THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

820-Darlene Love-Christmas (Baby Please Come Home.)

1963-It didn’t chart in the UK until the introduction of digital downloads. It’s highest chart placing to date, was in 2018, when it peaked at Number 22.

Best Bit-At 1.16.The Spector of Christmas past.’Christmas (Baby Please Come Home’) is taken from the 1963 Album,’A Christmas Gift for You from Philles Records,’ which over the years has become known as ‘A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector.’The Album is rated by music critics as the greatest festive Album of all time, with this track being the only original song, of the 13 compositions.All of the artists performing on the Album were under the management of Phil Spector (see also best songs 782-737 and 192,) including The Ronettes, and The Crystals.

The song was written by the legendary song writing team of Jeff Barry, and Ellie Greenwich (see also best songs 331-262 and 192,) with Phil Spector also receiving writing credits.It was written with Spector’s future wife, Ronnie in mind, but Darlene Love was chosen instead, as her voice suited the song better.

Darlene Love was born Darlene Wright on July 26th, 1941, in Los Angeles, California, United States.In 1962 she achieved a Billboard Number 1 single with ‘He’s a Rebel,’ although it is credited to The Crystals.Beginning in 1986, and continuing for 29 years, Darlene Love performed this song annually on the final episode before Christmas of ‘Late Night With David Letterman,’ the exception was in 2007 when there was a writers strike, a repeat of her 2006 performance was shown instead.’

The snow’s coming down, I’m watching it fall, lots of people around, baby please come home.

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

821-Wizzard-I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday.

1973-Number 4 single.Since digital downloads were included in 2007, the song has re-entered the chart every year, with it’s highest chart position being Number 10 in 2019.

Best Bit-At 3.24.If your entertaining relatives you only see once a year, and are having to make small talk, you probably will find it difficult to relate to this songs message.

Roy Wood was born in Kitts Green, Worcestershire, England, on November 8th, 1946, he was the co-founder of The Move, the Electric Light Orchestra, and Wizzard (see also best song 575 and 239,) as well as having a very successful solo career.

Like other songs recorded by Wizzard, this song is influenced by the sound, and production of Phil Spector, and the music he produced in the 1960’s, known as the ‘Wall Of Sound.’

The song has a very unusual intro, Wood has explained,’We hired a proper old fashioned metal cash register, with all the scroll work on the sides, and I pressed the buttons while Rick (Price, bassist,) dropped the coins in. It was exactly what I wanted.’The children’s choir used in the song were from Stockland Green School in Birmingham, Wood insisted that they had to be from his hometown.

‘When the snowman brings the snow, well he just like might to know, he’s put a great big smile on somebody’s face.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

822-Mariah Carey-All I Want for Christmas Is You.

1994-Number 2 single.It has also reached Number 2 in 2017-2018, and 2019, and finally in 2020 it peaked at Number 1.

Best Bit-At 0.54.The last truly great Christmas song, well worth it’s place among the acknowledged festive classics.

Since the introduction of digital downloading this song re-enters the top 40 every December.With sales of over 16 million, it is currently the 11th biggest selling single of all time, earning over $50 million in royalties to date.In America, on the Billboard Hot 100, it finally reached Number 1 for the first time in December 2019, 25 years after it was first released.

‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ was co-written by Mariah Carey, and long time collaborator Walter Afanasieff, in the Summer of 1994, they set out to write an uptempo Xmas track in the style of Phil Spector’s ‘Wall Of Sound.’The song was taken from Mariah’s forth studio Album ‘Merry Christmas’ which included three original songs, and seven cover versions.Walter Afanasieff (see also best songs 220) said of Mariah’s input,’She created a lyric that probably to this day is the only uptempo Christmas love song.Anybody can sing it to anybody, it’s about everybody, and it can only mean one thing, from father to child, or mother to child, or wife to husband, it’s just,’All I Want for Christmas Is You.’

‘Initially Mariah Carey didn’t want to do a Christmas Album, as it is normally done when an artists career is coming to an end.She was worried that it might damage her ‘Hip-Hop’ credibility. When she saw the now-famous cover, with her dressed in a Santa suit, she said,’What are you trying to do,turn me in to Connie Francis.’

‘I won’t make a list and send it, to the North Pole, for Saint Nick, I won’t even stay awake, to hear those magic reindeer click.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

823-The Isley Brothers-This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You.)

1966-Number 47 single.When re-issued in 1968 it peaked at Number 3.

Best Bit-At 1.41.The Isley Brothers can boast hits in six consecutive decades, from ‘Shout’ in 1959, all the way through to ‘Contagious’ in 2001.

