THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

256-Blur starring Phil Daniels-Parklife.

1994-Number 10 single.

Best Bit-At 0.21. This song is as quintessentially British as Fish N’ Chips, or the BBC, or making a cup of tea in response to a crisis, or of course talking about the weather.

‘Parklife’ is one of the songs that defined the genre of music that was known as ‘Britpop,’ ‘Britpop’ was a UK based music and culture movement in the mid-1990’s which emphasised ‘Britishness,’ and produced brighter catchier Alternative Rock, partly in response to the darker lyrical themes of the United States led Grunge Music. There were many bands around at that time who were placed under the Britpop banner, but the ones who were considered as the ‘big four’ were Oasis, (see also best songs 1006-758 and 15) Blur, (see also best songs 21) Suede, (see also best songs 695 and 244) and Pulp (see also best songs 605 and 285.) The ‘Britpop’ sound was influenced from the music of the 1960’s, the Glam Rock, and Punk Rock of the 1970’s, and the Indie Pop of the 1980’s. For example Blur were obviously heavily influenced by the Kinks, (see also best songs 1014 and 770) and Oasis were heavily influenced by the Beatles (see also best songs 599-319-238-218-141-80-51-10 and 5.)

Blur were formed in 1988, in London, England, by Damon Albarn, (vocals) Graham Coxon, (guitar) Alex James, (bass) and Dave Rountree (drums.) They were originally called ‘Seymour,’ but became Blur in March 1990, they have released eight studio Albums to date between 1991-2015, and since then the band have been on hiatus. ‘Parklife’ was the title track of Blur’s third studio Album from 1994, with all four band members receiving the song writing credit, Blur also produced the song along with Stephen Street, and John Smith.

The lyrics to Parklife were written by Damon Albarn, who also sings the songs chorus, Albarn had originally tried to perform the verses as well, but felt he couldn’t get into character. It was Graham Coxon who suggested the actor Phil Daniels, as Coxon was a big fan of the 1979 film ‘Quadrophenia,’ (see also best songs 265) which had starred a young Phil Daniels. At that time Daniels was not familiar with Blur, but after talking with Albarn he accepted the job. Daniels recorded his spoken lyrics in around 40 minutes, and opted for a share in the royalties rather than being paid a set fee.

Damon Albarn has said that inspiration for the song came to him after reading the 1989 novel ‘London Fields’ written by Martin Amis, he has also said, when introducing the song in 2009 at a concert in Hyde Park, London,’I came up with the idea for this song in this park. I was living in Kensington Church Street, and I used to, you know, watch people, and pigeons.’

‘Confidence is a preference for the habitual voyeur of what is known as… and morning soup can be avoided if you take a route straight through what is known as…’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

257-Big Joe Turner-Flip, Flop and Fly.

1955-Has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 2.08. The lyrics tell us that the best was to beat the blues is to look forward to meeting up with your ‘main squeeze,’ but at the same time not to forget you are also very attractive, so it’s only fair to share yourself around.

‘Flip, Flop and Fly’ was co-written by Big Joe Turner, and Charles E. Calhoun, who also played the piano on the song. The two had previously teamed up in 1954 to write ‘Shake, Rattle and Roll,’ which is considered by many to be the very first ever Rock N’ Roll hit when recorded by Bill Haley & His Comets (see also best songs 855.) ‘Flip, Flop and Fly’ has a similar arrangement to ‘Shake, Rattle and Roll,’ and it is rumoured that some of the left over lyrics from that song were recycled for this. ‘Flip, Flop and Fly’ has been covered by many of the Rock N’ Roll greats including Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis, but the only charting version I could find was by the ‘Downchild Blues Band’ who took their version to Number 35 on the Canadian ‘RPM 100 singles chart’ in 1973.

