THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

345-Bessie Smith-Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out.

1929. Has never charted in the UK. There was no UK chart until 1952.

Best Bit-At 0.56. Bessie Smith’s ‘honorific’ nickname was initially ‘Queen of the Blues,’ but as her career progressed she was promoted to the ‘Empress of the Blues.’

Honorific nicknames are often used by the media, or fans of an artist to indicate their significance, they are often religious, royal, or aristocratic titles, used metaphorically. There are literally dozens and dozens of artists who have been given honorific nicknames, some which come instantly to mind are ‘The King of Rock ‘N Roll’ (Elvis Presley) ‘The King of Pop’ (Michael Jackson) and ‘The Boss’ (Bruce Springsteen.)

Bessie Smith was born on April 15th, 1894, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States, she died on September 26th, 1937, at the age of 43 after being critically injured in a car crash on U.S. Route 61, between Memphis, Tennessee, and Clarksdale, Mississippi. Smith was the most popular female Blues singer of the 1920’s, and 1930’s, and a major influence on fellow Blues singers, and the generations to come including Billie Holiday (see also best songs 624.) Smith herself was inspired by the ‘Mother of the Blues’ Gertrude ”Ma” Rainey (1886-1939) with whom she toured with before starting her recording career. After her death Smith’s estranged husband Jack Gee (1889-1973) thwarted all efforts to purchase a stone to mark her grave, once or twice pocketing the money raised for that purpose for himself. Smith’s grave remained unmarked until 1970 when a tombstone was paid for by Janis Joplin (1943-1970) (see also best songs 341) and Juanita Green, who in her youth had done housework for Smith.

‘Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out’ was written in 1923 by the American Vaudeville pianist Jimmy Cox, (1882-1925) although the song was copyrighted in that year, the first known recording did not appear until 1927 by the Blues artist Bobby Leecan (1897-1946.) The version recorded by Bessie Smith has become her signature song, and has led to the song becoming a ‘Blues standard.’

‘Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out’ was written during the ‘Roaring Twenties,’ a time of economic prosperity. The lyrics are a warning not to squander your money because the good times may not last all that long, and the people that want to know you while you are on top, will not be so keen to, once your finances have gone. The songs lyrics of course proved to be very apt as in 1929 the ‘Wall Street Crash’ took place, followed by the beginning of the 10 year ‘Great Depression.’

‘Once I lived the life of a millionaire, spent all my money, I just did not care. Took all my friends out for a good time, bought bootleg liquor, champagne and wine.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

346-The Velvelettes-Needle In A Haystack.

1964-Has never charted in the UK.

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

It is hard to believe that a song of this high quality has never sold enough copies to reach the UK chart, although it was their most successful song in America when reaching Number 45 on Billboard, the song was most successful in Canada where it made Number 27.If it hadn’t been for the fans of Northern Soul music (see also best songs 969) latching on to it the chances are it would have slipped away into obscurity, but due to it’s popularity it can be found on several Northern Soul compilations. On a personal note I have been playing the song at numerous functions for well over 40 years, and it is probably my most played and popular track that has never been a chart hit.

The Velvelettes probably didn’t receive the attention, and promotion needed to take them to the top, as Motown had what they considered bigger fish to fry with their other girl groups such as the Supremes,(see also best songs 1001-411-212 and 148) and Martha and the Vandellas (see also best songs 948.) The Velvelettes were formed in Detroit, Michigan, United States, in 1961 by Bertha Barbee McNeal, and Mildred Gill Arbor, who at the time were both students at Western Michigan University. They were soon joined by Mildred’s sister Carolyn, and then Norma Barbee, who was Bertha’s cousin, and finally Carolyn’s friend Betty Kelley, who made up the original quintet. It was fellow classmate Robert Bullock who was Berry Gordy’s nephew who arranged for the girls to audition for Motown, eventually leading to them signing to the Motown subsidiary ‘VIP Records.’ By 1967 Gill, Norma and Bertha had left the group, and had been replaced by Sandra Tilley (1945 or 1946-1981) and Annette McMillan. The Velvelettes remained active until 1971, but some members did re-unite in 1984 to record for ‘Motorcity Records’, and still tour at the time of writing. The Velvelettes never released an Album on Motown, although one was lined up for release. They had six singles released by Motown, with the 1972 re-release of their 1966 single ‘These Things Will Keep Me Loving You,’ being their most successful in the UK when reaching Number 34.

