THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

186-David Bowie-Rock ‘N’ Roll Suicide.

1972-The song wasn’t released as a single until 1974 when reaching Number 22.

Best Bit-At 2.13. On the rear cover of the original vinyl LP sleeve, the words ‘TO BE PLAYED AT MAXIMUM VOLUME’ were written, this instruction was omitted from all future re-releases on all formats.

‘The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars’ was the fifth studio Album from David Bowie, (1947-2016) and with sales in excess of 7.5 million copies is his second best seller behind 1982’s ‘Let’s Dance,’ which has sold in excess of 10 million copies. There are many Bowie fans who consider ‘Ziggy’ to be his greatest work, and some music critics have cited the Album’s opening two tracks ‘Five Years,’ (see also best songs 31) and ‘Soul Love,’ (see also best songs 440) to be the greatest opening of any Album ever. I would personally like to put forward this song as a major contender as the best Album closing song ever.

‘The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars’ is in the main a concept Album, with Bowie (see also best songs 807-440-334-302-209-118-47-31 and 5) taking on the role of the alien Rock singer Ziggy Stardust who comes to earth just before an impending apocalyptic disaster, (Five Years) he wins the hearts of fans, but suffers a fall from grace after succumbing to his own ego. Bowie probably based the character of Ziggy Stardust on many musicians, including his good friend Iggy Pop, (see also best songs 701 and 219) and the English Rock ‘N’ Roll singer Vince Taylor (1939-1991.)
‘Rock ‘N’ Roll Suicide was written by David Bowie, and produced by Bowie and Ken Scott. Scott who was born in South London, England, in 1947, had already a long exalted career as an engineer working on seven of the Beatles Albums between 1964-1968, he had also worked on three previous Bowie Albums, and would go on to also produce and engineer the Aladdin Sane Album in 1973. Impatient while waiting for new material Bowie’s record label ‘RCA Records’ decided to release ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll Suicide’ as a single in 1974, and as it had been available on the Ziggy Album for around two years, it only reached Number 22 on the UK chart, with the music press coining it a ‘Dosh catching exercise’ by the record label.

David Bowie toured as the character Ziggy Stardust around the world for about 18 months, and became worried that the public were beginning to see him as one dimensional, so he decided to retire the character at his final Ziggy Stardust concert at the Hammersmith Odeon, London, on July 3rd, 1973. Before singing the finale ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll Suicide,’ Bowie announced,’It’s the last show we’ll ever do.’ The audience thought Bowie was retiring, but it was Ziggy he was killing off. That Hammersmith Odeon recording was later used in the film ‘Ziggy Stardust – The Motion Picture,’ which was released in 1983. Bowie also recorded a ‘blue eyed soul’ version of the song, which appears on his 1974 Album ‘David Live,’ and in 1990 on his ‘Sound +Vision Tour’ he performed the song live for the very last time.

‘Time takes a cigarette, puts it in your mouth, you pull on your finger, then another finger, then your cigarette. The wall-to-wall is calling, it lingers, then you forget, Oh, how how how, you’re a Rock ‘N’ Roll suicide.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

187-Del Shannon-Runaway

1961-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 1.10.’It was a beautiful day, the sun beat down. I had the radio on, I was drivin’, the trees went by, me and Del were singin’ little runaway.’

Del Shannon was born Charles Weedon Westover on December 30th, 1934, in Coopersville, Michigan, United States, he committed suicide by shooting himself with a 22 calibre rifle at his home in Santa Clarita, California, on February 8th, 1990, at the age of 55. Shannon had been suffering from depression for several years leading up to his death. Del Shannon first met this songs co-writer Max Crook (1936-2020) in 1959 when Crook joined Shannon in his then band the ‘Big Little Show Band’. At that time Shannon was performing using the stage name ‘Charlie Johnson,’ but when the pair signed with ‘Bigtop Records,’ Westover was re-named Del Shannon, combining Mark Shannon, a wrestling pseudonym used by a regular at the Hi-Lo Club, where Westover played, with Del, derived from the Cadillac Coupe de Ville, his favourite car. In total there are 18 official Albums recorded by Del Shannon available, he also issued 43 singles between 1961-1989, of which nine reached the Billboard Hot 100 top 40 singles chart, while in the UK, he has achieved 14 top 40 hits.

