THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

425-Tracy Chapman-Fast Car.

1988-Number 5 single. In 2011 the song re-entered the chart, and this time peaked at Number 4.

Best Bit-At 2.01. What about this for an accolade! ‘Rolling Stone’ magazine ranked the song at number 167 on their list of the 500 greatest songs of all time, the highest ranking song both written and performed by a female artist.

Tracy Chapman was born on March 30th, 1964, in Cleveland, Ohio, United States, she began playing the guitar and writing songs at the age eight. After graduating from ‘Wooster School,’ in Connecticut, she then attended ‘Tufts University,’ in Massachusetts, majoring in Anthropology. While a student at Tufts, she busked in nearby spots, and recorded demos of songs at the Tufts University radio station, ‘WMFO,’ which the radio station would play. A student at ‘Tufts’ called Brian Koppelman, heard her playing, and brought her to the attention of his father, Charles Koppelman, (1940-2022) who ran ‘SBK Publishing,’ he signed her in 1986. After she graduated from ‘Tufts’ in 1987, he helped her to sign a contract with ‘Elektra Records.’ Tracy Chapman was already signed to ‘Elektra’ records when her career received a major boost. On June 11th, 1988, at Wembley Stadium, London, England, Chapman was one of the many artists booked to play at the ‘Nelson Mandela 70th birthday tribute,’ which was being broadcast to 67 countries, and an audience of 600 million. Chapman had duly played her afternoon spot, but when problems arose over Stevie Wonder’s (see also best songs 920-843-834-682-570-603-366-205-152 and 65) backing track being lost, Chapman was asked to fill in at prime time, bringing her acclaimed exposure. The sales of her self titled debut Album rocketed, taking it to Number 1 on the Billboard Album chart, with the single ‘Fast Car’ going top 10 in the UK and America.

The discography of Tracy Chapman includes eight studio Albums released between 1988-2008, and 22 singles released between 1988-2009, there are also two official compilation Albums available. In America on Billboard, her self titled debut studio Album reached Number 1, and has gone on to sell in excess of 20 million copies worldwide, while two of her singles have made the Billboard Hot 100, top 40, with ‘Give Me One Reason,’ peaking the highest at Number 3 in 1995, while ‘Fast Car’ reached Number 6. In the UK, ‘Fast Car’ remains as her only charting single to date.

‘Fast Car’ was the first of three singles released from Tracy Chapman’s self titled debut studio Album, from April 1988, the song was written by Tracy Chapman, with the production being by David Kershenbaum, who was born in Springfield, Missouri, United States. Kershenbaum is a veteran music producer who has worked with artists including Duran Duran, Cat Stevens, and Tori Amos, and has earned 75 international Gold and Platinum Albums, as well as multiple ‘Grammy’ awards, and an ‘Oscar’ nomination. As well as producing Tracy Chapman’s debut Album, he also produced her second Album ‘Crossroads,’ (1989) and her fifth ‘Telling Stories’ (2000.) As a music supervisor, Kershenbaum has worked on many films. He supervised music for many movies, including ‘The Last of the Mohicans’ soundtrack, which has sold in excess of 1,800,000 copies. Other films he worked on include ‘Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure,’ (1989) ‘Road House,’ (1989) and ‘Navy SEALs’ (1990.)

‘Fast Car’ re-entered the UK top 40 in 2011 after Michael Collings a contestant on the television show ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ sang his rendition. This time the song charted one place higher when reaching Number 4. In 2015 the ‘Dance Music’ producer Jonas Blue released a version of ‘Fast Car’ as his debut single, featuring the vocals of Sophie Elton, better known by her stage name ‘Dakota,’ and this version reached Number 2 in the UK. Another ‘Dance’ version of ‘Fast Car’ this time by the Swedish record producer Tobtok, featuring vocals from the British singer River, found top 40 chart success in five countries, including Poland, where it made Number 15 also in 2015. In 2023 the American Country Music artist Luke Combs released his version, which reached Number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also made Number 1 on the ‘Billboard Hot Country Songs’ and ‘Country Airplay’ charts, and won Tracy Chapman the ‘Country Music Association Award’ for ‘Song of the Year,’ making her the first black person to win the award. Tracy Chapman has said, ‘I never expected to find myself on the Country charts, but I’m honoured to be there. I’m happy for Luke and his success, and grateful that new fans have found and embraced Fast Car.’

The lyrics to ‘Fat Car’ tell the story of someone trying to escape a life where there is very little prospect of them being able to better themselves, because circumstances are heavily weighted against them. The sting in the tail is that what the narrator is trying to escape, comes around full circle, and history repeats itself, and she ends up back at square one. I personally find myself thinking of the Mac Davis composition, ‘In the Ghetto,’ sung by Elvis Presley, from 1969 (see also best songs 442.)

‘You got a fast car, I got a job that pays all our bills. You stay out drinking late at the bar, see more of your friends than you do of your kids. I’d always hoped for better.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

426-Neil Diamond-Cracklin’ Rosie.

1970-Number 3 single.

Best Bit-At 2.33. I am confident that from this point onward in the song, even I could do a karaoke performance justice.

