THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

624-Billie Holiday-Strange Fruit.

1939-It has never charted in the UK. There was no UK chart until 1952.

Best Bit-At 1.11. ‘The Lady Sings the Blues.’

Billie Holiday was born Eleanora Fagan, on April 7th, 1915, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, she died on July 17th, 1959, after a long battle with drugs, and alcohol, at the age of 44. Billie Holiday had a turbulent upbringing, at the age of 11 she found a job running errands in a brothel, and at the age of 13 she became a victim of sexual trafficking. Her father Clarence Halliday, (1898-1937) became her father at the age of 16, but didn’t stick around, choosing to move to Baltimore, to pursue a career in music, where he became a successful musician, playing rhythm guitar, and the banjo. Clarence Halliday died in 1937, he had been exposed to mustard gas while serving in World War I, and later fell ill with a lung disorder while on tour in Texas, and was refused treatment at a local hospital. This led to him getting pneumonia, and without antibiotics, the illness was fatal. Two years later Billie Holiday recorded ‘Strange Fruit’ in her father’s memory. She took her stage name from her fathers surname, (her parents had never married) and her first name from the American actress Billie Dove, (1903-1997) whom she admired. It was her friend, the American Jazz tenor saxophonist Lester Young, (1909-1959) who gave her the nickname ‘Lady Day.’ Billie Holiday is remembered as one of the greatest ‘Jazz,’ and ‘Pop’ vocalists of the 20th Century, with her vocal style being strongly influenced by Jazz instrumentalists, as she created a unique way of manipulating phrasing and tempo, and being revered for her vocal delivery, and improvisational skills. Holiday said that she always wanted her voice to sound like an instrument, and cited amongst her influences, Louis Armstrong (1901-1971) (see also best songs 1039-767-286-231 and 100) and the African-American ‘Blues’ singer Bessie Smith (1894-1937.)

‘Strange Fruit’ was originally written as a poem in 1937, by the white Jewish, songwriter, school teacher, and union activist Abel Meeropol, (1903-1986) under his pseudonym of Lewis Allan. Meeropol had been outraged after seeing a photograph of a horrific lynching in a civil rights magazine. The photo was a shot of two black men hanging from a tree, after they had been lynched in Marion, Indiana, United States, the two men are the ‘strange fruit.’ Meeropol wrote some music to go with the lyrics, and his wife, the singer Laura Duncan (now deceased) first performed ‘Strange Fruit’ as a protest song in New York City venues in the late 1930’s, including at Madison Square Garden. In 1939 while a performer at the first integrated venue in New York, the ‘Café Society’ nightclub,’ the song was brought to the attention of Billie Holiday. It was a very brave decision for Billie Holiday to record, and perform the song, as it would be bound to cause controversy, putting Holiday’s own personal safety at risk, as well as potentially damaging her career as a black performer.

Billie Holiday first performed ‘Strange Fruit’ at the ‘Café Society’ in 1939. She said that singing it made her fearful of retaliation but, because its imagery reminded her of her father, she continued to sing the song, making it a regular part of her live performances. Because of the emotions the song created, Barney Josephson, (1902-1988) who was the founder of the ‘Café Society,’ insisted that Billie Holiday would close her performances with it, the waiters would stop all service in advance, the room would be in darkness, except for a spotlight on Holiday’s face, and there would be no encore. During the musical introduction to the song, Holiday would stand with her eyes closed, as if she were evoking a prayer.

Billie Holiday approached her record label ‘Columbia Records,’ with whom she was contracted to at the time, to record ‘Strange Fruit,’ but ‘Columbia’ feared the reaction by record retailers in the South, as well as negative reaction from affiliates of its co-owned radio network, ‘CBS.’ Billy Holiday turned to her friend Milt Gabler, (1911-2001) (see also best songs 628) who, with the permission of ‘Columbia Records,’ as a one off, allowed Holiday to record ‘Strange Fruit’ on Gabler’s own label, ‘Commodore.’ The Café Society’ band led by Frankie Newton (1906-1954) were used for the recording, with Milt Gabler producing the track, which went on to sell in excess of one million copies, and become Billie Holiday’s best selling record.

‘Strange Fruit’ became Billy Holiday’s signature tune, and was the song that she would always finish on for the rest of her career. In 1999 the American ‘Time’ news magazine voted ‘Strange Fruit’ the ‘Song of the Century.’ When the song had first come out in 1939, the same magazine had denounced it as ‘A piece of musical propaganda.’

‘Southern trees bear a strange fruit, blood on the leaves and blood at the root. Black bodies swinging in the southern breeze, strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

625-Raspberries-Overnight Sensation (Hit Record.)

1974-It has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 4.18. It’s ironic that the main reason that the song never became a hit record in the UK, was because radio stations wouldn’t play songs which were more than three minutes long.

The Raspberries were formed in Cleveland, Ohio, United States, in 1970, from the coming together of two local bands, ‘The Choir,’ and ‘Cyrus Erie.’ In total there have been seven different members come and go, with the ‘classic lineup’ consisting of Eric Carmen, (vocals, guitar, bass, and piano) Wally Bryson, (guitar) Dave Smalley, (guitar, and bass) and Jim Bonfanti (drums.) The group remained active until 1975, but then got together again in 1999, until 2000, with Wally Bryson reforming the band, without Eric Carmen, but with Dave Smalley, and Scott McCarl (bass.) They re-united one final time, with Eric Carmen back in the fold, to tour, between 2004-2005.

