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Posted by: In: Other 06 Jun 2023 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

852-Crown Heights Affair-Galaxy of Love.

1978-Number 24 single.

Best Bit-At 5.21. Yes, it really is totally out of this world.

The Crown Heights Affair were a R&B, Disco, Dance, and Funk group, who formed in 1967, in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York, United States. On forming they were originally called ‘Ben Iverson and the Nue Dey Express,’ the groups founding member was Donnie Linton, who was also the bands bassist. The rest of the original line up were Phillip Thomas, (vocals) William Anderson, (guitar/vocals) Howard Young, (keyboards), Bert Reid, (trumpet) (he died in 2004) James “Ajax” Baynard, (1952-2015) (trumpet), Raymond Reid, (1952-2013) (trombone), Arnold ‘Muki’ Wilson, (bass) Julius Dilligard Jr. (trombone), and Raymond Rock, (drums, and percussion.)

‘Ben Iverson and the Nue Dey Express,’ became ‘The Crown Heights Affair,’ (named after a neighbourhood in Brooklyn) before the release of any of their Albums or singles. They were first contracted to ‘RCA’ records, on which their self titled debut Album was released in 1974, then following personnel changes, they moved to the ‘De-Lite Records’ label the following year. The discography of The Crown Heights Affair includes nine studio Albums released between 1974-1983, and 16 singles issued between 1974-1989. None of the bands Albums or singles managed to break in to the American Billboard Album or singles charts top 40, although two of their Albums reached the Billboard ‘R&B’ Album chart, and seven of their singles made either the ‘R&B,’ or ‘Dance Club Charts,’ with ‘Dreaming a Dream,’ from 1975, reaching the Number 1 spot on the ‘Dance Club Chart.’ In the UK, only their fifth studio Album ‘Dream World,’ from 1978 has broken in to the top 40, (making Number 40) while two of their singles have also charted, with the other being ‘You Gave Me Love,’ which is also their highest charting song, reaching Number 10 in 1980. ‘The Crown Heights Affair,’ remained active until 1983, but on 22nd June, 2013, they reunited to play at the ‘Coronet,’ in London, as part of the ‘Streetsounds’ record labels Summer Ball.

The Crown Heights Affair were one of the big names signed to the ‘R&B’ record label,’De-Lite Records,’ the best known and most successful act on the label were ‘ Kool and the Gang,’ who signed with ‘De-Lite Records’ in 1969, and remained there until 1984, having released 16 studio Albums, two live Albums, seven compilation Albums, and 52 singles, including the Billboard Number 1 single ‘Celebration,’ in 1980. ‘De-Lite Records’ had been founded in 1967 by Fred Vigorito, (1922–2008) Fred Fioto, (1920–1999) and Ted Simonetti, (1902–1985.) A prominent member of the labels staff was Gene Redd, (1916-1983) who was the father of the American singers Sharon Redd, (1945-1992) (see also best songs 287) and Penny Ford.

‘Galaxy of Love’ was co-written, and co-produced by Freida Nerangis, and Britt Britton, and is the opening track on the Crown Heights Affair’s’ fifth studio Album ‘Dream World,’ from 1978. The lyrics to ‘Galaxy of Love’ are a promise made by the narrator, that if his love interest should stick by him, he not only can offer them the world, but the Galaxy as well.

‘Ladies and gentlemen, the captain has turned off the no smoking and seat belt signs for your convenience. We are travelling at twice the speed of light, and are entering warp factor three, at that time we will be experiencing a period of weightlessness. On behalf of myself and the crew here at CHA Airlines, we wish you a happy flight.’

Posted by: In: Other 05 Jun 2023 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

853-Da Hool-Meet Her at the Love Parade.

1998-Number 15 single. When remixed, and re-issued in 2001, it peaked at Number 1.

Best Bit-At 3.08. Instrumental hits could be counted on the fingers of one hand back in the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s, but with the emergence of ‘Electronic Dance Music’ in the 1990’s, lyricists could no longer take their jobs for granted.

Da Hool is the stage name of Frank Tomiczek, who was born on December 30th, 1968, in Bottrop, West Germany, he is a songwriter, and music producer of ‘Acid House,’ and ‘Electronic Dance Music.’ His discography includes the release of 14 singles between 1994-2022, (the first three as ‘DJ Hooligan’) with four of those tracks charting within the ‘GfK Entertainment,’ German top 40 singles chart, with ‘Meet Her at the Love Parade,’ peaking the highest at Number 4 in 1997. In the UK, he has charted on three occasions, with the 2001 ‘Fergie’ remix of ‘Meet Her at the Love Parade,’ charting the highest at Number 11, his other UK hit was ‘Bora Bora,’ which made Number 35 in 1997. He has also charted twice in America on the Billboard ‘Dance Club Songs’ chart, with ‘Meet Her at the Love Parade,’ (Number 30-1997) and ‘Mama Sweet’ (Number 12-1998.)

