THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

356-The Hues Corporation-Rock the Boat.

1974-Number 6 single.

Best Bit-At 2.17. Due to it’s popularity in the nightclubs the radio finally began to play it, leading to what many people cite as the first ‘Disco’ record to become a Billboard Number 1 single.

The Hues Corporation were formed in 1969 in Santa Monica, California, United States by Wally Holmes, (1928-2021) and Bernard St. Clair Lee, (1944-2011) they were soon joined by Hubert Ann Kelley, and Karl Russell. The group initially wanted to call themselves ‘The Children of Howard Hughes,’ but their record label wouldn’t allow it, so they settled on ‘The Hughes Corporation,’ naming themselves after the business magnate Howard Hughes, (1905-1976) which was a pun on the ‘Howard Hughes Corporation.’

Their first big break occurred in 1972 when asked to appear in, and provide three songs for the ‘blaxploitation’ film ‘Blacula,’ after which Karl Russell was replaced in the band by Fleming Williams (1943-1998.) This new lineup were signed to ‘RCA Records,’ and recorded their debut studio Album ‘Freedom for the Stallion’ in 1973, which included the original version of this song. The Hues Corporation were active until around 1980, but were reformed in the 1990’s by St. Clair Lee, with new members, in order to tour. In total The Hues Corporation released six studio Albums between 1973-1980, and 17 singles between 1970-1982. In the UK, and on Billboard their only other top 40 hit was ‘Rockin’ Soul,’ also in 1974, which reached Number 24 in the UK, and Number 18 on Billboard.

‘Rock the Boat’ was written by band member Wally Holmes, and produced by John Florez. It was Florez who remixed the song, which led to it’s popularity in the nightclubs, the new remix was one of the tracks to feature on the bands second studio Album ‘Rockin’ Soul’ released in 1974. Some very famous musicians were brought in for the original recording of the song, including Joe Sample, Wilton Felder, and Larry Carlton of the ‘Jazz Crusaders,’ (see also best songs 588) and the drummer Jim Gordon. Fleming Williams who provided the songs lead vocal would leave shortly after the song was recorded.

Richard Finch of KC and the Sunshine Band has said that hearing ‘Rock the Boat’ being played, while he watched people dancing to it enthusiastically was an inspiration for his co-write of ‘Rock Your Baby’ with Harry Wayne Casey (see also best songs 64.) In 1982 the American singer Forrest Thomas (1953-2013) took his version of ‘Rock the Boat’ to Number 4 in the UK.

‘Ever since our voyage of love began, your touch has thrilled me like the rush of the wind, and your arms have held me safe from a rolling sea. There’s always been a quiet place to harbour you and me.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

357-James Ingram and Michael McDonald- Yah Mo B There.

1985-Number 12 single.

Best Bit-At 4.12. In the 2005 American romantic film comedy ‘The 40 Year Old Virgin,’ the main character works in an electronic store, in which a Michael McDonald DVD has constantly been playing for two years. A salesman (played by Paul Rudd) has developed an intense hatred of the DVD and tells the manager,’Nothing against Michael McDonald but if I hear Ya Mo B There one more time, I’m gonna Yah Mo burn this place to the ground!’

The original version of ‘Yah Mo B There’ was a duet between James Ingram and Michael McDonald, and released as a single from James Ingram’s debut solo Album ‘It’s Your Night.’ The song reached Number 19 on Billboard in America, while in the UK it stalled at Number 44. In 1985 the song was remixed by John ‘Jellybean’ Benitez, and this time went to Number 12 in the UK.

James Edward Ingram was born on February 16th, 1952, in Los Angeles, California, United States, he did of brain cancer on January 29th, 2019, at the age of 66. In the UK all of his three top 40 hits were duets, his other two were ‘Baby Come to Me,’ with Patti Austin (Number 11) in 1982, and ‘Somewhere Out There,’ with Linda Ronstadt (Number

in 1986. On Billboard, eight of his singles have reached the top 40, including the 1990 Number 1 ‘I Don’t Have the Heart.’

Michael McDonald was born on February 12th, 1952, in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. In 1974 he spent a year as a member of the Steely Dan touring band, and has continued to work with them in the studio, and on the road intermittently down the years. But McDonald will always be best known as a member of The Doobie Brothers from 1975-1982, staying with them for five studio Albums, and nine Billboard top 40 singles, including his co-write of their Number 1 song ‘What a Fool Believes’ in 1979. McDonald has also had a very successful solo career since 1982, and has to date released 11 solo studio Albums.