The discography of the Raspberries includes four studio Albums released between 1972-1974, and 10 singles released between 1972-1975, there are also at least three official compilation Albums, and two live Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, four of their singles reached the top 40, with ‘Go All the Way,’ charting the highest at Number 5 in 1972, and ‘Overnight Sensation (Hit Record,’) peaking at Number 18, while in the UK, none of their Albums or singles have ever charted. The majority of the songs recorded by the Raspberries were written by Eric Carmen, and it was resentment to the amount of input Carmen had, which led to the group splitting initially. Eric Carmen went on to have a very successful solo career, issuing six studio Albums between 1975-2000, and reaching the Billboard Hot 100 top 40 with eight of his singles between 1975-1988, with his debut single ‘All by Myself’ peaking the highest at Number 2 in 1975, that track was also his only UK top 40 entry, reaching Number 12. In 1996 the Canadian singer Celine Dion, did a cover version of ‘All by Myself,’ which made Number 4 on Billboard, and Number 6 in the UK. Another successful cover of an Eric Carmen song was by the American singer Sean Cassidy, who took the Carmen penned ‘That’s Rock ‘n’ Roll,’ to Number 3 on Billboard in 1977, but the best known song by Eric Carmen, and probably his biggest earner is ‘Hungry Eyes,’ (1987-Billboard Number 4 & UK Number 82) which has gained notoriety through being one of the most popular tracks that was chosen for the 1987 film ‘Dirty Dancing,’ (see also best songs 439) and it’s soundtrack Album, which has sold in excess of 32 million copies worldwide.

‘Overnight Sensation (Hit Record’) was the first of two singles released from the Raspberries fourth studio Album ‘Starting Over,’ from September 1974. and was written by Eric Carmen, with the production being by Jimmy lenner, who would go on to be the key music producer for the 1987 film ‘Dirty Dancing,’ and also be the co-executive producer of the soundtrack, along with Bob Feiden.

The Raspberries were particularly influenced by the British Rock group ‘The Who,’ (see also best songs 926-306 and 265) with Eric Carmen saying,’Pete Townshend coined the phrase ‘Power Pop’ to define what The Who did. For some reason it didn’t stick to The Who, but it did stick to these groups that came out of the 70’s, that played that kind of melodic songs, with crunchy guitars, and some wild drumming.”Power Pop’ is a subgenre of ‘Rock Music,’ and a form of ‘Pop/Rock,’ based on the early music of bands such as The Who, the Beatles, the Beach Boys, and the Byrds. ‘Power Pop’ incorporates melodic hooks, vocal harmonies, an energetic performance, and cheerful sounding music, with lyrics that create a sense of yearning, longing, despair, or self-empowerment. Along with the Raspberries, other notable 1970’s artists who are considered exponents of ‘Power Pop’ include ‘Badfinger, and Dave Edmunds. The genre continued to flourish in the 1980’s, and 1990’s, and also into the 21st Century.

‘Overnight Sensation (Hit Record’) tells the tale of an aspiring singer/songwriter yearning to have a song of his get played on the radio, and make the charts. Perhaps when Eric Carmen wrote the song, he was despairing of ever breaking through to more substantial recognition. John Lennon (1940-1980) was a fan of the Raspberries, and was present at the recording of the Album ‘Starting Over,’ and although not credited, he is rumoured to have been involved in the mixing and production of ‘Overnight Sensation (Hit Record.’) Interestingly John Lennon called a track on his final Album ‘Double Fantasy,’ from 1980, (‘Just Like) Starting Over.’

‘Well I know it sounds funny, but I’m not in it for the money, no. I don’t need no reputation, and I’m not in it for the show. I just want a hit record, yeah, wanna hear it on the radio. Want a big hit record, yeah, one that everybody’s got to know.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

626-Hamilton Bohannon-South African Man.

1974-Number 22 single.

Best Bit-At 4.31. If an alien came down to earth, and asked me what ‘FUNK’ is, I would tell them, ‘THIS IS.’

Hamilton Bohannon (see also best songs 46) was born Hamilton Frederick Bohannon, on March 7th, 1942, in Newnan, Georgia, United States, he died on April 24th, 2020, at the age of 78. Hamilton Bohannon learned to play the drums while still at school, and then began playing in local bands, at one time crossing paths with Jimi Hendrix (1942-1970) (see also best songs 983 and 492.) After a brief period as a school teacher, Hamilton Bohannon was recruited in 1964 as a drummer in 13 year old Stevie Wonder’s (see also best songs 920-843-834-682-570-503-366-205-152 and 65) touring band. In 1967 he moved to Detroit, where he was employed by ‘Motown’ as the leader, and arranger, of ‘Bohannon & The Motown Sound,’ who were the touring backing band for ‘Tamla Motown’s’ biggest names, including Diana Ross and the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, and The Temptations. When ‘Motown’ moved from Detroit to Los Angeles in the early 1970’s, Bohannon didn’t go with them, and instead embarked on a solo career, which started with the release of his first studio Album ‘Stop & Go,’ in 1973. In total between 1973-1989, Bohannon issued 19 studio Albums. Unfortunately his music rarely crossed over into the mainstream charts, and he never achieved a top 40 single on the American Billboard Hot 100, although in the UK, he did have three top 40 hits, with ‘Disco Stomp,’ from 1975, peaking the highest at Number 6. Hamilton Bohannon was a devout Christian, and retired from the music business in 1989, but he did make a comeback, when touring, and once again getting behind the drum kit in 2014, at the age of 72.

