THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

441-Shirley Bassey-Razzle Dazzle.

1975-It has never been released as single in the UK, but was issued as the ‘B’ side of ‘I Let You Let Me Down Again’ in 1977.

Best Bit-At 1.56. Britain’s greatest ever female vocalist effortlessly ‘Razzle Dazzle’s’ us.

Dame Shirley Veronica Bassey was born on January 8th, 1937, in Cardiff, Wales, her father was Nigerian, and her mother came from New Marske, North Yorkshire, England. In January 1959 she became the first Welsh person to achieve a UK Number 1 single with ‘As I Love You,’ and although none of her 34 studio Albums have reached Number 1 in the UK, she is the only female artist to have had Albums chart in seven separate decades. She has also charted with all three of the ‘James Bond’ themes she has recorded for the films, ‘Goldfinger,’ (1964-UK Number 21 & Billboard Number 8), ‘Diamonds Are Forever,’ (1971-UK Number 38 & Billboard Number 57), and ‘Moonraker,’ (1979) no other artist has recorded more than one ‘Bond’ theme. In America her records don’t sell as well as they did in the UK, on this subject Shirley Bassey has commented, ‘I suppose I should feel hurt that I’ve never been really big in America on record since ‘Goldfinger,’ but, concert wise, I always sell out.’ Shirley Bassey has always been a favourite with ‘BBC’ television in the UK, and she has presented and appeared on many shows, since first appearing in ‘Shirley Comes Home’ in 1957. She has won many awards over the years, including the ‘OBE’ in 1994, which was promoted to her becoming a ‘Dame’ in 2000. In 2004 she was ranked Number 8 on the list of ‘100 Great Black Britons,’ and in 2016, she was named as one of ‘The 50 greatest Welsh men and women of all time.’ In 1977 at the very first ‘Brit Awards’ she was named the ‘Best British Female Solo Artist in the previous 25 years.’

The discography of Shirley Bassey, who has sold in excess of 150 million records worldwide, includes 34 studio Albums released between 1958-2020, and 98 singles released between 1956-2014, there are also 22 extended plays, (EP’s) 25 official compilation Albums, and seven live Albums available. In the UK, 28 of her singles have reached the top 40, with ‘As I Love You,’ (1958) and the double ‘A’ sided Reach for the Stars’ & ‘Climb Ev’ry Mountain,’ (1961) both making the Number 1 position.

Shirley Bassey recorded her version of ‘Razzle Dazzle’ in 1977, for the ‘B’ side of her non charting single ‘I Let You Let Me Down Again,’ which was a track from her 22nd studio Album ‘You Take My Heart Away’ from that same year, her recording was produced by Martin Davis, and arranged and conducted by Arthur Greenslade, (1923-2003) (see also best songs 467) the engineer on the track was Martin Rushent (1948-2011) (see also best songs 1009 and 986.) ‘Razzle Dazzle’ was originally written for the 1975 musical ‘Chicago’ by the American composer John Kander, and the musical theatre lyricist Fred Ebb, (1928-2004) ((see also best songs 469 and 182) as were all the other songs from that musical. The duo first began working together in 1962, and got their big breakthrough when the song ‘My Colouring Book’ was nominated for a ‘Grammy Award.’ They co-wrote the music and lyrics for 20 musicals, including ‘Cabaret’ and ‘Chicago,’ and have also written songs for films and television series,

Fred Ebb was born on April 8th, 1928, in New York City, United States, he died from a heart attack on September 11th, 2004, at the age of 76. It was the music publisher Tommy Valando (1916-1995) who first introduced Fred Ebb to John Kander in 1962, which led to the pair writing the music and lyrics to their first joint ‘Broadway Musical’ collaboration, ‘Flora, The Red Menace,’ in 1965. The production starred Liza Minnelli (see also best songs 182) in the title role in her Broadway debut, for which she won a ‘Tony Award’ for ‘Best Actress in a Musical,’ All three would go on to even greater success with Ebb and Kanders next Musical ‘Cabaret’ in 1966. Following his death, ‘The Fred Ebb Foundation’ was set up in 2005, by instruction of Ebb’s will, which presents an annual award to an up-and-coming musical theatre writer, or team. The award has been presented every year since 2005, and awards a total of $60,000 to the winners each year.

In the musical ‘Chicago,’ ‘Razzle Dazzle’ was first performed by the American actor Jerry Orbach (1935-2004) as the lawyer Billie Flynn to his client, the accused murderess Roxie Hart, who was played by the American actress Gwen Verdon, (1925-2000) explaining how to manipulate and bamboozle a jury to secure the acquittal of an obviously guilty defendant. In the 2002 film version, the song is performed by the American actor Richard Gere.

‘Give ’em the old three ring circus, stun and stagger ’em. When you’re in trouble go in to your dance, though you are stiffer than a girder, they let ya get away with murder.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

442-Elvis Presley-In the Ghetto.

1969-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 2.21. The vicious circle.

In 1968 Elvis Presley (1935-1977) (see also best songs 954-664 and 194) was looking for new material for his ninth studio Album, and 35th overall, which was to be called ‘From Elvis in Memphis,’ His chart hits were beginning to dry up, and he had to get hold of the right material. At first Elvis and his entourage were reluctant to record ‘In the Ghetto’ as up until that point he had steered clear of anything that could be perceived as politically controversial, but such was his faith in it being a sure fire hit, he went ahead and released it.

