THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

551-Kings of Leon-The Bucket.

2004-Number 16 singles.

Best Bit-At 2.18. The correct pronunciation is bucket, not bouquet.

The Kings of Leon (see also best songs 106) were formed in Nashville, Tennessee, United States, in 1999, by the three brothers Caleb, (lead vocals, and rhythm guitar) Jared, (bass, keyboards, and backing vocals) and Nathan Followill, (lead guitar, keyboards, and backing vocals) and their cousin Matthew Followill, (drums, percussion, and backing vocals) the groups name comes from their grandfather, who was called Leon, he died in 2014. When first starting out the Kings of Leon’s music was described as a mixture of ‘Southern Rock,’ and ‘Garage Rock,’ which over the course of time has changed to a more ‘Alternative Rock,’ and ‘Arena Rock’ sound.

The discography of the Kings of Leon includes nine studio Albums released between 2003-2024, and 26 singles released within the same time period, there are also five extended plays available, along with two official compilation Albums, and one live Album. In America on the ‘Billboard 200’ Album chart, seven of their Albums have reached the top 40, with their seventh studio Album ‘Walls,’ from 2016, reaching the Number 1 position, while on the ‘Billboard Hot 100,’ two of their singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Use Somebody’ from 2008, peaking the highest at Number 4, whilst ‘The Bucket’ failed to chart. It has been in the UK where the Kings of Leon have always had their greatest commercial success, with all nine of their studio Albums making the top three positions, with six of the Albums making the Number 1 spot. On the UK top 40 singles chart they have achieved 11 hits to date, with ‘Sex on Fire’ peaking the highest at Number 1 in 2008.

‘The Bucket’ was the first of three singles released from ‘Aha Shake Heartbreak,’ the second studio Album from the Kings of Leon, from November 2004, the song was co-written by Caleb Followill, Nathan Followill, Jared Followill, and Matthew Followill, with the production credited to Ethan Johns, and Angelo Petraglia. Ethan Johns was born Ethan Thomas Robert Johns, in 1969, in Merton. London, he is the son of the legendary music producer Glyn Johns (see also best songs 1048-933-732-662-265-77 and 70.) Ethan Johns has produced for many artists, including Paul McCartney, and Tom Jones, and has been co-producer on three of the Kings of Leon studio Albums. He has also released five solo studio Albums between 1991-2018.

The other co-producer of ‘The Bucket’ was Angelo Petraglia, who was born on May 5th, 1954, in the Bronx, New York City, United States. Petraglia is best known for his work with the ‘Kings of Leon,’ having first met Nathan and Caleb Followill when they were located just outside Nashville, Tennessee, and showing an interest in ‘Country Music’ in the late 1990’s. Angelo Petraglia helped the siblings hone their songwriting skills, and introduced them to the musical influences of Thin Lizzy, (see also best songs 125) The Rolling Stones, (see also best songs 933-662-452-160 and 77) and the Clash (see also best songs 638 and 294) in particular.

‘The Bucket’ has at least three meanings. Caleb Followill has said,’It was about me being famous for the time, and about the girls I had finally experienced.’ Caleb has also confirmed that the songs first verse was written through the eyes of the band’s manager, the man responsible for getting them cigarettes at 3.0.am, and fixing the zippers on their shoes. In the main though ‘The Bucket’ was written about the groups bassist Jared Followill, who was the youngest member in the band at the age of 18 at that time. It tells of Caleb’s observations of how he, and his brother deal with fame, and also the things that can be aggravating, especially when touring, but it’s also a song about brotherly love.

‘I’ll be the one to show you the way, you’ll be the one to always complain. Three in the morning come a bang bang bang, all out of fags and I just can’t wait. Cancel the thing that I said I’d do, I don’t feel comfortable talking to you, less you got the zipper fixed on my shoe, then I’ll be in the lobby drinking for two. Eighteen, balding, star, golden, fallen, heart.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

552-Thompson Twins-Love On Your Side.

1983-Number 9 single.

Best Bit-At 1.12. Sturdy hips, and very good balance are the requirements.

The Thompson Twins were formed in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, in 1977, and remained active until 1993, in total there have been 11 different members come and go, with the classic line up, who achieved mainstream success, being recognised as Tom Bailey, (bass guitar, keyboards, and vocals) Alannah Currie, (drums, and vocals) and Joe Leeway (percussion, keyboards, and vocals.)The group took their name from the two fictional detectives, ‘Thompson and Thompson,’ in the comic strip ‘The Adventures of Tintin,’ which had first been published in 1929. Joe Leeway left the group on amicable terms in 1986, leaving Tom Bailey, and Alannah Currie to continue as a duo. They would marry in 1991, and divorce in 2003. In 1993 Bailey and Currie retired the name ‘Thompson Twins,’ but continued as a duo, calling themselves ‘Babble,’ and releasing two less commercial, and more experimental Albums, ‘The Stone’ in 1993, and ‘Ether’ in ‘1996.’ In 1989 Bailey and Currie wrote, and Bailey produced, the song ‘I Want That Man,’ for Debbie Harry, which reached Number 13 on the UK top 40.

The discography of the Thompson Twins includes eight studio Albums released between 1981-1991, and 35 singles released between 1980-1992, there are also 15 official compilation Albums available. In the UK, three of their studio Albums have made the top 40, with their fourth release ‘Into the Gap,’ from 1984 reaching the Number 1 spot. 10 of their singles have made the UK top 40, with ‘You Take Me Up,’ from 1984, peaking the highest at Number 2. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, the Thompson Twins have had great success, playing a prominent part during the ‘Second British Invasion,’ with seven of their singles reaching the top 40, with ‘Hold Me Now,’ proving the most successful, when making Number 3 in 1983, although ‘Love On Your Side,’ stalled at Number 45.

