THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

368-Delerium featuring Sarah McLachlan-Silence.

2000-Number 3 single.

Best Bit-At 4.21. Silence is Golden.

Delerium was formed by Bill Leeb in 1987, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, as a side project. Leeb was born on September 21st, 1966, in Vienna, Austria, and had moved to Canada with his family at the age of 14. He was a member of the Canadian ‘Industrial Electronic’ band ‘Skinny Puppy,’ having joined them in 1984, before leaving to form the ‘Industrial Electronic’ ‘group Front Line Assembly’ in 1986. With ‘Front Line Assembly’ Bill Leeb has released 16 studio Albums between 1987-2021, and 30 singles between 1988-2024. When working as ‘Delerium’ Leeb has either worked with Michael Balch, Rhys Fulber, or Chris Peterson, all three are either current, or former members of Front Line Assembly. Leeb formed Delerium in order to record in different musical genres including ‘New Age,’ and ‘Ambient.’ Away from Front Line Assembly, and ‘Delerium,’ Bill Leeb has also released one solo Album ‘Model Kollapse’ in 2024. As Delerium, Leeb has released 14 Albums between 1989-2023, and 24 singles between 1994-2023, there is also one extended play. (EP) and nine official compilation Albums available. In the UK, Delerium have had four top 40 hit singles, with ‘Silence’ featuring Sarah McLachlan, peaking the highest at Number 3 in 2000, following it’s 1999 re-issue. ‘Silence’ also charted again in 2004, with new remixes, at Number 38. ‘Silence 2004’ reached Number 1 on the ‘Billboard Dance Club’ chart in America, one of 12 Delerium tracks to reach that charts top 40.

‘Silence’ was co-written by Bill Leeb, Rhys Fulber, and the songs featured vocalist Sarah McLachlan, with the production credited to Delerium. ‘Silence’ which was the second of four singles released from Delerium’s ninth studio Album ‘Karma,’ from April 1997, first appeared as an ‘Ambient’ song in it’s original form, the song featured ‘Gregorian Chants,’ (think Enigma and Deep Forest) and was very successful in Ireland, where it reached Number 1, and in Australia, where it made Number 6. The songs featured vocalist on the original, and the remixes is Sarah McLachlan, who was born Sarah Ann McLachlan, on January 28th, 1968, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, to date she has sold in excess of 40 million Albums worldwide. Sarah McLachlan OC OBC is one of Canada’s most successful artists, having won 12 ‘Juno Awards,’ which are presented by the ‘Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences’ to recognise outstanding achievements in Canada’s music industry, she has also won three ‘Grammy Awards.’ Sarah McLachlan, who in 1999 was appointed as an ‘Officer of the Order of Canada,’ has released nine studio Albums between 1988-2016, and 53 singles as the main artist within the same time period, there are also three extended plays, (EP’s) seven official compilation Albums, and three remix Albums, and three live Albums available. In Canada on the ‘Canadian Hot 100,’ Sarah McLachlan has had 15 top 40 hit singles, with ‘Build a Mystery’ from 1997, reaching the Number 1 position, while in the UK, she has had two solo top 40 entries, with ‘Adia,’ from 1998, charting the highest at Number 18. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, she has had five top 40 hits, with ‘Adia’ peaking the highest at Number 3.

In 1999 the first of several ‘Dance’ remixes of ‘Silence’ began to appear. The first was the ‘Sanctuary’ mix by ‘Fade’ which is closer to the original version than subsequent remixes. This was followed by the two ‘Trance’ remixes by ‘Airscape,’ and the Dutch music producer ‘DJ Tiesto,’ (see also best songs 260) which led to the tracks worldwide success. For a detailed explanation of what ‘Trance Music’ is (see best songs 79.) I have very slight preference for the Airscape mix, but I feel that the Tiesto version is of equal standing. Airscape’ are a Belgium ‘Trance’ act, with the founding member in 1994, Johan Gielan, now only working under that name, but he has previously worked as ‘Airscape’ with Sven Maes, and Jos Borremans. ‘Silence’ has received further official remixes, and re-releases in 2004, and again in 2008.

In it’s ‘Dance’ form ‘Silence’ may sound uplifting, but the actual lyrics are anything but. The song is either about depression or illness, with the narrator wanting to die to release their pain, and to see if God will let them into heaven.

