THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

534-Evelyn Thomas-High Energy.

1984-Number 5 single.

Best Bit-At 2.15. You can’t get any higher than this…..legally.

‘Hi-NRG’ (pronounced ‘high energy’) is a musical genre of uptempo ‘Disco,’ or ‘Electronic Dance Music,’ (EDM) that originated during the late 1970’s, and early 1980’s. In 1977 the American singer Donna Summer (1948-2012) (see also best songs 78 and 11) was interviewed about her single ‘I Feel Love,’ which was a mostly Electronic, high tempo Disco song, she said, ‘This song became a hit because it has an high energy vibe,’ which led to the naming of the genre. The ‘Hi-NRG’ music genre would prove very influential, with notably the British music producers ‘Stock Aitken and Waterman (see also best songs 627) using the genre in a lot of their productions, and further down the line the genre would influence ‘Techno,’ and ‘Trance’ music of the early 1990’s.

‘High Energy’ was co-written, and co-produced by Ian Levine, and Fiachra Trench, and was the first of three singles released from Evelyn Thomas’ third studio Album of the same name from 1984. Evelyn Thomas was born Ellen Lucille Thomas, on August 22nd, 1953, in Chicago, Illinois, United States, she was discovered by the British music producer Ian Levine when he was in the United States in 1975 scouting for ‘Gospel’ and ‘Soul’ singers, that he could promote in the UK. Together they recorded several tracks which resulted in a contract with ’20th Century Records.’ The discography of Evelyn Thomas includes four studio Albums released between 1978-1986, and 25 singles released between 1976-2008, there are also two official compilation Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, her only charting single remains ‘High Energy,’ which stalled at Number 85, although three of her tracks have reached the ‘Billboard Dance Club Songs’ chart, with ‘High Energy’ making the Number 1 spot. In the UK, Evelyn Thomas has charted twice within the top 40, with ‘Weak Spot,’ also co-written by Ian Levine, reaching Number 26 in 1976, and ‘High Energy,’ peaking the highest at Number 5 in 1984.

Ian Levine was born Ian Geoffrey Levine, on June 22nd, 1953, in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, he was very influential in the ‘Northern Soul’ scene (see also best songs 969) in the 1970’s, and then with ‘Electronic Dance Music’ in the early 1980’s. Ian Levine who has written and produced records with sales totalling over 40 million, first got in to music as an avid collector of ‘Motown’ records, building up an extensive collection, which led to his interest in the promoting of ‘Northern Soul’ music. In 1971 he became a disc jockey at the ‘Blackpool Mecca,’ England, which played ‘Northern Soul’ singles, before moving on to playing at the world famous ‘Wigan Casino,’ where he and his fellow DJ Colin Curtis, were responsible for guiding the ‘Northern Soul’ scene away from its oldies-only policy, and towards ‘Modern Soul,’ and ‘Disco.’ In 1979, Ian Levine began advising London’s gay disco ‘Heaven’ on its set-up, and he became the club’s first resident DJ, remaining there through most of the 1980’s, before leaving in 1989. Levine was also one of the first DJ’s to mix records in the UK. Ian Levine is also remembered for setting up his own record label ‘Motorcity Records’ in 1987. In that year, he had began recording some former artists from ‘Motown,’ and after a reunion of 60 Motown stars, including Edwin Starr (1942-2003) (see also best songs 429) and Levi Stubbs (1936-2008) (see also best songs 650) on top of a hotel opposite the original ‘Hitsville USA’ building, in Detroit, ‘Motorcity Records’ was launched as a record label. The label recorded 850 songs by 108 artists, but due to due to severe financial losses the label had to be closed down in the 1990’s.

‘High Energy’ was also co-written by Fiachra Trench, who was born Fiachra Terence Wilbrah Trench, on September 7th, 1941, in Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland. He began his songwriting partnership with Ian Levine in the early 1980’s, and together they wrote ‘Hi-NRG’ tracks for artists, including Evelyn Thomas, Miquel Brown, and Barbara Pennington (1954-2023.) Trench has worked alongside many of the world’s top performers throughout his career, and is credited with the string arrangements on the ‘Boomtown Rats’ “I Don’t Like Mondays,’ (1979-UK Number 1) Fairytale of New York,’ by the Pogues, (1987-UK Number 2) (see also best songs 32) and ‘Have I Told You Lately,’ for Van Morrison (1989-UK Number 74.) Fiachra Trench has also scored and composed music for films, including ‘Pearl Harbor,’ (2001) ‘The Boxer,’ (1997) ‘The Tailor of Panama,’ (2001) and ‘The Ring’ (2006.)

‘All the gold that’s in Fort Knox couldn’t buy this happiness. With your love I don’t need money, I don’t need success. I became a victim of a sudden love attack, It happened in a blink of an eye and there’s no holding back.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

535-The Mills Brothers-You Always Hurt the One You Love.

1944-It has never charted in the UK. There was no UK chart until 1952.

Best Bit-At 1.16. Some song titles become so famous, that they actually become a cliche.

The Mills Brothers (see also best songs 960) originated from Piqua, Ohio, United States, and were active for 54 years, between 1928-1982. The four brothers who made up the quartet, and whom had been born in to a family of nine were, Donald, (1915-1999) (lead tenor) Herbert, (1912-1999) (tenor) Harry, (1913-1982) (baritone) and John Jr. (1910-1936) (guitar, double bass, and vocals.) As well as being able to harmonise together, the brothers also mimicked the sounds of musical instruments, John would imitate the tuba, Harry, the trumpet, and Donald, the trombone. John also accompanied their four-part harmony on ukulele, and then guitar. In their early days they practised imitating orchestras that they had heard on the radio. In fact it was stated on their early ‘Decca Records’ recordings, and then later on their ‘Brunswick Records’ recordings that ‘No musical instruments or mechanical devices used on this recording other than one guitar.’

