THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

410-Cockney Rebel-Judy Teen.

1974-Number 5 single.

Best Bit At 0.59. After checking out as many lyric websites as I could find, I was disappointed to see that everyone of them hear the lyrics as ‘She made us happy.’ I have always heard ‘Sh’made us appy,’ which I think sounds a lot more ‘Rock N’ Roll’.

Stephen Malcolm Ronald Nice (see also best songs 2) was born on February 27th, 1951, in Deptford, London, England, he died on March 17th, 2024, from cancer at the age of 73. Steve Harley formed the original Cockney Rebel in London, England, in 1972, and with various member changes they were active through until 1977 when Harley officially went solo. He reformed Cockney Rebel in 1984, and again in 1989-1992, and various line ups have appeared as his touring band Cockney Rebel since 1996, in total 26 members have come and gone, with Harley being the groups one constant. Steve Harley chose the name ‘Cockney Rebel’ from an autobiographical poem he had written while at school.

The discography of Steve Harley includes 12 studio Albums released between 1973-2020, the first two as ‘Cockney Rebel,’ a further four as ‘Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel,’ and the other six as Steve Harley, there are also 13 official compilation Albums, and six live Albums available. Steve Harley issued 41 singles (including re-issues) between 1973-2020, of which seven reached the UK top 40, with ‘Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me,’) which has gone on to sell in excess of 1.5 million copies, peaking the highest at Number 1 in 1975, that song would also prove to be his last top 40 chart entry as well, when re-issued in 1995, it made Number 33. ‘Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me’) is also Steve Harley’s only chart entry in America on the Billboard Hot 100, where it reached Number 96. In 1986 Steve Harley was chosen on the recommendation of the English singer/songwriter Mike Batt to perform a duet with the English classical crossover soprano singer and actress Sarah Brightman on the original recording of ‘The Phantom of the Opera,’ to be issued a a single to promote the Andrew Lloyd Webber (see also best songs 699) upcoming musical of the same name. The single reached Number 7 on the UK top 40.

‘Judy Teen’ which was released as a stand alone single, was written by Steve Harley, with the production credited to Steve Harley, and Alan Parsons (see also best songs 130 and 81.) Alan Parsons, whose previous work had included being the sound engineer on classic Albums such as ‘Abbey Road,’ by the Beatles, and ‘The Dark Side of the Moon,’ from Pink Floyd, would later go on to produce the second and third studio Albums for Steve Harley, as well as for many other artists including Al Stewart, and John Miles (1949-2021.) ‘Judy Teen’ was the breakthrough hit for Cockney Rebel, whose line up at that time was Steve Harley, (vocals) Jean-Paul Crocker, (electric violin, mandolin, guitar) Milton Reame-James, (keyboards) Paul Jeffreys, (1952-1988) (bass) and Stuart Elliott (drums.) In 1973 Cockney Rebel had just recorded their soon to be critically acclaimed debut Album ‘The Human Menagerie,’ but it wasn’t selling in great quantities due to the lack of a commercial song to release as a single. Steve Harley explained, ‘The record company said we don’t have a single, and I said arrogantly, I’ll write one, now I think what an arrogant young man, fearless! Judy Teen was a boy/girl story, a teenage romance, a bit of sex in there. I was 18, or 19 when I had the experience, that the song came from.’ In 2021 Steve Harley recalled, ‘She wasn’t called Judy, but she was my short-lived girlfriend. We only lasted a few months and had a lot of fun together. She was feisty, a very interesting young woman. You’d have thought she was from California, she was so close to being a real hippy.’

Steve Harley wrote all the drum patterns himself for ‘Judy Teen,’ and told Stuart Elliott what to do. ‘The ‘dum-dum-dum-crash’ sound is actually three of us leaning over the wooden staircase that goes down to the studio and control room, with us mic’d-up and slapping the rail with our open palms. I said to Alan (Parsons) That’s a really good trick, and he went: ‘Yeah, I nicked it from Roy Wood’ (see also best songs 821-575 and 239.) There’s a Move single with that sound on it, which Roy had come up with, and Alan nicked it for us.’