The original version of ‘Meet Her at the Love Parade’ was released by Da Hool in August 1997 in many countries, and appears on the Album ‘Here Comes Da Hool,’ the track was written, and produced by Da Hool. The song was not released officially in the UK until February 1998, after it had been remixed by ‘Nalin & Kane,’ who are the German music production, and remixing team of Andre Nalin, and Harry Kane. The duo first began working together in 1993, and are best known for their 1997 hit ‘Beachball,’ (German, Number 10) and (UK, Number 17, in 1998.) The other song to appear in this 1000 best songs list which was remixed by the duo, is ‘Cafe Del Mar,’ from ‘Energy 52’ (see also best songs 79.) As aforementioned ‘Meet Her at the Love Parade,’ received a further remix by the Irish Electronic Dance Music producer Robert ‘Fergie’ Ferguson in 2001, with the song reaching a new peak position of Number 11 in the UK.

The songs title ‘Meet Her at the Love Parade’ pays tribute to ‘The Love Parade,’ which was an Electronic Dance Music festival, and Technoparade, that originated in 1989 in West Berlin, Germany. It was held annually in Berlin from 1989, to 2003, and then again in 2006, and then from 2007 to 2010, in the Ruhr region of Germany. The first parade took place in 1989, when 150 people took to the streets in Berlin, it was started by Matthias Roeingh, who is better known as ‘Dr Motte,’ and his then girlfriend, the American musician and filmmaker Danielle de Picciotto. It was originally conceived as a political demonstration for peace and international understanding, through love and music. Over the course of the next two decades the ‘Love Parade’ grew and grew, with over one million attending each year between 1997-2000. In 2010 tragedy struck when an alleged 1.4 million people attended the ‘Love Parade,’ in Duisburg, Germany. On July 24th, a crowd crush caused the deaths of 21 people, with at least 500 others injured. As a consequence, the organiser of the festival announced that no further Love Parades would be held, and that the festival would be permanently cancelled.

Posted by: In: Other 04 Jun 2023 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

854-Cult-She Sells Sanctuary.

1985-Number 15 single. In 1993 the song was re-released on two different CD singles, with several remixes, and once again it peaked at Number 15.

Best Bit-At 1.02. The wonderful low key intro only serves for greater anticipation, as you await that first big bang on the drum. For even greater anticipation, try the extended version, you get an extra 43 seconds of anticipation.

The Cult were formed in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England, in 1983, by Ian Astbury, (lead vocals) Billy Duffy, (lead guitar) Ray Mondo, (drums) and Jamie Stewart, (bass) Ray Mondo was replaced later in 1983 by Nigel Preston (1963-1992) (drums.) The Cult were active between 1983-1995, and then again between 1999-2002, before reforming again in 2006, with Ian Astbury, and Billy Duffy, being the bands two constants. In total there have been 32 different members come and go, and at the time of writing they remain active. The origin of the bands name can be traced back to when Astbury formed a band called ‘Southern Death Cult.’ On meeting Duffy in 1983, they teamed up to form ‘Death Cult,’ and using that name they released their first single, and an EP, but due to commercial reasons it was felt that a change to just ‘Cult,’ would bring more accessibility with the general public. Prior to teaming up with Astbury, Duffy had been in the ‘Punk Rock’ band ‘The Nosebleeds,’ with Vini Reilly, who would go on to form the ‘Durutti Column,’ and Morrissey, who would go on to form the ‘Smiths.’

The Cult who started out as a ‘Post-Punk,’ and then a ‘Gothic Rock’ band, would change their style of music to ‘Hard Rock,’ and ‘Heavy Metal,’ in the later 1980’s. Their discography includes 11 studio Albums released between 1984-2022, and 37 singles issued between 1983-2016, there are also six official compilation Albums, and two live Albums available. In the UK, 11 of their singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Lil Devil,’ from 1987, charting the highest at Number 11. In America they have had success on the Billboard ‘Alternative Airplay,’ and ‘Mainstream Rock’ music charts, with 13 of their tracks charting within those charts top 40 lists.

‘She Sells Sanctuary’ was the first of three singles released from the ‘Cult’s’ second studio Album ‘Love,’ from October 1985, the Album is estimated to have sold in excess of 2.5 million copies worldwide to date. ‘She Sells Sanctuary’ was co-written by Ian Astbury, and Billy Duffy, with the songs production, and it’s parent Album being by Steve Brown (1956-2021.) Brown had began his musical career in the role of an engineer, and before becoming involved in the ‘Punk’ scene, he had worked on ‘Wizzard’s’ ‘I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday’ (see also best songs 821.) The other songs in this 1000 best songs list that were produced by Brown are, ‘Motorcycle Emptiness’ (see also best songs 248) and ‘Club Tropicana’ (see also best songs 991.)

