THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

527-Barry McGuire-Eve of Destruction.

1965-Number 3 single.

Best Bit-At 0.34. Unfortunately the songs lyrics will probably ring as true tomorrow, as they do today, and did yesterday.

‘Eve of Destruction’ was written in 1965 by the then 19 year old singer/songwriter P. F. Sloan, (1945-2015) who also co-produced the song along with Lou Adler, and Steve Barri. The song became one of the biggest protest songs of the 1960’s, referencing many of the social problems of that period, including the Vietnam War, the threat of Nuclear war, the Civil Rights Movement, and the American Space Programme. Due to the songs ‘controversial’ lyrics, many American radio stations refused to play the song, claiming it was ‘An aid to the enemy in Vietnam,’ which of course only helped to bring the song even more to the attention of the general public, and helping it to reach Number 1 on Billboard.

‘Eve of Destruction’ was first offered to the American ‘Folk/Rock’ group the ‘Byrds,’ (see also best songs 621) but they rejected it. The song was then first recorded by another Los Angeles group ‘The Turtles,’ whose version was issued as a track on their October 1965 debut Album ‘It Ain’t Me Babe.’ The Turtles recording was finally issued in 1970 as a single, and reached Number 100 on the Billboard Hot 100. But of course the most famous recording of ‘Eve of Destruction’ is this one by Barry McGuire, who released the track as the only single taken from his 1965 debut studio Album also called ‘Eve of Destruction.’

Barry McGuire was born on October 15th, 1935, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States. He started his musical career as a ‘Folk/Rock’ singer, before turning to ‘Christian Music,’ when becoming a born again Christian in 1971. Prior to pursuing a solo career in 1965, Barry McGuire had been a member of the American ‘Folk’ group ‘The New Christy Minstrels,’ since 1962, and had co-written their 1963 Billboard Hot 100 Number 14 hit ‘Green Green.’ With ‘The New Christy Minstrels,’ Barry McGiure appeared on their first nine Album released between 1962-1965, and as a solo artist he has released at least 25 Albums between 1963-2000, and has had one Billboard top 40 hit single. Barry McGuire recorded ‘Eve of Destruction’ in one take late at night, his voice was raspy, and he was tired, and the take was only meant as a guide, but on hearing it the producer Jay Lasker (1924-1989) liked it so much, he took the ‘demo’ to the Los Angeles radio station ‘KFWB’ the very next morning, where it was played for the first time. McGuire has stated that he sang the lyrics while reading them off a crumpled up piece of paper, and at one point in the song you can hear him go ‘ahhh,’ when he couldn’t read the words properly. The accompanying musicians on the track were P. F. Sloan on guitar and the ‘Wrecking Crew’ (see also best songs 978-846-811-744-672-660-486-262-202-197-192-180-127 and 81) session musicians, Hal Blaine (1929-2019) on drums, and Larry Knechtel (1940-2009) on bass guitar.

‘Eve of Destruction’ was written by P. F. Sloan, who was born Philip Gary Schlein, on September 18th, 1945, in New York City, United States, he died on November 15th, 2015, from pancreatic cancer, at the age of 70. The ‘F’ in his stage name stands for ‘Flip,’ which was his nickname. In 1957 his family moved to West Hollywood, California, where his father, a pharmacist, changed the family name from ‘Schlein’ to ‘Sloan’ after repeatedly being denied a liquor license for his store. At the age of 16 Sloan landed a job on the songwriting staff at the music publisher ‘Screen Gems,’ which was then the largest publisher on the West Coast. There, he formed a partnership with Steve Barri, three years his senior, and the duo made several attempts at recording a hit single under a variety of different names. In 1963 the pair came to the attention of ‘Screen Gems’ executive Lou Adler, who decided to use them as backing singers and musicians, most notably on the records of ‘Jan and Dean’ (see also best songs 811.) P. F. Sloan combined his songwriting with session work, often working as part of the ‘Wrecking Crew.’ P. F. Sloan wrote the intro, and also played the guitar on the intro of the ‘Mamas & the Papas’ 1965 Billboard Number 4 and UK Number 23 hit ‘California Dreamin” (see also best songs 660.) As a songwriter P. F. Sloan would often team up with Steve Barri, with their most successful songs being ‘A Must to Avoid,’ recorded by Herman’s Hermits, (1966-UK-Number 6) and ‘Secret Agent Man,’ recorded by Johnny Rivers (1966-Billboard-Number 3.) P. F. Sloan also released 12 solo Albums between 1965-2014, and 11 singles between 1959-1972, there are also five Albums recorded with Steve Barri between 1964-1967, and 13 singles within the same time period that the duo issued under 10 different names including ‘Themes Inc,’ Phillip and Stephan, and ‘The Grass Roots.’

‘The Eastern world, it is explodin,’ violence flarin,’ bullets loadin.’ You’re old enough to kill, but not for votin.’ You don’t believe in war, but what’s that gun you’re totin.”

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

528-Real Thing-You to Me Are Everything.

1976-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 0.57. Everybody knows about ‘Mersey Beat,’ but here’s some classic ‘Mersey Disco/Soul.’

The Real Thing were formed in Liverpool, England, in 1970, by Chris Amoo, Dave Smith, Kenny Davis, and Ray Lake, (1946-2020) and at the time of writing they remain active as a duo of Chris Amoo, and Dave Smith. The Real Thing started out performing ‘Soul’ influenced covers of American hits, which led to them being signed by ‘EMI’ records, for whom they released seven of their own compositions, which all failed to chart between 1970-1975. During that period they appeared on the British television talent show ‘Opportunity Knocks,’ (see also best songs 692) and were invited to tour Europe with David Essex (see also best songs 611.) After parting ways with ‘EMI,’ the Real Thing signed a new record deal with ‘Pye’ records, after which Eddie Amoo, (1944-2018) the brother of Chris, joined the group. They finally achieved commercial success in 1976, when teaming up with Ken Gold, and Michael Denne, who took over the songwriting duties for the group.

