THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

812-Michael Jackson-Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough.

1979-Number 3 single.

Best Bit-At 2.56. A tip for those who choose this as their karaoke song. There are two ‘ooh’s’ at 4.27, as opposed to just the one at 2.18. You must also work your way through the minefield of vocal tics, and hiccups, and occasional grunts.

Michael Joseph Jackson was born on August 29th, 1958, in Gary, Indiana, United States, he died on June 25th, 2009, from cardiac arrest, caused by a Propofol and Benzodiazepine overdose, administered to him by Conrad Murray, his personal physician. Murray was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in Jackson’s death for having inadvertently overdosed him with a powerful surgical anesthetic, Propofol, which was being improperly used as a bedtime sleep agent. Murray served roughly two years out of his original four-year prison sentence.

With record sales in excess of 400 million copies, Michael Jackson (see also best songs 511-249-191 and 137) is amongst the very elite best selling artists of all time, and he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th Century, he is fondly referred to as the ‘King of Pop.’ The discography of Michael Jackson as a solo artist includes 10 studio Albums released between 1972-2001, of which the first four were on ‘Motown’ records, and 77 singles issued as either the lead or featured artist between 1971-2023, his first 14 solo singles were all released on ‘Motown’ records, between 1971-1978. There are also 19 official compilation Albums, and one soundtrack Album available. In America on Billboard, and also in the UK, all of his last five Album releases reached Number 1, with his 1982 Album ‘Thriller,’ with sales in excess of 70 million copies worldwide, being the best selling Album of all time. On the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, Michael Jackson has had 40 top 40 hits, with 13 of those tracks making Number 1, including ‘Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough,’ while in the UK, as a solo artist he has charted within the top 40 on 54 occasions, with seven of those tracks reaching the Number 1 spot. For the discography of The Jackson 5, and the Jacksons, see best songs 137.

‘Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough’ was the first of five singles released from Michael Jackson’s fifth solo studio Album ‘Off the Wall,’ from August 1979, the song was written by Michael Jackson, and co-produced by Jackson, and Quincy Jones (see also best songs 1022-889-703-511-357 and 191.) ‘Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough,’ and it’s parent Album ‘Off the Wall,’ are a defining moment in the career of Michael Jackson, as it was the first time in over a decade of recording that he had full creative control over his own output. Michael Jackson had met Quincy Jones in 1978, when both had been working on the film ‘The Wiz,’ where Jackson was playing the part of the ‘Scarecrow,’ and Jones was serving as the musical supervisor, and music producer. It was there that Jackson asked Jones if he could recommend anyone to work alongside him on his future solo career. Jones would work with Jackson on his next three studio Albums,’Off the Wall, (1979) ‘Thriller,’ (1982) and ‘Bad’ (1987.)

The musicians who appeared on ‘Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough,’ include Jim Gilstrap on backing vocals, Louis Johnson, (1955-2015) (see also best songs 1022 and 889) on bass, and Sheila E. (see also best songs 1045) on percussion. Also playing synthesizers, was Greg Phillinganes, who would go on to work with Michael Jackson on his next three studio Albums, he also worked on dozens of other major artists records as well. Greg Phillinganes claims that he made significant contributions to the development of ‘Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough,’ and that it was agreed that he would receive 10% of the royalties, however he was later informed that his contribution would merely be considered as an arrangement of the song. Quincy Jones has backed Phillinganes, saying,’He wrote the C section, Michael should’ve given him 10% of the song. Wouldn’t do it.’

It is said that when Jackson’s mother, Katherine, who is a devout ‘Jehovah’s Witness,’ first heard ‘Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough,’ she was shocked by the lyrical content, and felt that the title could be misconstrued as pertaining to sexual activity. Jackson reassured her that the song was not a reference to sex, but could mean whatever people wanted it to.

‘Lovely is the feelin’ now, fever, temperatures risin’ now. Power (oh power) is the force the vow, that makes it happen. It asks no questions why, (ooh) so get closer (closer now) to my body now. Just love me ’til you don’t know how (ooh.’)

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

813-Lethal Bizzle featuring Diztortion-Fester Skank.

2015-Number 11 single.

Best Bit- 0.08. Has Maverick Sabre suddenly become a household name, or is it that he just rhymes nicely with irrelevant pager.

Lethal Bizzle was born Maxwell Owusu Ansah, on September 14th, 1984, in Walthamstow, London, England, he is of Ghanaian origin. He first found chart success in 2002, as part of the ‘More Fire Crew,’ who were early ‘Grime’ artists, and reached Number 8 in the UK singles chart with their debut single ‘Oi!.’ As part of the ‘More Fire Crew,’ Lethal Bizzle would release an Album, and two further singles, between 2002-2003. In December 2004, he released his first solo single,’Pow (Forward,’) although it was a solo effort, it has got nine featured artists on it. In total Lethal Bizzle has issued 29 singles as the lead artist, and has appeared on a further four as a featured artist between 2004-2017. He has also released three solo studio Albums between 2005-2009, and there is one official compilation Album, and one Mixtape also available. In the UK, 11 of his singles have reached the top 40, with three of them including ‘Fester Skank,’ all peaking at Number 11.