Billy Duffy has spoken about how the iconic intro to ‘She Sells Sanctuary’ came about,’I found a violin bow, and I started to play the guitar with the bow like Jimmy Page. I did it to amuse Astbury, who was in the control room, and in order to make it sound weirder, I just hit every pedal I had on the pedal board. Then once I stopped banging the strings and doing all that, I played the middle section of the song, which was kind of a pick thing with all the ‘BOSS’ pedals on, and that sound just leaped out. The producer went, ‘Hold it, hold it, that’s great!’ And we decided to start the song with that mystical sound. If I hadn’t found that violin bow laying around, we wouldn’t have gone there.’

When asked what ”She Sells Sanctuary’ is about, Ian Astbury said,’Sex. Plain and simple, it’s about sex. I’ve had sex, and I’m very proud of that fact.’

‘Oh, the heads that turn make my back burn, and those heads that turn make my back, make my back burn. The sparkle in your eyes keeps me alive, and the sparkle in your eyes, keeps me alive, keeps me alive.’

Posted by: In: Other 03 Jun 2023 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

855-Big Joe Turner-Shake, Rattle and Roll.

1954-It has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 2.16. Make no mistake, ‘A one eyed cat peepin’ in a seafood store,’ is no children’s story.

‘Shake, Rattle and Roll’ is considered by many music critics to have been the first ever major ‘Rock N’ Roll’ hit. This original version by Big Joe Turner (1911-1985) (see also best songs 257) went to Number 1 on the American Billboard ‘R&B’ chart in June 1954, and reached Number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart around the same time. Bill Haley & His Comets (see also best songs 628) recorded their version in June 1954, and the song peaked at Number 7 on the Billboard singles chart, eventually going on to sell in excess of one million copies worldwide.

‘Shake, Rattle and Roll’ was written by Jesse Stone (1901-1999) (see also best songs 257) using the pseudonym Charles E. Calhoun. The idea for the song came about in early 1954 when Ahmet Ertegun (1923-2006) (see also best songs 715) the co-founder of Atlantic Records suggested to Jesse Stone that he write an up-tempo ‘Blues’ song for Big Joe Turner, a ‘Blues Shouter,’ whose career had begun as far back as the 1920’s. Stone who played Poker weekly, had a favourite saying when he played, that was ‘shake, rattle and roll,’ which he thought was a good basis for a song. This was actually not the first time that ‘Shake, Rattle and Roll’ had been used, because in 1910, the Vaudeville performer ‘Baby’ Franklin Seals (1880-1915) published ‘You Got to Shake Rattle and Roll,’ which was a ‘Ragtime’ tune about gambling with dice.

The best known version of ‘Shake, Rattle and Roll’ is the one recorded by Bill Haley & His Comets, and is the version that many music critics point to as the first ever commercial ‘Rock N’ Roll’ hit record. The Big Joe Turner recording is very sexually suggestive, with lyrics that include,’You wear those dresses, the sun comes shining through,’ and, ‘I can’t believe my eyes all that mess belongs to you.’ In order to assure that the song would be played on the radio, Bill Haley & His Comets replaced those lyrics with, ‘You wearin’ those dresses, your hair done up so nice,’ and ‘You look so warm but your heart is as cold as ice.’ One line that did appear in both the Big Joe Turner, and the Bill Haley & His Comets versions is the ‘One-eyed cat peekin’ in a seafood store.’ It is possible that Bill Haley (1925-1981) thought that a white audience wouldn’t understand that lyrics connotation, or maybe Bill Haley didn’t realise the meaning himself, or maybe it was because Haley had been blind in one eye since childhood, and felt a certain empathy.

Ahmet Ertegun who suggested to Jesse Stone that he write an up-tempo ‘Blues’ song for Big Joe Turner, was born on July 31st, 1923, in Istanbul, Ottoman Empire, which is now Istanbul, Turkey. After falling and striking his head on a concrete floor, at a Rolling Stones concert at the Beacon Theatre, in New York City, on October 29th, 2006, he fell in to a coma. He never recovered, and died on December 14, 2006, at the age of 83. Ertegun was the co-founder, and president of ‘Atlantic Records,’ he discovered and promoted many leading ‘Rhythm and Blues,’ and ‘Rock’ musicians, including Aretha Franklin, (1942-2018) (see also best songs 644 and 366) and Led Zeppelin (see also best songs 135 and 66.) Ahmet Ertegun was also a music producer, and a songwriter, his best known compositions include ‘Mess Around,’ for Ray Charles, (1953) and ‘Lovey Dovey,’ (1954) for the ‘Clovers,’ some of the lyrics of ‘Lovey Dovey’ were used by the ‘Steve Miller Band’ in their 1973 song “The Joker’ (see also best songs 715.) Ahmet Ertegun also provided backing vocals on the Big Joe Turner version of ‘Shake, Rattle and Roll.’

‘I’m like a one-eyed cat peepin’ in a seafood store. Well, I can look at you till you ain’t no child no more. Ah, shake, rattle and roll, shake, rattle and roll, shake, rattle and roll, shake, rattle and roll. Well, you won’t do right to save your doggone soul. I get over the hill and way down underneath.’