Tom Bailey was born Thomas Alexander Bailey on January 18th, 1956, in Halifax, West Riding of Yorkshire, England. After the ‘Thompson Twins,’ and ‘Babble,’ he released several
‘Dub’ and ‘Electronica’ Albums, between 2001-2015 under the name ‘International Observer,’ and in 2018, he released his debut studio Album ‘Science Fiction,’ under his own name Tom Bailey. Alannah Joy Currie was born on September 20th, 1957, in Aukland, New Zealand, she emigrated to the UK in 1977, when she joined the Thompson Twins in 1981, she had already known Tom Bailey for around four years, having first met him South London. After the two ‘Babble’ Albums, Alannah Currie returned to New Zealand, working primarily as a glass artist, and environmental activist. She was the founder of the women’s anti-genetic engineering movement ‘Mothers Against Genetic Engineering in Food,’ and the ‘Environment (MAdGE.’) In 2003 she designed a series of protest billboards that caused controversy in New Zealand, and won several international art and science awards.

‘Love On Your Side’ was co-written by Tom Bailey, Alannah Currie, and Joe Leeway, with the production being by Alex Sadkin (1949-1987.) The song was the second of four singles released from the Thompson Twins third studio Album ‘Quick Step & Side Kick,’ from February 1983. ‘Love On Your Side’ which gave the trio their first UK top 40 hit, pays homage to one of their previous singles ‘In the Name of Love,’ from 1982, The lyrics to ‘Love On Your Side’ say, ‘I’ve played you all my favourite records,’ followed by the melody of the chorus from the song ‘In the name of love.’ The original lyrics to ‘Love On Your Side’ were written by Alannah Currie from a female perspective, but because the vocals were performed by Tom Bailey, they were changed to a male perspective. Tom Bailey has said of the songs meaning, ‘It’s actually a complicated and quite dark song. It’s about discovering that your girlfriend or boyfriend wants to experiment with a relationship in a much deeper or broader sense than you were prepared to do. And so it drags you into this kind of helpless feeling of being lost, helplessly in love, but taking some kind of confidence from the fact that love will help you through those difficult situations. So it’s a naive and complicated song.’

‘I hear you laughing in some other room, and it makes me feel locked out. You say my passion often stifles you, and you need to move about. But I was taught that boys n need girls, you say that’s not true, You’d rather fool around than be alone with me, well that’s alright for you.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

553-Freda Payne-Band of Gold.

1970-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 1.38. It might sound like Motown, it may look like Motown, and it even smells like Motown, but in fact the only thing that’s not Motown, is the record label it was recorded on.

In 1968 the legendary songwriting team of Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, (1941-2022) and Eddie Holland (see also best songs 969-823-650-411-212 and 148) left Motown records over a dispute with the labels owner Berry Gordy Jr. over profit sharing, and royalties. The trio set up two new record labels in their own names, one being ‘Invictus,’ the label where this song was recorded, and the other being ‘Hot Wax,’ records. As a result of an ongoing court case between ‘H-D-H’ and Berry Gordy, no songs written by the trio could appear on the song writing credits in their own name, something which continued until 1970. Instead the name ‘Edyth Wayne’ who was an acquaintance, was used alongside that of Ronald Dunbar, (1939-2018) who had worked with the trio at Motown, and had joined them in the new venture.

Freda Charcilia Payne was born on September 19th, 1942, in Detroit, Michigan, United States, she is the older sister of Scherrie Payne, who was the lead singer of the ‘Supremes’ (see also best songs 1001-411-212 and 148) between 1973-1977. During her career Freda Payne has been a TV talk show host, and an actress in musicals, and films. The discography of Freda Payne includes 16 studio Albums released between 1964-2021, and 29 singles released between 1962-1986, three of which are as a featured artist, there are also six official compilation Albums, and three live Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, three of her singles have made the top 40, with ‘Band of Gold’ peaking the highest at Number 3 in 1970, while in the UK, she has charted twice within the top 40, with ‘Deeper and Deeper,’ providing her other hit, when reaching Number 33 in 1970, as the follow up to ‘Band of Gold.’

‘Band of Gold’ was the second of three singles released from Freda Payne’s third studio Album of the same name, from August 1970. The song was written by the legendary songwriting team of Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Eddie Holland, using the pseudonym ‘Edythe Wayne, also given song writing credit was Ronald Dunbar, the track was produced by Brian Holland, and Lamont Dozier. When first offered ‘Band of Gold’ Freda Payne was reluctant, stating that the songs subject was more suitable for a young innocent girl. According to Ronald Dunbar, it was he who encouraged Payne to record the song, saying, ‘You don’t have to like it, just sing it.’ The songs subject is open to interpretation, some think it is about a bride not being able to consummate her marriage because this is her first time, and some think it is the groom who is impotent, perhaps through being gay. Lamont Dozier who co-wrote ‘Band of Gold’ has said,’The story was, the girl found out this guy was not all there. He had his own feelings about giving his all. He wanted to love this girl, he married the girl, but he couldn’t perform on his wedding night because he had other issues about his sexuality. I’ll put it that way. It was about this guy that was basically gay, and he couldn’t perform. He loved her, but he couldn’t do what he was supposed to do as a groom, as her new husband.’

