THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

96-Simon & Garfunkel-The Sound of Silence.

1965-It has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit At. 2.21. In 2015 the American Heavy Metal band ‘Disturbed’ released their version of ‘The Sound of Silence.’ On hearing it Paul Simon verbally endorsed the cover, and also in an e-mail to David Draiman the bands lead singer he wrote,’Really powerful performance on Conan (television show) the other day. First time I’d seen you do it live. Nice. Thanks.’ Draiman responded,’Mr. Simon, I am honoured beyond words. We only hoped to pay homage and honour to the brilliance of one of the greatest songwriters of all time. Your compliment means the world to me/us and we are eternally grateful.’

Paul Frederick Simon was born on October 13th, 1941, in Newark, New Jersey, United States, he first began performing as part of a vocal duo with Art Garfunkel who was a school friend in 1956. For the discography of ‘Simon & Garfunkel’ see best songs 71, and for the solo discography of Art Garfunkel see best songs 529. The solo discography of Paul Simon includes 14 studio Albums released between 1965-2018, and 61 singles issued between 1958-2016, with some of those singles issued under different names. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart 13 of his songs have made the top 40, with his 1975 single ’50 Ways to Leave Your Lover’ reaching Number 1. While in the UK he has charted on nine occasions with ‘You Can Call Me Al’ attaining the highest chart placing when making Number 4 in 1986.

‘The Sound of Silence’ was written over several months during 1963 and 1964 by the then unknown Paul Simon. He has said that he would go to write and play his guitar in the bathroom alone, (hence the line ‘Hello darkness my old friend,’) because it gave an echo chamber effect. When ‘The Sound of Silence’ was first released it met with public indifference, as had it’s parent Album ‘Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.’ which had been released in October 1964. Following the lack of commercial interest in the Album ‘Simon & Garfunkel’ (see also best songs 529-200 and 71) both decided to go their separate ways, with Simon returning to England, and Garfunkel going back to Columbia University to continue his studies.

In 1965 ‘The Sound of Silence’ finally began to attract airplay at radio stations in Boston, and throughout Florida, which helped encourage the songs producer Tom Wilson (1931-1978) (see also best songs 358-165-103 and 7) to remix the track, adding electric instruments and drums. The remixed version was released in September 1965, without Simon & Garfunkel’s knowledge or consent, and climbed all the way to Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in America. At first Paul Simon was horrified on hearing what Wilson had done to his song, but the success probably helped him change his mind. Simon & Garfunkel reformed and would go on to release a further four Studio Albums up until they split in 1970.

With the adding of electric instrumentation ‘The Sound of Silence’ can be considered a forerunner to the musical genre of music that would become known as ‘Folk/Rock,’ which would be heavily popularised by bands such as ‘The Byrds’ (see also best songs 621.) As for the songs meaning, Art Garfunkel has given his interpretation,’It is about a world not willing to love each other, they no longer even know how, and the lack of communication on an emotional level.Yes we speak, but we say nothing of value, nothing worth sharing. He wrote it when he was 21, so it is also a song of youthful angst, and want for meaning and communication between all.’

‘Hello darkness, my old friend, I’ve come to talk with you again Because a vision softly creeping left its seeds while I was sleeping, and the vision that was planted in my brain still remains, within the sound of silence.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

97-Frank Wilson-Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)

1965-It has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 0.11. The song became popular in the UK after repeated plays at the ‘Wigan Casino’ All-nighters, therefore it is fitting that the most popular ‘Northern Soul’ song of all time was also the very last record ever played at the venue when it closed in 1981.