‘Runaway’ was co-written by Del Shannon, and Max Crook, and appears on Del Shannon’s debut studio Album ‘Runaway with Del Shannon’ from 1961, ‘Runaway’ is often cited as one of the songs that bridges the gap between Rock ‘N Roll,’ and the start of the 1960’s. The unusual sound that forms the songs bridge at 1 minute and 10 seconds in to track was written by Max Crook on an instrument that he invented which he called the ‘Musitron,’ which is an adapted version of the 1947 ‘Clavioline,’ an electronic keyboard that gave space-age sound effects to ‘Pop Music,’ decades before the arrival of the synthesizer.

‘Runaway’ would become Del Shannon’s signature tune, topping the charts on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as in Australia. The song is about a girl who leaves the songs narrator, and he is left to contemplate what went wrong. Del Shannon said that he wrote the lyrics to ‘Runaway’ about himself because he was forever running away from relationships. Shannon has also said the this songs original ‘B’ side which is called ‘Jody,’ was his favourite ever recording. In 1986 Shannon re-recorded ‘Runaway’ as the theme for the ‘NBC’ television series ‘Crime Story,’ which was written with slightly altered lyrics, in order to better reflect the show’s subject matter.

‘As I walk alone I wonder what went wrong with our love, a love that was so strong. And as I still walk on I think of the things we’ve done together while our hearts were young.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

188-Topol-If I Were a Rich Man.

1967-Number 9 single.

Best Bit-At 4.22.’Money, money, money, must be funny, in the rich man’s world.’

‘If I Were a Rich Man’ is one of the songs featured in the 1964 Broadway Musical ‘Fiddler on the Roof,’ which became the first musical production to surpass 3,000 performances. The song, and the musical were co-written by Jerry Brock, (1928-2010) (music) and Sheldon Harnick, (lyrics) who based the musical on the book ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ written by Joseph Stein (1912-2010.) In turn Stein’s book is based on ‘Tevye and his Daughters,’ which was one of a series of short stories by Sholem Aleichem (1859-1916) written between 1894-1914 about Jewish life in a village in the ‘Pale of Settlement’ of Imperial Russia, at the turn of the 20th Century.

‘If I Were a Rich Man’ is performed by the musicals lead character ‘Tevye,’ who is a poor Jewish dairyman who is trying to make ends meet, while at the same time attempting to find husbands for his five daughters, and also keep his wife ‘Golde’ on side. ‘If I Were a Rich Man’ may be a cry for help, but it is performed in a humorous manner. Tevye dreams of the material comforts that wealth would bring him, describing the enormous house he would purchase, and the poultry he would buy to fill his yard. He also speaks of the luxuries he would shower upon his wife Golde,’Looking like a rich man’s wife, with a proper double chin.’

It was the American actor, comedian, and singer Zero Mostel (1915-1977) who originated the role of Tevye, and first introduced the song ‘If I Were a Rich Man,’ on Broadway in 1964, but the role of Tevye which has been portrayed by 13 different actors is probably best known for the performances of Chaim Topol, who has performed the part over 3,500 times in shows and revivals from the late 1960’s through until 2009. Topol was born on September 9th, 1935, in Tel Aviv, Mandatory, Palestine, he has been described as Israel’s only internationally recognised entertainer from the 1960’s, through to the 1980’s. Topol first played the part of Tevye in the 1966 Israeli production of ‘Fiddler on the Roof,’ and this led to him being the number one choice for the 1971 film version. Topol was 36 years old at the time, but was made to look 20 years older, and 30lb’s heavier with makeup and costuming.

‘I see my wife, my Golde looking like a rich man’s wife, with a proper double-chin, supervising meals to her heart’s delight. I see her putting on airs and strutting like a peacock, Oy, what a happy mood she’s in, screaming at the servants, day and night.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

189-50 Cent-In da Club.

2003-Number 3 single.

Best Bit-At 2.24. 50 Cent has called the song ‘A celebration of life. Everyday it’s relevant all over,’cause everyday is someone’s birthday.’

50 Cent was born Curtis James Jackson on July 6th, 1975, in the South Jamaican neighbourhood of Queens, New York City, United States. Jackson chose the name ’50 Cent’ after being inspired by the life of Kelvin Martin, (1964-1987) who was a Brooklyn robber known as ’50 Cent.’ Jackson chose it ‘Because it says everything I want it to say. I’m the same kind of person as 50 Cent was, I provide for myself by any means.