‘Heaven holds a sense of wonder, and I wanted to believe that I’d get caught up when the rage in me subsides. In this white wave I am sinking, in this silence I believe.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

369-The Hollies-The Air That I Breathe.

1974-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 0.01. Eric Clapton has said that the first note of ‘The Air That I Breathe’ had more soul than anything he’d ever heard.

The Hollies certainly have longevity, with Tony Hicks, and Bobby Elliott who both joined in 1963, still part of the current active band. The Hollies were formed in 1962 in Salford, England, as a ‘Merseybeat’ group by Allan Clarke, and Graham Nash, who had known each other since primary school. Clarke who sings lead vocals on this track was a member between 1962-1971, briefly leaving to pursue a solo career, before returning in 1973 until departing in 2000. Due to musical differences Nash left in 1968 to form the ‘Supergroup’ Crosby, Stills & Nash (see also best songs 417.) In total there have been 19 different members of The Hollies since their formation. The band was named by the bassist Eric Haydock (1943-2019) who was a member between 1962-1966, in relation to a Christmas holly garland. In a 2009 interview Graham Nash said, ‘We called ourselves The Hollies, after Buddy, (see also best songs 898 and 264) and Christmas,’ In 2010, The Hollies were inducted into the ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.’ The band members inducted were Allan Clarke, Graham Nash, Tony Hicks, Eric Haydock, Bobby Elliott, Bernie Calvert, and Terry Sylvester.

The discography of The Hollies includes 21 studio Albums released between 1964-2009, and 94 singles released between 1963-2006, there are also seven extended plays, (EP’s) two tribute covers Albums, and 22 official compilation Albums available. In America they have issued 17 of their studio Albums, often with different titles, and track listings. In the UK The Hollies have had 29 top hit 40 singles, with ‘I’m Alive, in 1965, and the re-issue of ‘He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother,’ in 1988, both reaching Number 1. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, they have had 12 top 40 hits, with ‘Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress,’ charting the highest at Number 2 in 1972, while ‘The Air That I Breathe’ made Number 6.

‘The Air That I Breathe’ was the second of five singles released from The Hollies 14th studio Album called ‘Hollies,’ from March 1974, the Album has the same title as the band’s third studio Album from 1965. ‘The Air That I Breathe’ was co-written by Albert Hammond, and Mike Hazelwood, (1941-2001) with the production being by Ron Richards, (1929-2009) who was the long term producer of The Hollies, and The Hollies themselves. It was Albert Hammond who first recorded ‘The Air That I Breathe,’ for his 1972 studio Album ‘It Never Rains In Southern California.’ In 1973 Phil Everly (1939-2014) (see also best songs 799) did a cover version on his studio Album ‘Star Spangled Banner.’ The Hollies had always been big fans of the Everly Brothers, and when Phil Everly sent them a copy of his Album they decided to cover ‘The Air That I Breathe’ themselves.

Albert Hammond, and Mike Hazelwood, had both previously been members of the English Rock band ‘The Family Dogg,’ who had a UK Number 6 hit with ‘A Way of Life’ in 1969. Albert Louis Hammond was born on May 18th, 1944, in London, England, he is the father of Albert Hammond Jr. (see also best songs 450.) In 2000, he received the ‘Order of the British Empire,’ (OBE) and in 2008, he was inducted into the ‘Songwriters Hall of Fame.’ Albert Hammond is a prolific songwriter, he has co-written four UK Number 1 singles, ‘When I Need You,’ with Carole Bayer Sager, (1977 Number 1 for Leo Sayer) ‘Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now,’ with Diane Warren, (1987 Number 1 for Starship) ‘One Moment in Time,’ with John Bettis, (1988 Number 1 for Whitney Houston) and ‘Don’t Turn Around,’ (1988 Number 1 for Aswad.) Albert Hammond has released 19 studio Albums between 1972-2016, and 56 singles between 1963-2019, there are also eight official compilation Albums, and one live Album available. He has had one solo hit single in the UK, in 1973, with the Number 19 hit ‘The Free Electric Band,’ while in America he has had two top 40 hits on Billboard, with ‘It Never Rains in Southern California peaking the highest at Number 5 in 1972.