‘She took us on a carousel, she made us smile and oh, how we laughed. Together riding on a crest it was swell, we stole her face and oh how we laughed. She made us happy.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

411-Diana Ross & the Supremes-I’m Livin’ in Shame.

1969-Number 14 single.

Best Bit-At 2.23. Thankfully not all Pop songs are about boy meets girl, they fall in love, and live happily ever after. Some have much deeper meanings.

‘I’m Livin’ in Shame’ was the first of three singles released from ‘Let the Sunshine In,’ the 16th studio Album by Diana Ross & the Supremes, from May 1969, there would be two more studio Albums before Diana Ross would depart for her solo career in 1970. In total the Supremes under various line ups released 29 studio Albums between 1962-1976. There were also 66 singles released, of which 12 became American Billboard Number 1 songs, for the full discography of the Supremes see best songs 148. ‘I’m Livin’ in Shame’ was written and produced by the team of writers assembled by Motown supremo Berry Gordy to replace the recently departed Holland Dozier Holland (see also best songs 969-823-650-553-411 and 212.) The four writers of this song were known as ‘The Clan’ and were active as a unit between 1967-1969. They consisted of Frank Wilson, (1940-2012) (see also best songs 1001-491 and 97) Pam Sawyer, (see also best songs 519) R. Dean Taylor, (1939-2022) (see also best songs 911) and Deke Richards (1944-2013.) (see also best songs 365 and 137.)

By 1969 the Supremes line up was now Diana Ross, (see also best songs (900-519-183 and 28) Mary Wilson, (1944-2021) and Cindy Birdsong, but like many of the Supremes (see also best songs 1001-212 and 148) recordings from around that period Wilson, and Birdsong did not perform on record, because Berry Gordy chose to use Motown’s in house female session singers ‘The Andantes’ instead. The songs instrumentation was provided by Motown’s in house group of session musicians ‘The Funk Brothers.’ Here is the list of songs in this countdown that The Andantes, (see best songs 1001-823-650-114 and 28) and The Funk Brothers (see best songs 948-650-569-382-212-148 and 28) can by heard on.

Mary Wilson was born on March 6th, 1944, in Greenville, Mississippi, United States, she died in her sleep from hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, on February 8th, 2021, at the age of 76. Mary Wilson was the Supremes one constant, being a founding member in 1959, until 1977, when the group were retired, due to Wilson leaving to pursue a solo career. She sang backing vocals on 10 of the 12 Supremes American Billboard Number 1 singles, and in 1988 was inducted along with Diana Ross and Florence Ballard (1943-1976) as members of the Supremes, into the ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.’ As a solo artist Mary Wilson released three studio Albums between 1979-2021, and 16 singles between 1979-2023, there are also two extended plays, (EP’s) two official compilation Albums, and one live Album available. In 1986 Mary Wilson became a ‘New York Times’ best selling author, with the release of her first autobiography, ‘Dreamgirl: My Life as a Supreme,’ which set records for sales in its genre, and then in 1990 for the autobiography ‘Supreme Faith: Someday We’ll Be Together.’ Mary Wilson also worked in activism, fighting to pass the ‘Truth in Music Advertising’ bill, which is legislation, adopted into state law by most U.S. states, that aims to protect the trademark of musical recording artists. The legislation provides that the name of a famous musical group cannot be used by a group of performers unless they include at least one member of the original group. The intent of the legislation is to prevent unfair or deceptive trade practices, and to protect the livelihood of musicians who were in famous musical groups.

‘I’m Livin’ in Shame’ was inspired by the plot of the 1959 American drama film ‘Imitation of Life.’ The song was also written as a sequel to the Supremes 1968 Billboard Number 1 single ‘Love Child,’ which was also written by ‘The Clan.’ ‘I’m Livin’ in Shame’ tells the story of a woman who was born into poverty, and being ashamed of her hard working mother since being a child. She grows up and leaves home, and lies about her past in order to move up in to higher society. She marries a man who is well off, and tells him that her mother died in Spain. After giving birth to her first child, she doesn’t tell her mother that she is now a grandmother. One day she receives a telegram saying that her mother has died, and now she feels extremely sad and guilty.

