THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

644-Aretha Franklin-I Say a Little Prayer.

1968-Number 4 single.

Best Bit-At 2.01. In the words of Green Gartside,’Each time I go to bed, I pray like Aretha Franklin.’ (see also best songs 554.)

‘I Say a Little Prayer’ was written by the legendary song writing duo of Burt Bacharach, (1928-2023) (music) and Hal David, (1921-2012) (lyrics) and was originally recorded by Dionne Warwick (see also best songs 224) for her eighth studio Album ‘The Windows of the World,’ from August 1967, ‘I Say a Little Prayer’ was the second of two singles released from the Album, the first being the title track. The Dionne Warwick recording, which was also produced by Bacharach & David, (see also best songs 902-832-815-740 and 224) reached Number 4 on the American Billboard Hot 100, but has never charted in the UK.

In 1968 Aretha Franklin, (1942-2018) (see also best songs 366) and her background vocalists ‘The Sweet Inspirations’ were singing ‘I Say a Little Prayer’ for fun, while rehearsing the songs intended for Aretha’s next Album, when it suddenly became apparent that this newly reinvented rendition was worthy of being more than just an Album track. Initially the song was scheduled as the ‘B’ side to ‘The House That Jack Built,’ but the radio DJ’s were preferring to play ‘I Say a Little Prayer.’ The release of ‘The House That Jack Built,’ reached Number 6 on Billboard, and when ‘I Say a Little Prayer,’ was switched to the ‘A’ side, it peaked at Number 10, less than a year after Dionne Warwick had reached Number 4. In the UK ‘I Say a Little Prayer’ became Aretha Franklin’s biggest hit single, until her 1987 duet with George Michael, (1963-2016) with ‘I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me’) reached Number 1.

The Aretha Franklin recording of ‘I Say a Little Prayer’ was the second of three singles released from her 13th studio Album ‘Aretha Now,’ from July 1968, ‘The House That Jack Built’ was not released as a track on that Album. ‘I Say a Little Prayer’ which was produced by Jerry Wexler, (1917-2008) (see also best songs 882) has backing vocals from ‘The Sweet Inspirations.’ Both the Dionne Warwick recording, and the Aretha Franklin version, have the American R&B girl group ‘The Sweet Inspirations’ in common, as they were in on rehearsals when Warwick was recording her version, and they can be heard performing backing vocals on Franklin’s recording.

The Sweet Inspirations (see also best songs 882) are an American ‘R&B’ girl group mostly known for their work as backup singers on studio recordings for other ‘R&B,’ and ‘Rock’ artists. They were formed in 1959 by former members of ‘The Drinkard Singers’, who were a long running ‘Gospel’ singing group from Newark, New Jersey, United States, they were active until 1979, and then again from 1994. In total there have been 11 different members come and go, including Dionne Warwick, and her sister Dee Dee Warwick, (1942-2008) as well as the singer/songwriter Doris Troy, (1937-2004) and Cissy Houston, the mother of Whitney Houston. The Sweet Inspirations released nine Albums between 1967-2005, and a further four between 1968-1971, with the American Jazz multi-instrumentalist Yusef Lateef (1920-2013.) They can be heard on hundreds of tracks as background vocalists, including ‘Brown Eyed Girl,’ by Van Morrison, (1967-Billboard Number 10) and ‘Grease’ by Frankie Valli (1978-Billboard Number 1 & UK Number 3.) The four members of The Sweet Inspirations who sang on ‘I Say a Little Prayer’ were Cissy Houston, Estelle Brown, Sylvia Shemwell, (1941-2010) and Myrna Smith (1941-2010.)

‘I Say a Little Prayer’ has been a hit single on two other occasions in the UK, In 1988 the English music producer Tim Simenon, using his alias ‘Bomb the Bass,’ took his ‘Electronic Dance Music’ version, featuring the singer Maureen, to Number 10, and in 1997 a Reggae version by the Jamaican singer Diana King, which was featured heavily in the comedy film ‘My Best Friends Wedding,’ reached Number 17 in the UK, and Number 38 on Billboard in America.

Burt Bacharach never wanted the Dionne Warwick version to be released, he has said,’I think I made the tempo a little too fast, I didn’t want the record to come out, but got overridden. I’m glad that I got overridden.’ Bacharach has also stated that he much prefers the Aretha Franklin arrangement, and production of the song by Jerry Wexler. As for how the song was inspired, Hal David wrote the lyrics with the intention to convey a woman’s concern for her man, who is serving in the Vietnam War.

‘The moment I wake up, before I put on my makeup, I say a little prayer for you. While combing my hair, now, and wondering what dress to wear, now, I say a little prayer for you.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

645-Armand Van Helden-The Funk Phenomena.

1996-Number 38 single.

Best Bit-At 1.00. For those who feel more comforted with repetition in their lives, then this ones for you.

Armand Van Helden (see also best songs 138) was born on February 16th, 1970, in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, he is a music producer, songwriter, remixer, and DJ, in the genre of ‘Electronic Dance Music,’ and it’s sub-genres, including ‘Speed Garage,’ and ‘Garage House,’ of which he is a pioneer. Armand Van Helden whose father was of Dutch and Indonesian descent, (Indo) and his mother, who was French, has recorded and performed under several different aliases, including ‘Deep Creed,’ ‘Wizzards of Wax,’ and ‘Duck Sauce.’ Armand Van Helden finally broke big in 1996 with his remix of the Tori Amos song ‘Professional Widow,’ which became a worldwide hit, and reached Number 1 in the UK, due solely to his remix. This led to many of the worlds top artists, including the Rolling Stones, and Janet Jackson, requesting remixes from him.