‘South African Man’ was the only single released from Hamilton Bohannon’s second studio Album ‘Keep On Dancin,” from 1974, and was his first track to reach the Billboard ‘Hot R&B’ chart, peaking at Number 78. The song found it’s greatest success in the UK, where it made Number 22. ‘South African Man’ was written, produced, arranged, and directed, by Hamilton Bohannon, and released on ‘Dakar Records,’ with all of that labels releases being distribute by ‘Brunswick Records.’ ‘South African Man’ was written by Hamilton Bohannon during a time of cultural and political upheaval in South Africa. The song paid tribute to the resilience and strength of the South African people, who faced oppression and discrimination under apartheid. The lyrics to ‘South African Man’ celebrate the spirit of the South African man’s determination to overcome adversity. Musically the song is a blend of ‘Funk,’ ‘Disco,’ and ‘African Rhythms,’ which can all be all filed under the genre of ‘R&B.’ ‘South African Man’ is a call for peace, and the ending of apartheid.

‘R&B,’ which is an abbreviation of ‘Rhythm and blues,’ is a genre of popular music that originated within the African-American communities in the 1940’s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to African Americans. The term ‘Rhythm and blues’ has undergone a number of shifts in it’s meaning. In the early 1950’s, it was frequently applied to ‘Blues’ records, but once ‘Blues’ had helped to contribute to the development of ‘Rock ‘N Roll,’ the term ‘R&B’ became used in a wider context. It then referred to music styles that developed from, and incorporated ‘Electric Blues, as well as ‘Gospel,’ and ‘Soul Music.’ From the 1960’s to 1970’s, some British groups were referred to, and promoted, as being ‘R&B’ bands. By the 1970’s, the term ‘Rhythm and blues’ had changed once again, and was used as a blanket term for ‘Soul,’ and ‘Funk.’ In the late 1980’s, a newer style of ‘R&B’ developed, becoming known as ‘Contemporary R&B,’ which combines ‘Rhythm and Blues’ with various elements of ‘Pop,’ ‘Soul,’ ‘Funk,’ ‘Disco,’ ‘Hip-Hop,’ and ‘Electronic’ music. Although the American journalist Jerry Wexler (1917-2008) of Billboard magazine is credited with coining the term ‘Rhythm and blues’ as a musical term in the United States in 1948, the term had been used in Billboard as early as 1943.

‘South African man help him if you can. South African man, make it a better land.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

627-Rick Astley-Never Gonna Give You Up.

1987-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 2.16. The jewel in the Stock, Aitken, and Waterman crown.

Stock, Aitken, and Waterman, (abbreviated as SAW) are the English songwriting, and record production trio of Mike Stock, who was born on December 3rd, 1951, in Margate, Kent, England, Matt Aitken, who was born on August 25th, 1956, in Coventry, England, and Pete Waterman, who was born on January 15th, 1947, also in Coventry, England, the trio are one of the most successful songwriting and producing partnerships of all time, having achieved over 100 UK top 40 hit singles, and selling in excess of 150 million records worldwide. The trio were active between 1984-1993, and then again between 2005-2010, they got together again in 2015, and are still together at the time of writing. ‘SAW’ who produce music in the genres of ‘Hi-NRG,’ ‘Eurobeat,’ ‘Pop,’ and ‘Dance/Pop,’ have written and produced for some of the worlds top artists including Donna Summer, (1948-2012) Cliff Richard, and Kylie Minogue, in fact there are 96 different acts listed for whom ‘SAW’ have either written or produced for. In the UK they have achieved 13 Number 1 singles between 1985-1990, while in America on the Billboard Hot 100, three of their tracks have made the Number 1 spot between 1986-1988, including ‘Never Gonna Give You Up.’

‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ was the debut single from Rick Astley, and was written and produced by ‘SAW.’ It was the first of six singles issued worldwide from Rick Astley’s debut studio Album ‘Whenever You Need Somebody,’ from November 1987. The song would go on to become the best selling UK single of 1987, spending five weeks at Number 1, and has since gone on to sell in excess of one million copies in that country. ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ also topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1988, and has also reached Number 1 in 25 other countries around the world in total. Mike Stock has readily admitted that the 1985 song ‘Trapped,’ (UK-Number 3) by the American ‘House Music’ artist Colonel Abrams, (1949-2016) (see also best songs 935) was a big influence on ”Never Gonna Give You Up,’ with Stock saying, ‘For Rick Astley’s song I didn’t want it to sound like Kylie or Bananarama, so I looked at the Colonel Abrams track ‘Trapped,’ and recreated that syncopated bassline in a way that suited our song.’ The songs lyrics came about after Rick Astley overheard a telephone conversation between Pete Waterman and a woman Waterman had been seeing for three years, who was on the other end of the line. After the phone call had ended Astley said to Waterman, ‘You’re never gonna give her up.’ Matt Aitken and Waterman then changed the story a bit, and made the songs narrator the one who was the vulnerable one.

Richard Paul Astley was born on February 6th, 1966, in Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire, England, and while still at school, he played the drums in a number of local bands. In 1985 Astley was drumming, and singing with a ‘Soul’ band called ‘FBI,’ this was where he came to the attention of Pete Waterman, who persuaded him to go to London, and be schooled for a career with ‘SAW.’ Astley would stay with ‘SAW’ until 1990, then leave to pursue his passion of ‘Soul Music,’ and ditching the boy next door look, growing his hair, and presenting himself as a mature and passionate musician. Rick Astley retired from music in 1993 to concentrate on his family life, but returned to the music industry in 2000, when signing with ‘Polydor Records,’ and then finally returning to touring in 2004.

