THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

435-The Undertones-Teenage Kicks.

1978-Number 31 single.

Best Bit-At 0.30. The late great DJ John Peel’s favourite ever song, enough said.

The Undertones were formed in Derry, Northern Island, in 1974, by John O’Neill, (rhythm guitar) Feargal Sharkey, (vocals) Michael Bradley, (bass) Billy Doherty, (drums) and Vincent O’Neill, (guitar) Vincent left the group in 1976, and was replaced by his younger brother Damian O’Neill (lead guitar.) This quintet remained active until 1983, when lead singer Feagal Sharkey who unhappy about the musical direction the band had taken, left the group to pursue a solo career. In 1999 The Undertones reformed without Sharkey who declined their invitation, so fellow Derry born Paul McLoon was drafted in as the new lead singer, and at the time of writing they remain active. It was their drummer Billy Doherty who proposed the name for the group ‘The Undertones,’ which he had discovered in his school history book. The Undertones early musical influences included ‘Punk Rock, and ‘New Wave,’ and then they also incorporated elements of ‘Rock, ‘Glam Rock,’ and ‘Post-Punk’ into material released after 1979, before citing ‘Soul’ and ‘Motown’ as the influence for the material released upon their final album before Feargal Sharkey’s departure. Feargal Sharkey has said, ‘Certainly The Undertones were a completely different band by the time we made Positive Touch (third studio Album) and the last album, The Sin of Pride, which was an even bigger departure. We thought we were doing all these good things, taking up all these challenges and, we felt, meeting them, and nobody was saying a damn thing about it. Everybody wanted us to be these 16-year-old kids covered in acne and playing ‘Teenage Kicks.’

The discography of The Undertones includes six studio Albums released between 1979-2007, and 20 singles released between 1978-2013, there are also three extended plays, (EP’s) 14 official compilation Albums, and two box sets available. In the UK, seven of their singles have reached the top 40, with ‘My Perfect Cousin’ peaking the highest at Number 9 in 1980. The groups only other top 40 chart entries have been on the Irish Singles Chart in the Republic of Ireland, where four of their songs have made the top 40, with ‘My Perfect Cousin’ proving to be their greatest commercial success when also peaking at Number 9.

‘Teenage Kicks’ was written by John O’Neill in 1977, with the production credited to The Undertones, and Davy Shannon, who worked with the group on their debut extended play ‘Teenage Kicks’ in September 1978. When The Undertones signed to ‘Sire Records’ in October 1978, ‘Teenage Kicks’ was released as a single, but did not appear on their self titled debut studio Album from May 1979, but when that Album was re-issued in October 1979, it appeared as track 5 on side one. John O’Neill has said, ‘In 1978 we didn’t think ‘Teenage Kicks’ was the best song. True Confessions was the one we thought people would go for, and we only named the EP after it because we were teenagers and it seemed appropriate. When John Peel played it twice on his show we were in shock. I came-up with the title. I was an MC5 (see also best songs 155) fan and they had a song called Teenage Lust and we used to cover Route 66, so with the licks in the chorus I just made the connection. I was actually shocked that there wasn’t already a song called Teenage Kicks because it’s an obvious cliché. To be honest, I still don’t think the songs that good, it’s the band’s performance on record that gives it the special quality. We were just the right age at the right time. It’s the strength of the voice, and the urgency of the drums and guitars, it seemed to capture the moment.’

‘Teenage Kicks’ is famous for being the all time favourite song of the influential ‘BBC Radio 1’ DJ John Peel, (1939-2004) (see also best songs 728-659-409 and 336) it is said that on first hearing the song in September 1978 Peel burst in to tears. In a 2001 interview Peel stated that apart from his name, the only words he wished to be engraved on his gravestone were the opening lyrics to Teenage Kicks (‘Teenage dreams so hard to beat.’) Peel’s wife Sheila said, ‘We have put the words on the stone that he would have wanted, I wouldn’t dare do anything else.’

I’m gonna call her on the telephone, have her over ’cause I’m all alone. I need excitement, oh I need it bad and it’s the best I’ve ever had.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

436-Billie Jo Spears-Blanket on the Ground.

1975-Number 6 single.

Best Bit-At 1.10. It seems like a good idea, until you get sent to prison for lewd behaviour.

Billy Jo Spears was born Billie Jean Moore, on January 14th, 1937, in Beaumont, Texas, United States, she suffered from lung cancer in her final years, and died on December 14th, 2011, at the age of 73. Billie Jean who was one of six children was usually called ‘BJ’ during her childhood, and the nickname stuck throughout her adult life, it was in 1964 after moving to Nashville, Tennessee, that she changed her professional name to ‘Billie Jo Spears.’ Billie Jo Spears was a ‘Country Music’ singer, who in her recordings often sang about women in assertive positions, good examples of this are her 1969 recording ‘Mr. Walker, It’s All Over,’ which is a song about sexual harassment, and this song ‘Blanket on the Ground,’ which is about rekindling sexual desire. The writers Mary A. Bufwack, and Robert K. Oermann explained in their 2003 book ‘Finding her voice: The Saga of Women in Country Music 1800-2000,’ that Billie Jo Spears’ choice of material set her apart, ‘Billie Jo was unusual for a country female of the period in that she recorded hardly any ‘victim’ material. Almost all of the star’s hit ballads are of women leaving, surviving or otherwise asserting themselves.’ Talking of her career Billie Jo Spears once said, ‘I have no desire to be a Pop artist, I couldn’t go Pop with a mouthful of firecrackers.’

