THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

249-The Jacksons-Blame It on the Boogie.

1978-Number 8 single.

Best Bit-At 2.42. This is confusing, because Mick Jackson wrote the song, and Michael Jackson sang it. It was a complete coincidence….so don’t blame it on, anything.

By 1976 The Jackson 5’s (see also best songs 137) record sales were in decline, and they were also in a legal battle with Motown supremo Berry Gordy over royalty payments. This led to the brothers mutually agreeing with Gordy that they should leave Motown, with the exception of Jermaine Jackson (see also best songs 570) who was married to Gordy’s daughter, and he therefore stayed with the label to pursue a solo career. The remaining four brothers Jackie, Tito, (1953-2024) Marlon, and Michael, (1958-2009) (see also best songs 812-511 and 191) were joined by their youngest brother Randy, and signed a new contract with ‘Epic Records’ in 1976. Due to Motown owning the brand ‘The Jackson 5,’ the brothers changed their name to ‘The Jacksons,’ and recorded six studio Albums between 1976-1989. They also issued 17 singles within the same time period, of which seven made the top 40 in America on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, with ‘State of Shock’ charting the highest at Number 3 in 1984. While in the UK, 11 of their singles have made the top 40, with ‘Show You the Way to Go’ reaching Number 1 in 1977. For the discography of ‘The Jackson 5’ see best songs 137. The Jacksons officially split in 1989, but re-grouped to tour in 2001, with Jemaine joining them, and although they have released no new music, they have played together again since 2012, and at the time of writing they remain active as a duo of Jackie, and Marlon Jackson.

Randy Jackson was born Steven Randall Jackson on October 29th, 1961, in Gary, Indiana, United States, he is the youngest Jackson brother, and the second youngest Jackson sibling before his sister Janet (see also best songs 679.) As he was only three years old when the ‘Jackson 5’ were first formed in 1965, he was not originally a member of that group. It wasn’t until The Jackson 5 left Motown and signed with ‘Epic records in 1976, that Randy became an official member replacing his brother Jermaine. After The Jacksons split in 1989 Randy Jackson released one studio Album called ‘Randy & the Gypsys’ later that year, he has also issued one solo single called ‘How Can I Be Sure, in 1978.

‘Blame It on the Boogie’ was written by a different ‘Jackson’ called Michael George Jackson, who was born in Germany, on November 2nd, 1947, but was raised in England. He and his brother, and others played in a band that went by the name of ‘Mick Jackson,’ ‘Blame It on the Boogie’ was written in collaboration by Mick, and his brother Dave, and Elmar Krohn, with the intention of hopefully getting it recorded by an artist of the stature of Stevie Wonder (see also best songs 920-843-834-682-570-503-366-205-152 and 65.) The song was circulated, and first off the mark was the American Bobby Colomby, a music producer who brought the song to the attention of The Jacksons. ‘Blame It on the Boogie’ was issued as the first of three singles released from ‘Destiny’ which was the 13th overall studio Album by The Jackson brothers, from November 1978, the brothers are credited as the songs producers.

In the UK, both The Jacksons version, and the original recording by Mick Jackson were both released within a few days of each other in September 1978. The UK music press had a field day declaring it ‘A Battle of the Boogie.’ Mick Jackson got to do ‘Top of the Pops’ first, with The Jacksons appearing the next week. Radio 1 championed The Jacksons version, while ‘Capitol’ radio played the Mick Jackson recording, and even the music press chose sides with ‘Melody Maker’ on side of The Jacksons, and the ‘NME’ siding with Mick Jackson. In the end The Jacksons version peaked at Number 8, and Mick Jackson made Number 15, but of course the real winner was Mick Jackson, as he received the songs royalties as the writer. Mick Jackson himself in 2003 said of the Jacksons’ version of ‘Blame It on the Boogie, (‘the original) version had 100% of our heart and soul in it but the Jacksons’ version had the magic extra 2% that made it incredible.’ In 2010 the filmmaker Patrick Nation made a Channel 4 documentary about Mick Jackson and the story of the song, entitled ‘The Other Michael Jackson: Battle of the Boogie.’ The documentary was co-written and presented by Mick’s son Sam Peter Jackson and led to Mick Jackson’s 1978 Album ‘Weekend’ which features the original version of ‘Blame It on the Boogie’ being re-released for the first time in 30 years.

The discography of Mick Jackson includes three studio Albums released between 1979-1982, and seven singles released between 1978-1988, he was saved from being known as a ‘one hit wonder’ in the UK when this songs follow up, ‘Weekend’ reached Number 38 also in 1978, a cover version of ‘Weekend’ by the American southern rock band ‘Wet Willie’ reached Number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 in America in 1979. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 Mick Jackson’s version of ‘Blame It on the Boogie’ stalled at Number 61, while The Jacksons recording did slightly better making Number 54. ‘Blame It on the Boogie’ has also charted twice since in the UK. In 1989 the Stock, Aitken and Waterman (see also best songs 627) produced version of the song by the English Boy Band ‘Big Fun’ reached Number 4, and in 1998 the Dance Music act ‘Clock’ took their version to Number 16.

‘That nasty boogie bugs me, but somehow it has drugged me, spellbound rhythm gets me on my feet. I’ve changed my life completely, I’ve seen the lightning leave me, my baby just can’t take her eyes off me.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

250-Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers-Why Do Fools Fall in Love.

1956-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 0.14. The founder of Motown records Berry Gordy based much of the sound of this band on the development of Michael Jackson, and The Jackson 5, as well as many of his other Motown acts.

The group who would become Frankie Lyman & the Teenagers were formed in 1954 in Harlem, New York City, New York, United States. In total there were 24 members come and go, with the groups one constant being Herman Santiago, the group was officially retired in 2020. Frankie Lymon was born Franklin Joseph Lymon on September 30th, 1942, in New York City, United States, he died of a Heroin overdose on February 27th, 1968, at the age of 25, having been an addict since the age of 15. At the age of 13 he became the youngest person at that time to achieve a UK Number 1 single with this song, he was surpassed in 1972 by Little Jimmy Omond singing ‘Long Haired Lover from Liverpool,’ at the age of nine years and eight months, a record that still stands.

