THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

354-Frankie Laine-That Lucky Old Sun (Just Rolls Around Heaven All Day.)

1949-It has never charted in the UK. There was no UK chart until 1952.

Best Bit-At 2.25. Eat your heart out Adams, eat your heart out Whitney, eat your heart out Drake, this guy still holds the record of 18 weeks at Number 1.

Frankie Laine was born Francesco Paolo LoVecchio on March 30th, 1913, in Chicago, Illinois, United States, he died from heart failure on February 6th, 2007, at the age of 93. He changed his professional name to Frankie Laine in 1938, upon receiving a job singing for the New York City radio station ‘WINS.’ The programme director, Jack Coombs, thought that ‘LoVecchio’ was ‘too foreign sounding, and too much of a mouthful for the studio announcers,’ so he Americanised it to ‘Lane,’ an homage to his high school. He added the ‘i’ to avoid confusion with a girl singer at the radio station who went by the name of Frances Lane. Frankie Laine was a singer, songwriter, and actor, and was definitely not an overnight sensation, having performed in public from his early teens, it would be 1945 before he recorded his first song for a major label, eventually achieving his first hit with ‘That’s My Desire’ in 1946, when it reached Number 4 in America. In the UK Frankie Laine achieved four Number 1 singles, all of which were in the 1950’s. In 1953 his recording of ‘I Believe’ spent 18 non consecutive weeks at Number 1 which remains a record to this day. Laine also holds the record in the UK of spending 27 weeks at Number 1 in a calendar year in 1953. Although not acknowledged by all music critics, Frankie Laine is considered by many as helping to pave the way for vocalists, helping to bridge the gap between the ‘crooners’ of the ‘pre Rock era,’ and those that came after, such as Elvis Presley, (1935-1977) (see also best songs 954-664-442-and 194) James Brown, (1933-2006) (see also best songs 880-349-270 and 88) and Ray Charles (1930-2004) (see also best songs 475 and 185.) The American singer Patti Page (1927-2013) (see also best songs 1050) said about Frankie Laine, ‘I think that Frank probably was one of the forerunner of…blues, of…rock ‘n’ roll. A lot of singers who sing with a passionate demeanour, Frank was, and is definitely that. I always used to love to mimic him with ‘That’s…my…desire.’ And then later Johnnie Ray came along that made all of those kind of movements, but Frank had already done them.’

The discography of Frankie Laine, who recorded in the genres of ‘Traditional Pop, ‘Jazz,’ ‘R&B,’ ‘Easy Listening,’ ‘Country,’ and ‘Gospel’ includes, 44 studio Albums released between 1947-2003, and 164 singles released between 1945-1999, there are also 50 official compilation Albums available. In America on Billboard, Frankie Laine has had 60 top 40 entries, with three of those singles making Number 1, including ‘That Lucky Old Sun (Just Rolls Around Heaven All Day,’) while in the UK, bearing in mind that there was no official chart until November 1952, Frankie Laine has had 26 top 40 hits, with four of those singles reaching the Number 1 position.

‘That Lucky Old Sun (Just Rolls Around Heaven All Day’) was co-written by Beasley Smith, (1901-1968) (melody) and Haven Gillespie (1888-1975) (lyrics.) Frankie Laine provided the lead vocal, with the other vocals on the track being by ‘Judd Conlon’s (1910-1966) Rhythmaires,’ the other credits on the track are for ‘Harry Geller (1013-2008) and His Orchestra,’ and Carl Fischer, (1912-1954) piano. Beasley Smith was born John Beasley Smith on September 27th, 1901 in McEwen, Tennessee, United States, he died on May 14th, 1968, at the age of 66. His best known composition is ‘That Lucky Old Sun (Just Rolls Around Heaven All Day,’) but he did co-wrote over 100 songs, and in 1983, he was posthumously inducted into the ‘Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.’ Haven Gillespie was born James Lamont Gillespie on February 6th, 1888 in Covington, Kentucky, United States, he died on March 14th, 1975, at the age of 87. Gillespie collaborated with several other songwriters over the course of his career, and was inducted into the ‘Songwriters Hall of Fame’ in 1972. Two of his other best known compositions are ”You Go to My Head,’ (1938) and the Christmas classic ‘Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town’ (1934.)

