THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

359-Method Man featuring Mary J. Blige-I’ll Be There for You/You’re All I Need to Get By.

1995-Number 10 single.

Best Bit-At 0.34. This song is often cited as the hybrid of what is now known as ‘Thug Loved’ duets.

Mary J. Blige was born Mary Jane Blige on January 11th, 1971, in New York City, United States, She is a singer, songwriter, rapper, actress, and entrepreneur. It can be argued that Mary J. Bidge has been an innovator, not once but twice. He debut Album ‘What’s the 411?’ released in 1992, is an early example of a ‘Soul’ singer combining ‘Soul Music’ with ‘Hip-Hop’ music, leading to Blige being named the ‘Queen of Hip-Hop Soul.’ She is also credited through this song with matching female vocals alongside a Rap artist. This matching of the genres would go on to dominate the music charts around the world, and still plays a big part today. The discography of Mary J. Blige includes 15 studio Albums released between 1992-2024, and 83 singles released within the same time period, there are also nine official compilation Albums, one soundtrack Album, and two live Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, she has had 17 top 40 singles as the lead artist, and a further five as a featured artist, with ‘Family Affair,’ from 2001, peaking the highest at Number 1, with ‘I’ll Be There for You/You’re All I Need to Get By’ making Number 3. In the UK, Mary J. Blige has had 27 top 40 singles as the lead artist, and a further six as a featured artist, with ‘One,’ with U2, peaking the highest at Number 2 in 2006.

Method Man (see also best songs 166) was born Clifford Smith Jr. on March 2nd, 1971, in Hempstead, New York, United States, he is a rapper, music producer and actor, he took his stage name from the 1979 Hong Kong martial arts film called ‘Method Man.’He is best known as a founding member of the American ‘Hip-Hop’ group the ‘Wu-Tang Clan,’ who are one of the most influential Hip-Hop acts of all time. Method Man has appeared in 45 films between 1996-2024, and has an extensive list of television appearances as well. With the ‘Wu-Tang Clan’ he has participated on all of their seven studio Albums between 1993-2015, he has also released two studio Albums, one soundtrack Album, one Mixtape Album, and 13 singles with his fellow Wu-Tang Clan band mate Redman, between 1999-2016. The solo discography of Method Man includes seven studio Albums released between 1994-2022, and 34 singles released between 1994-2023. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, his only top 40 hit as the lead artist is ‘I’ll Be There for You/You’re All I Need to Get By,’ which made Number 3, he has also charted once as a featured artist on ‘Love @ 1st Sight,’ by Mary J. Blige, which reached Number 22 in 2003. In the UK, Method Man has had five top 40 hits, with ‘Hit ‘Em High (The Monstars’ Anthem’) with B-Real, Coolio, LL Cool J and Busta Rhymes, charting the highest at Number 8 in 1996.

I’ll Be There for You/You’re All I Need to Get By’ was first issued as ‘All I Need,’ on Method Man’s debut solo studio Album called ‘Tical,’ in November 1994, as the third and final single released from the Album. Method Man was the first member of the ‘Wu-Tang Clan’ to release a solo Album, which was produced by fellow ‘Wu-Tang Clan band member ‘RZA.’ When Mary J. Blige added her vocal, the song received two remixes, the Album version, which was added as a bonus track to ‘Tical,’ and the video version, both of which were both produced by ‘RZA,’ The radio version was produced by Sean ‘Puffy’ Combs, (see also best songs 955) and the American music producers and songwriters Trackmasters. In a 2012 interview, Jean Claude ‘Poke’ Olivier, who is one half of the production team the Trackmasters claimed that they were the actual producers behind the ‘Puff Daddy’ remix, but were never properly credited for it. The Trackmasters claim that they were only credited as session musicians for programming the drums, while Combs was credited as the producer.

‘I’ll Be There for You/You’re All I Need to Get By’ samples the Nickolas Ashford (1042-2011) and Valerie Simpson written song ‘You’re All I Need to Get By,’ originally recorded by Marvin Gaye (1939-1984) and Tammi Terrell (1945-1970) in 1968, which reached Number 7 on Billboard in America, and Number 19 in the UK. Ashford & Simpson (see also best songs 703-359-228 and 28) both receive the songwriting credits, along with Method Man, and RZA.

