THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

691-Missy Elliott-Get Ur Freak On.

2001-Number 4 single.

Best Bit-At 0.08. At the beginning of the song a voice in Japanese says, ‘これからみんなでめちゃくちゃ踊って騒ごう、騒ごう。」’Kore kara minna de mechakucha odotte. Sawagou, sawagou!’ Which in English means, ‘Everyone start dancing together wildly now. Let’s make some noise, let’s make some noise.’

Missy Elliott was born Melissa Arnette Elliott, on July 1st, 1971, in Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, with worldwide record sales in excess of 40 million, she is the best selling female rapper of all time. Missy Elliott has received numerous accolades, including in 2019, being the first woman rapper to be inducted into the ‘Songwriters Hall of Fame.’ In 2021, she was honoured with a star on the ‘Hollywood Walk of Fame,’ and in 2023, she became the first woman rapper to be nominated, and inducted into the ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.’ Missy Elliott who has been referred to as the ‘Queen of Rap,’ the ‘Queen of Hip Hop,’ and the ‘First Lady of Hip Hop,’ is considered to be one of the most innovative recording artists of all time, with the British weekly newspaper ‘The Economist’ writing that Elliott ‘Is to rap what Prince was to R&B, due to their impact upon the genre, and her ability to weave in styles and strands from outside it.’

The discography of Missy Elliott includes six studio Albums released between 1997-2005, and 74 singles that have been issued between 1997-2023, there are also three official compilation Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, she has had nine top 40 hits as the lead artist, with ‘Work It,’ from 2002, peaking the highest at Number 2, with ‘Get Ur Freak On’ reaching Number 7. As a featured artist, Missy Elliott has had 12 ‘Hot 100’ top 40 entries, with ‘1, 2 Step’ by Ciara, featuring Missy Elliott, peaking at Number 2 in 2004. In the UK, Missy Elliott has had 15 top 40 hit singles as the lead artist, with ‘Get Ur Freak On’ peaking the highest at Number 4, while as the featured artist she has appeared in the UK top 40 on a further 16 occasions, with ‘I Want You Back,’ by Melanie B, featuring Missy Elliott, reaching Number 1 in 1998. Missy Elliott is also a prolific songwriter and producer for many other artists, including Aaliyah, (One in a Million-1998, on nine tracks) and Whitney Houston (My Love Is Your Love-1998, on two tracks.)

‘Get Ur Freak On’ was the first of five singles released from ‘Miss E… So Addictive,’ which is the third studio Album by Missy Elliott from May 2001, the song was co-written by Missy Elliott, and Timbaland, with the production also being by Timbaland, who is a long term collaborator with Missy Elliott. Timbaland is the stage name of Timothy Zachery Mosley, who was born on March 10th, 1972, in Norfolk, Virginia, United States, he was given the name ‘Timbaland’ by the American music producer ‘DeVante Swing,’ who named him after the ‘Timberland’ brand of construction boots. Timbaland is considered to be an important figure in the creation of American ‘R&B,’ for his ‘stuttering kick-drums template.’ He is also considered highly influential in the fusing together of the genres ‘R&B,’ and ‘Hip-Hop,’ and his production style has also been a major influence in the development of ‘UK Garage’ music.

As well as producing for dozens of other artists, including Madonna, and Jay-Z, Timbaland has also released three studio Albums between 1998-2009, and 17 singles between 1998-2023. As the lead artist, six of his singles have reached the Billboard Hot 100 top 40, with ‘Give It to Me,’ featuring Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake, reaching Number 1 in 2007. He has also had eight ‘Hot 100’ top 40 hits as the featured artist, with ‘Promiscuous,’ by Nelly Furtado, featuring Timbaland, (2006) and ‘SexyBack’ by Justin Timberlake, featuring Timbaland, (2006) both reaching the Number 1 spot. In the UK Timbaland has had eight top 40 hits as the lead artist, with both ‘Give It to Me,’ featuring Nelly Furtado, and Justin Timberlake, and ‘The Way I Are’ featuring Keri Hilson, both reaching Number 1 in 2007. Timbaland has also appeared on 11 UK top 40 hits as the featured artist, with ‘SexyBack’ by Justin Timberlake, featuring Timbaland, (2006) and ‘4 Minutes’ by Madonna, featuring Justin Timberlake, and Timbaland, (2008) both making the Number 1 spot.

‘Get Ur Freak On’ came about after Timbaland had been working on some Indian music, the beat for ‘Get Ur Freak On’ is based on ‘Bhangra’ music (see also best songs 966.) Missy Elliott has explained the songs meaning,’It could be about dancing, the bedroom, whatever. You’re cleaning your house? Get your freak on!’

‘People you know, me and Timbaland been hot since twenty years ago. What da dilly yo, now what da drilly yo. If you want to battle me, then people lemme know. (Holla) Got the feeling son, lemme throw you some, people here I come. Now sweat me when I’m done, we got the radio shook, like we got a gun.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

692-Mary Hopkin-Those Were the Days.

1968-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 0.40.’Don’t look back in anger, I hear you say.’