The discography of the Real Thing, whose name was chosen by their manager at that time Tony Hall, (1928-2019) after he saw a Coca-Cola advert on a large billboard in Piccadilly Circus, London, includes, five studio Albums released between 1976-2022, and 37 singles released between 1972-2005, there are also four official compilation Albums, and two live Albums available. In the UK, they have charted within the top 40 on 12 occasions, with ‘You to Me Are Everything,’ getting to Number 1 in 1976, While in America on the Billboard Hot 100, that song remains their only chart entry, reaching Number 64.

After the success of ‘You to Me Are Everything,’ and it’s follow up ‘Can’t Get By Without You,’ (1976-UK-Number 2) which was also written by Ken Gold, and Michael Denne, the Real Thing then took to writing their own material, notably ‘Can You Feel the Force?’ (1979-UK-Number 5.) In 1986, after being away from the charts for seven years, three of the Real Thing’s songs were remixed, and all entered the UK top 40, ‘You to Me Are Everything (The Decade Remix 76–86’) was the brainchild of the English music producers DJ Froggy, (1950-2008) Simon Harris, and KC. This time the song reached Number 5 in the UK, spending 13 weeks in the top 40, which was two weeks longer than the original version in 1976. The other two songs which were remixed and made the chart were ‘Can’t Get By Without You’ (The Decade Remix II) which made Number 6 in 1986, and ‘Can You Feel the Force? (86 Remix) which reached Number 24, also in 1986. In 2005 the Real Thing were back in the UK top 40 again, when being credited as the featured artists on the ‘Freeloaders’ version of ‘So Much Love to Give,’ (UK-Number 9) the Real Thing’s 1977 track ‘Love’s Such a Wonderful Thing,’ (UK-Number 33) was used as a sample for that song. Incidentally the ‘Freeloaders’ were the English ‘House Music’ duo of Kevin O’Toole and Dale Longworth, the founder members of N-Trance (see also best songs 278.)

‘You to Me Are Everything’ was the first of four singles released from the Real Thing’s debut studio Album ‘Real Thing,’ from 1976, the song was co-written by Ken Gold, and Michael Denne, with the production being by Gold. Michael Denne had come up with the songs chorus, and it is said that Ken Gold wrote the melody and the lyrics in under an hour. Ken Gold has said, ‘Chris (Amoo) wanted to take the melody in his own direction. He said he was trying to put some soul into it. But sitting up there in the control room, it just wasn’t working for me and I remember getting very nervous because he was starting to get a little combative. I said: ‘Honestly, Chris, I’d just like to hear you sing the melody exactly as it was written.’ And that’s what we did. If you can write a melody that gets into someone’s head after just one play, then you have something people can sing.’

Ken Gold has attributed the song’s longevity to its simple sentiment of a girl who means everything to a guy, but she doesn’t feel the same way. Gold has said, ‘We were trying to grab a good lyric that made sense and rhymed.’ Possibly why the song failed to make a greater impact in America is because two other competing versions were released at the same time, by the American groups ‘Broadway,’ and ‘Revelation,’ who both just sneaked in the lower reaches of the ‘Billboard Hot 100.’ ‘You to Me Are Everything’ has also been a UK hit on two further occasions. In 1991 the singer Sonia, who is also from Liverpool, took her recording to Number 13, and in 1995 the English singer and actor Sean Maguire reached Number 16 with his version. The song has also been covered by the legendary Franki Valli, (see also best songs 739-284-and 83) and can be found on the ‘B’ side of his 1978 single ‘We’re All Alone’ (Billboard Number 78.)

‘You give me just a taste of love to build my hopes upon. You know you’ve got the power girl to keep me holding on. Oh, now you’ve got the best of me, come on and take the rest of me, oh baby, yeah, oh.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

529-Simon & Garfunkel-Homeward Bound.

1966-Number 9 single.

Best Bit-At 1.40. It’s Widnes railway stations claim to fame.

Widnes railway station, which is located in Farnworth, Halton, England, is one of three railway stations where Paul Simon reputedly composed ‘Homeward Bound,’ the others being ‘Ditton,’ and ‘Warrington Bank Quay.’ The probability is that Paul Simon composed the song in all three. Widnes railway station has a plaque commemorating the event, which is actually the third plaque, as the first two were both pinched by memorabilia collectors.

‘Homewood Bound’ was written by Paul Simon while he was on tour in England in the spring of 1964. He had just recorded his first Album ‘Wednesday Morning 3 AM,’ with Art Garfunkel, and he felt that it would be a commercial failure. While on tour he met the 16 year old Kathy Chitty who was working at the ‘Raiway Hotel,’ in Essex, where Simon was performing nightly. Simon became infatuated with her, but she wasn’t willing to travel with him to London and other city’s, resulting in an emotional farewell. Following a performance in Liverpool, Paul Simon was waiting for the morning train, and he began to write ‘Homeward Bound’ on a scrap of paper. Kathy Chitty never wanted to be part of the ‘Pop Star’ lifestyle, and married and settled down quietly in Wales, away from any limelight. ‘Homeward Bound’ was not the only song that Paul Simon wrote about Kathy Chitty, as ‘Kathy’s Song,’ and ‘America,’ are also about time spent with her. When ‘The Sound of Silence’ became a surprise hit in the States, reaching Number 1 a year after it’s initial release , Paul Simon left England, and flew back to America to renew his partnership with Art Garfunkel.

‘Homeward Bound’ was the second single release by the duo of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel as ‘Simon & Garfunkel,’ (see also best songs 200-96 and 71) as their previous three singles which had been released between 1957-1958, were issued under the name ‘Tom & Jerry.’ All those three earlier singles had failed to chart, but ‘The Sound of Silence’ went to Number 1 on Billboard. ‘Homeward Bound’ was released as the second of three singles taken from ‘Simon & Garfunkel’s, second studio Album ‘Sounds of Silence,’ from January 1966, the song was written by Paul Simon, with the production being by Bob Johnston (1932-2015) (see also best songs 428 and 96) In America ‘Homeward Bound’ first appeared on their third studio Album ‘Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme,’ from October 1966.