Frankie Lymon first became associated with the Puerto Rican singer Herman Santiago when they were both 12 years old in 1954, when Lymon saw Santiago singing with a ‘Doo-Wop’ group in a local talent show. Lymon and Santiago, along with Jimmy Merchant, Sherman Garnes, (1940-1977) and Joe Negroni (1940-1978) soon teamed up to become the ‘Teenagers,’ an integrated group, which included three African-American members, and two Puerto Rican members. In mid 1957 Lymon left the ‘Teenagers’ to pursue a solo career, but both his career and that of the Teenagers fell into decline. Frankie Lymon is yet another tragic story of a child star not being able to handle the pressure. It is said that he was introduced to heroin at the age of 15 by a woman twice his age, this led to his lifelong addiction. In 1966, Lymon was arrested on a heroin charge and was drafted into the United States Army in lieu of a jail sentence, he was in the army for two years where he remained clean. In 1968 Lymon was dishonourably discharged from the Army for repeatedly going AWOL to secure gigs at small clubs. He was soon signed to the ‘Big Apple’ record label, where he thought his career was finally back on track, and to celebrate he took heroin. According to his death certificate the overdose was a result from ‘acute intravenous narcotism.’ In 1998 Lymon’s life was dramatised in the film ‘Why Do Fools Fall in Love.’ In 1993, Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers were inducted into the ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,’ and into the ‘Vocal Group Hall of Fame’ in 2000. Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers have the distinction of being called ‘Rock Music’s’ first successful all-teen aged act.

The discography of Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers includes one studio Album released in 1956, and 10 singles released between 1956-1957, there is also one official compilation Album, released in 1986. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, three of their singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Why Do Fools Fall in Love’ peaking the highest at Number 6, while in the UK, four of their singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Why Do Fools Fall in Love’ peaking the highest at Number 1. The solo discography of Frankie Lymon includes four Albums released between 1956-1994, and 16 singles released between 1957-1969, of which the most successful was his cover version of ‘Little Bitty Pretty One’ in 1960, which reached Number 18 on the Billboard R&B chart.

‘Why Do Fools Fall in Love’ was the first of five singles released from ‘The Teenagers Featuring Frankie Lymon,’ which was the only studio Album issued by Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers, from December 1956, the song was co-written by Frankie Lymon, Herman Santiago, and Jimmy Merchant, with the production being by George Goldner (1918-1970.) The songs royalties have been the cause of constant dispute. When the song was first issued in 1956 on the ‘Gee’ record label, the labels owner George Goldner (1918-1970) added his own name to the credits, with later releases attributed to just Goldner and Lymon, leaving off Santiago and Merchant. When Goldner sold his record label to Morris Levy, (1927-1990) Levy replaced his name on the songs writing credits, removing that of Goldner. After a lengthy court battle in 1992, Santiago and Merchant were awarded the songs writing credits, but in 1996 the ruling was overturned by the Court of Appeals under the stature of limitations and authorship, because Santiago and Merchant did not bring the case to court soon enough, with the songs rights being given back to Lymon and Levy. Morris Levy had strong connections with the Mafia, he was played by Paul Mazursky (1930-2014) in the 1998 film ‘Why Do Fools Fall in Love,’ and he was an inspiration for the HBO television series ‘The Sopranos’ (1999–2007) character Hesh Rabkin, who made a fortune defrauding mostly R&B performers, underpaying royalties, pressing unauthorised records, and who owned lavish New Jersey horse racing stables. Levy was also portrayed by David Gianopoulos in the 1999 television film ‘Mr. Rock ‘n’ Roll: The Alan Freed Story.’

In 1981 Diana Ross (see also best songs 1001-900-519-411-365-212-183-148 and 23) recorded ‘Why Do Fools Fall in Love’ for her first single for ‘RCA’ after leaving ‘Motown,’ taking the song to Number 4 in the UK & Number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 in America, and earning in excess of one million in royalties worldwide. This led to legal cases being brought to court by the family of the late Frankie Lymon. Lymon had been married three times during his short life, although two of those marriages were legally dubious. Eventually Lymon’s third wife, and probably the only legal one, Emira Eagle Lymon Bryant (1939-2019) was awarded Lymon’s estate, which is depicted in the 1998 film ‘Why Do Fools Fall in Love,’ where Bryant is played by the actress Lela Rochon.

Oh wah, oh wah, oh wah, oh wah, oh wah, oh wah, why do fools fall in love? Why do birds sing so gay? And lovers await the break of day, why do they fall in love?

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

251-Roberta Flack-The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.

1972-Number 14 single.

Best Bit-At 0.34. It is said that the songs writer Ewan MacColl disliked the many cover versions of his song. He had a special section in his record collection for them entitled ‘The Chamber of Horrors.’ He said that the Elvis Presley version was like ‘Romeo at the bottom of the Post Office Tower singing up to Juliet,’ and the other versions, he thought, were ‘Travesties: bludgeoning, histrionic, and lacking in grace.’

Ewan MacColl was born James Henry Miller on January 25th, 1915, in Broughton, Salford, Lancashire, England, after many years of poor health, having suffered the first of many heart attacks in 1979, he died following complications after having had heart surgery, on October 22nd, 1989, at the age of 74. Ewan MacColl was a Folk singer/songwriter, and a collector of traditional Folk songs. He was a Labour activist, and a communist throughout his life, and many of his songs were politically motivated. His extensive discography includes 17 solo Albums released between 1956-1972, and 41 Albums recorded with his third wife Peggy Seeger between 1958-1986. Ewan MacColl is the father of Kirsty MacColl, (1959-2000) (see also best songs 32) whose mother was MacColl’s second wife Jean Newlove (1923-2017.)

James Miller changed his name to Ewan MacColl in 1945, it was influenced by the ‘Lallans’ movement in Scotland, Lallans is a Modern Scots variant of the word ‘lawlands,’ referring to the lowlands of Scotland, and is a term that was traditionally used to refer to the Scots language as a whole. Ewan MacColl collected hundreds of traditional Folk songs during his lifetime, including the version of ‘Scarborough Fair’ that was later recorded by Simon & Garfunkel on their third studio Album ‘Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme,’ from 1966. MacColl also wrote many left-wing political songs, and remained a steadfast communist throughout his life and actively engaging in political activism. In 1932 the British intelligence service, MI5, opened a file on MacColl, after local police asserted that he was ‘a communist with very extreme views,’ who needed ‘special attention.’ For a time the Special Branch kept a watch on the Manchester home that he shared with his first wife, Joan Littlewood (1914-2002.) MI5 caused some of MacColl’s songs to be rejected by the BBC, and prevented the employment of Littlewood as a BBC children’s programme presenter. MacColl was one of the main composers of British protest songs during the Folk revival of the 1950’s and 1960’s. In the early 1950’s he penned ‘The Ballad of Ho Chi Minh,’ and ‘The Ballad of Stalin’ for the British Communist Party. When asked about the song in a 1985 interview, Ewan MacColl said that it was ‘a very good song,’ and that ‘it dealt with some of the positive things that Stalin did.’