As the name suggests The Isley’s are brothers, who originated from Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, they officially began their singing career in 1954, with Ronald, and Ernie still performing to this day.The only member who was not a brother was Chris Jasper, who in fact was the brothers, brother-in-law,he was a band member between 1973-1983.

The Isley Brothers (see also best songs 176) only had a short stay at Motown records, between 1965-1967, when they left they found great success, when forming their own record label,’T-Neck.’

‘This Old Heart of Mine’ was written by the legendary songwriting team of Holland-Dozier-Holland (see also best songs 969-650-553-411-212 and 148,) and Sylvia Moy (1938-2017.) Moy was a big influence on the early career of Stevie Wonder, the first hit she co-wrote with Wonder was ‘Uptight (Everything’s Alright.’) Of the songs meaning, Lamont Dozier said it was about a girl he couldn’t give up,’The more I tried, the deeper I fell.I made excuses for her, and all the wrong she did to me. She was a necessary evil that I just couldn’t overcome.’

In 1975 Rod Stewart recorded a version for his Album ‘Atlantic Crossing,’ which reached Number four in the UK. In 1989 he recorded the song again, this time as a duet with Ronald Isley, which peaked at Number 10 on Billboard.

‘But if you leave me a hundred times, a hundred times, I’ll take you back.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

824-Katy Perry-Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)

2011-Number 9 single.

Best Bit-At 3.33.Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, except for poor Barbie, who’s on the barbecue.

Katy Perry revealed she was inspired to write the song after running naked through a park with friends,’We had a couple of beers, and danced until we died, most of the song is actual truth, apart from the menage a trois….unfortunately!’

Katy Perry was born on October 25th, 1984, in Santa Barbara, California, United States, she is one of the credited writers of this song along with Max Martin, Dr Luke (see also best songs 870,) and Bonnie Mckee, who is a long term collaborator with Perry, together McKee and Perry have co-written six Billboard Number 1 singles.When this song went to Number 1 on Billboard, Katy Perry became the first woman to achieve five Number 1 singles from the same Album (Teenage Dream,) equalling the fete achieved by Michael Jackson in 1987, with his Album ‘Bad.’

The song has a critically acclaimed video, in which Perry plays the part of a nerdy 13 year old alter-ego named Kathy Beth Terry.Some famous faces from the world of music make an appearance, including saxophonist Kenny G, the band Hanson, and 1980’s star Debbie Gibson, plays Perry’s mother.

‘Pink flamingos in the pool, I smell like a minibar, DJ’s passed out in the yard, Barbie’s on the barbecue.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

825-Freeez-I.O.U.

1983-Number 2 single.In 1987 remixes of the song were made available on a 12 inch single, and charted at Number 23.

Best Bit-At 3.06.The songwriters missed a trick, With the lyrics being ‘A-E-A-E-I-O-U-U-I,’they could have sold the rights to ‘Sesame Street,’ to teach the cool kids their vowels.

Freeez were an English Electronic Dance Music group formed in London, England in 1978, by John Rocca, they were active until 1985.Their initial breakthrough occurred in 1981, when the Jazz Funk song ‘Southern Freeez,’ taken from their debut Album of the same name,reached Number 8 in the UK.

Freeez were joined by Arthur Baker for their second Album,’Gonna Get You,’ in 1983.Baker co-wrote, and produced many of that Album’s tracks, including this song, with John Rocca, who provided lyrics, and sang the falsetto vocal.

Arthur Baker was born in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, in 1955, he was a very important player in the development of Hip-Hop, and Electronic Dance Music, having worked with many artists such as Afrika Bambaataa (see also best songs 716,) and New Order (see also best songs 619 and 885.)

‘Girl, I know I owe you so much, but I can’t pay you, with just, with just one touch.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

826-Wretch 32- 6 Words.

2014-Number 8 single.

Best Bit-At 1.19.His mother was from Jamaica where ‘wretch’ means to be slim, or skinny. She called him ‘Wretch’ as a child, and the name stuck. He has said that ’32’ is his lucky number, and thought it would be fun to have a number as a surname.

Wretch 32 was born Jermaine Scott Sinclair on 9th March, 1985, in Tottenham, London, England, to date he has released four studio Albums, and achieved six top 40 singles, including the 2011 Number 1, ‘Don’t Go.’ He is known as a Hip-Hop, R&B, and Grime artist, who is a Rapper, and occasional singer.

‘6 Words’ is filed under the music genre of ‘Drum and Bass’ because of the additional production work of Mark Wilkinson, he has had three top 40 hits under his own stage name of ‘Wilkinson,’ most notably the 2013 Number eight single ‘Afterglow.