Prior to getting in to Rapping in 1996, Jackson had been dealing in narcotics since the age of 12. On June 29th, 1994, he was arrested for selling cocaine to an undercover police officer, for which he served six months in a ‘boot camp,’ and while there earned his ‘GED.’ Initially a friend introduced Jackson to Jam Master Jay of Run DMC, (see also best songs 305 and 113) who signed him to his ‘Jay Records’ label, Jackson credits Jam Master Jay highly for his early grounding. In 1999 he signed with ‘Columbia Records,’ and issued his first single ‘How to Rob’ from his unreleased 2000 Album ‘Power of the Dollar.’ Plans for the Album’s release were cancelled when Jackson was struck by nine bullets in a shooting that took place two months before the album was set for release, at the time of writing Columbia have no plans to release the Album, which has been heavily bootlegged over the years. In 2002, 50 Cent released the ‘mixtape’ ‘Guess Who’s Back,’ which was recommended to Eminem, (see also best songs 936) who in turn brought it to the attention of Dr Dre, (see also best songs 564-544-482-128 and 48) and this led to 50 Cent being signed to a $1 million record deal.

‘In da Club’ was the first of five singles released from 50 Cent’s (see also best songs 665) debut studio Album release ‘Get Rich or Die Tryin’ from 2003, and was co-written by 50 Cent, Dr Dre, and Mike Elizondo, a long term collaborator with Dr Dre. The Album went on to sell in excess of 8 million copies in America, and over 10 million worldwide, and includes two Billboard Hot 100 Number 1 singles, ‘In da Club,’ and ’21 Questions.’ In total 50 Cent has released five studio Albums between 2003-2014, and 91 singles between 1999-2021, four of which have topped the Billboard singles chart. While in the UK he has reached Number 2 in the chart twice, with ‘Ayo Technology’ in 2007, and ‘My Life’ in 2012.

In 2022, 50 Cent was one of the performers at the halftime Super Bowl show alongside Dr Dre, and Eminem, and others. 50 Cent began his performance with ‘In da Club,’ hanging upside down like a bat, mirroring what he also did in the original 2003 video of the song.

‘Go, go, go, go go, go, go, shawty, it’s your birthday. We gon’ party like it’s yo birthday, we gon’ sip Bacardi like it’s your birthday, and you know we don’t give a f… it’s not your birthday!’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

190-U2-Pride (In the Name of Love)

1984-Number 3 single.

Best Bit-At 0.09. Unbelievably the lyrics contain a glaring error. In reference to Martin Luther King’s shooting, Bono sings,’Early morning April 4,’when actually King was assassinated at 6.01.pm, the evening of April 4th, 1968. Bono who wrote the songs lyrics acknowledges the error, and in live performances he sometimes changes the lyrics to ‘Early evening.’

‘Pride (In the Name of Love’) was the first of two singles released from U2’s fourth studio Album ‘The Unforgettable Fire,’ from 1984, the lyrics were written by Bono, with all four band members receiving credit for the music. For the bands fourth studio Album U2 (see also best songs 766-320 and 84) wanted to pursue a new musical direction, and persuaded Brian Eno (see also best songs 766-302-118-109 and 57) to produce, in turn Eno brought Daniel Lanois with him to assist, Lanois (see also best songs 766) would go on to produce a further five studio Albums for U2.

U2 had first begun work on the song which would become ‘Pride (In the Name of Love’) during their 1983 ‘War Tour.’ Bono had initially intended the song to be about the American President Ronald Reagan’s (1911-2004) pride in America’s military power, but after reading the book ‘Let The Trumpet Sound: A Life of Martin Luther King Jr.’, and a biography of Malcolm X, Bono began to ponder the different sides of the civil rights campaigns, the violent, and non violent. Bono decided to revise his lyrics to pay tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968.)

U2 became supporters of making ‘Martin Luther King Day’ a U.S. federal holiday, but then in 1987 when they took their ‘Joshua Tree Tour’ to Tempe, Arizona, they received death threats for supporting the holiday. Someone claimed that they would shoot Bono on stage if he sang ‘Pride (In the Name of Love,’) which the ‘FBI’ were taking very seriously. U2 went ahead and played the show, Bono has said, ‘During ‘Pride,’ I was singing the third verse, ”Early morning April 4, a shot rings out in the Memphis sky.” I just closed my eyes and sang, and when I opened my eyes, Adam (Clayton) was standing in front of me.’

‘Early morning, April 4, shot rings out in the Memphis sky. Free at last, they took your life, they could not take your pride. In the name of love, what more in the name of love?’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

191-Michael Jackson-Billie Jean.

