THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

460-Lotte Lenya-Alabama-Song.

1930-It has never charted in the UK, there was no UK chart until 1952.

Best Bit-At 2.09. It is to be hoped that the whisky is of a certain vintage, like the little boy, at least 16 years old.

The lyrics for ‘Alabama-Song,’ which is also known as ‘Moon of Alabama,’ ‘Moon over Alabama,’ and ‘Whisky Bar,’ were written in 1925 by the German playwright, theatre director, and poet Bertolt Brecht, (1898-1956) (see also best songs 43) and translated from the original German in to English by his close collaborator, the German writer Elisabeth Hauptmann, (1897-1973) then in 1927 the lyrics were set to music by the American, German born composer Kurt Weill (1900-1950) (see also best songs 43) for the play ‘Little Mahagonny.’ In 1930 ‘Alabama-Song’ was re-used as one of the 11 songs all composed by Brecht and Weill for the opera ‘Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny.’

Lotte Lenya was born Karoline Wilhelmine Charlotte Blamauer on October 18, 1898, in Vienna, Austria-Hungary, she died of cancer in 1981, at the age of 83. Lotte Lenya re-recorded and performed ‘Alabama-Song’ on many occasions during her life time, she first performed the song in the role of ‘Jessie’ at the 1927 ‘Baden-Baden Festival’ performance of ‘Little Mahagonny.’ In 1930 she recorded her first vinyl version of the song, and in 1955 a re-recorded take appears on her ‘Lotte Lenya Sings Kurt Weill’ Album, Lotte Lenya had been married to Kurt Weill until his death in 1950. Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill were also the composers of ‘Mack the Knife,’ (see also best songs 43) and in the 1959 hit version by Bobby Darin, he name checks Lotte Lenya in the songs lyrics. As an actress Lotte Lenya appeared in eight films between 1931-1980, including ‘The Threepenny Opera, (1931) and ‘The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone,’ (1961) but she is probably best remembered for her role as ‘Rosa Klebb’ in the 1963 James Bond film ‘From Russia With Love.’

Lotte Lenya was married to Kurt Weill from 1926 until 1933, when they divorced. Kurt Weill was a German Jew, and with the rise of ‘Nazism’ in the early 1930’s in Germany he decided to leave the country, feeling it wasn’t safe to stay, and emigrated to Paris, France in 1933, and then relocated to New York, United States, in 1935. Although not married anymore Lotte Lenya went with him, and continued to perform in stage productions in Paris, and then in America. In 1937, Lenya and Weill remarried, and stayed together until Weill’s death in 1950. After his death, Lenya founded the ‘Kurt Weill Foundation for Music’ in 1962, to administer incomes and issues regarding rights, and to spread knowledge about Weill’s work. Lotte Lenya was present in the recording studio when Louis Armstrong (1901-1971) (see also best songs 1039-767-286-231 and 100) recorded Brecht-Weill’s ‘Mack the Knife.’ Armstrong improvised the line ‘Look out for Miss Lotte Lenya,’ and added her name to the list of Mack’s female conquests in the song.

Kurt Julian Weill was born on March 2nd, 1900, in the ‘Sandvorstadt,’ which was the the Jewish quarter in Dessau, in Saxony, Germany, he died on April 3rd, 1950, having suffered a heart attack shortly after his 50th birthday. Kurt Weill was a leading composer for the stage who was known for his collaborations with Bertolt Brecht, their best-known work together is ‘The Threepenny Opera,’ (1928) which included the ballad ‘Mack the Knife.’ Kurt Weill’s body of work includes composing seven ‘Cantatas,’ including ‘Das Berliner Requiem,’ (1928) with Bertolt Brecht. He also composed ‘Chamber Music,’ Piano Music, ‘Orchestral Music,’ and ‘Film Music,’ prolifically from 1918 until his death.

‘Alabama-Song’ was first performed by Lotte Lenya, in the role of ‘Jessie’ at the 1927 ‘Baden-Baden Festival’s’ performance of ‘Little Mahagonny,’ she first recorded the song under the title ‘Alabama-Song’ in 1930. ‘Alabama-Song’ has been recorded by many other artists down the years, most notably by the American Rock group the ‘Doors’ (see also best songs 235 and 133) for their self titled debut Album in 1967. The bands lead singer Jim Morrison changed the songs lyrics in the second verse from ‘Show us the way to the next pretty boy’ to, ‘Show me the way to the next little girl,’ and also for the third and final verse as well, ‘Show me the way to the next little dollar’ is omitted completely. Another notable recording was made by David Bowie (1948-2016) (see also best songs 807-440-334-302-209-186-118-47 and 5) in 1980, who had always been a fan of Bertolt Brecht, his version reached Number 23 in the UK.

”Alabama-Song’ has three themes, materialism, despair, and illicit pleasures.

‘Oh moon of Alabama it’s time to say goodbye, we’ve lost our good old mama and must have whiskey or you know why.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

461-Azealia Banks featuring Lazy Jay-212.

2012-Number 12 single.

Best Bit-At 2.17. Warning! Do not listen to this song if you are easily offended. Also, do not listen, even if you only get slightly offended.

Azealia Amanda Banks was born on May 31st, 1991, in New York City, United States, after her father died of pancreatic cancer when she was two years old, her mother raised her and her two siblings in Harlem. Azealia Banks has said that her mother ‘Became really abusive, physically and verbally. Like she would hit me and my sisters with baseball bats, bang our heads up against walls, and she would always tell me I was ugly.’ She made her first recordings online in 2008 using the stage name ‘Miss Banks$.’ She then sent two songs to the record producer ‘Diplo,’ (see also best songs 915 and 210) which led to her first recording contract with ‘XL Recordings,’ but due to musical differences she only remained with the label for a short period. After leaving ‘XL Recordings’ she dropped the ‘Miss Banks$’ moniker in favour of her birth name Azealia Banks. It is probably fair to say that Azealia Banks has never fulfilled her full musical potential for a number of reasons. In 2011 she topped ‘NME”s ‘Cool List’ for the year, and was touted as the ‘future of music,’ by Kanye West (see also best songs 1049-636-477 and 267.) Throughout her career, her social media presence and outspoken views, especially on U.S. politics and race, as well as disputes with other artists, have attracted significant controversy. The American media and entertainment company ‘Complex’ noted in 2014, that ‘she gets more attention for her public feuds than she does for her music.’