‘Mom was cooking bread, she wore a dirty raggerty scarf around her head. Always had her stockings low, rolled to her feet, she just didn’t know.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

412-Fats Waller-Ain’t Misbehavin.’

1929-It has never charted, there was no UK chart until 1952.

Best Bit-At 3.19. Fats Waller wasn’t just a gifted musician, he had a tremendous sense of humour as well. In a 1941 interview Waller said that this song was written while he was lodging in prison for an alimony violation, and that was why he was not misbehaving. Another story goes that on completing the song, Waller and fellow composer Andy Razaf were heading to the theatre when a bird dropped it’s load on the song sheet.’That’s good luck’ said Waller, ‘But I’m sure glad elephants ain’t flyin.”

Thomas Wright Waller was born on May 21st, 1904, in New York City, United States, he died on December 15th, 1943, at the age of 39 after contracting pneumonia. More than 4,200 people were estimated to have attended his funeral in Harlem, which prompted the Baptist pastor Adam Clayton Powell Jr., (1908-1972) who delivered the eulogy to say, that Waller ‘Always played to a packed house.’ Afterwards, he was cremated and his ashes were scattered over Harlem from an air-plane piloted by an unidentified African-American World War I aviator. Fats Waller told the story of the time he was kidnapped in Chicago while leaving a performance in 1926. Four men bundled him into a car and took him to the Hawthorne Inn, owned by Al Capone (1899-1947.) Waller was ordered inside the building and found a party taking place. With a gun to his back, he was pushed towards a piano and told to play. A terrified Waller realised he was the ‘surprise guest’ at Capone’s birthday party, and was relieved that the kidnappers had no intention of killing him. During his lifetime Fats Waller copyrighted over 400 songs, many written with this songs co-author Andy Razaf. It is suspected that Waller wrote many more, but in times of financial difficulties he sold them to other writers and performers who would pass them off as their own, the best example being the 1930 song ‘On the Sunny Side of the Street.’

Fats Waller was one of the most critically acclaimed artists of his era, with his regular writing partner Andy Razaf paying tribute to him after his death, describing Waller as ‘The soul of melody, a man who made the piano sing. Both big in body, and in mind, known for his generosity, a bubbling bundle of joy.’ The American Jazz pianist Ralph Sutton (1922-2001) said of Waller, ‘I’ve never heard a piano man swing any better than Fats, or swing a band better than he could. I never get tired of him. Fats has been with me from the first, and he’ll be with me as long as I live.’ Waller will also be remembered for being one of the innovators in ‘Stride Jazz piano,’ (see also best songs 169) taking his influence from the ‘Ragtime’ players, and incorporating the style in to what would become ‘Modern Jazz.’ Fats Waller has also been remembered in the ‘Rock’ era, when in 1981, the Irish Rock group Thin Lizzy (see also best songs 125) released the album ‘Renegade,’ which contained the song ‘Fats,’ co-written by Phil Lynott (1949-1986) and Snowy White as a tribute to Waller.