Lamont Herbert Dozier was born on June 16th, 1941, in Detroit, Michigan, United States, he died on August 8th, 2022, at the age of 81. As part of ‘H-D-H’ Lamont Dozier, along with Brian Holland served as the trio’s musical arranger and producer, while Eddie Holland concentrated mainly on the lyrics and vocal production. As a performer and writer/producer away from ‘H-D-H’, Lamont Dozier released 12 Albums between 1973-2018, and 23 singles as a solo artist, or with others between 1957-1991. Significant songs written or co-written by Lamont Dozier without the Holland brothers include ‘Going Back to My Roots,’ (see also best songs 414) and the 1988 American Billboard Number 1 & UK Number 6 single ‘Two Hearts,’ with Phil Collins. In total Lamont Dozier has co-written and produced 14 American Billboard Number 1 singles, and four UK Number 1 singles.

‘Band of Gold’ has a number of well known artists performing on the track. The instrumentation was provided by members of the ‘Funk Brothers,’ (see also best songs 948-650-414-382-212-148 and 28) whom ‘H-D-H’ had worked with at Motown records. The tracks backing vocals were performed by Scherrie Payne, Thelma Hopkins, Joyce Vincent Wilson, and Pamela Vincent, both Thelma and Joyce would go on to form ‘Dawn’ with Tony Orlando (see also best songs 886.) The Electric Sitar part was played by Dennis Coffey, and the lead guitar was played by Ray Parker Jr. (see also best songs 560.)

‘You took me from the shelter of my mother I had never known, or loved any other. We kissed after taking vows, but that night on our honeymoon we stayed in separate rooms.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

554-Scritti Politti-Wood Beez (Pray Like Aretha Franklin)

1984-Number 10 single.

Best Bit-At 1.04. ‘The moment I wake up, before I put on my makeup,’ (see also best songs 644.)

Scritti Politti were formed in Leeds, England, in 1977, by Green Gartside, his childhood friend Nial Jinks, and Tom Morley, who Gartside had met while studying at Leeds Polytechnic. The name ‘Scritti Politti’ was chosen as a homage to the Italian Marxist writer Antonio Gramsci (1891-1937.) The correct spelling in Italian to refer to ‘Political Writings’ would have produced ‘Scritti Politici,’ but Gartside changed it to ‘Scritti Politti,’ as he thought it sounded more ‘Rock ‘N Roll.’ Scritti Politti originally started out life as a ‘Punk Rock’ group, inspired by the ‘Sex Pistols,’ (see also best songs 576-92 and 27) and ‘The Damned,’ (see also best songs 273) but after the release of their debut studio Album ‘Songs to Remember’ in 1982, Gartside grew tired of their musical style, and was becoming influenced by American ‘Funk/Soul’ acts like ‘Chic,’ (see also best songs 175 and 17) ‘The Jacksons,’ (see also best songs 249 and 137) and Aretha Franklin (see also best songs 644 and 366.) This caused the parting of the ways, with Nial Jinks, and Tom Morley leaving Scritti Politti, and being replaced by David Gamson, and Fred Maher, for the recording, and change in style, on the groups second studio Album ‘Cupid & Psyche 85,’ in 1985. In total there have been 17 different members come and go, with Green Gartside being the groups one constant, and they remain active as a quartet at the time of writing.

The discography of Scritti Politti includes five studio Albums released between 1982-2006, and 21 singles released between 1978-2011, there are also three official compilation Albums, and three extended plays available. In the UK, five of their singles have reached the top 40, with ‘The Word Girl’ peaking the highest at Number 6 in 1985. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, their only top 40 charting single remains ‘Perfect Way,’ which reached Number 11 in 1985, while ‘Wood Beez’ stalled at Number 91, incidentally ‘Perfect Way’ which was issued at the groups commercial peak, only made Number 48 in the UK.

Green Gartside was born Paul Julian Strohmeyer, on June 22nd, 1955, in Cardiff, Wales, His father died while he was a child, and his widowed mother married her boss, a solicitor from Newport, Wales, named Gordon Gartside, from whom he adopted his new surname. Gartside has said, ‘The ‘Green’ bit came about because I didn’t like the fact there were two other Paul’s in my class, and I wanted something different. So I just chose something random after listening to a Captain Beefheart Album, where all the musicians were named odd things like Zoot Horn Rollo. I thought having a made-up name was well cool.’ While studying art at Leeds Polytechnic in 1977, Gartside formed the ‘Post-Punk’ group ‘Scritti Politti,’ it was after they moved to London, that they secured their first recording contract with ‘Rough Trade Records,’ who released their debut studio Album ‘Songs to Remember’ in September 1982. Away from Scritti Politti, Green Gartside has worked with many of the worlds top artists, including Elvis Costello, Chaka Khan, and Manic Street Preachers. In 1983 he provided guest vocals on the Eurythmics’s cover version of the Sam & Dave song ‘Wrap It Up,’ from their second studio Album ‘Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This.’)

‘Wood Beez (Pray Like Aretha Franklin’) was the seventh overall single released by Scritti Politti, from February 1984, and later appeared as the first of seven singles released from their second studio Album ‘Cupid & Psyche 85,’ from June 1985. ‘Wood Beez (Pray Like Aretha Franklin’) was written by Green Gartside, with the production being by the legendary music producer Arif Mardin, (1932-2006) (see also best songs 985-882-881-541-228 and 85) who also produced a further two tracks on the Album. The song’s subtitle is a reference to ‘I Say a Little Prayer,’ which had been an American Billboard Number 10 hit, and a UK Number 4 hit for Aretha Franklin in 1968. Coincidentally Arif Mardin had done the arrangement for that Aretha Franklin song.