Billie Jo Spears who may have garnered many of her song ideas from being married five times, released 24 studio Albums between 1968-1998, and 53 singles between 1953-1991, there are also 14 official compilation Albums available. In America none of her singles have charted on the Billboard Hot 100, top 40 chart, but 26 of her singles have charted on the Billboard Country Music chart, with ‘Blanket on the Ground’ making the Number 1 position. In the UK, Billie Jo Spears has had three top 40 hits, with ‘What I’ve Got in Mind,’ peaking the highest at Number 4 in 1976.

‘Blanket on the Ground’ was the second of two singles released from Billie Jo Spears’ seventh studio Album of the same name, from February 1975, the song was written by Roger Bowling, (1944-1982) with the production being by Larry Butler (1942-2012.) Roger Dale Bowling was born on December 3rd, 1944, in Helton, Leslie County, Kentucky. United States, he committed suicide on December 26th, 1982, after being diagnosed with terminal cancer around a year earlier, at the age of 38. He was a songwriter of Country Music, and also a recording artist, having had seven chart entries on the ‘Billboard Country’ music chart, with ‘Yellow Pages,’ peaking the highest at Number 30 in 1981. As a songwriter he is best remembered for co-writing two of Kenny Rogers (1938-2020) (see also best songs 582) biggest hits, ‘Lucille,’ (1977-Billboard Number 5 & UK Number 1 single) and ‘Coward of the County,’ (1979-Billboard Number 3 & UK Number 1 single.)

‘Blanket on the Ground’ was produced by Larry Butler who was born on March 29th, 1942, in Pensacola, Florida, United States, he died in his sleep on January 20th, 2012, at the age of 69. He was a Country Music producer, and songwriter, and is the only Nashville producer to win the ‘Grammy Award’ for ‘Producer of the year.’ Prior to becoming a music producer Larry Butler relocated to Nashville in 1963, starting out as a session musician, where he was in high demand, playing piano for artists of the calibre of Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Dolly Parton. In 1964 he played keyboards in the American Rock group Ronny and the Daytonas, who had A 1964 Canadian hit with ‘GTO,’ He then joined the American group ‘The Gentrys,’ playing on their only top 40 hit ‘Keep On Dancing,’ (1965-Billboard Number 4.) Larry Butler joined ‘Capitol Records’ in 1969 to become an in-house music producer, then moved to ‘CBS Records’ in 1970, where he worked closely with Johnny Cash, ((1932-2003) see also best songs 857-428 ans 199) producing some of ‘The man in black’s’ biggest hits in the 1970’s. In 1973 Butler then moved to ‘United Artists Records,’ as head of the label’s Nashville division, where he began a long and successful working relationship with Kenny Rogers. His biggest success as a songwriter was co-writing with Chips Moman, (1937-2016) (see also best songs 442) (‘Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song,’ which became a Billboard Number 1 single when recorded by B. J. Thomas (1942-2021) (see also best songs 832) in 1975.

‘Blanket on the Ground’ tells of a couple who have been married for several years, and she wishes to put some spark back into their relationship by doing things that they did when ‘love was young.’

‘Just because we are married don’t mean we can’t slip around, so let’s walk out through the moonlight and lay the blanket on the ground.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

437-Scooter-‘Ramp! (The Logical Song.’)

2002-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 0.34. Guten Morgen.

If you were under the age of 18 in 2002 then your parents will have hated this song, which is what Pop Music should be all about. Every new generation needs it’s own identity.

Scooter (see also best songs 1033 and 144) were formed in Hamburg, Germany, in 1993, by Hans Peter Geerdes, better known by his stage name H.P. Baxxter, and Hendrik Stedler, who is better known as Rick J. Jordan, since their inception a further nine members have come and gone. When Jordan left the group in 2014, this left Baxxter as the bands one constant. Scooter are a ‘Happy Hardcore,’ ‘Rave,’ and ‘Techno’ music group, who have sold in excess of 30 million records worldwide, and have earned over 80 Gold and Platinum awards to date. Scooter are the most commercially successful German single-record act with 23 top 10 hits on the ‘GfK Entertainment charts,’ which is the official German provider of the weekly Top 100 singles and Album chart.