The Mills Brothers recorded over 2000 songs, and sold in excess of 50 million records during their career, although in the UK, their only entry on the UK top 40 singles chart is ‘The Glow Worm,’ which reached Number 10 after it’s release in 1952. In America it was a completely different story, where they charted with 63 top 40 singles on Billboard between 1931-1968, including five Number 1’s, one of which was this song. The Mills Brothers have also released 58 official Albums, including compilations, between 1946-1981. Such was the popularity of The Mills Brothers, that they made appearances in 20 films between 1932-1965.

‘You Always Hurt the One You Love’ was co-written by Allan Roberts, (1905-1966) who wrote the lyrics, and Doris Fisher, (1915-2003) who provided the melody. The very first recording of the song was by The Mills Brothers, with the arrangement credited to Milton DeLugg (1918-2015.) Over the years ‘You Always Hurt the One You Love’ has been recorded by many different artists, with the other hit versions being by the American R&B singer Clarence “Frogman” Henry, (1937-2024) who reached Number 4 in Canada in 1961, and the American singer Connie Francis, who made Number 13 on the UK chart in 1959. Milton DeLugg was born on December 2nd, 1918, in Los Angeles, California, United States, he died of heart failure on April 6th, 2015, at the age of 96. Although he is best remembered for writing songs in the pre ‘Rock ‘N Roll’ era, and also for composing music for a number of films, and television programmes, his best known song apart from his work on ‘You Always Hurt the One You Love,’ is his production of the 1958 UK Number 5 ‘Rock ‘N Roll’ hit ‘Rave On,’ for Buddy Holly.

‘You Always Hurt the One You Love’ was co-written by Doris Fisher, who was born on May 2nd, 1915, in New York City, New York, United States, and died on January 15th, 2003, at the age of 87, and Allan Roberts, who was born on March 12th, 1905, in Brooklyn, New York, United States, and died of a heart attack on January 14th, 1966, at the age of 61 collaborated on many songs together, including ‘Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall, (1944) (see also best songs 702) and ‘That Ole Devil Called Love’ (1944.) In 1945 Fisher and Roberts were signed to a seven years contract with ‘Columbia Pictures,’ but after Fisher married in 1947, she decided to retire from music, with Roberts continuing to write with his new partner Lester Lee (1903-1956.) Doris Fisher was certainly bred to be a songwriter, being the daughter of the German songwriter, and ‘Tin Pan Alley’ music publisher Fred Fisher, (1875-1942) both of her brothers Dan Fisher, (1920-2001) and Marvin Fisher (1916-1993) were also both noted songwriters. In 1940 Doris Fisher co-wrote the song ‘Whispering Grass’ with her father Fred Fisher, the song was first made famous by the American vocal Pop group ‘The Ink Spots’ featuring Bill Kenny, and then became a UK Number 1 single in 1975, when recorded by Windsor Davies (1930-2019) and Don Estelle (1933-2003.) After leaving music, Doris Fisher became a collector of antique American furniture, and an adviser on interior design. In the early 1960’s she advised President John F. Kennedy (1917-1963) on interior design for the White House. Following her death, her friend, the American pianist and singer Michael Feinstein, praised her tenacity and talent, in what at the time was a man’s world.

‘You always hurt the one you love, the one you shouldn’t hurt at all. You always take the sweetest rose, and crush it till the petals fall. You always break the kindest heart with a hasty word you can’t recall, so if I broke your heart last night, it’s because I love you most of all.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

536-Neil Diamond-Forever in Blue Jeans.

1979-Number 16 single.

Best Bit-At 1.28. As two other songwriters of great renown once wrote, ‘Money Can’t Buy Me Love.’

Neil Leslie Diamond (see also best songs 426 and 13) was born on January 24th, 1941, in New York City, United States, with record sales in excess of 130 million sold worldwide, he is one of the best selling artists of all time. It was at the age of 16, that he realised that he wanted to be a songwriter, after watching the Folk singer Pete Seeger (1919-2014) (see also best songs 159) perform at the ‘Surprise Lake Camp,’ in upstate New York, Neil Diamond has recalled, ‘And the next thing, I got a guitar when we got back to Brooklyn, started to take lessons, and almost immediately began to write songs.’ Prior to his breakthrough as a performer in 1966 with his fifth overall single release ‘Cherry Cherry,’ (Billboard Number 5) Neil Diamond had found success with his songs being performed by other artists, notably with ‘Sunday and Me,’ which made Number 18 on Billboard in 1965 for the American Rock group ‘Jay and the Americans,’ and ‘I’m a Believer,’ a Billboard, and UK Number 1 single for the American ‘Pop/Rock’ band the ‘Monkees’ in 1966.

The discography of Neil Diamond includes 32 studio Albums released between 1966-2020, and 96 singles released between 1962-2021, there are also two soundtrack Albums, 35 official compilation Albums, and eight live Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, 37 of his singles have reached the top 40, with three of those tracks, ‘Cracklin’ Rosie,’ (1970) Song Sung Blue,’ (1972) and ‘You Don’t Bring Me Flowers,’ a duet with Barbra Streisand, (1978) all making the Number 1 position, while in the UK, Neil Diamond has had 11 top 40 hits, with ‘Cracklin’ Rosie’ (1970) peaking the highest at Number 3. When recorded by others, two of his songs, ‘I’m a Believer,’ (Monkees-1966) and ‘Red Red Wine,’ (UB40-1983) have both reached Number 1 on both Billboard, and in the UK.