The discography of Azealia Banks includes one studio Album released in 2014, and 17 singles released between 2011-2023, she also appears as a featured artist on a further nine singles issued between 2012-2023, there are also three mixtapes, and two extended plays (EP’s) available. In America she has never charted on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, although her 2014 single ‘Chasing Time’ did make Number 12 on the ‘Billboard Dance Club Chart.’ In the UK, her only chart hit remains ‘212,’ which peaked at Number 12 in 2011.

‘212’ was the debut single from Azealia Banks, released in December 2011, and later added to her debut studio Album ‘Broke with Expensive Taste,’ from November 2014. ‘212’ (pronounced ‘two-one-two’) was co-written by Azealia Banks, (lyrics) and Jef Martens, (music) with the production being by Martens, using the name ‘Lazy Jay,’ for which he is also credited on the track as the featured artist. ‘212’ heavily samples the 2009 instrumental ‘House Music’ track ‘Float My Boat,’ written by Jef Martens, and his brother Toon. Jef Martens who has worked under other stage names including ‘Basto!,’ was born in Hoogstraten, Belgium, and has been active since 2005, recording in the genre of ‘Electronic Dance Music.’ He was a member of the Belgium ‘Dance’ group ‘Lasgo’ between 2010-2011, who previously had four top 40 hit singles in the UK between 2001-2004, but his greatest success to date is co-producing with Will.i.am (see also best songs 899 and 234) the 2012 UK Number 1 & Billboard Number 3 hit single ‘Scream & Shout,’ by will.i.am and Britney Spears.

‘212’ is named after the area code 212 which covers the area of Harlem a neighbourhood in Upper Manhattan, New York City, where Azealia Banks grew up. At the time she wrote the song she was struggling to pay her rent, and has said that ‘212’ ‘Came out of a place of desperation, but it also came out of a place of anger. It was like, ‘F#k all y’all. I’m the best bitch here.’ It’s about the journey to fame and stardom. It starts out, and this girl, she’s like, ‘Hey, I can be the answer.’ She’s real ambitious and she’s like, ‘Yo, I’m here. I can do this. All the same s#t that you got these bitches doing, I could do.’ Azealia Banks has said that she was talking to herself when she raps in the bridge, ‘Why you procrastinate girl? You got a lot, but you just waste all yourself. They’ll forget your name soon. And won’t nobody be to blame but yourself.’ She added that the name she was worried about people forgetting was her own.

‘212’ was recorded at a time when Banks was struggling financially, which probably explains why the songs video cost just $30 to make, and was shot entirely in black and white The video features Azealia Banks dancing in front of a brick wall, her hair in pigtails, wearing a Mickey Mouse sweater and short shorts, and close-ups of her rapping into the camera, to date the video has received over 200 million views. She has said about the making of the video, ‘I was surprised. I remember being really insecure about it because I didn’t have my hair done. I was really broke, and I felt I looked broke in the video so no one was going to like it.’ Lazy Jay does not appear in the video, but it does include appearances by the Canadian record producers Lunice and Jacques Greene. In 2021, ‘Rolling Stone’ magazine placed it on their list of the ‘100 Greatest Music Videos.’

‘Hey I can be the answer, I’m ready to dance when the vamp up, and when I hit that dip get your camera, you could see I been that bitch since the pamper.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

462-Earth, Wind & Fire with the Emotions-Boogie Wonderland.

1979-Number 4 single.

Best Bit-At 1.38. What do all these song titles have in common?
‘Oogie Oogie,’ ‘Reggae Woman,’ ‘Get Up and,’ ‘Jungle,’ ‘I Love To,’ ‘Blame It On the,’ ‘Yes Sir I Can,’- Yes, of course, you can ‘Boogie’ to them all.

Earth, Wind & Fire (see also best songs 916) were formed in Chicago, Illinois, United States, in 1969, by Maurice White, (1941-2016) (see also best songs 916 and 525) at the time of writing they remain active with 10 current members, in total 35 musicians have been band members since their incarnation. Maurice White chose the groups name from his own astrological sign, ‘Sagittarius,’ which has a primary elemental quality of fire, and seasonal qualities of earth and air, according to classical triplicities. Sagittarius in the northern hemisphere occurs in the autumn, whose element is earth, and in the southern hemisphere, it is spring, whose element is air. Hence the omission of water, the fourth classical element.

With sales in excess of 90 million records sold worldwide, Earth, Wind & Fire are one of the best selling acts of all time. Their discography includes 21 studio Albums released between 1971-2014, and 62 singles released between 1971-2021, there are also 17 official compilation Albums, and four live Albums available. On the American Billboard 200 Album chart, 14 of their Albums have reached the top 40, with ‘That’s the Way of the World’ making the Number 1 spot in 1975. On the Billboard Hot 100, 16 of their singles have made the top 40, with ‘Shining Star’ peaking the highest at Number 1 in 1975, while ‘Boogie Wonderland’ reached Number 6. In the UK, Earth, Wind & Fire have had 11 top 40 entries, with ‘September,’ (1978) and ‘Let’s Groove,’ (1981) both peaking the highest at Number 3.

‘Boogie Wonderland’ was the first of five singles released from Earth, Wind & Fire’s ninth studio Album ‘I Am,’ from June 1979, the song was co-written by Allee Willis, (1947-2019) (see also best songs 916) and Jon Lind, (1948-2022) with the production being by Maurice White, and Al McKay. Other notable works by Allee Willis include winning two ‘Grammy Awards’ for the soundtracks to the films ‘Beverley Hills Cops,’ (1984) and ‘The Color Purple’ (1985.) Jon Gus Lind was born on April 14th, 1948, in Brooklyn, New York, United States, he died from cancer on January 15th, 2022, at the age of 73. Other notable songs written by Jon Lind include co-writing two Billboard Number 1 singles, the 1985 chart topper by Madonna, ‘Crazy For You,’ and the 1989 Number 1 song ‘Save the Best For Last,’ performed by Vanessa Williams.

