THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

444-De La Soul-A Rolling Skating Jam Named ”Saturdays.””

1991-Number 22 single.

Best Bit-At 0.17. ‘All that scratchin’ is makin’ me itch.’

De La Soul (see also best songs 246) were formed in high school, in the Amityville area of Long Island, New York, United States, in 1988, by Kelvin Mercer, known by his stage name ‘Posdnuos,’ David Jolicoeur (1968-2023) ‘Trugoy the Dove,’ and Vincent Mason Jr. ‘Maseo,’ all three have used other stage names on occasions. A demo of the song ‘Plug Tunin” came to the attention of Paul Huston who is better known by his stage name ‘Prince Paul,’ (he is also a native of Amityville, New York) which led to him working with, and producing the first three critically acclaimed Albums of De La Soul.

‘A Rolling Skating Jam Named ”Saturdays.”” was the second of three singles released from ‘De La Soul Is Dead,’ the second studio Albums from De La Soul, from May 1991. The songs writing credits are attributed to all three members of De La Soul, along with the tracks producer Prince Paul, and Kamal Fareed, who raps the first verse, and is better known by his stage name of ‘Q-Tip,’ (see also best songs 850 and 636) he is a member of the Rap group ‘A Tribe Called Quest’. Rodney Mathews whose song ‘Evil Vibrations,’ performed with his American ‘Funk’ band ‘The Mighty Ryeders, from 1978, is heavily sampled, and for that he also receives writing credits, as does Barry Gibb (see also best songs 459-211 and 35) for the sampling of the horn riff from the song ‘Grease’ (see also best songs 768) from 1978. There are also vocals taken from the 1972 song ‘Saturday in the Park,’ by the band Chicago, (see also best songs 631 and 328) with that songs writer Robert Lamm also receiving writing credits. Samples are also taken from ‘Light My Fire,’ by Young-Holt Unlimited, from 1969, and ‘I Got My Mind Made Up,’ by Instant Funk, from 1978, (see also best songs 1041) there are also other samples used, but none of these receive writing credits. The female vocals on the track are performed by the unaccredited Vinia Mojica, and the intro of the song features the ‘Def Jam’ records co-founder Russell Simmons as a DJ from a fictional radio station called ‘WRMS.’

De La Soul were prominent members of the ‘Native Togues.’ The Native Tongues were a collective of late 1980’s, and early 1990’s ‘Hip-Hop’ artists known for their positive-minded, good-natured Afrocentric lyrics, and for pioneering the use of eclectic sampling and Jazz-influenced beats. Its principal members were the Jungle Brothers, (see also best song 805) De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, Monie Love, and Queen Latifah. The Native Tongues took their name from a line in the song ‘African Cry,’ by the Motown ‘Funk’ group New Birth, which features the lyric, ‘took away our native tongues.’ The Native Tongues are regarded as one of the first alternative ‘Hip-Hop’ movements, by offering something different from the stereotypical rap music that was all about braggadocio, and pursuing more experimental subject matter, and also sampling more diverse types of music.

David Jolicoeur, known as ‘Trugoy the Dove,’ of De La Soul, has recalled, ‘The Native Tongues came about where, basically, we had a show together in Boston, (De La Soul and the Jungle Brothers) and we linked from there. We had a natural love for the art and a natural love for each other on how we put stuff together. So we invited the Jungle Brothers to a session, and when they hooked up with us, we happened to be doing ‘Buddy.’ It wasn’t business, it wasn’t for a check. It was just trading ideas and just seeing what you’re doing. Bottom line, it was just having fun.’ Q-Tip of ‘A Tribe Called Quest’ has said, ‘I remember Afrika ‘Baby Bam’ (of the Jungle Brothers) called me that night, like, two in the morning. ‘Yo these kids, De La Soul, you gotta meet ’em! I swear we’re just alike!” I went there, met them, and it was just fu#kin’ love at first sight. It was disgusting. In hip hop, it praises individualism. I think that’s the main achievement of the Native Tongues. It just showed people could come together.’

A Roller Skating Jam Named ‘Saturdays'” was written to show the ‘fun’ side of De La Soul. The song’s lyrics revolve around roller skating and the joy of weekends, The song shows that De La Soul also have a light-hearted side to them, as well as the serious one shown in much of their previous work.

‘Back once more with the wallop in the score. Must I ride and rip, should I make you rock your hip, reviver of a roller boogie in a rink.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

445-Kungs vs. Cookin’ on 3 Burners featuring Kylie Auldist-This Girl.

2016-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 1.03. At 1.03, and again at 2.34, you hear what is known as a ‘Drop.’ In ‘Electronic Dance Music’ some tracks are structured to build to a climax, followed by the ‘Drop.’ This song can be filed under ‘Drop/Pop.’

‘This Girl’ was originally written and recorded in 2009 by the Australian Funk band ‘Cookin’ on 3 Burners,’ with guest vocals provided by Kylie Auldist. Cookin’ on 3 Burners were formed in Melbourne, Australia, in 1997 by Jake Mason (Hammond Organ) Lance Ferguson (guitarist) and Ivan Khatchoyan, (drums) all three are credited as this songs writers. In 2001 Matt Kirsch (guitar) joined the group, but left in 2001, and in 2013 Dan West (guitar) became the groups fourth full time member, and at the time of writing they remain active. Cookin’ on 3 Burners who record in the genres of ‘R&B,’ ‘Soul,’ and ‘Funk,’ have released five studio Albums between 2007-2018, and 10 singles between 2006-2019, there is also one extended play, (EP) one official compilation Album, and one live Album available. Their only charting single to date is this remix of ‘This Girl,’ which reached Number 17 in Australia, Number 2 in the UK, and Number 1 in both France, and Germany in 2016. The original version of ‘This Girl’ which also featured the guest vocals of Kylie Auldist first appeared on Cookin’ on 3 Burners second studio Album ‘Soul Messin,” from 2009, and didn’t chart when issued as a single also in 2009.