Posted by: In: Other 02 Jun 2023 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

856-Eric B. & Rakim-Paid in Full ((Coldcut ‘Seven Minutes of Madness’ remix.)

1987-Number 15 single.

Best Bit-At 1.55. ‘This is a journey in to sound.’ Each and everyone of these 1000 + songs is a ‘journey into sound.’ Please take time to have a listen, you might hear something you like.

Eric B, & Rakim are the American ‘Hip-Hop’ duo of Louis Eric Barrier, (Eric B.) who was born on November 8th, 1963, in New York City, United States, and William Michael Griffin Jr. (Rakim) who was born on January 28th, 1968, in Wyandanch, New York, United States. The duo formed in 1986, in Long Island, New York, and were active until 1993, but reformed in 2016, to perform together, but to not release any new music. Eric B. & Rakim were active during the so called ‘Golden Age’ of ‘Rap Music,’ with many music critics citing them as the most influential artists of that period. The duo came together when Eric B. was DJing for the radio station ‘WBLS,’ in New York City, which included promotional events around the city. Eric B. who was by then producing his own music, and experimenting with samples, was looking for a Rapper to work with, when he was recommended to William Griffin (Rakim.) Rakim is considered to be one of the most innovative performers in ‘Rap’ music, being one of the first to deliver intricately crafted lyrics packed with clever word choices and metaphors, rather than the more improvisational styles and simpler rhyme patterns that predominated before him. It was also noted that Rakim’s vocal delivery was less ‘shouty’ than was often heard on ‘Rap’ records, which led him to become a major influence on future generations.

The discography of Eric B. & Rakim includes four studio Albums released between 1987-1992, and 15 singles issued between 1986-1992, there are also five official compilation Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, their only entry inside the top 40 is as the featured artists on ‘Friends,’ by Jody Watley, which reached Number 9 in 1989. They have also had nine songs which have reached the Billboard ‘R&B/Hip-Hop,’ and ‘Hot Rap Chart,’ including ‘Don’t Sweat the Technique,’ which made Number 1 in 1992. In the UK, three of their singles have made the top 40, with ‘I Know You Got Soul,’ charting the highest at Number 13 in 1987. Eric B. has also released a self titled solo studio Album in 1995, while Rakim has issued three solo studio Albums between 1997-2009, and five singles between 1997-2013, with ‘Guess Who’s Back’ from 1997, reaching Number 32 in the UK.

‘Paid in Full’ which was co-written, and co-produced by Eric B. and Rakim, was the fifth and final single released from the duo’s debut studio Album, from July 1987, of the same name, the Album is credited as a benchmark Album of the ‘Golden Age’ of Hip-Hop,’ and has gone on to sell in excess of one million copies worldwide. The version of ‘Paid in Full’ that I have chosen is the remix of the song by the English Electronic Music duo ‘Coldcut,’ (see also best songs 754) who were paid £700 for doing the remix, when it was decided to release the track as a single. ‘Coldcut’ who are the duo of Matt Black, and Jonathan More, remixed ‘Paid in Full’ by taking out some of the original samples, and adding many more of their own, extending the song by 3.32 seconds, to what has become known as the ‘Seven Minutes of Madness’ remix.

The Coldcut ‘Seven Minutes of Madness’ remix is considered ground breaking in that it is one of the very first commercially successful remixes to become a hit single. Despite its success, Eric B. has dismissed the remix as ‘girly disco music,’ Rakim, however, has called it ‘The best remix he had ever heard.’ The original Album version of ‘Paid in Full’ has many samples including the drum portion from the 1974 instrumental song from ‘Ashley’s Roachclip,’ by the American Funk group ‘The Soul Searchers.’ ‘Paid in Full’ also samples the bass line from the 1984 track ‘Don’t Look Any Further, by Dennis Edwards (1943-2018) and Siedah Garrett. Towards the end of the track, Eric B. also repeatedly scratches the line ‘This stuff is really fresh!’ which is taken from ‘Change the Beat,’ a much sampled 1982 record by the Hip-Hop artist Fab 5 Freddy.

The Coldcut remix adds several new music, and vocal samples, the most prominent of these is he voice of Israeli singer Ofra Haza, (1957-2000) taken from her 1984 recording of ‘Im Nin’alu,’ (UK Number 15-1988.) Jonathan More of Coldcut has said that when he lowered its pitch, it synced perfectly with the “Ashley’s Roachclip” drum sample. The opening vocal sample, ‘This is a journey into sound,’ is the voice of the British actor Geoffrey Sumner, (1908-1989) taken from a 1958 Album called ‘A Journey Into Stereo Sound.’ The line,’Now wait a minute, you better talk to my mother,’ comes from Humphrey Bogart, (1988-1957) as spoken in the 1946 classic film ‘The Big Sleep.’

‘Thinkin’ of a master plan, ’cause ain’t nothin’ but sweat inside my hand. So I dig into my pocket, all my money is spent, so I dig deeper but still comin’ up with lint.’

