THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

911-Stargard-‘Theme Song from ‘Which Way Is Up.’

1978-Number 19 single.

Best Bit-At 5.22. On the Richter scale of ‘Funky’ music, this one has a seismographic oscillation of 8.9. …, and I’m not exaggerating!!!!!!!

Stargard were an American R&B, Funk, And Soul girl group, originally consisting of Rochelle Runnells, Debra Anderson, and Janice Williams. They were similar in appearance to the ‘Disco’ group ‘Labelle,’ and could possibly described as a more raunchy ‘Pointer Sisters.’ They were active between 1977-1982, and as of 1979 when Debra Anderson left to pursue a solo career, the other two continued as a duo. The discography of Stargard includes four studio Albums released between 1978-1982, (the final two as a duo) and 10 singles that were issued between 1977-1982. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, only this song charted, when peaking at Number 21 in 1977, although it did make Number 1 on the Billboard ‘Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs’ chart. In the UK, Stargard have achieved two top 40 hits, with ‘What You Waitin’ For,’ being the other, which reached Number 39 in 1978.

All three members of Stargard have also provided backing vocals on other artists Albums, including on Junior Walker’s 15th studio Album ‘Back Street Boogie,’ from 1979. In 1978 Stargard also appeared in the American jukebox musical comedy film,’Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,’ as the fictitious group the ‘Diamonds.’ They were featured on two songs that were released on the films soundtrack Album in 1978, on ‘I Want You (She’s So Heavy,’) and ‘Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,’ both songs were originally written and performed by John Lennon, (1940-1980) and Paul McCartney.

‘Theme Song from ‘Which Way Is Up’ was the debut single from Stargard, and the opening track on side 2 of the groups self titled debut Album from 1978. The song was written by the legendary songwriter, and producer Norman Whitfield, and produced by Mark Davis. Whitfield had written the song for the 1977 American comedy film ‘Which Way Is Up? starring Richard Pryor (1940-2005.) Whitfield also wrote ‘The Force,’ which was another track on the Stargard debut Album.
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Norman Jessie Whitfield (see also best songs 777-569-533-480-346 and 233) was born on May 12th, 1940, in Harlem, New York, New York, United States, during the last few months of his life he was bed-ridden, where he underwent treatment for diabetes and other ailments. He fell into a coma, briefly improved, but eventually succumbed to diabetic complications, and died on September 16th, 2008, at the age of 68. At the age of 19, Whitfield made himself known to the founder of ‘Motown’ records Berry Gordy Jr. who was impressed enough to hire him to work in ‘Motown’s’ quality control department, determining which songs would or would not be released. Whitfield soon joined Motown’s in-house songwriting team, and in 1966 took on the role as the main producer of the ‘Temptations.’ Together with the lyricist Barrett Strong, (1941-2023) (see also best songs 777 and 569) Whitfield moved the Temptations (see also best songs 1031-777 and 569) away from ‘mellow love songs,’ into a harder, darker sound, that featured a blend of ‘Psychedelic Rock,’ and ‘Funk,’ heavily inspired by groups such as ‘Sly & the Family Stone,’ (see also best songs 589) and ‘Funkadelic’ (see also best songs 340 and 26.)

In 1975 Whitfield left Motown, to form his own record label ‘Whitfield Records,’ taking the Motown act ‘Undisputed Truth’ with him, soon to be followed by Yvonne Fair, (1942-1994) (see also best songs 480) and Junior Walker (1931-1995.) Another of his big signings were ‘Rose Royce,’ (see also best songs 533 and 233) who in 1976 had a worldwide hit with the Whitfield song ‘Car Wash,’ the theme song of the motion picture ‘Car Wash,’ for which Whitfield won a ‘Grammy Award’ for ‘Best Album of Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or a Television Special.’

‘I had a little trouble in my hometown, things got funky, so I had to leave right away. So I went to the city on the bus next morning, ha, but trouble had a way of finding me, and I ain’t joking.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

912-Weezer-Buddy Holly.

1994-Number 12 single.

Best Bit-At 1.39. This is a song for all the ages. ‘Happy Days’ was set in the 1950’s, and was a very popular show in the 1970’s. Weezer recorded this song in the 1990’s, and you are listening to it in the 2020’s.

Weezer were formed in Los Angeles, California, United States, in 1992, in total there have been eight official members come and go, with Rivers Cuomo, and Patrick Wilson being the bands two constants. Rivers Cuomo who was born on June 13th, 1970, in New York City, United States, is the groups main songwriter, and lead vocalist. His first name was given to him by his father Frank Cuomo who was also a musician, who played drums on the 1971 album ‘Odyssey of Iska,’ by Jazz saxophonist Wayne Shorter (1933-2023.) Rivers father has said that he named his son after three Brazilian, and Italian soccer players, Roberto Rivellino, Luigi Riva, and Gianni Rivera, all of whom played in the 1970 World Cup. ‘Weezer’ was the nickname that Frank called Rivers during his childhood, and that is why he chose that name for the group. Rivers Cuomo’s work with Weezer is considered to be groundbreaking in the genres of ‘Emo,’ and ‘Pop Punk,’ with artists such as ‘Fall Out Boy,’ ‘My Chemical Romance,’ and ‘Blink-182,’ all being influenced, in turn Cuomo has credited the ‘Beach Boys,’ (see also best songs 930-811-180 and 74) and in particular the ‘Pet Sounds’ Album, (1966) as one of the biggest influences in Weezer starting out.