‘I’ll Be There for You/You’re All I Need to Get By’ is an example of ‘Hip-hop soul,’ which was a term coined by Sean ‘Puffy Combs, during the promotion of ‘What’s the 411?,’ the 1992 debut Album by Mary J. Blige, who was promoted by the record company as the ‘Queen of Hip-Hop Soul.’ The Album was primarily produced by Combs, and was filled with mid-tempo ‘R&B’ ballads sung, over ‘Hip-Hop beats, and samples. ‘Hip-hop soul’ evolved from a previous ‘R&B’ sub-genre, ‘New Jack Swing,’ (see also best songs 809) which had incorporated ‘Hip-Hop’ influences into ‘R&B’ music. By contrast, ‘Hip hop soul’ is, as described in ‘The Encyclopedia of African American Music,’ ‘Quite literally soul singing over ‘Hip Hop’ grooves.’

‘I got a love Jones for your body, and your skin tone. Five minutes alone, I’m already got the bone. Plus I love the fact you got a mind of your own, no need to shop around, you got the good stuff at home.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

360-Free-All Right Now.

1970-Number 2 single. It was a hit again in 1973, this time reaching Number 15. In 1978 as part of the ‘Free extended play’ (EP) it made Number 11, and in 1992 the Bob Clearmountain remixed version reached Number 8.

Best Bit-At 2.04. In 1970 a Los Angeles DJ called Joe Benson told Paul Rodgers during an on air interview that ‘All Right Now’ is playing on the airwaves somewhere around the world once every 45 seconds.

‘Free’ were formed in London, England, in 1968, they were very young when they first performed together on April 19th, 1968, at the Nags Head, in Battersea, London. Andy Frazer (1952-2015) (bass) was 15, Paul Kossoff, (1950-1976) (lead guitar) was 17, Paul Rodgers (lead singer) was 18, and Simon Kirke (drums) was also 18. Due to internal feuding the band disbanded in 1971, but they did reform in early 1972. Frazer left the band soon after, which led to the introduction of Tetsu Yamauchi, (bass) John ‘Rabbit Bundrick, (keyboards) and Wendell Richardson, (lead guitar) appearing on ‘Heartbreaker,’ the band’s final studio Album. Free finally split for good in 1973, with all members pursuing new projects. The bands name ‘Free’ had been given to them by the Blues musician Alexis Koerner, (1928-1984) (see also best songs 864) who had helped to bring the group together. He named them after a short lived trio he had formed called ‘Free At Last’ in 1966.

The bands lead guitarist Paul Kossoff had been a drug user since the age of 15, on March 19th, 1976 while on a flight from Los Angeles to New York he died from a pulmonary embolism after a blood clot in his leg moved to his lung. After leaving ‘Free’ Andy Frazer formed the Rock band ‘Sharks,’ before going on to many other projects, including the release of four solo studio Albums, he died on March 16th, 2015, of a heart attack caused by atherosclerosis, at the age of 62. Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke both went on to form the Rock group ‘Bad Company’ with Mick Ralphs, who had been a member of Mott the Hoople (see also best songs 334.) Kirke is Bad Company’s one constant during the years they have been active, while Rodgers who left when the band first split in 1982 would go on to front the Rock bands ‘The Firm,’ then ‘The Law,’ and eventually ‘Queen,’ (see also best songs 918-615-208-126-47 and 3) where they were known as ‘Queen + Paul Rodgers’ between 2004-2009.

The discography of Free includes six studio Albums released between 1969-1973, and 16 singles (including re-issues) released between 1969-1991, there are also one extended play, (EP) 18 official compilation Albums, and two live Albums available. In the UK ‘All Right Now’ has charted on four separate occasions in differing formats, while they have also had a further three of their singles reach the top 40, with the original release of ‘All Right Now’ in it’s edited form peaking the highest at Number 2 in 1970. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, only the original version of ‘All Right Now’ has made the top 40, peaking at Number 4.

‘All Right Now’ was the only single released from ‘Fire and Water,’ the third studio Album by Free, from June 1970, the song was co-written by Andy Fraser, and Paul Rodgers, with the production credited to Free. The story goes that Free had been playing a gig at ‘Durham Students Union building,’ in England, to a small audience, and when they walked off the stage after the last song they could hear the sound of their own footsteps, and realised that they needed a ‘rocker’ to finish their set. Andy Frazer was sat in the dressing room, and within 10 minutes came up with this song. Frazer has recalled, ‘We’d started work on our third album, Fire and Water and things were going well. The idea for ‘All Right Now’ came about on a rainy Tuesday night in some gods forsaken minor city, I can’t remember where, in England. We were playing a college that could have held 2,000 but had something like 30 people out of their heads on Mandrax bumping into each other in front of us. They didn’t notice when we came on or when we went off. Afterwards there was that horrible silence in the dressing room. To break the intensity, I started singing, ‘All right now…come on baby, all right now.’ As if to say, Hey, tomorrow’s another day. Everyone else started tapping along. That riff was me trying to do my Pete Townshend. We listened to everything, though, The Beatles, Stax and Motown, Gladys Knight And the Pips was one of our main influences then.

