THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

106-Kings of Leon-Sex on Fire.

2008-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 2.56. They say sex sells anything, but I have a sneaky feeling this would have sold anyway.

The Kings of Leon were formed in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, United States, in 1999, by Caleb, Jared, and Nathan Followill, along with their cousin Matthew Followill, for the discography of the band see best songs 551.

Prior to the release of ‘Sex on Fire’ the Kings of Leon had already achieved some success, especially in the UK, with their three previous Albums, but it was this single which greatly helped take the band to the next level, particularly in America where up until then their success had been very limited. ‘Sex on Fire’ was the first of six singles released from the King of Leon’s fourth studio Album ‘Only by the Night’ from September 2008, the lyrics were written by the groups lead singer Caleb Followill, with all four band members credited with writing the music. The song was jointly produced by Angelo Petraglia, and Jacquire King, who has also produced three other Kings of Leon Albums to date.

Caleb Followill wrote the lyrics with his then girlfriend Lily Aldridge in mind (they married in 2011.) Nathan Followill has said that the band never intended the song to be named ‘Sex on Fire,’ and that it was not intended to be about sexuality. He has said,’They were totally different lyrics. Depending on whether a song starts with a melody or starts with lyrics, you know if it starts with a melody you just keep playing the melody over and over until you get it down and just throw in any lyrics that fit the verbal flow. It was actually going to be “Set Us on Fire”, but one of the sound mixers in the studio walked in as we were playing and said, “‘Sex on Fire’, huh?” And it just kind of became a running joke, and we stuck with it. Commenting on the song Caleb Followill has jokingly said,’There’s always been an element of sex in our music, so I thought I’d just wrap it all up in one song and be done with the sex for the rest of the record.’ Caleb has also said, ‘It’s about a great sexual relationship with hot, hot sex that you remember for ever.’

As well as reaching Number 1 in the UK, ‘Sex on Fire’ also made Number 1 in Australia, Ireland, and Finland, although in America on the Billboard Hot 100 it stalled at Number 56. It did find greater success in the States though by reaching Number 1 on the ‘Alternative Airplay’ chart, and Number 10 on the ‘Hot Rock & Alternative Songs’ chart, greatly helping to raise the bands profile in their home country. With sales in excess of 1.2 million copies ‘Sex on Fire’ is one of the best selling songs of the 21st Century in the UK. It has also spent a total of 90 nonconsecutive weeks in the UK top 40, which makes it the third most charted single of all time in that country.

‘Hot as a fever, rattle of bones. I could just taste it, taste it. But it’s not forever, but it’s just tonight. Oh we’re still the greatest, he greatest, the greatest.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

107-Paul McCartney and Wings-Band on the Run.

1974-Number 3 single.

Best Bit-At 2.15. On the Album sleeve of ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ there are 58 different people depicted, while on the Album sleeve of ‘Band on the Run’ there are just nine. Paul McCartney. Linda McCartney, (1941-1998) Denny Laine, Michael Parkinson, Kenny Lynch (1938-2019) James Coburn, (1928-2002) Clement Freud, (1924-2009) Christopher Lee, (1922-2015) and John Conteh.

After the Beatles (see also best songs 599-238-218-157-141-80-51-10 and 6) parted ways in 1970, Paul McCartney (see also best songs 646) released his first two solo Albums ‘McCartney,’ (1970) and ‘Ram.’ (1971) He then formed the band ‘Wings’ in 1971, with his wife Linda, Denny Seiwell, and Denny Laine, ‘Wings’ remained active through until 1981, with a total of 10 members coming and going. As ‘Wings’ there were seven studio Albums issued between 1971-1979, and 29 singles released between 1972-2016, with 20 of those reaching the UK top 40, and ‘Mull of Kintyre’ making Number 1 in 1977, and becoming the first single to sell over 2 million copies in the UK. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart top 40, ‘Wings’ have achieved 24 hits, with six of those songs reaching Number 1, including ‘Band on the Run.’

