THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

531-Pitbull featuring Ne-Yo, Afrojack and Nayer-Give Me Everything.

2011-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 0.43. In ‘Pop,’ musical snobbery runs rife, and no one is more guilty than me, but sometimes you just have to hold your hands up, and appreciate a song for the joy it brings.

Pitbull (see also best songs 876) was born Armando Christian Pérez, on January 15th, 1981, in Miami, Florida, United States, to date he has sold in excess of 15 million Albums, and 100 million singles worldwide. Pitbull has said that he chose his stage name of ‘Pitbull’ because the dogs ‘Bite to lock. The dog is too stupid to lose, and they’re outlawed in Dade County, they’re basically everything that I am, it’s been a constant fight.’ Pitbull began his music career in 2000, recording in the genres of ‘Reggaeton,’ ‘Latin.’ ‘Hip-Hop,’ and ‘Crunk’ music, but it was after re-branding himself as a ‘Pop’ artist in 2011 that he finally achieved major mainstream commercial success. The discography of Pitbull includes 12 studio Albums released between 2004-2023, and he has appeared on in excess of 300 singles, there are also four official compilation Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, as the lead artist, he has had 17 top 40 entries, with ‘Give Me Everything,’ featuring Ne-Yo, Afrojack, and Nayer, (2011) and ‘Timber,’ featuring Kesha, (2013) both getting to Number 1, while as a featured artist, he has appeared on five top 40 singles, with ‘On the Floor,’ by Jennifer Lopez, featuring Pitbull, peaking the highest at Number 3 in 2010 (see also best songs 876.) In the UK, Pitbull has had 14 top 40 singles as the lead artist, with ‘Give Me Everything, and ‘Timber,’ both making Number 1. He has also had a further 11 top 40 hits as a featured artist, with ‘On the Floor’ making the Number 1 spot.

‘Give Me Everything’ was the second of four singles released from ‘Planet Pit,’ which was the sixth studio Album from Pitbull, from June 2011. The song was co-written by Pitbull, Afrojack, (see also best songs 210) and Ne-Yo, with the production being by Afrojack, and DJ Buddha. The lyrics were written by Pitbull, and Ne-Yo, both of whom also provided vocals, with the music provided by Afrojack. The female vocals on the track are by the American singer Nayer Regalado, who has worked with Pitbull on other occasions. To date ‘Give Me Everything’ has sold in excess of 8 million copies worldwide.

Ne-Yo was born Shaffer Chimere Smith, on October 18th, 1979, in Camden, Arkansas, United States, he is a singer, songwriter, actor, dancer, and music producer. Ne-Yo started his music career, adopting the stage name ‘GoGo,’ and joining an ‘R&B’ group called ‘Envy,’ who appeared during amateur night on ‘Showtime at the Apollo,’ an American television variety programme, and then on the short lived ‘MTV’ series ‘The Cut,’ hosted by Lisa Left Eye Lopes of the American girl group ‘TLC.’ ‘Envy’ parted ways in 2000, and Ne-Yo then concentrated on song writing, and the launching of his solo career. The stage name Ne-Yo was coined by ‘Big D Evans,’ a producer with whom Ne-Yo once worked, because Evans claimed that Ne-Yo sees music like the character ‘Neo’ sees the ‘Matrix.’ Prior to finding success as a singer, Ne-Yo first gained recognition for his songwriting abilities following the success of his first major credit on the American ‘R&B’ singer Mario’s 2004 single ‘Let Me Love You,’ (2004-Billboard & UK Number 2) its release prompted a meeting between Ne-Yo and ‘Def Jam’ records then-president Jay-Z (see also best songs 636-477-267 and 23) resulting in a contract.

The discography of Ne-Yo includes nine studio Albums released between 2006-2022, and 41 singles released between 2005-2023. On the Billboard Hot 100 in America, as the lead artist he has had 11 top 40 hits, with ‘So Sick,’ from 2006, reaching Number 1, he has also had a further eight hits as a featured artist, with ‘Give Me Everything’ making the Number 1 position. In the UK he has achieved 14 top 40 singles, with four of those tracks reaching Number 1. He has also had a further seven hits as a featured artist, with ‘Give Me Everything’ topping the chart.

‘Give Me Everything’ has received more than it’s fare share of criticism, from it’s lyrical message about a one night stand, to as the ‘NME’ wrote, it’s random components. The review said, ‘So how many types of wrong is this? You’ve got the earnest vocal jibbering about living in the moment, you’ve got your cheap rave wibble, a high frequency irritation that buzzes like a fly trapped in jism.’ Even the use of the word ‘Kodak’ at the start of the song has been criticised, because Pitbull rhymed ‘Kodak’ with ‘Kodak,’ and did you know Pitbull was under contract to promote ‘Kodak’ at that time.

‘Tonight I want all of you tonight, give me everything tonight, for all we know we might not get tomorrow. Let’s do it tonight.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

532-Ultravox-Vienna.

1981-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 3.08. It was an American vocalist imitating an Italian accent that stopped this song from being a UK Number 1 single, and initiating the most asked Pop quiz question ever. Which song stopped ‘Vienna’ from getting to Number 1? In 2012 ‘Vienna’ was named the greatest ever single to peak at Number 2 in the UK, in a poll carried out by ‘BBC Radio 2,’ and the official chart company. I have to beg to differ, as there are several songs which reached Number 2, a lot higher placed in this ‘1000 Best Songs’ list.

Ultravox were formed in London, England, in 1974, originally calling themselves ‘Tiger Lily,’ before the name change to ‘Ultravox!’ in 1976. The exclamation mark was in tribute to the German band ‘Neu!,’ but was later dropped. The original line up included John Foxx, who left to pursue a solo career in 1979, and guitarist Steve Shears, who left in 1978. The other three original members who were Bill Currie, (see also best songs 543) Warren Cann, and Chris Cross, (1952-2024) were joined by Midge Ure (see also best songs 543 and 455) in 1979, to complete what is considered the groups classic line up. ‘Ultravox’ probably took their name from the Latin, ‘Ultra,’ meaning ‘beyond,’ and ‘Vox,’ meaning voice. ‘Ultravox’ were active until 1987, but have reformed with old and new members on two further occasions, before the band was finally retired in 2013.