‘Wood Beez (Pray Like Aretha Franklin’) isn’t just a declaration of love, it borders on complete infatuation of someone. The narrator states that there isn’t anything he wouldn’t do for this person, stating that he prays every night just like Aretha Franklin, in her 1968 hit ‘I Say a Little Prayer.’

‘There’s nothing I wouldn’t take, oh, even intravenous. There’s nothing I wouldn’t take to get to be approved. There’s nothing I wouldn’t be, oh that’s the gift of schizo. There’s nothing that’s new to me, I’ve seen it all before now sugar, and each time I go to bed I pray like Aretha Franklin.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

555- Hank Williams With His Drifting Cowboys-Jambalaya (On the Bayou)

1952-It has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 0.30. A Jambalaya is a Creole rice dish of West African, French, and Spanish influence, consisting mainly of meat and vegetables mixed with rice, but what the hell am I going on about, this is a music countdown, not a recipe pamphlet.

Hank Williams was born Hiram King Williams, on September 17th, 1923, in Mount Olive, Butler County, Alabama, United States, he died from the causes of alcohol abuse, and prescription drugs, on January 1st, 1953, at the age of 29. Williams had been born with ‘Spina Bifida occulta,’ a defect of the spinal column, which had given him lifelong pain. Williams parents were both followers of ‘Freemasonry,’ and had named their son ‘Hiram 1,’ after a king in the Hebrew Bible, however his name was misspelled on the birth certificate. Although dying at a young age Hank Williams is regarded as one of the most significant and influential American singers and songwriters of the 20th Century, and a great influence in the development of ‘Country and Western Music.’ Artists whom he inspired include Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, and Jerry Lee Lewis. Williams was inducted into the ‘Country Music Hall of Fame,’ in 1961, then the ‘Songwriters Hall of Fame,’ in 1970, and the ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,’ in 1987, and then in 1999 he was given a star on the ‘Hollywood Walk of Fame.’ In 2010, he was posthumously awarded a ‘Pulitzer Prize Special Citation,’ for his ‘Craftsmanship as a songwriter who expressed universal feelings with poignant simplicity and played a pivotal role in transforming Country Music into a major musical and cultural force in American life.’

The discography of Hank Williams, who wrote or co-wrote in excess of 167 songs, includes 12 studio Albums released between 1951-2009, 10 of which were issued after his death. There are also 25 official compilation Albums, and eight live Albums, all released posthumously. Hank Williams released 41 singles during his lifetime, (1947-1952) with a further 30 (1953-1996) being issued after his death. In America on Billboard, he has charted twice on the Hot 100, top 40, with ‘Lovesick Blues,’ reaching Number 24 in 1949, and ‘Jambalaya (On the Bayou’) peaking at Number 20 in 1952. Hank Williams found his greatest commercial success on the American Billboard ‘Hot Country Songs’ chart, where 41 of his singles reached that charts top 40, with 11 of those tracks including ‘Jambalaya (On the Bayou’) reaching the Number 1 position, while in the UK, none of his songs have ever reached the top 40 singles chart.

‘Jambalaya (On the Bayou’) was co-written by Hank Williams, and Moon Mullican, (1909-1967) with both artists releasing their respective versions of the song in July 1952. Because Mullican was under contract to ‘King Records’ at that time, he was not credited as a co-writer, meaning he wouldn’t have to pay royalty’s to the record label. Moon Mullican was born Aubrey Wilson Mullican, on March 29th, 1909, in Polk County, Texas, United States, on New Years Eve 1966 he suffered a heart attack, and died early in the morning on January 1st, 1967, at the age of 57. Mullican acquired the nickname ‘Moon’ in the early 1930’s, with some sources suggesting that it was short for ‘moonshine,’ and some attributing it to his all night performances. His family say it was because he loved to play ‘Shoot the Moon,’ which is a variation of the dominoes game ’42.’ It is also highly suspected that the widely popular syndicated comic strip ‘Moon Mullins,’ which debuted in 1923, played a role in the similar nickname, and alliteration sticking to Mullican. Moon Mullican who was also nicknamed ‘King of the Hillbilly Piano Players,’ was associated with the ‘Hillbilly Boogie’ style which influenced ‘Rockabilly’ music, which led to the onset of ‘Rock and Roll.’ Jerry Lee Lewis (1935-2022) (see also best songs 678-362 and 99) cited Mullican as a major influence on his own singing and piano playing. Moon Mullican was once quoted as saying,’We gotta play music that’ll make them goddamn beer bottles bounce on the table.’

Hank Williams, and Moon Mullican based the melody to ‘Jambalaya (On the Bayou’) on an old Cajun song called ‘Grand Texas,’ but whereas that songs lyrics tell of a lost love, where the narrator is left by his woman for another, ‘Jambalaya (On the Bayou’) is about celebration. The Narrator attends a party with his girlfriend Yvonne, where he is introduced to her family, as a possible future husband. At the party they are treated to Cajun cuisine, notably Jambalaya, crawfish pie, and file gumbo. Other notable hit versions of the song include, Jo Stafford, (1952-Billboard Number 3 & UK Number 11) Fats Domino, (1961-Billboard Number 30) John Fogerty under the name of the ‘Blue Ridge Rangers,’ (1973-Number 16) and The Carpenters (1973-UK Number 12.)