‘Forever in Blue Jeans,’ which can be filed under ‘Rock,’ ‘Country Pop,’ and ‘Soft Rock,’ was the second of three singles released from Neil Diamond’s 12th studio Album ‘You Don’t Bring Me Flowers,’ from November 1978, the song was co-written by Neil Diamond, and Richard Bennett, with the production being by the legendary American songwriter, singer, musician, and record producer, Bob Gaudio (see also best songs 1007-914-863-739-499-393-284-164 and 112.) Richard Bennett was born on July 22nd, 1951, in Chicago, Illinois, United States, he is best known as a guitarist, and music producer. Bennett was a long term collaborator with Neil Diamond, playing on everyone of his Albums between 1971-1987, and also touring with him throughout that time period. The other song that Richard Bennett is best remembered for, is his guitar playing on the 1975 Billboard Number 1, and UK Number 7 single ‘Let Your Love Flow,’ by ‘The Bellamy Brothers,’ (see also best songs 923) ‘Let Your Love Flow’ had been written by Larry E. Williams, who was a member of Neil Diamond’s road crew. Since 1994 Bennett has worked as a touring sideman for Mark Knopfler, (see also best songs 829 and 298) and he has also produced Albums for artists including Emmylou Harris, and Steve Earle. He was a member of ‘The Notorious Cherry Bombs’ who recorded an Album in 1994, and he has performed on dozens of tracks for other artists, as well as releasing six solo Albums between 2004-2018. He has played on nine Mark Knopfler Albums between 1996-2018, with Knopfler writing the liner notes for Bennett’s debut solo Album ‘Themes From A Rainy Decade,’ in 2004. The liner notes read,’For almost ten years now I’ve felt very lucky having Richard Bennett as a pal and as a member of the band. His quiet, self-effacing manner hides an encyclopedic knowledge of all kinds of roots and rock music, from Hillbilly to Hawaiian, played effortlessly on a variety of instruments which appear out of a flight case as big as an Airstream trailer… May his cracking guitar playing find a place in your life as it has in mine.’

‘Forever in Blue Jeans’ tells us that it is better to be loved by that special person, rather than have all the money in the world, and not know real happiness. The ‘Blue Jeans’ are a symbol of a manual worker, who would not have lots of money. Neil Diamond has said of the songs meaning, ‘The simple things are really the important things.’

‘Money talks, but it can’t sing and dance and it can’t walk, and long as I can have you here with me, I’d much rather be forever in blue jeans. babe.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

537-UB40-Kingston Town.

1990-Number 4 single.

Best Bit-At 0.09. UB40 maybe brilliant when it comes to making music, but it appears they are rubbish when it comes to geography, surely they should know that Kingston is a city, not a town.

UB40 (see also best songs 173) were formed in Birmingham, England, in 1978. The classic line up who recorded the debut studio Album ‘Signing Off’ in 1980, and remained together until Ali Campbell parted ways in 2008 to start a solo career were, Ali Campbell, (lead vocals) Robin Campbell, (lead guitar) Earl Falconer, (bass) Norman Lamont Hassan, (percussion) Terence ‘Asto’ Wilson, (1957-2021) (vocals) Jim Brown, (drums) Brian Travers, (1959-2021) (saxophone) and Michael Virtue (keyboards.)

Ali Campbell was born Alistair Ian Campbell, on February 15th, 1959, in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England, both of his other brothers Robin Campbell, and Duncan Campbell are also former members of UB40. In 2008 Ali Campbell quit UB40 after very nearly 30 years of recording and touring, stating that for many years he had been unhappy with the business practices and business managers of UB40, and then launched an investigation into the financial handling of the business. This was the reason for his departure. Within a few months Mickey Virtue who had been a member of UB40 since 1979 also left, citing the same reasons as Campbell, and joined Campbell’s legal investigation. In 2014 Ali Campbell joined forces with Mickey Virtue, and ‘Astro,’ who had left UB40 in 2013, to form a rival group to ‘UB40, calling themselves ‘UB40 featuring Ali, Astro and Mickey.’ Ali Campbell has said why he was motivated to start a rival group, ‘I sat back for five years and watched my brother Duncan murdering my songs. We’re saving the legacy.’ The Campbell brothers are the three sons of the Scottish Folk singer Ian Campbell, (1933-2012) who was one of the most important figures of the British Folk revival during the 1960’s. In 1962 as the ‘Ian Campbell Folk Group,’ he and others recorded ‘Ceilidh At The Crown,’ at the ‘Crown Inn,’ in Station Street, Birmingham, which was their regular venue. It was the first ever live Folk recording to be released on vinyl.

The discography of Ali Campbell away from UB40 includes four solo studio Albums released between 1995-2010, and a further two with ‘the other UB40,’ released in 2014, and 2022, there are also three official compilation Albums available. Ali Campbell has also released eight singles without any other members of UB40 between 1995-2010, with three of those singles making the UK top 40, with ‘That Look in Your Eye,’ featuring Pamela Starks, charting the highest at Number 5 in 1995.