The ‘Wigan Casino’ was a nightclub in Wigan, in the North of England that operated between 1973-1981, it became known as the primary venue for Northern Soul music, for an explanation of what Northern Soul music is (see also best songs 969.) The ‘Wigan Casino’ All-nighters generally ended with three songs that became known as the ‘3 before 8,’ the songs were ‘Time Will Pass You By’ by Tobi Legend, ‘Long After Tonight Is All Over’ by Jimmy Radcliffe, and “I’m on My Way” by Dean Parrish. On the clubs final night those three songs were played three times consecutively, but the crowd still refused to go, so the DJ who was Russ Winstantley picked a 7 inch single randomly,which just so happened to be this song. In many lists of the best Northern Soul songs of all time, this song is generally regarded as the Number 1 choice.

Frank Edward Wilson was born on December 5th, 1940, in Houston, Texas, United States, he died on September 27th, 2012, at the age of 71 after a long battle with prostrate cancer. Wilson was employed as a songwriter and record producer at Motown Records by the founder of the label Berry Gordy. In 1965 Wilson wrote and recorded ‘Do I Love You (Indeed I Do’) with the intention of releasing it as a single on the Motown subsidiary label ‘Soul,’ Approximately 250 demo 45’s were pressed, but after a deliberation, both Wilson and Gordy decided it would be better for Wilson to just concentrate on song writing and production. Gordy didn’t want to lose one of his best songwriters, and Wilson had very little desire to perform. The demo’s were destroyed, apart from two, with maybe even as many as five surviving. In 2009 at auction one of the copies fetched £25,742, which is a world record for a ‘Soul’ song.

‘Do I Love You (Indeed I Do’) was produced by Motown’s in house producers Hal Davis, (1933-1998) (see also best songs 519) and Marc Gordon (1935-2010) (see also best songs 446.) As was customary at that time other Motown artists would also be asked to record a version of a new song, and it was Chris Clark who recorded the song in 1966, which remained in the Motown vaults until 1979, when it was issued as the ‘B’ side to the first release of the Frank Wilson version.

As a songwriter and producer Frank Wilson was one of the four song writers at Motown that were known as ‘The Clan,’ (with Pam Sawyer, R. Dean Taylor, and Deke Richards) who had been put together to replace the legendary Holland Dozier Holland when they split with the label. The other songs in this countdown that Frank Wilson either wrote are produced are ‘I’m Gonna Make You Love Me,’ (see also best songs 1001) ‘I’m Living in Shame,’ (see also best songs 411) and the 1973 American Number 1 single ‘Keep On Truckin” (see also best songs 491.) Wilson left Motown in 1976 and became a born again Christian. He became a minister, travelling and writing books with his wife Bunny Wilson, and he was also later involved in the production of Gospel music.

‘Here I am on bended knees, I lay my heart down at your feet, now do I love you. All you have to do is ask, I’ll give until there’s nothing left, do I love you.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

98-Marlena Shaw-Yu Ma/Go Away Little Boy.

1977-It has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 2.48. The heart 1 – The head 0.

‘Go Away Little Girl’ was written by the legendary songwriting team of Gerry Goffin, (1939-2014) and his then wife Carole King (see also best songs (1030 and 1021.) The song was written with the intention of giving it to Bobby Vee (1943-2016) as the follow up to his Billboard Number 1 ‘Take Good Care of My Baby,’ which was also a Goffin/King composition, but a last minute decision by the music producer Don Kirshner (1934-2011) meant the song was given to the American singer Steve Laurence instead. The song was a great success for Laurence reaching Number 1 on Billboard in 1963, and then in 1971 Donny Osmond (see also best songs 642) also took his version to Number 1, making it the first time on the American Billboard Hot 100 that a song has made Number 1 twice by different artists, at the time of writing it has happened on a further eight occasions since. In 1966 a recording by the American Pop group ‘The Happenings’ also made Number 12 on Billboard, while in the UK the song reached Number 6 for the English singer Mark Wynter in 1962.