Simon Kirke who played the drums on ‘All Right Now’ has said, ‘It became a bit of an albatross around our necks, I have to say. Even though it elevated Free into the big leagues, it became a bit of an albatross because we couldn’t follow it. It became a huge hit all around the world, only because we wanted to have something that people could dance to, but then, of course, we had to follow it up, and Island Records were desperate for us to follow it up. Really it was just a one-off for us, and when the follow-up to ‘All Right Now’ died a death – it was called ‘The Stealer’ – and the album that followed, Fire and Water, from which ‘All Right Now’ was taken, when that didn’t do very well, we took it to heart and the band broke up. So, in an indirect way, ‘All Right Now’ was not very good for the band, I have to say. But, by the same token, it’s been such a durable song. I play it in my solo shows, I played it with Ringo Starr, and I think one of the highlights of my career.’ When Paul Rodgers teamed up with Queen in 2004 to tour as ‘Queen + Paul Rodgers,’ ‘All Right Now’ was a regular part of their set list.

‘All Right Now’ is about a guy seeing a girl in the street who he fancies, and after some persuasion she agrees to go back to his home with him. Once she gets to his place, she starts to have second thoughts, and he tries to put her at ease.

‘There she stood in the street, smiling from her head to her feet. I said hey, what is this, now baby, maybe she’s in need of a kiss.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

361-Yardbirds-Shapes of Things.

1966-Number 3 single.

Best Bit-At 1.35. Many respected music critics agree that this was the first commercially successful song of the genre that would become known as ‘Psychedelic Rock.’

Psychedelic Rock is intended to musically replicate and enhance the mind altering experiences of psychedelic drugs, most notably ‘LSD.’ Psychedelic Rock is made by musicians experimenting with musical instruments, and elaborate studio effects. For example, electric guitars used with feedback, or the recording of music, then slowing it down, or adding echo, are just a couple of examples. ‘Shape of Things’ features the Yardbirds guitarist Jeff Beck (1943-2023) (see also best songs 205) experimenting with his guitar, and feedback, which music critics have called groundbreaking, and cited his influence on major artists such as Paul McCartney, (see also best songs 646-599-238-218-157-141-107-80-51-10 and 6) and Jimi Hendrix (1942-1970) (see also best songs 983 and 492.)

The Yardbirds were formed in London, England, in 1963, they were active until 1968, but reformed in 1992. Of the 26 members who have come and gone, only founding member Jim McCarty remains as the bands one constant. Three of the top five guitarists named in ‘Rolling Stone’ magazines ‘Best guitarist ever’ list are ex members of the Yardbirds, they are Eric Clapton, (1963-1965) (see also best songs 726) Jeff Beck, (1965-1966) and Jimmy Page (1966-1968) (see also best songs 135 and 66.) There are two stories as to where the band took their name, one is that it came from the Jack Kerouac (1922-1969) novel ‘On the Road,’ (1957) where it refers to ‘rail yard hobos,’ and the other is that they took their name from the nickname of the Jazz saxophonist Charlie ‘Yardbird’ Parker (1920-1955.) The discography of the Yardbirds includes six studio Albums released between 1965-2003, and 16 singles released between 1964-1968, there are also two extended plays, (EP’s) at least 10 official compilation Albums, and 12 live Albums available. In the UK, six of their singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Heart Full of Soul’ peaking the highest at Number 2 in 1965, while in America on the Billboard Hot 100, they have also had six top 40 chart entries, with ‘For Your Love, from 1965, peaking the highest at Number 6, and ‘Shapes of Things,’ making Number 11.