‘Kingston Town’ was the third of five singles released from UB40’s ninth studio Album, and second covers Album, ‘Labour of Love II,’ from November 1989. ‘Kingston Town’ was written by Kentrick Patrick, (1935-2023) with the production credited to UB40. The song reached the top 40 in 10 European countries, including topping the charts in the Netherlands, and France, where with sales of around 600,000, it is at the time of writing the 426th best selling song of all time in France. The Album ‘Labour of Love II,’ contains 14 cover versions, played in the ‘Reggae’ genre, many based on the original versions arrangement, and some new arrangements by the band.
‘Kingston Town’ was originally written by Kentrick Patrick, who is better known by his stage name ‘Lord Creator.’ Kentrick Patrick was born on August 21st, 1935, in San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago, he died on June 30th, June 2023, at the age of 87. As ‘Lord Creator’ he recorded music in the genres of ‘Calypso,’ ‘R&B,’ ‘Ska,’ and ‘Rocksteady,’ he was also a singer. As a non Jamaican he is recognised as an important and positive ‘outside’ influence during the early development of the Jamaican music scene. In 1962, he recorded the song ‘Independent Jamaica,’ with the Jamaican producer Vincent ‘Randy’ Chin, (1937-2003) which became the official song marking Jamaica’s independence from the British Empire on August 6th, 1962. That song was also the first record issued on Chris Blackwell’s newly founded ‘Island Records’ label in the United Kingdom as ‘Island 001.’ When UB40 had a hit with ‘Kingston Town’ in 1989, it helped revive Lord Creator’s career, bringing bookings in oldies shows in Jamaica, as well as a tour of Japan. In 2022, for his services to music, he was the recipient of Jamaica’s ‘Order of Distinction (Officer.’)

‘And when I an king, surely I would need a queen, and a palace and everything, yeah. And now I am king, and my queen will come at dawn, she’ll be waiting in Kingston Town.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

538-Meghan Trainor-All About That Bass.

2014-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 0.44. You’ve gotta love that ‘Phat Bass.’ The bass represents the fuller sound, (the more curvy lady) whereas the treble represents a lesser sound (those skinny bitc#es.)

Meghan Elizabeth Trainor was born on December 22nd, 1993, in Nantucket, Massachusetts, United States, initially she had no ambition to be a performer, as she thought that her body size would hold her back, with her not being the stereotypical looking thin ‘Pop’ singer. Her lyrics often include themes of womanhood, body image, and personal empowerment, although at times she has been criticised for being anti-feminist. At the age of 12 Meghan Trainor began performing as part of a covers band called ‘Island Fusion,’ which also included her aunt, younger brother, and father. Together they performed ‘Soca Music,’ as well as Meghan Trainor’s early compositions. From a young age she had an eclectic taste in music, especially being heavily influenced by the ‘Doo-Wop’ that had originated in African-American communities during the 1940’s. Between the ages of 15 to 17, she independently released three Albums of material she had written, recorded, performed, and produced. In order to improve her songwriting she enrolled in the ‘Summer Performance Program’ at the ‘Berklee College of Music,’ in Boston, Massachusettes during 2009, with the intention of becoming a songwriter for hire. It was in 2013 that she first met Kevin Kadish, which would lead to international recognition for them both.

The discography of Meghan Trainor includes six studio Albums released between 2015-2024, and 36 singles released between 2014-2024, there are also three independent Albums, and two official live Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, she has had seven top 40 hit singles as the lead artist, with ‘All About That Bass’ reaching Number 1, she has also had a further hit as the featured artist on the Charlie Puth track ‘Marvin Gaye,’ which made Number 21 in 2015. In the UK, Meghan Trainor has had eight top 40 chart hits, with ‘All About That Bass’ reaching Number 1, she also made Number 1 as the featured artist on the Charlie Puth single ‘Marvin Gaye’ in 2015.

‘All About That Bass’ was the first of four singles released from Meghan Trainor’s debut major-label studio Album called ‘Title,’ from January 2015, the song was co-written by Meghan Trainor, and Kevin Kadish, with the production being by Kadish. Kevin Paul Kadish was born in 1971, in Baltimore, Maryland, United States, he is 22 years the senior of Meghan Trainor. During the mid 1990’s he toured the East Coast of America as a solo acoustic artist, opening for high profile acts such as Hall & Oates, and Jeff Beck. By the year 2000, Kadish had become a songwriter, notably co-writing two tracks on Willie Nelson’s 2002 studio Album ‘The Great Divide.’ Prior to meeting Meghan Trainor, he also worked on, and wrote on records for artists including Meatloaf, Miley Cyrus, and Jason Mraz.

Meghan Trainor and Kevin Kadish were first introduced to each other in 2013, and soon found that musically they had a lot in common. Kadish had a song title written down (‘All About That Bass’) that he thought would make a great song, and Trainor got the idea of a song about body image from that. ‘All About That Bass’ first appeared on Meghan Trainor’s debut extended play (EP) which was also called ‘Title,’ from 2014. With Meghan Trainor feeling that she hadn’t got the credentials to be a ‘Pop Star,’ the song was offered to other artists, who either turned out to be not suitable, or refused the song, because of this Meghan Trainor was advised to perform it herself. ‘All About That Bass,’ which is filed under the musical genres of ‘Bubblegum Pop,’ ‘Doo-Wop,’ and ‘Hip-Hop,’ went on to spend eight weeks at Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, which is more than any other record on the ‘Epic’ label has ever done. The song went on to sell 11 million copies worldwide, and topped the charts in 58 different countries. At the time of writing it is the 65th best selling song in America ever, and is the best selling song by a female artist in the 2010’s.

‘All About That Bass’ is not without controversy. Although the lyrics portray a positive body image message, saying that you should be proud of who you are, it does take a swipe at thin girls, leading some to suggest that the message of positivism isn’t aimed at everybody. Kevin Kadish has defended the song saying, ‘What critics didn’t understand was that the song was a joke. We weren’t seriously calling people skinny bitc#es, but I don’t know any girl who hasn’t called another girl a skinny bit#h.’ While Meghan Trainor has said, ‘I didn’t work this hard to hate on skinny people, I wrote the song to help my body confidence, and to help others.’

Yeah, it’s pretty clear, I ain’t no size two, but I can shake it, shake it, like I’m supposed to do. ‘Cause I got that boom boom that all the boys chase, and all the right junk in all the right places. I see the magazines workin’ that Photoshop, we know that sh#t ain’t real.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

539-Neil Sedaka-Next Door to an Angel.