1983-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 3.30. Up until this song came about the most famous Billie Jean was a 39 time Tennis Grand Slam titles winner.

‘Billie Jean’ was written by Michael Jackson, (see also best songs 812-511-249 and 137) and produced by Jackson, and Quincy Jones (see also best songs 1022-889-812-511-703 and 357.) ‘Billie Jean’ is Michael Jackson’s best selling single worldwide, with sales in excess of 10 million, and was the second of seven singles released from his sixth studio Album ‘Thriller’ from 1982, which is currently the best selling Album of all time, with sales in excess of 70 million worldwide.

The lyrics to ‘Billie Jean’ describe a woman who claims that the songs narrator is the father of her newborn son, which he denies. The idea for the song came from Jackson’s own personal experiences of when he used to tour with his brothers. He has said that many groupies would claim that the Jackson brothers were the father of their children. The song was also inspired by letters Jackson had received in 1981 from a woman claiming that he was the father of ‘one of her twins.’ The woman continued to send him more letters including a parcel containing her photograph, and a gun, this disturbed Jackson to the extent that he suffered nightmares. Jackson later discovered that the woman had been sent to a psychiatric hospital. Michael Jackson has said,’There never was a real Billie Jean. The girl in the song is a composite of people my brothers have been plagued with over the years. I could never understand how these girls could say they were carrying someone’s child when it wasn’t true.’

Michael Jackson performed ‘Billie Jean’ on the television special ‘Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever,’ which was broadcast on May 15th, 1983. The performance is considered a watershed moment in Jackson’s career, as he performed on the programme in celebration of ‘Motown Records’ 25th anniversary, the label having been first launched in 1959. Jackson wore black trousers, leather penny loafers, a black sequined jacket, and a single white rhinestone glove. During the songs instrumental interlude, he performed a move that many believe sealed his status as a Pop icon. Jackson glided backwards to perform the moonwalk, before he spun on his heels and landed. It was the first time Jackson had performed the moonwalk in public, it is said that he had practised it in his kitchen prior to the show (see also best songs 581.) At the time Jackson stated that he was disappointed with his performance on the evening, but after all the accolades he later received it is said that he felt better in retrospect. Jackson received a phone call from his childhood idol Fred Astaire (1899-1987) (see also best songs 385) who commended him, while another childhood idol Sammy Davis Jr. (1925-1990) (see also best songs 567) who had also been impressed, was given by Jackson the black sequined jacket he had worn during the performance.

‘People always told me be careful of what you do, and don’t go around breaking young girls’ hearts. And mother always told me be careful of who you love, and be careful of what you do, ’cause the lie becomes the truth.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

192-Ike & Tina Turner-River Deep-Mountain High.

1966-Number 3 single.

Best Bit-3.03. Phil Spector was a perfectionist and made Tina Turner sing the song over and over for several hours in the studio until he thought he had the perfect vocal. Tina Turner has said,’I must have sang that song 500,000 times. I was drenched in sweat. I had to take my shirt off and stand in my bra.

‘River Deep-Mountain High’ was co-written by Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich, (1940-2009) (see also best songs 820-331 and 262) and also the songs producer Phil Spector, (1939-2021) (see also best songs 820-782-737-262-127-91 and 20) and appears on Ike & Tina Turner’s sixth studio Album of the same name from 1966.

Phil Spector had seen Tina Turner (see also best songs 752 and 485) perform live, and was so impressed with her voice that he wanted to record her with the ‘Wrecking Crew,’ (see also best songs 978-846-811-744-672-660-527-486-262-202-197-180-127 and 71) and use his ‘Wall of Sound’ production technique. Spector struck a deal with Ike Turner, (1931-2007) and Ike & Tina’s manager Bob Krasnow to buy the duo out of their contract with ‘Loma Records’ for $20,000 (around $170,000 today.) Spector who was so confident of the songs potential also invested a then unheard-of $22,000 (around $185,000 today) in the production, and the required 21 session musicians. Spector saw this recording as the pinnacle of his career, and considered it his best ever work, so when the song stalled at Number 88 on the Billboard Hot 100 in America, he was shell shocked, and left the music business for over two years, with many pointing to this song not living up to his expectations, as a main contributor to the downward spiral in Spector’s mental health. ‘River Deep-Mountain High’ was however very successful in Europe, where it reached Number 1 in Spain, Number 3 in the UK, and Number 9 the Netherlands. A cover version by the post Diana Ross era Supremes and the Four Tops, taken from their joint 1970 Album ‘The Magnificent 7’ is the most successful version in America, where it made Number 14 on Billboards Hot 100 chart in 1970.

