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.

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

351-OutKast-Ms. Jackson.

2000-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 3.55. It’s the best song in the world ever about groveling to ‘The Mother-In-Law.’

OutKast were formed in 1992, in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, by Andre ‘3000’ Benjamin, and Antwan ‘Big Boi’ Patton, they remained active as a duo until 2007, and then collaborated again to tour for over 40 musical festivals in 2014. The duo chose their name based on finding ‘outcast’ as a synonym for ‘misfit’ in a dictionary, since 2007 they have both pursued solo careers. OutKast are one of ‘Hip-Hop’s’ most critically acclaimed acts, having been praised for their experimentation with diverse genres including ‘Funk,’ ‘Psychedelia,’ ‘Jazz,’ and ‘Techno,’ as well as for their lyrical content. Andre ‘3000’ was born on May 27th, 1975, in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, and Antwan ‘Big Boi’ Patton was born on February 1st, 1975, in Savannah, Georgia, United States. The pair first met in 1992 when they were both 16 years old, where they attended the Tri-Cities High School, they initially both participated in ‘Rap Battles,’ that would take place in the school cafeteria. They were soon signed to the label that would later become ‘LaFace Records,’ becoming the labels first ‘Hip-Hop’ act.

OutKast who have gone on to sell in excess of 25 million records worldwide, have released six studio Albums between 1994-2006, and 32 singles between 1993-2006, there is also one soundtrack Album, and one official compilation Album available. In America their 2003 fifth studio Album ‘Speakerboxxx/The Love Below,’ which was a double Album, reached Number 1 on the Billboard 200 Album chart, with another four of their studio Albums all making the Number 2 spot. On the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, they have reached the top 40 on 10 occasions, with three of those singles including ‘Ms Jackson’ making Number 1. In the UK, OutKast have had six top 40 chart entries, with ‘Ms Jackson’ peaking the highest at Number 2.

Andre ‘3000’ Benjamin, and Antwan ‘Big Boi’ Patton have both released solo material as well. Andre ‘3000’ has issued one solo Album called ‘New Blue Sun,’ in 2023, he has also appeared on three singles as a lead artist, and a further 23 as a featured artist between 2001-2024, with ‘Green Light,’ by John Legend featuring André 3000, charting the highest at Number 24 in 2008, while in the UK, ‘Millionaire,’ by Kelis, featuring André 3000, (2004) and ‘Dedication to My Ex (Miss That,’) by Lloyd, featuring André 3000, (2011) both peaked the highest at Number 3. The solo discography of Antwan ‘Big Boi’ Patton includes three studio Albums released between 2010-2017, and 22 singles released between 2008-2017. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, his only charting single is ‘Girlfight,’ by Brooke Valentine, featuring Lil Jon, and Big Boi, which made Number 23 in 2005, while in the UK he has appeared on four top 40 hit singles, with ‘All n My Grill,’ by Missy Elliott, featuring MC Solaar, or Big Boi, peaking the highest at Number 20 in 1999.

‘Ms. Jackson’ was the second of three singles released from ‘Stankonia,’ the fourth studio Album by OutKast, from October 2000, the Album was far more experimental than previous releases, as they added ‘Techno,’ and ‘Psychedelic Funk’ to their sound. ‘Ms. Jackson’ was co-written, and co-produced by Andre ‘3000’ Benjamin, Antwan ‘Big Boi’ Patton, and David Sheats, who is known professionally as ‘Mr. DJ.’ David Sheats who was born in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, was a long term collaborator with OutKast, working with the duo on their final three studio Albums as ‘Earthtone III.’ David Sheats has won two Grammy Awards, one in 2002 for ‘Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group,’ for “Ms. Jackson,’ and another in 2004 for ‘Rap Album of the Year,’ for his work on Outkast’s ‘Speakerboxxx/The Love Below.’ ‘Ms Jackson.’ cleverly samples The Brothers Johnson’s 1977 cover version of the Shuggie Otis composition ‘Strawberry Letter 23,’ (see also best songs 1022) by adding various audio effects, prominently reversed.

‘Ms. Jackson’s’ lyrics are a message from Andre 3000 to the mother of the singer Eryka Badu, (see also best songs 408) with whom he had a child with, Andre 3000 and Eryka Badu had been in a relationship from 1996 to 1999, but had since split. He wanted Badu’s mother to hear his side of the story, as he felt he was being portrayed as a bad father. Ms. Jackson is a name OutKast made up, Badu’s mother is really named Kolleen Wright. It was reported that Kolleen Wright really liked the song being written about her and said, ‘Where’s my publishing cheque.’ Eryka Badu has said about the song, ‘It hit kind of a sore spot. I didn’t wanna hear that, especially when I heard Big Boi’s verse. When I heard Andre’s verse, I felt very good because his verse was really, really inspiring. He just said how he felt, and it was his honest feelings, and I always respected that ,and listened to what he felt and appreciated it.’ When asked what her mother thought of being the subject of the song, Eryka Badu said, ‘Baby, she bought herself a ‘Ms. Jackson’ license plate. She had the mug, she had the ink pen, she had the headband, everything. That’s who loved it.’

