephen Arthur Stills was born on January 3rd, 1945, in Dallas, Texas, United States, throughout his career through his various projects he has amassed record sales of over 35 million Albums. According to Neil Young, ‘Stephen is a genius.’ After Buffalo Springfield disbanded, he began working with David Crosby, (1941-2023) formerly of ‘The Byrds,’ (see also best songs 621) and Graham Nash, formerly of ‘The Hollies,’ (see also best songs 369) to form the ‘supergroup’ ‘Crosby, Stills & Nash,’ (CSN) who would be joined later by Neil Young (CSN&Y.) In 1972 Stephen Stills formed another ‘supergroup’ called ‘Manassas,’ which included Chris Hillman, who had been the original bass player with ‘The Byrds,’ this group were formed by Stills to primarily record his music, and be an extension of his solo career. ‘Manassas’ released two Albums between 1972-1973. As a solo artist Stephen Stills has released 15 Albums, and there are a further eight recorded with artists, not including Buffalo Springfield, or ‘Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young,’

‘For What It’s Worth (Stop, Hey What’s That Sound’) was written by Stephen Stills, with the production credited to Charles Greene, and Brian Stone. The part of the songs title that is in brackets is so people can better identify which song it is. The song was issued as the third single release by Buffalo Springfield, in December 1966, as a stand alone single, but after it’s commercial success, it was later added to future pressings of Buffalo Springfield’s self titled debut studio Album, in order to boost sales, replacing the track ‘Baby Don’t Scold Me,’ which was also a Stephen Stills composition.

‘For What It’s Worth (Stop, Hey What’s That Sound’) has been adopted as an anti war song, but in fact it had been written by Stephen Stills about youth gatherings, protesting anti-loitering laws, and the closing of the West Hollywood Nightclub,’Pandora’s Box,’ in 1966. Stills was not there when they closed the club, but had heard about it from his band mates. Stephen Stills has said,’I had had something kicking around in my head. I wanted to write something about the kids that were on the line over in Southeast Asia that didn’t have anything to do with the device of this mission, which was unravelling before our eyes. Then we came down to Sunset from my place on Topanga with a guy – I can’t remember his name – and there’s a funeral for a bar, one of the favourite spots for high school and UCLA kids to go and dance and listen to music. Officials decided to call out the official riot police because there’s three thousand kids sort of standing out in the street; there’s no looting, there’s no nothing. It’s everybody having a hang to close this bar. A whole company of black and white LAPD in full Macedonian battle array in shields and helmets and all that, and they’re lined up across the street, and I just went ‘Whoa! Why are they doing this?’ There was no reason for it. I went back to Topanga, and that other song turned into ‘For What It’s Worth,’ and it took as long to write as it took me to settle on the changes and write the lyrics down. It all came as a piece, and it took about fifteen minutes.’

‘There’s somethin’ happenin’ here, but what it is ain’t exactly clear. There’s a man with a gun over there, a-tellin’ me I got to beware. I think it’s time we stop, children, what’s that sound? Everybody look what’s going down.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

560-Barry White-You See the Trouble with Me.

1976-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 2.28. Barry White was affectionately nicknamed ‘The Walrus of Love,’ I would imagine that he had at least 20 master bedrooms, and 10 refrigerators in his love nest.

Barry White (see also best songs 560 and 476) was born Barry Eugene Carter, on September 12th, 1944, in Galveston, Texas, United States, he died at ‘Cedars-Sinai Medical Center,’ in Los Angeles, on July 4th, 2003, at the age of 58. Barry White had been overweight for all of his adult life, and suffered from related health problems. While undergoing dialysis, and waiting for a kidney transplant, he suffered a severe stroke, which he never recovered from.