All of McCartney’s four previous Albums post the Beatles had met with a mixed reception from the music press, and the general public, so McCartney felt that he needed to re-establish his career. In order to give himself a fresh start he decided to record his next Album ‘Band on the Run’ somewhere exotic, so he chose Lagos in Nigeria, but it was not the glamorous location he was expecting. The ‘EMI’ recording studio turned out to under equipped, and to add to their woes Paul and Linda were robbed at knife point while out walking in Lagos, and among the things taken were a notebook full of handwritten lyrics, and cassettes containing demos for songs already recorded.

‘Band on the Run’ was written by Paul and Linda McCartney, with Paul being the songs producer, the only other member of Wings at that time was Denny Laine who played lead guitar on the track, Linda played synthesizers, and Paul played all the other instruments on the song and sang the vocals. ‘Band on the Run’ is a song about escaping, McCartney was under pressure to prove he could still do it without the Beatles, he was being hounded by the law over his Cannabis use, and legal wranglings from his days with the Beatles had still not fully been sorted out. ‘Band on the Run’ was also inspired by something George Harrison (1943-2001) (see also best songs 737 and 726) had said back in 1969 when the Beatles were trying to get out of their contract with Alan Klein, (1931-2009) and the ‘Apple’ record label. During a business meeting Harrison had said,’We were all prisoners in some way,’ a remark which resonated with McCartney in his current situation, at that time.

Paul McCartney has said that ‘Band on the Run’ is about several different things, it was symbolic, he has said, ‘If we ever get out of here all I need is a pint a day.’ In the Beatles we’d started off as just kids really, who loved our music and wanted to earn a bob or two so we could get a guitar and get a nice car. It was very simple ambitions at first, but then, you know, as it went on it became business meetings and all of that, so there was a feeling of “if we ever get out of here”, yeah. And I did.’

‘Stuck inside these four walls, sent inside forever, never seeing no one nice again like you, mama you, mama you.

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

108-Status Quo-Caroline.

1973-Number 5 single.

Best Bit-At 0.01. They were first called ‘The Scorpions,’ (1962-1963) then they changed to ‘The Spectres,’ (1963-1967) this was followed by another name change to ‘Traffic,’ (1967) and then ‘Traffic Jam (1967.) Yet another change of name occurred when they became ‘The Status Quo,’ (1967-1969) before finally settling on just ‘Status Quo,’ (1969-present) which is their current ‘existing state of affairs.’

Status Quo (see also best songs 905) were formed in London, England, in 1962, by Francis Rossi, and Alan Lancaster, (1949-2021) while they were still schoolboys. The classic lineup, who also played on this song was completed by Rick Parfitt (1948-2016) who joined the band in 1967, and the bands drummer John Coghlan, who had joined in 1962, and left in 1982. Status Quo remain active, and in total there have been 14 different members come and go, with Francis Rossi being the bands one constant. For the discography of Status Quo see best songs 905.

‘Caroline’ was the only single released from Status Quo’s sixth studio Album ‘Hello,’ from September 1973, and was co-written by Francis Rossi, and Bob Young, with the songs production credited to all of the bands members. Bob Young who was born on May 16th, 1945, in Basingstoke, England, had been working with Status Quo in many capacities since 1968, and although he was never an official member of the band, he was known as ‘the 5th member.’ Along with Francis Rossi, he co-wrote several Status Quo songs, including ‘Paper Plane,’ and the bands only UK Number 1 single ‘Down Down.’

‘Caroline’ had been written as far back as 1971, and in it’s original form it was a slow ‘Blues’ song, it became the song we all know today after Rick Parfitt came up with the guitar riff. Bob Young has recalled how the song came about,’We stayed in a right grotty hotel because it was all we could afford and continued writing the song there in the dining room on a rainy day, when we couldn’t take the kids anywhere and everybody was miserable. The hotel manager wasn’t impressed that there were two members of Status Quo staying at the hotel. He was even less impressed when I leant against the dining room window and fell through it, but I managed to finish the lyrics on a napkin.’