Posted by: In: Other 31 May 2023 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

857-Johnny Cash-Man in Black.

1971-It has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 2.26. Definitely not a dedicated follower of fashion.

Johnny Cash was born J. R. Cash, on February 26th, 1932, in Kingsland, Arkansas, United States, he died on September 12th, 2003, of complications from diabetes, at the age of 71. His mother wanted to call him John, and his father wanted to call him Ray, so ‘J.R.’ was the compromise. When he joined the United States Air Force in 1950, he changed his name to John, as they wouldn’t allow people to join who just used initials. Johnny Cash is one of the worlds best ever selling artists, with sales in excess of 90 million. His extensive discography includes 67 studio Albums, released between 1957-2014, and 105 official compilation albums, and 16 live Albums. He has also released 170 singles between 1955-2014, with 13 of those tracks reaching the Billboard Hot 100 top 40 singles chart, with ‘A Boy Named Sue’ peaking the highest at Number 2 in 1971. On the Billboard ‘Hot Country Songs’ chart, 101 of his singles have reached the top 40, with 14 of those tracks making the Number 1 spot, all of those entries include his collaborations with June Carter Cash, (1929-2003) Waylon Jennings, (1937-2002) Willie Nelson (see also best songs 337) and Kris Kristofferson, (see also best songs 341) and also The Carter Family. In the UK, Johnny Cash has charted within the top 40 singles chart on six occasions, with both ‘A Boy Named Sue,’ (1971) and ‘A Thing Called Love,’ (1971) both peaking the highest at Number 4.

‘Man in Black’ is a ‘protest song,’ which was written and produced by Johnny Cash, it is also the title track of his 38th overall Album release, from May 1971. ‘Man in Black’ was the first of two singles released prior to the Albums release, the other track issued as a single was ‘Singing in Viet Nam Talking Blues.’ The lyrics to ‘Man in Black’ are a protest statement of the way poor people are treated by politicians, as well as highlighting mass incarceration, and the war in Viet Nam. Johnny Cash states that until there is justice, he will only ever wear black clothing. It was following this songs release, that Cash gained his lifelong nickname ‘Man in Black.’

By 1971 Johnny Cash had already worn black clothing on stage for many years, it had started in the early days when Cash and his band were constantly on tour, and couldn’t afford new outfits, so they mixed and matched their wardrobe, and since black hid the dirt best, that was what they wore. W. S. ‘Fluke’ Holland, (1935-2020) who played drums with Johnny Cash for many years, spoke to ‘Mojo’ magazine in 2012,’And I say it’s real simple. Back then when we’d leave on tour, the longer you could wear the clothes you had on, the better it was. So if you had on black, it wouldn’t show dirt as quickly as anything else.’

Johnny Cash probably had the ideas in his head for quite sometime about what he wanted to say in ‘Man in Black,’ but when he finally put pen to paper the words came very quickly. Speaking to the audience on his very first performance of the song, at ‘Ryman Auditorium,’ in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1971, Cash admitted that he had written the song the previous weekend, and then revised it a few times before the concert on the Wednesday, Cash performed the song for the first time using cue cards with revised lyrics, that he had only updated that day. At the end of the song he received a standing ovation. His eldest daughter Rosanne has offered her perspective on what the song meant to her father,’There’s so many levels to it. One is saying, ‘I’m wearing this symbol for the downtrodden and the poor.’ The other was much more subtle to me, it reflected the sadness, the convulsions, just that mythic dark night of the soul that he went through so many times.’

‘Ah, I’d love to wear a rainbow every day, and tell the world that everything’s okay. But I’ll try to carry off a little darkness on my back, ’til things are brighter, I’m the man in black.’

Posted by: In: Other 30 May 2023 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

858-Rihanna featuring Drake-What’s My Name?

2011-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 1.26. She’s Robyn Rihanna Fenty, and he’s Aubrey Drake Graham.

‘What’s My Name?’ was co-written by Mikkel S. Eriksen, and Tor Erik Hermansen, who collaborate under the working name of ‘Stargate.’ The songs other writers are Ester Dean, Traci Hale, and Drake, who wrote the songs ‘Rap.’ The track was produced by Stargate, along with Kuk Harrell. ‘What’s My Name?’ was released as the second of seven singles from Rihanna’s fifth studio Album ‘Loud,’ from November 2010.

‘Stargate’ are one of the most successful songwriting, and production teams of the 21st Century. They originally formed in 1996, in Trondeim, Norway, as the songwriting trio of Mikkel S. Eriksen, Tor E. Hermansen, and Hallgeir Rustan. After initial success in Norway, where they produced the Norwegian R&B singer Noora Noor, they then branched out into the British market, writing and producing the 1999 UK Number 2 hit ‘S Club Party,’ for the English ‘Teen Pop’ band ‘S Club 7.’ It was that success which gave them the confidence to branch out even further, and attempt to conquer the American market as well. ‘Stargate’ have gone on to write or produce 10 American Billboard Hot 100 Number 1 singles to date, six of which have been in collaboration with Rihanna.