The 1992 song ‘Creep’ by the English Rock band Radiohead (see also best songs 33) borrows very heavily from ‘The Air That I Breathe,’ using a similar chord progression, and sharing some melodic content. This songs publishers sued Radiohead for copyright infringement, and a settlement was reached where Hammond, and Hazelwood were given co-writing credits, as well as a portion of the songs royalties.

‘If I could make a wish I think I’d pass, can’t think of anything I need. No cigarettes, no sleep, no light, no sound, nothing to eat, no books to read.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

370-Duke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra-It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing.)

1932-It has never charted in the UK. There was no UK chart until 1952.

Best Bit-At 2.43. ‘For there’s Basie, Miller, Satchmo, and the king of all, Sir Duke.’

It is likely that this song was the first to use the term ‘Swing,’ and therefore the song is responsible for naming the genre of music that was to become known as ‘Swing Music.’

Duke Ellington (see also best songs 1039) was born Edward Kennedy Ellington on April 29th, 1899, in Washington D.C. United States, he died from complications from lung cancer, and pneumonia on May 24th, 1974, at the age of 75. Ellington’s mother Daisy sent him to piano lessons at the age of seven, she would teach him good manners, and always make sure that he was immaculately turned out, which led to his friend Edgar McEntree nicknaming him ‘Duke.’ Ellington was a prolific writer, and wrote well over 1000 songs. The American composer and historian Gunther Schuller (1925-2015) wrote in 1989, ‘Ellington composed incessantly to the very last days of his life, music was indeed his mistress. In Jazz he was a giant among giants, and in 20th Century music he may yet one day be recognised as one of the half dozen greatest masters of our time.’ Duke Ellington has many awards and honours, including a star on the ‘Hollywood Walk of Fame,’ for his contribution to the recording industry, which he received in 1960. In 1966 he received a ‘Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award,’ and in 1973, the ‘Legion of Honour’ by France, which is that countries highest civilian honour. In 1999 he was given a posthumous ‘Special Pulitzer Prize,’ for his lifetime contributions to music and culture.

The discography of Duke Ellington includes 61 studio Albums released between 1947-1974, there are also a further 10 studio Albums issued posthumously between 1974-2004. Duke Ellington has also had issued, 36 official compilation Albums, and 17 live Albums. I cannot find an exact listing of all the numerous ’78’s,’ and ‘7 inch’ singles released by Duke Ellington, but 81 of his songs released in either of those formats have been hits either in America on Billboard, or on the UK chart between 1927-1954. In America on Billboard, three of his singles have reached the Number 1 position, while ‘It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing’) peaked at Number 6. In the UK, his only charting single is ‘Skin Deep,’ which made Number 7 in 1954.

‘It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing’) was written in 1931 by Duke Ellington, with the lyrics by Irving Mills, (1894-1985) the unaccredited vocals on the track are provided by Ivie Anderson, (1904-1949.) Due to touring commitments the song wasn’t first recorded by Ellington and his orchestra for ‘Brunswick Records’ until February 2nd, 1932. Ivie Anderson, (sometimes Ivy) was born on July 10th, 1905, in Gilroy, California, Los Angeles, United States, she was a charismatic performer, who was a mainstay of the ‘Duke Ellington Orchestra’ between 1931-1942. She had to leave the music business due to chronic asthma, which also caused her premature death, on December 28th, 1949, at the age of 45. Ivie Anderson would often receive prominent billing on advertisements for Duke Ellington’s appearances in theatres, auditoriums, arenas, and ballrooms, wherever the Ellington band toured in the 1930’s. When she performed in Duke Ellington’s musical ‘Jump for Joy’ in 1941, the Los Angeles newspaper the ‘California Eagle’ that was for African/Americans wrote of her: ‘Ivie can sing a song so that the audience get every word, and at the same time make cracks at Sonny Greer, tease Duke, and wink at the boys in the front row. Wednesday night she went into a dance routine that would have slayed you.’

