THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

753-Skrillex featuring Sirah-Bangarang.

2012-Number 24 single.

Best Bit-At 1.19. Skrillex, is he an Electronic Dance Music wizard, or just a noisy bugger? You make up your own mind.

Skrillex is the stage name of Sonny Moore, who was born on January 15th, 1988, in Los Angeles, California, United States. His first venture as a professional musician was as the lead singer of the ‘post punk’ rock band ‘From First To Last,’ he was a member between 2004-2007, which saw the band release two studio Albums. As a solo artist Skrillex has released one studio Album,’Recess,’ in 2014. In 2013 Skrillex teamed up with fellow music producer Diplo (see also best songs 915 and 210,) and in 2015 they collaborated on the Album ‘Skrillex and Diplo Present Jack U.’

The vocals on ‘Bangarang’ are provided by the Rapper/singer Sara Mitchell, who is better known by her stage name ‘Sirah,’ she has also provided the vocals on other Skrillex tracks including the singles ‘Weekends, and ‘Kyoto.’

The songs title, and video both pay homage to the 1991 movie ‘Hook,’ the battle cry of the ‘Lost Boys’ is ‘Bangarang.’ The Peter Pan, and Captain Hook theme continue in the official video, with the ice-cream truck driver’s style of moustache, his right hand having a tattoo of a crocodile, and after losing his hand earlier in the video, it is seen as replaced by a hook.

‘Shout to all my lost boys, sh-sh-sh-sh-sh-shouts to all my lost boys, we rowdy.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

754-Coldcut featuring Yazz and the Plastic Population-Doctorin’ the House.

1988-Number 6 single.

Best Bit-At 0.45.’Ooh’ Matron.

Coldcut were formed in 1986 by the duo of Matt Black, and Jonathan More, they are credited as pioneers of ‘Pop Sampling’ in the 1980’s, for their innovative use of mixing Hip-Hop, Soul, and Funk, etc, with spoken word from film, and television. The duo’s first release ‘Say Kids What Time Is It?’ released in January 1987 mixed the ‘Jungle Books’ ‘King of the Swingers,’ with the break from James Brown’s ‘Funky Drummer,’ and is considered to be the first UK record built entirely on samples.Artists such as The Chemical Brothers, and Fatboy Slim, have cited Coldcut as inspiration in the development of the ‘Big Beat’ genre.In October 1987 Coldcut were asked to remix Eric B & Rakim’s ‘Paid in Full,’it is said to have ‘laid the groundwork for Hip-Hop’s entry in to the UK mainstream'(see also best songs 856.)

‘Doctorin’ the House’ features the vocals of Yazz, who was born Yasmin Evans on May 19th, 1960, in Shepherd’s Bush, England, she is credited as one of the songs writers. In July 1988 the Coldcut produced ‘The Only Way is Up,’ performed by Yazz, spent five weeks at Number 1 in the UK, becoming the second best selling song of that year. Coldcut are also responsible for providing Lisa Stansfield with her first chart hit, when ‘People Hold On,’ reached Number 11 in 1989.

‘Say kids what time is it? It’s time for house’.

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

755-The Waterboys-The Whole of the Moon.

1985-Number 26 single, when reissued in 1991 it peaked at Number 3.

Best Bit-At 3.46.With over 70 musicians having been either official members, or performing live with the band at sometime, The Waterboys are probably the biggest band in the world ever. Founding member Mike Scott has said,’We’ve had more members I believe than any other band in Rock history’. He has stated that the nearest challengers are Santana, and The Fall.

The Waterboys were formed in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1982 by Mike Scott, they are still active with Scott being the bands one constant,because of the large turnover of membership they have explored many genres of music, including ‘Folk,’ Celtic,’ and ‘Alternative Rock.’ Artists who have played under The Waterboys banner over the years include, Steve Wickham (1985-1990, and 2013, to present,) Karl Wallinger (1982-1985,) Eddie Reader (1984,) Guy Chambers (1985-1986,) Sharon Shannon (1989-1990 and 2004,) Ian McNabb (2001-2002,) and Roddy Lorimer (1983-1990 and 2007.)

The Whole of the Moon’ was written by Mike Scott. The song is a tribute to inspirational figures in Scott’s life, but not one particular person. In each line the singer describes his own perspective, and immediately contrasts it with that of the songs subject, summarising the difference with ‘I saw the crescent/ you saw the whole of the moon.’ Scott has stated that some of his inspirations for the song include the writers C.S.Lewis, and Mark Helprin, and also the musicians Jimi Hendrix, and Syd Barrett, who ‘burned out very quickly.’

‘I pictured a rainbow, you held it in your hands. I had flashes, but you saw the plan.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

756-War-Galaxy.

1978-Number 14 single.

Best Bit-At 3.29. Undoubtedly one of the Funkiest songs in the world ever, if not even the…Galaxy.

In 1962 Howard E Scott, and Harold Brown formed a group called ‘The Creators’ in Long Beach, California, United States, further musicians, Charles Miller (1939-1980,) Morris ‘B B’ Dickerson, Lonnie Jordan, Lee Oskar, and Thomas ‘Papa Dee’ Allen, would later join, and in 1968 they changed their name to ‘Nightshift.’

In 1969 songwriter, and producer Jerry Goldstein (‘My Boyfriends Back,”Hang on Sloopy,”I Want Candy,’) saw the band performing, and recommended them to singer Eric Burdon (see also best songs 851.) Goldstein changed their name to ‘Eric Burdon and War,’ Burdon would be a member from 1969-1971, together they released two studio Albums, and the Billboard Number 3 single,’Spill the Wine.’

