THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

581-Shalamar-Take That to the Bank.

1978-Number 20 single.

Best Bit-At 3.06. For a brief period in the early 1980’s, ‘SOLAR’ records were being talked up as being the new ‘Tamla Motown,’ and Shalamar were the labels biggest band.

Shalamar who were fomed in Los Angeles, California, United States, in 1977, were the brainchild of Don Cornelius, (1936-2012) and Dick Griffey, (1938-2010.) Don Cornelius was the creator, and presenter of the American nationally syndicated music television show ‘Soul Train,’ and Dick Griffey was a music producer, concert promoter, and booking agent for the ‘Soul Train’ show.

The first song credited to Shalamar, whose name had been chosen by Griffey, was the 1977 track ‘Uptown Festival,’ (UK Number 30) which had been recorded by studio session musicians. Due to it’s popularity and success, Cornelius and Griffey decided to put together a group to perform as ‘Shalamar.’ They chose the ‘Soul Train’ dancers Jody Watley, and Jeffrey Daniel, as well as the singer Gary Mumford, who had performed the studio session on ‘Uptown Festival.’ Mumford soon quit the band, and was replaced by Gerald Brown, who sang lead vocals on this song and it’s parent Album. Brown left the band shortly before the songs official release, and was replaced by Howard Hewett, who lip synced Brown’s vocals for the songs promotion. Jody Watley, Jeffrey Daniel, and Howard Hewett are recognised as the groups classic line up. Watley and Daniel both left in 1983 to pursue solo careers, leaving Hewett to continue with new members. In total there has been nine official different group members come and go, and at the time of writing they remain active.

The discography of Shalamar includes 10 studio Albums released between 1977-1990, and 35 singles released between 1977-2017, there are also six official compilation Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, four of their singles have reached the top 40, with ‘The Second Time Around,’ peaking the highest at Number 8 in 1979, with ‘Take That to the Bank’ only making Number 79. They have had far more success on the Billboard ‘R&B’ and ‘Dance’ charts, where 18 of their tracks have made the top 40, on either, or both charts, including ‘The Second Time Around,’ which reached Number 1 on both. In the UK, Shalamar have achieved 11 top 40 hit singles, with both ‘A Night to Remember,’ (1982) and ‘There It Is,’ (1982) both peaking at Number 5.

‘Take That to the Bank’ was co-written by Kevin Spencer, and Leon Sylvers III, with the production being by Leon Sylvers III, and Dick Griffey, the song was the only single released from ‘Disco Gardens,’ which was the second studio Album from Shalamar, from August 1978. Leon Frank Sylvers III was born on March 7th, 1953, in South Bend, Indiana, United States, he became one of the most successful producers in black music in the late 1970’s to the mid-1980’s, with Dick Griffey saying, ‘Aside from Quincy Jones, I think Leon is the hottest producer around. He’s grown with SOLAR, and has been exposed to other creative forces in putting together different kinds of songs and sounds. He’s gotten a different kind of polish and sophistication.’ Prior to becoming the in house producer at ‘SOLAR’ records, Leon Sylvers III had been a member of the ‘R&B’ group ‘The Sylvers,’ which was made up of him, and nine of his other siblings, who performed in the group at different times between 1958-1985. The Sylvers are best remembered for their 1976 Billboard Hot 100 Number 1 single ‘Boogie Fever,’ and ‘Hot Line,’ which reached Number 5, also in 1976. Leon Sylvers III wrote and produced for the other big acts on ‘SOLAR’ records, including ‘The Whispers,’ ‘Dynasty,’ and ‘Lakeside.’

From the classic line up of Shalamar, Jody Watley went on to have a very successful solo career, releasing nine studio Albums between 1987-2006, and 24 singles between 1984-2013, with ‘Looking for a New Love,’ reaching Number 2 on Billboard, and Number 13 in the UK in 1987. Jeffrey Daniel went on to choreograph the music video’s for ‘Bad,’ and ‘Smooth Criminal,’ with Michael Jackson, (1958-2009) it was Daniel who first performed ‘The Backslide,’ which would later become known as the ‘Moonwalk,’ a full year before Michael Jackson first performed it. Howard Hewett left Shalamar in 1985 to pursue a solo career, releasing seven solo studio Albums between 1986-2007, and releasing 24 singles between 1985-2017, including the track ‘This Is for the Lover in You,’ with Babyface, LL Cool J, Jody Watley, and Jeffrey Daniel, in 1996, which reached Number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. Howard Hewett, and Jeffrey Daniel rejoined Shalamar in 1999, and are still members at the time of writing, along with Dick Griffey’s daughter Carolyn Griffey, who has been a member since 2001. Incidentally ‘SOLAR’ stands for ‘Sound of Los Angeles Records.’

”Cause we build a strong love affair on investments of equal share. Two hearts that beat as one, just look what love has done. Dime in the socket, just like money in my pocket, baby love. Take that to the bank.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

582-Kenny Rogers and The First Edition-Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town.

1969-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 1.57. When playing the song live, the group would often perform it in a jovial manner, and the audience would clap and sing along, which was seen by some as disrespectful to war veterans.

The First Edition were formed in 1967, in California, United States, by Kenny Rogers, (1938-2020) (lead vocals, and bass guitar) Mike Settle, (guitar and vocals) and Thelma Camacho, (vocals) who had all been members of the American ‘Folk’ group ‘The New Christy Minstrels,’ they had left that group in order to broaden their musical horizons. They were soon joined by Mickey Jones in 1967, (1941-2018) (drums) Mary Arnold, (vocals) joined in 1968, and Kim Vassy, (1943-1994) (vocals) joined in 1969. In 1970, shortly before the release of this song, the group changed their name to ‘Kenny Rogers and the First Edition,’ and remained active until 1976, with some members, and others, who joined later, reforming in 2010, and then again between 2014-2015. As ‘The First Edition’ they began recording and experimenting with ‘Rock,’ ‘Folk,’ and ‘Psychedelic Pop,’ before taking the ‘Country Rock’ route.