‘Thibodaux, Fontaineaux, the place is buzzin’, a kinfolk come to see Yvonne by the dozen. Dressed in style they go hog wild, me oh my oh, son of a gun, we’ll have big fun on the bayou.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

556-B. B. King-The Thrill Is Gone.

1969-It has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 3.15. B. B. King was once performing in Arkansas, United States, when a fight broke out between two men, which caused a fire. King evacuated the hall along with the audience, but forgot his guitar, so he decided to go back in and retrieve it. He found out later that the two men were fighting over a woman called Lucille. From that moment on he named his guitar ‘Lucille,’ as a reminder not to fight over women, or run into a any burning building.

B. B. King was born Riley B. King, on September 16th, 1925, near Itta Bena, Mississippi, United States, he died in his sleep from Vascular Dementia, caused by a series of small strokes, as a consequence of his type 2 diabetes, on May 14th, 2015, at the age of 89. B. B. King was one of the most influential ‘Blues’ musicians of all time, earning the nickname ‘The King of the Blues,’ and is considered one of the ‘Three Kings of the Blues Guitar,’ along with Albert King, (1923-1992) and Freddie King, (1934-1976) none of whom are related. He was a major inspiration, especially on white guitar players, such as Eric Clapton, (see also best songs 726) Jeff Beck, (1944-2023) (see also best songs 361 and 205) and Gary Moore (1952-2011) (see also best songs 932.) Prior to becoming a world renowned ‘Blues’ musician, King had worked as a singer, and Disc Jockey at the ‘WDIA,’ radio station in Memphis, Tennessee, where he had been given the nickname ‘Beale Street Blues Boy,’ as he was part of the ‘Blues’ scene situated on Beale Street, in Memphis, Tennessee, the nickname was later shortened to ‘Blues Boy,’ and finally ‘B. B.’

The discography of B. B. King includes 43 studio Albums released between 1956-2008, and 138 singles released between 1949-2014, there are also at least 21 official compilation Albums, and 16 live Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, five of his singles have reached the top 40, with ‘The Thrill Is Gone’ charting the highest at Number 15 in 1970. 61 of his singles have made the Billboard ‘Top R&B’ chart, with two of those tracks, ‘3 O’Clock Blues,’ (1951) and ‘You Know I Love You,’ (1952) both reaching the Number 1 spot. In the UK, his only top 40 chart entry is his collaboration with the Irish Rock group ‘U2’ on the 1988 song ‘When Love Comes to Town,’ which reached Number 6.

‘The Thrill Is Gone’ was the first of two singles released from ‘Completely Well,’ the 17th studio Album from B. B. King,’ from December 1969, the song was co-written by Roy Hawkins, (1903-1974) and Rick Darnell, (1929-2008) with the production being by Bill Szymczyk. ‘The Thrill Is Gone’ was originally recorded in 1951 by Rick Darnell, and reached Number 6 on the ‘Billboard R&B chart’ in that same year. B. B. King had known of the song from playing it when he was a disc jockey, and when finally getting around to recording it, he was not happy with the initial outcome. It was the songs producer Bill Szymczyk who suggested the radical idea of adding strings to the track, which was a complete departure from B.B. King’s usual sound. The idea worked remarkably well, and ‘The Thrill Is Gone’ went on to become B.B. King’s signature song.

Bill Szymczyk was born William Frank Szymczyk, on February 13th, 1943, in Muskegon, Michigan, United States, he is a music producer, and recording engineer. Unlike many music producers, Szymczyk has no background as a musician. He was originally a sonar operator for the U.S. Navy, and took some audio production classes as part of his Navy training. After leaving the Navy in 1964, he enrolled at the ‘New York University’s Media Arts School,’ and then worked at a firm which produced demo recordings for ‘Screen Gems Records.’ Szymczyk has frequently been noted as the sort of producer who pushes bands to expand their musical horizons. He himself has credited this tendency to his lack of musical knowledge, stating: ‘I’m a professional listener. I listen and I react. I never was a musician, so I don’t bring any preconceived prejudices to the table. I don’t favour the guitar over the keyboard, and so fourth. I just listen and try to figure out if I have anything I can bring to a song.’ Szymczyk has produced for many artists including The Who, and Bob Seger, but it is his productions on six ‘Eagles’ Albums,’ (see also best songs 505 and 198) including ‘Hotel California,’ for which he will be best remembered.

‘The thrill is gone, it’s gone away from me. The thrill is gone baby, the thrill is gone away from me. Although I’ll still live on, but so lonely I’ll be, the thrill is gone, is gone away for good.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

557-Safri Duo-Played-A-Live (The Bongo Song)

2001-Number 6 single.

Best Bit-At 3.09. The tribal drum is said to have been invented in the 12th Century in West Africa. In African culture the beating of the drum is performed on important occasions such as weddings or funerals. It is said that once fully engaged, a performer or listener can reach a ‘trance’ like state through hypnotic beats, which leads me nicely into this song.

The Safri Duo were formed in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1990, by the ‘Electronic Percussion’ duo composed of Uffe Savery, who was born on 5th April, 1966, and Morten Friis, who was born on 21st August, 1968, they took their stage name from the first letters of their respective surnames. The pair had first met at the ‘Tivoli Garden,’ which is an amusement park in Copenhagen, and then again later, during their time at the ‘Royal Danish Conservatory of Music,’ also in Copenhagen, where they formed an experimental musical duo. In 2019 Uffe Savery would become the 16th different ‘Rector’ of that academy since it was first established in 1867. The duo’s early releases were in the genre of ‘Classical Music’ between 1990-1998, with much of their work being critically acclaimed.