There has been speculation over the years as to whom ‘Caroline’ is about. At the time the songs lyrics were written ‘Sweet Caroline'(see also best songs 13) by Neil Diamond was having it’s first taste of success in the UK, and many thought that ‘Caroline’ was a nod to that, but Francis Rossi has said,’We’d heard that around, and it was quite a nice phrase. Bob (Young) did know a Caroline, which I mustn’t talk about, but I suppose he was thinking that.’

‘Caroline,’ and it’s parent Album ‘Hello’ took Status Quo to the next level, with a ‘heavier’ sound that they had been working on since signing with their new record label ‘Vertigo’ in 1972. The song would go on to be among the bands opening numbers at concerts, and in 1985 when they became the opening act at ‘Live Aid,’ ‘Caroline’ was the second song they played, after opening with ‘Rockin’ All Over the World.’ In 1982 they released a live version of ‘Caroline’ which went on to reach Number 13 in the UK.

‘Come on sweet Caroline, you’re my sweet Caroline. You know I wanna take ya, I really gotta make ya, come on sweet Caroline, take my hand, together we can Rock’n’Roll.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

109-James-Laid.

1993-Number 25 single.

Best Bit-At 1.38. It’s the age old problem with relationships, ‘Can’t live with them, can’t live without them.’

‘James’ (see also best songs 490) were formed in Whalley Range, Manchester, England, in 1982, they were active until 2001 when lead singer Tim Booth announced that he was leaving the group. In 2007 Booth rejoined ‘James,’ and they are still performing together at the time of writing.
‘Laid’ was co-written by ‘James” band members Tim Booth, Larry Gott, and Jim Glennie, and was produced by the legendary Brian Eno, the song also serves as the title track of ‘James” fifth studio Album released in September 1993. It was the second and final single released from the Album, and was the follow up to ‘Sometimes (Lester Piggott.)

Brian Peter George St John le Baptiste de la Salle Eno (see also best songs 766-302-190-118 and 57) was born on May 15th, 1948, in Melton, Suffolk, England. Eno has many strings to his bow, including being a music producer, composer, songwriter, author, painter, and designer. His extensive discography includes 26 solo Albums issued between 1974-2022, and a further 26 collaborative Albums released between 1973-2020, he has also issued 13 solo singles between 1974-2022. Among the songs listed on this ‘1000 best list’ that Eno has either written or produced include working with David Bowie (1947-2016) on his ‘Berlin Trilogy,’ and also his work with ‘U2.’ Eno was also a founding member of ‘Roxy Music,’ and played on their first two studio Albums, before leaving over musical differences with Bryan Ferry. Eno is also acknowledged with being the main player in the development of ‘Ambient’ music, and bringing it in to the mainstream, with the release of his ‘Discreet Music’ Album in 1975.

‘Laid’ is a song about a destructive relationship that is addictive. The narrator is in love with a partner that he knows is bad for him. Their passion is shown with lyrics such as.’This bed is on fire with passionate love,’ and,’Fought with kitchen knives and skewers.’ There was controversy about the line ‘She only comes when she’s on top,’ which was banned for being too suggestive by many radio stations, and in order for the song to get radio play the line was replaced with ‘She only sings when she’s on top.’

In America this is ‘James” best known song having peaked at Number 61 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, but it found greater success on the Billboard Modern Rock chart where it reached Number 3, after extensive play on American college radio stations. The song has also been used as the theme song for the ‘American Pie’ films, with a cover of the song by the American singer/songwriter Matt Nathanson being used for the third film ‘American Wedding,’ both the original and Nathanson’s cover have been used many times since in the ‘American Pie’ franchise spin offs.

On the unofficial ‘James’ blog ‘One of the Three,’ it is stated that ‘Laid’ was,’Originally viewed by the band as a throwaway song and a possible ‘B’ side, Brian Eno soon convinced them of the potential of this track. Whilst only reaching a disappointing 22 in the UK charts, it made serious inroads for the band in the U.S. where it led to performances on prime time TV shows such as Letterman, Conan O’Brien and Jay Leno.’

‘Moved out of the house so you moved next door. I locked you out you cut a hole in the wall. I found you sleeping next to me. I thought I was alone. You’re driving me crazy when are you coming home.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

110-John Denver-Annie’s Song.

