THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

780-Shabba Ranks-Trailer Load a Girls.

1991-Number 63 single.

Best Bit-At 0.14. 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 Saint Ann, Jamaica, and raised in Seaview Gardens, Kingston, Jamaica. Shabba Ranks who covers the genres of ‘Reggae,’ Dancehall,’ ‘Reggae Fusion,’ and ‘Ragga,’ was one of the most popular and successful Jamaican artists during the late 1980’s, and early 1990’s. His discography includes 13 studio Albums released between 1988-1998, and the compilation Album ‘Shabba Ranks and Friends,’ issued in 1998. Shabba Ranks has also released 18 singles between 1989-1997, several of them with featured artists, including Scritti Politti, Maxi Priest, and KRS-One. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, Shabba Ranks has charted within the top 40 on three occasions, with ‘Slow and Sexy’ featuring Johnny Gill, peaking the highest at Number 33 in 1992. In the UK he has had nine top 40 hits, with ‘Mr Loverman’ charting twice, the first time in 1992, with featured vocals by Deborahe Glasgow, (1966-1994) which reached Number 23, and after her death, the song was re-recorded with vocals by the Spanish singer Chevelle Franklyn, and this time it peaked at Number 3 in 1993.

Shabba Ranks who prior to finding fame, started his career in Jamaica by ‘toasting,’ (rapping) using the stage name ‘Co-Pilot. His 1990 song ‘Dem Bow’ uses a ‘riddim’ (rhythm) based on a track created in the late 1980’s by the Jamaican music producers ‘Steely & Clevie. The song ‘Dem Bow’ inspired a whole new music genre that would become known as ‘Reggaeton,’ and it is said that ‘Dem Bow’s’ riddim has been incorporated into over 80% of all Reggaeton productions. Reggaeton evolved from ‘Dancehall,’ and has been influenced by American ‘Hip-Hop,’ ‘Latin American,’ and ‘Caribbean Music.’ The vocals include rapping and singing, typically in Spanish. Reggaeton is now regarded as one of the most popular music genres in the Spanish speaking Caribbean, including in Puerto Rico, Panama, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Colombia, and Venezuela. By the 2010’s, the genre increased in popularity across Latin America, as well as within mainstream Western music.

In 1992 during an appearance on the British television Channel 4 music show ‘The Word,’ Shabba Ranks caused controversy for his homophobic remarks when asked by the shows presenter Mark Lamarr for his thoughts on the subject of the current single called ‘Boom Bye Bye,’ from the Jamaican artist ‘Buju Banton.’ Shabba Ranks held a copy of a Bible which he carried with him, and stated that the ‘Word of God’ advocated the ‘Crucifixion of homosexuals.’ Following these comments, Shabba Ranks had concerts he was to perform at cancelled, and his record label ‘Sony’ made amendments to his contract. Shabba Ranks subsequently apologised, after realising that his comments might advocate ‘The killing of gays and lesbians, and any human being in retrospect,’

‘Trailer Load a Girls’ was the first of three singles released by Shabba Ranks from his seventh studio Album ‘As Raw as Ever,’ from May 1991. The song was written by Cleveland ‘Clevie’ Browne, Wycliffe Johnson, and Greville Gordon, with the production being by Browne and Johnson. The Album reached Number 1 on the American Billboard ‘Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums’ chart in 1991, and Number 89 on the mainstream ‘Billboard 200’ Album chart. ‘Trailer Load a Girls’ like many ‘Rap’ records is full of boasts. The narrator tells us of his dominance in the Dancehall scene, and his ability to make women go crazy with his music, he also boasts about how much money he has got. The lyrics contain a lot of Jamaican slang terms, with the main message being about his success and power in the music industry.

‘Girls graduation. Woii Shabba, world of girls in container loads. Any man out deh weh nuh have no baby wait ’til dem dock up and Shabba clear them, you come fi some, lord a mercy. Girls, girls, everyday from London, Canada, and the USA. Girls, girls, everyday, crown Shabba king as fi dem DJ.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

781-Ram Jam-Black Betty.

1977-Number 7 single.

Best Bit-At 2.01. For many years I thought that ‘Headbanging’ was bad for you, in that it killed off brain cells, every time you partook, but after briefly reading up on the subject, it appears that it is a fairly safe activity, if done within reason.