The discography of the Safri Duo includes 10 studio Albums released between 1990-2008, with the first six all being in the genre of ‘Classical Music.’ They have also released 14 singles between 2000-2023, and there is one official greatest hits Album, called ‘Greatest Hits,’ that was released in 2010, which has selected tracks lifted from three of their studio Albums, ‘Episode II,’ (2001), ‘3.0,’ (2003) and ‘Origins,’ (2008) the Album also included the new track ‘Helene’ (2010.) In their home country of Denmark, six of their singles have reached the ‘Hitlisten,’ which is also known as ‘Tracklisten,’ the Danish top 40 singles chart, with three of those tracks ‘Played-A-Live (The Bongo Song’) (2000) ‘Fallin’ High,’ (2003) and ‘Dimitto (Let Go’) (with Kato, featuring Bjørnskov) (2013) all reaching the Number 1 spot, while in the UK, ‘Played-A-Live (The Bongo Song’) remains their only charting single to date.

‘Played-A-Live (The Bongo Song’) was the first of four singles released from ‘Episode II,’ the seventh studio Album from the Safri Duo, from 2001, the song was co-written by Morten Friis, Uffe Savery, and Michael Parsberg, with all three also producing the track. The Album represented a seismic change for the duo, as they moved away from ‘Classical Music,’ into ‘Tribal,’ and ‘Trance’ music. ‘Played-A-Live (The Bongo Song’) has gone on to sell 1.5 million copies worldwide, and at the time became the fourth-fastest-selling single ever in Europe. The track was produced by Michael Parsberg, who was born Michael Parsberg-Hansen, on September 16th, 1974, in Copenhagen, Denmark. Parsberg is a ‘Trance’ and ‘House Music’ producer, who has co-produced other Danish acts including ‘DJ Encore,’ ‘Barcode Brothers,’ and ‘Pegboard Nerds,’ he has also done remixes for the Danish acts ‘Aqua,’ and ‘Infernal.’

‘Played-A-Live (The Bongo Song’) can be filed under the musical genres of ‘Tribal,’ and ‘Trance,’ for an explanation of ‘Trance’ music see also best songs 79. ‘Tribal House’ is a sub-genre of ‘House Music,’ combined with ‘World Music’ rhythms. It is broadly characterised by elements of indigenous musical percussion’s, typically conga drums, or its synthesised derivative. In many ‘Tribal House’ tracks, it is rare to find a core melody or prolonged synth sound, such as those found in ‘House Music’ and similar electronic music styles. Instead, ‘Tribal House’ tracks rely on sophisticated drum patterns for their rhythm. A track can consist of several different drum sounds. In the early 2000’s, ‘Tribal House’ evolved into a very percussive, repetitive hard-edged sound that was frequently described as ‘pots and pans,’ for its supposed similarity to the sound made by banging such cookware together. In the mid-2000’s, the sound shifted to incorporate more vocals, perhaps as a reaction to the extremity of the ‘pots and pans’ sound.

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

558-Nazareth-This Flight Tonight.

1973-Number 11 single.

Best Bit-At 2.17. Joni Mitchell was so impressed with Nazareth’s version of her song, that when she was playing a gig in London, she told the audience,’I’d like to open with a Nazareth song.’

Nazareth were formed in 1968, in Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland, United Kingdom, by Dan McCafferty, (1946-2022) (vocals) Manny Charlton, (1941-2022) (guitar) Pete Agnew, (bass) and Darrell Sweet (1947-1999) (drums.) McCafferty, Agnew and Sweet had all previously been members of the semi-professional local group ‘The Shadettes,’ while Charlton had played in the bands ‘Mark V.’ and ‘The Red Hawks.’ At the time of writing, Nazareth still tour and record as a quartet, with only Pete Agnew, (the only surviving original member) remaining from the original lineup, in total there have been 12 official members come and go. The group took their name from the opening line from the song ‘The Weight,’ by ‘The Band’ (see also best songs 629.)

The discography of Nazareth who are a ‘Hard Rock,’ ‘Heavy Metal,’ and ‘Blues Rock’ group, includes 25 studio Albums released between 1971-2022, and 50 singles released between 1972-1994, there are also 15 official compilation Albums, and eight live Albums available. In the UK, seven of their singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Broken Down Angel’ from 1973, charting the highest at Number 9, while in America on the Billboard Hot 100, their only chart entry remains their cover of the Everly Brothers 1960 original recording of ‘Love Hurts,’ which made Number 8 in 1974, that song also reached Number 1 in Canada, South Africa, and the Netherlands. ‘This Flight Tonight’ which stalled at Number 117 on Billboard, did find great success in Germany, where it went all the way to Number 1.