The discography of Kenny Rogers and The First Edition includes 15 Albums issued between 1967-2015, and 22 singles released between 1967-1974. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, seven of their singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In’) peaking the highest at Number 5 in 1967, while ‘Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town,’ reached Number 6. In the UK, two of their singles have made the top 40, with ‘Something’s Burning,’ which made Number 8 in 1970, providing them with their other hit.

‘Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town’ was written by Mel Tillis, (1932-2017) and first recorded by the American Country singer Wayne Jennings (1937-2002) in 1966. The first hit version of the song was by the American Country Music artist Johnny Darrell, (1940-1997) whose recording reached Number 9 on the American Billboard Country Music chart. The song has been covered on many occasions over the years, including an answer song entitled ‘Billy, I’ve Got to Go to Town,’ in 1969, by the American singer Geraldine Stevens, (who had previously recorded as Dodie Stevens) using the same melody, with an arrangement quite similar to The First Edition version, which reached Number 117 on Billboard, and Number 57 on the Country chart in America.

‘Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town’ was the second of three singles released from the fourth studio Album of the same name, by Kenny Rogers and The First Edition in 1969. The song was written by Mel Tillis, with the production being by Jimmy Bowen, whose greatest commercial success as a producer is the 1966 American, and UK Number 1 single ‘Strangers in the Night,’ for Frank Sinatra (1915-1998.) Jimmy Bowen who was born James Albert Bowen, on November 30th, 1937, in Santa Rita, New Mexico, United States, was also responsible for bringing Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood (1929-2007) together, (see also best songs 1010-367 and 124) and introducing Nancy Sinatra to Mel Tillis, for their 1981 Album ‘Mel and Nancy.’ Jimmy Bowen was also the co-writer of ‘Party Doll,’ (1957-Billboard Number 2 & UK Number 29) with the American singer Buddy Knox, (1933-1999) as well as co-writing with Knox, ‘I’m Stickin’ with You,’ (1957-Billboard Number 14) which Bowen performed himself, giving him his only hit single as a recording artist.

Mel Tillis was born Lonnie Melvin Tillis, on August 8th, 1932, in Tampa, Florida, United States, he died of respiratory failure on November 19th, 2017, at the age of 85. Mel Tillis was a Country Music singer and songwriter, who in 2012 won the ‘Country Music Association Awards’ most coveted award, ‘Entertainer of the Year.’ Tillis was a member of the ‘Grand Ole Opry,’ ‘Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame,’ and the ‘Country Music Hall of Fame.’ His discography includes 38 studio Albums released between 1966-2010, and 98 singles released between 1957-1999.

‘Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town’ tells the story of a paralysed war veteran, who fears that his woman is cheating on him. He begs her to stay at home with him, but his pleas fall on deaf ears. Mel Tillis was inspired to write ‘Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town’ after having lived near a couple in Florida. In real life the man he wrote about had been wounded in World War II. and his wife was seeing another man. The man murdered his wife, and then committed suicide. Tillis changed the setting to the ‘Korean War,’ and made no mention of murder, but does say that the man would kill her if he could move and get his gun.

‘You’ve painted up your lips and rolled and curled your tinted hair, Ruby, are you contemplating going out somewhere? The shadow on the wall tell me the sun is going down, oh, Ruby, don’t take your love to town.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

583-Limp Bizkit-Rollin’ (Air Raid Vehicle)

2000-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 0.07. At a cost of approximately $3 million, the songs video was filmed around, and on the roof of the World Trade Centre. The day before the twin towers were destroyed the band received a letter from the World Trade Centre thanking them for featuring the towers in the video.

Limp Bizkit were formed in Jacksonville, Florida, United States, in 1994, and remained active until 2006, then after a hiatus they reformed in 2009. The original line up was made up of Fred Durst, (vocals) John Otto, (drums) Sam Rivers, (bass) and Rob Waters (guitars.) Waters left in 1995, soon after the arrival of Wes Borland, (guitars) then DJ Lethal, (turntables, and sampling) joined the group in 1996, after leaving the ‘Hip-Hop’ group ‘House of Pain.’ (see also best songs 75) The groups other two members were Terry Balsamo, (guitars) who was a member in 1995, and Mike Smith, (guitars) who was a member between 2002-2004. It was the groups lead singer Fred Durst who named them ‘Limp Bizit,’ because he wanted a name that would repel listeners, he has said,’The name is there to turn people’s heads away. A lot of people pick up the disc and go, ‘Limp Bizkit, they must suck.’ Those are the people that we don’t even want listening to our music.’ It is said that every record label that showed an interest in the band pressured its members to change its name.

Limp Bizkit who record in the musical genres of ‘Nu Metal,’ ‘Rap Rock,’ and ‘Rap Metal,’ have sold in excess of 40 million records worldwide. Their discography includes six studio Albums released between 1997-2021, and 21 singles released within the same time period, there are also three official compilation Albums, and one live Album available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, they have never had a top 40 hit single, although the majority of their singles have charted high on either the ‘Alternative Airplay’ chart, or the ‘Mainstream Rock’ chart. In America they are seen as an Albums group, with two of their Albums ‘Significant Other,’ (1999) and ‘Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water,’ (2000) both reaching Number 1. In the UK Limp Bizkit have achieved seven top 40 singles, with ‘Rollin’ (Air Raid Vehicle’) making the Number 1 spot in 2000.

