THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

430-M People-Moving On Up.

1993-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 4.37. The ‘Saxy’ bit.

M People were formed in Manchester, England, in 1990, by Mike Pickering, who chose the stage name ‘M People’ from the first letter of his name. He was soon joined by Paul Heard, who had previously been a member of the Acid Jazz band ‘Ace of Clubs,’ the percussionist Andrew ‘Shovel’ Lovell, whose previous band were called ‘Natural Life,’ and the vocalist Heather Small, who had just left the Soul band ‘Hot House.’ In 1999 M People went on hiatus, but have reformed on occasions to sporadically tour, and they remain active at the time of writing, although there has been no new music since 1999. The discography of M People who have sold in excess of 11 million records worldwide, includes four studio Albums released between 1991-1997, and 20 singles released between 1991-1999, there is also one extended play, (EP) one remix Album, and five official compilation Albums available. In the UK, all of their 20 singles (including the original version, and the remix of ‘How Can I Love You More?’) have reached the top 40, with ‘Moving On Up’ peaking the highest at Number 2 in 1993, while in America on the Billboard Hot 100, their only chart entry remains ‘Moving On Up,’ which made Number 34.

Mike Pickering was born on February 24th, 1958, in Manchester, England, he is a record producer, songwriter, Disc Jockey, and an A&R Executive. Prior to forming M People he had been a member of the critically acclaimed Electronic Music group ‘Quando Quango,’ who had failed to break into the mainstream, issuing one Album, and four singles between 1982-1985. Mike Pickering was also a DJ at ‘The Haçienda’ nightclub and music venue in Manchester, which became famous during the ‘Madchester’ (see also best songs 844) years of the 1980’s and early 1990’s, the club was run by the record label ‘Factory Records.’ Pickering worked for ‘Factory Records’ as an A&R Executive, where he signed artists for the label including ‘James,’ (see also best songs 490 and 109) and ‘Happy Mondays’ (see also best songs 580.)

Heather Marguerita Small MBE, was born on January 20th, 1965, in Ladbroke Grove, West London, England. Prior to joining M People, she was a singer with the English ‘Soul Music’ group ‘Hot House,’ and was the studio singer voice of the re-recorded version of ‘Ride on Time’ by Black Box (see also best songs 501.) The original idea was for M People to use different guest vocalists on each track, but after hearing Heather Small they had a change of mind, and she became a full time member. In the 2024 ‘Birthday Honours’ she was appointed ‘Member of the Order of the British Empire’ (MBE) for voluntary and charitable services. Heather Small actively supports several charities, such as ‘BeatBullying,’ the ‘Aiden Cox Foundation,’ ‘Mencap,’ ‘Show Racism The Red Card,’ ‘Barnardo’s,’ and ‘Asthma UK.’ After M People went on hiatus in 1999, she embarked on a solo career, which has seen the release of three studio Albums between 2000-2022, and 10 singles released within the same time period. In the UK, ‘Proud’ which has become her signature song has charted twice, peaking at Number 16 in 2000, and then making Number 33 when re-issued in 2005. She was one of the many artists who appeared on the 1997 UK Number 1 charity single ‘Perfect Day, (see also best songs 131) and her other chart entry was in 2000, as the featured artist on the Tom Jones track ‘You Need Love Like I Do’ (UK-Number 24.)

‘Moving On Up’ was the second of four singles released from ‘Elegant Slumming,’ the second studio Album by M People from October 1993, the Album won the 1994 ‘UK Mercury Music Prize,’ and has sold in excess of 800,000 copies worldwide. ‘Moving On Up’ was co-written by Mike Pickering and Paul Heard, with the production credited to M People, The memorable saxophone that can be heard on the track was played by the session saxophonist Snake Davis.

‘Moving On Up’ went on to become one of the most popular Dance/Pop tracks of the 1990’s. Although the song sounds uplifting, and inspiring, it is actually about a woman telling her man he is no longer wanted, as he doesn’t treat her the way he should. She is taking control of the situation, and telling him to go, which of course is inspiring for people in a similar situation to hear.

‘You’ve done me wrong, your time is up. You took a sip from the Devil’s cup. You broke my heart, there’s no way back, move right out of here, baby, go on pack your bags.’