Kungs (pronounced Koongs) is the stage name of Valentin Brunel, who was born on December 17th, 1996, in Toulon, Provence-Alpes- Côte d’Azur, France, he is a producer of ‘House Music.’ Brunel chose his stage name ‘Kungs’ after searching online for the translation of the word ‘gentleman’ in various languages, choosing the Latvian translation ‘Kungs’ meaning ‘Mister.’ His discography includes two studio Albums released in 2016, and 2018, and 18 singles released between 2016-2024. In his native France on their official music charts ‘SNEP,’ he had had eight top 40 charting singles, with ‘This Girl,’ reaching the Number 1 spot. ‘This Girl’ is currently his only hit on the UK top 40, but some other of his songs have charted on occasions in various European countries. Of the making of ‘This Girl,’ Kungs, in 2017 said, ‘It’s a track I produced in my bedroom one year ago. I just heard this track on YouTube and I fell in love with it. I told myself that I really had to remix it and to add my personal touch to it. I didn’t expect such success. It was a strange blend and I thought that people wouldn’t understand the track, so I was really happy when I saw that the radio was playing it.’

The vocals on the original version of ‘This Girl,’ and also the ‘Kungs’ remix, were provided by Kylie Auldist, who was born on September 18th, 1968, in Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia. She began her professional music career in Melbourne, providing backing vocals on studio recordings for Renee Geyer, (1953-2023) and Jimmy Barnes. In 2006 she joined the Australian ‘Funk’ and ‘Soul’ band ‘The Bamboos,’ and toured with them in the UK in 2008, where she was immediately signed to the Brighton record label ‘Tru Thoughts.’ Kylie Auldist has released five solo studio Albums between 2008-2020, and 11 singles as the lead artist between 2008-2020, she has also appeared as the featured artist on a further 17 singles between 2007-2020.

‘This Girl’ is notable for it’s ‘drop,’ which is a regular feature in ‘Electronic Dance Music’ (see also best songs 483.) A ‘drop’ is a point in a music track where a sudden change of rhythm or bass line occurs, which is preceded by a build-up section and break. ‘This Girl’ contains what has become known as a ‘Pop-Drop,’ which is an element in a Pop music track which, from a traditional perspective, serves as a kind of ‘post-chorus interlude.’ but is also regarded as the new climax point in Pop music songs since the mid-2010’s, downgrading the chorus to a building element of the ‘drop’ section.

The lyrics for ‘This Girl’ tell of a rich guy trying to buy a girl’s affections with gifts, but he is failing, because for her there is nothing more precious than ‘A heart that feels, and a heart that’s true.’

‘Money rains from the sky above, but keep the change ’cause I’ve got enough. A little time and some tenderness, you’ll never buy my love.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

446-Al Wilson-The Snake.

1968-It did not chart until reissued in 1975, when reaching Number 41.

Best Bit-At 2.37. The song which helped elect an American President.

‘The Snake’ was originally written and performed by Oscar Brown Jr. (1926-2005) in 1963, he also recorded the first version. In 1966 the American singer/songwriter Johnny Rivers released a version, but the song didn’t become a hit until covered by Al Wilson (1939-2008) in 1968, when peaking at Number 27 on the American Billboard Hot 100, his version was produced by Rivers on ‘Soul City Records,’ the record label owned by Rivers. In the UK the track has become a cult classic among fans of ‘Northern Soul’ music, (see also best songs 969) being one of the most popular songs of that genre. The songs lyrics are inspired by ‘Aesop’s Fable’ of ‘The Farmer And The Viper.’ It tells of a kind woman who finds a frozen snake and nurses it back to health.The snake repays her by biting her with deadly poisonous venom, when she asks why, the snake tells her that she knew he was a snake before she took him in.

During the 2016 United States Presidential election campaign Republican candidate Donald Trump read out the lyrics of ‘The Snake’ at several campaign rallies to illustrate his position on the Syrian refugee crisis, claiming that the decision to allow people claiming refugee status to enter the United States would ‘Come back to bite us,’ as happened to the woman who took in the snake in the song. The daughters of the late songwriter Oscar Brown Jr. have asked Trump to stop using their fathers song saying ‘He’s perversely using The Snake to demonise immigrants,’ and that Brown ‘Never had anything against immigrants.’

Al Wilson was born Allen LaMar Wilson on June 19th, 1939, in Meridian, Mississippi, United States, he died on April 21st, 2008 from kidney failure, at the age of 68. In 1966 Al Wilson signed with the music producer, songwriter, and manager Marc Gordon, (1935-2010) (see also best songs 97) who introduced him to Johnny Rivers, who signed Wilson to his ‘Soul City’ record label, which led to the recording of ‘The Snake.’ The discography of Al Wilson includes five studio Albums released between 1968-1979, and 22 singles released between 1967-1979, there are also two official compilation Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, four of his singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Show and Tell’ from 1973 reaching Number 1, while ‘The Snake’ peaked at Number 27. In the UK, Al Wilson’s has never had a top 40 hit, but ‘The Snake’ which initially failed to chart in 1968, did reach Number 41 when re-issued in 1975. In the UK he is best remembered for ‘The Snake,’ which is a staple of over 30 Northern Soul various artists compilations, and in a survey of the most popular ‘Northern Soul’ songs of all time it came in at Number 4 (see also best songs 97.)’The Snake’ was the third single released by Al Wilson, from August 1968, and would later appear on his debut studio Album ‘Searching for the Dolphins,’ from November 1968, in total nine tracks from the Album were issued as singles between 1968-1971.