For ‘Boogie Wonderland’ Earth, Wind & Fire teamed up with their fellow ‘Columbia’ records label mates the Emotions, who are a ‘Gospel,’ ‘R&B,’ ‘Soul,’ ‘Disco,’ and ‘Pop’ all girl group. The Emotions were formed in 1962, in Chicago, Illinois, United States, starting out as the ‘Hutchinson Sunbeams,’ as a ‘Gospel’ singing group, made up of the sisters Wanda, Jeanette, and Sheila, and joined later by their younger sibling Pamela Hutchinson, (1959-2020) there have also been two other past non family members, and at the time of writing Wanda and Sheila continue to perform as the Emotions. By the late 1960’s they had transitioned into a ‘R&B/Soul’ act, signing to ‘Stax’ records, and being produced by Isaac Hayes, (1942-2008) (see also best songs 530-398 and 1) and David Porter (see also best songs 530.) In 1975 the Emotions signed with ‘Columbia’ records, where they first began to work with Maurice White, who would go on to produce their four Albums on Columbia between 1976-1979, as well as co-writing and co-producing their 1977 Billboard Hot 100 Number 1 single ‘Best of My Love.’ The Emotions who are considered to be one of the most influential ‘girl groups’ of all time, have released nine studio Albums between 1969-1985, and 45 singles between 1964-2003, there are also six official compilation Albums available. In America on Billboard, they have had three top 40 hit singles with ‘Best of My Love,’ reaching Number 1 in 1977, while in the UK they have charted twice with ”Best of My Love’ peaking the highest at Number 4.

‘Boogie Wonderland’ was inspired after Ailee Willis had watched the 1977 film ‘Looking for Mr Goodbar,’ which stars Diane Keaton as a lost soul who goes to clubs every night to dance away her misery. Willis explained, ‘When I saw Mr Goodbar I got kind of fascinated with people who did go to clubs every night, whose life was kind of falling apart, but they lived for the night life, though it didn’t seem to be advancing them as humans in the end. So if you really look at the lyrics of Boogie Wonderland, unlike ‘September,’ (a song she also co-wrote) it’s not a happy song at all. It’s really about someone on the brink of self destruction who goes to clubs to try and find more, but is at least aware of the fact that if there’s something like true love, that is something that could kind of drag them out of the abyss.’

‘Sounds fly through the night, I change my vinyl dreams to boogie wonderland, I find romance when I start to dance in boogie wonderland.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

463-Guns N’ Roses-Sweet Child o’ Mine.

1988-Number 24 single. When it was re-issued in 1989, it peaked at Number 6. In 2023, it re-entered the UK top 40 at Number 40.

Best Bit-At 0.01. Axl Rose wrote the romantic lyrics about his future wife Erin Everly, the daughter of Don Everly (see also best songs 799.) The groups guitarist Slash was not impressed, as according to him a Rock band don’t make songs with soppy lyrics.

‘Sweet Child o’ Mine’ was the third of five singles released from ‘Appetite for Destruction,’ the debut studio Album by Guns N’ Roses, (see also best songs 8) from July 1987, the song became their only American Billboard Number 1 single, and has sold in excess of 2.5 million copies worldwide. ‘Appetite for Destruction’ is the seventh best selling Album of all time in the United States, and the best selling debut Album of all time. With sales in excess of 30 copies, it is the 22nd best selling Album of all time worldwide, at the time of writing. ‘Sweet Child o’ Mine’ was co-written by all five group members, W. Axl Rose, Slash, Izzy Stradlin, Duff McKagan and Steven Adler, they also share the songwriting credits on all of the other 11 tracks on the Album.

‘Sweet Child o’ Mine’ was produced by the American music producer Mike Clink, who would go on to produce the next four Guns N’ Roses studio Albums between 1988-1994, he also joined forces again with ‘Slash’ in 2024, producing his second solo studio Album ‘Orgy of the Damned.’ Mike Clink has been a music producer for ‘Rock’ acts since 1986, working with artists of the calibre of ‘Whitesnake’ on ‘Slip of the Tongue,’ (1988) ‘Megadeth’ on ‘Rust in Peace,’ (1990) and ‘Sammy Hagar’ on ‘Marching to Mars,’ (1997) Of the choosing of Mike Clink for ‘Appetite for Destruction,’ Axl Rose has said, ‘We could have made it all smooth and polished with (original producer) Spencer Proffer, but it was too f#king radio, (i.e., radio-friendly) that’s why we went with Mike Clink.’

‘Slash’ was born Saul Hudson, on July 23rd, 1965, in Hampstead, London, England, he was given the nickname ‘Slash’ as a child by the American actor Seymour Cassel, (1935-2019) because he was ‘always in a hurry, zipping around from one thing to another.’ ‘Slash’ who was named after the American cartoonist and artist Saul Steinberg (1914-1999) is of mixed race, his mother was Ola J. Hudson, (1946–2009) who was a black American fashion designer and costumier from the United States, and his father is Anthony Hudson, who is an English artist. Of his mixed race background, Slash has said, ‘As a musician, I’ve always been amused that I’m both British and black, particularly because so many American musicians seem to aspire to be British, while so many British musicians, in the ’60’s in particular, went to such great pains to be black.’ Slash was the lead guitarist with Guns N’ Roses from their forming in 1985 until 1996, when parting ways on bad terms, he reconciled in 2016, and at the time of writing is still a group member. He is one of the most critically acclaimed guitarists of all time, always showing up prominently on best of lists, with the American ‘Time’ magazine naming him runner-up to Jimi Hendrix (1942-1970) (see also best songs 983 and 492) on their list of ‘The 10 Best Electric Guitar Players,’ in 2009. Away from Guns N’ Roses, Slash has released two solo Albums, plus two with ‘Slash’s Snakepit,’ two with ‘Velvet Revolver,’ and a further four as ‘Slash featuring Myles Kennedy & the Conspirators,’ he has also released three official live Albums. Slash has issued 15 singles between 2009-2024, and has appeared on a further 15 as a featured artist, most notably on Michael Jackson’s (1958-2009) (see also best songs 812-511-249-191 and 137) 1993 UK Number 2 single ‘Give in to Me.’ Slash has spoken about how his interest in music first came about, ‘My big awakening happened when I was 14. I’d been trying to get into this older girl’s pants for a while, and she finally let me come over to her house. We hung out, smoked some pot and listened to Aerosmith’s Rocks. It hit me like a f#king ton of bricks. I sat there listening to it over and over, and totally blew off this girl. I remember riding my bike back to my grandma’s house knowing that my life had changed. Now I identified with something.

