THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

710-R.E.M.-It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)

1987-Number 88 single. When it was re-released in 1991, it peaked at Number 39.

Best Bit-At 2.27. Because of the worldwide ‘Corona’ virus pandemic in March 2020, the song received an increase in downloads and streaming, alongside other apocalypse, and sickness themed songs. Online downloads increased by 184%, and streams rose by 48%.

R.E.M. were formed in Athens, Georgia, United States, in 1980, by Michael Stipe, (lead vocals) Peter Buck, (lead guitar) Bill Berry, (drums) and Mike Mills (bass, and keyboards) Berry left in 1997, and the other three continued, until retiring the group in 2011. R.E.M. who took their name from the well known abbreviation for ‘rapid eye movement,’ which is the dream stage of sleep, are considered pivotal in the development of ‘Alternative Rock,’ offering something different at the time when ‘Post Punk,’ and ‘New Wave’ was at it’s peak. R.E.M. were an inspiration for acts such as Nirvana, (see also best songs 788 and 9) Sonic Youth, (see also best songs 641) Radiohead, (see also best songs 33) and other ‘Alternative Rock’ bands of the following generations. Kurt Cobain (1967-1994) of Nirvana has said of R.E.M., ‘I don’t know how that band does what they do. God, they’re the greatest. They’ve dealt with their success like saints, and they keep delivering great music.’

The discography of R.E.M., who have sold in excess of 90 million records worldwide, includes, 15 studio Albums released between 1983-2011, and 63 singles that have been issued between 1981-2019, there are also 16 official compilation Albums, and five live Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, nine of their singles have reached that top 40, with ‘Losing My Religion,’ from 1991, peaking the highest at Number 4, ‘It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine’) stalled at Number 69 in 1987. In the UK, R.E.M. have charted within the top 40 on 31 occasions, with ‘The Great Beyond,’ from 1999, peaking the highest at Number 3.

‘It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine’) was the second of three singles released from ‘Document,’ the fifth studio Album by R.E.M., from August 1987, as with many R.E.M. songs, the writing credits are split amongst all group members regardless of input. R.E.M. are also credited as the songs producer, along with Scott Litt, who was also the Album’s co-producer, along with R.E.M. Scott Litt is an American music producer, who was born on March 10th, 1954, he is best known for co-producing six consecutive R.E.M. Album’s, from ‘Document’ in 1987, through to ‘ New Adventures in Hi-Fi,’ in 1996, during R.E.M.’s most commercially successful period. Feeling that they were going stale, R.E.M. and Scott Litt split in 1997, so R.E.M. could explore a different path for their music. Away from R.E.M., Scott Litt has worked with several different artists, including Nirvana, New Order, and Ziggy Marley.

‘It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine’) is heavily influenced by Bob Dylan’s 1965 song ‘Subterranean Homesick Blues,’ (see also best songs 792) and although he has never admitted it, (as far as I know) Billy Joel could well have got his inspiration for his 1989 song ‘We Didn’t Start the Fire,’ (see also best songs 810) after hearing this. Michael Stipe has explained how he wrote the lyrics for ‘It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine.’) ‘The words come from everywhere. I’m extremely aware of everything around me, whether I am in a sleeping state, awake, dream-state, or just in day to day life. There’s a part in ‘It’s The End Of The World As We Know It’ that came from a dream where I was at Lester Bangs’ birthday party and I was the only person there whose initials weren’t L.B. So there was Lenny Bruce, Leonid Brezhnev, Leonard Bernstein… So that ended up in the song, along with a lot of stuff I’d seen when I was flipping TV channels. It’s a collection of streams of consciousness.’

‘That’s great, it starts with an earthquake, birds and snakes, and aeroplanes, and Lenny Bruce is not afraid. Eye of a hurricane, listen to yourself churn, world serves its own needs, don’t mis-serve your own needs. Speed it up a notch, speed, grunt, no, strength, the ladder starts to clatter.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

711-The Real Roxanne-Bang Zoom (Let’s Go-Go) with Hitman Howie Tee.

1986-Number 11 single.

Best Bit-At 4.18. This is ‘Old School Hip-Hop,’ when the female Rappers, unlike today’s generation, didn’t have to brag about how athletic their private parts were, in order to make a hit record.

The Real Roxanne is the stage name of Adelaida Martinez, who was born on July 24th, 1963, in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, United States. She initially made her mark when recording an ‘Answer Record,’ to the critically acclaimed ‘Old School Hip-Hop’ song ‘Roxanne Roxanne,’ (1984-Billboard Number 77 & UK Number 72) by the ‘Hip-Hop’ group ‘UTFO.’ At the same time another answer record to that same song was released by fellow American Rap artist Roxanne Shante, and this led to, what is believed to be somewhere between 30, to 100 different artists jumping on the bandwagon, and recording answer songs, this was to become known as the ‘Roxanne Wars.’ The discography of The Real Roxanne includes two studio Albums released in 1988 and 1992, and nine singles that have been issued between 1984-2019, her only top 40 single on either side of the Atlantic remains ‘Bang Zoom (Let’s Go Go’) with Hitman Howie Tee, that reached Number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100, and Number 11 in the UK, in 1986.