The discography of Scooter includes 21 studio Albums that have been released between 1995-2024, and 82 singles that have been released between 1993-2024, there are also five official compilation Albums, and five live Albums available. In Germany all of their studio Albums have reached the top 40, with ‘Under the Radar Over the Top,’ (2009) and ‘Open Your Mind and Your Trousers,’ (2024) both peaking the highest at Number 2. On the German singles Top 100, 44 of their singles have made the top 40, with ‘Nessaja’ peaking the highest at Number 1 in 2002. Scooter have also featured on a further four singles for charity projects under different names, with the most successful being the song ‘Love Message,’ by ‘Love Message,’ which reached Number 4 in Germany in 1996. Scooter have had 12 top 40 hit singles in the UK, with ‘Ramp! (The Logical Song’) charting the highest at Number 2 in 2002.

Scooter’s one constant is H. P. Baxxter, who was born Hans Peter Geerdes, on March 16th, 1964, in Leer, West Germany, he is the lead vocalist with Scooter, both as a singer and as a Rapper. In 1987, he formed the ‘Synth-Pop’ band ‘Celebrate the Nun,’ together with Rick J. Jordan, and his sister Britt Maxime, with ‘Celebrate the Nun,’ Baxxter released two studio Albums, in 1989, and 1991, and also released five singles between 1988-1991. In 1993, former ‘Celebrate the Nun’ members joined Baxxter’s cousin Orion Ferris Bueller to form a remix team known as ‘The Loop,’ which remained active until 1998. In 2009, H. P. Baxxter, was part of the German jury for that years ‘Eurovision Song Contest,’ and he has also appeared as one of the judges on the German version of the ‘X Factor,’ in season 3.

‘Ramp! (The Logical Song’) was the only single released from ‘Push the Beat for This Jam (The Second Chapter,’) from January 2002, the Album which was alternatively titled ‘Push the Beat for This Jam (The Singles ’94–’02’) in the UK and Australia, is the second singles compilation from Scooter, which included many of their recent singles, plus four new tracks, some live tracks, ‘B’ sides, and remixes. ‘Ramp! (The Logical Song’) was written by Roger Hodgson, and produced by Scooter. The reason why Hodgson is given as the songs sole writer is because he wrote the song that ‘Ramp! (The Logical Song’) heavily samples, which is ‘The Logical Song,’ by the English Rock band Supertramp, who in 1979 took their original version to Number 12 in West Germany, Number 7 in the UK, and Number 6 in America on the Billboard Hot 100. The The lyrical content in ‘Ramp! (The Logical Song’) includes a nod to the British Electronic band the ‘KLF,’ (see also best songs 329) who Scooter have always acknowledged as a big influence. The song features all of Scooter’s usual trademarks including high pitched voice, and vocal improvisation.

‘When I was young it seemed that life was so wonderful, a miracle, oh it was beautiful, magical, and all the birds in the trees, well they’d be singing so happily, so joyfully oh playfully, watching me.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

438-Nine Inch Nails-Head Like a Hole.

1990-Number 45 single.

Best Bit-At 2.37. Nothing in Pop music is totally original. Artists are influenced by what they have heard, and the very best add their own new ideas, and thus influence the next generation.

Trent Reznor, was born Michael Trent Reznor, on May 17th, 1965, in New Castle, Pennsylvania, United States, he is a musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, and composer. He came to prominence as the founder, lead vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and primary songwriter of the ‘Industrial Rock’ band Nine Inch Nails, whom he formed in 1988, and at the time of writing remain active. Since the bands inception Trent Reznor has employed a total of 32 musicians for studio work and for touring, including the English musician Atticus Ross, who first teamed up with Reznor in 2002, and became only the bands second full time member in 2016. The band name ‘Nine Inch Nails,’ and this songs title ‘Head Like a Hole’ was inspired by a quote by Al Jourgensen the lead singer of the American Heavy Metal group ‘Ministry’ who said,’Listening to Ministry is like having a nine inch nail hammered into your head like a hole.’ With Nine Inch Nails, Trent Reznor has been nominated for 13 ‘Grammy Awards,’ winning for the songs ‘Wish,’ in 1992, and ‘Happiness in Slavery,’ in 1996. In 1997 the American magazine ‘Time’ named Reznor one of its most influential people of that year, while the American ‘Spin’ magazine has described him as ‘The most vital artist in music.’ Nine Inch Nails were inducted into the ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’ in 2020, after being nominated in 2014 (the band’s first year of eligibility) and again in 2015.

The discography of Nine Inch Nails who have sold in excess of 20 million records worldwide, includes 11 studio Albums released between 1989-2020, and 19 singles released between 1989-2018, there are also six extended plays, (EP’s) three remix Albums, one soundtrack Album, two official compilation Albums, and one live Album available. In America on Billboard, two of their studio Albums have reached the Number 1 position, ‘The Fragile,’ (1999) and ‘With Teeth,’ (2005) while two of their singles have made the Billboard Hot 100 top 40, with ‘The Day the World Went Away,’ peaking the highest at Number 17 in 1999, and ‘Head Like a Hole’ failing to chart. In the UK, Nine Inch Nails have had six top 40 hits singles, with ‘The Hand That Feeds,’ charting the highest at Number 7 in 2005. Trent Reznor has also released music not using the ‘Nine Inch Nails’ name. With Atticus Ross he has written music for 22 films between 1994-2024, including music for ‘Natural Born Killers.’ (1994) and ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,’ (2011.) In 2013 Reznor and Atticus, and three others released a studio Album called ‘Welcome Oblivion,’ as a group called ‘How to Destroy Angels.’

