THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

959-Bon Jovi-Dry County.

1994-Number 9 single.

Best Bit-At 5.57. I used to joke that Jon Bon Jovi was the equivalent of Barry Manilow (see also best songs 750) with an electric guitar, and a big set of drums, but after hearing this I’m eating humble pie.

Bon Jovi (see also best songs 325) were formed in Sayreville, New Jersey, United States, in 1983, by Jon Bon Jovi, (vocals) David Bryan, (keyboards) Tico Terres, (drums) Alec John Such, (1951-2022) (bass) and Dave Sabo (guitars.) Sabo left soon after their formation, and in 1986 he became a founding member of the American Rock band ‘Skid Row.’ Sabo was quickly replaced by Richie Sambora, (guitars) who would stay with the band through until departing in 2013. Another founding member of the group, Alec John Such would remain a member until 1994, having played on the bands first five studio Albums. In total there have been eight different members of Bon Jovi, and at the time of writing they remain active.

Bon Jovi are one of the worlds best selling acts with sales in excess of 100 million records sold. Their discography includes 15 studio Albums released between 1984-2020, and 66 singles issued between 1984-2021, there are also five official compilations available, and three live Albums. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 top 40 singles chart they have achieved 16 hits, with three of those songs reaching Number 1, ‘You Give Love a Bad Name,’ (1986) ‘Livin’ on a Prayer,’ (1986) and ‘Bad Medicine,’ (1988) while on the UK top 40 they have charted on 37 occasions, with ‘Always,’ from 1994, charting the highest at Number 2.

‘Dry County’ was written by Jon Bon Jovi, with the production being by Bob Rock, the songs guitar solo which has been critically acclaimed was played by Richie Sambora. At 9 minutes and 52 seconds it remains the longest song that Bon Jovi have released to date. ‘Dry County was never issued as a single in America or Canada, but in parts of Europe, excluding the UK, it was issued to radio stations as a 6 minutes and 37 seconds edit. The song was the sixth and final single released from Bon Jovi’s fifth studio Album ‘Keep the Faith’ from November 1992. The Album was a turning point for Jon Bon Jovi, who felt that if the group were going to continue then a change of musical direction was essential, he has said,’We closed the door and ignored what had happened to our genre of music. We’d been kicked in the teeth by Nirvana, (see also best songs 788 and 9) but we didn’t pay attention to that. We got rid of the clichés, wrote some socially conscious lyrics, and got a haircut. I didn’t do a ‘Grunge’ thing, and I didn’t do a ‘Rap’ thing, but I knew I couldn’t re-write ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’ again, so I didn’t try, and it paid off.’

A change of musical direction also brought about a change in producer, with Bob Rock being brought in. Bob Rock was born Robert Jens Rock, on April 19th, 1954, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Rock began his music career when co-founding the Canadian Rock band ‘Payolas,’ stylised as ‘Payola$,’ in 1978. The group had great success in their native Canada with six of their singles reaching the Canadian top 40 chart, but it is as a music producer that Bob Rock has become critically acclaimed. He has worked as a producer with dozens of artists of varying genres including Michael Buble, Bryan Adams, and Metallica (see also best songs 730.)

Although ‘Dry County’ is a fans favourite, it was only played regularly on the ‘Keep the Faith’ tour, and was not played at all from 1996, until Jon Bon Jovi reintroduced it in 2006, since when it has become more of regular, with fans often displaying signs requesting the song at concerts. When playing the song live during the build up to the second guitar solo, Jon Bon Jovi often includes a monologue about the struggles of life generally. ‘Dry County’ is about the decline of the United States domestic oil industry. The lyrics tell of the struggle of someone who is living and working in what was once a thriving environment, now facing up to the reality of economic decline.

‘Across the border, they turn water into wine. Some say it’s the devil’s blood They’re squeezing from the vine. Some say it’s a saviour In these hard and desperate times. You see, it helps me to forget that we’re just born to die.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

960-The Mills Brothers-Paper Doll.

1943-It has never charted in the UK. There was no UK chart until 1952.

Best Bit-At 1.04. If you want to keep your paper doll satisfied, learn Origami.

The Mills Brothers (see also best songs 535) were four of nine siblings from the same family, that were born in Piqua, Ohio, United States. They were a ‘Jazz,’ and ‘Pop’ quartet that consisted of Donald (1915-1999) lead tenor vocals, Herbert (1912-1989) tenor vocals, Harry (1913-1982) baritone vocals, and John Jr. (1910-1936) guitar, double bass, and vocals. The brothers were influenced by their father John Hutchinson Mills, (1882-1967) who was a barber with his own shop, and was also a member of a ‘barbershop quartet.’

The Mills Brothers began singing in the local church choir, before entering amateur talent contests as the ‘Four Kings of Harmony,’ and then after auditioning for the radio station ‘WLW’ in Cincinnati, Ohio, they got their first major big break when coming to the attention of ‘Duke Ellington,’ (1899-1974) (see also best songs 1039) who on his recommendation got them signed to ‘Okeh Records.’ During a career that spanned 54 years, from 1928-1982, The Mills Brothers made over 2,000 recordings, and sold over 50 million records worldwide. For the discography of The Mills Brothers in more detail, see best songs 535.