The discography of Weezer includes 15 studio Albums released between 1994-2021, and 37 singles issued between 1994-2022. In America on Billboard, 13 of those Albums have reached the top 10, with ‘Make Believe’ from 2005 charting the highest at Number 2. On the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, their only entry to date in the top 40 is ‘Beverley Hills,’ which reached Number 10 in 2005. In the UK, Weezer have achieved eight top 40 singles, with ‘Beverley Hills’ peaking the highest at Number 9. As a solo artist Rivers Cuomo has also released three studio Albums between 2007-2011, and was the featured artist on the Billboard Number 10, and UK Number 16 hit ‘Magic,’ by ‘B o B,’ in 2010.

‘Buddy Holly’ was the second single released from Weezer’s self titled debut Album (commonly referred to as the ‘Blue Album’) from May 1994. ‘Buddy Holly’ was written by Rivers Cuomo, and produced by Ric Ocasak. Ocasek was born Richard Theodore Otcasek on March 23rd, 1944, and is best remembered as the co-founder of the American Rock band the ‘Cars’ in 1978. With the Cars he released seven studio Albums between 1978-2011, and 26 singles in the same time period. Their 1984 single ‘Drive’ which was written by Ocasek, was their biggest hit in America on Billboard reaching Number 3, while in the UK, it was ‘My Best Friend’s Girl,’ also written by Ocasek, which charted the highest at Number 3 in 1978. Ocasek died on September 15th, 2019, at the age of 75, he had been suffering from both hypertensive heart and coronary artery disease.

‘Buddy Holly’ is loosely based on River Cuomo’s real life experiences. Cumono had a girlfriend (possibly only platonic) that his friends had teased him about because she was Asian. In the song Cumomo is saying he will stand by her because he is Buddy Holly, and she is Mary Tyler Moore. So why were these two iconic names chosen to represent the songs subject? Buddy Holly (1936-1959) (see also best songs 898 and 264) had married Maria Santiago, who was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and there had been some who disapproved of the marriage, while Mary Tyler Moore (1936-2017) has been described as having an ‘Outwardly bubbly personality, and trademark broad toothy smile,’ that is said to have disguised an inner fragility.

‘Buddy Holly was released as a single on September 7th, 1999, on what would have been the 58th birthday of Buddy Holly. The songs video is one of the most popular to ever air on ‘MTV.’ The video is set in the 1950’s, in a replica Drive-In, to replicate the one used in the American sit-com ‘Happy Days.’ Using some very clever editing of old ‘Happy Days’ clips, interspersed with Weezer performing the song, it appears as if Weezer are appearing alongside the shows original cast. Umberto Molinaro (1919-2015) who played Al Delvecchio the owner of ‘Arnold’s’ Drive-In in ‘Happy Days,’ makes a cameo appearance in the video.

‘What’s with these homies dissin’ my girl? Why do they gotta front? What did we ever do to these guys, that made them so violent?(Ooh ooh) But you know I’m yours. (Ooh ooh) and I know you’re mine. (Ooh ooh) and that’s for all of time.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

913-Dexys Midnight Runners and the Emerald Express-Come On Eileen.

1982-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 3.04. You must have to have a lot of patience, if you are a lady called Eileen, because every time that some joker thinks that they are the first to shout at you,’Come on Eileen,’ you have either got to smile, laugh, of give in to temptation, and punch them in the face.

Dexys Midnight Runners (see also best songs 104) who at the time of writing are officially called by their former nickname ‘Dexys,’ were formed in 1978, in Birmingham, England, by Kevin Rowland, who at that time was using the pseudonym ‘Carlo Rolan,’ and Kevin ‘Al’ Archer. Both had previously been members of the short lived ‘Punk’ band the ‘Killjoys.’ Archer who stayed with Dexys Midnight Runners until after the recording of the debut Album ‘ Searching for the Young Soul Rebels,’ an Album he wrote some of the songs for, said that he used the name ‘Al,’ because Kevin Rowland decided that the group was not big enough to accommodate two ‘Kevins.’