Marlena Shaw was born Marlena Burgess on September 22nd, 1942, in New Rochelle, New York, United States, she has recorded in the genres of Jazz, Blues, Soul, and Disco. The music of Marlena Shaw is often sampled, particularly by Hip-Hop artists, and also is sort after by enthusiasts of ‘Rare Groove.’ ‘Rare Groove’ is music that is very hard to source or relatively obscure. and is primarily associated with Funk, R&B and Jazz funk, but it is also connected to sub-genres including Jazz rock, Reggae, Latin jazz, Soul, Rock music, Northern Soul, and disco. Vinyl records that fall into this category generally have high re-sale prices. Marlena Shaw has released 17 Albums between 1967-2004, and the closest she ever came to a hit single on Billboard was with her 1967 single ‘Mercy, Mercy, Mercy,’ which reached Number 58.

Yu Ma/Go Away Little Boy’ can be found on Marlena Shaw’s eighth Album release ‘Sweet Beginnings’ from 1977, which was produced by Bert DeCoteaux (1944-2005.) Although Goffin and King received the song writing credits, Marlena Shaw’s rendition is poles apart, and is given a complete overhaul. Her Soulful performance of the song starts off with a monologue, (the ‘Yu Ma’ part of the song, written by Shaw) where she tells her man that he had better shape up or get out of her life, but by the time the song reaches it’s climax, love and lust have taken over, and she is ready to forgive all of his misdemeanours, even promising to try to work harder herself to make the relationship work…..as long as he gets a job by Thursday.

‘Don’t, don’t kiss my eyelids like that, and please don’t suck my ear lobes like that, and don’t no baby, don’t, don’t! Well look, you think you can get a job by Thursday? You promise?

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

99-Jerry Lee Lewis-Great Balls of Fire.

1958-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 0.01. It is said that if he hadn’t have married his 13 year old cousin once removed, then he could have been as big as Elvis.

It was while touring Britain in May 1958 that the news finally became public that Jerry Lee Lewis had married a 13 year old girl by the name of Myra Gale Brown some five months earlier, and what shocked the public even more was that she was the daughter of his cousin J.W. Brown, who was also had played bass in a group with Lewis prior to Lewis signing with ‘Sun Records.’ The scandal of the marriage led to tour cancellations worldwide, while his record contracts were torn up, and radio stations refused to play his songs. Although Lewis still released new music, and toured during the 1960’s, the stigma of the past always hung over him, and it wasn’t until 1968 when the ‘Country Music’ producer Eddie Kilroy suggested to him the idea of recording in ‘Nashville’ that Lewis’ career finally took off again. Between 1968-1977 Lewis achieved 17 top 10 hits, which included four Number 1’s on the Billboard Country chart in America.

Jerry Lee Lewis (see also best songs 678 and 362) was born on September 29th, 1935, in Ferriday, Louisiana, United States, his nickname is the ‘Killer,’ and he has been described as ‘Rock N’ Roll’s’ first great wild man,’ and one of the most influential pianists of the 20th Century. The discography of Jerry Lee Lewis includes 40 studio Albums released between 1958-2014, and 77 singles issued between 1956-2009. On the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in America six of his singles have reached the top 40, with this song charting the highest at Number 2, while in the UK he has charted on eight occasions, with this song being his most successful.

‘Great Balls of Fire’ was co-written by Otis Blackwell, (1931-2002) (see also best songs 468) and Jack Hammer, (1925-2016) and was produced by Sam Phillips (1923-2003) the founder of the legendary ‘Sun Records’ label. Initially Lewis had been reluctant to record the song having grown up in a religious household, and it wasn’t until he became embroiled in a heated argument with Phillips that he finally agreed to record the song which would become his signature tune.

‘Great Balls of Fire’ was one of the songs chosen for the 1957 black and white film ‘Jamboree.’ The movie is famous for showcasing many of the days top ‘Pop’ acts including Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Carl Perkins, and Frankie Avalon, all lip-syncing their performances. Basically the film had a very flimsy script, and was more a promotional tool for the artists and their music.

