THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

‘(Christmas) The snow’s coming down, (Christmas) I’m watching it fall. (Christmas) Lots of people around, (Christmas) Baby, please come home. (Christmas) The church bells in town, (Christmas) all ringing in song. (Christmas) Full of happy sounds, (Christmas) Baby, please come home.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

821-Wizzard-I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday.
1973-Number 4 single. In 1984 the song was re-issued, and this time it reached Number 23. Since digital downloads were introduced, the song has charted a further 14 times between 2007-2022 on the UK top 40, with a peak of Number 10 in 2019.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

822-Mariah Carey-All I Want for Christmas Is You.

1994-Number 2 single. It also reached Number 2 again in 2017, and 2018, and 2019, before finally becoming a UK Number 1 in 2020, and then again in 2022.

Best Bit-At 0.50. The last truly great Christmas song, (at the time of writing) and well worth it’s place amongst the acknowledged festive classics.

Mariah Carey was born on March 27th, 1969, in Huntington, New York, United States, with record sales in excess of 200 million she is one of the best selling artists of all time. Mariah’s name is derived from the song ‘They Call the Wind Maria,’ which is from the 1951 Broadway musical ‘Paint Your Wagon’ (see also best songs 990.) Her surname was adopted by her Venezuelan grandfather, Francisco Núñez, after he emigrated to New York. Mariah’s mother Patricia, who was an Opera singer, and vocal coach, was disowned by her family after marrying a black man, Mariah is the youngest of three children. Due to her extensive vocal range, Mariah is often referred to as the ‘Songbird Supreme,’ and also mainly due to the unprecedented success of ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You,’ she is also fondly called the ‘Queen of Christmas.’

The discography of Mariah Carey includes 15 studio Albums released between 1990-2018, and 87 singles issued between 1990-2022, she has also appeared on a further eight singles as a featured artist. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, 34 of her singles have reached the top 40, (plus a further one as a featured artist) with 19 of those tracks reaching the Number 1 spot. Mariah Carey is the only artist in Billboard chart history to reach Number 1 with each of her first five singles. In the UK, she has charted within the top 40 on 40 occasions, with three of those singles reaching Number 1.

‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ was the first of three singles released from ‘Merry Christmas,’ which was the fourth studio Album by Mariah Carey, from October 1994, with worldwide sales in excess of 15 million, it it one of the best selling ‘Holiday’ Albums of all time. ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ was co-written, and co-produced by Mariah Carey, and Walter Afanasieff, (see also best songs 220) who would continue to work alongside Mariah Carey through until the 1997 ‘Butterfly’ Album. Since the introduction of digital downloading in 2004,’All I Want for Christmas Is You,’ now re-enters the music charts without fail every Christmas, and at the time of writing it has surpassed $80 million in royalties. In America on Billboard, if finally reached Number 1 in December 2019, which was 25 years after it was first released, it has since topped that chart on a further two occasions, making it the only song to have been a Billboard Number 1 on three different occasions. In the UK, when it first went to Number 1 in 2020, it was spending it’s 70th week within that countries top 40.

Initially Mariah Carey didn’t want to record a Christmas Album, stating that it is normally done when an artist is coming to the end of their career. She was also worried that it might damage her ‘Hip-Hop’ credibility. When she saw the now-famous Album cover, with her dressed in a Santa suit, she said,’ What are you trying to do, turn me in to Connie Francis.’ When Mariah Carey, and Walter Afanasieff set out to write ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ in the summer of 1994, the idea was to write an uptempo Christmas track in the style of Phil Spector’s (1939-2021) (see also best songs 820-782-737-262-192-127-91 and 20) girl group productions, such as ‘Christmas (Baby Please Come Home,’) by Darlene Love (see also best songs 820.)