‘Bang Zoom (Let’s Go-Go’) with Hitman Howie Tee, was the first of three singles released from ‘The Real Roxanne,’ which was the debut studio Album by The Real Roxanne from 1988. ‘Bang Zoom (Let’s Go-Go’) was co-written by Full Force, The Real Roxanne, and Hitman Howie Tee, with the songs production credited to Full Force. The song is a very good example of the development of ‘Hip-Hop’ music at that time, for it’s sampling, and scratching, using several samples, from other records, as well as audio from other sources. ‘Bang Zoom (Let’s Go-Go’) can be considered a ground breaking song, as it has been sampled many times itself, and was a major influence on a generation of artists, including De La Soul, (see also best songs 444 and 246)The Jungle Brothers, (see also best songs 805)and DJ Jazzy Jeff (see also best songs 643.)

Hitman Howie Tee was born Howard Thompson, in England, but was raised in Brooklyn, New York, United States, he started his music career in the early 1980’s as a member of the ‘Electro Hip-Hop’ group ‘CD111,’ who released two singles on the ‘Prelude Records’ label. His breakthrough as a music producer came in 1985, when he co-produced the track ‘(Nothing Serious) Just Buggin,” for the American Hip-Hop & R&B group ‘Whistle’ (1986-UK Number 7.) Hitman Howie Tee is probably best remembered for his production work with the American R&B group ‘Color Me Badd,’ with whom he co-produced three of their top 40 Billboard Hot 100 hits, including the Billboard Number 1 hit ‘All 4 Love’ in 1991. He has also appeared on eight singles as a featured artist, with ‘Bang Zoom (Let’s Go-Go’) being the only charting song.

‘Bang Zoom (Let’s Go-Go’) was produced by the American ‘Hip-Hop,’ and ‘R&B’ group and music production team of ‘Full Force,’ who are a collective of six members, who were formed in Brooklyn, New York, United States, in 1976. Full Force have worked alongside dozens of artists over the years including James Brown, (I’m Real-1989) and the Backstreet Boys (All I Have to Give-1997 UK Number 2.) Full Force have released 10 Albums between 1985-2014, and 26 singles between 1980-1992. In the UK they have appeared on three top 40 singles, with ‘Alice, I Want You Just for Me!’ charting the highest at Number 9 in 1985.

‘You are now rocking with the best. Can I get a hit, Howie? Thank you. For I am the sure shockin’, head clocker, anything but non-rockin,’ Hip-hoppin’, Reebok’n, wear and tearin.’ Givin’ up to rock all the people in the place to be, can you hit me two times, Howie? Thank you, I’m gon’ put some karate in your body, some rhymes in your mind.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

712-Otis Redding-(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay.

1968-Number 3 single.

Best Bit-At 2.21. Pucker up.

Otis Ray Redding Jr. (see also best songs 377) was born on September 9th, 1941, in Dawson, Georgia, United States, he died in an aeroplane crash on December 10th, 1967, at the age of 26 (see also best songs 831.) Otis Redding who was nicknamed the ‘King of Soul,’ was heavily influenced in his early career by the singing style of Little Richard, (1932-2020) (see also best songs 521) Redding’s singing style also gained inspiration from the ‘Gospel Music’ that had preceded ‘Soul Music.’ At the time of his death Redding was branching out in to a more mainstream sound, that was at odds with the ‘Soul’ sounds of his record label ‘Stax,’ and it is said that if he had lived, he would have gone on to be a very successful commercial selling artist, as his last recording (‘Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay’ suggests. Otis Redding is considered to be one of the most influential artists of all time, being an inspiration for many of the top ‘R&B,’ and ‘Soul’ musicians of the early 1960’s, including Aretha Franklin, (1942-2018) Marvin Gaye, (1939-1984) and Al Green. He was also an influence on the world of ‘Rock Music,’ with groups such as The Rolling Stones, and Led Zeppelin acknowledging his significance on them, Janis Joplin said that she learned ‘To push a song instead of just sliding over it,’ after hearing Redding.

The discography of Otis Redding includes 11 studio Albums that have been released between 1964-1992, the first six being issued before his death, with the remainder being made up of the extensive amount of tracks that were unused, and in the vaults at ‘Stax’ records at the time of his death. There are also 15 official compilation Albums, and nine live Albums available. Otis Redding released 27 singles during his lifetime, with a further 17 issued after his death. In 2011 the ‘Rap’ artists Jay-Z and Kanye West released the song ‘Otis,’ which heavily samples Redding’s version of ‘Try a Little Tenderness,’ on the track Otis Redding is credited as the featured artist, the song reached Number 12 in America on Billboard, and Number 28 in the UK. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart Otis Redding has had 11 top 40 hits with (‘Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay’ making Number 1 in 1968, while in the UK, he has charted within the top 40 also on 11 occasions with (‘Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay’ peaking the highest at Number 3.