As with many songs from that period, there could be several versions competing against each other at the same time. In 1949 Frankie Laine’s recording of ‘That Lucky Old Sun (Just Rolls Around Heaven All Day,’) was the most successful when reaching Number 1 in America on Billboard. A recording by Vaughn Monroe & His Orchestra made Number 9, a version by Louis Armstrong reached Number 24, and Frank Sinatra took his rendition to Number 16. The song has since been recorded on numerous occasions down the decades, with the other hit version being by Ray Charles, whose rendition made Number 20 on Billboard in 1963.

‘That Lucky Old Sun (Just Rolls Around Heaven All Day’) has been likened in it’s subject matter to the 1927 song ‘Ol’ Man River,’ (see also best songs 82) which has lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein (see also best songs 842.) The song tells of the very hard labour performed, and the intense hardship suffered by the songs narrator, while the natural world around him just goes about it’s everyday business. The narrator prays to his God to either take him immediately to heaven, or free him from his tortuous work.

‘Send down the cloud with a silver lining, lift me to paradise. Show me that river, take me across, wash all my troubles away. Like that lucky old sun, give me nothing to do but roll around heaven all day.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

355-George Ezra-Paradise.

2018-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 0.49. Paradise, and not a dashboard light in sight.

George Ezra Barnett was born on June 7th, 1993, in Hertford, Hertfordshire, England., he cites his youthful obsession with the music of Bob Dylan (see also best songs 792-621-358-103-36 and 7) as a major influence. Dylan himself, of course was influenced by the American ‘Folk,’ and ‘Blues’ artists of the early to mid 20th Century, such as Lead Belly, (1888-1949) (see also best songs 431) Woody Guthrie, (1912-1967) and Howlin’ Wolf, (1910-1976) and this led to Ezra checking out their music. Ezra bought a Lead Belly compilation, and on the sleeve it said that Lead Belly’s voice was so big, you have to turn your record player down. Ezra has said, ‘I liked the idea of singing with a big voice, so I tried, and I could.’ In 2014 the internet blog ‘When the Gramophone Rings’ described George Ezra as having ‘a voice beyond his years,’ with ‘a soulful tone that somehow would feel more at home coming from an Alabama bartender than a 21-year-old Bristolian.’

The discography of George Ezra includes three studio Albums released between 2014-2022, and 15 singles released between 2013-2023, there are also three extended plays (EP’s) available. In the UK, all three of his studio Albums ‘Wanted on Voyage,’ (2014) ‘Staying at Tamara’s,’ (2018) and ‘Gold Rush Kid,’ (2022) have all reached Number 1, while nine of his singles have made the UK top, with ‘Shotgun,’ from 2018, peaking the highest at Number 1. In America on Billboard, his only top 40 charting Album is his debut ‘Wanted on Voyage,’ which made Number 19 in 2014, and his only charting single on the Billboard Hot 100 to date is his second single release ‘Budapest,’ which reached Number 32 in 2013.

‘Paradise’ was the second of five singles released from ‘Staying at Tamara’s,’ the second studio Album from George Ezra, from March 2018, the song was co-written by George Ezra, and Shane Marriott, with the production being by Cameron Blackwood, who was born in Alloway, Scotland. Blackwood’s other production work includes ‘Wanted on Voyage,’ the debut studio Album by George Ezra, ‘Sleep No More,’ for the English-Italian acoustic singer Jack Savoretti, (2016) ‘Love Life Flesh Blood,’ for the Irish singer Imelda May, (2017) and ‘Dark Rainbow,’ for ‘Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes’ (2024.) Cameron Blackwood is also credited with playing the guitar, synthesizer, and providing percussion, as well as the programming, on ‘Paradise.’

