THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

402-Blondie-Heart of Glass.

1979-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 1.58. A lot of the Debbie Harry fan base were not pleased at the bands change in musical style, but I bet they left her posters on their walls.

Debbie Harry was born Angela Trimble on July 1st, 1945, in Miami, Florida, United States. At the age of three months she was adopted by Catherine and Richard Harry, and renamed Deborah Ann Harry. She began her musical career as a backing singer in the ‘Folk Rock’ band ‘The Wind in the Willows’ in the late 1960’s. In 1974 she joined the ‘Stilettoes,’ which was where she first met Chris Stein, who became her boyfriend, and the two would go on to form the band ‘Blondie.’ The band took their name from comments made by truck drivers who catcalled ‘Hey Blondie’ to Harry as they drove past her. In total there have been 13 members of Blondie come and go throughout the years, but the six who recorded ‘Heart of Glass’, and it’s parent Album ‘Parallel Lines’ were Debbie Harry, (vocals) Chris Stein, (guitar) Clem Burke, (drums) Jimmy Destri, (keyboards) Nigel Harrison, (bass) and Frank Infante, (guitar.) Blondie were active between 1974-1982, and then reformed in 1997, and at the time of writing they remain active.

As well as being the most recognisable member of Blondie, Debbie Harry has also had careers as a solo artist, and as an actress running concurrently. She has appeared in 49 films between 1975-2019, including high profile roles in ‘Union City,’ (1980) and ‘Hairspray’ (1988.) Debbie Harry has released five solo studio Albums between 1981-2007, with the final three as ‘Deborah Harry,’ she has also released 26 singles as the lead artist between 1981-2023, and has appeared on a further five singles as a featured artist, there are also four official compilation Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, none of her solo singles have charted within the top 40, while in the UK, four of her solo singles have made the top 40, with ‘French Kissin” from 1986 peaking the highest at Number 8.

The discography of Blondie, who have sold in excess of 40 million records worldwide, includes 11 studio Albums released between 1976-2017, and 38 singles released within the same time period, there are also three extended plays, (EP’s) three box sets, three remix Albums, 14 official compilation Albums, and four live Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, Blondie have had eight top 40 hits, with four of those singles, including ‘Heart of Glass’ reaching Number 1. In the UK they have had 20 top 40 hit singles, with six of those tracks making Number 1, the first five all between 1979-1981, and the last one ‘Maria,’ in 1999.

‘Heart of Glass’ was the third single released from ‘Parallel Lines,’ the third studio Album from Blondie, from September 1979, the song was co-written by Debbie Harry, and Chris Stein, with the production being by Mike Chapman. In 1978 the successful music producer Mike Chapman (see also best songs 860-773 and 686) who had already had a string of hits with acts including The Sweet, (see also best songs 860) Suzi Quatro, (see also best songs 686) and Mud, (see also best songs 773) was drafted in to produce what would become Blondie’s third studio Album ‘Parallel Lines.’ He wanted to know if there were any demo’s from the past that had not been used. Debbie Harry, and Chris Stein played him a song that they had written back in 1974 called ‘Once I Had A Love,’ the song had a slow funky sound, with a disco beat, for this reason the band referred to it as ‘The Disco Song.’ Chapman convinced them to record the track in a ‘Disco’ style, and ‘Heart of Glass’ was born, thus projecting the band Blondie in to the mainstream, and making them household names. Up until this point Blondie had been a ‘Rock,’ and ‘New Wave’ outfit, respected among their peers, but many of their early fan base chose to disown them, citing that they had sold out.

‘Heart of Glass’ was one of the first songs to combine ‘Rock Music’ with ‘Disco Music,’ leading to other artists recording danceable songs, and ‘Dance/Rock’ was born. With sales in excess of 1.3 million ‘Heart of Glass’ is one of the 100 best selling songs in the UK, it was the ninth best selling single of the 1970’s in that country. The song was inducted into the ‘Grammy Hall of Fame’ as a recording of ‘qualitative or historical significance’ in 2015. Debbie Harry herself stated that ‘Heart of Glass’ was, along with ‘Rapture,’ the song she was proudest of having written.

‘Once I had a love and it was a gas, soon turned out to be a pain in the ass. Seemed like the real thing only to find, mucho mistrust love’s gone behind.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

403-Fatman Scoop featuring the Crooklyn Clan-Be Faithful.

1999-It didn’t chart until 2003, when reaching Number 1.

Best Bit-At 0.23. If your looking for the answers to the great questions, such as the meaning of life, then your definitely on the wrong page this time.

Just because a song is not serious, or doesn’t have any hidden meaning, is not justification for passing it over. If there is a message it is ‘have fun,’ and that is just what this song has achieved, bringing together, and putting a smile on many a face.

Fatman Scoop was born Isaac Freeman III on August 6th, 1968, he died on August 30th, 2024, after collapsing during a performance in Hamden, Connecticut, United States, CPR was administered at the scene and he was rushed to a nearby hospital. It was later announced that he had died. His death was determined to be from natural causes, due to hypertensive heart disease and atherosclerosis, he was 56 years old. Fatman Scoop acquired his nickname, which was also his stage name, as a baby from his Unkle Jack, who would call him ‘Fatman Scoop,’ because he loved to eat ice cream. Fatman Scoop was also very famous as a ‘Hype Man,’ in ‘Hip-Hop,’ and ‘Rap,’ a ‘hype man’ is a backup rapper or singer who supports the main act with interjections, and who attempts to increase the audience’s excitement with ‘call-and-response’ chants. They are also of great use if a Rapper is on stage for long periods, by taking over for a short while to let the main act catch their breath.