After the death of Donald who was the last surviving brother, his son John became the next family member to tour under the name ‘The Mills Brothers,’ with Elmer Hopper, who had previously sung lead with the ‘Platters.’ They were at times joined by John’s eldest brother, Don Mills, Jr. and then following Hopper’s death in 2019, John started performing with Randy Taylor as a featured vocalist, and at the time of writing they continue to perform as ‘The Mills Brothers.’

‘Paper Doll’ is one of the oldest songs in this countdown, having been written in 1915. The songs author was Johnny S. Black, who was born on September 30th, 1891, in St. Louis, Missouri, United States, he died after receiving a blow to the head in a car park altercation on June 9th, 1936, at the age of 44. Black’s other great musical success was the song ‘Dardanella,’ which was a ‘Fox Trot’ that he co-composed with Felix Bernard (1897-1944) in 1919. ‘Dardanella’ went on to sell in excess of five million copies when recorded by the American bandleader Ben Selvin (1898-1980) in 1920, but unfortunately for Black he had sold his interest in the song for just $25. ‘Dardanella’ went on to earn over $12 million, and several years later after litigation Black received somewhere between $12,000 to $20,000.

Although ‘Paper Doll’ had been written by Black in 1915, it wasn’t actually published until 1930, as in 1922 Black had sold the song to the music publishers Edward B. Marks for $25, Marks then put ‘Paper Doll’ on the market, but it failed to gain any interest. Johnny S. Black didn’t live long enough to see his greatest success ‘Paper Doll,’ as he died seven years before The Mills Brothers recorded it. The song’s success sparked a royalties battle between his ex two wives, his widow, and the teenage daughter of his late father’s housekeeper. It was following a lengthy courtroom battle that his first wife convinced the court that her song ‘My Doll,’ was the genesis of ‘Paper Doll.’

Johnny S. Black had apparently been inspired to write ‘Paper Doll’ after being jilted by a girlfriend. Black was a keen boxer, and it is said that his girlfriend had run off with another boxer who known to him. The Mills Brothers had originally released ‘Paper Doll’ as the ‘B’ side to their 1942 single ‘I’ll Be Around,’ but eventually it was ‘Paper Doll’ that became the song people wanted to listen to, with a ‘Billboard’ review in May 1942 calling the song ‘more pleasing.’ ‘Paper Doll’ spent 12 weeks at Number 1 in America on the Billboard chart between 1943-1944, the song is one of fewer than 40 all time singles to have sold in excess of 10 million physical copies worldwide. It is rumoured that it took less than 15 minutes for The Mills Brothers to record the song.

‘I’m gonna buy a paper doll that I can call my own, a doll that other fellows cannot steal. And then the flirty, flirty guys with their flirty, flirty eyes will have to flirt with dollies that are real.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER

961-Eddie Holman-Hey There Lonely Girl.

1974-Number 4 single.

Best Bit-At 0.17. If the work ever drys up, he could always form a Bee Gees tribute act.

‘Hey There Lonely Girl’ was written in 1963 by Leon Carr, (1910-1976) and Earl Shuman, (1923-2013) with the original version of the song being recorded by the American R&B group ‘Ruby & the Romantics, as ‘Hey There Lonely Boy,’ which reached Number 27 on the American Billboard Hot 100 in 1963, although it failed to chart in the UK. The song became a hit for a second time on Billboard in 1970, when the version I have chosen by Eddie Holman reached Number 2, the song also became a hit for a third time on Billboard, when in 1980 the American singer/songwriter Robert John took his recording to Number 31.

Leon Carr one of the songs co-writers was born on June 10th, 1910, in Allentown, Pennsylvania, he died on March 27th, 1976, at the age of 65. Carr’s other big success on the Pop charts was co-writing the 1949 Billboard Number 2 hit single ‘There’s No Tomorrow,’ recorded by the American singer Tony Martin, (1913-2012) that songs melody was based on the Italian song ‘O Sole Mio,’ (1898) which would be popularised again in 1960 when Elvis Presley (1935-1977) recorded ‘It’s Now or Never.’ Leon Carr found his greatest success as a writer of marketing jingles used in advertisements, which include, ‘Mounds Candy’ (‘Sometimes You Feel Like a Nut,’), ‘Chevrolet’ (‘See the U.S.A. In Your Chevrolet,’), and the ‘Bert the Turtle’ theme song, for the nuclear public education awareness film ‘Duck and Cover.’ The other writer of ‘Hey There Lonely Girl’ was Earl Shuman who was born on August 2nd, 1923, in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, he died on February 13th, 2019, at the age of 95. Other songs that Shuman co-wrote include ‘Starry Eyed’ for Michael Holliday, (UK Number 1-1960) and ‘The Young Mexican Puppeteer’ for Tom Jones, (UK Number 6-1972) which was another song which Shuman co-wrote with Leon Carr.