Head Like a Hole’ was the second of three singles released from ‘Pretty Hate Machine,’ the debut studio Album from Nine Inch Nails, from October 1989, the song was written by Trent Reznor, with the production being by Reznor, and Mark Ellis, who is better known by his stage name ‘Flood.’ All 10 tracks on the Album were written or co-written by Trent Reznor, who was also one of five producers used on the Album. Reznor also played very nearly all of the instruments, as well as providing the vocals.

Nine Inch Nails are one of the leading exponents of ‘Industrial Rock,’ which is a fusion genre that fuses ‘Industrial Music’ and ‘Rock Music.’ In the 1990’s, Industrial Rock broke into the mainstream, with artists and bands such as Nine Inch Nails, White Zombie, and Marilyn Manson leading the way. ‘Industrial Rock’ initially originated in the 1970’s, and drew influence from early experimental and industrial acts such as the English group ‘Throbbing Gristle,’ and the American band ‘Chrome.’ Industrial Rock became more prominent in the 1980’s, with the success of artists such as the English group ‘Killing Joke,’ (see also best songs 819) and the American band ‘Swans.’ ‘Industrial Music’ is a genre of music that draws on harsh, mechanical, transgressive, or provocative sounds and themes. The American on line music database ‘ALLMusic’ defines ‘Industrial Music’ as the ‘most abrasive and aggressive fusion of rock and electronic music,’ that was ‘initially a blend of avant-garde electronics experiments (tape music, musique concrète, white noise, synthesizers, sequencers, etc.) and punk provocation.’ The term was coined in the mid-1970’s, with the founding of ‘Industrial Records,’ by members of Throbbing Gristle, and the American artist Monte Cazazza (1949-2023.)

‘Head Like a Hole’ is a song about the control that money has over some people, and the pain associated with it. Trent Rezner has said that the song is ‘Pretty much about yelling at a beast without putting a face to it.’

‘God money I’ll do anything for you. God money just tell me what you want me to. God money nail me up against the wall. God money don’t want everything he wants it all.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

439-Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes-(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life.

1987 Number 6 single. In 1990 it re-entered the chart, this time reaching Number 8.

Best Bit-At 4.39. Bill Medley was reluctant to record the song, because he thought Dirty Dancing sounded like a porno.

‘(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life’ was co-written by Franke Previte, John DeNicola, and Donald Markowitz, with the production being by Michael Lloyd (see also best songs 642.) Previte and DeNicola had previously tasted success in the early 1980’s as members of the American ‘Pop/Rock’ group ‘Franke and the Knockouts,’ achieving three American Billboard Hot 100 top 30 singles, with ‘Sweetheart,’ (1981-Number 10) ‘You’re My Girl,’ (1981-Number 27) and ‘Without You (Not Another Lonely Night’) (1982-Number 24.) Franke Previte was approached by the music producer Jimmy Lenner (see also best songs 625) to write some music for ‘A little movie called Dirty Dancing,’ of the songs Previte presented, this track, and ‘Hungry Eyes,’ which was recorded by Eric Carmen, (1949-2024) (see also best songs 625) were chosen for the Dirty Dancing film, and the films soundtrack, which has currently sold in the region of 32 million copies since it’s release. ‘(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life’ spent one week at Number 1 in America on Billboard in November 1987, while in the UK it has charted on two separate occasions. In November 1987 after the films release it peaked at Number 6, and after the film was first shown on mainstream television in 1990, it re-entered the chart, and this time reached Number 8.

Bill Medley was born William Thomas Medley, (see also best songs 782 and 91) on September 19th, 1940, in Santa Ana, California, United States, he has a bass-baritone voice, and is a leading exponent in the genre of ‘Blue-eyed soul.’ Bill Medley first met Bobby Hatfield (1940-2003) in the early 1960’s, and then after the break up of their previous bands, they joined forces to become ‘The Righteous Brothers’ in 1962. As a solo artist Bill Medley has released 19 Albums between 1968-2024, and 16 singles between 1968-1989, of which only ‘(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life,’ with Jennifer Warnes has charted on the Billboard Hot 100. In the UK, ‘(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life,’ has charted on two separate occasions, and in 1988 his cover version of ‘He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother,’ also charted, at Number 25.

