THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

860-Sweet-Blockbuster.

1973-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 1.40.The song’s so good, he’s lost for words.

The Sweet were formed in 1968 in London, United Kingdom, the best known lineup comprised,Brian Connolly (1945-1997,) Mick Tucker (1947-2002,) Steve Priest (1948-2020,) and Andy Scott. Connolly left the band in 1979 to pursue a solo career, and the the band officially split in 1981.

‘Blockbuster’ gave the Sweet their only UK Number 1, but they did have five Number 2 singles,like the majority of the Sweet’s hit singles this was written by the legendary song writing team of Nicky Chinn, and Mike Chapman (see also best songs 773-686 and 402.)’Blockbuster’ was released a month after David Bowie had released his UK Number 2 single ‘The Jean Genie,’ on the same record label,’RCA,’ and the guitar riffs of both songs are identical. Neither party ever commented accusingly about the similarities, and that maybe because the riff is also identical to that used by the Yardbirds, on their 1964 cover version of Bo Diddley’s song, ‘I’m a Man.’

The songs lyrics tell the tale of a man called ‘Buster,’ who women find irresistible, in order to stop him taking your woman, you must block him.’

‘Does anybody know the way, did we hear someone say,’We just haven’t got a clue what to do.”

HE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

861-O.C.Smith-Little Green Apples.

1968-Has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 1.12.Granny Smith must have been very proud of him.

‘Little Green Apples’ was written by Bobby Russell (1940-1992,) at the same time as he wrote ‘Honey,’ made famous by Bobby Goldsboro, as ‘an experiment in composing.’ According to Buzz Cason (see also best songs 875,) who often worked alongside Russell,’he anticipated a market for true to life story songs, with more ‘meat’ in the lyrics,’ than was usual in contemporary hits.

‘Little Green Apples’ was written especially for Country singer Roger Miller (1936-1992,) and reached Number 39 on Billboard,it was more successful in the UK. where it reached Number 19.

O.C.Smith (1932-2001) recorded his version for his 1968 Album,’Hickory Holler Revisited,’ but the plan was not to release it as a single, until a Detroit radio DJ played it on his show,and when it got such a great reaction, Smith’s record label quickly released it.The song went on to peak at Number 2 in America, being held off the top spot by the Beatles, ‘Hey Jude.’

‘And if that’s not lovin’ me, then all I’ve got to say.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

862-The Beautiful South-Love Is.

1989-Has never been released as a single.

Best Bit-At 6.17.’Right, we’ve done our song, now who knows that one by the Beatles.’

The Beautiful South were formed in Hull, United Kingdom,in 1988 by Paul Heaton, and Dave Hemingway, after the breakup of their previous band The Housemartins (see also best songs 387.) They were soon joined by Sean Welch (bass,) Dave Stead (drums,) and Dave Rotheray (guitar.) They were active until 2007, when tongue in cheek they claimed that the split was due to ‘musical similarities.”Love Is,’ is taken from their debut Album ‘Welcome to the Beautiful South,’ which also features the top 10 singles, ‘Song For Whoever,’ (UK Number 2,) and ‘You Keep It All In’ (UK Number 8,) all three songs were co-written by Heaton, and Rotheray.

‘Love Is,’ tells the tale of how hollow fame can be.It says that you only want to be associated with me because I am famous, and in 25 years from now when I am long forgotten, will you come to my cremation.

‘So don’t beg, and don’t plead, you can’t have the heart you made bleed. Your in love with fame, so whilst we love, please don’t scream my name.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

863-Boys Town Gang-Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.

1982-Number 4 single.

Best Bit-At 4.31.This is one of the most covered songs in the world ever, covered in many different musical genres.

The most successful version is the original by Franki Valli, reaching Number 2 on Billboard in 1967,but the first hit version in the UK was recorded by Andy Williams (see also best songs 112,) and peaked at Number 5 in 1968.Williams also re-recorded the song as a duet with Denise van Outen in 2002, this time charting at Number 23.Others to have had a hit with the song include, the Pet Shop Boys in 1991, reaching Number 4, as part of a medley with ‘Where the Streets Have No Name.’ and Lauryn Hill’s Hip-Hop version made Number 8 on the Australian chart in 1998.In 2020 American music producer Surf Mesa sampled the song, achieving a top 20 hit in the UK.

‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off You’ was written by the legendary songwriting team of Bob Crewe (1930-2014,) and Bob Gaudio (see also best songs 1007-914-739-499-393-284-164-112 and 83.) This ‘Disco,’ ‘Hi-NRG’ version is the brainchild of music producer Bill Motley who formed the Boys Town Gang in San Francisco, California, U.S., to cater for the large gay community, he would record mainly classic 60’s, and 70’s hits in a post disco style, with both the use of an orchestra, and synthesizers. He recorded three studio Albums between 1981-1984, using different lead singers.

‘I love you baby,and if it’s quite alright, I need you baby, to warm the lonely nights.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

864-Hot Chocolate-Brother Louie.

1973-Number 7 single.

Best Bit-At 1.12.Between 1970-1980 Hot Chocolate had at least one hit single every year, the only two other acts to match this were Elvis Presley, and Diana Ross.

Hot Chocolate were formed in West Hampstead, London, England in 1968, by Errol Brown MBE (1943-2015,) and Tony Wilson.In 1969 Brown sent a version of ‘Give Peace a Chance’ to Apple records, it was met with John Lennon’s approval, and released as a single on the label, catalogue number ‘Apple 18.’ as ‘The Hot Chocolate Band.’When they signed with ‘RAK’ records it was Micky Most (1938-2003) who changed their name to just Hot Chocolate.

Hot Chocolate were an interracial band (four black members, and two white,) which was very unusual for the time, and it was the two founding members, Brown, and Wilson, who co-wrote Brother Louie.The song tells of an interracial love affair, where both the couples family’s don’t want anything to do with their relationship because of their colour.The song is notable for Cozy Powell (1947-1998,) playing the drums on the track, and Alexis Korner (1928-1984,) providing the spoken word.

In America the song was covered by the Rock band ‘Stories,’ and it got to Number 1 on Billboard in 1973, giving them their only ever hit single.The version by the Stories is one of the top 400 best selling songs ever in America.

‘Ain’t no diff’rence ‘tween black or white, brothers you know what I mean.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

865-Blake Shelton-Austin.

2001-Has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 3.13.If your accusing me of being a big sentimental slush, for including this most cheesy of love songs, then I’m guilty your honour.

Blake Shelton was born on June 18th, 1976, in Ada, Oklahoma, United States.He is one of Country Music’s most successful artists, releasing 11 studio Albums to date, and achieving 26 Number 1 singles on the ‘Billboard Hot Country Songs’ chart.

‘Austin’ was his first single release, from his self titled debut Album, released in 2001.The Album was produced by Bobby Braddock, a successful songwriter of Country songs, who is credited with discovering Blake Shelton. In the UK, Braddock’s best known song is ‘D-I-V-O-R-C-E,’ a 1976 Number 12 hit for Tammy Wynette.’Austin’ was written by David Kent, and Kirsti Manna, and first offered to fellow Country Music artist Clay Walker, but he turned it down.It is also said that both Shelton, and Braddock were not too keen at first, but it grew on them.

The song tells of a woman who breaks up with her boyfriend and moves to Austin, Texas, thinking she would have a better life there, but within a year she realises that she was wrong, and wants him back. She calls him, and is always greeted by his answerphone, which always ends with the phrase,’And P.S. if this is Austin, I still love you.’

‘And by the way boy,this is no machine your talkin’ to, can’t you tell this is Austin, and I still love you.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

866-Kate Bush-Wuthering Heights,

1978-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 0.47.While most teenage girls were reading ‘Jackie,’ Catherine Bush was reading Emily Bronte’s novel.

Kate Bush was born Catherine Bush, 30th July, 1958, in Bexleyheath, Kent, England.She became the first ever female artist to top the UK singles chart with a self written composition, when ‘Wuthering Heights’ topped the chart for four weeks in 1978.Kate Bush was inspired to write the song after watching the 1967 BBC adaption of the 1847 novel Wuthering Heights, she then read the book, and after learning she shared the same birthday of July 30th with the author Emily Bronte (1818-1848,) she felt an even closer affiliation.