Neil Leslie Diamond (see also best songs 536 and 13) was born on January 24th, 1941, in Brooklyn, New York, United States, with worldwide record sales in excess of 130 million, he is one of the best selling artists of all time. In 2018 he announced that he would retire from touring due to having been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, but added that he would continue to write and record. As a teenager Neil Diamond attended the ‘Erasmus Hall High School,’ in Brooklyn, New York City, where he was a member of the Freshman Chorus and Choral Club, along with his classmate Barbra Streisand (see also best songs 699 and 145.) Neil Diamond has said that they were not close friends at the time, ‘We were two poor kids in Brooklyn. We hung out in the front of Erasmus High and smoked cigarettes.’ In 1978 Neil Diamond and Barbra Streisand duet-ted together on the track ‘You Don’t Bring Me Flowers,’ as ‘Barbra & Neil,’ with the song reaching Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in America, and Number 5 in the UK, giving Neil Diamond his third and final Billboard Hot 100 Number 1 single, and Barbra Streisand the third of her five chart toppers. Neil,Diamond has been married on three occasions. His first wife was his high school sweetheart, Jaye Posner, together they had two daughters. The couple separated in 1967, and divorced in 1969. He then married Marcia Murphey in 1969, and had two sons, the couples marriage ended in the mid 1990’s, and they were divorced in 1996. In 2012, at the age of 71, Neil Diamond married his third wife Katie McNeil, who is 30 years younger than him. McNeil served as his manager, and produced the documentary ‘Neil Diamond: Hot August Nights NYC.’ Diamond has said that his 2014 Album ‘Melody Road’ was inspired by their relationship, ‘There’s no better inspiration or motivation for work than being in love. It’s what you dream of as a creative person. I was able to complete this album, start it, write it and complete it, under the spell of love, and I think it shows somehow.’

‘Cracklin’ Rosie’ was the second of three singles released from Neil Diamond’s his sixth studio Album ‘Tap Root Manuscript,’ from October 1970, the song was written by Neil Diamond, with the production being by Tom Catalano (see also best songs 13.) Tom Catalano who worked closely with Neil Diamond on several of his earlier Albums was born on April 2nd, 1933, in New York, United States, other artists he has worked with include Anne Murray, and Helen Reddy (1941-2020.) ‘Tap Root Manuscript,’ is considered to be one of Neil Diamond’s most experimental Albums, although side 1, which includes ‘Cracklin Rosie’ is ‘Pop/Rock,’ it is side 2 where Neil Diamond experiments, and pushes the barriers. Side 2 is a conceptual suite of related songs expressing an African theme, titled ‘The African Trilogy,’ within this suite was the song ‘Soolaimon,’ which reached Number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100. The 19-minute suite saw African Folk styles twined with Blues and Gospel elements to create what Diamond called ‘a Folk ballet.’ This effort predates many Western Pop artists’ interest in ‘World Music,’ for example Peter Gabriel’s 1980 founding of ‘World of Music, Arts and Dance,’ (WOMAD) and the African-influenced Album ‘Graceland’ by Paul Simon in 1986.

Many rumours have circulated over the years as to the true meaning of the lyrics to ‘Cracklin’ Rosie’, but Neil Diamond has confirmed that his inspiration for writing the song came after hearing a story about a native Indian Canadian tribe who had more men than women in their flock, and that the lonely men of the tribe, who couldn’t get a partner would sit around the camp fire and drink their wine together. ‘Crackling Rosé’ is the name of an inexpensive sparkling wine once produced by Andres Wines of British Columbia, and it is said that while on tour in the early days, Diamond may have purchased the product. It is also rumoured that in a piece of very clever marketing in order to get his song played on the radio, Diamond directed the lyrics ‘Play it now, Play it now my baby’ directly at Rosalie Trombley, (1939-2021) who was the music director at the Canadian radio station ‘CKLW’ at that time. Trombley had the final say as to what got played, and what didn’t, and could make or brake a song, the 1973 song ‘Rosalie’ by Bob Seger, and later covered by Thin Lizzy (see also best songs 125) in 1975 is about her.

The session musicians who played on this song were members of the Los Angeles based ‘The Wrecking Crew,’ who were employed for thousands of studio recordings during the 1960’s and 1970’s. Members of the ‘Crew’ who appear on this track, and it’s parent Album include Hal Blaine (1929-2019) (drums) Larry Knechtel (1940-2009) (keyboards) Joe Osborn (1937-2018) (bass) Al Casey (1936-2006) (guitar) Tony Terran (1926-2017) (trumpet) and Gene Estes (1931-1996) (percussion.) For ‘The Wrecking Crew’ (see also best songs 978-846-811-744-672-660-527-486-262-202-197-192-180-127 and 71.)

‘Cracklin’ Rose you’re a store bought woman, you make me sing like a guitar hummin,’ so hang on to me girl, our song keeps runnin’ on.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

427-Alice Cooper-Teenage Lament ’74.

1973-Number 12 single.

Best Bit-At 2.42. ‘We’re not worthy, we’re not worthy.’

Alice Cooper, also known as the ‘Alice Cooper Band’ can trace their roots back to ‘Cortez High School,’ in Phoenix, Arizona, United States, where in 1964, 16 year old Vincent Furnier, and his school friends formed a band to enter a local annual ‘Letterman’s’ talent show which they subsequently won using the stage name ‘The Earwigs’ (a probable nod to the Beatles.) They soon renamed themselves ‘The Spiders,’ and recorded their first single ‘Why Don’t You Love Me’. By 1967 the band members had graduated from high school, and once again changed their stage name, this time to ‘Nazz,’ but after finding out that the artist Todd Rundgren (see also best songs 90 and 22) was already using that name for his backing band, they settled upon ‘Alice Cooper’ in 1968, Alice Cooper was a character in the 1960’s, and 1970’s American television series ‘Mayberry R.F.D.’ The band remained active until 1975, with the line up consisting of Vincent Furnier, (vocals, and harmonica) Glen Buxton, (1947-1997) (lead guitar) Michael Bruce, (rhythm guitar, and keyboards) Dennis Dunaway, (bass) and Neal Smith (drums.) Two additional members, Mick Mashbir, (guitar) and Bob Dolin, (keyboards) performed with the band in 1973-1974. When the Alice Cooper Band split in 1975 the lead singer Vincent Furnier legally changed his name to Alice Cooper, so that he could continue to perform with that stage name.

