THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

690-Van McCoy & the Soul City Symphony-The Hustle.

1975-Number 3 single.

Best Bit-At 0.35.Strictly Come (Disco) Dancing.

Van Allen Clinton McCoy was born on January 6th, 1940, in Washington D.C.United States, he died of a heart attack on July 6th, 1979.At the time of his death he was credited with approximately 700 song copyrights. He wrote, and produced for some of the worlds biggest names, including Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, and The Stylistics.His best known writing credits include ‘When You’re Young and in Love’ (The Marvelettes,) ‘I Get the Sweetest Feeling'(Jackie Wilson,) and ‘This is It'(Melba Moore,) he also mentored the original Soul duo ‘Peaches & Herb.

While in New York City, Van McCoy visited the nightclub ‘Adam’s Apple’ where he watched people doing a dance that was known locally as ‘The Hustle,’He composed the song to compliment the dance moves, and released it on his mainly instrumental 1975 Album ‘Disco Baby.’The song, when released as a single, became a Billboard Number 1 in 1975. This was the only top 40 hit for McCoy on Billboard, but in the UK he achieved a further three top 40 songs including ‘The Shuffle,’ which peaked at Number 4 in 1977.

‘The Hustle’ was produced by Hugo Peretti (1916-1986,) and Luigi Creatore (1921-2015,) and released on their ‘Avco’ record label. which would later on become ‘H&L’ records (see also best songs 194.) In 1979 after the death of McCoy, the record label commissioned a posthumous remix 12 inch version of the song,using parts of the original recording, plus added Synthesizer, this version was credited to Van McCoy alone, mixed by ‘The Mix Masters,’ whose identity was not revealed, the remix is well worth a listen.

‘Do the Hustle.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

691-Missy Elliott-Get Ur Freak On.

2001-Number 4 single.

Best Bit-At 0.08.At the beginning of the song a voice in Japanese says,’Kore kara minna de mechakucha odotte. Sawagou, sawagou!’Which in English means ‘Everyone start dancing together wildly now. Let’s make some noise, let’s make some noise.’

Missy Elliott was born Melissa Arnette Elliott on July 1st, 1971, in Portsmouth, Virginia, United States.She is a rapper, singer, producer, and songwriter, who to date has released six studio Albums, the latest in 2005, but she has released new music since.She is the best selling female rapper of all time, with sales in excess of 30 million records, she also became the first female rapper inducted into the ‘Songwriters Hall of Fame.’

‘Get Ur Freak On’ was co-written by Elliott, and long time collaborator Timbaland, who also produced the song. Timbaland was born Timothy Zachary Mosley on March 10th, 1972, in Norfolk, Virginia, United States. He is considered highly influential in the fusing together of the genres ‘R&B,’ and ‘Hip-Hop,’ and his production style has also been a big influence in the development of ‘UK Garage Music.’

‘Get Ur Freak On’ came about after Timbaland had been working on some Indian music.,the beat is based on ‘Bhangra’ music. Missy Elliott explained the songs meaning,’It could be about dancing, the bedroom, whatever. You’re cleaning your house? Get your freak on!’

‘Missy be puttin’ it down, I’m the hottest ’round. I told y’all mother-ooh, y’all can’t stop me now, listen to me now.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

692-Mary Hopkin-Those Were the Days.

1968-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 0.40.’Don’t look back in anger, I hear you say.’

‘Those Were the Days’ started out life as a ‘Russian Romance’ song called ‘Dorogoi dlinnoyu,’ literally meaning ‘By the Long Road,’ with the music written by Boris Fomin (1900-1948,) and the lyrics by the poet Konstantin Podrevsky (1888-1930.) The earliest recording of the song was probably that by the Georgian, Russian singer Tamara Tsereteli (1900-1968,) from 1925.