In Ike Turner’s opinion on why the song failed to chart in America he has said,’If Phil had released the record and put anybody else’s name on it, it would have been a huge hit, but because Tina Turner’s name was on it, the white stations classified it an R&B record and wouldn’t play it. The white stations say it was too black, and the black stations say it was too white, so that record didn’t have a home.’ Although many other records also had mixed black singers with a white Pop sound, in 1966 the ‘Civil Rights Movement’ was encouraging African Americans to take a pride in their own culture, and ‘River Deep-Mountain High’ was out of step with that movement. That is a possible explanation, with the timing just being wrong.

‘When I was a little girl, I had a rag doll, only doll I’ve ever owned. Now I love you just the way I loved that rag doll, but only now my love has grown.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

193-Miracles-The Tracks of My Tears.

1965-It became a hit in the UK when re-issued in 1969, when reaching Number 9.

Best Bit-At 0.01.’Luther croons, Sly’s the original, James screams, Marvin was the only innovator, but nothing can compare when Smokey sings.’

The Miracles were formed in Detroit, Michigan, United States, in 1955, and remained active until 1983. Two of the original founders reformed the group with new members in 1993, and this group were active until 2011, in total there have been 16 band members come and go. The original, and what some would call the classic lineup of the Miracles were William ‘Smokey’ Robinson Jr., Ronald White, (1939-1995) Marv Tarplin, (1941-2011) Warren ‘Pete’ Moore, (1938-2017) Bobby Rogers, (1940-2013) and Claudette Rogers Robinson.

Smokey Robinson, Moore, and White, had been singing together since the age of 11, and would be joined by Claudette Rogers the future wife of Smokey Robinson in 1957, Claudette is the sister of Sonny Rogers, (1939-1995) who was a band member when the Miracles were called ‘The Matadors’ before 1957. Marv Tarplin became a band member in 1958, having impressed Smokey Robinson after auditioning with the ‘Primettes’ (later the Supremes) at Motown Records. The Miracles discography consists of 25 studio Albums released between 1961-1978, and 57 singles issued between 1958-1978. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, 30 of their singles have made the top 40, with two of those making Number 1, while in the UK they have achieved seven top 40 hits, with ‘Tears of a Clown’ reaching Number 1 in 1970.

‘The Tracks of My Tears’ was taken from the Miracles ninth overall Album ‘Going to a Go-Go’ from 1965, the first of their Albums credited as ‘Smokey Robinson & the Miracles,’ and was co-written by Smokey Robinson, (see also best songs 1031 and 309) Warren Moore, and Marvin Tarplin. The songs famous intro was written by Tarplin who has stated that the inspiration came from the Harry Belafonte song ‘The Banana Boat Song’ (see also best songs 390.) Smokey Robinson who wrote the songs lyrics has said he was looking in the mirror one day and started thinking,’What if a person would cry so much that you could see the tracks of their tears in their face.’

‘The Tracks of My Tears’ has also been a hit for others. In America Johnny Rivers took his version to Number 10 on Billboard in 1967, while in 1975 the song was covered by Linda Ronstadt who reached Number 25. In the UK, the English Pop duo ‘Go West’ made Number 16 with their cover in 1993.

‘People say I’m the life of the party, ‘Cause I tell a joke or two.Although I might be laughin’ loud and hardy, Deep inside I’m blue. So take a good look at my face, You see my smile looks out of place. If you look closer it’s easy to trace The tracks of my tears.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

194-Elvis Presley-Can’t Help Falling in Love.

1962-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 1.05. In the late 1960’s, and during the 1970’s, this was the song that Elvis Presley would nearly always finish his concerts with. It is also the very last song he ever performed live, which was at his concert in Indianapolis, at Market Square Arena, on June 26th, 1977.