Kevin Rowland was born on August 17th, 1953, in Wednesfield, Wolverhampton, England, he has been the one constant member of Dexys Midnight Runners. Rowland was born to Irish parents, and many of ‘Dexys’ songs have been inspired by his Irish ancestry. Rowland has said that he felt it was important to achieve a recognisable vocal style, putting a ‘crying voice on,’ which he has said was partly inspired by General Johnson, (1941-2010) of the American/Canadian Soul group the ‘Chairmen of the Board.’ Away from ‘Dexys,’ Rowland has released two solo studio Albums, in 1988, and 1999, and four singles, none of which found any real chart success.

‘Come On Eileen’ was the second of four singles released from ‘Too-Rye-Ay,’ the second studio Album from Dexys Midnight Runners, from July 1982. ‘Come On Eileen’ was officially written by Kevin Rowland, with Jim Paterson, and Billy Adams, who were all band members at that time, although Rowland later stated that the essence of the tune should be attributed to Kevin ‘Al’ Archer, who was not a band member at the time, Rowland and Archer agreed on royalties, so a court case was never brought. In America on Billboard,’Come On Eileen’ remains the only hit single for ‘Dexys,’ and for that, in America, they are recognised as ‘one hit wonders,’ whereas in the UK,’Come On Eileen’ was their second chart topper after ‘Geno’ in 1980, and in total ‘Dexys’ have made the UK top 40 singles chart on nine occasions, for a fuller discography of ‘Dexys’ see best songs 104. The production of ‘Come On Eileen,’ and it’s parent Album ‘Too-Rye-Ay,’ is credited to Clive Langer, and Alan Winstanley, who are both veteran producers, who worked together from 1979 through until 2009 (see also best songs 69.)

The rumour is that ‘Come On Eileen’ is based on Kevin Rowland’s first sexual encounter with a childhood friend called Eileen, but there was probably no Eileen. In fact the probability is that Eileen is a metaphor about Rowland’s Catholic upbringing, and the religion’s views on sexual relationships. The songs opening line ‘Poor old Johnny Ray,’ is probably a way of Rowland telling us that he won’t be repressed, as the previous generation were. Johnny Ray (1927-1990) was an American singer, who was a very big star for a short while in the early 1950’s, before suffering from alcoholism.

Some versions of ‘Come On Eileen’ open with a ‘Celtic’ fiddle solo, this is based on the Irish writer and poet Thomas Moore’s (1779-1852) Irish Folk song ‘Believe Me, if All Those Endearing Young Charms,’ which was first published in 1808. The songs chorus ‘Come On Eileen’ is said to be loosely based on the ‘Northern Soul’ favourite ‘A Man Like Me,’ by Jimmy James and The Vagabonds. Kevin Rowland who was very much influenced by ‘Soul’ music of the 1960’s has spoken about ‘Come On Eileen,’We wanted a good rhythm and we found one. Lots of records we liked had that rhythm: ‘Concrete and Clay,’ ‘It’s Not Unusual’ by Tom Jones. Lots of records we liked had that ‘Bomp ba bomp, bomp ba bomp.’ We felt it was a good rhythm. We came up with the chord sequence ourselves, and just started singing melodies over it. I remember thinking, ‘We’re really onto something here.’ I came up with that, ‘Too ra loo ra,’ and I remember thinking, ‘Wow, this is sounding really good.’ You get a feeling when you’re writing a song. Something happens. And in the end it kind of finished itself.’

‘Poor old Johnnie Ray, sounded sad upon the radio, moved a million hearts in mono. Our mothers cried, sang along, who’d blame them.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

914-Andy Williams-Music to Watch Girls By.

1967-Number 33 single. When it was re-released in 1999, it peaked at Number 9.

Best Bit-At 1.09. There’s only one thing better than listening to ‘Watching Girls Go By,’ and that is ‘Watching Girls Go By.’

‘Music to Watch Girls By’ started out life as jingle written by Sid Ramin in 1965, to promote ‘Diet Pepsi,’ in a television commercial. Sidney Nathan (or Norton) Ramin was born was born on January 22nd, 1919, in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, he died on July 1st, 2019, at the age of 100. His other most famous works include, co-orchestrating, with Leonard Bernstein, (1918-1990) and Irwin Kostal, (1911-1994) the music for ‘West Side Story,’ (1961) and with Robert Ginzler, (1910-1962) he arranged the music for the Broadway musical ‘Gypsy’ (1959.) Ramin was also the composer of ‘Smile, You’re on Candid Camera,’ the theme to the long running American television series ‘Candid Camera.’