The discography of Armand Van Helden, using his own name, includes nine studio Albums, released between 1996-2016, and 62 singles, released between 1994-2014, there are also 11 official compilation Albums available. In America he has never charted on the Billboard Hot 100 singles, but five of his tracks have made the top 10 Billboard ‘Dance Club’ chart. In the UK he has had 12 top 40 hits, as either the lead or featured artist, with ‘You Don’t Know Me,’ featuring Duane Harden, (1999) and ‘Bonkers,’ by Dizzee Rascal featuring Armand Van Helden, (2009) both reaching the Number 1 spot.

‘The Funk Phenomena’ can be filed under the genre of ‘Garage House,’ which was originally known as ‘Garage,’ or ‘New York House,’ or ‘New Jersey sound,’ that was developed alongside ‘Chicago House’ music. The genre was popular in the 1980’s in the United States, and the 1990’s in the United Kingdom, where it developed into ‘UK Garage,’ and ‘Speed Garage.’ ‘Garage House’ which was developed in the ‘Paradise Garage’ nightclub, in New York City, and Club Zanzibar, in Newark, New Jersey, United States, in the early to mid 1980’s, is recognisable by it’s gospel-influenced piano riffs and female vocals, and has a more soulful ‘R&B’ derived sound than ‘Chicago House’ music. When ‘Garage House’ became popular in the UK in the early 1990’s, it acquired the name ‘UK Garage.’

‘The Funk Phenomena’ was released as a single from Armand Van Helden’s debut studio Album ‘Old School Junkies: The Album,’ in 1996, the song is credited as being co-written by Armand Van Helden, and Method Man, (see also best songs 359 and 166) with the production being by Armand Van Helden. Like many ‘Dance Music’ tracks, ‘The Funk Phenomena’ has many official and unofficial remixes. On ‘The Funk Phenomena’ there are three significant samples, the endlessly repeated chant of ‘The Funk Phenomena,’ is taken from the 1995 ‘Hip-Hop’ song ‘How High,’ (1995-Billboard Number 13) by ‘Method Man & Redman,’ and that is why Method Man receives the songwriting credit. It is the voice of the American Rapper ‘Redman’ that can be heard saying ‘The Funk Phenomena.’ The main sample on ‘The Funk Phenomena,’ is lifted from the 1973 track ‘Who Is He (And What Is He to You)?’ (1973-Billboard Number 69) by the American ‘R&B’ group ‘Creative Source,’ but none of that songs writers receive song writing credits on ‘The Funk Phenomena.’ The other song sampled is ‘Don’t Throw My Love Around,’ by the American Funk band ‘Cooly’s Hot Box,’ who also receive no writing credits.

‘The Funk Phenomena.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

646-Paul McCartney and Wings-Junior’s Farm.

1974-Number 10 single.

Best Bit-At 3.56. Of the naming of ‘Wings,’ Paul McCartney has said that his wife Linda was in hospital giving birth to their second child Stella, there were complications at the birth, and both Linda and the baby nearly died. McCartney was praying, and the image of wings came to his mind. He decided to call his new band ‘Wings.’

Paul McCartney, (solo-see also best songs 107) (Beatles-see also best songs 599-238-218-157-141-80-51-10 and 6) was born James Paul McCartney, on June 18th, 1942, in Liverpool, England, he is the most successful songwriter of all time, having written or co-written 33 UK Number 1 singles, and 32 American Billboard Number 1 singles. In 1965 he was awarded the ‘MBE,’ ‘Member of the Order of the British Empire,’ and then in 1997, he was Knighted by Queen Elizabeth II, for services to music, hence his title ‘Sir,’ and then in 2017, he was Appointed ‘Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour,’ ‘CH,’ in the 2017 Queens Birthday Honours, for services to music. Paul McCartney’s father was Jim McCartney, (1902-1976) and his mother was Mary Patricia, (née Mohin) (1909-1956) both of his parents wee also born in Liverpool. McCartney has a younger brother, Peter Michael McCartney, (born 1944) who is also a musician, and goes by the stage name of ‘Mike McGear,’ who in 1968, with the group ‘The Scaffold,’ reached Number 1 in the UK with ‘Lily the Pink.’ McCartney also has a younger adopted stepsister called Ruth, (born 1960) who was born to his father Jim’s second wife, Angie (born 1929) during her first marriage. Paul McCartney has been married on three occasions, and has five children.

With the success of his 1974 Album ‘Band on the Run,’ Paul McCartney had finally achieved critical acclaim away from the Beatles. The next studio Album ‘Venus and Mars’ wouldn’t be released until 1975, so ‘Juniors Farm’ was released without appearing on any Album. While recording in July 1974 in Nashville, Paul McCartney and Wings, who were at that time, Linda McCartney, (1941-1998) Denny Laine, (1944-2023) Jimmy McCullock, (1953-1979) (see also best songs 891) and Geoff Britton, had hired the ‘Lebanon, Tennessee’ farm, belonging to the Country Music singer/songwriter Curly Putman Jr. (1930-2016) which accounts for this songs title. In the UK, Curly Putman Jr. is best known for writing the songs ‘Green Green Grass of Home,’ which became a UK Number 1 & Billboard Number 12 hit for Tom Jones in 1966, (see also best songs 964) and ‘D-I-V-O-R-C-E,’ a UK Number 12 hit for Tammy Wynette in 1975.

