THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

660-The Mamas and the Papas-California Dreamin’

1966-Number 23 single.

When re-issued in 1997, it peaked at Number 9.

Best Bit-At 0.07.The Mamas and the Papas took their name from ‘The Hells Angels Motorcycle Club,’whose female associates are known as ‘Mamas.’

The Mamas and the Papas were formed in Los Angeles, California. United States in 1965 by the husband and wife, John Phillips (1935-2001) and Michelle Phillips, who had previously both been members of the Folk music group ‘The New Journeymen.’ The other founding member was Denny Doherty (1940-2007,) who had previously been a member of the Folk Rock band ‘The Mugwumps.’The groups fourth member Cass Elliot (1941-1974) (see also best songs 247,) was also a past member of ‘The Mugwumps,’ and was taken on soon after the bands formation, on the recommendation of Doherty.

‘California Dreamin’ was co-written by John, and Michelle Phillips, and first recorded by Barry McGuire (see also best songs 527,) with The Mamas and the Papas providing backing vocals. It was going to be released as the follow up to McGuire’s Billboard Number 1,’Eve of Destruction,’ but after hearing ‘The Mamas’ sing it, the music producer Lou Adler persuaded them to release it themselves.

The guitar intro was played by P.F.Sloan (1945-2015,) the writer of ‘Eve of Destruction,’ and the unusual instrumental break in the middle was provided by Bud Shank (1926-2009,) playing an alto flute, as Phillips wanted something different, rather than a guitar break.

‘California’ Dreamin was written by the then newlywed Phillips’ back in 1963, who were at the time living in New York City, during a very cold winter. It is a song about longing to go back to the warmth of California, inspired by Michele’s homesickness.

The song was re-released in the UK in 1997, after being used in an advertising campaign by ‘Carling Premier Beer,’ and peaked at Number 9. In 1990 a cover version of the song, by the Folk/Rock band River City People, reached Number 13 in the UK.

‘All the leaves are brown, and the sky is grey, I’ve been for a walk on a winter’s day.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

661-Ian Hunter-Once Bitten, Twice Shy.

1975-Number 14 single.

Best Bit-At 0.08. The warmest of welcomes.

Ian Hunter was born Ian Hunter Patterson on June 3rd, 1939, in Oswestry, Shropshire, England, due to the onset of World War 2, his family moved to Hamilton, in Scotland, where he was brought up until the age of six, Hunter has always considered himself to be a Scot. Success for him came a little later than your average Pop star, as it wasn’t until 1972, at the age of 33, that as lead singer of Mott The Hoople, he achieved his first hit single with the David Bowie written, and produced ‘All the Young Dudes'(see also best songs 334.) Mott The Hoople would achieve a further five UK top 40 singles, all written by Hunter. In 1974 Hunter left the band to pursue a solo career, and has released 22 solo Albums to date, the latest being 2016’s ‘Fingers Crossed.’

‘Once Bitten, Twice Shy’ was taken from Hunter’s self titled debut Album from 1975, and was co-produced with Mick Ronson (1946-1993) who also played lead guitar on the track. Hunter and Ronson had first met when both were playing with different bands in London in 1966. They got together after Ronson (see also best songs 440-405-186-131-58-31 and 5) had finished working on some of David Bowie’s most iconic work, and they would collaborate together on many projects, through until Ronson’s death.

In 1989 the American Rock group ‘Great White’ brought the song to the attention of a whole new generation, when they took their cover version to Number 6 on Billboard.

‘Ah, woman you’re a mess, gonna die in your sleep. There’s blood on my amp, and my Les Paul’s beat.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

662-Rolling Stones-Jumpin’ Jack Flash.

1968-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 0.16.The most famous song in the world inspired by a gardener.

The Rolling Stones (see also best songs 933-452-160 and 77) were formed in London, England, in 1962, the classic line up (had they all been together at the same time) would have been Brian Jones (1942-1969) Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Bill Wyman, Mick Taylor and Ronnie Wood. Jones died a month after leaving the band, after being replaced by Mick Taylor. When Taylor departed in 1974, he was replaced by Ronnie Wood. Bill Wyman left to further his solo career in 1993, and his place was taken by Darryl Jones. Between 1962-1963 there were seven other official members, but Jagger and Richards took control of the band after Andrew Loog Oldham was appointed the groups manager in 1963.