It was Slash who came up with the critically acclaimed and memorable guitar riff, on ‘Sweet Child o’ Mine,’ but apart from his input he isn’t a big fan of the song, he has said, ’You know Guns N’ Roses was always a real hardcore, sort of, AC/DC (see also best songs 797-245 and 170) kind of hard rock band with a lot of attitude. If we did any kinds of ballads, it was bluesy. This was an uptempo ballad, that’s one of the gayest things you can write. It’s a great song, I’m not knocking it, but at the time, it just did not fit in with the rest of our sort of schtick, and of course it would be the biggest hit we ever had.’

In 2015 an article by the Australian writer Nathan Jolly noted the similarities between ‘Sweet Child o’ Mine’ and a 1981 song by the Australian band ‘Australian Crawl,’ with their song ‘Unpublished Critics.’ Duff McKagan the bass player with Guns N’ Roses found the similarities between the two songs ‘stunning,’ but said that he had not previously heard ‘Unpublished Critics.’

‘She’s got a smile it seems to me, reminds me of childhood memories, where everything was as fresh as the bright blue sky. Now and then when I see her face, she takes me away to that special place.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

464-Kaiser Chiefs-I Predict a Riot.

2004-Number 22 single. When it was re-issued in 2005 it peaked at Number 9.

Best Bit-At 2.17. The best song in the world ever to include Yorkshire Dialect, since ‘On Ilkla Moor Baht ‘at.’

It pains me to say it, being born and bred myself in Leeds, but when it comes to producing the successfully elite musicians, and the very best songs, we as a city sadly lack a long way behind the likes of Liverpool and Manchester, and the question is, why?

The Kaiser Chiefs were formed in Leeds, England, in 1996 by Ricky Wilson, (vocals) Andrew White, (guitar) Simon Rix, (bass) Nick Baines, (keyboards) and Nick Hodgson, (drums) Hodgson left the band in 2012 and was replaced by Vijay Mistry, (drums) and at the time of writing they remain active. At the time of their formation they called themselves ‘Runston Parva,’ a deliberate misspelling of a small East Yorkshire hamlet called ‘Ruston Parva.’ After ‘Runston Parva’ failed to secure a record deal, the group re-formed as ‘Parva,’ in 2000. They were signed by the ‘Beggars Banquet’ record label, but after the release of their debut Album ’22,’ and their first three singles they were dropped by the label. Realising that no label would sign a band who had already failed commercially, they decided to start afresh, changing their sound, and their look, and their stage name to the ‘Kaiser Chiefs,’ in honour of the former Leeds United footballer Lucas Radebe, who had played previously for the ‘Kaiser Chiefs Football Club’ in South Africa.

The discography of the Kaiser Chiefs includes eight studio Albums released between 2005-2024, and 33 singles released between 2004-2024, there is also one extended play (EP) ‘Lap of Honour,’ released in 2005, and one official compilation Album, ‘Souvenir: The Singles 2004–2012,’ which was released in 2012. All eight studio Albums have reached the UK top 10, with two of those Albums, ‘Yours Truly, Angry Mob,’ (2007) and ‘Education, Education, Education & War,’ (2014) both reaching the Number 1 spot. Nine of their singles have made the UK top 40, with ‘Ruby,’ from 2007 reaching Number 1. In America they have met with limited success, with only ‘I Predict a Riot,’ (2004-Number 34) and ‘Ruby,’ (2007-Number 14) making the ‘Billboard Alternative Airplay’ top 40 chart.

‘I Predict a Riot’ was the second of five singles released from the Kaiser Chief’s debut studio Album ‘Employment,’ from March 2005, the song was co-written by all five group members at that time, with the production being by Stephen Street (see also best songs 940-595-256 and 21.) According to the Kaiser Chief’s manager James Sandom, the Album was recorded in a rush because the band were under very tight time constraints and touring at the time. As a result, they did not have enough time to get to know Stephen Street and relax in his company.

‘I Predict a Riot’ tell of the perils of being on the streets of Leeds at ‘chucking out time’ at night, from the pubs and clubs, although it could apply to any big city. Nick Hodgson had the original idea for the song, and has said, ‘I used to DJ with my friend Nick at the Cockpit in Leeds. We’d drive home past a big nightclub and there were always lots of police and people fighting. I went home and wrote the riff on the piano and started singing some words. It says: ‘A friend of a friend, he got beaten.’ That was a friend of Nick the DJ. At our club night, Pigs, we had a band on, Black Wire. They were going mad and so were the crowd. You could see the bouncers moving in and I said to the club’s boss, ‘I predict a riot.’ The structure was there, then everyone invented their own parts. The groups lead singer Ricky Wilson who contributed to the song has said, ‘The only way to write a universal song is to not try to write a universal song: It’s weird because people get it when you write personally. If we’d have tried to write a song about being at a club and having a time, it wouldn’t work because it wouldn’t be us. So, we’ve gone back to that on this record, which is don’t worry about the outside world; be yourself, and the rest will fall into place.’

The lyrics to ‘I Predict a Riot’ mention ‘John Smeaton,’ (1724-1792) who was a very successful civil engineer, and a son of Leeds. The song also makes reference to an ‘Old Leodensian,’ which is a former pupil of ‘Leeds Grammar School,’ which Smeaton, and Ricky Wilson both had been. At ‘Elland Road,’ the home of Leeds United football club, the song continues to grow as an anthem, and is played regularly after the football team wins a game.The song thrives on it’s Yorkshire heritage, with the use of pronouns such as ‘thee’ and ‘thou,’ words that are still in use to some extent in areas of Yorkshire to this day.

‘Watching the people get lairy, is not very pretty I tell thee. Walking through town is quite scary and not very sensible either.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

465-The Mock Turtles-Can You Dig It?

1991-Number 18 single. It was also remixed and reissued in 2003, reaching Number 19.

Best Bit-At 0.27. In 2002 Vodafone wanted to use the track in a £25 million advertising campaign and needed the songs writer Martin Coogan’s permission, he said, ‘Where do I sign.’