‘Those Were the Days’ started out life as a ‘Russian Romance’ song ‘Дорогой длинною,’ literally meaning ‘By the Long Road.’ It was composed by the Russian musician Boris Fomin, (1900-1948) with lyrics by the Russian poet Konstantin Podrevsky (1888-1930.) The earliest recordings of the song were probably made by the Georgian singer Tamara Tsereteli, (1900-1968) in 1925, and also by the Russian singer Alexander Vertinsky (1889-1957) in 1926. In the early 1960’s, the American Folk musician, playwright, and professor of architecture Gene Raskin, (1909-2004) who had grown up listening to different renditions of the song, wrote new English lyrics to the medley, which he slightly changed, and copyrighted both the music and the lyrics in his own name. Gene Raskin, and his wife Francesca played Folk Music around Greenwich Village in New York, and they were also international performers, and played at London’s ‘Blue Angel’ every year, always closing their performance with ”Those Were the Days.’ Paul McCartney, (see also best songs 646-599-456-319-238-218-141-107-80-51-10 and 5) who frequented the ‘Blue Angel’ and had known of the song for sometime, realised it’s hit potential, if he could find the right artist to fit the song. It was the English ‘Supermodel’ ‘Twiggy’ (see also best songs 807) who after watching the Welsh singer Mary Hopkin win the British television talent show ‘Opportunity Knocks,’ who recommended her to McCartney, who then immediately recorded Hopkin at the ‘Abbey Road Studios’ in London. McCartney would later say, ‘I thought it was very catchy, it had something, it was a good treatment of nostalgia. She picked it up very easily, as if she’d known it for years.’

‘Those Were the Days’ songwriting credits are shared between Boris Fomin, and Gene Raskin, with the production being by Paul McCartney, who also played acoustic guitar on the track.’Those Were the Days’ didn’t appear on Mary Hopkin’s debut Album ‘Post Card’ from February 1969 in the UK, although in America and Canada it did, replacing the track ‘Someone to Watch Over Me.’ ‘Those Were the Days’ was arranged by Richard Anthony Hewson, who was born on November 17th, 1943, in Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham, England. Hewson would go on to arrange the Beatles tracks ‘I Me Mine,’ and ‘The Long and Winding Road,’ both from the 1970 Album ‘Let It Be.’ Hewson found chart success as ‘The Rah Band,’ of which he was the sole member, and which took its name from his initials, with three top 40 UK singles, including ‘The Crunch,’ (1977-Number 6) and ‘Clouds Across the Moon,’ (1985-Number 6.)

Mary Hopkin was born on May 3rd, 1950, in Pontardawe, Wales, she was married to the American music producer Tony Visconti (see also best songs 386-302-209 and 118) between 1971-1981, and is credited on some of her recordings as Mary Visconti. Mary Hopkin came to the attention of the British public after winning the ‘ITV’ television talent show ‘Opportunity Knocks’ in 1968, after which she signed with ‘Apple Records.’ In 1970 she represented the UK in the ‘Eurovision Song Contest,’ with the song ‘Knock, Knock Who’s There?’ which finished in second place. Following on from Eurovision, she had her own peak time television series, ‘Mary Hopkin in the Land of …,’ on BBC 1, which ran for six episodes in 1970. After marrying Tony Visconti, she semi retired from recording until 1976, in order to have a family, although she contributed backing vocals to many other artists songs, including David Bowie’s 1977 released Album ‘Low.’ The discography of Mary Hopkin includes 10 studio Albums released between 1969-2023, and 25 singles between 1968-2014, there are also seven official compilation Albums, and one live Album available. In the UK, six of her singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Those Were the Days’ reaching Number 1, while in America on Billboard, she has had three top 40 hits, with ‘Those Were the Days’ peaking the highest at Number 2.

‘Those Were the Days’ was held off the top spot in America by the Paul McCartney penned Beatles song ‘Hey Jude,’ which was released on August 26-1968, with both songs being issued within four days of each other, on the newly set up ‘Apple Records’ label which was owned by the Beatles. ‘Those Were the Days’ (August 30-1968) is considered the first ever official hit on ‘Apple,’ as ‘Hey Jude’ had been given a ‘Parlophone Records’ catalogue number.

The original lyrics for ‘Those Were the Days’ tells the story of a journey on a horse-drawn sleigh, with the narrator seeking music and romance, while the re-written lyrics tell of someone looking back on their life, and realising that they have failed to achieve what they hoped they would, back in their youth.

‘Once upon a time there was a tavern, where we used to raise a glass or two. Remember how we laughed away the hours, think of all the great things we would do. Those were the days, my friend.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

693-William DeVaughn-Be Thankful for What You Got.

1974-Number 31 single.

Best Bit-At 2.11. ‘I cried because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet.’

William Edward DeVaughn Jr. was born on November 28th, 1947, in Washington D. C. United States, he has chosen to only record sporadically, with religion playing a big part in his life. The discography of William DeVaughn includes three studio Albums released between 1974-2008, and 13 singles issued between 1974-2017. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, only ‘Be Thankful for What You Got’ has reached the top 40, when peaking at Number 4, and selling in excess of two million copies. His only other Billboard Hot 100 entry remains ‘Blood Is Thicker than Water,’ which reached Number 43 also in 1974. William DeVaughn has also had three entries on the Billboard ‘Hot R&B’ chart, with ‘Be Thankful for What You Got’ getting to Number 1. In the UK, his only top 40 entry is ‘Be Thankful for What You Got,’ but his re-recorded version of the same track, did reach Number 44 in 1980.