Roberta Flack (see also best songs 541) was born Roberta Cleopatra Flack on February 10th, 1937, in Black Mountain, North Carolina, United States, she died on February 24th, 2025, of cardiac arrest, at the age of 88. Her many accolades include a star with her name on it on the ‘Hollywood Walk of Fame,’ which she received in 1999. The discography of Roberta Flack includes 19 studio Albums released between 1969-2018, which includes two Albums in collaboration with Donny Hathaway, (1945-1979) there are also four official compilation Albums, three live Albums and one soundtrack Album available. She also released 48 singles between 1969-2021, of which 11 have made the American Billboard Hot 100 top 40, with three of those singles including ‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’ reaching Number 1. ‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’ spent six weeks at Number 1, and was the best selling single in that country in 1972. In the UK, Roberta Flack has had six top 40 hit singles, with ‘Tonight, I Celebrate My Love,’ with Peabo Bryson, peaking the highest at Number 2 in 1983.

‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’ was written by Ewan MacColl at the request of his future wife Peggy Seeger. When they first met MacColl was still married to his second wife Jean Newlove, MacColl was 41 years old, and Seeger was 21 years old. MacColl lived in England but Seeger lived in New York City, and it is said he pined for her when they were apart. Seeger was working on a radio show in Los Angeles and asked MacColl for a love song she could sing. He wrote ‘First Time Ever I Saw Your Face for her, and sang it to her over the phone.

‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’ was the second and final single released from ‘First Take,’ which was the debut studio Album by Roberta Flack, from June 1969, the song was written by Ewan MacColl, with the production being by Joel Dorn (1942-2007.) Although Roberta Flack had recorded the song in 1969 it was not released as a single until receiving exposure in the 1971 American psychological thriller film ‘Play Misty for Me’ (see also best songs 706) directed by and starring Clint Eastwood. The story goes that Eastwood first heard the song on his car radio while driving down the L.A. Freeway. He phoned Flack and said, ‘I’d like to use your song in this movie…about a disc jockey with a lot of music in it. I’d use it in the only part of the movie where there’s absolute love.’ The pair came to an agreement where Eastwood paid Roberta Flack $2,000 for the rights.

Roberta Flack has said about the song, ‘It’s a perfect song, second only to Amazing Grace, I think. It’s the kind of song that has two unique and distinct qualities, it tells a story, and it has lyrics that mean something. Because of it’s meaningful lyrics the song can be interpreted by a lot of people in a lot of different ways, the love of a mother for a child, for example, or that of two lovers. I wish more songs I had chosen had moved me the way that one did. I’ve loved most every song I’ve recorded, but that one was pretty special.’

‘The first time ever I saw your face, I thought the sun rose in your eyes, and the moon and the stars were the gifts you gave, to the dark and the endless skies.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

252-The Andrews Sisters-Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.

1941-It has never charted in the UK. There was no UK chart until 1952.

Best Bit-At 0.17. 1940’s ‘Girl Power’ that helped win World War 2.

The Andrew Sisters (see also best songs 934) were a close harmony singing group of the ‘Swing,’ and ‘Boogie-Woogie’ eras, made up of the three sisters LaVerne Sophia Andrews, (1911-1967) (contralto) Maxene Anglyn Andrews, (1916-1995) (soprano) and Patricia Marie Andrews, (1918-2013) ( mezzo-soprano) there was also a fourth sister Anglyn, who died at eight months old, on March 16th, 1914, all of the sisters were born in Minneapollis, Minnesota, United States. The Andrews Sisters were at the height of their fame in the 1940’s, and are fondly remembered for boosting morale during the War years, where they would entertain the Allied forces in Africa, and Italy, as well as in the United States, they would visit Army, Navy, Marine and Coast Guard bases, war zones, hospitals, and munition factories, and partly because of this, their music is often remembered when people discuss World War 2. With record sales in excess of 80 million The Andrews Sisters were the most successful girl group of the first half of the 20th Century, and the second best selling artists of the 1940’s behind Bing Crosby (1903-1977) (see also best songs 934-457 and 259.) They teamed up with Bing Crosby on record on many occasions, recording 47 songs with him, of which 23 charted on Billboard in America. The Andrews Sisters had in total 113 Billboard hit singles, of which 46 reached the top 10, and eight made Number 1 between 1938-1955, with ‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy’ making Number 6, they also appeared in 17 Hollywood films between 1940-1948.

‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy’ was written by Don Raye, (1909-1985) and Hughie Prince, (1906-1960) who were commissioned by ‘Universal’ pictures to compose songs for the 1941 American musical military comedy ‘Buck Privates,’ starring Bud Abbott, (1897-1974) and Lou Costello, (1906-1959.) The Andrews Sisters who were also under contract at ‘Universal’ at that time were asked to perform the song in the film. ‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy’ is heavily based on the 1940 song ‘Beat Me Daddy, Eight to the Bar,’ which had also been written by Raye and Prince, and had been recorded by The Andrews Sisters in 1940. ‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy’ had originally been written for Lou Costello to perform, but with amendments it was decided that it should be performed by The Andrew Sisters, who also performed three other songs in the film,’You’re a Lucky Fellow, Mr. Smith, ‘Bounce Me Brother, With a Solid Four,’ and (‘I’ll Be With You) In Apple Blossom Time.’ Both Don Raye, and Hughie Prince appeared in the film as new recruits alongside Abbott and Costello.

‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy’ was co-written by Don Raye, who was born Donald MacRae Wilhoite Jr. on March 16th, 1909, in Washington, D.C., United States, he died on January 29th, 1985, at the age of 75. Don Raye had began his career as a dancer, going on to win the ‘Virginia State Dancing Championship,’ he then started work in vaudeville as a song and dance man, often writing his own songs for his act. In 1935 he started work full time as a songwriter, collaborating with composers Sammy Cahn, (1913-1993) Saul Chaplin, (1912-1997) and the bandleader, and saxophonist Jimmie Lunceford (1902-1947.) Don Raye and Hughie Prince first joined forces in 1940 co-writing ‘Beat Me Daddy, Eight to the Bar,’ with Ralph McKinley, (1910-1995) this led to them being signed by ‘Universal Pictures’ to score musical comedies with The Andrews Sisters, The Ritz Brothers, and Abbott and Costello. In 1985, Don Raye was inducted into the ‘Songwriters Hall of Fame.’ Hughie Prince was born Hugh Durham Prince on August 9th, 1906, in Greenville, South Carolina, United States, he died on January 16th, 1960, at the age 53, together with Don Raye their music has been used in over 40 films.

‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy’ tells the tale about a
renowned trumpeter who is drafted into the army, and is given the task of blowing the wake up call, which is known as the ‘reveille.’ He grows tired of this mundane activity, until the Captain empathises and drafts in other musicians, the bugler is inspired by this and he now plays reveille in his own ‘Boogie Woogie’ style, which has a positive effect on everyone. In 1972 the American actress and singer Bette Midler recorded the song for her debut Album ‘The Divine Miss M,’ it was produced by Barry Manilow (see also best songs 750.) When it was released as a single in 1973 it reached Number 8 on Billboard, bringing the song to the attention of a whole new generation. In 2007 Christina Aguilera (see also best songs 373) and Linda Perry (see also best songs 296) co-wrote ‘Candyman’ (Billboard Number 25 & UK Number 17) for Aguilera’s Album ‘Back to Basics,’ the song was a tribute to The Andrew Sisters, and ‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.’ The Andrew Sisters have recorded at least four different versions of ‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy’ on different labels. The Original on ‘Decca Records’ in 1941, ‘V-Disc’ in 1944, ‘Capitol Records’ in 1956, and ‘Dot Records’ in 1962.

‘He was a famous trumpet man from out Chicago way, he had a boogie style that no one else could play. He was the top man at his craft, but then his number came up and he was gone with the draft.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

253-The Stone Roses-Fools Gold.

1989-Number 8 single. It re-entered the chart in 1995, reaching Number 25, and after being remixed in 1999, it once again charted at Number 25.

Best Bit-At 4.04. I can’t help feeling that if Ian Brown had stood closer to the microphone we would have heard him a little clearer.

The Stone Roses (see also best songs 979) were formed in Manchester, England, in 1983, and remained active until 1996, they re-united in 2011, and parted ways again in 2017. In total there have been 12 official members of the group at differing times, with the classic line up consisting of Ian Brown, (lead vocals) John Squire, (guitar) Gary Mounfield, (bass) and Alan Wren (drums.) The Stone Roses have released just two studio Albums, ‘The Stone Roses’ in 1989, and ‘Second Coming’ in 1994, They have also issued 15 singles between 1985-2016, with only their debut release ‘So Young’ failing to make the UK top 40.The Stone Roses are one of Pop Music’s most critically acclaimed acts. Their mix of Rock, Funk, and Psychedelic Rock was the inspiration for many bands of the early 1990’s including fellow Manchester band Oasis (see also best songs 1006-758 and 15.) Noel Gallagher has said, ‘When I heard ‘Sally Cinnamon’ for the first time, I knew what my destiny was,’ while his brother Liam has stated that they were the first band he saw live, and that seeing them perform influenced him to become a singer.

The Stone Roses were one of the pioneering groups of the ‘Madchester’ (see also best songs 580) movement in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. Their self titled debut Album which was recorded between June 1988 to February 1989, and released in May 1989 was a slow burner, that grew more and more popular alongside the band’s high profile concert performances. The Albums critical standing has also improved significantly in later years, with ‘The Stone Roses’ now considered to be one of the greatest Albums of all time, and it has now sold in excess of four million copies worldwide. In December 1989 Ian Brown was not backward in coming forward when saying, ‘We’re the most important group in the world, because we’ve got the best songs, and we haven’t even begun to show our potential yet.’ In 1990 The Stone Roses wanted to leave their record label ‘Silvertone,’ because they were unhappy in the way they were being promoted, this led to years of battles in court, and a delay of over four and a half years until the release of their follow up Album ‘Second Coming,’ in December 1994, on their new record label ‘Geffen.’

‘Fools Gold’ was the fourth of seven singles that have been issued from The Stone Roses self titled debut studio Album, from May 1989, the song was co-written by Ian Brown and John Squires, with the production being by John Leckie (see also best songs 979.) ‘Fools Gold’ was initially planned as the ‘B’ side to ‘What the World Is Waiting For,’ but after their record label ‘Silvertone’ suggested ‘Fools Gold’ for the ‘A’side, the band and the record label compromised, and both tracks were issued as a double ‘A’ sided single. ‘Fools Gold’ is built around a loop from the 1971 ‘Funk’ track ‘Hot Pants (I’m Coming’) by Bobby Byrd (1934-2007) (see also best songs 561.) John Squire had first heard that song on a compilation Album he had picked up in a Manchester record store, and the drum pattern on the intro to that song forms the basis for the drumming that is heard all the way through ‘Fools Gold.’ John Squire has mistakenly said that the sample he used was from the 1970 song ‘Funky Drummer’ by James Brown, (1933-2006) (see also best songs 880-349-270 and 88) both those tracks appeared on the compilation Album Squires had listened to. John Squires has recalled, ‘We were signing copies of our single, ‘She Bangs The Drums,’ in a Manchester record shop called Eastern Bloc. The owner said we could pick a couple of albums as a thank you and I picked out a breakbeats album because I liked the cover and I wanted to see what it was all about. That’s where I heard the ‘Funky Drummer’ loop that we built ‘Fools Gold’ around.’ John Squire has also said, ‘The construction of that single was completely different to anything we’d written before. It wasn’t something that was knocked out and arranged on an acoustic guitar, then taken into rehearsals and kicked around with a drummer and a bassist. I just put it on a portastudio and started playing guitar over it. The main riff was partly inspired by Johnny Cash’s Rockabilly plucking sound, that muted guitar sound you get when you just play on the bass strings.’ ‘Fools Gold’ also samples the bassline from a 1988 song called ‘Know How,’ by the English Rapper ‘Young MC.’

‘Fools Gold’ is a song about greed, with the lyrics written by Ian Brown, who had got inspiration having seen the 1948 Humphrey Bogart (1899-1957) film ‘The Treasure of the Sierra Madre.’ In the film friends go up a mountain in search of gold, and after being successful their greed gets the better of them, and they turn on each other, Brown has said,’That’s how it felt once the Roses started getting successful. Suddenly everyone was after their piece of gold.”

‘These boots were made for walking,The Marquis de Sade don’t wear no boots like these. Gold’s just around the corner, breakdown’s coming up ’round the bend.

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

254-Peter Gabriel-Games Without Frontiers.

1980-Number 4 single.

Best Bit-At 0.17. Where you will hear one of Pop Music’s most misheard song lyrics (see also best songs 502.) Some people hear ‘she’s so popular,’ I always thought she was singing ‘she’s so funky yeah.’ The actual lyrics are ‘Jeux Sans Frontieres,’ and were sung by Kate Bush, (see also best songs 866) who would later record the 1986 UK Number 9 hit single duet with Peter Gabriel called ‘Don’t Give Up.’