‘Junior’s Farm’ which was written by Paul McCartney, and Linda McCartney, with the production being by Paul, was his final release on the ‘Apple Records’ label before signing a solo recording contract with ‘Capitol Records,’ in May 1975. Paul McCartney had his first ideas about writing a song about a quiet farm lifestyle during his long family stay at his cottage in Campbeltown, Scotland, between April and August 1970, during the turbulent break-up of the Beatles. McCartney has said that he based the song’s lyrical theme on Bob Dylan’s 1965 song ‘Maggie’s Farm,’ and that ‘The idea was to just get a fantasy song about this person Junior.’ He also said that, in contrast to the degree of thought Bob Dylan applied to his songwriting, Junior’s Farm ‘Has silly words, and basically all it means is, ‘Let’s get out of the city.’ As for reading deep meanings into the words, people shouldn’t bother, there aren’t any.’ Curly Putman Jr. has said,’Paul McCartney and Wings rented my farm for six weeks while recording in Nashville, for a pretty good little chunk of money.’ Evidently Putman and his wife spent their ‘rent’ on a holiday to Hawaii, and when they returned, McCartney saw them walking up the driveway. and Paul and the band greeted them by playing ‘Green, Green Grass of Home.’

Paul McCartney has insisted that the lyrics to ‘Junior’s Farm’ have no meaning, but they are probably full of drug references. For example, the Eskimo who was hoping for a fall of snow, is probably about Cocaine, and the lyrics ‘When up popped a sea lion ready to go,’ a ‘sea lion’ = ‘C line.’ There is possibly a disguised mention about America’s disgraced President Nixon, and also an observation on the state of the economy at that time, although that could be another drug reference.

‘I took my bag into a grocer’s store, the price is higher than the time before, old man asked me why is it more. I said you should have seen me with the poker man, I had a honey and I bet a grand, just in the nick of time I looked at his hand.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

647-Van Halen-Jump.

1984-Number 7 single.

Best Bit-At 3.36. Here’s an interesting coincidence for those of us with lots of spare time on our hands. The ‘B’ side of the U.S. 7 inch single release of ‘Jump’ is a song called ‘House of Pain.’ In 1992 the American ‘Hip-Hop’ group House of Pain had a hit with a song called ‘Jump’ (see also best songs 75.)

Van Halen were a Rock band who were officially formed in Pasadena, California, United States, in 1973, from 1974 to 1985 the group consisted of Eddie Van Halen, (1955-2020) (lead guitar) his brother Alex Van Halen, (drums) David Lee Roth, (lead vocals) and Michael Anthony (bass.) In 1985 David Lee Roth left the group to pursue a solo career, and he was replaced by Sammy Hagar as the new lead vocalist. Roth returned to the group in 2006, replacing Hagar, and in the same year Michael Anthony left, and was replaced by Eddie Van Halen’s son Wolfgang Van Halen (bass.) After the death of Eddie Van Halen in 2020 the group was retired with Wolfgang Van Halen saying,’You can’t have Van Halen without Eddie Van Halen.’ In total there were eight members of Van Halen come and go, with the other two being founding member Mark Stone, (bass) who died in 2020, and Gary Cherone, who was the lead vocalist between 1996-1999.

With sales in excess of 80 million records sold worldwide, Van Halen are amongst the best selling artist of all time. Their discography includes 12 studio Albums released between 1978-2012, and 56 singles issued within the same time period, there are also two official compilation Albums, and two live Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, 16 of their songs have reached the top 40, with ‘Jump’ making the Number 1 spot in 1984, while in the UK, they have had six top 40 hits, with ‘Jump’ peaking the highest at Number 7.

‘Jump’ was the first of four singles released from Van Halen’s sixth studio Album ‘1984,’ which is sometimes stylized in Roman numerals as ‘MCMLXXXIV.’ The song was co-written by all four group members at that time, Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, David Lee Roth, and Michael Anthony, with the production being by Ted Templeton. ‘Jump’ is Van Halen’s most successful single, and introduced the use of a synthesizer by Eddie Van Halen, which David Lee Roth objected to, as he thought it would be seen as the group selling out in order to get more radio play. Eddie had written the music in 1981, admitting that he had copied the synth part from the Darryl Hall and John Oates (see also best songs 881) song ‘Kiss On My List’ (1980-Billboard Number 1 & UK Number 33 single.) Darryl Hall has stated that he had no problem with Eddie doing that.

‘Jump’ was produced by Ted Templeman, who was born Edward John Templeman, on October 24th, 1942, in Santa Cruz, California, United States. Templeman began his music career as the drummer, and than later the guitarist, and vocalist with the American ‘Sunshine Pop’ band Harpers Bizarre, who are best remembered for their 1967 cover of the Paul Simon song ‘The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy’) (1967-Billboard Number 13 & UK Number 34 single.) In 1970 Templeman began working for ‘Warner Bros.’ records, and it was he who discovered the ‘Doobie Brothers,’ going on to produce 11 of their Albums. He has also produced seven Albums for Van Halen, as well as Albums by Van Morrison, Carly Simon, and many others.