‘Needle In A Haystack’ was co-written, and co-produced by William ‘Mickey’ Stevenson,(see also best songs 948) and the legendary Norman Whitfield (1940-2008) Stevenson was head of the A&R department at Motown during the ‘glory years’ of the mid 1960’s, he was also responsible for organising, and establishing Motown’s in house studio band the Funk Brothers. Norman Whitfield (see also best songs 911-777-569-533-480 and 233) who would go on to be very influential in the development of Psychedelic Soul in the late 1960’s, and is the writer, or co-writer of 92 hits on Billboard, and 61 in the UK.

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

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

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

347-Al Green-Let’s Stay Together.

1971-Number 7 single.

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

Al Green was born Albert Leornes Greene on April 13th, 1946, in Forrest City, Arkansas, United States. Green was the sixth of 10 children, his father Robert Greene was a devoutly religious man, and after hearing his teenage son listening to secular music kicked him out of the family home. Al Green rebelled by going to live with a prostitute, and dabbling in recreational drugs.

In high school Al Green formed his first vocal group with Curtis Rodgers and Palmer Jones, who were also the writers of Green’s first recording ‘Back Up Train,’ as ‘Al Greene & the Creations.’ The song met with some minor success reaching Number 46 on the Cash Box Top 100 in America. In 1969 Green came into contact with the record producer Willie Mitchell (1928-2010) who signed him to ‘Hi Records’ the label which Mitchel was vice president of.

Green stayed with ‘Hi Records’ through until 1978 releasing 12 studio Albums, and achieving 12 Billboard top 40 singles. By 1977 Green’s record sales were in decline, partly due to his own personal issues, but also due to his desire to become an ordained minister. Green said that one night while performing he fell off the stage, and he took that as a sign from God to move in a different direction. Green recorded eight Gospel studio Albums between 1980-1987, before returning to secular music, where he has released a further eight studio Albums, the latest being ‘Lay It Down’ in 2008. In total Al Green has released 29 studio Albums, and has had 13 Billboard top 40 singles, including the 1988 duet with Annie Lennox on ‘Put a Little Love in Your Heart.’ In the UK seven of his singles have made the Top 40, with ‘Let’s Stay Together’ being the most successful.

‘Let’s Stay Together’ was the title track from Al Green’s fourth studio Album released in 1971. The song was co-written by Al Green, who provided the lyrics, along with Willie Mitchell, and Al Jackson Jr. (1935-1975) who wrote the music, the song was produced by Green and Mitchell. Al Jackson Jr. (see also best songs 712 and 179) who was murdered in 1975 is remembered as one of the most critically acclaimed and innovative drummers of all time, having played on dozens of songs by many of the world’s most talented artists, he was also the drummer, and a founding member of Booker T. & the M. G.’s. (see also best songs 906.)

In 1984 Tina Turner (see also best songs 752-485 and 192) covered ‘Let’s Stay Together’ for her fifth studio Album ‘Private Dancer, her first new release in five years. When released as a single the song reached Number 6 in the UK, and Number 26 on Billboard, kick starting her very successful solo career.

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

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

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

1995-Number 3 single.

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

Everything but the Girl were formed in 1982, in Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, England, by Tracey Thorn (vocals, and guitar) and Ben Watt (guitar, keyboards, and vocals.) The pair first met when both were attending the University of Hull, they were both also signed to the independent record company ‘Cherry Red Records’ as solo artists at that time. Both Thorn and Watt who had already had material previously released by the label decided to form a duo, and took their name ‘Everything but the Girl’ from the advertising slogan used by the Hull shop ‘Turner’s Furniture,’ situated on Beverley Road. The couple were also romantically involved, which was something they have always tried to keep quiet, they eventually married in 2009.