(‘Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay’ was co-written by Steve Cropper and Otis Redding, with the production being by Cropper, and is the opening track on Redding’s seventh studio Album of the same name from February 1968. (‘Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay’ was the last song Otis Redding had been working on before his death. While on tour in August 1967, Redding was sitting on a rented houseboat in Sausalito, California, which gave him the idea for the song, and it was Steve Cropper (see also best songs 906-828 and 530) who had been working on the song previously with Redding, just days prior to his death, who completed the song. As well as writing extra lyrics, Cropper also added the sound of seagulls and waves, as Redding had requested, recalling the sounds he had heard when staying on the houseboat. (‘Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay’ is also notable for some of the most famous whistling in ‘Pop’ music. Redding was well known for ad-libbing at the end of his songs in the studio, but with this being a more mellow track than what was his usual, it is possible that Redding couldn’t think of anything appropriate, so decided to whistle, although who actually provided the whistling is not certain. Some sources claim Sam Taylor, (1934-2009) who was a guitarist, and a bandleader for Redding during the 1960’s, overdubbed Redding’s original, weaker whistle. Steve Cropper, however, insists that Redding’s original whistle was used. (‘Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay’ was completed quickly by Steve Cropper after the death of Otis Redding, and rush released by the ‘Stax’ record label, it became the first ever posthumous Number 1 single on Billboard in America, and the Album of the same, would become the first ever posthumous Number 1 in the UK.

In 1987 the American singer Michael Bolton covered (‘Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay’ for his fifth studio Album ‘The Hunger,’ Bolton’s version was released as a single, and reached Number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. It is said that Michael Bolton couldn’t whistle, so he had to have whistling dubbed on to song. Zelma Redding, Otis Redding’s widow, wrote a letter to Michael Bolton saying his cover was her all-time favourite version of her husband’s classic. She was so moved by Bolton’s performance ‘That it brought tears to my eyes. It reminded me so much of my husband.’ Bolton had the letter framed, and it hangs on his office wall.

‘Sittin’ in the mornin’ sun, I’ll be sittin’ when the evenin’ comes. Watching the ships roll in, then I watch ’em roll away again, yeah. I’m sittin’ on the dock of the bay, watchin’ the tide roll away, ooh, I’m just sittin’ on the dock of the bay wastin’ time.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

713-Herbie Hancock-I Thought It Was You.

1978-Number 15 single.

Best Bit-At 5.10. Probably the reason why 12 inch singles were invented, so that we can enjoy the next 3.54 seconds.

Herbie Hancock was born Herbert Jeffrey Hancock, on April 12th, 1940, in Chicago, Illinois, United States, his parents named him after the American singer and actor Herb Jeffries (1913-2014.) Herbie Hancock is one of the leading figures in the development of Jazz music in the second half of the 20th Century, having recorded in, and experimented in the genres of ‘Jazz,’ Post-Bop,’ ‘Modal Jazz,’ ‘Jazz Fusion,’ ‘Jazz Funk,’ and ‘Electro.’ His best known compositions which include,’Cantaloupe Island,’ (1964) ‘Watermelon Man,’ (1962) “Maiden Voyage,’ (1965) and “Chameleon,’ (1973) are all now considered to be ‘Jazz Standards.’ The discography of Herbie Hancock includes 41 studio Albums, which have been released between 1962-2010, and 38 singles that have been issued between 1963-2002, there are also a massive 62 official compilation Albums, 12 live Albums, and five soundtrack Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, he has never charted within the top 40, but in the UK, four of his singles have made the top 40, with ‘Rockit,’ from 1983 peaking the highest at Number 8. Herbie Hancock has also appeared as a ‘sideman’ with many of worlds top artists, including Donald Byrd, (1932-2013) Miles Davis, (1926-1991) George Benson, Quincy Jones, and Stevie Wonder. A ‘sideman’ is a professional musician who is hired to perform live with a solo artist, or with a group in which they are not a regular band member. The term is usually used to describe musicians that play with Jazz or Rock artists, whether solo or in a group. Herbie Hancock has also been a session musician on Albums by all the above artists, as well as many others.

‘I Thought It Was You’ was the first of two singles released from ‘Sunlight,’ which is the 19th studio Album release by Herbie Hancock, from 1978, the other single release was the title track ‘Sunlight,’ which was issued as a double ‘A’ side with ‘Come Running to Me,’ which was another track from the Album, but it failed to chart.’I Thought It Was You’ was co-written by Herbie Hancock, Melvin ‘Wah Wah Watson’ Ragin, (1950-2018) and Jeffrey E. Cohen, with the production being by Herbie Hancock, and David Rubinson. Some of the big names who played on the track include Melvin ‘Wah Wah Watson’ Ragin, of the ‘Funk Brothers,’ and Ray Parker Jr. (see also best songs 560) who both played guitar, and Leon ‘Ndugu’ Chancler, (1952-2018) who was the drummer. Herbie Hancock played keyboards, synthesizers, and sang the lead and background vocals through a ‘vocoder,’ he also did the string, brass and woodwind arrangements on the track.