After George Ezra had finished touring his debut Album ‘Wanted On Voyage’ in 2014, he set about writing for the follow up. He went to Barcelona for a month, but instead of booking into a hotel, he looked on the internet, and found a stranger called Tamara who was renting her spare room, and this was where the Album’s title came from. George Ezra has said, ‘I thought if she’s a bit crazy, if she’s a bit unhinged, I can just leave. Her friends were all musicians, artists and designers, and her apartment really felt like HQ. It helped slow me down. There was a point about halfway through the trip where I was like, this trip has proved to be really important, and the Album’s name came to me like that, I love it.’ ‘Staying at Tamara’s’ which included George Ezra’s only UK Number 1 single ‘Shotgun,’ went on to become the UK’s best selling artist Album of the year in 2018, and was nominated for ‘British Album of the Year,’ at the 2019 ‘Brit Awards.’ In support of the album, Ezra embarked on a 2018 world tour entitled, ‘Staying at Tamara’s Tour,’ mostly visiting cities across North America and Europe.

George Ezra has recalled how ‘Paradise’ came about after he rediscovered ‘Paradise’ on his Dictaphone eight months after he first recorded it. ‘That song started life before the end of the first record. We were on tour in California and someone got a cold on the bus. If one of you gets a cold, we all do. I remember being in my bed feeling sorry for myself, and I just started singing and had that melody. Then I forgot about it for a while.’

‘Paradise’ is a love song, George Ezra wrote the song while dating the English musician Florrie Arnold, who was the drummer on this song, as well as providing background vocals, the song was written with her in mind. George Ezra has said that the song was aiming to capture ‘A feeling that takes over when you’ve fallen in love.’ He has said that the lyrics were ‘Not looking at a particular love story, but more the effect that love has on your psyche. You become a mess, but it’s good. It doesn’t matter what’s going on around you, you’re in your own little world.’ Ezra described ‘Paradise’ as the ‘Perfect love song version’ of ‘Staying at Tamara’s’ themes of ‘Escaping and dreaming, and taking yourself away a little bit.’

‘I know you heard it from those other boys, but this time it’s real. It’s something that I feel and I know you heard it from those other boys, but this time it’s real, it’s something that I feel.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

356-The Hues Corporation-Rock the Boat.

1974-Number 6 single.

Best Bit-At 2.17. Due to it’s popularity in the nightclubs, the radio finally began to play it, leading to what many people cite as the first ‘Disco’ record to become a Billboard Number 1 single.

The Hues Corporation were formed in 1969 in Santa Monica, California, United States, by Wally Holmes, (1928-2021) and Bernard St. Clair Lee, (1944-2011) they were soon joined by Hubert Ann Kelley, (1947-2023) and Karl Russell. The group initially wanted to call themselves ‘The Children of Howard Hughes,’ but their record label wouldn’t allow it, so they settled on ‘The Hughes Corporation,’ naming themselves after the business magnate Howard Hughes, (1905-1976) which was a pun on the ‘Howard Hughes Corporation.’ The Hues Corporation’s first big break occurred in 1972 when asked to appear in, and provide three songs for the ‘blaxploitation’ film ‘Blacula,’ after which Karl Russell was replaced in the band by Fleming Williams (1943-1998.) This new lineup were signed to ‘RCA Records,’ and recorded their debut studio Album ‘Freedom for the Stallion’ in 1973, which included the original version of this song. The Hues Corporation were active until around 1980, but were reformed in the 1990’s by Bernard St. Clair Lee, with new members, in order to tour.

The discography of The Hues Corporation includes five studio Albums released between 1973-1980, and 17 singles released between 1970-1982, there are also five official compilation Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, two of their singles have reached the top 40, ‘Rock the Boat,’ (1974) making Number 1, and the follow up ‘Rockin’ Soul,’ (1974) reaching Number 18. In the UK those same two singles have also provided their only two top 40 entries, peaking at Number 6 and Number 24. ‘Rock the Boat’ was also a major international hit, notably reaching Number 1 in Canada, Number 2 in Belgium, Number 4 in the Netherlands, and Number 7 in Germany.

‘Rock the Boat’ was the third of four singles released from ‘Freedom for the Stallion,’ which was the debut studio Album by The Hues Corporation, from December 1973, the song was written by band member Wally Holmes, with the production being by John Florez. It was Florez who remixed the song, which led to it’s popularity in the nightclubs, the new remix was one of the tracks to feature on the bands second studio Album ‘Rockin’ Soul’ released in 1974. Some very famous musicians were brought in for the original recording of the song, including Joe Sample, (1939-2014) (keyboards) Wilton Felder, (1940-2015) (bass) and Larry Carlton (guitar) of the ‘Jazz Crusaders’ (see also best songs 588.) The star line up also included the session drummer Jim Gordon (1945-2023) (see also best songs 846-795-639 and 417.) Fleming Williams who provided the songs lead vocal would leave The Hues Corporation shortly after the song was recorded.