‘In the Ghetto’ was written by Mac Davis, who was born Morris Mac Davis on January 21st, 1942, in Lubbock, Texas, United States, he died on September 29th, 2020, following heart surgery at the age of 78. Mac Davis was a Country music singer, songwriter, and an actor, who appeared in films and on television. As well as ‘In the Ghetto’ he also provided Elvis Presley with the hit singles ‘Memories,’ (1969, Billboard Number 35) ‘Don’t Cry Daddy,’ (1969, Billboard Number 6 and UK Number 8) and the posthumous 2002 UK Number 1 ‘A Little Less Conversation.’ Davis was also a successful recording artist, releasing 19 studio Albums between 1970-1994, and 38 singles, between 1962-1986, of which four of those singles made the ‘Billboard Hot 100’ singles top 40 chart, and 30 charted on the ‘Billboard Country Music’ chart. His biggest solo success was with ‘Baby, Don’t Get Hooked on Me’ which made Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1972, while in the UK his only chart hit was with the 1980 novelty song ‘It’s Hard to Be Humble,’ which reached Number 27. Another notable song he recorded was ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll (I Gave You the Best Years of My Life.’) (see also best songs 1024.) Away from music Mac Davis had a very successful career as an actor, appearing in 18 films between 1979-2017, including prominent roles in ‘The Sting II,’ (1983) and ‘The Dukes of Hazzard: Hazzard in Hollywood’ (2000.) He also made many television appearances, including hosting his own ‘The Mac Davis Show,’ over 35 episodes, between 1974-1976, which led to several further one off specials.

‘In the Ghetto’ was the only single released from ‘From Elvis in Memphis,’ the ninth studio Album by Elvis Presley from June 1969, the song which was originally titled ‘In the Ghetto (The Vicious Circle’) was written by Mac Davis, with the production being by Chips Moman (1937-2016.) In 1970 Mac Davis recorded his own version of the song, for his Album ‘Song Painter.’ Mac Davis has explained how he got the idea for ‘In the Ghetto,’ ‘It’s a simple matter of growing up with a little boy who’s father worked with my father. He lived in a part of town that was a dirt-street ghetto. I grew up in Lubbock, Texas, and it was a ghetto in every sense of the word, but we didn’t use that word back then. I was trying to come up with a song called ‘The Vicious Circle,’ how a child is born, he has no father, and the same thing happens. The word ‘Ghetto’ became popular in the late ’60’s to describe the poor parts of town. A friend of mine, Freddy Weller, who used to play guitar for Paul Revere And The Raiders, showed me a lick on the guitar one day. I went home and fiddled around with it, I wrote the song and called him up at four in the morning and sang it to him. He knew I’d written a hit with his lick, but that’s the way it goes.’ Mac Davis has also spoken about Elvis Presley recording his song, ‘It was a big brouhaha of him recording ‘In the Ghetto,’ I think he had to fight to get that out as a single. RCA was afraid of it, and Col. Parker (1909-1997) was afraid of it, but Elvis believed in it, and he wanted to be taken seriously. He wanted to do a song that said something. It was one of my prideful moments, because I didn’t know if anyone would ever cut that song, it was controversial at the time.’

‘In the Ghetto’ tells the story of a child born in to poverty, who can’t escape his surroundings. In order to survive he is forced to turn to a life of crime, which leads to his death, and as he is lying on the ground dying, another child is being born in the ghetto.

‘As her young man dies, on a cold and grey Chicago mornin’ another little baby child is born in the ghetto.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

443-Ray Noble and his Orchestra with Al Bowlly on vocals-The Very Thought of You.

1934-It has never charted in the UK, there was no UK chart until 1952.

Best Bit-At 2.45. Back in the old days I used to get a little embarrassed playing well worn vinyl on my turntable in public, with the sound of static crackling through the speakers, but I must admit in these days of sterile clear audio, I do miss it a bit (but only a bit.)

In the 1920’s, and 1930’s the ‘real’ Pop stars were the ‘Dance Band’ leaders, and one of the major stars of the era was Ray Noble, who was born Raymond Stanley Noble on December 17th, 1903, in Brighton, Sussex, England, he died on April 2nd, 1978, from cancer, at the age of 74. Noble was a bandleader, composer, arranger, radio host, comedian, and an actor, he wrote both the lyrics and the music for many popular songs during the ‘British dance band era,’ which is known as the ‘Golden Age of British music.’ Five of his recordings reached Number 1 on the American music charts between 1933-1935, just prior to the advent of Billboard. Among the best remembered songs he wrote, or co-wrote are, ‘Goodnight Sweetheart,’ (1931) ‘Love Is the Sweetest Thing,’ (1932) and ‘I Hadn’t Anyone Till You’ (1938.) After moving to America in 1934, Ray Noble also carved out a career as a radio comedian opposite the American ventriloquist Edgar Bergen, (1903-1978) and the American comedy duo of George Burns, (1896-1996) and his wife Gracie Allen, (1895-1964) later transferring these roles from radio to TV and popular films.