‘The Snake’ was written by Oscar Brown Jr. with the production being by Johnny Rivers, and Marc Gordon. Johnny Rivers was born John Henry Ramistella, on November 7th, 1942, in New York City, United States, he has recorded in the genres of ‘Rock and Roll, ‘Blue-eyed Soul,’ ‘Blues Rock,’ and ‘Country Rock,’ it was the American Disc Jockey Alan Freed (1921-1965) (see also best songs 338) who advised him to change his name to ‘Johnny Rivers,’ referencing the ‘Mississippi River’ that flows through ‘Baton Rouge.’ Johnny Rivers had formed his first band the ‘Spades’ while he was a student at Baton Rouge High School in the mid 1950’s. Alan Freed was very influential in the early career of Johnny Rivers, getting him a recording contract with the ‘Gone’ record label, where he released three commercially unsuccessful singles. The discography of Johnny Rivers includes 31 studio Albums released between 1965-2009, and 49 singles released between 1957-2010, there are also 16 official compilation Albums, and five live Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 he has had 17 top 40 hits, with ‘Poor Side of Town’ reaching the Number 1 position in 1966, he has never had a chart entry in the UK. On June 12th, 2009, Johnny Rivers was inducted into the ‘Louisiana Music Hall of Fame,’ based in Baton Rouge, that organisation seeks to honour and preserve the state’s music culture and heritage, and in 2019, he announced his farewell tour. His last live performance was in July 2023, at the ‘Commerce Casino,’ near Los Angeles.

‘Oh shut up silly woman said the reptile with a grin, now you knew darn well I was a snake before you brought me in.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

447-John Paul Young-Love Is in the Air.

1978-Number 5 single.

Best Bit-At 2.48. Take a deep breath, inhale, and enjoy.

John Paul Young was born John Inglis Young on June 21st, 1950, in Bridgeton, Scotland, at the age of 11 in 1962 he emigrated with his family to Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. His first professional venture in to music occurred at the age of 17 when asked to be the lead singer in a band called ‘Elm Tree’ that had been formed by his schoolmates. John Paul Young has recounted that life changing moment, ‘It was my friends who convinced me that I could be a singer. One weekend I rolled up and they were standing there with two bass guitars and an announcement that we were going to form a band. I immediately poo-pooed the whole thing because I’d just started my apprenticeship in sheet metalwork, and after paying off a car, no way was I going to be paying off equipment or anything like that so they said, ‘You can be the singer because you’re always singing and you don’t need any equipment’ – and I fell for it.’

It was the music producer and manager Simon Napier-Bell (see also best songs 171) who after hearing Young perform with Elm Tree then offered him a recording contract in 1971, which was when he began using the name ‘Paul,’ which was his Catholic confirmation name. Napier-Bell produced Young’s first single ‘Pasadena,’ which was written by Harry Vanda, George Young, (1946-2017) and David Hemmings, (1941-2003) the song reached Number 16 in Australia in 1972. It would be three years until Young would taste chart success again, this time with the Vanda/Young composition ‘Yesterday’s Hero,’ which he performed on the Australian music show ‘Countdown.’ The show chose Young as an experiment to see if they could make someone who was basically an unknown in to a megastar. Young would become a regular presenter of the show, and an on and off performer, through until Countdown’s demise in 1987. On August 27th, 2009, John Paul Young was inducted into the ‘Australian Recording Industry Association’ (ARIA) Hall of Fame, and in 2012 he was awarded a ‘Medal of the Order of Australia’ (OAM) for service to the performing arts as a singer and songwriter, and through support for a range of charitable organisations.

The discography of John Paul Young includes nine studio Albums released between 1975-2006, and 37 singles released between 1972-2022, there is also one extended play, (EP) and nine official compilation Albums available. In Australia, on what is now the ‘Aria Charts,’ John Paul Young has had 12 top 40 hits, with ‘I Hate the Music’ from 1975, peaking the highest at Number 2, while ‘Love Is in the Air’ reached Number 3. In the UK his only top 40 hit remains ‘Love Is in the Air,’ which peaked at Number 5, and in America on the Billboard Hot 100, ‘Love Is in the Air’ is also his only charting song, making Number 7.

‘Love Is in the Air’ was the first of four singles released from John Paul Young’s fourth studio Album of the same name, from October 1978. The song was co-written, and co-produced by Harry Vanda and George Young, (no relation) both Vanda and Young had both been members of the Australian Rock/Pop band ‘The Easybeats’ between 1964-1969, (see also best songs 939) and wrote and produced all of the first five studio Albums of John Paul Young. ‘Love Is in the Air’ was written to try to stay contemporary, and also to cash in on the current ‘Disco’ fad of the late 1970’s, John Paul Young has said, ‘We actually did ‘Love Is in the Air’ because we needed something for the German market. It was all electronic mania, all clicks and electric buzzes, so George and Harry gave it the treatment. John Paul Young performed the song on episode 148 of ‘Countdown’ on April 30th, 1978. In 1992 the song was remixed for a more up to date sound, and chosen for the soundtrack to the Australian romantic comedy film ‘Strictly Ballroom,’ co-written and directed by Baz Luhrmann, the remixed recording peaked at Number 3 in Australia, the same position as the original version had in 1977.