The discography of Ultravox includes 11 studio Albums released between 1977-2012, and 32 singles released between 1975-1995, there are also three box sets, six extended plays (EP’s,) 16 official compilation Albums, and six live Albums available. In the UK, 17 of their singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Vienna’ charting the highest at Number 2, while in America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, only ‘Reap the Wild Wind,’ from 1982, has made any impression, when reaching Number 71.

‘Vienna’ was the third of four singles released from the fourth studio Album of the same name by Ultravox, from July 1980. The song was co-written by Warren Cann, Chris Cross, Billy Currie, and Midge Ure, (the four members of Ultravox at that time) with the production being by the German music producer Conny Plank, (1940-1987) who had previously worked with, among many others, ‘Kraftwerk,’ (see also best songs 41) and Brian Eno (see also best songs 766-302-190-118-109 and 57.)

Midge Ure (see also best songs 543 and 455) was born James Ure, on October 10th, 1953, in Cambuslang, (on the outskirts of Glasgow) Scotland, his stage name, ‘Midge,’ is a phonetic reversal of Jim, a hypocorism of his given name. Midge Ure began his music career in 1972 as the guitarist in the Glasgow group ‘Salvation,’ In April 1974 he took over as the groups lead singer, and then in November 1974, the band changed its name to ‘Slik,’ and with Bill Martin, (1938-2020) and Phil Coulter, writing for them, they had a UK Number 1 hit with ‘Forever and Ever’ in 1975. Also in 1975, Midge Ure turned down an offer to be the lead vocalist of the ‘Sex Pistols,’ (see also best songs 576-92 and 27) stating that he felt at the time that Malcolm McLaren (1946-2010) (see also best songs 751) had ‘His priorities completely wrong,’ a position he later reversed. After parting ways with ‘Slik’ in 1977, Midge Ure next joined the ‘Punk Rock’/New Wave’ group ‘Rich Kids,’ and charted with the single ‘Rich Kids’ (1978-UK Number 24.) Midge Ure then left the ‘Rich Kids’ stating musical differences, as he and fellow ‘Rich Kids’ band member Rusty Egan were now getting into ‘Electronic’ music, and were wanting to incorporate synthesizers, this led to them forming ‘Visage’ (see best songs 543) with Steve Strange (1959-2015) in 1978. By 1979 ‘Ultravox’ had all but collapsed, and it was Billie Currie (a founding member) who persuaded Midge Ure to join forces and resurrect the group. But of course Midge Ure will always be best remembered for his charity work, and the co-writing, with Bob Geldof, (see also best songs 632 and 455) of the charity single ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ (see also best songs 455) which has sold in excess of 3.7 million copies in the UK, and is the second best selling song of all time in that country. As a solo artist, Midge Ure has released eight studio Albums between 1985-2017, and 25 singles between 1982-2022, there are also eight official compilation Albums, and 15 live Albums available. In the UK, six of his singles have reached the top 40, with ‘If I Was’ from 1985, making the Number 1 spot.

The lyrics for ‘Vienna’ were written by Midge Ure about a brief love affair in the city of Vienna. Bill Currie has said that Midge Ure was hesitant about the classical romantic feel of the songs orchestration and said, ‘This means nothing to me,’ to which the songs producer Konrad Plank replied, ‘Well sing that then.’ Midge Ure has said, ‘We wanted to take the song, and make it incredibly pompous in the middle, leaving it very sparse before, and after, but finishing with a typically over the top classical ending.’ Midge Ure has also said that inspiration for the song came from ‘The Walker Brothers’ 1978 song ‘The Electrician.’

We walked in the cold air, freezing breath on a window pane. Lying and waiting, a man in the dark in a picture frame, so mystic and soulful, a voice reaching out in a piercing cry.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

533-Rose Royce-Do Your Dance.

1977-Number 30 single.

Best Bit-At 1.51. The Rolls Royce of Funky music.

The group who would eventually become ‘Rose Royce’ (see also best songs 233) started out life in the early 1970’s when members of several local bands from the ‘Watts,’ and ‘Inglewood’ areas of Los Angeles joined forces under the name ‘Total Concept Unlimited,’ these musicians were Henry Garner, (drums) Terral “Terry” Santiel, (congas) Lequeint “Duke” Jobe, (bass) Michael Moore, (saxophone) Kenny Copeland, (trumpet, and lead vocals), Kenji Brown, (guitar, and lead vocals) Freddie Dunn, (trumpet) and Victor Nix (keyboards.) In 1973 they toured Europe and Japan backing Edwin Starr, (1942-2003) (see also best songs 429) who would later introduce them to the legendary music producer Norman Whitfield (1940-2008) (see also best songs 911-777-569-480-346 and 233.) Whitfield had spent the previous decade writing and producing at ‘Motown’ records, and was now ready for a new challenge, setting up his own record label ‘Whitfield’ records. While touring in Miami, Joe Harris of the ‘Motown’ group ‘Undisputed Truth’ was introduced to Gwen Dickey, who was then a member of a local group called ‘The Jewels.’ Harris informed Norman Whitfield of his find, and Whitfield signed Dickey to be lead singer of ‘Total Concept Unlimited.’ In 1975 Whitfield was contacted by the film director Michael Shultz to write music for his next film ‘Carwash.’ The soundtrack released in 1976 would become the debut Album by ‘Rose Royce,’ with their name changed from ‘Total Concept Unlimited,’ to ‘Rose Royce’ after the movies automotive theme. The groups new lead singer Gwen Dickey was re-named ‘Rose Norwalt by Norman Whitfield. In total there have been 12 different members of Rose Royce come and go, and at the time of writing they remain active as a touring group.