Fatman Scoop spent a great portion of his career trying to keep himself in the public eye, In 2004, he was featured in the UK TV series ‘Chancers,’ broadcast on Channel 4, mentoring six British musicians trying to achieve success in the United States. In 2007, he had a role on the animated television series ‘The Boondocks,’ appearing as himself in season 2, episode 5, ‘The Story of Thugnificent,’ and also in episode 15, ‘The Story of Gangstalicious Part 2,’ from the same season. In 2008, Fatman Scoop and his then-wife Shanda hosted a reality show and podcast on MTV called ‘Man and Wife,’ the show covered topics such as jobs, finance, relationships, and sex. On August 27, 2015, Fatman Scoop entered the ‘Celebrity Big Brother 16: UK vs. USA’ house in the United Kingdom as a contestant. On September 14, he was the third housemate to be evicted, on day 20, where he finished in 11th place.

The discography of Fatman Scoop includes 12 singles released between 1998-2024 with Fatman Scoop as the lead artist, he has also appeared on a further 18 singles as a featured artist between 2001-2018. Fatman Scoop has released three official compilation Albums between 2003-2015. He has never had a top 40 hit on the American Billboard Hot 100 as the lead artist, with ‘Be Faithful’ stalling at Number 92 in 1999, but he has charted on occasions as a featured artist, with the track ‘Lose Control,’ by Missy Elliott featuring Ciara and Fatman Scoop, peaking the highest at Number 3 in 2005. In the UK, Fatman Scoop has had two top 40 hits, with ‘It Takes Scoop,’ with DJ Kool, reaching Number 9 in 2000, and ‘Be Faithful’ peaking the highest at Number 1. As a featured artist, the single ‘It’s Like That,’ by Mariah Carey, featuring Jermaine Dupri and Fatman Scoop, peaked the highest at Number 4 in 2005.

‘Be Faithful’ was produced by DJ Sizzahandz and DJ Riz, who formed a partnership in 1993 in Brooklyn, New York, and go by the stage name of ‘Crooklyn Clan,’ they have worked on many tracks for other artists over the years, with this song being their most successful. ‘Be Faithful’ was originally released in 1999, but due to getting in to legal difficulties over the many samples in the song having to be cleared it was taken off the market, in 2003 after everything was sorted the track was reissued.

‘Be Faithful’s’ main sample ‘Love Like This’ by Faith Evans, was a 1998 song that reached Number 24 in the UK chart, the ‘Faith’ in ‘Be Faithful’ is Faith Evans, she is the widow of ‘The Notorious B.I.G.’ (see also best songs 955 and 307) ‘Love Like This’ itself was created from the 1978 track ‘Chic Cheer’ by the band ‘Chic,’ from their Album ‘C’est Chic.’ The song also samples the 1991 Hip-Hop song ‘The Choice Is Yours’ by the American Rap duo ‘Blacksheep.’ ‘The Choice Is Yours’ quotes ‘Engine, Engine Number 9,’ which in turn is used in ‘Be Faithful,’ ‘Engine, Engine Number 9’ was originally written and performed in 1965 by the American Country singer/songwriter Roger Miller (1936-1992,) although Miller does not receive songwriting credit. There are also another four songs that were sampled, ‘Party Ain’t a Party,’ from Queen Pen, ‘Hip Hop Hooray,’ by Naughty By Nature, ‘Off the Books,’ by The Beatnuts,’ and ‘Can I Get A….’ from Jay-Z. In total 16 artists receive songwriting credits on the track, including Nile Rogers and Bernie Edwards of Chic, (see also best songs 432-175 and 17) and members of the American Funk band the ‘Bar-Kays’ (see also best songs 831-398 and 1.)

‘Engine, engine number 9, on the New York transit line. If my train goes off the track, pick it up, pick it up, pick it up.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

404-Tennessee Ernie Ford-Sixteen Tons.

1956-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 2.13. We all like a good moan from time to time about our working conditions, but at least your not working to pay the company store.

‘Sixteen Tons’ is about the terrible conditions coal miners in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, United States, had to work in during the middle of the 20th Century. Apart from the dangers to their health, and possible injury from faulty machinery, they were also very poorly paid. Employee’s were paid in commodities rather than actual money. They would receive credit vouchers which had to be spent at the company run and owned store, and their rent would be deducted from their wages, leaving many with little, or in debt. ‘Sixteen Tons’ was written, and first performed by Merle Travis in 1946. The line ‘You load sixteen tons and what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt,’ came from a letter written to Travis by his brother John. Another line came from his father who had been a coal miner, who would often say, ‘I can’t afford to die, I owe my soul to the company store.’ The title of the song refers to a practice of initiating new miners. In the mid-1920’s, a miner tended to haul eight to 10 tons per day, whereas for new miners, other miners would slack off, so the new miner could ‘make sixteen’ on his very first day.’