As ‘Everything but the Girl’ Thorn and Watt have released 11 studio Albums between 1984-1999, and 31 singles, 11 of which have reached the UK top 40, while in America ‘Missing’ is their only charting song when reaching Number 2 on Billboard in 1995. Thorn and Watt mutually agreed to retire ‘Everything but the Girl’ in 1999, Thorn has stated that she no longer wants to tour, and dislikes playing live. Both artists have continued to record solo material since 1999, with Thorn having released four solo studio Albums between 2007-2018, and Watt releasing three between 2014-2020.

‘Missing’ in it’s original form was written by Tracey Thorn and Ben Watts, and was released on Everything but the Girl’s eighth studio Album ‘Amplified Heart’ from 1994, the original production was done by John Coxon. Thorn and Watt had originally written ‘Missing’ as a dance oriented track, but it was after asking the Dance Music producer Todd Terry (see also best songs 805) to remix it, that it really took off. The remix of the song took Everything but the Girl to a whole new level of popularity, with the song becoming the first single to spend 55 consecutive weeks on the Billboard top 100, as well as topping the charts in six countries including Germany, Canada, and Italy.

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

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

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

349-James Brown-Bodyheat.

1977-Number 36 single.

Best Bit-At 0.57. In this song James Brown, the ‘Godfather of Soul’ tells us that even in his tender adolescent years, he was already blessed with ‘THE FUNK.’

James Joseph Brown was born on May 3rd, 1933, in Barnwell, South Carolina, United States, he died on Christmas Day 2006, at the age of 73 from congestive heart failure, resulting from complications of pneumonia. Brown’discography comprises of 59 studio Albums released between 1958-2002, and 144 singles released between 1956-2007. His highest charting single in America on Billboard was his 1965 Number 3 hit ‘I Got You (I Feel Good)’ while in the UK his only ever top 10 single didn’t happen until ‘Living in America’ made Number 5 in 1985.

‘Bodyheat’ (sometimes spelled ‘Body Heat’) was the title track from James Brown’s 44th studio Album released in 1976. It was the first of two tracks selected for single release, the other was the less successful ‘Kiss in 77.’ The song was written by James Brown, but as with many of his releases from that period the songs writing was credited to his then wife Diedre, and their two daughters, Deanna, and Yamma, as Brown was at that time in trouble with the ‘IRS’ for failure to pay back taxes.

It was around 1967 that James Brown (see also best songs 880-270 and 88) began to define his new sound, with many music critics agreeing that he released the first true ‘Funk’ song with ‘Cold Sweat.’ Brown is also considered a major influence on ‘Rap’ music, with his style of vocal delivery, where much of his output was not quite sung, but also not quite spoken. He is also the most sampled artist of all time, with many of his songs benefiting the development of ‘Hip-Hop’ music.

By 1976 ‘Disco’ music had taken over as the number one genre in black music, and as a consequence James Brown’s record sales were slowing down, so in an attempt to keep up with the times the ‘Body Heat’ Album included elements of Disco music. The back of the cover of the ‘Bodyheat’ Album features a text written by James Brown entitled ‘Brand New Sound,’ it reads ‘Sometimes the serpent of the devil is so strong, it takes the body heat of God to keep him away. So do good, think good, and you’ll be good to your fellow man, and to all humanity. Listen to the Album, not only will the spiritual feeling get to you, but the ‘groove’ will too. Undying Dedication to you, James Brown, with the feeling of a new beginning, ‘A New Sound.’

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

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

350-Journey-Don’t Stop Believin’.

1981-Number 62 single. Through digital downloads it peaked at Number 6 in 2010.

Best Bit-At 0.58. The songs title came from something the bands keyboardist Jonathan Cain’s father frequently told him when he was a struggling musician,’Don’t stop believing or you’re done, dude.’

The first line up of Journey who formed in 1973 and originally called ‘Golden Gate Rhythm Section’ were Neal Schon, (lead guitar) Charles ‘Prairie’ Prince, (drums) Greg Rolie, (keyboards, and lead vocals) Ross Valory, (bass) and George Tickner (guitar.) In total there have been 17 members come and go with Schon being the bands one constant. At the time of writing they remain active with seven current members recording and touring.