Gwen Dickey was born on December 1st, 1953, in Biloxi, Mississippi, United States. She began here career by singing professionally at local clubs, and then performing with a local venue’s house band known as ‘The Jewels,’ which was where Joe Harris discovered her. Gwen Dickey would stay as the lead singer of ‘Rose Royce’ until 1980, when leaving to pursue a solo career, after experiencing turmoil with other members of the group, she can be heard performing on all the first four studio Albums of ‘Rose Royce.’ In 1993 she released her one solo studio Album ‘Time to Change,’ and was then back in the charts in 1994, appearing with the British group ‘KWS,’ on a cover of the ‘Rufus and Chaka Khan’ song ‘Ain’t Nobody,’ which reached Number 21 in the UK. She also had a hit with the American Rapper Jay-Z (see also best songs 636-477-267 and 23) in 1998, duetting on a cover of the Rose Royce song ‘Wishing on a Star,’ which made Number 13 in the UK. In 2010, Gwen Dickey experienced a spinal cord injury in her London home, leaving her reliant on a wheelchair, and at the time of writing she still performs concerts while seated on stage.

‘Do Your Dance’ was the first of four singles released from ‘In Full Bloom,’ which was the second studio Album released by ‘Rose Royce,’ from July 1977. The song was co-written by Norman Whitfield, and Dwight Turner, with the production being by Whitfield. The full length Album version of the track which closes side 1 on ‘In Full Bloom,’ goes for 9.15, but for purposes of airplay, the song was edited and released as a 7 inch single as ‘Do Your Dance’ (Part 1) with a running time of 3.30. In America ‘Do Your Dance’ (Part 1) stalled at Number 39 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, although it did make Number 4 on the ‘Billboard R&B chart.

‘Do Your Dance’ was co-written by Norman Whitfield, and Dwight Turner, who was born Dwight David Turner, on February 4th, 1947, in Beckley, West Virginia, United States, he is professionally known as ‘Spyder Turner.’ Turner is best known as a ‘Soul’ singer, and first began recording after winning a contest at the ‘Apollo Theater,’ in New York City, recording some solo tracks, and singing backup for several groups, including ‘The Stereophonics,’ (no not the Welsh one) and ‘Soul/Funk’ group ‘The Fabulous Counts.’ In 1967 Spyder Turner made the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, with his cover of the 1961 Ben E King (1938-2015) classic ‘Stand By Me,’ (see also best songs 804.) In the song, Turner not only imitated the voices of Ben E. King, Smokey Robinson, Chuck Jackson, and Billy Stewart, amongst others, but he also named them as he sang verses of the song in their style., the track peaked at Number 12.

‘We gon’ start at midnight, party till the mornin’ light. You see, we can’t give up or stop, until we get it right. Ain’t that right, ain’t that right.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

534-Evelyn Thomas-High Energy.

1984-Number 5 single.

Best Bit-At 2.15. You can’t get any higher than this…..legally.

‘Hi-NRG’ (pronounced ‘high energy’) is a musical genre of uptempo ‘Disco,’ or ‘Electronic Dance Music,’ (EDM) that originated during the late 1970’s, and early 1980’s. In 1977 the American singer Donna Summer (1948-2012) (see also best songs 78 and 11) was interviewed about her single ‘I Feel Love,’ which was a mostly Electronic, high tempo Disco song, she said, ‘This song became a hit because it has an high energy vibe,’ which led to the naming of the genre. The ‘Hi-NRG’ music genre would prove very influential, with notably the British music producers ‘Stock Aitken and Waterman (see also best songs 627) using the genre in a lot of their productions, and further down the line the genre would influence ‘Techno,’ and ‘Trance’ music of the early 1990’s.

‘High Energy’ was co-written, and co-produced by Ian Levine, and Fiachra Trench, and was the first of three singles released from Evelyn Thomas’ third studio Album of the same name from 1984. Evelyn Thomas was born Ellen Lucille Thomas, on August 22nd, 1953, in Chicago, Illinois, United States, she was discovered by the British music producer Ian Levine when he was in the United States in 1975 scouting for ‘Gospel’ and ‘Soul’ singers, that he could promote in the UK. Together they recorded several tracks which resulted in a contract with ’20th Century Records.’ The discography of Evelyn Thomas includes four studio Albums released between 1978-1986, and 25 singles released between 1976-2008, there are also two official compilation Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, her only charting single remains ‘High Energy,’ which stalled at Number 85, although three of her tracks have reached the ‘Billboard Dance Club Songs’ chart, with ‘High Energy’ making the Number 1 spot. In the UK, Evelyn Thomas has charted twice within the top 40, with ‘Weak Spot,’ also co-written by Ian Levine, reaching Number 26 in 1976, and ‘High Energy,’ peaking the highest at Number 5 in 1984.

Ian Levine was born Ian Geoffrey Levine, on June 22nd, 1953, in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, he was very influential in the ‘Northern Soul’ scene (see also best songs 969) in the 1970’s, and then with ‘Electronic Dance Music’ in the early 1980’s. Ian Levine who has written and produced records with sales totalling over 40 million, first got in to music as an avid collector of ‘Motown’ records, building up an extensive collection, which led to his interest in the promoting of ‘Northern Soul’ music. In 1971 he became a disc jockey at the ‘Blackpool Mecca,’ England, which played ‘Northern Soul’ singles, before moving on to playing at the world famous ‘Wigan Casino,’ where he and his fellow DJ Colin Curtis, were responsible for guiding the ‘Northern Soul’ scene away from its oldies-only policy, and towards ‘Modern Soul,’ and ‘Disco.’ In 1979, Ian Levine began advising London’s gay disco ‘Heaven’ on its set-up, and he became the club’s first resident DJ, remaining there through most of the 1980’s, before leaving in 1989. Levine was also one of the first DJ’s to mix records in the UK. Ian Levine is also remembered for setting up his own record label ‘Motorcity Records’ in 1987. In that year, he had began recording some former artists from ‘Motown,’ and after a reunion of 60 Motown stars, including Edwin Starr (1942-2003) (see also best songs 429) and Levi Stubbs (1936-2008) (see also best songs 650) on top of a hotel opposite the original ‘Hitsville USA’ building, in Detroit, ‘Motorcity Records’ was launched as a record label. The label recorded 850 songs by 108 artists, but due to due to severe financial losses the label had to be closed down in the 1990’s.