Big Joe Turner was born Joseph Vernon Turner Jr. on May 18th, 1911, in Kansas City, ,Missouri, United States, he died of heart failure, having suffered the effects of arthritis, a stroke and diabetes, on November 24th, 1985, at the age of 74. Turner is recognised as one of the main protagonists in the development of Rock N’ Roll, transitioning from Big Bands, to Jump Blues, to Rhythm and Blues, and finally Rock N’ Roll. Turner was known as a ‘Blues Shouter,’ which is a Blues singer, often male, capable of singing unamplified with a band. On announcing his death in 1985, the British music magazine the ‘New Musical Express’ described him as the ‘Grandfather of Rock and Roll.’ There have been 39 official Albums of music released by Big Joe Turner between 1953-2013, including studio recordings, live music, and compilations. None of his singles released between 1941-1973 have charted on the Billboard or UK top 40, although 20 of his songs have made the Billboard R&B chart.

This songs other writer was Charles E, Calhoun who was born Jesse Albert Stone on November 16th, 1901 in Atchison, Kansas, United States, he died after a long illness on April 1st, 1999 at the age of 97. Stone first recorded music in 1927 as a member of the ‘Blue Serenaders,’ releasing the Blues song ‘Starvation Blues’ on ‘Okeh Records.’ He then went on to work as a pianist, before forming his own orchestra, and working as a bandleader. In 1947 he joined the staff at ‘Atlantic Records’ to work as a producer, songwriter and arranger, he was the only black person employed by Atlantic Records at that time. Other notable songs written by Stone include ‘Losing Hand’ for Ray Charles in 1953, and ‘Money Honey’ which became the first hit for The Drifters, also in 1953. Stone also notably arranged the song ‘Sh-Boom’ for The Chords, which reached Number 9 on Billboard in 1954, and is widely considered to be the first ‘Doo-Wop’/ ‘Rock N’ Roll’ song to reach the ‘Pop’ top 10.

‘Here comes my baby flashin’ her new gold tooth, well she’s so small she can Mambo in a pay phone booth. I’m like a Mississippi Bullfrog sittin’ on a hollow stump,, I got so many women I don’t know which way to jump.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

258-McFadden & Whitehead-Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now.

1979-Number 5 single.

Best Bit-At 1.42. Their stage name may sound like a firm of accountants but they were actually one of the top song writing partnerships at Philiadelphia International Records.
Gene McFadden was born on January 28th, 1949, in Olanto, South Carolina, United States, he died from liver and lung cancer on January 27th, 2006, one day short of his 57th birthday. John Whitehead was born on July 10th, 1948, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, he died on May 11th, 2004, at the age of 55. Whitehead was fatally shot, possibly in a case of mistaken identity. While fixing a car outside his home in Philadelphia, he was approached by two gunmen who fired multiple shots, then fled the scene, the murder remains unsolved.

McFadden & Whitehead first met each other at school in the 1960’s in Philadelphia, where they formed a group called ‘The Epsilons’ which included future Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes member Lloyd Parks (see also best songs 725.) When Otis Redding (see also best songs 712 and 377) came to Philadelphia, The Epsilons were invited to go on tour with him, which led to them signing to ‘Stax Records’ and releasing a single in 1970 called ‘The Echo.’ After the departure of Lloyd Parks, McFadden & Whitehead changed their name to ‘Talk of the Town,’ and began working with the legendary duo Kenny Gambol and Leon Huff (see also best songs 1001-896-725-648-604 and 322) at Philadelphia Records. Gamble and Huff soon realised their potential as songwriters, and the pair went on to co-write or co-produce for artists of the calibre of The Jacksons, and Archie Bell & The Drells. Their biggest success prior to this song came when they penned ‘Back Stabbers’ for the ‘O’Jays,’ which reached Number 3 in 1972 on the Billboard Hot 100. As McFadden & Whitehead the duo released three studio Albums between 1979-1982, and seven singles between 1979-1984, with ‘Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now’ being their only chart hit, reaching Number 13 on Billboard, and Number 5 in the UK.

‘Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now’ was written and produced by McFadden & Whitehead, along with their long time collaborator Jerry Cohen, who also played the keyboards on the song.The songs subject is about succeeding despite having faced previous disadvantages. Kenny Gamble didn’t want McFadden & Whitehead to record the track as he figured that the song had far more chance of being a hit if it was recorded by the O’Jays, which frustrated the duo. John Whitehead has said about the song,’If anything the song was a declaration of our independence from Gamble.’