1962-Number 29 single.

Best Bit-At 2.04. There are worse things you could live next door to, how about Alice for instance.

Neil Sedaka was born on March 13th, 1939, in Brooklyn, New York City, United States, he is a singer, songwriter, and pianist. His success can be split into two eras, the late 1950’s through until the early 1960’s, and then his comeback in the the mid 1970’s. It was the changing sounds in ‘Pop Music,’ with the emergence of the Beatles, (see also best songs 599-456-319-238-141-80-51-10 and 6) and the so called ‘British Invasion,’ which primarily caused Sedaka to drop out of the limelight. He reinvented, and updated his sound, and then arguably found even greater success in the 1970’s.

Neil Sedaka has had two longstanding partnerships with his co-songwriters. The first was with his boyhood friend Howard Greenfield, (1936-1986) the two were first introduced to each other when Sedaka was 13 years old, and Greenfield was 16, and the second was with the American born Phil Cody, during Sedaka’s 1970’s comeback. The discography of Neil Sedaka includes 27 studio Albums released between 1959-2016, and 79 singles released between 1957-1992, there are also 10 extended plays, 83 official compilation Albums, live Albums, and foreign-language Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, Neil Sedaka has had 20 top 40 hit singles, with ‘Breaking Up Is Hard to Do,’ (1962) ‘Laughter in the Rain,’ (1974) and ‘Bad Blood,’ with unaccredited backing vocals by Elton John, (1975) all reaching the Number 1 position, while ‘Next Door to an Angel’ peaked at Number 5. In the UK he has had 15 top 40 hit singles, with ‘Oh Carol,’ (1959) and ‘Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen,’ (1961) both charting the highest at Number 3. Neil Sedaka has also recorded several of his 1960’s songs in foreign-languages, including Italian, German, Japanese, and Hebrew.

With his songwriting partner Howard Greenfield providing the lyrics, Neil Sedaka has also had great success writing hits for other artists, including ‘Stupid Cupid,’ in 1958, for Connie Francis which made Number 14 on Billboard. In 1975, the American duo ‘Captain & Tennille,’ covered the Sedaka/Greenfield composition ‘Love Will Keep Us Together,’ which reached Number 1 on Billboard, and became the best selling song of that year. In 2005, the Sedaka/ Greenfield penned song ‘(Is This the Way to) Amarillo,’ which had originally reached Number 18 in the UK in 1971, when recorded by the English singer Tony Christie, was re-issued in aid of the charity ‘Comic Relief,’ and promoted with a video featuring the English comedian Peter Kay, (see also best songs 598) this time the song reached Number 1, becoming the best selling single of the millennium up to that point in the UK. In 1972 Neil Sedaka released the Album ‘Solitaire,’ with seven of the 11 tracks co-written with Phil Cody, apart from it signifying that Sedaka was back, the Album is notable for the four musicians who played on the Album. They were Graham Gouldman, Lol Creme, Kevin Godley, and Eric Stewart, who would soon go on to find great success as 10cc (see also best songs 663 and 154.)

‘Next Door to an Angel’ was released as a stand alone single, and first appeared on Album format on Neil Sedaka’s 1963 compilation Album ‘Neil Sedaka Sings His Greatest Hits,’ as the Album’s opening track. The song was co-written by Neil Sedaka, and Howard Greenfield, with the production being by Al Nevins, (1915-1965) and Don Kirshner, (1934-2011) the song would be Neil Sedaka’s last top 10 hit until 1974 in America, and his very last one in the UK as a performer.

Howard Greenfield was born on March 15th, 1936, in Brooklyn, New York, United States, he died on March 4th, 1986, from complications from AIDS, at the age of 49. Greenfield was openly gay, and was in a domestic partnership with the cabaret singer Tory Damon (1939-1986) from the early 1960’s until his death. Greenfield and Sedaka had worked together creating songs at the famous ‘Brill Building,’ on 49th Street, in the New York City borough of Manhattan, a collaboration that would continue through until the 1970’s. With Sedaka’s touring commitments taking up a lot of his time in the 1960’s, Greenfield began to write with the American composer Jack Keller, (1936-2005) their joint efforts include two Billboard Number 1 hits for Connie Francis, ‘Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool,’ (1960) and “My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own’ (1960.) They also wrote ‘Venus in Blue Jeans,’ a Billboard Number 5 hit for Jimmy Clanton in 1962, and a UK Number 4 hit for Mark Wynter in the same year. Howard Greenfield also collaborated with the American songwriter Helen Miler, (1925-2006) on the track ‘It Hurts To Be In Love,’ (1964-Billboard Number 7 & UK Number 36) and with the American singer/songwriter Carole King on ‘Crying in the Rain,’ which was made famous by the Everly Brothers, (1962-Billboard Number 6 & UK Number 6) and later by the Norwegian group ‘a’ha’ (1990-UK Number 13.)

‘I’m living right next door to an angel, and I just found out today. I’m living right next door to an angel, and she only lives a house away. She used to be a skinny little girl, but all of a sudden she’s out of this world. I’m living right next door to an angel, and I’m gonna make that angel mine.

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

540-Tom Tom Club-Wordy Rappinghood.

1981-Number 7 single.

Best Bit-At 2.24. Where would we be without words? Every song would be an instrumental.