The Mock Turtles were formed in 1985, in Middleton, Greater Manchester, England, by Martin Coogan, (vocals, guitar, and percussion) Martin Glyn Murray, (guitar) Steve Cowan, (drums) Steve Green, (bass) and Krzysztof Korab, (keyboards) the group have never officially split, although there has been no new music since 1991. There have been eight different official members come and go, with Martin Coogan, and Martin Glyn Murray, being the groups only two constants. Martin Coogan is the elder brother of both the comedian Steve Coogan, and the television presenter Brendan Coogan. The Mock Turtles took their name from the fictional character devised by Lewis Carroll (1832-1898) (see also best songs 512-157 and 80) in his 1865 book ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.’ Because of the bands name some people thought (including myself) that The Mock Turtles were a spoof band, and were just imitating the ‘Madchester’ (see also best songs 844-580-490 and 489) sound of the early 1990’s. The discography of The Mock Turtles includes one studio Album ‘Turtle Soup,’ released in 1990, and 10 singles and extended plays (EP’s) released between 1987-2003, there are are also three official compilation Albums available. In the UK, ‘Can You Dig It?’ is their only top 40 hit, having charted twice, in 1991, and then as a remix in 2003, while that songs follow up in 1991, ‘And Then She Smiles,’ made Number 44.

‘Can You Dig It?’ was one of four singles released from The Mock Turtles only studio Album to date ‘Turtle Soup,’ from 1990, the song was co-written by Martin Coogan, with the production being by Martin Coogan, and Pete Smith, who began his career as an engineer in 1979. His first work as a producer was with the English ‘New Wave’ band ‘Re-Flex’ in 1980, who were on tour with the ‘Police,’ (see also best songs 1020 and 727) which led to him producing the Police’s 1983 live Album ‘Live!’ He has since gone on to produce two solo Albums for Sting, and worked with other artists of the calibre of Gary Moore, (1952-2011) Squeeze, and Joe Cocker (1944-2014.)

‘Can You Dig It?’ was originally released as the ‘B’ side to The Mock Turtles fourth single release ‘Lay Me Down,’ from 1990, but after new guitar parts were added, it was deemed worthy of an ‘A’ side release. Martin Coogan had been watching the 1979 American thriller film ‘The Warrior’ which features the rallying call ‘Can You Dig It? and thought it would make a good title for a song. Martin Coogan has said, ‘We recorded a track called ‘Lay Me Down’ and my manager said: ‘What’s the B-side?’ I said: ‘I haven’t written it yet.’ He said: ‘Just give me a title.’ I said: ‘Can You Dig It?’ The following evening I had friends round for dinner and had to excuse myself to write the song in the back room. When we signed to Siren they wanted us to re-record ‘Can You Dig It?’ and it was a hit.’ Coogan has also said that the song had been loosely based on the theme from a children’s television programme with ghosts and a pantomime horse.

The Mock Turtles can be filed under the musical genres of ‘Indie Dance,’ ‘Baggy,’ and ‘Shoegazing,’ (see also best songs 336.) ‘Baggy’ is a British ‘Alternative Dance’ genre which was popular in the late 1980’s, and early 1990’s, and was generally associated with the Northern UK’s ‘Madchester’ scene. The style saw ‘Alternative Rock’ bands draw influence from ‘Psychedelia,’ as well as ‘Dance Music.’ The genesis of ‘Indie-Dance’ was the ‘Balearic’ beat scene where there were DJ’s playing an eclectic mix of records, including such ‘Rock/Dance’ crossovers like the 1987 track ‘Jesus on the Payroll,’ by the English Rock band Thrashing Doves, and there were also producers like Paul Oakenfold, (see also best songs 580) and also the ‘Indie Music’ scene in the North West of England, which featured Tony Wilson’s (1950-2007) (see also best songs 844) ‘Factory Records,’ and former ‘Post-Punk’ band the Stone Roses (see also best songs 979 and 253) in Manchester. The name ‘Baggy’ came from the way that followers of the genre dressed, wearing baggy jeans, often flared, alongside brightly coloured or tie-dye casual tops, and in general 1960’s style became fashionable, first in Manchester, and then across the country, frequently topped off with a fishing hat in the style sported by the Stone Roses’ drummer Reni.

In 2002 the British multinational telecommunications company. ‘Vodafone’ used ‘Can You Dig It?’ in UK television advertisements. On the strength of that Martin Coogan commissioned a remix of the track by Fatboy Slim (see also best songs 760-387 and 95) and Simon Thornton, which saw the new version re-enter the UK top 40, and reach Number 19 in 2003, Vodafone continued their advertising campaign using the remix instead of the original.

‘Can You Dig It?’ tells the story of someone coming out of a relationship where he has been mistreated. His ex partner thinks they only have to snap their fingers and he will come running back, but they are wrong because now he is stronger.

‘Can you understand me now, I’ll get through somehow. You won’t ever get me down, won’t see me hanging around.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

466-The Moments & The Whatnauts-Girls.

1975-Number 3 single.

Best Bit-At 2.03. Anything with a pulse.

The Moments, and The Whatnauts were two separate male vocal groups who were both signed to the same record label, and joined forces for this one off single. The record label was ‘Stang,’ which was a subsidiary of ‘All Platinum Records,’ which had been founded in 1967 by the legendary Sylvia Robinson, (1935-2011) (see also best songs 597-523-290-87 and 17) and her husband Joe Robinson (-2000.) The Whatnauts were an American ‘R&B,’ and ‘Soul’ group who were formed in Baltimore, Maryland, United States, in 1969, consisting of five founding members, they remained active until 1983. Their discography includes three studio Albums released between 1970-1972, and 13 singles released between 1970-1983. They never charted within the Billboard Hot 100 singles top 40, although three of their single did reach the lower end of the Hot 100, with ‘I’ll Erase Away Your Pain,’ peaking the highest at Number 71 in 1971. The Whatnauts did have five top 40 hits on the ‘Billboard Hot R&B’ chart, with their debut single ‘Message from a Black Man’ peaking the highest at Number 19 in 1970. In the UK, their only chart hit was ‘Girls’ with The Moments, which made Number 3 in 1975. The music of The Whatnauts has been sampled by many artists, including Kanye West on his track ‘Late, (2005) Nas on his track ‘You Can’t Stop Us Now,’ (2008) and ‘How Ya Doin’? by Little Mix (2012.)