The discography of the Alice Cooper Band includes seven studio Albums released between 1969-1973, and 16 singles released between 1969-2016, there are also two official compilation Albums, and three live Albums available. As ‘The Spiders’ they issued two singles, in 1965, and 1966, and as ‘Nazz,’ they issued one single in 1967. The Alice Cooper Band have had five top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 in America, with ‘School’s Out’ peaking the highest at Number 7 in 1972, while ‘Teenage Lament ’74’ reached Number 48. In the UK, they have also had five top 40 hits, with ‘School’s Out’ making the Number 1 spot in 1972.

Alice Cooper was born Vincent Damon Furnier, on February 4th, 1948, in Detroit, Michigan, United States. As Alice Cooper he has gone on to have a very successful solo musical career, he has also acted in several films, and appeared on many television programmes. When a member of the ‘Alice Cooper Band’ he became famously known for his elaborate stage shows, and eccentric behaviour when performing. The music press dubbed this ‘Shock Rock,’ and Cooper is recognised as a major influence on future ‘Heavy Rock’ performers. Alice Cooper has said that it was seeing the English singer Arthur Brown performing ‘Fire,’ (1968-UK Number 1 & Billboard Number 2 single) that inspired his live stage shows, ‘Can you imagine the young Alice Cooper watching that with all his make-up and hellish performance? It was like all my Halloweens came at once!’ Cooper has also said, ‘British rock always was more theatrical than its U.S. counterpart. Often this involved destruction or macabre gimmickry, that’s why most people thought we were British at first.’ In 2005 Alice Cooper was asked how much longer he would go on performing, to which he answered, ‘I look at Mick Jagger, (see also best songs 933-662-452-160 and 77) and he’s on an 18-month tour, and he’s six years older than me, so I figure, when he retires, I have six more years. I will not let him beat me when it comes to longevity.’

As a solo artist, as ‘Alice Cooper,’ he has released 22 studio Albums between 1975-2023, and 48 singles within the same time period, there are also three extended plays, (EP’s) 19 official compilation Albums, and eight live Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, six of his solo singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Poisen’ peaking the highest at Number 7 in 1989, while in the UK, he has charted within the top 40 on seven occasions, with ‘Poisen’ peaking the highest at Number 2.

‘Teenage Lament ’74’ was the first of two singles released from ‘Muscle of Love,’ the seventh and final studio Album by The ‘Alice Cooper Band,’ from November 1973, the song was co-written by Alice Cooper, and fellow group member Neal Smith, with the production being by Jack Douglas, and Jack Richardson (1929-2011.) ‘Teenage Lament ’74’ tells of a young boy working his way through adolescence, with all the usual trials and tribulations. He thinks that being 15 will be a breeze, but trying to impress his peers, and hearing his parents squabble is taking it’s toll. The song is also noteworthy for it’s female backing vocals, which include contributions from Liza Minnelli, (see also best songs 182) Ronnie Spector, (1943-2022) (see also best songs 127) Labelle, and The Pointer Sisters.

‘Well I cut my hair weird, I read that it was in. I looked like a rooster that was drowned and raised again.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

428-Johnny Cash-San Quentin.

1969-It has never been released as a single in the UK.

Best Bit-At 1.46. Johnny Cash playing to a captive audience.

Johnny Cash (see also best songs 857 and 199) was born J. R. Cash on February 26th, 1932, in Kingsland, Arkansas, United States, he died on September 12th, 2003, at the age of 71, of complications from diabetes. Cash suffered from drug addiction for long periods in his life, which led to him being arrested on occasions for possession, although he never spent more than one night in prison, (on at least seven occasions) he had great empathy with the conditions that long term inmates had to endure during their custodial sentences.

Johnny Cash is one of the worlds best selling artists, with sales in excess of 90 million records, he wrote over 1000 songs, and there have been a total of 97 Albums issued since 1957. Among the Albums released include 15 live recordings, of which four were recorded in prisons. Cash first performed at San Quentin (also his first ever prison performance) on January 1st, 1959. San Quentin State Prison is in California, United States, and first opened in July 1852. In the audience that day was an inmate by the name of Merle Haggard, (1937-2016) who at the age of 18 had been sentenced to 15 years in San Quentin for burglary. Seeing Cash perform turned Haggard’s life around, and he went on to become one of Country Music’s most successful acts with 38 Number 1 songs on Billboard’s Country Music chart. In 1969 when appearing on the ‘Johnny Cash Show’ Haggard told Cash that the first time he had ever seen him perform was at San Quentin, to which Cash replied ‘I don’t remember you being in that show Merle,’ to which Haggard responded, ‘I was in the audience Johnny.’

San Quentin’ is the opening track on side 2 on the original first issue of the Album ‘Johnny Cash at San Quentin,’ from June 1969, the song also appears in a shorter version as track 2 on side 2, with the Album notes stating ‘performed a second time at the audience’s request.’ ‘Johnny Cash at San Quentin’ was the 31st overall Album release by Johnny Cash, it was recorded on February 24th, 1969. The song ‘San Quentin’ was written by Johnny Cash, who also provided lead vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica, with the production being by Bob Johnston. (1932-2015.) Also appearing on the track, and it’s parent Album were June Carter Cash, (1929-2003) (vocals) the Carter Family, (vocals, autoharp, acoustic guitar) Marshall Grant, (1928-2011) (bass guitar) W.S. Holland, (1935-2020) (drums) Carl Perkins, (1932-1998) (see also best songs 664) (rhythm guitar, lead guitar, vocals) Bob Wootton, (1942-2017) (lead guitar) and The Statler Brothers (vocals.) The Album which has sold in excess of three million copies in the United States has been re-issued on Compact Disc in 2000, where it was expanded to 18 tracks, and in 2006 as the ‘Legacy Edition,’ which now carried 31 tracks, and a bonus ‘DVD.’ Johnny Cash’s first recorded for release concert prison Album had been the previous year, the ‘Folsom Prison,’ Album, which had also been met with critical acclaim. There would be two more ‘prison albums,’ ‘Pa Osteraker’ recorded in 1972, in Sweden, and ‘A Concert Behind Prison Walls,’ recorded in 1974, at Tennessee State Prison, but not released until 11 days after Cash’s death, on September 23rd, 2003.