1974-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 1.07. If you’re lucky enough to be called Annie then congratulations, you have one of the greatest love songs of all time named in your honour.

John Denver was born Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. on December 31st, 1943, in Roswell, New Mexico, United States, he died on October 12th, 1997, at the age of 53, when the aircraft he was piloting crashed into Monterrey Bay, near Pacific Grove, California, Denver was the only occupant on the aircraft. John Denver had many interests, as well as being a pilot, he was politically outspoken, supporting the campaign of Jimmy Carter in 1976, and putting his name to a number of charitable causes, including being the founder of the ‘Wildstar Foundation’ in 1976, to promote sustainable living. In the early 1980’s Denver began to focus more on humanitarian, and sustainability causes, focusing extensively on nature conservation projects. He also founded the environmental group ‘Plant-It 2020’ (originally ‘Plant-It 2000’). Denver had a keen interest in trying to find solutions to world hunger, he visited Africa during the 1980’s to witness first hand the suffering caused by starvation, and he worked with African leaders to try to find solutions. Denver appeared in nine films between 1973-1997, and made many television appearances, including hosting his own ‘The John Denver Show’ in 1973, with many TV specials, and spin offs being made in the following years. John Denver has sold in excess of 33 million records, which included 30 studio Albums issued between 1965-1998, and 44 singles released between 1969-2017. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, 14 of his singles made the top 40, with four of those songs making Number 1, while in the UK, his only charting single in the top 40 is this song, making him a true ‘one hit wonder’ in that country (see also best songs 990-698-496-467-116 and 101.) John Denver recorded approximately 300 songs, of which around 200 were ones he composed himself.

‘Annie’s Song’ was written by John Denver, and produced by his long term collaborator Milt Okum, (1923-2016) it was one of two singles released from Denver’s eighth studio Album ‘Back Home Again’ from 1974. It had been Okum who had helped give Denver his first big success in Pop Music when offering the ‘Folk’ group ‘Peter, Paul and Mary’ Denver’s song ‘Leaving on a Jet Plane,’ which went on to reach Number 1 on Billboard, and Number 2 in the UK in 1969.

John Denver wrote ‘Annie’s Song’ for his wife Ann in 1973. The couple had been married since 1968, and had been having marital troubles, partly due to the pressures of Denver’s successful career. Denver has said that it was one of the fastest songs he had ever written, composing the song in around 10 minutes while he was riding on a ski lift in Aspen, Colorado. Denver was reflecting on all the joy he found in his marriage, and his relief that they were back together after almost breaking up for good. In his 1994 autobiography Denver wrote,’Suddenly, I’m hypersensitive to how beautiful everything is. All of these things filled up my senses, and when I said this to myself unbidden images came one after the other. All of the pictures merged and I was left with Annie. That song was the embodiment of the love I felt at that time.’ Denver’s wife Ann has also shed light on the writing of the song,’It was written after John and I had gone through a pretty intense time together and things were pretty good for us. He left to go skiing and he got on the Ajax chair on Aspen mountain and the song just came to him. He skied down and came home and wrote it down. Initially it was a love song and it was given to me through him, and yet for him it became a bit like a prayer.’ Unfortunately their marriage had no happy ending as the couple divorced in 1982.

‘Come, let me love you, let me give my life to you, let me drown in your laughter, let me die in your arms. Let me lay down beside you, let me always be with you. Come, let me love you, come love me again.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

111-Gilbert O’Sullivan-Alone Again (Naturally)

1972-Number 3 single.

Best Bit-At 2.53. Should he receive our sympathy and commiserations? Or should he ‘Man Up?’

Gilbert O’Sullivan (see also best songs 949) was born Raymond Edward O’Sullivan on December 1st, 1946, in Waterford, Ireland, but at the age of seven moved to England with his family. It was when signing his first contract in 1967 with ‘CBS’ records, that his then manager Stephen Shane suggested a name change from Raymond to Gilbert, as a play on the name of the operetta composers ‘Gilbert & Sullivan.’ In order to stand out from the crowd and help get that first contract O’Sullivan created an eye-catching visual image consisting of a pudding basin haircut, cloth cap and short trousers. O’Sullivan has said his love of silent film, and actors such as Charlie Chaplin (1889-1977) (see also best songs 327) inspired the look.