Al Bowlly was born Albert Allick Bowlly, on January 7th, 1899, in Lourenco Marquues, Portuguese Mozambique, but was brought up in his youth by his parents in Johannesburg, South Africa. He made his first vocal recording in 1927, a cover version of ‘Blue Skies,’ by Irving Berlin, (1888-1989) (see also best songs 731-457-385 and 100) which he recorded in Germany. It was in 1930 that he signed a recording contract with Ray Noble, and over the course of the next four years he recorded over 500 songs. In 1933 Al Bowlly also began working with the band leader Lew Stone (1898-1969) (see also best songs 288) splitting his time between Nobel and Stone. Bowlly was one of the the most sought after vocalists of the period recording approximately 1000 songs, he is considered to be a pioneer of the art of ‘crooning’ (see also best songs 457.) Al Bowlly recorded his last song two weeks before his death, a satirical song written by Irving Berlin about Adolf Hitler called ‘When That Man Is Dead and Gone.’ On April 17th, 1941, Al Bowlly was killed by a Luftwaffe parachute mine that detonated outside his flat at 32 Duke Street, Duke’s Court, St James, London, at 3.10.am, his body was unmarked, but the mine had blown his bedroom doors off it’s hinges, and the impact against his head was fatal. Al Bowlly recorded hundreds of 78 rpm singles between 1926-1941, but on his first two recordings in 1926, ‘House Where the Shutters Are Green,’ and ‘Soho Blues,’ he played the banjo, but provided no vocals.

‘The Very Thought of You’ which can be filed under ‘Traditional Pop,’ also known as ‘Classic Pop,’ and ‘Pre-Rock and Roll Pop,’ is Western Pop music that generally pre-dates the advent of ‘Rock and Roll’ in the mid 1950’s. The most popular and enduring songs from this era of music are known as ‘Pop Standards,’ or ‘American Standards.’ The works of these songwriters and composers are usually considered part of the canon known as the ‘Great American Songbook’ (see also best songs 281.) ‘Traditional Pop’ includes the song output of the ‘Broadway,’ ‘Tin Pan Alley,’ and Hollywood show tune writers from approximately World War I (1914) to the 1950’s, by artists including Harold Arlen, (1905-1986) (see also best songs 934-634-281 and 68) George Geshwin, (1898-1937) (see also best songs 286 and 231) Oscar Hammerstein, (1895-1960) (see also best songs 842 82 and 60) and many more who also feature in the ‘1000 Best Songs’ list. With the growing popularity of ‘Rock and Roll’ in the 1950’s, ‘Traditional Pop’ had to take a backseat as the teenagers of the day pushed aside the music of their parents in favour of the new sound. All throughout the history of ‘Popular Music’ each new generation has felt the need to discover their own new ‘music,’ which generally the previous generation will call inferior to theirs.

‘The Very Thought of You’ was written by Ray Noble, and first recorded in 1934, with Al Bowlly providing the vocals, it went on to become an American Number 1 single the same year. The song has become a ‘Pop Standard,’ and has been covered by hundreds of artists through the years. In 2005 the song received the ‘Grammy Hall of Fame’ award, which honours musical recordings of lasting qualitative or historical significance.

‘I see your face in every flower, your eyes in stars above. It’s just the thought of you, the very thought of you, my love.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

444-De La Soul-A Rolling Skating Jam Named ”Saturdays.””

1991-Number 22 single.

Best Bit-At 0.17. ‘All that scratchin’ is makin’ me itch.’

De La Soul (see also best songs 246) were formed in high school, in the Amityville area of Long Island, New York, United States, in 1988, by Kelvin Mercer, known by his stage name ‘Posdnuos,’ David Jolicoeur (1968-2023) ‘Trugoy the Dove,’ and Vincent Mason Jr. ‘Maseo,’ all three have used other stage names on occasions. A demo of the song ‘Plug Tunin” came to the attention of Paul Huston who is better known by his stage name ‘Prince Paul,’ (he is also a native of Amityville, New York) which led to him working with, and producing the first three critically acclaimed Albums of De La Soul.

‘A Rolling Skating Jam Named ”Saturdays.”” was the second of three singles released from ‘De La Soul Is Dead,’ the second studio Albums from De La Soul, from May 1991. The songs writing credits are attributed to all three members of De La Soul, along with the tracks producer Prince Paul, and Kamal Fareed, who raps the first verse, and is better known by his stage name of ‘Q-Tip,’ (see also best songs 850 and 636) he is a member of the Rap group ‘A Tribe Called Quest’. Rodney Mathews whose song ‘Evil Vibrations,’ performed with his American ‘Funk’ band ‘The Mighty Ryeders, from 1978, is heavily sampled, and for that he also receives writing credits, as does Barry Gibb (see also best songs 459-211 and 35) for the sampling of the horn riff from the song ‘Grease’ (see also best songs 768) from 1978. There are also vocals taken from the 1972 song ‘Saturday in the Park,’ by the band Chicago, (see also best songs 631 and 328) with that songs writer Robert Lamm also receiving writing credits. Samples are also taken from ‘Light My Fire,’ by Young-Holt Unlimited, from 1969, and ‘I Got My Mind Made Up,’ by Instant Funk, from 1978, (see also best songs 1041) there are also other samples used, but none of these receive writing credits. The female vocals on the track are performed by the unaccredited Vinia Mojica, and the intro of the song features the ‘Def Jam’ records co-founder Russell Simmons as a DJ from a fictional radio station called ‘WRMS.’

De La Soul were prominent members of the ‘Native Togues.’ The Native Tongues were a collective of late 1980’s, and early 1990’s ‘Hip-Hop’ artists known for their positive-minded, good-natured Afrocentric lyrics, and for pioneering the use of eclectic sampling and Jazz-influenced beats. Its principal members were the Jungle Brothers, (see also best song 805) De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, Monie Love, and Queen Latifah. The Native Tongues took their name from a line in the song ‘African Cry,’ by the Motown ‘Funk’ group New Birth, which features the lyric, ‘took away our native tongues.’ The Native Tongues are regarded as one of the first alternative ‘Hip-Hop’ movements, by offering something different from the stereotypical rap music that was all about braggadocio, and pursuing more experimental subject matter, and also sampling more diverse types of music.