‘Galaxy’ is taken from the bands 10th studio Album of the same name, and was released in 1977, the song is possibly influenced by the film ‘Star Wars’ also released that year.Drummer Harold Brown explained,’We were just in the ‘ABC’ studios, we just laid that track down. We were standing listening to the playback, and I said,’Take me to your place in space.’ That was the start of the song, then we started writing it.”’

Take me to your place in space, I’m sick and tired of the rat race.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

757-Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps-Be-Bop-a-Lula.

1956-Number 16 single.

Best Bit-At 1.48.’White face, black shirt, white socks, black shoes, black hair, white strat, bled white, died black.’

‘Be-Bop-a-Lula’ is considered to be an early example of ‘Rockabilly’ music. Rockabilly is one of the earliest styles of Rock ‘N Roll music, dating back to the early 1950’s in the United States, especially in the South.As a genre it blends the sound of Country music, with Rhythm and Blues, the term ‘Rockabilly’ derives from Rock and Roll, and ‘Hillbilly,’ a term used to describe Country music in the 1940’s, and 1950’s.

There are several different versions as to who wrote the song, and where the idea came from, probably all drummed up for publicity, but Gene Vincent has claimed that he wrote the words, inspired by the comic strip in the 1935 American magazine ‘The Saturday Evening Post.’Official songwriting credit is given to Vincent, and his manager at the time Bill ‘Sheriff Tex’ Davis.

In 1956 ‘Capitol Records’ were looking for a young singer to rival Elvis Presley.’Be-Bop-a-Lula’ was released in June 1956, and by April 1957 had sold over 2 million copies worldwide.

Gene Vincent was born Vincent Eugene Craddock on May 26th, 1935, in Norfolk, Virginia, United States, over the course of his short life, he lived up to his bad boy image, having several altercations with fire arms, and suffering from drug, and alcohol abuse.In 1955 he was involved in a car accident, which left his left leg shattered, giving him pain for the rest of his life. On April 16th, 1960, Vincent was a passenger in the car that accident that killed fellow Rock ‘N Roll star Eddie Cochran (see also best songs 422 and 50.) Vincent broke his ribs, and collarbone, and further damaged his weakened leg, he died at the age of 36, on October 12th, 1971, from a ruptured stomach ulcer.

‘Well she’s the gal in the red blue jeans, she’s the queen of all the teens.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

758-Oasis-Champagne Supernova.

1996-Has never been released as a single in the UK.

Best Bit-At 5.46.Noel Gallagher would be the first to admit that some of his songs could be a little on the long side, but I wish this one could go on even longer.

In 2009 Noel Gallagher said,’This writer was going on about the lyrics to ‘Champagne Supernova,’ and he said,’You know, the one thing that’s stopping it being a classic is the ridiculous lyrics,’ quoting,’Slowly walking down the hall, faster than a cannonball,’what’s that mean?”And I went,’ I don’t know, but are you telling me when you’ve got 60,000 people singing it, they don’t know what it means? It means something different to every one of them.’

As for the songs actual meaning Gallagher has also said,’I have still not made my mind up as to what the song is actually about. It means different things when I’m in different moods.’The line ‘Where were you when we were getting high,’ is something that the band used to say to each other, as a joke.’

‘Champagne Supernova’ is the final track on Oasis’ most critically acclaimed Album ‘(What’s the Story) Morning Glory,’ it is the best selling Album of the 1990’s, and the third best selling studio Album in the UK of all time (see also best songs 1006 and 15.) Oasis were joined by Paul Weller on this track, who played lead guitar, and also sang backing vocals.

‘How many special people change?How many lives are livin’ strange? Where were you while we were getting high?

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

759-Lou Preager and His Orchestra-with vocal’s by Paul Rich.-Cruising Down the River.

1946- Has never charted in the UK, there was no official music chart until 1952.

Best Bit-At 1.23.In the olden days before Sunday trading laws were relaxed,this is how you would spend your Sunday afternoon.

In the 1930’s, and 1940’s the real pop stars were the bandleaders, and they would often hire vocalists, sometimes on long contracts, to work exclusively for them.In 1945 the BBC launched a public songwriting competition, as part of the radio show hosted by Lou Preager (1906-1978,) it was known as ‘Write a Tune for £1000,’ the format proved very popular, and was repeated in 1947, and 1950. The winners in 1945 were two middle aged women called Eily Beadell, and Nelly Tollerton, Beadell had written the lyrics back in the 1920’s, with the melody originally composed by music hall performer Ena Dayne, but as she could not read music, it was transcribed by Tollerton.

‘Cruising Down the River’ proved a great success, the first recording by Lou Preager and His Orchestra, with vocals by Paul Rich (1921-2000,) became one of the most popular songs of 1946, in terms of record, and sheet music sales.In America the song proved just as popular with Blue Barron (1913-2005,) taking his version to Number 1 in January 1949, closely followed in February by Russ Morgan (1904-1969,) who took his recording to Number 1 as well.Other notable versions are by Connie Francis, from 1959, and Dick Haymes (1918-1980,) who sang the song in the 1953 film ‘Cruisin’ Down the River.’

‘Just two of us together, we’ll plan a honeymoon, cruising down the river on a Sunday afternoon.’