It was on hearing Sid Ramin’s ‘jingle’ that Bob Crewe decided to put together a full version of the commercial song, and release it as a single. Bob Crewe (see also best songs 1007-863-499-393-284-164-112 and 83) who is one of the most featured artists on this countdown with nine entries, was born Robert Stanley Crewe, on November 12th, 1930, in Newark, New Jersey, United States, he died on September 11th, 2014, at the age of 83, having been in declining health for several years following a fall. Bob Crewe is probably best remembered for his songwriting and production work with Bob Gaudio, on a string of hit singles for ‘Franki Valli and the Four Seasons, but his songs have been popular, and to a point groundbreaking, from the 1950’s, through to the 1970’s. In 1957 Crewe along with Frank Slay, (1930-2017) co-wrote ‘Silhouettes,’ (see also best songs 499) which became a ‘Doo-Wop’ anthem when recorded by the ‘Ray’s.’ In the 1970’s, Crewe turned to ‘Disco’ music, collaborating with Kenny Nolan on the American Billboard Number 1 single ‘Lady Marmalade,’ for ‘LaBelle,’ in total Bob Crewe has been the co-writer of seven American Billboard Number 1 singles. Crewe who issued 11 studio Albums between 1960-2006, also had a hit single on Billboard as ‘The Bob Crewe Generation,’ with ‘Music to Watch Girls By,’ which made Number 15 in 1967.

The Bob Crewe recording of ‘Music to Watch Girls By’ had instrumentation, and arrangement provided by ‘Hutch Davie,’ (1930-1920) with the prolific session musician Ralph Casale providing guitar work. Casale has recalled the session for ‘Music to Watch Girls By,”They lost the three guitar parts and realised it after the other two guitarists left the studio. The problem with that which no one seemed to care about was that each guitar had a different sound. I had only one guitar with me, so I overdubbed the three different parts with the same guitar. The arrangement was really good, and the song was great.’

In 1967 the American easy listening vocal artist Andy Williams (1927-2012) (see also best songs 112) recorded his version of ‘Music to Watch Girls By,’ with lyrics written by Tony Velona, (1920)-1986) for his 20th studio Album ‘Born Free,’ released in April 1967, the single and it’s parent Album were both produced by Nick De Caro (1938-1992.) The two other well known songs co-written, with lyrics by Tony Velona are ‘Domani (Tomorrow,’) a 1955 Billboard Hot 100 Number 13 hit for the American singer Julius La Rosa, (1930-2016) and ‘Lollipops and Roses,’ which was a ‘Grammy-Award’ winning recording by Jack Jones (see also best songs 376) in 1962. The Andy Williams recording of ‘Music to Watch Girls By’ became very popular for Williams after it was featured in a specially choreographed performance on his ‘Andy Williams Show,’ which aired between 1962-1971. In 1999 things came full circle when the song was once again used in a television advert. This time it was used as a promotion for ‘Fiat’ cars, and the Andy Williams version fared a lot better second time around, by reaching Number 9 in the UK.

‘The boys watch the girls, while the girls watch the boys, who watch the girls go by. Eye to eye, they solemnly convene to make the scene. Which is the name of the game, watch a guy watch a dame, on any street in town. Up and down, and over and across, romance is boss.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

915-M.I.A.-Paper Planes.

2007-It didn’t chart in the UK until 2009, when it reached Number 19.

Best Bit-At 0.56. The sound of gunfire frightens me, but the sound of tills cashing, gets me excited.

M.I.A. was born Mathangi Arulpragasam. in Hounslow, London, England, her stage name is an initialism for both ‘Missing in Action,’ or ‘Missing in Acton.’ M.I.A. was born to Sri Lankan Tamil parents, her father Arul Pragasam (1948-2019) was a political activist, and founding member of the ‘Eelam Revolutionary Organisation of Students’ (EROS), a political Tamil group affiliated with the ‘Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’ (LTTE.) The first 11 years of M.I.A.’s life was marked by displacement, caused by the Sri Lankan Civil War, with her fathers political views, and her upbringing having a great influence on her lyrics, including in this song. Her music is a mix of ‘Hip-Hop,’ Electronic.’ ‘World Music,’ and ‘Experimental,’ she is also a singer and a Rapper.

The discography of M.I.A. includes six studio Albums released between 2005-2022, and 40 singles, issued between 2003-2022, she has also released two ‘EP’s,’ and ‘two ‘Mixtapes.’ In the UK she has charted on five occasions within the top 40, twice as the lead artist, and a further three times as the featured artist, with ‘Paper Planes’ charting the highest at Number 19. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, M.I.A. has reached that charts top 40 on four occasions, where ‘Paper Planes’ peaked at Number 4 in 2008, her other three chart entries were as a featured artist, with ‘Franchise,’ by Travis Scott, and featuring Young Thug, and M.I.A. making Number 1 in 2020.

