THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

511-Michael Jackson-Thriller.

1983-Number 10 single. Due to the introduction of downloads, and the songs popularity at Halloween, the song has re-entered the UK top 40 on five occasions at the time of writing. It reached Number 35 in 2008, Number 34 in 2017, Number 40 in 2021, and Number 20 in 2023. After the death of Michael Jackson in 2009, the song reached Number 12.

Best Bit-At 4.24. Don’t be frightened, it’s about as scary as the Honey Monster.

‘Thriller’ was the seventh and final single released from Michael Jackson’s (1958-2009) (see also best songs 812-249-191 and 137) sixth solo studio Album of the same name from November 1982, with worldwide sales in excess of 66 million it is the best selling Album of all time. The track ‘Thriller’ was written by Rod Temperton, (1949-2016) (see also best songs 889 and 357) and produced by Quincy Jones (see also best songs 1022-889-812-703-357 and 191.) By the time of this songs release, the Album ‘Thriller’ had already been an outstanding success yielding six American Billboard top 10 singles, but with sales beginning to drop off, Michael Jackson pushed for the release of a seventh single, ‘Thriller,’ but ‘Epic’ records having already paid for previous video’s refused to promote a seventh single, so Jackson organised the financing himself. The video for ‘Thriller’ references numerous horror films, and was directed by the American filmmaker John Landis. After Jackson had seen the Landis written and produced film ‘An American Werewolf in London, (1981) he contacted Landis, and they together conceived a 13 minutes and 43 seconds short film, with a budget much larger than previous music videos. The video was premiered on ‘MTV’ on December 2nd, 1983, and is credited with transforming the music video in to a serious art form. In 1999 ‘MTV’ listed ‘Thriller’ as being the greatest music video ever, on their ‘100 Greatest Video’s.’ In 2009, it became the first music video inducted into the ‘National Film Registry,’ as ‘culturally, historically or aesthetically’ significant.

‘Thriller’ was written by Rod Temperton who had previously worked with Michael Jackson on his 1979 Album ‘Off the Wall,’ writing that Albums title track, as well as the hit single ‘Rock With You.’ Temperton wrote three of the tracks on the ‘Thriller’ Album, the other two were ‘Baby Be Mine,’ and ‘The Lady in My Life,’ which were the only two songs on the Album not issued as singles. With ‘Thriller’ Rod Temperton wanted to write something theatrical for Michael Jackson knowing of his love for films. At first Temperton called the song ‘Starlight,’ but the songs producer Quincy Jones didn’t think that suited the image they were looking for, eventually after giving it a great deal of thought Temperton said that he awoke one morning with the word ‘Thriller’ on his mind. He has also said, ‘Something in my head just said, this is the title. You could visualise it on the top of the Billboard charts. You could see the merchandising for this one word, how it jumped off the page as ‘Thriller.’ Temperton had also envisaged a talking part at the end of the song performed by a famous voice in the horror movie genre. It just so happened that Peggy Lupton, (1946-2019) who was the wife of Quincy Jones at that time suggested Vincent Price, (1911-1993) who was a friend of hers. Price recorded the spoken section (and the evil laugh) in the song on his second take, after it had been written by Rod Temperton in the taxi on the way to the studio for the recording session. Incidentally I suggest you take a listen to the Rick James song ‘Give It To Me Baby,’ from his 1981 Album ‘Street Songs,’ to hear where Temperton may have taken inspiration for this songs bassline.

Rod Temperton had first come to the attention of Quincy Jones, and Michael Jackson, through the recording engineer Bruce Swedien (1934-2020) who had recommended Temperton on the basis of his songwriting for the UK ‘Disco,’ and ‘Funk’ band ‘Heatwave,’ whose songs included ‘Boogie Nights,’ (1977-UK & Billboard Number 2) and Always and Forever.’ (1978-UK Number 9 & Billboard Number 18.) Bruce Swedien was born on April 19th, 1934, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, he died on November 16th, 2020, from surgery complications for a broken hip caused by a fall, at the age of 86. Bruce Swedian was a recording engineer, mixing engineer and record producer, first achieving recognition as the engineer with the ‘Four Seasons’ 1962 single ‘Big Girls Don’t Cry,’ (see also best songs 284) which sold in excess of one million copies and stayed at Number one on the American Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks. Bruce Swedien first met Quincy Jones when Jones was vice president for ‘Mercury Records’ in Chicago. The two worked on Albums for artists of the calibre of Dinah Washington and Sarah Vaughan. Swedien was known for pioneering the ‘Acusonic Recording Process,’ which was pairing up microphones together on vocals and instruments. a technique enabled by synchronising several multi-track recorders with ‘SMPTE timecode.’ This achieved an enhanced roomy ambient sound, and can be heard on the ‘Thriller’ Album. He would often experiment while recording with Michael Jackson, having the singer stand at different distances from the microphone, and singing through a cardboard tube, among other techniques.

‘Darkness falls across the land, the midnight hour is close at hand. Creatures crawl in search of blood, to terrorise y’all’s neighbourhood. And whosoever shall be found without the soul for getting down, must stand and face the hounds of hell, and rot inside a corpse’s shell.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

512-Jefferson Airplane-White Rabbit.

1967-It did not chart in the UK until 1987, when reaching Number 94.

Best Bit-At 2.15. One of Grace Slick’s many memorable quotes is ‘All Rock ‘N Rollers’ over the age of 50 look stupid and should retire.’