Eddie Holman was born on June 3rd, 1946, in Norfolk, Virginia, United States, during his career he has covered the genres of ‘R&B,’ ‘Soul,’ ‘Gospel,’ and ‘Pop.’ The discography of Eddie Holman includes four studio Albums released between 1969-2007, and four official compilations issued between 1989-2014. Holman recorded his first single ‘What You Don’t Know Won’t Hurt You,’ on the ‘Leopard Records’ label in 1962, and over the next few years his singles would find limited success on differing Billboard charts. His big breakthrough came in 1970 when his cover version of ‘Hey There Lonely Girl’ reached Number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in America, the song would also make Number 4 in the UK in 1974. ‘Hey There Lonely Girl’ has sold in excess of one million copies worldwide for Eddie Holman, but the song remains his only hit on both sides of the Atlantic.

Eddie Holman has a striking falsetto voice, which the British music journalist Tony Cummings has written about,’Eddie Holman’s voice, an astonishing precision instrument which can leap octaves with the speed of mercury and bend notes into shapes unimagined by lesser singers, has assured its possessor a place in Soul history.’ Holman went on to become an ordained Baptist minister, who believes that his talent is a gift from God, and therefore it must be used to glorify his maker. Holman has said,’That those who are blessed with creative talent have a responsibility to encourage personal accountability, and to set the best example possible because of the powerful influence that they have on the lives of so many young ones.’

‘In 2008 ‘Hey There Lonely Girl’ was brought to the attention of a whole new generation when it was used in the second series of the British television sitcom ‘Benidorm.’ In a very memorable scene the character ‘Mel,’ who was portrayed by Geoffrey Hutchings, (1939-2010) attempts to sing in the style of Eddie Holman, while performing on the karaoke machine, to his fiancee Madge Harvey.

‘Ever since he broke your heart you seem so lost each time you pass my way. Oh, how I long to take your hand, and say don’t cry, I’ll kiss your tears away.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

962-Big Country-Fields of Fire (400 Miles.)

1983-Number 10 single.

Beat Bit-At 2.00. But I would commute 400 miles, and I would commute 400 more. It appears that some Scottish bands do enjoy travelling (see also best songs 598.)

Big Country were formed in Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland, in 1981, the classic line up, and also the four who played on this track, comprised of Stuart Adamson, (1958-2001) (vocals, guitars, and keyboards) Bruce Watson, (guitar, and mandolin) Tony Butler, (bass) and Mark Brzezicki (drums.) Big Country remained active until 2000, then the surviving members embarked on a tour in 2007 to celebrate 25 years of Big Country, and then in 2010 they once again re-formed. In total there have been 14 different members come and go, with Bruce Watson being the bands one constant. It was Stuart Adamson who chose the bands name, as he wanted his new band to sound like a loud ‘Rock’ band, with a strong infusion of ‘Folk,’ and ‘Country.’ Adamson said,’The groups name was meant to represent new discoveries born of ambition.’

The discography of Big Country includes nine studio Albums released between 1983-2013, and 29 singles issued between 1982-2013, there are also 18 live Albums, and 25 compilation Albums, that have been officially released over the years. In the UK, Big Country have achieved 15 top 40 singles, with ‘Look Away’ from 1986 charting the highest at Number 7, while in America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, their only hit remains ‘In a Big Country,’ which reached Number 17 in 1983.

‘Fields of Fire (400 Miles’) was the second of four singles released from Big Country’s critically acclaimed debut studio Album ‘The Crossing,’ from July 1983, which would go on to sell in excess of one million copies worldwide. All four band members at that time receive the song writing credits, with the legendary Steve Lillywhite producing the single, and the Album.

William Stuart Anderson was born on April 11, 1958, in Manchester, England, but at the age of four moved with his family to ‘Crossgates,’ around a mile east from Dunfermline, in Scotland. Adamson’s first band in 1976 were called ‘Tattoo,’ but after seeing ‘The Damned’ (see also best songs 833 and 273) perform he founded his own ‘Punk Rock’ band called the ‘Skids’ in 1977, at the age 18. With the Skids he recorded three studio Albums between 1979-1980, and nine singles between 1978-1980, of which five reached the UK top 40, with ‘Into the Valley’ from 1979 charting the highest at Number 10. Stuart Adamson had experienced problems related to alcoholism, and depression in the 1980’s, but had been sober for over a decade before starting to drink again. All his problems finally took their toll, and on December 16th, 2001, he was found dead in a room that he had booked into in the ‘Best Western Plaza Hotel,’ in Honolulu, in Hawaii. According to a local police report he had died by hanging himself with an electrical cord from a pole in a wardrobe. A subsequent Coroner’s Office report found that he had consumed a ‘very strong’ amount of alcohol around the time of his death. Adamson was once described by the influential DJ John Peel (1939-2004) (see also best songs 435) as,’The new Jimi Hendrix,’ and U2’s ‘The Edge’ stated that Adamson, with Big Country,’Had written the songs that he wished U2 could write.’