‘Rollin’ (Air Raid Vehicle’) was the third of five singles released from ‘Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water,’ the third studio Album by Limp Bizkit from October 2000. The music was written by group members Wes Borland, Sam Rivers, and John Otto, with the lyrics written by Fred Durst, who also co-produced the track along with Terry Date, who is an American music producer who has produced, engineered, or mixed for dozens of other ‘Rock’ artists, including Soundgarden, Slipknot, and Pantera.

‘Rollin’ (Air Raid Vehicle’) was not actually the original version of the song, as it in fact started out life as a ‘Hip-Hop’ track called ‘Rollin’ (Urban Assault Vehicle’) collaborated upon by Fred Durst, and the Hip-Hop music producer Swiss Beatz, with contributions from the rappers DMX, (19070-2021) Method Man, (see also best songs 359 and 166) and Redman. The ‘Hip-Hop’ version appears on the ”Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water’ Album as the second last track, and is the version which reached Number 65 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. Wes Borland of Limp Bizkit has said, ‘Rollin’ was originally going to be just a straight Hip-Hop song,, but after we heard it, we were like, ‘No, man, we’ve got to turn this into a rock song.’ We liked both versions so much that that’s what it ended up being, two versions: a Hip-Hop version of the song and a rock version of the song.’

Limp Bizkit are one of the leading protagonists in the development of the musical genre ‘Nu metal,’ which is a sub-genre of ‘Alternative Rock,’ that combines elements of ‘Heavy Metal’ music, with elements of other music genres such as ‘Hip-Hop,’ ‘Alternative Rock,’ ‘Funk,’ ‘Industrial,’ and ‘Grunge.’ Vocal styles in ‘Nu Metal’ include singing, rapping, screaming and growling. In the late 1980’s, and early 1990’s, it was groups such as Pantera, Helmet, Faith No More, (see also best songs 335) and Korn who were influential in the development of ‘Nu Metal,’ with groups such as Papa Roach and Linkin Park helping it reach it’s commercial peak in the early 2000’s.

‘Rollin’ (Air Raid Vehicle’) has been critically acclaimed by many publications, but not always the songs lyrics. My advice is don’t look for any in-depth meaning, after all the American wrestler ‘The Undertaker’ used the song for his entrance in the ‘WWE.’

‘Alright, partner, keep on rollin’, baby, you know what time it is. Throw your hands up, throw your, your hands up. Ladies and gentlemen, Chocolate Starfish, wanna keep on rolling, baby.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

Johnny Nash-You Got Soul.

1968-Number 6 single.

Best Bit-At 0.06. You Got Soul. He was also blessed with more than his fair share of Reggae, and Pop.

Johnny Nash was born John Lester Nash Jr. on August 19th, 1940, in Houston, Texas, United States, he died of natural causes in his home, surrounded by close family, in Houston, on October 6, 2020, after a period of declining health, at the age of 80. As a child he sang in the choir at the ‘Progressive New Hope Baptist Church,’ in South Central Houston, and then at the age of 13 in 1953, he was hired to sing covers of ‘R&B hits’ on ‘Matinee,’ which was a local variety show on ‘KPRC-TV,’ in Houston. Between the years of 1956-1963, he was a singer on the broadcaster Arthur Godfrey’s (1903-1983) radio and television programmes In 1956 he signed with the record label ‘ABC-Paramount,’ releasing his first single ‘A Teenager Sings the Blues,’ which failed to chart later that year. At that time Johnny Nash sang in the same style as Johnny Mathis, (see also best songs 706) and was marketed as a competitor. In 1959 he appeared in the first of four films, starring in the American coming-of-age drama ‘Take a Giant Step,’ he would appear in a further three movies, with his last being the Swedish romance ‘ Vill så gärna tro,’ in 1971.

By 1964 Johnny Nash had teamed up with Danny Sims, (1936-2012) who was now his manager, and together they formed ‘JoDa Records,’ in New York. Although the label filed for bankruptcy within two years, they were successful promoting American artists abroad. Nash and Sims relocated to Jamaica in 1966, where they were taken to a Rastafarian party, where Bob Marley & The Wailing Wailers (see also best songs 618 and 56) were performing. Bob Marley introduced Nash to the local music scene, and Nash in turn signed Bob Marley, (1945-1981) Bunny Wailer, (1947-2021) Peter Tosh, (1944-1987) and Rita Marley, to a contract for J$50 a week.

The discography of Johnny Nash includes 19 studio Albums released between 1958-1986, and 66 singles released between 1956-1989, there are also four official compilation Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, five of his singles have reached the top 40, with ‘I Can See Clearly Now,’ from 1972 reaching Number 1, while in the UK, he achieved eight top 40 hit singles, with ‘Tears on My Pillow,’ from 1975, making the Number 1 spot.

‘You Got Soul’ was the second of three singles released from Johnny Nash’s seventh studio Album ‘Hold Me Tight,’ from 1968, the song was written by Johnny Nash, with the production being by Nash and Arthur Jenkins. By the time of the Albums release, Johnny Nash was heavily influenced by the music coming out of Jamaica, as all of his recordings from then onward were influenced by ‘Reggae Music.’