In 1972 William DeVaughn was only a part time singer, as he had a full time job working as a drafting technician for the government. After hearing about an initiative run by ‘Omega Sound,’ a Philadelphia music production company, DeVaughn invested $900 of his own money to record a self penned track called ‘A Cadillac Don’t Come Easy,’ with the promise being that if the people at ‘Omega Sound’ liked what they heard, then he would get a recording contract. After being accepted ‘A Cadillac Don’t Come Easy,’ was worked on by John Davis who was the music producer at ‘Omega Sound’ as well as a member of the ‘Philadelphia International Records’ studio session group ‘MFSB.’ Davis, along with other ‘MFSB’ members helped DeVaughn to transform the track with a smoother arrangement.

‘Be Thankful for What You Got’ was the first of four singles released from William DeVaughn’s debut studio Album of the same name from 1974, the song was written by William DeVaughn, with the production being by Frank Fioravanti, and John Davis. Many members of ‘MFSB’ were involved in the making of ‘Be Thankful for What You Got,’ including Norman Harris, (1947-1987) (guitar) Bobby Eli, (1946-2023) (guitar) (see also best songs 742) Earl Young, (drums) (see also best songs 184) and Vince Montana Jr. (1928-2013) (vibraphone.) ‘MFSB’ which officially stood for ‘Mother Father Sister Brother,’ were a pool of 31 musicians, who after signing with ‘Philadelphia International Records’ in 1972, became the labels house band, in the same way the ‘The Funk Brothers’ were at ‘Motown Records. Many of the ‘MFSB’ group members left ‘Philadelphia International Records’ in the mid 1970’s over a financial dispute, those that left moved on to ‘Salsoul Records,’ where they became known as the ‘Salsoul Orchestra.’ Other members began performing as the ‘Ritchie Family Orchestra,’ and the ‘John Davis and the Monster Orchestra.’

‘Be Thankful for What You Got’ has some very famous lyrics, ‘Diamond in the back, sunroof top, diggin’ the scene with a gangsta lean.’ These lyrics have been sampled in many well known tracks over the years, including,’Gangsta Gangsta, by N.W.A., (1988) ‘Keepin’ the Faith,’ by De La Soul, (1991) and ‘Shut Up and Drive,’ by Rihanna (2007.) A ‘diamond in the back’ is a reference to the signature style of the diamond shaped rear window of a ‘Cadillac Coupe DeVille’ convertible car, and a ‘gangsta lean’ is African/American slang for the driving position in which the driver holds the wheel with the hand nearest the window while leaning toward the passenger seat, or sitting in a very reclined position.

‘Be Thankful for What You Got’ reminds us to be appreciative of our current situation in life. Don’t be jealous of what your neighbour has, but be thankful for what you got.

Though you may not drive a great big Cadillac, gangsta whitewalls, TV antennas in the back. You may not have a car at all, but remember brothers and sisters you can still stand tall. Just be thankful for what you’ve got.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

694-Bobby Brown-Two Can Play That Game. (K Klassic mix)

1994-Number 38 single. When it was re-issued in 1995 it peaked at Number 3.

Best Bit-At 1.01. Bobby Brown is no stranger to games, especially dangerous ones.

Bobby Brown was born Robert Barisford Brown, on February 5th, 1969, in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. He was a child star, having been an original member of the American ‘R&B/Pop’ group New Edition (see also best songs 236) at the age of 12. In 1986 Brown mutually parted company with New Edition, and launched what would become a very successful solo career. He has since performed and recorded with New Edition on several occasions. Like many child stars, Bobby Brown has had a very troubled life, and has suffered with drug addiction, and alcoholism. He has had many legal issues since 1989, leading to his imprisonment on four occasions, for driving under the influence, and owing $63,000 in back child support. In 1992 Brown married the American singer Whitney Houston, (1963-2012) (see also best songs 704) and they had one child together, Bobbi Kristina Brown (1993-2015.) Throughout their marriage, there were rumours of infidelity on Brown’s part, as well as alcohol, and drug abuse, and domestic violence. In 2005, the couple participated in the reality television show ‘Being Bobby Brown,’ which gave a picture of their lives behind the scenes, the couple divorced in 2007.

The solo discography of Bobby Brown, who has sold in excess of 50 million records worldwide, includes five studio Albums released between 1986-2012, and 24 singles issued between 1986-2018, he has also appeared as a featured artist on a further six singles, and there are also six official compilation Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, nine of his tracks have made the top 40, with ‘My Prerogative’ reaching Number 1 in 1988, he has also had a further three hits as a featured artist, with ‘She Ain’t Worth It,’ by Glenn Medeiros featuring Bobby Brown, making Number 1 in 1990. In America ‘Two Can Play That Game’ has never charted. In the UK, as the lead artist, 14 of his singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Two Can Play That Game (K Klassic mix’) peaking the highest at Number 3. He has also charted as the featured artist on three occasions, with ‘She Ain’t Worth It,’ peaking the highest at Number 12.

‘Two Can Play That Game’ was co-written by Teddy Riley, (see also best songs 236 and 48) Bernard Belle, (1964-2022) David ‘Redhead’ Guppy, and Bobby Brown, with the production being by Riley. The original version of ‘Two Can Play That Game’ is significantly different from the ‘K Klassic’ mix, and was never issued as a single, but appeared on Bobby Browns’s third studio Album ‘Bobby,’ from August 1992. In it’s original form ‘Two Can Play That Game’ can be filed in the ‘New Jack Swing’ musical genre. ‘New Jack Swing’ is a fusion of ‘Hip-Hop,’ ‘Dance/Pop,’ and contemporary ‘R&B,’ which was at it’s commercial peak in the late 1980’s, to the early 1990’s.