Because of the songs lyrics it was soon adopted by the African/American community, and has been referred to as ‘The new black national anthem,’ and is often performed at major political and sporting events, replacing the 1900 written song ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing.’

‘There’s been so many things that’s held us down, but now it looks like things are finally comin’ around. I know we’ve got a long long way to go, and where we’ll end up I don’t Know.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

259-Bing Crosby- Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?

1932-Has never charted in the UK, There was no UK chart until 1952.

Best Bit-At 2.59. In today’s money a dime is $1.50, which doesn’t seem to have the same ring to it.

The song is also known as ‘Buddy, Can You Spare a Dime? It was written in 1930, and became the ‘Anthem’ of the ‘Great Depression.’ The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression that took place mostly during the 1930’s, having begun in the United States following the stock market crash of October 29th, 1929, which was to become known as ‘Black Tuesday.’ The song asks why the men who built the nation, fought in World War 1, built the skyscrapers, and did what the nation asked of them, should find themselves abandoned and on the breadline.

‘Brother, Can You Spare a Dime’ was written by Yip Harburg, who wrote the lyrics, and Jay Gorney, who wrote the music. The song was first performed in 1932 as part of the musical revue ‘Americana.’ Jay Gorney was born Abraham Jacob Gornetzsky on December 12th, 1896, in Bialystok, Russia, he died on June 14th, 1990, at the age of 93. Gorney based the melody for ‘Brother, Can You Spend a Dime?’ on a Russian Jewish lullaby he had heard as a child. Gorney’s daughter is the actress and dancer Karen Lynn Gorney, who starred opposite John Travolta in the film ‘Saturday Night Fever’ (see also best songs 35.)

Yip Harburg was born Edgar Yipsel Harburg on April 8th, 1896, in Manhatten, New York, United States, he died on March 5th, 1981, from a heart attack, at the age of 84. Harburg contributed lyrics to several Broadway revues, Broadway musicals, and for films. His best known songs include ‘April in Paris,’ and ‘It’s Only a Paper Moon,’ but he will always be best remembered for providing all the lyrics to the 1939 film ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ including ‘Over the Rainbow’ (see also best songs 68.)

‘Brother Can You Spare a Dime’ has been covered on numerous occasions over the years. It was first performed by the vaudeville singer Rex Weber as part of the musical ‘Americana’ which was unsuccessful, as it only ran from October to December 1932. The first recorded version was by Bing Crosby, (1903-1977) (see also best songs 934 and 457) which was quickly followed by a competing version from Rudy Vallee (1901-1986.)

Bing Crosby was born Harry Lillis Crosby Jr. on May 3rd, 1903 in Tacoma, Washington, United States, he died after playing a round of golf at the ‘La Moraleja Golf’ course on October 14th, 1977, at the age of 74, from a massive heart attack, which killed him instantly, his last words were ‘That was a great game of golf fellas. Let’s go have a Coca-Cola.’

‘They used to tell me I was building a dream with peace and glory ahead, why should I be standing in line just waiting for bread.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

260-David Guetta featuring Taped Rai-Just One Last Time (Tiesto Remix.)

2012-Number 20 single.

Best Bit-At 5.07. This is one of just a handful of songs on this countdown which has been chosen for it’s remix, and not for it’s original version.

When I first started buying records back in 1973 there was only a 7 inch single comprising an ‘A’ and a ‘B’ side (although a few EP’s would be released containing four or more tracks.) Around 1990 when the ‘CD’ format was taking over from vinyl, record labels were able to release more music onto each disc because of the longer playing time, although the powers that be would only allow around 20 minutes of music for it to be eligible for the singles chart. Dance music took advantage of this new opportunity and would produce several remixed versions of the same song by different music producers.