‘You Got Soul’ was co-produced by Arthur Jenkins, (see also best songs 927-690 and 703) who was born Arthur Eugene Jenkins, Jr. on December 7th, 1936, in The Bronx, New York, United States, he died unexpectedly at home on January 28th, 2009, at the age of 73. Jenkins was a keyboardist, composer, arranger and percussionist, who worked on the Albums of some of the worlds most iconic artists, including John Lennon, (1940-1980) Bob Marley, (1945-1981) and Harry Belafonte (1927-2023.) Arthur Jenkins worked with Johnny Nash for nine years, collaborating as musical director and accompanist, and travelling with him to Jamaica. In 1967, along with Nash, and Danny Sims, the three of them formed the ‘JAD Records’ label, to which Bob Marley and the Wailers, and others, including Byron Lee, (1935-2008) Neville Willoughby, (1937-2006) and Jimmy Cliff were signed.

Johnny Nash semi retired from music in 1980, although there was one more Album issued in 1986. At the age of 40, his priorities had changed, and he began to focus more on family life, church activities, and helping local causes. He had been a keen horse rider in his youth, and in 1993 he set up the ‘Johnny Nash Indoor Arena,’ in Houston, where he financed weekly rodeos for youngsters who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford to get on a horse. Speaking about his love of ‘Reggae’ he once said,’Reggae represented to me a layer of rhythm that was really infectious. I could lay on top of the rhythm, and do my ballads.’

‘Hey, I can tell by the way you walk you got soul, soul. I can tell by the way you talk you got soul, soul. You somethin’ deep inside, nothin’ in the world can hide, yeah, you got soul.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

585-Jo Stafford with Paul Weston and his Orchestra-You Belong to Me.

1953-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 2.32. Jo Stafford became the very first female singer to have a UK Number 1 single, when this song topped the chart in January 1953.

Jo Elizabeth Stafford was born on November 12th, 1917, in Coalinga, California, United States, she died of congestive heart failure on July 16th, 2008, at the age of 90. Her first venture into music was when forming the ‘Stafford Sisters,’ a vocal trio, at the age of 12, with her two older sisters. The girls found moderate success on radio and in film. In 1938 while the sisters were working for ‘Twentieth Century Fox,’ Jo Stafford was invited to join the singing group ‘The Pied Pipers,’ becoming their lead singer. In 1939 the Bandleader Tommy Dorsey (1905-1956) hired The Pied Pipers’ to perform vocals with his orchestra, and from 1940-1942, the group often performed with Dorsey’s new male singer, Frank Sinatra (1915-1998.) During World War II, Jo Stafford linked up with the ‘United Service Organisations,’ performing concerts regularly for soldiers, which earned her the nickname ‘G.I. Jo.’ As well as singing, she was also an actress, appearing in 15 films between 1936-1947, she also had her own musical variety television programme in America on ‘CBS,’ ‘The Jo Stafford Show,’ which ran from 1954-1955, and then using a similar format, it was commissioned by ‘ITV’ in the UK, and broadcast over nine episodes in 1961.

The discography of Jo Stafford includes 80 top 40 hit singles on Billboard in America between 1944-1959, with four of those songs, including ‘You Belong To Me,’ reaching Number 1, while in the UK, where the first singles chart wasn’t issued until November 14th, 1952, four of her songs have charted, with ‘Make Love to Me,’ providing her with her only other top 10 hit, when reaching Number 8 in 1954. There are also dozens of official compilation Albums available, that have been issued on a regular basis since 1955 to the present day. In 1952 Jo Stafford married the American composer and conductor Paul Weston, (1912-1996) who was born Paul Wetstein, together they developed a comedy routine in which they assumed the identity of an incompetent lounge act named ‘Jonathan and Darlene Edwards,’ parodying well-known songs. Under that name they released six Albums of comedy music between 1957-1993, and two singles, including a cover version of ‘Stayin’ Alive,’ by The Bee Gees in 1979.

‘You Belong to Me’ has been recorded by dozens of different artists down the years, with this version by Jo Stafford being the best known, and most successful. The first recording of the song was in February 1952, by the American singer Joni James, (1930-2022) which failed to chart. The only other hit version of the song is by the American ‘Doo-Wop’ group ‘The Duprees,’ who took their recording to Number 6 on Billboard in 1962. The song has also featured in many films and television programmes, being performed by a variety of different artists including Bob Dylan, (1994-Natural Born Killers) and Tori Amos (2003-Mona Lisa Smile.)

‘You Belong to Me’ was recorded on June 24th, 1952, by Jo Stafford with Paul Weston and his Orchestra, and released on July 18th, 1952. It appeared on the very first UK singles chart on November 14th, 1952 at Number 2, and finally reached the Number 1 spot in January 1953. The song was co-written by Chilton Price, (1913-2010) Pee Wee King, (1914-2000) and Redd Stewart, (1923-2003) with the arrangement, and production being by Paul Weston (1912-1996.) At the time of recording, Jo Stafford and Paul Weston were married, and she was pregnant at the time with their first child.

‘You Belong to Me’ was initially written by Chilton Price while she was working as a librarian at the Louisville radio station ‘WAVE,’ where the Country Music artists Pee Wee King, and Redd Stuart were regular performers. Chilton Price showed this song and others she had written to King and Stewart, and after they had made lyric and melody adjustments, they were co-credited as the songs authors. Price claimed that King and Stewart had no part in the writing of the song, but Billy Stewart, the son of Redd, refutes that claim, saying that Stewart and King revised the lyrics, and improved the melody. The other song of note to which all three are credited is the 1951 composition ‘Slow Poke,’ which gave Pee Wee King a Billboard Country Number 1 single in 1951, as well as topping the chart in Australia in 1952.

