Providing Disco & Karaoke Since 19770113 266 8963 0113 266 8963
Posted by: In: Other 31 Jan 2025 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

341-Janis Joplin-Me and Bobby McGee.

1970-It has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 3.21. Think about it, what a clever thing to do. Use a name (Bobby) that can refer to either sex, and double the amount of artists who can record it.

It was the music producer, and one time owner of ‘Monument Records,’ Fred Foster (1931-2019) (see also best songs 657) who gave Kris Kristofferson (1936-2024) the task of creating this song. Kristofferson was a struggling singer/songwriter recently signed to Monument Records when Foster suggested he come up with a fantasy song about someone called Barbara Bobbie McKee, which Kristofferson misheard as ‘McGee.’ Barbara Bobby McKee was actually the name of the 29 year old studio secretary working at Monument Records at that time. For this reason, and with Kristofferson’s blessing, Foster is credited as the songs co-writer. Kris Kristofferson has said that the inspiration for the song didn’t happen overnight, but in fact took several months to piece together. When asked where he was when he came up with the famous line ‘Freedom is just another word for nothing to lose,’ he said,’ I was working the Gulf of Mexico on oil rigs, flying helicopters, I’d lost my family to my years of failing as a songwriter. All I had was bills, child support, and grief, and I was just about to get fired for not letting 24 hours go between the throttle and the bottle. It looked like I’d trashed my act, but there was something liberating about it. By not having to live up to people’s expectations, I was somehow free.’

Kristoffer Kristofferson was born on June 22nd, 1936, in Brownsville, Texas, United States, he died on September 28th, 2024, at the age 88. He had requested for the first three lines of Leonard Cohen’s (1934-2016) (see also best songs 196) 1968 song ‘Bird on the Wire’ to be engraved on his tombstone, ‘Like a bird on the wire, like a drunk in a midnight choir, I have tried in my way to be free.’ Kris Kristofferson had a wide and varied career, finding success in several fields, including being a singer/songwriter, film and television actor, and a helicopter pilot. He was a famous film star, appearing in 89 films between 1971-2018, including ‘A Star is Born,’ (1976) and the vampire film trilogy ‘Blade’ (1998-2002 and 2004.) Kris Kristofferson was married three times, including his second marriage to the American Country singer Rita Coolidge between 1973-1980, with whom he recorded three collaborative Albums. He was a pioneering figure in the ‘Outlaw Country’ movement of the 1970’s, being a member of the American ‘Country Music’ ‘supergroup,’ ‘The Highwaymen,’ with Johnny Cash, (1932-2003) (see also best songs 857-428 and 199) Willie Nelson, (see also best songs 337) and Waylon Jennings, (1937-2002) whose sound moved away from the polished ‘Nashville’ sound, and toward a more raw, introspective style. The discography of Kris Kristofferson includes 18 studio Albums released between 1970-2016, and 31 singles released between 1967-2009, there are also six collaboration Albums, five official compilation Albums, and four live Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, two of his singles have made the top 40, with ‘Why Me,’ peaking the highest at Number 16 in 1973, while in the UK, he has never charted on the singles chart.

‘Me and Bobby McGee’ was co-written by Kris Kristofferson and Fred Foster, with the production on the Kristofferson recording being by Paul A. Rothchild (1935-1995) (see also best songs 235.) The Kris Kristofferson version first appeared on his debut studio Album ‘Kristofferson,’ from June 1970. The first recording of ‘Me and Bobby McGee’ was in May 1969 by the American singer Roger Miller, (1935-1992) whose version made Number 12 on the ‘Billboard Country Music’ chart. A posthumously released version by Janis Joplin (1943-1970) topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1971, making the song the second posthumously released Number 1 single in American Billboard chart history, after (‘Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay’ by Otis Redding (see also best songs 712.) It was the Janis Joplin recording of this song which finally brought Kris Kristofferson the success in the the music business he had been chasing.

Janis Joplin was born Janis Lyn Joplin, on January 19th, 1943, in Port Arthur, Texas, United States, she died on October 4th, 1970, at the age of 27 from an accidental drugs overdose. With Jimi Hendrix (1942-1970) (see also best songs 983 and 492) dying just 16 days earlier, also at the same age, this would lead to the ‘celebrated’ ’27 club’ (see also best songs 806.) Janis Joplin released two studio Albums as lead singer with ‘Big Brother & the Holding Company’ in 1967, and 1968, and two studio Albums as a solo artist. The second Album ‘Pearl,’ which like the ‘Kristofferson’ Album, was produced by Paul A. Rothchild, was released after her death in January 1971, and features her version of ‘Me and Bobby McGee,’ recorded only a short time before here death, with Kris Kristofferson saying, he only first heard her rendition after she had died, and didn’t even know she had recorded it. Kris Kristofferson and Janis Joplin had been lovers for a short time, in 2015 he told the ‘Performing Songwriter’ magazine, ‘Every time I sing it, I still think of Janis.’

‘Me and Bobby McGee’ is the story of two drifters, who eventually become lovers. The pair hitch-hike through the American South, and after they have visited California they split up, with the songs narrator expressing sadness at their parting.

‘One day up near Salinas, Lord, I let him slip away. He’s lookin’ for that home, and I hope he finds it. Well, I’d trade all my tomorrows for one single yesterday, to be holdin’ Bobby’s body next to mine.’

Posted by: In: Other 30 Jan 2025 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

342-George Michael-Outside.

1998-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 1.41. If you’re having your dinner on his kitchen table, give it a wipe first.

George Michael was born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou, on June 25th, 1963, in East Finchley, Middlesex, England, he died on December 25th, 2016, at the age of, 53, his death was attributed to natural causes due to dilated cardiomyopathy, with myocarditis, and a fatty liver. It was just prior to his breakthrough success in the early 1980’s with Wham! (see also best songs 991 and 142) that he changed his name legally to George Michael, as he thought it would fit better with his ‘Pop’ profile. With sales in excess of 130 million records sold worldwide, (30 million with Wham! & 100 million solo) George Michael is one of the worlds all time best selling artists. His numerous awards and achievements include five ‘Brit Awards,’ and two ‘Grammy Awards.’ In November 2023 he was posthumously inducted into the ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,’ with his former Wham! partner Andrew Ridgeley as his induction presenter. The ‘Radio Academy’ have stated that George Michael was the most frequently played artist on British radio during the period 1984–2004.