Merle Robert Travis was born on November 29th, 1917, in Rosewood, Kentucky, United States, he died of a heart attack in 1983, at the age of 65. Travis was a leading exponent in the development of ‘Country,’ ‘Western Swing,’ and ‘Folk’ music, but is best remembered for developing a unique style of playing the guitar, which has become known as ‘Travis Picking,’ which was popularised by artists including Scotty Moore, (1931-2016) Lonnie Mack, (1941-2016) and Chet Atkins (1924-2001.) Merle Travis is acknowledged as one of the most influential American guitarists of the 20th Century. According to Chet Atkins, Travis ‘Went on in musical directions never dreamt about by his predecessors. He could shift quickly from finger-picking to flat-picking in the midst of a number by gripping his thumb-pick like a flat-pick. In his hands, the guitar resembled a full band.’ During his lifetime Merle Travis released a total of 23 Albums between 1947-1982. Since his death there have been a further 17 releases of compilations, and reissues. Travis had two Number 1 singles on the American Billboard ‘Hot Country Songs’ chart, (as it is now known) with ‘Divorce Me C.O.D.’ in 1946, and ‘So Round, So Firm, So Fully Packed’ in 1947.

Tennessee Ernie Ford was born Ernest Jennings Ford, on February 13th, 1919, in Bristol, Tennessee, United States, he died on October 17th, 1991, at the age of 72. Ford had been a heavy drinker for many years, having ignored warnings from his doctors many years earlier, he finally succumbed to liver failure. As well as being a singer with a rich baritone voice, Ford also worked as a DJ, and radio personality, where he created the stage name ‘Tennessee Ernie,’ In 1954 he became a household name in America due to his portrayal of the character ‘Cousin Ernie’ in three episodes of the ‘I Love Lucy’ sit com. Ford would go on to host his own prime-time variety program ‘The Ford Show,’ recording 125 episodes between 1956-1961. There are a total of 60 Albums of his recordings available, and 89 singles, of which 13 reached the Billboard top 40.

‘Sixteen Tons’ was written in 1946 by Merle Travis, and released as a single in 1947. The version I have chosen is the 1955 recording by Tennessee Ernie Ford, who released his take on the song in October 1955, the production was by Jack Fascinato (1915-1994.) The song would later appear on Ford’s fourth Album ‘Ford Favorites,’ in 1957. At the time of recording ‘Sixteen Tons,’ Tennessee Ernie Ford was busy with his television and radio commitments, and had fallen behind with his contract with ‘Capitol Records.’ Ford has recalled, ‘Capitol told me I’d be in breach of contract if I didn’t record soon, but I was always thumbing through songbooks looking for music. I liked Merle Travis’ songbook. He’d lived in the coal mining community, and my grandfather and my uncle had mined coal. I showed ‘Sixteen Tons’ to my conductor as I liked it very much. Capitol kept telling me to get over there so we went with ‘Sixteen Tons’ and ‘You Don’t Have To Be A Baby To Cry,’ and we recorded them with a six-piece band. Lee Gillette (1912-1981) (the producer) said from the control, ‘What tempo do you want it in?’ and I snapped my fingers to show him. He said ‘Leave that in,’ and that snapping on ‘Sixteen Tons’ is me.

‘Sixteen Tons’ spent eight weeks at Number 1 in America for Tennessee Ernie Ford in 1955, selling over two million copies, despite a competing version from Johnny Desmond (1919-1985) which made Number 17. In the UK the song reached Number 1, and stayed there for four weeks in 1956, with competing versions being released by Edmund Hockridge, (1919-2009) on the ‘B’ side of his single ‘Young and Foolish,’ (UK Number 10) and Frankie Laine (1913-2007) (UK Number 10.)

‘You load sixteen tons, what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt. St Peter don’t you call me ’cause I can’t go, I owe my soul to the company store.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

405-John Cougar-Jack & Diane.

1982-Number 25 single.

Best Bit- At 2.31. In America Jack & Diane are probably Pop Music’s most famous couple, but worldwide there are others. Dire Straits sang about ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ (see also best songs 298) Bon Jovi told us of Tommy and Gina,’ (see also best songs 325) the Beatles introduced us to Desmond and Molly, Lesley Gore was sobbing her heart out over Judy and Johnny, I could go on, but I won’t.

John J. Mellencamp, was born on October 7th, 1951, in Seymour, Indiana, United States, his first major breakthrough in the music industry occurred when being signed by Tony DeFries of ‘MainMan Management,’ DeFries had already managed artists of the calibre of David Bowie, (see also best songs 807-40-334-302-209-186-118-47-31 and 5) and Lou Reed (see also best songs 401-165-131 and 58.) DeFries thought the name Mellencamp was unmarketable, and insisted that Mellencamp release his debut Album ‘Chestnut Street Incident’ in 1976 using the name Johnny Cougar, which Mellencamp hated, but felt he had to go along with. It wasn’t until he became a major star, that he got his own way, with the release of his seventh studio Album ‘Uh-Huh,’ recorded under the name John Cougar Mellencamp.

John Cougar Mellencamp who is one of the leading exponents in the genre of music that is ‘Heartland Rock,’ (see also best songs 549) has sold in excess of 60 million records worldwide. His discography includes 24 studio Albums released between 1976-2023, and 71 singles between 1978-2023, there are also five official compilation Albums, and two live Albums available. In America on Billboard, his fifth studio Album ‘American Fool’ reached Number 1 on the Billboard 200 Album chart in 1982, selling in excess of 10 million copies worldwide, while 22 of his singles have reached the Billboard Hot 100, with ‘Jack & Diane’ peaking the highest at Number 1, spending four weeks at the top of that chart. In the UK, John Cougar Mellencamp has had two top 40 hits, with ‘Jack & Diane’ reaching Number 25 in 1982, and ‘Wild Night,’ featuring Me’Shell Ndegéocello, making Number 34 in 1994.