‘Black Betty’ is a 20th Century Traditional African/American work song, whose author is unknown. 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 even a penitentiary transfer wagon. In their 1934 book ‘American Ballads and Folk Songs,’ the father and son, John A. Lomax, (1867-1948) and Alan Lomax, (1915-2002) who were authors of historical ‘Folk Music’ describe the origins of ‘Black Betty’ as thus.’Black Betty is not another ‘Frankie,’ (Frankie and Johnny is a traditional American Murder Ballad) nor yet a two-timing woman that a man can moan his blues about. She is the whip that was, and is used in some Southern prisons. A convict on the Darrington State Farm in Texas, where, by the way, whipping has been practically discontinued, laughed at Black Betty and mimicked her conversation in the song.’

The earliest known recording of ‘Black Betty’ was in 1933 by the African/American traditional Folk singer James ‘Iron Head’ Baker, (1884-1944) who performed the song acapella while he was incarcerated in ‘Huntsville Penitentiary,’ in Texas. In 1939 Huddie William Ledbetter, (1888-1949) who is better known by his stage name ‘Lead Belly,’ (see also best songs 431) incorporated ‘Black Betty’ in to a acapella medley with two other traditional work songs, and that is the version that ‘Ram Jam’ based their 1977 recording on.

The ‘Ram Jam’ version of ‘Black Betty’ was the brain child of Bill Bartlett who took Lead Belly’s 59 second long ‘Black Betty,’ and arranged, recorded and released it with his group ‘Starstruck.’ The song was heard by the music producers Jerry Kasenetz, and Jeffry Katz, who edited the song down, and quickly put together another group with Bartlett in it, calling them ‘Ram Jam,’ and re-releasing the song nationally. ‘Ram Jam’ were active between 1977-1978, with five official members. In that time they released two studio Albums, and a ‘Very Best of Ram Jam’ compilation in 1990, which was basically both of the studio Albums issued in one package, They also released four singles between 1977-1978, with only ‘Black Betty’ charting, when reaching Number 18 on Billboard in America, Number 7 in the UK, and Number 3 in Australia. In 1990 the Dutch music producer Ben Liebrand did a remix of ‘Black Betty,’ called the ‘Rough ‘n Ready’ remix, which made Number 13 in the UK. Other significant covers of ‘Black Betty’ are by the English Rock band Manfred Mann, who recorded the song as ‘Big Betty’ on their 1968 Album ‘Mighty Garvey!’ In 2004 the Australian Alternative Rock band ‘Spiderbait’ released their version of ‘Black Betty,’ which went all the way to Number 1 in Australia.

Bill Bartlett was born on February 28th, 1943, in South Harrow, Middlesex, England. Prior to joining ‘Ram Jam’ he had been a member of the mid 1960’s American Rock band ‘The Lemon Pipers,’ who are best remembered for their 1967 Billboard Number 1, and UK Number 7 song ‘Green Tambourine,’ making them ‘one hit wonders’ in America. It was after the demise of ‘The Lemon Pipers’ in 1969, that Bartlett went on to form ‘Starstruck.’

Jerry Kasenetz and Jeffry Katz who produced the Ram Jam version of ‘Black Betty,’ had previously developed, and had great success in the genre of ‘Bubblegum Pop,’ (see also best songs 1000) working together as the ‘Super K Productions’ company, manufacturing and producing bands such as ‘Kasenetz-Katz Singing Orchestral Circus,’ ‘The Music Explosion,’ ‘1910 Fruitgum Company,’ ‘Crazy Elephant,’ and ‘The Ohio Express.’

‘Whoa, Black Betty, bam-ba-lam. Whoa, Black Betty, bam-ba-lam.
Black Betty had a child, bam-ba-lam, the damn thing gone wild, bam-ba-lam. She said, I’m worryin’ outta mind, bam-ba-lam, the damn thing gone blind, bam-ba-lam.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

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

1965-Number 1 single. When it was re-issued in 1969 it reached Number 10, and when re-issued again in 1990, it made Number 3.

Best Bit-At 2.56. Bill Medley sings the whole of the first verse on his own, much to the annoyance of Booby 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” was written by the legendary songwriting team of the husband and wife, Barry Mann, and Cynthia Weil, (1940-2023) (see also best songs 568 and 257) the songs producer Phil Spector (1939-2021) is also given writing credit as was often his demand. Cynthia Weil has said,’Spector never really wrote, but instead ‘inspired’ songs.’ ‘You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ is considered to be among the best of Spector’s ‘Wall of Sound’ productions (see also best songs 820-737-262-192-127-91 and 20.)