Irving Harold Mills (see also best songs 303) was born Isadore Minsky, on January 18th, 1894, in Odessa, Russian Empire, he died on April 21st, 1985, at the age of 91. Irving Mills was a music publisher, musician, lyricist, and Jazz promoter. He often used the pseudonyms ‘Goody Goodwin,’ and ‘Joe Primrose.’ In 1919 Irving’s older brother Jack Mills (1891-1979) founded ‘Jack Mills Music,’ which Irving soon joined, the company was renamed ‘Mills Music, Inc.’ in 1928. After many transactions over the years ‘The Mills Music’ catalogue is now managed by ‘Sony Music Publishing,’ which acquired ‘EMI Music Publishing’ in 2012. Irving Mills discovered a number of songwriters, including Hoagy Carmichael, (1899-1981) (see also best songs 288 and 185) and Dorothy Fields (1904-1974.) He is also notable for starting or advancing the careers of Cab Calloway, (1907-1994) (see also best songs 303) Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, (1909-1986) and many others. Irving Mills first saw Duke Ellington perform in 1925 at a small club between 7th Avenue and Broadway. Mills signed Ellington the next day, which led to numerous recordings between 1926-1939. At a time of segregation, Irving Mills was one of the first to record black and white musicians together, using 12 white musicians and the Duke Ellington Orchestra to record in 1928. ‘Victor Records’ initially hesitated to release the recordings, but when Mills threatened to take his artists off their roster, he won out.

‘It makes no difference if it’s sweet or hot. Just give that rhythm everything you’ve got. Doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo,ah.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

371-The Harry J Allstars-Liquidator.

1969-Number 9 single.

Best Bit-At 1.23.’Liquidator’ is very well known in the football community. Chelsea Football Club are one of the teams who claimed to be the first ever to play the song when the team come on to the pitch just prior to kick off, and it is still played to this day. Other teams who have, or still walk out to the song, include Wolverhampton Wanderers, West Bromwich Albion, Northampton Town, and St. Johnstone in Scotland.

Harry J. (see also best songs 391) was born Harry Zephaniah Johnson on July 6th, 1945, in Westmoreland Parish, Jamaica, he died after a long battle with diabetes in 2013, at the age of 67. In 1968 he launched his own record label ‘Harry J’ records, releasing some of the first records in the ‘Reggae’ genre. At it’s peak in the 1970’s the label released two Albums by Bob Marley and the Wailers, (see also best songs 618 and 56) and became so famous that artists of the calibre of The Rolling Stones, (see also best songs 933-662-452-160 and 77) and The Who (see also best songs 926-306 and 265) would make a special point of visiting the studio when available. In addition Chris Blackwell (see also best songs 494-291 and 56) the founder of Island Records, was a regular visitor, prior to moving to England in the early 1970’s. As well as having a hit with ‘Liquidator,’ Harry J. also found success on the UK top 40 singles chart as the producer of the 1970 Number 5 song ‘Young, Gifted and Black,’ for the Jamaican duo of Bob Andy (1944-2020) and Marcia Griffiths. There are three studio Albums available by the ‘Harry J Allstars,’ issued between 1969-2003, and five official compilation Albums, released between 1970-1989.

‘Liquidator’ is one of 12 instrumental Reggae tracks to appear on the Harry J Allstars debut studio Album, ‘The Liquidator,’ from 1969, other tracks on the Album include cover versions of ‘My Cherie Amour,’ originally co-written and performed by Stevie Wonder (see also best songs 920-843-834-682-570-503-366-205-152 and 65) in 1969, and ‘Je T’aime,’ originally performed by Serge Gainsbourg (1928-1991) and Jane Birkin (1946-2023) (see also best songs 467) in 1967. It was after hearing the song ‘What Am I to Do’ by Tony Scott, (1969) that Harry J bought the rights to the song from Scott, and rearranged it, calling the new track ‘Liquidator,’ named after one of his earlier recordings called ‘The Liquidator.’ The Jamaican singer Alton Ellis (1938-2008) has said that the core of ‘Liquidator’ was lifted from his ‘Rocksteady’ track ‘Girl I’ve Got a Date,’ (1967) and after taking a listen, it is hard to disagree. The ‘Allstars’ who played on the track included Aston ‘Family Man’ Barrett, (see also best songs 618 and 56) who played the bass, and his brother Carlton (1950-1987) who played the drums, was also the long term drummer with Bob Marley and the Wailers.The organ playing was the work of Winston Wright, (1944-1993) who became known as ‘Jamaica’s master of the Hammond Organ,’ he had a long association with the Jamaican band Toots and the Maytals (see also best songs 291.)