‘Jack & Diane’ was the second of three singles released from John Cougar Mellencamp’s fifth studio Album ‘American Fool,’ from April 1982, the song was written by John Mellencamp, with the production being by Mellencamp, and Don Gehman. ‘Jack & Diane’ tells the tale of two American teenagers who take their relationship to levels that they are not yet ready to cope with. They eventually realise that being 16 and carefree is better than being grown up with all of life’s responsibilities. When Mellencamp first wrote the lyrics the song was about an interracial couple, with Jack being African/American, but his record label persuaded him to change that as they felt more people would relate to Jack being an aspiring football player. According to Mellencamp, ‘Jack & Diane’ was originally inspired by the 1962 American drama film ‘Sweet Bird of Youth,’ which was based on the 1959 play of the same by Tennessee Williams (1911-1983.)

John Cougar Mellencamp has stated his debt to Mick Ronson (1946-1993) (see also best songs 661-440-334-186-131-58-37 and 5) for his input on ‘Jack & Diane,’ he has said, ‘Mick was instrumental in helping me arrange that song, as I’d thrown it on the junk heap. Ronson came down and played on three or four tracks and worked on the American Fool record for four or five weeks. All of a sudden, for ‘Jack & Diane,’ Mick said, Johnny, you should put baby rattles on there.’ I thought, ‘What the fu#k does put baby rattles on the record mean?’ So he put percussion on there, and then he sang the part ‘Let it rock, let it roll,’ as a choir-ish type thing, which had never occurred to me, and that is the part everybody remembers on the song. It was Ronson’s idea.’

‘Jack & Diane’ is also famous for it’s iconic drum break at 2.31. Mellencamp was inspired by the Phil Collins (see also best songs 741) song ‘In the Air Tonight,’ and asked his drummer Kenny Aronoff to come up with something. Kenny Aronoff has recalled what Mellencamp told him, ‘I need you to come up with a drum solo or something after the second chorus.’ At that moment, I was absolutely terrified and excited. Excited because I’m now going to be playing on the record. Terrified because I knew that I had to save the song in order to save my career. Because if I didn’t come up with it, they’d replace me. Two people had already been fired in the band and when I joined two years prior, I was fired from playing on the record. So, this was a scary moment for me.’ The chances are that when you hear the song on the radio, you will find yourself doing some ‘air drumming.’

‘A little ditty ’bout Jack and Diane, two American kid’s growing up in the heart land. Jack he’s gonna be a football star, Diane debutante in the back seat of Jacky’s car.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

406-Robbie Williams-Angels.

1997-Number 4 single.

Best Bit-At 2.50. Noel Gallagher once famously called Robbie Williams ‘That fat dancer from Take That,’ but I would imagine that even Noel Gallagher would have been proud to have written this song.

Robbie Williams was born Robert Peter Williams on February 13th, 1974, in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England, with record sales in excess of 75 million worldwide, he is one of the best selling artists of all time. His big break occurred at the age of 16 in 1990 after successfully applying to be a member of a new boy band to be called ‘Take That,’ being put together by the English band manager Nigel Martin-Smith. In 1995 he mutually agreed to leave Take That, but due to legalities in his contract he couldn’t start a solo career until June 1996. With Take That he recorded three studio Albums between 1992-1995, and a fourth in 2010 when rejoining the group, he would remain an official member of Take That until 2014, with his solo career running concurrently. Robbie Williams has won numerous awards, including 18 ‘Brit Awards,’ winning ‘Best British Male Artist’ four times, ‘Outstanding Contribution to Music’ twice, and an ‘Icon Award’ for his lasting impact on British culture. In 2004, he was inducted into the ‘UK Music Hall of Fame,’ after being voted the ‘Greatest Artist of the 1990’s.’ His three concerts at Knebworth in 2003 drew over 375,000 people, which was the UK’s biggest music event to that point. In 2014, he was awarded the freedom of his hometown of Stoke-on-Trent, and had a tourist trail created and streets named in his honour.

The solo discography of Robbie Williams includes 12 studio Albums released between 1997-2019, of which 11 have reached the Number 1 position in the UK, and 62 singles released between 1996-2024, there is also one extended play, (EP) 10 official compilation Albums, and one live Album available. In the UK, 34 of his singles have reached the top 40, with seven of those tracks making the Number 1 spot, he has also appeared on 15 singles as a featured artist, including five charity singles, of which four have reached the Number 1 position. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, ‘Angels’ remains as his most successful single, peaking at Number 53. Despite touring America on several occasions, Robbie Williams has never managed to breakthrough there commercially. He eventually said that he gave up and ‘couldn’t be arsed.’

‘Angels’ was the fourth of five singles released from Robbie Williams’ debut solo studio Album ‘Life thru a Lens,’ from September 1997, the songs writing is credited to Robbie Williams and Guy Chambers, with the production being by Guy Chambers, and Steve Power. It has often been said that ‘Angels’ was the song which probably saved Robbie Williams solo career. The origins of who actually wrote ‘Angels’ is a little murky, and controversial to say the least. The Irish singer/songwriter Ray Heffernan insists he wrote the first version of ‘Angels’ in Paris in 1996, after his partner had a miscarriage. Heffernan has said that in Irish parlance a stillborn child is ‘born an angel,’ and that is what the song is about. Heffernan has also said that he met Williams in a pub by chance in Dublin. He showed him an incomplete version of the song, and later that week the two recorded a demo. Williams confirms he did record a demo, but said he rewrote the song significantly with Guy Chambers. When Heffernan learned that a version of ‘Angels’ was to appear on Robbie Williams debut Album ‘Life Thru A Lens’ he accepted an offer from William’s management to buy the songs rights for £7,500. To date it is estimated that ‘Angels’ has sold around 1.8 million copies, earning around £9 million in the UK alone. Heffernan’s name does not appear on the records song writing credits, which only names Williams, and Chambers. Hefernan has said that he was only 23 years old at the time, and naive, ‘For a long time I was angry about this, but as you get older you see things differently. The Angels connection has opened doors to publishing companies and earned me a few quid.’ In 2009 Williams told his biographer Chris Heath that ‘Angels’ is about his fascination with the paranormal, he said, ‘I believed that stuff when I wrote Angels, that’s why I wrote Angels. Angels isn’t about anybody, it’s about the thoughts that loved ones that have passed on, come back and take care of you.’ Angels is Robbie Williams’ best-selling single, with sales of just short of 2 million, and the 34th best selling UK single of the 1990’s. It was voted the best song of the previous 25 years at the 2005 Brit Awards, and in 2005, the British voted it the song they most wanted played at their funeral.

