THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

670-The Jam-The Eton Rifles.

1979-Number 3 single.

Best Bit-At 2.57.A song about class war, from a class act.

The Jam (see also best songs 94 and 59) were formed as far back as 1972 at Sheerwater Secondary School, Woking, Surrey, England, by the classic lineup of Paul Weller, Bruce Foxton, and Rick Butler, along with Steve Brookes, and Dave Waller.Brookes and Waller would leave before the band found success, and were not replaced. The Jam were active until Weller left to form The Style Council in 1982, having recorded six studio Albums, and achieved 18 top 40 singles in the UK, including four Number 1’s.

‘The Eton Rifles’ is the only single released from The Jam’s fourth studio Album ‘Setting Sons,’ released in 1979, and gave then their first UK top 10 single.As with many songs written by Paul Weller when with The Jam, it is about the political happenings of that era.The lyrics recount the difficulties faced by the working class, in protesting against a system seen by them as being unjust.The song tells of a street battle Weller had read about in a newspaper concerning a ‘rights to march’ through Slough in 1978, breaking off to attack pupils from Eton College who had been jeering the lunchtime marchers. Weller has said,’There was a lot of class hatred in my songs at the time. Eton Rifles would be an obvious example of that, we used to go on Sunday drives with my uncle, and we’d drive through Eton, and I remember seeing the young chaps.’

‘Sup up your beer and collect your fags, there’s a row going on down near Slough.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

671-Drowning Pool-Bodies.

2001-Number 34 single.

Best Bit-At 0.18.This is their church. This is where they heal their hurts.

Drowning Pool were formed in 1996 by guitarist C.J.Pierce, and drummer Mike Luce, in Dallas, Texas, United States, they were soon joined by bassist Stevie Benton, they took their name from the 1975 film ‘Drowning Pool,’ starring Paul Newman. The trio just performed instrumentals until the arrival of singer Dave Williams (1972-2002) in 1999. Williams was found dead in the band’s tour bus in Manassas, Virginia, with an autopsy establishing that he died from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease,)which had been undiagnosed until his death. Since then the band have used three different singers on their five studio Album releases since his death.

‘Bodies’ was the first single release from Drowning Pool’s debut Album ‘Sinner,’C.J.Pierce came up with the riff, and Williams with the lyrics, but all four original band members each receive writing credits.The song tells of the experiences you can have in a ‘Moshpit.’Williams explained ‘It’s about forgetting everything that has happened to you that week, leave your bulls..t at the door, and get it all out, but you have to have respect for the others in the pit. If you push them down, you have to pick them back up. I’m not going to get behind the violence thing, it is violent, but there is a certain amount of respect, and a code.’

‘Skin against skin, blood and bone, you’re all by yourself, but you’re not alone.’You wanted in, and now you’re here, driven by hate, consumed by fear.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

672-Sonny & Cher I Got You Babe.

1965-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 0.01.Groundhog Day.

Sonny Bono was born Salvatore Phillip Bono on February 16th, 1935, in Detroit, Michigan, United States, he died on January 5th, 1998, of injuries incurred when he hit a tree while skiing at Heavenly Mountain Resort in South Lake Tahoe, California, United States. Bono started his music career as a songwriter at ‘Speciality Records,’before going on to work for Phil Spector in the early 1960’s.His first major success as a songwriter was co-writing ‘Needles and Pins,’initially a hit in Canada for Jackie De Shannon, and in the UK for The Searchers. He first met Cher in a Los Angeles coffee shop in 1962, and recommended her to Spector, initially as a session singer, among the songs Cher sang backing vocals on include ‘Be My Baby,’ and ‘You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling.'(see also best songs 782-737-192 and 127.)

Cher was born Cherilyn Sarkisian on May 20th, 1946, in El Centro, California, United States, she was married to Sonny Bono, officially between 1969-1975. Her career has covered Folk-Rock in the 1960’s, Disco in the 1970’s, Rock music in the 1980’s, and Pop, in the 1990’s, with record sales in excess of 100 million she is one of the worlds best selling artists, and the only artist to have had Billboard Number 1’s in six different decades.

