THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER

780-Shabba Ranks-Trailer Load A Girls.

1991-Number 63 single.

Best Bit-At 0.15. Shabba Ranks says more in 3.57 seconds than most people say in a week.

Shabba Ranks was born Rexton Rawlston Fernando Gordon, on January 17th, 1966, in St. Anne, Jamaica, and was raised in Trenchtown. He has released 14 studio Albums, the last a compilation of hits in 1999.In the UK he has achieved nine top 40 singles, the most successful being his 1993 Number 3 song’Mr Loverman.’ which is memorable for the cry of ‘Shabba’ being introduced to the masses.

Shabba Ranks is a very important figure in the shaping of the musical genre ‘Reggaeton,’ in 1990 he released his second studio Album ‘Just Reality’ which included the song ‘Dem Bow,’ written by the songwriting duo of Steely & Clevie. The songs ‘Riddum’ (Rhythm) became so popular in Spanish speaking parts of the Caribbean, that a whole new sound was created which would become the basis of the new musical genre, which has grown in popularity over the years.

‘Girls girls everyday, from London, Canada, and USA. Girls, girls everyday, king mon,Shabba mon nana everyday.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

781-Ram Jam-Black Betty.

1977-Number 7 single.

Best Bit-At 2.01.Is headbanging good exercise for the neck, or is it an unhealthy activity? The answer of course is, don’t do it, your neck will hurt each time you throw your skull back and forth.

‘Black Betty’ is an early 20th Century African/American song, whose writer is unknown. The first recording of the song was in 1933 by John, and Alan Lomax, but the most famous early recording was by the Blues artist Huddie ‘Lead Belly’ Ledbetter from 1939.

The origin, and meaning of the lyrics are subject to debate, as ‘Black Betty’ could refer to several different things.Over the course of time a ‘Black Betty’ has been a nickname given to a number of objects, including, a musket, a bottle of whiskey, a whip, or a penitentiary transfer wagon.

It was the guitarist Bill Bartlett who had been a member of the 1960’s Psychedelic Rock/Bubblegum Pop band the Lemon Pipers who came up with the idea of making a Heavy Rock version of this traditional song, while in a band he had formed called Starstruck. Once it was realised that the song was going to be big, a new band of musicians were brought together and named Ram Jam, they were active between 1977-1978, releasing two studio Albums.

In 1990 Dutch music producer Ben Liebrand remixed the song,taking it to Number 13 in the UK top 40. The other significant version is by the Australian Alternative Rock band Spiderbait whose similar arrangement to that of Ram Jam, made Number 1 in their home country in 2004.

‘Black Betty had a child (bam-a-lam,) the damn thing gone wild (bam-a-lam.’)

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

782-The Righteous Brothers-You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin.’

1965-Number 1 single.

When re-issued in 1969 it reached Number 10, and when re-issued again in 1990, it reached Number 3.

Best Bit-At 2.56. Bill Medley sings the whole of the first verse on his own, much to the annoyance of Bobby Hatfield, who asked Phil Spector,’What am I supposed to do,’ to which Spector replied,’You can go directly to the bank.’

‘You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ is the only song to have entered the UK top 40 singles chart on three separate occasions, while in America it was the most played song of the 20th Century on American television, and radio (including all of the cover versions,) with more than 8 million airplay’s.

The song was written by the legendary songwriting team of husband and wife, Barry Mann, and Cynthia Weil (see also best songs 568 and 257,) the songs producer Phil Spector, is also given writing credit as was often his demand,Weil has said,’Spector never really wrote, but instead ‘inspired’ songs.’ The song is considered to be among the best of Spector’s ‘Wall of Sound’ productions (see also best songs 737-192 and 127.)

The Righteous Brothers (see also best songs 91) were the vocal duo of Bill Medley (see also best songs 439,) and Bobby Hatfield (1940-2003,) they began performing together in 1962, but split in 1971, only to reform in 1974, split again in 1976, with their final reformation being in 1986, which lasted through to Hatfield’s death in 2003,both artists at some stage have performed with another using the Righteous Brothers name. Their stage name derives from black marines at a concert at El Toro Marine Base calling them ‘righteous brothers’ at the end of a performance, a black U.S. marine shouted, ‘That was righteous, brothers.’

‘You never close your eyes anymore when I kiss your lips, and there’s no tenderness like before in your fingertips.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

783-The Railway Children-Every Beat of the Heart.

1990-Number 24 single.

Best Bit-At 0.13.When you hear some songs, you can instantly tell from which decade they belong, but some songs are timeless.

