THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

405-John Cougar-Jack & Diane.

1982-Number 25 single.

Best Bit- At 2.31. In America Jack & Diane are probably Pop Music’s most famous couple, but worldwide there are others. Dire Straits sang about ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ (see also best songs 298) Bon Jovi told us of Tommy and Gina,’ (see also best songs 325) the Beatles introduced us to Desmond and Molly, Lesley Gore was sobbing her heart out over Judy and Johnny, I could go on, but I won’t.

John J. Mellencamp, was born on October 7th, 1951, in Seymour, Indiana, United States, his first major breakthrough in the music industry occurred when being signed by Tony DeFries of ‘MainMan Management,’ DeFries had already managed artists of the calibre of David Bowie, (see also best songs 807-40-334-302-209-186-118-47-31 and 5) and Lou Reed (see also best songs 401-165-131 and 58.) DeFries thought the name Mellencamp was unmarketable, and insisted that Mellencamp release his debut Album ‘Chestnut Street Incident’ in 1976 using the name Johnny Cougar, which Mellencamp hated, but felt he had to go along with. It wasn’t until he became a major star, that he got his own way, with the release of his seventh studio Album ‘Uh-Huh,’ recorded under the name John Cougar Mellencamp.

John Cougar Mellencamp who is one of the leading exponents in the genre of music that is ‘Heartland Rock,’ (see also best songs 549) has sold in excess of 60 million records worldwide. His discography includes 24 studio Albums released between 1976-2023, and 71 singles between 1978-2023, there are also five official compilation Albums, and two live Albums available. In America on Billboard, his fifth studio Album ‘American Fool’ reached Number 1 on the Billboard 200 Album chart in 1982, selling in excess of 10 million copies worldwide, while 22 of his singles have reached the Billboard Hot 100, with ‘Jack & Diane’ peaking the highest at Number 1, spending four weeks at the top of that chart. In the UK, John Cougar Mellencamp has had two top 40 hits, with ‘Jack & Diane’ reaching Number 25 in 1982, and ‘Wild Night,’ featuring Me’Shell Ndegéocello, making Number 34 in 1994.

‘Jack & Diane’ was the second of three singles released from John Cougar Mellencamp’s fifth studio Album ‘American Fool,’ from April 1982, the song was written by John Mellencamp, with the production being by Mellencamp, and Don Gehman. ‘Jack & Diane’ tells the tale of two American teenagers who take their relationship to levels that they are not yet ready to cope with. They eventually realise that being 16 and carefree is better than being grown up with all of life’s responsibilities. When Mellencamp first wrote the lyrics the song was about an interracial couple, with Jack being African/American, but his record label persuaded him to change that as they felt more people would relate to Jack being an aspiring football player. According to Mellencamp, ‘Jack & Diane’ was originally inspired by the 1962 American drama film ‘Sweet Bird of Youth,’ which was based on the 1959 play of the same by Tennessee Williams (1911-1983.)

John Cougar Mellencamp has stated his debt to Mick Ronson (1946-1993) (see also best songs 661-440-334-186-131-58-37 and 5) for his input on ‘Jack & Diane,’ he has said, ‘Mick was instrumental in helping me arrange that song, as I’d thrown it on the junk heap. Ronson came down and played on three or four tracks and worked on the American Fool record for four or five weeks. All of a sudden, for ‘Jack & Diane,’ Mick said, Johnny, you should put baby rattles on there.’ I thought, ‘What the fu#k does put baby rattles on the record mean?’ So he put percussion on there, and then he sang the part ‘Let it rock, let it roll,’ as a choir-ish type thing, which had never occurred to me, and that is the part everybody remembers on the song. It was Ronson’s idea.’

‘Jack & Diane’ is also famous for it’s iconic drum break at 2.31. Mellencamp was inspired by the Phil Collins (see also best songs 741) song ‘In the Air Tonight,’ and asked his drummer Kenny Aronoff to come up with something. Kenny Aronoff has recalled what Mellencamp told him, ‘I need you to come up with a drum solo or something after the second chorus.’ At that moment, I was absolutely terrified and excited. Excited because I’m now going to be playing on the record. Terrified because I knew that I had to save the song in order to save my career. Because if I didn’t come up with it, they’d replace me. Two people had already been fired in the band and when I joined two years prior, I was fired from playing on the record. So, this was a scary moment for me.’ The chances are that when you hear the song on the radio, you will find yourself doing some ‘air drumming.’

‘A little ditty ’bout Jack and Diane, two American kid’s growing up in the heart land. Jack he’s gonna be a football star, Diane debutante in the back seat of Jacky’s car.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

406-Robbie Williams-Angels.

1997-Number 4 single.

Best Bit-At 2.50. Noel Gallagher once famously called Robbie Williams ‘That fat dancer from Take That,’ but I would imagine that even Noel Gallagher would have been proud to have written this song.

Robbie Williams was born Robert Peter Williams on February 13th, 1974, in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England, with record sales in excess of 75 million worldwide, he is one of the best selling artists of all time. His big break occurred at the age of 16 in 1990 after successfully applying to be a member of a new boy band to be called ‘Take That,’ being put together by the English band manager Nigel Martin-Smith. In 1995 he mutually agreed to leave Take That, but due to legalities in his contract he couldn’t start a solo career until June 1996. With Take That he recorded three studio Albums between 1992-1995, and a fourth in 2010 when rejoining the group, he would remain an official member of Take That until 2014, with his solo career running concurrently. Robbie Williams has won numerous awards, including 18 ‘Brit Awards,’ winning ‘Best British Male Artist’ four times, ‘Outstanding Contribution to Music’ twice, and an ‘Icon Award’ for his lasting impact on British culture. In 2004, he was inducted into the ‘UK Music Hall of Fame,’ after being voted the ‘Greatest Artist of the 1990’s.’ His three concerts at Knebworth in 2003 drew over 375,000 people, which was the UK’s biggest music event to that point. In 2014, he was awarded the freedom of his hometown of Stoke-on-Trent, and had a tourist trail created and streets named in his honour.