Phil Spector first met Bill Medley, and Bobby Hatfield, (1940-2003) the duo who were the original ‘Righteous Brothers’ (see also best songs 91) in 1964, when the pair were performing on the same bill in San Francisco, where Spector was conducting the orchestra. Impressed with the pair, Spector asked them to sign to his ‘Philles Records’ label. All of the labels previous Spector productions had been with African/American singers, and the Righteous Brothers would be his first white vocal act. At that point the Righteous Brothers had only issued six previous singles, with their biggest success being their debut ‘Little Latin Lupe Lu,’ which had stalled at Number 49 on Billboard in 1963. Phil Spector commissioned Barry Mann, and Cynthia Weil to write a song for them, which would become ‘You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’.’ Mann and Weil freely admit taking inspiration from the then current Motown charting song ‘Baby I Need Your Loving,” by The Four Tops, and Mann took the opening line ‘You never close your eyes anymore when I kiss your lips,’ from his previous composition ‘I Love How You Love Me,’ (The Paris Sisters, 1961-Billboard Number 5) which includes the lyrics ‘I love how your eyes close whenever you kiss me.’

Bobby Hatfield was born Robert Lee Hatfield, on August 10th, 1940, in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, United States, he died on November 5th, 2003, in his sleep, at the age of 63. A toxicology report concluded that cocaine use had precipitated a fatal heart attack.The initial autopsy found that Hatfield had advanced coronary disease. The medical examiner stated that ‘In this case, there was already a significant amount of blockage in the coronary arteries.’ Bobby Hatfield first met Bill Medley in 1962, when both were performing with different groups, the pair would soon join forces later that year. 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, brother.’ The Righteous Brothers performed together until 1971, before reforming again in 1974, then they split again in 1976. Their final reformation was in 1986, which lasted through to Hatfield’s death in 2003. As a solo artist Bobby Hatfield released one solo Album ‘Messin’ In Muscle Shoals,’ in 1971, and eight singles between 1963-1972, with ‘”Only You (And You Alone’) from 1969, breaking in to the Billboard Hot 100 at Number 95.

‘You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin” is the only song to have been a top 10 hit on three separate occasions in the UK for the same artist. In 1999 the performing-rights organisation ‘Broadcast Music, Inc.’ (BMI) ranked the song as the most-played song on American radio and television in the 20th Century, having accumulated more than eight million airplays by 1999, and nearly 15 million by 2011, including all of the cover versions as well. The Righteous Brothers reached Number 1 on Billboard in America, and Number 1 in the UK with ”You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin,” but there have also been significant other hit versions as well. In 1965 the English singer Cilla Black (1943-2015) released her version of the song at the same time as the Righteous Brothers in the UK, with Cilla’s recording reaching Number 2. In 1969 Dionne Warwick made Number 16 on Billboard with her version, and in 1979, the English Blues singer Long John Baldry, (1941-2005) dueted with the American Blues singer Kathi McDonald, (1948-2012) with their recording reaching Number 2 in Australia. The American duo of Daryll Hall and John Oates recorded their cover of the song in 1980, which peaked at Number 12 on Billboard, like the Righteous Brothers, Hall & Oates were leading lights in the genre of ‘Blue Eyed Soul,’ and in recent years Hall & Oates took over the mantle of the worlds best selling duo, from the Righteous Brothers.

‘Baby, baby, I’d get down on my knees for you., if you would only love me like you used to do, yeah. We had a love, a love, a love you don’t find everyday, so don’t, don’t, don’t, don’t let it slip away.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

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

1990-Number 68 single. When it was re-issued in 1991 it peaked at Number 24.

Best Bit-At 0.13. I don’t know for sure, but it’s a fair bet that ‘The Railway Children’ took their name from the 1970 film of the same name.

The Railway Children were formed in Wigan, Greater Manchester, England, in 1984, by Gary Newby, (vocals, guitar, and keyboards,) Brian Bateman (rhythm guitar,) Guy Keegan, (drums) and Stephen Hull, (bass) the quartet were active through until 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 including Anna Tsuchiya, Every Little Thing, V6, Detroit Metal City, Sailor Moon, and Yoshikuni Douchin. After the band split in 1991, Guy Keegan joined the Wigan based ‘Folk/Rock’ band ‘The Tansads, while Brian Bateman, and Stephen Hull retired from music. In 2016 all four original members began rehearsing together, and went on to play several times, including in London, and Berlin, their official website states that they have not been active since 2019.