‘High Energy’ was also co-written by Fiachra Trench, who was born Fiachra Terence Wilbrah Trench, on September 7th, 1941, in Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland. He began his songwriting partnership with Ian Levine in the early 1980’s, and together they wrote ‘Hi-NRG’ tracks for artists, including Evelyn Thomas, Miquel Brown, and Barbara Pennington (1954-2023.) Trench has worked alongside many of the world’s top performers throughout his career, and is credited with the string arrangements on the ‘Boomtown Rats’ “I Don’t Like Mondays,’ (1979-UK Number 1) Fairytale of New York,’ by the Pogues, (1987-UK Number 2) (see also best songs 32) and ‘Have I Told You Lately,’ for Van Morrison (1989-UK Number 74.) Fiachra Trench has also scored and composed music for films, including ‘Pearl Harbor,’ (2001) ‘The Boxer,’ (1997) ‘The Tailor of Panama,’ (2001) and ‘The Ring’ (2006.)

‘All the gold that’s in Fort Knox couldn’t buy this happiness. With your love I don’t need money, I don’t need success. I became a victim of a sudden love attack, It happened in a blink of an eye and there’s no holding back.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

535-The Mills Brothers-You Always Hurt the One You Love.

1944-It has never charted in the UK. There was no UK chart until 1952.

Best Bit-At 1.16. Some song titles become so famous, that they actually become a cliche.

The Mills Brothers (see also best songs 960) originated from Piqua, Ohio, United States, and were active for 54 years, between 1928-1982. The four brothers who made up the quartet, and whom had been born in to a family of nine were, Donald, (1915-1999) (lead tenor) Herbert, (1912-1999) (tenor) Harry, (1913-1982) (baritone) and John Jr. (1910-1936) (guitar, double bass, and vocals.) As well as being able to harmonise together, the brothers also mimicked the sounds of musical instruments, John would imitate the tuba, Harry, the trumpet, and Donald, the trombone. John also accompanied their four-part harmony on ukulele, and then guitar. In their early days they practised imitating orchestras that they had heard on the radio. In fact it was stated on their early ‘Decca Records’ recordings, and then later on their ‘Brunswick Records’ recordings that ‘No musical instruments or mechanical devices used on this recording other than one guitar.’

The Mills Brothers recorded over 2000 songs, and sold in excess of 50 million records during their career, although in the UK, their only entry on the UK top 40 singles chart is ‘The Glow Worm,’ which reached Number 10 after it’s release in 1952. In America it was a completely different story, where they charted with 63 top 40 singles on Billboard between 1931-1968, including five Number 1’s, one of which was this song. The Mills Brothers have also released 58 official Albums, including compilations, between 1946-1981. Such was the popularity of The Mills Brothers, that they made appearances in 20 films between 1932-1965.

‘You Always Hurt the One You Love’ was co-written by Allan Roberts, (1905-1966) who wrote the lyrics, and Doris Fisher, (1915-2003) who provided the melody. The very first recording of the song was by The Mills Brothers, with the arrangement credited to Milton DeLugg (1918-2015.) Over the years ‘You Always Hurt the One You Love’ has been recorded by many different artists, with the other hit versions being by the American R&B singer Clarence “Frogman” Henry, (1937-2024) who reached Number 4 in Canada in 1961, and the American singer Connie Francis, who made Number 13 on the UK chart in 1959. Milton DeLugg was born on December 2nd, 1918, in Los Angeles, California, United States, he died of heart failure on April 6th, 2015, at the age of 96. Although he is best remembered for writing songs in the pre ‘Rock ‘N Roll’ era, and also for composing music for a number of films, and television programmes, his best known song apart from his work on ‘You Always Hurt the One You Love,’ is his production of the 1958 UK Number 5 ‘Rock ‘N Roll’ hit ‘Rave On,’ for Buddy Holly.

‘You Always Hurt the One You Love’ was co-written by Doris Fisher, who was born on May 2nd, 1915, in New York City, New York, United States, and died on January 15th, 2003, at the age of 87, and Allan Roberts, who was born on March 12th, 1905, in Brooklyn, New York, United States, and died of a heart attack on January 14th, 1966, at the age of 61 collaborated on many songs together, including ‘Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall, (1944) (see also best songs 702) and ‘That Ole Devil Called Love’ (1944.) In 1945 Fisher and Roberts were signed to a seven years contract with ‘Columbia Pictures,’ but after Fisher married in 1947, she decided to retire from music, with Roberts continuing to write with his new partner Lester Lee (1903-1956.) Doris Fisher was certainly bred to be a songwriter, being the daughter of the German songwriter, and ‘Tin Pan Alley’ music publisher Fred Fisher, (1875-1942) both of her brothers Dan Fisher, (1920-2001) and Marvin Fisher (1916-1993) were also both noted songwriters. In 1940 Doris Fisher co-wrote the song ‘Whispering Grass’ with her father Fred Fisher, the song was first made famous by the American vocal Pop group ‘The Ink Spots’ featuring Bill Kenny, and then became a UK Number 1 single in 1975, when recorded by Windsor Davies (1930-2019) and Don Estelle (1933-2003.) After leaving music, Doris Fisher became a collector of antique American furniture, and an adviser on interior design. In the early 1960’s she advised President John F. Kennedy (1917-1963) on interior design for the White House. Following her death, her friend, the American pianist and singer Michael Feinstein, praised her tenacity and talent, in what at the time was a man’s world.