The version of ‘Two Can Play That Game’ that I have chosen is the 1994 remix of the track by ‘K-Klass,’ which reached Number 38 in the UK when first released in June 1994. The song was re-issued in 1995 in order to promote Bobby Brown’s remix Album also called ‘Two Can Play That Game,’ and this time the song would reach Number 3 in the UK. ‘K-Klass’ are a British Electronic Music group from Wrexham, in Wales, and Chester, in England, the four members who made up ‘K-Klass’ at that time were Andy Williams, Carl Thomas, Russ Morgan and Paul Roberts. ‘K-Klass’ were formed in 1988, and at the time of writing they remain active as a trio of Morgan, Roberts, and Bobbi Depasois. In the mid 1990’s ‘K-Klass’ were one of the main go to production remixers, working on tracks for artists of the calibre of Blondie, and Janet Jackson, as well as being successful recording artists in their own right. They have released three Albums between 1993-2017, and 16 singles between 1990-2005, with five of those singles reaching the UK top 40, with ‘Rhythm Is a Mystery,’ peaking the highest at Number 3 in 1991. The ‘K-Klass’ remix of ‘Two Can Play That Game’ is filed under the musical genre of ‘House Music.’

‘Two Can Play That Game’ is a song about a guy whose girlfriend starts to act differently towards him. He suspects that she might be considering leaving him, and tells her to think about it before making a decision, because he knows that he can also play her at the same game, and find a new partner if he wishes. The crux is, ‘two can play that game,’ meaning, if his partner can do something, so can he.

‘Lately you’ve been acting mighty strange, to me it seems your attitude has changed. And suddenly you just don’t seem the same, instead of playing all those silly games.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

695-Suede-Saturday Night.

1997-Number 6 single.

Best Bit-At 2.46. While the rest of us are going to the pub on a Saturday night, this lot are going to freak shows.

Suede (see also best songs 244) were formed in London, England, in 1989, by Brett Anderson (vocals) and Justine Frischmann, (guitar) (see also best songs 1018) who had met in 1988, and became romantically attached while studying at the ‘University College London.’ The pair decided to form a band, and were soon joined by Anderson’s childhood friend Mat Osman (bass.) The original line up was completed by Bernard Butler, (guitars, keyboards and piano) and Simon Gilbert, (drums) who joined in 1990. After Bernard Butler left the group in 1994, he was replaced by Richard Oakes, (guitars and piano) Neil Codling, (synthesizers, and rhythm guitars) joined in 1995, and the other two members who have come and gone are Justin Welch, (drums) and Alex Lee (keyboards and guitars.) In total there have been nine different members, with Anderson, and Osman being the two constants since 1989. Suede were active until 2003, but then reformed in 2010, their ninth studio Album ‘Autofiction’ was released in 2022.

Brett Lewis Anderson was born on September 29th, 1967, in Lindfield, Sussex, England. After Suede disbanded in 2003, he once again joined forces with Bernard Butler who had left Suede in 1994 on bad terms, to form the ‘supergroup’ ‘The Tears,’ with three others. ‘The Tears were active between 2004-2006, issuing the studio Album ‘Here Comes the Tears,’ which reached Number 15 in the UK, as well as two single, ‘Refugees,’ (UK Number 9-2005) and ‘Lovers’ (UK Number 24-2005.) Bret Anderson has also released four solo studio Albums between 2007-2011, and six singles and EP’s in the same time period. Anderson caused anger and controversy in the early days of Suede when making the comment that he was ‘A bisexual man who never had a homosexual experience.’ He has also suffered from drug addition, and has said,’Anyone who has ever tried crack will know exactly why I took it. It’s the scariest drug in the world because the hit you get from it is so, so seductive. I wanted to experience that, and I did repeatedly. Bret Anderson’s music, and stage image, is heavily influenced by David Bowie, (1947-2016) and Marc Bolan, (1947-1977) from the ‘Glam-Rock’ era. The music press dubbed ‘Suede’ as one of the components of the ‘Britpop’ ‘big four’ alongside Oasis, Blur, and Suede, a term Anderson always hated, as he didn’t want his music pigeonholing.

‘Saturday Night’ was the third of five singles released from ‘Coming Up,’ the third studio Album from Suede, from September 1996, the song can be filed under the genres of ‘Britpop,’ Glam Rock,’ and ‘Alternative Rock.’ ‘Saturday Night’ was co-written by Brett Anderson, and Richard Oakes, with the production by Ed Buller, who was born Edmund Wilbur Hudson Buller, on August 9th, 1962, in Reigate, Surrey, England. Buller is a long term collaborator with Suede, having produced six of their nine studio Albums. His production work also includes Albums with Pulp, (His ‘n’ Hers) (see also best songs 605) The Courteeners, (Falcon) and The Boo Radleys (Everything’s Alright Forever.)