‘San Quentin,’ and it’s parent Album ‘Johnny Cash at San Quentin,’ were produced by Bob Johnston, (see also best songs 529 and 96) who was born Donald William Johnston, on May 14th, 1932, in Nashville, Tennessee, United States, he died on August 14th, 2015, in a memory facility and a hospice, at the age of 83. As well as being a music producer Bob Johnston was also a songwriter, co-writing several songs for Elvis Presley’s (1935-1977) films between 1964-1968. In 1964 Johnston moved into production, and began working for ‘Columbia Records’ in New York, where in 1965 he was successful in gaining the assignment to produce Bob Dylan, followed by Simon & Garfunkel, Johnny Cash, Flatt & Scruggs, and then Leonard Cohen (1934-2016.)

The concert at San Quinton in 1969 was filmed by the English television company ‘Granada’ as part of a documentary about prison life. Two songs from the concert were both being performed for the very first time. ‘San Quentin,’ and the Shel Silverstein (1930-1999) (see also best songs 242) cover of ‘A Boy Named Sue.’ In a 2000 review of the Compact Disc edition, Phil Sutcliffe wrote in the American music magazine ‘Blender, ‘Cash, just 25, sings as old as the hills, and looks oddly Volcanic. Prisoners ‘have their hearts torn out,’ Cash reckoned. It sounds as if he did too, wild-eyed and shuddering at the oppression of the walls. The crowd is a 1,000-strong caged animal.

‘San Quentin I hate every inch of you. You’ve cut me and scarred me through and through, and I’ll walk out a wiser weaker man, Mister Congressman you can’t understand.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

429-Edwin Starr-Contact.

1979-Number 6 single.

Best Bit-At 4.04. ‘Oi! Mush, what’d yu’ think yur lookin’ at!’

Edwin Starr was born Charles Edwin Hatcher, on January 21st, 1942, in Nashville, Tennessee, United States, he died of a heart attack on April 2nd, 2003, in Chilwell, Nottinghamshire, England, at the age of 61. Hatcher’s professional music career began in Detroit, Michigan, in 1957, when he formed a ‘Doo-Wop’ group called the ‘Future Tones,’ As a solo artist in the early 1960’s he signed with the small independent record label ‘Ric-Tic’ records in Detroit. The owner of ‘Motown’ records Berry Gordy, (see also best songs 449-411 and 137) who didn’t want competition, bought ‘Ric-Tic’ records, and took the labels artists, one of whom was Starr, to record for him, on Motown, and it’s subsidiary’s. It was while at ‘Ric-Tic’ records that Hatcher adopted the stage name Edwin Starr, at the suggestion of the music artist manager Don Briggs.

Edwin Starr had his greatest commercial success while signed to Motown records, peaking in 1970, when his cover version of the Norman Whitfield, (1940-2008) (see also best songs 911-777-569-533-480-346 and 233) and Barrett Strong (1941-2023) (see also best songs 777 and 569) song ‘War,’ originally recorded by The Temptations, (see also best songs 1031-1001-777 and 569) went to Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for three consecutive weeks, the Edwin Starr version was also produced by Whitfield. It was Edwin Starr who introduced the musicians who would become known as ‘Rose Royce’ (see also best songs 533 and 233) to Norman Whitfield.The discography of Edwin Starr includes 15 Albums released between 1968-1991, and 53 singles released between 1965-1994, on the record labels ‘Ric-Tic,’ ‘Motown,’ ’20th Century,’ and ‘Motorcity.’ In America on the Billboard Hot 100, four of his singles, all on Motown, reached the top 40, with ‘War’ making the Number 1 spot, while ‘Contact’ stalled at Number 65, although it did reach Number 1 on the Billboard ‘Dance Club Songs’ chart. In the UK, Edwin Starr has had eight top 40 hit singles, with ‘War’ from 1970, peaking the highest at Number 3.

‘Contact’ was the second of two singles released from Edwin Starr’s ninth Album release called ‘Clean,’ from 1978, and was co-written by Starr, along with Robert Dickerson, and Arthur Pullam, with the production being by Starr. By 1978 ‘Disco Music’ was at it’s peak, and it appeared that everyone was jumping on the bandwagon. Edwin Starr was now signed with ’20th Century’ records, and recorded the Album ‘Clean,’ which contains other ‘Disco’ influenced songs, as well as ‘Contact,’ but also sees Starr perform ‘R&B,’ and ballads. Although the 12 inch vinyl single had already been around for a number of years by 1979, it was still unusual for them to sell in any great number, and ‘Contact’ was one of the first big sellers (many on coloured vinyl) to sell in excess of 100,000 copies in the UK. Edwin Starr uprooted and came to live in England in 1983, and would stay until his death. Starr was a very popular performer in the UK, especially on the ‘Northern Soul’ circuit, where many of his early recordings on ‘Ric-Tic’ records, and ‘Motown,’ have become sought-after Northern Soul classics.

‘Disco’ (taken from the abbreviated French ‘Discothèque’) is a genre of dance music that emerged in the late 1960’s in the United States. Prior to that Discothèques as a venue were mostly a French invention, imported to the United States with the opening of ‘Le Club,’ a members-only restaurant and nightclub located at 416 East 55th Street in Manhattan, by French expatriate Olivier Coquelin, on New Year’s Eve 1960. Disco music as a genre started as a mixture of music from venues popular among African-Americans, Hispanic and Latino Americans, gay Americans, and Italian Americans in New York City, (especially Brooklyn) and Philadelphia during the late 1960’s to the mid-to-late 1970’s. ‘Disco’ can be seen as a reaction by the 1960’s counterculture to both the dominance of ‘Rock’ music and the stigmatisation of ‘dance music’ at the time. Several dance styles were developed during the period of 70’s Disco’s popularity in the United States, including ‘The Bump,’ ‘The Hustle,’ (see also best songs 690) and ‘The Bus Stop’ (see also best songs 798.) There is no exact dates as to when ‘Disco’ music first became commercially successful, or as to when it finally declined, but as a rule of thumb I suggest that as a guide, ‘Rock the Boat’ by The Hues Corporation in 1974 (see also best songs 356) was the first American Billboard Hot 100 Number 1 ‘Disco’ single, and ‘Funky Town’ by Lipps Inc. in 1980, was the last Number 1 ‘Disco’ single.