As part of the ‘More Fire Crew,’ Lethal Bizzle was one of the first artists to find success with the genre of ‘Grime’ music, and then as a solo artist he has experimented, by introducing ‘Hip-Hop,’ and commercial ‘Dance Music,’ which has seen him have further success’. ‘Grime’ is a genre of Electronic Dance Music (‘EDM’) that emerged in London in the early 2000’s. It developed out of the earlier UK Dance style ‘UK garage,’ and draws influences from Jungle, Dancehall, and Hip-Hop. The style is typified by rapid, syncopated break-beats, generally at around 140 beats per minute, and often features an aggressive or jagged electronic sound. Emceeing is a significant element of the style, and lyrics often revolve around gritty depictions of urban life. ‘Grime’ initially spread among pirate radio stations, and underground scenes, before achieving some mainstream recognition in the UK during the mid-2000’s, through artists such as Dizzee Rascal, (see also best songs 652 and 138) Kano, and Wiley. By the late 2000’s ‘Grime’ had begun to enter into a decline, with many of it’s artists realising that if they wanted mainstream success, then they would have to branch out in to a more commercial sound, with artists such as ‘Wiley’ finding great success with ‘Wearing My Rolex,’ (UK-Number 2, 2008) and Tinchy Stryder, ‘Never Leave You,’ (UK-Number 1, 2009) with both tracks benefiting from a more radio friendly sound. It was Lethal Bizzle who said,’If you want to be a millionaire, don’t make ‘Grime’ music.’

‘Fester Skank’ was co-written by Lethal Bizzle, and Diztortion, with the production being by Diztortion. The song was released as a stand alone single, and there are several official remixes of the track, including the mix featuring Stormzy, Chip, Fuse ODG, and Wretch 32 (see also best songs 826) which also has it’s own promotional video. ‘Diztortion’ was born Raoul Lionel Chen, on November 2nd, 1990, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, he is a songwriter and music producer, and has been a long term collaborator with Lethal Bizzle. He has also written and produced for other high profile artists including Tinie Temah, and Stormzy.

The idea for Fester Skank came about after someone commented on Lethal Bizzle doing a silly dance for a ‘YouTube’ video, they commented that Lethal Bizzle looked like Uncle Fester from the ‘Addams Family.’ Lethal Bizzle has said,’The record itself was made in such an organic way, it was born out of my producer Distortion uploading a video of me doing a silly dance to the song on to YouTube, and someone saying I looked like Uncle Fester in the comments. I had a feeling it would take off, just by the reaction of the dance.’

‘I do things major, you’re irrelevant, pager. I’m a maverick, Sabre. You man are bankrupt, Fazer. Pree’ing me is essential, stay gassed up, petrol. It’s a new dance, no Tango, anywhere I go, I make the gang go.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

814-Black Sabbath-Paranoid.

1970-Number 4 single.

Best Bit-At 0.01. In his book ‘Iron Man: My Journey through Heaven and Hell with Black Sabbath,’ Tony Iommi said that he and Ozzy Osbourne probably had no idea what the word ‘paranoid’ even meant at that time. They left the lyrics to bassist Geezer Butler, they considered him the intelligent one.

Black Sabbath were formed in Birmingham, England, in 1968, by Tony Iommi, (guitar) Bill Ward, (drums) Terence ‘Geezer’ Butler, (bass) and John ‘Ozzy’ Osbourne (vocals.) When first forming they chose the stage name ‘The Polka Tulk Blues Band,’ the name being taken either from a brand of talcum powder, or an Indian, or Pakistani clothing shop, the exact origin is not fully known. At that time Jimmy Phillips, (guitar) and Alan ‘Aker’ Clarke, (saxophone) were also members, but they were soon dismissed by the other four. As a quartet, they changed their stage name to ‘Earth,’ but on realising that there was already another group using that name, they finally decided on ‘Black Sabbath,’ taking the name from the 1963 horror film ‘Black Sabbath.’ It was Geezer Butler who thought that if people were willing to spend their money on watching scary movies, then they would also be willing to spend their money on horror themed songs as well.

Black Sabbath remained active until the group were retired in 2017, (they were on hiatus in 1985, and also between 1996-1997, and again between 2006-2011) but during that time there were several different line ups, with Tony Iommi being the bands one constant. In total there have been 23 different members, which have included such high profile names as Ronnie James Dio, (1942-2010) (see also best songs 976) Ian Gillan, and Cozy Powell (1947-1998.) Black Sabbath are considered one of the most influential Heavy Metal bands of all time, with the American ‘Rolling Stone’ magazine writing that they ‘changed music forever,’ and they have also called the band ‘the Beatles of Heavy Metal.’

Black Sabbath are one of the best selling Heavy Metal acts of all time, with sales in excess of 70 million records sold worldwide. Their discography includes 19 studio Albums released between 1970-2013, and 37 singles issued between 1970-2014, there are also 13 official compilation Albums, and eight live Albums available. In the UK, six of their singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Paranoid’ giving them their only top 20 hit, while in America on the Billboard Hot 100, they have never charted within the top 40, with ‘Paranoid’ stalling at Number 61.