‘Ain’t Misbehavin” is one of the oldest songs on this ‘1000 Best Songs’ list, having been co-written in 1929 by Fat Waller, Harry Brook (1895-1970) and Andy Razaf, who was born Andrimanantena Paul Razafinkarefo on December 16th, 1895, in Washington, D. C. United States, he died from cancer on February 3rd, 1973, at the age of 77. Razaf was a poet, composer, and lyricist, his other notable compositions include the Fats Waller collaboration on ‘Honeysuckle Rose,’ from 1929, and the writing of the lyrics for ‘In the Mood,’ made famous by Glen Miller and His Orchestra in 1939 (see also best songs 146.) At the age of 16, Razaf quit school and took a job as an elevator operator in a ‘Tin Pan Alley’ office building in New York City, and in 1972, he was recognised by his ‘Tin Pan Alley’ peers, when he was inducted into the ‘Songwriters Hall of Fame.’ ‘Ain’t Misbehavin” was also co-written by Harry Brooks, who was born on September 20th, 1895, in Homestead, Pennsylvania, United States, he died on June 22nd, 1970, at the age of 74. Brooks is best remembered for his co-writes with Fats Waller and Andy Razaf of ‘Ain’t Misbehavin” (1929) and ‘Black and Blue’ (1929.)

‘Ain’t Misbehavin” was first performed at the premiere of the Broadway musical ‘Connie’s Hot Chocolates,’ as the opening song sung by Paul Bass, and Margaret Simms. There were six successful recordings of the song in 1929 in terms of sheet music sold, with the best selling being by Leo Reisman (1897-1961) and His Orchestra.The recording by Fats Waller that year was an instrumental version, another recording of note was from Louis Armstrong (1901-1971) (see also best songs 1039-767-286-231 and 100.) Fats Waller has also re-recorded ‘Ain’t Misbehavin” with vocals for his performance in the 1943 film ‘Stormy Weather’ (see also best songs 634.) In the UK the song has been a hit twice, in 1957 Johnny Ray (1927-1990) took his version to Number 17, and in 1960 Tommy Bruce (1937-2006) and the Bruisers made Number 3. The Country music artist Hank Williams Jr. recorded a version of ‘Ain’t Misbehavin” for his 1985 studio album ‘Five-O.’ Released as a single, the song peaked at No. 1 on the American Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.

‘No one to talk with, all by myself. No one to walk with, but I’m happy on the shelf. Ain’t misbehavin,’ I’m savin’ my lovin’ for you.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

413-Walk the Moon-Shut Up and Dance.

2014-Number 4 single.

Best Bit-At 1.47. Can you guess from which Police song this band took their name?

Walk the Moon was the brainchild of Nicholas Petricca, who was born on February 16th, 1987, he formed the band in 2006 while a student at ‘Kenyon College,’ in Gambler, Ohio, United States. In total there have been 10 different band members come and go, with Petricca who is the lead singer being the bands one constant. Petricca has cited the music of the 1980’s as his major influence, naming artists such as Talking Heads, (see also best songs 540) Tears for Fears, (see also best songs 640 and 24) and the Police (see also best songs 1020 and 727.) At the time of writing Walk the Moon remain active, but are currently on hiatus.

Without a recording contract, Walk the Moon financed the recording and release of their debut studio Album ‘I Want! I Want!’ in 2010, with the track ‘Anna Sun’ receiving multiple plays on American Alternative radio stations. This led to a bidding war between several record labels, with Walk the Moon signing to ‘RCA Records’ in February 2011. The discography of Walk the Moon includes five studio Albums released between 2010-2021, and 15 singles between 2012-2022, there are also seven extended plays, (EP’s) two official compilation Albums, and one live Album available. On both sides of the Atlantic, on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, and on the UK top 40, ‘Shut Up and Dance’ remains the bands only top 40 single, coincidentally reaching the Number 4 position on both charts.

‘Shut Up and Dance’ was the first of three singles released from ‘Talking Is Hard,’ the third studio Album from Walk the Moon, from December 2014, the song was co-written by Walk the Moon group members Nicolas Petricca, Eli Mainman, Kevin Ray, and Sean Waugaman, along with Ben Berger, and Ryan McMahon, with the production being by Tim Pagnotta, who a founding member of the American Rock group ‘Sugarcult’ in 1998. Ben Berger and Ryan McMahon, along with Ryan Rabin, who is not credited on this track, were all members of the collective ‘Captain Cuts,’ who are a songwriting, record production, and remix team, based in Los Angeles, California, United States, at the time of writing McMahon is no longer a member. In December 2013, they signed a joint venture deal with ‘Warner Bros Records’ to form ‘Cuts Records,’ a record label through which to sign, produce and develop new artists. The trio have worked alongside dozens of artists including Steve Aoki, Carly Rae Jepson, Sabrina Carpenter, and Benson Boone.