Art Garfunkel was born Arthur Ira Garfunkel, on November 5th, 1941, in Forest Hills, Queens, New York City, United States, he is a singer, actor, and poet. Art Garfunkel first Paul Simon at school when they were both cast in the elementary school graduation play, ‘Alice in Wonderland.’ Garfunkel has said that Simon first became interested in singing after hearing him sing a rendition of Nat King Cole’s ‘Too Young’ in a school talent show. Between 1956-1962 the pair performed together as ‘Tom & Jerry,’ Their idols were The Everly Brothers, (see also best songs 799) whom they imitated in their use of close two-part vocal harmony. As ‘Tom & Jerry’ they released three singes, with their debut ‘Hey Schoolgirl’ reaching Number 49 on Billboard in 1957. After the demise of ‘Tom & Jerry, Art Gafunkel released two non charting solo singles in 1959, and 1961. In 1963 the duo reformed under the name ‘Simon and Garfunkel,’ and released their debut studio Album ‘Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M’ on ‘Columbia Records’ in October 1964. The Album was neither a critical or commercial success, and disheartened by this this they decided to split. The pair got back together again in 1965 after the music producer Tom Wilson (1931-1978) (see also best songs 358-96 and 7) lifted the song ‘The Sound of Silence” from that debut Album, and dubbed an electric backing onto it, and released it as a single that went to Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. ‘Simon and Garfunkel’ remained together until 1970, but have reformed to tour and perform together on many occasions, with their last performance together to date being in 2010.

The solo discography of Art Garfunkel includes 10 studio Albums released between 1973-2007, and 29 singles released between 1959-2002, there are also eight official compilation Albums, and one live Album available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, seven of his singles have made the top 40, with both ‘All I Know,’ (1973) and ‘My Little Town,’ with Paul Simon, (1975) peaking the highest at Number 9. In the UK Art Garfunkel has had three top 40 hits, with both ‘I Only Have Eyes for You,’ (1975) and ‘Bright Eyes,’ (1979) making the Number 1 spot.

‘Tonight I’ll sing my songs again, I’ll play the game and pretend, but all my words come back to me in shades of mediocrity. Like emptiness in harmony, I need someone to comfort me. Homeward bound I wish I was.’

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THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

530-Sam & Dave-Soul Man.

1967-Number 24 single.

Best Bit-At 0.08. Soul Music is a genre of music that originated in the African/American community throughout the United States in the 1950.s, and 1960’s, but it was this songs title that made ‘Soul’ a household word, and known to a much wider audience.

Sam & Dave were the American singing duo of Sam Moore, and Dave Prater, (1937-1988) Moore is a tenor, and Prater was a baritone, they formed in Miami, Florida, United States, in 1961, and remained active as a duo through until 1981. They were nicknamed ‘Double Dynamite,’ or ‘The Sultans of Sweat,’ due to their all action live performances, and the American Soul revivalist duo ‘The Blues Brothers’ were modelled on them. The discography of Sam & Dave includes five Albums released between 1966-1975, and 10 official compilation Albums released between 1966-1993, they have also released 32 singles between 1962-1977. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, three of their singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Soul Man’ peaking the highest at Number 2 in 1967, they have also had 13 chart entries on the ‘Billboard R&B chart, with ‘Hold On, I’m Comin” (1966) and ‘Soul Man’ (1967) both making Number 1. In the UK Sam & Dave have had four top 40 hits, with ‘Soul Sister Brown Sugar,’ peaking the highest at Number 15 in 1969.

Sam Moore was born Samuel David Moore, on October 12th, 1935, in Miami, Florida, United States. Both he, and David Prater, were both experienced Gospel music singers, having performed individually with groups the ‘Sensational Hummingbirds,’ and the ‘Melionaires.’ They first met in ‘The King of Hearts Club,’ in Miami, in 1961, where they were soon discovered by the regional producer Henry Stone, (1921-2014) who signed them to ‘Roulette Records.’ In 1964 they were signed by Jerry Wexler (1917-2008) (see also best songs 882 and 644) to ‘Atlantic Records, and then were ‘loaned’ out to ‘Stax’ Records to produce, record and release their records. As well as Sam Moore’s recordings as ‘Sam & Dave,’ he has also issued one solo studio Album ‘Overnight Sensational,’ in 2006, and Two Christmas Albums, both of which were released in 1998.

Dave Prater Jr. was born on May 9th, 1937, in Ocilla, Georgia, United States, he died in a single car accident, on April 9th, 1988, at the age of 50. According to the American monthly magazine ‘Rolling Stone,’ ‘Sam & Dave were the most successful and critically acclaimed duo in Soul Music history, and brought the sounds of the black Gospel church to Pop music with their string of call-and-response hit records. In 1992 they were both inducted in to the ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,’ and in 1999 they were inducted in to the ‘Grammy Hall of Fame,’ for their song ‘Soul Man.’

‘Soul Man’ was the only single released from Sam & Dave’s third Album ‘Soul Men,’ from October 1967, the song was co-written and co-produced by Isaac Hayes, (1948-2008) (see also best songs 398 and 1) and David Porter. Isaac Hayes was watching a television news programme in July 1967 about the ‘Civil Rights Movement,’ and the aftermath of the 12th Street riot in Detroit, Michigan. Hayes noted that black residents had marked buildings that had not been destroyed during the riots, mostly African/American owned and operated, with the word ‘Soul.’ Hayes related the scene to the story of Passover in the Bible. Isaac Hayes has said, ‘I got the idea from watching on TV the riots in Detroit. It was said that if you put ‘soul’ on the door of your business establishment, they wouldn’t burn it. Then the word ‘Soul,’ it was a galvanising kind of thing for African Americans, and it had an effect of unity, it was said with a lot of pride. So I thought, ‘Why not write a tune called ‘Soul Man.’ And all you had to do was write about your personal experiences, because all African Americans in this country at the time had similar experiences. But we realised that in addition to being an African American experience, it was a human experience, and therefore it crossed over and became very commercial.’ Hayes has also said, ‘It’s a story about one’s struggle to rise above his present conditions. It’s almost a tune kind of boasting, I’m a Soul man. It’s a pride thing.’