‘Shapes of Things’ was released simultaneously as a stand alone single on February 25th, 1966, in the UK, and the US, with it’s first appearance on an Album being in September 1966, on the UK ‘Columbia Records’ various artists compilation ‘Go, Vol. 1.’ The songwriting is credited to Jim McCarty, Keith Relf, and Paul Samwell-Smith, with the production being by Giorgio Gomelsky (1934-2016.) The lineup who played on ‘Shape of Things’ were Jim McCarty, (drums) Keith Relf, (1943-1976) (lead vocals) Paul Samwell-Smith, (bass) Jeff Beck, (guitar) and Chris Dreja (guitar.) Surprisingly considering all of his work on the guitar instrumental break, Jeff Beck is not listed as one of the songs writers. In 1968 Jeff Beck re-recorded ‘Shape of Things’ with his new band the ‘Jeff Beck Group’ for their debut studio Album ‘Truth.’ It was the bands lead vocalist Rod Stewart (see also best songs 965-565-206-179-70 and 34) who suggested that they record the song, with Beck saying, ‘Let’s slow it down, and make it dirty and evil.’ The song, and the Album ‘Truth’ are now recognised as an early example of what was to develop into ‘Heavy Metal’ music.

Jeff Beck was born Geoffrey Arnold Beck, on June 24th, 1944, in Wallington, Surrey, (now London Borough of Sutton, Greater London) he died on January 10th, 2023, from a bacterial meningitis infection, at the age of 78. In 1975 Jeff Beck, who had no interest in maintaining commercial success switched to an instrumental style, with focus on an innovative sound, and his releases spanned genres and styles ranging from ‘Blues Rock,’ ‘Hard Rock,’ ‘Jazz fusion,’ and a blend of ‘Guitar-Rock,’ and ‘Electronica.’ He would go on to earn wide critical praise, and received the ‘Grammy Award’ for ‘Best Rock Instrumental Performance’ six times. In 2014, he received the British Academy’s ‘Ivor Novello Award’ for ‘Outstanding Contribution to British Music,’ and he has been inducted into the ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’ twice, first as a member of the Yardbirds in 1992, and secondly as a solo artist in 2009. After leaving the Yardbirds in 1967, Jeff Beck went on to release 17 studio Albums in collaboration with many other esteemed artists between 1968-2022, he also issued 27 singles between 1967-2022. In the UK his cover version of the song ‘Hi Ho Silver Lining,’ which reached Number 14 in 1967, and Number 17 when re-issued in 1972, became a regular party song at celebrations, especially during the 1970’s, and 1980’s, it is also a popular chant with fans of numerous football clubs in the United Kingdom, where it is often chanted by spectators. During the chorus, the words ‘silver lining’ are usually replaced with the name of the football club in question. Jeff Beck once said, ‘I was interested in the electric guitar even before I knew the difference between electric and acoustic. The electric guitar seemed to be a totally fascinating plank of wood with knobs and switches on it. I just had to have one.

The lyrics to ‘Shape of Things’ were written by Paul Samwell-Smith, and warn of the environmental damage we are doing to the planet, it also tells of the wrongs in America’s involvement in the Vietnam war, so it is also an anti-war song.

‘Shapes of things before my eyes, just teach me to despise, will time make man more wise?’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

362-Jerry Lee Lewis and His Pumping Piano-High School Confidential.

1958-Number 12 single.

Best Bit-At 1.07. It’s ironic, because at the time Jerry Lee Lewis recorded this song he had just married his 13 year old cousin, once removed, who wasn’t even old enough to go to high school.

‘High School Confidential’ was co-written by Jerry Lee Lewis, (1935-2022) (see also best songs 678 and 99) and Ron Hargrave (1929-2023) for the opening scene of the 1958 ‘MGM’ anti drugs movie which was also called ‘High School Confidential.’ In the film the director Jack Arnold (1916-1992) had Lewis, his bass player Jay W. Brown, (1930-2021) and drummer Russ Brown lip-synch the song while performing on the top of a flatbed truck. The version performed in the movie is different to this studio version, and none of the several takes recorded were released until the early 1980’s. The original picture sleeve for the 7 inch single released on ‘Sun Records’ featured cast members from the film, behind a superimposed image of Lewis.

‘High School Confidential’ was one of the 12 tracks (track 9) to appear on Jerry Lee Lewis’ self titled debut studio Album released on Sun Records in 1958, which was produced by Sun Records supremo Sam Phillips (1923-2003) and Jack Clement (1931-2013.) The music critic Michael ‘Cub’ Koda (1948-2000) in a retrospective review of the Album wrote the selections on the Album were ‘a curious mixture,’ with ‘a great deal of his best material being inexplicably left off,’ but the Album was still a ‘terrific debut.’ The songs he was referring to that were omitted include ‘Whole Lot of Shakin’ Going On,’ and ‘Great Balls of Fire.’ ‘High School Confidential’ is also one of the tracks (track 2) which appears on the 1964 Album ‘Live at the Star Club, Hamburg.’ Jerry Lee Lewis was accompanied by the English Rock band the ‘Nashville Teens’ who recorded the Album live in front of an audience on April 5th, 1964, the Album is critically regarded as one of the greatest live Albums of all time, not just in ‘Rock ‘N Roll,’ but in all music genres. In 1958 at the height of Lewis’ fame, his career his career was badly affected when it came to light that he had married his 13 year old cousin once removed. This caused public uproar with tours cancelled, and radio refusing to play his records, which was the reason why ‘High School Confidential’ stalled at Number 12 in the UK, and Number 21 on Billboard.