Grace Slick was born Grace Barnett Wing, on October 30th, 1939, in Highland Park, Illinois, Chicago, United States. She was born into a fairly affluent family, and attended a private all girls school. Following graduation, she attended ‘Finch College,’ in New York City, from 1957 to 1958, and then the ‘University of Miami,’ in Coral Gables, Florida, from 1958 to 1959. Prior to getting into music as a career, she worked as a model at an ‘I. Magnin’ department store for three years, and married her first husband Jerry Slick (1939-2020) in 1961. In 1965, Grace, her husband Jerry, his brother Darby, and David Miner, formed the Rock band ‘The Great Society,’ in San Francisco. In the autumn of 1966, Grace Slick was approached by Jack Casady of the group Jefferson Airplane, who were on the lookout for a new singer, as Signe Toly Anderson (1941-2016) had decided to leave the group in order to raise her child. With Grace Slick on board Jefferson Airplane transformed from a ‘Folk/Rock’ group into a ‘Psychedelic’ outfit, with the recording of the ‘Surrealistic Pillow’ Album in 1967. The Album contained the two American Billboard Hot 100 top 10 singles, ‘White Rabbit,’ and ‘Somebody to Love,’ which had both been originally recorded by Grace Slick’s previous group ‘The Great Society.’ In 1973, Jefferson Airplane fragmented, as band members left, and the remaining musicians, along with new members formed ‘Jefferson Starship’ in 1974. With Grace Slick on board ‘Jefferson Starship’ would prove a critical and commercial success over the course of the next decade releasing eight studio Albums, of which their second, ‘Red Octopus,’ from 1975, reached Number 1 on Billboard. Following several personnel changes, and lawsuits from previous band members, in 1984, Grace Slick, and the remaining band members renamed themselves ‘Starship,’ going on to even greater commercial success. With ‘Starship,’ Grace Slick recorded three studio Albums between 1985-1989, and released eight singles, of which three, ‘We Built This City,’ (1985) ‘Sara,’ (1985) and ‘Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now’ (1987) all reached the Number 1 spot on Billboard. Grace Slick officially retired from the music business in 1990, in compliance with her famous quote.

‘White Rabbit’ was the last of three singles released from ‘Surrealistic Pillow,’ which was the second studio Album from Jefferson Airplane from February 1967, the song was written by Grace Slick, with the production being by Rick Jarrard, who was born in America on August 14th, 1939, he died on October 13th, 2021, at the age of 82. ‘Surrealistic Pillow’ is considered Jarrard’s greatest achievement, but he is also remembered for producing the first two studio Albums of Harry Nilsson, (1941-1994) in 1966, and 1967, and also for his production work with the Puerto Rican musician Jose Feliciano, including his production of the Feliciano cover of ‘Light My Fire,’ (1968) and Feliciano’s Christmas classic ‘Feliz Navidad’ (1970.)

‘White Rabbit’ was written and first performed by Grace Slick, while she was still a member of ‘The Great Society.’ She got the idea for this song after taking ‘LSD,’ and spending many hours listening to the Jazz musician Miles Davis’ (1926-1991) Album ‘Sketches Of Spain,’ (1960) especially the opening track, ‘Concierto de Aranjuez.’ The Spanish beat that she came up with for ‘White Rabbit’ was influenced by Maurice Ravel’s ‘Bolero’ (1928.)The song ‘Somebody to Love,’ which was written by her brother-in-law Darby Slick, was also first recorded by ‘The Great Society,’ and also made it on to the ‘Surrealistic Pillow’ Album. ‘White Rabbit’ is a song about drug use, and it attempts to get it’s point across by using imagery found in the novels of Lewis Carroll’s, (1832-1898) ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,’ written in 1865, and also it’s 1871 sequel ‘Through the Looking Glass.’ Grace Slick has said that the song was supposed to be a slap to parents who read their children such novels, and then wondered why their children later used drugs.’ Grace Slick has also said, ‘The White Rabbit is about following your curiosity.’ In the 1960’s, in Grace Slick’s social circle, drugs were seen as part of everyday life, for both mind expansion, and social experimentation.

‘One pill makes you larger, and one pill makes you small, and the ones that mother gives you, don’t do anything at all. Go ask Alice, when she’s ten feet tall. And if you go chasing rabbits, and you know you’re going to fall, tell ’em a hookah-smoking caterpillar has given you the call. He called Alice, when she was just small.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

513-Roni Size & Reprazent-Brown Paper Bag.

1997-Number 20 single.

Best Bit-At 1.12. One Size fits all.

Roni Size is the stage name of Ryan Owen Granville Williams, who was born on October 29th, 1969, in Bristol, England, he is the son of Jamaican immigrants, and cites ‘Reggae Music’ as one of his early influences. At the age of 16 he he met members of ‘The Wild Bunch,’ in Bristol, who were a group of musicians, some of whom would later go on to form the ‘Trip Hop’ group ‘Massive Attack’ (see also best songs 733.) Roni Size learned the basics about music production at his local youth club, which provided record players, a mixing desk, drum machines and samplers. He listened to the ‘Ska,’ ‘Rocksteady,’ ‘Reggae,’ ‘Dub,’ and ‘Dancehall’ music that had originated in Jamaica, and later set up his own home studio, and bought his own sampler. In the mid 1990’s Roni Size co-founded the group ‘Roni Size & Reprazent’ with other fellow like minded musicians to record music in the ‘Drum and Bass’ genre. These other artists included Tracey Bowen, ‘Onallee,’ (vocals) Domonic Smith, ‘Dynamite MC,’ (vocals, and writing) Daniel Kausman, ‘DJ Die,’ (writing and production) Kirk Thompson, ‘Krust,’ (writing and production) Clive Deamer, (drums) and Si John (bass.) The end product became the groups debut studio Album ‘New Forms,’ which has been universally critically acclaimed, and became the winner of the 1997 ‘Mercury Music Prize,’ Album of the year, and is considered one of the leading Albums in the development of ‘Drum and Bass’ music. In 2008 ‘New Forms’ was re-released with four new tracks, but omitted some of the songs from the original Album. In total there have been 10 different members of ‘Roni Size & Reprazent’ come and go, and at the time of writing they remain active, with Roni Size, Onallee, and Dynamite MC, being the only three current members.