George Michael was an ‘LGBT’ rights campaigner and ‘HIV/AIDS’ charity fundraiser, the proceeds from the 1991 single ‘Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me’ were divided among 10 different charities for children, AIDS and education. Following his death various charities revealed that George Michael had privately supported them for many years. Those charities included ‘Childline,’ to whom he had donated ‘millions,’ the ‘Terrence Higgins Trust,’ and ‘Macmillan Cancer Support.’ He also donated to individuals, he reportedly called the production team of the British television quiz show ‘Deal or No Deal’ after a contestant had revealed that she needed £15,000 to fund ‘IVF’ treatment, and anonymously paid for the treatment. On January 3rd, 2017, another woman came forward, and with the permission of his family, revealed that George Michael had anonymously paid for her ‘IVF’ treatment, after seeing her talk about her problems conceiving on an episode of the British television magazine programme ‘This Morning’ in 2010. The woman gave birth to a girl in 2012.

The solo discography of George Michael includes five studio Albums released between 1987-2004, and 44 singles released between 1984-2020, there is also one extended play, (EP) two official compilation Albums, and one live Album available. In the UK, four of his studio Albums have reached Number 1, with the other ‘Songs from the Last Century’ making Number 2, while 36 of his singles have reached the top 40, with seven of those all making the Number 1 position. In America on Billboard his only studio Album to reach Number 1 is his debut ‘Faith’ from 1987, while 17 of his singles have made the Billboard Hot 100, with eight of those tracks all reaching Number 1. ‘Outside’ has never charted on the Billboard Hot 100, having never been issued as a physical single, and only being released to radio. Some of George Michael’s hit singles have been in collaboration with other major artists, including ‘I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me’) with Aretha Franklin, (1987-UK & US Number 1) Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me,’with Elton John, (1991-UK & US Number 1) and ‘Somebody to Love,’with Queen (1993-UK Number 1 & US Number 30.)

‘Outside’ was the first of two singles released from ‘Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael,’ from November 1998, which was the first official compilation Album by George Michael. ‘Outside’ was one of only two new tracks recorded for the compilation, with ‘As,’ a duet with Mary J Blige, (1999-UK-Number 4) being the other single released. ‘Outside’ was written by George Michael, with the production being by George Michael and Jon Douglas, who was born Jonathan Simon Douglas, on April 4th, 1970, in Kingston Upon Hull, Yorkshire, England. Jon Douglas is credited as working with several other high profile artists, including Kylie Minogue, (see also best songs 928) and has recordings he has worked on estimated as selling in excess of 70 million.

In 1998 George Michael had been arrested by an undercover police officer in the public lavatory of the ‘Will Rogers Memorial Park,’ in Beverley Hills, California, an incident which led him to finally declare his homosexuality. George Michael wrote ‘Outside’ about that incident in a humorous, and self deprecating manner, which is aided by the tracks memorable official video. The songs self mocking lyrics include ‘I’d service the community, but I already have you see.’ Along with a fine, George Michael had been sentenced to 80 hours community service for the offence. The Album’s title ‘Ladies and Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael’ was also a pun on what had happened in the lavatory, as ‘The Ladies,’ and ‘The Gentlemen’ are a British colloquial term for a gender pacific public toilet. In the UK the Album has sold in excess of 2.7 million copies, and in excess of four million copies worldwide. George Michael donated all British profits from the Album to the ‘Terence Higgins Trust.’

‘So my angel she says ‘don’t you worry’ about the things they’re saying, yeah. Got no friends in high places, and the game that you gave away wasn’t worth playing.’

Posted by: In: Other 29 Jan 2025 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

343-The Marcels-Blue Moon.

1961-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 1.33. Co-writer of the song, the legendary Richard Rodgers hated The Marcels ‘Doo-Wop’ arrangement so much that he took out advertisements in the music papers urging people not to buy it.

‘Blue Moon’ was written in 1934, with the music by Richard Rodgers, (1902-1979) (see also best songs 842 and 60) and the lyrics by his long term writing partner Lorenz Hart (1895-1943.) In May 1933 Rodgers and Hart were contracted by ‘Metro-Golden-Mayer’ to write songs for the musical film ‘Hollywood Party.’ ‘Blue Moon’ which at first was titled ‘Prayer (Oh Lord, Make Me a Movie Star’) was not selected for the film, but with re-written lyrics, and this time titled ‘It’s Just That Kind of Play,’ was offered to the 1934 film ‘Manhattan Melodrama,’ but was once again not used. It was Jack Robbins (1894-1959) who was head of the studio’s publishing company at ‘MGM’ who saw commercial potential in the song, and persuaded Hart to re-write it again, but this time with romantic lyrics. ‘Blue Moon’ is one of the most covered songs in this ‘1000 Best Songs’ list, with dozens of versions recorded by artists of many differing genres over the decades. It is also a favourite for use in several films, and television programmes.

The Marcels were formed in 1959, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, taking their name from a popular hair style of the day, the ‘marcel wave.’ They were a ‘Doo-Wop’ group who were known for recording popular old songs in the new ‘Rock ‘N Roll’ style. They remained active until 1962, before reforming in 1972 to tour and record, with changes in band membership they continued to perform until into the 2010’s. The original quintet who also performed on ‘Blue Moon’ were made up of Cornelius Harp, (1940-2013) Fred Johnson, (1942-2022) Gene Bricker, (1938-1983) Ron Mundy, (1940-2017) and Richard Knauss, in total there were 12 different members come and go. The discography of The Marcels includes one studio Album also called ‘Blue Moon,’ from July 1961, and 21 singles released between 1961-1982. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, two of their singles have reached the top 40, ‘Blue Moon,’ (1961-Number 1 ) and ‘Heartaches,’ (1961-Number 7) while in the UK, The Marcels are true ‘One Hit Wonders,’ with ‘Blue Moon’ reaching Number 1, and following that they never achieved another top 40 single.