John Michael “Ozzy” Osbourne was born on December 3rd, 1948, in Marston Green, Warwickshire, England, as the lead singer of Black Sabbath, he became known by the nickname ‘Prince of Darkness.’ Ozzy Osbourne was a founding member of Black Sabbath in 1968, and remained with the band until being fired in 1979, due to alcohol and drug problems. He did reunite with his fellow band members on several occasions later, including providing vocals on Black Sabbath’s final studio Album in 2013, and touring with the group on their last tour in 2017, including the bands final ever performance in their hometown of Birmingham. Since 1979 as a solo artist, Ozzy Osbourne has sold in excess of 30 million records worldwide, which includes 13 studio Albums released between 1980-2022, and 65 singles as either the lead, or featured artist between 1980-2023. In the UK, 10 of those singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Changes,’ featuring his daughter Kelly Osbourne making Number 1 in 2003. In 2002 Ozzy Osbourne became known to a much wider audience when he became a reality television star, appearing as himself in the ‘MTV’ reality show ‘The Osbournes,’ alongside his wife and manager Sharon, and two of their three children, Kelly and Jack. The show ran for 52 episodes, over four seasons, through until 2005.

‘Paranoid’ was the first of two singles released from Black Sabbath’s second studio Album of the same name from September 1970, it was written by all four members of Black Sabbath at that time, with the production being by Rodger Bain, who was the producer of all the first three Black Sabbath studio Albums, as well as producing for other Heavy Metal acts, notably Judas Priest, and Budgie. Tony Iommi has explained how ‘Paranoid’ came about,’The song was written as a filler for the album, it was never intended on being anything else. But it became a single because it was a short song, and because it became what it did, most people knew us because of ‘Paranoid’ in them days.’ Geezer Butler who wrote the lyrics for ‘Paranoid’ has said,’Basically, it’s just about depression, because I didn’t really know the difference between depression and paranoia. It’s a drug thing, when you’re smoking a joint you get totally paranoid about people, you can’t relate to people. There’s that crossover between the paranoia you get when you’re smoking dope, and the depression afterwards.’

‘Make a joke and I will sigh, and you will laugh and I will cry. Happiness, I cannot feel, and love to me is so unreal. And so as you hear these words telling you now of my state, I tell you to enjoy life, I wish I could but it’s too late.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

815-Herb Alpert-This Guy’s in Love with You.

1968-Number 3 single.

Best Bit-At 2.16. Even my musically uneducated ears can tell that he is a lot better trumpeter than a singer.

Herb Alpert was born on March 31st, 1935, in Los Angeles, California, to date he has sold in excess of 72 million records worldwide, he was also the co-founder of ‘A&M Records’ in 1962, with Jerry Moss. As a songwriter, Herb Alpert achieved his first hit as the co-writer of ‘Baby Talk,’ with Lou Adler, which reached Number 10 in America on the Billboard Hot 100, when recorded by Jan and Dean in 1959. In 1962, he teamed up with Jerry Moss to form ‘Carnival Records,’ but after the labels first two single releases, they found out that another label was already using that name, and so they changed to ‘A&M,’ taking the first initial from each of their surnames, among the dozens of household names who have recorded on ‘A&M’ are, ‘The Carpenters,’ The Police,’ and ‘Supertramp.’ In 1989, Herb Alpert, and Jerry Moss, sold the record label to ‘Polygram’ for $500 million, and then they received a further $200 million in 1998.

The discography of Herb Alpert includes 44 studio Albums released between 1962-2022, and 88 singles issued between 1958-1997. In America on Billboard, five of his Albums have reached the Number 1 position, and 19 of his singles have made the Billboard Hot 100 top 40 singles chart, with two of those tracks,’This Guy’s in Love with You,’ (1968) and ‘Rise, (1979) both making the Number 1 spot. Herb Alpert is one of only two artists in Billboard history to have had a Number 1 vocal, and Number 1 instrumental hit, on the Hot 100 singles chart, the other artist is Barry White (1944-2003) (see also best songs 560-476 and 153.) In the UK, Herb Alpert has charted within the top 40 singles chart on eight occasions, with ‘Spanish Flea,’ (1966) and ‘This Guy’s in Love with You,’ (1968) both peaking the highest at Number 3.

‘This Guy’s in Love with You,’ was the only single released from Herb Alpert’s 10th studio Album ‘The Beat of the Brass,’ from May 1968. The song was written by the legendary song writing team of Burt Bacharach, (1928-2023) who wrote the music, and Hal David, (1921-2012) who wrote the lyrics, (see also best songs 902-832-740-644 and 224) the song was produced by Herb Alpert, and Jerry Moss.

Hal David was born Harold David Lane on May 25th, 1921, in New York City, United States, he died on September 1st, 2012, from a stroke at the age of 91. Hal David who was the younger brother of the lyricist and songwriter Mack David, (1912-1993) first tasted success in the 1940’s, writing material for the bandleaders Sammy Kaye, (1910-1987) and Guy Lombardo (1902-1977.) Hal David first began working with Burt Bacharach in 1956, and together they composed their first Number 1 single in the UK in 1958, when the Michael Holliday (1924-1963) recording of ‘The Story of My Life’ topped the chart. That song was then replaced at Number 1 by ‘Magic Moments,’ sung by Perry Como, (1912-2001) making Burt Bacharach and Hal David the first song writing duo to have back to back Number 1 singles in the UK. Hal David has also had great success working with other composers, including Albert Hammond, and Sherman Edwards, (1919-1981) and he has also provided the lyrics to three ‘James Bond’ film themes.