‘This Flight Tonight’ was the first of two singles released from ‘Loud ‘n’ Proud,’ the fourth studio Album from Nazareth, from November 1973, the song was written by Joni Mitchell, (see also best songs 637 and 299) and produced by Roger Glover (see also best songs 976-550 and 89.) The original recording of ‘This Flight Tonight’ had first appeared on Joni Mitchell’s 1971 Album ‘Blue,’ it was later issued as the ‘B’ side to her 1971 single ‘Carey.’ Nazareth had been big fans of the Album ‘Blue,’ and thought that ‘This Flight Tonight’ would make a good ‘Rock’ cover. Pete Agnew has said,’We used to listen to Joni as we were travelling round in the van, This Flight Tonight was a big favourite.’ Agnew has gone on to say that after the group met Joni Mitchell she told them how impressed she was,’We all happened to be in the studio the day the single was released, so we were introduced to her, and told her what we had done. She said, ‘What, with a Rock band?’ Nancy Wilson of the American Rock group ‘Heart,’ has admitted that the guitar riff for Nazareth’s version of ‘This Flight Tonight’ had inspired the riff for the Heart song ‘Barracuda,’ which reached Number 11 in America on Billboard in 1977.

‘This Flight Tonight’ was produced by Roger Glover, ((see also best songs 976-550 and 89) who was born Roger David Glover, on November 30th, 1945, in Brecon, Wales. Glover was a member of the English Rock group ‘Deep Purple’ between 1969-1973, during their most commercially successful period, playing bass, and appearing on five of their studio Albums. Since parting with Deep Purple he has produced Albums and singles for other many other artists, including Status Quo, and David Coverdale, he was the producer of three consecutive Nazareth Albums between 1973-1974. From 1979-1984, he was the bassist, lyricist and producer, for Ritchie Blackmore’s band, ‘Rainbow,’ working on four of the group’s studio Albums. Glover has also issued eight solo Albums between 1974-2011.

‘This Flight Tonight’ was written by Joni Mitchell about her romantic relationship with the American singer/songwriter James Taylor. As she is on an aeroplane flight, she contemplates the relationship, and decides that she wants to return to him. Other songs on the ‘Blue’ Album also refer to their romance.

‘I’m drinkin’ sweet champagne, got the headphones up high, can’t numb you, can’t drum you out of my mind. They’re singin’ Goodbye baby, baby bye-bye, ooh! love is blind.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

559-Buffalo Springfield-For What It’s Worth (Stop, Hey What’s That Sound)

1966- It has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 0.01. The title of the song came about when Stephen Stills presented the song to the record company executive. ‘I have this song here, for what it’s worth, if you want.’

Buffalo Springfield were formed in Los Angeles, California, United States in 1966, by the three Canadian musicians, Neil Young, (see also best songs 602) Bruce Palmer, (1946-2004) and Dewey Martin, (1940-2009) along with the two American musicians Stephen Stills, (see also best songs 417) and Richie Furay. Buffalo Springfield remained active through until 1968, with a further five members joining during the course of their time together. The group who took their name from a brand of steamroller, made by the ‘Buffalo-Springfield Roller Company,’ are remembered as one of the originators in the development of the musical genre ‘Folk Rock,’ which they further developed by introducing ‘Psychedelic Rock’ in to their music on their second Album. In 2010, and in 2011, Young, Stills and Furay, who were the three surviving members from the original lineup, reformed for a series of concerts, and in 2012 Furay announced that the band was on indefinite hiatus. After Buffalo Springfield split in 1968, Stephen Stills went on to co-form the ‘supergroup’ Crosby, Stills and Nash, (see also best songs 417) with Neil Young joining them after a brief solo career. Richard Furay went on to form the ‘Country Rock’ band ‘Poco,’ along with Jim Messina, who had joined Buffalo Springfield in 1968.

The discography of Buffalo Springfield includes three studio Albums released between 1966-1968, and nine singles released within the same time period, there are also four official compilation Albums available, that have been issued between 1969-2018. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, their only top 40 entry was this song, which peaked at Number 7 in 1967, while in the UK, none of their singles have ever charted.

Stephen Arthur Stills was born on January 3rd, 1945, in Dallas, Texas, United States, throughout his career through his various projects he has amassed record sales of over 35 million Albums. According to Neil Young, ‘Stephen is a genius.’ After Buffalo Springfield disbanded, he began working with David Crosby, (1941-2023) formerly of ‘The Byrds,’ (see also best songs 621) and Graham Nash, formerly of ‘The Hollies,’ (see also best songs 369) to form the ‘supergroup’ ‘Crosby, Stills & Nash,’ (CSN) who would be joined later by Neil Young (CSN&Y.) In 1972 Stephen Stills formed another ‘supergroup’ called ‘Manassas,’ which included Chris Hillman, who had been the original bass player with ‘The Byrds,’ this group were formed by Stills to primarily record his music, and be an extension of his solo career. ‘Manassas’ released two Albums between 1972-1973. As a solo artist Stephen Stills has released 15 Albums, and there are a further eight recorded with artists, not including Buffalo Springfield, or ‘Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young,’

‘For What It’s Worth (Stop, Hey What’s That Sound’) was written by Stephen Stills, with the production credited to Charles Greene, and Brian Stone. The part of the songs title that is in brackets is so people can better identify which song it is. The song was issued as the third single release by Buffalo Springfield, in December 1966, as a stand alone single, but after it’s commercial success, it was later added to future pressings of Buffalo Springfield’s self titled debut studio Album, in order to boost sales, replacing the track ‘Baby Don’t Scold Me,’ which was also a Stephen Stills composition.