Peter Gabriel was born Peter Brian Gabriel on February 13th, 1950, in Chobham, England, before embarking on a solo career in 1975 he had been a founding member, and the lead singer of the Progressive Rock band Genesis (see also best songs 741.) Peter Gabriel is one of the leading exponents in the making and promoting of the genre ‘World Music,’ which is basically music not associated with Western Countries. In 2010 Gabriel was inducted into the ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’ as a member of Genesis, and in 2014 he was inducted as a solo artist. Peter Gabriel was a member of Genesis from their formation in 1967 until leaving in 1975, with Genesis he was the lead vocalist, and also played the flute, oboe, and provided percussion on their first six studio Albums released between 1969-1974.

The solo discography of Peter Gabriel includes 10 studio Albums released between 1977-2023, and 46 singles released within the same time period, there are also five official compilation Albums, five live Albums, and four soundtrack Albums available. In the UK three of his Albums have reached the Number 1 position, while 10 of his singles have made the UK top 40, with ‘Games Without Frontiers,’ (1980) and ‘Sledgehammer,’ (1986) both peaking the highest at Number 4. In America on the Billboard 200 chart, eight of his studio Albums have reached the top 40, with ‘So’ (1986) and ‘Us’ (1992) both peaking the highest at Number 2, while five of his singles have reached the Billboard Hot 100 top 40, with ‘Sledgehammer’ (1986) peaking the highest at Number 1, while ‘Games Without Frontiers,’ stalled at Number 48.

‘Games Without Frontiers’ was the first of four singles released from Peter Gabriel’s third solo studio Album called ‘Peter Gabriel,’ from May 1980, the song was written by Peter Gabriel, with the production being by Steve Lillywhite (see also best songs 1004-962-603 and 32.) The performers on the track were Peter Gabriel, vocals, synthesizer, and synth bass, David Rhodes, guitar, Jerry Marotta, drums, Larry Fast, synthesizer, and synth bass, and Kate Bush, backing vocals. Steve Lillywhite, and Hugh Padgham (see also best songs 741-727 and 603) both provided the whistles. All of the first four Peter Gabriel solo studio Albums were called ‘Peter Gabriel,’ and in order to define them, they were also known by different names, with this third studio Album being called ‘Peter Gabriel 3 (Melt’) owing to it’s cover photograph of Gabriel’s face looking like it was melting.

The female vocals on ‘Games Without Frontiers’ were provided by a 21 year old Kate Bush. Originally, a different female vocalist had attempted the ‘jeux sans frontières’ lyric, but her parts were not used. When pressed, Steve Lillywhite would not reveal the name of the first female vocalist. Peter Gabriel subsequently invited Kate Bush to record the part at his studio instead. Steve Lillywhite has said that Gabriel and Bush had a mutual level of respect and admiration for each other. ‘I think everybody fancied her really, particularly Peter, she was as much star-struck by him as he was with her.’ Larry Fast who played the synthesizer on the track, said that the recording engineers had a ‘huge race getting out to the control room to see who would get there first to adjust her microphones or fix her headphones.’ Kate Bush finalised her part in about 30 minutes, and Steve Lillywhite described the recording session as ‘great fun.’

‘Games Without Frontiers’ is an anti-war song, comparing world leaders squabbling with each other like children in the school playground. The lyrics ‘jeux sans frontieres’ is French for ‘games without frontiers, ‘Jeux sans Frontieres’ was the name of a long running television programme broadcast in several European countries between 1962-1999, the British version of the show was called ‘It’s a Knockout.’ The show featured teams from different countries competing against each other in absurd games, and generally dressed in ridiculous outfits, such as large foam rubber suits.

Peter Gabriel and Larry Fast had read a book by the author Michael Herr (1940-2016) titled Dispatches, (1977) which recounted Herr’s experiences and observations from the Vietnam War, including one story of an American urinating on a dead Vietnamese soldier. This scene, which Fast believed was a reflection of the actions that American soldiers found permissible and excusable, inspired the line ‘pissing on goons in the jungle.’ Gabriel has explained the songs meaning, ‘I just began playing in a somewhat light-hearted fashion, ‘Hans and Lottie …’ – so it looked, on the surface, as just kids. The names themselves are meaningless, but they do have certain associations with them. So it’s almost like a little kids’ activity room. Underneath that, you have the TV programme and the sort of nationalism, territorialism, competitiveness that underlies all that assembly of jolly people.’

‘Andre has a red flag, Chiang Ching’s is blue, they all have hills to fly them on, except for Lin Tai Yu. Dressing up in costumes, playing silly games, hiding out in treetops, shouting out rude names.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

255-Buffy Sainte-Marie-Universal Soldier.

1964-It has never been released as a single in the UK.

Best Bit-At 2.01. One of the greatest anti war songs, but perhaps more poignantly, the most controversial of them all.

Buffy Sainte-Marie was born Beverly Jean Santamaria on February 20th, 1941, in Stoneham, Massachusetts, Uhited States, her father’s parents were born in Italy, while her mother was of English ancestry. Her family changed their surname from Santamaria to the more French-sounding ‘Sainte-Marie’ due to anti-Italian sentiment following the Second World War. Since the early 1960’s Buffy Sainte-Marie has claimed Indigenous Canadian ancestry, saying that she was brought up on the Piapot 75 reserve, in the Qu’ Appelle Valley, Saskatchewan, Canada, to Cree parents, saying that as an infant she was abandoned, and then adopted by Albert and Winifred Sainte-Marie, who were a couple of ‘Mi’kmaq descent, who took her to live with them in Massachusetts, United States. A 2023 investigation by ‘CBC News’ concluded that she was actually born in the United States, and is of Italian and English descent. Some Indigenous musicians and organisations have since called for the awards she won while falsely claiming an Indigenous identity to be rescinded. In 2025, she had many awards and honours revoked, including her membership in the ‘Order of Canada’, her induction into the ‘Canadian Music Hall of Fame,’ her ‘Juno Awards,’ and her ‘Polaris Music Prizes.’ In November 2023 following the award of an ‘International Emmy’ to a documentary film about her life called ‘Buffy Sainte-Marie: Carry It On,’ Sainte-Marie stated, ‘My mother told me that I was adopted and that I was Native, but there was no documentation as was common for Indigenous children at the time, I don’t know where I’m from or who my birth parents are, and I will never know.’ I have never known if my birth certificate was real.’