Commercially The Railway Children met with limited success, releasing four studio Albums between 1987-1997, with none of them reaching the UK top 40, although their debut Album ‘Reunion Wilderness,’ did make the Number 1 position on the ‘UK Independent Singles and Albums Charts.’ There are also five official compilation Albums available, of which the 2007, and 2010 releases ‘Rarities 1#’ and ‘Rarities 2#’ are only available by download. The Railway Children have also released 10 singles between 1986-2002, with only ‘Every Beat of the Heart’ reaching the UK top 40, while in America the song did reach Number 1 on the Billboard ‘Alternative Airplay’ chart.

‘Every Beat of the Heart’ was the first of three singles released from The Railway Children’s third studio Album ‘Native Place,’ from 1990. The song was written by Gary Newby, who also wrote all the other 11 tracks on the Album, with the production being by Steve Lovell, (-2021) and Steve Power. Along with the four members of The Railway Children, also playing on ‘Every Beat of the Heart’ was Matt Irving, (1950-2015) who provided additional keyboards. Irving had been a member of ‘ Manfred Mann’s Earth Band,’ between 1981-1986, and after leaving that group, he had played keyboards for acts including ‘Squeeze,’ Chris Rea,’ and Paul Young, he died in 2015 due to prostrate cancer.

Steve Power who co-produced ‘Every Beat of the Heart’ was born in Liverpool, England, and has been a record producer, and Mixer, since 1981. Power began his career working alongside local Liverpool bands ‘Frankie Goes To Hollywood,’ ‘Dead or Alive,’ ‘Black,’ and ‘A Flock of Seagulls,’ but he his best known for his work with Robbie Williams, (see also best songs 406) producing the first five of his studio Albums between 1997-2002, which have each sold over 2 million copies, helping make Robbie Williams the best selling British solo artist in the history of the United Kingdom.

‘Every Beat of the Heart’ 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 some angry sky behind me, but I don’t need you here to guide me. Identify too familiar ground, and I’ll keep away, I’ll keep away. I think I can control my need, but you’re so precious when you leave. Don’t demonstrate, its life and death, in front of me, in front of me.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

784-The Players Association-Turn the Music Up.

1979-Number 8 single.

Best Bit-At 4.26. ‘If you like it, I can play all night. If you like it, I can play all night.’ I used to take these lyrics for granted, until the ‘Covid 19’ pandemic set in.

The Players Association were formed as a studio group only, in New York City, United States, in 1977, by the drummer, and musical arranger Chris Hills, and the music producer Danny Weiss, they would remain active through until 1981. When required the duo would bring in some of the era’s top session musicians to perform on their records. In total The Players Association released five studio Albums between 1977-1981, and 11 singles in the same time period. Some of the groups recordings were cover versions, including the two single releases, ‘Disco Inferno,’ (1977) (see also best songs 184) and ‘Love Hangover (1977) (see also best songs 519.) but the majority of their songs were original compositions in the ‘Disco,’ and ‘Jazz Funk’ genres. The Players Association never had a hit on the American Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, but two of their tracks reached the Billboard ‘Dance Club Songs’ chart, with ‘We Got the Groove,’ peaking the highest at Number 18 in 1980. In the UK, only ‘Turn the Music Up’ made the top 40, but the follow up single ‘Ride the Groove’ just missed out, when reaching Number 42.

‘Turn the Music Up’ was the first of two singles released from The Players Association’s third studio Album of the same name from 1979. The song was co-written by Chris Hills, and Laurel Dann, (1947-2016) with the production being by Danny Weiss. As previously mentioned, The Players Association would bring in the best session musicians to record their songs, and these included Joe Farrell, (1937-1986) who was an American Jazz multi-instrumentalist, who primarily performed as a saxophonist and flautist. Farrell released 17 Albums between 1967-1985, and his other appearance on this ‘1000 Best Songs’ list, is playing the flute solo on Aretha Franklin’s 1973 hit ‘Until You Come Back to Me (That’s What I’m Gonna Do.’) (see also best songs 366.) Other musicians who contributed to The Players Association include David Sanborn, who is an American alto saxophonist, his vast discography includes the very memorable saxophone part that he played on David Bowie’s 1975 song ‘Young Americans’ (see also best songs 209.) Another was James Mtume, (1946-2022) who is probably best remembered as the founding member of the American ‘R&B’ group ‘Mtume,’ whose 1983 song ‘Juicy Fruit,’ which James Mtume wrote and produced, is repeatedly sampled in the ‘Hip-Hop’ community.