The solo discography of Robbie Williams includes 12 studio Albums released between 1997-2019, of which 11 have reached the Number 1 position in the UK, and 62 singles released between 1996-2024, there is also one extended play, (EP) 10 official compilation Albums, and one live Album available. In the UK, 34 of his singles have reached the top 40, with seven of those tracks making the Number 1 spot, he has also appeared on 15 singles as a featured artist, including five charity singles, of which four have reached the Number 1 position. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, ‘Angels’ remains as his most successful single, peaking at Number 53. Despite touring America on several occasions, Robbie Williams has never managed to breakthrough there commercially. He eventually said that he gave up and ‘couldn’t be arsed.’

‘Angels’ was the fourth of five singles released from Robbie Williams’ debut solo studio Album ‘Life thru a Lens,’ from September 1997, the songs writing is credited to Robbie Williams and Guy Chambers, with the production being by Guy Chambers, and Steve Power. It has often been said that ‘Angels’ was the song which probably saved Robbie Williams solo career. The origins of who actually wrote ‘Angels’ is a little murky, and controversial to say the least. The Irish singer/songwriter Ray Heffernan insists he wrote the first version of ‘Angels’ in Paris in 1996, after his partner had a miscarriage. Heffernan has said that in Irish parlance a stillborn child is ‘born an angel,’ and that is what the song is about. Heffernan has also said that he met Williams in a pub by chance in Dublin. He showed him an incomplete version of the song, and later that week the two recorded a demo. Williams confirms he did record a demo, but said he rewrote the song significantly with Guy Chambers. When Heffernan learned that a version of ‘Angels’ was to appear on Robbie Williams debut Album ‘Life Thru A Lens’ he accepted an offer from William’s management to buy the songs rights for £7,500. To date it is estimated that ‘Angels’ has sold around 1.8 million copies, earning around £9 million in the UK alone. Heffernan’s name does not appear on the records song writing credits, which only names Williams, and Chambers. Hefernan has said that he was only 23 years old at the time, and naive, ‘For a long time I was angry about this, but as you get older you see things differently. The Angels connection has opened doors to publishing companies and earned me a few quid.’ In 2009 Williams told his biographer Chris Heath that ‘Angels’ is about his fascination with the paranormal, he said, ‘I believed that stuff when I wrote Angels, that’s why I wrote Angels. Angels isn’t about anybody, it’s about the thoughts that loved ones that have passed on, come back and take care of you.’ Angels is Robbie Williams’ best-selling single, with sales of just short of 2 million, and the 34th best selling UK single of the 1990’s. It was voted the best song of the previous 25 years at the 2005 Brit Awards, and in 2005, the British voted it the song they most wanted played at their funeral.

‘I sit and wait, does an angel contemplate my fate. And do they know the places where we go when we’re grey and old. ‘Cause I have been told that salvation let’s their wings unfold.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

407-Zombies-Time of the Season.

1967-It has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 3.07. It’s uncanny, but when listening to this song, it makes you feel nostalgic for an era, where you possibly weren’t even born.

The Zombies (see also best songs 158) were formed in St Albans, Hertfordshire, England, in 1961, by Rod Argent, (keyboards) Hugh Grundy (drums) and Paul Atkinson, (1946-2004) (guitar) they were soon joined by Colin Blunstone, (vocals) and Chris White, (bass) to complete the classic line up. White was the last to join the group, being the replacement for the original bassist Paul Arnold who lost interest in the group, leaving to pursue a career as a physician in 1962. It was Arnold who chose the bands name. The Zombies remained active until 1967, but have reformed with varying line ups, on and off since 1968. In total there have been 18 different members come and go, and at the time of writing they remain active, with the line up being the two original members, Rod Argent, and Colin Blunstone, and three others.

The discography of the Zombies includes nine studio Albums released between 1965-2023, and 19 singles released between 1964-2023, there is also one extended play, (EP) 20 official compilation Albums, and seven live Albums available. In the UK, the Zombies only top 40 single is their debut release ‘She’s Not There,’ which reached Number 12 in 1964, while in America on the Billboard Hot 100, they charted on three occasions, with ‘Time of the Season’ making Number 3 in 1969.

‘Time of the Season’ was the third of four singles released from ‘Odessey and Oracle,’ the second studio Album from the Zombies, from April 1986, the song was written by Rod Argent, with the production credited to the Zombies. ‘Odessey and Oracle’ is often included in ‘best of’ lists, with ‘Rolling Stone’ magazine placing it at Number 100 in their ‘500 Greatest Albums of All Time,’ Paul Weller of The Jam (see also best songs 670-94 and 59) has stated it is one of his all time favourites. The misspelling of ‘odyssey’ in the Albums title was the result of a mistake by the designer of the LP cover, Terry Quirk. The band tried to cover this up at the time of release by claiming the misspelling was intentional, but in later years Rod Argent has admitted, ‘We didn’t notice that the word odyssey was spelt wrongly, to our eternal embarrassment. For years I used to say, ‘Oh that was intentional. It was a play on the word ode.’ But I’m afraid it wasn’t.’