‘Me and yo’ daughter got’s this thing going on. You say it’s puppy love, we say it’s full grown. Hope that we feel this, feel this way forever, you can plan a pretty picnic, but you can’t predict the

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

352-Jacques Brel-Amsterdam.

1964-It has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 2.30. Thank heavens for English subtitles, or I wouldn’t have a clue what it’s all about.

Jacques Romain Georges Brel was born on April 8th, 1929, in Schaerbeek, Brussels, Belgium, he died on October 9th, 1978, from a pulmonary embolism, at the age of 49. It wasn’t just Brel’s songs that left a long lasting impression, it was the passionate and often theatrical way he performed them live, which endeared him to the public. Jacques Brel is considered a master of the modern chanson, and is best remembered as a singer/songwriter, but he was also an actor and a film director, appearing in 10 films between 1956-1973, two of which he also directed, ‘Franz,’ from 1971, and ‘Le Far West,’ from 1973. Such is the esteem that Jacques Brel is held in, there are currently two statues erected as tributes, one is in Brussels, Belgium, and the other is in Vesoul, France. With worldwide record sales in excess of 25 million Jacques Brel is the third best selling artist of all time to be born in Belgium, behind Salvatore Adamo, (100 million plus sales) and Frederic Francois, (40 million plus sales) incidentally the only other Belgium act to feature in this countdown is the ‘Electronic Dance Music’ act Technotronic, (see also best songs 424) who with sales in excess of 14 million, are currently the eighth best selling act in Belgium.

Jacques Brel’s songs have been covered countless times, many by some of the world’s greatest artists, and translated into several different languages. It has been said that many of his songs have lost their true meaning in translation, a very good example of this would be ‘Le Moribond,’ which when re-written by the American singer/poet Rod McKuen (1933-2015) became ‘Seasons in the Sun,’ which went on to sell over 10 million copies worldwide in 1974 when recorded by the Canadian singer Terry Jacks. That song was brought to the attention of a whole new generation when the Irish boy band Westlife also took the song to Number 1 (the Christmas Number 1) of 1999 in the UK. The three British artists who are best remembered for being inspired by Brel, and also for recording his songs are Scott Walker, (1943-2019) (see also best songs 164) David Bowie, (1947-2016) (see also best songs 807-440-334-302-209-186-118-47-31 and 5) and Marc Almond, (see also best songs 848) both Walker, and Almond have each recorded several songs on their Albums dedicated to Brel’s music. The discography of Jacques Brel includes 16 studio Albums released between 1954-2013, and 39 singles released between 1954-1978, there is also one soundtrack Album, four official compilation Albums, and eight live Albums available.

‘Amsterdam’ was written by Jacques Brel, musically the songs melody is based on the traditional English Folk song ‘Greensleeves.’ Brel never recorded the song for any of his studio Albums, and the only version released can be found on his live Album ‘Enregistrement Public a l’Olympia 1964,’ which was produced by Jean-Marie Guérin, and first released for sale in January 1967. In 1968 ‘Amsterdam’ was one of the songs translated into English by the American singer/songwriter Mort Shuman (1938-1991) for the musical ‘Jacques Brel is Alive and Living in Paris,’ which in 1975 was also made in to a film, being released in America, Canada, and France.

Mort Shuman was born Mortimer Shuman on November 12th, 1938, in Brooklyn, New York, United States, he died of cancer on November 2nd, 1991, at the age of 52. Mort Shuman who was a singer, pianist, and songwriter, is best remembered for his songwriting collaborations with the American Blues singer and songwriter Doc Pomus, (1925-1991) their biggest success together was co-writing ‘Viva Las Vegas’ for the film of the same name, for Elvis Presley (1935-1977) (see also best songs 954-664-442 and 194) in 1964. After Shuman and Doc Pomus parted ways in 1965, Shuman moved to France, where he wrote songs for Johnny Hallyday, (1943-2017) and embarked on his own recording career. Other Mort Shuman co-writes include ‘Little Children,’ for Billy J. Kramer & the Dakotas, (1964-UK Number 1 & Billboard Number 7) ‘Here I Go Again,’ for The Hollies, (1964-UK Number 4) and ‘Sha-La-La-La-Lee,’ for The Small Faces,’ (1966-UK Number 3.) Mort Shuman was elected posthumously to the ‘Songwriters Hall of Fame’ in 1992.

Like many of Jacques Brel’s compositions ‘Amsterdam’ has been recorded by several musicians in many different languages worldwide. It was after hearing Scott Walker’s recording of ‘Amsterdam’ that David Bowie recorded a version in the early 1970’s, which was first released in 1973 as the ‘B’ side to his UK Number 3 single ‘Sorrow.’ In France the sides were flipped with ‘Amsterdam’ released as the ‘A’ side, where it made Number 7 on their chart. On a visit to Paris, Bowie wanted to meet Jacques Brel, but Brel refused, saying he did not wish to meet a ‘pédé’ (faggot) but nevertheless still admired him.