Speaking about Mariah Carey’s contribution to the songwriting process, Walter Afanasieff has said,’She created a lyric that probably, to this day, is the only uptempo Christmas love song. I think people like this positive love song because it’s interchangeable. Anybody can sing it to anybody. It’s about everybody, and it can only mean one thing from father to child, or mother to child, or wife to husband. It’s just, ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You.’

Mariah Carey has said that as a child she was in love with Christmas, but it was always spoilt by ‘Volatile family members who couldn’t keep the peace for even one day.’It was from my little girl’s spirit and those early fantasies of family, and friendship, that I wrote ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You. Think of how it begins: ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding … the delicate chimes are reminiscent of those little wooden toy pianos, like the one Schroeder had on Peanuts. I actually did bang out most of the song on a cheap little Casio keyboard, but it’s the feeling I wanted the song to capture. There’s a sweetness, a clarity, and a purity to it. It didn’t stem from Christian inspiration, although I’ve certainly sung and written from that soulful and spiritual perspective. Instead, this song came from a childlike space; when I wrote it, at 22 years old, I wasn’t that far away from being a child.’

‘I won’t make a list and send it to the north pole for Saint Nick. I won’t even stay awake to hear those magic reindeer click.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

823-Isley Brothers-This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)

1966-Number 47 single. When it was re-issued in 1968, it peaked at Number 3.

Best Bit-At 1.41. The Isley Brothers are the only artists who can boast top 50 hits in six consecutive decades on the American Billboard Hot 100, from ‘Shout,’ in 1959, all the way through to ‘Contagious’ in 2001.

As the name suggests the Isley’s are Brothers, they originated from Lincoln Heights, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States. The three brothers who formed the group in 1954, were O’Kelly Jr. (1937-1986) Rudolph, and Ronald, they were soon joined by a fourth brother, Vernon, (1942-1955) who sang lead vocals, with the group, they performed ‘Gospel Music,’ until Vernon’s death at the age of 13, when he was hit by a car while riding his bicycle. After leaving ‘Motown’ records, the Isley Brothers went from three members to six, with the inclusion of the brothers Ernie Isley, and Marvin Isley, (1953-2010) along with Chris Jasper, who is the brother-in-law of the Isley Brothers, having married their sister Margie. At the time of writing the Isley Brothers are still active, with only Ronald and Ernie performing as current members.

When hearing the name ‘Isley Brothers,’ (see also best songs 681-508-382 and 176) many people immediately think ‘Tamla Motown,’ which is probably due to the popularity of ‘This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You,’) and yet the Isley Brothers were with ‘Motown’ for less than three years, between 1965-1968, they issued four Albums on the label, none of which made any impact commercially at the time of their release. There were also eight singles released by ‘Motown,’ between 1966-1969, and a compilation ‘best of,’ also issued in 1969. With ‘Motown,’ the Isley Brothers only charted on the American Billboard Hot 100 singles chart top 40 with ‘This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You,’) which reached Number 12 in 1966, while in the UK, four of their ‘Motown’ singles have made the top 40, with ‘This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You,’) peaking at Number 3, on it’s re-issue in 1968. Like other acts signed to ‘Motown’ at that time, the Isley Brothers found themselves down the pecking order, behind ‘bigger’ acts such as ‘The Temptations,’ and ‘The Four Tops,’ who were being offered the better songs ahead of them. The Isley Brothers left ‘Motown,’ and would find greater success recording on their own record label ‘T-Neck’ records.