‘Time of the Season’ was written by Rod Argent, who was born Rodney Terence Argent, on June 14th, 1945, in St Albans, Hertfordshire, England, in 2019 he was inducted into the ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’ as a member of the Zombies. Shortly before the release of ‘Odessey and Oracle’ the second studio Album by the Zombies, the band decided to split, with Rod Argent going on to form the Rock band ‘Argent’ in 1969, with three others, including lead singer, and guitarist Russ Ballard. ‘Argent’ released six studio Albums between 1970-1975, and 14 singles within the same time period, with ‘Hold Your Head Up’ being their highest charting track, reaching Number 5 in the UK, and also Number 5 on Billboard in America in 1972. Rod Argent has also released 10 solo Albums between 1978-1998. In 2024, Argent, suffered a stroke, and on July 11th, 2024, he announced his retirement from touring.

Rod Argent has spoken about his influences for writing ‘Time of the Season.’ ‘One of my favourite records was George Gershwin’s (1898-1937) (see also best songs 286 and 231) ‘Summertime,’ we used to do a version of it when we started out. The words in the verse, ‘What’s your name? Who’s your daddy? Is he rich like me,?’ were an affectionate nod in that direction.’

The Zombies had broken up well over a year before ‘Time of the Season became a hit in America. When the Album ‘Odessey and Oracle’ was released it sold poorly, and stalled at Number 95 on Billboard. It was the A&R representative at ‘Columbia Records’ at that time, Al Kooper (see also best songs 204-12 and 7) who had faith in the ‘Odessey and Oracle’ Album that eventually made ‘Time of the Season’ a surprise hit. Kooper saw the songs potential, and kept on promoting it, and after months of bubbling under it finally took off, eventually peaking at Number 3 on Billboard in 1969.

‘It’s the time of the season when love runs high, and this time give it to me easy, and let me try with pleasured hands to take you in the sun to promised lands.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

408-Erykah Badu-On & On.

1997-Number 12 single.

Best Bit-At 0.39. Some music critics were impressed enough to draw comparisons, calling her the ‘Billie Holiday of the 1990’s’ (see also best songs 624.)

Erykah Badu was born Erica Abi Wright on February 26th, 1971, in Dallas, Texas, United States, she has been dubbed ‘The Queen of Neo Soul.’ In her youth she changed the spelling of her name from Erica to Erykah, as she believed her original name was a ‘slave name,’ the term ‘kah’ signifies the inner self. She chose the name Badu as it is her favourite Jazz scat sound, and is also the term used for the 10th child among the ‘Akan’ people, living in Ghana. Erykah Badu had her first taste of show business at the age of four, singing and dancing at the ‘Dallas Theater Center,’ and by the age of 14 she was free-styling for a local radio station. In the early 1990’s she recorded a 19-song demo called ‘Country Cousins,’ which attracted the attention of the music producer Kedar Massenburg. He set her up to record a duet with the American singer/songwriter D’Angelo, which produced the track ‘Your Precious Love,’ which led to Massenburg signing her to a record deal with ‘Universal Records.’ Erykah Badu has also ventured into acting, making her debut in a supporting role in the 1998 film ‘Blues Brothers 2000.’ She has also appeared in the 1999 drama film ‘The Cider House,’ receiving numerous awards and nominations, including a win at the 2000 ‘Black Reel Awards,’ for best supporting actress. She has continued to appear in films, and in promotional musical documentaries, alongside her recording career. In 1996 she became involved with the American rapper André 3000 of the ‘Hip-Hop’ group OutKast, with whom she had her first child, their relationship ended in 1999. In late 2000, OutKast released the song ‘Ms. Jackson,’ which was inspired by André 3000’s then relationship with Badu and her mother (see also best songs 351.)

The discography of Erykah Badu includes five studio Albums released between 1997-2010, and 31 singles released between 1996-2019, there is also one mixtape, one official compilation Album, and one live Album available. In America on Billboard, all five of her studio Albums have made the top 20, with her debut ‘Baduizm,’ (1997) and her fourth studio Album ‘New Amerykah Part One (4th World War,’) (2008) both peaking the highest at Number 2. On the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, she has had four top 40 hits, with ‘Bag Lady’ from 2000 charting the highest at Number 6, while ‘On & On’ made Number 12. In the UK, Erykah Badu has had six top 40 charting singles, including three as a featured artist, with ‘On & On’ peaking the highest at Number 12.

‘On & On’ was the debut single from Erykah Badu, and was released as the first of four singles from her debut studio Album ‘Baduizm,’ from February 1997, the song was co-written by Erykah Badu, and JaBorn Jamal, with the production being by Madukwu Chinwah, and Erykah Badu. ‘On & On’ is a ‘Neo Soul’ song, which features teachings of the ‘Five-Percent Nation’ in its lyrics. The Five-Percent Nation, is an Afro-American Nationalist movement influenced by the Nation of Islam, that was founded in 1964, in the Harlem section of the borough of Manhattan, New York City, by Clarence 13X, (1928-1969) who was previously known as Clarence Edward Smith. The Five-Percent Nation teaches the belief that black people are the original people of the planet Earth, and are therefore the fathers (Gods) and mothers (Earths) of civilisation. The Nation teaches that the black man, insofar as the Nation defines this race, is himself God, with the black race being a race of actual gods.