Journey’s musical style has also changed drastically over the years, initially they started out playing progressive rock, and jazz-rock, but with pressure from their record label to get them radio play, it meant them leaning more towards ‘Soft Rock,’which brought them their most commercial success between 1978-1987. To date Journey have released 14 studio Albums between 1975-2011. On Billboard they have achieved 18 top 40 singles, with their highest charting being ‘Open Arms,’ which made Number 2 in 1982, while in the UK ‘Don’t Stop Believin” remains their only charting single. With sales in excess of 80 million, Journey are one of the best selling bands of all time.

‘Don’t Stop Believin” was released as the second single from Journey’s seventh studio Album ‘Escape’ from 1981, the song was co-written by Steve Perry, Jonathan Cain, and Neal Schon, who were all members of the band at that time. Perry who sang lead vocals had joined Journey in 1977, and remained with them until 1987, he then returned after the bands hiatus, to take up duties again between 1995-1998. Jonathan Cain who had joined the band in 1980 played guitar, and keyboards, he is also a member of the current line up. The other two musicians who played on the song, and were members of Journey at that time were Ross Valory,who left in 2020, and drummer Steve Smith who had joined in 1978, and also left in 2020.

‘Don’t Stop Believin” can be considered to be a contender for the ultimate slow burner. Although when initially released in the UK in 1982 it only reached Number 62, it has since gone on to sell over one million copies in that country, and worldwide it is currently the best selling digital track for a song that was first released in the 20th Century, with sales in excess of 8 million.

The first resurgence of the song happened in 2003 when it was used in the American movie ‘Monster,’ Although the film was not the greatest success, the Hollywood community saw the emotion the song generated, and from then on it became a regular in several films, and television programmes. In 2009 the song was covered by the cast of the American musical comedy show ‘Glee,’ which when released as a single sold over 1.4 million copies in America, and climbed to Number 5 in the UK, which led to the renewed interest in the original version.

‘Don’t Stop Believin” is a song of hope. In a lonely world where it can be hard to find that right someone, the hope that you can is what makes things bearable. The song also addresses escaping from your past, whatever that maybe, and looking forward to a better tomorrow.

‘Just a small town girl, livin’ in a lonely world, she took the midnight train goin’ anywhere. Just a city boy, born and raised in South Detroit, he took the midnight train goin’ anywhere.

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

351-OutKast-Ms. Jackson.

2000-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 3.55. It’s the best song in the world ever about groveling to ‘The Mother-In-Law.’

OutKast were formed in 1992, in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, by Andre ‘3000’ Benjamin, and Antwan ‘Big Boi’ Patton, they remained active as a duo until 2007, and collaborated again to tour for over 40 musical festivals in 2014. The duo chose their name based on finding ‘outcast’ as a synonym for ‘misfit’ in a dictionary, since 2007 they have both pursued solo careers.

OutKast are one of Hip-Hop’s’ most critically acclaimed acts, having been praised for their experimentation with diverse genres including Funk, Psychedelia, Jazz, and Techno, as well as their lyrical content. As OutKast they released six studio Albums between 1994-2006, and 32 singles, of which 10 reached the Billboard top 40, with three making the Number 1 spot. In the UK six of their songs have made the top 40, with this track being the highest charting, when peaking at Number 2.Andre ‘3000’ was born on May 27th, 1975, in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, and Antwan ‘Big Boi’ Patton was born on February 1st, 1975, in Savannah, Georgia, United States. The pair first met in 1992 when they were both 16 years old, where they attended the Tri-Cities High School, they initially both participated in ‘Rap Battles,’ that would take place in the school cafeteria. They were soon signed to the label that would later become ‘LaFace Records,’ becoming the labels first Hip-Hop act, OutKast have gone on to sell in excess of 25 million records worldwide.