The discography of Gilbert O’Sullivan includes 20 studio Albums issued between 1971-2022, and of his 37 singles released between 1970-2022, 14 of them have reached the Irish top 40, with three of those making Number 1. While in the UK, he has charted on 13 occasions, with two of those songs making Number 1, and in America on the Billboard Hot 100 top 40, he has charted five times, with this song spending six non consecutive weeks at Number 1.

‘Alone Again (Naturally’) was written by Gilbert O’Sullivan, and produced by Gordon Mills, (1935-1986) (see also best songs 129) the song was released as a stand alone single, but in subsequent years has been added to re-issues of his second studio Album ‘Back to Front.’ The songs guitar break was played by Big Jim Sullivan, (1941-2012) of whom it is said performed as a session musician on around 750 charting singles, and 54 Number 1 hits. The other songs in this ‘1000 best songs’ list that he played on are (see also best songs 891-467-171-164-129 and 45)

The lyrics to ‘Alone Again (Naturally’) pull no punches, and come straight to the point. It starts with the narrator contemplating suicide after being left at the alter as his bride deserted him, and then goes on to tell about the deaths of his parents. O’Sullivan has said,’Everyone wants to know if it’s an autobiographical song, based on my father’s early death. Well, the fact of the matter is, I didn’t know my father very well, and he wasn’t a good father anyway. He didn’t treat my mother very well.’ O’Sullivan has also said,”Alone Again’ was written with two other songs in a writing period when I was 22 years of age, I was in a writing mode, and ‘Alone Again’ was just one of the songs I’d written. I was really pleased with it, happy with it, but I didn’t see it as being any more special than other songs. Suffice it to say, I was happy. ‘Alone Again (Naturally’) has sold in excess of 2 million copies worldwide, and when Neil Diamond (see also best songs 536-426 and 13) covered the song in 2010 he said that he couldn’t believe it was written by a 21 year old. In 2020 Neil Sedaka (see also best songs 539) who has also covered the song stated that he wished that he himself had written the song,’Because its complexity was more typical of someone much older than 21.’

In 1991 Gilbert O’Sullivan went to court to sue the American ‘comedy’ rapper Biz Markie (1964-2019) who had used an unauthorised sample from ‘Alone Again (Naturally’) for his song ‘Alone Again,’ which appeared on Markie’s Album ‘I Need a Haircut.’ The judge made a landmark ruling in O’Sullivan’s favour, ruling that the rapper’s unauthorised sample was in fact theft. From that moment on artists now have to clear samples, or be subject to costly lawsuits.

‘And at sixty-five years old my mother, God rest her soul, couldn’t understand why the only man she had ever loved had been taken.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

112-Andy Williams-Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.

1968-Number 5 single.

Best Bit-At 1.25. Didn’t your mother tell you it’s rude to stare.

Howard Andrew Williams (see also best songs 914) was born on December 3rd, 1927, in Wall Lake, Iowa, United States, he died on September 25th, 2012, of bladder cancer at the age of 84. Andy Williams first started singing with his three older brothers Bob, (1918-2003) Don, who was born in 1922, and Dick Williams (1926-2018) at the age of 10. The four ‘Williams Brothers’ appeared in four movies between 1944-1947, and were also the backing singers on Bing Crosby’s (1903-1977) (see also best songs 934-457 and 259) 1944 recording of ‘Swinging on a Star.’ The four brothers went their separate ways in 1951, but in the early 1990’s Andy Williams twin nephews Andrew and David continued the family tradition by recording together as the ‘Williams Brothers,’ recording five Albums, and releasing 12 singles.