John Paul Young’s early career was heavily boosted by his regular appearances as a performer and guest host on ‘Countdown,’ which was a weekly Australian music television programme that was broadcast by the ‘Australian Broadcasting Corporation’ from November 8th, 1974 until July 19th 1987. ‘Countdown’ was the most popular music program in Australian television history. It was broadcast nationwide on Australia’s government owned broadcaster, the ‘ABC,’ with a new episode being broadcast each Sunday evening, and then repeating it the following Saturday evening. In total there were 563 episodes recorded, which ran over 14 seasons, with the majority of studio performances on the show being lip synched.

‘And I don’t know if I’m just dreaming, don’t know if I feel safe, but it’s something that I must believe in and it’s there when I look in your eyes.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

448-Cola Boy-7 Ways to Love.

1991-Number 8 single.

Best Bit-At 4.13. Just so you don’t get confused, this song is not an abbreviated version of the Karma Sutra.

Cola Boy was the brainchild and side project of Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs, who in 1990 had formed the ‘Alternative Dance’ act Saint Etienne. Stanley and Wiggs who had known each other since childhood had been listening to the ‘Dance Music’ of the day and realised that they could do it just as well, or maybe even better. As ‘Saint Etienne’ were a ‘serious’ project, the pair invented the name ‘Cola Boy,’ as they felt that a ‘Euro Pop’ sounding song might compromise their standing in the music community. In 2008 Bob Stanley recalled to the English music magazine ‘Mojo’ that he and Pete Wiggs had been hearing the same popular records everywhere they went, they, ‘Realised they were all structured similarly, Nomad’s (‘I Wanna Give You) Devotion,’ (see also best songs 787) C&C Music Factory’s ‘Gonna Make You Sweat,’ ‘DJH Featuring Steffi,’ so we thought we’d record this cod European song. But we knew we couldn’t release it as Saint Etienne. Cola Boy was chosen as it sounded like pidgin English, slightly wrong. Later we pretended it was someone Japanese doing a Euro Dance track.’

‘7 Ways to Love’ was initially recorded as a white label and sent to record stores that dealt in ‘Dance Music,’ once it began to take off ‘Arista Records’ signed Stanley and Wiggs in order to release the song nationwide. Sarah Cracknell who was the third member and lead singer of Saint Etienne could not sing on the track as she was bound by another contract, so Janey Lee Grace who had previously been a backing singer for ‘Wham’ (see also best songs 991-342 and 142) on their world tours for three years was recommended. Also brought in to form a face for the band was Andrew Midgeley (not to be confused with Andrew Ridgeley of Wham) A follow up single called ‘He Is Cola’ was issued, but after it flopped Cola Boy were disbanded. Janey Lee Grace went on to become a radio presenter on BBB Radio 2, and she is also an author, having released four books. In 1993 Stanley and Wiggs produced a new remix of the song for the Japanese singer Nokko for her Album ‘I Will Catch You,’ in which she added new lyrics, sung in both Japanese and English. ‘7 Ways to Love’ is credited as being written by Andrew Midgeley, under the pseudonym of ‘Jesse Chin,’ with the production being by Saint Etienne. The song appears in the Saint Etienne discography as their fourth single release, with ‘He Is Cola’ as their fifth.

‘Saint Etienne’ were formed in Croydon, Greater London, England, in 1990 by Bob Stanley, who was born on December 25th, 1964, in Horsham, Sussex, England, and Pete Wiggs, who was born on May 15th, 1966, in Reigate, Surrey, England, they took their stage name from the French football club ‘A.S. Saint Etienne.’ The duo originally started out as an ‘Alternative Dance’ act, but over the course of their 10 studio Albums they have experimented in other musical genres, including ‘Synthpop,’ ‘Folk,’ and ‘Ambient.’ Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs were childhood friends, and former music journalists, they initially set up a ‘fanzine’ called ‘Caff,’ which then led to the setting up of a record label in 1989. They originally planned that Saint Etienne would use a variety of different lead singers, and their 1991 debut Album, ‘Foxbase Alpha’ features several vocalists, including Moira Lambert, and Donna Savage. However, after working with Sarah Cracknell on ‘Nothing Can Stop Us,’ (1991) they decided to make her the permanent vocalist. Sarah Cracknell has gone on to write or co-write many of the band’s songs, and at the time of writing the trio remain active as Saint Etienne.

The discography of Saint Etienne includes 10 studio Albums released between 1991-2021, and 38 singles released between 1990-2017, there is also one box set, two remix Albums, two soundtrack Albums, four extended plays, (EP’s) and nine official compilation Albums available. In the UK, 16 of their singles have reached the top 40, with ‘7 Ways to Love,’ as Cola Boy, peaking the highest at Number 8, although they have also charted as the featured artist on the 2000 track ‘Tell Me Why,’ by Paul Van Dyke, which reached Number 7. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, their only chart entry to date is their 1990 debut single ‘Only Love Can Break Your Heart,’ which reached Number 97, although they have charted within other Billboard charts. Ironically ‘7 Ways to Love,’ the track they didn’t want St Etienne to be associated with, remains the groups most successful song.

‘7 ways to love.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

449-Jackie Wilson-Reet Petite (The Finest Girl You Ever Want To Meet.)

1957-Number 6 single. When it was re-issued in 1986 it reached Number 1.

Best Bit-At 0.45. Without the hits of Jackie Wilson, there may never have been any Tamla Motown records.