‘I Thought It Was You’ is noted for Herbie Hancock’s unusual vocal delivery, which he sings through a ‘Sennheiser VSM-201’ vocoder, which distorts the voice. Other artists to use a variant of the device include the ‘Electric Light Orchestra,’ which can be heard on ‘Mr Blue Sky,’ (see also best songs 25) The Alan Parsons Project, and Kraftwerk (see also best songs 41.) Herbie Hancock’s use of the vocoder was an influence on future generations of musicians, including the French duo ‘Daft Punk,’ (see also best songs 140) who have used the instrument on all of their four studio Albums between 1997-2013.

‘I Thought It Was You’ is a love song that explores the themes of deception and mistaken identity. The lyrics tell a story of heartbreak and confusion, as the narrator discovers that the person they thought they knew and loved is not who they seemed to be. It delves into the all too often experience of being deceived by someone we trust.

‘Just glance from behind, happened by chance or design. The perfume she wore, took me back through a door I had closed long ago. Suddenly I thought it was you.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

714-Sidney Samson featuring Wizard Sleeve-Riverside (Let’s Go!)

2010-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 1.16. I have always wondered why the English football team Middlesbrough never chose this song to walk out to on match days.

Sidney Samson was born on October 2nd, 1981, in Amsterdam, Holland, he is a songwriter, and music producer, who specialises in the genres of ‘Electro House,’ Dutch House,’ Progressive House,’ ‘Trap,’ and ‘Moombahton.’ As the lead artist, he has released 43 singles between 2006-2021, of which four of those tracks have made the ‘Dutch Single Top 40’ chart, with the original version of ‘Riverside,’ charting the highest at Number 8 in 2009, although the version of ‘Riverside (Let’s Go’) featuring Wizard Sleeve, failed to chart. Outside of Holland, the original version of ‘Riverside’ reached Number 10 in Australia, and Number 13 in Belgium. His only other chart entry outside of Holland is with ‘Riverside (Let’s Go’) in the UK. Sidney Samson who has also appeared on four singles as a featured artist between 2012-2018, has produced or remixed tracks for several different artists in the ‘Electronic Dance Music’ genre. He is married to the Dutch singer and songwriter Eva Simons, who was the featured vocalist on Will.i.am’s 2012 UK Number 1 single,’This Is Love.’

The original version of ‘Riverside,’ which is an instrumental, was first released by Sidney Samson in 2009, The song which failed to chart in the UK, did find great success some six months later in the that country when vocals were added by the American ‘Alternative Hip-Hop’ trio of Lex One, (Alex Cruz), Mike Beatz, (Michael Barnett) and DJ/producer Pusher Fm, (Pedro Calcano) who go by the working name of ‘Wizard Sleeve.’ The trio took their name from a popular slang phrase, coined in the ‘Viz Profanisaurus’ book, (2002) by the author Chris Donald, and then featured in the movie ‘Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan,’ (2006) which was used to describe large, hanging or dangling labia. As Wizard Sleeve they had originally performed the Rap on the 2008 song called ‘Me Plus You,’ which had been in collaboration with the production team of ‘Black Noise.’ Sidney Samson on hearing ‘Me Plus You,’ dubbed the vocals on to his track ‘Riverside,’ transforming the song, which begs the question, does this make this song a mashup? The original version of ‘Riverside’ featured an audio sample of Tupac Shakur (1971-1996) (see also best songs 482) repeating the words ‘Riverside Motherf….r,’ this audio was sampled from the 1992 American crime thriller ‘Juice,’ which starred Tupac Shakur (playtime 1.10.25.) The sample was modified for the radio edit of ‘Riverside (Let’s Go!’) in order to get airplay, and become a hit.

‘Riverside’ can be filed under the genre of ‘Dutch House’ music, which is sometimes referred to as ‘Dirty Dutch’, and is a style of ‘Electro House Music’ that originated in the Netherlands, and had become commercial by 2009, It was mainly pioneered by Vato Gonzalez , Afrojack, (see also best songs 531 and 210) and DJ Chuckie, and is primarily defined by complex rhythms made from Latin-influenced drum kits, a lower emphasis on basslines, and squeaky, high-pitched lead synths. Influences on this sub-genre include ‘Detroit Techno,’ ‘Hip-Hop,’ and other urban styles of music.

‘Me plus you, that equals better equations. We must do, do subtraction of your clothes. Me and you, you got a date tonight, I’m gonna be so straight tonight, these chicks wanna come take me right.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

715-Steve Miller Band-The Joker.

1973-It did not chart in the UK until 1990, when it reached Number 1,

Best Bit-At 0.17. It’s the best wolf whistle you’ll get all day.