In the early 1960’s the American professor of architecture, Folk musician, and playwright Gene Raskin (1909-2004) who had grown up listening to different renditions of the song wrote new lyrics to the melody, and copyrighted both the music, and lyrics in his own name. Raskin and his wife Francesca were international performers and played at London’s ‘Blue Angel’ every year, closing their show with this song. Paul McCartney (see also best songs 646-599-456-319-238-218-141-107-80-51-10 and 5) had heard their rendition, and realised it’s hit potential, if he could find the right artist to fit the song.

It was the ‘Supermodel’ Twiggy (see also best songs 807,) who after seeing the Welsh singer Mary Hopkin win the British ‘ITV’ television talent show ‘Opportunity Knocks,’ who recommended her to McCartney, who produced the song on the Beatles recently set up ‘Apple Records,’ giving the label it’s first official hit (Hey Jude was also on Apple, and released earlier, but was given a Parlophone Records catalogue number.)

‘Those Were the Days’ tells the story of someone looking back on their life, and realising that they have failed to achieve what they hoped they would in their youth.

‘Remember how we laughed away the hours, think of all the great things we would do.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

693-William DeVaughn-Be Thankful for What You Got.

1974-Number 31 single.Best Bit-At 2.11.’I cried because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet.

‘Willian Edward DeVaughn Jr. was born on November 28, 1947, in Washington D.C. United States. He has chosen to only record sporadically,with religion playing a big part in his life.He has released just three studio Albums,’Be Thankful for What You Got’ (1974,) ‘Figures Can’t Calculate'(1980,) and ‘Time Will Stand Still'(2008.)DeVaughn wrote a song called ‘A Cadillac Don’t Come Easy’ in 1972, which was eventually re-written to become’Be Thankful for What You Got.’ DeVaughn paid $900 in an initiative where if his recordings were approved he would receive a recording contract.When approved he was rewarded with working with session musicians that included members of the ‘Philadelphia International Records’ house band ‘MFSB,’ who had, and would go on to play on records by many artists including The Three Degrees, The O’Jays,(see also best songs 648 and Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes (see also best songs 725.)

‘Be Thankful for What You Got’ peaked at Number 4 on Billboard in 1974, selling just short of two million copies, in 1980 DeVaughn re-recorded the song in a more upbeat funkier style, for his second Album ‘Figures Can’t Calculate.

‘Diamond in the back, sunroof top, diggin’ the scene with a gangsta lean.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

694-Bobby Brown-Two Can Play That Game.(K-Klassic mix.)

1995-Number 3 single.

Best Bit-At 1.01.Bobby Brown is no stranger to games, especially dangerous ones.

Robert Barisford Brown was born February 5th, 1969, in Boston, Massachusetts, United States.He was a child star, having been an original member of New Edition at the age of 12 (see also best songs 236.) Brown left the group in 1986, and released his debut solo Album ‘King of Stage’ later that year, which unperformed. Success came in 1988 with the release of his second Album ‘Don’t Be Cruel’ which produced five Billboard top 10 singles, including the Number 1 hit ‘My Prerogative.’ Brown was married to Whitney Houston (see also best songs 704) from 1992 to 2007, they had a daughter, Bobby Kristina Brown (1993-2015.)

‘Two Can Play That Game’ is taken from Brown’s third studio Album ‘Bobby’ released in 1994. The Album version of the song is significantly different to the hit remix of the track in the UK. The Album version was co-written by Brown,Teddy Riley (see also best songs 48,) Bernard Belle, and David ‘Redhead’ Guppy, in the genre of ‘New Jack Swing, which is a fusion of Hip-Hop, Dance Pop, and contemporary R&B. In 1994 a ‘Piano House’ version of the song was released reaching Number 38 in the UK, it re-entered the chart in April 1995, this time peaking at Number 3.

The remix was made by the British electronic music group ‘K-Klass,’ who were formed in Wrexham, North Wales in 1988. They have mixed songs for some of Pop music’s biggest names including Blondie, and Janet Jackson, they have also had five UK top 40 hits in their own name including ‘Rhythm Is a Mystery’ (1991 Number 3,) and ‘Let Me Show You,'(1993 Number 13.)