‘High School Confidential’ was co-written by Ron Hargrave, and Jerry Lee Lewis. Ron Hargrave was born Ronald Jay Hargrave, on November 8th, 1929, in Brooklyn, New York City, United States, he died on May 16th, 2023, at the age of 93. His acting and musical career began at the same time as he entered into military life. It was during his military service time, that he met up with the daughter of the American comedian, actor and producer Lou Costello, (1906-1959) and it was Lou Costello who started Hargrave off in the film industry, and got him a record deal with ‘MGM.’ Ron Hargrave appeared in the 1956 American comedy film ‘Dance With Me Henry,’ starring ‘Abbott and Costello,’ his contribution earmarked him as one of the first on screen ‘Rock and Roll’ actors, in an era that had not yet adjusted to the young attitude of Elvis Presley, (1935-1977) (see also best songs 954-664-442 and 194) or Jerry Lee Lewis. Hargrave was also an accomplished Ukulele player.

‘High School Confidential’ was produced by Sam Phillips (see also best songs 99) who was born Samuel Cornelius Phillips, on January 5th, 1923, in Florence, Alabama, United States, he died on July 30th, 2003, of respiratory failure, at the age of 80. Sam Phillips was a disc jockey, songwriter, and record producer, but is best remembered as the founder of ‘Sun Records,’ and the ‘Sun Studio’ in Memphis, Tennessee, where he produced recordings by Elvis Presley, (1935-1977) (see also best songs 954-664-442 and 194) Roy Orbison, (1936-1988) (see also best songs 657) Jerry Lee Lewis, (1935-2022) (see also best songs 678 and 99) Carl Perkins, (1932-1998) (see also best songs 664) Johnny Cash, (1932-2003) (see also best songs 857-428 and 199) Howlin’ Wolf, (1910-1976) and others. It is safe to say that Sam Phillips played a major role in the development of ‘Rock and Roll’ during the 1950’s, In 1969 he sold ‘Sun Records’ to the American record producer and record label owner Shelby Singleton (1931-2009) (see also best songs 708.) In 1986 Phillips was inducted into the ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,’ he was the first non-performer to be inducted. Sam Phillips was an advocate for racial equality, helping to break down racial barriers in the music industry.

‘Open up a honey it’s your lover boy me that’s a knockin.’ Why don’t you listen to me sugar? All the cats are at the high school rockin.’ Honey get your boppin’ shoes ‘fore the juke box blows a fuse, everybody’s hoppin, everybody’s boppin,’ boppin’ at the high school hop.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

363-Lady Gaga-Bad Romance.

2009-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 0.18. Rob Fusari who was Lady Gaga’s first music producer, and boyfriend until 2007, claims to have been the first person to call her ‘Lady Gaga,’ which he derived from the 1984 Queen song ‘Radio Ga Ga.’ According to Fusari the name was coined when on one occasion he attempted to call her ‘Radio Ga Ga’ via text message, but the spell check converted the word ‘Radio’ to ‘Lady.’

Lady Gaga was born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, on March 28th, 1986, in Manhattan, New York City, United States. She is one of the world’s best selling artists of all time, with sales in excess of 170 million records, and in 2020 she became the first female artist to achieve four singles that have sold 10 million copies each globally, with ‘Just Dance,’ (2008) Poker Face,’ (2008) ‘Bad Romance,’ (2009) and ‘Shallow’ (2018.) In 2009 she became the first female artist to have three UK Number 1’s in the same calendar year, with ‘Just Dance,’ ‘Poker Face.’ and ‘Bad Romance.’ In 2015 Lady Gaga ventured into acting, winning awards for her leading roles in the American television miniseries ‘American Horror Story: Hotel,’ (2015–2016) and the American romantic drama musical film ‘A Star Is Born’ (2018.) Her contributions to the ‘A Star Is Born’ soundtrack, which spawned the Billboard Number 1 single ‘Shallow,’ made her the first woman to win an ‘Academy Award,’ ‘BAFTA Award,’ ‘Golden Globe Award,’ and ‘Grammy Award’ in one year.