Steven Haworth Miller was born on October 5th, 1943, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States, he is a singer/songwriter, and also plays the guitar, harmonica, and keyboards. It wouldn’t be unfair to say that Steve Miller had a head start musically as a child, as his parents were good friends with the musical duo of Les Paul, (1915-2009) and Mary Ford, (1924-1977) Les Paul was Miller’s Godfather. At the age of nine, Miller was taught to play the guitar by the Blues musician T-Bone Walker, (1910-1975) and other visitors to the house included the Jazz bassist Charles Mingus, (1922-1979) and the Jazz guitarist Tal Farlow, (1921-1998) it was T-Bone Walker who taught Miller how to play his guitar behind his back, and also with his teeth in 1952. It was while attending St. Mark’s School in Dallas, in 1955, that Miller first met the future ‘Pop’ star Boz Scaggs, (see also best songs 656) whom Miller would help instruct on guitar chords. Miller and Scaggs, with others would play in a group called the ‘Ardells’ in 1963, before Miller left to attend the University of Copenhagen, in Denmark in 1964. On his return to the United States he formed the ‘Steve Miller Blues Band’ in 1966. As the name suggests the group played ‘Blues/Rock’ in their early days, but they then took a more commercial approach during their most successful period in the 1970’s, and 1980’s. In total there have been 30 different members of the ‘Steve Miller Band’ come and go, including Boz Scaggs, who played on two studio Albums, before starting his own solo career, Steve Miller is the groups one constant.

The discography of the Steve Miller Band includes 18 studio Albums released between 1968-2011, and 30 singles issued between 1968-1993, there are also 11 official compilation Albums, and six live Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, nine of their singles have made the top 40, with three of those reaching Number 1, including ‘The Joker’ in 1973, while in the UK, they have had three top 40 hits, with ‘The Joker’ making Number 1 in 1990.

‘The Joker’ was the first of two singles released from the Steve Miller Band’s eighth studio Album of the same name, from October 1973. The song was written by Steve Miller, with the American songwriter Eddie Curtis, (1927-1983) and Ahmet Ertegun’s, names later added, the song was produced by Miller. ‘The Joker’ was an American Billboard Number 1 single in 1973, but failed to chart in the UK, until being used in a ‘Levi’s Jeans’ television advert in 1990, thus making the song at just short of 17 years, the longest gap between transatlantic chart-toppers (see also best songs 850.) ‘The Joker’s’ melody borrows heavily from the 1972 song ‘Soul Sister,’ by the American R&B artist Allen Toussaint, (1938-2015) although Toussaint doesn’t receive a writing credit. The line, ‘You’re the cutest thing that I ever did see, I really love your peaches, wanna shake your tree. Lovey dovey, lovey dovey, lovey dovey all the time,’ is lifted from the 1954 song ‘Lovey Dovey,’ by the ‘Clovers.’ That song was written by the Turkish songwriter and record executive Ahmet Ertegun, (1923-2006) and Eddie Curtis, and they therefore also receives writing credits. Steve Miller has said that although it cost him a lot of money in royalties, it was an honour to have his name on the song next to Ahmet Ertegun.

‘The Joker’ is also notable for the made up word ‘Pompatus,’ which has become very famous in ‘Pop’ culture down the years. Steve Miller had heard the song ‘The Letter,’ by the American ‘Doo-Wop’ group ‘The Medallions,’ from 1954, which was written by Vernon Green, (1937-2000) of that group. Vernon Green had made up the word ‘Puppetutes,’ for the song ‘The Letter,’ which Miller had misheard as ‘Pompatus.’ Vernon Green has confirmed that ‘the puppetutes of love’ was a nonsense lyric, ‘A term I coined to mean a secret paper-doll fantasy figure (thus puppet), who would be my everything and bear my children.’ Other lyrics in ‘The Joker’ include ‘Some people call me The Space Cowboy,’ this is a reference to Miller’s 1969 song ‘Space Cowboy.’ The line, ‘Some call me a gangster of love,’ is a reference to the song “Gangster of Love,’ and the line, ‘Some people call me Maurice,’ is a reference to Miller’s 1972 song ‘Enter Maurice.’ And finally the line ‘I’m a midnight toker,’ is a marijuana reference.

‘Cause I’m a picker, I’m a grinner, I’m a lover, and I’m a sinner, I play my music in the sun. I’m a joker, I’m a smoker, I’m a midnight toker, I sure don’t want to hurt no one.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

716-Afrika Bambaataa & the Soulsonic Force-Planet Rock.

1982-Number 53 single.

Best Bit-At 0.31. In 1982 ‘Rap’ was still in it’s infancy, note the song is called ‘Planet Rock,’ rather than ‘Planet Rap.’

‘Planet Rock’ wasn’t the first ‘Rap’ song to be a hit, but unlike those that came before, this one included synthesizers, and sampling. It was Tom Silverman the founder of ‘Tommy Boy’ records who brought Afrika Bambaataa, and Arthur Baker (see also best songs 825) together, the other two who were involved with the making of this groundbreaking track were the songs co-writer John Robie, who played synthesizers, and Emcee G.L.O.B.E., who wrote the lyrics about having fun, and getting the most out of life. Arthur Baker and Afrika Bambaataa had previously worked together on a ‘Funk’ song called ‘Jazzy Sensation,’ and both shared a mutual appreciation for the German band Kraftwerk (see also best songs 41.) The duo wanted to incorporate the ‘Electronic Music’ of that group in to ‘Hip-Hop.’ The outcome being a whole new musical genre, that would become known as ‘Electro,’ and becoming a major influence on all the generations that followed.