Chris Hills who was one of the two founding members of The Players Association is a singer, songwriter, producer, drummer, and keyboardist. Prior to forming The Players Association, he was a member of the early 1960’s American Funk band ‘Everything Is Everything, who with Hills as a member in 1965, would evolve in to ‘The Free Spirits,’ who have been credited with being among the first ‘Jazz/Rock’ groups. In 1975, just prior to the forming of The Players Association, Chris Hills and David Weiss co-wrote the song ‘Isn’t It A Dream Come True,’ which was recorded by Hills, and released on the ‘All Platinum’ record label.

‘Turn the music up, turn the music up, turn it up, party down, c’mon. You got your music up, turn it up party down, party down. Turn the music up, turn it up and party down. Turn the music up
yeah and party down, and party down down down down.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

785-Chris Brown featuring Benny Benassi-Beautiful People.

2011-Number 4 single.

Best Bit-At 3.08. This uplifting song makes you realise that everyone is beautiful, even the ugly people.

Christopher Maurice Brown (see also best songs 210) was born on May 5th, 1989, in Tappahaphock, Virginia, United States, it is estimated that his current record sales worldwide (at the time of writing) are in excess of 217 million, making him one of the very best selling artists of all time. To date he has issued 10 studio Albums between 2005-2022, one collaborative Album called ‘Fan of the Fan. The Album,’ in 2015, with the American Rapper ‘Tyga, (see also best songs 1038) and there are also nine ‘mixtapes’ available. Chris Brown holds the record of having achieved the most top 40 hits on Billboard in America of any R&B artist in history, and has also had the most American Billboard Hot 100 entries of any male singer in the history of that chart. In 2005 Chris Brown released his his first single ‘Run It’ featuring Juelz Santana, when the song topped the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, Brown became the first artist of the 21st Century to reach Number 1 with a debut single. In 2007 Brown appeared in the American dance drama film ‘Stomp the Yard,’ he has since gone on to appear in a further six films, the latest being ‘She Ball’ in 2020.

‘Beautiful People’ was the third of six singles released from Chris Brown’s fourth studio Album ‘F.A.M.E.’ from March 2011, ‘F.A.M.E.’ is a backronym of ‘Forgiving All My Enemies.’ The Album is Brown’s most critically acclaimed, and his best seller, with sales in America in excess of over 3 million copies sold. ‘Beautiful People was written by Chris Brown, with the production being by Benny Benassi and Alle Benassi. The song was a hit in 16 countries, although in America on Billboard it stalled at Number 43, though it did reach Number 1 on the Billboard ‘Dance Club Chart.’

Benny Benassi (see also best songs 1025) was born Marco Benassi on July 13th, 1967, in Reggio, Emila, Italy, he is a producer of ‘Electronic Dance Music,’ and also plays keyboards, and the synthesizer. Benassi first began working alongside his cousin Alle Benassi in the late 1980’s, creating music for various acts, including ‘Whigfield,’ ‘J.K.’ and ‘Ally & Jo.’ In 2001 Benny Benassi using the stage name ‘KMC,’ released the song ‘I Feel So Fine,’ which became his first commercially successful track, doing particularly well in his native Italy. His greatest success to date occurred in 2002 with ‘Satisfaction,’ which was written by Alle Benassi, and produced by Benny, the track was most successful in Australia, where it made Number 1, while in the UK it peaked at Number 2. Benny Benassi has released four studio Albums to date between 2003-2016, and there are six compilation Albums available. He has also issued 29 singles between 2002-2023, with ‘Satisfaction’ being the most successful.

‘Beautiful People’ appeared on ‘F.A.M.E.’ the fourth studio Album by Chris Brown, and also on ‘Electroman,’ the third studio Album from Benny Benassi, from June 2011. ‘Beautiful People’ sends out a positive message, Chris Brown 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.’

‘Take your time, take your time, take your sexy time. Don’t lose your head, lose your head, your beauty’s deep inside, inside you. Don’t let ’em bring you down, no, the beauty is inside you. Don’t let ’em bring you down, no, oh-whoa, don’t you know, don’t you know?’