It was Kedar Massenburg who on seeing Badu perform live, first signed her to the ‘Universal’ record label, it was also Massenburg who coined the phrase ‘Neo Soul’ to describe the kind of music Badu was making. ‘Neo’ means new, and ‘Soul’ in this context was used to describe something old, that had always been there. What Massenburg could hear in ‘Neo Soul’ is a blending of ‘Hip-Hop,’ African/American music, ‘Funk,’ ‘Soul,’ and ‘Jazz,’ creating new sounds. Kedar Massenburg who was born on March 1st, 1963, in New York City, United States, promoted Erykah Badu by giving away 1,000 copies of ‘On & On’ at the 1996 ‘Soul Train Music Awards.’ He has recalled, ‘And man, when I heard it banging out of somebody’s car going down the street that same night, I knew I had something.’

Erykah Badu in ‘On & On’ is telling us that we are all made in God’s image, and we all deserve the same respect. She tells us that most intellects are convinced that God doesn’t exist, but the fear of a higher being, or some other unknown force scares us.

‘Peace and blessings manifest with every lesson learn, if your knowledge were your wealth then it will be well earn. If we were made in his image then call us by our names, most intellects do not believe in God, but they fear us just the same.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

409-Clifford T. Ward-Gaye.

1973-Number 8 single.

Best Bit-At 1.13. Before the hits Ward was a school teacher, his pupils included the actress and future wife of Sting, Trudie Styler, and the co-founding member of Underworld, Karl Hyde (see also best songs 989.)

Clifford Thomas Ward was born on February 10th, 1944, in Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestshire, England. In 1987 Ward was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and in November 2001 he contracted pneumonia, and died in Tenbury Community Hospital on December 18th, 2001, at the age of 57. Ward’s first venture in to music was when forming a ‘Beat Band,’ called Cliff Ward and the Cruisers, which won the 1963 Midland Band of the year contest in Birmingham. The group would go through many name changes including ‘Martin Raynor and The Secrets,’ and ‘Simon’s Secrets,’ touring around Britain, and France, and releasing six singles, with little impact, the majority of the songs, including the ‘B’ sides, being written by Ward. Because of the failure to get a hit single, Clifford T. Ward enrolled at teacher training college, and subsequently became a high school teacher. He continued to write, and after coming to the attention of the legendary Disc Jockey John Peel (1939-2004) (see also best songs 728-659-435 and 336) he signed with Peel’s record label ‘Dandelion Records,’ and released his first solo Album ‘Singer Songwriter,’ in 1972. Shortly after the Album’s release Dandelion Records went into liquidation, but with Ward’s profile now higher, he was snapped up by ‘Charisma Records,’ where he recorded his second solo studio Album ‘Home Thoughts’ in 1973.

The discography of Clifford T. Ward includes 15 Albums released between 1972-2000, and there have been a further 10 posthumous Album releases to date. He had two UK top 40 charting singles, with ‘Gaye’ peaking the highest at Number 8 in 1973, and ‘Scullery’ from his third Album ‘Mantle Pieces,’ reaching Number 37 in January 1974. Clifford T. Ward was a family man, who preferred to be at home with his wife and children rather than spend weeks away on tour promoting his music, he was also a shy and private person, with a reluctance to perform live. Clive Selwood (1935-2020) who was Ward’s manager in the early 1970’s said, ‘Clifford should have been a major star, he had hits, but he simply wouldn’t perform publicly.’

‘Gaye’ was the first of two singles released from Clifford T. Ward’s second Album ‘Home Thoughts’ from April 1973, the song was written and produced by Clifford T. Ward, with the arrangement credited to Richard Hewson (see also best songs 692.) The Album reached Number 40 in the UK, and Number 67 in Australia. The title of the Album is taken from the poem ‘Home Thoughts from Abroad,’ which was written in 1845 by the English poet Robert Browning (1812-1889.) Following the success of ‘Gaye,’ Clifford T. Ward gave up the teaching profession to concentrate on music full time, and made a rare public appearance in July, performing ‘Gaye’ on the British music chart television programme ‘Top of the Pops,’ broadcast by the ‘BBC.’

In 1987, Clifford T. Ward was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS.) He continued to record and write songs while living at home, cared for by his wife Pat, whom he had met while they were both still teenagers at school. In 1994, Ward was interviewed by a local newspaper, the ‘Wolverhampton Express & Star,’ he told the reporter, ‘I have not and will not come to terms with this illness. There are times, usually quite late at night, when I’m almost normal again, but unless they find a cure for this dreadful MS, then I don’t see a future.’ Clifford T. Ward recorded his 11th, and what would be his final studio Album, ‘Julia and Other New Stories’ in 1994, crawling on all fours into his home based recording studio to finish it. At around the same time, a stage musical, called ‘Shattered World’ was produced as a tribute to him, based on his life and his battle against ‘MS.’ Half of the songs were Ward’s own, and half were numbers written by others about him.

‘You’re the tray of nice things I upset yesterday. The display of bright rings I let slip away.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

410-Cockney Rebel-Judy Teen.

1974-Number 5 single.

Best Bit At 0.59. After checking out as many lyric websites as I could find, I was disappointed to see that everyone of them hear the lyrics as ‘She made us happy.’ I have always heard ‘Sh’made us appy,’ which I think sounds a lot more ‘Rock N’ Roll’.