‘Amsterdam’ is about the port of Amsterdam, not Amsterdam itself. The lyrics tell of the sailors during their shore leave, and not in a complimentary manner. It tells of the squalor that they appear to be happy to live in, the unhealthy lifestyle they lead, and the prostitutes they engage with.

‘In Amsterdam’s port there are sailors dying, full of beers and dramas, since the very first gleams. But in Amsterdam port there are sailors getting to life in the thick heat of the ocean’s tiredness.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

353-Janis Ian-At Seventeen.

1975-Number 54 single.

Best Bit-At 0.47. In the wonderful world of Pop music it is amazing how often the Number 17 occurs, for instance the Beatles saw her standing there, while Joan Jett saw him standing there by the record machine. For Frank Sinatra it was a very good year, and Bobby Goldsbro became a man, (see also best songs 942) but the most famous 17 of them all of course is ‘The Dancing Queen’ (see also best songs 44.)

Janis Ian was born Janis Eddy Fink on April 7th, 1951, in Farmingdale, New Jersey, United States, in 1964 she legally changed her surname to Ian, taking her brother Eric’s middle name. As well as being a singer/songwriter in the genres of ‘Folk,’ and ‘Soft Rock,’ Janis Ian is also an author of Science Fiction, and has had books published. At the age of 13 she wrote the song ‘Society’s Child (Baby I’ve Been Thinking,’) which would eventually become her first hit when reaching Number 14 on Billboard in America in 1967. The song is considered to be ground breaking, as it’s subject matter concerned the relationship between an interracial couple, and the effect it had on their family and friends. Even so many radio stations refused to play the song it still managed to eventually become a hit. In 1973, in more enlightened times, a song with similar subject matter, ‘Brother Louie,’ by the ‘Stories,’ reached Number 1 on Billboard (see also best songs 864.) The discography of Janis Ian includes 23 studio Albums released between 1967-2022, and 31 singles released between 1967-2024, there are also 15 official compilation Albums, and five live Albums available. In America her 1975 Album ‘Between the Lines,’ is her most successful, reaching Number 1 on the Billboard 200 Album chart in 1975, and at the time of writing has sold just short of two million copies in the United States. On the Billboard Hot 100, two of her singles have reached the top 40, ‘Society’s Child (Baby I’ve Been Thinking’) (1967-Number 14) and ‘At Seventeen,’ (1975-Number 3) while in the UK she has never had a top 40 single, although two of her tracks have both stalled at Number 44.

‘At Seventeen’ was the second of three singles released from ‘Between the Lines,’ the seventh studio Album by Janis Ian, from March 1975, the song was written by Janis Ian, with the production being by Brooks Arthur (1936-2022.) Brooks Arthur was a highly respected producer who engineered hits including Neil Diamond’s ‘Sweet Caroline,’ (see also best songs 13) and Van Morrison’s ‘Brown Eyed Girl,’ on which he can also be heard providing backing vocals, he was also the engineer on Janis Ian’s breakthrough song ‘Society’s Child (Baby I’ve Been Thinking.’) Brooks Arthur was the producer of all of the American actor and comedian Adam Sandler’s five comedy studio Albums between 1993-2004, and won three ‘Grammy’ awards from 20 nominations during his career.

‘At Seventeen’ and ‘Society’s Child (Baby I’ve Been Thinking’) are both considered to be the ‘signature songs’ of Janis Ian. A signature song is the one song, or in some cases, one of a few songs that a popular and well established recording artist or group is most closely identified with, or best known for. Often a signature song will feature significant characteristics of an artist, and may encapsulate the artist’s particular sound and style. Artists and bands with a signature song are generally expected to perform it at every concert appearance, often as an encore on concert tours, and sometimes being the last song of the set-list. There are many ‘signature songs’ in the ‘1000 Best Songs’ list, including ABBA, ‘Dancing Queen,’ (see also best songs 44) Bill Haley & His Comets, ‘Rock Around the Clock,’ (see also best songs 628) Lynyrd Skynyrd, ‘Free Bird,’ (see also best songs 12) and Kylie Minogue, ‘Can’t Get You Out of My Head’ (see also best songs 928.)

Janis Ian first got the idea for ‘At Seventeen’ after reading an article in the ‘New York Times’ about an 18 year old woman who believed her life would improve after attending a debutante ball, but it didn’t. This led to Ian thinking back on her own similar personal experiences as a young teenager, she chose the age of 17 as it fit well into the song. Janis Ian has said, ‘I wrote the first verse and chorus and it was so brutally honest. It’s hard to imagine now but people weren’t writing that type of song then. I was coming out of listening to people like Billie Holiday and Nina Simone, who did write those kind of songs, but pop music and folk music really didn’t. I remember thinking I couldn’t blow this because it really was going to be a good song. I put it away for three weeks and it took about three months to write the whole thing. I couldn’t figure out the ending, I couldn’t figure out what to do with her, then I thought I would recap it, bring myself into it and bring it into the past.’