Pierre David Guetta (see also best songs 909 and 234) was born on November 7th, 1967, in Paris, France, with sales of over 100 million records he is one of the worlds best ever selling artists. In June 2021 he sold his recorded music catalogue for an amount somewhere in the region of between US$100 million, to US$150 million. David Guetta has an extensive discography, having released seven studio Albums between 2002-2018, there are also a further 11 compilation Albums released between 2003-2013, and 88 singles issued between 1990-2021. In the UK 39 of his singles have reached the top 40 with him as the lead artist, and a further four have charted with him as the featured artist, six of those songs have reached the Number 1 spot. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, eight of his songs have reached the top 40, with ‘Without You’ featuring Usher from 2011, and ‘Turn Me On’ featuring Nicki Minaj also from 2011 both peaking at Number 4.

‘Just One Last Time’ was released as the second single from the deluxe edition of David Guetta’s fifth studio Album ‘Nothing but the Beat, 2.0, from 2011, and was written by David Guetta, Giogio Tuinfort, Tom Liljegren, and Alexander Ryberg. Liljegren and Ryberg who at that time performed together as ‘Taped Rai,’ also provided the vocals on the track, they are a Swedish vocal duo and currently perform together under their new name of ‘Max Elto.’

To my ears ‘Just One Last Time’ in it’s original form was just a run of the mill song until I heard this version remixed by ‘Tiesto’, there were four official remixes issued by various producers, as well as an extended version. Tiesto (see also best songs 368 and 29) was born on January 17th, 1969, in Breda, North Brabant, Netherlands, many consider him the be the best DJ/producer of all time, he is affectionately known as the ‘Godfather of Electronic Dance Music,’ He has released seven studio Albums between 2001-2020, and 106 singles between 1994-2021. In the UK he has achieved 14 top 40 singles, collaborating with many other artists. In his home country of The Netherlands 25 of his singles have made the top 40, with three reaching Number 1.

‘Even though it hurts I can’t slow down. Walls are closing in and I hit the ground. Whispers of tomorrow echo in my mind, just one last time.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

261-Depeche Mode-Everything Counts.

1983-Number 6 single.

Best Bit-At 1.01. In order to embrace this theme of everything counting in large amounts, I suggest you take a listen to the 12 inch (In Larger Amounts) version.

Depeche Mode (see also best songs 968 and 134) were formed in Basildon, Essex, England, in 1980 by Martin Gore, (keyboards, guitar, and vocals) Dave Gahan, (lead vocals) Andy Fletcher, (1961-2022) (keyboards and bass guitar) and Vince Clarke (keyboards and guitars.) Clarke (see also best songs 700 and 451) left in 1981, and was replaced by Alan Wilder (keyboards, piano and drums) in 1982, who stayed with the band until 1995. Depeche Mode took their name from the French magazine ‘Depeche mode,’ which when translated means, hurried fashion, or fashion dispatch, for the Depeche Mode discography see best songs 134.

Vince Clarke had been the bands main songwriter, so after he departed the group in 1981 it was Martin Gore who took over the bulk of the songwriting duties, leading to a change in musical direction, and lyrical ideas, which now included sex, religion, and politics. Gore has said he feels lyrical themes which tackle issues related to solitude and loneliness are a better representation of reality, whereas he finds “happy songs” fake and unrealistic, at the same time, he asserts that the band’s music contains “an element of hope”.

Martin Lee Gore was born on July 23rd, 1961, in London, England, his biological father was an African/American G.I. stationed in Britain. Gore was raised by his biological mother and step father David Gore, and until the age of 13 he believed his stepfather was his biological father, as an adult he finally met his biological father in the American South. Away from Depeche Mode Gore has released two solo studio Albums in 2003, and 2015, and in 2012 he once again joined forces with Vince Clarke to record the Album ‘Ssss,’ under the name ‘VCMG.’ Gore has stated he became interested in Electronic Music after hearing acts such as Kraftwerk, (see also best songs 41) the Human League, (see also best songs 1009 and 986) and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (see also best songs 720.)

‘Everything Counts’ was written by Martin Gore, and produced by Depeche Mode, with Daniel Miller and Gareth Jones. The song was the first of two singles released from the bands third studio Album ‘Construction Time Again,’ from 1983. In 1989 a live version of the song was released as a single to promote the bands live Album called ‘101,’ this version of ‘Everything Counts’ reached Number 22 on the UK top 40. ‘Everything Counts’ addresses the issue of corporate greed and corruption in Britain, as the chorus sings of ‘grabbing hands,’ that ‘grab all they can.’