Harry J. was one of the leading lights in the development and promotion of the musical genre ‘Reggae,’ that originated in Jamaica during the late 1960’s. A 1968 single by Toots and the Maytals, called ‘Do the Reggay,’ was the first popular song to use the word Reggae, effectively naming the genre and introducing it to a global audience. The 1967 edition of the ‘Dictionary of Jamaican English,’ lists ‘reggae’ as ‘a recently estab. sp. for rege,’ as in rege-rege, a word that can mean either ‘rags, ragged clothing,’ or ‘a quarrel, a row.’ The British Reggae historian Steve Barrow credits the Jamaican singer Clancy Eccles (1940-2005) with altering the Jamaican patois word ‘streggae’ (loose woman) into reggae. Toots Hibbert ((1942-2020) who wrote ‘Do the Reggay’ has said, ‘There’s a word we used to use in Jamaica called ‘streggae,’ If a girl is walking and the guys look at her and say ‘Man, she’s streggae,’ it means she don’t dress well, she look raggedy. The girls would say that about the men too. This one morning me and my two friends were playing and I said, ‘OK man, let’s do the reggay.’ It was just something that came out of my mouth. So we just start singing ‘Do the reggay, do the reggay,’ and created a beat. People tell me later that we had given the sound its name. Before that people had called it blue-beat and all kind of other things, now it’s in the Guinness World of Records.’ Bob Marley (1945-1981) offered a differing view, saying that the word ‘Reggae’ came from a Spanish term for ‘the king’s music,’ The liner notes of ‘To the King,’ a compilation of Christian gospel Reggae, suggests that the word Reggae was derived from the Latin ‘regi’ meaning ‘to the king.’

‘Liquidator’ has been sampled and covered by others. In 1972 the American Soul group The Staple Singers sampled the bass line, and intro of ‘Liquidator’ for their American Billboard Number 1 single ‘I’ll Take You There,’ and in 1980 the English Ska revival group the Specials covered ‘Liquidator’ as part of a Ska covers medley for the ‘B’ side of their UK Number 1 ‘Too Much Too Young’ (see also best songs 924.) Because of the cover version by the Specials, ‘Liquidator’ was re-issued as a double A-side with the original version of another song featured in the medley, ‘Long Shot Kick De Bucket,’ by The Pioneers, in March 1980. The reissue reached number 42 on the UK Singles Chart.

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

372-Specials-Ghost Town.

1981-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 1.50. The song was hailed by the contemporary UK music press as a major piece of social commentary. All of the top three music magazines of the time (‘Melody Maker,’ ‘NME,’ and ‘Sounds’) awarded ‘Ghost Town’ the accolade of ‘Single of the Year for 1981.’

The Specials, who were also known as The Special AKA, (see also best songs 924) were formed in Coventry, England, in 1977. The classic lineup, and those who performed on ‘Ghost Town’ were, John Bradbury, (1953-2015) (drums) Roddy Radiation, (guitar) Jerry Dammers, (keyboards) Lynval Golding, (guitar) Terry Hall, (1959-2022) (lead vocals) Horace Painter, (bass) and Neville Staple (vocals.) This was the last song recorded by this lineup as musical differences led to Staple, Golding, and Hall, leaving in order to form ‘The Fun Boy Three.’ The Specials reformed in 1982 as ‘Special AKA,’ adding new members, and remained active for the next two years. There was a re-union in 1993 when Radiation, Staple, Golding, and Panter collaborated with Desmond Dekker (1941-2006) (see also best songs 122) on his ‘King of Kings’ Album. There was further activity between 1996-2001, and then in 2008 Terry Hall officially returned to the group. After the death of Terry Hall in 2022, Horace Panter confirmed that the Specials had ceased to be following Hall’s death. He stated, ‘It would be ludicrous to tour without Terry, so yes, that’s definitely the end of the Specials.’

