THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

770-Kinks-Waterloo Sunset.

1967-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 0.08.Be warned before listening, this is the ultimate ‘EARWORM’ song.

Of all the songs written by Ray Davis this is his most critically acclaimed (see also best songs 1014,) Paul Weller has stated it is his favourite song of all time.

The lyrics describe someone who is on their own, watching (or imagining) two lovers passing over a bridge, the Thames, and Waterloo Station, in London, the place of Davis’ birth. In 2010 Davis stated that the song was originally entitled ‘Liverpool Sunset,’ as his favourite city to perform in is Liverpool, and he was also inspired by ‘Merseybeat.’ He didn’t want to clash with the Beatles who had just released ‘Penny Lane,’ so he called it ‘Waterloo Sunset’ instead, because Waterloo was a very significant place for him when he was a child.

There are two significant cover versions, in 2003 David Bowie was joined on stage by Davis, and they performed a duet of the song at Carnegie Hall in New York City, for the Tibet House benefit. Bowie recorded a solo studio version of the song, as a bonus track for his 2003 Album ‘Reality.’ In 1997 Cathy Dennis (see also best songs 928) covered the song, taking it to Number 11 in the UK, the video showed Dennis singing the song while travelling in a taxi, driven by Ray Davis in a cameo role.

‘Millions of people swarming like flies ’round Waterloo underground,but Terry and Julie cross over the river, where they feel safe and sound.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

771-The Chainsmokers-Selfie.

2014-Number 11 single.

Best Bit-At 2.43.’It’s not even Summer, why does the DJ keep on playing Summertime Sadness.’

The Chainsmokers are the American Electronic Dance Music production team of Alex Paul, and Andrew Taggart, they formed in 2012, in New York City, New York, United States, when they tour they are joined by a third member, Matt McGuire.They have released three studio Albums to date, and had nine top 40 singles in the UK, including ‘Closer’ in 2016, which also made Number 1 on Billboard.Initially ‘Selfie’ was released as a free download, until it got the attention of ‘Dim Mak’ records, who gave it an official release. A selfie is a self portrait photograph, which is normally taken with a digital camera, or camera phone.The Chainsmokers, while working in the clubs realised how popular ‘selfie’s’ were becoming, and wanted to make a song to celebrate the new phenomenon, the female spoken vocals are by the unaccredited Alexis Killacram, who finishes each verse with,’Let me take a selfie.’

Music critics have pinpointed two songs which could have been an influence for this track,the spoken intro to the 1992 Sir Mix-A-Lot, Billboard Number 1,’Baby Got Back,’ and even more so, the 1982 song ‘Valley Girl,’ by Frank Zappa, and his daughter Moon Unit Zappa.

‘Oh my God, Jason just texted me, should I go home with him? I guess I took a good selfie.’

THE 100 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

772-Gary Numan-We Are Glass.

1980-Number 5 single.

Best Bit-At 3.42.According to Gary Numan the song was inspired by a comment from a writer in the Omni magazine (the Omni was a science fiction publication.) ‘He said that he thought I’d been put here by something…aliens, or something, to carry out a cause, which I thought was very flattering, but a little silly.’In the song Numan is saying that just because he is a Pop star, it doesn’t mean that he isn’t fragile, like everyone else, he can also be broken.

Gary Numan was born Gary Webb on March 8th, 1958, in Hammersmith, London, England, he took his stage name from an advert in the ‘Yellow Pages,’ for a plumber whose surname was ‘Neumann.’He first found success with the ‘New Wave’ band Tubeway Army, releasing two Albums, and four singles, including the 1979 UK Number 1 song ‘Are Friends Electric,’ (see also best songs 177.) For the third Album ‘The Pleasure Principle,’ Numan dropped the Tubeway Army name, and released music under his own name, as he was the sole songwriter, and producer, but he retained the musicians from Tubeway Army as his backing band.To date Gary Numan has released 22 studio Albums, the latest in 2017, three of those Album’s made Number 1 in the UK, while 2017’s ‘Savage (Songs from a Broken World’,) reached Number 2.He has also achieved two UK Number 1 singles,’Are Friends Electric,’ and ‘Cars,’ in total he has had 22 top 40 singles.

‘We are young,watch us fall, we can take some train, down to the sea.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

773-Mud Tiger-Feet.

1974-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 0.01.Not every song can boast it’s own dance that everyone over the age of 60 knows how to do, but this one does,-‘Yeah,Yeah!’