‘I Got You Babe’ topped the chart on both sides of the Atlantic, and was taken from the duo’s 1965 debut Album ‘Look At Us.’Bono was somewhat inspired to write the song after hearing Bob Dylan’s 1964 song ‘It Ain’t Me Babe,’ he wrote ‘I Got You Babe’ with his own opposite sentiment, using for that time, the unusual song lyric ‘Babe.’In 1985 the British Reggae band UB40, with the American singer Chrissie Hynde took their version of the song to Number 1 in the UK, and in 1993 Cher recorded a cover version with the animated characters Beavis and Butt-Head, and that version reached Number 35 in the UK, but best performed in Poland, where it peaked at Number 2.

‘I got flowers in the spring, I got you to wear my ring, and when I’m sad, you’re a clown, and if I get scared you’re always around.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

673-The Smiths-Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now.

1984-Number 10 single.

Best Bit-At 1.53.The ultimate ‘Marmite’ band, and the ultimate ‘Marmite’ song.

Johnny Marr who was a founding member of The Smiths, and co-writer of this song remembers well how composing it came about. Seymour Stein who co-founded ‘Sire Records,’ and was vice president of ‘Warner Brothers’ records, had already in his illustrious career signed artists such as The Ramones, and Madonna, and was now chasing The Smiths, and in an attempt to persuade them to sign with him, bought Johnny Marr a red ‘Gibson ES-355’ guitar, on which Marr composed the music to this song. Marr has recalled sitting in a New York hotel room on January 2nd, 1984, and coming up with the songs riff, getting inspiration from his new guitar.After finishing the song he then wrote the songs ‘B-side,”Girl Afraid,’ the same evening, and considers the two songs ‘a pair.’

The lyrics were later added by Morrissey (see also best songs 940-222-167-72 and 42) and went a long way to defining the general public’s opinion of him, as he sings about being depressed, and miserable. Morrissey has said,’Years ago I sang a song called ‘Heaven knows I’m Miserable Now,’and it’s like an old school uniform. People insist I wear it, but I’m really not that miserable. I’m not an unhappy person, not in the least. I’m certainly very surprised, and very pleased to still be here.’ Morrissey had always been a big fan of the singer Sandie Shaw, and this songs title was inspired by her 1969 single ‘Heaven Know’s I’m Missing Him.’

‘What she asked of me at the end of the day, Caligula would have blushed.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

674-Billy Ocean-Love Really Hurts Without You.

1976-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 0.43. If your a wedding DJ, and you play this, and your crowd still wont dance, then it’s not your fault.

Billy Ocean was born Leslie Sebastian Charles on January 21st, 1950, in Fyzabad, Trinidad and Tobago, he moved with his family to Romford, England, at the age of 10. He took his stage name ‘Ocean’ from a local football team in his home town of Trinidad and Tobago, who called themselves ‘Oceans 11.’

Before finding success with ‘Love Really Hurts Without You,’ he had struggled for many years, recording as Les Charles, and Scorched Earth. This song was his 10th attempt at getting a hit, and he has been quoted as considering himself,’The most surprised person in the world,’ as he was on the verge of giving up the music business.

‘Love Really Hurts Without You’ in it’s original form had been written many years earlier by Ocean when he was working at a ‘fashion house’ on Savile Row, London, as a pattern cutter. A co-worker was selling her piano, and Ocean bought it to compose on, for the princely sum of £23.Ocean has said that the song was inspired by the Donny Elbert 1972 re-make of the Four Tops Motown track ‘I Can’t Help Myself.’Billy Ocean had a further three top 40 UK hits in the 1970’s,co-written with his producer Ben Findon, but he would have to wait until 1984 for international success, when ‘Caribbean Queen’ gave him the first of his three Billboard Number 1’s. In the UK he topped the chart in 1986 with ‘When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going,’ which again topped the chart in 1999 when Boyzone covered it for ‘Comic Relief.’ Billy Ocean has released 11 studio Albums to date, the first which includes this song was his self titled ‘Billy Ocean’ in 1976, and the latest was ‘One World’ in September 2020.