The discography of Roni Size & Reprazent includes two studio Albums, New Forms,’ (1997) and ‘In the Mode,’ (1999) and eight singles that have been released between 1997-2008, there is also one extended play, (EP) one official compilation Album, and one live Album available. In the UK, ‘New Forms’ has gone on to sell in excess of 300,000 copies, although it has never gone past a peak of Number 8 on the UK Album chart, while in America on Billboard, the Album has never charted, as have none of their singles. In the UK, six of their singles have made the top 40, with ‘Who Told You,’ from 2000, peaking the highest at Number 17.

‘Brown Paper Bag’ was the third of four singles released from ‘New Forms,’ the debut studio Album by Roni Size & Reprazent, from June 1997, the song was written by Roni Size, with the production credited to Roni Size, DJ Die, Krust, and DJ Suv. The lyrics to ‘Brown Paper Bag’ are a tribute to ‘Drum and Bass,’ the genre of music that the artists perform. A contemporary review of the song was praised in the British daily newspaper ‘The Guardian,’ who wrote, ‘Brown Paper Bag is a masterpiece, an essay in hyper-kinetic pace, it piles up teetering stacks of instrumental layers, their cumulative weight triggering each step in a constant cycle of demolition and reconstruction of its latticework of melody, rhythm and mood.’

‘Drum and Bass’ is a genre of ‘Electronic Dance Music’ that is characterised by fast ‘breakbeats ‘ which are typically 165–185 beats per minute, with heavy bass and sub-bass lines, samples, and synthesizers. The genre grew out of the UK’s ‘Jungle Music’ scene in the early 1990’s (see also best songs 1053.) A major influence on ”Drum and Bass’ was the original ‘Jamaican Dub’ and ‘Reggae’ sound that influenced ‘Jungle’s’ bass-heavy sound. The Album ‘New Forms’ is an early example of the music that brought ‘Drum and Bass’ in to the mainstream, other influential releases include the Album ‘Timeless,’ by the English music producer ‘Goldie,’ from 1995, and the Album ‘Hold Your Colour,’ by the Australian group ‘Pendulum,’ from 2005. In 2012, ‘Drum and Bass’ achieved its first UK Number 1 single, when ‘Hot Right Now,’ by the English music producer ‘DJ Fresh,’ topped the chart, with vocals by the British singer Rita Ora.

‘Step to the rhythm made out of brown paper, sounds entering of a different nature, rhythms get greater, and the rhythms they get greater. Yes another rough-a-tough four for the chaser. New configuration, new riff and new structure, built on the frame that’ll hold the room puncture, tight, we wrap it up, it’s wrapped, tightly.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

514-Tavares-Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel.

1976-Number 4 single.

Best Bit-At 0.24. It may have a corny title, but a song of this quality can be forgiven for that.

Tavares are a family of brothers who were made up of Ralph, (1941-2021) Arthur, (1942-2024) Antone, Victor, Feliciano, and Perry, and at the time of writing they remain active as a duo of Perry, and Feliciano. Some of the brothers were born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, and some were born in Provdence, Rhode Island, United States, their parents were of Cape Verdean descent. The brothers began performing in the ‘R&B’ genre as a sextet in 1959, as ‘Chubby and the Turnpikes,’ and finally got a recording contract with ‘Capitol Records’ in 1967, it was in 1973, just prior to commercial success that they changed their name to ‘Tavares.’ Their brother Victor left the group in 1974, after the release of their debut studio Album ‘Check It Out,’ and it was during the mid to late 1970’s that they achieved their greatest success with a succession of ‘Disco’ orientated hit singles. Ralph left the group in 1984, and Perry followed in the mid 1990’s in order to pursue a solo career, but returned to the fold in 2009. Their father was Feliciano Vierra ‘Flash’ Tavares Sr. (1920-2008) who was a famous Cape Verdean, American musician, singer and guitarist, and had inspired his sons, passed away in 2008. In 2013, the brothers were honoured with ‘Lifetime Achievement Awards’ by ‘The National R&B Music Society Black Tie Gala,’ in Atlantic City, New Jersey. All six brothers attended and performed on stage together for the first time in 37 years.

The discography of ‘Tavares’ includes 12 studio Albums released between 1974-1983, and 35 singles released between 1973-1986, there are also seven official compilation Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, eight of their singles have reached the top 40, with ‘It Only Takes a Minute,’ peaking the highest at Number 10, while ‘Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel,’ made Number 15. They have also had great success on the ‘Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs’ chart, with 20 top entries, including three of those tracks reaching Number 1. In the UK, Tavares have had eight top 40 hits, with ‘Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel,’ and ‘Don’t Take Away the Music,’ both peaking the highest at Number 4 in 1976.

‘Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel’ was the first of two singles released from Tavares’ fourth studio Album ‘Sky High!’ from May 1976, the song was co-written by Freddie Perren, (1943-2004) and Keni St. Lewis, with the production being by Perren. In 1985 the Dutch music producer Ben Liebrand (see also best songs 781 and 739) remixed ‘Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel,’ and it reached Number 12 on the UK top 40, nine years after it had first been a hit.

Frederick James Perren was born on May 15th, 1943, in Englewood, New Jersey, United States, in 1993 he suffered a debilitating stroke, which affected his later years, and he died on December 16th, 2004, at the age of 61. Perren’s major breakthrough occurred in 1969 when the founder of ‘Motown’ records Berry Gordy invited him to be part of the collective the ‘Corporation,’ which was a collection of songwriters and record producers brought together by Berry Gordy to replace the recently departed ‘Holland Dozier Holland’ songwriting and production team at ‘Motown.’ The other three ‘Corporation’ members were Berry Gordy, Fonce Mizell, (1943-2011) and Deke Richards, (1944-2013) (see also best songs 411 and 365) the ‘Corporation’ disbanded in 1972. The ‘Corporation’ had great success writing and producing for the ‘Jackson 5,’ including that groups breakthrough hit ‘I Want You Back’ (see also best songs 137) (1970-Billboard Number 1 & UK Number 2.) Fred Perren had his greatest success during the ‘Disco’ era, producing the ‘Motown’ hit ‘Love Machine’ for ‘The Miracles,’ ( 1975-Billboard Number 5 & UK Number 3.) After leaving ‘Motown’ he went onto co-write and produce for the American R&B outfit ‘The Sylvers,’ including their 1975 Billboard Number 1 single ‘Boogie Fever.’ Perren was the producer of two of the tracks on the soundtrack to ‘Saturday Night Fever’ in 1977, the Tavares track ‘More Than a Woman,’ and the Yvonne Elliman track ‘If I Can’t Have You,’ the soundtrack Album is currently the 11th best selling Album worldwide of all time, with sales in excess of 40 million copies. His other work includes co-writing, and co-producing the Billboard & UK Number 1 single ‘I Will Survive,’ for Gloria Gaynor in 1979.