Barry White had one of the most distinctive singing voices in ‘Pop Music,’ he has recalled how it suddenly deepened when he was around the age of 13 or 14. ‘As a child, I had a normal squeaky kid voice. Then as a teenager, that completely changed. My mother cried because she knew her baby boy had become a man.’ He has also said, ‘I woke up one morning when I was 14. I spoke to my mother, and I scared both of us.’ Having a career as a singer was not Barry White’s intention when he started out in music. His first ventures were in songwriting, and producing, with his first major success being his co-write with the American songwriter Paul Politi of the the song ‘I Feel Love Comin’ On,’ which reached Number 11 in the UK in 1967, when recorded by Felice Taylor (1944-2017.) In 1972 he took over the handling of the female vocal trio ‘Love Unlimited,’ and in 1973 he created the 40 piece orchestra group ‘The Love Unlimited Orchestra.’ His next task was to find a male singer, but after recording demos, he was persuaded to release the songs himself, although he was reluctant at that time to perform on stage.

The discography of Barry White, who with record sales in excess of 100 million, is one of the best selling recording artists of all time, includes, 20 studio Albums released between 1973-1999, and 60 singles released between 1963-2000, there are also 19 official compilation Albums available, that have been released between 1974-2010. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, 11 of his singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Can’t Get Enough of Your Love Babe,’ making the Number 1 spot in 1974, he has also had a further chart entry as one of the featured artists on the 1990 track ‘The Secret Garden (Sweet Seduction Suite’) by Quincy Jones (1990-Number 31.) In the UK, Barry White has had 16 top 40 hits, with ‘You’re the First, the Last, My Everything,’ reaching Number 1 in 1974.

‘You See the Trouble with Me’ was the second of three singles released from Barry White’s fifth studio Album ‘Let the Music Play,’ from January 1976, in America on Billboard the song failed to chart, but it did reach Number 2 in the UK. ‘You See the Trouble with Me’ was co-written by Barry White and Ray Parker Jr., with the production being by White. Ray Erskine Parker Jr. who was born on May 1st, 1954, in Detroit, Michigan, United States, first gained recognition during the late 1960’s as a member of Hamilton Bohannon’s (1942-2020) (see also best songs 626 and 46) house band at the ’20 Grand’ nightclub in Detroit. The venue often featured ‘Motown’ acts, one of which was the (Detroit) Spinners, (see also best songs 834) who were impressed by the young guitarist’s skills, and added him to their touring group. Parker would then go on to be employed as a studio musician as a teenager for ‘Holland-Dozier-Holland’s,’ ‘Invictus,’ and ‘Hot Wax’ record labels. It was in 1973 that he became a hired musician in Barry White’s ‘Love Unlimited Orchestra.’ Ray Parker Jr. has gone on to release six solo studio Albums between 1982-2006, and 20 solo singles between 1982-1999. In 1991 he formed the group ‘Raydio,’ releasing four studio Albums between 1978-1981, and 12 singles within the same time period. But of course Ray Parker Jr. will always be best remembered for writing and performing the 1984 American Number 1, and UK Number 2 single ‘Ghostbusters.’

‘You See the Trouble with Me’ is one of three songs on this ‘Best 1000 Songs’ list that appear twice in recordings by different artists (see also best songs 931-863-214-145 and 112.) In the year 2000, the ‘Dance Music’ producer ‘Black Legend,’ took his version of ‘You See the Trouble with Me’ to Number 1 in the UK, and like the Barry White original it too sold around 200,000 copies in the UK (see also best songs 931.)

‘I’m like a blind man who lost his way, I can’t see nothin.’ I’m like a deaf man who can’t relay, yeah, I can’t hear nothin.’ You see the trouble with me, I can’t do nothin’ without my baby, and as plain as can be, It’s gonna drive me crazy.

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

561-Bobby Byrd-Hot Pants (I’m Coming)

1971-It has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 0.30. If you are too young to know what Hot Pants are, then my advice is download some images.

Bobby Howard Byrd was born on August 15th, 1934, in Toccoa, Georgia, United States, he died of cancer on September 12th, 2007, at the age of 73. Bobby Byrd began his music career in 1952 as member of the gospel group, the ‘Gospel Starlighters,’ who later changed their name to the ‘Avons’ in 1953, and the ‘Five Royals’ in 1954, before changing to the the ‘Flames’ in 1955, it was the music agent Clint Brantley who suggested the further name change to ‘The Famous Flames.’