‘You always hurt the one you love, the one you shouldn’t hurt at all. You always take the sweetest rose, and crush it till the petals fall. You always break the kindest heart with a hasty word you can’t recall, so if I broke your heart last night, it’s because I love you most of all.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

536-Neil Diamond-Forever in Blue Jeans.

1979-Number 16 single.

Best Bit-At 1.28. As two other songwriters of great renown once wrote, ‘Money Can’t Buy Me Love.’

Neil Leslie Diamond (see also best songs 426 and 13) was born on January 24th, 1941, in New York City, United States, with record sales in excess of 130 million sold worldwide, he is one of the best selling artists of all time. It was at the age of 16, that he realised that he wanted to be a songwriter, after watching the Folk singer Pete Seeger (1919-2014) (see also best songs 159) perform at the ‘Surprise Lake Camp,’ in upstate New York, Neil Diamond has recalled, ‘And the next thing, I got a guitar when we got back to Brooklyn, started to take lessons, and almost immediately began to write songs.’ Prior to his breakthrough as a performer in 1966 with his fifth overall single release ‘Cherry Cherry,’ (Billboard Number 5) Neil Diamond had found success with his songs being performed by other artists, notably with ‘Sunday and Me,’ which made Number 18 on Billboard in 1965 for the American Rock group ‘Jay and the Americans,’ and ‘I’m a Believer,’ a Billboard, and UK Number 1 single for the American ‘Pop/Rock’ band the ‘Monkees’ in 1966.

The discography of Neil Diamond includes 32 studio Albums released between 1966-2020, and 96 singles released between 1962-2021, there are also two soundtrack Albums, 35 official compilation Albums, and eight live Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, 37 of his singles have reached the top 40, with three of those tracks, ‘Cracklin’ Rosie,’ (1970) Song Sung Blue,’ (1972) and ‘You Don’t Bring Me Flowers,’ a duet with Barbra Streisand, (1978) all making the Number 1 position, while in the UK, Neil Diamond has had 11 top 40 hits, with ‘Cracklin’ Rosie’ (1970) peaking the highest at Number 3. When recorded by others, two of his songs, ‘I’m a Believer,’ (Monkees-1966) and ‘Red Red Wine,’ (UB40-1983) have both reached Number 1 on both Billboard, and in the UK.

‘Forever in Blue Jeans,’ which can be filed under ‘Rock,’ ‘Country Pop,’ and ‘Soft Rock,’ was the second of three singles released from Neil Diamond’s 12th studio Album ‘You Don’t Bring Me Flowers,’ from November 1978, the song was co-written by Neil Diamond, and Richard Bennett, with the production being by the legendary American songwriter, singer, musician, and record producer, Bob Gaudio (see also best songs 1007-914-863-739-499-393-284-164 and 112.) Richard Bennett was born on July 22nd, 1951, in Chicago, Illinois, United States, he is best known as a guitarist, and music producer. Bennett was a long term collaborator with Neil Diamond, playing on everyone of his Albums between 1971-1987, and also touring with him throughout that time period. The other song that Richard Bennett is best remembered for, is his guitar playing on the 1975 Billboard Number 1, and UK Number 7 single ‘Let Your Love Flow,’ by ‘The Bellamy Brothers,’ (see also best songs 923) ‘Let Your Love Flow’ had been written by Larry E. Williams, who was a member of Neil Diamond’s road crew. Since 1994 Bennett has worked as a touring sideman for Mark Knopfler, (see also best songs 829 and 298) and he has also produced Albums for artists including Emmylou Harris, and Steve Earle. He was a member of ‘The Notorious Cherry Bombs’ who recorded an Album in 1994, and he has performed on dozens of tracks for other artists, as well as releasing six solo Albums between 2004-2018. He has played on nine Mark Knopfler Albums between 1996-2018, with Knopfler writing the liner notes for Bennett’s debut solo Album ‘Themes From A Rainy Decade,’ in 2004. The liner notes read,’For almost ten years now I’ve felt very lucky having Richard Bennett as a pal and as a member of the band. His quiet, self-effacing manner hides an encyclopedic knowledge of all kinds of roots and rock music, from Hillbilly to Hawaiian, played effortlessly on a variety of instruments which appear out of a flight case as big as an Airstream trailer… May his cracking guitar playing find a place in your life as it has in mine.’

‘Forever in Blue Jeans’ tells us that it is better to be loved by that special person, rather than have all the money in the world, and not know real happiness. The ‘Blue Jeans’ are a symbol of a manual worker, who would not have lots of money. Neil Diamond has said of the songs meaning, ‘The simple things are really the important things.’

‘Money talks, but it can’t sing and dance and it can’t walk, and long as I can have you here with me, I’d much rather be forever in blue jeans. babe.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

537-UB40-Kingston Town.

1990-Number 4 single.

Best Bit-At 0.09. UB40 maybe brilliant when it comes to making music, but it appears they are rubbish when it comes to geography, surely they should know that Kingston is a city, not a town.

UB40 (see also best songs 173) were formed in Birmingham, England, in 1978. The classic line up who recorded the debut studio Album ‘Signing Off’ in 1980, and remained together until Ali Campbell parted ways in 2008 to start a solo career were, Ali Campbell, (lead vocals) Robin Campbell, (lead guitar) Earl Falconer, (bass) Norman Lamont Hassan, (percussion) Terence ‘Asto’ Wilson, (1957-2021) (vocals) Jim Brown, (drums) Brian Travers, (1959-2021) (saxophone) and Michael Virtue (keyboards.)