‘This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You,’) was the first of four singles released from the Isley Brothers first ‘Motown’ studio Album, and the brothers fourth Album overall from May 1966. ‘This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You,’) was co-written by the legendary song writing trio of Holland–Dozier–Holland, (see also best songs 969-650-553-414-212 and 148) along with Sylvia Moy, (1938-2017) the song was produced by Brian Holland, and Lamont Dozier (1941-2022.) Sylvia Rose Moy was born on September 15th, 1938, in Detroit, Michigan, United States, she was a songwriter, and music producer, she died from pneumonia on April 15th, 2017, at the age of 78. Sylvia Moy has the distinction of being the first female to write and produce for acts on the ‘Motown’ label, and is best remembered for her songwriting with, and for Stevie Wonder. Berry Gordy, the founder of ‘Motown’ records, has said in his autobiography, that Moy was directly responsible for the label keeping Stevie Wonder. Gordy wrote, that after Stevie’s voice began to change as a result of puberty, he was going to drop him from the label. It was then that Moy went to Gordy, and asked if she could come up with a hit for Stevie, would he reconsider, to which of course he did. Among the songs that Moy co-wrote for Stevie Wonder are,’Uptight (Everything’s Alright,’) ‘I Was Made to Love Her,’ and ‘My Cherie Amour.’

‘This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You,’) had initially been written with the ‘Supremes’ in mind, they would later record their own version for their 1966 Album,’ The Supremes A’ Go-Go.’ Another ‘Motown’ recording of the song was by Tammi Terrell (1945-1970) in 1969, on her only solo Album ‘Irresistable.’ In 1975, Rod Stewart recorded a ballad version of the song, which reached Number 4 in the UK, and then in 1989, as a duet with Ronald Isley, he recorded an uptempo, and more faithful to the original version, which made Number 10 on Billboard in America.

‘This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You,’) is a song about a guy who is devastated that his girlfriend has left him. Lamont Dozier has said the song was inspired by a girl who had done the same thing to him,’The more I tried the deeper I fell. I made excuses for her, and all the wrong she had done to me. She was a necessary evil that I just couldn’t overcome.’

‘But if you leave me a hundred times, a hundred times I’ll take you back. I’m yours whenever you want me, I’m not too proud to shout it, tell the world about it ’cause I, I love you, this is old heart, darling is weak for you.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

824-Katy Perry-Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)

2011-Number 9 single.

Best Bit-At 2.57. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, except for poor Barbie, who’s on the barbeque.

Katy Perry was born Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson, on October 25th, 1984, in Santa Barbara, California, United States, with record sales in excess of 143 million she is one of the best selling artists of all time. She took her stage name from her mother ‘Mary Perry’s’ maiden name, and she is the niece of the late filmmaker, and director, Frank Joseph Perry Jr. (1930-1995.) Katy Perry who has the honorific title of ‘Queen of Camp,’ was born in to a very religious family, with both of her parents being ‘ Pentecostal pastors,’ and as a child Katy was brought up listening to ‘Gospel Music,’ as non-religious music was generally discouraged in the family’s home. Katy Perry has said that she first discovered ‘Pop Music,’ when a friend of hers sneaked her in some CD’s, which included the song ‘You Oughta Know,’ by Alanis Morissette, which she cites as a major influence on her future songwriting and singing.

The discography of Katy Perry includes six studio Albums released between 2001-2020, the first of those Albums was a ‘Christian Rock’ Album, which she released under the name of ‘Katy Hudson,’ in March 2001. She has also released 35 singles as the lead artist, and a further four singles as the featured artist. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, she has charted within the top 40 on 25 occasions, with nine of those tracks reaching the Number 1 spot, while in the UK, she has had 28 top 40 hits, with five of those songs making Number 1.