‘There’s a rainbow over my shoulder, when you came my cup runneth over. You gave me your heavenly love, and if one night you hear me crying from above, it’s ’cause heaven must be missing an angel,’ missin’ one angel child, ’cause you’re here with me right now.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

515-Barry Ryan with The Majority-Eloise.

1968-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 3.34. File this one under ‘Baroque Pop.’

‘Baroque Pop,’ which is also sometimes called ‘Baroque Rock’ is the fusing together of ‘Classical Music,’ and ‘Rock Music,’ which emerged in the mid 1960’s as artists experimented with new sounds. Harpsichords figured prominently, as did Oboes, French Horns, and String Quartets. Harpsichords had been in common use on a number of ‘Pop’ hits since the 1940’s, but by the 1960’s, some music producers were increasingly placing the instrument in the foreground of their arrangements. Inspired partly by the Beatles’ song ‘In My Life,’ (see also best songs 218) in 1965, various groups were soon jumping on the bandwagon, and incorporating ‘Baroque,’ and ‘Classical’ instrumentation by early 1966. The term ‘Baroque Rock’ was coined in the promotional material for the American group the ‘Left Banke,’ who used harpsichords and violins in their arrangements, and whose 1966 song ‘Walk Away Renée,’ exemplified the style. In ‘Classical Music,’ the term ‘Baroque’ is used to describe the ‘art music’ of Europe, approximately between the years 1600-1750, with some of its most prominent composers being J. S. Bach (1685-1750) and Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741.)

Barry Ryan was born Barry Sapherson, on October 24th, 1948, in Leeds, West Riding of Yorkshire, England, he died on September 28th, 2021, after complications from a lung disorder at the age of 72. Barry Ryan achieved his initial success in the mid 1960’s in a duo with his twin brother Paul, who died on November 29th, 1992, of lung cancer, at the age of 44. Barry and Paul were both the sons of the English ‘Pop’ singer Marion Ryan, (1931-1999) who had a 1958 UK Number 5 hit single with ‘Love Me Forever.’ Prior to his solo career, Barry Ryan had released two studio Albums in 1967, and 1968, with his brother Paul, as ‘Paul and Barry Ryan,’ and 10 singles between 1965-1968, of which five reached the UK top 40, with their 1965 debut single ‘Don’t Bring Me Your Heartaches,’ peaking the highest at Number 13. Due to the pressures of performing, Paul took a backseat in order to concentrate on songwriting, and apart from ‘Eloise,’ he is best remembered for writing ‘Who Put the Lights Out?’ a 1972 UK Number 14 hit for the Irish singer Dana, and ‘I Will Drink the Wine,’ which Frank Sinatra recorded for his 1971 Album ‘Sinatra & Company.’ As a solo artist Barry Ryan released six studio Albums between 1969-2003, and 30 singles between 1968-2020, there are also 10 official compilation Albums available. In the UK, he has had five solo top 40 hit singles, with ‘Eloise’ peaking the highest at Number 2, while in America on the Billboard Hot 100, ‘Eloise’ is his only charting song, reaching Number 86.

‘Eloise’ was the first of two singles released from ‘Barry Ryan Sings Paul Ryan,’ which was the debut solo studio Album by Barry Ryan, from April 1969, the song was written by Paul Ryan, with the production being by Bill Landis, and was arranged and conducted by Johnny Arthey (1930-2007.) ‘Eloise’ is credited to ‘Barry Ryan with The Majority,’ ‘The Majority’ were a ‘Pop’ group who for a period, were the backing band for Barry Ryan, and who, after renaming themselves ‘Majority One,’ had some success in Europe. Two notable musicians who played on the track were Jimmy Page, and John Paul Jones, (see also best songs 135 and 67) who would later go on to form Led Zeppelin.

‘Eloise’ was written by Paul Ryan, soon after stepping out of the limelight, in order to concentrate on his song writing. Paul Ryan has said that his inspiration for ‘Eloise’ came after he had heard a ‘demo’ version of ‘MacArthur Park’ by Richard Harris (see also best songs 119.) Ryan locked himself away and wrote ‘Eloise’ in three days. The song went on to sell in excess of 3 million copies worldwide, and has topped the charts in 17 different countries. According to Barry Ryan, ‘Eloise’ influenced Freddie Mercury (1946-1991) of Queen, Ryan has said, ‘I remember reading Freddie’s memoirs. He was influenced by it. He really, really liked it and also he used it as an argument to release ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ (see also best songs 3) because his record company didn’t want to release it but he said “That Barry Ryan had a big five and half minute hit. Why can’t we do it too?’

‘Eloise’ has been covered on many occasions. In 1986 the English ‘Punk Rock’ group the ‘Damned’ (see also best songs 833 and 273) took their version to Number 3 in the UK, and in 1988 a ‘Techno-Pop’ recording by the Spanish singer Tino Casal, (1950-1991) reached Number 1 in Spain for several weeks. The song has also been an international hit for the French singer Claude François, (1939-1978) whose French language version made the top 10 in France, and Belgium in 1968, and in 1969 the Finnish singer Tapani Kansa released a Finnish-language version, which went to Number 3 in the Finnish charts.

‘Eloise’ is probably a song with dark subject matter. It appears unclear whether Eloise is a real person who has left the narrator, or it could be possible that she is a figment of his imagination, that he fantasies over.