‘Jumpin’ Jack Flash’ gave the Rolling Stones their seventh UK Number 1 single, in total they have achieved eight, all of which were in the 1960’s.Keith Richards has stated that he and Mick wrote the lyrics while staying at Richards’ country house, where they were awoken one morning by the sound of the gardener Jack Dyer walking past the window. When Jagger asked what the noise was, Richards responded,’Oh that’s Jack, that’s jumpin’ Jack.’As for the rest of the lyrics Jagger said,’It’s about having a hard time, and getting out. Just a metaphor for getting out of all the acid things.’

In his autobiography Bill Wyman has claimed it was he who came up with the songs distinctive main guitar riff on a piano, without receiving credit, he also claimed he wrote the bass line for ‘Miss You,’ (see also best songs 160) also receiving no recognition. Keith Richards has said, that of all the guitar riffs he has written, this is his favourite.

‘I was born in a cross-fire hurricane, and I howled at the morning driving rain.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

663-10cc-I’m Mandy Fly Me.

1976-Number 6 single.

Best Bit-At 2.42.Please forgive me for ‘two much information,’ but there is no other way to let you know. ’10cc’ is a scientific term that represents a volume of semen that is more than the average amount ejaculated, therefore emphasising the bands potency, and prowess.

10cc (see also best songs 154) were officially formed in 1972 by their classic lineup of Graham Gouldman, Eric Stuart, Kevin Godley, and Lol Creme, all four had already worked in the music business, achieving success to different degrees, in the mid to late 1960’s. and early 1970’s. Godley and Creme left to form as a duo in 1976, with Gouldman and Stuart continuing to record as 10cc until 1983. In 1992 all four reunited to record the Album ‘Meanwhile’, and the final release from just Gouldman and Stewart was the Album ‘Mirror Mirror’ in 1995.’To this day Graham Gouldman still uses the bands name when going on tour with his band. 10cc have recorded 11 studio Albums, and achieved 13 UK top 40 singles, including three Number 1’s.

I’m Mandy Fly Me’ is taken from 10cc’s fourth studio Album ‘How Dare You!’ from 1976. The idea for the song came from Eric Stuart seeing a billboard poster for the ‘American National Airlines’ advertising their services, with a sexy stewardess called Cheryl on the poster, with the headline above her saying,’ I’m Cheryl. Fly me.’Eric Stuart explained,’ I remember seeing a tramp looking up at this beautiful poster and thinking, the only way he’s gonna get on a plane is in his dreams.’ The song is about the tramps fantasy dream of flying on the plane, which crashes. He is saved by the beautiful stewardess (now named Mandy,)but then she is nowhere to be found, was it all a dream?

‘I found me on a street, and starin’ at a wall, if it hadn’t have been for Mandy, her promise up above me, well I wouldn’t be here at all.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

664-Elvis Presley-Blue Suede Shoes.

1956-Number 9 single.

Best Bit-At 1.12.Carl Perkins was the first to admit there was no way he could compete with Elvis,’He had everything, he had the looks, the moves, the manager, and the talent, and he didn’t look like Mr Ed, like a lot of us did.’

It was fellow ‘Sun Records’ artist Johnny Cash (1932-2003) (see also best songs 857 and 428) who gave Carl Perkins the idea for the song. Cash told Perkins of an airman he had met when serving in the military in Germany, who had referred to his regulation shoes as ‘Blue suede shoes.’Perkins thought no more of it until one night while on stage he noticed a couple dancing. Between songs he heard a stern voice say ‘Uh-uh, don’t step on my suede’s.’ Perkins noted that the boy was more interested in his shoes than the ‘pretty little thing’ he was dancing with.

Carl Lee Perkins was born on April 9th, 1932 in Tiptonville, Tennessee, United States, he died from throat cancer on January 19th, 1998. He grew up listening to the ‘Grand Ole Opry’ on his fathers radio, which was a major influence on him becoming one of the leading lights in the development of the musical genre ‘Rockabilly,’ and gaining the nickname ‘The King Of Rockabilly’. Paul McCartney probably paid him his highest compliment, saying,’If there was no Carl Perkins, there would be no Beatles,’

‘Blue Suede Shoes’ has been recorded numerous times over the years, with the best known version being this one by Elvis Presley (see also best songs 954-442 and 194.).It was first track on Presley’s self titled debut Album, released in 1956. The original version by Perkins peaked at Number 2 on Billboard in 1956, with Presley and his management agreeing not to release his version until Perkins song had run its course, and therefore not affecting sales.

‘Well you can knock me down, step in my face, slander my name all over the place. Do anything that you want to do, but uh-uh-, honey lay of of them shoes.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

665-The Game featuring 50 Cent-Hate It or Love It.

2005-Number 4 single.