‘Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.’) was the fifth of six singles released from ‘Teenage Dream,’ which was the third studio Album released by Katy Perry, from August 2010. ‘Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.’) was co-written by Katy Perry, Dr. Luke, Max Martin, and Bonnie McKee, with the production credited to Dr. Luke, (see also best songs 953-870 and 566) and Max Martin (see also best songs 870 and 317.) Katy Perry has revealed that she was inspired to write ‘Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.’) after running naked through a park with friends, she has said,’We had a couple of beers, and danced until we died, most of the song is actual truth, apart from the menage a trois….unfortunately!’ But, yes, streaking in the park, that’s what we did, so we had to write a song about it the next day.’ One of the songs co-writers is Bonnie McKee, who is a long term collaborator with Perry, together McKee and Perry have co-written six Billboard Number 1 singles. McKee has said,’I’d known Katy since I was 18. After we got dropped from our labels, we used to play shows together. ‘Last Friday Night’ was actually inspired by Katy and my wild drinking days. We were in the same circles and always kept an eye on each other. We’re still competitive: We always joke about being ‘frenemies,’ but honestly, Katy is such a great songwriter, she doesn’t really need me. I owe all of this to her, in so many ways.’ When ‘Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.’) went to Number 1 on Billboard, Katy Perry became the first female artist, and second overall, following Michael Jackson, (Bad) to have five songs from an Album reach the Number 1 spot on Billboard. Due to the success of the six singles released from ‘Teenage Dream,’ Katy Perry holds the record of spending 69 consecutive weeks in the Billboard Hot 100 top 10, between May 2010, to September 2011.

‘Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.’) has an award winning and critically acclaimed video, in which Katy Perry plays the part of a nerdy 13 year old alter-ego named ‘Kathy Beth Terry. Many famous faces from the world of music make an appearance in the video, including the American saxophonist Kenny G, although on the studio version of ‘Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.’) the saxophone is actually played by Lenny Pickett. Also appearing in the video are American ‘Pop/Rock’ band ‘Hanson,’ and Darren Criss, who played Blaine Anderson in the television series ‘Glee.’ Making an appearance as ‘Kathy Beth Terry’s’ mother, is the American singer Debbie Gibson, who had two Billboard Number 1 singles in the 1980’s, she plays the part of ‘Tiffany Terry,’ this is a nod to her fellow 1980’s American Pop teen idol ‘Tiffany Dawish’ (see also best songs 364.)

‘There’s a stranger in my bed, there’s a pounding in my head. Glitter all over the room, pink flamingos in the pool. I smell like a minibar, DJ’s passed out in the yard, Barbies on the barbecue, this a hickey or a bruise?’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

825-Freeez-I.O.U.

1983-Number 2 single. In 1987 remixes of the song were made available on a 12 inch single, and charted at Number 23.

Best Bit-At 3.05. The songwriters missed a trick. With the lyrics being ‘A-E-I-O-U,’ they could have sold the rights to ‘Sesame Street,’ to teach the ‘cool kids’ their vowels.

‘Freeez’ was the brainchild of John Rocca, who was born on September 23rd, 1960, in London, England, initially starting out life in 1978 as a ‘Jazz-Funk’ band, they transitioned in to ‘Electronic’ music in the early 1980’s. Joining Rocca to work as ‘Freeez’ were, Andy Stennett, (keyboards) Peter Mass, (bass guitar) Paul Morgan, (drums) Everton McCalla, (drums) and Gordon Sullivan (guitar.) ‘Freeez’ would remain active through until 1985, releasing five Albums between 1981-1985, and 13 singles, including the ‘I-O-U’ remix, between 1980-1987. In the UK, five of those singles reached the top 40, with ‘I-O-U’ charting the highest at Number 2 in 1983. Although they never managed to break in to the American Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, three of their tracks did reach the Billboard ‘Dance Club Songs’ top 40, with ‘I-O-U’ making the Number 1 spot.

‘Freeez’ were formed at the height of ‘Jazz-Funk,’ for other ‘Jazz-Funk’ acts on this ‘best 1000 list’ (see also best songs 1036-588 and 227.) Their first single ‘Keep In Touch’ (UK-Number 49 in 1980) which sold 35,000 copies, was self funded, and produced by John Rocca on his ‘Pink Rhythm Records’ label. Rocca left ‘Freeez’ in 1984 to pursue a solo career, leaving Peter Maas who was by now the only original member, to continue as ‘Freeez.’ Maas brought in new musicians to work alongside him, with the result being the 1985 Album ‘Idle Vice,’ the final studio Album issued under the ‘Freeez’ banner. John Rocca released three solo Albums between 1984-1996, and 12 singles between 1984-1993, which included twice hitting the Number 1 spot on the Billboard ‘Dance Club Songs’ chart with ‘I Want It to Be Real,’ in 1984, and ‘Shine” Midi Rain,’ in 1993. Rocca retired from music in late 1993, and in 1997 he became one of the founding members of the technology start up ‘Intec Telecom Systems,’ which was successfully launched on the London Stock Exchange in 2001.