‘My Eloise I’d love to please her, I’d love to care, but she’s not there, and when I find you, I’d be so kind, you’d want to stay, I know you’d stay.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

516-Black Box Recorder-England Made Me.

1998-Number 89 single.

Best Bit-At 0.59. Don’t get this lot confused with ‘Ride On Time,’ (see also best songs 501) they haven’t got a lot in common.

Black Box Recorder were formed in London, England, in 1998, by Luke Haines, John Moore, and Sarah Nixey, they were active until unofficially splitting in 2003 to work on solo projects, but they did reform in 2007, until the final parting in 2010. Black Box Recorder was initially the idea of Luke Haines, who then approached John Moore, they wanted a female lead singer, and persuaded Sarah Nixey, by promising her that she would become famous. Unsurprisingly Luke Haines got the idea for the groups name while travelling in an aeroplane.

Although their music has met with critical acclaim, they have only had limited commercial success. The discography of Black Box Recorder includes three studio Albums released between 1998-2003, and eight singles released between 1998-2010, there is also one official compilation Album called ‘The Worst of Black Box Recorder,’ which was issued in 2001, which was a compilation of ‘B’ sides from the singles of their first two studio Albums ‘England Made Me,’ (1998) and ‘The Facts Of Life’ (2000.) Black Box Recorder have only ever charted in the UK, with ‘The Facts Of Life’ being their only top 40 entry on the UK Album chart, when reaching Number 37 in 2000. On the UK top 40 singles chart, only the single ‘The Facts Of Life’ has charted, when making Number 20 in 2000, after their only appearance on the British television music show ‘Top of the Pops.’

Luke Michael Haines was born on October 7th, 1967 in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, England, he has recorded music under various names and with various bands, including The Auteurs, Baader Meinhof and Black Box Recorder. At college he joined a group called ‘The Servants,’ who recorded two commercially unsuccessful Albums, and five singles between 1986-1991. Luke Haines is probably best remembered for forming the Alternative Rock’ group ‘The Auteurs’ in 1991, who would remain active until 1999, overlapping with his time with ‘Black Box Recorder.’ With The Auteurs’ he released four studio Albums between 1993-1999, and eight singles between 1992-1999, two of which just missed the UK top 40. Haynes has also released 15 solo Albums under his own name between 2001-2021, and a further one as ‘Baader Meinhof’ in 1996. He has claimed that ‘The Auteurs’ debut Album ‘New Wave,’ (1993) was the Album that started ‘Britpop.’

Prior to joining forces with Luke Haines as part of ‘Black Box Recorder,’ John Moore, who was born on December 23rd, 1964, in Wokingham, Berkshire, England, had spent nearly three years (1986-1988) as the drummer with the ‘Jesus and Mary Chain,’ (see also best songs 878 and 336) succeeding Bobby Gillespie on drums, and then later moving on to guitar. In 1988 he formed ‘John Moore & The Expressway,’ releasing two Albums, he later formed a new band called ‘Revolution 9.’ who released several singles, and one Album called ‘You Might as Well Live’ in 1994. John Moore married his fellow ‘Black Box Recorder’ band member Sarah Nixey in 2001, they had a child together, but they divorced in 2006. Sarah Anne Nixey was born on December 21st, 1973, in Dorset, England, it was whilst working as a backing vocalist for the ‘Folk’ group ‘Balloon,’ that she was approached by Luke Haines, and John Moore to become their lead vocalist. Away from ‘Black Box Recorder’ Nixey has released three solo Albums between 2007-2018, and 11 singles between 2005-2018. In 2010 she married the music producer and songwriter Jimmy Hogarth, whose credits include co-producing ‘Rockferry,’ the debut studio Album by the Welsh singer Duffy, and co-writing that Albums UK Number 3 hit single ‘Warwick Avenue’ in 2008.

‘England Made Me’ was the second of two singles released from the debut studio Album by Black Box Recorder, of the same name, from July 1998, the song was co-written by Luke Haines, and John Moore, with the production being by Phil Vinall, who was a long term collaborator with Haines. The Albums title ‘England Made Me,’ is named after the English writer Graham Greene’s (1904-1991) 1935 novel of the same name. The music on the Album is described as ‘Country Folk,’ ‘Easy listening,’ and ‘Pop,’ while the Albums lyrics criticise the mundane experience of living and growing up in post-‘Restoration England,’ and explore the themes of single mothers, and teenage sex. All of the tracks on the Album were co-written by Luke Haines, and John Moore, with the exception of a cover version of the 1977 UK Number 1 single ‘Up Town Top Ranking,’ (see also best songs 101) by Althea & Donna.

‘England Made Me’ is a song that reflects on growing up in England, while trying to escape the mundane existence of everyday life by imagining exciting, and dangerous situations.

‘I trapped a spider underneath a glass, I kept it for a week to see how long he’d last. He stared right back at me, he thought that he could win. We played a waiting game, he thought that I’d give in.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

517-Mumford & Sons-Little Lion Man.

2009-Number 24 single.

Best Bit-At 1.10. Their name might lead you to think that they are a family run removals firm, but they are actually a Folk/Rock, Americana, Bluegrass trio, who used to be a quartet.

Mumford & Sons were formed in London, England, in 2007, by Marcus Mumford, (lead vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, and drums), Ted Dwane, (vocals, bass guitar, and double bass), Ben Lovett, (vocals, keyboards, and piano) and Winston Marshall, (banjo, vocals, and guitar) Marshall departed the group in 2021, and at the time of writing they remain active as a trio. The groups name originated from Marcus Mumford being the most visibly active member of the group, both on and off stage, Ben Lovett has said that the name was meant to evoke the sense of an ‘Antiquated family business name.’ Before achieving commercial success with the release of their debut Album ‘Sigh No More’ in 2009, the group toured extensively throughout Europe and America, they also toured for several months as the backing band for the British Folk singer/songwriter Laura Marling. Mumford & Sons have been described as a ‘Folk/Rock’ band. They began by using ‘Bluegrass’ and ‘Folk’ instrumentation, with the core instruments of acoustic guitar, banjo, piano and a double bass, played with a rhythmic style based in ‘Alternative Rock’ and ‘Folk.’ Marcus Mumford has cited the American ‘Alternative Country’ group ‘Old Crow Medicine Show’ as a major influence, saying, ‘I first heard Old Crow’s music when I was, like, 16, 17, and that really got me into, like, folk music, bluegrass. I mean, I’d listened to a lot of Dylan, (see also best songs 792-621-358-103-36 and 7) but I hadn’t really ventured into the country world so much. So Old Crow was the band that made me fall in love with country music.’

