THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

760-Fatboy Slim and Riva Starr featuring Beardyman-Eat, Sleep, Rave, Repeat.

2013-Number 3 single.

Best Bit-At 1.29.Ground Hog Day.

Fatboy Slim was born Quentin Leo Cook on 31st July, 1963, in Bromley, London, England (see also best songs 387 and 95.) As Fatboy Slim he has had 12 top 40 singles, when this song reached Number 3 in 2013, it was his first top 40 hit in seven years, and his first top 10 song in 12 years.

‘Eat, Sleep, Rave, Repeat’ was co-written by Fatboy Slim, Riva Starr, and Beardyman, with the former two also producing. Riva Starr was born Stefano Miele in Naples, Italy, in 1974, as well as releasing his own music he also owns the ‘Snatch!’ record label. Beardyman was born Darren Foreman on May 14th, 1982, in Stanmore, North London, England, he is a musician, comedian, and is probably best known for his ‘Beatboxing’ skills, having been UK Beatbox champion in 2006, and 2007.It is said that Beardyman recorded his improvised vocals in one take. The song became a hit after being remixed by Scottish music producer Calvin Harris (see also best songs 652 and 566.)

Fatboy Slim has explained how the song came about,’Me and Riva were out vinyl shopping in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, earlier this year when we met this dude ranting in the street about some three day bender he had been on.’

‘So there was this DJ who was like kicking off. I don’t know what he was doing, but it was sick man, like, he was like, hands in the air.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

761-Randy Edelman-Concrete and Clay.

1976-Number 11 single.

Best Bit-At 2.21.Randy Edelman has written a colossal amount of original music, and what do I do? I choose a cover version.

Randy Edelman was born June 10th, 1947, in Paterson, New Jersey, United States.He has released 14 solo studio Albums, and written songs recorded by the likes of The Carpenters, Barry Manilow, and Dionne Warwick, but his greatest success’ have come with his film scores, which include ‘XXX,’ ‘Ghostbusters 2,’ ‘Kindergarten Cop,’and ‘The Last of the Mohicans.’He has been married to singer/songwriter Jackie DeShannon since 1976 (see also best songs 573.)

‘Concrete and Clay’ was written by Tommy Moeller, and Brian Parker (1940-2001) who were two of the members of the band Unit 4 +2, who were formed in Hertfordshire, England in 1963, they split in 1970. They were originally known as Unit 4, until joined by Russ Ballard, and Bob Henrit, who became the ‘Plus 2.’ Henrit would leave with Ballard in 1968 to form the rock band ‘Argent.’ Before joining Unit 4 they had worked together in the band the ‘Roulettes,’ who had enjoyed success as the backing band for Adam Faith.

‘Concrete and Clay’ gave Unit 4 + 2 a UK Number 1 in 1965, but in America they had to compete with a version by Eddie Rambeau, which split the sales, Unit 4 + 2 peaked at Number 28 on Billboard, and Rambeau’s cover at Number 35.

‘You to me are sweet as roses in the morning,and you to me are soft as summer rain at dawn.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

762-Them-Here Comes the Night.

1965-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 0.26. ‘Them’ recorded the song first, but Decca Records chose to release the version by label mate Lulu instead, leaving the band bitterly disappointed. It has been said that when Lulu’s version only reached Number 50, the band had a ‘certain grim satisfaction.’

‘Here Comes the Night’ was written by the American songwriter/producer Bert Berns, who died of heart failure in 1967, at the age of 38, having had a history of cardiac trouble, as a result of his heart being damaged from contacting rheumatic fever during childhood. Other songs he either wrote, or produced include,’Twist and Shout,’ ‘Everybody Needs Somebody to Love,”Brown Eyed Girl,’ and ‘Under the Boardwalk.’ (see also best songs 568.)

‘Them’ were formed in Belfast, Northern Island in 1964 by Van Morrison, Ronnie Millings, Billy Harrison, Alan Henderson, and Eric Wrixon (1947-2015.) they took their name from the 1954 science fiction horror film,’Them.’ the band were active as a unit for two years,greatly influencing future artists, such as the Doors. Lead singer Sir George Ivan ‘Van’ Morrison would go on to even greater success as a solo artist, he has released 41 studio Albums to date, the latest being ‘Three Chords & the Truth,’ in 2019.

‘She’s with him, he’s turning down the lights, and now he’s holding her the way I used to do.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

763-Simply Red-Fairground.

1995-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 1.15.After years of waiting to find a Simply Red song that could fill a dance-floor, along came ‘Fairground,’ as long as you could dance ‘Latin American.’

Simply Red were formed in Manchester, England in 1985. They initially called themselves ‘Red’ which was Mick Hucknall’s nickname, but Hucknall decided it would sound better with the addition of the word ‘Simply.’By 1996 Hucknall was the only remaining original member, and in 2010, he chose to retire the groups name, but when past members got together in 2015 for the bands 30th anniversary, the name was reintroduced.