‘Paper Planes’ was the fourth and final single released from M.I.A.’s second studio Album ‘Kala,’ from August 2007, both the single and the Album have been critically acclaimed many times in the musical press for bringing ‘unconventional subject matter’ in to the world of ‘Hip-Hop,’ and ‘Dance Music.’ ‘Paper Planes’ was co-written by M.I.A. and Diplo, and because the song samples ‘Straight to Hell’ by ‘The Clash,’ (see also best songs 867-638 and 294) from their 1982 Album ‘Combat Rock,’ the four members of ‘The Clash’ at that time also receive song writing credits, the songs production is credited to M.I.A. and Diplo. Both ‘Paper Planes’ and ‘Straight to Hell’ have similar subject matter, in that both deal with immigration, and xenophobia. it was Diplo’s idea to use ‘The Clash’ sample. It has also been pointed out that the chorus of ‘Paper Planes’ sounds similar to the 1992 song ‘Rump Shaker,’ by ‘Wreckx-N-Effect’s (Billboard Number 2, and UK Number 24 hit.)

‘Diplo’ was born Thomas Wesley Pentz on November 10th, 1978, in Tupelo, Mississippi, United States, his stage name derives from his childhood fascination with dinosaurs, his alias is short for ‘Diplodocus.’ It was M.I.A. who first introduced herself to Diplo, after hearing one of his songs in 2004, which led to the pair working together, and also being in a romantic relationship, through until 2008. Diplo (see also best songs 210) has released four studio Albums between 2004-2022, and has also been a member of other projects including ‘Major Lazer,’ ‘Jack U,’ and ‘Silk City.’

‘Paper Planes’ is an attack on those who stereotype illegal immigrants, claiming that it not true that they all want to harm you, and take all your jobs. It also satirises American perceptions of visa seeking foreigners, and immigrants from Third World nations. M.I.A. wrote the lyrics while living in a rough area of Brooklyn, New York, she has said,’I was thinking about living there, waking up every morning, it’s such an African neighbourhood. I was going to get patties at my local, and just thinking that really the worst thing that anyone can say is some s–t like ‘What I wanna do is come and get your money.’ People don’t really feel like immigrants or refugees contribute to culture in any way. That they’re just leeches that suck from whatever. So in the song I say ‘All I wanna do is (sound of gun shooting and reloading, cash register opening) and take your money.’ I did it in sound effects. It’s up to you how you want to interpret. America is so obsessed with money, I’m sure they’ll get it.’

‘I fly like paper, get high like planes. If you catch me at the border, I got visas in my name. If you come around here, I make ’em all day. I get one done in a second if you wait, I fly like paper get high like planes.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

916-Earth, Wind & Fire-September.

1978-Number 3 single.

Best Bit-At 0.11. ‘Ba duda, ba duda, ba, badu.’ The songs co-writer Maurice White said,’Never let the lyric, get in the way of the groove.’

Earth, Wind & Fire were formed in 1969, in Chicago, Illinois, United States by Maurice White, who was born on December 19th, 1941, in Memphis, Tennessee, United States, he died in his sleep on February 4th, 2016, from the effects of Parkinson’s disease, at the age of 74. It was as a teenager that Maurice White first moved to Chicago, where he joined ‘The Jazzmen,’ a student Jazz trio, at ‘Crane Junior College,’ in Chicago. The trio became studio musicians at ‘Chess Records’ in Chicago, where White played on the recordings of such high profile artists as Chuck Berry, (1926-2017) and Etta James (1938-2012.) White is notable for playing the drums on ‘Rescue Me,’ (American Billboard Number 4-UK Number 11) for Fontella Bass, in 1965, and (‘Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher,’ (American Billboard Number 6-UK Number 11) for Jackie Wilson, in 1967. In 1966 White left ‘Chess Records’ to join the the ‘Ramsey Lewis Trio,’ where he stayed until 1969, appearing on seven of their Albums, including drumming on the American Billboard 1966 Number 19 hit single ‘Wade in the Water’ (see also best songs 525.) White left the ‘Ramsey Lewis Trio’ in 1969, and then formed a new group with Wade Flemons, (1940-1993) and Don Whitehead, calling themselves the ‘Salty Peppers,’ who later on that year were re-named ‘Earth, Wind & Fire,’ the band’s new name reflecting the elements in his astrological chart. For the discography of ‘Earth, Wind & Fire’ see best songs 462.

‘September’ was co-written by Maurice White, Al McKay, and Allee Willis, (1947-2019) with the production being by White, and Charles Stepney (1931-1976.) ‘September’ was one of three brand new songs recorded to promote ‘The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1, which was the groups first greatest hits compilation, and has gone on to sell in excess of 5 million copies in the United States. Al McKay was a member of ‘Earth, Wind & Fire,’ but the songs other co-writer Allee Willis had been recommended to White by his brother Verdine. Willis has spoken about her initial reservations concerning White’s insistence on singing ‘Ba duda, ba duda, ba, badu.,’ she said,’I absolutely could not deal with lyrics that were nonsensical, or lines that weren’t complete sentences, and I’m exceedingly happy that I lost that attitude. I went, ‘You cannot leave bada-ya in the chorus, that has to mean something.’ Maurice said, ‘No, that feels great. That’s what people are going to remember. We’re leaving it.’ We did try other stuff, and it always sounded clunky – thank God. She has also added,’The main lesson I learned from ‘Earth, Wind & Fire,’ especially Maurice White, was never let a lyric get in the way of a groove. Ultimately it’s the feel that is the most important, and someone will feel what you’re saying if those words fit in there right.’ Willis would go on to write dozens of other songs including ‘Boogie Wonderland,’ ‘What Have I Done to Deserve This?’ a UK Number 2 hit in 1988 for the Pet Shop Boys featuring Dusty Springfield, and perhaps best known of all, the theme song from the American sitcom ‘Friends,’ in total her compositions have sold in excess of 60 million records worldwide.