Bobby Byrd first met James Brown (1933-2006) (see also best songs 880-349-270 and 88) in 1952. Brown was a pitcher on the baseball team in Georgia youth prison, where he was an inmate, having been convicted of car burglary. Bobby Byrd was playing for a local team, who had come to the prison for a game. The two of them hit it off, and after Brown’s release, Byrd invited him to join his musical group, who at that time were called the ‘Avons.’ Bobby Byrd and James Brown would have an on and off relationship through until 1973, with their sound evolving from ‘Do Wop,’ to ‘R&B,’ to ‘Soul,’ and then becoming leading exponents in the new musical genre that was to become known as ‘Funk.’

It has been hotly disputed how much input Bobby Byrd had on many of James Brown’s recordings, but the chances are his influence is far greater than the songwriting credits would have you believe. In 1971, Brown and Byrd formed the record label ‘People Records,’ issuing several records for themselves, and others, (including Byrd’s future wife Vicki Anderson 1939-2023) after the pair parted ways in 1973, Brown began struggling with production of the music on ‘People Records,’ and soon began experiencing financial troubles as well. In 2003, Bobby Byrd, and other ex members of The Famous Flames,’ sued James Brown, and ‘Universal Music’ for non-payment of royalties, stating that monies that rightfully belong to them for numerous ‘Famous Flames’ hits, were sent by ‘Universal’ to James Brown instead, who allegedly kept them. The suit was dismissed due to the statute of limitations having run out.

‘Hot Pants (I’m Coming’) should not be confused with another song also called ‘Hot Pants,’ ((She Got to Use What She Got to Get What She Wants’) performed by ‘James Brown with the J.B.’s,’ (James Brown’s backing band from 1970, through to the early 1980’s) and co-written by James Brown, and Fred Wesley, (see also best songs 850-612 and 88) on which Bobby Byrd played the organ, and which was also released in 1971. When Bobby Byrd, and James Brown, and the members of the ‘J.B.’s’ were touring Europe, they had seen girls wearing the garment known as ‘Hot Pants,’ and that was where the inspiration for the song came from.

Many songs written by Bobby Byrd have been sampled over the years, especially by the ‘Hip-Hop’ community, including his co-writes with James Brown, on songs such as ‘I Know You Got Soul.’ (1971) and ‘Think (About It’) (1972.) ‘Hot Pants (I’m Coming’) includes a much used drumbeat, which was played by John ‘Jabo’ Starks, (1937-2018) who was a member of the ‘J.B.’s’ at that time. The most famous sampling of the drumbeat, which had first been used by James Brown on his 1970 song ‘Funky Drummer,’ was by the English Rock group ‘The Stone Roses,’ on their 1989 track ‘Fools Gold’ (see also best songs 253.) The most successful and famous collaboration between Bobby Byrd and James Brown is their 1970 recording ‘Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine,’ (see also best songs 88) which is a call and response song, where Brown sings ‘Get up,’ and Byrd responds ‘Get on up.’

‘I’m coming, I’m coming, baby, I’m coming, help me. Make your baby understand, don’t try love, why don’t you take your man. Love can be a two-sided thing, you never get more than you can bring, hey.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

562-Eurythmics-Here Comes the Rain Again.

1984-Number 8 single.

Best Bit-At 2.36. No expense spared, there’s a 30 piece orchestra playing on this.

The Eurythmics were officially formed in 1980, in Wagga Wagga, Australia, by David A. Stewart, and Annie Lennox. The pair had first met in a London restaurant in 1975, where Lennox was working at the time. They first played together in 1976, in a ‘Punk Rock’ band called ‘The Catch,’ who after one unsuccessful single evolved into ‘The Tourists.’ With ‘The Tourists’ they released three studio Albums between 1979-1980, and six singles within the same time period, of which thee reached the UK top 40, with their cover of the 1963 Dusty Springfield hit ‘I Only Want to Be with You,’ peaking the highest at Number 4 in 1979. It was during this period that Stewart and Lennox were romantically involved, but both felt stifled at ‘The Tourists’ lack of creativity, and they decided that they wanted to branch out on their own as a duo, even so their romance had come to an end. The duo’s name ‘Eurythmics’ came from a method of teaching music through movement, (Dalcroze eurhythmics) developed by the Swiss musician Emile Jaques-Dalccroze, (1865-1950) Lennox had studied it while a student.