‘Planet Rock’s’ writing is credited to Arthur Baker, John Robie, Emcee G.L.O.B.E., and the ‘Electro-Funk,’ and ‘Hip-Hop’ ensemble, led by Afrika Bambaata, the ‘Soulsonic Force,’ with the production being by Arthur Baker. The track was released as a stand alone single, and did not appear on an Album until the release of the Afrika Bambaataa & Soulsonic Force’s 1986 compilation Album ‘Planet Rock: The Album.’ ‘Planet Rock’ is heavily influenced by ‘Electronic Music’ artists such as Kraftwerk, The Yellow Magic Orchestra, and Gary Numan (see also best songs 772-232 and 177.) ‘Planet Rock’ is based on two songs by Kraftwerk,’Trans-Europe Express,’ (1976) and ‘Numbers,’ (1981) with those two songs being interpolated, rather than sampled directly. Although Kraftwerk didn’t receive writing credit for ‘Planet Rock,’ they did come to an agreement over royalties. Another track which was sampled was the synthesizer arrangement from the 1972 cover of ‘Theme From a Few Dollars More,’ by the English Rock group ‘Babe Ruth.’

Afrika Bambaataa was born Lance Taylor, on April 17th, 1957, in New York City, United States. His discography includes 23 Albums released between 1983-2006, and 22 singles issued between 1980-2001. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, ‘Planet Rock,’ which is his only entry on that chart, peaked at Number 48, although it did reach Number 4 on the ‘Billboard Hot R&B/ Hip Hop Songs’ chart. In the UK, he has had four top 40 hits, with ‘Afrika Shox,’ credited to ‘Leftfield featuring Afrika Bambaataa,’ peaking the highest at Number 7 in 1999. Afrika Bambaataa has spoken about his admiration for Kraftwerk, and their influence on his music,’I don’t think they even knew how big they were among the black masses back in ’77 when they came out with ‘Trans Europe Express.’ When that came out, I thought that was one of the best and weirdest damn records I ever heard in my life.That’s an amazing group to see, just to see what computers and all that can do.’

John Robie was born in New York City, United States, he is a musician, producer, and songwriter, who has produced or written for a wildly diverse array of artists, including Chaka Khan, New Order, and UB40. Arthur Baker who produced ‘Planet Rock’ has praised John Robie’s work on the track saying,’He could play. You’d tell him to play something and he’d play it, and add something to it. He was really, really good. Afrika Bambaataa said,’A lot of people think we sampled Kraftwerk, but it’s just not true. John Robie was a bad-ass synthesizer player, so he was just good in playing stuff, that it sounded like they sampled the record.’ The American music producer Rick Rubin (see also best songs 977-610 and 305) has said of ‘Planet Rock,’ ‘It is one of the most influential songs of everything, it changed the world.’

‘You gotta rock it, pop it, ’cause it’s the century. There is such a place that creates such a melody, our world is but a land of a master jam, get up and dance. It’s time to chase your dreams, up out your seats, make your body sway, socialise, get down, let your soul lead the way. Shake it now, go ladies, it’s a livin’ dream, love life, live.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

717-Oceanic-Insanity.

1991-Number 3 single.

Best Bit-At 1.56. Many Dance tracks, especially the popular ones, are given several remixes. The mix I used to play was on the 7 inch vinyl, for me the defining version. Unfortunately my copy has long gone, and when I come to think of it, so have my turntables.

Oceanic were formed in the late 1980’s, in Wallasey, Merseyside, England, by David Harry, Frank Crofts, Jorinde Williams, (vocals) and Andy Lea, together they produced Electronic Dance Music, (EDM) in the sub-genre’s of ‘Pop,’ ‘House,’and ‘Techno.’ In total they issued six singles between 1991-1999, of which three reached the UK top 40, with ‘Insanity’ charting the highest at Number 3 in 1991, the song was also a hit in Australia, where it peaked at Number 31. Their other two top 40 hits in the UK were ‘Wicked Love,’ which was released as the follow up to ‘Insanity,’ reaching Number 25, also in 1991, and ‘Controlling Me,’ which was their third UK single release, and made Number 14, that track was also their only other song to chart overseas, where it reached Number 19 in Ireland in 1992. Oceanic also issued a fourth single from their only Album, the track was ‘Ignorance,’ which featured the vocals of Siobhan Maher Kennedy, who had previously been the lead vocalist of the English ‘Folk/Rock’ group River City People, that song stalled at Number 72 in 1992. A stand alone single called ‘Celebration’ failed to chart in 1993, as did the 1999 remix of ‘Insanity,’ called ‘Insanity 99.’ They released one studio Album in 1992, which was called ‘That Compact Disc By Oceanic,’ The Album was also released on cassette, and called ‘That Cassette By Oceanic,’ it was also issued on vinyl, I bet you can’t guess what it was called?