The discography of the Specials includes nine studio Albums released between 1979-2021, and 25 singles released between 1979-2019, there are also five extended plays, (EP’s) one collaboration Album, 10 official compilation Albums, and six live Albums available. In the UK, five of their studio Albums have reached the top 40, with their eighth Album ‘Encore,’ reaching Number 1 in 2019. The Specials have had 10 top 40 hit singles, with ‘Too Much Too Young,’ (1980) and ‘Ghost Town,’ (1981) both making the Number 1 position. The Specials never managed to make a breakthrough in America as their danceable rhythms of ‘Ska,’ and ‘Rocksteady,’ with the energy and attitude of ‘Punk,’ never found a place on American radio, although their music would become an influence for many American bands when ‘Ska’ finally became popular in the States in the 1990’s, with the next generation of artists.

‘Ghost Town’ was issued as a stand alone single, on June 12th, 1981, it was written by Jerry Dammers, with the production being by John Collins, who also produced the songs two official ‘B’ sides, ‘Why?’ and ‘Friday Night, Saturday Morning.’ Jerry Dammers was born Jeremy David Hounsell Dammers, on May 22nd, 1955, in Ootacamund, Tamil Nadu, South India, in 2014 he received the ‘South African Order of the Companions of O. R. Tambo in silver award,’ (GCOT) a national honour, for his role in the anti-apartheid movement. Jerry Dammers has said, ‘It feels fantastic. It is a real honour to be considered for this, especially when I compare what little I did to the work of those who sacrificed their lives, I am humbled.’ As well as co-founding the Specials with whom he remained a member until 1981, he was also the founder of ‘2 Tone Records’ in 1979. Jerry Dammers has said that anti-racism was a key element in the forming of the Specials, with black and white, and multi racial group members being a statement of what they stood for. ‘2 Tone Records’ launched the careers of groups such as ‘Madness,’ the ‘Beat,’ and the ‘Selecter,’ and it was Jerry Dammers’ suggestions for the adoption of retro 1960’s ‘Mod/Rude Boy’ clothes which were a key element in starting the Ska revival of the late 1970’s, and the Two Tone Ska/Punk sound specifically. It was Jerry Dammers, with the assistance of Horace Panter, and graphic designer John ‘Teflon’ Sims, who developed the iconic ‘Walt Jabsco’ logo (a man in a black suit, white shirt, black tie, pork pie hat, white socks and black loafers) to represent the Two-Tone genre. The logo was based on an early Album cover photo of the Jamaican Reggae musician Peter Tosh, (1944-1987) and included an added black-and-white check pattern.

‘Ghost Town’ was partly influenced by recession hit Britain, and the long lasting effects it would leave. While on tour with the Specials Jerry Dammers observed what was happening, he has said, ‘In Liverpool all the shops were shuttered up, everything was closing down. In Glasgow there were little old ladies on the streets selling their household goods.’ Dammers has also said that the song had a personal meaning as well, ”Ghost Town’ was about the breakup of the Specials, it just appeared hopeless, but I just didn’t want to write about my state of mind, so I tried to relate it to the country as a whole.’ The lyrics ‘All the clubs have been closed down,’ refer to the ‘Locarno’ club in the band’s home city of Coventry, a venue where Neville Staple and Lynval Golding frequented. The building which housed the club is now ‘Coventry Central Library.’

The summer of 1981 saw many riots breakout all over the UK, some commentators linked those events with this song. Terry Hall said, ‘When we recorded Ghost Town we were talking about 1980’s riots in Bristol, and Brixton. The fact that it became popular when it did was just a weird coincidence.’ Also not everyone was pleased in Coventry, where some residents were angry at the characterisation of their city as a town in decline.

‘Do you remember the good old days before the ghost town? We danced and sang, and the music played in natty boom town.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

373-Maroon 5 featuring Christina Aguilera-Moves Like Jagger.

2011-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 2.16. Up until New Years Day 2021 when the Wham! classic ‘Last Christmas’ finally reached Number 1, after first being released in 1984, it had been the UK’s best selling song not to have topped the chart. ‘Moves Like Jagger’ now has that honour, having spent seven weeks at Number 2 in 2011, and with sales at the time of writing in the UK of just short of 2 million copies.