‘Fields of Fire (400 Miles’) was produced by Steve Lillywhite, who was born on March 15th, 1955, in Egham, Surrey, England. Lillywhite (see also best songs 1004-603-254 and 32) has been credited with working on over 500 different songs since entering the music industry as a tape operator in 1972. He has produced for some of the worlds top artists including working on nine studio Albums with ‘U2.’ His first commercial success came in 1978 as the producer of ‘Hong Kong Garden,’ the debut single from ‘Siouxsie and the Banshees,’ which reached Number 7 in the UK. In 2012 he was made a Commander of the Order of The British Empire ‘CBE,’ for his contributions to music.

‘Fields of Fire (400 Miles’) was originally titled ‘400 Miles’ as it was written when Stuart Adamson and Bruce Watson were taking regular trips from Edinburgh to London, the distances between those two cities is approximately 400 miles. Adamson has said that the song wasn’t to tell a coherent story,’It’s a selection of images, thoughts on a train journey.’

‘Between a father and a son, between the city and the one. Before the teacher and the test, before the journey and the rest. The shining eye will never cry, the beating heart will never die. The house on fire holds no shame, I will be coming home again.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

963-Cyprus Hill-Insane in the Brain

1993-Number 23 single.

Best Bit At 0.05. They say there is a fine line between genius and insanity, this song walks that very thin tightrope between the two.

Cyprus Hill are a Hip-Hop, and Rap/Rock group that were formed in South Gate, California, United States, in 1988, by the Cuban brothers Senen Reyes, (Sen Dog) and Ulpiao Sergio Reyes, (Mellow Man Ace) along with Laurence Muggerud, (DJ Muggs) and Louis Freese (B-Real.) Mellow Man Ace would leave soon after to pursue a solo career, and DJ Muggs left in 2004, before re-joining again between 2014-2018, the other official member is Eric ‘Bobo’ Correa,’ who joined the group in 1993. Cyprus Hill who took their name from a street in South Gate, are recognised for being among the earliest acts to fuse the genres of Hip-Hop, and Rock Music, and in 2019 they became the first Hip-Hop act to receive a star on the ‘Hollywood Walk of Fame.’All of the group members advocate for medical and recreational purposes the use of Cannabis in the United States. The bands second studio Album ‘Black Sunday’ came with a booklet containing 19 facts about the history of ‘Hemp,’ and the positive attributes of Cannabis.

Cyprus Hill have sold in excess of 20 million Albums worldwide, releasing their self titled debut in 1991, and their 10th and most recent to date in 2022. They have also released 37 singles in the same time period, with ‘Insane in the Brain’ giving them their only American Billboard Hot 100 top 40 single when reaching Number 19 in 1993. In the UK, Cyprus Hill have made the top 40 on 11 occasions, with (‘Rap Superstar’)/ (‘Rock Superstar’) charting the highest when making Number 13 in 2000.

‘Insane in the Brain,’ which was co-written by the Cyprus Hill band members B-Real, DJ Muggs, and ‘Sen Dog,’ with the production by DJ Muggs, was the first of four singles released from the groups second studio Album ‘Black Sunday,’ from July 1993. In 1992 DJ Muggs had written a beat which the other group members rejected, so he decided to shop it around, with the American Hip-Hop group ‘House of Pain’ accepting it. That beat would eventually become the ‘Hip-Hop’ classic ‘Jump Around,’ (see also best songs 75) and after it’s success the other members of Cyprus Hill gave DJ Muggs free rein with the bands second Album.

Like many a good ‘Hip-Hop’ track, ‘Insane in the Brain’ contains many samples from many different sources. The lyrics ‘I think I’m Going Crazy,’ are taken from the 1967 song ‘All Over the World’ by the ‘Youngbloods.’ Other samples used include a drum break from organist George Semper’s cover version of Lee Dorsey’s “Get Out of My Life, Woman,’ and there is also a sample of James Brown ‘grunting,’ from the opening of his song ‘Say It Loud-I’m Black and I’m Proud,’from 1968. The most prominent sample throughout the song has always been a matter of dispute, with DJ Muggs initially claiming that the sample was a pitched Blues guitar, although at a later date he claimed it was the sound of a horn. Many sources claim that it was actually a sample of a horse from the American Soul duo ‘Mel and Tim’s’ 1970 song ‘Good Guys Only Win in the Movies,’ but of course what has to be remembered is that admitting to using a sample can cost the user a great deal of money in royalties.

‘Insane in the Brain’ according to B-Real started out life as a ‘diss-song’ aimed at the American Rapper ‘Chubb Rock,’ after he had ridiculed their style on his 1992 Album ‘I Gotta Get Mine Yo.’ A ‘diss track’ is a song whose primary purpose is to verbally attack someone else, usually another artist. ‘Diss tracks’ are often the result of an existing, escalating feud between two people. ‘Insane in the Brain’ is a saying that derives from gang talk in Los Angeles between the rival gangs, the ‘Crips,’ and the ‘Bloods.’ DJ Muggs has said,’You could have a shootout with the police or anyone. So if you walked up to somebody and said, “I’m crazy insane, got no brain,” you’d better be ready to prove that sh.t. That lingo was reserved for the hardest homies.’