Ali Campbell was born Alistair Ian Campbell, on February 15th, 1959, in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England, both of his other brothers Robin Campbell, and Duncan Campbell are also former members of UB40. In 2008 Ali Campbell quit UB40 after very nearly 30 years of recording and touring, stating that for many years he had been unhappy with the business practices and business managers of UB40, and then launched an investigation into the financial handling of the business. This was the reason for his departure. Within a few months Mickey Virtue who had been a member of UB40 since 1979 also left, citing the same reasons as Campbell, and joined Campbell’s legal investigation. In 2014 Ali Campbell joined forces with Mickey Virtue, and ‘Astro,’ who had left UB40 in 2013, to form a rival group to ‘UB40, calling themselves ‘UB40 featuring Ali, Astro and Mickey.’ Ali Campbell has said why he was motivated to start a rival group, ‘I sat back for five years and watched my brother Duncan murdering my songs. We’re saving the legacy.’ The Campbell brothers are the three sons of the Scottish Folk singer Ian Campbell, (1933-2012) who was one of the most important figures of the British Folk revival during the 1960’s. In 1962 as the ‘Ian Campbell Folk Group,’ he and others recorded ‘Ceilidh At The Crown,’ at the ‘Crown Inn,’ in Station Street, Birmingham, which was their regular venue. It was the first ever live Folk recording to be released on vinyl.

The discography of Ali Campbell away from UB40 includes four solo studio Albums released between 1995-2010, and a further two with ‘the other UB40,’ released in 2014, and 2022, there are also three official compilation Albums available. Ali Campbell has also released eight singles without any other members of UB40 between 1995-2010, with three of those singles making the UK top 40, with ‘That Look in Your Eye,’ featuring Pamela Starks, charting the highest at Number 5 in 1995.

‘Kingston Town’ was the third of five singles released from UB40’s ninth studio Album, and second covers Album, ‘Labour of Love II,’ from November 1989. ‘Kingston Town’ was written by Kentrick Patrick, (1935-2023) with the production credited to UB40. The song reached the top 40 in 10 European countries, including topping the charts in the Netherlands, and France, where with sales of around 600,000, it is at the time of writing the 426th best selling song of all time in France. The Album ‘Labour of Love II,’ contains 14 cover versions, played in the ‘Reggae’ genre, many based on the original versions arrangement, and some new arrangements by the band.
‘Kingston Town’ was originally written by Kentrick Patrick, who is better known by his stage name ‘Lord Creator.’ Kentrick Patrick was born on August 21st, 1935, in San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago, he died on June 30th, June 2023, at the age of 87. As ‘Lord Creator’ he recorded music in the genres of ‘Calypso,’ ‘R&B,’ ‘Ska,’ and ‘Rocksteady,’ he was also a singer. As a non Jamaican he is recognised as an important and positive ‘outside’ influence during the early development of the Jamaican music scene. In 1962, he recorded the song ‘Independent Jamaica,’ with the Jamaican producer Vincent ‘Randy’ Chin, (1937-2003) which became the official song marking Jamaica’s independence from the British Empire on August 6th, 1962. That song was also the first record issued on Chris Blackwell’s newly founded ‘Island Records’ label in the United Kingdom as ‘Island 001.’ When UB40 had a hit with ‘Kingston Town’ in 1989, it helped revive Lord Creator’s career, bringing bookings in oldies shows in Jamaica, as well as a tour of Japan. In 2022, for his services to music, he was the recipient of Jamaica’s ‘Order of Distinction (Officer.’)

‘And when I an king, surely I would need a queen, and a palace and everything, yeah. And now I am king, and my queen will come at dawn, she’ll be waiting in Kingston Town.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

538-Meghan Trainor-All About That Bass.

2014-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 0.44. You’ve gotta love that ‘Phat Bass.’ The bass represents the fuller sound, (the more curvy lady) whereas the treble represents a lesser sound (those skinny bitc#es.)

Meghan Elizabeth Trainor was born on December 22nd, 1993, in Nantucket, Massachusetts, United States, initially she had no ambition to be a performer, as she thought that her body size would hold her back, with her not being the stereotypical looking thin ‘Pop’ singer. Her lyrics often include themes of womanhood, body image, and personal empowerment, although at times she has been criticised for being anti-feminist. At the age of 12 Meghan Trainor began performing as part of a covers band called ‘Island Fusion,’ which also included her aunt, younger brother, and father. Together they performed ‘Soca Music,’ as well as Meghan Trainor’s early compositions. From a young age she had an eclectic taste in music, especially being heavily influenced by the ‘Doo-Wop’ that had originated in African-American communities during the 1940’s. Between the ages of 15 to 17, she independently released three Albums of material she had written, recorded, performed, and produced. In order to improve her songwriting she enrolled in the ‘Summer Performance Program’ at the ‘Berklee College of Music,’ in Boston, Massachusettes during 2009, with the intention of becoming a songwriter for hire. It was in 2013 that she first met Kevin Kadish, which would lead to international recognition for them both.

The discography of Meghan Trainor includes six studio Albums released between 2015-2024, and 36 singles released between 2014-2024, there are also three independent Albums, and two official live Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, she has had seven top 40 hit singles as the lead artist, with ‘All About That Bass’ reaching Number 1, she has also had a further hit as the featured artist on the Charlie Puth track ‘Marvin Gaye,’ which made Number 21 in 2015. In the UK, Meghan Trainor has had eight top 40 chart hits, with ‘All About That Bass’ reaching Number 1, she also made Number 1 as the featured artist on the Charlie Puth single ‘Marvin Gaye’ in 2015.

‘All About That Bass’ was the first of four singles released from Meghan Trainor’s debut major-label studio Album called ‘Title,’ from January 2015, the song was co-written by Meghan Trainor, and Kevin Kadish, with the production being by Kadish. Kevin Paul Kadish was born in 1971, in Baltimore, Maryland, United States, he is 22 years the senior of Meghan Trainor. During the mid 1990’s he toured the East Coast of America as a solo acoustic artist, opening for high profile acts such as Hall & Oates, and Jeff Beck. By the year 2000, Kadish had become a songwriter, notably co-writing two tracks on Willie Nelson’s 2002 studio Album ‘The Great Divide.’ Prior to meeting Meghan Trainor, he also worked on, and wrote on records for artists including Meatloaf, Miley Cyrus, and Jason Mraz.