Mud were formed in Carshalton, Greater London, England in 1966 by Les Grey (vocals) (1946-2004,) Rob Davis (lead guitarist,) Dave Mount (drums) (1947-2006,) and Ray Stiles (bass.) After leaving Mud, Rob Davis has gone on to have a even more successful career as a songwriter, being the co-writer of three UK Number 1 songs, including the Kylie Minogoe 2001 song ‘Can’t Get You Out of My Head'(see also best songs 928.) Mud eventually found success when signing with Mickie Most’s ‘RAK’ records, and being teamed up with the songwriters, and producers Mike Chapman, and Nicky Chinn. In 1974 they had three UK Number 1 singles, and in 1975 they had seven top 40 singles, spending 45 weeks on the chart, more than anyone else that year.In total they had 15 top 40 singles between 1973-1976, the band still tour to this day, with none of the original members, now called ‘Mud 2.’

‘Tiger Feet’ has sold over 1 million copies worldwide, and was the best selling single in the UK in 1974, spending four weeks at Number 1.It was written by the legendary songwriting team of Mike Chapman, and Nicky Chinn (see also best songs 860-686 and 402) who were also responsible for the some of hits of many other artists, including The Sweet, Suzi Quarto, Smokie, Blondie, and Tina Turner.

‘All night long you’ve been looking at me, well you know you’re the dance hall cutie that you love to be.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

774-Madonna-Like a Prayer.

1989-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 4.17.’Once your a Catholic, your always a Catholic, in terms of feelings, or guilt, and remorse, and whether you’ve sinned or not.Sometimes I’m wracked with guilt when I needn’t be, and that to me, is left over from my Catholic upbringing. Because in Catholicism you are born a sinner, and you are a sinner all of your life. No matter how you try to get away from it, the sin is within you, all the time.’ MADONNA.

By 1989 Madonna’s career was in the balance, she had just had two films spectacularly fail, both critically, and commercially, it was three years since her last successful Album ‘True Blue,’ and her marriage had broken down.She realised that her fan base were growing up, and if she was to survive, she would have to take her career in a different direction (see also best songs 587.)

Before ‘Like a Prayer’ was officially released ‘Pepsi’ signed Madonna to a $5 million endorsement deal, which included a two minute commercial that would debut this song.The song was released the day after it aired worldwide to approximately 250 million viewers.It was also added to the MTV playlist, but instead of using scenes from the commercial, it showed Madonna witnessing a brutal crime, and taking refuge in a church. She shares an interracial kiss, gets stigmata on her hands, and dances in front of burning crosses.The Vatican condemned it, while religious groups protested it’s broadcast. They boycotted products by ‘Pepsi,’ forcing them to drop Madonna from their promotions, but still having to pay her.

‘Life is a mystery, everyone must stand alone, I hear you call my name, and it feels like home.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

775-Chris Montez-The More I See You.

1966-Number 3 single.

Best Bit-At 1.22.It is said that until people actually saw a photograph, they actually thought it was a female singer.

In the early 1960’s the Beatles opened concerts in London, York, and Northampton for Montez, who commented,’Who are these guys the Beatles? I try to keep up with the British scene, but I don’t know their work’.

Chris Montez was born Ezekiel Christopher Montanez on January 17th, 1943, in Los Angeles, California, United States.In 1962 he had two UK top 10 singles, with the Rock N’ Roll orientated ‘Let’s Dance,’ and ‘Some Kinda’ Fun,’ but struggled thereafter.In 1965 Montez signed with Herb Alpert’s ‘A&M’ record label (see also best songs 815,) and on Alpert’s advise changed tack, for an ‘Easy Listening’ sound, arranging and producing Montez’s comeback Album ‘The More I See You,’ which provided the hits ‘Call Me,’ (Billboard Number 22,) and ‘There Will Never Be Another You’ (UK Number 37.) Montez went on to record three more Albums for ‘A&M,’ in the 1960’s, with his last recording to date being the 1983 Album,’Cartas de Amor,’ recorded exclusively in Spanish.

‘The More I See You’ was originally written in 1945 by the legendary songwriters Mack Gordon, and Harry Warren(see also best songs 877-396 and 321,) for the 1945 film ‘Diamond Horseshoe,’The first recording of the song was sung in the film by Dick Haymes (see also best songs 842,) and it has gone on to become one of the most covered songs of all time, with artists as diverse as Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, and Marvin Gaye recording their renditions.

‘I know the only one for me can only be you, my arms won’t free you, and my heart won’t try.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

776-Runrig-Loch Lomond.

1982-Number 86 single.

Best Bit-At 1.43.In a survey in 2009, this was chosen as the greatest Scottish song ever.

Runrig were a Scottish Celtic Rock group who were formed in the Isle of Skye, Scotland in 1973, they retired in 2018. Between 1978-2016 they released 14 studio Albums, their lyrics mainly focused on locations, history, politics, and people who are unique to Scotland.Runrig first recorded ‘Loch Lomond’ for their second Album ‘The Highland Connection’ in 1979, after playing the song live, it soon became a fan favourite, and the bands signature tune, ending concerts.