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 on September 24th, 1931, in Homerton, London, England, he died on April 14th, 1999, from renal cancer at the age of 67. During his long and successful career, Anthony Newley was a singer, songwriter, actor, and filmmaker. He appeared in 49 films between 1944-1992, making a seamless transition from a child actor to an adult actor in the 1950’s, where he made 27 movies for ‘J. Arthur Rank,’ (1888-1972) who was the founder of the ‘Rank Organisation.’ In 1960, Newley created and starred in the British ‘ATV’ six part comedy series ‘The Strange World of Gurney Slade,’ which has over the years received a cult following, in the show, Newley’s character escapes from a television programme which is Gurney Slade itself, and the concept is now considered ahead of its time.

The discography of Anthony Newley includes 18 studio Albums that have been issued between 1955-2012, and there are also 25 official compilation Albums available. Anthony Newley has also released nine Albums of the recordings of the musicals that he was either the writer or the performer on, or both, between 1961-1994. He also released 23 singles, and four extended plays (EP’s) between 1959-1976. In the UK, 11 of those singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Why,’ (1960) and the follow up single ‘Do You Mind,’ (1960) both making the Number 1 spot. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, none of his songs ever reached the top 40, with ‘If She Should Come to You,’ from 1960, charting the highest at Number 67. Musically, Anthony Newley had even greater success as a songwriter, with his writing partner Leslie Bricusse, (1931-2021) among their many successes were when teaming up with John Barry, (1933-2011) to write the title theme for the 1964 ‘James Bond’ film ‘Goldfinger,’ which was performed by Shirley Bassey. Another notable song for the duo was ‘Feeling Good,’ which Newley co-wrote with Bricusse for the 1964 musical ‘The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd.’ ‘Feelin Good’ was recorded by Nina Simone (1933-2003) in 1965, becoming one of her signature tunes, the song was also recorded by the English Rock band ‘Muse,’ in 2001, reaching Number 24 on the UK top 40. In 1963 Newley, and Bricusse won the ‘Grammy Award for Song of the Year,’ for having penned ‘What Kind of Fool Am I?’ which had been written for the 1962 musical ‘Stop the World – I Want to Get Off.’ The pair also wrote the music for the 1971 musical fantasy film ‘Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory,’ from which the song ‘Candy Man’ first appeared, and when it was recorded as a single by Sammy Davis Jr. (1925-1990) in 1972, it became a Billboard Hot 100 Number 1 in America.

‘Why’ was co-written by Bob Marcucci, (1930-2011) and Peter De Angelis (1929-1982) and was originally recorded by the American singer Frankie Avalon in 1959, the song was the last Billboard Number 1 single of the 1950’s. and the first of the 1960’s. In the UK, Avalon’s version stalled at Number 20, with the recording by Anthony Newley proving far more successful by going all the way to Number 1 in February 1960. ‘Why’ was also covered by the American singer Donny Osmond in 1972, who at the age of 15, took his recording to Number 13 on Billboard, and Number 3 in the UK.

Bob Marcucci was born Robert Phillip Marcucci, on February 28, 1930, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, he died on March 9th, 2011, of respiratory complications and severe infections, at the age of 81. Marcucci was the owner of ‘Chancellor Records,’ and his two big signings were Frankie Avalon, and later Fabian Forte, both of whom Marcucci turned in to ‘teen idols’ for a while. The 1980 musical drama film ‘The Idolmaker,’ is loosely based on Marcucci’s life in the music industry.

‘No broken hearts for us, ’cause we love each other, and with our faith and trust there could be no other. Why? ‘Cause I love you, Why? ‘Cause you love me.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

787-Nomad featuring MC Mikee Freedom- (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 the ex Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

Nomad were the short lived ‘House Music’ trio of Damon Rochefort, Steve McCutcheon, and vocalist Sharon D. Clarke, they took their stage name from Rochefort’s first name, as ‘Damon’ spelt backwards is ‘Nomad.’ As Nomad the trio released one Album, ‘Changing Cabins’ in 1991, and there have been eight singles issued between 1989-2003, which includes new remixes of ‘(I Wanna Give You) Devotion,’ in 1995, (UK Number 42) and also in 2003 (UK Number 179.) In the UK they have charted twice within the top 40, with the other hit single being ‘Just a Groove,’ which reached Number 16 in 1991. Two of their tracks have reached the Billboard ‘Dance Club’ chart, with ‘(I Wanna Give You) Devotion,’ making Number 1, and ‘Something Special’ from 1991, reaching Number 37.