‘I-O-U’ was the first of three singles released from ‘Gonna Get You,’ which was the second studio Album by ‘Freeez,’ from 1983. ‘I-O-U’ was written and produced by Arthur Baker, (see also best songs 716) with additional lyrics by John Rocca, and remixed by Baker, and Jellybean Benitez. To their British fan base ‘Freeez’ were known as a sophisticated ‘Jazz-Funk’ (‘Brit-Funk’) outfit, and their change in musical style to ‘Electronic Music’ didn’t go down well with everyone, with some of their fan base accusing them of ‘dumbing down’ in order to gain commercial success. In America where they were virtually unknown up to this point, a video was made for ‘I-O-U’ which featured children with skateboards, and ‘BMX’ bicycles, recreating the New York ‘Hip-Hop’ culture of that time, for a young audience unaware of the band’s previous music.

At the time of it’s release (to my ears) ‘I-O-U’ sounded like something fresh and new. ‘Freeez’ had moved in to ‘Electronic Music,’ and were seemingly influenced by the emergence of acts such as ‘The Human League,’ (see also best songs 1009 and 986) and ‘Soft Cell,’ (see also best songs 848) but where as those acts were making ‘Electronic/Pop’ music, ‘Freeeze’ were now among the innovators of ‘Electronic Dance Music.’ Speaking about ‘I-O-U’ John Rocca now credits it’s success to, ‘It’s hooky melody, and for the era, cutting edge production. I think there was a mixture of groundbreaking sounds, and a style that hadn’t really been done before. So, it was new at the time. And it was fleeting, as well, that particular sound came and went, which means it sort of stands out. There’s a lot of stuff like it, but not so much that was particularly successful.’

‘You tell me that you love me every day. When we’re alone I really feel in love, but when you’re out with friends I see a change, you treat me bad, I feel like second best.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

826-Wretch 32-6 Words.

2014-Number 8 single.

Best Bit-At 1.17. The 6 blessings are, 1/Life, 2/Children, 3/Time, 4/Dreaming, 5/Senses, 6/Words.

Wretch 32 was born Jermaine Sinclaire Scott, on March 9th, 1985, in Tottenham, London, England, his mother was from Jamaica where ‘wretch’ means to be slim, or skinny. She called him ‘Wretch’ as a child, and the name stuck. He has said that ’32’ is his lucky number, and thought that it would be fun to have a number as a surname. Prior to carving out a solo career in 2006, Wretch 32 began his musical career as a member of ‘Hip-Hop,’ and ‘Grime’ collectives ‘Combination Chain Gang,’ and The Movement, where he played alongside other young British Rappers including ‘Ghetts, and ‘Devlin.’ Wretch 32 is recognised as a ‘Hip-Hop,’ R&B,’ and ‘Grime’ artist, who is a Rapper, and occasional singer.

The discography of Wretch 32 includes six studio Albums released between 2008-2021, plus 22 singles issued as the lead artist, and a further nine as the featured artist, between 2010-2018, he has also released six ‘mixtapes’ between 2006-2015. and has guested on several other artists tracks and remixes, over the course of his career. In the UK, six of his singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Don’t Go,’ featuring Josh Kumra, from 2011, making the Number 1 spot. Outside of the UK, two of his songs, ‘Unorthodox’ featuring Example, (Number 32-2011) and ‘Don’t Go,’ (Number 39-2011) have charted in Ireland, while ‘6 Words,’ reached Number 25 in Australia. Also in 2011 as part of ‘The Collective,’ he appeared on the charity single ‘Teardrop,’ which made Number 24 in the UK.