‘At Seventeen’ is a song about the illusion of popularity, society’s beauty standards, and adolescent cruelty as told from the point of view of a woman who was an ‘Ugly Duckling’ as a girl in high school, while the popular girls got all the attention. Janis Ian has also said, ‘To me it’s not a depressing song, it says ‘Ugly Duckling girls like me,’ and to me the Ugly Duckling always turns into a swan. It offers hope that there is a world out there of people who understand.’ It is said that for the first six months that Janis Ian performed the song, she closed her eyes as she sang it. She feared the audience would laugh at her because of the personal nature of the lyrics.

‘And those of us with ravaged faces, lacking in the social graces, desperately remained at home, inventing lovers on the phone.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

354-Frankie Laine-That Lucky Old Sun (Just Rolls Around Heaven All Day.)

1949-It has never charted in the UK. There was no UK chart until 1952.

Best Bit-At 2.25. Eat your heart out Adams, eat your heart out Whitney, eat your heart out Drake, this guy still holds the record of 18 weeks at Number 1.

Frankie Laine was born Francesco Paolo LoVecchio on March 30th, 1913, in Chicago, Illinois, United States, he died from heart failure on February 6th, 2007, at the age of 93. He changed his professional name to Frankie Laine in 1938, upon receiving a job singing for the New York City radio station ‘WINS.’ The programme director, Jack Coombs, thought that ‘LoVecchio’ was ‘too foreign sounding, and too much of a mouthful for the studio announcers,’ so he Americanised it to ‘Lane,’ an homage to his high school. He added the ‘i’ to avoid confusion with a girl singer at the radio station who went by the name of Frances Lane. Frankie Laine was a singer, songwriter, and actor, and was definitely not an overnight sensation, having performed in public from his early teens, it would be 1945 before he recorded his first song for a major label, eventually achieving his first hit with ‘That’s My Desire’ in 1946, when it reached Number 4 in America. In the UK Frankie Laine achieved four Number 1 singles, all of which were in the 1950’s. In 1953 his recording of ‘I Believe’ spent 18 non consecutive weeks at Number 1 which remains a record to this day. Laine also holds the record in the UK of spending 27 weeks at Number 1 in a calendar year in 1953. Although not acknowledged by all music critics, Frankie Laine is considered by many as helping to pave the way for vocalists, helping to bridge the gap between the ‘crooners’ of the ‘pre Rock era,’ and those that came after, such as Elvis Presley, (1935-1977) (see also best songs 954-664-442-and 194) James Brown, (1933-2006) (see also best songs 880-349-270 and 88) and Ray Charles (1930-2004) (see also best songs 475 and 185.) The American singer Patti Page (1927-2013) (see also best songs 1050) said about Frankie Laine, ‘I think that Frank probably was one of the forerunner of…blues, of…rock ‘n’ roll. A lot of singers who sing with a passionate demeanour, Frank was, and is definitely that. I always used to love to mimic him with ‘That’s…my…desire.’ And then later Johnnie Ray came along that made all of those kind of movements, but Frank had already done them.’

The discography of Frankie Laine, who recorded in the genres of ‘Traditional Pop, ‘Jazz,’ ‘R&B,’ ‘Easy Listening,’ ‘Country,’ and ‘Gospel’ includes, 44 studio Albums released between 1947-2003, and 164 singles released between 1945-1999, there are also 50 official compilation Albums available. In America on Billboard, Frankie Laine has had 60 top 40 entries, with three of those singles making Number 1, including ‘That Lucky Old Sun (Just Rolls Around Heaven All Day,’) while in the UK, bearing in mind that there was no official chart until November 1952, Frankie Laine has had 26 top 40 hits, with four of those singles reaching the Number 1 position.

‘That Lucky Old Sun (Just Rolls Around Heaven All Day’) was co-written by Beasley Smith, (1901-1968) (melody) and Haven Gillespie (1888-1975) (lyrics.) Frankie Laine provided the lead vocal, with the other vocals on the track being by ‘Judd Conlon’s (1910-1966) Rhythmaires,’ the other credits on the track are for ‘Harry Geller (1013-2008) and His Orchestra,’ and Carl Fischer, (1912-1954) piano. Beasley Smith was born John Beasley Smith on September 27th, 1901 in McEwen, Tennessee, United States, he died on May 14th, 1968, at the age of 66. His best known composition is ‘That Lucky Old Sun (Just Rolls Around Heaven All Day,’) but he did co-wrote over 100 songs, and in 1983, he was posthumously inducted into the ‘Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.’ Haven Gillespie was born James Lamont Gillespie on February 6th, 1888 in Covington, Kentucky, United States, he died on March 14th, 1975, at the age of 87. Gillespie collaborated with several other songwriters over the course of his career, and was inducted into the ‘Songwriters Hall of Fame’ in 1972. Two of his other best known compositions are ”You Go to My Head,’ (1938) and the Christmas classic ‘Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town’ (1934.)

As with many songs from that period, there could be several versions competing against each other at the same time. In 1949 Frankie Laine’s recording of ‘That Lucky Old Sun (Just Rolls Around Heaven All Day,’) was the most successful when reaching Number 1 in America on Billboard. A recording by Vaughn Monroe & His Orchestra made Number 9, a version by Louis Armstrong reached Number 24, and Frank Sinatra took his rendition to Number 16. The song has since been recorded on numerous occasions down the decades, with the other hit version being by Ray Charles, whose rendition made Number 20 on Billboard in 1963.