Another of this songs writers. Ester Dean, is also one of the most successful songwriters of the 21st Century. Ester Renay Dean was born on April 15th, 1986, in Muskogee, Oklahoma, United States, and since 2007 she has been writing songs for herself, and others to record. Artists who have had hit singles with songs she has written, or co-written, include, Beyonce, Chris Brown, and Christina Aguilera. Ester Dean has also charted twice on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart as an artist, in 2009 with ‘Drop It Low,’ featuring Chris Brown, (Number 38) and in 2010, as the featured artist on ‘Super Bass,’ with Nicki Minaj (Billboard Number 8, and UK Number 8.)

‘What’s My Name?’ is one of five collaborations between Rihanna, (see also best songs 566) and Drake, (see also best songs 1043 and 921) with the others being ‘Lemon,’ (Remix) from 2007, ‘Too Good,’ (2016-Billboard Number 14, and UK Number 3) ‘Work,’ (2016-Billboard Number 1, and UK Number 2) and ‘Take Care’ (2011-Billboard Number 7, and UK Number 9.) The collaboration for ‘What’s My Name?’ was originally intended to be just a remix of the song, with the solo version by Rihanna intended for the Album ‘Loud,’ Regarding Drake’s inclusion on the song, Rihanna said at the time,’Drake is the hottest rapper out right now, and we’ve always been trying to work together, he’s a young rapper who has incredible melodies,’ Tor Erik Hermansen of Stargate, who co-wrote, and co-produced ‘What’s My Name?’ has said,’She (Rihanna) played the record to Drake backstage somewhere, to try to get him on a verse. She’s calling me up saying, ‘Where are the files?’ That’s one thing you don’t hear often from artists on her level. When ‘What’s My Name? topped the UK singles chart in January 2011, Rihanna became the first female solo artist in chart history to achieve Number 1 singles in five consecutive years.

Drake has come in for a certain amount of criticism for a portion of his rap on the track, with some calling it ‘cheesy,’ and others going a step further by calling it, ‘beneath him.’ The line critics are referring to, is when Drake says,’The square root of sixty nine is eight something, right? This is a disguised reference to oral sex, as ‘sixty nine is a sexual position,’ and ‘eight something’ (ate something.) Is it clever or childish?……who cares.

‘Hey boy, I really wanna see if you can go downtown with a girl like me. Hey boy, I really wanna be with you, ’cause you just my type. Ooh na na na na. I need a boy, to take it over, looking for a guy, to put in work uh, ooh, ooh.’

Posted by: In: Other 29 May 2023 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

859-Wheatus-Teenage Dirtbag.

2000-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 2.49. If your schooldays are meant to be the happiest, then you’re in for some tough times ahead.

Wheatus were formed in Northport, New York, United States, in 1995, by Brendan B. Brown, (lead vocals, and guitars) his brother Peter Brown, (drums) and Rich Liegey, (bass) in total there have been 31 different members come and go, with Brendan B. Brown being the groups one constant, and at the time of writing they remain active. As children the Brown brothers were nicknamed ‘wedus’ by their father, and that is from where the groups name derives. The discography of Wheatus includes five studio Albums released between 2000-2013, and 32 singles issued between 2000-2022, their are also two official live Albums, and two extended plays available. In their home country of America, they have never managed to break into the national charts, but they have achieved great success in Europe, and Australia, where ‘Teenage Dirtbag’ was a Number 1 single, and also the second best selling song in Australia in the year 2000. In the UK, three of their singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Teenage Dirtbag’ charting the highest at Number 2. Their other two UK hits are a cover of the Erasure (see also best songs 700) song ‘A Little Respect,’ which made Number 3 in 2001, and the double ‘A;’ sided release ‘Wannabe Gangstar’ / ‘Leroy,’ which reached Number 22 also in 2001, all three of their hits in the UK were taken from their self titled debut studio Album.

‘Teenage Dirtbag’ was written by Brendan B. Brown, who is affectionately known to his fan base as ‘BBB.’ with the songs production credited to Philip A. Jimenez, who was also co-producer with Wheatus on the the songs parent Album. ‘Teenage Dirtbag’ was the first of three singles released from the debut studio Album by Wheatus from August 2000, and has gone on to sell in excess of five million copies worldwide.

Brendan B. Brown got the idea for the song from a very famous incident that shocked America in the summer of 1984. In the woods behind the house, in Long Island, where Brown, who at the time was 10 years old was living, there was a so called ‘Satanic, drug induced ritual teenage homicide.’ The person who committed the crime was called Ricky Kasso, (1967-1984) who when arrested was wearing an ‘AC/DC’ – T-shirt. Brown has said,’That made all the papers, and the television, obviously, and here I was, 10 years old, walking around with a case full of AC/DC, (see also best songs 797-245 and 170) and Iron Maiden, (see also best songs 666) and Metallica (see also best songs 730 and 52) and all the parents and the teachers and the cops thought I was some kind of Satan worshipper. So that’s the backdrop for that song.’ Brown has also said that the sing-a-long chorus is an act of defiance,’So when I sing: ‘I’m just a teenage dirtbag’, I’m effectively saying: ‘Yeah, f–k you if you don’t like it. Just because I like AC/DC doesn’t mean I’m a devil worshipper, and you’re an idiot. That’s where it comes from.’