The discography of Rick Astley includes nine studio Albums released between 1987-2023, and 24 singles released between 1987-2024, there are also 12 official compilation Albums, and two remix Albums available. In the UK, Rick Astley has had two Number 1 Albums, and nine top 40 hit singles, with ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ being his only Number 1, while in America on the Billboard Hot 100, seven of his singles have reached the top 40, with both ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ (1988) and ‘Together Forever,’ (1988) making the Number 1 spot. Of his success in America, Rick Astley has said,’If you really want to say to the world, that was a proper hit, you’ve got to have a hit in America, If you don’t do it in America, then it’s not really worldwide, is it?’

‘We’re no strangers to love, you know the rules and so do I. A full commitment’s what I’m thinking of, you wouldn’t get this from any other guy. I just wanna tell you how I’m feeling, gotta make you understand.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

628-Bill Haley & His Comets-Rock Around the Clock.

1955-Number 1 single. When it was re-issued in 1968 it reached Number 20, and then when re-issued again in 1974 it made Number 12.

Best Bit-At 1.32. It was the end of the world as we know it. The onset of teenage anarchy, with individuals gyrating in an unspeakable fashion, yes, ‘Rock ‘N Roll’ had been invented. It may all appear very tame by today’s standards, but back in 1955, this was ‘Punk Rock,’ Thrash Metal,’ and ‘Happy Hardcore’ all rolled into one.

‘Rock Around the Clock’ was originally written in 1952 by Max C. Freedman, (1893-1963) and James E. Myers, (1919-2001) using the pseudonym ‘Jimmy De Knight,’ although there are disputes surrounding the songs authorship, with some suggesting that Freedman had written the song on his own. ‘Rock Around the Clock’ was written with Bill Haley (1925-1981) in mind to record, but due to contractual problems with his record label at that time, he was unable to. The first version of ‘Rock Around the Clock’ to be recorded was by the American vocal and instrumental group ‘Sonny Dae and His Knights,’ on March 20th, 1954, in a completely different style to the Haley version, but it failed to chart. When Bill Haley & His Comets were contractually free to record, their version, which was recorded on April 12th, 1954, and issued on May 20th, 1954, climbed to Number 13 on Billboard. The song didn’t take off in a major way until it was chosen for the soundtrack of the 1955 American social drama film ‘Blackboard Jungle.’ The film attracted large teenage audiences, and their response sometimes overflowed into violence, and vandalism at screenings in the theatres. The film has been seen as marking the start of a period of visible teenage rebellion in the later half of the 20th Century. ‘Rock Around the Clock’ would go on to become the best selling single of the 1950’s, with sales now in excess of 25 million sold worldwide. In America on Billboard it spent eight weeks at Number 1, while in the UK, it is the best selling song of the 1950’s, with sales in excess of 1.4 million. ‘Rock Around the Clock’ is recognised as the first ‘Rock ‘N Roll’ Number 1 single, with some citing it as the start of the ‘Rock’ era in music.

‘Rock Around the Clock’ was produced by Milton Gabler, who was born on May 20th, 1911, in Harlem, New York, United States, he died on July 20th, 2001, at the age of 90. Milt Gabler was a record producer, responsible for many innovations in the recording industry of the 20th Century, including being the first person to deal in record reissues, the first to sell records by mail order, and the first to credit all the musicians on the recordings. During the 1940’s Gabler worked with many of the eras top artists, including Billie Holiday, and The Andrew Sisters, and is credited with being the first to bring Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald together on record.

Bill Haley was born William John Clifton Haley, on July 6th, 1925, in Highland Park, Michigan, United States, he died on February 9th, 1981, with his death certificate stating, ‘natural causes, most likely a heart attack,’ as being the cause, he was 55 years old. Bill Haley had originally been a Country Music performer, but changed musical direction to a new sound, which came to be called ‘Rock ‘N Roll,’ a genre of music that originated from musical styles including ‘R&B,’ ‘Jazz,’ and ‘Country Music.’ Bill Haley formed the first incarnation of the group who would eventually become the ‘Comets’ in 1947, calling themselves ‘4 Aces of Western Swing,’ Between 1949-1952, they were known as the ‘Saddlemen,’ and then ‘Bill Haley & His Comets,’ until Haley’s death in 1981. The discography of Bill Haley & His Comets includes 23 studio Albums released between 1956-1979, and 68 singles (including re-issues) between 1952-1981, there are also at least 10 official compilation Albums, and five live Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, 16 of their singles have made the top 40, with ‘Rock Around the Clock’ making Number 1, while in the UK, they have had 14 top 40 hits, with ‘Rock Around the Clock,’ also being their only chart topper.

‘One, two, three o’clock, four o’clock, rock. Five, six, seven o’clock, eight o’clock, rock. Nine, ten, eleven o’clock, twelve o’clock, rock, we’re gonna rock around the clock tonight.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

629-The Band-The Weight.

1968-Number 21 single.

Best Bit-At 0.11. Here’s another one for the pub quiz. The Scottish group Nazareth took their name from the opening line of this song.