‘See the pyramids along the Nile, watch the sun rise on a tropic isle. Just remember, darling, all the while you belong to me. See the marketplace in old Algiers, send me photographs and souvenirs. Just remember when a dream appears, you belong to me.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

586-Tinie Tempah-Pass Out.

2010-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 3.23. It appears that the very well travelled Tinie Tempah has visited Miami, and Ibiza, and also Southampton, but it seems he still has the delights of Scunthorpe to look forward to.

Tinie Tempah, (see also best songs 883) who in 2020 changed his stage name to Tinie, was born Patrick Chukwuemeka Okogwu, on November 7th, 1988, in Plumstead, London, England, he has recorded in the genres of ‘Hip-Hop,’ ‘Electronic,’ ‘Dance-Pop,’ and ‘UK Rap,’ and has appeared on seven UK Number 1 singles, which is more that any other British born Rap artist. He chose his stage name at the age of 12, by using a ‘thesaurus’ in school, juxtaposing ‘tempah,’ ((temper), which he saw under ‘angry,’ with ‘tinie,’ (tiny) to ameliorate the aggressive sound of ‘tempah.’ Tinie Tempah began his music career in 2005, releasing his first ‘mixtape’ later on that same year, which he gave away for free. This gained him a great deal of airplay on the British music TV channel ‘Channel U,’ particularly for his song ‘Tears.’ In 2006 with his manager and cousin Dumi Oburota, the pair founded he independent record label ‘Disturbing London,’ primarily as an outlet for Tinie Tempah’s music, but also with the idea of signing other young artists. ‘Disturbing London’ also has gone on to produce a clothing range, that Tinie Tempah wears and promotes. Tinie Tempah got his big break in 2009 when signing with ‘Parlophone Records,’ which was where he first met this songs co-writer, and co-producer ‘Labrinth.’ In 2019, Tinie Tempah married Eve De Haan, daughter of Sir Roger De Haan, the former owner of ‘Saga plc.’

The discography of Tinie Tempah includes three studio Albums released between 2010-2017, and 28 singles released as the lead artist between 2010-2023, he has also appeared on a further 12 singles as a featured artist between 2011-2020, there are also six mixtapes, and two extended plays available. In the UK, he has had 24 top 40 chart entries, as either the lead or featured artist, with seven of those tracks, (three as the lead artist) reaching Number 1. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, his only top 40 entry is ‘Written in the Stars,’ featuring Eric Turner, which reached Number 12 in 2010.

‘Pass Out’ was the first of six singles released from Tinie Tempah’s debut studio Album ‘Disc-Overy,’ from October 2010, the song was co-written, and co-produced by Tinie Tempah, and Labrinth, who was born Timothy Lee McKenzie, on January 4th, 1989, in Hackney, London, England. Labrinth who has been referred to as ‘One of the most important British musicians of his generation,’ has worked with numerous artists as a songwriter and producer, including Beyonce, Rihanna, and Kanye West. His discography includes three solo studio Albums released between 2012-2024, and two soundtrack Albums for the original score for the American television ‘HBO’ drama ‘Euphoria,’ series 1 & 2. He has also released an Album as part of the ‘supergroup’ ‘LSD,’ titled ‘Labrinth, Sia & Diplo Present… LSD.’ Labrinth has released 21 singles as the lead artist, and has appeared on a further 11 as a featured artist between 2010-2024, with 12 of those tracks reaching the UK top 40, with ‘Beneath Your Beautiful,’ featuring Emeli Sandé, making the Number 1 spot in 2012. In 2011, Labrinth, along with the English singer/songwriter Gary Barlow, co-produced the song ‘Teardrop,’ with an assembled ‘supergroup’ named ‘The Collective,’ to raise money for ‘Children in Need,’ the song peaked at Number 24 in the UK. In America on Billboard, only ‘Beneath Your Beautiful’ has made the top 40, reaching Number 34.

Prior to their collaboration on ‘Pass Out,’ Tinie Tempah and Labrinth had never met, but Tinie Tempah has said that on meeting, he instantly related to Labrinth. He also said that they spent many hours in the studio experimenting with different sounds, and it was quite by chance that they came up with the ‘Drum & Bass’ ending on ‘Pass Out.’ ‘We tried out so many different things by going in the studio and having fun. It wasn’t like we just put a Drum & Bass ending on it and then thought, done! We tried out so many things, guitars, reggae bass; we were having so much fun. The drum & bass mix up was a trialled and tested method. Once we put it in there everyone went crazy in the studio, and that’s why we thought we would keep it there.’

As for the songs meaning, (which I do not condone in any manner) it is about ‘getting so out of it,’ that you end up passing out.

‘I’m born famous, I’m sorta known, and if your son doesn’t I bet your daughter know. Check out my visual, check out my audio, extraordinary, yo, hope you enjoyed the show.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

587-Madonna-Vogue.

1990-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 4.00.Greta Garbo, Marilyn Monroe, Marlene Dietrich, Joe DiMaggio, Marlon Brando, Jimmy Dean, Grace Kelly, Jean Harlow, Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Rita Hayworth, Lauren Bacall, Katharine Hepburn, Lana Turner, and Bette Davis. Alongside all of them, Madonna’s place in history is also assured.

Madonna Louise Ciccone, (see also best songs 774) was born on August 16th, 1958, in Bay City, Michigan, United States, her mother who died of breast cancer in 1963, was also called Madonna Louise, so as a child her family referred to her as ‘Little Nonnie.’ Madonna is a singer, songwriter, and an actress, and is known by the honorific title of ‘Queen of Pop.’ She has starred in 17 films, and directed a further two between 1985-2021, receiving mixed reviews, from the very negative overall critical appraisal for her performance in ‘Who’s That Girl,’ in 1987, to the glowing tributes paid to her, for her performance in ‘Evita,’ in 1996.