‘Great Balls of Fire’ was recorded on October 8th, 1957, at the legendary ‘Sun Studio’ in Memphis, Tennessee. Instead of using the usual in house studio musicians Jimmy Van Eaton, (drums) and Roland Janes, (1933-2013) (guitar) Lewis was accompanied by Sidney Stokes on bass, and Larry Linn on drums. Lewis has said,’I knew Sidney Stokes, but I didn’t know him that well either, and I don’t know what happened to them people. That’s the last time I ever seen ’em. That’s strange isn’t it?’

‘You shake my nerves and you rattle my brain, too much love drives a man insane. You broke my will, oh what a thrill, goodness gracious great balls of fire.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

100-Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong-Cheek to Cheek.

1956-It has never been released as a single in the UK.
Best Bit-At 4.50. In a land where it is said that there are 1000 dances, dancing cheek to cheek has to be the most sensual. Irving Berlin, you old romantic.

‘Cheek to Cheek’ was one of the songs especially written for the 1935 American comedy film ‘Top Hat,’ by Irving Berlin. (1888-1989) (see also best songs 731-457 and 385) ‘Cheek to Cheek’ was written for the movies star Fred Astaire, (1899-1987) (see also best songs 385) who sang the song in the film, while dancing with his co-star Ginger Rogers (1911-1995.) The films scene would become one of Fred Astaire’s most iconic, and ‘Cheek to Cheek’ also provided him with a five weeks run at Number 1 on ‘Your Hit Parade,’ which was a precursor to the Billboard singles chart.

According to the database of ‘Secondhandsongs.com. ‘Cheek to Cheek’ has been recorded by over 400 different artists, with some of the most famous being by The Boswell Sisters, (1935) and Frank Sinatra, (1959) and more recently by Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga (2014.) The version I have chosen is the 1956 recording by Ella Fitzgerald, (1917-1996) (see also best songs 944-702-286 and 231) and Louis Armstrong, (1901-1971) (see also best songs 1039-767-286 and 231) who recorded the song as one of 11 tracks for their duets Album ‘Ella and Louis, accompanied by the Oscar Peterson Quartet, on the ‘Verve’ record label in 1956. The Album was critically acclaimed leading to two further releases,’Ella and Louis Again,’ (1957) and ‘Porgy and Bess (1958.)

Ella Jane Fitzgerald was born on April 25th, 1917, in Newport News, Virginia, United States, she suffered from diabetes for several years of her later life, and in 1993 she had to have both of her legs amputated below the knee due to the effects of diabetes, her eyesight was affected as well. Ella Fitzgerald died from a stroke on June 15th, 1996, at the age of 79. Fitzgerald had several honorific titles, and is often referred to as the ‘First Lady of Song’, ‘Queen of Jazz’, and ‘Lady Ella’. She is critically recognised as one of the worlds greatest ever singers for her purity of tone, and impeccable diction, she is also recognised as one of the best ‘Scat’ singers of all time.

Away from music, Ella Fitzgerald was a Civil Rights activist, and was awarded the ‘National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People Equal Justice Award,’ and the American Black Achievement Award.’ In 1993 she established the ‘Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation,’ focusing on charitable grants, which offered academic opportunities for children in music education, basic care needs for the less fortunate, medical research revolving around diabetes, heart disease, and vision impairment.

The extensive discography of Ella Fitzgerald includes 59 studio Albums released between 1950-1989, as well as 38 live Albums issued between 1958-2018, there are also six extensive box sets that have been issued since 1994. Ella Fitzgerald has also accumulated 53 top 40 hit singles in America between 1936-1960, of which four reached Number 1, including ‘A-Tisket, A-Tasket,’ which she co-wrote in 1938. In the UK, since the chart first appeared in 1952, Ella Fitzgerald has had five top 40 singles between 1958-1964, with ‘The Swinging Shepherd Blues’ charting the highest at Number 15 in 1958.

‘Heaven, I’m in heaven, and my heart beats so that I can hardly speak, and I seem to find the happiness I seek when we’re out together dancing, cheek to cheek.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

101-Althea & Donna-Uptown Top Ranking.