‘I sit and wait, does an angel contemplate my fate. And do they know the places where we go when we’re grey and old. ‘Cause I have been told that salvation let’s their wings unfold.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

407-Zombies-Time of the Season.

1967-It has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 3.07. It’s uncanny, but when listening to this song, it makes you feel nostalgic for an era, where you possibly weren’t even born.

The Zombies (see also best songs 158) were formed in St Albans, Hertfordshire, England, in 1961, by Rod Argent, (keyboards) Hugh Grundy (drums) and Paul Atkinson, (1946-2004) (guitar) they were soon joined by Colin Blunstone, (vocals) and Chris White, (bass) to complete the classic line up. White was the last to join the group, being the replacement for the original bassist Paul Arnold who lost interest in the group, leaving to pursue a career as a physician in 1962. It was Arnold who chose the bands name. The Zombies remained active until 1967, but have reformed with varying line ups, on and off since 1968. In total there have been 18 different members come and go, and at the time of writing they remain active, with the line up being the two original members, Rod Argent, and Colin Blunstone, and three others.

The discography of the Zombies includes nine studio Albums released between 1965-2023, and 19 singles released between 1964-2023, there is also one extended play, (EP) 20 official compilation Albums, and seven live Albums available. In the UK, the Zombies only top 40 single is their debut release ‘She’s Not There,’ which reached Number 12 in 1964, while in America on the Billboard Hot 100, they charted on three occasions, with ‘Time of the Season’ making Number 3 in 1969.

‘Time of the Season’ was the third of four singles released from ‘Odessey and Oracle,’ the second studio Album from the Zombies, from April 1986, the song was written by Rod Argent, with the production credited to the Zombies. ‘Odessey and Oracle’ is often included in ‘best of’ lists, with ‘Rolling Stone’ magazine placing it at Number 100 in their ‘500 Greatest Albums of All Time,’ Paul Weller of The Jam (see also best songs 670-94 and 59) has stated it is one of his all time favourites. The misspelling of ‘odyssey’ in the Albums title was the result of a mistake by the designer of the LP cover, Terry Quirk. The band tried to cover this up at the time of release by claiming the misspelling was intentional, but in later years Rod Argent has admitted, ‘We didn’t notice that the word odyssey was spelt wrongly, to our eternal embarrassment. For years I used to say, ‘Oh that was intentional. It was a play on the word ode.’ But I’m afraid it wasn’t.’

‘Time of the Season’ was written by Rod Argent, who was born Rodney Terence Argent, on June 14th, 1945, in St Albans, Hertfordshire, England, in 2019 he was inducted into the ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’ as a member of the Zombies. Shortly before the release of ‘Odessey and Oracle’ the second studio Album by the Zombies, the band decided to split, with Rod Argent going on to form the Rock band ‘Argent’ in 1969, with three others, including lead singer, and guitarist Russ Ballard. ‘Argent’ released six studio Albums between 1970-1975, and 14 singles within the same time period, with ‘Hold Your Head Up’ being their highest charting track, reaching Number 5 in the UK, and also Number 5 on Billboard in America in 1972. Rod Argent has also released 10 solo Albums between 1978-1998. In 2024, Argent, suffered a stroke, and on July 11th, 2024, he announced his retirement from touring.

Rod Argent has spoken about his influences for writing ‘Time of the Season.’ ‘One of my favourite records was George Gershwin’s (1898-1937) (see also best songs 286 and 231) ‘Summertime,’ we used to do a version of it when we started out. The words in the verse, ‘What’s your name? Who’s your daddy? Is he rich like me,?’ were an affectionate nod in that direction.’

The Zombies had broken up well over a year before ‘Time of the Season became a hit in America. When the Album ‘Odessey and Oracle’ was released it sold poorly, and stalled at Number 95 on Billboard. It was the A&R representative at ‘Columbia Records’ at that time, Al Kooper (see also best songs 204-12 and 7) who had faith in the ‘Odessey and Oracle’ Album that eventually made ‘Time of the Season’ a surprise hit. Kooper saw the songs potential, and kept on promoting it, and after months of bubbling under it finally took off, eventually peaking at Number 3 on Billboard in 1969.

‘It’s the time of the season when love runs high, and this time give it to me easy, and let me try with pleasured hands to take you in the sun to promised lands.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

408-Erykah Badu-On & On.

1997-Number 12 single.

Best Bit-At 0.39. Some music critics were impressed enough to draw comparisons, calling her the ‘Billie Holiday of the 1990’s’ (see also best songs 624.)