Prior to the release of ‘This Guy’s in Love with You,’ Herb Alpert’s previous output had consisted of instrumental songs recorded with ‘The Tijuana Brass Band.’ In 1968 Herb Alpert was asked to perform on a ‘CBS’ television special to be called ‘The Beat of the Brass,’ and in order to get some new material, he approached Burt Bacharach, and asked him if he happened to have any old compositions lying around that he and Hal David had never recorded. Herb Alpert had no intention of releasing ‘This Guy’s in Love with You’ as a single, but after numerous viewers telephoned the network following the broadcast with positive remarks, Herb Alpert decided to release the song as a single. ‘This Guy’s in Love with You’ went on to top the Billboard Hot 100 in America for weeks, giving ‘A&M’ Records their first Number 1 single, and also giving Bacharach and David their first Billboard chart topper as well.

‘Tell me now, is it so, don’t let me be the last to know. My hands are shakin,’ don’t let my heart keep breaking, ’cause, I need your love, I want your love, say you’re in love, in love with this guy, if not I’ll just die.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

816-John Cooper Clarke-Evidently Chickentown.

1980-It has never been released as a single in the UK.

Best Bit-At 0.49. It’s a bloody good song.

John Cooper Clarke was born on January 25th, 1949, in Salford, Lancashire, England, he is a ‘performance poet,’ who is often referred to as ‘The bard of Salford,’ and he usually refers to himself on stage as ‘Johnny Clarke, the name behind the hairstyle.’ Clarke first found success during the ‘Punk Rock’ era in the late 1970’s, when he would tour, often opening for some of the biggest names of the day, including the Sex Pistols, Elvis Costello, and Siouxsie and the Banshees. Clarke has cited his school English teacher, John Malone as an inspiration, describing him as, ‘A real outdoor guy, an Ernest Hemingway type, red blooded, literary bloke.’ He has also declared the English poet Sir Henry Newbolt’ (1862-1938) as an inspiration. Clarke has also attributed his early success in part to the English poet Pam Ayres, who he watched perform on the British television talent show ‘Opportunity Knocks’ in 1975.

The discography of John Cooper Clarke includes seven Albums released between 1978-2018, and eight singles, or extended plays, issued between 1977-2012, there are also three official compilation Albums available. Clarke’s only charting single on the UK top 40 singles chart to date is ‘Gimmix! (Play Loud,’) which reached Number 39 in 1978. He has also issued two books of his poetry, which are ‘Ten Years in an Open Necked Shirt,’ (1983) and ‘The Luckiest Guy Alive’ (2018.)

‘Evidently Chickentown’ which was originally written as a poem, was set to music by Martin ‘Zero’ Hannett, (1948-1991) and Steve Hopkins, with Hannett producing, for John Cooper Clarke’s fourth studio Album ‘Snap, Crackle & Bop,’ from 1980. The musicians on the Album were ‘The Invisible Girls,’ who were a British Rock band, formed in Salford, Greater Manchester in 1978, which included Martin Hannett, (bass guitar) and Steve Hopkins (keyboards.) The Invisible Girls’ were initially formed as the backing band of John Cooper Clarke, and between 1978-1982, other artists, including Paul Burgess, (drums) Vin Reilly, (guitar) and Pete Shelley, (1955-2018) (guitar) also performed with ‘The Invisible Girls,’ releasing four Albums, and four singles in that time period.

Martin Hannett was born James Martin Hannett on May 31st, 1948, in Manchester, England, in later life his health and career declined due to his heavy use of alcohol and drugs, especially Heroin, He died as a result of a heart attack on April 18th, 1991, at the age if 42. Hannett who is best remembered for his innovative music production, was the producer of the ‘Spiral Scratch’ EP, by the English Punk Rock group the ‘Buzzcocks,’ which was one of the very first releases by a British Punk band, in October 1976. Other career highlights for Hannett include co-producing ‘Love Will tear Us Apart,’ for Joy Division, (1980) and ’11 O’Clock Tick Tock,’ for U2 (1980.) In total he produced three Albums for John Cooper Clarke, and for a list of the other songs on this ‘best 1000 songs’ that Hannett produced (see also best songs 1016 and 619.)

‘Evidently Chickentown’ uses repeated profanity in order to get it’s message across about how tough, and often mundane, suburban life can be. The repeated use of ‘bloody,’ is a method used by Clarke to covey his frustration throughout the song. Sometimes when performing the song live, Clarke will substitute the word ‘bloody,’ for the word ‘f..k.’ The lyrics to ‘Evidently Chickentown’ bare more than a passing resemblance to an earlier work titled ‘The Bloody Orkneys,’ written by the author and journalist Andrew Blair in 1952, under the pseudonym ‘Captain Hamish Blair,’ Clarke has said that he ‘Didn’t consciously copy it. But I must have heard that poem, years ago. It’s terrific.’