It is safe to say that Maroon 5 were not an overnight sensation, having formed in 1994, it wasn’t until 2002 that they finally found success. The original line up, Adam Levine, (vocals) Jesse Carmichael, (keyboards) Ryan Dusick, (drums) and Mickey Madden, (bass) first met while attending Brentwood School, in Los Angeles, California, United States. At first they went by the name of ‘Kara’s Flowers,’ ‘Kara’ was a female pupil at the school who all the band members fancied. As ‘Kara’s Flowers,’ playing a mixture of ‘Alternative Rock,’ and ‘Pop Rock’ they released two Albums in 1995, and 1997, and one single ‘Soap Disco’ in 1997, which all met with little success. It was around the year 2000 that Levine and Carmichael began becoming interested in ‘R&B’ music, and this led to a complete change in the bands style, and look, and also a name change, which gained them attention from ‘A&M Octone Records,’ and their breakthrough Album ‘Songs About Jane’ was released in 2002. As for where the new name ‘Maroon 5′ came from, Adam Levine has said,’The origin of the name is so bad, it’s such a horrendous story, that we decided that shrouding it in mystery will make it a better story than the actual story, and it works.’ In total as ‘Kara’s Flowers,’ and then ‘Maroon 5,’ there have been eight different official band members come and go, and at the time of writing they remain active.

The discography of Maroon 5 who have sold in excess of 120 million records worldwide includes eight studio Albums (1 as Kara’s Flowers) released between 1997-2021, and 35 singles (1 as Kara’s Flowers) released between 1997-2023, there are also six extended plays, (EP’s) (1 as Kara’s Flowers) one remix Album, two official compilation Albums, and three live Albums available. In America all seven Maroon 5 Albums have reached the top 10 on Billboard, with two of the Albums making the Number 1 position, while on the Billboard Hot 100, 23 of their singles have reached the top 40 with four of those singles including ‘Moves Like Jagger,’ featuring Christina Aguilera, making Number 1. In the UK, all the Maroon 5 studio Albums have reached the top 20, with two of them reaching Number 1, while 20 of their singles have made the UK top 40, with ‘Payphone’ featuring Wiz Khalifa, peaking the highest at Number 1 in 2011.

‘Moves Like Jagger’ was the fourth and final single released from the re-released edition of ‘Hands All Over,’ the third studio Album from Maroon 5, from July 2011, the song was co-written by Adam Levine, Benny Blanco, (see also best songs 888) Ammar Malik, and Shellback, (see also best songs 317) with the production credited to Ammar Malik, and Shellback.’ Guest vocals on the track are provided by Christina Aguilera, who at that time was a coach on the American reality competition show ‘The Voice,’ alongside Adam Levine, which aired on ‘NBC.’ When ‘Moves Like Jagger’ hit the top spot Christina Aguilera, became only the second female artist to have Billboard Number 1 singles in the 1990’s, 2000’s, and 2010’s, the other being Britney Spears.

The lyrics to ‘Moves Like Jagger’ refer to the male narrator trying to impress his love interest with his dance moves, which he compares to those of Mick Jagger, the lead singer of The Rolling Stones (see also best songs 933-662-452-160 and 77.) Of his thoughts about the song Mick Jagger has said, ‘It’s very catchy. I could say I wish I had written it, but wouldn’t that be weird? It’s fun, very young children like it, which is always cool and funny. Only thing is, it puts a bit of pressure on me when I go out dancing.’ Adam Levine has said, ‘Jagger has the moves like Jagger. That being said, if there was ever someone to aspire to, I don’t think anyone could claim to have the moves like James Brown, (1933-2006) (see also best songs 880-349-270 and 88) or the moves like Michael Jackson, (1958-2009) (see also best songs 812-511-249-191 and 137) or the moves like Prince (1958-2016) (see also best songs 884-487-269-85 and 54.) There’s something about the way Jagger moves that is uniquely his own and hard to imitate, but also accessible and silly and fun, and not taking itself too seriously.’

Other songs to name check Mick Jagger since the turn of the Century, and bring him to the attention of a whole new generation include, ‘Swagga Like Us,’ by T.I. and Jay Z ft Kanye West and Lil Wayne,’ (2008) ‘The Time (Dirty Bit,’) from The Black Eyed Peas, (2010) and ‘Swagger Jagger,’ by Cher Lloyd (2011.) The other song to name check Mick Jagger in this ‘1000 Best Songs’ list is ‘Drive-In Saturday,’ by David Bowie (see also best songs 807.)

‘Just shoot from the stars and aim for my heart if you feel like it. Take me away and make it okay, I swear I’ll behave.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

374-Smashing Pumpkins-1979.

1996-Number 16 single.

