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THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

Posted by: In: Other 06 Jan 2025 Comments: 0

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?’