David Jolicoeur, known as ‘Trugoy the Dove,’ of De La Soul, has recalled, ‘The Native Tongues came about where, basically, we had a show together in Boston, (De La Soul and the Jungle Brothers) and we linked from there. We had a natural love for the art and a natural love for each other on how we put stuff together. So we invited the Jungle Brothers to a session, and when they hooked up with us, we happened to be doing ‘Buddy.’ It wasn’t business, it wasn’t for a check. It was just trading ideas and just seeing what you’re doing. Bottom line, it was just having fun.’ Q-Tip of ‘A Tribe Called Quest’ has said, ‘I remember Afrika ‘Baby Bam’ (of the Jungle Brothers) called me that night, like, two in the morning. ‘Yo these kids, De La Soul, you gotta meet ’em! I swear we’re just alike!” I went there, met them, and it was just fu#kin’ love at first sight. It was disgusting. In hip hop, it praises individualism. I think that’s the main achievement of the Native Tongues. It just showed people could come together.’

A Roller Skating Jam Named ‘Saturdays'” was written to show the ‘fun’ side of De La Soul. The song’s lyrics revolve around roller skating and the joy of weekends, The song shows that De La Soul also have a light-hearted side to them, as well as the serious one shown in much of their previous work.

‘Back once more with the wallop in the score. Must I ride and rip, should I make you rock your hip, reviver of a roller boogie in a rink.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

445-Kungs vs. Cookin’ on 3 Burners featuring Kylie Auldist-This Girl.

2016-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 1.03. At 1.03, and again at 2.34, you hear what is known as a ‘Drop.’ In ‘Electronic Dance Music’ some tracks are structured to build to a climax, followed by the ‘Drop.’ This song can be filed under ‘Drop/Pop.’

‘This Girl’ was originally written and recorded in 2009 by the Australian Funk band ‘Cookin’ on 3 Burners,’ with guest vocals provided by Kylie Auldist. Cookin’ on 3 Burners were formed in Melbourne, Australia, in 1997 by Jake Mason (Hammond Organ) Lance Ferguson (guitarist) and Ivan Khatchoyan, (drums) all three are credited as this songs writers. In 2001 Matt Kirsch (guitar) joined the group, but left in 2001, and in 2013 Dan West (guitar) became the groups fourth full time member, and at the time of writing they remain active. Cookin’ on 3 Burners who record in the genres of ‘R&B,’ ‘Soul,’ and ‘Funk,’ have released five studio Albums between 2007-2018, and 10 singles between 2006-2019, there is also one extended play, (EP) one official compilation Album, and one live Album available. Their only charting single to date is this remix of ‘This Girl,’ which reached Number 17 in Australia, Number 2 in the UK, and Number 1 in both France, and Germany in 2016. The original version of ‘This Girl’ which also featured the guest vocals of Kylie Auldist first appeared on Cookin’ on 3 Burners second studio Album ‘Soul Messin,” from 2009, and didn’t chart when issued as a single also in 2009.

Kungs (pronounced Koongs) is the stage name of Valentin Brunel, who was born on December 17th, 1996, in Toulon, Provence-Alpes- Côte d’Azur, France, he is a producer of ‘House Music.’ Brunel chose his stage name ‘Kungs’ after searching online for the translation of the word ‘gentleman’ in various languages, choosing the Latvian translation ‘Kungs’ meaning ‘Mister.’ His discography includes two studio Albums released in 2016, and 2018, and 18 singles released between 2016-2024. In his native France on their official music charts ‘SNEP,’ he had had eight top 40 charting singles, with ‘This Girl,’ reaching the Number 1 spot. ‘This Girl’ is currently his only hit on the UK top 40, but some other of his songs have charted on occasions in various European countries. Of the making of ‘This Girl,’ Kungs, in 2017 said, ‘It’s a track I produced in my bedroom one year ago. I just heard this track on YouTube and I fell in love with it. I told myself that I really had to remix it and to add my personal touch to it. I didn’t expect such success. It was a strange blend and I thought that people wouldn’t understand the track, so I was really happy when I saw that the radio was playing it.’

The vocals on the original version of ‘This Girl,’ and also the ‘Kungs’ remix, were provided by Kylie Auldist, who was born on September 18th, 1968, in Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia. She began her professional music career in Melbourne, providing backing vocals on studio recordings for Renee Geyer, (1953-2023) and Jimmy Barnes. In 2006 she joined the Australian ‘Funk’ and ‘Soul’ band ‘The Bamboos,’ and toured with them in the UK in 2008, where she was immediately signed to the Brighton record label ‘Tru Thoughts.’ Kylie Auldist has released five solo studio Albums between 2008-2020, and 11 singles as the lead artist between 2008-2020, she has also appeared as the featured artist on a further 17 singles between 2007-2020.

‘This Girl’ is notable for it’s ‘drop,’ which is a regular feature in ‘Electronic Dance Music’ (see also best songs 483.) A ‘drop’ is a point in a music track where a sudden change of rhythm or bass line occurs, which is preceded by a build-up section and break. ‘This Girl’ contains what has become known as a ‘Pop-Drop,’ which is an element in a Pop music track which, from a traditional perspective, serves as a kind of ‘post-chorus interlude.’ but is also regarded as the new climax point in Pop music songs since the mid-2010’s, downgrading the chorus to a building element of the ‘drop’ section.