Nicolas Petricca got the idea for the lyrics to ‘Shut Up and Dance’ while in a Los Angeles nightclub. He had frustratingly been waiting ages to get served at the bar, and was itching to get on to the dance floor with his female friend. He started complaining about the slow service when his female friend approached him and said, ‘Just shut up and dance with me.’ Petricca has said that the song does actually have a deeper meaning though,’The song is not so much about my personal experience, but about living in the moment.’ Petricca has also spoken about the time when the the band first realised that they had a potential massive hit on their hands, after playing it at a gig at ‘St. Louis University. ‘We had just learned the song and no one had ever heard it, so we thought we’d try it out for these kids. From moment one it was obvious there was something about the song. The kids were singing along with the chorus the second time around. We tried to capture that energy on the record.’

Nicolas Petricca has highlighted three songs that were instrumental in the creation of ‘Shut Up and Dance,’ ‘Just What I Needed,’ by The Cars, (1978) ‘Hit Me with Your Best Shot,’ by Pat Benatar, (1980) and ‘Jessie’s Girl,’ by Rick Springfield, (1981) (see also best songs 929) which he deemed ‘Simple and beautiful and in-your-face rock songs,’ that captured the sound the band desired. ‘Shut Up and Dance’ is inspired by the music of the 1980’s, which the group felt was a time in which ‘weird’ was celebrated, in both music and fashion. The song is considered by ‘Billboard Magazine’ to be heavily influenced by The Edge of U2, (see also best songs 766-320-190 and 84) who describe how the opening riff resembles U2’s 1987 song ‘Where the Streets Have No Name.’

‘A backless dress and some beat up sneaks, my discotheque Juliet teenage dream. I felt it in my chest as you looked at me, I knew we were bound to be together, bound to be together.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

414-FPI Project-Going Back to My Roots/Rich in Paradise.

1989-Number 9 single.

Best Bit-At 1.21. ‘Put your hands up in the air.’ (It’s an old saying.)

The FPI Project are the trio of Italian Dance music producers Marco Fratty, Corrado Presti, and Roberto Intrallazzi, as you can probably work out for yourself they took their stage name from the first initial of each of their surnames. The FPI Project were formed in Milan, Italy, in 1989, and have been releasing new music, and remixes ever since. The trio are considered to be one of the main forces in the development of the musical genre ‘Italian House,’ (see also best songs 895) with it’s use of predominantly electronic piano chords. This track remains their only UK top 40 hit to date, but they have charted on three further occasions in the 1990’s in the top 100.

The FPI Project released two versions of this song, one features the vocals of the English singer Sharon D. Clarke, (see also best songs 787) with spoken lyrics by Paolo Dini. The other is mainly instrumental, with just the vocals of Dini, both versions are highly recommended, but for clarity I have chosen the vocal version. Like many a good tune ‘Going Back to My Roots/Rich in Paradise’ contains many samples, including the 1989 Dance track ‘Too Nice to Be Real’ by the Belgium group ‘T99.’ The Dutch Dance music producers ‘Honesty 69’s’ (see also best songs 922) 1990 track called ‘Rich in Paradise’ is also heavily sampled.Throughout the track you hear ‘Yeah! Woo!’ which is Bobby Byrd (1934-2007) (see also best songs 561) saying ‘Yeah,’ and James Brown (1933-2006) (see also best songs 880-349-270 and 88) replying ‘Woo,’ this was taken from the 1972 James Brown penned song ‘Think (About It’) performed by Lyn Collins,(1948-2005) and is one of the most sampled sounds in music history, appearing on many Dance tracks.