The discography of Mumford & Sons includes four studio Albums released between 2009-2018, and 21 singles released between 2009-2024, there are also six studio EP’s, seven live EP’s, and three official live Albums available. In the UK, two of their studio Albums have reached the Number 1 spot, while in America on the Billboard 200 chart, three of their studio Albums have made Number 1. In the UK, five of their singles have reached the top 40, with ‘I Will Wait,’ from 2012, peaking the highest at Number 12, while in America on the Billboard Hot 100, three of their singles have made the top 40, with ‘I Will Wait,’ also charting the highest at Number 12, while ‘Little Lion Man’ stalled at Number 45.

‘Little Lion Man’ was the debut single, and the first of four singles released from ‘Sigh No More,’ the debut studio Album by Mumford & Sons, from October 2009. The songwriting for ‘Little Lion Man’ is credited to all four band members at that time, with the production of the track, and it’s parent Album being by Marcus Dravs, who is a British music producer, songwriter, programmer, engineer and mixer. Marcus Dravs began his career as an engineer, eventually working under the legendary Brian Eno, (see also best songs 766-302-190-118-109 and 57) and receiving his first co-production credit on Eno’s Album ‘Nerve Net’ in 1992. Marcus Dravs has gone on to work with many acts including, Florence + the Machine, and Kings of Leon, and he has won three ‘Grammy Awards,’ four ‘Billboard Music Awards,’ and three ‘Brit Awards’ for his production work. At the ’53rd Grammy Awards’ in 2011, he won ‘Album of the Year’ for Arcade Fire’s ‘The Suburbs.’ At the ’55th Grammy Awards,’ in 2013, he won the ‘Album of the Year’ for Mumford & Sons Album ‘Babel,’ and in 2009 at the ’51st Grammy Awards,’ he won ‘Best Rock Album’ for Coldplay’s ‘Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends.’

‘Little Lion Man’ has been critically acclaimed, particularly in Australia where it peaked at Number 3 on their singles chart. The track was voted the years best song (2009) in that countries prestigious ‘Triple J’s Hottest 100,’ by the listeners of the Australian radio station ‘Triple J.’ Marcus Mumford has spoken in detail about ‘Little Lion Man, ‘It’s a very personal story, so I won’t elaborate upon too much. Suffice to say, it was a situation in my life I wasn’t very happy with or proud of… and sometimes when you can’t describe a feeling with your own words, it’s almost easier to express in a song. And then, when you get asked about the songs, it’s quite difficult to explain. It’s a conundrum, you don’t want to seem self-indulgent explaining yourself; it’s always awkward. Which is weird again, because it’s never awkward actually singing them. I suppose the song should stand on its own and people draw their own interpretation from the words. It’s quite an aggressive song, a bit more of a punch in the face. Or at least, for our stuff, anyway, a lot of our stuff isn’t quite as hard-hitting as that. It felt like the right song to be the single because it represented the harder, darker side of what we do, and at the same time, the more folksy and punchy side

‘Weep for yourself, my man, you’ll never be what is in your heart. Weep Little Lion Man, you’re not as brave as you were at the start. Rate yourself and rake yourself, take all the courage you have left and waste it on fixing all the problems that you made in your own head.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

518-Eddy Grant-Living on the Frontline.

1979-Number 11 single.

Best Bit-At 3.26. A listen to this will change your mind, ‘I DO WANNA DANCE.’

Eddy Grant was born Edmond Montague Grant, on March 5th, 1948, in Plaisance, British Guiana, which is now Guyana, while at school his parents lived in the United Kingdom, and they would send money home for his education, in 1960 he emigrated to join them in London. It was while at school in London that he learned to read and write music, and it was after seeing Chuck Berry (1926-2017) (see also best songs 548-308 and 30) play live that he decided to pursue a career in music.

In 1965 Eddy Grant, along with four others who all knew each other from living around the ‘Hornsey Rise’ council estate, in North London, formed the group ‘The Equals,’ who would go on to become the first major interracial Rock group in the UK, and one of the few racially mixed bands of the era. Eddy Grant initially played guitar, and sang backing vocals with ‘The Equals,’ but would later become their main songwriter. With ‘The Equals’ Eddy Grant appeared on all of their first six studio Albums released between 1967-1970, and also their first 14 singles, released between 1966-1971, of which six of those tracks reached the UK top 40, with the Eddy Grant written ‘Baby, Come Back,’ making the Number 1 spot. In 1994 a cover version of ‘Baby, Come Back,’ by Pato Banton, featuring Ali and Robin Campbell, also reached Number 1 in the UK. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, the only charting song by The Equals is ‘Baby, Come Back,’ which reached Number 32 in 1968. In September 1969 all five group members of The Equals were injured in a motorway car accident in Germany while on tour, with Eddy Grant being the most severely injured, suffering a collapsed lung and heart infection. On January 1st, 1971, he then suffered a heart attack and collapsed lung, which led to his departure from The Equals to concentrate on production, and giving up touring.