Isaac Hayes may have come up with the songs title, but it was David Porter who wrote the lyrics, describing what he thought a ‘Soul Man’ should be. Porter has said, ‘He didn’t have the fancy big slant, but had the emotional thing happening inside of him that made people really love him. In 1971 Isaac Hayes was commissioned to write the soundtrack to the film ‘Shaft,’ in which Hayes describes the ‘Soul Man’ John Shaft, as a ‘bad mother…..’ As Sam & Dave recorded on the ‘Stax’ record label, the instrumentation was provided by members of ‘Booker T & the M.G.’s, (see also best songs 906) as well as the ‘Mar-Key Horns.’ ‘Soul Man’ has a very famous intro that was written and played by Steve Cropper, (see also best songs 906 and 828) who had been asked by Isaac Hayes to develop something, as he was struggling with the start of the song.

‘Coming to you on a dusty road, good loving, I got a truck load. And when you get it, you got something, don’t worry, ’cause I’m coming. I’m a soul man.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

531-Pitbull featuring Ne-Yo, Afrojack and Nayer-Give Me Everything.

2011-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 0.43. In ‘Pop,’ musical snobbery runs rife, and no one is more guilty than me, but sometimes you just have to hold your hands up, and appreciate a song for the joy it brings.

Pitbull (see also best songs 876) was born Armando Christian Pérez, on January 15th, 1981, in Miami, Florida, United States, to date he has sold in excess of 15 million Albums, and 100 million singles worldwide. Pitbull has said that he chose his stage name of ‘Pitbull’ because the dogs ‘Bite to lock. The dog is too stupid to lose, and they’re outlawed in Dade County, they’re basically everything that I am, it’s been a constant fight.’ Pitbull began his music career in 2000, recording in the genres of ‘Reggaeton,’ ‘Latin.’ ‘Hip-Hop,’ and ‘Crunk’ music, but it was after re-branding himself as a ‘Pop’ artist in 2011 that he finally achieved major mainstream commercial success. The discography of Pitbull includes 12 studio Albums released between 2004-2023, and he has appeared on in excess of 300 singles, there are also four official compilation Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, as the lead artist, he has had 17 top 40 entries, with ‘Give Me Everything,’ featuring Ne-Yo, Afrojack, and Nayer, (2011) and ‘Timber,’ featuring Kesha, (2013) both getting to Number 1, while as a featured artist, he has appeared on five top 40 singles, with ‘On the Floor,’ by Jennifer Lopez, featuring Pitbull, peaking the highest at Number 3 in 2010 (see also best songs 876.) In the UK, Pitbull has had 14 top 40 singles as the lead artist, with ‘Give Me Everything, and ‘Timber,’ both making Number 1. He has also had a further 11 top 40 hits as a featured artist, with ‘On the Floor’ making the Number 1 spot.

‘Give Me Everything’ was the second of four singles released from ‘Planet Pit,’ which was the sixth studio Album from Pitbull, from June 2011. The song was co-written by Pitbull, Afrojack, (see also best songs 210) and Ne-Yo, with the production being by Afrojack, and DJ Buddha. The lyrics were written by Pitbull, and Ne-Yo, both of whom also provided vocals, with the music provided by Afrojack. The female vocals on the track are by the American singer Nayer Regalado, who has worked with Pitbull on other occasions. To date ‘Give Me Everything’ has sold in excess of 8 million copies worldwide.

Ne-Yo was born Shaffer Chimere Smith, on October 18th, 1979, in Camden, Arkansas, United States, he is a singer, songwriter, actor, dancer, and music producer. Ne-Yo started his music career, adopting the stage name ‘GoGo,’ and joining an ‘R&B’ group called ‘Envy,’ who appeared during amateur night on ‘Showtime at the Apollo,’ an American television variety programme, and then on the short lived ‘MTV’ series ‘The Cut,’ hosted by Lisa Left Eye Lopes of the American girl group ‘TLC.’ ‘Envy’ parted ways in 2000, and Ne-Yo then concentrated on song writing, and the launching of his solo career. The stage name Ne-Yo was coined by ‘Big D Evans,’ a producer with whom Ne-Yo once worked, because Evans claimed that Ne-Yo sees music like the character ‘Neo’ sees the ‘Matrix.’ Prior to finding success as a singer, Ne-Yo first gained recognition for his songwriting abilities following the success of his first major credit on the American ‘R&B’ singer Mario’s 2004 single ‘Let Me Love You,’ (2004-Billboard & UK Number 2) its release prompted a meeting between Ne-Yo and ‘Def Jam’ records then-president Jay-Z (see also best songs 636-477-267 and 23) resulting in a contract.

The discography of Ne-Yo includes nine studio Albums released between 2006-2022, and 41 singles released between 2005-2023. On the Billboard Hot 100 in America, as the lead artist he has had 11 top 40 hits, with ‘So Sick,’ from 2006, reaching Number 1, he has also had a further eight hits as a featured artist, with ‘Give Me Everything’ making the Number 1 position. In the UK he has achieved 14 top 40 singles, with four of those tracks reaching Number 1. He has also had a further seven hits as a featured artist, with ‘Give Me Everything’ topping the chart.

‘Give Me Everything’ has received more than it’s fare share of criticism, from it’s lyrical message about a one night stand, to as the ‘NME’ wrote, it’s random components. The review said, ‘So how many types of wrong is this? You’ve got the earnest vocal jibbering about living in the moment, you’ve got your cheap rave wibble, a high frequency irritation that buzzes like a fly trapped in jism.’ Even the use of the word ‘Kodak’ at the start of the song has been criticised, because Pitbull rhymed ‘Kodak’ with ‘Kodak,’ and did you know Pitbull was under contract to promote ‘Kodak’ at that time.