Jackie Wilson was born Jack Leroy Wilson Jr. on June 9th, 1934, in Highland Park, Michigan, United States, he died on January 21st, 1984, from complications of pneumonia, at the age of 49. In 1975 Wilson had collapsed on stage, when he suffered a massive heart attack. Medical personnel worked to stabilise him, but the lack of oxygen to his brain caused him to slip into a coma. He briefly recovered in early 1976, and was even able to take a few wobbly steps, but he then slipped back into a semi-comatose state, he spent the last years of his life in a nursing home. Jackie Wilson was a tenor with a four octave range, with the legendary ‘Motown’ records founder Berry Gordy Jr, (see also best songs 411 and 137) saying that he was the greatest singer he ever heard. Wilson was also very energetic when performing on stage, earning the nickname ‘Mr Excitement,’ artists who have admitted being influenced by Wilson’s live performances include Elvis Presley, (1935-1977) James Brown, (1933-2006) and Michael Jackson (1958-2009.) Wilson was sometimes called ‘The Black Elvis,’ when asked about this Elvis said,’ I guess that makes me the white Jackie Wilson.’ It was Elvis Presley who covered a large portion of Jackie Wilson’s medical bills during those later years.

The discography of Jackie Wilson includes 24 studio Albums released between 1958-1976, and 70 singles released between 1957-1975, there are also 10 official compilation Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, 26 of his singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Night’ from 1960, peaking the highest at Number 4, with ‘Reet Petite (The Finest Girl You Ever Want to Meet.’) only making Number 62. In the UK, Jackie Wilson has had five top 40 chart hits, with ‘Reet Petite (The Finest Girl You Ever Want to Meet.’) reaching Number 1 in 1986.

‘Reet Petite (The Finest Girl You Ever Want to Meet’) was the debut single from Jackie Wilson, released in August 1957, and later added to his debut studio Album ‘He’s So Fine,’ from 1958. The song was co-written by Berry Gordy Jr, Billy Davis, (1932-2004) and Gwen Gordy Fuqua, (1927-1999) with the production being by Dick Jacobs (1918-1988.) With the royalties from ‘Reet Petite’, and other tracks that Berry Gordy Jr. co-wrote for Jackie Wilson, he was able to borrow the money needed to start up ‘Tamla Motown’ records. The songs title was influenced by the 1948 film ‘Reet Petite, and Gone,’ starring Louis Jordan, (1908-1975) who also sang a song with that same title in the movie. In ‘Jazz’ lingo, the term ‘reet’ meant ‘fantastic.’

Gwen Gordy Fuqua, was born Gwendolyn Gordy, on November 26th, 1927, in Detroit, Michigan, United States, she died from cancer on November 8th, 1999, at the age of 71. Gwen Gordy was the older sister of Berry Gordy Jr. and the third youngest of seven siblings, which consisted of four sisters and three brothers. It was Gwen who first got the idea of starting up a record label, forming ‘Anna’ records (named after one of her sisters) in 1959, with one of this songs co-writers Roquel ‘Billy’ Davis, and her sister Anna. In 1961 ‘Anna Records’ was absorbed into ‘Motown Records,’ with Gwen, Anne, and Billy Davis joining the staff at Motown. In 1961 Gwen Gordy married the American singer/songwriter Harvey Fuqua, (1929-2010) (see also best songs 162) and although they divorced in 1968, she was known for the rest of her life as Gwen Gordy Fuqua. She was then married to G.C. Cameron, (see also best songs 834) for a period in the 1970’s before divorcing, she then set up a production company called ‘Gwen Glenn,’ named after her son Glenn Gordy. As well as writing Reet Petite (The Finest Girl You Ever Want to Meet’) with Berry Gordy Jr. and Billy Davis, the trio were also responsible for ‘Lonely Teardrops,’ (1959-Billboard Number 7) which is often referred to as Jackie Wilson’s signature song.

In 1986 ‘Reet Petite’ (The Finest Girl You Ever Want to Meet’) was reissued as ‘Reet Petite (The Sweetest Girl in Town,’) following the showing of a clay animation video on the British BBC 2 television documentary series ‘Arena.’ The clay animation video proved so popular that it helped propel the song to be the Christmas Number 1 single of 1986 in the UK, almost three years after the death of Jackie Wilson. The song holds the record for taking the longest amount of time to reach Number 1 since release, at 29 years, and eight months.

‘Well have you ever seen a girl for whom your soul you’d give. For whom you’d fight for, die for, pray to God you’d lie for.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

450-The Strokes-Last Nite.

2001-Number 14 single.

Best Bit-At 1.58. As I have said many times before, and surely will again, nothing in Pop Music is totally original, but when you can cherry pick from the past and add your own new ideas, and come up with something so good, how can anyone complain.

The Strokes were formed in New York City, New York, United States, in 1998, and remain active at this present time. The three original members, Julian Casablancas (singer/songwriter) Nick Valensi, (guitar) and Fabrizio Moretti, (drums) started playing together as teenagers while attending Dwight School in Manhattan. They were soon joined by Nikolai Fraiture, (bass) who had been a childhood friend of Casablancas,, and the quintet was completed in late 1998 when Casablancas invited Albert Hammond Jr. (guitar) (see also best songs 369 and 33) another old school acquaintance. The Strokes are considered to be one of the most influential groups of the early 21st Century, with their sound being described as ‘Indie Rock,’ ‘Garage Rock revival,’ and ‘Post-Punk revival.’ The American musical journalist Lizzy Goodman wrote that The Strokes are ‘As influential to their era as the Velvet Underground (see also best songs 219 and 165) or the Ramones (see also best songs 707 and 102) were to theirs.’