Andy Williams is one of the worlds best selling artists with sales in excess of 100 million records, his discography includes 43 studio Albums released between 1956-2007, and 79 singles issued between 1948-2003. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, he has achieved 28 top 40 hits, with ‘Butterfly’ from 1956 giving him his only chart topper, while in the UK, 21 of his singles have made the top 40, with ‘Butterfly’ again being his only Number 1 song. Andy Williams is also remembered for his television variety show ‘The Andy Williams Show’ which ran from 1962 to 1971, which featured many of the worlds top artists as guests, the show also introduced the ‘Osmond Brothers,’ (see also best songs 642) who became regulars on the show.

‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off You’ was co-written by the legendary songwriting team of Bob Crewe, (1930-2014) and Bob Gaudio, (see also best songs 1007-914-863-739-499-393-284-164 and 83) and was first recorded by Franki Valli (see also best songs 739-284 and 83) who took the song to Number 2 on Billboard in 1967. With the Franki Valli version not being a hit in the UK, Andy Williams took advantage taking his recording to Number 5 in 1968. In 2002 Williams re-recorded the song as a duet with the English actress Denise Van Outen, and this time the song made Number 23 on the chart. Other notable cover versions of the song come from the ‘Boystown Gang,’ (see also best songs 863) who reached Number 4 in the UK in 1982, and the American singer and rapper Lauryn Hill who recorded her version in 1997, which was then issued as the ‘hidden track’ on her 1998 Album ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.’ Her version was nominated for a Grammy Award for ‘Best Female Pop Vocal Performance’ in 1999, becoming the first hidden track to ever receive a Grammy nomination. The song was also used as part of a medley by the ‘Lettermen’ in 1967, (Billboard Number 7) and by the ‘Pet Shop Boys’ in 1991, also as part of a medley (UK Number 4.) In 2019 the American Electronic musician ‘Surf Mesa’ remixed a cover version of the song as a single, under the title ‘ILY (I Love You Baby.’) which reached Number 23 on Billboard, and Number 22 in the UK.

Speaking about the song Franki Valli has said,’It’s a very, very tough song to do badly. When the song is that strong to start off with, that’s the kind of song you look for.’

‘Pardon the way that I stare, there’s nothing else to compare. The sight of you leaves me weak, there are no words left to speak.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

113-Run-D.M.C. vs. Jason Nevins-It’s Like That.

1998-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 0.02. It’s kind of ironic that the group who were so influential in changing ‘Rap’ music from using a ‘Disco’ beat to a ‘Rock’ sound should have their biggest success with a ‘Dance’ record.

Run-D.M.C. (see also best songs 305) were formed in 1983 in Hollis, Queens, New York City, United States, by Joseph Ward Simmons, (DJ Run) Darryl McDaniels, (DMC) and Jason William Mizell, (Jam Master Jay) (1965-2002) they remained officially active until Mizell was murdered in 2002. There have been occasional re-unions between Simmons and McDaniels since 2012. More than any other Hip-Hop act Run D.M.C. are responsible for changing the sound and style of the genre. Before Run D.M.C. Rap music was mainly performed over a ‘Disco’ beat, with the majority of the Rappers bragging about their lifestyle and sexual conquests. Run D.M.C. were the main protagonists in the cultural change as they created a new ‘street’ sound with sparse hard hitting beats, and socially conscious lyrics, using two turn tables and a microphone. Their clothing was also radically different to what up until then had been the stereotypical flashy attire of the ‘old school’ rapper, of tight leather, chest baring shirts, gloves and hats, and rhinestones. Run D.M.C. incorporated a more ‘street’ sense of style such as ‘Kangol’ hats, ‘Cazal’ glasses, leather jackets, and unlaced ‘Adidas’ shoes. Their lyrics would be an influence on groups such as ‘NWA’ (see also best songs 564 and 128) and ‘Public Enemy,’ (see also best songs 578 and 37) as well as helping to usher in the ‘Rap/Rock’ era, where they influenced the likes of ‘Red Hot Chilli Peppers,’ (see also best songs 977) and Linkin Park. The discography of Run D.M.C. includes seven studio Albums released between 1984-2001, and 30 singles issued between 1983-2014, of which four made the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, with ‘Walk This Way’ with Aerosmith charting the highest at Number 4 in 1986 (see also best songs 305.) In the UK Run D.M.C. have charted on six occasions, with this song being the most successful.