Meghan Trainor and Kevin Kadish were first introduced to each other in 2013, and soon found that musically they had a lot in common. Kadish had a song title written down (‘All About That Bass’) that he thought would make a great song, and Trainor got the idea of a song about body image from that. ‘All About That Bass’ first appeared on Meghan Trainor’s debut extended play (EP) which was also called ‘Title,’ from 2014. With Meghan Trainor feeling that she hadn’t got the credentials to be a ‘Pop Star,’ the song was offered to other artists, who either turned out to be not suitable, or refused the song, because of this Meghan Trainor was advised to perform it herself. ‘All About That Bass,’ which is filed under the musical genres of ‘Bubblegum Pop,’ ‘Doo-Wop,’ and ‘Hip-Hop,’ went on to spend eight weeks at Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, which is more than any other record on the ‘Epic’ label has ever done. The song went on to sell 11 million copies worldwide, and topped the charts in 58 different countries. At the time of writing it is the 65th best selling song in America ever, and is the best selling song by a female artist in the 2010’s.

‘All About That Bass’ is not without controversy. Although the lyrics portray a positive body image message, saying that you should be proud of who you are, it does take a swipe at thin girls, leading some to suggest that the message of positivism isn’t aimed at everybody. Kevin Kadish has defended the song saying, ‘What critics didn’t understand was that the song was a joke. We weren’t seriously calling people skinny bitc#es, but I don’t know any girl who hasn’t called another girl a skinny bit#h.’ While Meghan Trainor has said, ‘I didn’t work this hard to hate on skinny people, I wrote the song to help my body confidence, and to help others.’

Yeah, it’s pretty clear, I ain’t no size two, but I can shake it, shake it, like I’m supposed to do. ‘Cause I got that boom boom that all the boys chase, and all the right junk in all the right places. I see the magazines workin’ that Photoshop, we know that sh#t ain’t real.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

539-Neil Sedaka-Next Door to an Angel.

1962-Number 29 single.

Best Bit-At 2.04. There are worse things you could live next door to, how about Alice for instance.

Neil Sedaka was born on March 13th, 1939, in Brooklyn, New York City, United States, he is a singer, songwriter, and pianist. His success can be split into two eras, the late 1950’s through until the early 1960’s, and then his comeback in the the mid 1970’s. It was the changing sounds in ‘Pop Music,’ with the emergence of the Beatles, (see also best songs 599-456-319-238-141-80-51-10 and 6) and the so called ‘British Invasion,’ which primarily caused Sedaka to drop out of the limelight. He reinvented, and updated his sound, and then arguably found even greater success in the 1970’s.

Neil Sedaka has had two longstanding partnerships with his co-songwriters. The first was with his boyhood friend Howard Greenfield, (1936-1986) the two were first introduced to each other when Sedaka was 13 years old, and Greenfield was 16, and the second was with the American born Phil Cody, during Sedaka’s 1970’s comeback. The discography of Neil Sedaka includes 27 studio Albums released between 1959-2016, and 79 singles released between 1957-1992, there are also 10 extended plays, 83 official compilation Albums, live Albums, and foreign-language Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, Neil Sedaka has had 20 top 40 hit singles, with ‘Breaking Up Is Hard to Do,’ (1962) ‘Laughter in the Rain,’ (1974) and ‘Bad Blood,’ with unaccredited backing vocals by Elton John, (1975) all reaching the Number 1 position, while ‘Next Door to an Angel’ peaked at Number 5. In the UK he has had 15 top 40 hit singles, with ‘Oh Carol,’ (1959) and ‘Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen,’ (1961) both charting the highest at Number 3. Neil Sedaka has also recorded several of his 1960’s songs in foreign-languages, including Italian, German, Japanese, and Hebrew.

With his songwriting partner Howard Greenfield providing the lyrics, Neil Sedaka has also had great success writing hits for other artists, including ‘Stupid Cupid,’ in 1958, for Connie Francis which made Number 14 on Billboard. In 1975, the American duo ‘Captain & Tennille,’ covered the Sedaka/Greenfield composition ‘Love Will Keep Us Together,’ which reached Number 1 on Billboard, and became the best selling song of that year. In 2005, the Sedaka/ Greenfield penned song ‘(Is This the Way to) Amarillo,’ which had originally reached Number 18 in the UK in 1971, when recorded by the English singer Tony Christie, was re-issued in aid of the charity ‘Comic Relief,’ and promoted with a video featuring the English comedian Peter Kay, (see also best songs 598) this time the song reached Number 1, becoming the best selling single of the millennium up to that point in the UK. In 1972 Neil Sedaka released the Album ‘Solitaire,’ with seven of the 11 tracks co-written with Phil Cody, apart from it signifying that Sedaka was back, the Album is notable for the four musicians who played on the Album. They were Graham Gouldman, Lol Creme, Kevin Godley, and Eric Stewart, who would soon go on to find great success as 10cc (see also best songs 663 and 154.)

‘Next Door to an Angel’ was released as a stand alone single, and first appeared on Album format on Neil Sedaka’s 1963 compilation Album ‘Neil Sedaka Sings His Greatest Hits,’ as the Album’s opening track. The song was co-written by Neil Sedaka, and Howard Greenfield, with the production being by Al Nevins, (1915-1965) and Don Kirshner, (1934-2011) the song would be Neil Sedaka’s last top 10 hit until 1974 in America, and his very last one in the UK as a performer.