‘That Lucky Old Sun (Just Rolls Around Heaven All Day’) has been likened in it’s subject matter to the 1927 song ‘Ol’ Man River,’ (see also best songs 82) which has lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein (see also best songs 842.) The song tells of the very hard labour performed, and the intense hardship suffered by the songs narrator, while the natural world around him just goes about it’s everyday business. The narrator prays to his God to either take him immediately to heaven, or free him from his tortuous work.

‘Send down the cloud with a silver lining, lift me to paradise. Show me that river, take me across, wash all my troubles away. Like that lucky old sun, give me nothing to do but roll around heaven all day.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

355-George Ezra-Paradise.

2018-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 0.49. Paradise, and not a dashboard light in sight.

George Ezra Barnett was born on June 7th, 1993, in Hertford, Hertfordshire, England., he cites his youthful obsession with the music of Bob Dylan (see also best songs 792-621-358-103-36 and 7) as a major influence. Dylan himself, of course was influenced by the American ‘Folk,’ and ‘Blues’ artists of the early to mid 20th Century, such as Lead Belly, (1888-1949) (see also best songs 431) Woody Guthrie, (1912-1967) and Howlin’ Wolf, (1910-1976) and this led to Ezra checking out their music. Ezra bought a Lead Belly compilation, and on the sleeve it said that Lead Belly’s voice was so big, you have to turn your record player down. Ezra has said, ‘I liked the idea of singing with a big voice, so I tried, and I could.’ In 2014 the internet blog ‘When the Gramophone Rings’ described George Ezra as having ‘a voice beyond his years,’ with ‘a soulful tone that somehow would feel more at home coming from an Alabama bartender than a 21-year-old Bristolian.’

The discography of George Ezra includes three studio Albums released between 2014-2022, and 15 singles released between 2013-2023, there are also three extended plays (EP’s) available. In the UK, all three of his studio Albums ‘Wanted on Voyage,’ (2014) ‘Staying at Tamara’s,’ (2018) and ‘Gold Rush Kid,’ (2022) have all reached Number 1, while nine of his singles have made the UK top, with ‘Shotgun,’ from 2018, peaking the highest at Number 1. In America on Billboard, his only top 40 charting Album is his debut ‘Wanted on Voyage,’ which made Number 19 in 2014, and his only charting single on the Billboard Hot 100 to date is his second single release ‘Budapest,’ which reached Number 32 in 2013.

‘Paradise’ was the second of five singles released from ‘Staying at Tamara’s,’ the second studio Album from George Ezra, from March 2018, the song was co-written by George Ezra, and Shane Marriott, with the production being by Cameron Blackwood, who was born in Alloway, Scotland. Blackwood’s other production work includes ‘Wanted on Voyage,’ the debut studio Album by George Ezra, ‘Sleep No More,’ for the English-Italian acoustic singer Jack Savoretti, (2016) ‘Love Life Flesh Blood,’ for the Irish singer Imelda May, (2017) and ‘Dark Rainbow,’ for ‘Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes’ (2024.) Cameron Blackwood is also credited with playing the guitar, synthesizer, and providing percussion, as well as the programming, on ‘Paradise.’

After George Ezra had finished touring his debut Album ‘Wanted On Voyage’ in 2014, he set about writing for the follow up. He went to Barcelona for a month, but instead of booking into a hotel, he looked on the internet, and found a stranger called Tamara who was renting her spare room, and this was where the Album’s title came from. George Ezra has said, ‘I thought if she’s a bit crazy, if she’s a bit unhinged, I can just leave. Her friends were all musicians, artists and designers, and her apartment really felt like HQ. It helped slow me down. There was a point about halfway through the trip where I was like, this trip has proved to be really important, and the Album’s name came to me like that, I love it.’ ‘Staying at Tamara’s’ which included George Ezra’s only UK Number 1 single ‘Shotgun,’ went on to become the UK’s best selling artist Album of the year in 2018, and was nominated for ‘British Album of the Year,’ at the 2019 ‘Brit Awards.’ In support of the album, Ezra embarked on a 2018 world tour entitled, ‘Staying at Tamara’s Tour,’ mostly visiting cities across North America and Europe.

George Ezra has recalled how ‘Paradise’ came about after he rediscovered ‘Paradise’ on his Dictaphone eight months after he first recorded it. ‘That song started life before the end of the first record. We were on tour in California and someone got a cold on the bus. If one of you gets a cold, we all do. I remember being in my bed feeling sorry for myself, and I just started singing and had that melody. Then I forgot about it for a while.’