The lyrics for ‘This Girl’ tell of a rich guy trying to buy a girl’s affections with gifts, but he is failing, because for her there is nothing more precious than ‘A heart that feels, and a heart that’s true.’

‘Money rains from the sky above, but keep the change ’cause I’ve got enough. A little time and some tenderness, you’ll never buy my love.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

446-Al Wilson-The Snake.

1968-It did not chart until reissued in 1975, when reaching Number 41.

Best Bit-At 2.37. The song which helped elect an American President.

‘The Snake’ was originally written and performed by Oscar Brown Jr. (1926-2005) in 1963, he also recorded the first version. In 1966 the American singer/songwriter Johnny Rivers released a version, but the song didn’t become a hit until covered by Al Wilson (1939-2008) in 1968, when peaking at Number 27 on the American Billboard Hot 100, his version was produced by Rivers on ‘Soul City Records,’ the record label owned by Rivers. In the UK the track has become a cult classic among fans of ‘Northern Soul’ music, (see also best songs 969) being one of the most popular songs of that genre. The songs lyrics are inspired by ‘Aesop’s Fable’ of ‘The Farmer And The Viper.’ It tells of a kind woman who finds a frozen snake and nurses it back to health.The snake repays her by biting her with deadly poisonous venom, when she asks why, the snake tells her that she knew he was a snake before she took him in.

During the 2016 United States Presidential election campaign Republican candidate Donald Trump read out the lyrics of ‘The Snake’ at several campaign rallies to illustrate his position on the Syrian refugee crisis, claiming that the decision to allow people claiming refugee status to enter the United States would ‘Come back to bite us,’ as happened to the woman who took in the snake in the song. The daughters of the late songwriter Oscar Brown Jr. have asked Trump to stop using their fathers song saying ‘He’s perversely using The Snake to demonise immigrants,’ and that Brown ‘Never had anything against immigrants.’

Al Wilson was born Allen LaMar Wilson on June 19th, 1939, in Meridian, Mississippi, United States, he died on April 21st, 2008 from kidney failure, at the age of 68. In 1966 Al Wilson signed with the music producer, songwriter, and manager Marc Gordon, (1935-2010) (see also best songs 97) who introduced him to Johnny Rivers, who signed Wilson to his ‘Soul City’ record label, which led to the recording of ‘The Snake.’ The discography of Al Wilson includes five studio Albums released between 1968-1979, and 22 singles released between 1967-1979, there are also two official compilation Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, four of his singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Show and Tell’ from 1973 reaching Number 1, while ‘The Snake’ peaked at Number 27. In the UK, Al Wilson’s has never had a top 40 hit, but ‘The Snake’ which initially failed to chart in 1968, did reach Number 41 when re-issued in 1975. In the UK he is best remembered for ‘The Snake,’ which is a staple of over 30 Northern Soul various artists compilations, and in a survey of the most popular ‘Northern Soul’ songs of all time it came in at Number 4 (see also best songs 97.)’The Snake’ was the third single released by Al Wilson, from August 1968, and would later appear on his debut studio Album ‘Searching for the Dolphins,’ from November 1968, in total nine tracks from the Album were issued as singles between 1968-1971.

‘The Snake’ was written by Oscar Brown Jr. with the production being by Johnny Rivers, and Marc Gordon. Johnny Rivers was born John Henry Ramistella, on November 7th, 1942, in New York City, United States, he has recorded in the genres of ‘Rock and Roll, ‘Blue-eyed Soul,’ ‘Blues Rock,’ and ‘Country Rock,’ it was the American Disc Jockey Alan Freed (1921-1965) (see also best songs 338) who advised him to change his name to ‘Johnny Rivers,’ referencing the ‘Mississippi River’ that flows through ‘Baton Rouge.’ Johnny Rivers had formed his first band the ‘Spades’ while he was a student at Baton Rouge High School in the mid 1950’s. Alan Freed was very influential in the early career of Johnny Rivers, getting him a recording contract with the ‘Gone’ record label, where he released three commercially unsuccessful singles. The discography of Johnny Rivers includes 31 studio Albums released between 1965-2009, and 49 singles released between 1957-2010, there are also 16 official compilation Albums, and five live Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 he has had 17 top 40 hits, with ‘Poor Side of Town’ reaching the Number 1 position in 1966, he has never had a chart entry in the UK. On June 12th, 2009, Johnny Rivers was inducted into the ‘Louisiana Music Hall of Fame,’ based in Baton Rouge, that organisation seeks to honour and preserve the state’s music culture and heritage, and in 2019, he announced his farewell tour. His last live performance was in July 2023, at the ‘Commerce Casino,’ near Los Angeles.

‘Oh shut up silly woman said the reptile with a grin, now you knew darn well I was a snake before you brought me in.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

447-John Paul Young-Love Is in the Air.

1978-Number 5 single.

Best Bit-At 2.48. Take a deep breath, inhale, and enjoy.

John Paul Young was born John Inglis Young on June 21st, 1950, in Bridgeton, Scotland, at the age of 11 in 1962 he emigrated with his family to Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. His first professional venture in to music occurred at the age of 17 when asked to be the lead singer in a band called ‘Elm Tree’ that had been formed by his schoolmates. John Paul Young has recounted that life changing moment, ‘It was my friends who convinced me that I could be a singer. One weekend I rolled up and they were standing there with two bass guitars and an announcement that we were going to form a band. I immediately poo-pooed the whole thing because I’d just started my apprenticeship in sheet metalwork, and after paying off a car, no way was I going to be paying off equipment or anything like that so they said, ‘You can be the singer because you’re always singing and you don’t need any equipment’ – and I fell for it.’