‘Insanity’ was the first of four singles released from ‘That (CD/Cassette/Album’) by Oceanic from 1991, the writing of the song is credited to all four band members at that time. ‘Insanity’ spent three consecutive weeks at Number 3 on the UK top 40, and finished the year as the ninth best selling song of 1991 in the UK, the track was also the best selling ‘Dance Music’ single of that year in that country.

Electronic dance music (EDM) is a broad range of percussive electronic music genres, originally made for nightclubs, raves, and festivals. In the late 1980’s, and the early 1990’s, following the emergence of ‘raving,’ and ‘pirate radio,’ and ‘underground festivals,’ and an upsurge of interest in club culture, ‘EDM’ achieved mainstream popularity in Europe. However, rave culture was not as broadly popular in the United States, where it was not typically seen outside of the regional scenes in New York City, Florida, the Midwest, and California. Although both ‘Electro,’ and ‘Chicago House Music’ were influential both in Europe and the United States, mainstream media outlets, and the record industry remained openly hostile to it.There was also a perceived association between ‘EDM’ and drug culture, which led governments at state and city levels to enact laws and policies intended to halt the spread of rave culture.

David Harry who was one of the four members of Oceanic has described his feelings on first hearing ‘Insanity’ being enthusiastically received in a Warrington, England, nightclub. ‘We finally went to ‘Legends’ to witness it all. The DJ played ‘Rhythm Is A Mystery’ by K-Klass, and the crowd reaction was so big that I started to feel pissed off, but the DJ then cut in with an a cappella to lower everyone down, and then kicked in with the beginning of the re-mix to ‘Insanity’ which is very different to the original version that the clubbers were used to. As soon as the first chords of the tune came in the whole place just went completely mad, and when the chorus hit in, the roof nearly came off! It was the biggest buzz that we got, the hairs on the back of your spine were up — unbelievable. It was like multiple orgasms all round, amazing — it was unreal to hear something that you created and see what it did to people. It brought home to us exactly what we were doing, and made us realise that we were writing music that other people did like.’

‘Dream tripper, teach me how to fly, oooh come on baby, take me so high. Imagination, emotions running wild, give me innocence, but don’t treat me like a child. It’s magic, baby, you make me feel so good, I wanna do things I thought I never could. Crazy baby, it’s just the way I feel, dream baby, come on make my dreaming real.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

718-Prefab Sprout-Cars and Girls.

1988-Number 44 single.

Best Bit-At 0.49. The only sprout I ever enjoyed.

Prefab Sprout were formed in Witton Gilbert, County Durham, England, in 1978, by the brothers Paddy McAloon, (vocals, guitars, keyboards, programming, piano, harmonica, and bass guitar) and Martin McAloon, (bass guitar) the classic line up, and the four who played on this track were completed by Wendy Smith, (vocals and guitar) who joined the group in 1982, and Neil Conti, (drums and percussion) who became a member in 1984. In total there have been nine different members come and go, with Paddy McAloon being the groups one constant. Paddy McAloon used to get bored with people continuously asking him where the band got it’s name. He would often make up different tall tales, including saying that he had misheard lyrics from the song ‘Jackson,’ (see also best songs 124) ‘We got married in a fever, hotter than a pepper sprout.’ In 1984 Paddy McAloon said,’I was asked about the name so many times I used to invent stories about it. The truth of the matter is that I made it up. Around that time all the groups were supposed to mean something, and when you are 13 you think it’s profound, that there must be some secrecy. I liked the idea, and so thought of two odd words, put them together and have kept it, basically because it reminds me of how I used to look at things.’

Paddy McAloon was born Patrick Joseph McAloon, on June 7th, 1957, in County Durham, England, since 2003 he has recorded as a solo artist, but still uses the Prefab Sprout name. As Prefab Sprout he has released 10 studio Albums between 1984-2013, and 28 singles between 1982-2013, there are also four official box sets, and three compilation Albums available. In the UK, six of the groups singles have reached the top 40, with ‘The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll,’ from 1988, peaking the highest at Number 7. It is probably fair to say that Paddy McAloon has never fully received the acclaim his talent has merited, possibly due to his preference for staying at home in the recording studio, rather than going out on tour, although he is critically acclaimed by many music critics. Prefab Sprout are best remembered for their 1988 UK Number 7 single ‘The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll,’ of which McAloon has described himself as ‘Reconciled to being remembered for that song,’ and ‘Aware that it’s a bit like being known for ‘Yellow Submarine,’ rather than ‘Hey Jude,’ in reference to many of his other more overlooked, and in his opinion, better songs. In recent years Paddy McAloon has suffered with health issues, including a detached retina, and tinnitus, which significantly limited his ability to work in the studio.

‘Cars and Girls’ was the first of five singles released from Prefab Sprout’s third studio Album ‘From Langley Park to Memphis,’ from March 1988, the song was written by Paddy McAloon, and produced by Jon Kelly, who also produced three of the other 10 tracks on the Album. Such was the confidence that ‘Cars and Girls’ would be a hit, it was released ahead of ‘The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll,’ and it was a major surprise when it stalled at Number 44. ‘From Langley Park to Memphis,’ which was the peak of Prefab Sprout’s commercial success, had four different producers over the 10 tracks, including Thomas Dolby, who produced and played keyboards on four of them. Other significant names who played on the Album were Stevie Wonder, who provided the harmonica solo on ‘Nightingales,’ and Pete Townshend, who played acoustic guitar on ‘Hey Manhattan!’