Erykah Badu was born Erica Abi Wright on February 26th, 1971, in Dallas, Texas, United States, she has been dubbed ‘The Queen of Neo Soul.’ In her youth she changed the spelling of her name from Erica to Erykah, as she believed her original name was a ‘slave name,’ the term ‘kah’ signifies the inner self. She chose the name Badu as it is her favourite Jazz scat sound, and is also the term used for the 10th child among the ‘Akan’ people, living in Ghana. Erykah Badu had her first taste of show business at the age of four, singing and dancing at the ‘Dallas Theater Center,’ and by the age of 14 she was free-styling for a local radio station. In the early 1990’s she recorded a 19-song demo called ‘Country Cousins,’ which attracted the attention of the music producer Kedar Massenburg. He set her up to record a duet with the American singer/songwriter D’Angelo, which produced the track ‘Your Precious Love,’ which led to Massenburg signing her to a record deal with ‘Universal Records.’ Erykah Badu has also ventured into acting, making her debut in a supporting role in the 1998 film ‘Blues Brothers 2000.’ She has also appeared in the 1999 drama film ‘The Cider House,’ receiving numerous awards and nominations, including a win at the 2000 ‘Black Reel Awards,’ for best supporting actress. She has continued to appear in films, and in promotional musical documentaries, alongside her recording career. In 1996 she became involved with the American rapper André 3000 of the ‘Hip-Hop’ group OutKast, with whom she had her first child, their relationship ended in 1999. In late 2000, OutKast released the song ‘Ms. Jackson,’ which was inspired by André 3000’s then relationship with Badu and her mother (see also best songs 351.)

The discography of Erykah Badu includes five studio Albums released between 1997-2010, and 31 singles released between 1996-2019, there is also one mixtape, one official compilation Album, and one live Album available. In America on Billboard, all five of her studio Albums have made the top 20, with her debut ‘Baduizm,’ (1997) and her fourth studio Album ‘New Amerykah Part One (4th World War,’) (2008) both peaking the highest at Number 2. On the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, she has had four top 40 hits, with ‘Bag Lady’ from 2000 charting the highest at Number 6, while ‘On & On’ made Number 12. In the UK, Erykah Badu has had six top 40 charting singles, including three as a featured artist, with ‘On & On’ peaking the highest at Number 12.

‘On & On’ was the debut single from Erykah Badu, and was released as the first of four singles from her debut studio Album ‘Baduizm,’ from February 1997, the song was co-written by Erykah Badu, and JaBorn Jamal, with the production being by Madukwu Chinwah, and Erykah Badu. ‘On & On’ is a ‘Neo Soul’ song, which features teachings of the ‘Five-Percent Nation’ in its lyrics. The Five-Percent Nation, is an Afro-American Nationalist movement influenced by the Nation of Islam, that was founded in 1964, in the Harlem section of the borough of Manhattan, New York City, by Clarence 13X, (1928-1969) who was previously known as Clarence Edward Smith. The Five-Percent Nation teaches the belief that black people are the original people of the planet Earth, and are therefore the fathers (Gods) and mothers (Earths) of civilisation. The Nation teaches that the black man, insofar as the Nation defines this race, is himself God, with the black race being a race of actual gods.

It was Kedar Massenburg who on seeing Badu perform live, first signed her to the ‘Universal’ record label, it was also Massenburg who coined the phrase ‘Neo Soul’ to describe the kind of music Badu was making. ‘Neo’ means new, and ‘Soul’ in this context was used to describe something old, that had always been there. What Massenburg could hear in ‘Neo Soul’ is a blending of ‘Hip-Hop,’ African/American music, ‘Funk,’ ‘Soul,’ and ‘Jazz,’ creating new sounds. Kedar Massenburg who was born on March 1st, 1963, in New York City, United States, promoted Erykah Badu by giving away 1,000 copies of ‘On & On’ at the 1996 ‘Soul Train Music Awards.’ He has recalled, ‘And man, when I heard it banging out of somebody’s car going down the street that same night, I knew I had something.’

Erykah Badu in ‘On & On’ is telling us that we are all made in God’s image, and we all deserve the same respect. She tells us that most intellects are convinced that God doesn’t exist, but the fear of a higher being, or some other unknown force scares us.

‘Peace and blessings manifest with every lesson learn, if your knowledge were your wealth then it will be well earn. If we were made in his image then call us by our names, most intellects do not believe in God, but they fear us just the same.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

409-Clifford T. Ward-Gaye.

1973-Number 8 single.

Best Bit-At 1.13. Before the hits Ward was a school teacher, his pupils included the actress and future wife of Sting, Trudie Styler, and the co-founding member of Underworld, Karl Hyde (see also best songs 989.)

Clifford Thomas Ward was born on February 10th, 1944, in Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestshire, England. In 1987 Ward was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and in November 2001 he contracted pneumonia, and died in Tenbury Community Hospital on December 18th, 2001, at the age of 57. Ward’s first venture in to music was when forming a ‘Beat Band,’ called Cliff Ward and the Cruisers, which won the 1963 Midland Band of the year contest in Birmingham. The group would go through many name changes including ‘Martin Raynor and The Secrets,’ and ‘Simon’s Secrets,’ touring around Britain, and France, and releasing six singles, with little impact, the majority of the songs, including the ‘B’ sides, being written by Ward. Because of the failure to get a hit single, Clifford T. Ward enrolled at teacher training college, and subsequently became a high school teacher. He continued to write, and after coming to the attention of the legendary Disc Jockey John Peel (1939-2004) (see also best songs 728-659-435 and 336) he signed with Peel’s record label ‘Dandelion Records,’ and released his first solo Album ‘Singer Songwriter,’ in 1972. Shortly after the Album’s release Dandelion Records went into liquidation, but with Ward’s profile now higher, he was snapped up by ‘Charisma Records,’ where he recorded his second solo studio Album ‘Home Thoughts’ in 1973.