Howard Greenfield was born on March 15th, 1936, in Brooklyn, New York, United States, he died on March 4th, 1986, from complications from AIDS, at the age of 49. Greenfield was openly gay, and was in a domestic partnership with the cabaret singer Tory Damon (1939-1986) from the early 1960’s until his death. Greenfield and Sedaka had worked together creating songs at the famous ‘Brill Building,’ on 49th Street, in the New York City borough of Manhattan, a collaboration that would continue through until the 1970’s. With Sedaka’s touring commitments taking up a lot of his time in the 1960’s, Greenfield began to write with the American composer Jack Keller, (1936-2005) their joint efforts include two Billboard Number 1 hits for Connie Francis, ‘Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool,’ (1960) and “My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own’ (1960.) They also wrote ‘Venus in Blue Jeans,’ a Billboard Number 5 hit for Jimmy Clanton in 1962, and a UK Number 4 hit for Mark Wynter in the same year. Howard Greenfield also collaborated with the American songwriter Helen Miler, (1925-2006) on the track ‘It Hurts To Be In Love,’ (1964-Billboard Number 7 & UK Number 36) and with the American singer/songwriter Carole King on ‘Crying in the Rain,’ which was made famous by the Everly Brothers, (1962-Billboard Number 6 & UK Number 6) and later by the Norwegian group ‘a’ha’ (1990-UK Number 13.)

‘I’m living right next door to an angel, and I just found out today. I’m living right next door to an angel, and she only lives a house away. She used to be a skinny little girl, but all of a sudden she’s out of this world. I’m living right next door to an angel, and I’m gonna make that angel mine.

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

540-Tom Tom Club-Wordy Rappinghood.

1981-Number 7 single.

Best Bit-At 2.24. Where would we be without words? Every song would be an instrumental.

Tom Tom Club were formed in the United States in 1981, initially as a side project, by the husband and wife duo of Chris Frantz, and Tina Weymouth. Both were founding members of the critically acclaimed American ‘New Wave’ group ‘Talking Heads,’ who were on hiatus at the time. They took the name ‘Tom Tom Club’ from a dance-hall in the Bahamas, where the pair had spent time rehearsing in 1980. Chris Franz and Tina Weymouth continued working with ‘Talking Heads,’ and ‘Tom Tom Club’ until 1991, when ‘Talking Heads’ were disbanded, although there was a re-union in 2002, and at the time of writing ‘Tom Tom Club’ remain active. Although ‘Talking Heads’ only ever had four members, the other two being David Byrne, and Jerry Harrison, ‘Tom Tom Club’ have had 18 different members come and go, with Byrne and Harrison, although never official members, having contributed, either in the studio, or playing live at some point with the ‘Tom Tom Club.’

The discography of the Tom Tom Club includes six studio Albums released between 1981-2012, and 13 singles released between 1981-2007, there are also two official live Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, their only top 40 charting single is ‘Genius of Love,’ which reached Number 31 in 1981, while in the UK, they have had two top 40 hits, with ‘Wordy Rappinghood’ (1981) making Number 7, and ‘Under the Boardwalk’ (1982) reaching Number 22. ‘Wordy Rappinhood’ achieved it’s greatest success in Belgium where it made Number 1.

Tina Weymouth was born Martina Michèle Weymouth, on November 22nd, 1950, in Coronado, California, United States, in 2002 she was inducted into the ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,’ as a member of Talking Heads. It was as a student at the ‘Rhode Island School of Design,’ in 1973, where she first met Chris Frantz, and David Byrne, who were then both members of a band called ‘Artistics.’ She began dating Chris Frantz, whom she would marry in 1977. Following graduation, the three of them moved to New York City, where after being unable to find a suitable bass player for their new band, Tina taught herself the instrument, by listening to Suzi Quatro Albums (see also best songs 686.) In 2020 the American monthly magazine ‘Rolling Stone’ ranked her as the 29th greatest bass player of all time. The three of them formed ‘Talking Heads’ in 1975, and the quartet was completed when Jerry Harrison joined in March 1977.

‘Wordy Rappinghood’ was the debut single release from the Tom Tom Club,’ and was the first of four singles released from their debut studio Album called ‘Tom Tom Club,’ from October 1981. The song was co-written by Tina Weymouth, Lani Weymouth, Laura Weymouth, Chris Frantz, and Steven Stanley, with the production credited to Steven Stanley, Tina Weymouth, and Chris Frantz. Lani, and Laura, are both sisters of Tina Weymouth, and along with Stanley, also provided backing vocals on the track. All three are also past official members of the ‘Tom Tom Club.’

The lyrics to ‘Wordy Rappinghood’ question the true meaning of words, and how they can be manipulated for ones own benefit. Some of the lyrics are spoken in French, and part of the song uses the traditional Moroccan children’s song ‘A Ram Sam Sam.’ Other artists who have recorded ‘A Ram Sam Sam,’ include the British Folk group ‘The Spinners’ in 1964, and the Australian entertainer Rolf Harris (1930-2023) in 1971, but the best known use of the tune in ‘Pop’ music, but with different lyrics, was by the British Pop group the ‘Fast Food Rockers,’ who took the ‘Fast Food Song’ to Number 2 in the UK in 2003.

‘Wordy Rappinghood’ was released only a few months after Debbie Harry and Blondie (see also best songs 402) had taken ‘Rapture’ to Number 1 on Billboard & Number 5 in the UK, which like ‘Wordy Rappinghood’ was ‘Rapped’ by a white female vocalist, and although it had little in common with the new genre of ‘Rap Music’ that was emerging, it went a long way to bringing ‘Rap’ to the wider public. Coincidentally neither ‘Blondie’ or the ‘Tom Tom Club’ knew that the other were working on a ‘Rap’ song at the same time. Blondie were recording theirs in New York, while Tom Tom Club were busy in the Bahamas.

‘Words in papers, words in books, words on TV, words for crooks. Words of comfort, words of peace, words to make the fighting cease. Words to tell you what to do, words are working hard for you. Eat your words but don’t go hungry, words have always nearly hung me.’