‘Blue Moon’ was recorded by The Marcels at the request of Stuart Phillips, who was in the employment of ‘Colpix Records’ at the time. It was Phillips who suggested the introduction to the song, (‘Bomp-baba-bomp,’ and ‘dip-da-dip-da-dip’) which had been an excerpt of an original song that The Marcels had previously had in its act, Phillips had felt that the song needed a little something extra. ‘The Marcels recording of ‘Blue Moon’ was co-produced by Danny Winchell, (1926-2011) and Stuart Phillips, who was born on September 9th, 1929. Stuart Phillips is best remembered for providing the incidental music for numerous films and television programmes, including writing the themes for the American science fiction television series ‘Battlestar Galactica,’ and the American action crime drama television series ‘Knight Rider'(see also best songs 966 and 675.) He also scored the music for 29 films between 1961-2004, including ‘Buck Rogers in the 25th Century,’ (1979) and he scored the music for 54 of the 58 ‘The Monkees’ (see also best songs 121) American television musical sitcoms, between 1966-1968.

‘Blue Moon was originally written in 1934 by Richard Rodgers, (1902-1979) (see also best songs 842 and 60) who wrote the music, and Lorenz Hart, who wrote the lyrics. Lorenz Hart was born Lorenz Milton Hart, on May 2nd, 1895, in New York City, United States, he died on November 22nd, 1943, from pneumonia, at the age of 48. With Richard Rodgers whom he first met in 1919, the pair wrote the music and lyrics for 26 Broadway musicals, their most famous compositions include The Lady is a Tramp,’ from ‘Babes in Arms’ (1937) Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered,’ from Pal Joey,’ (1940) and ‘My Funny Valentine,’ from ‘Babes in Arms’ (1937.) Lorenz Hart had a very troubled life, he was an alcoholic, and also had trouble coming to terms with his sexuality. He lived with his widowed mother Frieda, and would sometimes disappear for weeks at a time on drinking binges. Hart experienced depression, and his erratic behaviour was often the cause of friction between him and Richard Rodgers, that led to Rodgers teaming with the lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II (see also best songs 842-687-82 and 60) in 1942. In April 1943, Hart’s mother Frieda died, which it is said left him devastated, from which he did not recover emotionally. The American writer Robert Gottlieb (1931-2023) wrote, ‘There were rumours about Larry (Lorenz Hart) while he was alive, but nothing about his sexuality ever appeared in print. One night in Los Angeles, in 1933, someone from a Hollywood trade magazine approached Dick (Richard Rogers) at a party and said, ‘I’ve got to ask you something about Larry … Is it true Larry’s a fairy?’ Dick grabbed him by the collar, (biographer Gary Marmorstein recounts) and said, ‘I never heard that. And if you print it, I’ll kill you.”

So what is a Blue Moon? About every 2.7 years, there are four full moons in a season instead of three – the third moon, not the fourth, is dubbed the blue moon. The rarity of the occasion inspired the old saying ‘once in a blue moon.’ What Lorenz Hart was suggesting in his lyrics was that finding true love was very rare, perhaps a once in a lifetime chance, in fact once in a blue moon.

‘And then there suddenly appeared before me the only one my arms will hold. I heard somebody whisper ‘please adore me,’ and when I looked the moon had turned to gold.’

Posted by: In: Other 28 Jan 2025 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

344-Arrow-Hot Hot Hot.

1984-Number 59 single. It was remixed, and re-released in 1994 as the ‘World Carnival Mix 94,’ and this time reached Number 38.

Best Bit-At 5.54. The song has been featured in numerous film and television programmes over the years, but of course most fittingly, when used as the theme for the 1989 Miss Universe competition.

Arrow was born Alphonsus Celestine Edmund Cassell on November 16th, 1949, in Plymouth, Montserrat, West Indies, he died at his home in Montserrat on September 15th, 2010, at the age of 60 from cerebral cancer. Arrow first started out singing Calypso, but over time he would fuse other genres such as ‘R&B’ and ‘Salsa,’ and he is best remembered as a ‘Soca’ musician. Arrow first began performing at the age of 10 in a concert at the Montserrat Secondary School. He then began singing ‘Calypso’ in 1967, and took the ‘Junior Monarch’ title that year. He took up singing professionally in 1969, and in the same year he was runner up in the ‘Montserrat Calypso King’ competition. He won the title the next year, following in the footsteps of his brothers Justin, who is known as ‘Hero,’ and Lorenzo, who is known as ‘Young Challenger,’ in total Arrow won the title four times. Arrow has received an ‘MBE’ for his charitable work, which has included organising a fund raising Calypso festival on the Caribbean island of Montserrat in 1996, after many businesses were destroyed by the devastation caused by the Soufriere Hills volcanic eruption. In 1988, he was given the ‘Living Legends’ award by the organisers of the ‘Caribbean Song Festival,’ and the ‘Bahamas Tourist Board.’ His last live performance was at a fund raising concert for Haiti at the ‘Montserrat Cultural Center,’ in January 2010.

The discography of Arrow includes 30 Albums released between 1972-2002, and at least 10 singles released between 1973-1994. He has never charted on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, although two of his tracks, ‘Groove Master,’ (1988-Number 23) and ‘O’ La Soca,’ (1989-Number 38) have both made the Billboard ‘Dance Club Songs’ chart. In the UK, he has had two top 40 hit singles, with ‘Long Time’ peaking the highest at Number 30 in 1984, and the 1994 ‘World Carnival Mix’ of ‘Hot Hot Hot’ making Number 38, this remixed version is Arrow’s most successful chart single, having also peaked at Number 9 in Australia.

‘Hot Hot Hot’ which was also the title of Arrow’s eighth Album release from 1982, was written by Arrow, with the production and arrangement being by the Trinidadian music producer and musician Leston Paul, who in the 1980’s was a pioneer in ‘Electronic Music’ production in Trinidad. ‘Hot Hot Hot’ which is the the biggest selling ‘Soca’ hit of all time, gained worldwide recognition when it was adopted as the theme song of the 1986 ‘FIFA World Cup’ in Mexico. In America the song is best known for it’s 1987 cover version by the American singer David Johansen as his lounge singer persona ‘Buster Pointdexter,’ the song reached Number 45 on the Billboard Hot 100 in America. This was quite a change in style for Johansen who had previously been the lead singer with the influential ‘Punk Rock’ band ‘New York Dolls’ between 1971-1976, he also rejoined that group for their 2004-2011 reunion. David Johansen has called ”Hot Hot Hot’ ‘The bane of my life,’ owing to its popularity as a karaoke and wedding song. In America the song became a staple of cruise ships, weddings, and other festive occasions, and was also a regular video played on ‘MTV.’