The Eurythmics were active between 1980-1990, and again between 1999-2005, they have also got to together again in 2014, 2019, and 2022, to perform live. They have sold in excess of 75 million records worldwide, with their discography including eight studio Albums released between 1981-1999, and 33 singles released between 1981-2005, there are also two official compilation Albums, one box set, one live Album. and one soundtrack Album available. In the UK, 24 of their singles have reached the top 40, with ‘There Must Be an Angel (Playing with My Heart’) making the Number 1 spot in 1985, while in America on the Billboard Hot 100, 10 of their singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This’) making the Number 1 position in 1983, while ‘Here Comes the Rain Again,’ peaked at Number 4.

Ann Lennox was born on December 25th, 1954, in Aberdeen, Scotland, according to the British ‘Official Charts Company,’ she is the most successful female British artist in UK music history, having sold in excess of 80 million records. The American cable television network ‘VH1,’ have named her, ‘The Greatest White Soul Singer Alive,’ In 2015 At the ‘Ivor Novello Awards,’ she was made a fellow of the ‘British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors’ (The Ivors Academy,) becoming the first woman to receive the honour. In 2020 along with her ‘Eurythmics’ partner Dave Stewart, they were inducted into the ‘Songwriters Hall of Fame,’ and the duo were then inducted into the ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’ in 2022. Away from music Annie Lennox has been a public supporter of ‘Amnesty International,’ and ‘Greenpeace’ for many years. In November 2009, she was awarded the ‘Peace Summit Award 2009,’ by the ‘World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates,’ for her engagement in the fight against the HIV pandemic in South Africa. In 2013 the South African Anglican bishop Desmond Tutu (1931-2021) said of Annie Lennox, ‘She is one of those exemplary human beings who chose to put her success in her chosen career to work in order to benefit others. She is a true friend of Africa and of South Africa. Her Aids activism in general, and support for the treatment action campaign in-particular, contributed significantly to turning the pandemic around in our country.’

The solo discography of Annie Lennox includes six studio Albums released between 1992-2014, and 23 singles released between 1988-2017, there is also one official compilation Album, and one soundtrack Album available. In the UK, 10 of her solo singles have reached the top 40, with ‘No More ‘I Love You’s,’ charting the highest at Number 2 in 1995, while in America on the Billboard Hot 100, she has had four top 40 hits, with ‘Put a Little Love in Your Heart’ (with Al Green) peaking the highest at Number 9 in 1988.

‘Here Comes the Rain Again’ was the last of three singles released from the Eurythmics third studio Album ‘Touch,’ from November 1983, the song was co-written by Annie Lennox, and David A. Stewart, who also produced the track. The string arrangements were by Michael Kamen, (1943-2003) who was an American composer, especially of film scores, which were performed on the song by members of the ‘British Philarmonic Orchestra.’ Dave Stewart has said the song was written while he and Annie Lennox were staying at the ‘Mayflower Hotel’ in New York. It was an overcast day, and while Stewart was playing a melancholy melody on his keyboard, Lennox looked out of the window at the grey skies over the New York skyline, and spontaneously sang, ‘Here comes the rain again.’

‘Here Comes the Rain Again’ is probably a song about unrequited love. The narrator wants the one she loves to share the same feelings, but when they don’t, she gets depressed.

‘Here comes the rain again, falling on my head like a memory, falling on my head like a new emotion. I want to walk in the open wind, I want to talk like lovers do. Want to dive into your ocean, is it raining with you?’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

563-Fine Young Cannibals-Johnny Come Home.

1985-Number 8 single.