‘Cars and Girls’ is lyrically a dig at the American singer/songwriter Bruce Springsteen’s (see also best songs 1040 and 549) perceived limited song subject matter. Paddy McAloon is suggesting that Springsteen’s worldview is too restricted, because, ‘Somethings hurt much more than cars and girls.’ McAloon who has denied that the song indicates a personal distaste for Springsteen, has said, ‘I think a lot of his audience get into him on a patriotic level that he doesn’t intend. They misinterpret him, their enjoyment of him is inaccurate, all very imperialist American. I wanted to write a song about someone who was thick white trash, listening to Springsteen, and saying ‘But our lives aren’t like that.”

‘Little boy got a hot rod, thinks it makes him some kind of new God, well this is one race he won’t win. ‘Cause life’s no cruise with a cool chick, too many folks feelin’ car sick, but it never pulls in. Brucie’s thoughts, pretty streamers, guess this world needs its dreamers, may they never wake up, okay.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

719-Curtis Mayfield-Move On Up.

1971-Number 12 single.

Best Bit-At 2.33. It was Henry ‘Master’ Gibson (1942-2002) who played the mesmerising bongos on this track. Evidently he knew how good he was. After performing live with big names such as Curtis Mayfield, and Donny Hathaway, he became less and less content with being a sideman, and began asserting himself as the main attraction, placing his percussion at the forefront of shows. He was known for getting upset with audiences in noisy venues, after demanding their silence and full attention, he would instantly regain his focus, and proceed to put on spellbinding performances on the bongos.

Curtis Lee Mayfield was born on June 3rd, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois, United States, he died on December 26th, 1999, from complications brought on by Type 2 Diabetes, at the age of 57. Curtis Mayfield had to have his right leg amputated in 1998, due to diabetes. On August 13th, 1990, Mayfield became paralysed from the neck down, after stage lighting fell on him at an outdoor concert at Wingate Field, New York. Curtis Mayfield spent the majority of his music career highlighting the ‘Civil Rights Movement’ of the late 1950’s, and 1960’s, and the plight of the under privileged. He had been a member of the American ‘R&B’/’Soul’/’Gospel’/’Doo-Wop’ group ‘The Impressions’ from 1958, until going solo in 1970. The Civil Rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968) named the Curtis Mayfield written ‘People Get Ready’ (see also best songs 195) as the unofficial anthem of the ‘Civil Rights Movement’ in America.

The discography of Curtis Mayfield includes 12 studio Albums with the ‘Impressions,’ between 1963-1970, and 27 Albums as a solo artist, issued between 1970-1996, there are also a further nine official compilation Albums available. Mayfield’s most successful solo Album is his third studio Album, ‘Super Fly,’ from July 1972, which was released as the soundtrack for the ‘Blaxploitation’ film of the same name. The Album reached Number 1 on the ‘Billboard 200’ Album chart, as well as the ‘Billboard R&B’ chart. Curtis Mayfield released 34 singles between 1970-1997, of which four reached the Billboard Hot 100 singles top 40, with ‘Freddie’s Dead’ peaking the highest at Number 4 in 1972. ‘Move On Up’ which was released as Mayfield’s second solo single failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100. Curtis Mayfield was also the writer of ‘The Staple Singers’ 1975 Billboard Hot 100 Number 1 single ‘Let’s Do It Again.’ In the UK, ‘Move On Up’ is Curtis Mayfield’s only top 40 entry.

‘Move On Up’ was the second of two singles released from Curtis Mayfield’s debut Album ‘Curtis,’ from September 1970, the song was written and produced by Mayfield, and was released on the ‘Curtom’ record label, which was co-founded, and co-owned by Mayfield. ‘Move On Up’ which was released on the Album in it’s full length of 8.49. and edited for it’s single release at 2.53, featured many of the best musicians at that time, on the track, including Henry Gibson, (1942-2002) on percussion, Clifford Davis, (saxophone)) and Philip Upchurch (guitarist.)

The message in ‘Move On Up’ is to encourage the listener to strive for better, and to get the most out of life, regardless of the obstacles in the way. Mavis Staples of ‘The Staple Singers’ has said about Curtis Mayfield, and his song ‘Move On Up,’He was like my baby brother. He’d drop by and we’d eat together, and he’d talk politics with Pops (Roebuck ‘Pops’ Staples) (1914-2000.) One day he came to Pops and said ‘I want to write songs like The Staple Singers do, and Pops said ‘Curtis man, you’re a writer, a poet! Write some of those songs!’ The first one Curtis wrote was ‘Move On Up,’ and he came round and played it to us, and Pops said, ‘That’s my boy!”

‘Take nothing less, than the supreme best. Do not obey rumours people say, ’cause you can pass the test. Just move on up, to a greater day, with just a little faith. If you put your mind to it. you can surely do it, just move on up.’