‘Soca’ is a genre of music that originated in Trinidad and Tobago in the early 1970’s, by the fusing of other musical genres such as ‘Calypso,’ ‘Reggae,’ ‘Latin,’ and traditional ‘West African rhythms.’ It was the Trinidadian musician Garfield Blackman (1941-2000) better known by his stage name ‘Lord Shorty’ who is recognised as defining the genre. It was originally spelt ‘Sokah,’ by Lord Shorty, (taken from SOul of CAlypso) but through an error in a local newspaper when reporting on the new genre, it was misspelled as ‘Soca,’ Lord Shorty confirmed the error but chose to leave it that was in order to avoid confusion.

‘Soca’ music is based on a strong rhythmic section that is often recorded using synthesised drum sounds and then sequenced using computers, however, for live shows, the live human drummer emulates the recorded version, often using electronic drums to trigger drum samples. The drum and percussion are often loud in this genre of music, and are sometimes the only instruments to back up the vocal. ‘Soca’ is indeed defined by its loud, fast percussive beats.

‘Calypso’ (see also best songs 390) music originated in Trinidad and Tobago during the early to mid 19th Century. As English replaced ‘patois’ (Antillean creole) as the dominant language, the lyrics in the songs were often used by the masses to put their point across to challenge those in government. In 1996 Arrow explained what he saw as the difference between ‘Soca’ and ‘Calypso,’ using this song as an example. ’Feeling ‘Hot Hot Hot’ makes you forget that there’s a volcano, and remember there’s fun to be had. Soca was made for dancing, and didn’t carry any political messages.’

Me mind on fire, me soul on fire, all da people all around me feelin’ hot hot hot. A what to do on a night like this, is it sweet, I can’t resist. We need a party sound, a fun-da-mental charm so we can rhum boom boom boom.’

Posted by: In: Other 27 Jan 2025 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

345-Bessie Smith-Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out.

1929. It has never charted in the UK. There was no UK chart until 1952.

Best Bit-At 0.55. Bessie Smith’s ‘honorific’ nickname was initially ‘Queen of the Blues,’ but as her career progressed she was promoted to the ‘Empress of the Blues.’

Honorific nicknames are often used by the media, or fans of an artist to indicate their significance, they are often religious, royal, or aristocratic titles, used metaphorically. There are literally dozens and dozens of artists who have been given honorific nicknames, some which come instantly to mind are ‘The King of Rock ‘N Roll’ (Elvis Presley) ‘The King of Pop’ (Michael Jackson) and ‘The Boss’ (Bruce Springsteen.)

Bessie Smith was born on April 15th, 1894, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States, she died on September 26th, 1937, at the age of 43 after being critically injured in a car crash on ‘U.S. Route 61,’ between Memphis, Tennessee, and Clarksdale, Mississippi. Smith was the most popular female Blues singer of the 1920’s, and 1930’s, and a major influence on fellow Blues singers, and the generations to come, including Billie Holiday (1915-1959) (see also best songs 624.) Smith herself was inspired by the ‘Mother of the Blues’ Gertrude ”Ma” Rainey (1886-1939) with whom she toured with before starting her recording career. After her death Smith’s estranged husband Jack Gee (1889-1973) thwarted all efforts to purchase a stone to mark her grave, once or twice pocketing the money raised for that purpose for himself. Smith’s grave remained unmarked until 1970 when a tombstone was paid for by Janis Joplin (1943-1970) (see also best songs 341) and Juanita Green, who in her youth had done housework for Smith. There was no official record chart in the United States until 1936, so no official chart positions are available for the recordings of Bessie Smith who released 162 ’78 RPM Singles’ between 1923-1933, of which ‘Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out,’ was her 133rd release, recorded on May 15th, 1929. Since her death there have been 13 official compilation Albums issued between 1938-1997.

Bessie Smith was one of the early innovators of what is now called ‘Classic female blues,’ which was an early form of ‘Blues music,’ popular in the 1920’s. ‘Classic female blues’ is a mixture and blend of traditional ‘Folk Blues,’ and ‘Urban theatre music,’ the style is also known as ‘Vaudeville Blues.’ ‘Classic Blues’ were performed by female singers accompanied by pianists or small Jazz ensembles, and were the first Blues music to be recorded. Ma Rainey, (1886-1939) Bessie Smith, (1894-1937) Ethel Waters, (1896-1977) and other singers in this genre, were instrumental in spreading the popularity of the ‘Blues.’ ‘Blues’ is a type of ‘black Folk music’ that originated in the American South, and was mainly in the form of work songs until about 1900. The ‘Classic female blues’ singers were pioneers in the record industry, being among the first black singers and Blues artists recorded. Artists including Mahalia Jackson, (1911-1972) and Janis Joplin, (1943-1970) are among those who named Bessie Smith as an influence.

‘Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out’ was written in 1923, two years before his death at the age of 42, by the American Vaudeville pianist Jimmy Cox (1882-1925.) Cox was inspired to write the song following the 1920–1921 economic depression. The depression occurred amid a post–World War I recession that affected much of the world’s leading economies. During this period, the United States economy experienced a severe downturn, and unemployment skyrocketed. It was the largest one year economic decline in nearly a century and a half, and was far worse than any year during the ‘Great Depression.’ Although Jimmy Cox copyrighted the song in 1923, the first known recording did not appear until 1927, by the Blues artist Bobby Leecan, (1897-1946) who recorded his version under the name ‘Blind Bobby Baker and his guitar.’ Bessie Smith recorded ‘Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out’ on May 15th, 1929, in New York City. She recorded the song with instrumental accompaniment, including a small trumpet section. When the record was released on Friday, September 13th, 1929, the lyrics turned out to be oddly prophetic. The New York stock market had reached an all time high less than two weeks earlier, only to go into its biggest decline two weeks later in the ‘Wall Street Crash’ of 1929, which signalled the beginning of the 10 years ‘Great Depression.’ The version recorded by Bessie Smith has become her signature song, and has led to the song becoming a ‘Blues standard.’

‘Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out’ was written during the ‘Roaring Twenties,’ a time of economic prosperity. The lyrics are a warning not to squander your money because the good times may not last all that long, and the people that want to know you while you are on top, will not be so keen to, once your finances have gone.