Jennifer Warnes was born Jennifer Jean Warnes, on March 3rd, 1947, in Seattle, Washington, United States. She started out by singing ‘Folk Music’ in the mid 1960’s, and in 1968 she joined the cast of the American variety ‘CBS’ television show ‘The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.’ Also in 1968 she portrayed the female lead in the Los Angeles, California, production of the stage musical ‘Hair’ (see also best songs 202.) In 1971 Jennifer Warnes met the Canadian songwriter and poet Leonard Cohen, (1934-2016) (see also best songs 196) and the two remained friends. She toured Europe with Cohen’s band in 1972 and then again in 1979, first as a back-up singer, and then as a vocal arranger and guest singer on seven of Cohen’s Albums between 1973-2012. The discography of Jennifer Warnes includes nine studio Albums released between 1968-2018, and 19 singles released between 1969-1993, there are also five official compilation Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, she has had four top 40 hit singles, with ‘Up Where We Belong, with Joe Cocker, (1982) and ‘(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life,’ with Bill Medley, both reaching Number 1. In the UK she has had two top 40 hits, with ‘Up Where We Belong,’ making Number 7, and ‘(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life,’ peaking at Number 6.

The female vocals for ‘(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life,’ were initially offered to Donna Summer, (1948-2012) (see also best songs 78 and 11) but she turned it down, it was then offered to Jennifer Warnes who had already had great success with another film soundtrack song, her duet with Joe Cocker, ‘Up Where We Belong,’ from ‘An Officer and A Gentleman’ had been a Billboard Number 1, and ‘Grammy’ winning song in 1982. Once Bill Medley who had always been a fan knew Warnes was on board he accepted the role.

Because of budget restrictions the ‘Dirty Dancing’ film was filmed out of sequence, with the finale being the first thing that was shot, and since Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes hadn’t recorded their version of ‘(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life’ yet, a demo version recorded by Franke Previte and the singer Rachele Cappelli was used instead as a guide for the films actors Patrick Swayze, (1952-2009) and Jennifer Grey. When Medley and Warnes recorded their version they used the final scene of the film as their guide.

‘Just remember you’re the one thing I can’t get enough of, so I’ll tell you something, this could be love.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

440-David Bowie-Soul Love.

1972-It has never been released as a single in the UK.

Best Bit-At 1.03. Some music critics have cited ‘Five Years’ and ‘Soul Love,’ which are the opening two tracks on ‘The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars,’ as the best start to any Album ever made.

‘Soul Love’ is track 2 on David Bowie’s (see also best songs 807-334-302-209-186-131-118-58-47-31 and 5 ) & (see also his production work 701-131 and 58) fifth studio Album ‘The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars,’ released in February 1972. The Album wasn’t intentionally written as a concept Album, but many of the songs are about the fictional character ‘Ziggy Stardust,’ invented by David Bowie. Ziggy was a androgynous, bisexual rock star who is sent to Earth as a saviour, before an impending apocalyptic disaster (see also best songs 31.) When Bowie toured the Album, he performed in the character of Ziggy Stardust, with the three musicians who backed him, and who also played on the Album, being known as the ‘Spiders from Mars.’ The musicians were Mick Ronson, (1946-1993) (guitar, piano and synthesizer) (see also best songs 661-405-334-186-131-58-31 and 5) Trevor Bolder, (1950-2013) (bass guitar and trumpet) and Mick Woodmansey (drums.) After Bowie killed off Ziggy Stardust in 1973, the Spiders from Mars were disbanded, but in 1975 Bolder and Woomansey reformed without Ronson, and were joined by three others for the release of a self titled Album in 1976, which proved to be a final hoorah. The bands name ‘Spiders from Mars’ came from the UFO sighting on October 27th, 1954, where a stadium crowd thought they had witnessed Martian spacecraft which cast off a thin filament material, later hypothesised to be webs from migrating spiders.

‘Soul Love’ was written by David Bowie, with the production being by Bowie and Ken Scott, it was first released on David Bowie’s fifth studio Album ‘The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars,’ from June 1972. In 1978 Bowie released his second live Album, ‘Stage,’ and to promote the Album, a live version of ‘Soul Love’ was issued as a single in Japan. On ‘Soul Love’ David Bowie provides the lead and backing vocals, acoustic guitar, and plays the saxophone.

Ken Scott (see also best songs 807-186-31 and 5) was born on April 20th, 1947, in London, England, he is a record producer, and engineer. Scott had shown an interest in music from an early age, and in 1964 he wrote letters inquiring about recording engineer job openings, and mailed them to several London recording studios. ‘Abbey Road Studios’ got in touch and interviewed him, and then offered him a position at the age of 16. He received the traditional Abbey Road studio training under their engineers, including Malcolm Addey, and Norman ‘Hurricane’ Smith (1923-2008.) His first success as a ‘second engineer’ came in July 1964 when the English Rock group Manfred Mann took their cover version of ‘Do Wah Diddy Diddy’ to Number 1 in the UK. In September 1967 he was promoted to engineer, which led to him working with the Beatles on many of their songs including ‘I Am the Walrus,’ (see also best songs 80) and ‘Hey Jude’ (see also best songs 6.) Ken Scott’s first work as a producer was his co-production of the Album ‘Hunky Dory,’ (1971) with David Bowie, he would go on to work with Bowie on a further three of his Albums. Scott’s other production highlights include ‘Crime of the Century, (1974) and ‘Crisis? What Crisis?’ (1975) for the British Rock band Supertramp, and ‘There & Back’ for Jeff Beck (1944-2023) (1980.) In 2015 Ken Scott was appointed a Senior Professor at ‘Leeds Beckett University’s School of Film, Music and Performing Arts,’ in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England,