The discography of Lady Gaga includes seven studio Albums released between 2008-2020, and 39 singles released between 2008-2024, there are also four extended plays, (EP’s) four soundtrack Albums, three remix Albums, two collaborative Albums, and two official compilation Albums available. In America on Billboard, six of her Albums have reached Number 1, while 27 of her singles have made the Billboard Hot 100 top 40, with five of those songs reaching Number 1, with ‘Bad Romance’ peaking at Number 2. In the UK, Lady Gaga has had 30 top 40 hit singles, with six of those tracks reaching the Number 1 position. Her two collaborative Albums are with Tony Bennett, (1926-2023) (see also best songs 868) which were released in 2014, and 2021.

‘Bad Romance’ was co-written, and co-produced by Lady Gaga, and Nadir Khayat, and was one of eight new songs recorded by Lady Gaga in 2009, and added to her debut studio Album ‘The Fame,’ first released in August 2008, to become ‘The Fame Monster,’ a deluxe edition of that debut, although in some countries the eight new songs were released as a stand alone extended play (EP) also called ‘The Fame Monster,’ and issued in October 2009. ‘Bad Romance’ was the first of four singles released from ‘The Fame Monster,’ and as for sales, ‘The Fame’ has gone on to become the 12th best selling Album of all time on Billboard, while ‘The Fame Monster’ was the best selling Album worldwide in 2010. Sales of both Albums combined are in excess of 17 million worldwide.

‘RedOne’ (see also best songs and 957 and 876) was born Nadir Khayat, (Arabic: نادر خياط, Nādir Ḵayyāṭ;) on April 9th, 1972, in Tétouan, Morocco, having been influenced in his youth by Abba, (see also best songs 44) Roxette, and Europe, he immigrated to Sweden when he was 19, to pursue a career as a musician. He chose the stage name ‘RedOne’, which is a pseudonym of the name of a friend of his called Redouan. RedOne and Lady Gaga were first introduced to each other in 2007, when contracted to the same management team. As well as ‘Bad Romance,’ the pair also collaborated on several other tracks on ‘The Fame,’ and ‘The Fame Monster.’ RedOne has released four singles as the lead artist between 2016-2019, and has appeared as a featured artist on a further 11 between 2010-2021.

‘Bad Romance’ is a declaration by the narrator that she will love her partner unconditionally no matter what. She wants her partner to hide nothing from her, and encourages them to open up totally emotionally. Lady Gaga name checks three Alfred Hitchcock (1899-1980) directed films in the songs lyrics ‘Psycho,’ ‘Vertigo,’ and ‘Rear Window.’ She also sings some of the songs lyrics in French, and was probably partly inspired to write the song after listening to the 1994 track ‘Self Esteem’ by the American Rock band ‘The Offspring.’ Lady Gaga has spoken about her inspiration for ‘Bad Romance, ‘I was in Russia, then Germany, and spent a lot of time in Eastern Europe. There is this amazing German House-Techno music, so I wanted to make a pop experimental record. I kind of wanted to leave the ’80s a little bit, so the chorus is a ’90s melody, which is what the inspiration was. There was certainly some whisky involved in the writing of the record. It’s about being in love with your best friend.

‘I want your psycho, your vertigo shtick. Want you in my rear window, baby you’re sick.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

364-Tiffany-I Think We’re Alone Now.

1987-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 2.09. Some Pop stars are so well known, that they are recognisable by just one name. There’s Elvis, and Madonna, and Kylie, and…er…Tiffany.

Tiffany Renee Darwish was born on October 2nd, 1971, in Norwalk, California, United States. At the age of 16 she became the youngest solo artist ever to have a debut Billboard Number 1 Album, and she also has the distinction of being the first person who was born in the 1970’s to top the American Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, with this song in 1987. Tiffany was singing Country & Western music at the age of 10, when coming to the attention of the American Country singer Hoyt Axton, (1938-1999) leading to her singing in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1984 she signed a recording contract with the music producer George Tobin who as well as producing her first two Albums, would also become her manager. After the failure of her first single ‘Danny,’ Tobin sent Tiffany out on a nationwide tour of American shopping malls. At first she was playing to small gatherings, but as word spread the crowds grew. This songs iconic video was recorded during the tour, with much of the footage used being from the end of the tour, when the audience was larger. By the end of 1988 her career had peaked, and she has never had a major hit single or Album since. She has attempted to resurrect her career in the years since, in 2002 she posed nude for ‘Playboy’ magazine, and in 2005 she became a regular on ‘reality’ television shows, including ‘Hit Me, Baby, One More Time,’ ‘Celebrity Fit Club,’ and ‘Hulk Hogan’s Celebrity Championship Wrestling.’ Tiffany has continued to record and tour, and at the time of writing she remains active as a performer.