Best Bit-At 0.44. The age of ’17’ is the most used number in ‘Pop Music’ lyrics, (see also best songs 353) and ‘Johnny’ surely has be the most used name. From the 1950’s ‘Rock ‘N Roll’ classic ‘Johnny B Goode,’ (see also best songs 30) to the 1960’s ‘Pop’ of ‘Johnny Remember Me,’ and ‘Johnny Angel,’ to the 1980’s, and that guy who sings ‘Be, Bop, A, Lua, Baby,’ in the Dire Straits song ‘Walk of Life,’ are just a few of the many examples.

Fine Young Cannibals (FYC) were formed in Birmingham, England, United Kingdom, in 1984, by Andy Cox, (guitar) David Steele, (bass guitar, synthesizers, piano, and drum machine) and Roland Gift (vocals.) They took their name from the 1960 American drama film ‘All the Fine Young Cannibals.’ Andy Cox, and David Steele had both previously been members of the English ‘Ska’ band ‘The Beat,’ who had been active between 1978-1983, being known in America and Canada as ‘The English Beat,’ and in Australia as ‘The British Beat.’ Cox and Steele recorded three studio Albums with ‘The Beat’ between 1980-1982, and were involved in the writing of six of their eight UK hit singles, which would be eight if you include the groups two double ‘A’ sided singles.

When ‘The Beat’ split n 1983, Andy Cox, and David Steele auditioned for a lead singer for their next project, which would become ‘Fine Young Cannibals.’ Their choice was Roland Lee Gift, who was born on May 28th, 1961, in Birmingham, England. His previous musical experience had been as the lead singer of the Hull, England, base ‘Ska’ band ‘Akrylykz,’ who had released two singles in 1980 without success, but had toured as the opening act for ‘The Beat,’ ‘The Specials,’ ‘Madness,’ and ‘The Clash.’

The discography of the Fine Young Cannibals includes two studio Albums released in 1985, and 1989, and 13 singles issued between 1985-1997, there are also four official compilation Albums, and one remix Album available. In the UK, nine of their singles have reached the top 40, with ‘She Drives Me Crazy’ peaking the highest at Number 5 in 1988, while in America on the Billboard Hot 100 top 40, three of their singles have charted, with ‘She Drives Me Crazy,’ (1988) and ‘Good Thing,’ (1989) both reaching the Number 1 spot, while ‘Johnny Come Home’ stalled at Number 76. Between the release of their self titled 1985 debut studio Album, and their 1989 second and final studio Album ‘The Raw and the Cooked,’ Andy Cox, and David Steele had chart success with their side project called ‘Two Men, A Drum Machine and A Trumpet,’ releasing the 1987 instrumental ‘House Music’ track ‘Tired of Getting Pushed Around.’ Also in 1987 the duo collaborated with the British female rap duo ‘Wee Papa Girl Rappers,’ on their single ‘Heat It Up,’ which reached Number 21 on the UK top 40 in 1988.

Roland Lee Gift was born on May 28th, 1961, in Birmingham, England, he made his first recordings as the saxophonist with the ‘Ska’ band ‘Akrylkz’ in 1979, and although the recordings were unsuccessful, it did bring him to the attention of Andy Cox and David Steele of The Beat. After the Fine Young Cannibals split, Roland Gift released a self titled solo Album in 2002, and he released a further single in 2009 called ‘Crushed,’ as Roland Lee Gift. He has also had a successful acting career, appearing in the 1987 film ‘Sammy and Rosie Get Laid,’ and later in the 1989 film ‘Scandal.’

‘Johnny Come Home’ was the first of three singles released from the Fine Young Cannibals self titled debut studio Album from December 1985, the song was co-written by David Steele (music) and Roland Gift, (lyrics) with the production credited to the Fine Young Cannibals. ‘Johnny Come Home’ tells the story of ‘Johnny’ leaving home because of tensions in the family. Even if it means he has to sleep rough, it is better than living with at least one alcoholic parent. His parents plead with him to come home, promising to change their ways.

‘Johnny, we’re sorry, won’t you come on home? We worry, won’t you co

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

564-N.W.A.-Straight Outta Compton.

1988-It never charted in the UK on it’s initial release, but reached Number 66 in 2015.