Tom Tom Club were formed in the United States in 1981, initially as a side project, by the husband and wife duo of Chris Frantz, and Tina Weymouth. Both were founding members of the critically acclaimed American ‘New Wave’ group ‘Talking Heads,’ who were on hiatus at the time. They took the name ‘Tom Tom Club’ from a dance-hall in the Bahamas, where the pair had spent time rehearsing in 1980. Chris Franz and Tina Weymouth continued working with ‘Talking Heads,’ and ‘Tom Tom Club’ until 1991, when ‘Talking Heads’ were disbanded, although there was a re-union in 2002, and at the time of writing ‘Tom Tom Club’ remain active. Although ‘Talking Heads’ only ever had four members, the other two being David Byrne, and Jerry Harrison, ‘Tom Tom Club’ have had 18 different members come and go, with Byrne and Harrison, although never official members, having contributed, either in the studio, or playing live at some point with the ‘Tom Tom Club.’

The discography of the Tom Tom Club includes six studio Albums released between 1981-2012, and 13 singles released between 1981-2007, there are also two official live Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, their only top 40 charting single is ‘Genius of Love,’ which reached Number 31 in 1981, while in the UK, they have had two top 40 hits, with ‘Wordy Rappinghood’ (1981) making Number 7, and ‘Under the Boardwalk’ (1982) reaching Number 22. ‘Wordy Rappinhood’ achieved it’s greatest success in Belgium where it made Number 1.

Tina Weymouth was born Martina Michèle Weymouth, on November 22nd, 1950, in Coronado, California, United States, in 2002 she was inducted into the ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,’ as a member of Talking Heads. It was as a student at the ‘Rhode Island School of Design,’ in 1973, where she first met Chris Frantz, and David Byrne, who were then both members of a band called ‘Artistics.’ She began dating Chris Frantz, whom she would marry in 1977. Following graduation, the three of them moved to New York City, where after being unable to find a suitable bass player for their new band, Tina taught herself the instrument, by listening to Suzi Quatro Albums (see also best songs 686.) In 2020 the American monthly magazine ‘Rolling Stone’ ranked her as the 29th greatest bass player of all time. The three of them formed ‘Talking Heads’ in 1975, and the quartet was completed when Jerry Harrison joined in March 1977.

‘Wordy Rappinghood’ was the debut single release from the Tom Tom Club,’ and was the first of four singles released from their debut studio Album called ‘Tom Tom Club,’ from October 1981. The song was co-written by Tina Weymouth, Lani Weymouth, Laura Weymouth, Chris Frantz, and Steven Stanley, with the production credited to Steven Stanley, Tina Weymouth, and Chris Frantz. Lani, and Laura, are both sisters of Tina Weymouth, and along with Stanley, also provided backing vocals on the track. All three are also past official members of the ‘Tom Tom Club.’

The lyrics to ‘Wordy Rappinghood’ question the true meaning of words, and how they can be manipulated for ones own benefit. Some of the lyrics are spoken in French, and part of the song uses the traditional Moroccan children’s song ‘A Ram Sam Sam.’ Other artists who have recorded ‘A Ram Sam Sam,’ include the British Folk group ‘The Spinners’ in 1964, and the Australian entertainer Rolf Harris (1930-2023) in 1971, but the best known use of the tune in ‘Pop’ music, but with different lyrics, was by the British Pop group the ‘Fast Food Rockers,’ who took the ‘Fast Food Song’ to Number 2 in the UK in 2003.

‘Wordy Rappinghood’ was released only a few months after Debbie Harry and Blondie (see also best songs 402) had taken ‘Rapture’ to Number 1 on Billboard & Number 5 in the UK, which like ‘Wordy Rappinghood’ was ‘Rapped’ by a white female vocalist, and although it had little in common with the new genre of ‘Rap Music’ that was emerging, it went a long way to bringing ‘Rap’ to the wider public. Coincidentally neither ‘Blondie’ or the ‘Tom Tom Club’ knew that the other were working on a ‘Rap’ song at the same time. Blondie were recording theirs in New York, while Tom Tom Club were busy in the Bahamas.

‘Words in papers, words in books, words on TV, words for crooks. Words of comfort, words of peace, words to make the fighting cease. Words to tell you what to do, words are working hard for you. Eat your words but don’t go hungry, words have always nearly hung me.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

541-Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway song-Where Is the Love.

1972-Number 29 single.

Best Bit-At 1.27. My only grumble is at the length of the song. If you like me wish it would last longer, then here’s a good idea, play it again.

Donny Edward Hathaway was born on October 1st, 1945, in Chicago, Illinois, United States, he committed suicide by jumping from the 15th floor of the ‘Essex House Hotel’ in New York, on January 13th, 1979, at the age of 33. Hathaway had suffered from severe bouts of depression, and in 1971 had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.

Donny Hathaway had first met Roberta Flack (see also best songs 251) in the mid 1960’s at the ‘Howard University’ in Washington D.C. where he was studying music on a fine arts scholarship, and Flack was employed as an assistant conductor of the University choir. Donny Hathaway began his music career working for Curtis Mayfield’s (1942-1999) (see also best songs 719) ‘Curtom Records’ label, as a songwriter, session musician, and producer, working with the labels top artists, including the ‘Staple Singers, the ‘Impressions,’ and Curtis Mayfield himself. In 1969 Donny Hathaway signed to ‘Atco Records,’ a subsidiary of ‘Atlantic Records,’ and then released his debut studio Album a year later. The discography of Donny Hathaway includes four studio Albums released between 1970-1973, and 16 singles released between 1969-1980, there is also one soundtrack Album, eight official compilation Albums, and four live Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, four of his singles have reached the top 40, with ‘The Closer I Get to You, a duet with with Roberta Flack, peaking the highest at Number 2 in 1978, while in the UK, he has charted on the top 40 twice, with ‘Where Is the Love,’ making Number 29, and the ‘Disco’ track ‘Back Together Again,’ another duet with Roberta Flack, reaching Number 3 in 1980. Donny Hathaway is considered to be one of the greatest vocalists of all time, with Stevie Wonder saying, ‘When Donny sings any song, he owns it.’ Amy Winehouse (1983-2011) called Hathaway her favourite artist of all time, and Justin Timberlake has called him ‘The best singer of all time.’

