THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

346-The Velvelettes-Needle In A Haystack.

1964-It has never charted in the UK.

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

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 By 1967 Gill, Norma, and Bertha had left the group, and had been replaced by Sandra Tilley (1945 or 1946-1981) and Annette McMillan.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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

347-Al Green-Let’s Stay Together.

1971-Number 7 single.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

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

1995-Number 3 single.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

349-James Brown-Bodyheat.

1977-Number 36 single.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.’