‘Once I lived the life of a millionaire, spent all my money, I just did not care. Took all my friends out for a good time, bought bootleg liquor, champagne and wine.’

Posted by: In: Other 25 Jan 2025 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

346-The Velvelettes-Needle In A Haystack.

1964-It has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 1.13. Another song we can thank the Northern Soul fraternity for.

The Velvelettes probably didn’t receive the attention, and promotion needed to take them to the top, as Motown Records had what they considered bigger fish to fry with their other girl groups such as the Supremes, (see also best songs 1001-411-212 and 148) Martha and the Vandellas, (see also best songs 948) and The Marvelettes. The Velvelettes were formed in Detroit, Michigan, United States, in 1961 by Bertha Barbee McNeal, (1940-2022) and Mildred Gill Arbor, who at the time were both students at Western Michigan University. They were soon joined by Mildred’s sister Carolyn, and then Norma Barbee, who was Bertha’s cousin, and finally Carolyn’s friend Betty Kelley, who made up the original quintet. It was fellow student classmate Robert Bullock, who was Motown founder Berry Gordy’s nephew, who arranged for the girls to audition for Motown, eventually leading to them signing to the Motown subsidiary ‘VIP Records.’ By 1967 Gill, Norma, and Bertha had left the group, and had been replaced by Sandra Tilley (1945 or 1946-1981) and Annette McMillan. The Velvelettes remained active until 1971, but some members did re-unite in 1984 to record for ‘Motorcity Records’, and still tour at the time of writing.

The discography of The Velvelettes who initially called themselves ‘Les Jolies Femmes,’ (French for The Pretty Woman) but changed to ‘The Velvelettes’ because friends said that they sounded as ‘smooth as velvet’ when harmonising together, includes six singles released on the Motown subsidiary labels ‘IPG’ records, ‘V.I.P.’ records, and ‘Soul’ records between 1963-1966, then between 1987-1992 there were a further four singles released on the ‘Motorcity’ (see also best songs 534) record label. The Velvelettes never had a studio Album issued by Motown records, but there had been one in the pipeline that was never completed. In 1990 Motorcity records released The Velvelettes first commercially available studio Album called ‘One Door Closes.’ Motown have since released three compilation Albums between 1999-2004, spanning all of their recordings on the Motown labels. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, they have had four of their six Motown subsidiary singles reach the top 100, with ‘Needle in a Haystack’ peaking the highest at Number 45, while in the UK, the 1972 re-release of their 1966 single ‘These Things Will Keep Me Loving You,’ is their most successful, when reaching Number 34.

‘Needle in a Haystack’ was the second single released by The Velvelettes in 1964, it was issued on the ‘V.I.P.’ record label, and found it’s greatest commercial success in Canada, where it made Number 27. The song was co-written, and co-produced by William ‘Mickey’ Stevenson, (see also best songs 948) and the legendary Norman Whitfield (1940-2008) (see also best songs 911-569-480 and 233) William Stevenson was head of the A&R department at Motown during the ‘glory years’ of the mid 1960’s, he was also responsible for organising, and establishing Motown’s in house studio band the Funk Brothers (see also best songs 948-650-569-414-382-212-148 and 28.) Norman Whitfield who would go on to be very influential in the development of ‘Psychedelic Soul’ in the late 1960’s, is the writer, or co-writer of 92 hits on Billboard, and 61 in the UK.

It is hard to believe that a song of this high quality has never sold enough copies to reach the UK chart. If it hadn’t been for the fans of ‘Northern Soul’ music (see also best songs 969) latching on to it the chances are it would have slipped away into obscurity, but due to it’s popularity it can be found on several Northern Soul compilations. On a personal note I have been playing the song at numerous functions for well over 40 years, and it is probably my most played and popular track that has never been a chart hit.

The Velvelettes can be filed under what is known in ‘Pop Music’ as a ‘Girl Group,’ which is defined as a music act featuring two or more female singers who generally harmonise together. ‘Girl Groups’ can be traced back to at least as far as the 1920’s, when one of the first major all-female groups was the ‘Hamilton Sisters and Fordyce,’ an American trio, who successfully toured England and parts of Europe, recording and appeared on BBC radio. In the 1930’s it was the American act ‘The Boswell Sisters’ who flew the flag for the ladies, and were a great influence on ‘ The Andrews Sisters,’ (see also best songs 934 and 252) who would go on to be the fourth most commercially successful ‘girl group’ of all time, The top three estimated best selling female acts of all time worldwide are 3/ Little Mix, 2/ the Supremes, 1/Spice Girls.

A ‘needle in a haystack’ is the representation of something that is very hard to find. The Velvelettes are telling us of their own personal experiences of dating boys. They warn other girls that trustworthy guys are very hard to find, in fact as hard to find as finding a needle in a haystack.

‘Girls, those fellas are sly, slick and shy, so don’t you ever let ’em get you starry eyed. Well, you may think their love is true, but they’ll walk right over you.’

Posted by: In: Other 24 Jan 2025 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

347-Al Green-Let’s Stay Together.

1971-Number 7 single.

Best Bit-At 1.26. Every wedding DJ must own a copy. In a survey of bride and grooms, this song was voted the most popular first dance of all time.

Al Green was born Albert Leornes Greene on April 13th, 1946, in Forrest City, Arkansas, United States. Al Green is the sixth of 10 children, his father Robert Greene was a devoutly religious man, and after hearing his teenage son listening to secular music kicked him out of the family home. Al Green rebelled by going to live with a prostitute, and dabbling in recreational drugs. He has said of his musical influences, ‘I listened to Mahalia Jackson, (1911-1972) all the great gospel singers. But the most important music to me was those hip-shakin’ boys, Wilson Pickett (1941-2006) (see also best songs 488) and Elvis Presley (1935-1977) (see also best songs 954-664-442 and 194.) When I was 13, I just loved Elvis Presley. Whatever he got, I went out and bought.’ In high school Al Green formed his first vocal group with Curtis Rodgers and Palmer Jones, who were also the writers of Green’s first recording ‘Back Up Train,’ recorded as ‘Al Greene & the Creations.’ The song met with some minor success reaching Number 46 on the Cash Box Top 100 in America. In 1969 Green came into contact with the record producer Willie Mitchell, (1928-2010) who signed him to ‘Hi Records,’ the label which Mitchel was vice president of. Al Green stayed with ‘Hi Records’ through until 1978 releasing 12 studio Albums, and achieving 12 Billboard top 40 singles. By 1977 Green’s record sales were in decline, partly due to his own personal issues, but also due to his desire to become an ordained minister. Green said that one night while performing he fell off the stage, and he took that as a sign from God to move in a different direction. Al Green recorded eight Gospel studio Albums between 1980-1987, before returning to secular music.