Stephen Malcolm Ronald Nice (see also best songs 2) was born on February 27th, 1951, in Deptford, London, England, he died on March 17th, 2024, from cancer at the age of 73. Steve Harley formed the original Cockney Rebel in London, England, in 1972, and with various member changes they were active through until 1977 when Harley officially went solo. He reformed Cockney Rebel in 1984, and again in 1989-1992, and various line ups have appeared as his touring band Cockney Rebel since 1996, in total 26 members have come and gone, with Harley being the groups one constant. Steve Harley chose the name ‘Cockney Rebel’ from an autobiographical poem he had written while at school.

The discography of Steve Harley includes 12 studio Albums released between 1973-2020, the first two as ‘Cockney Rebel,’ a further four as ‘Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel,’ and the other six as Steve Harley, there are also 13 official compilation Albums, and six live Albums available. Steve Harley issued 41 singles (including re-issues) between 1973-2020, of which seven reached the UK top 40, with ‘Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me,’) which has gone on to sell in excess of 1.5 million copies, peaking the highest at Number 1 in 1975, that song would also prove to be his last top 40 chart entry as well, when re-issued in 1995, it made Number 33. ‘Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me’) is also Steve Harley’s only chart entry in America on the Billboard Hot 100, where it reached Number 96. In 1986 Steve Harley was chosen on the recommendation of the English singer/songwriter Mike Batt to perform a duet with the English classical crossover soprano singer and actress Sarah Brightman on the original recording of ‘The Phantom of the Opera,’ to be issued a a single to promote the Andrew Lloyd Webber (see also best songs 699) upcoming musical of the same name. The single reached Number 7 on the UK top 40.

‘Judy Teen’ which was released as a stand alone single, was written by Steve Harley, with the production credited to Steve Harley, and Alan Parsons (see also best songs 130 and 81.) Alan Parsons, whose previous work had included being the sound engineer on classic Albums such as ‘Abbey Road,’ by the Beatles, and ‘The Dark Side of the Moon,’ from Pink Floyd, would later go on to produce the second and third studio Albums for Steve Harley, as well as for many other artists including Al Stewart, and John Miles (1949-2021.) ‘Judy Teen’ was the breakthrough hit for Cockney Rebel, whose line up at that time was Steve Harley, (vocals) Jean-Paul Crocker, (electric violin, mandolin, guitar) Milton Reame-James, (keyboards) Paul Jeffreys, (1952-1988) (bass) and Stuart Elliott (drums.) In 1973 Cockney Rebel had just recorded their soon to be critically acclaimed debut Album ‘The Human Menagerie,’ but it wasn’t selling in great quantities due to the lack of a commercial song to release as a single. Steve Harley explained, ‘The record company said we don’t have a single, and I said arrogantly, I’ll write one, now I think what an arrogant young man, fearless! Judy Teen was a boy/girl story, a teenage romance, a bit of sex in there. I was 18, or 19 when I had the experience, that the song came from.’ In 2021 Steve Harley recalled, ‘She wasn’t called Judy, but she was my short-lived girlfriend. We only lasted a few months and had a lot of fun together. She was feisty, a very interesting young woman. You’d have thought she was from California, she was so close to being a real hippy.’

Steve Harley wrote all the drum patterns himself for ‘Judy Teen,’ and told Stuart Elliott what to do. ‘The ‘dum-dum-dum-crash’ sound is actually three of us leaning over the wooden staircase that goes down to the studio and control room, with us mic’d-up and slapping the rail with our open palms. I said to Alan (Parsons) That’s a really good trick, and he went: ‘Yeah, I nicked it from Roy Wood’ (see also best songs 821-575 and 239.) There’s a Move single with that sound on it, which Roy had come up with, and Alan nicked it for us.’

‘She took us on a carousel, she made us smile and oh, how we laughed. Together riding on a crest it was swell, we stole her face and oh how we laughed. She made us happy.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

411-Diana Ross & the Supremes-I’m Livin’ in Shame.

1969-Number 14 single.

Best Bit-At 2.23. Thankfully not all Pop songs are about boy meets girl, they fall in love, and live happily ever after. Some have much deeper meanings.

‘I’m Livin’ in Shame’ was the first of three singles released from ‘Let the Sunshine In,’ the 16th studio Album by Diana Ross & the Supremes, from May 1969, there would be two more studio Albums before Diana Ross would depart for her solo career in 1970. In total the Supremes under various line ups released 29 studio Albums between 1962-1976. There were also 66 singles released, of which 12 became American Billboard Number 1 songs, for the full discography of the Supremes see best songs 148. ‘I’m Livin’ in Shame’ was written and produced by the team of writers assembled by Motown supremo Berry Gordy to replace the recently departed Holland Dozier Holland (see also best songs 969-823-650-553-411 and 212.) The four writers of this song were known as ‘The Clan’ and were active as a unit between 1967-1969. They consisted of Frank Wilson, (1940-2012) (see also best songs 1001-491 and 97) Pam Sawyer, (see also best songs 519) R. Dean Taylor, (1939-2022) (see also best songs 911) and Deke Richards (1944-2013.) (see also best songs 365 and 137.)

By 1969 the Supremes line up was now Diana Ross, (see also best songs (900-519-183 and 28) Mary Wilson, (1944-2021) and Cindy Birdsong, but like many of the Supremes (see also best songs 1001-212 and 148) recordings from around that period Wilson, and Birdsong did not perform on record, because Berry Gordy chose to use Motown’s in house female session singers ‘The Andantes’ instead. The songs instrumentation was provided by Motown’s in house group of session musicians ‘The Funk Brothers.’ Here is the list of songs in this countdown that The Andantes, (see best songs 1001-823-650-114 and 28) and The Funk Brothers (see best songs 948-650-569-382-212-148 and 28) can by heard on.