The discography of The Strokes includes six studio Albums released between 2001-2020, and 17 singles released within the same time period, there are also two extended plays, (EP’s) and one official compilation Album available. In America on Billboard three of their studio Albums have reached the Number 4 position, and although none of their singles have reached the Billboard Hot 100 top 40, most have charted on the ‘Alternative Airplay’ chart. In the UK, The Strokes have had one Number 1 Album, ‘First Impressions of Earth,’ (2006) and eight top 40 singles, with ‘Juicebox’ from 2005, peaking the highest at Number 5.

‘Last Nite’ was the second of three singles released from ‘Is This It,’ the debut studio Album by The Strokes from July 2001, the song was written by Julian Casablancas, with the production being by Gordon Raphael. The Album has been critically acclaimed, appearing frequently in ‘best of’ lists by numerous music magazines, including being ranked as the best record of the 2000’s by the British music publication the ‘NME’ in 2009. ‘Last Nite’ borrows heavily from the song ‘American Girl’ by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers from 1976. Julian Casablancas when interviewed freely admitted to basing the songs opening guitar riff, and the songs overall structure on that track. On hearing Casablancas’ admission, Tom Petty (1950-2017) (see also best songs 769) said,’ That made me laugh out loud. I was like, OK good for you, it doesn’t bother me.’ In 2006 The Strokes were invited to be the opening act for Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers on some of that years tour dates. Julian Casablancas has also spoken about his songwriting, ‘I just wanted to write music that could touch people. As a songwriter, you play a few chords and sing a melody that’s been done a thousand times, and now you’re a singer-songwriter. I think it takes a little more than that to do something that matters. And I wish I could write a song where all the parts work. When you hear a song like that, it’s like finding a new friend.’

Julian Casablancas was born Julian Fernando Casablancas, on August 23rd, 1978, in New York City, United States, as well as his work with The Strokes, he has also released one solo studio Album ‘Phrazes for the Young,’ in 2009, and four singles between 2008-2015, he has appeared as a featured artist on a further three singles between 2007-2023. In 2013 he co-founded the Experimental Rock band ‘Julian Casablancas + The Voidz,’ which from 2017 have been known as ‘The Voidz.’ With ‘The Voidz’ he has released three studio Albums between 2014-2024, and 11 singles within the same time period.

‘Last Nite’ is a song about a romantic relationship that has broken down. The narrator thinks that he is entering in to a long term commitment, and decides that it is time to bail out. In no time at all he becomes confused not really knowing what he wants, he doesn’t want commitment, and he also might not want to leave his girl. He is also concerned about what she, and others may think of him.

‘Oh people, they don’t understand. No girlfriends, they don’t understand. In spaceships, they won’t understand, and me , I ain’t ever gonna understand.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

451-Yazoo-Situation.

1982-It was not released as a single ‘A’ side in the UK until 1990, when in remixed form it reached Number 14.

Best Bit-At 0.09. Alison Moyet isn’t famous for her joviality, but her laughter taken from this song, and sampled on the ‘Macarena,’ helped that track become the best selling single in the world in 1996.

Yazoo were formed in 1981, in Basildon, Essex, by Vince Clarke (keyboards) and Alison Moyet, (vocals) after Clarke who had recently left Depeche Mode (see also best songs 968-261 and 134) had responded to an advertisement Moyet had placed in the weekly UK music magazine ‘Melody Maker,’ looking for a new musical partner. Although Clarke (see also best songs 700) didn’t know Moyet personally, he had seen her sing live on occasions. They remained active between 1981-1983, but did reform for live performances between 2008-2011. They took their name from the 1960’s specialist ‘Blues’ record label ‘Yazoo Records,’ but following a lawsuit from that label, they were forced to change their name to ‘Yaz’ in America. Reflecting in 2008 on the duo’s split, both Moyet and Clarke agreed that a lack of communication between the pair had been a major reason for the breakdown of the partnership. Although they were active as ‘Yazoo’ for only a short period of time, they are considered to be very influential, with their combination of electronic instrumentation and soulful female vocals being cited as an influence on the ‘House Music’ scene that emerged in the mid-1980’s.

The discography of Yazoo includes two studio Albums, ‘Upstairs at Eric’s,’ (1982-UK Number 2)) and ‘You and Me Both,'(1983-UK Number 1) and nine singles, including remixes, released between 1982-1999, they have also released two extended plays, (EP’s) six official compilation Albums, and one live Album. In the UK, six of their singles have reached the top 40, with their debut single ‘Only You,’ peaking the highest at Number 2 in 1982. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, they have never charted within the top 40, with ‘Situation’ stalling at Number 73 in 1982, although three of their tracks including ‘Situation’ have all reached Number 1 on the Billboard ‘Dance Club Songs’ chart.

Alison Moyet was born Geneviève Alison Jane Moyet, on June 18th, 1961, in Billericay, Essex, England, prior to Yazoo she had been involved in a number of ‘Punk Rock,’ and ‘Blues’ bands in her local area, which was when she acquired the nickname ‘Alf.’ Alison Moyet has spoken about her battles with weight and agoraphobia, and the challenges of having dyslexia, and ADHD. She had been overweight for all of her adult life, but in the mid 2000’s she embarked on a weight loss programme, because she did not want to become ‘an obese old woman.’ In 2021 she was appointed ‘Member of the Order of the British Empire’ (MBE) in ‘Birthday Honours’ for ‘services to music.’ After the parting of the ways with Vince Clarke, Alison Moyet embarked on what would become a very successful solo career, which has seen her sell in excess of 23 million records worldwide. The solo discography of Alison Moyet includes 10 studio Albums released between 1984-2024, and 32 singles released within the same time period, there are also three official compilation Albums, and two live Albums available. In the UK, her debut studio Album ‘Alf” made Number 1, while her first compilation Album ‘Singles,’ from 1995, also reached Number 1. Alison Moyet has had nine UK top 40 hit singles, with ‘That Ole Devil Called Love’ peaking the highest at Number 2 in 1985. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, her only chart entry to date remains ‘Invisible,’ which reached Number 31 in 1984.