1978-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 0.25. Even the worlds most influential DJ John Peel (1939-2004) made the odd mistake. I have heard it said that he occasionally played a 45 rpm at 33 rpm and sometimes visa versa. It appears that he played this song on his BBC Radio 1 show by accident, resulting in numerous requests from the listeners to hear it again.

‘Uptown Top Ranking’ has a long history, so if you’re sitting comfortably we’ll begin. The songs ‘riddim’ (Jamaican for rhythm) was first written and recorded in 1967 by the Jamaican singer Alton Ellis, (1938-2008) and called ‘I’m Still in Love.’ In 1977 the song took on a new lease of life when it was covered by the Jamaican singer Marcia Aitken, who took her version called ‘I’m Still in Love With You Boy’ to Number 1 in Jamaica. Prior to her recording, in 1976 the Jamaican ‘toaster’ (rapper) Trinity (1954-2021) had done a version which he called ‘Three Piece Suite,’ where he toasted over the riddim, to which the Althea & Donna recording is an ‘answer record.’ Another example of an answer record would be Carole King’s 1959 song ‘Oh Neil,’ being recorded in response to Neil Sedaka’s ‘Oh Carol,’

On hearing Trinity’s recording, it was the Jamaican Reggae producer Joe Gibbs (1942-2008) (see also best songs 952) who got the idea for a response song. His engineer Errol Thompson (1948-2004) whom Gibbs worked in partnership with as the ‘Mighty Two’ at the famous ‘Studio One’ recording studio in Jamaica co-wrote the lyrics to ‘Uptown Top Ranking,’ along with the songs vocalists Althea & Donna. Like the 1969 UK Number 1 single ‘Israelites,’ by Desmond Dekker (1941-2006) (see also best songs 122) the British general public had trouble understanding the Jamaican patois (English based Creole language with West African influences.) This fascination with the songs seemingly strange sounding lyrics helped to propel it’s popularity even more.

‘Uptown Top Ranking’ is credited to Althea & Donna, and Errol Thompson, (lyrics) with the production credited to Joe Gibbs. At the time of recording the song Althea Forrest was 17 years old, and Donna Reid was 18, both of the girls were born in Jamaica. On the strength of the song being a surprise hit an Album also called ‘Uptown Top Ranking’ was hastily put together, and a further three singles released in 1978, none of which found any success, making Althea & Donna true ‘one hit wonders’ (see also best songs 990-698-496-467 and 116.)

The title ‘Uptown Top Ranking’ is a description of what a native of Jamaica might do when they go in to Kingston to show themselves off. Basically the girls are saying ‘Look how great we dress, when you see us coming you will stop and stare. Watch us dance to Reggae music, because we are way too cool for ordinary ‘Pop Music.’

‘See me in me heels and ting, dem check sey we hip and ting. True them no know and ting, we have them going and ting. Nah pop no style, a strictly roots.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

102-Ramones-Sheena Is a Punk Rocker.

1977-Number 22 single.

Best Bit-At 0.01. ‘1-2-3-4!’

The Sheena referred to in the songs title is in fact the comic book character ‘Sheena, Queen of the Jungle,’ who is a fictional American comic book jungle girl heroine who was created by Will Eisner, (1917-2005) and Jerry Iger, (1903-1990) and first published in the comic book ‘Sheena Queen of the Jungle’ in 1938. ‘Sheena’ also has another claim to fame, as Ike Turner (1931-2007) (see also best songs 752-485 and 192) credited Sheena as one of his inspirations for creating Tina Turner’s stage persona. He chose the name Tina because it rhymed with Sheena.