Mary Wilson was born on March 6th, 1944, in Greenville, Mississippi, United States, she died in her sleep from hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, on February 8th, 2021, at the age of 76. Mary Wilson was the Supremes one constant, being a founding member in 1959, until 1977, when the group were retired, due to Wilson leaving to pursue a solo career. She sang backing vocals on 10 of the 12 Supremes American Billboard Number 1 singles, and in 1988 was inducted along with Diana Ross and Florence Ballard (1943-1976) as members of the Supremes, into the ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.’ As a solo artist Mary Wilson released three studio Albums between 1979-2021, and 16 singles between 1979-2023, there are also two extended plays, (EP’s) two official compilation Albums, and one live Album available. In 1986 Mary Wilson became a ‘New York Times’ best selling author, with the release of her first autobiography, ‘Dreamgirl: My Life as a Supreme,’ which set records for sales in its genre, and then in 1990 for the autobiography ‘Supreme Faith: Someday We’ll Be Together.’ Mary Wilson also worked in activism, fighting to pass the ‘Truth in Music Advertising’ bill, which is legislation, adopted into state law by most U.S. states, that aims to protect the trademark of musical recording artists. The legislation provides that the name of a famous musical group cannot be used by a group of performers unless they include at least one member of the original group. The intent of the legislation is to prevent unfair or deceptive trade practices, and to protect the livelihood of musicians who were in famous musical groups.

‘I’m Livin’ in Shame’ was inspired by the plot of the 1959 American drama film ‘Imitation of Life.’ The song was also written as a sequel to the Supremes 1968 Billboard Number 1 single ‘Love Child,’ which was also written by ‘The Clan.’ ‘I’m Livin’ in Shame’ tells the story of a woman who was born into poverty, and being ashamed of her hard working mother since being a child. She grows up and leaves home, and lies about her past in order to move up in to higher society. She marries a man who is well off, and tells him that her mother died in Spain. After giving birth to her first child, she doesn’t tell her mother that she is now a grandmother. One day she receives a telegram saying that her mother has died, and now she feels extremely sad and guilty.

‘Mom was cooking bread, she wore a dirty raggerty scarf around her head. Always had her stockings low, rolled to her feet, she just didn’t know.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

412-Fats Waller-Ain’t Misbehavin.’

1929-It has never charted, there was no UK chart until 1952.

Best Bit-At 3.19. Fats Waller wasn’t just a gifted musician, he had a tremendous sense of humour as well. In a 1941 interview Waller said that this song was written while he was lodging in prison for an alimony violation, and that was why he was not misbehaving. Another story goes that on completing the song, Waller and fellow composer Andy Razaf were heading to the theatre when a bird dropped it’s load on the song sheet.’That’s good luck’ said Waller, ‘But I’m sure glad elephants ain’t flyin.”

Thomas Wright Waller was born on May 21st, 1904, in New York City, United States, he died on December 15th, 1943, at the age of 39 after contracting pneumonia. More than 4,200 people were estimated to have attended his funeral in Harlem, which prompted the Baptist pastor Adam Clayton Powell Jr., (1908-1972) who delivered the eulogy to say, that Waller ‘Always played to a packed house.’ Afterwards, he was cremated and his ashes were scattered over Harlem from an air-plane piloted by an unidentified African-American World War I aviator. Fats Waller told the story of the time he was kidnapped in Chicago while leaving a performance in 1926. Four men bundled him into a car and took him to the Hawthorne Inn, owned by Al Capone (1899-1947.) Waller was ordered inside the building and found a party taking place. With a gun to his back, he was pushed towards a piano and told to play. A terrified Waller realised he was the ‘surprise guest’ at Capone’s birthday party, and was relieved that the kidnappers had no intention of killing him. During his lifetime Fats Waller copyrighted over 400 songs, many written with this songs co-author Andy Razaf. It is suspected that Waller wrote many more, but in times of financial difficulties he sold them to other writers and performers who would pass them off as their own, the best example being the 1930 song ‘On the Sunny Side of the Street.’

Fats Waller was one of the most critically acclaimed artists of his era, with his regular writing partner Andy Razaf paying tribute to him after his death, describing Waller as ‘The soul of melody, a man who made the piano sing. Both big in body, and in mind, known for his generosity, a bubbling bundle of joy.’ The American Jazz pianist Ralph Sutton (1922-2001) said of Waller, ‘I’ve never heard a piano man swing any better than Fats, or swing a band better than he could. I never get tired of him. Fats has been with me from the first, and he’ll be with me as long as I live.’ Waller will also be remembered for being one of the innovators in ‘Stride Jazz piano,’ (see also best songs 169) taking his influence from the ‘Ragtime’ players, and incorporating the style in to what would become ‘Modern Jazz.’ Fats Waller has also been remembered in the ‘Rock’ era, when in 1981, the Irish Rock group Thin Lizzy (see also best songs 125) released the album ‘Renegade,’ which contained the song ‘Fats,’ co-written by Phil Lynott (1949-1986) and Snowy White as a tribute to Waller.