‘The Band’ were officially formed in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in 1967, and remained active until 1977. Some of the original group members reformed with new members in 1983, and remained active until 1999. The five original members, who also performed on this song were Rick Danko, (1943-1999) (co-lead and harmony, vocals, and bass guitar) Garth Hudson, (keyboards) Richard Manuel, (1943-1986) (Hammond organ) Robbie Robertson, (1943-2023) (guitar) and Levon Helm, (1940-2012) (drums, and vocals.) The members of the group who would eventually become ‘The Band’ had gradually come together in the early 1960’s, having been cherry picked by the Toronto based Rockabilly singer Ronnie Hawkins, (1935-2022) for his backing group called ‘The Hawks.’ In 1964 they split from Hawkins, and released, a few singles using the name ‘Levon and the Hawks,’ and also ‘The Canadian Squires.’ In 1965 Bob Dylan, (see also best songs 792-621-358-103-36 and 7) was looking for a backing band for his first ‘Electric’ tour, and on recommendation they played and toured as ‘Bob Dylan and The Band.’ That collaboration with Bob Dylan came to an end in October 1967, after which they set about recording their first studio Album. Stories vary as to how their name ‘The Band’ came about, but Robbie Robertson has said that during their time with Dylan, everyone just referred to them as ‘the band,’ and the name stuck. Initially they disliked the moniker, but eventually they grew to like it, thinking it both humble and presumptuous.

‘The Band’ are considered to be one of the most influential acts of all time, combining elements of ‘Roots Rock,’ ‘Americana,’ Folk Rock,’ and ‘Country Rock.’ Artists who have acknowledged their influence include George Harrison, (1943-2001) Elton John, Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin, and Pink Floyd. The discography of ‘The Band’ includes 10 studio Albums released between 1968-1998, and 33 singles issued between 1965-1996, as well as 10 official compilation Albums, and nine live Albums being available. There are also four official Albums of recordings made with Bob Dylan, including the 1975 ‘The Basement Tapes.’

‘The Weight’ was the debut, and only track issued as a single from ‘Music from Big Pink,’ the debut studio Album by ‘The Band,’ from July 1968. The Album took it’s name from the pink house in West Saugerties, New York, located at 56 Parnassus Lane, which was formerly 2188 Stoll Road, where ‘The Band’ recorded. ‘The Weight’ was written by Robbie Robertson, with the production being by John Simon, although the songwriting credit was disputed years later by Levon Helm. Helm insisted that the composition of the lyrics and the music was collaborative, declaring that each band member had made a substantial contribution. Helm has said that 60% of the lyrics were Robertson’s, with Danko and Manuel providing 20% each, with much of the music being by Garth Hudson, Helm also credits himself with input for the lyrics.

‘The Weight’ tells the story of a man who visits Nazareth, Pennsylvania, United States, having been asked by a friend of his called Annie to check on all of these strangers. The characters in the song were based on real people who the band new, for example ‘Crazy Chester,’ was an eccentric character, who used to go watch the band perform regularly. Robbie Robertson has said that he was influenced to write the song by the work of the Spanish film director Luis Buñuell, (1900-1983) who made some of the first movies dealing with surrealism. Robertson was intrigued by the characters in his films, who were often good people who did bad things. Many music critics have deliberated over the true meaning of ‘The Weight,’ with some suggesting that it’s meaning is biblical, but Robertson always denied that.

Robbie Robertson has said that he chose the destination of ‘Nazareth’ when he looked inside his ‘Martin guitar’ and saw the standard ‘Martin’ imprint, saying that the instrument was crafted in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. Robertson has explained the songs meaning,’Luis Buñuel did so many films on the impossibility of sainthood. People trying to be good in Viridiana, and Nazarín, people trying to do their thing. In ‘The Weight’ it’s the same thing. People like Buñuel would make films that had these religious connotations to them, but it wasn’t necessarily a religious meaning. In Buñuel there were these people trying to be good, and it’s impossible to be good. In ‘The Weight’ it was this very simple thing. Someone says, ‘Listen, would you do me this favour? When you get there will you say ‘hello’ to somebody or will you give somebody this, or will you pick up one of these for me? Oh? You’re going to Nazareth, that’s where the Martin guitar factory is. Do me a favour when you’re there.” This is what it’s all about. So the guy goes and one thing leads to another, and it’s like “Holy shit, what’s this turned into? I’ve only come here to say ‘hello’ for somebody, and I’ve got myself in this incredible predicament.” It was very Buñuelish to me at the time.’

‘I pulled into Nazareth, was feeling ’bout half past dead. I just need some place where I can lay my head. Hey, mister, can you tell me, where a man might find a bed? He just grinned and shook my hand, ‘No’ was all he said.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

630-Patrick Juvet-I Love America.

1978-Number 12 single.

Best Bit-At 1.21. It’s a good job that the song has a strong chorus, because he repeats it 12 times.

Patrick Juvet was born on August 21st, 1950, in Montreux, Switzerland, he died on April 1st, 2021, of a cardiac arrest, at the age of 70. In 1968 at the age of 18, Patrick Juvet moved to Paris, France, where he was persuaded by a friend to become a model, which took him to Düsseldorf, Germany, for the next two years. On his return to Paris in 1970, he began to pursue his real love of music, and recorded his first single ‘Romantiques pas morts,’ in 1971. It was at this time that he also co-wrote the song ‘Le Lundi au soleil,’ for the Egyptian born French singer Claude François (1939-1978.) Patrick Juvet then began collaborating with the French composer, and producer Jean-Michel Jarre, and the recordings that they made can be heard on Juvet’s second studio Album ‘Love,’ from 1973. Also in that year Patrick Juvet represented Switzerland in the ‘Eurovision Song Contest,’ finishing in 12th place. In 1978 Juvet turned his attentions to ‘Disco’ music, working with Jacques Morali, (1947-1991) Henri Belolo, (1936-2019) and Victor Willis (see also best songs 105.) After the decline of ‘Disco’ music, Patrick Juvet returned to Paris, and to his roots as a singer/songwriter, with the release of his 10th, and what would turn out to be, his final studio Album, ‘Solitudes’ in 1991. In 2005 he issued his autobiography, ‘Les bleus au cœur: Souvenirs (‘Bruises on My Heart: Memories,’) in which he wrote about his career and his bisexuality.