Best Bit-At 0.12. After listening to Ice Cube’s opening verse, I think it would be safer to be his friend, rather than his enemy.

‘N.W.A.’ (see also best songs 126) is an abbreviation for ‘Niggaz Wit Attitudes.’ They were formed in Compton, California, United States, in 1987 by Eric Lynn Wright, (Easy-E) (1964-1995) Andre Young, (Dr. Dre) O’Shea Jackson, (Ice Cube) Lorenzo Patterson, (MC Ren) Antoine Carraby, (DJ Yella) and Kim Nazel, (Arabian Prince.) They remained active until 1991, but members have reformed again between 1999-2001, and then again in 2015, and 2016. ‘N.W.A.’ were the first group to make a commercial breakthrough with the genre of music that would become known as ‘Gangsta Rap,’ with the release of their debut studio Album ‘Straight Outta Compton,’ in 1988. ‘Gangsta Rap’ was initially called ‘Reality Rap,’ and emerged in the in the mid 1980’s, describing the culture, and values that were typical of American street gangs. ‘N.W.A.’ have said that they were heavily influenced by the Philadelphia rapper ‘Schooly D,’ and the Los Angeles rapper ‘Ice-T,’ who were both early exponents of the genre.

‘Straight Outta Compton’ was the first of three singles released from ‘N.W.A.’s’ debut studio Album of the same name from August 1988, the songs lyrics were written by Ice Cube, (see also best songs 681) MC Ren, and Tracy Curry, (The D.O.C.) who wrote the verse performed by Easy-E. The track was co-produced by Dr. Dre, (see also best songs 544-482-189-128 and 48) and DJ Yella.

‘Straight Outta Compton’ details the everyday ups and downs of ‘Gangsta’ life on the streets of South Central, Los Angeles, with critics accusing the group of glorifying the ‘Gangsta’ lifestyle. The opening verse is rapped by Ice Cube, with MC Ren delivering the second, and Easy-E the third. Dr. Dre does the intro, as well as introducing Easy-E’s verse. Ice Cube who wrote around 50% of the Albums lyrics said in 1989,’The parents, the police and the people of the local community are scared of what we say. We use the same kind of language as the kids use every day. In the black community, the ministers and teachers don’t deny that the problems we rap about exist, but they’d rather sweep it under the rug. Maybe that’s why we sell so many records because the people in the community all tell the kids what to do, the police are watching them 24-7, so when they party, they don’t want to hear, ‘Don’t do this and don’t do that.’ Our raps are documentary. We don’t take sides.’ Ice Cube in later years has also admitted to being a hot headed angry young man at that time.

In 2015 a biographical drama film was made depicting how the six members of ‘N.W.A.’ originally got together and changed the ‘Rap’ world forever. In the film Ice Cube is played by his son O’Shea Jackson Jr. Ice Cube and Dr. Dre worked on the films production, with Dr. Dre also releasing the films soundtrack ‘Compton,’ as his third solo studio Album, and his first since 1999. The success of the film saw the single ‘Straight Outta Compton’ reach Number 38 on the American Billboard Hot 100, giving ‘N.W.A.’ their very first top 40 hit single in the States, it would also chart for the first time in the UK, where it peaked at Number 66.

‘Straight Outta Compton’ was one of the first albums to feature explicit lyrics. This inspired her to co-found the ‘Parents Music Resource Center,’ which aids parents to monitor inappropriate material, which is considered ‘unsuitable for minors,’ for example, sex, drugs, alcohol, violence, and even the occult. The group’s goal was to increase parental and consumer awareness of music that contained explicit content, through voluntary labeling Albums with Parental Advisory stickers.

Straight outta Compton, crazy motherf#ker named Ice Cube, from the gang called Niggaz With Attitudes. When I’m called off, I got a sawed off, squeeze the trigger, and bodies are hauled off. You too, boy, if ya f#ck with me.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

565-Faces-Pool Hall Richard.

1973-Number 8 single.

Best Bit-At 4.21. If you don’t think that the song is ‘SMASHING’ by this stage, you never will.