The Ramones (see also best songs 707) were formed in Forest Hills, Queens, New York, United States, in 1974, and remained active through until 1996, in total there have been eight band members come and go, and all of the four who played on this song, and who are considered the classic line up have all now died. The discography of the Ramones includes 14 studio Albums released between 1976-1995, and 71 singles issued between 1976-1996. Amazingly, considering that the Ramones are one of the most influential groups of all time, they never achieved a top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in America, with ‘Rockaway Beach’ (1977 Number 66 single) being their highest charting of just three Hot 100 entries. In the UK they fared better with four of their singles reaching the top 40, with their cover of the Ronettes ‘Baby I Love You’ charting highest when making Number 8 in 1980.

The Ramones were probably the most influential artists in the development of what was to become known as ‘Punk Rock’ music, taking influences themselves from the ‘Surf’ music of the late 1950’s, and the ‘Garage’ bands of the early 1960’s. They rebelled against ‘Rock’ bands of the early to mid 1970’s who could make a ‘guitar riff’ play out endlessly, by going back to the roots of ‘Pop Music,’ where the 1950’s, and 1960’s singles would only last around two minutes each. As well as leading the American ‘Punk’ explosion, the Ramones were also a great influence in England, especially when they played live there, with pre fame acts including the ‘Sex Pistols,'(see also best songs 576-92 and 27) and The ‘Clash’ (see also best songs 867-638 and 294) in attendance at their shows.

‘Sheena Is a Punk Rocker’ was the first of three singles released from the Ramones third studio Album ‘Rocket to Russia’ from 1977, it was written by Joey Ramone, and co-produced by Tommy Ramone, and Tony Bongiovi, who is the cousin of Jon Bon Jovi. Joey Ramone has recollected his thoughts on the song,’To me ‘Sheena’ was the first Surf/Punk Rock/teenage rebellion song. I combined Sheena, Queen of the Jungle with the primalness of Punk Rock. Then Sheena is brought into the modern day, but she just couldn’t stay, she had to break away, well New York City really has it all. It was funny because all the girls in New York seemed to change their name to Sheena after that, everybody was a Sheena.’

‘Well the kids are all hopped up and ready to go, they’re ready to go now. They got their surfboards and they’re going to the discotheque Au Go Go. But she just couldn’t stay she had to break away, well New York City really has is all oh yeah, oh yeah.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

103-Bob Dylan-Blowin’ in the Wind.

1963-It has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 2.21. This was the first song to make Bob Dylan financially secure. He had released the song as a single himself, but without any success, but after letting the Folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary record a version, which reached Number 2 on Billboard, things were to change forever. Peter Yarrow (of Peter, Paul and Mary) recalled that when he told Dylan he would make more than $5,000 (equivalent to around $48,000 in 2022) from the publishing rights, Dylan was speechless!

‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ was written by Bob Dylan, (see also best songs 792-621-358-36 and 7) and first recorded by him in July 1962, and became the opening track on his second studio Album ‘The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan,’ which was released in May 1963. ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ was produced by John Hammond, (1910-1987) who played a major part in the early development of Dylan’s music career, as well as helping many other major artists of the 20th Century.

Bob Dylan has said that it took him around 10 minutes to write ‘Blowin’ in the Wind,’ taking some inspiration for the song from his idol the Folk singer Woody Guthrie, (1912-1967) whose autobiography ‘Bound for Glory’ includes Guthrie comparing his political sensibility to newspapers blowing in the winds of New York City’s streets and alleys. The melody to ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ is not totally a Dylan original, and he has stated that it was adapted from an old African/American slave song called ‘No more auction Block/We Shall Overcome.’

‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ is a protest song, it tells us that peace and freedom are achievable, as is the ending of war, the answer to all of these questions are right in front of us, yet we do not see it. The song also caught the attention of the ‘Civil Rights Movement,’ with the American singer Mavis Staples stating her surprise that these words had come from a 21 year old white man. Another singer who was heavily influenced on first hearing the song was Sam Cooke, (1931-1964) who is said to have been inspired to write ‘A Change Is Gonna Come’ (see also best songs 156.)