After his departure from The Equals, Eddy Grant set up his own record label called ‘Ice Records.’ His solo career was slow to take off, and it wasn’t until this song, and it’s parent Album, his third Album release, ‘Walking on Sunshine’ in 1979, that Eddy Grant finally found himself back in the charts again, eight years after leaving The Equals. The solo discography of Eddy Grant includes 15 studio Albums released between 1975-2015, and 19 singles released between 1979-2001, there are also 13 official compilation Albums, and one live Album available. In the UK, eight of his singles have reached the top 40, with ‘I Don’t Wanna Dance’ from 1982, making the Number 1 spot, while in America on the Billboard Hot 100, he has had two top 40 hits, with ‘Electric Avenue’ peaking the highest at Number 2 in 1983, while ‘Living on the Frontline’ failed to chart. Eddy Grant is noted for recording in many different musical genres, including ‘Soul,’ ‘Funk,’ ‘Reggae, ‘Electronic’ music, ‘African poly-rhythms,’ and ‘Latin’ music genres such as ‘Samba, among many others. He is also known for creating the musical genre ‘Ringbang,’ in the mid 1990’s, which is a Caribbean fusion of music genres, including ‘Calypso,’ ‘reggae,’ and ‘Soca.’ Eddy Grant has said, ‘Ringbang is the thing that makes the soul quiet. That in a musical concept is rhythm. A child is given Ringbang when a mother rocks it in her arms. Ringbang allowed the slaves to communicate. Ringbang is a bridge that allows us to stop being insular; it is a concept predicated on our being able to communicate with one another.’ In 2016 Eddy Grant received a ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ from the government of Guyana. He had been previously honoured with a postage stamp featuring his likeness and Ringbang logo by the Guyana Post Office Corporation in 2005.

‘Living on the Frontline’ was the first of two singles released from Eddy Grant’s third solo studio Album ‘Walking on Sunshine,’ from 1978, the song was written, produced, and arranged by Eddy Grant, and released on his own ‘Ice Records’ label. He also played all of the instruments on the track, and on it’s parent Album, with the exception of congas, the drums on two songs, and the piano on another. The Album is an eclectic mix of many of the aforementioned musical genres stated above. and was re-issued in 2008 as a Deluxe Edition, with three bonus tracks.

‘Living on the Frontline’ is a call for peace, unity, and understanding, with Eddy Grant reminding us that we are all brothers who should choose the right path in life.

‘Ooh, what kind of man could I be if I can’t talk about what I see. Oh, they tell me got to beware, take the little money and go. Me no want no dirty money, no, me no want no dirty money, oh, mama, mama, you got me living on the frontline.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

519-Diana Ross-Love Hangover.

1976-Number 10 single.

Best Bit-At 2.42. It’s where she goes from Romantic Ross, to Disco Diana.

‘Love Hangover’ was the third of four singles released from Diana Ross’ (see also best songs 1001-900-411-365-212-183-148 and 28) self titled seventh solo studio Album from February 1976. This was her second self titled Album, as her 1970 debut was also called ‘Diana Ross.’ ‘Love Hangover’ was co-written by Marilyn McLeod, (1939-2021) and Pamela Sawyer, (see also best songs 411) with the production being by Hal Davis (1933-1998.) It was Hal Davis who wanted ‘Motown’ records to keep up with the latest musical trends, namely ‘Disco,’ but both the labels owner Berry Gordy, and also Diana Ross, were not too keen. The ballad ‘I Thought It Took a Little Time (But Today I Fell in Love’) had been chosen, and released as the Album’s first single, while the American group the ‘5th Dimension’ (see also best songs 572 and 202) had released their own version of ‘Love Hangover.’ When the 5th Dimension’s version entered the American Billboard Hot 100 at the lower reaches of the chart, Berry Gordy realised that he had made a mistake, and rush released Diana Ross’ version. The 5th Dimension stalled at Number 80, as Diana Ross shot up the charts, spending two weeks at Number 1, in May and June 1976. When ‘Love Hanger’ made Number 1, it gave Diana Ross her fourth solo Billboard chart topper, surpassing Helen Reddy, (1941-2020) Roberta Flack, and Cher, each of whom had three.

‘Love Hangover’ was produced by Hal Davis, who was born Harold Edward Davis, on February 8th, 1933, in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, he died on November 18th, 1998, at the age of 65. Prior to joining the team at ‘Motown’ records in 1962, Hal Davis had began his music career in his teens as a singer, releasing several unsuccessful singles under his own name on small independent labels. In 1960 he turned his hand to production, and song writing, where he began working with future Motown artist Brenda Holloway. Hal Davis was the co-producer of Stevie Wonder’s fourth studio Album ‘Stevie at the Beach,’ (1964) but he is best remembered for his work with the ‘Jackson 5’ (see also best songs 249 and 137) at Motown, helping to steer their career, and co-writing, and co-producing hits such as ‘I’ll Be There,’ (1970-Billboard Number 1 & UK Number 4) and ‘Dancing Machine’ (1974-Billboard Number 2.) Following the success of ‘Love Hangover,’ Hal Davis once again used the same formula to produce the Thelma Houston cover version of ‘Don’t Leave Me This Way,’ (see also best songs 752.)

‘Love Hangover’ was co-written by Marilyn McLeod, and Pamela Sawyer. Marilyn McLeod was born on May 27th, 1939, in Detroit, Michigan, United States, and died on November 24th, 2021, at the age of 82. She was born into a musical family, as her half-brother Ernie Farrow (1928-1969) became a noted Jazz performer, and her sister Alice (1937-2007) married the American Jazz saxophonist John Coltrane, (1926-1967) and recorded many Albums as a Jazz keyboard player and harpist. The McLeod family were acquainted with Berry Gordy, and Marilyn was hired as a songwriter for the ‘Jobete’ publishing company at ‘Motown’ in the mid 1960’s. When ‘Motown’ moved to Los Angeles in the early 1970’s, McLeod was teamed with the lyricist Pam Sawyer, where together, as well as writing ‘Love Hangover,’ they also wrote other notable songs such as ‘Pops, We Love You (A Tribute to Father,’) which was recorded by the Motown stars Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson and Stevie Wonder, as a collaboration, (1978-Billboard Number 59 & UK Number 66) and the song ‘You Can’t Turn Me Off (in the Middle of Turning Me On,’) which was a Number 12 Billboard Hot 100 hit for the American R&B girl group ‘High Inergy,’ in 1977.