Wuthering Heights is sung from the perspective of the books character Catherine Earnshaw, who is pleading at Heathcliff’s window to be allowed in, Catherine is actually a ghost. The songs lyrics include dialogue from the novel such as,’Let me in , I’m cold,’ and ‘Bad dreams in the night.’

The song was arranged and produced by Andrew Powell (see also best songs 866-130-81 and 2.) Other artists who played on the track include ex Cockney Rebel members Duncan Mackay (Hammond organ,) and Stuart Elliott (drums,) (see also best songs 2 and 410.)

‘Out on the wiley, windy moors, we’d roll and fall in green, you had a temper like my jealousy.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

867-Big Audio Dynamite-E=MC2.

1986-Number 11 single.

Best Bit-At 3.37.You don’t have to be a Albert Einstein to work out how good this song is.

Big Audio Dynamite were formed in London, England, in 1984 by Mick Jones after his dismissal from The Clash (see also best songs 294 and 638,) where he had been the lead guitarist.Jones is the bands one constant, they were active between 1984-1997, but did reform to tour in 2011.

‘E=MC2’ was co-written by Jones, and original ‘BAD’ band member Don Letts, who provided the majority of the lyrics.The song is a tribute to the film director Nicholas Roeg (1928-2018,) the lyrics refer to several of his films, including ‘Performance,”Walkabout,”The Man Who Fell To Earth,’ and ‘Bad Timing.’ The samples of dialogue are taken from the 1970 film ‘Performance,’ which starred Mick Jagger, and James Fox.The song is named after Albert Einstein’s formula that made nuclear power possible (E=MC2,) Einstein is one of the four characters portrayed in the 1985 film ‘Insignificance,’ along with Marilyn Monroe, Joseph McCarthy, and Joe DiMaggio, three other iconic figures from history.

‘Space guy fell from the sky, scratched my head, and wondered why.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

868-Tony Bennett-I Left My Heart in San Francisco.

1962-Number 25 single.

Best Bit-At 0.45.The very last of the ‘Classic Crooners.’

‘I Left My Heart in San Francisco’ was originally written in 1953 by,at that time,the amateur song writing duo of Douglas Cross (lyrics,) and George Cory (music,) (1920-1978.) The song was first performed by the American Opera singer Claramae Turner (1920-2013,) as an encore, but she never got around to doing a studio recording.The song eventually came to the attention of Jazz Pianist, and arranger Ralph Sharon (1923-2015,) who had worked with Tony Bennett since 1958, He and Bennett were on tour, and Bennett first introduced the song when performing at the ‘San Francisco Fairmont Hotel,’ in December 1961.On May 15,1984, the song was adopted by the City, and County of San Francisco,’ as one of it’s two official anthems, the other being the ‘Theme from San Francisco,’ from the 1936 film ‘San Francisco.’

Tony Bennett was born Anthony Dominick Benedetto on August 3, 1926, in Long Island, New York, U.S. In order to honour Bennett on the occasion of his 90th birthday in 2016, the Fairmont Hotel where he first performed the song unveiled a statue of Bennett, and the songs history with San Francisco.

‘When I come home to you San Francisco, your golden sun will shine for me.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

869-Hank C. Burnette-Spinning Rock Boogie.

1976-Number 21 single.

Best Bit-At 2.17.If you could make a Rockabilly/Rock ‘N’ Roll noise on a kitchen sink, I’m sure it would have been added.

Hank C. Burnette was born on December 12th, 1944, in the little northern town of Sveg, in Sweden, he was christened Sven-Ake Kenneth Hogberg.

One of his early inspirations came about from seeing Elvis Presley perform on television, and he named his first band formed in the 1950’s, ‘Teddy & The Teddy Bears,’ after the Elvis song.His stage name came about in the early 1960’s, when Sven, and his then manager Larry Stevens chose ‘Hank,’ in tribute to Country singer Hank Williams, the ‘C’ is in honour of Chet Atkins, and ‘Burnette,’ is in acknowledgement of Rockabilly performer Johnny Burnette.

‘Spinning Rock Boogie’ was originally written in 1971, but didn’t become a hit until 1976, when shortened from it’s original four minutes plus, to just under three, and promoted by the ‘Sonet’ record label in Europe.Hank C. Burnette has recorded several Albums throughout his career, but this song remains as his only one to chart, to date.

‘Can’t stop, a keep Rockin’ kid.’