‘Yah Mo B There’ was co-written by James Ingram, Michael McDonald, Rod Temperton, (1949-2016) (see also best songs 889 and 511) and the legendary Quincy Jones,(see also best songs 1022-889-812-703 and 191) the song was produced by Jones, and was released on his record label ‘Qwest,’ which was partly owned by Warner Brothers. The song is in reference to God, and the power faith can have over difficult times, ‘Yah’ being the shortened ‘Yahweh,’ the Hebrew name for God.

‘Heavenly Father watchin’ us fall, we take from each other, and give nothing at all. Well it’s a doggone shame, but never too late for change.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

358-Bob Dylan-The Times They Are a-Changin.’

1965-Number 9 single.

Best Bit-At 2.36. It appears that the lyrics are as relevant now as they were when Dylan originally wrote them in 1963, and they probably always will be.

Bob Dylan wrote the songs lyrics between September and October 1963 as a deliberate attempt to create an anthem for change. He has said,’This was definitely a song with a purpose. It was influenced of course by the Irish and Scottish ballads,’Come All Ye Bold Highway Men,’ ‘Come All Ye Tender Hearted Maidens.’ I wanted to write a big song, with short concise verses that piled up on each other in an hypnotic way. The Civil Rights Movement and the Folk music movement were pretty close for a while and allied together at that time.’

‘The Times They Are a-Changin’ is also the title of Bob Dylan’s third studio Album released in January 1964, his first Album to consist of only original material. Dylan’s friend, the musician, and author Tony Glover (1939-2019) recalled visiting Dylan’s apartment in September 1963, where he saw a number of song manuscripts, and poems lying on the table. Glover reportedly asked Dylan,’What is this sh.t man?’ to which Dylan responded,’ Well, you know, it seems to be what the people like to hear.’ This track and it’s parent Album were produced by Tom Wilson (1931-1978) who is considered one of the most important and innovative producers of all time. He is credited with helping Bob Dylan create a more ‘Rock ‘N Roll’ sound, and worked also as producer for other all time greats including The Velvet Underground,(see also best songs 401 and 165) and Simon & Garfunkel (see also best songs (529-200-96 and 71.)

Shortly after Dylan (see also best songs 792-621-103-36 and 7) had recorded ‘The Times They Are a-Changin’ President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas, on November 22, 1963. The next night Dylan opened a concert with the song, he told his biographer Anthony Scaduto (1932-2017) ‘I thought wow, how can I open with that song? I’ll get rocks thrown at me, but I had to sing it, my whole concert took off from there. I know I had no understanding of anything. Something had just gone haywire in the country, and they were applauding the song, and I couldn’t understand why they were clapping, or why I wrote the song. I couldn’t understand anything. For me it was just insane.’

In 2010 handwritten lyrics to the first four verses of ‘The Times They Are a-Changin’ jotted on a scrap of paper by Dylan were sold for $422,500 at a ‘Sotherbys’ sale in New York, the lucky bidder was the contemporary art collector Adam Sender.

‘The line is drawn, the curse is cast, the slow one now will later be fast, as the present now, will later be past. The order is rapidly fadin,’ and the first one now will later be last, for the times they are a changin.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

359-Method Man featuring Mary J. Blige-I’ll Be There for You/You’re All I Need to Get By.

1995-Number 10 single.

Best Bit-At 0.36. This song is often cited as the hybrid of what is now known as ‘Thug Loved’ duets.

Mary J. Blige was born Mary Jane Blige on January 11th, 1971, in New York City, United States. To date she has released 13 studio Albums between 1992-2017, and collaborated on 83 singles. In America she has achieved 21 Billboard top 40 singles, with the most successful being her 2001 Number 1 hit ‘Family Affair,’ while in the UK she has had 33 top 40 hits, with her 2006 collaboration with U2 on the song ‘One’ being her highest charting, when reaching Number 2.It can be argued that Mary J. Bidge has been an innovator, not once but twice. He debut Album ‘What’s the 411?’ released in 1992 is an early example of a Soul singer combining Soul music with Hip-Hop music, leading to Blige being named the ‘Queen of Hip-Hop Soul.’ She is also credited through this song with matching female vocals alongside a Rap artist. This matching of the genres would go on to dominate the music charts around the world, and still plays a big part today.

Method Man was born Clifford Smith Jr. on March 2nd, 1971, in Hempstead, New York, United States, he took his stage name from the 1979 martial arts film called ‘Method Man.’ He is best known as a founding member of the Hip-Hop group the ‘Wu-Tang Clan’ who are one of the most influential Hip-Hop acts of all time (see also best songs 166.) Method Man was the first band member to release a solo Album, which was produced by fellow band member ‘RZA.’ The Album was called ‘Tical,’ and features the original recording of this song, titled ‘All I Need.’ When Mary J. Blige added her vocal the song received two remixes, the Album version which was added as a bonus track to ‘Tical,’ and the video version were produced by ‘RZA,’ and the radio version was produced by Sean ‘Puffy’ Combs,(see also best songs 955) and the Trackmasters. As a solo artist Method Man has released six studio Albums between 1994-2018, and five collaborative Albums between 1999-2021.