‘Tonight I want all of you tonight, give me everything tonight, for all we know we might not get tomorrow. Let’s do it tonight.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

532-Ultravox-Vienna.

1981-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 3.08. It was an American vocalist imitating an Italian accent that stopped this song from being a UK Number 1 single, and initiating the most asked Pop quiz question ever. Which song stopped ‘Vienna’ from getting to Number 1? In 2012 ‘Vienna’ was named the greatest ever single to peak at Number 2 in the UK, in a poll carried out by ‘BBC Radio 2,’ and the official chart company. I have to beg to differ, as there are several songs which reached Number 2, a lot higher placed in this ‘1000 Best Songs’ list.

Ultravox were formed in London, England, in 1974, originally calling themselves ‘Tiger Lily,’ before the name change to ‘Ultravox!’ in 1976. The exclamation mark was in tribute to the German band ‘Neu!,’ but was later dropped. The original line up included John Foxx, who left to pursue a solo career in 1979, and guitarist Steve Shears, who left in 1978. The other three original members who were Bill Currie, (see also best songs 543) Warren Cann, and Chris Cross, (1952-2024) were joined by Midge Ure (see also best songs 543 and 455) in 1979, to complete what is considered the groups classic line up. ‘Ultravox’ probably took their name from the Latin, ‘Ultra,’ meaning ‘beyond,’ and ‘Vox,’ meaning voice. ‘Ultravox’ were active until 1987, but have reformed with old and new members on two further occasions, before the band was finally retired in 2013.

The discography of Ultravox includes 11 studio Albums released between 1977-2012, and 32 singles released between 1975-1995, there are also three box sets, six extended plays (EP’s,) 16 official compilation Albums, and six live Albums available. In the UK, 17 of their singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Vienna’ charting the highest at Number 2, while in America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, only ‘Reap the Wild Wind,’ from 1982, has made any impression, when reaching Number 71.

‘Vienna’ was the third of four singles released from the fourth studio Album of the same name by Ultravox, from July 1980. The song was co-written by Warren Cann, Chris Cross, Billy Currie, and Midge Ure, (the four members of Ultravox at that time) with the production being by the German music producer Conny Plank, (1940-1987) who had previously worked with, among many others, ‘Kraftwerk,’ (see also best songs 41) and Brian Eno (see also best songs 766-302-190-118-109 and 57.)

Midge Ure (see also best songs 543 and 455) was born James Ure, on October 10th, 1953, in Cambuslang, (on the outskirts of Glasgow) Scotland, his stage name, ‘Midge,’ is a phonetic reversal of Jim, a hypocorism of his given name. Midge Ure began his music career in 1972 as the guitarist in the Glasgow group ‘Salvation,’ In April 1974 he took over as the groups lead singer, and then in November 1974, the band changed its name to ‘Slik,’ and with Bill Martin, (1938-2020) and Phil Coulter, writing for them, they had a UK Number 1 hit with ‘Forever and Ever’ in 1975. Also in 1975, Midge Ure turned down an offer to be the lead vocalist of the ‘Sex Pistols,’ (see also best songs 576-92 and 27) stating that he felt at the time that Malcolm McLaren (1946-2010) (see also best songs 751) had ‘His priorities completely wrong,’ a position he later reversed. After parting ways with ‘Slik’ in 1977, Midge Ure next joined the ‘Punk Rock’/New Wave’ group ‘Rich Kids,’ and charted with the single ‘Rich Kids’ (1978-UK Number 24.) Midge Ure then left the ‘Rich Kids’ stating musical differences, as he and fellow ‘Rich Kids’ band member Rusty Egan were now getting into ‘Electronic’ music, and were wanting to incorporate synthesizers, this led to them forming ‘Visage’ (see best songs 543) with Steve Strange (1959-2015) in 1978. By 1979 ‘Ultravox’ had all but collapsed, and it was Billie Currie (a founding member) who persuaded Midge Ure to join forces and resurrect the group. But of course Midge Ure will always be best remembered for his charity work, and the co-writing, with Bob Geldof, (see also best songs 632 and 455) of the charity single ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ (see also best songs 455) which has sold in excess of 3.7 million copies in the UK, and is the second best selling song of all time in that country. As a solo artist, Midge Ure has released eight studio Albums between 1985-2017, and 25 singles between 1982-2022, there are also eight official compilation Albums, and 15 live Albums available. In the UK, six of his singles have reached the top 40, with ‘If I Was’ from 1985, making the Number 1 spot.

The lyrics for ‘Vienna’ were written by Midge Ure about a brief love affair in the city of Vienna. Bill Currie has said that Midge Ure was hesitant about the classical romantic feel of the songs orchestration and said, ‘This means nothing to me,’ to which the songs producer Konrad Plank replied, ‘Well sing that then.’ Midge Ure has said, ‘We wanted to take the song, and make it incredibly pompous in the middle, leaving it very sparse before, and after, but finishing with a typically over the top classical ending.’ Midge Ure has also said that inspiration for the song came from ‘The Walker Brothers’ 1978 song ‘The Electrician.’

We walked in the cold air, freezing breath on a window pane. Lying and waiting, a man in the dark in a picture frame, so mystic and soulful, a voice reaching out in a piercing cry.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

533-Rose Royce-Do Your Dance.

1977-Number 30 single.

Best Bit-At 1.51. The Rolls Royce of Funky music.