Ted Templeman has recalled the night ‘Jump’ was recorded at Eddie Van Halen’s newly constructed home studio. ‘Engineer Donn Landee and Ed put the track down alone in the middle of the night. We re-cut it once in one take for sonic reasons. Dave wrote the lyrics that afternoon in the backseat of his Mercury convertible. We finished all vocals that afternoon and mixed it that evening.’ David Lee Roth wrote the lyrics, and he has teased with various accounts as to what the song is about, but usually he tells the story of a news story he saw on television about a man about to kill himself by jumping off a building, Roth thought to himself, ‘might as well jump,’ but in a positive sense, ‘Don’t jump to your death, but instead jump in to a more positive frame of mind, and make the most of your life.’

‘I get up and nothin’ gets me down, you got it tough, I’ve seen the toughest around. And I know, baby, just how you feel, you got to roll with the punches to get to what’s real.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

648-The O’Jays-Love Train.

1973-Number 9 single.

Best Bit-At 2.25. While appearing on the legendary American music television programme ‘Soul Train,’ The O’Jays were asked if this song was inspired by ‘Soul Train,’ they replied ‘Yes,’ but of course they were just being nice.

The O’Jays were formed in Canton, Ohio, United States, in 1958, by Eddie Levert, Walter Lee Williams, William Powell, (1942–1977) Bobby Massey, and Bill Isles, ( 1941–2019) in total there have been eight different members come and go, and at the time of writing they remain active, with Eddie Levert being the groups one constant. When first forming at ‘Canton McKinley High School,’ they were originally known as ‘The Mascots,’ and then ‘The Triumphs,’ before deciding on ‘The O’Jays’ in 1963, taking the name in tribute to the Cleveland radio disc jockey Eddie O’Jay, Between 1960-1972, they released five studio Albums, and 33 singles, with their biggest success coming in 1965, with their 13th single release, ‘Lipstick Traces (On a Cigarette,’) which peaked at Number 48 on Billboard, in America, and Number 19 in Canada. Shortly before The O’Jays big breakthrough occurred in 1972, after being signed by ‘Philadelphia International Records,’ the original members Bill Isles, and Bob Massey had left.

The discography of The O’Jays includes 29 studio Albums released between 1965-2019, and 92 singles released between 1960-2018, there are also 20 official compilation Albums, and one live Album available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, nine of their singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Love Train’ making Number 1 in 1973, while in the UK, they have charted within the top 40 also on nine occasions, with ‘Love Train’ peaking the highest at Number 9.

‘Love Train’ was the third of four singles released from The O’Jays sixth studio Album ‘Backstabbers,’ and the first of their eight studio Albums released on the ‘Philadelphia International’ record label, from August 1972. ‘Love Train’ was co-written, and co-produced by the legendary songwriting duo of Kenny Gamble, and Leon Huff, (see also best songs 1001-896-725-604-571-338-322 and 258) with the ‘Philadelphia International’ studio house band, ‘MFSB,’ providing the backing. According to Eddie Levert, when The O’Jays started work on ‘Love Train,’ it didn’t have any lyrics, Levert has recalled,’Kenny Gamble wrote them on the spot in about five minutes. By the time we started laying down the vocals, we knew we had a hit, Love Train felt like destiny. It had such perfect, timeless lyrics, that it was almost as if they’d come from God, and we had to deliver them to the people.’

Eddie Levert was born Edward Willis Levert, on June 16th, 1942, in Bessemer, Alabama, United States, but was raised in Canton, Ohio, where he moved at the age of six. His two sons Gerald Levert, (1966-2006) and Sean Levert, (1968-2008) were both also musicians, who formed the American ‘R&B’ vocal group ‘Levert,’ with Marc Gordon in 1983, releasing seven studio Albums, and 23 singles between 1985-1997, and charting with ‘Casonova’ in 1987 (Billboard Number 5 & UK Number 9.) In 1992 Eddie and his son Gerald recorded the song ‘Baby Hold On to Me,’ which went to Number 1 on the Billboard R&B chart, and also reached Number 37 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, he has also released three solo Albums between 1995-2012.

The lyrics to ‘Love Train’ call for unity, and world peace. One of The O’Jays founding members Walter Williams has said,’1972 was explosive. Vietnam was rumbling on, the rich were getting richer, so it was the perfect time to sing about social issues. The song mentioned places that were having human rights problems, but in a positive, hopeful way. The first stop we make will be England, tell all the folks in Russia and China too.’ Coincidentally ‘Love Train’ entered the Billboard Hot 100 top 40 on January 27th, 1973, which was the same day that the agreement on ending the war, and restoring peace in Vietnam was signed.

‘All of you brothers over in Africa, tell all the folks in Egypt, and Israel, too. Please don’t miss this train at the station, ’cause if you miss it, I feel sorry, sorry for you.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

649-Slade-Cum On Feel the Noize.

1973-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 0.01. Three very noisy babies. The songs introduction of Noddy Holder shouting ‘Baby, Baby, Baby,’ was only meant to be a microphone test, but it appeared everybody liked it, so they kept it in.