The discography of Tiffany includes 11 studio Albums released between 1987-2022, and 44 singles within the same time period, there is also one extended play, (EP) and eight official compilation Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, five of her singles have reached the top 40, with ‘I Think We’re Alone Now,’ (1987) and the follow up single ‘Could’ve Been,’ (1987) both making the Number 1 position. In 1991 she was part of the ‘supergroup’ ‘Voices That Care,’ that reached Number 11 on the ‘Hot 100’ with the charity single also called ‘Voices That Care.’ In the UK, Tiffany has had four top 40 hits, with ‘I Think We’re Alone Now,’ charting the highest at Number 1.

‘I Think We’re Alone Now’ was the second of five singles released from Tiffany’s self titled debut studio Album from June 1987, the song was written by Ritchie Cordell, (1943-2004) with the production being by George Tobin. ‘I Think We’re Alone Now’ was a cover version of the song which was originally recorded in 1967 by the American ‘Rock/Pop’ group ‘Tommy James and the Shondells,’ who took their version to Number 4 on Billboard, but it has never charted in the UK. At first Tiffany wasn’t keen to record ‘I Think We’re Alone Now,’ thinking it would be two old fashioned for her potential fan base, but after it was explained to her that the song is about teenagers wanting to spend ‘quality time’ together, which their parents wouldn’t allow, she realised the songs appeal to a young audience. Tiffany has recalled, ‘When I heard that my hit song had went Number one, I was washing dishes. I was doing my chores because I was a teenager, of course. My manager called me and said ‘Congratulations, you have the number one single in the country.’ I said, ‘You know what? I have to get off the phone because I have to finish my chores otherwise I’m going to be busted and I won’t be able to do anything.’ And, he’s like, ‘You don’t get it’… but I had to finish those chores.’ Tiffany has also said, Usually, I have that song at the end of the show and I’m looking forward to that moment and that excitement, I don’t look at it as a bad thing. It opens the doors to allows me to continue to do music and tell my story now. There still are some hurdles sometimes because I’m painted as the ‘I Think We’re Alone Now’ mall tour girl,’ but I just keep pounding the pavement doing what I love.’

‘I Think We’re Alone Now’ was produced by George Edward Tobin, who is an American music producer, and is best remembered for discovering, managing, and producing the teenage singer Tiffany, and showcasing her in malls across the country. As well as producing three studio Albums for Tiffany, he is also notably the producer of ‘Sad Eyes,’ for Robert John, (1979-Billboard Number 1 & UK Number 31) and ‘Being With You,’ for Smokey Robinson, (1981-Billboard Number 2 & UK Number 1.)

‘I Think We’re Alone Now’ was written by Ritchie Cordell, who was born Richard Joel Rosenblatt, on March 10th, 1943, in Brooklyn, New York, United States, he died on April 13th, 2004, of pancreatic cancer, at the age of 61. Ritchie Cordell also wrote other hits for Tommy James and the Shondells, including their 1968 Billboard Number 3 & UK Number 1 single ‘Mony Mony.’ Cordell was also the co-producer of ‘I Love Rock ‘n Roll,’ the 1982 Billboard Number 1 & UK Number 4 single for Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, he was also the co-producer of the Ramones seventh studio Album ‘Subterranean Jungle,’ in 1983. In 1987 Cordell hit the jackpot when the song that knocked Tiffany’s version of ‘I Think We’re Alone Now’ off the top spot on Billboard, was Billy Idol’s live cover of ‘Mony Mony.’

‘Children behave, that’s what they say when we’re together, and watch how you play, they don’t understand, and so we’re running just as fast as we can, holding on to one another other hands.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

365-Diana Ross-I’m Still Waiting.

1971-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 0.46. I suppose the moral of the story is, if you’re a five year old girl, don’t fall in love with a 10 year old boy, because it will mess the rest of your life up.