‘Situation’ was the last of three singles released from ‘Upstairs at Eric’s,’ the debut studio Album by Yazoo from August 1982, the song was co-written by Alison Moyet, and Vince Clarke, with the production being by Eric Radcliffe, Daniel Miller, and Vince Clarke. ‘Situation’ started out life as the ‘B’ side to Yazoo’s debut single ‘Only You,’ not being deemed good enough for an ‘A’ side, but after American music radio stations began playing it, it took off and received an official ‘A’ side release in the States. It was not issued as a stand alone single in the UK until several remixes were released in 1990, including the one I have chosen here, the ‘Deadline Mix’ by the French music producer Francois Kevorkian. Kevorkian has remixed tracks for several of the worlds top artists, and in the late 1970’s, and early 1980’s was the ‘A&R’ man for the American ‘Dance’ label ‘Prelude Records,’ working with artists such as Sharron Redd (1945-1992) and D-Train.

‘Blue eyes dressed for every situation, moving through the doorway of a nation. Pick me up and shake the doubt, baby I can’t do without.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

452-Marianne Faithfull-As Tears Go By.

1964-Number 9 single.

Best Bit-At 0.16. This was the first acknowledged classic song jointly written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.

Up until they wrote this song The Rolling Stones (see also best songs 933-662-160 and 77) were a band who mainly covered American ‘Blues’ and ‘R&B’ songs, but their manager Andrew Loog Oldham could see far more potential in the two young men. It is said that Oldham locked Jagger and Richards in a kitchen, telling them that they couldn’t come out, not even to go to the toilet until they had come up with what he called, ‘A song with brick walls all around it, high windows and no sex.’ On the completion of the composition Jagger and Richards thought it was a terrible song, Richards has said, ‘We came out and played it to Andrew and he said ‘It’s a hit.’ We actually sold this stuff, and it actually made money. Mick and I were thinking, this is money for old rope.’
Initially Jagger and Richards thought the song did not fit in with the ‘Rock N’ Roll’ image that The Rolling Stones were attempting to portray, and therefore the song was offered to the then 17 year old Marianne Faithfull who was also under the management of Andrew Loog Oldham. The song became the breakthrough hit for Faithfull in 1964, with The Rolling Stones recording their own version in 1965 for their Album ‘December’s Children (And Everybody’s.’) The song was also released by the Stones in America where it reached Number 6 on Billboard, but in the UK it only appeared as the ‘B’ side of the 1966 single ’19th Nervous Breakdown.’

Marianne Evelyn Gabriel Faithfull was born on December 29th, 1946, in Hampstead, London, England, she is a singer, songwriter, and actress. Marianne Faithfull has been married three times, and was also involved in a romantic affair with Mick Jagger between 1966-1970. She has suffered from drug addiction during her adult life, which affected her voice after a severe case of laryngitis, permanently altering her singing leaving it raspy, and in a lower pitch, which some music critics have praised for sounding ‘whiskey soaked,’ and helping to capture the raw emotions expressed in her songs. Marianne Faithfull has had three miscarriages and four abortions. The first abortion was in 1964, when she had become pregnant by the American singer Gene Pitney, (1940-2006) the procedure was still illegal in the United Kingdom at the time and Faithfull has stated that she had a hard time dealing with the guilt. She has said that she began to feel better once her son was born the year after. Subsequent terminations were from her period of drug abuse, as she did not wish for the children to be born as addicts. In addition to her music career, she has had a career as an actress in theatre, television and film, with her first professional theatre appearance being in a 1967 stage adaptation of ‘Chekhov’s Three Sisters,’ at the Royal Court Theatre, London, in which she played ‘Irina,’ co-starring with Glenda Jackson, (1935-2023) and Avril Elgar (1932-2021.) Marianne Faithfull is also an author having had three autobiography’s published between 1994-2014. The discography of Marianne Faithfull includes 22 studio Albums released between 1965-2021, and 27 singles released between 1964-2018, there are also two extended plays, (EP’s) at least seven official compilation Albums, and four live Albums available. In the UK five of her singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Come Stay with Me’ peaking the highest at Number 4 in 1964, while in America on the Billboard Hot 100, she has charted within the top 40 on four occasions, with ‘As Tears Go By’ peaking the highest at Number 22. Notable songs on which Marianne Faithfull has provided backing vocals for include, the ‘Beatles,’ ‘Yellow Submarine,’ (1966) the ‘Beatles,’ ‘All You Need Is Love,’ (1967) (see also best songs 141) and ‘The Rolling Stones,’ ‘Sympathy for the Devil’ (1968.)

‘As Tears Go By’ was written by Mick Jagger, who provided the lyrics, and Keith Richards, who wrote the melody, Andrew Loog Oldham is also credited as a co-writer, and was the songs producer. ‘As Tears Go By’ was the first of three singles released from Marianne Faithfull’s self titled debut studio Album from April 1965. When ‘As Tears Go By’ was first written it was called ‘As Time Goes By,’ but as to avoid any confusion with the song from the film ‘Casablanca,’ (see also best songs 651) it was Oldham who suggested ‘As Tears Go By.’ Music critics have commended Mick Jagger on his song lyrics saying that they are very worldly wise for a 21 year old to have written. The songs subject is one of regret with the narrator looking back on their life. He sees children playing, a thing he used to do, he knows that he has choices to make in front of him, but when he made those choices, he made the wrong ones.