‘Across the crowded disco room, through a maze of dancing people, she sits so quiet and all alone wanting to get the disco fever.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

430-M People-Moving On Up.

1993-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 4.37. The ‘Saxy’ bit.

M People were formed in Manchester, England, in 1990, by Mike Pickering, who chose the stage name ‘M People’ from the first letter of his name. He was soon joined by Paul Heard, who had previously been a member of the Acid Jazz band ‘Ace of Clubs,’ the percussionist Andrew ‘Shovel’ Lovell, whose previous band were called ‘Natural Life,’ and the vocalist Heather Small, who had just left the Soul band ‘Hot House.’ In 1999 M People went on hiatus, but have reformed on occasions to sporadically tour, and they remain active at the time of writing, although there has been no new music since 1999. The discography of M People who have sold in excess of 11 million records worldwide, includes four studio Albums released between 1991-1997, and 20 singles released between 1991-1999, there is also one extended play, (EP) one remix Album, and five official compilation Albums available. In the UK, all of their 20 singles (including the original version, and the remix of ‘How Can I Love You More?’) have reached the top 40, with ‘Moving On Up’ peaking the highest at Number 2 in 1993, while in America on the Billboard Hot 100, their only chart entry remains ‘Moving On Up,’ which made Number 34.

Mike Pickering was born on February 24th, 1958, in Manchester, England, he is a record producer, songwriter, Disc Jockey, and an A&R Executive. Prior to forming M People he had been a member of the critically acclaimed Electronic Music group ‘Quando Quango,’ who had failed to break into the mainstream, issuing one Album, and four singles between 1982-1985. Mike Pickering was also a DJ at ‘The Haçienda’ nightclub and music venue in Manchester, which became famous during the ‘Madchester’ (see also best songs 844) years of the 1980’s and early 1990’s, the club was run by the record label ‘Factory Records.’ Pickering worked for ‘Factory Records’ as an A&R Executive, where he signed artists for the label including ‘James,’ (see also best songs 490 and 109) and ‘Happy Mondays’ (see also best songs 580.)

Heather Marguerita Small MBE, was born on January 20th, 1965, in Ladbroke Grove, West London, England. Prior to joining M People, she was a singer with the English ‘Soul Music’ group ‘Hot House,’ and was the studio singer voice of the re-recorded version of ‘Ride on Time’ by Black Box (see also best songs 501.) The original idea was for M People to use different guest vocalists on each track, but after hearing Heather Small they had a change of mind, and she became a full time member. In the 2024 ‘Birthday Honours’ she was appointed ‘Member of the Order of the British Empire’ (MBE) for voluntary and charitable services. Heather Small actively supports several charities, such as ‘BeatBullying,’ the ‘Aiden Cox Foundation,’ ‘Mencap,’ ‘Show Racism The Red Card,’ ‘Barnardo’s,’ and ‘Asthma UK.’ After M People went on hiatus in 1999, she embarked on a solo career, which has seen the release of three studio Albums between 2000-2022, and 10 singles released within the same time period. In the UK, ‘Proud’ which has become her signature song has charted twice, peaking at Number 16 in 2000, and then making Number 33 when re-issued in 2005. She was one of the many artists who appeared on the 1997 UK Number 1 charity single ‘Perfect Day, (see also best songs 131) and her other chart entry was in 2000, as the featured artist on the Tom Jones track ‘You Need Love Like I Do’ (UK-Number 24.)

‘Moving On Up’ was the second of four singles released from ‘Elegant Slumming,’ the second studio Album by M People from October 1993, the Album won the 1994 ‘UK Mercury Music Prize,’ and has sold in excess of 800,000 copies worldwide. ‘Moving On Up’ was co-written by Mike Pickering and Paul Heard, with the production credited to M People, The memorable saxophone that can be heard on the track was played by the session saxophonist Snake Davis.

‘Moving On Up’ went on to become one of the most popular Dance/Pop tracks of the 1990’s. Although the song sounds uplifting, and inspiring, it is actually about a woman telling her man he is no longer wanted, as he doesn’t treat her the way he should. She is taking control of the situation, and telling him to go, which of course is inspiring for people in a similar situation to hear.

‘You’ve done me wrong, your time is up. You took a sip from the Devil’s cup. You broke my heart, there’s no way back, move right out of here, baby, go on pack your bags.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

431-Lead Belly-Where Did You Sleep Last Night?

1944-It has never charted in the UK. There was no chart until 1952.

Best Bit-At 2.31. The more I read and write about music, the more I realise that if it wasn’t for the previous generations influence on the next generation, our musical heritage would be an awful lot poorer. Perhaps Lead Belly was the most influential of them all?

Huddie William Ledbetter was probably born on January 23rd, 1888, in Mooringsport, Louisiana, United States, he died on December 6th, 1949, having earlier on that year been diagnosed with Motor Neuron disease, at the age of 61. Lead Belly was known for playing a twelve-string guitar, as well as the piano, mandolin, harmonica, violin, and windjammer. He recorded in many genres including ‘Folk Blues,’ and ‘Gospel,’ and also wrote many songs himself. He acquired the nickname ‘Lead Belly’ while in prison, more than likely because of his strong local accent, with ‘Huddie William Ledbetter from Shreveport,’ being misheard as ‘Huddie Weem Leadbelly from Freeport.’ Although on many of his records he is credited as ‘Leadbelly,’ he wrote his name as ‘Lead Belly,’ and this is the spelling on his tombstone, and is also used by the ‘Lead Belly Foundation.’