Brett Anderson has spoken about what inspired him to write ‘Saturday Night,’ The sentiment of ‘Saturday Night’ was something I’d never tried to do before, which was finding beauty in something ordinary and average. Before it was sort of casting myself as the kind of tortured Byronic hero.’ ‘Saturday Night’ comes across as a love song, where the narrator wants to give his girlfriend a memorable night out, but in my opinion it’s more about a couple going on a wild night out in order to forget the trivial everyday unsatisfying life of the rest of the week. The song may sound like fun, but there’s an underlying desperation there.

‘Today she’s been sat there, sat there in a black chair, office furniture. But it’ll be alright, ‘cos tonight we’ll go drinking, we’ll do silly things, and never let the winter in. And it’ll be okay, like everyone says, it’ll be alright and ever so nice. We’re going out tonight, out and about tonight.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

696-Bob & Earl-Harlem Shufle.

1963-It did not chart in the UK until it was re-issued in 1969, when reaching Number 7.

Best Bit-At 0.01. ‘JUMP!’

There have been two incarnations of the duo known as ‘Bob & Earl.’ The original duo who were active between 1957-1962, were Bobby Byrd, (1928-1990) and Earl Nelson, (1928-2008) who had both been members of the American ‘Doo-Wop’ group ‘The Hollywood Flames’ prior to teaming up, together they issued five non charting singles between 1957-1962. Bobby Byrd who is not to be confused with the Bobby Byrd (1934-2007) who closely collaborated with James Brown, also had a parallel solo career, writing and recording for contractual reasons as Bobby Day, and reaching Number 2 on the American Billboard Hot 100 in 1958 with ‘Rockin’ Robin.’ In 1962, Earl Nelson teamed up with a second ‘Bob.’ This was Bob Relf., (1937-2007) and together the new partnership would release two studio Albums, in 1964, and 1969, and nine singles between 1963-1973, with ‘Harlem Shuffle,’ which on it’s original 1963 release reached Number 44 on Billboard. In the UK their only charting song is ‘Harlem Shuffle,’ which peaked at Number 7 on it’s 1969 re-issue.

Earl Lee Nelson was born on September 8th, 1928, in Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States, he died on July 12th, 2008, at the age of 79, having earlier being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Earl Nelson recorded under different names in the 1960’s, and 1970’s, including ‘Chip Nelson,’ and ‘Earl Cosby,’ but he had the majority of his solo success as ‘Jackie Lee,’ using his wife’s name, and his own middle name. His biggest hit as ‘Jackie Lee’ was with the 1965 single ‘The Duck,’ which reached Number 14 on Billboard.

Bob Relf was born Robert Nelson Relf, on January 10th, 1937, in Los Angeles, California, United States, he died after several years of illness, on November 20th, 2007, at the age of 70. Away from ‘Bob & Earl,’ Relf is probably best remembered for the 1960’s track ‘Blowing My Mind To Pieces,’ which has become a very popular song within the ‘Northern Soul’ community. In the 1970’s Bob Relf worked with Barry White, (1944-2003) (see also best songs 560-476 and 153) co-writing with White, the song ‘Bring Back My Yesterday,’ which was released on White’s debut studio Album ‘I’ve Got So Much to Give,’ in 1973.

‘Harlem Shuffle’ was co-written by Bob Relf, and Earl Nelson, with the production being by Fred Smith, (1933-2005) who is also remembered for his work as a songwriter and producer with ‘The Olympics,’ ‘Bill Cosby,’ and the ‘Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band.’ His co-writes include The Olympics’ 1958 Billboard Number 8, and UK Number 12 hit ‘Western Movies,’ which he also co-produced. The ‘Harlem Shuffle’ describes a dance called the ‘Harlem Shuffle,’ and mentions several other contemporary dances of the early 1960’s, including the ‘Monkey Shine,’ the ‘Limbo,’ the ‘Hitch Hike,’ the ‘Slide,’ and the ‘Pony’ (see also best songs 488.) There were rumours for many years that Barry White had worked on the ‘Harlem Shuffle,’ but in a 1995 interview he stated that he had no involvement with the making of the song. The rumours probably originated because Gene Page, (1939-1998) who had arranged the ‘Harlem Shuffle,’ was a long term collaborator with Barry White.

In 1986 The Rolling Stones (see also best songs 933-662-452-160 and 77) covered ‘Harlem Shuffle’ for their 18th British studio Album ‘Dirty Work,’ with the American Soul singer Bobby Womack (1944-2014) on backing vocals. ‘Harlem Shuffle’ had always been a particular favourite of Keith Richards, who thought the vocal style totally suited Mick Jagger perfectly. The Rolling Stones recording was issued a single, reaching Number 13 in the UK, and Number 5 on Billboard. The Bob & Earl recording has a memorable opening horn section, which was sampled by the ‘Hip-Hop’ group ‘House of Pain’ for their breakthrough hit single ‘Jump Around’ in 1992 (see also best songs 75.) The Beatles guitarist George Harrison, (1943-2001) (see also best songs 737 and 726) has stated that the Bob & Earl version of ‘Harlem Shuffle’ was his favourite song of all time.

You scratch just like a monkey, yeah you do real cool. You slide it to the limbo, yeah how low can you go. Now come on baby, don’t fall down on me now. Just move it right here, to the Harlem shuffle, yeah yeah yeah to the Harlem shuffle.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

697-Sutherland Brothers and Quiver-Arms of Mary.

1976-Number 5 single.

Best Bit-At 0.39. Mary sounds like she was an excellent teacher. I wonder if she made a career out of it.