Although this remixed version of ‘It’s Like That’ is one of the best selling songs worldwide, having reached Number 1 in 12 countries, with sales in excess of 5 million copies, it failed to chart in America, only reaching Number 113 on Billboard. Run D.M.C. released the original version of ‘It’s Like That’ as their first single in 1983,the lyrics tackle social and political problems, and tell listeners to abandon prejudice and take on a positive outlook. In 1997 Jason Nevins remixed ‘It’s Like That’ adding an ‘Electronic’ dance beat. There is also a very memorable video that helped the songs popularity, but due to the songs upbeat vibe, and the video’s dance scene, there is no doubt that ‘It’s Like That’s’ social commentary is not recognised.

Jason Nevins was born on December 15th, 1972, in Los Angeles, California, United States, he is a songwriter, music producer, and is best known for remixing, with his greatest successes being with this song, and also ‘Cruise,’ which was a 2012 Number 4 hit on Billboard for the ‘Florida Georgia Line featuring Nelly.’ Initially Nevins only issued a small amount of copies of ‘It’s Like That’ on 10 inch vinyl in 1997, but as the DJ’s in the clubs began to play the song, it grew and grew in demand.

‘You should’ve gone to school, you could’ve learned a trade, but you laid in the bed where the bums have laid. Now all the time you’re crying that you’re underpaid, it’s like that (what?) and that’s the way it is, Huh!’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

114-Marvin Gaye-What’s Going On.

1971-It has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 0.08. Marvin Gaye may have been a Soul Legend, but he really wanted to be a ‘NFL’ football player. He was good friends with the Detroit Lions players Mel Farr, (1944-2015) and Lem Barney, and when they would meet up they would greet each other by saying ‘Whats Going On.’

Marvin Gaye (see also best songs 723 and 183) was born Marvin Pentz Gay Jr. on April 2nd, 1939, in Washington D.C. United States, he died after being shot in the chest, and his shoulder, by his father Marvin Gay Sr. on April 1st, 1984, he was 44 years old. Marvin Gaye was intervening in a fight between his parents, and had become involved in a physical altercation with his father. Marvin Gaye Sr, (1914-1998) was initially charged with first-degree murder, but the charges were reduced to voluntary manslaughter following a diagnosis of a brain tumour. He was given a suspended six-year sentence and probation, and died at a nursing home in 1998.

It was in 1960 after auditioning for ‘Motown’ president Berry Gordy that Marvin Gaye was signed to ‘Tamla,’ which was a subsidiary of ‘Motown’ records, it was at this time that Gaye started spelling his surname with an added ‘e’, in the same way as Sam Cooke (see also best songs 156) had done. Gaye also did this to silence rumours of his sexuality, and also to put more distance between himself and his father. Marvin Gaye would go on to record 25 studio Albums, which have been issued between between 1961-2019, and 83 singles released between 1961-2015. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart he has achieved 40 top 40 singles, with three of those songs reaching Number 1, while in the UK he has charted on 17 occasions, with ‘I Heard it Through the Grapevine’ making Number 1 in 1968.

‘What’s Going On’ was co-written by Al Cleveland, (1930-1996) Renaldo Benson, (1936-2005) and Marvin Gaye, who was also the songs producer. The song went on to peak at Number 2 on Billboard, selling in excess of 2 million copies, and becoming Motown’s biggest selling single up to that point. The original idea for the song came from Renaldo Benson of the ‘Four Tops.’ (see also best songs 650) He had been on the groups tour bus in Berkeley, California, on May 15th, 1969, when he witnessed police brutality and violence in that city’s ‘Peoples Park’ during a protest held by anti war activists, in what was later to become known as ‘Bloody Thursday’. Benson took his idea for the song to Motown staff songwriter Al Cleveland who helped develop the song. Benson offered the song to the Four Tops but they refused it because of it’s subject matter, so he then took it to Marvin Gaye who added many of his own ideas.