The Moments were formed in Washington, D.C. United States, in 1965, none of the three original members of that group appeared on ‘Girls.’ The Moments signed with ‘Stang’ records in 1968, and immediately found chart success. Further personnel changes occurred, with the three group members who sang on ‘Girls’ being Al Goodman, (1943-2010) Harry Ray, (1946-1992) and Billy Brown, these three would leave ‘Stang’ records in 1978 due to a contractual dispute, and sign with ‘Polydor’ records. Due to ‘Stang’ owning the rights to their name, they could no longer use the stage name ‘The Moments,’ and so became known as ‘Ray, Goodman & Brown.’ In total there have been 13 official different members of ‘The Moments,’ or ‘Ray, Goodman & Brown,’ with Billy Brown, and two others still performing shows as ‘Ray, Goodman & Brown’ at the time of writing.

The discography of the group as ‘The Moments’ includes nine studio Albums released between 1969-1978, and 34 singles released between 1968-1981, there are also four official compilation Albums, and two live Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 they had three top 40 singles, with ‘Love on a Two-Way Street,’ from 1970 peaking the highest at Number 3, they also had 23 top 40 hits on the Billboard ‘Hot R&B’ top 40. In the UK, they had three top 40 hits, with ‘Girls,’ with the Whatnauts, peaking the highest at Number 3 in 1975. The discography of the group as ‘Ray, Goodman & Brown’ includes seven studio Albums released between 1979-1988, and two official compilation Albums, issued in 1996, and 2002, they also released 15 singles between 1979-1988. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, their only top 40 single was their debut release ‘Special Lady,’ which reached Number 5 in 1979, they had a further seven entries on the Billboard ‘Hot R&B’ top 40, while none of their tracks have ever made the UK top 40 singles chart.

Billy Brown was born William Arthur Brown, on June 30th, 1944, in Swainsboro, Georgia, United States. Prior to joining The Moments, he had been a member of a vocal group called ‘The Broadways,’ who released four singles between 1966-1967, then in 1968, he was asked by Sylvia Robinson to join The Moments, and he became their lead singer. After the break up of Ray, Goodman & Brown, he has continued to perform live. In September 2016, he was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award by ‘The National R&B Music Society,’ in Philadelphia, PA.

‘Girls,’ or ‘Girls’ (Part 1) as it is also known, as the ‘B’ side (Part 2) was the songs instrumental, was the only joint effort released by The Moments & The Whatnauts, it was co-written by Harry Ray, Al Goodman, and V. Dodson, with the production credited to Harry Ray, and Al Goodman. In my opinion both groups would be called sexist in this day and age, but back in the mid 1970’s no one (as far as I know) thought twice about the songs lyrics, which today would be highly controversial and severely frowned upon by ‘Women’s lib.’

‘Girls, I like ’em fat, I like ’em tall, some skinny, some small, I got to get to know them all. I’d like to be on an island with five or six of them fine ones, even one that ain’t good lookin,’ they’re the ones that do the best cookin.”

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

467-Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin-Je t’aime… moi non plus.

1969-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 4.04. When the song reaches it’s ‘climax.’

Serge Gainsbourg was born Lucien Ginsburg on April 2nd, 1928, in Paris, French Third Republic, France, he died of a heart attack on March 2nd, 1991, at the age of 62. He had had a first heart attack in 1973, but had refused to cut down on his smoking, and drinking. It was around 1957 while filling in a form to join the songwriting society ‘SACEM,’ that he decided to change his first name to Serge, his future partner Jane Birkin has said, ‘Lucien reminded him of a hairdresser’s assistant.’ He chose ‘Gainsbourg’ as his last name, in homage to the English painter Thomas Gainsborough, (1727-1788) whom he admired. During his lifetime Serge Gainsbourg was considered to be the most important artist in French Pop music, and since his death he has reached legendary stature in France. He was also an actor appearing in nearly 50 film, and television roles, and was the composer of the soundtracks for nearly 60 films, and television programs. He wrote and directed four feature films, including the 1976 film ‘Je t’aime moi non plus,’ starring Jane Birkin. Charlotte Gainsbourg who was born in 1971, and is the daughter of Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin has said about her father, ‘He was a poet. What he did was way ahead of its time. You can just read his lyrics, he plays with words in such a way that there are double meanings that don’t work out in English. He was just so very authentic. He was so shy, and very touching. And he was very generous. Every time I get into a taxi in Paris I hear a story about my father, because he used to take taxis all day long and the drivers tell me how sweet he was. One day a taxi driver told me my father had paid for his teeth to be mended, somebody else’s roof needed to be mended and he paid for that. He just had real relationships with people from the street. He was selfish in ways that artists can be, but there was no snobisme. He was always amazed at the fact that he had money. I remember going to lovely hotels with him and he was like, ‘Oooh, how fun this is.’ He had the eyes of a child.

Serge Gainsbourg recorded in many musical genres, including ‘Jazz,’ ‘Chanson,’ ‘Yé-Yé,’ ‘Rock,’ ‘Zouk,’ ‘Funk,’ ‘Reggae,’ and ‘Electronica’ over the course of his 34 years career, he was also an influence on many English speaking artists, including Nick Cave, Michael Stipe, (see also best songs 710) and Beck (see also best songs 879 and 230.) The discography of Serge Gainsbourg includes 17 studio Albums released between 1958-1987, and 80 singles and extended plays (EP’s) released between 1958-2020, there is also one official compilation Album, and four live Albums available, and at least 10 soundtrack Albums. In his native France, his 13th studio Album ‘Aux armes et cætera,’ is his most successful, reaching Number 1 on the ‘SNEP’ French Album chart in 1979. Nine of his singles have made the French top 40 chart, with ‘Lemon Incest,’ with Charlotte Gainsbourg, peaking the highest at Number 2 in 1985, while ‘Je t’aime… moi non plus,’ with Jane Birkin, made Number 3 in 1969, and when re-released, made Number 4 in 1974.