There were many theories as to the significance of the date September 21st, which is the famous opening line of the song. Allee Willis said that White had told her that it had no real significance, and was chosen because it sang well phonetically, but in 2018 White’s widow Marilyn said that September 21st was the due date for their son, Kahbran, and that Maurice put that specific date into the song as a secret message.

Even though ‘September’ was a massive hit when initially released, I think it is fair to say that it has become more and more popular as the years have gone by. In 1999 a remix by the British ‘Dance Music’ duo ‘Phats and Small,’ took the song back in to the UK top 40, reaching Number 25, and in 2016, ‘Earth, Wind & Fire’ re-recorded the song with the American actress Anna Kendrick, and the American singer Justin Timberlake, (see also best songs 317) for the soundtrack of the film ‘Trolls.’

‘Do you remember the 21st night of September? Love was changing the minds of pretenders, while chasing the clouds away. Our hearts were ringing, in the key that our souls were singing, as we danced in the night, remember how the stars stole the night away.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

917-Killers-Mr. Brightside.

2004-Number 10 single.

Best Bit-At 0.58. ‘Always look on the (Mr.) Brightside of life.

The Killers were formed in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, after Brandon Flowers (lead vocals, keyboards, and bass) had answered an advertisement placed by Dave Keuning (lead guitar) in the entertainment newspaper the ‘Las Vegas Weekly.’ After the pair realised that they could work together, they were soon joined by Mark Stoermer, (bass) and Ronnie Vannucci, (drums) and the group became official in August 2002. Prior to settling on this line up three others had been members for a short period between 2001-2002. The bands name was derived from a logo on the bass drum of a fictitious band portrayed in the music video for the 2001 UK Number 8 hit single ‘Crystal,’ by the English Rock band New Order (see also best songs 885 and 619.)

The Killers are one of the best selling acts of the 21st Century, with sales in excess of 22 million records sold worldwide. To date they have released seven studio Albums between 2004-2021, and 38 singles between 2003-2022. In America on Billboard all of their Albums have made the top 10, with ‘Wonderful. Wonderful,’ (2017) reaching Number 1, while in the UK, all seven Albums have topped that chart. In America on Billboard on the Hot 100 singles chart, three of their songs have made the top 40 with ‘Mr. Brightside’ charting the highest at Number 10. In the UK, 13 of their singles have reached the top 40, with ‘When You Were Young,’ peaking the highest at Number 2 in 2006. Away from the Killers all four members have also been involved in other projects, with Brandon Flowers releasing two solo studio Albums in 2010 and 2015, as well as seven singles, which include ‘Crossfire,’ that made Number 8 in the UK in 2010. Dave Keuning has also issued two solo studio Albums, (2019 and 2021) while Ronnie Vannucci Jr. has released two Albums with his side project ‘Big Talk,’ in 2011, and 2015, and Mark Stoermer has issued three solo Albums, between 2011-2017.

‘Mr. Brightside’ was the debut single from the Killers, it was co-written by Brandon Flowers, and Dave Keuning, with the production credited to the Killers. ‘Mr. Brightside’ was first released in 2003 without success, but after the release of the Killers debut studio Album ‘Hot Fuss’ in September 2003, ‘Mr. Brightside’ was re-issued in 2004, and charted as high as Number 10 on both sides of the Atlantic. In total there were four singles released from that debut Album, which has gone on to sell in excess of 5 million copies worldwide.

When Keuning first met Flowers, Keuning had already written the music that would become ‘Mr. Brightside, and Flowers added the lyrics based on his own true life experience. ‘Mr. Brightside’ is a song about a man who suspects that his significant other is cheating on him, and his thoughts are running riot, as he imagines what she is getting up to with another man. He knows his emotions are a mixture of jealousy and paranoia, but he also knows that when he comes out the other end, things will look brighter. Brandon Flowers has said,’Lyrically, it’s about an old girlfriend of mine. All the emotions in the song are real. When I was writing the lyrics, my wounds from it were still fresh. I am Mr. Brightside! But I think that’s the reason the song has persisted, because it’s real. People pick up on those things, and that goes all the way down to the production, we recorded it in a couple of hours, but it just sounds right, you know.’