Slade were formed in Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, England, in 1966, by Neville ‘Noddy’ Holder, (lead vocals, and guitar) Dave Hill, (guitar, and vocals) Jim Lea, (bass, and keyboards) and Don Powell (drums.) Between 1966-1969, they were called ‘The N’Betweens,’ which was changed to ‘Ambrose Slade,’ in 1969, then ‘The Slade,’ between 1969-1970, and then just ‘Slade.’ The name ‘Ambrose Slade’ had come about as one of the groups promoters secretary, had named her handbag ‘Ambrose,’ and her shoes ‘Slade.’ In 1992, both Noddy Holder, and Jim Lea, left the group, with Dave Hill, and Don Powell, and three new recruits, continuing as ‘Slade II,’ until reverting to ‘Slade’ in 2002. In 2020, after 54 years Don Powell left ‘Slade,’ leaving Dave Hill as the groups one constant, and at the time of writing with three others, the group remain active for touring. In total there have been 13 different members come and go.

Slade were the biggest selling singles act of the 1970’s in the UK, with their best selling song being ‘Merry Xmas Everybody,’ which has sold in excess of one million copies. The discography of Slade includes 15 studio Albums released between 1969-1994, and 56 singles issued between 1966-2013, there are also 10 official compilation Albums, and six live Albums available. In the UK, 25 of their singles have reached the top 40, with six of those making the Number 1 position, while in America on the Billboard Hot 100, after several unsuccessful attempts in the 1970’s, they finally charted in the top 40 in 1983, with ‘My Oh My,’ reaching Number 37, and then in 1984, with ‘Run Runaway,’ peaking at Number 20.

‘Cum On Feel the Noize’ was released as a stand alone single, in February 1973, and then later included on the groups September 1973 compilation Album ‘Sladest.’ The song was co-written by Noddy Holder, (lyrics) and Jim Lea, (music) who together would write the majority of Slade’s songs, with the production being by Chas Chandler (1938-1996.) Chas Chandler was born Bryan James Chandler, on December 18th, 1938, in Heaton, Newcastle, England, he died on July 17th, 1996, of an aortic aneurysm, at the age of 57. Chandler began his professional music career in 1962, as the bass player with ‘The Alan Price Trio,’ who would become ‘The Animals,’ (see also best songs 851) in 1963, after Eric Burdon joined the band. Despite finding commercial success with ‘The Animals,’ Chas Chandler became disillusioned with the lack of money, recalling that, ‘We toured non-stop for three years, doing 300 gigs a year. and we hardly got a penny.’ Chandler turned his attentions to becoming a talent scout, an artist manager, and a record producer, and soon became the manager for a then unknown Jimi Hendrix, (1942-1970) (see also best songs 983 and 492.) By 1968 Chandler had become frustrated with the recording sessions for Jimi Hendrix’s album ‘Electric Ladyland,’ claiming they were self-indulgent, so he parted ways with Hendrix, and by 1969 was working with Slade, with whom he managed, and produced for the next 12 years.

‘Cum On Feel the Noize’ caused controversy, especially with school teachers, who said that the deliberate misspelling of the songs title, and many other Slade songs as well, was not setting a good example to school children. Jim Lea has spoken about how the song came to fruition,’I was at a Chuck Berry (1926-2017) (see also best songs 548-308 and 30) gig in ’72, and everybody was singing his tunes. He kept stopping and letting the crowd sing, and it wasn’t just a few people, it was everyone. I thought it was amazing and thought, why not write the crowd into the songs, and so we got round to ‘Mama Weer All Crazee Now,’ (1972-UK Number 1) and ‘Cum On Feel the Noize,’ and all the chants were written into the tunes.

Although Slade never broke through fully in America, they were influential on many ‘Rock,’ and ‘Heavy Metal’ groups of the 1980’s. In 1983 the American Heavy Metal group ‘Quiet Riot’ covered ‘Cum On Feel the Noize,’ taking it to Number 5 on Billboard, and selling in excess of one million copies, which finally brought Slade to the attention of the wider American record buying public.

‘So you think I got an evil mind, well, I’ll tell you honey, and I don’t know why, and I don’t know why. So you think my singing’s out of time, well it makes me money, and I don’t know why, and I don’t know why anymore, oh no.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

650-Four Tops-Reach Out I’ll Be There.

1966-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 2.37. The ad lib, ‘Just look over your shoulder.’ Levi Stubbs was a passionate singer, and when he improvised that line, Holland-Dozier-Holland liked it so much, they left it in.

The Four Tops certainly had longevity, having formed in Detroit, Michigan, United States, in 1953, the four members remained as a quartet with no line up changes, through until the death of Laurence Patton in 1997. The four founding members of the Four Tops were Levi Stubbs, (1936-2008) Abdul ‘Duke’ Fakir, Renaldo ‘Obie’ Benson (1936-2005) and Lawrence Payton, (1938-1997) Theo Peoples took Payton’s place in 1998, and remained a group member until 2010, when he left, Harold ‘Spike’ Bonhart, replaced him, until leaving in 2018. At the time of writing, the Four Tops remain active as a touring group, led by the one surviving original member Abdul ‘Duke’ Fakir, along with the Tamla Motown veteran Ronnie McNeir, who joined in 1999, Lawrence Payton Jr. who joined in 2005, and Alexander Morris, who joined in 2019.