‘To the one on the flamboyant tip, I’ll just toss that ham in the frying pan. Like spam, get done when I come and slam, Damn, I feel like the Son of Sam.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

964-Tom Jones-Green, Green Grass of Home.

1965-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 2.35. Like many others, I spent several years not knowing this songs true meaning, I used to think it was just another soppy love song. When I did find out it’s true meaning, I became an instant fan.

‘Green, Green Grass of Home’ actually started out life as a ‘Country’ music song, having been written by Claude ‘Curly’ Putman Jr. (1930-2016) in 1964. Claude Putman Jr. was born on November 20th, 1930, in Princeton, Alabama, United States, he died of congestive heart failure, and kidney failure at his home in Lebanon, Tennessee, at age 85. Putman was a prolific song writer, with his other most successful composition being ‘D-I-V-O-R-C-E,’ which gave Tammy Wynette (1942-1998) a 1968 ‘Billboard Hot Country Songs’ Number 1 hit, in 1974 the song also reached Number 12 on the UK top 40. The 1974 Paul McCartney and Wings song ‘Junior’s Farm’ (UK Number 16 & Billboard Number 3) was written by Paul and Linda McCartney during their short stay at Putman’s farm in rural Wilson County, Tennessee in 1974 (see also best songs 646.) Putman has stated that he took his inspiration for ‘Green, Green Grass of Home’ from the 1950 American crime film ‘The Asphalt Jungle.’

‘Green, Green Grass of Home’ has been recorded by many different artists over the years, with the first recording by the American Country Music singer Johnny Darrell (1940-1997) in 1965, incidentally Darrell was also the first singer to record ‘Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town,’ in 1965 (see also best songs 582.) The first hit version of the song was recorded by the American Country Music singer Porter Wagoner (1927-2007) who took his recording to Number 4 on the American Billboard Country Music chart in 1965.

The best known version of the ‘Green, Green Grass of Home’ was recorded by the Welsh singer Tom Jones (see also best songs 129) in 1966. Jones who had always been a massive fan of the American ‘Rock N’ Roll’/’Country’ singer Jerry Lee Lewis, (1935-2022) (see also best songs 678-362 and 99) had heard Lewis’ version on his newly released 1965 Album ‘Country Songs For City Folks,’ and decided to record the song himself. Tom Jones has said,’I used to collect anything Jerry Lee Lewis recorded, and still do. I got on well with Jerry Lee. I did have a bit of a dust-up with him one night in Vegas, but most of the time, we got on great. He came over to do a British tour in 1966 and I had just recorded the song. He told me he’d love to hear it, so I played it to him in his hotel room. He was knocked out with it and said, ‘You’ve done something different here, the arrangement is great. It sounds like a Number 1 to me.’ I said: ‘I hope you’re right.’ He was.”

‘Green, Green Grass of Home’ was the first of three singles released from Tom Jones’ fifth studio Album of the same name, which was issued in March 1967. The song was produced by Peter Sullivan, (1933-2020) who had also produced other hits for Jones including ‘It’s Not Unusual,’ and ‘Delilah,’ Sullivan also produced the 1967 UK Number 1 single ‘The Last Waltz,’ for Engelbert Humperdinck. ‘Green, Green Grass of Home’ is Tom Jones’ biggest hit in the UK, with sales in excess of 1.25 million copies sold, it also became the first single on the ‘Decca’ record label by a UK artist to sell more than a million copies in the UK.

When discussing the ‘Green, Green Grass of Home,’ Tom Jones has said,’I think the lyrical content is important here. The guy in the song is really in a jail cell, but you don’t know until the end. That got to me. Good God, it paints a picture and yet a lot of people who love Green Green Grass Of Home don’t even realise that. This is about a man who is going to be hanged, and he’s just reminiscing on the precious parts of his life. It made me think of Wales when I recorded it – ‘The old home town looks the same.’ When I went back to Pontypridd in those days, getting off the train from London, those words would ring true. It seems like a lot of people relate the sentiment to their home too.’

Then I awake and look around me, at four grey wall surround me, and I realise that I was only dreaming. For there’s a guard and there’s a sad old padre. Arm in arm we’ll walk at daybreak, again I touch the green, green grass of home.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

965-Rod Stewart-Farewell.

1974-Number 7 single.

Best Bit-At 3.42. The Album ‘Smiler’ from where this song is taken was Rod Stewart’s fifth solo, and his first to be critically panned. If those same critics had to endure all five volumes of ‘The Great American Songbook,’ they would have been calling ‘Smiler’ a classic.