‘The handshake seals the contract from the contract, there’s no turning back.The turning point of a career in Korea being insincere. The holiday was fun packed, the contract still intact.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

262-The Crystals-Da Doo Ron Ron.

1963-Number 5 single. It was re-issued in 1974, and this time reached Number 15.

Best Bit-At 1.04. ‘And after all you’re my ‘Wonder-Wall of Sound.”

Harvey Phillip Spector was born on December 26th, 1939, in The Bronx, New York, United States, in later years Spector suffered with mental and physical ill health, including bipolar disorder, possible Parkinsons disease, and laryngeal papillomatosis, which meant he had lost the ability to speak. The cause of his death according to his daughter Nicole was complications from COVID-19. Spector is recognised as one of the most influential figures in Pop Music history for his achievements in the development of music production which became known as the ‘Wall of Sound.’ He would record songs with, for example an acoustic piano and then duplicate with an electric piano and a harpsichord, when mixed the three instruments would be indistinguishable to the listener. Additionally Spector incorporated an array of orchestral instruments, woodwind, brass, and percussion, reverb from an echo chamber was also used for additional texture.

‘Da Doo Ron Ron’ was co-written by the legendary songwriting team of Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich, (1940-2009) (see also best songs 820-331 and 192) Phil Spector (see also best songs 820-782-737-192-127-91 and 20) is also credited for his input, the song was the first collaboration between the three of them. The title ‘Da Doo Ron Ron’ was initially just nonsense syllables used to separate each stanza and chorus until proper lyrics could be written, but it was Spector who decided that ‘Da Doo Ron Ron’ should be kept in. Sonny Bono (1935-1998) (see also best songs 672) who was at the recording session has recalled Spector asking him if the song was ‘dumb enough,’ meaning was it accessible to the teenagers who were the target audience. On listening to the final recording Bono has said that Spector turned to him and said,’That’s solid gold coming out of that speaker.’

The Crystals were an all girl group formed in New York City, United States, in 1960. In total there have been seven members come and go, with the one constant being Dolores ‘Dee Dee’ Kenniebrew who was 15 years old when joining the original line up. The Crystals have released four official Albums between 1962-1999, and there are also eight compilation Albums available. They issued 14 singles between 1961-1967, with six reaching the Billboard Hot 100 top 40 singles chart, with ‘He’s a Rebel’ making Number 1 in 1962. In the UK four of their songs have made the top 40, with ‘Then He Kissed Me’ charting the highest when making Number 2 in 1963. Incidentally although ‘He’s a Rebel’ is classified as a hit for The Crystals it was actually performed by Darlene Love (see also best songs 820) on lead vocals, as was the follow up single ‘He’s Sure the Boy I Love.’

‘Da Doo Ron Ron’ has been covered on numerous occasions, most notably by the American teen idol Shaun Cassidy who took his version to Number 1 on Billboard in 1977, with a slight lyric change as ‘Bill’ became ‘Jill.’ In 1963 the French Rock N’ Roll singer Johnny Hallyday (1943-2017) took his recording to Number 1 in France, and Number 2 in Belgium. Also in 1963 Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich who were married at the time recorded a version, performing as ‘The Raindrops’

‘I met him on a Monday and my heart stood still, da doo ron ron, da doo ron ron. Somebody told me that his name was Bill, da doo ron ron da doo ron ron.

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

263-Goo Goo Dolls-Iris.

1998-Number 50 Single. It re-entered the chart in 1999 this time reaching Number 26. With the advent of downloads the song peaked at an all time high of Number 3 in 2011, it was also a top 40 hit again in 2013, when reaching Number 12.
Best Bit-At 3.31. The band took their name from an advertisement in the American true crime magazine called ‘True Detective,’ for a toy called a ‘Goo Goo Doll.’ I have done my own detective work, but I can’t find a picture of a Goo Goo Doll toy anywhere.