‘It is the evening of the day, I sit and watch the children play. Smiling faces I can see, but not for me, I sit and watch as tears go by.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

453-Limmie & Family Cookin’-You Can Do Magic.

1973-Number 3 single.

Best Bit-At 2.12. Some kids collect toy cars, some collect Barbie Dolls, I collected every 7 inch single on the ‘AVCO’ record label….probably a bit sad.

Limmie Frank Snell, Jr. was born on October 4th, 1948, (although another source suggests it could have been 1945) in Dalton, Alabama, United States, he died from renal failure, on May 27th, 1986. As ‘Limmie B. Good,’ he began recording at the age of 11 for ‘Columbia Records,’ ‘Mercury Records,’ and ‘Warner Bros. Records.’ One of his earliest recordings was in 1965, when using the name ‘Lemme B. Good,’ he sang the original version of ‘Good Lovin,’ when the song was later recorded by the American Rock group ‘The Young Rascals’ with slightly different lyrics, it became a Billboard Hot 100 Number 1 single in 1966.

In the early 1970’s Snell joined forces with his two twin sisters Jimmie, (1946-2016) and Martha, to form ‘Limmie & Family Cookin”, and after releasing one unsuccessful single on ‘Scepter Records,’ they signed with ‘Avco Embassy Records.’ As ‘Limmie & Family Cookin” they released nine singles between 1972-1977, with their only American Billboard Hot 100 entry being ‘You Can Do Magic,’ which stalled at Number 84. They achieved greater success in the UK, where they charted three times, with ‘You Can Do Magic,’ (1973-Number 3) ‘Dreamboat,’ (1973-Number 31) and ‘A Walkin’ Miracle’ (1974-Number 6.) Limmie & Family Cookin’ continued to tour in to the 1980’s, but in 1976 Snell also joined up with other musicians to form ‘Limmie Funk,’ and then ‘Limmie Funk Unlimited,’ these bands included Tony Mansfield, who would later go on to form ‘New Musik,’ and also become a successful song writer (see also best songs 833.) Other artists to play alongside Snell included Nick Straker, (A Walk in the Park) and the brothers Paul and Robert Simon, who became members of the bands ‘Neo,’ ‘Ultravox,’ (see also best songs 532) and ‘Magazine’ in the late 1970’s, and early 1980’s.

‘You Can Do Magic’ was the debut single release by Limmie & Family Cookin,’ in 1972, it was written by Sandy Linzer, (see also best songs 1042) and co-produced by Linzer, and Steve Metz, who would also go on to work on several of the other Limmie & Family Cookin’ singles. Sandy Linzer is an American, who was born Sanford Linzer, in 1941. In the early 1960’s the American songwriter Al Kasha, (1937-2020) introduced Sandy Linzer to the legendary Bob Crewe, (1930-2014) (see also best songs 914-863-739-499-393-284-164-112 and 83) and Denny Randell, (see also best songs 1042) and with either Crewe or Randell, Sandy Linzer wrote several hit singles for ‘The Four Seasons,’ including ‘Working My Way Back to You,’ (1965-Billboard Number 9) which when covered by ‘The Detroit Spinners’ became a UK Number 1 single in 1979. Other hits co-written by Linzer for The Four Seasons include ‘Dawn (Go Away,’) (1963-Billboard Number 3) and ‘Opus 17 (Don’t You Worry ’bout Me’) (1966-Billboard Number 13.)

In 1965, Sandy Linzer and Denny Randell wrote and produced most of the songs for the American Pop’ and ‘R&B’ girl group ‘The Toys,’ including their singles ‘A Lover’s Concerto,’ (1965-Billboard Number 2 & UK Number 5) (see also best songs 1042) which was adapted from ‘Minuet in G major,’ once attributed to Johann Sebastian Bach, (1685-1750) but now to Christian Petzold, (1677-1733) and ‘Attack!’ (1966-Billboard Number 18 & UK Number 36.) Another ‘The Toys’ recording written by Linzer and Randell was, ‘Can’t Get Enough Of You Baby,’ which was later covered by the ‘Garage’ band ‘? and the Mysterians,’ (1967-Billboard Number 56) and then in 1998, it was covered by the American Rock band ‘Smash Mouth,’ reaching Number 8 in Canada, and Number 14 in Australia. In 1966 Linzer and Randell established their own record label called ‘Oliver,’ and continued to write for artists including ‘The Monkees,’ and ‘Johnny Johnson and the Bandwagon,’ including ‘Breakin’ Down the Walls of Heartache,’ (1968-UK Number 4.) Sandy Linzer also produced the debut 1976 Album by Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band, (see also best songs 591) including their hit single ‘Cherchez La Femme’ (Billboard Number 27.) In 1977 he and Denny Randell co-wrote ‘Native New Yorker,’ which when recorded by the American ‘Disco’ group Odyssey reached Number 2 on Billboard, and Number 5 in the UK, and then in 1980 with the American lyricist L. Russell Brown, (see also best songs 886) he co-wrote ‘Use It Up and Wear It Out,’ which made Number 1 in the UK also for Odyssey.

‘You can do magic, you took the raindrops that filled my eyes and put them back up in the skies, and then made the grey skies turn blue.’