‘Evidently Chickentown’ has appeared in films and television programmes over the years, including in Danny Boyle’s 2001 film ‘Strumpet,’ and in Jacques Audiard’s 2012 film ‘Rust and Bone,’ but the song is probably best remembered for it’s use in the 2007 penultimate episode of the American television drama ‘The Sopranos.’ Sean O’Neal of the American online newspaper ‘The A.V. Club’ wrote that the song,’Ranks as one of the show’s sharpest and most effective musical moments, somehow capturing the vexation of a New York mafia guy with the words of a British punk who’s complaining about flat beer and cold chips.’

‘The bloody pubs are bloody dull. The bloody clubs are bloody full of bloody girls and bloody guys, with bloody murder in their eyes. A bloody bloke got bloody stabbed, waiting for a bloody cab.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

817-Dillinger-Cokane in My Brain.

1976-It has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 2.08. You can not learn your ‘A-B-C’ with kitchen utensils alone.

Dillinger was born Lester Randal Bullock, on June 25th, 1953, in Kingston, Jamaica, he was part of what has become known as the second wave of ‘DeeJay Toasters,’ who rose to prominence in the mid 1970’s in Jamaica. Dillinger first gained exposure in the early 1970’s, when performing as a DJ (Toaster) on a ‘sound system,’ calling himself ‘Dennis Alcapone Jr.’ in honour of one of his early influences, Dennis Alcapone. Dillinger’s first recordings were produced by the legendary Jamaican music producer Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, (1936-2021) (see also best songs 789) but none of them met with any commercial success, it was Perry who gave Dillinger his stage name, naming him after the American gangster of the ‘Great Depression,’ John Dillinger (1903-1934.)

‘Cokane in My Brain’ was the third of four singles released from ‘CB200,’ which was the second studio Album by Dillinger, from 1976, and his first on ‘Island Records.’ All 10 tracks on the Album were written by Dillinger, and produced by Joseph “Jo Jo” Hoo Kim (1942-2018.) There were many big names from the world of ‘Reggae’ playing on the Album, including Sly Dunbar, (drums) Aston Francis Barrett, (bass) (see also best songs 618 and 56) and Ansel Collins (keyboards.)

Joseph “Jo Jo” Hoo Kim was born on December 10th, 1942, in Kingston, Jamaica, he died on September 20th, 2018, after suffering from liver cancer, at the age of 76. Joseph “Jo Jo” Hoo Kim was the oldest of four brothers, who were born to parents of Chinese heritage. The brothers were entrepreneurs, who in the 1960’s were involved in the Jukebox, and Slot Machine industry, but in 1970 the Jamaican Government declared gambling games illegal, so the brothers turned their hand to the music business, launching ‘Channel One Studios’ in 1972, which was from where ‘Dillinger recorded his first tracks for Joseph “Jo Jo” Hoo Kim.

‘Cokane in My Brain’ has proved to be Dillinger’s most successful recording, where in Europe it reached Number 1 in the Netherlands, Number 2 in Belgium, and Number 35 in West Germany, it also ended the year as the seventh best selling single in the Netherlands in 1977. The parent Album ‘CB200’ was also a success in the Netherlands where it peaked at Number 7. ‘Cokane in My Brain’ heavily samples the beat of ‘Do It Any Way You Wanna,’ (see also best songs 604) which was written by Leon Huff, (see also best songs 1001-896-725-648-571-338 and 322) and performed by the American Funk band ‘The Peoples Choice.’

‘Cokane in My Brain’ as the title suggests is about the highly addictive drug ‘Cocaine,’ which when taken, stimulates the brain. In the song Dillinger is telling us that he has taken so much of the substance, that it has taken him over,’No matter where I treat my guests, you see they always like my kitchen best. Cause I’ve cocaine running around my brain.’ The lyrics ‘A knife, a fork, a bottle and a cork, that’s the way we spell New York,’ are taken from a popular New York City rhyme that dates back to at least 1910. The children’s rhyme was used in games and activities, such as ‘jump rope,’ and ‘hopscotch.’

Dillinger has recorded 28 studio, and live Albums, between 1975-2007, and there are also dozens of singles, and compilation Albums available. After the success of ‘Cokane in My Brain,’ his commercial success began to dwindle, and for his 11th Album in 1979, he tried to recapture the success of ‘Cokane in My Brain,’ with the similarly themed ‘Marijuana in My Brain,’ which gained moderate success. Dillinger set up his own record label ‘Scandal Bag,’ in the 1990’s, and he has continued to record and tour in to the 21st Century.

‘Hey Jim, Jim, just a minute y’all, I want you spell for me something. I want you spell for me New York, man. Why do you want me to spell New York, man. I just want you to spell for me New York, can you do that, man?’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

818-Tulisa-Young.

2012-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 1.16. Every generation needs their own music, so that they have something to identify themselves with, and separate themselves from previous generations, so ‘Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy.’

Tulisa was born Tula Paulinea Contostavlos, which in Greek is, Τούλα Παυλίνα ‘Τουλίσα’ Κοντόσταυλου, on July 13th, 1988, in London, England, her mother is Irish, and her father, Plato Contostavlos is Greek Cypriot, who at one time was the keyboardist with the British Rock band ‘Mungo Jerry.’ Tulisa’s uncle Byron Contostavlos, was also the bass player with ‘Mungo Jerry’ at one time, and would later go on to be the manager of the English ‘Hip-Hop’ trio ‘N-Dubz.’