Buffy Sainte-Marie attended the University of Massachusetts, earning degrees in teaching, and Oriental philosophy, and between 1996-2019 she has been awarded 15 honorary doctorates. Throughout her life she has always fought for, and championed the rights of the indigenous peoples of the America’s. Between 1976-1981 she regularly appeared on the educational children’s television programme ‘Sesame Street,’ helping with their Native American programming, and in 1997 she founded the ‘Cradleboard Teaching Project,’ an educational curriculum devoted to better understanding of Native Americans. The discography of Buffy Sainte-Marie includes 16 studio Albums released between 1964-2017, and 13 singles released between 1965-2017, there are also eight official compilation Albums, and one collaborative Album available, In Canada on the ‘RPM’ chart, two of her singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Mister Can’t You See’ from 1972, peaking the highest at Number 21, while in America on the Billboard Hot 100, ‘Mister Can’t You See’ which made Number 38, is her only top 40 charting single. On the UK top 40 singles chart, she has charted on three occasions, with ‘Soldier Blue’ from 1971, peaking the highest at Number 7. In 1983, her co-written song ‘Up Where We Belong,’ for the film ‘An Officer and a Gentleman,’ won the ‘Academy Award’ for ‘Best Original Song’ at the 55th Academy Awards. The song also won the ‘Golden Globe Award’ for ‘Best Original Song’ that same year.

Buffy Sainte-Marie wrote ‘Universal Soldier’ in 1963, after seeing wounded soldiers returning from Vietnam. The song is very controversial because it says that the soldier is the one to blame, he or she is the one who has the choice to fire, or not fire their weapon, he or she has the choice to follow or not follow the politicians orders. Buffy Sainte-Marie has explained some of the songs lyrics,’I’ve always worked very hard to make my protest songs bulletproof, when it says, ‘He’s 5-foot-2 and he’s 6-feet-,’ I didn’t make that up, those were the height parameters of the Vietnam War.’ She has also stated that she wrote the song from the perspective of a student writing an essay for a professor who didn’t see eye to eye with her perspective, in the hope that people could see a different point of view. ‘Universal Soldier’ was never issued as a single by Buffy Sainte-Marie, and first appeared on her debut studio Album ‘It’s My Way,’ released in April 1964. The first released recording of the song was by the American Folk group ‘The Highwaymen’ in September 1963. In 1965 the song came to the attention of the Scottish Folk/Rock singer Donovan, who recorded it as part of his ‘Universal Soldier EP,’ the song reached Number 53 on the American Billboard Hot 100. The other charting version of the song is the one by Glen Campbell (1936-2017) (see also best songs 846 and 197) which made Number 45 on Billboard in America, and peaked the highest in Sweden at Number 4 in 1965. Also in 1965 Jan Berry (1941-2004) of Jan and Dean fame (see also best songs 811) released as a single an ‘answer song’ to ‘Universal Soldier,’ presenting the opposite point of view, it was called ‘The Universal Coward,’ which was a scathing attack on anti war protesters. Jan Berry’s musical partner Dean Torrence objected and did not participate in the recording. The Buffy Sainte-Marie version of ‘Universal Soldier’ was produced Maynard Solomon, who was born Maynard Elliott Solomon on January 5th, 1930, he died on September 28th, 2020, from Lewy body dementia, at the age of 90. Maynard Solomon was an American music executive, musicologist, and music producer, and the co-founder of ‘Vanguard Records’ with his brother Seymour Solomon (1922-2002) in 1950. Buffy Sainte-Marie signed with Vanguard Records in 1959, and remained there for the next 12 years.

‘He’s the Universal Soldier and he really is to blame, his orders come from far away no more. They come from him and you and me, and brothers can’t you see, this is not the way we put an end to war.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

256-Blur starring Phil Daniels-Parklife.

1994-Number 10 single.

Best Bit-At 0.21. This song is as quintessentially British as Fish N’ Chips, or the BBC, or making a cup of tea in response to a crisis, or of course talking about the weather.

‘Parklife’ is one of the songs that defined the genre of music that is known as ‘Britpop,’ ‘Britpop’ was a UK based music and culture movement in the mid-1990’s which emphasised ‘Britishness,’ and produced brighter catchier ‘Alternative Rock,’ partly in response to the darker lyrical themes of the United States led ‘Grunge’ music. There were many bands around at that time who were placed under the ‘Britpop’ banner, but the ones who were considered as the ‘big four’ were Oasis, (see also best songs 1006-758 and 15) Blur, (see also best songs 21) Suede, (see also best songs 695 and 244) and Pulp (see also best songs 605 and 285.) The ‘Britpop’ sound was influenced from the music of the 1960’s, the ‘Glam Rock,’ and ‘Punk Rock’ of the 1970’s, and the ‘Indie Pop’ of the 1980’s. For example Blur were obviously heavily influenced by the Kinks, (see also best songs 1014 and 770) and Oasis were heavily influenced by the Beatles (see also best songs 599-319-238-218-141-80-51-10 and 5.)

Blur (see also best songs 21) were formed in 1988, in London, England, by Damon Albarn, (vocals) Graham Coxon, (guitar) Alex James, (bass) and Dave Rountree (drums.) They were originally called ‘Seymour,’ but became Blur in March 1990. They were active between 1988-2003, then went on hiatus, they were then active again between 2009-2015, then again going on hiatus, until becoming active again in 2023. For the discography of Blur see best songs 21. It was the after the release of their third studio Album ‘Parklife’ in 1994 that Blur finally made their major commercial breakthrough, and at the time of writing the Album is now certified four times platinum in the UK, with sales in excess of 1,200,000, and a further 1,000,000 in Europe. The Album came to define the emerging ‘Britpop’ scene in the year following its release, along with the Album ‘Definitely Maybe’ by future rivals Oasis. Blur and Oasis were later involved in one of the most memorable chart battles in Pop music history. On August 14th, 1995, Blur released the single ‘Country House,’ and Oasis released their single ‘Roll With It,’ with the group who sold the most singles being crowned the most popular band in the country. The public’s imagination was sparked by the contrast between the ‘working class’ Oasis and the ‘middle class’ Blur. In the end, Blur’s ‘Country House’ single sold 274,000 copies to Oasis’ 216,000 copies of ‘Roll with It.’ The singles charted at Number 1 and Number 2 respectively, but what has never been admitted, as far as I know, was that in order to entice customers, at least one of the singles was issued on different coloured vinyl, and in differing sleeves, to entice the customer to buy two or more copies. The singles were also sold in different record shops at different prices, at the retailers discretion.