‘Mr. Brightside’ can boast some pretty impressive statistics, especially for a song that has never charted above Number 10 in America or the UK. As of February 23rd, 2023, ‘Mr. Brightside’ had spent a staggering 349 weeks (6 years and 8 months) within the UK top 100 singles chart, which is far in excess of any other track. The explanation for this has to be that it is played at celebrations all over the country every week, leading to people continuously downloading it. Amazingly because of this, and even so it first came out in 2003, it officially became the 12th best selling song of the decade 2010-2019. Part of the songs structure, the (‘calling a cab’) section has both a musical and textual similarity to the middle section of the song ‘Queen Bitch,’ (1971) from David Bowie’s (1947-2016) album Hunky Dory. In turn Bowie would have been the first to admit that ‘Queen Bitch’ was heavily influenced by the ‘Velvet Underground,’ and in particular Lou Reed (1942-2013.)

‘Now I’m falling asleep, and she’s calling a cab. While he’s having a smoke,and she’s taking a drag. Now they’re going to bed, and my stomach is sick, and it’s all in my head, but she’s touching his chest now.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

918-Queen-Brighton Rock.

1974-It has never been released as a single in the UK.

Best Bit-At 4.27. This was a very important song at Queen concerts, as it often went on for an improvised 12 minutes, giving Freddie Mercury enough time to make his costume change.

‘Brighton Rock’ is the opening track from ‘Sheer Heart Attack,’ which is the third studio Album released by Queen, (see also best songs 615-208-126-47 and 3) from November 1974. The Album is seen as the transition of Queen from a ‘Progressive Rock’ outfit, into a ‘Hard Rock,’ and ‘Glam Rock’ band, and a step towards the ‘Classic Queen’ sound of the mid 1970’s. There were two singles issued from ‘Sheer Heart Attack,’ the first was ‘Killer Queen,’ which peaked at Number 2 in the UK, and Number 12 on Billboard in America, and the other was ‘Now I’m Here,’ which failed to chart in America, but reached Number 11 in the UK. ‘Brighton Rock’ was written by Brian May, with the production credited to Queen, and Roy Thomas Baker, in total Baker would work on five Queen Albums, including all of the first four, and the seventh ‘Jazz’ from 1978. Brian May had been working on ‘Brighton Rock’ during the sessions for Queen’s previous Album ‘Queen 2,’ but the song was not recorded at that time as the group felt that it would not fit in with the rest of that Album. As ‘Brighton Rock’ starts, if you listen carefully, you can hear someone whistling the 1907 ‘Music Hall’ song,’I Do Like To be Beside the Seaside.’ On Queen’s previous Album ‘Queen 2,’ the final track ‘Seven Seas of Rhye,’ (see also best songs 615) closes with a sung rendition of ‘I Do Like To be Beside the Seaside.’

‘Brighton Rock’ is considered by many to be Brian May’s finest composition, being borne out of many hours of studio experimentation. The song includes a three minute unaccompanied guitar solo interlude, which makes use of extensive ‘Delay,’ and an ‘Echoplex’ unit. The studio version of ‘Brighton Rock’ only contains one ‘echoed’ guitar for a short section, but May would pull out all of the stops when playing the song live, by splitting his guitar signal into one ‘main’ and two ‘echoed’ guitars, with each going to a separate bank of amplifiers. Usually the song would be played for somewhere between 9 to 13 minutes, stretching out the guitar solo, and often improvising other Queen tracks into the performance. A 12 minutes and 13 seconds recording of the song can be found on Queen’s 1979 double Album release ‘Live Killers.’ During a live performance Freddie Mercury (1946-1991) would top and tail the song with his vocals, while John Deacon would play bass, Brian May the electric guitar, and Roger Taylor the drums.

Roger Taylor was born Roger Meddows Taylor on July 26th, 1949, in Kings Lynn, Norfolk, England, he has composed at least one track on every Queen Album, and is also credited as a co-writer of three Queen UK Number 1 singles. Taylor first met Brian May in 1968, when answering an add for a drummer for the band ‘Smile,’ which May was a member. In 1970 Taylor turned down the chance to become the drummer for ‘Genesis,’ (see also best songs 741) which led to Phil Collins joining instead. In 1971 Taylor was one of the three founding members of Queen, (named by Freddie Mercury) who were then shortly joined by John Deacon, to complete the line up. Away from Queen, Taylor has released six solo Albums between 1981-2021, and 21 singles between 1977-2021, with four of those singles reaching the UK top 40. In 1987 Taylor also formed the Rock Group ‘The Cross,’ with which he released three studio Albums between 1988-1991, and nine singles between 1987-1991.