The Four Tops were originally called ‘Four Aims,’ but in 1956 they decided to change their name to ‘Four Tops,’ to avoid confusion with the American vocal group the ‘Ames Brothers.’ Between 1956-1962 the group issued four unsuccessful singles, on four different record labels, before signing with ‘Motown’ records in 1963, initially recording Jazz standards for Motown’s ‘Workshop Jazz Records’ label, they also sang backing vocals on The Supremes single ‘Run, Run, Run,’ (1964) and the Martha and the Vandellas single ‘My Baby Loves Me (1966.) The Four Tops finally made their commercial breakthrough in July 1964, when Motown’s legendary song writing team of ‘Holland–Dozier–Holland’ offered them the song ‘Baby I Need Your Loving,’ which went on to reach Number 11 on Billboard in America.

The discography of the Four Tops includes 29 studio Albums released between 1965-1995, and 59 singles released between 1956-1989, there are also 10 official compilation Albums, and two live Albums available. The Four Tops who have recorded for ‘Motown’ records, ‘ABC/Dunhill’ records, ‘Casablanca’ records, and ‘Arista’ records, have had 24 top 40 hit singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in America, with both ‘I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch’) (1965) and ‘Reach Out I’ll Be There,’ (1966) both reaching Number 1. In the UK, the Four Tops have made the top 40 on 30 occasions, with ‘Reach Out I’ll Be There’ making the Number 1 spot.

‘Reach Out I’ll Be There’ was written and produced by the legendary song writing team of ‘Holland–Dozier–Holland,’ (see also best songs 969-823-553-411-212 and 148) and was the first of six singles released from the Four Tops fourth studio Album ‘Reach Out,’ from July 1967. The song has become the Four Tops signature tune, and as with many of the other ‘Motown’ tracks from that period, it features Motown’s in house band ‘The Funk Brothers,’ (see also best songs 948-569-414-382-212-148 and 28) and the female backing vocals of ‘The Andantes,’ who appear unaccredited. ‘Reach Out I’ll Be There’ was covered in 1971 by Diana Ross, and reached Number 29 on Billboard, and in 1975 the American singer Gloria Gaynor released a ‘Disco’ version of the song, which made Number 14 in the UK. In 1988 the British music producers Phil Harding, and Ian Curnow, issued a remix of the song, which peaked at Number 11 in the UK.

Lamont Dozier (1941-2022) has explained how ‘Reach Out I’ll Be There’ came about,’Brian, Eddie and I often had discussions about what women really want most of all from a man, and after talking about some of our experiences with women, we all three agreed that they wanted someone to be there for them, through thick or thin, and be there at their beck and call. Thus this song was born.’ In 2014 Abdul ‘Duke’ Fakir said,’Eddie (Holland) realised that when Levi hit the top of his vocal range, it sounded like someone hurting, so he made him sing right up there. Levi complained, but we knew he loved it. Every time they thought he was at the top, he would reach a little further, until you could hear the tears in his voice. The line “Just look over your shoulder” was something he threw in spontaneously. Levi was creative like that, he could always add something from the heart.’

‘I can tell the way you hang your head, you’re without love and now you’re afraid, and through your tears you look around, but there’s no peace of mind to be found.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

651-Dooley Wilson-As Time Goes By.

1942-It didn’t chart in the UK until 1977, when it reached Number 15.

Best Bit-At 1.31. Don’t forget, in the film nobody ever said, ‘Play it again Sam.’

‘As Time Goes By’ was originally written by the American songwriter Herman Hupfeld, (1894-1951) for the 1931 Broadway Musical ‘Everybody’s Welcome.’ In the show it was first sung by Frances Williams, (1905-1995) and first recorded by Rudy Vallée (1901-1986) on July 25, 1931, for ‘Victor Records,’ then also by Jacques Renard (1897-1973) and his Orchestra, on ‘Brunswick Records,’ with both recordings meeting with little commercial success at that time. Herman Hupfeld was born on February 1st, 1894, in Montclair, New Jersey, United States, he died on June 8th, 1951, after having a stroke, at the age of 57. Herman Hupfeld never wrote a whole Broadway score, but he became known as a composer who could write a song to fit a specific scene within a Broadway show. ‘As Time Goes By,’ is by far the song that Hupfield is best remembered for, but he wrote in excess of 100 others, including ‘Let’s Put Out the Lights (and Go to Sleep,’) and ‘Sing Something Simple.’

‘As Time Goes By’ would probably have been forgotten in the annals of time, but 11 years later in 1942, it was re-introduced in the American romantic drama film ‘Casablanca,’ starring Humphrey Bogart, (1899-1957) and Ingrid Bergman, (1915-1982) where it was sung by ‘Sam,’ portrayed by Dooley Wilson (1886-1953.) In 2004 the ‘American Film Institute’ unveiled it’s list of the top 100 songs from the cinema from the 20th Century, and ‘As Time Goes By,’ was at Number 2, behind ‘Over the Rainbow,’ sung by Judy Garland (see also best songs 68.)

Arthur ‘Dooley’ Wilson was born on April 3rd, 1886, in Tyler, Texas, United States, he died on May 30th, 1953, of natural causes. Wilson earned his nickname ‘Dooley’ early on his career, for his ‘whiteface’ impersonation of an Irishman singing a song called ‘Mr. Dooley.’ Dooley Wilson was a drummer, and a singer who took up acting in the 1930’s, eventually signing a contract with ‘Paramount Pictures,’ which led to him being cast in the role of ‘Sam’ for the 1942 film ‘Casablanca.’ In the film Wilson is sat at a piano performing the song at the request of Ingred Bergman, who plays the part of Ilsa Lund. Dooley Wilson couldn’t actually play the piano to the standard required, so in the film it was overdubbed by the studio pianist Jean Vincent Plummer (1913-1989.) Such has been the impact of ‘Casablanca,’ and Wilson’s rendition of ‘As Time Goes By,’ that in 2014 the piano he played in the film was put up for auction at ‘Bonhams,’ in New York, and sold for £3.4 million. Dooley Wilson appeared in 19 films between 1939-1951, and then in the American situation comedy television series ‘Beulah,’ between 1951-1952.