Sir Roderick David Stewart (see also best songs 565-206-179-70 and 34) was born on January 10th, 1945, in Highgate, London, England, in 2007 he was appointed ‘Commander of the Order of the British Empire,’ (CBE) for services to music, and then in 2016 he was knighted for ‘services to music and charity.’ As a solo artist Rod Stewart has released 32 studio Albums between 1969-2021, he has also appeared as a member of ‘The Jeff Beck Group’ on two studio Albums in 1968 and 1969, and also on all four of the ‘Faces’ Albums that were released between 1970-1973. During his career Rod Stewart has been an official member of seven different bands, and at the time of writing he is still a member of the ‘Faces.’ For a fuller discography of Rod Stewart see also best songs 70 and 34.

‘Farewell’ was the first of two singles released from Rod Stewart’s fifth studio Album ‘Smiler’ from October 1974, the second track released as a single was the Paul and Linda McCartney written song’Mine for Me,’ which was only released in America. ‘Farewell was issued as a double ‘A’ side, along with Stewart’s cover of a Sam Cooke (1931-1964) (see also best songs 156) medley, ‘Bring It On Home to Me/You Send Me,’ which was track 5 on ‘Smiler,’

‘Farewell’ was co-written by Rod Stewart, and Martin Quittenton, (1945-2015) with the production of ‘Farewell,’ and it’s parent Album ‘Smiler’ by Stewart. Martin Quittenton had already tasted great success with Stewart as the co-writer of ‘Maggie May,’ (1971-UK Number 1, and Billboard Number 1) and ‘You Wear It Well,’ (1972-UK Number 1, and Billboard Number 13.) Stewart held Quittenton in high esteem and had invited him to join the ‘Faces,’ but Quittenton declined stating that he didn’t like their wild off stage antics. He left the music business in the mid 1970’s, suffering from mental; health problems.

‘Farewell’ is fondly remembered for the distinctive Mandolin that can be heard throughout the song, the Mandolin was a prominent instrument on many of the early Rod Stewart solo Albums. The Mandolin on ‘Farewell’ was played by Ray Jackson, who is best remembered as one of the co-founders of the English Folk/Rock group ‘Lindisfarne’ in 1968, Jackson retired from the music business in 2015. Another notable musician who played the violin on the track was Ric Grech, (1945-1990) who by the time of recording ‘Farewell’ had already been a member of the English Rock bands ‘Family,’ ‘Blind Faith,’ Ginger Baker’s Air Force,’ and ‘Traffic.’

‘Farewell’ is a song about someone feeling that they have to move away from home in order to search for the fame and fortune that they think they can achieve. He tells his family, and his girlfriend to try not to worry, but he also tells them that things might not work out as he hopes.

In 2018 Rod Stewart took the very unusual decision to record a completely different song with the same title ‘Farewell.’ This new song was written about a friend of his called Ewan Dawson. Speaking in 2018 Rod Stewart said,’It’s about a mate of mine who passed on about three years ago. We grew up through the sixties, we lost contact for a little bit, he was a public school boy – very well spoken, very humorous. I’ll go as far as to say I idolised him. We were more or less the same age. But I think it’s a very moving song. I think it’s going to be played at so many bloody funerals.’

‘Fare thee well my brother please don’t stand in my way. I’m going down to that dirty town no matter what you say. You fooled me and you ruled me, and you played in every part. I gotta go, it’s no use me stayin’ home.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

966-Panjabi MC-Mundian To Bach Ke.

1998-It reached Number 5 in the UK, when issued in 2002. In 2003 the song was remixed, with added vocals from Jay-Z, making Number 25.

Best Bit-At 0.36. The song conjures up exotic thoughts of the Punjab, and all of those wonderful things that are tinged in mystery, that you can discover there. It’s not until you find out that the Panjabi MC was born in Coventry, and that he recorded the song in Birmingham, that you come back down to earth with a hefty bump.

The Panjabi MC, was born Rajinder Singh Rai, on February 14th, 1973, in Coventry, England, he adopted his stage name from the Punjabi language. He has found success with his fusing of ‘Bhangra,’ and ‘Hip-Hop’ music, with this song being a prime example. The discography of the Panjabi MC includes 16 studio Albums released between 1993-2019, and 10 singles issued between 1995-2010. In the UK, three of his singles have reached the top 40, apart from the two versions of ‘Mundian To Bach Ke,’ his 2003 song ‘Jogi,’ made Number 25. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, only the Jay-Z (see also best songs 636-477 and 23) remix of ‘Mundian To Bach Ke’ has charted, when peaking at Number 33, in 2003.