The original version of ‘Going Back to My Roots’ was written by the legendary singer, songwriter and music producer Lamont Dozier, (1941-2022) (see also best songs 969-823-650-553-212 and 148) and first appeared on his fifth solo studio Album ‘Peddlin’ Music on the Side,’ from 1977. In 1980 the American singer Richie Havens (1941-2013) covered ‘Going Back to My Roots,’ incorporating ‘Disco’ influences, it was this version rather than the Lamont Dozier one that the ‘FPI Project’ were influenced by. The most commercially successful recording of ‘Going Back to My Roots’ came in 1981, when the New York City ‘Disco’ group Odyssey released a ‘Disco’ version, which reached Number 4 in the UK, and Number 1 in South Africa. In 2002 the American singer Linda Clifford took her 10 minutes ‘Disco’ version to Number 85 in the UK for a single week.

The female vocals on the ‘FPI Project’s’ version of ‘Going Back to My Roots/Rich in Paradise’ were provided by Sharon Delores Clarke MBE, (see also best songs 787) who was born on August 12th, 1966, in Enfield, London, England, she is an actress and a singer. Sharon Clarke is a critically acclaimed actress, having won three ‘Laurence Olivier Awards,’ including for ‘Best Actress in a Musical,’ for her role as Caroline Thibodeaux in the 2018 West End production of ‘Caroline, or Change,’ a role she reprised on Broadway in 2021, earning her both ‘Tony’ and ‘Grammy Award’ nominations. In the UK she is best known for her role as Lola Griffin in the medical drama ‘Holby City,’ and as Grace O’Brien in ‘Doctor Who.’ Sharon Clarke has appeared on three UK top 40 singles, the ‘FPI Project’s’ ‘Going Back to My Roots/Rich in Paradise,’ (1989-Number 9) Nomad, (‘I Wanna Give You) Devotion’) (1990-Number 2) (see also best songs 787) and Nomad, ‘Just a Groove’ (1991-Number 16.) Sharon Clarke was appointed ‘Member of the Order of the British Empire’ (MBE) in the 2017 New Year Honours for services to drama.

Lamont Dozier wrote the lyrics to ‘Going Back to My Roots,’ which deal with self identity, family, and soul fulfilment. It has widely been seen as covering the same subject matter as the bestselling Alex Haley (1921-1992) novel ‘Roots’ that depicts a modern day African-American tracing his ancestry back, via the slave trade, to a village in The Gambia. This is supported by the extended final section in the Lamont Dozier recording which moves into ‘Afrobeat’ and ‘Yoruba’ chanting. Lamont Dozier has explained what the song is about, ‘The song was inspired by the fact that I have my ‘roots’ in Detroit and when I moved to Los Angeles, a few years ago, I found myself taking trips to Detroit to see my family and so on.’

‘Hey You, hey you don’t be silly. Put a condom on your willy. Rich in paradise.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

415-Nickleback-Rockstar.

2007-Number 2 single. It also re-entered the chart in 2008, reaching Number 27.

Best Bit-At 1.01. The song maybe about spending billions of Dollars, but Nickleback took their name from the Nickel in change that band member Mike Kroeger gave customers at his job at Starbucks, he would frequently say, ‘Here’s your Nickel back.’

Nickleback were formed in Hanna, Alberta, Canada, in 1995 by Chad Kroeger, (vocals) his brother Mike Kroeger, (bass) their cousin Brandon Kroeger, (drums) and Ryan Peake (guitar, and keyboards.) Brandon left the band in 1997, with Mitch Guindon (drums) being his replacement between 1997-1998, followed by Ryan Vikedal, (drums) from 1998-2005, and since 2005 Daniel Adair has been the bands official drummer. Prior to becoming Nickleback the four founding members had played together as a covers band called ‘Village Idiot’ in the early 1990’s, and at the time of writing they remain active.