Initially Marvin Gaye had problems in convincing Motown to release ‘What’s Going On,’ because Berry Gordy who at that time was also the brother-in-law of Gaye felt that if Gaye was to release a ‘protest song’ it would not go down well with his fan base, and also the wider general public who only really knew Gaye for his love songs. Eventually Gaye got his own way, and the song was released, Berry Gordy has said,’For years, people have written that I stood in the way of this song’s release, and that Marvin had threatened never to record for me again if I didn’t put it out, that must make for great reading, but none of it is true.’

‘Mother, mother, there’s too many of you crying. Brother, brother, brother, there’s far too many of you dying. you know we’ve got to find a way to bring some lovin’ here today.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

115-Gary Glitter-I’m the Leader of the Gang (I Am)

1973-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 2.36. I can imagine that many people are looking at this artists name in shock and horror, and also at it’s inclusion in the best songs list, which of course is totally understandable. Many other artists in this list have also committed atrocious crimes, and Gary Glitter’s atrocities are among the most infamous. For the record I state it is the song and not the singer that is worthy of inclusion.

Gary Glitter was born Paul Francis Gadd on May 8th, 1944, in Banbury, Oxfordshire, England. Gadd was first arrested in November 1997 after a technician discovered pornographic images of children on the hard drive of a laptop that he had taken to a computer retailer in Bristol for repairs, this led to his first sentence of four months in prison. The findings on the computer damaged his reputation and legacy with the general public, and brought what remained of his music career to an abrupt end. On February 5th, 2015, Gadd was finally brought to justice in the UK after spending many years abroad, including being incarcerated in Vietnam. On February 27th, 2015, he was convicted of attempted rape, for counts of indecent assault, and one of having sex with a girl under the age of 13. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison, and is currently held in ‘HM Prison The Verne’, in Dorset, England. The discography of Gary Glitter includes seven studio Albums released between 1972-2001, and 42 singles issued between 1972-2005, of which 18 have reached the UK top 40, with three of those making Number 1. While in America only his first two singles have charted, with ‘Rock and Roll Part 2’ reaching Number 7 on Billboard in 1972.

‘I’m the Leader of the Gang (I Am’) which spent four weeks at Number 1 in the UK in July 1973 was co-written by Gary Glitter, and Mike Leander, who was also the songs producer. Mike Leander was born Michael George Farr on June 30th, 1941, in Walthamstow, England, he died from cancer in 1996 at the age of 54. Prior to joining forces with Gary Glitter in 1968, Leander had worked as a producer and engineer at ‘Decca’ and ‘Bell’ records. In 1967 at the request of Paul McCartney he helped arrange the Beatles’ ‘She’s Leaving Home’ from the ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ Album, as the Beatles’ staple producer and arranger, George Martin was unavailable at the time. Leander thus became the only orchestral arranger other than Martin to work on the recording of a Beatles basic track.

‘I’m the Leader of the Gang (I Am’) should be filed under ‘Glam Rock’ and is one of the defining songs of the genre. Gary Glitter and Mike Leander co-wrote a further 11 top 10 UK hit singles together, including two other UK Number 1’s, ‘I Love You Love Me Love (1973) and ‘Always Yours (1974.) Although Gary Glitter was backed by the ‘Glitter Band’ for television, and live appearances, the majority of the instrumentation on the songs was actually played solely by Leander in the studio, with Glitter providing the vocals.

‘I’m the Leader of the Gang (I Am’) only has a few cover versions. In the UK, in 1993 the ‘comedy’ Rock band ‘Green Jelly’ featuring the American wrestler Hulk Hogan reached Number 25, while in America in 1974 ‘Brownsville Station’ reached Number 48 on Billboard with their version. In 1997 the British girl group the ‘Spice Girls’ covered the song for their musical comedy film ‘Spice World’. Glitter originally made a cameo appearance in the film, but his scene was deleted after his child pornography possession arrest.

‘I can take you high as a kite every single night, I can make you jump out of bed, standing on my head, who’d ever believe it, come on come on.’