Bhangra music is a type of non traditional music that originated in the Majah area of Punjab, which is in the Northern part of the Indian subcontinent, in South Asia. The genre of Bhangra has it’s origins in the Folk Music of Punjab, as well as in Western Pop Music of the 1970’s, and 1980’s. One the most famous Bhangra instruments is the ‘dhol,’ which is a double-sided barrel drum that creates the beat to which Bhangra is danced, the person who plays the instrument, the ‘dholi,’ plays various beats to create the different Bhangra segments. In the UK in the 1970’s ‘Bhangra’ became popular with young British Asians who were searching for their own identity, they fused Bhangra with ‘Rock Music’ creating a new genre of Bhangra. By the 1980’s the British Asian band ‘Alaap’ were considered the first and original superstar Bhangra band to be formed in the UK. Channi Singh who was one of the bands co-founders, was awarded the OBE by the Queen in 2012 for his services to Bhangra music, and also for services to charity for the British Asian community.

‘Mundian To Bach Ke’ has four songwriting credits, the Panjabi MC, Labh Janjua, (1957-2015) Glen Larson, (1937-2014) and Stu Philips, with the production being by the Punjabi MC. Labh Janjua who also provided the vocals on the track, would go on to achieve further success singing in ‘Bollywood’ films, he was found dead at his residence in Bangur Nagar, Goregaon, Mumbai, on 22 October 2015. The Panjabi MC sampled the bass-line for ‘Mundian To Bach Ke’ from the 1998 UK Number 2 single ”Turn It Up (Remix)/Fire It Up,’ by Busta Rhymes, (see also best songs 675 and 210) which in turn had itself sampled the theme to the 1980’s television series ‘Knight Rider,’ which is acknowledged by that songs writers Stu Philips, and Glen Larson also receiving the song writing credits.

‘Mundian To Bach Ke’ was the only single released from the Panjabi MC’s sixth studio Album ”Legalised/Beware,’ from 1998. The song warns a very attractive young girl to not have her head turned by all the boys who will chase after her, she is reminded that she only has one life, so don’t mess things up. In 2003 after hearing the song, the American Rapper Jay-Z sent a couple of verses he had recorded to the Panjabi MC, who remixed it into the original mix, which was then released to great success worldwide, under the title of ‘Beware of the Boys (Mundian To Bach Ke.’) With an estimated 10 million copies sold ‘Mundian To Bach Ke’ is at the time of writing the 38th best selling single of all time. In the UK, it was also acknowledged as the very first ‘Bhangra’ song to reach the top 10 singles chart.

‘Nimya tu kuch der pa ke rakh le, pale vitch mukhra luiska ke rai.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

967-Public Image Ltd-Rise.

1986-Number 11 single.

Best Bit-At 2.22. ‘May the road rise with you,’ is a traditional Irish blessing, both of John Lydon’s parents were Irish.

John Joseph Lydon (see also best songs 576-323-92 and 27) was born on January 31st, 1956, in Holloway, London. He was the lead singer of the Sex Pistols from 1975, until January 1978, when he then left to pursue other musical ventures, and forming the ‘Experimental Rock’ group ‘Public Image Ltd,’ often abbreviated as ‘PiL.’ John Lydon has explained the origin of his stage name ‘Johnny Rotten,’ for which he was best known during his time with the Sex Pistols, saying that he was given the name in the mid 1970’s,when his lack of oral hygiene led to his teeth turning green. One version says the name came from the ‘Sex Pistols’ guitarist Steve Jones, who saw Lydon’s teeth and exclaimed, ‘You’re rotten, you are!’ In 2008 Lydon spent $22,000 on extensive dental work saying,’It was not done out of vanity, it was necessity. All those rotten teeth were seriously beginning to corrupt my system.’

As a member of the Sex Pistols John Lydon appeared on the bands one studio Album ‘Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols,’ from 1977, he also sang lead vocals on eight of their singles issued or re-issued between 1976-2002. As the one constant with ‘Public Image Ltd,’ he has released 10 studio Albums between 1978-2015, and 24 singles between 1978-2023, of which seven have made the UK top 40, with ‘This Is Not a Love Song’ charting the highest at Number 5 in 1983. Although ‘PiL’ have never charted on the Billboard Hot 100 in America, they have had great success on the ‘Alternative Airplay,’ and ‘Dance Club Songs’ charts. John Lydon has also released one solo studio Album ‘Psycho’s Path,’ in 1997, and one solo single ‘Sun,’ also in 1997 (UK Number 42.) He also reached the UK top 40 in 1993, when teaming up with the British Electronic duo ‘Leftfield’ on ‘Open Up’ (UK Number 23) (see also best songs 323.)

John Lydon (vocals) formed ‘Public Image Ltd in London, England in 1978 with Keith Levene, (1957-2022) (guitar) Jah Wobble, (bass) and Jim Walker, (drums) Lydon named the band after the 1968 novel ‘The Public Image,’ by Muriel Spark (1918-2006.) In total there have been 17 different members come and go, with Lydon being the bands one constant.

‘Rise’ was the first of two singles released from the fifth studio Album from Public Image Ltd, which was called ‘Album,’ in recent years the album, depending on the format, has also become known as ‘Compact Disc,’ ‘Cassette,’ and ‘mp3.’ By the time of the recording of ‘Rise’ only John Lydon remained from the original line up of Public Image Ltd, and so for the making of the ‘Album’ he teamed up with some of the worlds top musicians, including Ginger Baker, (1939-2019) (drums) (see also best songs 726) Steve Vai, (guitar) and Bill Laswell, (bass) who also co-wrote and produced ‘Rise’ with John Lydon.