‘Rock the Boat’ failed to make much impact on it’s initial release in May 1974, as weeks went by without it receiving any radio airplay or sales activity. It was a different story in the Disco’s in New York where it was proving very popular on the dance floor. This led to the song entering the lower reaches of the Billboard Hot 100, and the radio stations finally getting on board. It took off from there, and within six weeks, on July 6th, 1974, it had reached Number 1. ‘Rock the Boat’ is considered to be one of the earliest ‘Disco’ songs. Some music writers proclaim it to be the first ‘Disco’ song to reach Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, while others give that distinction to ‘Love’s Theme,’ by Love Unlimited Orchestra, or ‘TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia,’) by MFSB, both of those songs had been Billboard Number 1’s earlier on in 1974.

Whether ‘Rock the Boat’ was the first ‘Disco’ Number 1 song or not, it certainly has played a part in the development of the genre. Richard Finch of KC & The Sunshine Band (see also best songs 893-375 and 64) has said that ‘Rock The Boat’ played a partial role in inspiring the hit ‘Rock Your Baby,’ (see also best songs 64) which he wrote with Harry Wayne Casey. Finch explained, ‘Harry and I were also paying attention to the chart actions at clubs, because club records, according to Harry’s direction, were doing better than just regular ‘R&B’ Records. Back then you could sneak into a club and they didn’t check your ID, so Harry and I would once in a while go sneak into the local clubs. There was one on Southwest 8th Street in Miami, Florida, that played dance music. We’d go in there for about an hour or two until it got to be way too late for us to be there. And we’d pay attention to what brought the people to the dance floor, and what made them sit down. So we started gearing ourselves to writing more in that direction. ‘Rock Your Baby’ was inspired by the gathering of all that information.’

Bernard St. Clair Lee, of The Hues Corporation has spoken about the songs universal appeal, ‘It was a song that you could do anything on. You could cuddle, or you could get crazy if you wanted to. It was a love song without being a love song. But, it was a disco hit and it happened because of the discos.’ In 1982 the American-Dutch singer Forrest Thomas (1953-2013) took his version of ‘Rock the Boat’ to Number 4 in the UK, it also made Number 7 in the Netherlands, and Number 33 in Australia.

‘Ever since our voyage of love began, your touch has thrilled me like the rush of the wind, and your arms have held me safe from a rolling sea. There’s always been a quiet place to harbour you and me.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

357-James Ingram and Michael McDonald- Yah Mo B There.

1985-Number 12 single.

Best Bit-At 4.12. In the 2005 American romantic film comedy ‘The 40 Year Old Virgin,’ the main character works in an electronic store, in which a Michael McDonald DVD has constantly been playing for two years. A salesman (played by Paul Rudd) has developed an intense hatred of the DVD and tells the manager, ‘Nothing against Michael McDonald, but if I hear Ya Mo B There one more time, I’m gonna Yah Mo burn this place to the ground!’

James Edward Ingram was born on February 16th, 1952, in Akron, Ohio, United States, he died of brain cancer on January 29th, 2019, at the age of 66. Prior to finding international success, James Ingram had been a member of a Los Angeles band called ‘Revelation Funk,’ and then as a keyboard player in Ray Charles’ (1930-2004) (see also best songs 475 and 185) touring group. The discography of James Ingram includes five solo studio Albums released between 1983-2008, and 30 singles released between 1981-1999, there are also two official compilation Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, eight of his singles have made the top 40, with ‘Baby Come to Me,’ with Patti Austin, (1982) and ‘I Don’t Have the Heart,’ (1990) both reaching Number 1, while ‘Yah Mo B There’ peaked at Number 19. In the UK, James Ingram has had three top 40 hits, with ‘Somewhere Out There,’ with Linda Ronstadt,’ charting the highest at Number 8 in 1986. In the UK all of James Ingram’s three top 40 hits have been duets.