The Railway Children were formed in Wigan, Greater Manchester, England by Gary Newby (songwriter/vocals,) Brian Bateman (guitar,) Guy Keegan (drums,) and Stephen Hull (bass,) they were active from 1984-1991, with Newby continuing as a solo artist from 1996, but retaining the bands name. Newby also spent several years in Japan from 2002 onwards, writing, arranging music, and lyrics, for major Japanese artists. In 2016 the four original band members reformed to play several dates, through until 2018.The Railway Children released four studio Albums between 1987-1997, with a further five compilation Albums made available after the split of the original lineup. In total there have been 10 singles released, with this song being their only top 40 entry.

‘Every Beat of the Heart’ was written by Gary Newby, and is about the break-up of a relationship, with the narrator realising that he wants to be free to start over again, he wants a clean break, with no drama.

‘That’s an angry sky behind me, but I don’t need you here to guide me.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

784-The Players Association-Turn the Music Up.

1979-Number 8 single.

Best Bit-At 4.23.’If you like it, I can play all night,if you like, I can play all night.’That’s what I used to say before Covid 19.

The Players Association were formed as a studio group in New York City, United States, in 1977 by drummer/arranger Chris Hills, and producer Danny Weiss, they were active until 1981. When required they would hire the top session musicians of the day to perform on their records, including Joe Farrell (1937-1986,) David Sanborn, and James Mtume, They would also bring in vocalists when required, these included Lorraine Moore, and Mike Mandel.

The Players Association released five studio Albums between 1977-1981, and released six singles.’Turn the Music Up,’ which was an original composition was their most successful song, peaking at Number 8 in the UK in 1979, that was their only top 40 hit, but ‘Ride the Groove,’ also from 1979 made Number 42, and ‘We Got the Groove,’ from 1980 reached Number 61.They were also well known for their cover versions, the most successful being their version of The Trammps 1976 hit ‘Disco Inferno,’ although it wasn’t a commercial hit, it was very popular in the clubs.

‘Turn the music up, turn it up, party down, c’mon.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

785-Chris Brown featuring Benny Benassi -Beautiful People.

2011-Number 4 single.

Best Bit-At 3.13.This uplifting song makes you realise that everyone is beautiful, even the ugly people.

Christopher Maurice Brown was born May 5th, 1989, in Tappahannock, Virginia, United States, he has sold over 140 million records worldwide, making him one of the world’s best selling music artists.He has also collaborated on 101 Billboard Hot 100 singles at the time of writing, placing him seventh in the all time most charted songs category.

‘Beautiful People’ was co-written by Brown, and Benny Benassi, and Alle Benassi, with the latter two also producing.Benny, and Alle are cousins, and both come from Reggio Emillia, in Northern Italy,they have worked together since the 1980’s,calling themselves the Benassi Bros. Alle, and Benny had their greatest success to date in 2002, when ‘Satisfaction’ reached Number 2 in the UK, and also became a worldwide hit (see also best songs 1025.)

‘Beautiful People’ is taken from Chris Brown’s forth studio Album ‘F.A.M.E.,’ and can also be found on Benny Benassi’s third Studio Album ‘Electroman,’ from 2011. The song sends out a positive message, Chris Brown (see also best songs 210) has said,’It wasn’t a selfish record,it wasn’t me bragging, or boasting, or talking about cars, or money, or girls.It was me being able to inspire people with dance music.We have a lot of tragic things going on, and the world needs to come together as a whole, and stop the negativity.’

‘Live your life, live your life, let the love inside, It’s your life,it’s your life, got to live it right.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

786-Anthony Newley-Why.

1960-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 0.09.Anthony Newley was an early influence on the singing style of a young David Bowie, which can clearly be heard on Bowie’s mid 1960’s songs,so now you know who is to blame for ‘The Laughing Gnome.’

Anthony Newley was born in London, England, on September 24th, 1931, and died from renal cancer on April 14th, 1999, during his long and successful career he was a singer, and songwriter, and a stage, and screen actor.As a recording artist Newley achieved 12 UK top 40 singles, including two Number 1 records, this song being one of them, and the other also from 1960, was ‘Do You Mind.’Newley had even greater success as a songwriter, with his writing partner Leslie Bricusse he wrote ‘Feeling Good’ for the musical ‘The Roar of the Greasepaint-The Smell of the Crowd,’a song made famous originally by Nina Simone, and later by Michael Buble, and Muse.He also co-wrote the theme song of the 1964 James Bond film ‘Goldfinger,’ with John Barry, and with Leslie Bricusse received an Academy Award nomination for the film score to the film ‘Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory’ in 1971.

‘Why’ is a cover version of a 1959 Billboard Number 1 single, originally recorded by Frankie Avalon, in the UK his version had stalled at Number 20. The song was co-written by Peter De Angelis, and Bob Marcucci, who had signed Avalon to his ‘Chancellor’ record label, his other notable signing was Fabian.

In 1972 the song became a hit again, when Donny Osmond took his version to Number 3 in the UK.