It is suspected, but not fully confirmed, that Brendan B. Brown actually performs all of the vocals on ‘Teenage Dirtbag,’ including the female sounding parts. The second verse of the songs begins with ‘Her boyfriend’s a dick/He brings a gun to school,’ the radio edits often omit the word ‘dick,’ or replace it with the slightly less offensive ‘prick,’ while the ‘He brings a gun to school,’ is often covered up by ‘scratching sounds,’ as when the song was released the ‘Columbine High School massacre,’ (1999) was still fresh in people’s minds. On the subject of the songs continued popularity, Brown has recalled the words of his father,’Every teenager has to go through that, being an outsider, thing, at least a little bit, so that story is still the same for people, even if it’s 30 years after I went through it.’

‘I’ve got two tickets to Iron Maiden, baby, come with me Friday, don’t say maybe. I’m just a teenage dirtbag, baby, like you ooh.’

Posted by: In: Other 28 May 2023 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

860-The Sweet-Block Buster!

1973-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 1.40. This song is so good, that even the band are lost for words.

The Sweet were formed in London, England, in 1968, by Brian Connolly, (1945-1997) (vocals) and Mick Tucker, (1947-2002) (drums) who had previously played together in a band called ‘Wainwright’s Gentlemen,’ they were soon joined by Steve Priest, (1945-2020) (bass) with the classic line up completed by Andy Scott, (guitar) who joined in 1970. When first forming they were known as ‘The Sweetshop,’ but when another band with the same name released a single, they changed to ‘The Sweet,’ and then from 1974, they became just ‘Sweet.’ Brian Connolly left to pursue a solo career in 1978, with the remaining members continuing as a trio, through until they split in 1982. Between 1984-1997, Brian Connolly put together a band called ‘New Sweet,’ and then between 2008-2020, Steve Priest assembled his own version called ‘Steve Priest’s Sweet. Also Andy Scott and Mick Tucker organised their own version of ‘Sweet,’ in 1985, as ‘Andy Scott’s Sweet’ and they remain active at the time of writing. In total 19 different members have performed under the ‘Sweet ‘ banner to date.

From their inception in 1968, through until the split in 1982, the musical output of the ‘Sweet’ changed from ‘Bubblegum Pop,’ to ‘Glam Rock,’ and then finally to their first love of ‘Hard Rock.’ The discography of the ‘Sweet’ includes nine studio Albums released between 1971-1982, with a further five by ‘Andy Scott’s Sweet,’ issued between 1992-2020. They have also released 50 singles between 1968-2023, and there are 24 official compilations, and 11 live Albums available. In the UK, 15 of their singles have made the top 40, with ‘Block Buster!’ being their only Number 1, but five of their tracks have reached the Number 2 spot. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, they have charted within the top 40 on five occasions, with ‘Little Willy’ from 1972, peaking the highest at Number 3, although ‘Block Buster!’ only reached Number 73 in America.

‘Block Buster!’ was co-written by the legendary songwriting duo of Nicky Chinn, (see also best songs 773 and 686) and Mike Chapman, (see also best songs 773-686 and 402) with the songs production being by Philip Wainman, who worked with the Sweet through until 1974. Michael Donald Chapman was born on April 13th, 1947, in Nambour, Queensland, Australia, with Nicky Chinn, he worked under the ‘Chinnichap’ brand, writing and producing for artists including Suzi Quatro, Smokie, and Mud. Chinn and Chapman worked together between 1970-1978, with their golden period from 1973-1974, seeing them achieve 19 UK top 40 hits, including five Number 1 singles, but Mike Chapman is most critically acclaimed for his later work with the American ‘New Wave’ group ‘Blondie,’ and in particular their 1979 Album ‘Parallel Lines,’ which he produced, and which took ‘Blondie’ to the next level of international success.

‘Block Buster!’ was released shortly after David Bowie (1947-2016) had reached Number 2 in the UK chart with ‘The Jean Genie,’ on the same record label ‘RCA.’ Both of the songs have the same guitar riff, but neither party ever commented accusingly about the similarities, and that maybe because the riff is also identical to that used by the English Rock band the ‘Yardbirds,’ on their 1964 cover version, of the 1955 Bo Diddley (1928-2008) song ‘I’m a Man.’ On first hearing ‘The Jean Genie’ Andy Scott of the ‘Sweet’ has recalled, ‘We sat there with horrified looks on our faces. The guy asked what was wrong, and we said ‘That’s the same f—ing guitar riff as Blockbuster. He said, ‘Well, it’s quite similar isn’t it?’ ‘It’s the f—ing same. I got on the blower to Nicky Chinn and said, ‘We can’t release this.’ He said, ‘Don’t worry, they’re completely different kinds of records and I predict this will be a Number one.’ I thought, ‘Good luck with that.’ But he was proved right. A few weeks later, we were at Number one, and Bowie was at Number two.’