‘Paradise’ is a love song, George Ezra wrote the song while dating the English musician Florrie Arnold, who was the drummer on this song, as well as providing background vocals, the song was written with her in mind. George Ezra has said that the song was aiming to capture ‘A feeling that takes over when you’ve fallen in love.’ He has said that the lyrics were ‘Not looking at a particular love story, but more the effect that love has on your psyche. You become a mess, but it’s good. It doesn’t matter what’s going on around you, you’re in your own little world.’ Ezra described ‘Paradise’ as the ‘Perfect love song version’ of ‘Staying at Tamara’s’ themes of ‘Escaping and dreaming, and taking yourself away a little bit.’

‘I know you heard it from those other boys, but this time it’s real. It’s something that I feel and I know you heard it from those other boys, but this time it’s real, it’s something that I feel.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

356-The Hues Corporation-Rock the Boat.

1974-Number 6 single.

Best Bit-At 2.17. Due to it’s popularity in the nightclubs, the radio finally began to play it, leading to what many people cite as the first ‘Disco’ record to become a Billboard Number 1 single.

The Hues Corporation were formed in 1969 in Santa Monica, California, United States, by Wally Holmes, (1928-2021) and Bernard St. Clair Lee, (1944-2011) they were soon joined by Hubert Ann Kelley, (1947-2023) and Karl Russell. The group initially wanted to call themselves ‘The Children of Howard Hughes,’ but their record label wouldn’t allow it, so they settled on ‘The Hughes Corporation,’ naming themselves after the business magnate Howard Hughes, (1905-1976) which was a pun on the ‘Howard Hughes Corporation.’ The Hues Corporation’s first big break occurred in 1972 when asked to appear in, and provide three songs for the ‘blaxploitation’ film ‘Blacula,’ after which Karl Russell was replaced in the band by Fleming Williams (1943-1998.) This new lineup were signed to ‘RCA Records,’ and recorded their debut studio Album ‘Freedom for the Stallion’ in 1973, which included the original version of this song. The Hues Corporation were active until around 1980, but were reformed in the 1990’s by Bernard St. Clair Lee, with new members, in order to tour.

The discography of The Hues Corporation includes five studio Albums released between 1973-1980, and 17 singles released between 1970-1982, there are also five official compilation Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, two of their singles have reached the top 40, ‘Rock the Boat,’ (1974) making Number 1, and the follow up ‘Rockin’ Soul,’ (1974) reaching Number 18. In the UK those same two singles have also provided their only two top 40 entries, peaking at Number 6 and Number 24. ‘Rock the Boat’ was also a major international hit, notably reaching Number 1 in Canada, Number 2 in Belgium, Number 4 in the Netherlands, and Number 7 in Germany.

‘Rock the Boat’ was the third of four singles released from ‘Freedom for the Stallion,’ which was the debut studio Album by The Hues Corporation, from December 1973, the song was written by band member Wally Holmes, with the production being by John Florez. It was Florez who remixed the song, which led to it’s popularity in the nightclubs, the new remix was one of the tracks to feature on the bands second studio Album ‘Rockin’ Soul’ released in 1974. Some very famous musicians were brought in for the original recording of the song, including Joe Sample, (1939-2014) (keyboards) Wilton Felder, (1940-2015) (bass) and Larry Carlton (guitar) of the ‘Jazz Crusaders’ (see also best songs 588.) The star line up also included the session drummer Jim Gordon (1945-2023) (see also best songs 846-795-639 and 417.) Fleming Williams who provided the songs lead vocal would leave The Hues Corporation shortly after the song was recorded.

‘Rock the Boat’ failed to make much impact on it’s initial release in May 1974, as weeks went by without it receiving any radio airplay or sales activity. It was a different story in the Disco’s in New York where it was proving very popular on the dance floor. This led to the song entering the lower reaches of the Billboard Hot 100, and the radio stations finally getting on board. It took off from there, and within six weeks, on July 6th, 1974, it had reached Number 1. ‘Rock the Boat’ is considered to be one of the earliest ‘Disco’ songs. Some music writers proclaim it to be the first ‘Disco’ song to reach Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, while others give that distinction to ‘Love’s Theme,’ by Love Unlimited Orchestra, or ‘TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia,’) by MFSB, both of those songs had been Billboard Number 1’s earlier on in 1974.

Whether ‘Rock the Boat’ was the first ‘Disco’ Number 1 song or not, it certainly has played a part in the development of the genre. Richard Finch of KC & The Sunshine Band (see also best songs 893-375 and 64) has said that ‘Rock The Boat’ played a partial role in inspiring the hit ‘Rock Your Baby,’ (see also best songs 64) which he wrote with Harry Wayne Casey. Finch explained, ‘Harry and I were also paying attention to the chart actions at clubs, because club records, according to Harry’s direction, were doing better than just regular ‘R&B’ Records. Back then you could sneak into a club and they didn’t check your ID, so Harry and I would once in a while go sneak into the local clubs. There was one on Southwest 8th Street in Miami, Florida, that played dance music. We’d go in there for about an hour or two until it got to be way too late for us to be there. And we’d pay attention to what brought the people to the dance floor, and what made them sit down. So we started gearing ourselves to writing more in that direction. ‘Rock Your Baby’ was inspired by the gathering of all that information.’