‘Where Is the Love’ was the third single released from the collaborative duets Album by Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway of the same name, which was released in April 1972. The song was co-written by Ralph MacDonald, (1944-2011) and William Salter, with the production credited to Joel Dorn, (1942-2007) and Arif Mardin (1932-2006) (see also best songs 985-882-881-554-228 and 85.) Ralph Anthony MacDonald was born on March 15th, 1944, in Harlem, New York, United States, he died of lung cancer on December 18th, 2011, at the age of 67. MacDonald who was a percussionist, steelpan virtuoso, songwriter, musical arranger, and record producer, who was influenced early on in life by his Trinbagonian father, Patrick MacDonald, who was a calypsonian and bandleader originally from Trinidad and Tobago, who used the stage name ‘Macbeth the Great.’ The list of artists who Ralph MacDonald has played for is endless, and after starting out playing the ‘steelpan’ for the Harry Belafonte show, he would go on to play on Albums, including ‘Young Americans’ for David Bowie, (1975) (see also best songs 209) George Benson, ‘Breezin” (1976) (see also best songs 221) and Daryl Hall & John Oates, ‘Abandoned Luncheonette’ (1973) (see also best songs 881.) As well as ‘Where Is the Love,’ other notable songs co-written or performed by Ralph MacDonald include, ‘Just the Two of Us,’ for Grover Washington Jr. featuring Bill Withers, (1981-Billboard Number 2 & UK Number 34) the song was later sampled by Will Smith, (1997-Billboard Number 20 & UK Number 2) although MacDonald’s most successful song is ‘Calypso Breakdown,’ which is one of the tracks featured on the ‘Saturday Night Fever’ soundtrack Album, which with sales in excess of 40 million copies sold worldwide, is the second best selling Album of all time.

‘Where Is the Love’ may be a duet, but Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway are not singing to each other. The song is about someone who has left their partner in order to start a new relationship, but after a while they realise it was a mistake, and attempt to go back to their first love. Both singers take the role of the one who has been left behind.

‘You told me that you didn’t love him, and you were gonna say goodbye, but if you really didn’t mean it, why did you have to lie? Where is the love.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

542-Showaddywaddy-Hey Rock and Roll.

1974-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 0.25. I remember playing my 7 inch vinyl records at parties in the 1970’s, and 1980’s, and on a bouncy floor the needle would skip across the record. When playing the chorus of this song, the crowd would stomp their feet, and possibly damage my needle.

First of all, what a wonderful name for a ‘Rock ‘N Roll’ band ‘Showaddywaddy’ is, it just rolls off the tongue. Showaddywaddy were formed in Leicester, England, in 1973, by the coming together of two local bands, ‘Choice,’ who performed original material, and were made up of Dave Bartram, Trevor Oakes, Al James, (1945-2018) and Romeo Challenger, and the ‘Golden Hammers,’ who were a covers band, and were made up of Buddy Gask, (1945-2011) Russ Field, Rod Deas, and Malcolm Allured. This led to an eight member group, meaning two vocalists, two guitarists, two drummers, and two bass players. In total there have been 21 different members come and go, with Romeo Challenger being the bands one constant, although ex lead singer Dave Bartram has been the bands manager since 1984. Showaddywaddy continue to perform live around Europe, approximately 100 times a year at the time of writing.

Showaddywaddy first came to the public’s attention when winning a heat of the British ‘Anglia Television’ talent show ‘New Faces’ in 1973, and then going on to finish runners up in the ‘All Winners Final,’ broadcast on December 28th, 1973. They were then signed to ‘Bell’ records, and released their debut single ‘Hey Rock and Roll’ in 1974. The discography of Showaddywaddy includes 14 studio Albums released between 1974-2016, and 34 singles released between 1974-2006, there are also 22 official compilation Albums, and one live Album available. In the UK, five of their studio Albums have made the top 40, with their second release ‘Step Two,’ from 1975, peaking the highest at Number 7, while their 1978 compilation Album ‘Greatest Hits 1976-1978,’ made Number 1. On the UK singles chart, 23 of their singles have made the top 40, with their cover of the Tommy Boyce, (1939-1994) and Curtis Lee (1939-2015) song ‘Under the Moon of Love,’ reaching Number 1 in 1976. All of Showaddywaddy’s first four singles, which were all top 20 UK hits were original compositions, but after that they turned to covers of 1950’s and 1960’s ‘Rock ‘N Roll’ songs, including hit cover versions of Eddie Cochran’s ‘Three Steps to Heaven,’ (UK-Number 2-1975) Buddy Holly’s ‘Heartbeat,’ (UK-Number 7-1975) and Chubby Checker’s ‘Dancin’ Party,’ (UK-Number 4-1977.)

‘Hey Rock and Roll’ was the debut single release from Showaddywaddy, from May 1974, and was the first of two singles released from their self titled debut studio Album from November 1974. The songwriting credits for ‘Hey Rock and Roll’ are given to all eight band members at that time, although the song was originally written by Dave Bartram and Trevor Oakes. The lead vocals were provided by Buddy Gask, with Dave Bartram doing the songs spoken intro.