‘You run around town like a fool, and you think that it’s groovy.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

675-Busta Rhymes-Turn It Up (Remix)/Fire It Up.

1998-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 0.01. He’s a clever Trevor.

Busta Rhymes was born Trevor George Smith Jr., on May 20th, 1972, in East Flatbush, New York, United States, he was given his stage name by Chuck D of Public Enemy, who named him after the American footballer George ‘Buster’ Rhymes. In 1994 he founded his own record label ‘Flipmode Entertainment,’ which changed it’s name to ‘Conglomerate’ in 2011, many of the artists who were signed to the label were also members of Busta Rhymes backing band ‘Flipmode Squad.’ He has released 10 solo studio Albums to date, including the 2006 Billboard Number 1 ‘The Big Bang.’In the UK he has achieved 18 top 40 singles as the main artist, and a further six as a featured artist (see also best songs 841 and 210.)

‘Turn It Up (Remix)/Fire it up’ was in it’s original form called ‘Turn It Up,’ and first issued on Busta Rhymes second studio Album ‘Disaster Strikes,’ from 1998. The original version heavily samples the Al Green 1972 song ‘Love and Happiness,’ but it was this remix which was released as a single, using a sample of the theme from the 1980’s television series ‘Knight Rider,’ which was written by Stu Phillips, the American composer, conductor, and producer. The Knight Rider theme was also heavily sampled by the Panjabi MC, for his song ‘Mundian to Bach Ke (see also best songs 966,) and also for the Hip-Hop song ‘Clock Strikes’ by Timbaland & Magoo, from 1998.

‘What y’all wanna do, don’t you know we always coming through, me and my crew, let me hear you say, fire it up.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

676-Grace Jones-Slave to the Rhythm.

1985-Number 12 single.

Best Bit-At 3.50. It’s the teaming up of ‘The man who invented the Eighties,’ with the ‘Queen of the Gay Disco.’

‘Slave to the Rhythm’ is the seventh studio Album by Grace Jones, originally released in 1985. It is a concept album produced by Trevor Horn, that reworks the title track in eight radically different ways. ‘Slave to the Rhythm,’ and it’s parent Album, was co-written by Horn, Simon Darlow, Stephen Lipson, and Bruce Woolley, Horn and Woolley had previously teamed up to write ‘Video Killed the Radio Star,’ the 1979 UK Number 1 for the Buggles.

When writing ‘Slave to the Rhythm,’Trevor Horn (see also best songs 19) had the band Frankie Goes to Hollywood in mind, as the follow up to ‘Relax,’ a song he had also produced, but in the end it was offered to Grace Jones instead. The song has been interpreted as having two meanings, telling of slavery in Afro-American history,and it has also been suggested that it is about the exploitation of musicians in the music industry.

Grace Jones was born on 19th May, 1948, in Spanish Town, St Catherine, British Jamaica. She first found success as a model in New York, and then Paris, before embarking on a music career in 1977, signing with Island Records, and working with the legendary producer Tom Moulton, in the ‘Disco’ genre, he would produce her first three Albums. Grace Jones has also found great success as an actress, highlights include starring alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 1984 film ‘Conan the Destroyer,’ and appearing in the 1985 James Bond film ‘A View to a Kill.’

‘And now Ladies and Gentlemen, here’s Grace.

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

677-Mass Production-Welcome to Our World (Of Merry Music.)

1977-Number 44 single.

Best Bit-At 6.13. I hope these 1000 songs introduce you to music you would have never otherwise have heard, or enjoyed, ‘WELCOME.’

For whatever the reason Mass Production never quite achieved the same commercial success as their Funk, and Disco contemporaries, such as Earth Wind & Fire, Crown Heights Affair, or Brass Construction (see also best songs 916-852 and 462,) but for lovers of those genres, they are held in the same high esteem.

Mass Production are well named as throughout the bands lifespan there have nearly always been 10 members at any one time. They are an American Funk, and Disco group who were formed in the 1970’s, and remained active until 1983. In 2017 some of the bands past members reformed to tour, and record, but at the time of writing there has been no new material.