Tulisa began performing at an early age as part of the trio ‘Lickle Rinsers Crew,’ along with her cousin Costadinos Contostavlos, who is better known by his stage name ‘Dappy,’ and Dappy’s friend, Richard Rawson, (Fazer) who had known Dappy from their early school days. After dropping the name ‘Lickle Rinsers Crew,’ they became ‘NW1,’ after the area they hail from, before eventually finding success as ‘N-Dubz.’ With ‘N’Dubz,’ Tulisa has released four studio Albums between 2008-2023, and 23 singles, as either the lead, or the featured artist between 2006-2023. In the UK, 13 of those singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Number 1’ by Tinchy Stryder, featuring N-Dubz, making Number 1 in 2009. In November 2011, N-Dubz went on hiatus, so that the three members could pursue solo careers, and they have since reformed in 2022.

As a solo artist, Tulisa has released one studio Album called ‘The Female Boss,’ in 2012, and five singles as the lead artist, and a further three as the featured artist, between 2012-2017. In the UK, three of her singles as the lead artist have made the top 40, with ‘Young’ reaching the Number 1 spot. As a featured artist she has appeared on two UK top 40 charity hit singles,’Teardrop,’ by ‘The Collective,’ (2011-Number 24) and ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water,’ as part of ‘Artists for Grefell’ (2017-Number 1.) Tulisa has also appeared in two films, in 2011, in ‘Demons Never Die,’ playing the part of ‘Amber,’and in the same year, in, ‘Big Fat Gypsy Gangster,’ where she played ‘Shaniqua.’ On television, Tulisa was an ‘X-Factor’ judge between 2011-2014, where in her first year on the show, she mentored ‘Little Mix,’ who went on to become the most successful girl group in ‘X Factor’ history. Tulisa is also credited as one of the songwriters on the 2012 UK Number 1 single, ‘Scream & Shout,’ by Will.i.am, and Britney Spears.

‘Young’ was the debut solo single from Tulisa, and was the first of three singles released from her debut studio Album ‘The Female Boss,’ from December 2012. ‘Young’ was co-written by Richard Rawson, Ali Tennant, and Pete Ibsen, with both Ibsen, and Rawson credited as the songs producers. Ali Tennant, who was born Lorne Alistair Tennant, in London, England, is a singer/songwriter, vocal producer, and vocal coach, who has worked on high profile music shows, including ‘The X-Factor,’ and ‘The Voice UK.’ Tennant has written for many artists, including writing two top 10 hit singles in the UK for the English boy band ‘JLS.’ ‘Young’ was originally going to be titled ‘We Are Young,’ but to avoid confusion with the hit single ‘We Are Young,’ (2012-Billboard & UK Number 1) by the American Pop band ‘Fun,’ the song simply became just ‘Young.’

The story goes, that while Tulisa was in the studio with Richard Rawson, she overheard ‘Young’ being developed for another singer, and realising it’s hit potential, she was determined to record it herself. Tulisa has said,’They didn’t even get a chance to pitch it to the other singer. They were preparing it, it wasn’t even finished, and I was like, ‘I’m having that song, give it to me.’ One of the songs writers, Richard ‘Fazer’ Rawson, has explained the meaning of the song,’It is about mistakes made during youth. The dance tune has, a great message behind it, ‘Forgive us for what we have done, ’cause we are young.’ That’s it. Simple!”

‘We live on the edge of life, we don’t even compromise. We rush because we’re out of time. Forgive us for what we have done, ’cause we’re young.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

819-Killing Joke-Love Like Blood.

1985-Number 16 single.

Best Bit-At 0.17. Jaz Coleman, a founding member of Killing Joke, has explained the evolution of the bands name,’The killing joke is like when people watch something like Monty Python on the television and laugh, when really they’re laughing at themselves. It’s like a soldier in the first world war. He’s in the trench, he knows his life is gone, and that within the next 10 minutes he’s gonna be dead … and then suddenly he realises that some c..t back in Westminster’s got him sussed – ‘What am I doing this for? I don’t want to kill anyone, I’m just being controlled.’

Killing Joke were formed in Notting Hill, London, England, in 1979, by Jeremy ‘Jaz’ Coleman, (vocals, and keyboards) Paul Ferguson, (drums) Kevin ‘Geordie’ Walker, (guitar) and Martin ‘Youth’ Glover (bass) (see also best songs 1047.) Youth left in 1982, and was replaced on bass guitar by Paul Raven (1961-2007.) Between 1988-2008 there were four other members, who have all now left, and at the time of writing Killing Joke are active, with the four original founding members currently making up the group. Killing Joke, whose music over the decades has covered ‘ Post-Punk, ‘Industrial Rock, Gothic Rock, and ‘New Wave,’ have been name checked by several ‘Heavy Metal’ and ‘Rock’ bands, such as ‘Metallica,’ (see also best songs 730 and 52) and ‘Soundgarden,’ (see also best songs 614) as a major influence.

The discography of Killing Joke includes 18 studio Albums released between 1980-2015, and 32 singles that have been issued between 1979-2023, there are also 16 official compilation Albums, and 17 live Albums available. In the UK, six of their studio Albums have reached the top 40 Album chart, with ‘Night Time,’ from 1985, charting the highest at Number 11. Also in the UK, five of their singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Love Like Blood,’ peaking the highest at Number 16. ‘Love Like Blood,’ has also reached the top 40 in Germany, (Number 24) Ireland, (Number 30) the Netherlands, (Number 5) and New Zealand (Number 6.)