The discography of Al Green, who before releasing his first Album with Hi Records removed the final ‘e’ from his birth name, includes 28 studio Albums released between 1967-2008, and 58 singles released between 1967-2023, there are also 30 official compilation Albums, and one live Album available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, Al Green has had 14 top 40 hit singles, with ‘Let’s Stay Together’ peaking the highest at Number 1, while 27 of his singles have made the Billboard ‘Hot R&B’ top 40 singles chart. In the UK, he has had seven top 40 chart entries, with ‘Tired of Being Alone,’ peaking the highest at Number 4 in 1971.

‘Let’s Stay Together’ was the only single released from Al Green’s fourth studio Album of the same name, from January 1972, the song which would become Al Green’s signature song was co-written by Al Green, Willie Mitchell, and Al Jackson Jr. (1935-1975) (see also best songs 906 and 828) with the production being by Willie Mitchell. Willie Mitchell was born William Lawrence Mitchell, on March 1st, 1928, in Ashland, Mississippi, United States, he died on January 5th, 2010, from a cardiac arrest, at the age of 81. Mitchell was a singer, trumpeter, bandleader, and music producer, who was also a recording artist, releasing 22 Albums between 1963-2008, and 14 singles between 1964-1976, with three of those tracks making the Billboard Hot 100, with ‘Soul Serenade,’ peaking the highest at Number 23 in 1968. Willie Mitchell who was known affectionately as ‘Papa Willie’ in the recording studio, worked with other ‘Hi Records’ artists including O. V. Wright, (1939-1980) Syl Johnson, (1936-2022) Ann Peebles, and the American female vocal group Quiet Elegance.

‘Let’s Stay Together’ was co-written by Al Jackson Jr. (see also best songs 906 and 828) who was born Albert J. Jackson Jr. on November 27th, 1935, in Memphis, Tennessee, United States, he died on October 1st, 1975, at the age of 39. On returning home from a night out he found intruders in his house. Reportedly, he was told to get down on his knees, and was fatally shot five times in the back at around 3.0.am. The suspected murderer, was the boyfriend of Jackson’s estranged wife Barbara Jackson’s friend Denise LaSalle, (1934-2018) who was later killed by a police officer on July 15th, 1976, after an unrelated gunfight. Al Jackson Jr. was a founding member of Booker T. & the M.G.’s, and is recognised as one of the greatest drummers of all time, he was affectionately dubbed ‘The Human Timekeeper’ for his drumming ability.

In 1984 Tina Turner (1939-2023) (see also best songs 752-485 and 192) covered ‘Let’s Stay Together’ for her fifth studio Album ‘Private Dancer, which was her first new release in five years. When released as a single the song reached Number 6 in the UK, and Number 26 on Billboard in America, kick starting her very successful solo career. Unlike Al Green’s version, Tina Turner sings verse 2 first, then verse 1 when the band starts playing.

‘I, I’m so in love with you, whatever you want to do is all right with me. ‘Cause you make me feel so brand new, and I want to spend my life with you.’

Posted by: In: Other 21 Jan 2025 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

348-Everything but the Girl-Missing (Todd Terry Remix.)

1995-Number 3 single.

Best Bit-At 0.55. ‘Could you be dead, you always were two steps ahead.’ Which is probably taking trendsetting a little bit too far.

Everything but the Girl were formed in 1982, in Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, England, by Tracey Thorn (vocals, and guitar) and Ben Watt (guitar, keyboards, and vocals.) The pair first met when both were attending the University of Hull, they were both also signed to the independent record company ‘Cherry Red Records’ as solo artists at that time. Both Thorn and Watt who had already had material previously released by the label decided to form a duo, and took their name ‘Everything but the Girl’ from the advertising slogan used by the Hull shop ‘Turner’s Furniture,’ situated on Beverley Road. The couple were also romantically involved, which was something they have always tried to keep quiet, they eventually married in 2009, and have three children. The duo’s early work has been described as ”Sophisti-Pop’ with Jazz’ influences,’ before undergoing an ‘Electronic Music’ turn, following the worldwide success of this song ‘Missing,’ remixed by Todd Terry (see also best songs 805.) In 2000 both Tracey Thorn and Ben Watt put ‘Everything but the Girl’ on extended hiatus, Ben Watt has said, ‘Self-awareness is a dangerous thing, by about the third or fourth record, people were throwing comparisons at us and you have to be very tough to withstand it. And by the end of the ’90’s, we were playing to 5,000 people a night. I’d stand on stage, looking out, thinking, “I don’t want to be this big.” Tracey Thorn stated in 2000 that she would no longer perform live. In 2023, 24 years after the release of their 1999 10th studio Album ‘Temperamental,’ the duo released their 11th studio Album ‘Fuse’ to critical acclaim.

The discography of Everything but the Girl includes 11 studio Albums released between 1984-2023, and 36 singles released between 1982-2023, there are also five extended plays, (EP’s) and nine official compilation Albums available. In the UK, 12 of their singles have reached the top 40, with ‘I Don’t Want to Talk About It,’ (1988) and ‘Missing,’ (Todd Terry Remix) (1995) both peaking the highest at Number 3. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, their only top 40 entry remains ‘Missing,’ (Todd Terry Remix) which made Number 2, and at the time went on to break the record by spending 55 consecutive weeks on the Billboard Hot 100.

Tracey Thorn was born on September 26th, 1962, in Brookmans Park, Hertfordshire, England, since 2013 she has been active as a writer of books and essays. Tracey Thorn began her musical career in the ‘Punk-Pop group ‘Stern Bops,’ playing guitar, and providing some vocals backing between 1979-1980, before forming the ‘Post-Punk’ group ‘Marine Girls’ where she was the primary songwriter, the group released two Albums before disbanding in 1983. In the 1990’s she collaborated with the English ‘Trip-Hop’ group Massive Attack (see also best songs 733) on several projects, including the song ‘Protection,’ for which she wrote the lyrics and melody, and provided the vocals (1995-UK Number 14.) Tracey Thorn has issued five solo studio Albums between 1982-2018, and 13 singles within the same time period. She is also a successful writer, publishing her memoir ‘ Bedsit Disco Queen: How I Grew Up and Tried to Be a Pop Star’ in 2013, she has since had a further three books published. Between 2014-2022 she began a regular column called ‘Off the Record,’ for the British political and cultural news magazine ‘New Statesman.’