Between 1976-1983 they released eight studio Albums, with a best of compilation made available in 1996. They achieved several minor hits on Billboards R&B chart in the late 1970’s, and early 1980’s, of which the 1979 song ‘Firecracker,’ is the one they are remembered best for in the States. In the UK their song ‘Cosmic Lust’ is very popular with fans of the genre, and they have twice troubled the UK top 100, with this song, and ‘Shante,’ which made Number 59 in 1980.

‘Welcome to our world of merry people, where everybody’s got a song to sing.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

678-Jerry Lee Lewis-Whole Lot of Shakin’ Going On.

1957-Number 8 single.

Best Bit-At 2.27.If I was Jerry Lee Lewis’ piano, I think I would be feeling abused.

‘Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On’ was probably co-written by Dave ‘Curlee’ Williams, and James Faye ‘Roy’ Hall (1922-1984,) but it has always been open to dispute, as both have been solely named on various recordings.The inspiration for the song came about when both were on vacation,Hall has said,’We were down in Paokee, on Lake Okeechobee, out on a damn pond, fishin,’ and milkin’ snakes. This guy down there had a big bell that he’s ring to get us all to come in to dinner, an’ I’d call over and say,’What’s goin’ on?’ Coloured guy said,’We got twen’y-one drums, we got an old bass horn, an’ they even keepin’ time on a ding-ding,; see, that was the big bell they’d ring to get us t’come in.

‘It was Hall who made the first recording of the song, but with little commercial impact. Big Maybelle (1924-1972) released her version to regional success in 1955, but it was Jerry Lee Lewis who made the song an international hit in 1957. Lewis released his radically altered version on the ‘Sun Records’ label in a ‘Rock and Roll’/Rockabilly’ style, with suggestive lyrics, taking the song to a peak of Number 3 on Billboard.

Jerry Lee Lewis (see also best songs 362 and 99) was born on September 29th, 1935, in Ferriday, Louisiana, United States, he is the only surviving member of ‘The Million Dollar Quartet,” who recorded for ‘Sun Records,’the other three were Elvis Presley,Johnny Cash, and Carl Perkins. In 1956 an impromptu ‘jam session’ took place between the four of them, but none of the songs recorded were made available until 1981.

‘Well I said come on over, baby,we got chicken in the barn. Come on over baby, babe, I got the bull by the horns.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

679-Janet Jackson-When I Think of You.

1986-Number 10 single.

Best Bit-At 3.18.’BREAK.’ Be careful we don’t want another wardrobe malfunction, do we.

Janet Damita Jo Jackson was born May 16th, 1966, in Gary, Indiana, United States, she is the youngest of the 10 Jackson siblings (see also best songs 812-570-511-249-191 and 137.)With sales in excess of 100 million records, she is one of the world’s best selling artists. Before becoming a ‘Pop Star’ she appeared in three television series, the sitcom’s ‘Good Times,’ and ‘Diff’rent Strokes,’ and the drama/musical ‘Fame.’

It wasn’t until teaming up with the music producers, and songwriters Jimmy Jam, and Terry Lewis for her third Album ‘Control,’ that Jackson found musical success. The Album went to Number 1 on the Billboard Album chart, and five of the seven songs released as singles, reaches the top 5 on the Billboard Top 100. ‘When I Think of You’ was the Album’s second release, and Jackson’s first Billboard Number 1, making her, at the age of 20, the youngest artist to top that chart since Stevie Wonder at the age of 13, with ‘Fingertips’ in 1963.Also due to this song topping the chart, it made Janet, and brother Michael the only brother and sister to have had separate Number 1 singles on Billboard.

‘Control’ would prove to only be the start of the collaboration between Jackson, and Jimmy Jam, and Terry Lewis, as they would work together on the next seven Janet Jackson Albums.Jam and Lewis had first met when both were members of the band ‘The Time,’who worked very closely with Prince, touring with him in 1981. Jam and Lewis have had more Billboard Number 1’s than any other songwriting, and production team, having written or produced 16 to date, including nine for Janet Jackson.

‘Ooh baby, anytime my world gets crazy, all I have to do to calm it, is just think of you,’BASS.”