‘Parklife’ was the third of five singles released from Blur’s third studio Album of the same name, from August 1994. The songwriting is credited to all four members of Blur, although Damon Albarn wrote the lyrics, with the production being by Stephen Street, (see also best songs 940-595-464 and 21) and John Smith, who is a long term Blur collaborator. Damon Albarn who sings the songs chorus, had originally tried to perform the verses as well, but felt he couldn’t get into character. It was Graham Coxon who suggested the actor Phil Daniels, as Coxon was a big fan of the 1979 film ‘Quadrophenia,’ (see also best songs 265) which had starred a young Phil Daniels. At that time Daniels was not familiar with Blur, but after talking with Albarn he accepted the job. Daniels recorded his spoken lyrics in around 40 minutes, and opted for a share in the royalties rather than being paid a set fee. Graham Coxon has said, ‘A lot of people thought it was a celebration of Englishness, but it was actually very sarcastic. The ‘Parklife’ single wasn’t about the working class, it was about the park class: dustbin men, pigeons, joggers – things we saw every day on the way to the studio (Maison Rouge in Fulham.) It epitomises what Blur were about, having fun, and doing exactly what you want to do. Phil Daniels who has frequently performed ‘Parklife’ live with Blur has said, ‘I’ve been all over the world doing it, because Damon always said, ‘Look, do it when you like. I’ll tell you when I’m going to an interesting country, and you can come along if you want.’ So I’ve been to Japan, South America, America. All over the place.’

Damon Albarn has said that inspiration for ‘Parklife’ came to him after reading the 1989 novel ‘London Fields,’ written by Martin Amis (1949-2023.) When introducing the song in 2009 at a concert in Hyde Park, London, Damon Albarn told the audience, ‘I came up with the idea for this song in this park. I was living in Kensington Church Street, and I used to, you know, watch people, and pigeons.’ In 1995 ‘Parklife’ won ‘British Single of the Year,’ and ‘British Video of the Year’ at the 1995 ‘Brit Awards.’ ‘Parklife’ also won ‘British Album of the Year.’

‘Confidence is a preference for the habitual voyeur of what is known as… and morning soup can be avoided if you take a route straight through what is known as…’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

257-Big Joe Turner-Flip, Flop and Fly.

1955-It has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 2.08. The lyrics tell us that the best was to beat the blues is to look forward to meeting up with your ‘main squeeze,’ but at the same time not to forget you are also very attractive, so it’s only fair to share yourself around.

Big Joe Turner (see also best songs 855) was born Joseph Vernon Turner Jr. on May 18th, 1911, in Kansas City, ,Missouri, United States, he died of heart failure, having suffered the effects of arthritis, a stroke and diabetes, on November 24th, 1985, at the age of 74. Turner is recognised as one of the main protagonists in the development of ‘Rock N’ Roll,’ transitioning from Big Bands, to ‘Jump Blues,’ to ‘Rhythm and Blues,’ and finally ‘Rock N’ Roll.’ Turner was known as a ‘Blues Shouter,’ which is a ‘Blues’ singer, often male, capable of singing unamplified with a band. On announcing his death in 1985, the British music magazine the ‘New Musical Express’ described him as the ‘Grandfather of Rock and Roll.’ He was posthumously inducted into the ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’ in 1987, with the Hall lauding him as ‘The brawny voiced ‘Boss of the Blues.” The American online music magazine ‘AllMusic’ called him ‘The premier Blues Shouter of the postwar era.’ A Blues Shouter is a Blues singer, capable of singing unamplified with a band, other notable ‘Blues Shouters’ include Big Maybelle, (1924-1972) Big Mama Thornton, (1926-1984) (see also best songs 86) and Howlin’ Wolf (1910-1976.) When speaking about Big Joe Turner, the American songwriter and Blues singer Doc Pomus (1925-1991) said, ‘Rock and Roll would have never happened without him.’

The discography of Big Joe Turner includes 52 Albums, including compilation Albums, and live Albums, released between 1951-2005, and 61 singles released between 1941-1973. He never had a charting single on the Billboard Hot 100, or on the UK top 40 singles chart, although 20 of his singles have made the Billboard ‘Hot R&B’ chart, with two of those tracks, ‘Honey Hush,’ (1953) and ‘Shake, Rattle and Roll’ (1954) both reaching Number 1.

‘Flip, Flop and Fly’ was co-written by Big Joe Turner, and Charles E. Calhoun, who also played the piano on the song. The two had previously teamed up in 1954 to write ‘Shake, Rattle and Roll,’ which is considered by many to be the very first ever ‘Rock N’ Roll’ hit when recorded by Bill Haley & His Comets (see also best songs 855.) ‘Flip, Flop and Fly’ has a similar arrangement to ‘Shake, Rattle and Roll,’ and it is rumoured that some of the left over lyrics from that song were recycled for this. ‘Flip, Flop and Fly’ has been covered by many of the Rock N’ Roll greats including Elvis Presley (1935-1977) (see also best songs 954-664-442 and 194) and Jerry Lee Lewis, (1935-2022) (see also best songs 678-362 and 99) but the only charting version I could find was by the Canadian Blues band ‘Downchild Blues Band,’ who took their version to Number 35 on the Canadian ‘RPM 100 singles chart’ in 1973.

Charles E, Calhoun was born Jesse Albert Stone on November 16th, 1901, in Atchison, Kansas, United States, he died after a long illness on April 1st, 1999 at the age of 97. Stone first recorded music in 1927 as a member of the ‘Blue Serenaders,’ releasing the Blues song ‘Starvation Blues’ on ‘Okeh Records.’ He then went on to work as a pianist, before forming his own orchestra, and working as a bandleader. In 1947 he joined the staff at ‘Atlantic Records’ to work as a producer, songwriter and arranger, he was the only black person employed by Atlantic Records at that time. Other notable songs written by Jesse Stone include ‘Losing Hand’ for Ray Charles in 1953, and ‘Money Honey’ which became the first hit for The Drifters also in 1953. Stone also notably arranged the song ‘Sh-Boom’ for The Chords, which reached Number 9 on Billboard in 1954, which is widely considered to be the first ‘Doo-Wop’/ ‘Rock N’ Roll’ song to reach the ‘Pop’ top 10.