The Goo Goo Dolls were formed in Buffalo, New York, United States, in 1986 by John Rzeznik, (guitar and vocals) Robby Takac, (bass and vocals) and George Tutuska (drums.) Tutuska left the band in 1995, and was replaced by Mike Malinin who played on this song, he left the band in 2013. The Goo Goo Dolls have to date released 13 studio Albums between 1987-2020, and 38 singles, of which eight have reached the Billboard Hot 100 top 40 in America, with their 1995 song ‘Name’ charting the highest at Number 5. In the UK two of their songs have made the top 40 with ‘Stay With You’ being the other when making Number 39 in 2006.

In 1997 John Rzeznik was approached by the makers of the 1998 American romantic fantasy film ‘City of Angels’ with the view to the Goo Goo Dolls writing a song for the movies fourth coming soundtrack. The film is about an angel who falls in love with a human, and gives up his eternal life in order to become mortal, and be with this lady for the rest of his now human life. Rzeznik has said,’I was thinking about the situation of the Nicolas Cage character in the movie,This guy is completely willing to give up his own immortality, just to be able to feel something very human, and I think, ‘Wow! What an amazing thing it must be like to love someone so much that you give up everything to be with them.’ That’s a pretty heavy thought.” Speaking of the songs title Rzeznik has explained,’I was trying to be pretentious and arty by calling it that. I figured if Billy Corgan (see also best songs 623 and 374) can get away with it, so can I. So I figured, what the hell, I’ll tap into the pretentious market.” Rzeznik actually called the song ‘Iris’ after the American Country/Folk singer Iris DeMent, he had seen her name in a concert listing in the ‘LA Weekly’ newspaper.

‘Iris’ is included on the Goo Goo Dolls sixth studio Album ‘Dizzy Up the Girl’ from 1998, and was co-produced by all four members of the band at that time, along with Rob Cavallo. Cavallo is among the biggest selling producers of all time, and has creative involvement in Albums that have sold over 130 million units worldwide, working with artists such as Meatloaf, and Green Day, he has also participated in the production of 24 soundtrack Albums between 1984-2014.

‘And I’d give up forever to touch you, ’cause I know that you feel me somehow. You’re the closest to heaven that I’ll ever be, and I don’t want to go home right now.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

264-Buddy Holly-True Love Ways.

1958-It was not released until 1960, when reaching Number 25.

Best Bit-At 0.01. True Love Ways was recorded at the last studio session by Buddy Holly, 105 days before ‘the music died.’

Buddy Holly (see also best songs 898) was born Charles Hardin Holley on September 7th, 1936, in Lubbock, Texas, United States. In the early hours of February 3rd, 1959, a plane carrying Holly, along with fellow singers Ritchie Valens, (1941-1959) and The Big Bopper, (1930-1959) (see also best songs 1017) and the pilot Roger Peterson crashed in inclement weather near Clear Water, Iowa, United States, killing all four of them instantly shortly after take off. In his 1971 song ‘American Pie,’ (see also best songs 4) Don McLean referred to the event as ‘The day the music died.’

Buddy Holly is one of Pop Music’s most influential artists, Holly himself has said that his own early inspiration to follow a ‘Rock N’ Roll’ path was after watching Elvis Presley perform on television. In turn John Lennon and Paul McCartney have said that it was after seeing Holly on television appearing on ‘Sunday Night at the London Paladium’ that inspired their performance and lyricism, they also chose the name the ‘Beatles,’ after the Holly’s insect themed ‘Crickets.’ Although Buddy Holly was only 22 years old when he died he had already written a vast amount of songs, many not fully finished and left in the vaults. It was Holly’s producer Norman Petty (1927-1984) who overdubbed many of these songs, adding instrumentation, and sometimes backing vocals. During his lifetime Holly issued three studio Albums between 1957-1958, and 18 singles. Following his death a further 10 singles were released, and there have been 29 official posthumous compilation Albums issued between 1959-2018. Holly’s co-write of ‘That’ll Be the Day’ with fellow Cricket Jerry Allison was Number 1 in America and the UK in 1957, while ‘It Doesn’t Matter Anymore’ written by Paul Anka, gave Holy a posthumous UK Number 1 hit in 1959.