Michael H. McDonald was born on February 12th, 1952, in St. Louis, Missouri, United States, he is a singer, songwriter and keyboardist, who is known for his distinctive, soulful voice. In 1974 he spent a year as a member of the Steely Dan touring band, and has continued to work with them in the studio, and on the road intermittently down the years. However Michael McDonald will always be best remembered for being a member of American Rock band The Doobie Brothers, recording with them on five studio Albums, and nine Billboard top 40 singles, including his co-write of their Billboard Number 1 song ‘What a Fool Believes’ in 1979. He has also had a very successful solo career, releasing 11 studio Albums between 1982-2017, and 28 singles between 1982-2022, there are also seven official compilation Albums, and one live Album available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, three of his singles have made the top 40, he has also had a further five top 40 hits as a featured artist, with ‘On My Own,’ with Patti LaBelle reaching Number 1 in 1986. In the UK, Michael McDonald has had one top 40 solo hit single, with ‘Sweet Freedom’ reaching Number 12 in 1986, he has also had a further two hits as a featured artist, with ‘On My Own,’ with Patti LaBelle, peaking the highest at Number 2 in 1986.

‘Yah Mo B There’ was the third of five singles released from ‘It’s Your Night,’ the debut studio Album by James Ingram, from July 1983, the song was co-written by James Ingram, Michael McDonald, Rod Temperton, (1949-2016) (see also best songs 889 and 511) and the legendary Quincy Jones, (1933-2024) (see also best songs 1022-889-812-703-511 and 191) who was also the songs producer, and issued the Album and single on his record label ‘Qwest,’ which was partly owned by Warner Brothers.

‘Yah Mo B There’ was first issued as a single in December 1983, reaching Number 19 on the American Billboard Hot 100, and Number 44 in the UK, it was the remixed version by John Benitez, which had the greater success in the UK, when making Number 12 during the spring of 1985. John Benitez was born on November 7th, 1957, in New York City, United States, he is better known by his working name John ‘Jellybean’ Benitez.’ It was his younger sister Debbie who nicknamed him ‘Jellybean’ in his youth, as his initials are J.B. and also from the expression ‘Know what I mean, Jellybean?’ His high profile production work includes producing some of Madonna’s early songs, including the Billboard Number 1 single ‘Crazy for You’ in 1985, he also produced the Whitney Houston (1963-2012) track ‘Love Will Save the Day,’ (1988-Billboard Number 9 & UK Number 10.) Working alongside many different vocalists ‘Jellybean’ has also released five studio Albums between 1984-2010, and has issued 12 singles between 1984-2009, with two of those tracks reaching the Billboard Hot 100, with ‘Who Found Who’ featuring Elisa Fiorillo, peaking the highest at Number 16 in 1987, while in the UK, four of his singles have made the top 40, with ‘Jingo’ charting the highest at Number 12 in 1987.

‘Yah Mo B There’ is in reference to God, and the power faith can have over difficult times, ‘Yah’ being the shortened ‘Yahweh,’ the Hebrew name for God. James Ingram who came up with the songs title has said, ‘We were talking about how to say ‘God will be there’ without scaring most of the audience away.’

‘Heavenly Father watchin’ us fall, we take from each other, and give nothing at all. Well it’s a doggone shame, but never too late for change.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

358-Bob Dylan-The Times They Are a-Changin.’

1965-Number 9 single.

Best Bit-At 2.36. It appears that the lyrics are as relevant now as they were when Dylan originally wrote them in 1963, and they probably always will be.

Bob Dylan (see also best songs 792-621-103-36 and 7) was born Robert Allen Zimmerman, on May 24th, 1941, in Duluth, Minnesota, St. Louis County, United States, he is a singer, songwriter, painter, and artist. Bob Dylan is one of Pop Music’s most prolific live performers, having played well in excess of 3,000 shows. The ‘Never Ending Tour,’ which began on June 7th, 1988, is the popular name given to his touring schedule, and since 1989 he has been accompanied by the American bassist Tony Garnier, who has sometimes been characterised as his musical director. Like many artists who have played the same song to death, they would prefer to introduce some of their other material in to their shows, more often than not to the dismay of many audience members who come to the concert to hear the songs that they know best. Bob Dylan has been accused of unpredictable performances, as he often alters his arrangements and changes his vocal approach. Those who side with Dylan say that he has found a successful way to ‘present his rich legacy of material,’ but others have criticised his live performances for changing ‘the greatest lyrics ever written so that they are effectively unrecognisable,’ and giving so little to the audience that ‘it is difficult to understand what he is doing on stage at all.’