Between 1915-1939, Ledbetter served several prison and jail terms in Louisiana, for a variety of criminal charges. It was the ‘Folklorists’ John Lomax, (1867-1948) and his son Alan Lomax, (1915-2002) (see also best songs 781) who ‘discovered’ Ledbetter in ‘Angola Penitentiary’ during a 1933 visit, when recording varieties of local music in the South as a project to preserve traditional music for the ‘Library of Congress,’ this was one of numerous cultural projects undertook during the ‘Great Depression.’ The Lomaxes were very impressed with Ledbetter and recorded him in prison in 1933 and 1934. Many artists have paid tribute to Ledbetter over the years, George Harrison (1943-2001) (see also best songs 737 and 726) said, ‘If there was no Lead Belly, there would have been no Lonnie Donegan, no Lonnie Donegan, (see also best songs 484 and 136) no Beatles, therefore no Lead Belly no Beatles’ (see also best songs 599-456-319-238-218-141-80-51-10 and 6.) Bob Dylan (see also best songs 792-621-358-103-36 and 7) said, ‘Somebody I’d never seen before handed me a Lead Belly record with the song ‘Cotton Fields,’ on it, and that record changed my life right there and then. ‘From the more recent crop of musicians, George Ezra (see also best songs 355) has said that he developed his singing style from listening to Lead Belly. ‘On the back of one of his records it said his voice was so big, you had to turn your record player down. I liked the idea of singing with a big voice, so I tried it, and I could.’

The discography of Lead Belly includes 19 singles released between 1935-1948, and seven Albums released between 1939-1947. His list of posthumous releases include ‘The Library of Congress’ recordings, made by John and Alan Lomax from 1934 to 1943, which were released in a six-volume series by ‘Rounder Records,’ between 1991-1995. There are also a further 18 official compilation Albums, and two live Albums made available since his death.

‘Where Did You Sleep Last Night?’ is a traditional American Folk song that developed from two songs, ‘In the Pines,’ and ‘The Longest Train, it is also known as ‘My Girl,’ and ‘Black Girl,’ and both were probably written around 1870 by an unknown source. Like many other Folk songs, ‘In the Pines’ was passed down from generation to generation, and over time lyrics have been added, and also changed. The earliest recordings of the song date back to 1925, with many versions in differing genres recorded since. Lead Belly recorded the song at least six times between 1944-1948, most often under the title of ‘Black Girl,’ or ‘Black Gal.” The American Bill Monroe (1911-1996) recorded the song in 1941 and then again in 1952, with both versions being highly influential on the ‘Bluegrass’ and ‘Country Music’ genres. In the UK the song has charted on one occasion, when the English ‘Beat’ group ‘The Four Pennies’ reached Number 20 in 1964 with their version called ‘Black Girl,’ they never released the song as a single in America. The most famous, and also critically acclaimed version of the song is the 1993 ‘MTV Unplugged’ recording by Nirvana, (see also best songs 788 and 9) which earned Kurt Cobain (1967-1994) universal acclaim from critics and fellow musicians. Neil Young (see also best songs 602 and 559) was deeply impressed with Cobain’s performance, he said,’The tortured final vocals sounded unearthly, like a werewolf, unbelievable.’

‘My girl, my girl, don’t lie to me, tell me where did you sleep last night. In the pines, in the pines, where the sun don’t ever shine.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

432-Robert Palmer-Addicted To Love.

1986-Number 5 single.

Best Bit-At 0.18. As I watch the songs iconic video, I am thinking to myself, if these girls have taken care of themselves, then they will now be very ‘glamorous grannies.’ (If you watch the video closely, you can also see Robert Palmer.)

Robert Allen Palmer was born on January 19th, 1949, in Batley, West Riding of Yorkshire, England, he had been a heavy smoker since his teenage years, and died from a sudden heart attack in a Paris hotel room on September 26th, 2003, at the age of 54. During the course of his career Robert Palmer experimented and recorded in many different genres of music, including ‘Rock,’ ‘Reggae,’ ‘Bossa Nova,’ and the ‘Blues.’ Shortly after his birth his family uprooted and moved to Malta, where his father worked in British naval intelligence, he returned to England in his teens, settling in Scarborough, North Yorkshire. Before setting out on a solo career Palmer joined his first band the ‘Mandrakes’ at 15 while still at school, he was then a member of ‘The Alan Bown Set’ from 1969-1970. In 1970 he joined the ‘Jazz/Rock’ group ‘Dada,’ which was where he first played with Elkie Brooks, and her husband Pete Gage, the three of them would go on to co-form the Rock band ‘Vinegar Joe’ in 1972. When they disbanded in 1974 after three studio Albums Palmer pursued a solo career, he also released two Albums with the ‘supergroup’ The Power Station’ in 1985 and 1996.

The solo discography of Robert Palmer includes 14 studio Albums released between 1974-2003, and 51 singles released within the same time period, there are also three box sets, 12 official compilation Albums, and three live Albums available. In the UK, he has had 10 top 40 singles, with ‘Addicted to Love’ charting the highest at Number 5 in 1986, while in America on the Billboard Hot 100, he has had nine top 40 hits, with ‘Addicted to Love’ making the Number 1 position.