The discography of Patrick Juvet includes 10 studio Albums released between 1973-1991, and 49 singles issued between 1971-2010, there are also 11 official compilation Albums, two live Albums, and one soundtrack Album available. It was in France and Belgium where Patrick Juvet had his greatest commercial success, with 19 of his singles making the ‘SNEP’ French music chart, with ‘La Musica,’ from 1973 reaching Number 1, and ‘I Love America,’ peaking at Number 6, while in Belgium on the ‘Ultratop’ singles chart, 11 of his songs have made the top 40, although ‘I Love America’ failed to chart. In the UK ,he has had two top 40 hits, with ‘I Love America’ reaching Number 12, and ‘Got a Feeling,’ making Number 34, both in 1978. Patrick Juvet never had a hit on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in America, although ‘I Love America’ did reach Number 5 on the Billboard ‘Dance Club Chart.’

‘I Love America’ was co-written by Jacques Morali, Patrick Juvet, and Victor Willis, (lyrics) with the production being by Jacques Morali, and weighs in at a whopping 13.55 seconds, on the 12 inch single version. The song was the first of two tracks released as singles from Patrick Juvet’s sixth studio Album ‘Got a Feeling – I Love America,’ from April 1978. Jacques Morali was born on July 4th, 1947, in Casablanca, Morocco, he died on November 15th, 1991, of AIDS-related causes, at the age of 44. Morali was a ‘Disco,’ and ‘Dance’ music producer, and is best remembered for creating the acts, ‘Village People,’ (see also best songs 105) and ‘The Ritchie Family,’ with his long term collaborator Henri Belolo, who was born in Casablanca, French Morocco, on November 27th, 1936, Henri Belolo died on August 3rd, 2019, at the age of 82. Unlike his associate Morali, Belolo was not gay, but visited clubs with Morali, and saw the potential of appealing to the gay nightclub scene. In 1977 they created the ‘Village People,’ working in tandem with Victor Willis. Willis who was born Victor Edward Willis, on July 1st, 1951, in Dallas, Texas, United States, had been originally hired by Morali, and Belolo to sing lead and background vocals under the guise of ‘Village People,’ whom at that point were a non-existent studio concept group, but when the Album called ‘Village People’ proved successful in 1977, Morali, Belolo, and Willis advertised in the music trade papers for ‘macho singers’ who, could also ‘dance,’ and, ‘must have a moustache,’ As the only non gay member of the Village People,’ Victor Willis’ would perform as either a policeman or a naval officer. In 2015, a jury determined that the sole writers of 13 songs by the Village People (including Y.M.C.A.) were Jacques Morali and Victor Willis, and the name Henri Belolo was removed, giving Willis a 50% ownership of those songs.

‘I Love America’ is a song about someone, who on arriving in the United States, soon realises that the music scene is multicultural, and there is much to enjoy, from ‘Rock ‘N Roll,’ to ‘Funk,’ to ‘Country,’ to ‘Latin American,’ and much, much, more. In 1996 the song was sampled by the British ‘House Music’ producers Michael Gray, and Jon Pearn, working as ‘Full Intention,’ and taking their version to Number 32 in the UK.

‘When I first heard funky music it just blew my mind, the funky music was so good, I’d play it all the time. All the funky rhythms, going all through my mind and body, they make me have to move, you can’t escape the groove. I love America.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

631-Bucketheads-The Bomb! (These Sounds Fall into My Mind.)

1995-Number 5 single.

Best Bit-At 4.42. Did you know that a mishearing or misinterpretation of a phrase is called a ‘mondegreen.’ When listening to ‘Street Player’ by Chicago, this songs creator Kenny ‘Dope’ Gonzalez misheard ‘Street sounds swirling through my mind,’ as ‘These sounds fall in to my mind.’ For Pop music’s most famous, and successful ‘mondegreen’ see best songs 501.

The Bucketheads was the brainchild of Kenny Gonzalez, who was born on July 6th, 1970, in Brooklyn, New York, United States, and works under the name of ‘Kenny ‘Dope’ Gonzalez.’ He is best known for being one half of the production and remix team ‘Masters at Work,’ with Luis Ferdinand Vega Jr., who goes by the stage name of ‘Little Louie Vega,’ the duo have been referred to as one of the most influential acts in the history of ‘House Music,’ with many of their tracks in the 1990’s being remixed by UK DJ’S, leading to the creation of the ‘Speed Garage’ genre, they have also been credited with generating the ‘Golden Age’ of ‘Latin House’ music. As ‘Masters at Work,’ the duo have issued seven Albums between 1993-2001, with two of those credited to their alias ‘Nuyorican Soul.’ They have also released 57 singles between 1991-2007, using 10 different aliases, including, ‘KenLou,’ ‘Groove Box,’ and ‘Black Magic,’ and they have also produced, and remixed tracks for many of the worlds top artists. As a solo artist Kenny ‘Dope’ Gonzalez has released music under his own name, as well using many other aliases, including ‘Bucketheads,’ ‘Liquid Dope,’ and also being part of the ‘Todd Terry All-Stars’ (see also best songs 805 and 348.)