The Sutherland Brothers were the Scottish ‘Folk’ and ‘Soft Rock’ duo of Iain George Sutherland, (1948-2019) who was born on November 17th, 1948, in Ellon, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and his younger brother Gavin Sutherland, who was born on October 6th, 1951, in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Iain was a vocalist, guitarist and keyboard player, and Gavin is a vocalist, and bass player. ‘Arms of Mary’ was written by Iain Sutherland, but their most commercially successful song ‘Sailing,’ (see also best songs 179) was written by Gavin Sutherland. The Sutherland Brothers who were active between 1968-1979, started their career as ‘A New Generation,’ before becoming the ‘Sutherland Brothers Band,’ with two additional group members being added. In 1972 they signed with ‘Island Records,’ with one of their single releases being their original version of ‘Sailing.’ With the lack of commercial success of their early singles and Albums, the brothers made the decision to diversify and expand their ‘Folk’ based sound, by joining forces with a local ‘Rock’ group called ‘Quiver,’ there after all subsequent releases were billed as ‘Sutherland Brothers and Quiver,’ through until the parting of the ways in 1978.

‘Quiver’ were a ‘Progressive Rock,’ and ‘Soft Rock’ group who were formed in England in 1970 by Tim Renwick, and Cal Batchelor. The other group members between 1970-1978 were Bruce Thomas, (bass) who in 1977 joined Elvis Costello’s backing group the ‘Attractions’ (see also best songs 836.) Peter Wood (1950-1993) (keyboards) who was the co-writer of Al Stewart classic ‘Year of the Cat,’ (see also best songs 130) and Willie Wilson, (drums) who would go on to tour with ‘Pink Floyd,’ on their ‘The Wall’ tour, in 1981 and 1982. One of the groups co-founders Tim Renwick (guitar) also worked alongside Pink Floyd, and Al Stewart.

The discography of ‘Quiver’ includes two studio Albums released in 1971 and 1972, and then a further six as ‘Sutherland Brothers and Quiver,’ released between 1973-1977. Prior to joining forces with Quiver, the Sutherland Brothers (band) released two studio Albums in 1972, and another one after the parting of the two groups in 1979, there are also two official Sutherland Brothers and Quiver compilation Albums, and three Gavin Sutherland solo Albums available. Prior to joining Quiver, the Sutherland Brothers released three singles in 1972, and a further five between 1978-1979. As Sutherland Brothers and Quiver, there were 10 singles issued between 1973-1977, with two of those tracks reaching the UK top 40, with ‘Secrets’ from 1976 being the other, and peaking at Number 35. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, (‘I Don’t Want to Love You But) You Got Me Anyway,’ from 1973, charted the highest at Number 48, while ‘Arms of Mary’ stalled at Number 81.

‘Arms of Mary’ was the second of three singles released from ‘Reach for the Sky,’ which was the fourth studio Album by Sutherland Brothers and Quiver from 1975. The song was written by Iain Sutherland, with the production being by Ron Howard, and Albert Howard, who are the American record production duo known as the ‘Albert Brothers.’ The duo have engineered or produced for many of the worlds top artists including, ‘Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs,’ by Derek and the Dominos, (1970) and ‘CSN,’ the Crosby, Stills, and Nash reunion Album (1977.)

‘Arms of Mary’ has several well known cover versions, including the Canadian group ‘Chilliwack,’ who in 1978 reached Number 32 on the Canadian singles chart, and Number 67 on Billboard, with their recording. The Everly Brothers recorded the song in 1985, and the Irish boy band ‘Boyzone’ released a version in 1995, while the German Techno band Scooter released their own version called ‘Mary Got No Lamb,’ in 2016, from their album ‘Ace.’

‘Arms of Mary’ is the tale of a boys first sexual encounter, as the narrator fondly reminisces.

‘The lights shine down the valley, the wind blows up the alley, oh well I wish I was lying in the arms of Mary. She took the pains of boyhood, and turned them in to feel good, oh how I wish I was lying in the arms of Mary.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

698-Sak Noel-Loca People.

2011-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 1.39. ‘Livin’ la Vida Loca’ for a younger generation.

Sak Noel is the stage name of Isaac Mahmood Noell, who was born on April 12th, 1983, in La Cellera de Ter, Girona, Catalonia, Spain, he is a music producer, songwriter, and a music video director. When his debut single ‘Loca People’ went to Number 1, he became the first ever Catalonian artist to top the chart in the UK. Sak Noel has since gone on to release a further 12 singles between 2012-2022, as well as issuing several remixes of other artists songs, including Maroon 5, (‘Cold’) and Static & Ben El featuring Pitbull with (‘Further Up (Na, Na, Na, Na, Na.’) Apart from ‘Loca People’ the only other Sak Noel single to chart in any territory is his 2016 track ‘Trumpets,’ with Salvi, featuring Sean Paul, which reached Number 12 in the Netherlands, and Number 40 in Belgium. ‘Loca People’ went to Number 1 in five European countries including the UK, and the Netherlands, and with this track being his only chart topper it makes him a ‘one hit wonder’ in three countries (the UK, Austria, and Denmark.) A ‘one hit wonder’ (in my opinion) is an act who have had a number 1 single, but have never had another top 40 chart entry. The other ‘one hit wonders’ in this ‘1000 Best Songs’ list are (see also best songs 990-496-467-177-116 and 101.)