Bernard St. Clair Lee, of The Hues Corporation has spoken about the songs universal appeal, ‘It was a song that you could do anything on. You could cuddle, or you could get crazy if you wanted to. It was a love song without being a love song. But, it was a disco hit and it happened because of the discos.’ In 1982 the American-Dutch singer Forrest Thomas (1953-2013) took his version of ‘Rock the Boat’ to Number 4 in the UK, it also made Number 7 in the Netherlands, and Number 33 in Australia.

‘Ever since our voyage of love began, your touch has thrilled me like the rush of the wind, and your arms have held me safe from a rolling sea. There’s always been a quiet place to harbour you and me.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

357-James Ingram and Michael McDonald- Yah Mo B There.

1985-Number 12 single.

Best Bit-At 4.12. In the 2005 American romantic film comedy ‘The 40 Year Old Virgin,’ the main character works in an electronic store, in which a Michael McDonald DVD has constantly been playing for two years. A salesman (played by Paul Rudd) has developed an intense hatred of the DVD and tells the manager, ‘Nothing against Michael McDonald, but if I hear Ya Mo B There one more time, I’m gonna Yah Mo burn this place to the ground!’

James Edward Ingram was born on February 16th, 1952, in Akron, Ohio, United States, he died of brain cancer on January 29th, 2019, at the age of 66. Prior to finding international success, James Ingram had been a member of a Los Angeles band called ‘Revelation Funk,’ and then as a keyboard player in Ray Charles’ (1930-2004) (see also best songs 475 and 185) touring group. The discography of James Ingram includes five solo studio Albums released between 1983-2008, and 30 singles released between 1981-1999, there are also two official compilation Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, eight of his singles have made the top 40, with ‘Baby Come to Me,’ with Patti Austin, (1982) and ‘I Don’t Have the Heart,’ (1990) both reaching Number 1, while ‘Yah Mo B There’ peaked at Number 19. In the UK, James Ingram has had three top 40 hits, with ‘Somewhere Out There,’ with Linda Ronstadt,’ charting the highest at Number 8 in 1986. In the UK all of James Ingram’s three top 40 hits have been duets.

Michael H. McDonald was born on February 12th, 1952, in St. Louis, Missouri, United States, he is a singer, songwriter and keyboardist, who is known for his distinctive, soulful voice. In 1974 he spent a year as a member of the Steely Dan touring band, and has continued to work with them in the studio, and on the road intermittently down the years. However Michael McDonald will always be best remembered for being a member of American Rock band The Doobie Brothers, recording with them on five studio Albums, and nine Billboard top 40 singles, including his co-write of their Billboard Number 1 song ‘What a Fool Believes’ in 1979. He has also had a very successful solo career, releasing 11 studio Albums between 1982-2017, and 28 singles between 1982-2022, there are also seven official compilation Albums, and one live Album available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, three of his singles have made the top 40, he has also had a further five top 40 hits as a featured artist, with ‘On My Own,’ with Patti LaBelle reaching Number 1 in 1986. In the UK, Michael McDonald has had one top 40 solo hit single, with ‘Sweet Freedom’ reaching Number 12 in 1986, he has also had a further two hits as a featured artist, with ‘On My Own,’ with Patti LaBelle, peaking the highest at Number 2 in 1986.

‘Yah Mo B There’ was the third of five singles released from ‘It’s Your Night,’ the debut studio Album by James Ingram, from July 1983, the song was co-written by James Ingram, Michael McDonald, Rod Temperton, (1949-2016) (see also best songs 889 and 511) and the legendary Quincy Jones, (1933-2024) (see also best songs 1022-889-812-703-511 and 191) who was also the songs producer, and issued the Album and single on his record label ‘Qwest,’ which was partly owned by Warner Brothers.

‘Yah Mo B There’ was first issued as a single in December 1983, reaching Number 19 on the American Billboard Hot 100, and Number 44 in the UK, it was the remixed version by John Benitez, which had the greater success in the UK, when making Number 12 during the spring of 1985. John Benitez was born on November 7th, 1957, in New York City, United States, he is better known by his working name John ‘Jellybean’ Benitez.’ It was his younger sister Debbie who nicknamed him ‘Jellybean’ in his youth, as his initials are J.B. and also from the expression ‘Know what I mean, Jellybean?’ His high profile production work includes producing some of Madonna’s early songs, including the Billboard Number 1 single ‘Crazy for You’ in 1985, he also produced the Whitney Houston (1963-2012) track ‘Love Will Save the Day,’ (1988-Billboard Number 9 & UK Number 10.) Working alongside many different vocalists ‘Jellybean’ has also released five studio Albums between 1984-2010, and has issued 12 singles between 1984-2009, with two of those tracks reaching the Billboard Hot 100, with ‘Who Found Who’ featuring Elisa Fiorillo, peaking the highest at Number 16 in 1987, while in the UK, four of his singles have made the top 40, with ‘Jingo’ charting the highest at Number 12 in 1987.

‘Yah Mo B There’ is in reference to God, and the power faith can have over difficult times, ‘Yah’ being the shortened ‘Yahweh,’ the Hebrew name for God. James Ingram who came up with the songs title has said, ‘We were talking about how to say ‘God will be there’ without scaring most of the audience away.’