While employed by Atlantic Records, Jesse Stone went on a fact finding mission with Ahmet Ertegun, (1923-2006) and Herb Abramson, (1916-1999) the co-founders of Atlantic Records. It was during a trip to the American South in 1949 with them that Stone discovered that Atlantic Records were not selling enough records in the southern states because they lacked a certain ‘danceable’ quality. Stone later said, ‘I listened to the stuff that was being done by those thrown together bands in the joints down there, and I concluded that the only thing that was missing from the stuff we were recording was the rhythm. All we needed was a bass line. So I designed a bass pattern, and it sort of became identified with Rock N’ Roll – doo, da-DOO, DUM; doo, da-DOO, DUM – that thing. I’m the guilty person that started that. ‘It was on Ahmet Ertegun’s advice that Stone began using the pseudonym of ‘Charles F. Calhoun,’ for his songwriting, a name appropriated from an unknowing local builder. The name was used on his ‘BMI’ recordings to avoid conflict with his membership in the other music licensing society, ‘ASCAP. ‘ Jesse Stone was honoured by the ‘Rhythm and Blues Foundation’ in 1992 with a ‘Pioneer Award,’ and he was inducted into the ‘Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame’ in 1992, and then inducted posthumously into the ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’ in 2010.

‘Here comes my baby flashin’ her new gold tooth, well she’s so small she can Mambo in a pay phone booth. I’m like a Mississippi Bullfrog sittin’ on a hollow stump, I got so many women I don’t know which way to jump.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

258-McFadden & Whitehead-Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now.

1979-Number 5 single.

Best Bit-At 1.42. Their stage name may sound like a firm of accountants, but they were actually one of the top song writing partnerships at Philadelphia International Records.

Gene McFadden was born on January 28th, 1949, in Olanto, South Carolina, United States, he died from liver and lung cancer on January 27th, 2006, one day short of his 57th birthday. John Whitehead was born John Cavadus Whitehead on July 10th, 1948, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, he died on May 11th, 2004, at the age of 55. Whitehead was fatally shot, possibly in a case of mistaken identity. While fixing a car outside his home in Philadelphia, he was approached by two gunmen who fired multiple shots, then fled the scene, the murder remains unsolved. John Whitehead was the father of Kenny, and his late older brother John Whitehead Jr., who as an R&B duo released two studio Albums, in 1986, and 1994, and four singles between 1986-1995, of which two, both issued on ‘Motown Records,’ ‘Your Love is A 187,’ (1994-Number 32) and ‘Forget I Was a G,’ (1995-Number 40) both reached the UK top 40 singles chart.

Gene McFadden & John Whitehead first met each other as teenagers at school in the 1960’s in Philadelphia, where they formed a group called ‘The Epsilons’ which included future Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes (see also best songs 725) member Lloyd Parks. When Otis Redding (1941-1967) (see also best songs 712 and 377) came to Philadelphia, The Epsilons were invited to go on tour with him, which led to them signing to ‘Stax Records’ and releasing a single in 1970 called ‘The Echo.’ After the departure of Lloyd Parks, McFadden & Whitehead now a duo, changed their name to ‘Talk of the Town,’ and began working with the legendary Kenny Gambol and Leon Huff (see also best songs 1001-896-725-648-604-571-338 and 322) at Philadelphia Records. Gamble and Huff soon realised their potential as songwriters, and the pair went on to co-write or co-produce for artists of the calibre of The Jacksons, (see also best songs and 249 and 137) and Archie Bell & The Drells (see also best songs 571.) Their biggest success prior to this song came when they penned ‘Back Stabbers’ for the ‘O’Jays,’ which reached Number 3 in 1972 on the Billboard Hot 100, and Number 14 in the UK. Gene McFadden & John Whitehead are of course best remembered for ‘Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now,’ but they were key members in the development of the ‘Soul,’ R&B,’ and ‘Disco’ music that was coming out of ‘Philadelphia International Records’ in the 1970’s, and 1980’s.

The discography of McFadden & Whitehead includes three studio Albums released between 1979-1982, and eight singles, (including two re-releases of ‘Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now,’ in 1984 & 1985) issued between 1979-1985, there is also one official compilation Album ‘Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now: The Best of the PIR Years,’ issued in 2004 available. In America and the UK ‘Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now’ is there only charting single, reaching Number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100, although it also made Number 1 on what was known then as the Billboard ‘Hot Soul Singles’ chart. There fourth single release ‘I Heard It in a Love Song,’ from 1980, also reached that chart, peaking at Number 23. As in house songwriters and producers at ‘Philadelphia International Records’ McFadden & Whitehead worked with many of the labels artists, including Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, The Intruders, and Melba Moore.

‘Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now’ was the first of three singles released from McFadden & Whitehead’s debut studio Album called ‘McFadden & Whitehead,’ from May 1979, the song was co-written and co-produced by McFadden & Whitehead, along with their long time collaborator Jerry Cohen, who also played the keyboards on the song. Other musicians to perform on the track included Bobby Eli, (1946-2023) (see also best songs 742) (guitar) and Dennis Harris, (see also best songs 322) (guitar.) The backing vocals were provided by Barbara Ingram, (1947-1994) Carla Benson, and Evette Benton, who formed as a vocal trio in 1972, alternating with group names such as ‘The Sweethearts of Sigma,’ ‘The Philadelphia Angels,’ ‘The Sweeties,’ and ‘The Sweethearts.’ Throughout the 1970’s the trio comprised the in-house backup group for Philadelphia International Records, working for the producer Thom Bell (1943-2022) (see also best songs 765 and 183.) It is calculated that they appeared on hundreds of songs including Billy Paul’s ‘Me and Mrs. Jones,’ (see also best songs 896 ) The (Detroit) Spinners’ ‘I’ll Be Around,’ and Lou Rawls’ ‘You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine’ (see also best songs 322.)

‘Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now’ has two cover versions that are well worth a listen. In 1979 the veteran American radio Disc Jockey, businessman, and Hip-Hop music pioneer Jocko Henderson (1918-2000) released an ‘Old Skool’ Rap version over the songs instrumental on Philadelphia International Records, and in 1988 the British Disc Jockey Steve Walsh (1958-1988) released his ‘Rap’ version called ‘Ain’t No Stopping Us Now (Party For The World,’) which made Number 44 on the UK top 40. ‘Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now’ is a song about succeeding despite having faced previous disadvantages. Kenny Gamble didn’t want McFadden & Whitehead to record the track as he figured that the song had far more chance of being a hit if it was recorded by the O’Jays, (see also best songs 648) which frustrated the duo. John Whitehead has said about the song, ‘If anything the song was a declaration of our independence from Gamble.’ Because of the songs lyrics it was soon adopted by the African/American community, and has been referred to as ‘The new black national anthem,’ and is often performed at major political and sporting events, replacing the 1900 written song ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing.’

‘There’s been so many things that’s held us down, but now it looks like things are finally comin’ around. I know we’ve got a long long way to go, and where we’ll end up I don’t know.’