Ben Watt was born Benjamin Brian Thomas Watt on December 6th, 1962, in Marylebone, London, England, he is a musician, singer, songwriter, author, DJ, and radio presenter, and is the son of the Scottish Jazz bandleader Tommy Watt (1925-2006.) Ben Watt has released four solo Albums between 1983-2020, and 18 singles and EP’s between 1981-2021. In 2003 he launched his own independent ‘Deep House,’ and ‘Techno’ record label ‘Buzzin’ Fly Records,’ The label proceeded to foster the careers of young and emerging producers/DJ’s, as well as Watt’s own productions. In 1992, Watt was diagnosed with Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, (EGPA) which is an extremely rare and potentially deadly autoimmune condition. He eventually had 5 m (15 ft) of necrotized small intestine removed, (about 75%) leaving him on a permanently restricted diet. He later wrote the memoir ‘Patient,’ which is about his experiences with the disease and recovery.

‘Missing’ in it’s original form was written by Tracey Thorn and Ben Watts, and was released as the second of two singles from Everything but the Girl’s eighth studio Album ‘Amplified Heart,’ from June 1994, the original production was done by Ben Watt and John Coxon. Tracey Thorn and Ben Watt had originally written ‘Missing’ as a dance oriented track, but it was after asking the ‘Dance Music’ producer Todd Terry to remix it, that it really took off. The original Album version had stalled at Number 69 on the UK singles chart in 1994, with the Todd Terry remix eventually becoming the ninth best selling single in the UK in 1995. Todd Terry has revealed how Everything But The Girl were not initially sold on his ‘Missing’ remix. ‘The group and some of the label guys felt it didn’t fit their image. We fought for the record to come out. We believed in it, and believed that it was what that group needed at that time. In fact, the guys around me thought they were a lame group, and that I had given the track life, ha.’

‘Missing’ is a song that tells of great sadness, where the narrator although having not seen the person they are longing for, for possibly many years, still makes the long journey by train to where they once lived. The narrator has no idea where this person is, and for all they know they could be dead. Whether this person was a former lover, family member, of friend is not explained.

‘Back on the train, I ask why did I come again? Can I confess, I’ve been hanging round your old address, and years have proved to offer nothing since you’ve moved. You’re long gone, but I can’t move on.’

Posted by: In: Other 20 Jan 2025 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

349-James Brown-Bodyheat.

1977-Number 36 single.

Best Bit-At 0.56. In this song James Brown, the ‘Godfather of Soul’ tells us that even in his tender adolescent years, he was already blessed with ‘THE FUNK.’

James Brown (see also best songs 880-270 and 88) was born James Joseph Brown on May 3rd, 1933, in Barnwell, South Carolina, United States, he died on Christmas Day 2006, from congestive heart failure, resulting from complications of pneumonia, at the age of 73. During his 53 year professional career James Brown received many prestigious music industry awards and honours, including in 1986 when he was one of the first inductees into the ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’ at its inaugural induction dinner in New York. In 1992 he was awarded a ‘Lifetime Achievement Award,’ at the 34th annual ‘Grammy Awards,’ and on January 10th, 1997, a ceremony was held to honour him with a star on the ‘Hollywood Walk of Fame.’

James Brown’s personal life was marred by numerous brushes with the law. In 1963, during a concert in Macon, Georgia, while Otis Redding (1941-1967) (see also best songs 712 and 377) was performing, Brown reportedly wielding two shotguns, tried to shoot his musical rival Joe Tex (1935-1982.) The incident led to multiple people being shot and stabbed, and since Brown was still on parole at the time, he relied on his agent Clint Brantley ‘and a few thousand dollars to make the situation disappear.’ James Brown was never charged for the incident. In 1988, and again in 1989 James Brown was arrested on drug and weapons charges, and then again in September 1988, following a high-speed car chase on Interstate 20 near the Georgia–South Carolina state border. He was convicted of carrying an unlicensed pistol and assaulting a police officer, along with various drug related and driving offences. He was sentenced to six years in prison. He was released on parole on February 27, 1991, after serving two years of his sentence. James Brown was repeatedly arrested for domestic violence. On four occasions between 1987 to 1995, he was arrested on charges of assault against his third wife, Adrienne Rodriguez (1950-1996.) In one incident, Rodriguez reported to authorities that Brown beat her with an iron pipe and shot at her car.

The discography of James Brown includes 59 studio Albums released between 1958-2002, and 144 singles released between 1956-2024, there are also two soundtrack Albums, 49 official compilation Albums, and 15 live Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, 43 of his singles have reached the top 40, with ‘I Got You (I Feel Good,’) peaking the highest at Number 3 in 1965, while ‘Bodyheat’ stalled at Number 88. James Brown had great success on the Billboard ‘Hot R&B Singles’ chart, with 97 of his tracks making the top 40, and 17 of those songs all reaching the Number 1 position. In the UK, James Brown has had 11 top 40 hit singles, with ‘Living in America’ peaking the highest at Number 5 in 1985.

‘Bodyheat’ (sometimes spelled ‘Body Heat’) was the first of two singles released from James Brown’s 44th studio Album of the same name, from December 1976, the other track selected for single release, was the less successful ‘Kiss in 77,’ which peaked at Number 35 on the Billboard ‘Hot R&B Singles’ chart in 1977. ‘Bodyheat’ was written and produced by James Brown, but as with many of his releases from that period the songs writing was credited to his then wife Diedre, and their two daughters, Deanna, and Yamma, as Brown was at that time in trouble with the ‘IRS’ for failure to pay back taxes.