Because of contractual stipulations, Dooley Wilson couldn’t release his recording of ‘As Time Goes By’ in the aftermath of the films success, so the record companies of the aforementioned cover versions by Rudy Vallee, and Jacques Renard, which had both been recorded in 1931 were both re-issued, with the Rudy Vallee version reaching Number 1, and the Jacques Renard version peaking at Number 3 in America. Eventually Jack Warner (1892-1978) of ‘Warner Bros,’ came to an agreement with Dooley Wilson, finally allowing him to issue his recording, under the stipulation that the studio would receive most of the profits, but the moment had gone, and Wilson’s version failed to chart. In 1977 Dooley Wilson’s version was re-released in some countries, and finally charted in the UK, where it peaked at Number 15 in January 1978.

‘As Time Goes By’ has been covered by many of the worlds top artists down the decades, with the majority, including the Dooley Wilson version, omitting the songs first verse, which begins,’This day and age we’re living in, gives cause for apprehension, with speed and new invention, and things like third dimension.’ Such is the esteem that ‘As Time Goes By’ is held in, that since 1999, an instrumental version of the song’s closing bars has accompanied the studio logo of many ‘Warner Bros. Pictures,’ and ‘Warner Bros. Television’ productions, in reference to the studio’s production of ‘Casablanca.’

‘It’s still the same old story, a fight for love and glory, a case of do or die, the world will always welcome lovers, as time goes by.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

652-Dizzee Rascal featuring Chrome-Holiday.

2009-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 3.08. It’s one of those wonderful hands in the air moments, where you can dance yourself Dizzee.

Dizzee Rascal (see also best songs 138) was born Dylan Kwabena Mills, on September 18th, 1984, in London, England, he was an important player in the development of the musical genre ‘Grime’ (see also best songs 813) in the early 2000’s, with his debut Album ‘Boy in da Corner,’ which is a prime example of the genre, winning the 2003 ‘Mercury Music Prize.’ Dizzee Rascal who partly took his stage name from one of his school teachers, who was the first to call him ‘rascal,’ has at the time of writing released eight studio Albums between 2003-2024, and 45 singles in the same time period. In the UK he has had 21 top 40 hits as the lead artist, with four of those tracks reaching Number 1, he has also had a further three top 40 hits as a featured artist. Dizzee Rascal has appeared on two charity singles, which have also made the Number 1 spot, performing on, ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ as part of Band Aid 20, (2004) and ‘Shout,’ as ‘Shout for England,’ with James Corden (2010.)

‘Holiday’ was the second of six singles released from Dizzee Rascal’s fourth studio Album ‘Tongue n’ Cheek,’ from September 2009, the song was co-written by Dizzee Rascal, (lyrics) and Calvin Harris, (music) along with Nick Detron, who is also credited as a co-writer of the track, as well as others tracks on the ‘Tongue n’ Cheek’ Album. Providing vocals on ‘Holiday,’ alongside Dizzee Rascal, is the ‘R&B’ singer ‘Chrome,’ who had also previously sang on Dizzee Rascal’s 2008 UK Number 1 single ‘Dance wiv Me,’ which was produced by Calvin Harris, who is also the producer of ‘Holiday.’ ‘Tongue n’ Cheek’ was a further departure from Dizzee Rascal’s ‘Grime’ roots, as he moved towards a more ‘commercial sound,’ alienating some of his fan base. Speaking about ‘Holiday’ Dizzee Rascal has said,’I live in a country house in Kent now, big pond, big fish, big whatever, and when I first moved in, I had a little pool party kind of thing. Where I lived before I didn’t really invite anyone round, but this time there were about 20 people there, and I suddenly realised that what I needed to do was make an Album you could play all the way through without spoiling the party.’ Calvin Harris had originally written the music for ‘Holiday’ with the British girl group ‘The Saturdays’ in mind, but after their management turned it down, he then offered it to Dizzee Rascal.

Calvin Harris (see also best songs 760 and 566) was born Adam Richard Wiles, on January 17th, 1984, in Dumfries, Scotland, both of his parents were English, and had moved to Dumfries after marrying. Calvin Harris has spoken about how he came about his stage name,’My first single was more of a Soul track, and I thought Calvin Harris sounded a bit more racially ambiguous. I thought people might not know if I was black or not. After that, I was stuck with it.’ Calvin Harris who has stated that it was the English ‘Funk’ band ‘Jamiroquai,’ and the English music producer Fatboy Slim, (see also best songs 760-387 and 95) who inspired him to make music, is one of the worlds highest paid disc jockeys/music producers, and is ranked in the top 30 ‘British Millionaires in music,’ according to ‘The Sunday Times Rich List.’