‘Addicted to Love’ was the third of five singles released from Robert Palmer’s eighth solo studio Album ‘Riptide,’ from November 1985, the song was written by Robert Palmer, with the production being by Bernie Edwards. ‘Addicted to Love’ was issued as a single in edited form from the Album, and featured Bernie Edwards (bass) Andy Taylor (guitar) (see also best songs 903) and Tony Thompson, (1954-2003) (drums) (see also best songs 175) who had all also been part of ‘The Power Station.’ When Robert Palmer originally wrote the song, he wrote it as a duet with Chaka Khan in mind, but due to contractual problems, her record label refused permission, but Khan (see also best songs 703-228 and 85) still received credit on the Album sleeve for vocal arrangements. For his inspiration on writing the song, Palmer has said that it all started with a guitar riff he heard in a dream, ‘That noisy riff woke me up. I went downstairs, got out the tape recorder, then went back to bed. Next morning, I thought, phew, caught one there!’

Bernard Edwards (see also best songs 175 and 17) was born on October 31st, 1952, in Greenville, North Carolina, United States, he died of pneumonia on April 18th, 1996, at the age of 43. Bernie Edwards was a songwriter, and music producer, but is best remembered as being critically acclaimed for playing the bass guitar. In 1972 Bernie Edwards co-founded the ‘Disco’ group ‘Chic’ with Nile Rodgers, and they were soon joined by Tony Thompson, (drums) and Norma Jean Wright (vocals.) As well as working as ‘Chic,’ Bernie Edwards and Nile Rodgers wrote, produced, and provided musical backing for several other artists, including Diana Ross, (1980-‘Diana’ Album) Debbie Harry, (1981-‘KooKoo’ Album) and Sister Sledge (1979-‘We Are Family’ & 1980-‘Love Somebody Today’ Albums.) In 1983 Bernie Edwards released his one solo Album, ‘Glad to Be Here,’ and in 1985 he co-produced with Tony Thompson the self titled debut Album by ‘The Power Station,’ and then also produced and played bass guitar on The Power Station’s second and Final Album ‘Living in Fear in 1996. Bernie Edwards is the father of the multi-platinum record producer Bernard ‘Focus…’ Edwards, Jr. who has produced songs for artists including Beyonce, Eminem, and Christina Aguilera.

‘Addicted to Love’ is accompanied by one of the most famous and memorable video’s in Pop music history, and was directed by Terence Donovan (1936-1996.) Five glamour models were chosen to appear wearing heavy makeup, dressed seductively, and showing a mannequin-like expression, they were also told there was no need to dance in sync, and there was no need to know how to play the instruments. One of the girls, Mak Gilchrist, who was 21 at the time has said, ‘I remember feeling an acute sense of embarrassment when I first saw how sexy the video was. The most unusual place I saw it was on a huge screen on the side of a Tokyo building.’

‘Your lights are on, but you’re not home, your mind is not your own. Your heart sweats, your body shakes, another kiss is what it takes.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

433-Kid Rock-All Summer Long.

2008-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 1.07. If he can have that much fun reminiscing about ‘Sweet Home Alabama,’ think how much more fun he would have had, had it been ‘Freebird.’ (see also best songs 12.)

Kid Rock was born Robert James Ritchie, on January 17th, 1971, in Romeo, Michigan, United States, he is a singer, songwriter, and musician. Kid Rock was brought up in an affluent family on his fathers six acre estate. As a teenager he became interested in ‘Hip-Hop’ music, he learnt how to break-dance, and taught himself to rap, entering talent shows around the Detroit area. His first endeavour as a professional musician was as a member of a ‘Hip-Hop’ group called ‘The Beast Crew,’ where he came to be noticed by the music producer Mike E. Clark. Kid Rock’s sound has gradually changed over the years, having began as a Rapper, he moved away from that genre, and over the course of his Albums he became a singer, encompassing ‘Rock,’ ‘Country,’ and ‘Nu Metal.’ His song ‘Cowboy’ from 1999 is considered a pioneering song in the ‘Country Rap’ genre. It would be true to say that Kid Rock has definitely pushed the boundaries with his fusing of musical genres. In the 2007 book ‘Is Hip Hop Dead? The Past, Present, and Future of America’s Most Wanted Music,’ the author Mickey Hess identified Kid Rock as ‘Connecting ‘Hip-Hop’ music to ‘Rap Rock,’ due to having started out as a Hip-Hop artist, before shifting his style from sample-based Hip-Hop to guitar-driven Alternative Rock that fused Hip-Hop beats, boasting and fashioned with hard rock guitar and Southern Rock attitude, influenced by classic rock and Country Music.’

The discography of Kid Rock, who has sold in excess of 35 million Albums worldwide, includes 12 studio Albums released between 1990-2022, and 41 singles released between 1990-2023, there are also three extended plays, (EP’s) two official compilation Albums, and one live Album available. In America on Billboard, eight of his Albums have reached the top 10, with ‘Rock n Roll Jesus,’ making Number 1 in 2007. In the UK, ‘Rock n Roll Jesus,’ is his only top 40 charting Album, peaking at Number 4. On the American Billboard Hot 100, Kid Rock has had three top 40 charting singles, with ‘Picture,’ featuring Sheryl Crow, or Allison Moorer, peaking the highest at Number 4 in 2002. In America ‘All Summer Long’ only reached Number 23, since Kid Rock had not made his catalogue available for legal digital download at the time, therefore, the song received no digital sales, and it’s chart position was based solely on airplay. In the UK, Kid Rock has had three top 40 charting singles, with the other two being ‘Cowboy,’ (1999-Number 36) and ‘American Bad Ass’ (2000-Number 25.)

‘All Summer Long’ was the third of six singles released from ‘Rock n Roll Jesus,’ the seventh studio Album by Kid Rock, from October 2007, the record company wanted to issue ‘All Summer Long’ as the Albums lead single, but due to the time of year it was decided to wait until March 2008, in order to give the track a chance of becoming a summer hit. ‘All Summer Long’ samples three classic tracks from the 1970’s, ‘Sweet Home Alabama,’ (see also best songs 204) by Lynyrd Skynyrd,’ ‘Werewolves of London,’ by Warren Zevon, (1947-2003) and ‘Night Moves,’ by Bob Seger, and because of this there are eight official songwriters credited, the production was by Kid Rock.