It was around 1967 that James Brown began to define a new sound, with many music critics agreeing that he released the first true ‘Funk’ song with ‘Cold Sweat’ (1967-Billboard Number 7.) Brown is also considered a major influence on ‘Rap’ music, with his style of vocal delivery, where much of his output was not quite sung, but also not quite spoken. He is also the most sampled artist of all time, with many of his songs benefiting the development of ‘Hip-Hop’ music. By 1976 ‘Disco’ music had taken over as the number one genre in black music, and as a consequence James Brown’s record sales were slowing down, so in an attempt to keep up with the times the ‘Body Heat’ Album included elements of ‘Disco’ music. The back of the cover of the ‘Bodyheat’ Album features a text written by James Brown entitled ‘Brand New Sound,’ it reads ‘Sometimes the serpent of the devil is so strong, it takes the body heat of God to keep him away. So do good, think good, and you’ll be good to your fellow man, and to all humanity. Listen to the Album, not only will the spiritual feeling get to you, but the ‘groove’ will too. Undying Dedication to you, James Brown, with the feeling of a new beginning, ‘A New Sound.’

‘When I was a little boy about the age of one, my mother told me that you’re a loving son of a gun. When I was a little boy about the age of two, get myself, then I had to do.’

Posted by: In: Other 19 Jan 2025 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

350-Journey-Don’t Stop Believin’.

1981-Number 62 single. Through digital downloads it peaked at Number 6 in 2010.

Best Bit-At 0.58. The songs title came from something the groups keyboardist Jonathan Cain’s father frequently told him when he was a struggling musician, ‘Don’t stop believing or you’re done, dude.’

The first line up of Journey, who were formed in San Francisco, California, United States, in 1973, and originally called ‘Golden Gate Rhythm Section,’ were Neal Schon, (lead guitar) Charles ‘Prairie’ Prince, (drums) Greg Rolie, (keyboards, and lead vocals) Ross Valory, (bass) and George Tickner, (1946-2023) (guitar) it was their roadie John Villanueva who suggested the name ‘Journey.’ In total there have been 18 members come and go, with Neal Schon being the bands one constant. At the time of writing they remain active, with six current members recording and touring. The groups musical style has also changed drastically over the years, initially they started out playing Progressive Rock, and Jazz-Rock, but with pressure from their record label to get them radio play, it meant them leaning more towards ‘Soft Rock,’ which brought them their most commercial success between 1978-1987.

The discography of Journey who have sold in excess of 100 million records worldwide, making them one of the best selling acts of all time, includes 15 studio Albums released between 1975-2022, and 52 singles released within the same time period, there are also two extended plays, (EP’s) one soundtrack Album, 11 official compilation Albums, and five live Albums available. In America on the Billboard 200 Album chart, their seventh studio Album ‘Escape,’ from 1981, is their highest charting, peaking at Number 1. Journey have had 19 top 40 hit singles on the Billboard Hot 100, with ‘Open Arms’ from 1982, peaking the highest at Number 2, while ‘Don’t Stop Believin” made Number 9. Only the Electric Light Orchestra (see also best songs 970 and 25) with 20 top 40 singles have had more chart entries without achieving a Number 1 on Billboard. In the UK, Journey’s only top 40 single remains ‘Don’t Stop Believin.”

‘Don’t Stop Believin” was the second of five singles released from ‘Escape,’ the seventh studio Album from Journey, from July 1981, the song was co-written by Steve Perry, Jonathan Cain, and Neal Schon, who were all members of the band at that time. Perry who sang lead vocals had joined Journey in 1977, and remained with them until 1987, he then returned after the bands hiatus, to take up duties again between 1995-1998. Jonathan Cain who had joined the band in 1980 played guitar, and keyboards, he is also a member of the current line up. The other two musicians who played on the song, and were members of Journey at that time, were Ross Valory, who left in 2020, and drummer Steve Smith who had joined in 1978, and also left in 2020.

‘Don’t Stop Believin” was co-produced by Kevin Elson, and Mike ‘Clay’ Stone, the duo also co-produced the songs parent Album ‘Escape’. Kevin Elson is probably best remembered for his connection to the American Rock band ‘Lynyrd Skynyrd’ (see also best songs 204 and 12.) Elson who worked as a producer on Lynyrd Skynyrd’s fifth studio Album ‘Street Survivors,’ in 1977, was aboard the leased Convair 240 that was carrying the band from South Carolina to Louisiana, when it crashed in the Mississippi woods on October 20th, 1977, killing three members of Lynyrd Skynyrd, their assistant road manager, and the plane’s two pilots. Kevin Elson suffered a dislocated hip, and a badly crushed right ankle that kept him hospitalised for a month. Elson has said, ‘I don’t really remember much about it.’ ‘Don’t Stop Believin” was also co-produced by the English recording engineer and record producer Mike Stone, who was born Michael Richard Seth Stone in 1951, he died in May 2002, of complications from being an alcoholic over many years. Mike Stone is best remembered for his work with the English Rock group ‘Queen,’ (see also best songs 918-615-208-126-47 and 3) working with them on six of their studio Albums between 1973-1977.) Queen’s guitarist Brian May wrote of Stone in a eulogy: ‘Mike’s production style of big chorus building and hitting hard, the ability to treat vocals uniquely, and find space in a recording have influenced a generation of young producers.’

‘Don’t Stop Believin” can be considered to be a contender for the ultimate slow burner. Although when initially released in the UK in 1982 it only reached Number 62, it has since gone on to sell over one million copies in that country, and worldwide it is currently the best selling digital track for a song that was first released in the 20th Century, with sales in excess of 8 million. The first resurgence of the song happened in 2003 when it was used in the American movie ‘Monster,’ Although the film was not the greatest success, the Hollywood community saw the emotion the song generated, and from then on it became a regular in several films, and television programmes. In 2009 the song was covered by the cast of the American musical comedy show ‘Glee,’ which when released as a single reached Number 4, and sold in excess of 1.4 million copies in America, it also climbed to Number 5 in the UK, which led to the renewed interest in the original version. The song was also introduced to a whole new generation in the UK when the 2009 British ‘X-Factor’ winner Joe McEldry performed the song on that television singing competition programme.

‘Don’t Stop Believin” is a song of hope. In a lonely world where it can be hard to find that right someone, the hope that you can is what makes things bearable. The song also addresses escaping from your past, whatever that maybe, and looking forward to a better tomorrow.

‘Just a small town girl, livin’ in a lonely world, she took the midnight train goin’ anywhere. Just a city boy, born and raised in South Detroit, he took the midnight train goin’ anywhere.