It was the music producer and manager Simon Napier-Bell (see also best songs 171) who after hearing Young perform with Elm Tree then offered him a recording contract in 1971, which was when he began using the name ‘Paul,’ which was his Catholic confirmation name. Napier-Bell produced Young’s first single ‘Pasadena,’ which was written by Harry Vanda, George Young, (1946-2017) and David Hemmings, (1941-2003) the song reached Number 16 in Australia in 1972. It would be three years until Young would taste chart success again, this time with the Vanda/Young composition ‘Yesterday’s Hero,’ which he performed on the Australian music show ‘Countdown.’ The show chose Young as an experiment to see if they could make someone who was basically an unknown in to a megastar. Young would become a regular presenter of the show, and an on and off performer, through until Countdown’s demise in 1987. On August 27th, 2009, John Paul Young was inducted into the ‘Australian Recording Industry Association’ (ARIA) Hall of Fame, and in 2012 he was awarded a ‘Medal of the Order of Australia’ (OAM) for service to the performing arts as a singer and songwriter, and through support for a range of charitable organisations.

The discography of John Paul Young includes nine studio Albums released between 1975-2006, and 37 singles released between 1972-2022, there is also one extended play, (EP) and nine official compilation Albums available. In Australia, on what is now the ‘Aria Charts,’ John Paul Young has had 12 top 40 hits, with ‘I Hate the Music’ from 1975, peaking the highest at Number 2, while ‘Love Is in the Air’ reached Number 3. In the UK his only top 40 hit remains ‘Love Is in the Air,’ which peaked at Number 5, and in America on the Billboard Hot 100, ‘Love Is in the Air’ is also his only charting song, making Number 7.

‘Love Is in the Air’ was the first of four singles released from John Paul Young’s fourth studio Album of the same name, from October 1978. The song was co-written, and co-produced by Harry Vanda and George Young, (no relation) both Vanda and Young had both been members of the Australian Rock/Pop band ‘The Easybeats’ between 1964-1969, (see also best songs 939) and wrote and produced all of the first five studio Albums of John Paul Young. ‘Love Is in the Air’ was written to try to stay contemporary, and also to cash in on the current ‘Disco’ fad of the late 1970’s, John Paul Young has said, ‘We actually did ‘Love Is in the Air’ because we needed something for the German market. It was all electronic mania, all clicks and electric buzzes, so George and Harry gave it the treatment. John Paul Young performed the song on episode 148 of ‘Countdown’ on April 30th, 1978. In 1992 the song was remixed for a more up to date sound, and chosen for the soundtrack to the Australian romantic comedy film ‘Strictly Ballroom,’ co-written and directed by Baz Luhrmann, the remixed recording peaked at Number 3 in Australia, the same position as the original version had in 1977.

John Paul Young’s early career was heavily boosted by his regular appearances as a performer and guest host on ‘Countdown,’ which was a weekly Australian music television programme that was broadcast by the ‘Australian Broadcasting Corporation’ from November 8th, 1974 until July 19th 1987. ‘Countdown’ was the most popular music program in Australian television history. It was broadcast nationwide on Australia’s government owned broadcaster, the ‘ABC,’ with a new episode being broadcast each Sunday evening, and then repeating it the following Saturday evening. In total there were 563 episodes recorded, which ran over 14 seasons, with the majority of studio performances on the show being lip synched.

‘And I don’t know if I’m just dreaming, don’t know if I feel safe, but it’s something that I must believe in and it’s there when I look in your eyes.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

448-Cola Boy-7 Ways to Love.

1991-Number 8 single.

Best Bit-At 4.13. Just so you don’t get confused, this song is not an abbreviated version of the Karma Sutra.

Cola Boy was the brainchild and side project of Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs, who in 1990 had formed the ‘Alternative Dance’ act Saint Etienne. Stanley and Wiggs who had known each other since childhood had been listening to the ‘Dance Music’ of the day and realised that they could do it just as well, or maybe even better. As ‘Saint Etienne’ were a ‘serious’ project, the pair invented the name ‘Cola Boy,’ as they felt that a ‘Euro Pop’ sounding song might compromise their standing in the music community. In 2008 Bob Stanley recalled to the English music magazine ‘Mojo’ that he and Pete Wiggs had been hearing the same popular records everywhere they went, they, ‘Realised they were all structured similarly, Nomad’s (‘I Wanna Give You) Devotion,’ (see also best songs 787) C&C Music Factory’s ‘Gonna Make You Sweat,’ ‘DJH Featuring Steffi,’ so we thought we’d record this cod European song. But we knew we couldn’t release it as Saint Etienne. Cola Boy was chosen as it sounded like pidgin English, slightly wrong. Later we pretended it was someone Japanese doing a Euro Dance track.’

‘7 Ways to Love’ was initially recorded as a white label and sent to record stores that dealt in ‘Dance Music,’ once it began to take off ‘Arista Records’ signed Stanley and Wiggs in order to release the song nationwide. Sarah Cracknell who was the third member and lead singer of Saint Etienne could not sing on the track as she was bound by another contract, so Janey Lee Grace who had previously been a backing singer for ‘Wham’ (see also best songs 991-342 and 142) on their world tours for three years was recommended. Also brought in to form a face for the band was Andrew Midgeley (not to be confused with Andrew Ridgeley of Wham) A follow up single called ‘He Is Cola’ was issued, but after it flopped Cola Boy were disbanded. Janey Lee Grace went on to become a radio presenter on BBB Radio 2, and she is also an author, having released four books. In 1993 Stanley and Wiggs produced a new remix of the song for the Japanese singer Nokko for her Album ‘I Will Catch You,’ in which she added new lyrics, sung in both Japanese and English. ‘7 Ways to Love’ is credited as being written by Andrew Midgeley, under the pseudonym of ‘Jesse Chin,’ with the production being by Saint Etienne. The song appears in the Saint Etienne discography as their fourth single release, with ‘He Is Cola’ as their fifth.