Diana Ross, who as a solo artist (see also best songs and 900-519 and 28) and as a member of the Supremes, (see also best songs 1001-411-212 and 148) was born on March 26th, 1944, in Detroit, Michigan, United States. She was first a member of the Supremes, originally called ‘The Primettes,’ between 1959-1970, where she achieved 12 American Billboard Hot 100 Number 1 singles, then she launched her solo career, and has had a further six chart toppers on Billboard, including ‘Endless Love,’ a duet with Lionel Richie, (1981) and ‘We Are the World,’ (1985) as part of the charity single recorded by the ‘supergroup’ ‘USA for Africa.’ For the solo discography of Diana Ross (see beast songs 28) and for the discography of the Supremes (see best songs 148.) Diana Ross is best known as a singer, but she has also had a successful career as an actress in films, and on television. Her first role was her ‘Golden Globe Award’ winning portrayal of Billie Holiday (1915-1959) (see also best songs 624) in the film ‘Lady Sings the Blues,’ (1972) becoming the first African-American actress to receive an ‘Academy Award’ nomination for a debut film performance, she also recorded its soundtrack, which became her only solo Album to reach Number 1 on the American ‘Billboard 200’ chart. She also starred in two other feature films, Mahogany, (1975) and The Wiz, (1978), and later appeared in the television films ‘Out of Darkness,’ (1994) for which she was nominated for a ‘Golden Globe Award,’ and ‘Double Platinum’ (1999.)

‘I’m Still Waiting’ was the first of two singles released from ‘Everything Is Everything,’ the second solo studio Album by Diana Ross, from November 1970, the song was written and produced by Deke Richards (1944-2013.) The Album was rush released in order to keep up the momentum of promoting Diana Ross as a solo artist, after the success of her debut release ‘Diana Ross’ less than five months earlier. ‘I’m Still Waiting’ was initially not intended for single release, but after the British DJ Tony Blackburn promised ‘EMI’ (the label distributors of all Motown tracks at that time) that he would play the song every morning on his BBC Radio 1 radio programme, they were persuaded. Blackburn was proved right as ‘I’m Still Waiting’ went on to spend four weeks at Number 1, becoming the best selling Motown song in the UK up to that time. In 1978 The Commodores, with the Lionel Richie penned ‘Three Times a Lady,’ which spent five weeks at Number 1, surpassed ‘I’m Still Waiting’ for sales, and became Motown’s best selling single in the UK. ‘I’m Still Waiting’ didn’t meet with the same success in the States, where it stalled a Number 63 on Billboard. The spoken part in ”I’m Still Waiting’ (‘Love has never shown his face…’) is not uncommon in Diana Ross’ songs, and dates back to her time in the Supremes. A good example is the Supremes song ‘Love Is Here and Now You’re Gone’ (1967-Billboard Number 1 & UK Number 17.)

‘I’m Still Waiting’ was written and produced by Deke Richards, who was born Dennis Lussier on April 8th, 1944, in Los Angeles, California, United States, he died of esophageal cancer on March 24th, 2013, at the age of 68. When the star Motown writing team of ‘Holland Dozier Holland’ (see also best songs 969-823-650-553-411-212 and 148) left the label in 1967, Richards was one of the songwriters brought in by Berry Gordy to replace them, initially working with Frank Wilson, (1940-2012) (see also best songs 97) R Dean Taylor, (1939-2022) (see also best songs 969) and Pam Sawyer (see also best songs 519) as ‘The Clan,’ they worked together until 1969. In that time they were responsible for the two Diana Ross and the Supremes Billboard Number 1 singles, ‘Love Child,’ and ‘I’m Living in Shame,’ (see also best songs 1001-411-212 and 148.) After ‘The Clan’ disbanded, Richards stayed on at Motown, charged with writing and producing for the labels next big stars,’The Jackson 5.’ The new team of songwriters who Richards joined were known as ‘The Corporation,’ which also included Berry Gordy, Freddie Perren (1943-2004) (see also best songs 514) and Alphonso Mizell (1943-2011.) They guided The Jackson 5 (see also best songs 249 and 137) to early success with the songs ‘I Want You Back,’ ‘ABC,’ and ‘The Love You Save,’ ‘The Corporation’ disbanded in 1972. In the liner notes to the ‘Everything Is Everything’ Album reissue, Deke Richards said he wanted ‘I’m Still Waiting’ to be ‘simple and unassuming,’ adding, ‘Diana liked the song but the soft, vulnerable style took her by surprise.’

In 1990 ‘I’m Still Waiting’ was remixed by the British music producer ‘DJ Phil Chill’ (see also best songs 520) as an uptempo ‘Dance’ track, and released as a single, reaching Number 21 in the UK chart.

‘Love has never shown his face since the day you walked out that door. You filled my life with empty space, come back can’t you see it’s you I’m waiting for.’