The group who would eventually become ‘Rose Royce’ (see also best songs 233) started out life in the early 1970’s when members of several local bands from the ‘Watts,’ and ‘Inglewood’ areas of Los Angeles joined forces under the name ‘Total Concept Unlimited,’ these musicians were Henry Garner, (drums) Terral “Terry” Santiel, (congas) Lequeint “Duke” Jobe, (bass) Michael Moore, (saxophone) Kenny Copeland, (trumpet, and lead vocals), Kenji Brown, (guitar, and lead vocals) Freddie Dunn, (trumpet) and Victor Nix (keyboards.) In 1973 they toured Europe and Japan backing Edwin Starr, (1942-2003) (see also best songs 429) who would later introduce them to the legendary music producer Norman Whitfield (1940-2008) (see also best songs 911-777-569-480-346 and 233.) Whitfield had spent the previous decade writing and producing at ‘Motown’ records, and was now ready for a new challenge, setting up his own record label ‘Whitfield’ records. While touring in Miami, Joe Harris of the ‘Motown’ group ‘Undisputed Truth’ was introduced to Gwen Dickey, who was then a member of a local group called ‘The Jewels.’ Harris informed Norman Whitfield of his find, and Whitfield signed Dickey to be lead singer of ‘Total Concept Unlimited.’ In 1975 Whitfield was contacted by the film director Michael Shultz to write music for his next film ‘Carwash.’ The soundtrack released in 1976 would become the debut Album by ‘Rose Royce,’ with their name changed from ‘Total Concept Unlimited,’ to ‘Rose Royce’ after the movies automotive theme. The groups new lead singer Gwen Dickey was re-named ‘Rose Norwalt by Norman Whitfield. In total there have been 12 different members of Rose Royce come and go, and at the time of writing they remain active as a touring group.

Gwen Dickey was born on December 1st, 1953, in Biloxi, Mississippi, United States. She began here career by singing professionally at local clubs, and then performing with a local venue’s house band known as ‘The Jewels,’ which was where Joe Harris discovered her. Gwen Dickey would stay as the lead singer of ‘Rose Royce’ until 1980, when leaving to pursue a solo career, after experiencing turmoil with other members of the group, she can be heard performing on all the first four studio Albums of ‘Rose Royce.’ In 1993 she released her one solo studio Album ‘Time to Change,’ and was then back in the charts in 1994, appearing with the British group ‘KWS,’ on a cover of the ‘Rufus and Chaka Khan’ song ‘Ain’t Nobody,’ which reached Number 21 in the UK. She also had a hit with the American Rapper Jay-Z (see also best songs 636-477-267 and 23) in 1998, duetting on a cover of the Rose Royce song ‘Wishing on a Star,’ which made Number 13 in the UK. In 2010, Gwen Dickey experienced a spinal cord injury in her London home, leaving her reliant on a wheelchair, and at the time of writing she still performs concerts while seated on stage.

‘Do Your Dance’ was the first of four singles released from ‘In Full Bloom,’ which was the second studio Album released by ‘Rose Royce,’ from July 1977. The song was co-written by Norman Whitfield, and Dwight Turner, with the production being by Whitfield. The full length Album version of the track which closes side 1 on ‘In Full Bloom,’ goes for 9.15, but for purposes of airplay, the song was edited and released as a 7 inch single as ‘Do Your Dance’ (Part 1) with a running time of 3.30. In America ‘Do Your Dance’ (Part 1) stalled at Number 39 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, although it did make Number 4 on the ‘Billboard R&B chart.

‘Do Your Dance’ was co-written by Norman Whitfield, and Dwight Turner, who was born Dwight David Turner, on February 4th, 1947, in Beckley, West Virginia, United States, he is professionally known as ‘Spyder Turner.’ Turner is best known as a ‘Soul’ singer, and first began recording after winning a contest at the ‘Apollo Theater,’ in New York City, recording some solo tracks, and singing backup for several groups, including ‘The Stereophonics,’ (no not the Welsh one) and ‘Soul/Funk’ group ‘The Fabulous Counts.’ In 1967 Spyder Turner made the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, with his cover of the 1961 Ben E King (1938-2015) classic ‘Stand By Me,’ (see also best songs 804.) In the song, Turner not only imitated the voices of Ben E. King, Smokey Robinson, Chuck Jackson, and Billy Stewart, amongst others, but he also named them as he sang verses of the song in their style., the track peaked at Number 12.

‘We gon’ start at midnight, party till the mornin’ light. You see, we can’t give up or stop, until we get it right. Ain’t that right, ain’t that right.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

534-Evelyn Thomas-High Energy.

1984-Number 5 single.

Best Bit-At 2.15. You can’t get any higher than this…..legally.

‘Hi-NRG’ (pronounced ‘high energy’) is a musical genre of uptempo ‘Disco,’ or ‘Electronic Dance Music,’ (EDM) that originated during the late 1970’s, and early 1980’s. In 1977 the American singer Donna Summer (1948-2012) (see also best songs 78 and 11) was interviewed about her single ‘I Feel Love,’ which was a mostly Electronic, high tempo Disco song, she said, ‘This song became a hit because it has an high energy vibe,’ which led to the naming of the genre. The ‘Hi-NRG’ music genre would prove very influential, with notably the British music producers ‘Stock Aitken and Waterman (see also best songs 627) using the genre in a lot of their productions, and further down the line the genre would influence ‘Techno,’ and ‘Trance’ music of the early 1990’s.

‘High Energy’ was co-written, and co-produced by Ian Levine, and Fiachra Trench, and was the first of three singles released from Evelyn Thomas’ third studio Album of the same name from 1984. Evelyn Thomas was born Ellen Lucille Thomas, on August 22nd, 1953, in Chicago, Illinois, United States, she was discovered by the British music producer Ian Levine when he was in the United States in 1975 scouting for ‘Gospel’ and ‘Soul’ singers, that he could promote in the UK. Together they recorded several tracks which resulted in a contract with ’20th Century Records.’ The discography of Evelyn Thomas includes four studio Albums released between 1978-1986, and 25 singles released between 1976-2008, there are also two official compilation Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, her only charting single remains ‘High Energy,’ which stalled at Number 85, although three of her tracks have reached the ‘Billboard Dance Club Songs’ chart, with ‘High Energy’ making the Number 1 spot. In the UK, Evelyn Thomas has charted twice within the top 40, with ‘Weak Spot,’ also co-written by Ian Levine, reaching Number 26 in 1976, and ‘High Energy,’ peaking the highest at Number 5 in 1984.