‘Ms. Jackson’ was the second single released from OutKast’s fourth studio Album ‘Stankonia’ from 2000, the Album was far more experimental than previous releases, as they added Techno, and Psychedelic Funk to their sound. ‘Ms. Jackson’s’ lyrics are a message from Andre 3000 to the mother of the singer Eryka Badu (see also best songs 408) with whom he had a child with, Andre and Badu had been in a relationship from 1996-1999, but had since split. He wanted Badu’s mother to hear his side of the story, as he felt he was being portrayed as a bad father. Ms. Jackson is a name OutKast made up, Badu’s mother is really named Kolleen Wright. It was reported that Kolleen Wright really liked the song being written about her and said,’Where’s my publishing cheque.’

‘Ms. Jackson has six writers credited, along with Benjamin, and Patton of OutKast, also credited is their long term collaborator David Sheats, and also Stan Watts. Due to the songs sampling the German composer Richard Wagner’s (1813-1883) name is added, along with Shuggie Otis who wrote ‘Strawberry Letter 23’ (see also best songs 1022.) ‘Ms. Jackson samples The Brothers Johnson’s version of ‘Strawberry Letter 23’ by adding various audio effects, prominently reversed.

‘Me and yo’ daughter got’s this thing going on. You say it’s puppy love, we say it’s full grown.Hope that we feel this, feel this way forever, you can plan a pretty picnic, but you can’t predict the weather.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

352-Jacques Brel-Amsterdam.

1964-Has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 2.30. Thank heavens for English subtitles, or I wouldn’t have a clue what it’s all about.

Jacques Romain Georges Brel was born on April 8th, 1929, in Schaerbeek,Brussels, Belgium, he died on October 9th, 1978, from a pulmonary embolism, at the age of 49. Brel was a singer, songwriter, actor, and director, he appeared in 10 films between 1956-1973, two of which.’Franz,’ from 1971, and ‘Le Far West,’ from 1973, he was also the director. Brel released 14 studio Albums between 1954-1977, and two live Albums, with sales in excess of 25 million copies, Brel is the third best selling artist of all time to be born in Belgium, behind Salvatore Adamo (100 million plus sales) and Frederic Francois (40 million sales.) Incidentally the other Belgium act to feature in this countdown is Technotronic, (see also best songs 424) who with sales in excess of 14 million are currently the eighth best selling act in Belgium. Such is the esteem Brel is held in, there are currently two statues erected as tributes, one is in Brussels, Belgium, and the other is in Vesoul, France.Brel’s songs have been covered countless times, many by some of the world’s greatest artists, and translated into several different languages. It has been said that many of his songs have lost their true meaning in translation, a very good example of this would be ‘Le Moribond,’ which when re-written by the American singer/poet Rod McKuen (1933-2015) became ‘Seasons in the Sun,’ which went on to sell over 10 million copies worldwide in 1974 when recorded by Terry Jacks. The song was brought to the attention of a whole new generation when the Irish boy band Westlife also took the song to Number 1 (the Christmas Number 1) of 1999 in the UK. The three British artists who are best remembered for being inspired by Brel, and also for recording his songs are Scott Walker,(1943-2019) (see also best songs 164) David Bowie, (1947-2016) and Marc Almond,(see also best songs 848) both Walker, and Almond have each recorded several songs on their Albums dedicated to Brel’s music.

‘Amsterdam’ was written by Jacques Brel, musically the songs melody is based on the traditional English Folk song ‘Greensleeves.’ Brel never recorded the song for any of his studio Albums, and the only version released can be found on his live Album ‘Enregistrement Public a l’Olympia 1964.’ In 1968 ‘Amsterdam’ was one of the songs translated into English by the American singer/songwriter Mort Shuman (1938-1991) for the musical ‘Jacques Brel is Alive and Living in Paris,’ which in 1975 was also made in to a film, being released in America, Canada, and France.