‘Love Like Blood’ was the second of three singles released from ‘Night Time,’ which was the fifth studio Album release from Killing Joke, from February 1995. The track was written and produced by Jaz Coleman, Paul Ferguson, Paul Raven, and Geordie Walker, who were the four members of Killing Joke at that time, and the song was also co-produced by Chris Kimsey.

Christopher Kenneth Kimsey is one of England’s most successful music producers and audio engineers. He was born on December 3rd, 1951, in Battersea, London, England, and has worked with many of the worlds top artists, including The Rolling Stones, where he was the mixing engineer on their 1978 ‘Some Girls’ Album, (see also best songs 160) ‘Sticky Fingers,’ (1971) and ‘Emotional Rescue’ (1980.) Kinsey also worked on two other Rolling Stones Albums, co-producing the Albums ‘Undercover,’ (1983) and Steel Wheels,’ (1989) with Mick Jagger, and Keith Richards. Kimsey has worked on dozens of Albums, receiving his first credit in 1970, for his engineering work on the Led Zeppelin Album, ‘Led Zeppelin III,’ and he has continued to produce and engineer well in to the 2020’s.

‘Love Like Blood’ is a call to live everyday like it is your last. Don’t be afraid to take that extra step, be brave, and fearless, as you are only hear for a short time, Do everything with a passion, and don’t wait for others to do it for you. ‘Love Like Blood’ was partly inspired by the 1967 novel ‘The Samurai Ethic and Modern Japan,’ by the Japanese author Yukio Mishima (1925-1970.) Jaz Coleman has said,’I loved the warrior principal, to freedom with blood, if you like. The song itself was a distillation of everything that we hold dear, and one must aspire to walk and talk what you write about in your songs, actually live it.’

‘We must play our lives like soldiers in the field, but life is short I’m running faster all the time. Strength and beauty destined to decay, so cut the rose in full bloom. Til the fearless come, and the act is done, a love like blood, a love like blood.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

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

1963-It didn’t chart in the UK top 40 until 2018, when it peaked at Number 22.

Best Bit-At 1.14. The Spector of Christmas past.

Darlene Love was born Darlene Wright on July 26th, 1941, in Los Angeles, California, United States, her stage name was chosen by Phil Spector (1939-2021) (see also best songs 782-737-262-192-127-91 and 20.) Darlene Love was a ministers daughter, who grew up singing ‘Gospel Music’ with her local choir. She turned to ‘Secular Music’ in high school, and was then invited to join the little known girl group the ‘Blossoms.’ It was in 1962 as a member of the Blossoms that Darlene Love first met Phil Spector, who recorded the song ‘He’s a Rebel’ with the group, with Love on lead vocals, but to insure that the song would have a better chance of being a hit, Spector released the song with the performance credited to the more established girl group the ‘Crystals.’ (see also best songs 262.) ‘He’s a Rebel’ went on to become an American Billboard Number 1 single, and also made Number 19 in the UK. Spector then signed Darlene Love to his ‘Philles Record’ label, and recorded ‘He’s Sure the Boy I Love,’ (Billboard Number 11-1963) which Love thought would be credited to her, but once again Spector credited the ‘Crystals,’ with both parties being unaware of what Spector had planned.

As a solo artist, Darlene Love has released five Albums between 1988-2015, there are also four official compilation Albums, and three live Albums available. She has also appeared on at least 38 singles, that have been issued between 1961-2005, with seven of those tracks reaching the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart top 40, with ‘He’s a Rebel’ (released as the Crystals) making Number 1. In the UK, she has hit the top 40 on three occasions, with ‘He’s a Rebel’ charting the highest at Number 19. Darlene Love has also appeared in 10 films between 1969-2020, including in four of the ‘Lethal Weapon’ movies, where she played the character ‘Trish Murtaugh.’

‘Christmas (Baby Please Come Home’) was written by the legendary songwriting team of Jeff Barry, and Ellie Greenwich, (1940-2009) (see also best songs 331-262-192 and 127) along with Phil Spector, with the songs ‘Wall of Sound’ production being by Spector. ‘Christmas (Baby Please Come Home’) is the only original song of the 13 tracks that made up ‘A Christmas Gift for You from Philles Records,’ which would later be re-named ‘A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector,’ from November 1963. All of the artists who appeared on the Album were signed to Phil Spector’s ‘Philles’ record label, and these included, ‘The Ronettes,’ (‘Frosty the Snowman,’ & ‘I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,’) and the ‘Crystals,’ (‘Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,’ & ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.’) When the Album was first issued, coincidentally on the same day that President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, it made very little commercial impact, but in the intervening years it has come to be regarded by many music critics as the greatest ‘festive’ Album of all time.

Darlene Love has recalled working with Phil Spector on the Album,’Phil worked everybody so hard on the Album, and the days kind of blurred into each other, thinking about it now. But there was a real Christmas party atmosphere in the studio, even though it was the height of summer, and a lot of great musicians were involved. They weren’t that well-known at the time but so many of them went on to become famous in their own right, like Leon Russell (1942-2016.) Sonny Bono (1935-1998) and Cher, (see also best songs 672) were involved in a lot of the stuff too, so was Glen Campbell (1936-2017) (see also best songs 846 and 197.) We worked hard, though, some days we’d be in the studio for eight or nine hours just doing one verse of one song.’