‘Ain’t Misbehavin” is one of the oldest songs on this ‘1000 Best Songs’ list, having been co-written in 1929 by Fat Waller, Harry Brook (1895-1970) and Andy Razaf, who was born Andrimanantena Paul Razafinkarefo on December 16th, 1895, in Washington, D. C. United States, he died from cancer on February 3rd, 1973, at the age of 77. Razaf was a poet, composer, and lyricist, his other notable compositions include the Fats Waller collaboration on ‘Honeysuckle Rose,’ from 1929, and the writing of the lyrics for ‘In the Mood,’ made famous by Glen Miller and His Orchestra in 1939 (see also best songs 146.) At the age of 16, Razaf quit school and took a job as an elevator operator in a ‘Tin Pan Alley’ office building in New York City, and in 1972, he was recognised by his ‘Tin Pan Alley’ peers, when he was inducted into the ‘Songwriters Hall of Fame.’ ‘Ain’t Misbehavin” was also co-written by Harry Brooks, who was born on September 20th, 1895, in Homestead, Pennsylvania, United States, he died on June 22nd, 1970, at the age of 74. Brooks is best remembered for his co-writes with Fats Waller and Andy Razaf of ‘Ain’t Misbehavin” (1929) and ‘Black and Blue’ (1929.)

‘Ain’t Misbehavin” was first performed at the premiere of the Broadway musical ‘Connie’s Hot Chocolates,’ as the opening song sung by Paul Bass, and Margaret Simms. There were six successful recordings of the song in 1929 in terms of sheet music sold, with the best selling being by Leo Reisman (1897-1961) and His Orchestra.The recording by Fats Waller that year was an instrumental version, another recording of note was from Louis Armstrong (1901-1971) (see also best songs 1039-767-286-231 and 100.) Fats Waller has also re-recorded ‘Ain’t Misbehavin” with vocals for his performance in the 1943 film ‘Stormy Weather’ (see also best songs 634.) In the UK the song has been a hit twice, in 1957 Johnny Ray (1927-1990) took his version to Number 17, and in 1960 Tommy Bruce (1937-2006) and the Bruisers made Number 3. The Country music artist Hank Williams Jr. recorded a version of ‘Ain’t Misbehavin” for his 1985 studio album ‘Five-O.’ Released as a single, the song peaked at No. 1 on the American Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.

‘No one to talk with, all by myself. No one to walk with, but I’m happy on the shelf. Ain’t misbehavin,’ I’m savin’ my lovin’ for you.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

413-Walk the Moon-Shut Up and Dance.

2014-Number 4 single.

Best Bit-At 1.47. Can you guess from which Police song this band took their name?

Walk the Moon was the brainchild of Nicholas Petricca, who was born on February 16th, 1987, he formed the band in 2006 while a student at ‘Kenyon College,’ in Gambler, Ohio, United States. In total there have been 10 different band members come and go, with Petricca who is the lead singer being the bands one constant. Petricca has cited the music of the 1980’s as his major influence, naming artists such as Talking Heads, (see also best songs 540) Tears for Fears, (see also best songs 640 and 24) and the Police (see also best songs 1020 and 727.) At the time of writing Walk the Moon remain active, but are currently on hiatus.

Without a recording contract, Walk the Moon financed the recording and release of their debut studio Album ‘I Want! I Want!’ in 2010, with the track ‘Anna Sun’ receiving multiple plays on American Alternative radio stations. This led to a bidding war between several record labels, with Walk the Moon signing to ‘RCA Records’ in February 2011. The discography of Walk the Moon includes five studio Albums released between 2010-2021, and 15 singles between 2012-2022, there are also seven extended plays, (EP’s) two official compilation Albums, and one live Album available. On both sides of the Atlantic, on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, and on the UK top 40, ‘Shut Up and Dance’ remains the bands only top 40 single, coincidentally reaching the Number 4 position on both charts.

‘Shut Up and Dance’ was the first of three singles released from ‘Talking Is Hard,’ the third studio Album from Walk the Moon, from December 2014, the song was co-written by Walk the Moon group members Nicolas Petricca, Eli Mainman, Kevin Ray, and Sean Waugaman, along with Ben Berger, and Ryan McMahon, with the production being by Tim Pagnotta, who a founding member of the American Rock group ‘Sugarcult’ in 1998. Ben Berger and Ryan McMahon, along with Ryan Rabin, who is not credited on this track, were all members of the collective ‘Captain Cuts,’ who are a songwriting, record production, and remix team, based in Los Angeles, California, United States, at the time of writing McMahon is no longer a member. In December 2013, they signed a joint venture deal with ‘Warner Bros Records’ to form ‘Cuts Records,’ a record label through which to sign, produce and develop new artists. The trio have worked alongside dozens of artists including Steve Aoki, Carly Rae Jepson, Sabrina Carpenter, and Benson Boone.

Nicolas Petricca got the idea for the lyrics to ‘Shut Up and Dance’ while in a Los Angeles nightclub. He had frustratingly been waiting ages to get served at the bar, and was itching to get on to the dance floor with his female friend. He started complaining about the slow service when his female friend approached him and said, ‘Just shut up and dance with me.’ Petricca has said that the song does actually have a deeper meaning though,’The song is not so much about my personal experience, but about living in the moment.’ Petricca has also spoken about the time when the the band first realised that they had a potential massive hit on their hands, after playing it at a gig at ‘St. Louis University. ‘We had just learned the song and no one had ever heard it, so we thought we’d try it out for these kids. From moment one it was obvious there was something about the song. The kids were singing along with the chorus the second time around. We tried to capture that energy on the record.’