The piano on ‘All Summer Long’ was played by Billy Powell, (1952-2009) who had been a member of Lynyrd Skynyrd, and had played keyboards on ‘Sweet Home Alabama.’ According to Kid Rock’s close associate, the DJ Uncle Kracker, ‘All Summer Long’ came about because ‘Atlantic Records’ were wanting to capitalise on the trend of ‘mashup’ songs at that time, Uncle Kracker has said, ‘One morning, he (Kid Rock) had this track from Mike Clark (music producer) where he looped ‘Sweet Home Alabama,’ and ‘Werewolves Of London.’ I happened to be home off tour, and he was home off tour. He was like, ‘Man, I’ve got this banger, you’ve got to come out here. Let’s write this thing today.’ I drove out to his studio and we wrote that in probably about a half hour, I bet.’

‘All Summer Long’ sees the songs narrator reminiscing fondly about his youth. Kid Rock has said, ‘I knew the track was solid, it’s got two of the best songs of all time mashed up together. It’s got great melodies, so really, my work was done’.

‘Splashing through the sand bar, talking by the campfire, it’s the simple things in life, like when and where. We didn’t have no internet, but man I will never forget the way the moonlight shined upon her hair.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

434-Procol Harum-A Whiter Shade of Pale.

1967-Number 1 single. When it was re-issued in 1972 it reached Number 13, and in 2022 it re-entered the top 40 at Number 38.

Best Bit-At 1.18. In 1977, ‘A Whiter Shade of Pale’ was named joint winner, along with ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ by Queen (see also best songs 3) of ‘The Best British Pop Single 1952–1977,’ at the inaugural ‘Brit Awards,’ coincidentally both songs have the word ‘Fandango’ in their lyrics.

Procol Harum were formed in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England, in 1967, and were active until 1977, the band was reformed in 1991, and remained active until the death of the groups one constant Gary Brooker in 2022, when Procol Harum were disbanded for good. Procol Harum were founded by Gary Brooker, (1945-2022) (vocals, and piano) who had been a former member of the English ‘Beat’ group the ‘Paramounts,’ who had a 1964 UK Number 35 hit with a cover version of ‘Poisen Ivy,’ and Keith Reid, (1946-2023) (lyrics) who did not play any instruments, and did not record with Procol Harum, but wrote the lyrics for all of their original songs, with the exception of their 2017 Album, ‘Novum.’ The other musicians who who played on this track, the bands debut single, were Matthew Fisher, (Hammond organ) Ray Royer, (guitar) David Knights, (bass) and Bill Eyden, (1930-2004) (drums) who was not a band member, but a studio session musician brought in by the songs producer Denny Cordell (1943-1995.) In total since the bands inception there were 24 group members come and go. Procol Harum named themselves after a male blue Burmese cat, who belonged to a mutual friend.

The discography of Procol Harum whose music has been described as ‘Progressive Rock,’ ‘Proto-Prog,’ ‘Art Rock,’ and ‘Psychedelia,’ includes 12 studio Albums released between 1967-2017, and 34 singles released between 1967-2021, there are also three extended plays, (EP’s) 23 official compilation Albums, and 11 live Albums available. In the UK, five of their singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Homburg’ from 1967, the follow up to ‘A Whiter Shade of Pale,’ giving them their only other top 10 hit, when peaking at Number 6. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, three of their singles have made the top 40, with ‘A Whiter Shade of Pale’ peaking the highest at Number 5.

‘A Whiter Shade of Pale’ was the debut single released by Procol Harum, in May 1967, the song was co-written by Keith Reid, Gary Brooker, and Matthew Fisher, with the production being by Denny Cordell. At the time of writing’A Whiter Shade of Pale’ is still one of the top 43 best selling singles worldwide of all time, that have sold in excess of 10 million copies. It is also recognised by the ‘Phonographic Performance Limited,’ as the most played record by ‘British Broadcasting’ in the last 70 years. The songs lyrics were written by Keith Reid, and the music by Gary Brooker, but on July 30th, 2009, after many years of legal wrangling the name of Matthew Fisher who provided the distinctive Hammond organ on the song had his name added to the writing credits. At the time Matthew Fisher said, ‘This was about making sure everyone knew about my part in the authorship. One of the five judges who heard the case was Baroness Hale, who said: ‘As one of those people who do remember the ’60’s, I am glad that the author of that memorable organ part has at last achieved the recognition he deserves.’

One of the probable reasons for ‘A Whiter Shade of Pale’s’ enduring popularity is it’s unusual lyrics. Keith Reid has said he was at a party and he heard someone saying to a woman, ‘You’ve turned a whiter shade of pale,’ and the phrase stuck in his mind. Of the song Reid has said, ‘I was trying to conjure a mood, as much as tell a straightforward girl leaves boy story. With the ceiling flying away, and the room humming harder, I wanted to paint an image of a scene. I wasn’t trying to be mysterious with those images, I was trying to be evocative. It’s sort of a film, really, trying to conjure up mood and tell a story. It’s about a relationship. There’s characters and there’s a location, and there’s a journey. You get the sound of the room and the feel of the room and the smell of the room. But certainly there’s a journey going on, it’s not a collection of lines just stuck together. It’s got a thread running through it. I feel with songs that you’re given a piece of the puzzle, the inspiration or whatever. In this case, I had that title, ‘Whiter Shade of Pale,’ and I thought, There’s a song here. And it’s making up the puzzle that fits the piece you’ve got. You fill out the picture, you find the rest of the picture that that piece fits into.’

‘We skipped the light fandango, turned cartwheels ‘cross the floor. I was feeling seasick, but the crowd called out for more. The room was humming harder, as the ceiling flew away. When we called out for another drink, the waiter brought a tray.’