Diana Ross had not been keen on recording a ‘Disco’ song, so Hal Davis pulled out all the stops to set the right tone when she recorded her vocals. He scheduled the session late at night, when Diana Ross was at her most most agreeable. He had flashing disco lights set up in the studio, and gave her a vodka to relax her. Diana Ross recorded her vocals at 2.0.am, and after finally settling down, she kicked off her shoes, and got on with it, improvising, and at one point letting out a laugh which made it on to the record. Diana Ross has said, ‘It was a spontaneous thing that we captured on record and if I had to go back in and do it again, I couldn’t have. The music was me and I was the music. Things came out of my mouth that I didn’t even expect.’

‘Love Hangover’ is a very sexual song, where Diana Ross sings about her feelings after making love. Whereas the effect after a hangover brought on by too much alcohol can leave you feeling unwell, a ‘Love Hanger’ can leave you feeling elated.

Don’t call a doctor, don’t call her momma, don’t call her preacher, no, I don’t need it, I don’t want it. Sweet love, I love you, sweet love, need love. If there’s a cure for this I don’t want it.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

520-Mark Morrison-Return of the Mack.

1996-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 1.00. It’s probably what the inmates said to him every time he returned to Her Majesty’s Pleasure.

Mark Morrison was born on May 3rd, 1972, in Hanover, West Germany, both of his parents had originated from Barbados. As a child he emigrated to Highfields, Leicester, England, and then to Miami, Florida, United States, before returning to Britain at the age of 19. Mark Morrison has been involved in several legal issues, which have hindered his career from reaching even greater heights, including the conviction in 1997 for attempting to bring a firearm aboard an airliner, for which he served three months in jail, just as ‘Return of the Mack’ was beginning to take off on the American Billboard chart. In 1998 he was incarcerated in ‘Wormwood Scrubs’ prison in London for a year, for paying a lookalike to perform his court-appointed community service in his place, while he himself went on tour. Mark Morrison also had other major run-ins with the authorities during the first decade of the ‘noughties.’ In 2000 he signed a five year worldwide deal with Suge Knight the founder of the American record label ‘Death Row Records,’ making him the first, and only British, or European artist to be signed by the label.

The discography of Mark Morrison includes two studio Albums, released in 1996, and 2006, and 20 singles released between 1993-2022, there are also two extended plays (EP’s) available. In the UK, nine of those singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Return of the Mack’ making the Number 1 spot. Mark Morrison holds the record of being the first artist in British ‘Pop’ history to have five Top 10 hits from a debut album. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, Morrison is considered a ‘one hit wonder,’ as only ‘Return of the Mack,’ has charted, peaking at Number 2 in 1997, although ‘Moan and Groan,’ (1997) (UK-Number 7) did reach Number 76 on Billboard.

‘Return of the Mack’ was the third of seven singles released from Mark Morrison’s debut studio Album of the same name, from April 1996, the Album has sold in excess of three million copies worldwide. The single ‘Return of the Mack’ was written by Mark Morrison, with the production being by Morrison, Phil Chill, (see also best songs 365) and Cutfather & Joe.’ As of 2021, the single ‘Return of the Mack’ had sold in excess of three million copies worldwide, making it the 570th best selling song on Billboard since 1958, while in the UK, it had sold in excess of 1.2 million copies, making it one of 178 singles that have sold one million copies+ in that country. ‘Return of the Mack’ features unaccredited vocals by British singer Angie Brown, in the songs video her lyrics are lip-synced by the British model Suzannah Agrippa. Brown has performed backing vocals for many of the worlds top artists including The Rolling Stones, and Kate Bush. She is a credited co-artist with the English ‘Dance Music’ group ‘Bizarre Inc,’ on their 1992 UK Number 3 hit single ‘I’m Gonna Get You.’ ‘Return of the Mack’ has several samples, although none get any of the songwriting credits. The main sample is taken from the track ‘Genius of Love,’ which was a 1992 Billboard Number 31 hit for the American group ‘Tom Tom Club,’ ironically the opening lyrics to that song are, ‘What you gonna do when you get out of jail? I’m gonna have some fun.’ Another prominent sample is the 1992 track ‘Games,’ by the American R&B singer Chuckii Booker. Other samples that can be heard to a lesser extent include, ‘UFO’ by ESG, (1981) Cerrone’s ‘Rocket in the Pocket,’ (1978) and ‘Feel The Heartbeat,’ (1983) by The Treacherous Three.

‘Return of the Mack’ was co-produced by Mich Hedin Hansen, who goes by the working title of ‘Cutfather,’ he was born on April 9th, 1968, in Holbæk, Denmark. For many years he had a working relationship with Joe Belmaati, as ‘Cutfather & Joe,’ together they wrote and produced for artists, including Kylie Minogue, and the Pussycat Dolls. Joe Belmaati was born on March 6th, 1969, in Tarnby, Copenhagen, Denmark. ‘Return of the Mack’s other co-producer was Phil Chill, whose real name is Phillip Legg, he is a music producer and recording engineer, who is best known for his 1990 remix of ‘I’m Still Waiting,’ for Diana Ross, which reached Number 21 on the UK top 40 (see also best songs 365.)

According to the ‘Oxford English Dictionary,’ a ‘Mack’ is a ‘confident successful man who has many sexual partners.’ ‘Return of the Mack’ tells the story of Mark Morrison being rejected by his then girlfriend, but instead of feeling sorry for himself, he turns the experience to his advantage. Morrison has said, ‘When I wrote that song, it was all about my moving from the negative to the positive. And that’s how it turned out. Within the space of a year, I went from the lowest point of my life to return as The Mack and move forward to what’s become the highest point of my life.’

‘So I’m back up in the game, running things to keep my swing. Letting all the people know, that I’m back to run the show. ‘Cause what you did, you know was wrong, and all the nasty things you’ve done. So, baby, listen carefully, while I sing my come-back song.’