Faces were formed in 1969, in London, England, after Steve Marriott (1947-1991) had left the ‘Small Faces’ (see also best songs 1048 and 872) in order to form ‘Humble Pie. The remaining three Small Faces, Ian McLagan, (1945-2014) (keyboards) Ronnie Lane, (1946-1997) (bass guitar, and vocals) and Kenney Jones, (drums) joined with Ronnie Wood, (guitar) (see also best songs 160 and 70) and Rod Stewart, (vocals) (see also best songs 965-206-179-70 and 34) who had both just left ‘The Jeff Beck Group,’ to form the ‘Faces.’ They remained active through until 1975, before reforming between 2009-2011, and then again in 2021, as well as performing one offs for special events, although after 1975 none of the five original members ever played together as a unit at the same time again. In total there have been nine official members come and go, with Jones, Stewart and Wood being the three current members. When forming in 1969, their record label ‘Warner Bros.’ wanted to stick with the name ‘Small Faces,’ for marketing purposes, but the group insisted on dropping the ‘Small,’ stating that the new members Ronnie Wood and Rod Stewart were 5’9′ and 5’10’ respectively.

Faces were active until 1975 releasing four studio Albums, and 10 singles, of which four entered the UK top 20. As well as being the groups lead singer, Rod Stewart also had a very successful solo career running concurrently with his time with the Faces. Ronnie Lane left the group shortly before the recording of this song, stating his frustration at, has he saw it, the lack of opportunities to contribute new songs, and take the lead vocal. Ronnie Lane would later develop multiple sclerosis, and he passed away on June 4th, 1977. Lane was replaced by the Japanese bass guitarist Tetsu Yamauchi, who played on this song, and the groups final Album release, the live recording ‘Coast to Coast: Overture and Beginners,’ from 1974. In 1978 drummer Kenney Jones joined ‘The Who’ as the replacement for the recently deceased Keith Moon, (1946-1978) Ronnie Wood joined The Rolling Stones and has played on all of their studio Albums since 1976, and keyboard player Ian McLagan also joined The Rolling Stones as part of their touring band, as well as playing electric piano on their 1978 single ‘Miss You’ (see also best songs 160.) Rod Stewart who was already a very successful solo artist by 1975, would go on to even greater success as a solo artist after the initial split.

Ian Patrick McLagan, was born on May 12th, 1945, in Hounslow, Middlesex, England, he died on December 3rd, 2014, of a stroke, at the age of 69. McLagan first started playing in bands in the early 1960’s in London, eventually joining the Small Faces as a replacement for Jimmy Winston (1945-2020) in 1965. With the Small Faces he played on all of their final five studio Albums, and then on all four studio Albums with the Faces, he has also released 10 solo Albums between 1979-2014.

‘Pool Hall Richard’ which was issued as a stand alone single in December 1973, was co-written by Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood, with the production credited to Ron Nevison, and Mike Bobak. Ron Nevison is an American music producer, and audio engineer. He started his career in the early 1970’s, getting his big break as an engineer on ‘Quadrophenia,’ (see also best songs 265) the sixth studio Album by The Who in 1973, this was followed shortly with his first production on Thin Lizzy’s fourth studio Album ‘Nightlife,’ in 1974. Ron Nevison has gone on to produce for some of the worlds top artists, including Ozzy Osbourne, Meatloaf, and Grace Slick. In 1987 he produced the Album ‘Crazy Nights,’ for the American Rock band ‘Kiss,’ which provided the hit single ‘Crazy Crazy Nights,’ (UK Number 4) which is perhaps his most recognisable produced track.

‘Pool Hall Richard’ which first appeared on a Faces Album in 1976, as the opening track on their compilation ‘Snakes and Ladders / The Best of Faces,’ tells the tale of a pool player, who is also the songs narrator. The narrator knows he has met his match in his opponent, who goes by the name of ‘Pool Hall Richard.’ He is in awe of his talent, and also thinks that he could take his lady as well, if he wanted to.

‘Sweatin’ hard, I didn’t get a shot, all I did was stand around and get too hot. Knowin’ all the people walkin’ on my side, losin’ all my money and I’m getting tired.’