‘Loca People’ which is also called ‘Loca People (La Gente Está Muy Loca’) or “Loca People (What the F..k!’) was written and produced by Sak Noel, who records in the genres of ‘House Music,’ ‘Trap,’ ‘Latin,’ Hip-Hop,’ and ‘Electronic Dance Music.’ The song was first released in Denmark in May 2011, and then in other European countries, and America, over the course of the next three months. It was not issued in the UK until the September, and because it had built up a following by then, the song was very well known, and therefore on it’s release it went straight in at Number 1, although with total sales being under 200,000, it actually finished the year as only the UK’s 83rd best selling single.

The female vocals on ‘Loca People’ are provided by the Dutch singer Esthera Sarita, Sak Noel has said,’She did the vocals one year ago in my studio, (2010) and the story was very funny because I didn’t know her, and one day she came to my studio, and I asked her ‘Do you mind singing some words in front of the mic?’ so she did it. After that we didn’t meet again for the reasons of life, and she was working as a waitress in a club. After that, and after making the song, and having it on YouTube, and everything, we met through Facebook. And now we’re working together and travelling around the world.’

‘Loca People’ can be filed under the genre of ‘Electro House’ music, it is a genre of ‘Electronic Dance Music’ characterised by heavy bass, and a tempo around 125–135 beats per minute. Other artists in this countdown who have been influential in the development of the genre include Benny Benassi, (see also best songs 1025 and 785) Skrillex, (see also best songs 753) and Steve Aoki (see also best songs 883 and 483.) ‘Electro House’ was at it’s peak in the first decade of the 21st Century, with music critics having pointed out the influence of Daft Punk, (see also best songs 140) with their Album ‘Discovery.’ (2001) The genre was actually kick started in the mid to late 1990’s, with tracks such as ‘Dark Invader,’ by Arrivers, (1996) ‘Raw S..t,’ by Bassment Jaxx, (1997) and ‘Flat Beat,’ from Mr Oizo,’ (see also best songs 496) all being influential in the development of the genre.

The music video for ‘Loca People’ was filmed by Roger Martin Solé, and directed by Sak Noel. It was shot in Barcelona, Spain, with Sak Noel, and the songs unaccredited female vocalist Esthera Sarita, both making an appearance in the video. The songs lyrics have met with ridicule in many quarters, with some of the lyrics being in Spanish, and some being in English, but basically the song is about a young girl making her first visit to Girona, and she is amazed at how hard people party, having never seen anything like that before.

‘Viva la fiesta, viva la noche, viva los DJ’s. I couldn’t believe what I was living, so I called my friend Johnny, and I said to him, Johnny,
La gente esta muy loca, what the f*ck. Johnny, la gente esta muy loca,’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

699-Barbra Streisand-Memory,

1982-Number 34 single.

Best Bit-At 2.55. Although Andrew Lloyd Webber had intentionally composed the music for ‘Memory’ in the style of the Classical composer Giacomo Puccini, (1858-1924) he was worried that he had subconsciously copied Puccini’s work. He asked his father William Lloyd Webber, (1914-1982) who was an expert on Puccini, for his opinion on whether it sounded like one of the composers works, according to Lloyd Webber, his father responded,’It sounds like a million dollars.’

Andrew Lloyd Webber was born on March 22nd, 1948, in Kensington, London, England, he is the richest musician in the UK, having overtaken Paul McCartney in 2019, with an estimated fortune of £820 million ($1.074 billion.) He was appointed ‘Knight Bachelor’ in the Queen’s 1992 Birthday Honours for services to the arts, and he was created Baron Lloyd-Webber, of Sydmonton, in the County of Hampshire, in 1997. Andrew Lloyd Webber is the composer of 21 musicals between 1965-2021, of which several, including ‘Evita,’ (1976) ‘Cats,’ (1981) ‘Starlight Express,’ (1984) and ‘The Phantom of the Opera,’ (1986) have run for more than a decade, both in the West End and on Broadway. Some of his most successful songs, for which he wrote the music, include, ‘All I Ask of You,’ (1986) from The Phantom of the Opera, (1986) ‘I Don’t Know How to Love Him,’ (1970) from Jesus Christ Superstar, (1971) ‘Don’t Cry for Me Argentina,’ (1976) from Evita, (1976) and ‘Any Dream Will Do,’ (1968) from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’ (1972.)

‘Memory’ is the best known song from the 1981 musical ‘Cats,’ and is one of 21 tracks to appear on the Album ‘Cats: Complete Original Broadway Cast Recording,’ which was first issued in 1983. All of the songs from the musical ‘Cats’ have lyrics that were adapted from the poems of the American poet T.S. Eliot, (1888-1965) therefore on ‘Memory,’ Eliot receives writing credits, along with the English theatre director Sir Trevor Robert Nunn, who adapted T.S. Eliot’s words from his 1939 book of poems ‘Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats,’ with ‘Memory’ being adapted from the poems ‘Rhapsody on a Windy Night,’ and ‘Preludes.’ The music for ‘Memory’ was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, who originally composed the tune for a proposed Giacomo Puccini project that he later abandoned.