‘(I Wanna Give You) Devotion,’ was the second of four singles released from ‘Changing Cabins,’ the only studio Album issued by Nomad, in 1991.The song was co-written by Damon Rochefort, and Steve McCutcheon, and the Bristol, England, born Rapper, MC Mikee Freedom, who wrote and performed the ‘Rap’ vocals on the track. The song which was produced by Rochefort, had nine off official remixes, and made the top 40 in 12 European countries, including Greece, where it reached the Number 1 position. In the UK it was the 23rd best selling single of 1991, with sales of around 200,000 copies.

All three members of Nomad went on to great success after they parted company. Steve McCutcheon who was born on January 15th, 1972, in Chertsey, Surrey, England, and is now better known as Steve Mac, is one of the most successful songwriters and producers since the mid 1990’s in British Pop Music. To date he has contributed to 30 UK Number 1 singles, working with numerous artists, including Calvin Harris, Westlife, Susan Boyle, and Little Mix. His biggest success has been with the Irish boy band ‘Westlife,’ having co-written, or co-produced nine of their UK Number 1 singles, he also co-wrote, and co-produced ‘Shape of You,’ which spent 14 weeks at Number 1 in the UK in 2017 for Ed Sheeran. In total Steve Mac has worked on songs that have sold in excess of 200 million copies worldwide.

Damon Rochefort was born in 1965 in Cardiff, Wales, after ‘Nomad,’ he continued writing and producing for artists including Kim Wilde, and La Toya Jackson. In 1995 he switched to script writing, going on to write several episodes of the British sit com ‘Birds of a Feather.’ Since 2004 he has written around 200 episodes of the British soap opera ‘Coronation Street,’ including the landmark episodes of Deirdre Barlow’s funeral, and the aftermath of the shows 50th anniversary’s live tram crash. Sharon D. Clarke MBE, (see also best songs 414) was born on August 12th, 1966, in Enfield, London, England, she is a three-time ‘Olivier Award’ winner, and is best known to television audiences for her role as Lola Griffin in the British medical drama ‘Holby City,’ and also as Grace O’Brien in ‘Doctor Who.’ She has played leading roles in many West End Musicals, including being the original ‘Killer Queen’ in ‘We Will Rock You,’ and Oda Mae Brown in ‘Ghost the Musical.’

In 2010 Steve Mac spoke about (‘I Wanna Give You) Devotion,’ which was the first song he ever wrote,’It was a real accident. I just remember struggling to get the drums right. I didn’t really know how to work the sequencer properly. I didn’t have that much knowledge of what I was doing, and I think if I had then it wouldn’t have been as good a track. I love the naiveté of what I was doing back then, and I miss that a little bit now.’

”Cause a frightnin’ nightmare can terrorise, poll tax came and up went the rise. Open your eyes and realise, I’m a truly disguise, like hawk the slayer, he came and caught me, 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 1.57. 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.

Kurt Donald Cobain (see also best songs 9) was born on February 20th, 1967, in Aberdeen, Washington, United States, he died on April 5th, 1994, from a self-inflicted shotgun wound to the head, at the age of 27. Kurt Cobain formed Nirvana with Krist Novoselic, and Aaron Burckhard, in 1987. Burckahard was the bands first drummer, but would leave in October 1987, while Novoselic, would remain a member of Nirvana, through until when the band was retired, following the death of Kurt Cobain. Although Cobain always denied it, the music press heralded him as a ‘spokesman for his generation,’ and he is highly recognised as one of the most influential ‘Alternative Rock’ musicians of all time. During the last years of his life, Kurt Cobain struggled with a heroin addiction, and chronic health problems, such as depression. In March 1994, he overdosed on a combination of champagne, and Rohypnol, after which he underwent a detox program, but less than a month later he was found dead, from committing suicide.

Krist Anthony Novoselic was born on May 16th, 1965, in Compton, California, United States, he was the bass player for Nirvana from their forming in 1987, through until the band were retired in 1994. He is one of the groups classic line up, which also included Dave Grohl, (see also best songs 999-292 and 9) who was the groups drummer between 1990-1994. Prior to Grohl joining the group, Nirvana had used six previous drummers between 1987-1989. After the death of Kurt Cobain, Novoselic co-formed the band ‘Sweet 75,’ with the Venezuelan musician Yva Las Vegass in 1995, releasing a single, and a self-titled album in 1997. In 2002 Novoselic once again joined forces with Dave Grohl, providing backing vocals on ‘Walking a Line,’ from the Foo Fighters fourth studio Album ‘One by One,’ and then again in 2011, on the Foo Fighter seventh studio Album ‘Wasting Light,’ he played the bass and accordion on the track ‘I Should Have Known.’