Ian Levine was born Ian Geoffrey Levine, on June 22nd, 1953, in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, he was very influential in the ‘Northern Soul’ scene (see also best songs 969) in the 1970’s, and then with ‘Electronic Dance Music’ in the early 1980’s. Ian Levine who has written and produced records with sales totalling over 40 million, first got in to music as an avid collector of ‘Motown’ records, building up an extensive collection, which led to his interest in the promoting of ‘Northern Soul’ music. In 1971 he became a disc jockey at the ‘Blackpool Mecca,’ England, which played ‘Northern Soul’ singles, before moving on to playing at the world famous ‘Wigan Casino,’ where he and his fellow DJ Colin Curtis, were responsible for guiding the ‘Northern Soul’ scene away from its oldies-only policy, and towards ‘Modern Soul,’ and ‘Disco.’ In 1979, Ian Levine began advising London’s gay disco ‘Heaven’ on its set-up, and he became the club’s first resident DJ, remaining there through most of the 1980’s, before leaving in 1989. Levine was also one of the first DJ’s to mix records in the UK. Ian Levine is also remembered for setting up his own record label ‘Motorcity Records’ in 1987. In that year, he had began recording some former artists from ‘Motown,’ and after a reunion of 60 Motown stars, including Edwin Starr (1942-2003) (see also best songs 429) and Levi Stubbs (1936-2008) (see also best songs 650) on top of a hotel opposite the original ‘Hitsville USA’ building, in Detroit, ‘Motorcity Records’ was launched as a record label. The label recorded 850 songs by 108 artists, but due to due to severe financial losses the label had to be closed down in the 1990’s.

‘High Energy’ was also co-written by Fiachra Trench, who was born Fiachra Terence Wilbrah Trench, on September 7th, 1941, in Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland. He began his songwriting partnership with Ian Levine in the early 1980’s, and together they wrote ‘Hi-NRG’ tracks for artists, including Evelyn Thomas, Miquel Brown, and Barbara Pennington (1954-2023.) Trench has worked alongside many of the world’s top performers throughout his career, and is credited with the string arrangements on the ‘Boomtown Rats’ “I Don’t Like Mondays,’ (1979-UK Number 1) Fairytale of New York,’ by the Pogues, (1987-UK Number 2) (see also best songs 32) and ‘Have I Told You Lately,’ for Van Morrison (1989-UK Number 74.) Fiachra Trench has also scored and composed music for films, including ‘Pearl Harbor,’ (2001) ‘The Boxer,’ (1997) ‘The Tailor of Panama,’ (2001) and ‘The Ring’ (2006.)

‘All the gold that’s in Fort Knox couldn’t buy this happiness. With your love I don’t need money, I don’t need success. I became a victim of a sudden love attack, It happened in a blink of an eye and there’s no holding back.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

535-The Mills Brothers-You Always Hurt the One You Love.

1944-It has never charted in the UK. There was no UK chart until 1952.

Best Bit-At 1.16. Some song titles become so famous, that they actually become a cliche.

The Mills Brothers (see also best songs 960) originated from Piqua, Ohio, United States, and were active for 54 years, between 1928-1982. The four brothers who made up the quartet, and whom had been born in to a family of nine were, Donald, (1915-1999) (lead tenor) Herbert, (1912-1999) (tenor) Harry, (1913-1982) (baritone) and John Jr. (1910-1936) (guitar, double bass, and vocals.) As well as being able to harmonise together, the brothers also mimicked the sounds of musical instruments, John would imitate the tuba, Harry, the trumpet, and Donald, the trombone. John also accompanied their four-part harmony on ukulele, and then guitar. In their early days they practised imitating orchestras that they had heard on the radio. In fact it was stated on their early ‘Decca Records’ recordings, and then later on their ‘Brunswick Records’ recordings that ‘No musical instruments or mechanical devices used on this recording other than one guitar.’

The Mills Brothers recorded over 2000 songs, and sold in excess of 50 million records during their career, although in the UK, their only entry on the UK top 40 singles chart is ‘The Glow Worm,’ which reached Number 10 after it’s release in 1952. In America it was a completely different story, where they charted with 63 top 40 singles on Billboard between 1931-1968, including five Number 1’s, one of which was this song. The Mills Brothers have also released 58 official Albums, including compilations, between 1946-1981. Such was the popularity of The Mills Brothers, that they made appearances in 20 films between 1932-1965.

‘You Always Hurt the One You Love’ was co-written by Allan Roberts, (1905-1966) who wrote the lyrics, and Doris Fisher, (1915-2003) who provided the melody. The very first recording of the song was by The Mills Brothers, with the arrangement credited to Milton DeLugg (1918-2015.) Over the years ‘You Always Hurt the One You Love’ has been recorded by many different artists, with the other hit versions being by the American R&B singer Clarence “Frogman” Henry, (1937-2024) who reached Number 4 in Canada in 1961, and the American singer Connie Francis, who made Number 13 on the UK chart in 1959. Milton DeLugg was born on December 2nd, 1918, in Los Angeles, California, United States, he died of heart failure on April 6th, 2015, at the age of 96. Although he is best remembered for writing songs in the pre ‘Rock ‘N Roll’ era, and also for composing music for a number of films, and television programmes, his best known song apart from his work on ‘You Always Hurt the One You Love,’ is his production of the 1958 UK Number 5 ‘Rock ‘N Roll’ hit ‘Rave On,’ for Buddy Holly.