‘Soul Love’ has three verses presenting different facets of human love. The first verse is stone love, and tells of a mother kneeling at the grave of her brave soldier son, who gave his life fighting for his country. The second verse tells of new love, a young couple find love for the first time, ‘A love so strong it tears their hearts.’ The third verse deals with religious and spiritual love, putting faith in what the priest is saying. David Bowie was 24 years old when he wrote these incredible lyrics.

‘Love is careless in it’s choosing, sweeping over cross and baby. Love descends on those defenceless, idiot love will spark the fusion. Inspiration have I none just to touch the flaming dove. All I have is my love of love and love is not loving.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

441-Shirley Bassey-Razzle Dazzle.

1975-It has never been released as single in the UK, but was issued as the ‘B’ side of ‘I Let You Let Me Down Again’ in 1977.

Best Bit-At 1.56. Britain’s greatest ever female vocalist effortlessly ‘Razzle Dazzle’s’ us.

Dame Shirley Veronica Bassey was born on January 8th, 1937, in Cardiff, Wales, her father was Nigerian, and her mother came from New Marske, North Yorkshire, England. In January 1959 she became the first Welsh person to achieve a UK Number 1 single with ‘As I Love You,’ and although none of her 34 studio Albums have reached Number 1 in the UK, she is the only female artist to have had Albums chart in seven separate decades. She has also charted with all three of the ‘James Bond’ themes she has recorded for the films, ‘Goldfinger,’ (1964-UK Number 21 & Billboard Number 8), ‘Diamonds Are Forever,’ (1971-UK Number 38 & Billboard Number 57), and ‘Moonraker,’ (1979) no other artist has recorded more than one ‘Bond’ theme. In America her records don’t sell as well as they did in the UK, on this subject Shirley Bassey has commented, ‘I suppose I should feel hurt that I’ve never been really big in America on record since ‘Goldfinger,’ but, concert wise, I always sell out.’ Shirley Bassey has always been a favourite with ‘BBC’ television in the UK, and she has presented and appeared on many shows, since first appearing in ‘Shirley Comes Home’ in 1957. She has won many awards over the years, including the ‘OBE’ in 1994, which was promoted to her becoming a ‘Dame’ in 2000. In 2004 she was ranked Number 8 on the list of ‘100 Great Black Britons,’ and in 2016, she was named as one of ‘The 50 greatest Welsh men and women of all time.’ In 1977 at the very first ‘Brit Awards’ she was named the ‘Best British Female Solo Artist in the previous 25 years.’

The discography of Shirley Bassey, who has sold in excess of 150 million records worldwide, includes 34 studio Albums released between 1958-2020, and 98 singles released between 1956-2014, there are also 22 extended plays, (EP’s) 25 official compilation Albums, and seven live Albums available. In the UK, 28 of her singles have reached the top 40, with ‘As I Love You,’ (1958) and the double ‘A’ sided Reach for the Stars’ & ‘Climb Ev’ry Mountain,’ (1961) both making the Number 1 position.

Shirley Bassey recorded her version of ‘Razzle Dazzle’ in 1977, for the ‘B’ side of her non charting single ‘I Let You Let Me Down Again,’ which was a track from her 22nd studio Album ‘You Take My Heart Away’ from that same year, her recording was produced by Martin Davis, and arranged and conducted by Arthur Greenslade, (1923-2003) (see also best songs 467) the engineer on the track was Martin Rushent (1948-2011) (see also best songs 1009 and 986.) ‘Razzle Dazzle’ was originally written for the 1975 musical ‘Chicago’ by the American composer John Kander, and the musical theatre lyricist Fred Ebb, (1928-2004) ((see also best songs 469 and 182) as were all the other songs from that musical. The duo first began working together in 1962, and got their big breakthrough when the song ‘My Colouring Book’ was nominated for a ‘Grammy Award.’ They co-wrote the music and lyrics for 20 musicals, including ‘Cabaret’ and ‘Chicago,’ and have also written songs for films and television series,

Fred Ebb was born on April 8th, 1928, in New York City, United States, he died from a heart attack on September 11th, 2004, at the age of 76. It was the music publisher Tommy Valando (1916-1995) who first introduced Fred Ebb to John Kander in 1962, which led to the pair writing the music and lyrics to their first joint ‘Broadway Musical’ collaboration, ‘Flora, The Red Menace,’ in 1965. The production starred Liza Minnelli (see also best songs 182) in the title role in her Broadway debut, for which she won a ‘Tony Award’ for ‘Best Actress in a Musical,’ All three would go on to even greater success with Ebb and Kanders next Musical ‘Cabaret’ in 1966. Following his death, ‘The Fred Ebb Foundation’ was set up in 2005, by instruction of Ebb’s will, which presents an annual award to an up-and-coming musical theatre writer, or team. The award has been presented every year since 2005, and awards a total of $60,000 to the winners each year.