‘True Love Ways’ was written by Buddy Holly, with additional melody and lyrics provided by Norman Petty. The song was recorded along with three other tracks at Holly’s last recording session before his death. The melody borrows heavily from the Gospel song ‘I’ll Be All Right,’ which was a favourite of Holly’s, and was played at his funeral. According to Holly’s wife Marie Elena ‘True Love Ways’ was written for her as a wedding gift. The couple had met on June 20th, 1958, and married on August 15th, 1958, they were married for less than six months.

Marie learnt of her husbands death from the reports on the television, at the time she was two weeks pregnant, she suffered a miscarriage shortly after, reportedly due to psychological trauma. Following the miscarriage, and because of the circumstances in which she was informed of his death, a policy was later adopted by authorities not to disclose victims names until after their families have been informed.

‘Sometimes we’ll sigh, sometimes we’ll cry, and we’ll know why just you and I know true love ways.

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

265-The Who-5.15.

1973-Number 20 single.

Best Bit-At 0.41. Quadrophenia is a word made up by Pete Townsend, it is similar to schizophrenia, but twice as bad.

The Who were formed in London, England, in 1964, the classic lineup consisted of Pete Townsend, (guitar and vocals) Roger Daltrey, (lead singer) Keith Moon, (1946-1978) (drums) and John Entwistle (1944-2002) (bass) with sales in excess of 100 million records they are one of the best selling acts of all time. One of the most famous questions asked in a Pop Quiz is how many UK Number 1 singles did the Who have? The answer surprisingly is none. The Who have released 12 studio Albums between 1965-2019, 16 live Albums, and 27 compilations. They have also issued 58 singles between 1964-2019, of which 24 have reached the UK top 40, with both ‘My Generation,’ (1965) and ‘I’m a Boy’ (1966) making Number 2.

In 1968 the Who had released their first ‘Rock Opera’ Album called ‘Tommy,’ (see also best songs 306) which was later made into a film in 1975. In 1973 Pete Townsend (see also best songs 891) wrote the bands second ‘Rock Opera,’ which was released as a double vinyl Album called ‘Quadrophenia,’ in 1973. Whereas ‘Tommy’ had been based on fantasy, this time the story was loosely based on the experiences of some of the Who’s real life fans from the 1960’s.

‘Quadrophenia’ is about two groups of rival gangs, ‘The Mods,’ and ‘The Rockers.’ The story follows a young Mod called Jimmy, and his realisation that being a Mod is not living up to the expectations he thought that the lifestyle would. The lyrics of ‘5.15’ describe Jimmy, who is high on drugs travelling by train to Brighton. Of the songs meaning Pete Townsend has said,’His train journey down to Brighton, sandwiched between two city gents is notable for the rather absurd number of purple hearts he consumes in order to wile away the time. He goes through a not entirely pleasant series of ups and downs as he thinks about the gaudier side of life as a teenager that we see in newspapers like the News of the World. ‘5:15′ was written in Oxford Street and Carnaby Street while I was killing time between appointments. I must try it again sometime, it seems to work!’

In 1979 ‘Quadrophenia’ was made into a film loosely based on the Who’s 1973 Album, but unlike ‘Tommy,’ ‘Quadrophenia’ is not a musical, and the Who (see also best songs 926 and 306) didn’t appear live in the film. The film starred the English actor Phil Daniels (see also best songs 256) as ‘Jimmy,’ and ‘Sting’ (see also best songs 1020 and 727) as ‘Ace Face.’ Although the Who do not perform live in the film, the writers teased us with a clip of the band performing ‘Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere,’ on the television programme ‘Ready Steady Go.’ Pictures of the Who, and a ‘Maximum R&B’ poster can be seen in Jimmy’s bedroom, while in the party gatecrashing scene the song playing in the background is ‘My Generation.’ The film is set in 1964, but a repackaged Who Album that was not available at that time is clearly seen.

‘Girls of fifteen sexually knowing. The ushers are sniffing, Eau-de-coloning. The seats are seductive, celibate sitting, pretty girls digging, prettier women.’