‘Girl think about it before you leave, Bobby’s got a brand new swing, and if you want to do your own thing, I hear what your saying.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

695-Suede-Saturday Night.

1997-Number 6 single.

Best Bit-At 2.46. The way you could spend your Saturday night pre Covid.

Suede were formed in London, England in 1989, and were active until 2003, they reformed in 2010. The original lineup consisted of Brett Anderson (vocals,) Mat Osman (bass,) and Justine Frischmann (guitar, 1989-1991) (see also best songs 1018.) They were joined soon after by Bernard Butler (guitar, 1989-1994,) Simon Gilbert (drums) joined in 1994, Richard Oakes (guitar) joined in 1994, Neil Codling (keyboards) joined in 1996, and Alex Lee (keyboards,) was an official member between 2001-2003.

The music press called Suede (see also best songs 244) ‘The original Britpop band,’ a term lead singer and songwriter Brett Anderson hated.In 1992 Suede were dubbed by ‘Melody Maker’ as the best new band in Britain. The following year their debut Album ‘Suede’ topped the UK Album chart, becoming the fastest selling debut Album in almost 10 years, it won the Mercury Music Prize, and helped foster ‘Britpop’ as a musical genre.

‘Saturday Night’ is taken from the bands third studio Album ‘Coming Up’ from 1996, and was co-written by Brett Anderson, and Richard Oakes. Of the song Anderson has said,’The sentiment of ‘Saturday Night’ was something I’d never tried to do before, which was to find beauty in something ordinary and average, before it was sort of casting myself as the kind of tortured Byronic hero.’

‘We’ll go to freak shows, and peepshows, we’ll go to disco’s, casinos, we’ll go where people go and let go.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER

696-Bob & Earl-Harlem Shuffle.

1963-It did not chart until reissued in 1969, when reaching Number 7.

Best Bit-At 0.01 ‘JUMP!’

There have been two incarnations of the duo known as Bob & Earl. The original duo who were active between 1957-1962 were Bobby Byrd (1930-1990,) and Earl Nelson (1928-2008) who had both been members of the successful ‘Doo-Wop’ group ‘The Hollywood Flames. Bobby Byrd also had a solo career, which ran parallel with the duo, scoring a Billboard Number 2 single in 1958 with ‘Rockin’ Robin,’ using the stage name Bobby Day. In 1962 Earl Nelson teamed up with a second Bob, this one was Bob Relf (1937-2007,) and it was this duo who recorded the original version of ‘Harlem Shuffle.’ The Harlem Shuffle is a dance that originated in the Harlem section of New York City in the 1950’s. Bob Relf is a very well known name in ‘Northern Soul’ circles, having recorded the popular ‘Blowing My Mind To Pieces.’Earl Nelson recorded under many different names including ‘Jackie Lee,’ under which he scored a Billboard Number 14 single in 1965 with ‘The Duck.’

In 1986 The Rolling Stones covered ‘Harlem Shuffle’ with Bobby Womack on backing vocals for their 18th British studio Album ‘Dirty Work.’ The song had always been a particular favourite of Keith Richards, and suited the vocal style of Mick Jagger perfectly, the Stones version peaked at Number 5 on Billboard. George Harrison has stated that the Bob & Earl version, was his favourite song of all time.

‘You scratch just like a monkey, yeah ya do, real cool. You slide it to the limbo yeah,how low can you go?’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

697-Sutherland Brothers and Quiver-Arms of Mary.

1976-Number 5 single.

Best Bit-At 0.37.Mary sounds like she was an excellent teacher. I wonder if she made a career out of it.

The brothers Gavin, and Iain Sutherland were active between 1968-1979, originally calling themselves ‘A New Generation.’Gavin was born on October 6th, 1951, in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and Iain was born on November 17th, 1948, in Ellon, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, he died November 25th, 2019.’Arms of Mary’ was written by Iain, but their best known song ‘Sailing’ (see also best songs 179.) was written by Gavin.