It was the English singer and actress Elaine Paige who first performed ‘Memory’ live, when she originated the role of Grizabella in the West End production of Cats in May 1981. The first recorded commercial release of ‘Memory’ was an instrumental single performed by the Irish guitarist Gary Moore, (1952-2011) (see also best songs 932) it was released in early 1981 by ‘MCA Records’ to promote Cats while the musical was still in it’s development. Elaine Paige released a version of ‘Memory’ in July 1981, which went on to reach Number 6 in the UK, over the years the song has become known as her signature tune. In America the highest charting version of the song on Billboard is the 1982 recording by Barry Manilow, (see also best songs 750) which peaked at Number 39 in January 1983.

The version of ‘Memory’ I have chosen, is the recording by the American singer and actress Barbra Streisand, (see also best songs 145) who recorded her version for her compilation Album of the same name from November 1981, the Album was made up of seven previously recorded songs, and three new tracks, with the production being by Andrew Lloyd Webber. The Streisand recording which was issued as a double ‘A’ sided single with ‘Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star Is Born’) reached Number 52 in America on Billboard, and Number 34 in the UK, but did go all the way to Number 1 in Finland.

‘Memory’ is sung at the climax of the musical ‘Cats.’ The singer thinks of a time when her life was better and she was happier. She remembers a time when she knew what happiness was, and every streetlight that she sees, reminds her that happiness is fleeting, but always disappears. She begs someone to touch her, so that they can also understand what it is like to be happy. The dawning of the new day represents hope, which offers the possibility of being happy again.

‘Midnight, not a sound from the pavement, has the moon lost her memory, she is smiling alone. In the lamplight, the withered leaves collect at my feet, and the wind begins to moan.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

700-Erasure-Stop!

1988-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 0.07. The best way to start the top 700, is with ‘Stop.’

Erasure who were formed in London, England, in 1985, are the ‘Synth-Pop’ duo of Vince Clarke, who was born Vincent John Martin, on July 3rd, 1960, in South Woodford, Essex, England, and Andy Bell, who was born Andrew Ivan Bell, on April 24th, 1964, in Dogsthorpe, Peterborough, England, and at the time of writing they remain active. Prior to forming Erasure, Vince Clarke had already proved himself as a talented songwriter, having written nine of the 11 tracks on ‘Speak & Spell,’ the debut studio Album by Depeche Mode (see also best songs 968-261 and 134) from 1981. Clarke then left Depeche Mode, and formed ‘Yazoo,’ (known as ‘Yaz’ in the United States) (see also best songs 451) in 1981, with the English vocalist Alison Moyet. The partnership disbanded in 1983, having produced two studio Albums. Vince Clarke then teamed up with the English recording engineer, and music producer Eric Radcliffe as ‘The Assembly,’ in 1983, with the idea being to collaborate with different artists on each single release. The short lived project yielded one single issued, the track ‘Never Never,’ with vocals by Feargal Sharkey, (see also best songs 435) which made Number 4 in the UK in 1983. In early 1985 Vince Clarke placed an advertisement in the British weekly music magazine ‘Melody Maker,’ looking for a singer to work alongside. Andy Bell who has said that Clarke was his ‘hero,’ was the successful applicant, and the duo went on to form Erasure. Other work from Vince Clarke includes his 2011 collaboration with Martin Gore of Depeche Mode as ‘VCMG,’ on their Album ‘SSss.’ Vince Clarke has also released three solo Albums between 1993-2023.

The discography of Erasure includes 19 studio Albums released between 1986-2022, and 62 singles released between 1985-2021, there are also nine official compilation Albums, six live Albums, and 13 extended plays available. Erasure who have sold in excess of 28 million records worldwide, reached their commercial peak between 1988-1994, with four of their studio Albums consecutively reaching Number 1 in the UK. Also in the UK, 32 of their singles have reached the top 40, with their ‘Abba-esque,’ EP from 1992 making Number 1. In America on the Billboard 200 Album chart, their highest charting Album remains ‘I Say I Say I Say,’ which peaked at Number 18 in 1994, while three of their singles have have reached the Billboard Hot 100 singles top 40, with ‘Chains of Love,’ from 1988, peaking the highest at Number 12.

‘Stop!’ is one of the four tracks that appeared on the ‘Crackers International’ extended play (EP) from November 1988, all four tracks were co-written by Vince Clarke, and Andy Bell, with both also credited as the producers. The other three tracks o the EP are ‘The Hardest Part,’ ‘Knocking on Your Door,’ and ‘She Won’t Be Home.’ The ‘Crackers International’ EP was released when ‘EP’s’ were still eligible for the UK singles chart, and was issued between the Albums ‘The Innocents,’ (1988) and ‘Wild,’ (1989) in order to cash in on the Christmas market, even so none of the songs had anything to do with the festive season. Due to the EP’s success ‘Mute Records’ released a limited edition ‘Crackers International’ Part 2, which included Erasure’s take on the traditional Christmas carol ‘God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen,’ as well as extended remixes by Mark Saunders (see also best songs 839) of ‘Stop!’ and ‘Knocking on Your Door.’ In America on Billboard, the ‘Crackers International’ EP which was released with two further remixes of those songs, reached Number 73 o the Album chart, while ‘Stop!’ which was also issued as a stand alone single, stalled at Number 97.

‘We’ll be together again, I’ve been waiting for a long time. We’re gonna be, we’re gonna be together again, I’ve been connected to the right line. We’ll be together, nobody ain’t never gonna disconnect us, or ever separate us, or say to us, you’ve got to stop.’