‘Block Buster!’ tells the tale of a man called ‘Buster,’ who women find irresistible, in order to stop him taking your woman, you must block him.’

‘You better beware, you better take care, you better watch out if you’ve got long black hair. He’ll come from behind, you’ll go out of your mind, you better not go, you never know what you’ll find.’

Posted by: In: Other 27 May 2023 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

861-O. C. Smith-Little Green Apples.

1968-It has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 1.12. Granny Smith must have been very proud of him.

‘Little Green Apples’ was written by Bobby Russell, (1940-1992) for the American Country Music singer Roger Miller, (1936-1992) who took his original version of the song to Number 39 on the American Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, and Number 19 in the UK, in 1968. Another recording by the American ‘Traditional Pop/Country’ American singer Patti Page, (1927-2013) also charted on Billboard in 1968, reaching Number 96, and giving Page her final ‘Hot 100’ chart entry. The most successful version of ‘Little Green Apples’ is this one, which was recorded by O. C. Smith, also in 1968, for his second studio Album ‘Hickory Holler Revisited.’ Smith had just achieved his first hit single with ‘The Son of Hickory Holler’s Tramp,’ (Billboard Number 40, and UK Number 2) and the follow up single ‘Main Street Mission,’ (Billboard Number 105) was stalling when, as Buzz Cason (the writing and business partner of this songs writer, see also best songs 875) recalled, ‘A disc jockey in Detroit played the Album cut of ‘Little Green Apples’ one morning.’ That single play of the record triggered such a reaction, and rush of phone requests, that it prompted the DJ to call Steve Popovich, (1942-2011) head of promotion for ‘Columbia Records,’ in New York, and ‘Little Green Apples’ replaced ‘Main Street Mission’ as Smith’s then current single.

O. C. Smith was born Ocie Lee Smith on June 21st, 1932, in Mansfield, Louisiana, United States, he died on November 23rd, 2001, of a heart attack at the age of 69. Smith signed his first recording contract in 1955 with ‘Cadence Records,’ where he released four singles without any success, he then signed with ‘MGM Records,’ but once again he failed to chart. Between 1961-1965 Smith was recruited by the ‘Count Basie Orchestra,’ (see also best songs 73) to be their vocalist, while at the same time continuing to pursue a solo career. Smith finally achieved a hit single in 1968 when his cover of ‘The Son of Hickory Holler’s Tramp,’ reached number 2 in the UK, and Number 40 on Billboard. In later years Smith became the pastor and founder of ‘The City Of Angels Church,’ in Los Angeles, California, where he ministered for 16 years. The discography of O. C. Smith includes 14 Albums released between 1966-2000, and approximately 26 singles issued between 1956-1987. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, he achieved three top 40 singles, with ‘Little Green Apples,’ charting the highest at Number 2, while in the UK, he has charted twice, with ‘The Son of Hickory Holler’s Tramp,’ reaching Number 2, and ‘Together,’ from 1976, making Number 25.

‘Little Green Apples’ was the third single released from O.C. Smiths second Album ‘Hickory Holler Revisited,’ from 1968, the song was written by Bobby Russell, with the production credited to Jerry Fuller. Bobby Russell was born on April 19th, 1940, in Nashville, Tennessee, United States, he died on November 19th, 1992, of coronary artery disease, at the age of 52. Other notable songs written by Russell include the American, and Canadian 1972 Number 1 single ‘The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia,’ which was first recorded by Vicci Laurence, who at that time was Russell’s wife. An even bigger success for Russell was writing the 1968 Billboard Number 1, and UK Number 2 hit ‘Honey’ for Bobby Goldsoro, (see also best songs 942) which in 2011, the ‘Rolling Stone’ magazine ranked the song as the second worst song of the 1960’s. Bobby Russell also had a career as a performer, releasing three Albums between 1968-1971, and 12 singles between 1966-1975, with two of those tracks reaching the Billboard Hot 100, with ‘Saturday Morning Confusion,’ making Number 28 in 1971.

The title of ‘Little Green Apples’ is based on the well known saying ‘Sure as God made little green apples.’ Buzz Cason, who worked closely with Bobby Russell has said that the song, and also ‘Honey,’ were ‘An experiment in composing,’ after they realised that there was a market for ‘slice-of-life stories with more ‘meat’ in the lyrics.’

‘And if that’s not lovin’ me, then all I’ve got to say, God didn’t make little green apples, and it don’t rain in Indianapolis in the summertime. And there’s no such thing as Doctor Seuss, or Disneyland, and Mother Goose, no nursery rhyme. God didn’t make little green apples, and it don’t rain in Indianapolis in the summertime.’