‘You Always Hurt the One You Love’ was co-written by Doris Fisher, who was born on May 2nd, 1915, in New York City, New York, United States, and died on January 15th, 2003, at the age of 87, and Allan Roberts, who was born on March 12th, 1905, in Brooklyn, New York, United States, and died of a heart attack on January 14th, 1966, at the age of 61 collaborated on many songs together, including ‘Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall, (1944) (see also best songs 702) and ‘That Ole Devil Called Love’ (1944.) In 1945 Fisher and Roberts were signed to a seven years contract with ‘Columbia Pictures,’ but after Fisher married in 1947, she decided to retire from music, with Roberts continuing to write with his new partner Lester Lee (1903-1956.) Doris Fisher was certainly bred to be a songwriter, being the daughter of the German songwriter, and ‘Tin Pan Alley’ music publisher Fred Fisher, (1875-1942) both of her brothers Dan Fisher, (1920-2001) and Marvin Fisher (1916-1993) were also both noted songwriters. In 1940 Doris Fisher co-wrote the song ‘Whispering Grass’ with her father Fred Fisher, the song was first made famous by the American vocal Pop group ‘The Ink Spots’ featuring Bill Kenny, and then became a UK Number 1 single in 1975, when recorded by Windsor Davies (1930-2019) and Don Estelle (1933-2003.) After leaving music, Doris Fisher became a collector of antique American furniture, and an adviser on interior design. In the early 1960’s she advised President John F. Kennedy (1917-1963) on interior design for the White House. Following her death, her friend, the American pianist and singer Michael Feinstein, praised her tenacity and talent, in what at the time was a man’s world.

‘You always hurt the one you love, the one you shouldn’t hurt at all. You always take the sweetest rose, and crush it till the petals fall. You always break the kindest heart with a hasty word you can’t recall, so if I broke your heart last night, it’s because I love you most of all.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

536-Neil Diamond-Forever in Blue Jeans.

1979-Number 16 single.

Best Bit-At 1.28. As two other songwriters of great renown once wrote, ‘Money Can’t Buy Me Love.’

Neil Leslie Diamond (see also best songs 426 and 13) was born on January 24th, 1941, in New York City, United States, with record sales in excess of 130 million sold worldwide, he is one of the best selling artists of all time. It was at the age of 16, that he realised that he wanted to be a songwriter, after watching the Folk singer Pete Seeger (1919-2014) (see also best songs 159) perform at the ‘Surprise Lake Camp,’ in upstate New York, Neil Diamond has recalled, ‘And the next thing, I got a guitar when we got back to Brooklyn, started to take lessons, and almost immediately began to write songs.’ Prior to his breakthrough as a performer in 1966 with his fifth overall single release ‘Cherry Cherry,’ (Billboard Number 5) Neil Diamond had found success with his songs being performed by other artists, notably with ‘Sunday and Me,’ which made Number 18 on Billboard in 1965 for the American Rock group ‘Jay and the Americans,’ and ‘I’m a Believer,’ a Billboard, and UK Number 1 single for the American ‘Pop/Rock’ band the ‘Monkees’ in 1966.

The discography of Neil Diamond includes 32 studio Albums released between 1966-2020, and 96 singles released between 1962-2021, there are also two soundtrack Albums, 35 official compilation Albums, and eight live Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, 37 of his singles have reached the top 40, with three of those tracks, ‘Cracklin’ Rosie,’ (1970) Song Sung Blue,’ (1972) and ‘You Don’t Bring Me Flowers,’ a duet with Barbra Streisand, (1978) all making the Number 1 position, while in the UK, Neil Diamond has had 11 top 40 hits, with ‘Cracklin’ Rosie’ (1970) peaking the highest at Number 3. When recorded by others, two of his songs, ‘I’m a Believer,’ (Monkees-1966) and ‘Red Red Wine,’ (UB40-1983) have both reached Number 1 on both Billboard, and in the UK.

‘Forever in Blue Jeans,’ which can be filed under ‘Rock,’ ‘Country Pop,’ and ‘Soft Rock,’ was the second of three singles released from Neil Diamond’s 12th studio Album ‘You Don’t Bring Me Flowers,’ from November 1978, the song was co-written by Neil Diamond, and Richard Bennett, with the production being by the legendary American songwriter, singer, musician, and record producer, Bob Gaudio (see also best songs 1007-914-863-739-499-393-284-164 and 112.) Richard Bennett was born on July 22nd, 1951, in Chicago, Illinois, United States, he is best known as a guitarist, and music producer. Bennett was a long term collaborator with Neil Diamond, playing on everyone of his Albums between 1971-1987, and also touring with him throughout that time period. The other song that Richard Bennett is best remembered for, is his guitar playing on the 1975 Billboard Number 1, and UK Number 7 single ‘Let Your Love Flow,’ by ‘The Bellamy Brothers,’ (see also best songs 923) ‘Let Your Love Flow’ had been written by Larry E. Williams, who was a member of Neil Diamond’s road crew. Since 1994 Bennett has worked as a touring sideman for Mark Knopfler, (see also best songs 829 and 298) and he has also produced Albums for artists including Emmylou Harris, and Steve Earle. He was a member of ‘The Notorious Cherry Bombs’ who recorded an Album in 1994, and he has performed on dozens of tracks for other artists, as well as releasing six solo Albums between 2004-2018. He has played on nine Mark Knopfler Albums between 1996-2018, with Knopfler writing the liner notes for Bennett’s debut solo Album ‘Themes From A Rainy Decade,’ in 2004. The liner notes read,’For almost ten years now I’ve felt very lucky having Richard Bennett as a pal and as a member of the band. His quiet, self-effacing manner hides an encyclopedic knowledge of all kinds of roots and rock music, from Hillbilly to Hawaiian, played effortlessly on a variety of instruments which appear out of a flight case as big as an Airstream trailer… May his cracking guitar playing find a place in your life as it has in mine.’

‘Forever in Blue Jeans’ tells us that it is better to be loved by that special person, rather than have all the money in the world, and not know real happiness. The ‘Blue Jeans’ are a symbol of a manual worker, who would not have lots of money. Neil Diamond has said of the songs meaning, ‘The simple things are really the important things.’

‘Money talks, but it can’t sing and dance and it can’t walk, and long as I can have you here with me, I’d much rather be forever in blue jeans. babe.’