The discography of Clifford T. Ward includes 15 Albums released between 1972-2000, and there have been a further 10 posthumous Album releases to date. He had two UK top 40 charting singles, with ‘Gaye’ peaking the highest at Number 8 in 1973, and ‘Scullery’ from his third Album ‘Mantle Pieces,’ reaching Number 37 in January 1974. Clifford T. Ward was a family man, who preferred to be at home with his wife and children rather than spend weeks away on tour promoting his music, he was also a shy and private person, with a reluctance to perform live. Clive Selwood (1935-2020) who was Ward’s manager in the early 1970’s said, ‘Clifford should have been a major star, he had hits, but he simply wouldn’t perform publicly.’

‘Gaye’ was the first of two singles released from Clifford T. Ward’s second Album ‘Home Thoughts’ from April 1973, the song was written and produced by Clifford T. Ward, with the arrangement credited to Richard Hewson (see also best songs 692.) The Album reached Number 40 in the UK, and Number 67 in Australia. The title of the Album is taken from the poem ‘Home Thoughts from Abroad,’ which was written in 1845 by the English poet Robert Browning (1812-1889.) Following the success of ‘Gaye,’ Clifford T. Ward gave up the teaching profession to concentrate on music full time, and made a rare public appearance in July, performing ‘Gaye’ on the British music chart television programme ‘Top of the Pops,’ broadcast by the ‘BBC.’

In 1987, Clifford T. Ward was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS.) He continued to record and write songs while living at home, cared for by his wife Pat, whom he had met while they were both still teenagers at school. In 1994, Ward was interviewed by a local newspaper, the ‘Wolverhampton Express & Star,’ he told the reporter, ‘I have not and will not come to terms with this illness. There are times, usually quite late at night, when I’m almost normal again, but unless they find a cure for this dreadful MS, then I don’t see a future.’ Clifford T. Ward recorded his 11th, and what would be his final studio Album, ‘Julia and Other New Stories’ in 1994, crawling on all fours into his home based recording studio to finish it. At around the same time, a stage musical, called ‘Shattered World’ was produced as a tribute to him, based on his life and his battle against ‘MS.’ Half of the songs were Ward’s own, and half were numbers written by others about him.

‘You’re the tray of nice things I upset yesterday. The display of bright rings I let slip away.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

410-Cockney Rebel-Judy Teen.

1974-Number 5 single.

Best Bit At 0.59. After checking out as many lyric websites as I could find, I was disappointed to see that everyone of them hear the lyrics as ‘She made us happy.’ I have always heard ‘Sh’made us appy,’ which I think sounds a lot more ‘Rock N’ Roll’.

Stephen Malcolm Ronald Nice (see also best songs 2) was born on February 27th, 1951, in Deptford, London, England, he died on March 17th, 2024, from cancer at the age of 73. Steve Harley formed the original Cockney Rebel in London, England, in 1972, and with various member changes they were active through until 1977 when Harley officially went solo. He reformed Cockney Rebel in 1984, and again in 1989-1992, and various line ups have appeared as his touring band Cockney Rebel since 1996, in total 26 members have come and gone, with Harley being the groups one constant. Steve Harley chose the name ‘Cockney Rebel’ from an autobiographical poem he had written while at school.

The discography of Steve Harley includes 12 studio Albums released between 1973-2020, the first two as ‘Cockney Rebel,’ a further four as ‘Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel,’ and the other six as Steve Harley, there are also 13 official compilation Albums, and six live Albums available. Steve Harley issued 41 singles (including re-issues) between 1973-2020, of which seven reached the UK top 40, with ‘Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me,’) which has gone on to sell in excess of 1.5 million copies, peaking the highest at Number 1 in 1975, that song would also prove to be his last top 40 chart entry as well, when re-issued in 1995, it made Number 33. ‘Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me’) is also Steve Harley’s only chart entry in America on the Billboard Hot 100, where it reached Number 96. In 1986 Steve Harley was chosen on the recommendation of the English singer/songwriter Mike Batt to perform a duet with the English classical crossover soprano singer and actress Sarah Brightman on the original recording of ‘The Phantom of the Opera,’ to be issued a a single to promote the Andrew Lloyd Webber (see also best songs 699) upcoming musical of the same name. The single reached Number 7 on the UK top 40.

‘Judy Teen’ which was released as a stand alone single, was written by Steve Harley, with the production credited to Steve Harley, and Alan Parsons (see also best songs 130 and 81.) Alan Parsons, whose previous work had included being the sound engineer on classic Albums such as ‘Abbey Road,’ by the Beatles, and ‘The Dark Side of the Moon,’ from Pink Floyd, would later go on to produce the second and third studio Albums for Steve Harley, as well as for many other artists including Al Stewart, and John Miles (1949-2021.) ‘Judy Teen’ was the breakthrough hit for Cockney Rebel, whose line up at that time was Steve Harley, (vocals) Jean-Paul Crocker, (electric violin, mandolin, guitar) Milton Reame-James, (keyboards) Paul Jeffreys, (1952-1988) (bass) and Stuart Elliott (drums.) In 1973 Cockney Rebel had just recorded their soon to be critically acclaimed debut Album ‘The Human Menagerie,’ but it wasn’t selling in great quantities due to the lack of a commercial song to release as a single. Steve Harley explained, ‘The record company said we don’t have a single, and I said arrogantly, I’ll write one, now I think what an arrogant young man, fearless! Judy Teen was a boy/girl story, a teenage romance, a bit of sex in there. I was 18, or 19 when I had the experience, that the song came from.’ In 2021 Steve Harley recalled, ‘She wasn’t called Judy, but she was my short-lived girlfriend. We only lasted a few months and had a lot of fun together. She was feisty, a very interesting young woman. You’d have thought she was from California, she was so close to being a real hippy.’