In June 1962 Bob Dylan spoke about the song in the Folk Music journal ‘Sing Out!’ ‘There ain’t too much I can say about this song except that the answer is blowing in the wind. It ain’t in no book or movie or TV show or discussion group. Man, it’s in the wind, and it’s blowing in the wind. Too many of these hip people are telling me where the answer is, but oh I won’t believe that. I still say it’s in the wind, and just like a restless piece of paper it’s got to come down some, but the only trouble is that no one picks up the answer when it comes down, so not too many people get to see and know and then it flies away. I still say that some of the biggest criminals are those that turn their heads away when they see wrong and know it’s wrong. I’m only 21 years old and I know that there’s been too many wars. You people over 21, you’re older and smarter.’

‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ marked a big step forward lyrically for Bob Dylan, and it was the music critic Andy Gill (1953-2019) who wrote,’A song as vague as ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ could be applied to just about any freedom issue. It remains the song with which Dylan’s name is most inextricably linked, and safeguarded his reputation as a civil libertarian through any number of changes in style and attitude.’

‘How many roads must a man walk down, before you call him a man? How many seas must a white dove sail, before she sleeps in the sand? Yes, ‘n’ how many times must the cannon balls fly, before they’re forever banned? The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind, the answer is blowin’ in the wind.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

104-Dexys Midnight Runners-Geno.

1980-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 2.39. I’ve never been the greatest fan of Brass Band music, but if it all sounded like this, then convert me quick.

Dexys Midnight Runners were formed in Birmingham, England, in 1978 by Kevin Rowland, and Kevin ‘Al’ Archer, who had both previously been members of the Punk Rock group ‘The Killjoys,’ who released two singles in 1977. Dexys Midnight Runners remained active until 1986, but reformed again in 2003, and at the time of writing they are still performing. The bands name was derived from ‘Dexedrine,’ which was commonly used as a recreational drug among ‘Northern Soul’ fans, in order to give them energy to dance all night. In total there have been 53 different members of Dexys Midnight Runners come and go, with Kevin Rowland being the bands one constant. They have released five studio Albums between 1980-2016, and 25 singles, of which nine have made the UK top 40, and two have made Number 1 (see also best songs 913.) In America the band are a ‘one hit wonder,’ because ‘Come On Eileen’ is their only charting single, which reached Number 1 on Billboard in 1982.

‘Geno’ was the second single released by Dexys Midnight Runners, and the first of two from their debut studio Album ‘Searching for the Young Soul Rebels’ from July 1980. ‘Geno’ was co-written by Kevin Archer, (music) and Kevin Rowland (lyrics) and was produced by Pete Wingfield, who is probably best remembered for his 1975 hit ‘Eighteen with a Bullet,’ which reached Number 7 in the UK, and Number 15 in America.

‘Geno’ is a tribute song to the American Soul singer Geno Washington, who was born William Francis Washington, in December 1943, in Evansville, Indiana. As ‘Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band,’ they were active between 1965-1968 having no success in America, but in the UK they achieved two top 40 singles, with ‘Walter,’ and ‘Michael (the Lover’) both reaching Number 39 in 1966. In fact after ‘Geno’ was a hit, Geno Washington became far more famous than he had been in his heyday in the 1960’s. Kevin Rowland who wrote the lyrics to ‘Geno’ has said,’I saw Geno Washington in 68 at the Railway Hotel in Harrow. I was 15 years old and out with all the older kids, you had to be 18 to get in, short haired, cool-looking mods, turning into skinhead types. Looking back, it’s probably not the best gig I’ve ever been to, but I didn’t have anything to compare it to.’

‘Geno’ was very much written in the style of the type of music that Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band would perform live, the ‘Geno,’ Geno,’ Geno,’ chant at the beginning and end of the song is reminiscent of Washington’s 1960’s live performances, where the shows compare would excite the audience before Washington took to the stage. The ‘Geno’ chant was actually sampled from the crowd noise on Van Morrison’s (see also best songs 762) 1974 live Album ‘It’s too Late to Stop Now.’ I would also urge you to take a listen to the 1964 song ‘One and Only Man,’ by the British R&B group ‘Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band,’ and you will hear where Kevin Archer got his ideas for ‘Geno’s’ melody from.