‘The Times They Are a-Changin’ was the only single released from Bob Dylan’s third studio Album of the same name, from February 1964, the song was written by Bob Dylan, and produced by Tom Wilson (1931-1978.) Bob Dylan wrote the songs lyrics between September and October 1963, as a deliberate attempt to create an anthem for change. He has said, ‘This was definitely a song with a purpose. It was influenced of course by the Irish and Scottish ballads, ‘Come All Ye Bold Highway Men,’ ‘Come All Ye Tender Hearted Maidens.’ I wanted to write a big song, with short concise verses that piled up on each other in an hypnotic way. The ‘Civil Rights Movement’ and the Folk music movement were pretty close for a while and allied together at that time.’

‘The Times They Are a-Changin’ was Bob Dylan’s first Album to consist of only original material. Dylan’s friend, the musician, and author Tony Glover (1939-2019) recalled visiting Dylan’s apartment in September 1963, where he saw a number of song manuscripts, and poems lying on the table. Glover reportedly asked Dylan, ‘What is this sh#t man?’ to which Dylan responded,’ Well, you know, it seems to be what the people like to hear.’ This track and it’s parent Album were produced by Tom Wilson (1931-1978) who is considered one of the most important and innovative producers of all time. He is credited with helping Bob Dylan create a more ‘Rock ‘N Roll’ sound, and worked also as producer for other all time greats, including The Velvet Underground, (see also best songs 401 and 165) and Simon & Garfunkel (see also best songs (529-200-96 and 71.)

Shortly after Bob Dylan had recorded ‘The Times They Are a-Changin’ President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas, on November 22nd, 1963. The next night Dylan opened a concert with ‘The Times They Are a-Changin,’ he told his biographer Anthony Scaduto (1932-2017) ‘I thought wow, how can I open with that song? I’ll get rocks thrown at me, but I had to sing it, my whole concert took off from there. I know I had no understanding of anything. Something had just gone haywire in the country, and they were applauding the song, and I couldn’t understand why they were clapping, or why I wrote the song. I couldn’t understand anything. For me it was just insane.’

‘The Times They Are a-Changin’ is a call to action, and became an anthem for the frustrated youth of the day. It summed up the anti-establishment feelings of people who would later be known as ‘hippies.’ Many of the lyrics are based on the ‘Civil Rights movement’ in the United States. Bob Dylan first recorded ‘The Times They Are a-Changin’ in October 1963, and then first performed the song at a ‘Carnegie Hall’ concert in New York, on October 26th that year, using it as his opening number. In the liner notes on the Album, Bob Dylan wrote about ‘The Times They Are a-Changin,’ ‘I wanted to write a big song, some kind of theme song, with short, concise verses that piled up on each other in a hypnotic way. This is definitely a song with a purpose. I knew exactly what I wanted to say and who I wanted to say it to.’ The songs final verse, ‘The order is rapidly fadin’/ And the first one now/ Will later be last/ For the times they are a-changin” has a Biblical feeling, and many critics have connected them with lines in the Gospel of Mark, 10:31, ‘But many that are first shall be last, and the last first.

In 2010 handwritten lyrics to the first four verses of ‘The Times They Are a-Changin’ jotted on a scrap of paper by Dylan were sold for $422,500 at a ‘Sotherbys’ sale in New York, the lucky bidder was the contemporary art collector Adam Sender.

‘The line is drawn, the curse is cast, the slow one now will later be fast, as the present now, will later be past. The order is rapidly fadin,’ and the first one now will later be last, for the times they are a changin.”

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

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

1995-Number 10 single.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

360-Free-All Right Now.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

361-Yardbirds-Shapes of Things.

1966-Number 3 single.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

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

1958-Number 12 single.

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

363-Lady Gaga-Bad Romance.

2009-Number 1 single.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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