‘Wretch 32 received criticism in some quarters, due to the fact that he sang on this track, rather than Rap. He has said,’Listening to Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, and all those guys when I was growing up, I heard them guys rapping, and singing, and they can’t really sing, but it still sounds good. I always had in my head,’I’m gonna make a record where there are no rap verses, and that’s what 6 Words is.I’d say that Gary Barlow, and Chris Martin inspired it because, in the studio, all I was thinking was that I needed to write a better song than what they would write.”

‘I can’t sing, but I wrote you a song, yeah, wrong notes, but the melody’s so clear.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

827-Dean Friedman-Lucky Stars.

1978-Number 3 single.

Best Bit-At 3.09.Because the song was only credited to Dean Friedman, the female vocalist became known as the ‘Mystery Voice.’

The mystery voice in question belonged to Denise Marsa, whom Friedman had heard sing in a club, and invited her to sing on several tracks on his second Album ‘Well Well Said The Rocking Chair,’ in 1978.Her other chart success occurred in 1984 when she sang lead vocals on ‘The Flirts’ song ‘Helpless (You Took my Love,)’ which reached Number 13 in Germany, and Number 15 in Switzerland.Dean Friedman was born May 23rd, 1955, in Paramus, New Jersey, United States.In America he is considered a one hit wonder, as his only Billboard hit was ‘Ariel’ which reached Number 26 in 1977.In the UK apart from this song, his only other chart single was ‘Lydia,’ which peaked at Number 31 in 1978.

‘Lucky Stars’ tells the story of a couple arguing about his ex-girlfriend, as she is worried that they might get back together. but he assures her that she is the only one for him.

‘Well slide over here, ’cause I may not be all that bright, but I know how to hold you tight.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

828-Eddie Floyd-Knock on Wood.

1966-Number 19 single.

Best Bit-At 0.46.In the UK the expression is ‘touch wood,’ but this American expression, meaning the same, fits in better with the song.

Eddie Floyd,and Steve Cropper (see also best songs 906 and 712) were both songwriters for the Stax record label, and they initially wrote it with Otis Redding in mind.The saying ‘knock on wood’ is used to express gratitude for good fortune, while hoping that it will continue. In the song the narrator is knocking on wood, because he has been lucky enough to find the girl of his dreams.The song is memorable for it’s pauses, after Floyd sings ‘I better knock,’ there is a pause before drummer Al Jackson (see also best songs 906 and 347) comes in with his drumbeats, and Floyd completes the line with,’on wood.’It was Jackson who came up with the idea, in order to simulate the sound of someone knocking on a door.

Eddie Floyd was born on June 25th, 1937, in Montgomery, Alabama, United States. He first found success as a member of the R&B group The Falcons between 1957-1963, most notably with the 1959 million selling song ‘You’re So Fine.’The Falcons are celebrated as being the forerunners for the next generation of acts such as The Four Tops, and The Temptations.

‘Knock on Wood’ has been recorded by many different artist through the years, most notably in 1979 when a Disco version by Ami Stewart went to Number 1 on Billboard, and Number six in the UK, a remixed version also made Number seven in 1985, and in 1974 a live version from David Bowie peaked at Number 10 in the UK.

‘It’s like thunder and lightning, the way you love me is frightening.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

829-Dire Straits-Sultans of Swing.

1978-Number 8 single.

Best Bit-At 5.17.The best of ‘Pub Rock,’ in every sense.

It is said that inspiration for the song came from Mark Knopfler witnessing a Jazz Band playing in a corner of a practically deserted pub in Deptford, South London. At the end of their performance the lead singer announced that they were the ‘Sultans of Swing,’ and Knopfler found the contrast between the groups dowdy appearance, and surroundings, and their grandiose name amusing.Mak Knopfler was born on August 12th, 1949, in Glasgow, Scotland. He formed Dire Straits (see also best songs 298) in Deptford, London, in 1977, with his brother David, John Illsley, and Pick Withers.They are one of the world’s best selling bands, with sales in excess of 100 million, their Album ‘Brothers In Arms’ was the best selling Album of 1985.

‘Sultans of Swing’ was released as the bands debut single, and was written by Mark Knopfler who took a lot of inspiration for his songs from things he saw around him, he has said that he found that harder to do when he became famous.The ‘Guitar George,’ and ‘Harry,’ who are mentioned in the lyrics, are George Young, and Harry Vander, who were guitarists in the Australian band ‘The Easybeats’ in the 1960’s (see also best songs 939.)

‘And then the man he steps right up to the microphone, and says at last just as the time bell rings,’Goodnight,now it’s time to go home.”