‘No broken hearts for us,’cause we love each other, and with our faith and trust, there could be no other.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

787-Nomad-(I Wanna Give You) Devotion.

1991-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 0.49.As well as conveying a message of love, there are also a couple of political comments relevant to the era, about Poll Tax, and ex Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

Nomad were the duo of Steve McCutcheon, and Damon Rochefort, Nomad is Damon spelt backwards.They had a further UK top 40 single, when ‘Just a Groove’ reached Number 16, also in 1991.

(‘I Wanna Give You) Devotion’ was co-written by McCutcheon, Rochefort, and Bristol born DJ/Rapper, MC Mikee Freedom, who provided the male vocals on the track.

The song is noteworthy for being the first hit for Steve McCutcheon, known professionally as Steve Mac, he is one of the most successful songwriter/producers in modern British music. To date he has contributed to 30 UK Number 1 singles, working with numerous artists including, Westlife, Little Mix, Calvin Harris, and Susan Boyle.

Damon Rochefort wrote and produced hits for Kim Wilde, and Michelle Gayle among others, in the 1990’s, before switching career’s to become a script-writer.He initially started out writing several episodes of the sit-com ‘Birds of a Feather’, and since 2004 he has written over 200 episodes of Coronation Street, including Deidre Barlow’s funeral, and the 50th anniversary live tram crash.

The female vocals on the track are provided by Sharon D.Clarke MBE, she was also the vocalist on the F.P.I.Project’s 1989 song ‘Rich in Paradise/Going Back to My Roots’,(see also best songs 414) which was a top 40 UK hit. Clarke has gone on to a very successful career as an actress, with one of her main roles playing Lola Griffin in the medical drama Holby City.She has also played leading roles in many West End musicals, including being the original ‘Killer Queen’ in We Will Rock You.

‘Poll tax came, and up went the rise, open your eyes, and realise, I’m a true disguise.Like Hawk the Slayer, he came and quartered,Maggie came but now she’s slaughtered.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

788-Nirvana-Lithium.

1992-Number 11 single.

Best Bit-At 1.58.Nirvana biographer Michael Azerrad described the song’s title as a reference to Karl Marx’s statement that religion is ‘The Opium of the people.’In other words religion can bring comfort to a person, in the same way that a drug such as Lithium can also help.

‘Lithium’ was written by Kurt Cobain (1967-1994) who said,’the song is about a man who, after the death of his girlfriend, turns to religion, as a last resort to keep himself alive, to keep him from suicide.’Cobain has said that while the narrative of the song ‘Lithium’ was fictional,’I did infuse some of my personal experiences, like breaking up with girlfriends, and having bad relationships.’Cobain has acknowledged that the song was possibly inspired by the time he spent living with his friend Jesse Reed, and his ‘Born-again Christian’ parents.

The drug Lithium is a psychiatric medication, used primarily to treat bipolar disorder, and treat major depressive disorder, that does not improve following the use of antidepressants, it helps reduce the risk of suicide.Kurt Cobain (see also best songs 9) was born February 20th, 1967, in Aberdeen, Washington, United States, and died on April 5th, 1994, by committing suicide by a gunshot to his head.During his later years, Cobain had struggled with Heroin addiction, and depression.

‘I’m so happy ’cause today I’ve found my friends, they’re in my head.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

789-Junior Murvin-Police and Thieves.

1976-It didn’t chart in the UK until 1980, when reaching Number 23.

Best Bit-At 3.45. The songs producer Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry was known for his eccentric, and superstitious behaviour. Before an artist played, he would often ‘bless’ his recording equipment with mystical invocations, he would blow ganja smoke on to his tapes while recording, and surround himself with burning candles, and incense.It is said he would also spray tapes with urine, blood, and whiskey, to enhance their spiritual properties.

Junior Murvin was born Murvin Junior Smith around 1946 in Saint James,Jamaica, he died on December 2nd, 2013, from diabetes.In 1976 he auditioned his own song ‘Police and Thieves’ for the legendary Reggae music producer Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, (born in 1946, in Kendal, Jamaica) who added his own ideas to the song, and recorded several alternative versions for release.

‘Police and Thieves’is a song about gang war, and police brutality, and although not a hit in the UK in 1976, became an anthem, as the Notting Hill Carnival erupted in to a riot.Joe Strummer, and Paul Simonon who had just formed the Clash were caught up in the rioting (see also best songs 867-638 and 294,) which inspired them to cover the song on their self titled debut Album in 1977, in a style that they called ‘Punk Reggae,’ not ‘White Reggae.’On first hearing the Clash version, Junior Murvin said,’They have destroyed Jah work.’

Murvin’s version finally became a hit in the UK in 1980 when featured in the film ‘Rockers. It was also brought to the attention of a new generation when used again in the 1998 movie,’Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.

‘All the crimes committed day by day,no one try to stop it in any way.’