In 1973 the brothers joined forces with the English Progressive Rock/Soft Rock band ‘Quiver,’ and became known as ‘Sutherland Brothers & Quiver. Together they released six studio Albums between 1973-1977, and nine singles.’Arms of Mary’ failed to chart in America, and because of this, in the States they are primarily remembered for their 1973 Number 48 single ‘( I Don’t Won’t To Love You But) You Got Me Anyway.’

After Quiver split in 1978 Tim Renwick, and Willie Wilson toured with Pink Floyd during the 1980’s, and 1990’s,Bruce Thomas became the bass player with the Attractions, and Peter Wood who died in 1993, who also toured with Pink Floyd, was also the co-writer of ‘Year of the Cat’ (see also best songs 130.)

‘Arms of Mary’ is the tale of a boys first sexual encounter, as the narrator fondly reminisces.

‘Mary was the girl who taught me all I had to know, she put me right on my first mistake.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

698-Sak Noel-Loca People.

2011-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 1.43.’Livin’ la Vida Loca’ for the younger generation.

The true meaning of a ‘One Hit Wonder’ is an artist or group who achieve a Number 1 single, but never chart in the top 75 again in that country. For a list of all the ‘One Hit Wonders’ in this countdown (see best songs 990-496-467-177-116 and 101.))

Sak Noel is the stage name of Isaac Mahmood Noell, who was born April 12th, 1983 in La Cellera de Ter, Girona, Spain. He is a music producer, music video director, and songwriter, he is the only Catalonian to have had a UK Number 1 single.’Loca People’ topped the charts in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Holland and the United Kingdom in 2011, making him a ‘One Hit Wonder’ in all those countries, with the exception of Holland, where in 2016 his song ‘Trumpets’ featuring Salve, and Sean Paul reached Number 12.

The video for the song was directed by Sak Noel, and filmed in Barcelona, Spain, Sak Noel appears in the video, along with the songs unaccredited vocalist, the Dutch singer Esthera Sarita. The songs lyrics have met with ridicule in many quarters, but basically a young girl making her first visit to Girona is amazed at how people party, having never seen anything like that before.

‘I couldn’t believe what I was living, so I called my friend Johnny, and I said to him ‘La gente esta muy loca.”

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

699-Barbra Streisand-Memory.

1982-Number 34 single.

Best Bit-At 2.54.The saddest part of life is when the person that gave you the best memory, becomes a memory.

‘Memory’ was composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, who was born on March 22nd, 1948, in Kensington, London. England, with lyrics by Sir Trevor Nunn, who was born on January 14th, 1940, in Ipswich, Suffolk, England.

‘Memory’ was written for the 1981 musical ‘Cats,’ which is based on the 1939 poetry collection ‘Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats,’ by the poet T.S.Eliot (1888-1965.) Nunn’s lyrics were adapted from Eliot’s poem ‘Rhapsody on a Windy Night,.’ while Andrew Lloyd Webber had originally composed the music for a proposed ‘Giacomo Puccini project that never came to fruition. Although the tune was intentionally written in the style of Puccini, Lloyd Webber was worried the he had subconsciously copied Puccini’s work. He asked his father William Lloyd Webber (1914-1982) an expert on Puccini, for his opinion on whether it sounded like one of the composers works, according to Lloyd Webber, his father responded,’It sounds like a million dollars.

‘Elaine Paige who originated the role of ‘Grizabella’ in the West End production of Cats, released the highest charting version of the song in the UK, peaking at Number 6 in 1981. In America, on the Billboard chart, the most successful recording is by Barry Manilow, whose version reached Number 39 in 1983.

Barbra Streisand (see also best songs 145) recorded ‘Memory,’ backed with ‘Evergreen,’ which was released as a double ‘A’ sided single.to promote her 1981, mainly compilation Album ‘Memories,’ which was produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

‘Midnight, not a sound from the pavement, has the moon lost her memory, she is smiling alone. In the lamplight, the withered leaves collect at my feet, and the wind begins to moan.’