‘Hey Rock and Roll’ was produced by Mike Hurst, who was born Michael John Longhurst Pickworth, on September 19th, 1942, in Kilburn, London, England. Mike Hurst first found success in music as a member of ‘The Springfields,’ alongside Dusty Springfield, (1939-1999) and Tom Springfield, (1934-2022) the ‘Folk/Pop’ trio achieved five UK top 40 hit singles between 1961-1963. By 1965 Hurst had moved in to music production, overseeing Marc Bolan’s first recording session, at ‘Decca,’ when he recorded ‘The Wizard.’ Also in 1965, Hurst discovered the singer/songwriter Cat Stevens, and produced his first five singles, including ‘Matthew and Son’ (see also best songs 384.) Hurst would go on to produce for many top artists, including producing ‘Mighty Quinn’ for Manfred Mann (1968-UK Number 1 & Billboard Number 10.) Following his success with Showaddywaddy, he produced ‘Hot Dog,’ in 1980, (UK-Number 24) the first hit single for the Welsh singer Shakin’ Stevens, whom he also managed at that time.

‘Alright all you kids get on your feet now, now go get ready and it’s rock and roll, Showaddywaddy (Showaddywaddy.) Ooh, ba-ba-ba, ooh, ba-ba-ba, ooh, ba-ba-ba, ooh, Showaddywaddy.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

543-Visage-Fade to Grey.

1980-Number 8 single.

Best Bit-At 0.08. It sounded futuristic over 40 years ago, and it still sounds futuristic now. How ‘STRANGE’ is that.

Visage were an amalgamation of musicians who had all played in other bands, or whom were involved in the making of music, and came together to form the group ‘Visage,’ in London, England, in 1978. ‘Visage’ is a French word, meaning ‘the face, countenance, or appearance of a person, or sometimes an animal.’ The original seven members involved from 1978, and then played on the debut Album called ‘Visage,’ released in 1980 were, Steve Strange, (1959-2015) (vocals) Rusty Egan, (drums) Midge Ure, (see also best songs 532 and 455) (guitar, and synthesizers) Bill Currie, (keyboards, and violin) Dave Formula, (keyboards) John McGeoch, (1955-2004) (guitar, and saxophone) and Barry Adamson (bass.) Visage were active until 1985, with different personnel coming and going, In 2002 the groups one constant Steve Strange reformed Visage with differing members, and they remained active until his death in 2015, when the groups name was retired. The discography of Visage includes five studio Albums released between 1980-2015, and 19 singles released between 1979-2015, there are also four remix Albums, eight official compilation Albums, and one live Album available. In the UK, their first two Albums both reached the top 20, and six of their singles have reached the UK top 40, with ‘Fade to Grey,’ peaking the highest at Number 8, the song was most successful in Germany, and Switzerland, where it reached Number 1 in both territories.

Steve Strange was born Stephen John Harrington, on May 28th, 1959, in Newbridge, Caerphilly, Wales, United Kingdom, he died on February 12th, 2015, after suffering a heart attack, whilst in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, at the age of 55. Steve Strange was one of the most influential figures in the rise of the ‘New Romantic’ scene in the early 1980’s, influencing amongst others David Bowie, (1948-2016) (see also best songs 807-440-334-302-209-186-118-47-31 and 5) with his clothing, and persona, so much so that Bowie asked him to appear in his 1980 video for ‘Ashes to Ashes.’ Prior to forming ‘Visage,’ Steve Strange, and fellow future ‘Visage’ member Rusty Egan began to make a name for themselves as a nightclub host, and DJ respectively. They began organising ‘Bowie nights’ on Tuesdays at ‘Billy’s club’ in Soho, London, before taking over Tuesdays at the ‘Blitz wine bar’ in London’s Covent Garden in 1979, which became the iconic ‘Blitz Club.’ At his club nights Steve Strange had a strict door policy of admitting only ‘the weird and wonderful.’ the club took off and became an essential location in the rise of what would become the ‘New Romantic’ movement.

‘New Romantic’ was an underground subculture movement that originated in the United Kingdom in the late 1970’s. The ‘New Romantic’ movement was characterised by flamboyant, eccentric fashion inspired by fashion boutiques such as ‘Kahn and Bell’ in Birmingham, and ‘PX’ in London. The movement was influenced in the main by David Bowie, Marc Bolan, (1947-1977) (see also best songs 790-386 and 67) and Roxy Music, (see also best songs 721-316 and 57) from the way they had dressed during the ‘Glam Rock’ era of the early to mid 1970’s. ‘New Romantic’ was also influenced by the early ‘Romantic period’ of the late 18th and early 19th century in Europe, which was from where the movement took its name. The term ‘New Romantic’ is known to have been coined by the musician, producer, manager and innovator Richard James Burgess.

‘Fade to Grey’ was the second of four singles released from the debut studio Album by Visage, of the same name, from November 1980. The songs writing is credited to ‘Visage,’ with the production credited to Midge Ure, and Visage. ‘Fade to Grey’ was originally written as an instrumental by Billy Currie, and Chris Payne in 1979. Payne at that time was a member of Gary Numan’s (see also best songs 772-232 and 177) backing band, playing keyboards, and viola. Neither Payne, or Cederic Sharpley, who was Gary Numan’s drummer, who was also influential in the writing of the song, receive writing credits. As an instrumental, the track was called ‘Toot City,’ the lyrics were later added by Midge Ure. ‘Fade to Grey’ is unusual in that it features the same lyrics in two different languages. The English lyrics are sung by Steve Strange, whereas the French lyrics are spoken by Brigitte Arens, who was born in Luxembourg, and whom at the time was a student, and the girlfriend of Rusty Egan. There was a dispute as to whose idea it was for both sets of vocals to be used, with both Midge Ure and Steve Strange claiming it was theirs.

‘Fade to Grey’ is a song about deep depression, with the songs subject not able to see anything worth living for.

‘Feel the rain like an English summer, hear the notes from a distant song. Stepping out from a back shop poster, wishing life wouldn’t be so long.’