It was in 1978 that Madonna dropped out of college, and relocated to New York City. She said of her move to New York, ‘It was the first time I’d ever taken a plane, the first time I’d ever gotten a taxi cab. I came here with $35 in my pocket. It was the bravest thing I’d ever done.’ One of her first ventures in to performing music was in 1979, as a singer, drummer, and guitarist, in a group called the ‘Breakfast Club,’ Then in 1980, with her then boyfriend Stephan Bray, they formed the band ‘Emmy,’ where the two of them began writing songs together, recording a four song demo tape in November 1980, it was soon after that, that Madonna decided to promote herself as a solo artist. According to the American Billboard magazine, Madonna is the most successful solo artist in the ‘Billboard Hot 100’ chart history, and second overall behind the Beatles. The American academic, social critic, and feminist, professor Camille Paglia, of the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, said of Madonna in 2017, ‘She’s a major historical figure, and when she passes, the retrospectives will loom larger and larger in history.’

With sales in excess of 300 million records sold worldwide, Madonna is the best selling female recording artist of all time. She has released 14 studio Albums between 1983-2014, and 94 singles between 1982-2023, there are also three soundtrack Albums, seven official compilation Albums, and six live Albums available. In America on Billboard, nine of her studio Albums have reached Number 1, while in the UK, she has also achieved nine Number 1 studio Albums. On the American Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, Madonna has had 49 top 40 singles, with 12 of those tracks reaching Number 1, the first was ‘Like a Virgin,’ in 1984, and the latest is ‘Music’ in 2000. In the UK, Madonna has had 68 top 40 singles, with 13 of those songs reaching Number 1, the first being ‘Into the Groove,’ in 1985, and the latest being ‘4 Minutes,’ featuring Justin Timberlake and Timbaland, in 2008.

‘Vogue’ was co-written, and co-produced by Madonna, and Shep Pettibone, with Madonna credited for the lyrics, and Pettibone for the music, which can be placed in the genre of ‘House Music.’ The song appears as the final track on Madonna’s second of three soundtrack Albums, ‘I’m Breathless,’ from May 1990, ‘Vogue’ was the first of two singles issued from the Album, and went on to become the best selling single of 1990 worldwide, with sales in excess of six million copies, and it topped the charts in 30 different countries. Madonna had just finished work on the film ‘Dick Tracy,’ and although ‘Vogue’ had nothing at all to do with the film, it was still added to the films soundtrack Album ‘I’m Breathless.’

It was Madonna’s friend Debi Mazar who first told Madonna of the dance craze that was known as ‘Vogueing.’ It was a dance craze that was popular in the gay community, originating in Harlem, New York, in the late 1980’s, where dancers used elaborate hand gestures, and frequently stopped to pose. The dance originally arose from ‘Harlem Ballroom’ cultures, as danced by African/American, and Latino gay/trans people, from the early 1960’s onward.

In a round about way the lyrics for ‘Vogue’ were inspired by the ‘Dick Tracy’ film, which Madonna co-starred in alongside Warren Beatty. Madonna has said,’I wrote it when I was making Dick Tracy. After we shot the movie, Warren Beatty asked me if I could write a song that would fit my character’s point of view, that she could have conjured up. She was obsessed with speakeasies and movie stars, and things like that. The idea for the lyrics came through that request.’

‘Ladies with an attitude, fellows that were in the mood. Don’t just stand there, let’s get to it, strike a pose, there’s nothing to it, Vogue.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

588-The Crusaders-Street Life.

1979-Number 5 single.

Best Bit At 1.27. The Crusaders were Jazz musicians, they played Jazz, they played Jazz Fusion, they played Soul Jazz, and they played Jazz Funk…..’NIIICE.’

The classic line up of The Crusaders, and those who also played on ‘Street Life,’ were, Joe Sample, (1939-2014) (keyboards) Wilton Felder, (1940-2015) (saxophone) and Nesbert ‘Stix’ Hooper (drums.) The trio first met at high school in Houston, Texas, United States, and formed their first band ‘The Swingsters’ in 1954. Soon after their formation they were joined by Wayne Henderson, (1939-2014) (trombone) who would stay a member until 1976. Other early members were Hubert Laws, (flute) and Henry Wilson (bass.) This early incarnation of the group played a mixture of ‘Jazz,’ and ‘R&B,’ but soon turned more to ‘Hard Bop,’ and renamed themselves the ‘Modern Jazz Sextet,’ but they also recorded in a more ‘R&B’ vein as the ‘Nighthawks,’or ‘Nite Hawks.’ In 1960 Joe Sample, Wilton Felder, Stix Hooper and Wayne Henderson moved to Los Angeles, and changed their name once again, this time to the ‘Jazz Crusaders.’ In 1970 when signing with the ‘Chisa Records’ label, the decision was taken to shorten their name to ‘The Crusaders,’ in an attempt to widen their potential audience. ‘The Crusaders had a total of 11 different members come and go, until the group was retired in 2010.