After hearing Scott Walker’s recording of ‘Amsterdam’ David Bowie (see also best songs 807-440-334-302-209-186-118-47-31 and 5) recorded a version in the early 1970’s, which was first released in 1973 as the ‘B’ side to his UK Number 3 single ‘Sorrow.’ In France the sides were flipped with ‘Amsterdam’ released as the ‘A’ side, where it made Number 7 on their chart. On a visit to Paris, Bowie wanted to meet Brel, but Brel refused, saying he did not wish to meet a ‘pede’ (faggot) but nevertheless still admired him.

‘Amsterdam’ is about the port of Amsterdam, not Amsterdam itself. The lyrics tell of the sailors during their shore leave, and not in a complimentary manner. It tells of the squalor that they appear to be happy to live in, the unhealthy lifestyle they lead, and the prostitutes they engage with.

‘In Amsterdam’s port there are sailors dying, full of beers and dramas, since the very first gleams. But in Amsterdam port there are sailors getting to life in the thick heat of the ocean’s tiredness

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

353-Janis Ian-At Seventeen.

1975-Number 54 single.

Best Bit-At 0.47. In the wonderful world of Pop music it is amazing how often the Number 17 occurs, for instance the Beatles saw her standing there, while Joan Jett saw him standing there by the record machine. For Frank Sinatra it was a very good year, and Bobby Goldsbro (see also best songs 942) became a man, but the most famous 17 of them all of course is ‘The Dancing Queen’ (see also best songs 44.)

Janis Ian was born Janis Eddy Fink on April 7th, 1951, in Farmingdale, New Jersey, United States, in 1964 she legally changed her surname to Ian, taking her brother Eric’s middle name. As well as being a singer/songwriter Janis Ian is also an author of Science Fiction, and has had books published. At the age of 13 she wrote the song ‘Society’s Child (Baby I’ve Been Thinking’) which would eventually become her first hit when reaching Number 14 on Billboard in America in 1967. The song is considered to be ground breaking as it’s subject matter concerned the relationship between an interracial couple, and the effect it had on their family and friends. Even so many radio stations refused to play the song it still managed to eventually become a hit. In 1973 a song with similar subject matter ‘Brother Louie’ by the ‘Stories’ reached Number 1 on Billboard (see also best songs (see also best songs 864.) The discography of Janis Ian consists of 24 studio Albums released between 1967-2022, and 29 singles released between 1967-2010. She has never had a top 40 hit in the UK, but in the States both ‘At Seventeen,’ (Number 3) and ‘Society’s Child (Baby I’ve Been Thinking’) (Number 14) remain her two charting singles to date.

‘At Seventeen’ was taken from Janis Ian’s seventh studio Album ‘Between the Lines’ from 1975, the song was written by Janis Ian, and produced by Brooks Arthur who had also worked as an engineer previously on ‘Society’s Child,’ Janis Ian first got the idea for the song after reading an article in the ‘New York Times’ about an 18 year old woman who believed her life would improve after attending a debutante ball, but it didn’t. This led to Ian thinking back on her own similar personal experiences as a young teenager, she chose the age of 17 as it fit well into the song.

‘At Seventeen’ is a song about the illusion of popularity, society’s beauty standards, and adolescent cruelty as told from the point of view of a woman who was an ‘Ugly Duckling’ as a girl in high school, while the popular girls got all the attention. Janis Ian has said of the song,’To me it’s not a depressing song, it says ‘Ugly Duckling girls like me,’ and to me the Ugly Duckling always turns into a swan. It offers hope that there is a world out there of people who understand.’

‘And those of us with ravaged faces, lacking in the social graces, desperately remained at home, inventing lovers on the phone.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

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

1949-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. Frankie Laine was a singer, songwriter, and actor, he 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 total Laine recorded 30 studio Albums between 1954-2007, and 164 singles between 1945-1999. 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, 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, James Brown, and Ray Charles.

‘That Lucky Old Sun (Just Rolls Around Heaven All Day’) was written in 1949 by the songwriting team of Beasley Smith, (1901-1968) (music) and Haven Gillespie (1888-1975) (lyrics.) Other notable lyrics written by Gillespie include the song ‘You Go to My Head,’ and the Christmas classic,’Santa Claus is Coming to Town.’

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 was the most successful when reaching Number 1 in America. 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.

‘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.’