Nicolas Petricca has highlighted three songs that were instrumental in the creation of ‘Shut Up and Dance,’ ‘Just What I Needed,’ by The Cars, (1978) ‘Hit Me with Your Best Shot,’ by Pat Benatar, (1980) and ‘Jessie’s Girl,’ by Rick Springfield, (1981) (see also best songs 929) which he deemed ‘Simple and beautiful and in-your-face rock songs,’ that captured the sound the band desired. ‘Shut Up and Dance’ is inspired by the music of the 1980’s, which the group felt was a time in which ‘weird’ was celebrated, in both music and fashion. The song is considered by ‘Billboard Magazine’ to be heavily influenced by The Edge of U2, (see also best songs 766-320-190 and 84) who describe how the opening riff resembles U2’s 1987 song ‘Where the Streets Have No Name.’

‘A backless dress and some beat up sneaks, my discotheque Juliet teenage dream. I felt it in my chest as you looked at me, I knew we were bound to be together, bound to be together.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

414-FPI Project-Going Back to My Roots/Rich in Paradise.

1989-Number 9 single.

Best Bit-At 1.21. ‘Put your hands up in the air.’ (It’s an old saying.)

The FPI Project are the trio of Italian Dance music producers Marco Fratty, Corrado Presti, and Roberto Intrallazzi, as you can probably work out for yourself they took their stage name from the first initial of each of their surnames. The FPI Project were formed in Milan, Italy, in 1989, and have been releasing new music, and remixes ever since. The trio are considered to be one of the main forces in the development of the musical genre ‘Italian House,’ (see also best songs 895) with it’s use of predominantly electronic piano chords. This track remains their only UK top 40 hit to date, but they have charted on three further occasions in the 1990’s in the top 100.

The FPI Project released two versions of this song, one features the vocals of the English singer Sharon D. Clarke, (see also best songs 787) with spoken lyrics by Paolo Dini. The other is mainly instrumental, with just the vocals of Dini, both versions are highly recommended, but for clarity I have chosen the vocal version. Like many a good tune ‘Going Back to My Roots/Rich in Paradise’ contains many samples, including the 1989 Dance track ‘Too Nice to Be Real’ by the Belgium group ‘T99.’ The Dutch Dance music producers ‘Honesty 69’s’ (see also best songs 922) 1990 track called ‘Rich in Paradise’ is also heavily sampled.Throughout the track you hear ‘Yeah! Woo!’ which is Bobby Byrd (1934-2007) (see also best songs 561) saying ‘Yeah,’ and James Brown (1933-2006) (see also best songs 880-349-270 and 88) replying ‘Woo,’ this was taken from the 1972 James Brown penned song ‘Think (About It’) performed by Lyn Collins,(1948-2005) and is one of the most sampled sounds in music history, appearing on many Dance tracks.

The original version of ‘Going Back to My Roots’ was written by the legendary singer, songwriter and music producer Lamont Dozier, (1941-2022) (see also best songs 969-823-650-553-212 and 148) and first appeared on his fifth solo studio Album ‘Peddlin’ Music on the Side,’ from 1977. In 1980 the American singer Richie Havens (1941-2013) covered ‘Going Back to My Roots,’ incorporating ‘Disco’ influences, it was this version rather than the Lamont Dozier one that the ‘FPI Project’ were influenced by. The most commercially successful recording of ‘Going Back to My Roots’ came in 1981, when the New York City ‘Disco’ group Odyssey released a ‘Disco’ version, which reached Number 4 in the UK, and Number 1 in South Africa. In 2002 the American singer Linda Clifford took her 10 minutes ‘Disco’ version to Number 85 in the UK for a single week.

The female vocals on the ‘FPI Project’s’ version of ‘Going Back to My Roots/Rich in Paradise’ were provided by Sharon Delores Clarke MBE, (see also best songs 787) who was born on August 12th, 1966, in Enfield, London, England, she is an actress and a singer. Sharon Clarke is a critically acclaimed actress, having won three ‘Laurence Olivier Awards,’ including for ‘Best Actress in a Musical,’ for her role as Caroline Thibodeaux in the 2018 West End production of ‘Caroline, or Change,’ a role she reprised on Broadway in 2021, earning her both ‘Tony’ and ‘Grammy Award’ nominations. In the UK she is best known for her role as Lola Griffin in the medical drama ‘Holby City,’ and as Grace O’Brien in ‘Doctor Who.’ Sharon Clarke has appeared on three UK top 40 singles, the ‘FPI Project’s’ ‘Going Back to My Roots/Rich in Paradise,’ (1989-Number 9) Nomad, (‘I Wanna Give You) Devotion’) (1990-Number 2) (see also best songs 787) and Nomad, ‘Just a Groove’ (1991-Number 16.) Sharon Clarke was appointed ‘Member of the Order of the British Empire’ (MBE) in the 2017 New Year Honours for services to drama.

Lamont Dozier wrote the lyrics to ‘Going Back to My Roots,’ which deal with self identity, family, and soul fulfilment. It has widely been seen as covering the same subject matter as the bestselling Alex Haley (1921-1992) novel ‘Roots’ that depicts a modern day African-American tracing his ancestry back, via the slave trade, to a village in The Gambia. This is supported by the extended final section in the Lamont Dozier recording which moves into ‘Afrobeat’ and ‘Yoruba’ chanting. Lamont Dozier has explained what the song is about, ‘The song was inspired by the fact that I have my ‘roots’ in Detroit and when I moved to Los Angeles, a few years ago, I found myself taking trips to Detroit to see my family and so on.’

‘Hey You, hey you don’t be silly. Put a condom on your willy. Rich in paradise.’