‘Back in ’68 in a sweaty club, before Jimmy’s Machine and The Rocksteady Rub. On a night when flowers didn’t suit my shoes, after a week of flunkin’ and bunkin’ school. The lowest head in the crowd that night, just practicin’ steps and keepin’ outta the fights.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

105-Village People-Y.M.C.A.

1978-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 1.02. Village People band members dress as policemen, naval officers, leather clad bikers, construction workers, Native American Indians, and cowboys. They say that ladies are attracted to men dressed in uniform, but I don’t think they will have much luck with this lot.

The Village People were formed in Greenwich Village, New York City, United States, in 1977, by Jacques Morali, (1947-1991) Henri Belolo, (1936-2019) and Victor Willis (see also best songs 630.) Prior to the forming of the Village People, both Morali, and Belolo had worked successfully together creating the female Disco group ‘The Ritchie Family,’ who had hits with ‘Brazil.’ (1975) and ‘The Best Disco in Town’ (1976.) Morali got the idea for creating the Village People after attending a costume ball at ‘Les Mouches,’ a gay disco in Greenwich Village, as he gazed around the room, he was impressed by all the ‘macho male stereotypes’ portrayed by the party guests.

The six members of the Village People who sang the vocals on ‘Y.M.C.A.’ and performed in the video were Victor Willis, (policeman) Felipe Rose, (Native American) Glenn Hughes, (1950-2001) (leather clad biker) Alex Briley, (soldier) David Hodo, (construction worker) and Randy Jones (cowboy.) In total there have been 24 different members of the Village People come and go, and they remain active with Victor Willis being the only original member. The discography of the Village People includes 10 studio Albums issued between 1977-2018, and 34 singles released between 1977-2020. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, three of their singles have made the top 40, with ‘Y.M.C.A.’ reaching Number 2, while in the UK, they have achieved seven top 40 singles, including the 1993 remix of ‘Y.M.C.A.’ which peaked at Number 12, and also the 1999 ‘Millennium Mix’ of the song which made Number 35.

At the time of writing ‘Y.M.C.A.’ is currently the 21st best selling song of all time, with worldwide with sales in excess of 12 million copies. It was co-written by Jacques Morali, and Victor Willis, and produced by Morali, and first appeared as the opening track on the Village People’s third studio Album ‘Cruisin’ from September 1978.

The ‘YMCA’ which stands for ‘Young Men’s Christian Association’ was originally founded in London, England,in 1844 by George Williams (1821-1905.) In the United States, the YMCA began building single room occupancy facilities in the 1880’s to house people from rural areas who moved into cities to look for work. By the 1970’s, the typical YMCA tenants were more likely to be homeless people, and youth’s facing life issues, rather than people migrating from rural areas. The YMCA that Jaques Morali saw that inspired the song was the ‘McBurney YMCA,’ on West 23rd Street, in New York City, between 7th and 8th avenues. This is the building that the Village People perform in front of in the songs video.

‘Y.M.C.A.’ has become a staple at celebrations, mainly because of it’s now famous dance moves that people perform to it. The dance moves incorporate the moving of your arms to spell out the songs letters. It came about in 1979 when the Village People were appearing on the ‘Dick Clark American Bandstand’ television programme (similar to ‘Top of the Pops’ in the UK.) Legend has it that audience members randomly began doing the now famous actions, after the show Dick Clark showed Victor Willis the tape of the hand gestures. Clark said to Willis,’Victor, think you can work this dance into your routine? Willis responded,’I think we’re gonna’ have to.’

‘Young man, there’s a place you can go, I said, young man, when you’re short on your dough. You can stay there, and I’m sure you will find many ways to have a good time. It’s fun to stay at the YMCA.’