‘Saint Etienne’ were formed in Croydon, Greater London, England, in 1990 by Bob Stanley, who was born on December 25th, 1964, in Horsham, Sussex, England, and Pete Wiggs, who was born on May 15th, 1966, in Reigate, Surrey, England, they took their stage name from the French football club ‘A.S. Saint Etienne.’ The duo originally started out as an ‘Alternative Dance’ act, but over the course of their 10 studio Albums they have experimented in other musical genres, including ‘Synthpop,’ ‘Folk,’ and ‘Ambient.’ Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs were childhood friends, and former music journalists, they initially set up a ‘fanzine’ called ‘Caff,’ which then led to the setting up of a record label in 1989. They originally planned that Saint Etienne would use a variety of different lead singers, and their 1991 debut Album, ‘Foxbase Alpha’ features several vocalists, including Moira Lambert, and Donna Savage. However, after working with Sarah Cracknell on ‘Nothing Can Stop Us,’ (1991) they decided to make her the permanent vocalist. Sarah Cracknell has gone on to write or co-write many of the band’s songs, and at the time of writing the trio remain active as Saint Etienne.

The discography of Saint Etienne includes 10 studio Albums released between 1991-2021, and 38 singles released between 1990-2017, there is also one box set, two remix Albums, two soundtrack Albums, four extended plays, (EP’s) and nine official compilation Albums available. In the UK, 16 of their singles have reached the top 40, with ‘7 Ways to Love,’ as Cola Boy, peaking the highest at Number 8, although they have also charted as the featured artist on the 2000 track ‘Tell Me Why,’ by Paul Van Dyke, which reached Number 7. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, their only chart entry to date is their 1990 debut single ‘Only Love Can Break Your Heart,’ which reached Number 97, although they have charted within other Billboard charts. Ironically ‘7 Ways to Love,’ the track they didn’t want St Etienne to be associated with, remains the groups most successful song.

‘7 ways to love.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

449-Jackie Wilson-Reet Petite (The Finest Girl You Ever Want To Meet.)

1957-Number 6 single. When it was re-issued in 1986 it reached Number 1.

Best Bit-At 0.45. Without the hits of Jackie Wilson, there may never have been any Tamla Motown records.

Jackie Wilson was born Jack Leroy Wilson Jr. on June 9th, 1934, in Highland Park, Michigan, United States, he died on January 21st, 1984, from complications of pneumonia, at the age of 49. In 1975 Wilson had collapsed on stage, when he suffered a massive heart attack. Medical personnel worked to stabilise him, but the lack of oxygen to his brain caused him to slip into a coma. He briefly recovered in early 1976, and was even able to take a few wobbly steps, but he then slipped back into a semi-comatose state, he spent the last years of his life in a nursing home. Jackie Wilson was a tenor with a four octave range, with the legendary ‘Motown’ records founder Berry Gordy Jr, (see also best songs 411 and 137) saying that he was the greatest singer he ever heard. Wilson was also very energetic when performing on stage, earning the nickname ‘Mr Excitement,’ artists who have admitted being influenced by Wilson’s live performances include Elvis Presley, (1935-1977) James Brown, (1933-2006) and Michael Jackson (1958-2009.) Wilson was sometimes called ‘The Black Elvis,’ when asked about this Elvis said,’ I guess that makes me the white Jackie Wilson.’ It was Elvis Presley who covered a large portion of Jackie Wilson’s medical bills during those later years.

The discography of Jackie Wilson includes 24 studio Albums released between 1958-1976, and 70 singles released between 1957-1975, there are also 10 official compilation Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, 26 of his singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Night’ from 1960, peaking the highest at Number 4, with ‘Reet Petite (The Finest Girl You Ever Want to Meet.’) only making Number 62. In the UK, Jackie Wilson has had five top 40 chart hits, with ‘Reet Petite (The Finest Girl You Ever Want to Meet.’) reaching Number 1 in 1986.

‘Reet Petite (The Finest Girl You Ever Want to Meet’) was the debut single from Jackie Wilson, released in August 1957, and later added to his debut studio Album ‘He’s So Fine,’ from 1958. The song was co-written by Berry Gordy Jr, Billy Davis, (1932-2004) and Gwen Gordy Fuqua, (1927-1999) with the production being by Dick Jacobs (1918-1988.) With the royalties from ‘Reet Petite’, and other tracks that Berry Gordy Jr. co-wrote for Jackie Wilson, he was able to borrow the money needed to start up ‘Tamla Motown’ records. The songs title was influenced by the 1948 film ‘Reet Petite, and Gone,’ starring Louis Jordan, (1908-1975) who also sang a song with that same title in the movie. In ‘Jazz’ lingo, the term ‘reet’ meant ‘fantastic.’