Prior to it’s release ‘Rise’ had the working title of ‘South African Song,’ as it was written about the oppression of blacks in South Africa during the apartheid era. Lydon has said,’I read this manual on South African interrogation techniques, and ‘Rise’ is quotes from some of the victims. I put them together because I thought it fitted in aptly with my own feelings about daily existence.’ Lydon has also said,’I think it’s one of my best Pop songs. The content of what it was about got me into hot water. It was that time when everyone was talking about how great Nelson Mandela (1918-2013) was, but my history lessons went back further… people died. My message is there’s no political cause worthy enough that people should die for it. Once you start murdering your fellow human beings it’s over. ‘Rise’ is about the stop of that. I related it to my own background. I’ve got Protestant and Catholic relatives in the north of Ireland, why were they killing each other.’

‘They put a hot wire to my head, ’cause of the things I did and said,. They made these feelings go away, model citizen in every way. May the road rise with you.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

968-Depeche Mode-Useless.

1997-Number 28 single.

Best Bit-At 3.03. I do not condone the use of recreational drugs at all, but there is no doubt that all the way through Pop Music history the use of drugs has aided some of the greatest songs ever to be written. This song is called ‘Useless,’ but it could so easily have been called ‘Use Less.’

Depeche Mode (see also best songs 261 and 134) were formed in Basildon, England, in 1980, by Dave Gahan, (lead vocals) Martin Gore, (keyboards, and guitar) Vince Clarke, (keyboards and guitars) and Andy Fletcher (1961-2022) (keyboards, and bass guitar.) Vince Clarke (see also best songs 700 and 451) would leave the group in 1981 after the release of their debut Album ‘Speak & Spell,’ on which he had written 10 of the 11 songs. He was replaced by Alan Wilder, (keyboards, piano, and drums) who would be a band member until leaving in 1997, before the release of the ‘Ultra’ Album. Following the death of Andy Fletcher in 2022, the band remain active, with the only official members now being Dave Gahan, and Martin Gore, for the discography of Depeche Mode see best songs 134. Depeche Mode’s longevity is very unusual in the ever changing fads of Pop Music, to remain relevant, and to survive this long you obviously need natural talent, but you also have to have the ability to not be a one trick pony. The Depeche Mode of 1980 sounds very different to the sound of Depeche Mode in 2023.

‘Useless’ was the fourth and final single released from Depeche Mode’s ninth studio Album ‘Ultra,’ from April 1997, it was written by Martin Gore, with the production being by Tim Simenon, although Alan Moulder was brought in to produce the tracks single release, which was shortened, and slightly sped up, with a different beat. In America and Canada, ‘Useless’ was released as a double ‘A’ side, with the song, ‘Home,’ which was also taken from the ‘Ultra’ Album. In America and Canada ‘Useless’ failed to make any impact on the chart, but in Europe it made Number 17 in Finland, and coincidentally Number 16 in Germany, Italy, and Sweden.

‘Useless’ and it’s parent Album ‘Ultra’ were produced by Tim Simenon, who had previously worked on one of the remixes of Depeche Mode’s 1983 song ‘Everything Counts,’ and had stated that he had always been a big fan of the band dating back to 1981. Depeche Mode were looking for a new producer in order to freshen up their sound, as they took their music in a different direction, exploring ‘Alternative Rock, and ‘Trip-Hop.’ Tim Simenon was born on June 21st, 1968, in London, England, and had his greatest success in the late 1980’s, and early 1990’s working under the alias ‘Bomb the Bass,’ experimenting with Electronic Music, and ‘Hip-Hop,’ and using many ‘samples’ in his music. It is said that his 1988 debut single ‘Beat Dis” contains 72 different samples, including ‘Hip-Hop,’ ‘Funk,’ and dialogue clips from television shows such as ‘Dragnet,’ and ‘Thunderbirds.’ As ‘Bomb the Bass’ Simenon released six studio Albums between 1988-2013, and 14 singles between 1988-2008. In the UK, six of those singles reached the top 40, with ‘Beat Dis” charting the highest at Number 2 in 1988. Simenon was also the co-producer of ‘Buffalo Stance,’ (see also best songs 839) in 1988, which made Number 3, in both the American Billboard Hot 100, and UK singles chart.

‘Ultra’ was the first Depeche Mode Album following the departure of Alan Wilder who had become disillusioned with life as a member of Depeche Mode, mainly due to the drug problems that his fellow band members were going through.’Useless’ is a song of self loathing, the songs writer Martin Gore, and singer Dave Gahan both have suffered personal drug addiction throughout much of their adult lives.

‘Here I stand the accused, with your fist in my face feeling tired and bruised, with the bitterest taste. All my useless advice, all my hanging around, all your cutting down to size, all my bringing you down.’