‘The Bomb! (These Sounds Fall into My Mind’) was the second of three singles released from the sole studio Album of Kenny ‘Dope’ Gonzalez, working as ‘Bucketheads,’ from August 1995. Gonzales has said that at that time he was unimpressed with what he perceived to be fellow producers copying his characteristic style, and hoped that he would throw a ‘curveball,’ by exploring influences such as ‘Disco,’ Hip-Hop,’ and ‘Latin Music.’ He has also stated that at that time he thought that he and the music industry as a whole was going stale, and felt that he had to try something new, ‘I was tired of everyone being on the same tip as we were. Everything out there sounded the same. I was bored, and I thought ‘Yo, I gotta come with something different” ‘The Bomb! (These Sounds Fall into My Mind,’) which was released to critical acclaim, became a top 20 hit in many countries around the world, although on the Billboard Hot 100 in America, it did stall at Number 49, though it did make Number 1 on the ‘Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play’ chart.

‘The Bomb! (These Sounds Fall into My Mind’) is built around a sample from the song ‘Street Player,’ by the American Rock band ‘Chicago,’ (see also best songs 328) from their 1979 eleventh studio Album ‘Chicago 13.’ ‘Street Player’ had been written by Daniel Seraphine, who was the drummer, and co-founder of ‘Chicago,’ along with David Wolinski, who was the keyboard player for the American Funk band ‘Rufus.’ The version of ‘Street Player’ recorded by ‘Rufus’ appears on their sixth studio Album, from 1978, also called ‘Street Player.’ Due to the sample, both Daniel Seraphine, and David Wolinski, both receive songwriting credits on ‘The Bomb! (These Sounds Fall into My Mind,’) along with Kenny ‘Dope’ Gonzalez, who was also the songs producer.

‘The Bomb! (These Sounds Fall into My Mind’) also samples the 1993 song ‘Preacher Man,’ by the American music producer Curtis Jones, who works under the stage name of ‘Green Velvet,’ the spoken intro on ‘The Bomb! (These Sounds Fall into My Mind’) is lifted from that track. In 2009 the American Rapper ‘Pitbull,’ (see also best songs 876 and 531) sampled the ‘Bucketheads’ interpretation of ‘Street Player,’ for his song ‘I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho,’) which reached Number 2 on Billboard, and Number 4 in the UK. The lyrics on ‘The Bomb! (These Sounds Fall into My Mind’) are ‘These sounds fall into my mind,’ it is said that Kenny Gonzales had misheard the lyrics on the Chicago original ‘Street Player,’ which are ‘Street sounds swirling through my mind.’

‘These sounds fall into my mind.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

632-The Boomtown Rats-Rat Trap.

1978-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 4.08. Many artists found that performing on ‘Top of the Pops’ was a necessary evil, as the producers of the show would insist that they mime. Like many others, Bob Geldof knew that if he wanted to get the best exposure for his song he would have to perform, but he got his own back on the show, by miming the saxophone part on a candelabra.

The Boomtown Rats were formed in Dublin, Ireland, in 1975, by Bob Geldof, (vocals) Gary Roberts, (1950-2022) (lead guitar) Johnnie Fingers, (keyboards) Pete Briquette, (bass) Gerry Cott, (rhythm guitar) and Simon Crowe, (drums) they were active until 1986, but then reformed in 2013, without Johnnie Fingers, and Gerry Cott. They were initially known as ‘The Nightlife Thugs,’ but soon changed to ‘The Boomtown Rats,’ with Bob Geldof taking the name from the gang of children who are referred to in Woody Guthrie’s (1912-1967) (see also best songs 103) 1943 autobiography, ‘Bound for Glory,’ which Geldof had read.

The discography of The Boomtown Rats includes seven studio Albums released between 1977-2020, and 23 singles released within the same time period, there are also seven official compilation Albums, and four live Albums available. In their native Ireland, on the ‘Irish Singles Chart,’ which is the Republic of Ireland’s music industry official chart, 11 of their singles have reached the top 40, with ‘I Don’t Like Mondays,’ peaking the highest at Number 1 in 1979, while ‘Rat Trap,’ reached Number 2. In the UK, 12 of their singles, including the 1994 re-issue of ‘I Don’t Like Mondays,’ (Number 38) have made the top 40, with both ‘Rat Trap,’ and ‘I Don’t Like Mondays,’ making the Number 1 spot. Although they have issued most of their recordings in America, and spent time touring there as well, they never made a commercial breakthrough, with their only entry on the Billboard Hot 100 being ‘Rat Trap,’ which stalled at Number 73.

Bob Geldof was born Robert Frederick Zenon Geldof, on October 5th, 1951, in Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin, Ireland, prior to co-founding The Boomtown Rats, he had worked as a slaughterman, a road navvy, and he had also had a job canning peas, while residing in Wisbech, England. He was then hired as a music journalist in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, for the free weekly news and entertainment newspaper ‘The Georgia Straight,’ and also while in Canada he briefly guest hosted the ‘Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’ children’s program ‘Switchback.’ Bob Gedof of course will always be best remembered for his charitable work, in particular the 1984 ‘Band Aid’ single ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ (see also best songs 455) and the 1985 ‘Live Aid’ concerts, at the ‘Wembley Stadium,’ in London, England, and the ‘John F. Kennedy Stadium,’ in Philadelphia, United States. Among the many awards he has received for his fundraising, is being invested by Queen Elizabeth II as an honorary ‘Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire,’ in 1986. Bob Geldof is entitled to use the post-nominal letters ‘KBE,’ but not to be styled ‘Sir,’ as he is not a citizen of a Commonwealth realm, nevertheless he is affectionately referred to as ‘Sir Bob’ by many. After the split of The Boomtown Rats in 1986, he pursued a solo music career, which has seen the release of five studio Albums between 1986-2011, and 17 singles within the same time period. In Ireland four of his singles have reached the top 40, with his 1996 self-mocking cover version of ‘Rat Trap,’ with ‘Dustin the Turkey,’ being that years Christmas Number 1 single, while in the UK, two of his singles have made the top 40, with ‘The Great Song of Indifference,’ from 1990, charting the highest at Number 15.