‘Brighton Rock’ tells the tale of two people, who by chance meet in Brighton while on a day out, on a public holiday. The girl (Jenny) can’t relax because she is frightened that her mother will find out. Following the day out she writes everyday to the boy (Jimmy) who was eager on the day, but now responds by writing that he is afraid of discovery by ‘My lady.’ It is possible that ‘The Who,’ and their 1973 Album ‘Quadrophenia’ (see also best songs 265) could have been an inspiration for ‘Brighton Rock,’ as ‘Mods’ would travel to Brighton on Bank Holidays, and the lead character in ‘Quadrophenia’ was a character called Jimmy. ‘Brighton Rock’ is also the title of a low budget 1947 British movie, that was based on a novel by Graham Greene (1904-1991.) The film includes a romance of sorts, that is entirely one sided. ‘Rock’ is a confectionery that is often purchased at British seaside towns such a Brighton, and Brian May probably. and cleverly, was using a play on words, for this ‘Rock Classic.’

‘Jenny pines away, writes a letter everyday. We must ever be together, nothing can my love erase. Oh no I’m compromised, I must apologise, If my lady should discover how I spent my holidays.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

919-Dean Martin-Gentle on My Mind.

1969-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 1.54. These are some of the most poetic words ever expressed in a ‘Pop’ song, and what does ‘The King of Cool’ do? He starts humming.

‘Gentle on My Mind’ was written in 1967 by the ‘Folk,’ ‘Country,’ and ‘Bluegrass’ composer, and singer, John Hartford, who was born John Cowan Harford on December 30th, 1937, From the 1980’s onwards, Hartford had non-Hodgkin lymphoma, he died of the disease at the Centennial Medical Centre, in Nashville, on June 4th, 2001, at the age 63. It was Hartford who recorded the first version of ‘Gentle on My Mind,’ for his second studio Album release ‘Earthwords & Music’ from 1967, and when it was issued as a single it peaked at Number 60 on the American Billboard Country Music chart. The best known version of the song in America was recorded by Glen Campbell, (1936-2017) (see also best songs 846 and 197) who after hearing the song on the radio went out and bought a copy, and re-worked the song in the studio with members of ‘The Wrecking Crew’ participating. Campbell said that he felt the song is ‘An essay on life,’ and went on to say that he was ‘Knocked out’ by the scenery it describes. When Campbell began hosting ‘The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour,’ in 1969, a show that ran for 91 episodes, Campbell used ‘Gentle on My Mind’ as the theme song for the show. In the UK, the best known, and most successful recording of the song is by Dean Martin, whose version peaked at Number 2 in 1969.

Dean Martin was born Dino Paul Crocetti on June 7th, 1917, in Steubenville, Ohio, United States, he was a lifelong heavy smoker, and died of acute respiratory failure resulting from emphysema on December 25th, 1995, at the age of 78. Martin first tasted success in 1946 when joining forces with the American comedian Jerry Lewis, (1926-2017) to form a singing and comedy variety act as ‘Martin and Lewis,’ that appeared on radio, television, and in films, through until Martin ending the partnership in 1956, in order to pursue a solo career. Dean Martin would go on to become one of the world’s most popular performers, and is probably best remembered as a member of the ‘Rat Pack,’ along with his fellow performers Frank Sinatra, (1915-1998) (see also best songs 877-567-469-120 and 73) and Sammy Davis Jr. (1925-1990) (see also best songs 567.) In 1965 Martin began hosting ‘The Dean Martin Show,’ which ran for 264 episodes, through until 1974. Another notable television series was ‘The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast,’ which aired in America for 54 episodes between 1974-1984.Martin also has an extensive filmography, making his first appearance as an actor in 1946, and his last in 1984. The discography of Dean Martin includes 37 studio Albums issued between 1953-2005, and 108 singles released between 1946-2022, there are also 20 official compilations available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, 28 of those songs have reached the top 40, (not including ‘Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! which has charted on a further five occasions since 2011) and he has had two Billboard Number 1 singles,’Memories Are Made of This,’ (1955) and ‘Everybody Loves Somebody.’ (1964) In the UK, he has charted within the top 40 on 17 occasions, with ‘Memories Are Made of This,’ being his only chart topper.

‘Gentle on My Mind’ is one of the most covered songs of all time, and when taking all the recordings in to account, it was totted up in 2001 that the song was the second most played song on American radio, in the later part of the 20th Century with 6 million plays, behind ‘Yesterday’ by the ‘Beatles’ (see also best songs 319.) John Hartford has said that he was inspired to write the song after seeing the 1965 film ‘Doctor Zhivago,’ although the songs subject has nothing to do with the films subject, Hartford said that after watching the film, he sat down and wrote the lyrics in about 15 minutes.

The lyrics of ‘Gentle On my Mind’ can be interpreted in many different ways. My own personal view is that the narrator needs to be free, he doesn’t want any commitment, but knows that if he did want to settle down, she will be waiting for him. It is also possible that this situation is just a fantasy he enjoys playing out in his own mind.

‘Through cupped hands ’round the tin can I pretend to hold you to my breast, and find that you’re waiting from the back roads by the rivers of my memories, ever smilin,’ ever gentle on my mind.’