‘Lithium’ was the third of four singles released from Nirvana’s second Album ‘Nevermind,’ from September 1991, the song was written by Kurt Cobain, and produced by Butch Vig, (see also best songs 641-421 and 9) in America on the Billboard Hot 100, the song stalled at Number 64, but did chart within the top 40 on the Billboard ‘Mainstream Rock,’ and ‘Alternative Airplay’ charts. Speaking about the song ‘Lithium’ Kurt Cobain 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 also 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.

‘I’m so happy ’cause today I’ve found my friends they’re in my head. I’m so ugly, that’s okay, ’cause so are you. Broke our mirrors, Sunday morning is everyday for all I care, and I’m not scared. Light my candles in a daze, ’cause I’ve found God.’

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 it reached Number 23.

Best Bit-At 0.18. 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, having suffered from diabetes, and hypertension for a long period, his age was reported to be either 67 or 64. Junior Murvin’s first recorded under the stage name of ‘Junior Soul,’ on the ‘Gayfleet’ record label, he then recorded a track called ‘Solomon,’ for the ‘Crystal’ record label, which became a minor local hit in 1972. Prior to finding greater success, he also performed as a member of the ‘Hippy Boys,’ and later the’ Mighty Falcons,’ and the ‘Tornadoes,’ in Kingston’s nightclubs, and tourist hotels. The discography of Junior Murvin includes eight Albums issued between 1977-2007.

Junior Murvin had auditioned for Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry on previous occasions, but always without success. In 1976 he once again approached Perry, now with his song ‘Police and Thieves,’ and this time Perry agreed to work with him. ‘Police and Thieves’ was co-written by Junior Murvin, and Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, who added new lyrics, with the production also being by Perry, the track would later appear on Murvin’s debut Album of the same name, from April 1977. ‘Police and Thieves’ was first released as a single in Jamaica in May 1976, as ‘Police and Thief,’ and then in the UK in July 1976, as ‘Police and Thieves.’ Perry brought in some of Jamaica’s finest musicians to play on the track, including Boris Gardiner, (bass) Ernest Ranglin, (guitar) Sly Dunbar, (drums) and Keith Sterling, (keyboards) and together, and with others, they recorded and mixed different versions of the song with different lyrics. ‘Police and Thieves’ is a song about gang warfare, and police brutality.

Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry was born Rainford Hugh Perry, on March 20th, 1936, in Kendal, Hanover, Jamaica, he died on August 29th, 2021, from an unspecified illness, at the age of 85. Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry was a leading player in the development of ‘Dub Music’ in the 1970’s, and in 1973 he built his own recording studio called ‘The Black Ark,’ which was situated behind his family’s home, in the Washington Gardens neighbourhood of Kingston, Jamaica. Although much of the equipment he used was not state of the art, Perry still gained a reputation for his innovative sounds and recording techniques in the latter half of the 1970’s. Among the artists who recorded there were Bob Marley, The Heptones, and Max Romeo. Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry issued 79 Albums between 1969-2021, and there are also seven official compilation Albums available. In 1977 Perry produced the single ‘Complete Control,’ for the English Rock band ‘The Clash,’ which reached Number 28 in the UK charts.

‘Police and Thieves’ was not a hit when first issued in the UK, but still became an anthem, as the ‘Notting Hill Carnival’ of 1976 erupted into a riot. Joe Strummer, (1952-2002) and Paul Simonon, who had just formed ‘The Clash’ (see also best songs 867-638 and 294) had been caught up in the rioting, 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 hearing The Clash version, Junior Murvin said,’They have destroyed Jah work.’ ‘Police and Thieves’ finally became a hit in the UK in 1980 for Junior Murvin, after being chosen as one of the tracks for the 1978 Jamaican film ‘Rockers.,’ It was also brought to the attention of a new generation, when used again in the 1998 British black comedy crime film ‘Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels,’

‘From Genesis to Revelation yeah, and next generation will be, hear me. All the crimes committed day by day, no one try to stop it in any way. All the peacemakers turn war officers, hear what I say, hehehehehehehey. Police and thieves in the street, fighting the nation with their guns and ammunition.’