In 2007 they re-recorded the song to raise money for the BBC Children in Need Appeal, the recording featured ‘The Tartan Army,’ a group of Scottish football supporters, including Rod Stewart on backing vocals. The song was recorded shortly before the Scottish football team played a vital European Championship qualifier against Italy, which they lost 2-1. The song became Runrig’s first, and only UK top 10 single, when reaching Number 9.

‘Loch Lomond’ is a traditional Scottish Folk song, which was first published in 1841. It is thought the subject of the song could be a captured soldier who knows he is unlikely ever to spend time again with his true love by the shores of Loch Lomond. The ‘Low Road’ may be a reference to the Celtic belief that if someone died away from the homeland, then the fairies would provide a route for their soul to return home.

‘You take the high road, and I’ll take the low road. and I’ll be in Scotland afore you.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

777-The Temptations-Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me.)

1971-Number 8 single.

Best Bit-At 2.32.Nothing wrong with some healthy fantasising.

‘Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me,’) was co-written by the Motown songwriting team of Norman Whitfield (1940-2008,) with lyrics by Barrett Strong, who was also the co-writer, and vocalist on Motown’s first million seller,’Money (That’ What I Want,’) recorded in 1959.

This song was originally written in the late 1960’s, but kept in the vaults due to The Temptations change in musical style.In the early, to mid 60’s they had been very successful recording Soul, and R&B, but when Whitfield (see also best songs 911-569-533-480-346 and 233) took charge in 1968, he wanted to experiment with ‘Psychedelic Soul,’ inspired by groups such as Sly and the Family Stone, and Funkadelic. At first this new style proved very successful, with hits such as ‘Cloud Nine,’ and ‘Psychedelic Shack,’ but by 1971 sales were starting to decline, with both the band, and their fans wanting a return to the more ‘Soulful’ days.

‘Just My Imagination’ certainly satisfied the fan base, giving The Temptations the third of what would eventually be four Billboard Number 1 singles. The song is not your conventional love song in any shape or form.The narrator imagines a relationship with a woman he sees walking past his window everyday, but he is clever enough to realise that his fantasy’s are fiction, in fact the woman doesn’t even know he exists.

This was the last song on which Eddie Kendricks (see also best songs 491) sang lead vocal, as he left shortly afterwards to start his solo career.It was also the last performance for fellow group member Paul Williams who sang the ‘Every night on my knees I pray,’ line, as he was suffering from ill health, and would pass away in 1973, at the age of 34.

‘Each day through my window, I watch her as she passes by, I say to myself, you’re such a lucky guy.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

778-Tom Robinson-War Baby.

1983-Number 6 single.

Best Bit-At 1.08. 2-4-6-8 who do we appreciate, great artist, great song.

Thomas Giles Robinson was born on June 1st, 1950, in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England. His initial chart success came in 1977, a year after he formed the Tom Robinson Band, together they achieved three top 40 singles, including the 1977 Number five song ‘2-4-6-8 Motorway.’ they also released two Albums, which both made the top 40 in the UK., the band split in 1979. As a solo artist Robinson has released 14 studio Albums since 1980, the latest being ‘Only the Now,’ in 2015.

By 1982 Tom Robinson was massively in debt, particularly with the British Tax Authorities, he was ‘technically bankrupt’ and depressed, so he went to stay with a friend in Hamburg, Germany. Robinson describes writing ‘War Baby’ whilst stoned after a bad experience at a gay sauna, he wrote,’Only the young and the very beautiful can be so aloof,’ and the rest of it poured on to the page.The song has been described as being about his experiences of the divisions between East, and West Germany, however, as to what it is all about says Robinson,’I couldn’t tell you, I just wrote what sounded right.’

‘Like a mother-sucking baby, demanding and so helpless, a little old balding man, all wrinkles and bulging eyes.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

779-Duke Dumont-The Giver.

2012-Has never been released as a single in the UK. The vocal remix reached Number 32 in 2015.

Best Bit-At 4.09.The proof that it’s better to be a giver than a taker.

Duke Dumont is the stage name of Adam Dyment, a music producer, and writer of Dance Music.In the early part of the 2010’s decade he had great success in the UK top 40, achieving two Number 1 singles with ‘Need U (100%,) in 2013, and ‘I Got U,’ in 2014, he also made Number 2 with ‘Won’t Look Back,’ also in 2014.He has also remixed several songs, for many artists of differing musical genres since 2006.

‘The Giver’ was originally released on an E.P. in 2012, which was only made available in America, and Canada. After the success of the three songs mentioned above, the track was remixed by the Australian music producer Tom Purcell, better known by his stage name, ‘Wave Racer,’ and it became Duke Dumont’s forth charting song in 2015.

The song was written by Dumont, and features a sample of the 1995 Dance track ‘Time For Love’ by Kim English (1970-2019,) which was written by Byron Stingily, Hal Ritson, and Byron Burke,of the American House/R&B group Ten City, which is the reason that they are given songwriting credits as well.

‘Your that special soul who makes me wanna give it.’