Gwen Gordy Fuqua, was born Gwendolyn Gordy, on November 26th, 1927, in Detroit, Michigan, United States, she died from cancer on November 8th, 1999, at the age of 71. Gwen Gordy was the older sister of Berry Gordy Jr. and the third youngest of seven siblings, which consisted of four sisters and three brothers. It was Gwen who first got the idea of starting up a record label, forming ‘Anna’ records (named after one of her sisters) in 1959, with one of this songs co-writers Roquel ‘Billy’ Davis, and her sister Anna. In 1961 ‘Anna Records’ was absorbed into ‘Motown Records,’ with Gwen, Anne, and Billy Davis joining the staff at Motown. In 1961 Gwen Gordy married the American singer/songwriter Harvey Fuqua, (1929-2010) (see also best songs 162) and although they divorced in 1968, she was known for the rest of her life as Gwen Gordy Fuqua. She was then married to G.C. Cameron, (see also best songs 834) for a period in the 1970’s before divorcing, she then set up a production company called ‘Gwen Glenn,’ named after her son Glenn Gordy. As well as writing Reet Petite (The Finest Girl You Ever Want to Meet’) with Berry Gordy Jr. and Billy Davis, the trio were also responsible for ‘Lonely Teardrops,’ (1959-Billboard Number 7) which is often referred to as Jackie Wilson’s signature song.

In 1986 ‘Reet Petite’ (The Finest Girl You Ever Want to Meet’) was reissued as ‘Reet Petite (The Sweetest Girl in Town,’) following the showing of a clay animation video on the British BBC 2 television documentary series ‘Arena.’ The clay animation video proved so popular that it helped propel the song to be the Christmas Number 1 single of 1986 in the UK, almost three years after the death of Jackie Wilson. The song holds the record for taking the longest amount of time to reach Number 1 since release, at 29 years, and eight months.

‘Well have you ever seen a girl for whom your soul you’d give. For whom you’d fight for, die for, pray to God you’d lie for.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

450-The Strokes-Last Nite.

2001-Number 14 single.

Best Bit-At 1.58. As I have said many times before, and surely will again, nothing in Pop Music is totally original, but when you can cherry pick from the past and add your own new ideas, and come up with something so good, how can anyone complain.

The Strokes were formed in New York City, New York, United States, in 1998, and remain active at this present time. The three original members, Julian Casablancas (singer/songwriter) Nick Valensi, (guitar) and Fabrizio Moretti, (drums) started playing together as teenagers while attending Dwight School in Manhattan. They were soon joined by Nikolai Fraiture, (bass) who had been a childhood friend of Casablancas,, and the quintet was completed in late 1998 when Casablancas invited Albert Hammond Jr. (guitar) (see also best songs 369 and 33) another old school acquaintance. The Strokes are considered to be one of the most influential groups of the early 21st Century, with their sound being described as ‘Indie Rock,’ ‘Garage Rock revival,’ and ‘Post-Punk revival.’ The American musical journalist Lizzy Goodman wrote that The Strokes are ‘As influential to their era as the Velvet Underground (see also best songs 219 and 165) or the Ramones (see also best songs 707 and 102) were to theirs.’

The discography of The Strokes includes six studio Albums released between 2001-2020, and 17 singles released within the same time period, there are also two extended plays, (EP’s) and one official compilation Album available. In America on Billboard three of their studio Albums have reached the Number 4 position, and although none of their singles have reached the Billboard Hot 100 top 40, most have charted on the ‘Alternative Airplay’ chart. In the UK, The Strokes have had one Number 1 Album, ‘First Impressions of Earth,’ (2006) and eight top 40 singles, with ‘Juicebox’ from 2005, peaking the highest at Number 5.

‘Last Nite’ was the second of three singles released from ‘Is This It,’ the debut studio Album by The Strokes from July 2001, the song was written by Julian Casablancas, with the production being by Gordon Raphael. The Album has been critically acclaimed, appearing frequently in ‘best of’ lists by numerous music magazines, including being ranked as the best record of the 2000’s by the British music publication the ‘NME’ in 2009. ‘Last Nite’ borrows heavily from the song ‘American Girl’ by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers from 1976. Julian Casablancas when interviewed freely admitted to basing the songs opening guitar riff, and the songs overall structure on that track. On hearing Casablancas’ admission, Tom Petty (1950-2017) (see also best songs 769) said,’ That made me laugh out loud. I was like, OK good for you, it doesn’t bother me.’ In 2006 The Strokes were invited to be the opening act for Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers on some of that years tour dates. Julian Casablancas has also spoken about his songwriting, ‘I just wanted to write music that could touch people. As a songwriter, you play a few chords and sing a melody that’s been done a thousand times, and now you’re a singer-songwriter. I think it takes a little more than that to do something that matters. And I wish I could write a song where all the parts work. When you hear a song like that, it’s like finding a new friend.’

Julian Casablancas was born Julian Fernando Casablancas, on August 23rd, 1978, in New York City, United States, as well as his work with The Strokes, he has also released one solo studio Album ‘Phrazes for the Young,’ in 2009, and four singles between 2008-2015, he has appeared as a featured artist on a further three singles between 2007-2023. In 2013 he co-founded the Experimental Rock band ‘Julian Casablancas + The Voidz,’ which from 2017 have been known as ‘The Voidz.’ With ‘The Voidz’ he has released three studio Albums between 2014-2024, and 11 singles within the same time period.

‘Last Nite’ is a song about a romantic relationship that has broken down. The narrator thinks that he is entering in to a long term commitment, and decides that it is time to bail out. In no time at all he becomes confused not really knowing what he wants, he doesn’t want commitment, and he also might not want to leave his girl. He is also concerned about what she, and others may think of him.

‘Oh people, they don’t understand. No girlfriends, they don’t understand. In spaceships, they won’t understand, and me , I ain’t ever gonna understand.’