Beginning in 1986, and continuing for the next 29 years, Darlene Love was invited to perform ‘Christmas (Baby Please Come Home’) annually at Christmas, on the ‘Late Night With David Letterman,’ American television programme. When Letterman retired in 2015, another American television talk show called ‘The View’ continued the tradition, keeping Darlene Love, and ‘Christmas (Baby Please Come Home’) in the Christmas spotlight.

‘(Christmas) The snow’s coming down, (Christmas) I’m watching it fall. (Christmas) Lots of people around, (Christmas) Baby, please come home. (Christmas) The church bells in town, (Christmas) all ringing in song. (Christmas) Full of happy sounds, (Christmas) 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. In 1984 the song was re-issued, and this time it reached Number 23. Since digital downloads were introduced, the song has charted a further 14 times between 2007-2022 on the UK top 40, with a peak of Number 10 in 2019.

Best Bit-At 3.23. If you’re entertaining relatives that you only see once a year, and you are having to make small talk, you will probably find it difficult to relate to this songs message.

Roy Wood was born on November 8th, 1946, in Kitts Green, Birmingham, England, as well as being a singer, songwriter, and music producer, he also plays multiple musical instruments, including, guitar, cello, saxophones, percussion, and keyboards. He was the co-founder of ‘The Move’ (see also best songs 575) in 1965, then the ‘Electric Light Orchestra’ (see also best songs 970 and 25) in 1970, before forming ‘Wizzard’ (see also best songs 239) in 1972. He also launched a solo career, issuing four solo studio Albums between 1973-1987, and 19 singles between 1972-1987.

‘I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday’ was written and produced by Roy Wood, and was the fourth single released by Wizzard, from December 1973, the track was issued as a non-studio Album single, but was one of the 10 tracks on the groups first compilation Album called ‘See My Baby Jive,’ also from 1973. Although Roy Wood had played every instrument on his 1973 issued solo Album ‘Boulders,’ which had been recorded between 1969-1971, on ‘I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday,’ the eight members of Wizzard at that time played on the track alongside Wood, who also sang the lead vocals.

‘I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday’ is actually credited on the original 1973 sleeve to, ‘Wizzard featuring vocal backing by the Suedettes plus the Stockland Green Bilateral School First Year Choir with additional noises by Miss Snob and Class 3C.’ The song was recorded in August 1973, and in order to create a wintry feel the songs engineer Steve Brown decorated the studio with Christmas decorations, and turned the air conditioning down to its coldest setting. The choir of children on the track were chosen from the ‘Stockland Green School,’ first year, in Birmingham, with Roy Wood insisting that the children had to be local to the area that he had grown up in as a child. Unfortunately the national television station, the ‘BBC,’ wouldn’t allow the school children to perform the song on ‘Top of the Pops,’ so other children who held ‘Equity Cards’ were brought in as replacements, much to the displeasure of Roy Wood. One of the school children was Hilary Gunton who has recalled,’My mother didn’t want me to go. I was just 12 and she was worried about what might happen to me with these Rock types, but I said I would never ever talk to her again if she stopped me. One day at assembly, the music teacher auditioned us by having us sing hymns unaccompanied in front of the whole school. It was incredibly embarrassing, but I knew that if I wanted to meet Wizzard, I had to do it.’ Roy Wood has said,’When I was in the control room listening to the kids singing what I’d written, I got really choked up, and the hairs were standing up on the back of my neck. It was glorious.’ As you will have noticed,’I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday’ has a very unusual intro, Roy 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 (Rick Price, bassist) dropped the coins in.’

In 1989, Roy Wood re-recorded part of ‘I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday,’ for ‘Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers’ Christmas single ‘Let’s Party,’ which reached Number 1 in the UK. In 1995, Wood recorded a live version, and released it as a single on his own independent record label ‘Woody Recordings,’ it was the only release from a unreleased live album called ‘Alive,’ the single was credited to the ‘Roy Wood Big Band,’ and charted at Number 59 on the UK Singles Chart. In 2000 Roy Wood joined forces with the English musician Mike Batt, the creator of the novelty Pop group ‘The Wombles,’ who had had a 1974 UK Christmas Number 2 hit with ‘Wombling Merry Christmas,’ together they put together the new track ‘I Wish It Could Be A Wombling Merry Christmas Everyday,’ which reached Number 22.

In 1981 Roy Wood decided to re-release ‘I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday,’ It was then found that the original tapes had been lost, so the song was re-recorded by the band, and a new choir, which came from ‘Kempsey Primary School,’ in Worcester. The single reached number 41 on the UK Singles Chart, and was released again in 1984, this time with an additional extended 12 inch version, which reached Number 23 in the UK. The chances are that the version you hear on the radio, and the download you purchase at Christmas, is in fact the 1981 re-recording.

‘When the snowman brings the snow, well he just might like to know, he’s put a great big smile on somebody’s face. If you jump into your bed, quickly cover up your head, don’t you lock the doors, you know that sweet Santa Clause is on the way.’