Jane Mallory Birkin was born on December 14th, 1946, in Marylebone, London, England, on July 16th, 2023, she was found dead at her home in Paris, at the age of 76, no cause of death was disclosed. Jane Birkin was an actress and singer, having had a prolific career as an actress, mostly in French cinema. In 2001 she was appointed an ‘Officer of the Order of the British Empire’ (OBE) ‘for services to acting and UK-French cultural relations,’ and in 2013, she was appointed to the ‘Ordre des Arts et des Lettres as Chevaliers.’ In 2018, she was awarded the ‘Order of the Rising Sun in the Spring Conferment,’ for her efforts in promoting cultural exchanges between Japan and France. Jane Birkin appeared in 70 films between 1965-2021, and released 13 studio Albums between 1969-2020, there are also six official live Albums available.

Serge Gainsbourg wrote ‘Je t’aime… moi non plus’ in 1967 at the suggestion of the French actress Brigitte Bardot. Gainsbourg and Bardot were having an affair, and Bardot asked Gainsbourg to write the most beautiful love song he could imagine. The pair recorded their version, but when Bardot’s husband Gunter Sachs (1932-2011) found out about the affair, Bardot pleaded with Gainsbourg not to release the song. In 1968 Gainbourg and the English actress Jane Birkin began a relationship when they met on the set of the film ‘Slogan.’ After filming the pair recorded ‘Je t’aime… moi non plus,’ Birkin who knew of the Bardot version has said, ’I only sang it because I didn’t want anybody else to sing it.’ When the singer Marianne Faithfull (see also best songs 452) was questioned whether she had been approached by Gainsbourg she said, ’Hah. He asked everybody.’

‘Je t’aime… moi non plus’ (French for ‘I love you, me neither’) was inspired by a Salvador Dali (1904-1989) comment, ’Picasso is Spanish, me too, Picasso is a genius, me too, Picasso is a communist, me neither.’ Because of the explicit nature of the lyrics, and the suggestive moans and groans, the song received a media ban in many countries. It is claimed that the Vatican even expressed their disapproval, with Gainsbourg calling the Pope ‘Our greatest PR man.’ When the song reached Number 1 in the UK, it became the first banned song to reach the top spot, it was also the first foreign language song to make Number 1 in the UK.

‘Je vais je vais et je viens entre tes reins.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

468-Peggy Lee-Fever.

1958-Number 5 single.

Best Bit-At 2.28. Peggy Lee was the inspiration for the Muppet character ‘Miss Piggy.’ Originally called ‘Miss Piggy Lee,’ the name was shortened to Miss Piggy when the Muppet’s became well known.

Peggy Lee was born Norma Deloris Egstrom, on May 26th, 1920, in Jamestown, North Dakota, United States, she died on January 21st, 2002, after years of poor health, of complications from diabetes and a heart attack, at the age of 81. Peggy Lee who was the seventh of eight children, was a singer, songwriter, and actress whose career spanned seven decades, she wrote over 270 songs, and recorded more than 1,100 masters, earning herself the honorific title ‘Queen of American Pop.’ Peggy Lee began singing professionally on American radio, in North Dakota, in 1936, then in October 1937, the radio personality Ken Kennedy, (1911-1976) of the ‘WDAY’ radio station in Fargo, North Dakota, auditioned her and put her on the air that day, but not before he changed her name to Peggy Lee. As a songwriter Peggy Lee co-wrote ‘Mañana (Is Soon Enough for Me’) with her first husband Dave Barbour, (1912-1965) she recorded the song herself, and spent nine weeks at Number 1 on ‘Billboard’s Best Sellers chart’ in 1948. In 1955 with Sonny Burke, (1914-1980) (see also best songs 469) she co-composed all of the original songs for the ‘Disney’ movie ‘Lady and the Tramp.’ Her acting career included starring in the 1952 re-make of ‘The Jazz Singer,’ for which she was nominated for the ‘Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.’ During her career, she appeared in hundreds of variety shows, and several TV movies, and specials.

The discography of Peggy Lee includes 60 Albums released between 1948-1993, and at least 172 singles released between 1941-1992, 24 of those singles were released between 1941-1950, with ‘Benny Goodman (1909-1986) and His Orchestra,’ and several others were also in collaboration with others. In America on the ‘Billboard Best Sellers chart,’ which would later become the ‘Billboard Hot 100’ chart, 47 of her single have reached the top 40, with ‘Mañana (Is Soon Enough for Me’) peaking the highest at Number 1 in 1948, while ‘Fever’ reached Number 8 in 1958. In the UK, Peggy Lee has charted within the top 40 on three occasions, with ‘Mr Wonderful,’ (1956) and ‘Fever,’ (1958) both peaking the highest at Number 5.

‘Fever’ was co-written by the American ‘R&B’ singer and songwriter Eddie Cooley, (1933-2020) and Otis Blackwell, (1931-2002) who used the pseudonym John Davenport due to contractual commitments, John Davenport was the name of Blackwell’s stepfather. Blackwell was a influential figure in the development of ‘Rock N’ Roll,’ and an early inspiration to a young Elvis Presley (1935-1977.) Otis Blackwell was born on February 16th, 1931, in Brooklyn, New York, United States, he died on May 6th, 2002, of a heart attack, at the age of 71. Some of the songs written, or co-written by Otis Blackwell include, ‘Don’t Be Cruel,’ (1955-Billboard Number 1 & UK Number 2) ‘All Shook Up,’ (1956-Billboard & UK Number 1) and ‘Return to Sender,’ (1962-Billboard Number 2 & UK Number 1) all hits for Presley, he was also the writer of ‘Great Balls of Fire,’ made famous by Jerry Lee Lewis (see also best songs 99.) Otis Blackwell and Elvis Presley never met in person. Presley’s manager, Colonel Tom Parker, (1909-1997) asked Blackwell to appear in the Presley movie ‘Girls! Girls! Girls!,’ for which he had written ‘Return to Sender,’ but a superstition about meeting Presley kept him from accepting.

‘Fever’ was first recorded by the American ‘R&B’ singer Little Willie John (1937-1968) in 1956. His version reached Number 24 on Billboard, but made Number 1 on the Billboard ‘R&B chart.’ Little Willie John’s sister was Mabel John, (1930-2022) who has recorded for ‘Tamla Motown,’ and ‘Stax Records,’ she was also a member of The Raelettes, (see also best songs 475) who were Ray Charles backing group. Other significant versions of ‘Fever’ include, the ‘McCoys,’ whose recording made Number 7 on Billboard, the 1993 version by Madonna, which made Number 6 in the UK, and the 1960 recording by Elvis Presley, from his Album ‘Elvis Is Back!,’ whose arrangement is based on the Peggy Lee arrangement.