Best Bit-At 0.19.’Right, I had to get up in the morning at 10 o’clock at night, half an hour before I went to bed, drink a cup of sulphuric acid, work 29 hours a day down mill, and pay mill owner for permission to come to work, and when we got home, our dad and our mother would kill us and dance about on our graves singing hallelujah, and you try and tell young people of today that…they won’t believe you.’

In this song The Game and 50 Cent reminisce about their childhoods, and the problems they had to overcome in order to be where they are today. This is evidenced in the video, which shows the rappers being represented as kids, growing up in a tough neighbourhood.

The Game was born Jayceon Terrell Taylor on November 29th, 1979, in Compton, California, United States. Both his parents were members of the ‘Crips’ street gang, and he grew up in a primarily ‘Crip’ controlled neighbourhood known as Santana Blocc. Between 2003-2005 he was a member of the Hip-Hop group ‘G-Unit,’ which had been co-founded by 50 Cent in 1999. The Game got his stage name from his grandmother, who would call him ‘Game’ after the 1997 film ‘The Game.’

50 Cent was born Curtis James Jackson on July 6th, 1975, in Queens, New York City, United States.He rose to fame initially when being signed up to work with Eminem (see also best songs 936) and Dr Dre (see also best songs 564-544-482- 128 and 48.) In 2003, he released his debut Album ‘Get Rich or Die Tryin,” which has sold in excess of three million copies worldwide, and was certified nine times platinum in 2020 (see also best songs 189.)

‘Hate It or Love It’ was co-written by The Game, and 50 Cent, along with the songs producers Andre Lyon, and Marcello Valenzano, who work under the name ‘Cool & Dre’, the song also received additional production from Dr Dre. There is also a significant sample used, from the song ‘Rubber Band’, by the Soul/Disco group ‘The Trammps,’ from their 1975 Album ‘The Legendary Zing Album.’

‘Coming up I was confused, my mommy kissing a girl. Confusion occurs comin’ up in the cold world, daddy ain’t around, probably out committin’ felonies.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

666-Iron Maiden-Can I Play with Madness.

1988-Number 3 single.

Best Bit-At 2.41.As the old saying goes,’It’s heads down and I’ll see you at the other end.’At least I think it’s an old saying, although it is just possible I made it up myself.

Iron Maiden were formed in 1975 in Leyton, London, England by Steve Harris, they have had 11 members come and go, and remain active to this day. The classic lineup would probably be, Steve Harris (bass and keyboards,) Dave Murray (guitars,) Adrian Smith (guitars and keyboards,) Bruce Dickinson (vocals,) Nicko McBrain (drums,) and Janick Gers (guitars.) They have released 16 studio Albums to date, five of which have reached Number 1 in the UK. They have also achieved 34 top 40 UK singles, including their 1990 Number 1,’Bring Your Daughter to the Slaughter.’

‘Can I Play with Madness’is taken from the bands seventh studio Album,’Seventh Son of a Seventh Son,’ from 1988. The Album in the main is a concept Album, with this song being part of it’s theme of the mysticism surrounding the folklore concept of being the ‘seventh sons of a seventh son, it is also the first Iron Maiden Album to include the use of keyboards.

The song was co-written by Smith, Dickinson and Harris, and tells the story of a young man wanting to learn his future from an old prophet with a crystal ball. The young man is suffering from visions and nightmares, and thinks he is going mad, but when the young man thinks that the prophets advise is lies, they become angry with each other.

‘Give me the sense to wonder, to wonder if I’m free. Give me a sense of wonder., to know I can be me.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

667-Gladys Knight & the Pips-Midnight Train to Georgia.

1973-It was not a hit in the UK, until reissued in 1976, when reaching Number 10.

Best Bit-At 1.27.Back in 1952 when they first formed the band, Gladys Knight was also just a ‘Pip.’

Gladys Knight was born on May 28th, 1944, in Atlanta, Georgia, United States.Along with her brother Merald, sister Brenda, and cousins William Guest (1941-2015) and Eleanor, they formed the first incarnation of the ‘Pips,’ their stage name being inspired by another cousin’s nickname James ‘Pip; Woods. It wasn’t until 1959 that they officially became known as Gladys Knight & the Pips, and were active with personnel changes until 1989, when Gladys Knight pursued a solo career.