‘Fairground’ heavily samples the 1992 Latin House song ‘Give It Up'(1993 UK Number 5 single) by the Dutch music producers calling themselves ‘The Good Men,’ Gaston Steenskist (Dobre,) and Rene ter Horst (DJ Zki,) who in turn had sampled the song ‘Fanfarra,’ a mid 1960’s recording from the Brazilian artist Sergio Mendes. All three artists receive songwriting credits, alongside Mick Hucknall, who acknowledges ‘The Good Men,’ in the songs lyrics.

‘Fairground’ is a song about missing that special someone. The narrator is having a good time with friends, but wants to let that person know he is thinking of them, and can’t wait until they meet again.

It’s always friends that feel so good, lets make amends like all good men should.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

764-Stereophonics-Local Boy in the Photograph.

1997-Number 51 single. When reissued in 1998 it peaked at Number 14.

Best Bit-At 1.28. Stereophonics are a Welsh band from the village of Cwmaman, as far as I know they are ‘the only band in the village.’

Stereophonics (see also best songs 38) were formed in 1992 by Kelly Jones (lead vocals, lead guitar, keyboards,) Stuart Cable (1970-2010) (drums,) and Richard Jones (bass guitar.) Kelly Jones, and Stuart Cable had lived on the same street as children, and played in other groups previously to forming Stereophonics. In 2003 Cable was sacked by the band, with the official statement saying he had other commitments he wanted to pursue, but there was also personnel problems. Cable suffered from drug, and alcohol problems, and on June 7th, 2010 choked to death on his own vomit while sleeping.Between 2004-2012 drumming duties were taken over by Javier Weyler, and when he left the band, current drummer Jamie Morrison took over.

‘Local Boy in the Photograph’ was the bands first single, taken from their debut Album ‘Word Gets Round,’all of the lyrics for the 12 tracks were written by Kelly Jones, with the music by Stereophonics. Most of the Album’s songs were about Jones’ personal experiences while growing up in Cwmaman.

This song originated from a newspaper article about a local boy called Paul Boggis who committed suicide by standing in front of a moving train. Kelly Jones had known him from their youth, and it affected him.Kelly has said of the song,’It was more about celebrating his life, than his death.’

‘He’ll always be twenty three, yet the train runs on and on, past the place they found his clothing.

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

765-The Stylistics-You Make me Feel Brand New.

1974-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 1.30.Buy one, get one free.

The only hit of The Stylistics to feature two lead vocalists, the magical falsetto of Russell Thompkins Jr., and a rare outing for the baritone of Airrion Love.The Stylistics were formed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,United States in 1968 by the coming together of two local bands, ‘The Percussions,’ from where came James Dunn, and Herb Murrell, and ‘The Monarchs,’ from where came Russell Thompkins Jr., James Smith, and Airrion Love.They are still active, with Love, and Murrell remaining from the original line up.

The Stylistics were initially signed to the Avco Record label, where they were assigned to songwriter/producer Thom Bell, who together with Linda Creed (1948-1986) (see also best songs 183) would write many of their early hits including ‘Betcha by Golly Wow,’ and ‘Rockin’ Roll Baby.’Linda Creed who had been diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 26, and died at 37,is best remembered for writing the lyrics to ‘The Greatest Love of All,’ originally recorded by George Benson, but made famous by Whitney Houston, it is based loosely on her own life experiences. Thom Bell had previously worked with fellow Philadelphia Soul band The Delfonics, and would go on to great success with The Detroit Spinners.

When Avco records transitioned in to ‘H&L Records’,they worked with Van McCoy (see also best songs 690,) and the songwriters Hugo Peretti (1916-1986,) Luigi Creatore (1921-2015,) (see also best songs 194) achieving their only UK Number 1 single ‘Can’t Give You Anything (But My Love,’) in 1975.

‘Precious friend, with you I’ll always have a friend, you’re someone who I can depend.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

766-U2-I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.

1987-Number 6 single.

Best Bit-At 2.31.On an episode of the American talk show ‘Late Night with Conan O’Brien,’U2 took part in the ‘Celebrity Secrets’ portion of the show, where they joked that at one time the band was in a grocery store and could not find the cereal ‘Boo Berry,’ and that was the inspiration for the song.

‘I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For’ was written by Bono (lyrics,) and U2 (music,) it was produced by Daniel Lanois, and Brian Eno, who also provided backing vocals. The song was released as the second single from their 1987, fifth studio Album ‘The Joshua Tree, an Album on which U2 wanted to explore various forms of American music. Bono had been listening to Gospel music from such artists as The Staple Singers, and this was to be U2’s Gospel song. In an interview with ‘Rolling Stone’ magazine, Bono (see also best songs 320-190 and 84) said the song was ‘An anthem of doubt, more than faith.’It was ‘The Edge'(David Evans) who came up with the songs title, he said it was influenced from a line in the Bob Dylan song ‘Idiot Wind,’You’ll find out when you reach the top, you’re on the bottom.’The lyrics are open to interpretation, they may be about a search for love, but more than likely are about a search for spiritual enlightenment. In my opinion Bono wants to believe that there is a God 100%, but can only get 99% of the way there. He knows that 100% ‘Faith’ without any proof is not logical.