The Little Willie John original recording of ‘Fever’ is an ‘R&B’ track, but when Peggy Lee recorded it she gave it a complete overhaul. The song was re-written with lyrics she composed herself, these include the verses beginning with ‘Romeo Loved Juliet,’ and ‘Captain Smith and Pocahontas. Lee also significantly rearranged the song from the original by slowing the tempo, and using minimal instrumentation. The bass was played by Joe Mondragon (1920-1987) and the very limited drum set was by Shelly Manne. (1920-1984) As to who provided the famous ‘finger snaps’ it is unsure, with Lee, Manne, the guitarist Howard Roberts, (1929-1992) and the songs producer Dave Cavanaugh (1919-1981) all sited as possibles. Peggy Lee’s rendition of ‘Fever’ has been described as ‘torchy lounge.’ ‘sultry,’ ‘slinky and inimitable,’ with it being best remembered for ‘her playful delivery, charisma and sexuality,’ by various music writers.

‘Now you’ve listened to my story, here’s the point that I have made. Chicks were born to give you fever, be it Fahrenheit or Centigrade, they give you fever.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

469-Frank Sinatra-Theme from New York, New York.

1980-Number 59 single. When it was re-issued in 1986 it reached Number 4.

Best Bit-At 2.21. At the end of every New York Yankees baseball match, if the team had won they played Sinatra’s version, but if they had lost the original by Liza Minnelli was played. Needless to say Minnelli was not best pleased, and after she complained only the Sinatra version is now heard, win or lose.

‘Theme from New York, New York’ was co-written by Fred Ebb, (1928-2004) who provided the lyrics, and John Kander, (see also best songs 441 and 182) who wrote the music, for the 1977 Martin Scorsese musical film ‘New York, New York,’ starring Liza Minnelli, (see also best songs 182) and Robert De Niro. In the film Minnelli sings the original version of the song, which was released as a single, and taken from the films soundtrack Album, and peaked at Number 104 on the Billboard Hot 100 ‘bubbling under chart.’ The song was first brought to the attention of Frank Sinatra (1915-1998) (see also best songs 877-567-120 and 73) by his longtime associate and former employee of his publishing company Frank Military. After hearing it Sinatra began performing it live in a medley with ‘New York, New York,’ which is a 1944 song not to be confused with ‘Theme from New York, New York.’ Audiences loved his rendition of ‘Theme from New York, New York.’ so much that Sinatra kept moving it to later into the set, which he was still closing with “My Way,’ by 1980 the song had become the closer for his performances. Although recorded at the twilight of his career ‘Theme from New York, New York’ soon became one of Frank Sinatra’s best loved songs, and one of his signature tunes.

Frank Sinatra who had first introduced ‘Theme from New York, New York’ into his repertoire during performances at the ‘Radio City Music Hall,’ in New York, in October 1978, first recorded the song for his 55th studio Album ‘Trilogy: Past Present Future,’ which was recorded between July to December 1979, and released in March 1980. ‘Trilogy: Past Present Future,’ is a triple Album, with side 1 & side 2 being made up of songs originally written between the decades of the 1920’s to the 1950’s, these were arranged by Billy May (1916-2004.) Side 3 & side 4 are Sinatra’s interpretations of more recent songs written in the 1960’s, and 1970’s, which were arranged by Don Costa, (1925-1983) with the exception of the track ‘Something,’ which was arranged by Nelson Riddle (1921-1985) (see also best songs 877-286 and 73.) Side 5 & 6, which was arranged by Gordon Jenkins, (1910-1984) is an interpretation of what music may sound like in the future. Of all the music ever recorded by Frank Sinatra ‘The Future’ has received the worst reviews of his career, with the American music critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine describing ‘The Future’ as ‘a mess,’ although it has also been called ‘ambitious, experimental, and self-referential, more of a free-form suite than a set of songs.’

‘Theme from New York, New York’ was the last of Frank Sinatra’s 297 single releases to reach the American Billboard Hot 100, when peaking at Number 32 in 1980. During his career he recorded two more studio versions, in 1981 for his ‘NBC TV’ special ‘The Man and His Music,’ and in 1993 for Capitol Records. The latter recording was edited into a duet with Tony Bennett (1926-2023) (see also best songs 868) for Sinatra’s ‘Duets’ Album. The version recorded for the Album ‘Trilogy: Past Present Future’ was produced by Sonny Burke, who was born Joseph Francis Burke, on March 22nd, 1914, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, United States, he died from cancer on May 31st, 1980, at the age of 66. Sonny Burke was a musical arranger, composer, Big Band leader, and producer, his career highlights include co-writing with Peggy Lee, (1920-2002) (see also best songs 468) the songs to ‘Disney’s’ 1955 animated musical ‘Lady and the Tramp,’ and with John Elliot, (1914-1972) he co-wrote songs for ‘Disney’s’ ‘Toot, Whistle, Plunk and Boom,’ which won the 1953 Oscar for ‘Best Short Subject (Cartoons.’) Sonny Burke produced many Albums for Frank Sinatra, including his 1969 signature song ‘My Way, he also produced Petula Clark’s (see also best songs 838) ‘This Is My Song,’ (1967-UK-Number 1) written by Charles Chaplin, (1889-1977) for his movie, ‘A Countess From Hong Kong’ (1967.)

Many songs have been written about New York, but this is the one which really captured the hearts of ‘New Yorkers.’ the lyrics ‘If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere,’ sum up what many New Yorkers feel about their city, where competition is intense, but success there is richly rewarded and very satisfying. The song stresses personal responsibility in the line, ‘It’s up to you, New York, New York,’ as it’s a place where you can’t expect a handout, but have an opportunity to succeed no matter who you are. The song is written from the perspective of an entertainer who leaves a small town, and tries to make it in the city. Instead of worrying over the difficulties he/she will face, they embraces the challenges in anticipation of a new life in New York.

‘I want to wake up in a city that never sleeps, and find I’m a number one, top of the list, king of the hill, a number one.’