The discography of The Crusaders includes 24 Albums issued as the ‘Jazz Crusaders’ (including compilations) between 1961-2005, and a further six between 1994-2006, when the line up was Wayne Henderson and Wilton Felder. They have also released 15 singles as ‘The Jazz Crusaders’ between 1962-1970, and one single as ‘The Nite Hawks,’ in 1959, and one single as ‘The Night Hawks,’ in 1961. As The Crusaders they released 22 Albums between 1971-2004, and 25 singles between 1971-1988, there are also 19 official compilation Albums available. In America on Billboard six of The Crusaders Albums have reached the top 40, with ‘Street Life’ peaking the highest at Number 18, while their only charting single on the Billboard Hot 100 is ‘Street Life,’ which made Number 36. In the UK, ‘Street Life’ is also their only charting single, reaching Number 5 in 1979.

‘Street Life’ was the commercial peak for The Crusaders, while at the same time being the commercial breakthrough for the songs unaccredited guest vocalist Randy Crawford, who was born Veronica Crawford on February 18th, 1952, in Macon, Georgia, United States. In October 2018 Randy Crawford was set to perform ‘The Farewell South Africa’ tour in Cape Town, and Pretoria, but it was cancelled due to her suffering a stroke.This would have been her final performance prior to retiring from recording and performing. Prior to ‘Street Life,’ Randy Crawford had released three non charting Albums, and six non charting singles, but after the success of ‘Street Life’ her fortunes changed. In total Randy Crawford has released 16 studio Albums between 1976-2008, and 59 singles between 1972-2008, there are also 11 official compilation Albums, and two live Albums available. In America on Billboard her only charting single was ‘Street Life,’ but she has had far more success in the UK, where five of her singles have reached the top 40, with ‘One Day I’ll Fly Away,’ charting the highest at Number 2 in 1980, having been written by Joe Sample, and Will Jennings, and produced by The Crusaders.’

‘Street Life’ was the only single released from The Crusaders 12th studio Album as ‘The Crusaders,’ from December 1979, the song was co-written by Joe Sample, and Will Jennings, with the production credited to Wilton Felder, Stix Hooper, and Joe Sample. Will Jennings who was born on June 27th, 1944, in Kilgore, Texas, United States, is a lyricist, who has been inducted into the ‘Songwriter’s Hall of Fame,’ and has won several awards, including three ‘Grammy Awards,’ two ‘Golden Globe Awards,’ and two ‘Academy Awards.’ His best known songs include ‘My Heart Will Go On,’ (see also best songs 220) ‘Up Where We Belong,’ and ‘Tears in Heaven.’

Joe Sample was inspired to write ‘Street Life’ after visiting the beginner’s ski slope at ‘Mammoth Mountain,’ in California. He has said,’I saw people falling, running into each other… it was absolute chaos. It looked like a boulevard of madness. And I said, ‘That’s what street life is.’ Joe Sample then teamed up with Will Jennings, who has said,’The lyric, all that came right off of Hollywood Boulevard,’

‘There’s always love for sale, a grown up fairy tale. Prince charming always smiles, behind a silver spoon, and if you keep it young, your song is always sung. Your love will pay your way beneath the silver moon.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

589-Sly and the Family Stone-Dance to the Music.

1967-Number 7 single.

Best Bit-At 1.30. The respected American music critic Joel Selvin said,’There are two types of black music, Black music before Sly Stone, and black music after Sly Stone.’

Sly and the Family Stone were formed in San Francisco, California, United States, in 1966, and remained active until 1983. The classic line up consisted of Sly Stone, (multi instrumentalist) his brother Freddie Stone, (guitar) their sister Rose Stone, (keyboards) Cynthia Robinson, (1944-2015) (trumpet) Jerry Martini, (saxophone) Larry Graham, (bass) and Greg Errico, (drums) in total there were 19 different members come and go. Sly and the Family Stone were the first successful American Rock group to have a racially integrated male and female line up. They are considered to be one of the most influential groups in the development of American ‘Pop’ music due to their experimentation. They were pioneers of the music genre ‘Psychedelic Soul,’ which was a major influence on ‘Funk.’ ‘Soul,’ ‘R&B,’ and ‘Hip-Hop,’ and also an influence on the ‘Motown’ records, writer, and producer Norman Whitfield, (1940-2008) (see also best songs 911-777-569-533-480-346 and 233) who transformed his style from the Motown ‘sound,’ to experimenting with ‘Psychedelic Soul,’ most notably with The Temptations.

The discography of Sly and the Family Stone includes 10 studio Albums released between 1967-1982, and 19 singles released between 1967-1983, there are also six official compilation Albums, and two live Albums available. In America their fifth studio Album ‘There’s a Riot Goin’ On,’ from 1971, is their most successful, reaching Number 1 on Billboard, it is also their only charting Album in the UK, where it peaked at Number 31. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, they have had 10 top 40 hits, with ‘Everyday People,’ (1968) ‘Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin’) /’Everybody Is a Star,’ (1969) and ‘Family Affair,’ (1971) all reaching the Number 1 position, with ‘Dance to the Music’ reaching Number 8, while in the UK, five of their singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Dance to the Music,’ peaking the highest at Number 7.

‘Dance to the Music’ was the only single issued from Sly and the Family Stone’s second studio Album of the same name, from April 1968, and was written and produced by Sly Stone, who was born Sylvester Stewart on March 15th, 1943, in Denton, Texas, United States. He acquired the nickname ‘Sly’ while still at school, when a classmate misspelled his name ‘Slyvester.’ The name ‘Stone’ was adopted by the family members as their stage name. It is Sly Stone who is singled out for playing a critical role in the development of ‘Funk,’ with his pioneering fusion of ‘Soul,’ ‘Rock,’ ‘Psychedelia,’ and ‘Gospel,’ in the 1960’s and 1970’s. The American online music database ‘AllMusic’ wrote, ‘James Brown (1933-2006) (see also best songs 880-612-340-143 and 88) may have invented ‘Funk,’ but Sly Stone perfected it,’ they also credited him with ‘Creating a series of euphoric yet politically charged records that proved a massive influence on artists of all musical and cultural backgrounds.’ The pressures of success took it’s toll on Sly Stone, and he turned to drugs, which by the mid 1970’s had taken him over. His drug use and erratic behaviour effectively ended the group, but in due course, Stone would eventually go on to work with others, including George Clinton in 1981 and his group ‘Funkadelic.’ Sly Stone has also released two solo Albums, in 1975, and 2011, and 13 singles between 1961-2023.