In the musical ‘Chicago,’ ‘Razzle Dazzle’ was first performed by the American actor Jerry Orbach (1935-2004) as the lawyer Billie Flynn to his client, the accused murderess Roxie Hart, who was played by the American actress Gwen Verdon, (1925-2000) explaining how to manipulate and bamboozle a jury to secure the acquittal of an obviously guilty defendant. In the 2002 film version, the song is performed by the American actor Richard Gere.

‘Give ’em the old three ring circus, stun and stagger ’em. When you’re in trouble go in to your dance, though you are stiffer than a girder, they let ya get away with murder.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

442-Elvis Presley-In the Ghetto.

1969-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 2.21. The vicious circle.

In 1968 Elvis Presley (1935-1977) (see also best songs 954-664 and 194) was looking for new material for his ninth studio Album, and 35th overall, which was to be called ‘From Elvis in Memphis,’ His chart hits were beginning to dry up, and he had to get hold of the right material. At first Elvis and his entourage were reluctant to record ‘In the Ghetto’ as up until that point he had steered clear of anything that could be perceived as politically controversial, but such was his faith in it being a sure fire hit, he went ahead and released it.

‘In the Ghetto’ was written by Mac Davis, who was born Morris Mac Davis on January 21st, 1942, in Lubbock, Texas, United States, he died on September 29th, 2020, following heart surgery at the age of 78. Mac Davis was a Country music singer, songwriter, and an actor, who appeared in films and on television. As well as ‘In the Ghetto’ he also provided Elvis Presley with the hit singles ‘Memories,’ (1969, Billboard Number 35) ‘Don’t Cry Daddy,’ (1969, Billboard Number 6 and UK Number 8) and the posthumous 2002 UK Number 1 ‘A Little Less Conversation.’ Davis was also a successful recording artist, releasing 19 studio Albums between 1970-1994, and 38 singles, between 1962-1986, of which four of those singles made the ‘Billboard Hot 100’ singles top 40 chart, and 30 charted on the ‘Billboard Country Music’ chart. His biggest solo success was with ‘Baby, Don’t Get Hooked on Me’ which made Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1972, while in the UK his only chart hit was with the 1980 novelty song ‘It’s Hard to Be Humble,’ which reached Number 27. Another notable song he recorded was ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll (I Gave You the Best Years of My Life.’) (see also best songs 1024.) Away from music Mac Davis had a very successful career as an actor, appearing in 18 films between 1979-2017, including prominent roles in ‘The Sting II,’ (1983) and ‘The Dukes of Hazzard: Hazzard in Hollywood’ (2000.) He also made many television appearances, including hosting his own ‘The Mac Davis Show,’ over 35 episodes, between 1974-1976, which led to several further one off specials.

‘In the Ghetto’ was the only single released from ‘From Elvis in Memphis,’ the ninth studio Album by Elvis Presley from June 1969, the song which was originally titled ‘In the Ghetto (The Vicious Circle’) was written by Mac Davis, with the production being by Chips Moman (1937-2016.) In 1970 Mac Davis recorded his own version of the song, for his Album ‘Song Painter.’ Mac Davis has explained how he got the idea for ‘In the Ghetto,’ ‘It’s a simple matter of growing up with a little boy who’s father worked with my father. He lived in a part of town that was a dirt-street ghetto. I grew up in Lubbock, Texas, and it was a ghetto in every sense of the word, but we didn’t use that word back then. I was trying to come up with a song called ‘The Vicious Circle,’ how a child is born, he has no father, and the same thing happens. The word ‘Ghetto’ became popular in the late ’60’s to describe the poor parts of town. A friend of mine, Freddy Weller, who used to play guitar for Paul Revere And The Raiders, showed me a lick on the guitar one day. I went home and fiddled around with it, I wrote the song and called him up at four in the morning and sang it to him. He knew I’d written a hit with his lick, but that’s the way it goes.’ Mac Davis has also spoken about Elvis Presley recording his song, ‘It was a big brouhaha of him recording ‘In the Ghetto,’ I think he had to fight to get that out as a single. RCA was afraid of it, and Col. Parker (1909-1997) was afraid of it, but Elvis believed in it, and he wanted to be taken seriously. He wanted to do a song that said something. It was one of my prideful moments, because I didn’t know if anyone would ever cut that song, it was controversial at the time.’

‘In the Ghetto’ tells the story of a child born in to poverty, who can’t escape his surroundings. In order to survive he is forced to turn to a life of crime, which leads to his death, and as he is lying on the ground dying, another child is being born in the ghetto.