Nickleback are one of Canada’s most successful acts, with record sales in excess of 50 million Albums worldwide. Their discography includes 10 studio Albums released between 1996-2020, and 44 singles released between 1996-2023, there are also two extended plays, (EP’s) and two official compilation Albums available. In Canada on the ‘Billboard Canadian Albums,’ six of their studio Albums have reached Number 1, and 19 of their singles have made the ‘Billboard Canadian Hot 100’ top 40, with ‘How You Remind Me,’ (2001) and ‘Someday,’ (2003) both reaching the Number 1 position, with ‘Rockstar’ only making Number 39. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, 10 of their singles have reached the top 40, with ‘How You Remind Me peaking the highest at Number 1, while ‘Rockstar’ made Number 6. In the UK, Nickleback have had nine top 40 entries on the singles chart, with ‘Rockstar’ peaking the highest at Number 2.

‘Rockstar’ was the fifth of seven singles released from ‘All the Right Reasons,’ the fifth studio Album by Nickleback, from October 2005, the song was co-written by all four band members, with the production being by Nickleback, and Joey Moi, who has worked on four Nickleback studio Albums between 2003-2011. Although ‘Rockstar’ was recorded in 2005, it didn’t become a hit in the UK until 2007, it had proved very popular, reaching the top 50 on downloads alone, prompting the record company to give it a physical release. ‘Rockstar’ went on to sell just short of 600,000 copies in the UK, and is their most successful track in that country. In America, ‘Rockstar’ had initially stalled at Number 54 on Billboard, but was re-issued in June 2007 with an accompanying video. ‘Rockstar’ was aided to it’s great success by it’s memorable video which features many rock star’s miming the songs lyrics, including Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, (see also best songs 653) who actually performs the spoken words on the track. Other famous faces making an appearance in the video include Gene Simmons, Kid Rock, (see also best songs 433) and Nelly Furtado. At the end of the video Nickelback are shown playing live on stage, this shot was filmed on July 13th, 2007, at the ‘Comcast Center for the Performing Arts,’ in Mansfield, Massachusetts, United States.

Chad Kroeger was born Chad Robert Turton, on November 15th, 1974, in Hanna, Alberta, Canada, he is the lead singer, and guitarist with Nickleback. His maternal grandfather, was the Canadian politician Henry Kroeger, (1917-1987) who was born in Moscow to a Mennonite family of Prussian descent. After Chad’s father left the family when he was two, he started going by his mother’s maiden name of Kroeger. Chad Kroeger who was married to the Canadian singer Avril Lavigne (see also best songs 953) from 2013 until their divorce in 2015, has worked on several other projects while being a member of Nickleback, including writing and producing the 2002 track ‘Hero,’ (Billboard Number 3 & UK Number 4) for the superhero film ‘Spider-Man.’ In 2001 he founded the band ‘The Suits XL,’ and then in 2005 he co-founded the Vancouver-based ‘604 Records,’ on which in 2006, ‘The Suits XL’ released an Album. He has also collaborated with other artists, including Santana, and Timbaland.

‘Rockstar’ does not condone what some perceive to be, and in some cases correctly, the decadence of a few. Instead ‘Rockstar’ pokes fun at the stereotypical lifestyle of a famous musician, complete with references to extravagant homes, groupies, drugs, and famous friends. Chad Kroeger has said, ‘We had a lot of fun with that one. Just crazy nonsensical things that help paint this picture of someone dreaming about being a Rock Star. It’s what you would also do if you won the lottery. I hope it comes across as us having a lot of fun, and even to some degree, making fun of ourselves.’

‘I want a brand new house on an episode of Cribs, and a bathroom I can play baseball in, and a king size tub, big enough for ten plus me.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

416-Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson-I Need It.

1975-Number 36 single.

Best Bit-At 2.25. He wasn’t christened ‘Guitar,’ but he should have been.

Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson was born John Watson Jr. on February 3rd, 1935, in Houston, Texas, United States, he died on May 17th, 1996. from a heart attack, collapsing on stage while on tour in Yokohama, Japan, at the age of 61. At the age of 15 Watson moved with his mother to Los Angeles, California, after his parents divorced. It was there that he first entered talent contests, which led to him performing with local Blues bands, as a pianist, guitarist and vocalist. He recorded his first songs in 1952 as ‘Young John Watson,’ but he changed to Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson after watching the 1954 American Western film ‘Johnny Guitar’ starring Joan Crawford (190?-1977.) Over the years Watson developed a flamboyant stage act, appearing confident with a humorous personality, and he would often wear outrageous flashy clothing when performing. Over the course of his career Watson toured and recorded with artists as diverse as Little Richard, (1932-2020) (see also best songs 521) Frank Zappa, (1940-1993) Herb Alpert, (see also best songs 815) and many more. His recording output altered with the decades changing music tastes, as he moved from the ‘Blues’ in the 1950’s, to ‘Soul’ in the 1960’s, through to the 1970’s when he turned to ‘Funk.’

Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson is one of the most influential guitarists of all time. The American musician Frank Zappa said that ‘Watson’s 1956 song ‘Three Hours Past Midnight’ inspired me to become a guitarist.’ Watson would go on to contribute to four of Frank Zappa’s studio Albums during the 1970’s, and 1980’s. The American musician Steve Miller covered Watson’s 1957 song ‘Gangster of Love’ in 1968, he also made reference to it in his 1969 song ‘Space Cowboy,’ as well as in his 1973 hit ‘The Joker’ (see also best songs 715.) The American Blues Rock guitarist Jimmie Vaughan has said, ‘When my brother Stevie and I were growing up in Dallas, we idolised very few guitarists. We were highly selective and highly critical. Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson was at the top of the list, along with Freddie, Albert and B. B. King.’ Johnny Guitar Watson was a major influence on a young Jimi Hendrix, (1942-1970) (see also best songs 983 and 492) Watson once said, ‘I used to play the guitar standing on my hands, I had a 150 foot cord and I could get on top of the auditorium, those things Jimi Hendrix was doing, I started that sh#t.’ In a 1994 interview Watson was asked if his 1980 song ‘Telephone Bill’ anticipated ‘Rap’ Music, to which Watson replied, ‘I damn well invented it.’

It was Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson’s 1954 instrumental track ‘Space Guitar,’ that was ground breaking, although it went generally unnoticed at the time of it’s release, retrospectively it has become one of the most important compositions of it’s era. ‘Space Guitar’ was Watson’s first recording to showcase his guitar playing. The backing arrangement for the piece is fairly typical for ‘R&B’ and ‘Jump Blues’ at the time, however, Watson’s groundbreaking performance on the electric guitar sets it apart. ‘Space Guitar’ has been described as being well ahead of its time, with Watson’s over-the-top guitar playing and the heavy use of audio effects. Remember this was 1954, I can only imagine what someone sitting down to listen to it for the first time must have thought. According to Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson, it was a remark by the unnamed recording engineer on the track that inspired the title for ‘Space Guitar,’ ‘I don’t know what you’re trying to do, man, but Jesus, man, what is it? Are you some kind of spaceman?’

The discography of Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson includes at least 27 Albums released between 1963-2004, and at least 53 singles released between 1952-1995. He has never charted within the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, although ‘A Real Mother for Ya,’ from 1977 made Number 41, while 11 of his singles have made the Billboard ‘Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs’ top 40, with ‘A Real Mother for Ya,’ peaking the highest at Number 5. In the UK, Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson’s only top 40 entry is ‘I Need It,’ which made Number 35, but failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100.

‘I Need It’ was the first of three singles released from Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson’s 1975 Album ‘Ain’t That a Bitch,’ the song was written and produced by Watson. ‘Ain’t That a Bitch,’ was Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson’s first successful ‘Funk’ Album, and has sold in excess of 500,000 copies. In 1998 the British music magazine ‘The Wire’ included ‘Ain’t That a Bitch’ in their list of ‘100 Records That Set the World on Fire (While No One Was Listening.’)

‘You’ve got a thang for me, even the blind could see. Something you got, you can’t beat it, no, well, girl I need it.’