Best Bit-At 1.09. Billy Corgan once joked, ‘We wrote this song for Michael Jackson, but found he couldn’t do the Moonwalk to it.’

The Smashing Pumpkins were formed in Chicago, Illinois, United States, in 1988. Even before co-founding The Smashing Pumpkins, Billy Corgan had already chosen the name. Corgan has said ‘I like the idea of smashing being aggressive, as well as wonderful.’ He also has said, ‘It could have been any vegetable, it has nothing to do with Pumpkins or Halloween, it just came to me, there’s no related story. ‘The original lineup of The Smashing Pumpkins was Billy Corgan, (lead vocals, and guitar) D’arcy Wretzky, (bass) James Iha, (guitar) and Jimmy Chamberlin (drums.) In total there have been eight members come and go, with Corgan being the bands only constant. They split in 2000, but Corgan and Chamberlin reconvened in 2006, and as of 2025 they remain active with James Iha rejoining in 2018, and Jeff Schroeder (guitars, and keyboards) being a member since 2007. The Smashing Pumpkins are filed under the musical genre of ‘Alternative Rock,’ but they have explored many offshoots including, ‘Grunge,’ ‘Psychedelic Rock,’ ‘Shoegaze,’ and ‘Dream Pop.’

The discography of the Smashing Pumpkins who have sold in excess of 30 million records worldwide, includes 13 studio Albums released between 1991-2024, and 55 singles released between 1990-2024, there are also six extended plays, (EP’s) three box sets, five soundtrack Albums, seven official compilation Albums, and seven live Albums available. In America on Billboard, seven of their studio Albums have reached the top 40, with their third studio Album ‘Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness,’ peaking the highest at Number 1 in 1995. On the Billboard Hot 100, four of their singles have made the top 40, with ‘1979’ peaking the highest at Number 12. They have charted on several occasions on both the ‘Billboard Alternative Airplay’ chart, and the ‘Billboard Mainstream Rock’ chart, with ‘1979,’ reaching the Number 1 position on both charts. In the UK, the Smashing Pumpkins have had five top 40 Albums, with three of those Albums all peaking at Number 4, while 10 of their singles have made the UK top 40, with ‘Tonight, Tonight,’ charting the highest at Number 7 in 1996.

‘1979’ was the second of six singles released from ‘Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness,’ the third studio Album by the Smashing Pumpkins, from October 1995, the song was written by Billy Corgan, with the production credited to Billy Corgan, Alan Moulder, and Mark Ellis, who is best known by his professional pseudonym ‘Flood'(see also best songs 438.) Billy Corgan (see also best songs 623) was born William Patrick Corgan Jr. on March 17th, 1967, in Chicago, Illinois, United States, he is credited with helping to push the boundaries, and popularise the ‘Alternative Rock’ genre. For much of his life Billy Corgan has struggled with anxiety, depression, panic attacks, self-harm, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and suicidal idealisation. He has attributed these problems to the abuse he endured as a child at the hands of his father and stepmother, as well as other personal issues. He has since become an advocate for abuse support networks. When the Smashing Pumpkins split in 2000, Corgan and Smashing Pumpkins drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, with others, formed the Rock band ‘Zwan,’ releasing one studio Album in 2003, Billy Corgan has also released three solo Albums between 2005-2019, and three solo singles between 2005-2017.

‘1979’ signified the transition of the Smashing Pumpkins from a guitar based ‘Rock’ band into the ‘Synth-Pop’ sound they would embrace on their fourth studio Album ‘Adore’ in 1998. ‘1979’ is a song about making the transition out of youth and into adulthood. The song was written as a nostalgic coming-of-age story by Billy Corgan, who in the year 1979 was 12 years old, and this is what he considered his transition into adolescence. Corgan has said, ‘Sometimes, when I write a song, I see a picture in my head. For some reason, it’s of the obscure memory I have.’ The memory that goes with this song is from when he was around 18 years old. He was driving down a road near his home on a rainy night, and was waiting at a traffic light. He has said that the picture ‘Emotionally connotes a feeling of waiting for something to happen, and not being quite there yet, but it’s just around the corner.’

‘And I don’t even care to shake these zipper blues. And we don’t know just where our bones will rest, to dust I guess, forgotten and absorbed into the earth below.’