Steve Harley wrote all the drum patterns himself for ‘Judy Teen,’ and told Stuart Elliott what to do. ‘The ‘dum-dum-dum-crash’ sound is actually three of us leaning over the wooden staircase that goes down to the studio and control room, with us mic’d-up and slapping the rail with our open palms. I said to Alan (Parsons) That’s a really good trick, and he went: ‘Yeah, I nicked it from Roy Wood’ (see also best songs 821-575 and 239.) There’s a Move single with that sound on it, which Roy had come up with, and Alan nicked it for us.’

‘She took us on a carousel, she made us smile and oh, how we laughed. Together riding on a crest it was swell, we stole her face and oh how we laughed. She made us happy.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

411-Diana Ross & the Supremes-I’m Livin’ in Shame.

1969-Number 14 single.

Best Bit-At 2.23. Thankfully not all Pop songs are about boy meets girl, they fall in love, and live happily ever after. Some have much deeper meanings.

‘I’m Livin’ in Shame’ was the first of three singles released from ‘Let the Sunshine In,’ the 16th studio Album by Diana Ross & the Supremes, from May 1969, there would be two more studio Albums before Diana Ross would depart for her solo career in 1970. In total the Supremes under various line ups released 29 studio Albums between 1962-1976. There were also 66 singles released, of which 12 became American Billboard Number 1 songs, for the full discography of the Supremes see best songs 148. ‘I’m Livin’ in Shame’ was written and produced by the team of writers assembled by Motown supremo Berry Gordy to replace the recently departed Holland Dozier Holland (see also best songs 969-823-650-553-411 and 212.) The four writers of this song were known as ‘The Clan’ and were active as a unit between 1967-1969. They consisted of Frank Wilson, (1940-2012) (see also best songs 1001-491 and 97) Pam Sawyer, (see also best songs 519) R. Dean Taylor, (1939-2022) (see also best songs 911) and Deke Richards (1944-2013.) (see also best songs 365 and 137.)

By 1969 the Supremes line up was now Diana Ross, (see also best songs (900-519-183 and 28) Mary Wilson, (1944-2021) and Cindy Birdsong, but like many of the Supremes (see also best songs 1001-212 and 148) recordings from around that period Wilson, and Birdsong did not perform on record, because Berry Gordy chose to use Motown’s in house female session singers ‘The Andantes’ instead. The songs instrumentation was provided by Motown’s in house group of session musicians ‘The Funk Brothers.’ Here is the list of songs in this countdown that The Andantes, (see best songs 1001-823-650-114 and 28) and The Funk Brothers (see best songs 948-650-569-382-212-148 and 28) can by heard on.

Mary Wilson was born on March 6th, 1944, in Greenville, Mississippi, United States, she died in her sleep from hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, on February 8th, 2021, at the age of 76. Mary Wilson was the Supremes one constant, being a founding member in 1959, until 1977, when the group were retired, due to Wilson leaving to pursue a solo career. She sang backing vocals on 10 of the 12 Supremes American Billboard Number 1 singles, and in 1988 was inducted along with Diana Ross and Florence Ballard (1943-1976) as members of the Supremes, into the ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.’ As a solo artist Mary Wilson released three studio Albums between 1979-2021, and 16 singles between 1979-2023, there are also two extended plays, (EP’s) two official compilation Albums, and one live Album available. In 1986 Mary Wilson became a ‘New York Times’ best selling author, with the release of her first autobiography, ‘Dreamgirl: My Life as a Supreme,’ which set records for sales in its genre, and then in 1990 for the autobiography ‘Supreme Faith: Someday We’ll Be Together.’ Mary Wilson also worked in activism, fighting to pass the ‘Truth in Music Advertising’ bill, which is legislation, adopted into state law by most U.S. states, that aims to protect the trademark of musical recording artists. The legislation provides that the name of a famous musical group cannot be used by a group of performers unless they include at least one member of the original group. The intent of the legislation is to prevent unfair or deceptive trade practices, and to protect the livelihood of musicians who were in famous musical groups.

‘I’m Livin’ in Shame’ was inspired by the plot of the 1959 American drama film ‘Imitation of Life.’ The song was also written as a sequel to the Supremes 1968 Billboard Number 1 single ‘Love Child,’ which was also written by ‘The Clan.’ ‘I’m Livin’ in Shame’ tells the story of a woman who was born into poverty, and being ashamed of her hard working mother since being a child. She grows up and leaves home, and lies about her past in order to move up in to higher society. She marries a man who is well off, and tells him that her mother died in Spain. After giving birth to her first child, she doesn’t tell her mother that she is now a grandmother. One day she receives a telegram saying that her mother has died, and now she feels extremely sad and guilty.

‘Mom was cooking bread, she wore a dirty raggerty scarf around her head. Always had her stockings low, rolled to her feet, she just didn’t know.’