For his first two studio Albums, Calvin Harris sang the vocals on many of the tracks, but after coming to the realisation that others could perform his songs better than he could, he decided to concentrate on writing and producing, and from then on for the majority of his songs, he has employed many different guest vocalists. The discography of Calvin Harris includes six studio Albums released between 2007-2022, and 55 singles released between 2007-2023. In the UK, 38 of his singles have reached the top 40, with nine of those tracks making the Number 1 spot, he has also had a further four top 40 hits as the featured artist, with two of those songs also reaching Number 1. Calvin Harris has also reached Number 1 in the UK in 2012 with his official remix of ‘Spectrum (Say My Name’) by Florence and the Machine, and then in 2013 his official remix of ‘Eat, Sleep, Rave, Repeat,’ by Fatboy Slim and Riva Starr featuring Beardyman, reached Number 3. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, Calvin Harris has had 14 top 40 singles, with ‘This Is What You Came For,’ featuring Rihanna, peaking the highest at Number 3 in 2015. On Billboard, Calvin Harris has also reached Number 1 in 2011, as the featured artist on ‘We Found Love,’ by Rihanna.

‘Then after we’ll take a truck to the night spot, the hot spot, the top spot, party around the clock. And when we get there it’s strictly VIP, no need for ID, security know me. No waiting in line, no high entry fee.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

653-ZZ Top-Legs.

1984-Number 16 single.

Best Bit-At 0.20. ZZ Top were Billy Gibbons, Frank Beard, and Dusty Hill, can you guess which one didn’t sport a beard.

ZZ Top were formed in Houston, Texas, United States, in 1969, in total there have been seven different members come and go, and at the time of writing they remain active, with the classic line up being Billy Gibbons, (guitar, and vocals) Frank Beard, (drums) and Joseph ‘Dusty’ Hill (1949-2021) (bass and vocals.) ZZ Top were visually unforgettable when performing, as both Billy Gibbons, and Dusty Hill both wore sunglasses, hats, and ‘strikingly’ long beards. The original line up of ZZ Top, which consisted of Billy Gibbons, Lanier Greig, (1948-2013) and Dan Mitchell, and were managed by Bill Ham, (1937-2016) released their first single, the Billy Gibbons composition ‘Salt Lick,’ in 1969. The song met with no commercial success, and by 1970 Frank Beard, and Dusty Hill would replace the previous members, and the line up of ZZ Top was in place for the next 51 years, until the death of Dusty Hill in 2021. At the request of Hill, the groups long term collaborator Elwood Francis replaced Hill in 2021, providing lead vocals, and bass guitar. It was the groups one constant Billy Gibbons who chose the groups name, he had noticed that many acts such as ‘B.B. King,’ and ‘Z.Z. Hill,’ used initials, and he thought of combining the two into ‘ZZ King,’ but considered it too similar to the Blues legends name, so as he had always thought of BB King as a top performer, he came up with ‘ZZ Top.’

The discography of ZZ Top, who can be filed in the genres of ‘Blues Rock,’ ‘Hard Rock,’ ‘Boogie Rock,’ and ‘Southern Rock,’ and have sold in excess of 40 million records worldwide, includes the release of 15 studio Albums between 1971-2012, and 38 singles that have been released between 1969-2012, there are also six official compilation Albums, and four live Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, eight of their singles have reached the top 40, with both ‘Legs,’ (1984) and ‘Sleeping Bag,’ (1985) both peaking the highest at Number 8, while in the UK, they have charted within the top 40 on 10 occasions, with ‘Gimme All Your Lovin,” (1983) and ‘Viva Las Vegas,’ (1992) both peaking the highest at Number 10.

‘Legs’ was the fourth and final single released from ‘Eliminator,’ the eighth studio Album from ZZ Top, from March 1983. The songs writing credit is given to all three of the groups members, Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill, and Frank Beard, with the production being by Bill Ham. ‘Eliminator’ would prove to be the peak of the groups commercial career, and although it has never peaked above Number 9 on the ‘Billboard 200’ Album chart, it has sold in excess of 11 million copies in America, as well as topping the one million mark in both the UK, and Canada. The making of ‘Eliminator’ continued a shift towards a more radio friendly commercial sound for ZZ Top, which wouldn’t have pleased some of their long term fans, who grew up listening to the more rawer ‘Blues Rock’ the band had played in the 1970’s. ‘Eliminator’ was heavily influenced by the ‘new’ Electronic synthesizers, used by such groups as ‘Depeche Mode,’ (see also best songs 968-261 and 134) and ‘Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark’ (see also best songs 720.)

‘Eliminator’ was produced by Bill Ham, who was born Billy Mack Ham, on February 4th, 1937, in Waxahachie, Texas, United States, he died on June 20th, 2016, at the age of 79. Many agree that Bill Ham was instrumental to the success of ZZ Top, as their manager since their incarnation, co-writing songs, constructing their image, and producing every one of the group’s Albums, from their debut, through to 1996’s ‘Rhythmeen’ Album. Ham and ZZ Top parted ways in 2006.

Billy Gibbons has explained how he got the idea for ‘Legs,’ ‘I was driving in Los Angeles, and there was this unusual downpour. And there was a real pretty girl on the side of the road. I passed her, and then I thought, ‘Well, I’d better pull over’ or at least turn around and offer her a ride, and by the time I got back she was gone. Her legs were the first thing I noticed. Then I noticed that she had a Brooke Shields hairdo that was in danger of falling. She was not going to get wet. She had legs and she knew how to use them.’

‘She’s got legs, she knows how to use them, she never begs, she knows how to choose them. She’s holdin’ leg, wonder how to feel them. Would you get behind them, if you could only find them?’