After the critical success of Sly and the Family Stone’s debut Album ‘A Whole New Thing,’ in 1967, Clive Davis (see also best songs 870) who was the executive of ‘CBS Records’ at that time, insisted that the band record a more commercial sounding song in order to gain more radio play, and to get them in to the charts, which was something the band had no real interest in wanting to do, preferring their more experimental approach. A compromise was reached, but not everyone was happy, Jerry Martini dismissed the song as,’Glorified Motown beats,’ saying the song was an ‘Unhip’ thing for them to do.’ Martini also said that Sly Stone only did the song to satisfy the CBS executives desire for a hit, stating, ‘Sly hated it.’

‘You might like to hear my organ, I said ride Sally ride. If I could hear the horns blow, Cynthia on the throne, yeah! Cynthia and Jerry got a message that’s sayin’, all the squares, go home!’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

590-Pluto Shervington-Dat.

1976-Number 6 single.

Best Bit-At 0.13. And you thought the trip to Tesco’s was stressful.

Pluto Shervington was born Leighton Keith Shervington, on August 13th, 1950, in Saint Andrew Parish, Kingston, Jamaica, he died on January 19th, 2024, from pneumonia-related complications, at the age of 73. Shervington who acquired the nickname ‘Pluto’ while at school, became involved in music at the age of 16, joining a band called ‘The Presidents,’ then leaving a year later to join ‘The Hurricanes.’ and then he then moved on to join the show-band ‘Tomorrow’s Children,’ which was where he developed his ‘heavy patois’ singing style. In 1972 after the split of ‘Tomorrow’s Children,’ Pluto started a business called ‘Sound Associates Limited,’ located in New Kingston, which was a recording studio, which provided radio and television services for advertising agencies, he also wrote and produced jingles for most of the major advertising agencies. Pluto was heavily inspired by the Jamaican Reggae singers Ernie Smith, and Tinga Stewart, who both sang in heavy Jamaican patois, in later years both Pluto and Smith would record together. In 1997 Pluto moved to Miami, Florida, where he continued to record, and tour periodically up until his death.

The discography of Pluto Shervington includes at least 10 Albums released between 1974-2012, and three UK top 75 singles, which were ‘Dat,’ (1976-Number 6) ‘Ram Goat Liver,’ (1976-Number 43) and ‘Your Honour’ (1982-Number 19.) Pluto also found success as a music producer, most notably in the UK for his Reggae production of the song ‘Midnight Rider,’ by Paul Davidson, which reached Number 10 in 1976.

‘Dat’ was written by Pluto Shervington, with the production credited to Paul Khouri, and was issued on the ‘Opal Records’ label, with ‘Dat (version) as the ‘B’ side. Paul Khouri is the son of the pioneering Jamaican record producer Ken Khouri, (1917-2003) who is credited with inventing the musical genre ‘Rocksteady’ in Jamaica, in the mid 1960’s. There are some who consider ‘Dat’ to be almost a novelty song, probably because of it’s subject matter, and ‘Jamaican patois’ delivery. The song is about a Rastafarian secretly buying pork, (pork is not allowed in the Rastafarian religion) instead of the more expensive meats, in order to keep his shopping bill down, so that he has enough money left ‘to buy a little weed,’ presumably Cannabis, The song is a humorous take on the lengths the narrator will go in order to keep what he is doing a secret. Speaking about ‘Dat’ Pluto Shervington has said,’Dat is a satire song, and the joke was on the Rastas at the time who claimed that they didn’t eat pork. But the truth is they did eat it, but they couldn’t tell anyone. So when they went to order it from the meat store, that didn’t say ‘pork’, they used to say ‘I want some of dat thing there!’

Jamaican Patois, known locally as ‘Patwah,’ and called ‘Jamaican Creole’ by linguists, is an English based creole language, with West African, Taíno, Irish, Spanish, Hindustani, Portuguese, Chinese, and German influences, spoken primarily in Jamaica, and among the Jamaican diaspora. The majority of non English words in ‘Patois’ derive from the West African ‘Akan’ language. It is spoken by the majority of Jamaicans as a native language. Patois first developed in the 17th Century, when enslaved people from West and Central Africa were exposed to the dialectal language spoken by the slaveholders of British English, Hiberno-English and Scottish descent. Jamaican Patois exists mainly as a spoken language, and is also heavily used for musical purposes, especially in ‘Reggae,’ and Dancehall,’ as well as other musical genres.

Instead of going in to the butchers and asking for Pork, the narrator in his embarrassment asks for ‘Dat.’ Pluto Shervington when asked if he had invented the word ‘Dat,’ that was now in the Jamaican dictionary, said,’It was already in there, I just used it. It was an existing expression that had probably only been in there about a year or so. I think I just popularised it.’

Rasta Ozzy, from up the hill, decide fi check pon him grocery bill, and when him add up the things him need, di dooney done, weh him save fi buy little weed. Him hand upon him jaw, Lord, red in eye, and just mediate. This time is so hard Lord, I man a think ’bout emigrate.’