‘As her young man dies, on a cold and grey Chicago mornin’ another little baby child is born in the ghetto.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

443-Ray Noble and his Orchestra with Al Bowlly on vocals-The Very Thought of You.

1934-It has never charted in the UK, there was no UK chart until 1952.

Best Bit-At 2.45. Back in the old days I used to get a little embarrassed playing well worn vinyl on my turntable in public, with the sound of static crackling through the speakers, but I must admit in these days of sterile clear audio, I do miss it a bit (but only a bit.)

In the 1920’s, and 1930’s the ‘real’ Pop stars were the ‘Dance Band’ leaders, and one of the major stars of the era was Ray Noble, who was born Raymond Stanley Noble on December 17th, 1903, in Brighton, Sussex, England, he died on April 2nd, 1978, from cancer, at the age of 74. Noble was a bandleader, composer, arranger, radio host, comedian, and an actor, he wrote both the lyrics and the music for many popular songs during the ‘British dance band era,’ which is known as the ‘Golden Age of British music.’ Five of his recordings reached Number 1 on the American music charts between 1933-1935, just prior to the advent of Billboard. Among the best remembered songs he wrote, or co-wrote are, ‘Goodnight Sweetheart,’ (1931) ‘Love Is the Sweetest Thing,’ (1932) and ‘I Hadn’t Anyone Till You’ (1938.) After moving to America in 1934, Ray Noble also carved out a career as a radio comedian opposite the American ventriloquist Edgar Bergen, (1903-1978) and the American comedy duo of George Burns, (1896-1996) and his wife Gracie Allen, (1895-1964) later transferring these roles from radio to TV and popular films.

Al Bowlly was born Albert Allick Bowlly, on January 7th, 1899, in Lourenco Marquues, Portuguese Mozambique, but was brought up in his youth by his parents in Johannesburg, South Africa. He made his first vocal recording in 1927, a cover version of ‘Blue Skies,’ by Irving Berlin, (1888-1989) (see also best songs 731-457-385 and 100) which he recorded in Germany. It was in 1930 that he signed a recording contract with Ray Noble, and over the course of the next four years he recorded over 500 songs. In 1933 Al Bowlly also began working with the band leader Lew Stone (1898-1969) (see also best songs 288) splitting his time between Nobel and Stone. Bowlly was one of the the most sought after vocalists of the period recording approximately 1000 songs, he is considered to be a pioneer of the art of ‘crooning’ (see also best songs 457.) Al Bowlly recorded his last song two weeks before his death, a satirical song written by Irving Berlin about Adolf Hitler called ‘When That Man Is Dead and Gone.’ On April 17th, 1941, Al Bowlly was killed by a Luftwaffe parachute mine that detonated outside his flat at 32 Duke Street, Duke’s Court, St James, London, at 3.10.am, his body was unmarked, but the mine had blown his bedroom doors off it’s hinges, and the impact against his head was fatal. Al Bowlly recorded hundreds of 78 rpm singles between 1926-1941, but on his first two recordings in 1926, ‘House Where the Shutters Are Green,’ and ‘Soho Blues,’ he played the banjo, but provided no vocals.

‘The Very Thought of You’ which can be filed under ‘Traditional Pop,’ also known as ‘Classic Pop,’ and ‘Pre-Rock and Roll Pop,’ is Western Pop music that generally pre-dates the advent of ‘Rock and Roll’ in the mid 1950’s. The most popular and enduring songs from this era of music are known as ‘Pop Standards,’ or ‘American Standards.’ The works of these songwriters and composers are usually considered part of the canon known as the ‘Great American Songbook’ (see also best songs 281.) ‘Traditional Pop’ includes the song output of the ‘Broadway,’ ‘Tin Pan Alley,’ and Hollywood show tune writers from approximately World War I (1914) to the 1950’s, by artists including Harold Arlen, (1905-1986) (see also best songs 934-634-281 and 68) George Geshwin, (1898-1937) (see also best songs 286 and 231) Oscar Hammerstein, (1895-1960) (see also best songs 842 82 and 60) and many more who also feature in the ‘1000 Best Songs’ list. With the growing popularity of ‘Rock and Roll’ in the 1950’s, ‘Traditional Pop’ had to take a backseat as the teenagers of the day pushed aside the music of their parents in favour of the new sound. All throughout the history of ‘Popular Music’ each new generation has felt the need to discover their own new ‘music,’ which generally the previous generation will call inferior to theirs.

‘The Very Thought of You’ was written by Ray Noble, and first recorded in 1934, with Al Bowlly providing the vocals, it went on to become an American Number 1 single the same year. The song has become a ‘Pop Standard,’ and has been covered by hundreds of artists through the years. In 2005 the song received the ‘Grammy Hall of Fame’ award, which honours musical recordings of lasting qualitative or historical significance.

‘I see your face in every flower, your eyes in stars above. It’s just the thought of you, the very thought of you, my love.’