‘I believe in the Kingdom come, then all the colours will bleed into one, bleed into one, but yes, I’m still running.

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

767-Louis Armstrong-What a Wonderful World.

1968-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 1.17. I always thought Teresa Green was a real person, until I read the lyrics.

‘What a Wonderful World’ was co-written by Bob Thiele (1922-1996,) and George David Weiss (1921-2010.) Thiele was best known for working as a producer on numerous classic Jazz Albums, collaborating with many of the all time greats of the genre including Duke Ellington, and Gil Scott Heron. George David Weiss (see also best song 194) was a songwriter, and arranger,who collaborated on three Broadway musicals.He wrote the lyrics to ‘Lullaby of Birdland,’ made famous initially by Ella Fitzgerald.

Louis Daniel Armstrong (see also best songs 286-231 and 100) was born on August 4th, 1901,in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, and died July 6th, 1971, he is regarded as one of the most important figures in the development of modern music. He released his first recordings ‘Froggie Moore’/’Chimes Blues’ in 1923, and his final Album, which included this song,’Louis Armstrong and His Friends,’ in 1970.

In the UK ‘What a Wonderful World’ became the biggest selling song of 1968, making Armstrong the oldest ever solo male artist at 66 years old to have had a UK Number 1 single. In 2007 the duet between Eva Cassidy, and Katie Melua, took the song back to the top of the charts again.

‘I see friends shaking hands, saying how do you do, they’re really saying I love you.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

768-John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John-Summer Nights.

1978-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 3.47.As they said in ‘Gavin and Stacey,”It’s not a proper wedding disco until we’ve done the ‘Grease Megamix.”

‘Summer Nights’ was written by Jim Jacobs, and Warren Casey (1935-1988,) who together also wrote the original Grease musical, which was first performed in Chicago, United States, in 1971.The musical was named after the 1950’s United States working class youth subculture, known as ‘Greasers.’The musical is set in 1959, at fictional Rydel High School, and follows the lives of 10 working class teenagers.

In 1978 the musical was made in to a film, with some of the original songs dropped, and others commissioned for the film.The two main characters are John Travolta, who played Danny Zuko, and Olivia Newton-John, who played Sandy Olsson. The main story line of Grease is the relationship between Danny and Sandy, who had first met in the summer of 1958, at the beach, and fall in love, at the end of summer Sandy was meant to be going back to Australia, and the two thought they might never meet again.Sandy’s parents have a change of mind, and she enrols at Rydel High School, both unaware of each others presence.

In ‘Summer Nights’ Danny and Sandy recount events of their romance to their respective groups, ‘The T Birds,’ and ‘The Pink Ladies,’Sandy’s version tells of the romance of their relationship, while Danny’s version is more sexual.

In 1991 ‘Summer Nights,’ along with two other songs from the Grease soundtrack,’You’re The One That I Want,’ and ‘Greased Lightnin” were remixed into a new song called the ‘Grease Megamix,’ this song was created to promote the films release on home video,it reached Number 3 in the UK.

‘She swam by me, she got a cramp.He went by me, got my suit damp. I saved her life, he nearly drowned, he showed off splashin’ around.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

769-Tom Petty-Free Fallin.’

1989-Number 59 single.

Best Bit-At 0.42.The start of your San Fernando Valley geography lesson.

Thomas Earl Petty was born October 20th, 1950, in Gainesville, Florida, United States, he died October 2nd, 2017 from an accidental overdose of prescribed painkillers, having been suffering from emphysema, knee difficulties, and a fractured hip.He was one of the world’s best selling artists, with sales of singles, and Albums, in excess of 80 million.He released three solo Albums including the critically acclaimed ‘Full Moon Fever,’ from where this song is taken, as part of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, he released 13 studio Albums, between 1976-2014. Petty was also a member of the supergroup the Traveling Wilburys, who released two Albums in 1988, and 1990.

‘Free Fallin” was co-written by Petty and fellow Traveling Wilbury Jeff Lynne (see also best songs 970 and 25,) they both also produced the song alongside fellow ‘Heartbreaker’ Mike Campbell, who had co-written with Petty, many of the Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers best known songs, Campbell also co-wrote ‘The Boys of Summer’ with Don Henley.

‘Free Fallin’ tells the story of a man who has his way with a naive girl, she believes everything he says, but when he has got what he wants he dumps her.At first he is pleased with himself, but after a while he realises that what he has done is wrong, and a more meaningful long term relationship would be more fulfilling.

‘She’s a good girl, loves her mama, loves Jesus and America too.’