‘I’ll Be There for You/You’re All I Need to Get By’ samples the Ashford & Simpson written song ‘You’re All I Need to Get By,’ originally recorded by Marvin Gaye and Tammy Terrell in 1968, and reached Number 7 on Billboard, and Number 19 in the UK. Ashford & Simpson (see also best songs 703-359-228 and 28) both receive songwriting credits along with Method Man, and RZA.

‘I got a love Jones for your body, and your skin tone. Five minutes alone, I’m already got the bone. Plus I love the fact you got a mind of your own, no need to shop around, you got the good stuff at home.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

360-Free-All Right Now.

1970-Number 2 single.

It was a hit again in 1973, this time reaching Number 15. In 1978 as part of the ‘Free (EP’) it made Number 11, and in 1992 a remastered version reached Number 8.

Best Bit-At 3.36. In 1970 a Los Angeles DJ called Joe Benson told Paul Rodgers during an on air interview that ‘All Right Now’ is playing on the airwaves somewhere around the world once every 45 seconds.

‘Free’ were formed in London, England, in 1968, they were very young when they first performed together on April 19th, 1968, at the Nags Head, in Battersea, London. Andy Frazer (1952-2015) (bass) was 15, Paul Kossoff (1950-1976) (lead guitar) was 17, Paul Rodgers (lead singer) was 18, and Simon Kirke (drums) was also 18. Due to internal feuding the band disbanded in 1971, but they did reform in early 1972. Frazer left the band soon after, which led to the introduction of Tetsu Yamauchi, (bass) and John ‘Rabbit Bundrick, (keyboards) both new members appeared on ‘Heartbreaker,’ the band’s final studio Album. Free recorded six studio Albums between 1969-1973, and released 16 singles. In the States ‘All Right Now’ was their only charting single, reaching Number 4, but in the UK, three of their other songs also made the top 20. The bands name ‘Free’ had been given to them by the Blues musician Alexis Koerner (1928-1984) (see also best songs 864) who had helped to bring the group together. He named them after a short lived trio he had formed called ‘Free At Last’ in 1966.

The bands lead guitarist Paul Kossoff had been a drug user since the age of 15, on March 19th, 1976 while on a flight from Los Angeles to New York he died from a pulmonary embolism after a blood clot in his leg moved to his lung. After leaving ‘Free’ Andy Frazer formed the Rock band ‘Sharks,’ before going on to many other projects, including the release of four solo studio Albums. Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke both went onto form ‘Bad Company’ with Mick Ralphs who had been a member of Mott the Hoople (see also best songs 334.) Kirke is Bad Company’s one constant during the years they have been active, while Rodgers who left when the band first split in 1982 would go on to front the Rock bands ‘The Firm,’ then ‘The Law,’ and eventually ‘Queen,’ where they were known as ‘Queen + Paul Rodgers’ between 2004-2009.

‘All Right Now’ was co-written by Andy Frazer and Paul Rodgers, and appeared on the bands third studio Album ‘Fire and Water’ from 1970. Free had been playing a gig at Durham Students Union building, to a small audience, and when they walked off the stage after the last song they could hear the sound of their own footsteps, and realised that they needed a ‘rocker’ to finish their set. Frazer was sat in the dressing room, and within 10 minutes came up with this song.

‘All Right Now’ is about a guy seeing a girl in the street who he fancies, and after some persuasion she agrees to go back to his home with him. Once she gets to his place, she starts to have second thoughts, and he tries to put her at ease.

‘There she stood in the street, smiling from her head to her feet. I said hey, what is this, now baby, maybe she’s in need of a kiss.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

361-Yardbirds-Shapes of Things.

1966-Number 3 single.

Best Bit-At 1.35. Many respected music critics agree that this song was the first of the genre that would become known as ‘Psychedelic Rock.’

Psychedelic Rock is intended to musically replicate and enhance the mind altering experiences of psychedelic drugs, most notably ‘LSD.’Psychedelic Rock is made by musicians experimenting with musical instruments, and elaborate studio effects. For example, electric guitars used with feedback, or the recording of music, then slowing it down, or adding echo, are just a couple of examples. ‘Shape of Things’ features the Yardbirds guitarist Jeff Beck experimenting with his guitar, and feedback, which music critics have called groundbreaking, and cited his influence on major artists such as Paul McCartney, and Jimi Hendrix.