‘For What It’s Worth (Stop, Hey What’s That Sound’) has been adopted as an anti war song, but in fact it had been written by Stephen Stills about youth gatherings, protesting anti-loitering laws, and the closing of the West Hollywood Nightclub,’Pandora’s Box,’ in 1966. Stills was not there when they closed the club, but had heard about it from his band mates. Stephen Stills has said,’I had had something kicking around in my head. I wanted to write something about the kids that were on the line over in Southeast Asia that didn’t have anything to do with the device of this mission, which was unravelling before our eyes. Then we came down to Sunset from my place on Topanga with a guy – I can’t remember his name – and there’s a funeral for a bar, one of the favourite spots for high school and UCLA kids to go and dance and listen to music. Officials decided to call out the official riot police because there’s three thousand kids sort of standing out in the street; there’s no looting, there’s no nothing. It’s everybody having a hang to close this bar. A whole company of black and white LAPD in full Macedonian battle array in shields and helmets and all that, and they’re lined up across the street, and I just went ‘Whoa! Why are they doing this?’ There was no reason for it. I went back to Topanga, and that other song turned into ‘For What It’s Worth,’ and it took as long to write as it took me to settle on the changes and write the lyrics down. It all came as a piece, and it took about fifteen minutes.’

‘There’s somethin’ happenin’ here, but what it is ain’t exactly clear. There’s a man with a gun over there, a-tellin’ me I got to beware. I think it’s time we stop, children, what’s that sound? Everybody look what’s going down.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

560-Barry White-You See the Trouble with Me.

1976-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 2.28. Barry White was affectionately nicknamed ‘The Walrus of Love,’ I would imagine that he had at least 20 master bedrooms, and 10 refrigerators in his love nest.

Barry White (see also best songs 560 and 476) was born Barry Eugene Carter, on September 12th, 1944, in Galveston, Texas, United States, he died at ‘Cedars-Sinai Medical Center,’ in Los Angeles, on July 4th, 2003, at the age of 58. Barry White had been overweight for all of his adult life, and suffered from related health problems. While undergoing dialysis, and waiting for a kidney transplant, he suffered a severe stroke, which he never recovered from.

Barry White had one of the most distinctive singing voices in ‘Pop Music,’ he has recalled how it suddenly deepened when he was around the age of 13 or 14. ‘As a child, I had a normal squeaky kid voice. Then as a teenager, that completely changed. My mother cried because she knew her baby boy had become a man.’ He has also said, ‘I woke up one morning when I was 14. I spoke to my mother, and I scared both of us.’ Having a career as a singer was not Barry White’s intention when he started out in music. His first ventures were in songwriting, and producing, with his first major success being his co-write with the American songwriter Paul Politi of the the song ‘I Feel Love Comin’ On,’ which reached Number 11 in the UK in 1967, when recorded by Felice Taylor (1944-2017.) In 1972 he took over the handling of the female vocal trio ‘Love Unlimited,’ and in 1973 he created the 40 piece orchestra group ‘The Love Unlimited Orchestra.’ His next task was to find a male singer, but after recording demos, he was persuaded to release the songs himself, although he was reluctant at that time to perform on stage.

The discography of Barry White, who with record sales in excess of 100 million, is one of the best selling recording artists of all time, includes, 20 studio Albums released between 1973-1999, and 60 singles released between 1963-2000, there are also 19 official compilation Albums available, that have been released between 1974-2010. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, 11 of his singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Can’t Get Enough of Your Love Babe,’ making the Number 1 spot in 1974, he has also had a further chart entry as one of the featured artists on the 1990 track ‘The Secret Garden (Sweet Seduction Suite’) by Quincy Jones (1990-Number 31.) In the UK, Barry White has had 16 top 40 hits, with ‘You’re the First, the Last, My Everything,’ reaching Number 1 in 1974.

‘You See the Trouble with Me’ was the second of three singles released from Barry White’s fifth studio Album ‘Let the Music Play,’ from January 1976, in America on Billboard the song failed to chart, but it did reach Number 2 in the UK. ‘You See the Trouble with Me’ was co-written by Barry White and Ray Parker Jr., with the production being by White. Ray Erskine Parker Jr. who was born on May 1st, 1954, in Detroit, Michigan, United States, first gained recognition during the late 1960’s as a member of Hamilton Bohannon’s (1942-2020) (see also best songs 626 and 46) house band at the ’20 Grand’ nightclub in Detroit. The venue often featured ‘Motown’ acts, one of which was the (Detroit) Spinners, (see also best songs 834) who were impressed by the young guitarist’s skills, and added him to their touring group. Parker would then go on to be employed as a studio musician as a teenager for ‘Holland-Dozier-Holland’s,’ ‘Invictus,’ and ‘Hot Wax’ record labels. It was in 1973 that he became a hired musician in Barry White’s ‘Love Unlimited Orchestra.’ Ray Parker Jr. has gone on to release six solo studio Albums between 1982-2006, and 20 solo singles between 1982-1999. In 1991 he formed the group ‘Raydio,’ releasing four studio Albums between 1978-1981, and 12 singles within the same time period. But of course Ray Parker Jr. will always be best remembered for writing and performing the 1984 American Number 1, and UK Number 2 single ‘Ghostbusters.’

‘You See the Trouble with Me’ is one of three songs on this ‘Best 1000 Songs’ list that appear twice in recordings by different artists (see also best songs 931-863-214-145 and 112.) In the year 2000, the ‘Dance Music’ producer ‘Black Legend,’ took his version of ‘You See the Trouble with Me’ to Number 1 in the UK, and like the Barry White original it too sold around 200,000 copies in the UK (see also best songs 931.)

‘I’m like a blind man who lost his way, I can’t see nothin.’ I’m like a deaf man who can’t relay, yeah, I can’t hear nothin.’ You see the trouble with me, I can’t do nothin’ without my baby, and as plain as can be, It’s gonna drive me crazy.