‘Rat Trap’ was the last of three singles released from The Boomtown Rats’ second studio Album ‘A Tonic for the Troops,’ from June 1978, the song was written by Bob Geldof, and produced by Robert John ‘Mutt’ Lange (see also best songs 479 and 314.) When ‘Rat Trap’ went to Number 1 in the UK, it became the first single by a ‘Punk’ or ‘New Wave’ act to do so, The Boomtown Rats also became the first ‘Irish Rock’ group to have a UK Number 1 single. Bob Geldof had written the lyrics to ‘Rat Trap’ as far back as 1973, while working in an abattoir. The song tells the tale of young Billy, who knows that he is already trapped by his surroundings, and if he is to have a better life, then he must move away from the town he lives in. Bob Geldof has said, ‘I wanted to be famous, because I wanted to use fame to talk about things that bothered me. That really was me working in the abattoir.’

‘Billy don’t like it living here in this town, he says the traps have been sprung long before he was born. He says hope bites the dust behind all the closed doors, and pus and grime ooze from its scab crusted sores.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

633-B-52’s-Love Shack.

1989-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 4.49. Fred Schneider exclaims, ‘You’re what!,’ to which Cindy Wilson replies, ‘Tin roof rusted.’ This is Southern American slang, meaning she’s pregnant.

The B-52s were formed in Athens, Georgia, United States, in 1976, by Fred Schneider, (vocals, and percussion) Kate Pierson, (vocals, keyboards, and synth bass), Cindy Wilson (vocals, and percussion) her brother Ricky Wilson, (1953-1985) (guitar), and Keith Strickland, (drums, guitar, and keyboards) there have been a further 10 members come and go, and at the time of writing they remain active, with all four original living founding members, still performing with the group. The B-52’s took their name from a particular style of hairdo, resembling the nose cone of the ‘Boeing B-52’ aircraft, which Kate Pierson, and Cindy Wilson wore in performances during the bands first decade. In 2008 the ‘B-52’s’ dropped the apostrophe in their name, and are now known as ‘B-52s,’ Kate Pierson has said, ‘It was not grammatically correct. It’s not like a possessive. It just seemed superfluous.’ In 1985 tragedy struck when one of the groups founding members Ricky Wilson died of Aids at the age of 32, which affected the group as a whole, leading to them going on hiatus, until reforming in 1988, and continuing as a four piece.

The discography of the B-52s includes seven studio Albums released between 1979-2008, and 31 singles released between 1978-2008, there are also six official compilation Albums, and three live Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, five of their singles have made the top 40, with ‘Love Shack,’ (1989) and ‘Roam,’ (1990) both peaking the highest at Number 3. In the UK, they have charted within the top 40 on six occasions, with ‘Love Shack’ peaking the highest at Number 2.

‘Love Shack’ was the third of five singles issued from the B-52’s fifth studio Album ‘Cosmic Thing,’ from June 1989, with all four group members at that time receiving the songwriting credits, and the production being by Don Was, who also produced three of the other tracks on the Album. Don Was was born Don Edward Fagenson, on September 13th, 1952, in Detroit, Michigan, United States, he is a musician, music producer, and documentary filmmaker. In 1979 he co-founded the ‘Disco/Funk’ group ‘Was (Not Was’) with David Weiss, and adopted the stage name Don Was. As ‘Was (Not Was’) and with other group members, they have issued five studio Albums, and 19 singles, and are probably best remembered for the 1987 hit single ‘Walk the Dinosaur’ (Billboard Number 7 & UK Number 10.) Don Was has produced Albums that have sold around 100 million copies worldwide, for artists including The Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan. In 2014 He won the ‘Emmy Award’ for ‘Outstanding Music Direction,’ for his work on the CBS television special ‘The Beatles: The Night That Changed America.’

It was the release of the B-52’s fifth studio Album ‘Cosmic Thing,’ in 1989, that took the group from a cult following to mainstream success, particularly with the release of ‘Love Shack’ as a single. One inspiration for the song came from a real club outside of Athens, Georgia, called the ‘Hawaiian Ha-Le,’ where the group would meet up, Cindy Wilson has said, ‘I personally was thinking about this bar that was out in the country, it was really a cool place, a run-down love shack kind of thing, but it was a disco. It was a really interesting place.’ For Kate Pierson, the actual love shack for her was where she lived in the 1970’s, in a five room cabin, where the group would sometimes work on songs such as ‘Rock Lobster,’ and ‘Planet Claire.’ Pierson has said, ‘It really was set back in the middle of a field, with no plumbing, or running water, but it did have a tin roof.’ Unfortunately that building isn’t there anymore, as it burned down in 2004, the reason being arson.

‘Hop in my Chrysler, it’s as big as a whale, and it’s about to set sail. I got me a car, it seats about twenty, so come on and bring your jukebox money. The love shack is a little old place, where we can get together, love shack baby.’