‘Heavenly Father watchin’ us fall, we take from each other, and give nothing at all. Well it’s a doggone shame, but never too late for change.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

358-Bob Dylan-The Times They Are a-Changin.’

1965-Number 9 single.

Best Bit-At 2.36. It appears that the lyrics are as relevant now as they were when Dylan originally wrote them in 1963, and they probably always will be.

Bob Dylan (see also best songs 792-621-103-36 and 7) was born Robert Allen Zimmerman, on May 24th, 1941, in Duluth, Minnesota, St. Louis County, United States, he is a singer, songwriter, painter, and artist. Bob Dylan is one of Pop Music’s most prolific live performers, having played well in excess of 3,000 shows. The ‘Never Ending Tour,’ which began on June 7th, 1988, is the popular name given to his touring schedule, and since 1989 he has been accompanied by the American bassist Tony Garnier, who has sometimes been characterised as his musical director. Like many artists who have played the same song to death, they would prefer to introduce some of their other material in to their shows, more often than not to the dismay of many audience members who come to the concert to hear the songs that they know best. Bob Dylan has been accused of unpredictable performances, as he often alters his arrangements and changes his vocal approach. Those who side with Dylan say that he has found a successful way to ‘present his rich legacy of material,’ but others have criticised his live performances for changing ‘the greatest lyrics ever written so that they are effectively unrecognisable,’ and giving so little to the audience that ‘it is difficult to understand what he is doing on stage at all.’

‘The Times They Are a-Changin’ was the only single released from Bob Dylan’s third studio Album of the same name, from February 1964, the song was written by Bob Dylan, and produced by Tom Wilson (1931-1978.) Bob Dylan wrote the songs lyrics between September and October 1963, as a deliberate attempt to create an anthem for change. He has said, ‘This was definitely a song with a purpose. It was influenced of course by the Irish and Scottish ballads, ‘Come All Ye Bold Highway Men,’ ‘Come All Ye Tender Hearted Maidens.’ I wanted to write a big song, with short concise verses that piled up on each other in an hypnotic way. The ‘Civil Rights Movement’ and the Folk music movement were pretty close for a while and allied together at that time.’

‘The Times They Are a-Changin’ was Bob Dylan’s first Album to consist of only original material. Dylan’s friend, the musician, and author Tony Glover (1939-2019) recalled visiting Dylan’s apartment in September 1963, where he saw a number of song manuscripts, and poems lying on the table. Glover reportedly asked Dylan, ‘What is this sh#t man?’ to which Dylan responded,’ Well, you know, it seems to be what the people like to hear.’ This track and it’s parent Album were produced by Tom Wilson (1931-1978) who is considered one of the most important and innovative producers of all time. He is credited with helping Bob Dylan create a more ‘Rock ‘N Roll’ sound, and worked also as producer for other all time greats, including The Velvet Underground, (see also best songs 401 and 165) and Simon & Garfunkel (see also best songs (529-200-96 and 71.)

Shortly after Bob Dylan had recorded ‘The Times They Are a-Changin’ President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas, on November 22nd, 1963. The next night Dylan opened a concert with ‘The Times They Are a-Changin,’ he told his biographer Anthony Scaduto (1932-2017) ‘I thought wow, how can I open with that song? I’ll get rocks thrown at me, but I had to sing it, my whole concert took off from there. I know I had no understanding of anything. Something had just gone haywire in the country, and they were applauding the song, and I couldn’t understand why they were clapping, or why I wrote the song. I couldn’t understand anything. For me it was just insane.’

‘The Times They Are a-Changin’ is a call to action, and became an anthem for the frustrated youth of the day. It summed up the anti-establishment feelings of people who would later be known as ‘hippies.’ Many of the lyrics are based on the ‘Civil Rights movement’ in the United States. Bob Dylan first recorded ‘The Times They Are a-Changin’ in October 1963, and then first performed the song at a ‘Carnegie Hall’ concert in New York, on October 26th that year, using it as his opening number. In the liner notes on the Album, Bob Dylan wrote about ‘The Times They Are a-Changin,’ ‘I wanted to write a big song, some kind of theme song, with short, concise verses that piled up on each other in a hypnotic way. This is definitely a song with a purpose. I knew exactly what I wanted to say and who I wanted to say it to.’ The songs final verse, ‘The order is rapidly fadin’/ And the first one now/ Will later be last/ For the times they are a-changin” has a Biblical feeling, and many critics have connected them with lines in the Gospel of Mark, 10:31, ‘But many that are first shall be last, and the last first.

In 2010 handwritten lyrics to the first four verses of ‘The Times They Are a-Changin’ jotted on a scrap of paper by Dylan were sold for $422,500 at a ‘Sotherbys’ sale in New York, the lucky bidder was the contemporary art collector Adam Sender.

‘The line is drawn, the curse is cast, the slow one now will later be fast, as the present now, will later be past. The order is rapidly fadin,’ and the first one now will later be last, for the times they are a changin.”