Elvis Aaron Presley (see also best songs 954-664 and 442) was born on January 8th, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi, United States, he died on August 16th, 1977, at the age of 42, with the immediate cause of death being given as cardiac arrest. Elvis Presley is without dispute the most famous name Popular Music has ever produced, and I can confidently state that they will still be speaking his name in 1000 years time. Elvis Presley’s has sold in excess of 500 million records, making him the best ever selling solo artist of all time, with his discography including 23 studio Albums, 18 soundtrack Albums, 13 compilation Albums, and eight official live Albums. During his lifetime he issued 117 singles, and there have since been a further 24 posthumously released. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, 18 of his singles reached the Number 1 spot, although ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’ only made Number 2. While in the UK, by the end of the 20th Century both Elvis Presley, and the Beatles were both tied with a record 17 Number 1 hits each. In 2004 ‘RCA Victor’ re-issued many of Elvis’ 1950’s, and 1960’s songs, with three of them reaching the Number 1 spot in the UK, they were ‘Jailhouse Rock,’ ‘(Now and Then There’s) A Fool Such as I,’ and ‘One Night,’ which had all previously also been UK Number 1’s.

‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’ was co-written by Hugo Peretti, (1916-1986) with his cousin Luigi Creatore, (1921-2015) who wrote the music, and George David Weiss (1921-2010) (see also best songs 767) who provided the lyrics. Peretti and Creatore would go on to own part of ‘Avco Records’ in the 1970’s, and then establish ‘H&L Records,’ taking ‘The Stylistics’ (see also best songs 765) with them. Other notable lyrics written by Weiss include,’Lullaby of Birdland’, (1952) ‘What a Wonderful World,’ (1968) and ‘The Lion Sleeps Tonight’ (1961.)

‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’ was written for the 1961 movie ‘Blue Hawaii’ starring Elvis Presley in his fourth feature film, the song is track 5, on side 1 of the ‘Blue Hawaii’ soundtrack Album. In America it is the second best selling soundtrack Album of the 1960’s, behind ‘West Side Story,’ also from 1961. In the film Elvis Presley actually sings ‘Cant Help Falling in Love’ to the grandmother of the girl who he is dating.

The song has also been successful for others. In 1993 the British Reggae/Pop group UB40 spent seven weeks at Number 1 on Billboard, and it also topped the chart in the UK. Other hit versions of the song include Andy Williams, who reached Number 3 in the UK in 1970, and The Stylistics, whose Disco version made Number 4 in the UK in 1976.

‘Wise men say only fools rush in, but I can’t help falling in love with you. Shall I stay would it be a sin, If I can’t help falling in love with you’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

195-Impressions-People Get Ready.

1965-It has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 1.54. In the words of George Michael,’Because I gotta have faith, faith, faith, I gotta to have faith, faith, faith.’
From a religious point of view the songs lyrics encourage believers to hang on to their faith as a peaceful afterlife is promised, it also promises that those that have done wrong will be punished. The Civil Rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. named ‘People Get Ready’ the unofficial anthem of the Civil Rights Movement in America, and often used the song to get people marching, or to calm and comfort them.

The Impressions who were initially called the ‘Roosters’ were formed in Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States, in 1958, they remained active until 2018, with 12 different members coming and going. The original lineup of Sam Gooden, Jerry Butler, Richard Brooks, Arthur Brooks, (1932-2015) Curtis Mayfield, (1942-1999) and Fred Cash were inducted into the ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’ in 1991. The Impressions released 20 studio Albums between 1963-1981, and 78 singles between 1958-1987. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, 17 of their singles reached the top 40 with ‘It’s All Right’ in 1963 charting the highest at Number 4. While in the UK their only charting single was ‘First Impressions,’ which got to Number 16 in 1975.

‘People Get Ready’ which is also the title track of the Impressions fourth studio Album from 1965, was written in 1964 by Curtis Mayfield, (see also best songs 719) and produced by Johnny Pate. ‘People Get Ready’ is a Gospel inspired track, and was written by Mayfield at a time when his writing was displaying a growing sense of social and political awareness, Mayfield has said,’That was taken from my church, or from the upbringing of messages from the church, like there’s no hiding place and get on board, and images of that sort. I must have been in a very deep mood of that type of religious inspiration when I wrote that song.’

In 2000 the British music magazine ‘Mojo’ asked a panel of 20 songwriters including Paul McCartney, Brian Wilson, and Hal Blaine’ to choose the greatest songs ever, and People Get Ready’ was in that top 10. The song has been covered many times, most notably by Bob Marley, (see also best songs 618 and 56) who recorded an interpretation as ‘One Love/People Get Ready’ in 1965, and again in 1977 for his Album ‘Exodus.’

‘People get ready, there’s a train a comin,’ you don’t need no baggage, you just get on board. All you need is faith, to hear the diesels hummin,’ don’t need no ticket, you just thank the Lord.’