The Yardbirds were formed in London, England, in 1963, they were active until 1968, but reformed in 1992. Of the 24 members who have come and gone only founding member Jim McCarty remains the bands one constant. Three of the top five guitarists named in ‘Rolling Stone’ magazines ‘Best guitarist ever’ list are ex members of the Yardbirds, they are Eric Clapton, (1963-1965) (see also best songs 726) Jeff Beck, (1965-1966) and Jimmy Page (1966-1968) (see also best songs 135 and 66.) There are two stories as to where the band took their name, one is that it came from the Jack Kerouac novel ‘On the Road,’ where it refers to ‘rail yard hobos,’ and the other is that they took their name from the nickname of the Jazz saxophonist Charlie ‘Yardbird’ Parker (1920-1955.) The Yardbirds have released six studio Albums between 1964-2003, and 16 singles between 1964-1968. In the UK six of their singles have reached the top 40, while in the States on Billboard they have also charted on six occasions, although not always with the same tracks.

The lineup who played on ‘Shape of Things’ were Jim McCarty, (drums) Keith Relf, (1943-1976) (lead vocals) Paul Samwell-Smith, (bass) Jeff Beck, (guitar) and Chris Dreja (guitar.) The writing of ‘Shape of Things’ is credited to McCarty, Relf, and Samwell-Smith, surprisingly considering all of his work on the guitar instrumental break, Jeff Beck is not listed as one of the songs writers.

In 1968 Jeff Beck re-recorded ‘Shape of Things’ with his new band the ‘Jeff Beck Group’ for their debut Album ‘Truth.’ It was the bands lead vocalist Rod Stewart who suggested that they record the song, with Beck saying,’Let’s slow it down, and make it dirty and evil.’ The song, and the Album ‘Truth’ are now recognised as an early example of what was to develop into ‘Heavy Metal’ music.

The lyrics to ‘Shape of Things’ were written by Paul Samwell-Smith, and warn of the environmental damage we are doing to the planet, it also tells of the wrongs in America’s involvement in the Vietnam war, so it is also an anti-war song.

‘Shapes of things before my eyes, just teach me to despise, will time make man more wise?’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

362-Jerry Lee Lewis and His Pumping Piano-High School Confidential.

1958-Number 12 single.

Best Bit-At 1.07. It’s ironic, because at the time Jerry Lee Lewis recorded this song he had just married his 13 year old cousin, once removed, who wasn’t even old enough to go to high school.

‘High School Confidential’ was co-written by Jerry Lee Lewis, and Ron Hargrave for the opening scene of the 1958 ‘MGM’ anti drugs movie which was also called ‘High School Confidential.’ In the film the director Jack Arnold (1916-1992) had Lewis, his bass player Jay W. Brown, and drummer Russ Brown lip-synch the song while performing on the top of a flatbed truck. The version performed in the movie is different to this studio version, and none of the several takes recorded were released until the early 1980’s. The original picture sleeve for the 7 inch single released on ‘Sun Records’ featured cast members from the film, behind a superimposed image of Lewis.

‘High School Confidential’ was one of the 12 tracks (track 9) to appear on Jerry Lee Lewis’ self titled debut studio Album released on Sun Records in 1958, which was produced by Sun Records supremo Sam Phillips (1923-2003) and Jack Clement (1931-2013.) The music critic Michael ‘Cub’ Koda (1948-2000) in a retrospective review of the Album wrote the selections on the Album were ‘a curious mixture,’ with ‘a great deal of his best material being inexplicably left off,’ but the Album was still a ‘terrific debut.’ The songs he was referring to that were omitted include ‘Whole Lot of Shakin’ Going On,’ and ‘Great Balls of Fire'(see also best songs 678 and 99.)

‘High School Confidential’ is also one of the tracks (track 2) which appears on the 1964 Album ‘Live at the Star Club, Hamburg.’ Jerry Lee Lewis was accompanied by the English Rock band the ‘Nashville Teens’ who recorded the Album live in front of an audience on April 5th, 1964, the Album is critically regarded as one of the greatest live Albums of all time, not just in ‘Rock ‘N Roll,’ but in all music genres.In 1958 at the height of Lewis’ fame his career his career was badly affected when it came to light that he had married his 13 year old cousin once removed. This caused public uproar with tours cancelled, and radio refusing to play his records, which was the reason why ‘High School Confidential’ stalled at Number 12 in the UK, and Number 21 on Billboard.

‘Open up a honey it’s your lover boy me that’s a knockin.’ Why don’t you listen to me sugar? All the cats are at the high school rockin.’ Honey get your boppin’ shoes ‘fore the juke box blows a fuse, everybody’s hoppin, everybody’s boppin,’ boppin’ at the high school hop.’