‘Midnight Train to Georgia’ was written by Jim Weatherly, who was born on March 17th, 1943, in Pontotoc, Mississippi, United States, he is a Country/Pop singer, as well as a songwriter.Before finding success in music he was a successful American footballer, playing quarterback at the University of Mississippi. Weatherly wrote, and recorded the original version of the song in the Country Music genre, calling it ‘Midnight Plane to Houston.’ Some months later the management of Cissy Houston (Whitney’s mother) got in touch, asking if they could record the song, and change the songs title, as they didn’t want the word ‘Houston’ appearing in both the artists, and song title’s name.Her version appeared on her 1970 Album ‘Presenting Cissy Houston.

‘Gladys Knight & the Pips (see also best songs 214) had already had success with a Jim Weatherly song,, having taken ‘Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye,’) to Number 2 on Billboard in 1972, which was their last single release on Motown records, before joining the Buddah label. ‘Midnight Train to Georgia’ gave them their first Billboard Number 1 single, and has become Gladys Knight’s signature tune, a lovely coincidence as she hails from Georgia.

‘I’d rather live in his world, than live without him in mine.

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

668-Siouxie and the Banshees-Peek-a-Boo.

1988-Number 16 single.

Best Bit-At 2.32. On the Beavis and Butt-Head episode ‘Sperm Bank,’ Beavis noted while watching the video, that,’this is music for people who don’t have any friends.

‘Siouxsie Sioux was born Susan Janet Ballion on May 27th, 1957, in London, England, she is one of the most influential artists in Pop Music history, with fellow musicians such as Bono, Robert Smith, Peter Hook, and many many more praising her influence. Siouxie herself has credited watching David Bowie on television, and attending a Sex Pistols Concert, for her own inspiration. Siouxsie Sioux (see also best songs 238) formed Siouxie and the Banshees with Steven Severin after they met at a Roxy Music concert in 1975, a dozen other members came and went until the band split in 1996 after releasing 11 studio Albums, and achieving 17 top 40 singles in the UK. Siouxie and Severin also worked on a side project ‘The Creatures,’ releasing three studio Albums.

‘Peek-a-Boo’ was written as an experimental song, built on a loop, played in reverse, of a brass part with drums, which the group had recorded in 1987, for their cover of the John Cale song ‘Gun.’The band selected different parts of that tape when played backwards, editing and re-recording on top of it, adding an accordion, a one note bass, and distorted guitar.

As well as the current band members at that time receiving writing credits, the writers of the 1938 song ‘Jeepers Creepers,’ who were Harry Warren and Johnny Mercer were also added as to avoid potential legal action.The lyrics ‘Golly Jeepers, where’d you get those weepers? Peepshow, creepshow, where did you get those eyes?’ were considered too similar.

On what the song is about Siouxsie has said,’It’s about the way women are portrayed in our fascist media,Peek-a-Boo is a reaction against the conformist images that the media puts on women, and equates it to ‘The Stepford Wives.”

‘Creeping up the backstairs, slinking in to dark stalls, shapeless and slumped in bathchairs, furtive eyes peep out of holes.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

669-Kay Starr-Comes A-Long A-Love.

1953-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 0.31.It’s the song people could jive to, while they were patiently waiting for Rock ‘N Roll to be invented.

The very first official UK singles chart was published on the 16th November, 1952, and on the then fledgling chart in January 1953, this song became only the third different UK Number 1.

Kay Starr was born Catherine Laverne Starks on July 21st, 1922, in Dougherty, Oklhoma, United States, she died on November 3rd, 2016, from complications of Alzheimer’s disease.In 1939 she sang for the bandleaders Glenn Miller, and Bob Crosby, before signing a contract as a solo artist with Capitol Records in 1946. Between 1950-1981 she released 31 studio Albums, and had 34 top 40 hits on Billboard between 1948-1957. In the UK she charted five times, scoring a second Number 1 song in 1956 with ‘The Rock and Roll Waltz.’

‘Comes A-Long A-Love’ was written by the former ‘Tin Pan Alley’ songwriter Alan Sherman, it was the last hit he wrote before concentrating his efforts on the careers of his sons Bob and Dick Sherman. He was born Avrum Sherman on September 7th, 1897 in Kiev, The Russian Empire, he died on September 16th, 1973. At the age of 11 he emigrated with his parents, and four siblings to New York City, one of his first jobs was appearing in silent movies,which was where he met his future wife, but he quickly rose to become one of ‘Tin Pan Alley’s’ most sought after songwriters, his most recognisable songs include ‘You Gotta Be a Football Hero,’ and ‘Lindbergh (The Eagle of the U.S.A.) although it is often said his greatest achievement was the mentoring of sons the ‘Sherman Brothers,’

‘Comes a long a love suddenly brother are you happy and excited, comes a long a love suddenly everywhere you go you feel invited.’