‘6 Words’ was the first of six singles released from ‘Growing Over Life,’ which was the third studio Album release by Wretch 32, from September 2016, the song had been issued as a single 22 months before the release of the Album. ‘6 Words’ was co-written by Wretch 32, and Varren Wade, who also co-wrote two of the other tracks on ‘Growing Over Life.’ Wade’s other notable songs include two tracks that he co-wrote on the British Rapper ‘Stormzy’s’ debut studio Album ‘Gang Signs & Prayer’, in 2017. ‘6 Words’ was produced by the production duo of ‘Mikey Muzik, and Mo-Samuels, who work together as the ‘Sons of Sonix Music Group,’ with additional mixing by the English ‘Drum and Bass’ music producer Mark Wilkinson.

‘6 Words’ is filed under the genre of ‘Drum and Bass’ music, with Mark Wilkinson, who is better known by his stage name ‘Wilkinson,’ mixing the track. ‘Wilkinson’ has released four solo studio Albums, between 2013-2022, and 35 singles between 2010-2023, with four of those singles making the UK top 40, with ‘Afterglow’ featuring Becky Hill, charting the highest at Number 8 in 2013. Wilkinson has also remixed for many of the worlds top artists, including Ed Sheeran, and The Prodigy.

Up until the release of ‘6 Words,’ Wretch 32 was known as just a Rapper, but due to the fact that he sang on the track, he came in for some heavy criticism in some quarters. In fact, Wretch 32, opens the song with ‘I can’t sing but I wrote you a song, yeah, wrong notes but the melody’s so clear.’ Wretch 32 has explained,’Listening to Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, and all those guys when I was growing up, I heard them guys rapping and singing, and they can’t really sing, but it still sounds good because it’s in-tune. I wouldn’t class them as singers, like I would Whitney Houston or someone, but they have the ability to do that because it’s in their range, and I knew it was in my ability, because I can sing along with them, but I can’t sing. I always had in my head, ‘I’m gonna make a record where there are no rap verses.’ And that’s what ‘6 Words’ is. It’s not like everyday rap, and I’d say that Gary Barlow, and Chris Martin inspired it, because in the studio all I was thinking was that I needed to write a better song than what they would write.’

‘Bronze, silver, gold, no, it’s you, I found my treasure in you.Nothing less than that will do, ’cause I found my treasure in you.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

827-Dean Friedman-Lucky Stars.

1978-Number 3 single.

Best Bit-At 3.16. Because ‘Lucky Stars’ was only credited to it’s composer Dean Friedman, the female vocalist on the track became known as the ‘Mystery Voice,’ or the ‘Mystery Lady.’

Dean Friedman was born on May 23rd, 1955, in Paramus, New Jersey, United States, he is a singer/songwriter, producer, author, virtual reality designer, video game designer, and he also plays guitar, piano, electric keyboards, and harmonica. In the United States he is considered a ‘one hit wonder,’ as his only Billboard Hot 100 hit was ‘Ariel,’ in 1977, which reached Number 26. The discography of Dean Friedman includes 19 Albums released between 1976-2021, and at least 32 singles, that have been issued between 1977-2021, of which five of those singles have charted around the world between 1977-1982. In the UK, he has charted twice within the top 40, with ‘Lydia,’ from 1978, the follow up single to ‘Lucky Stars,’ reaching Number 31. ‘Lucky Stars’ also reached Number 6 in Australia, and Number 8 in New Zealand in 1978.

‘Lucky Stars’ is one of nine tracks on ‘Well, Well” Said the Rocking Chair,’ which was the third Album release from Dean Friedman, from 1978, the Album was most successful in the UK, where it peaked at Number 21 on the Album chart. ‘Lucky Stars’ was written by Friedman, with the production credited to Rob Stevens, who has also worked with other artists such as Yoko Ono, Herbie Hancock, and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, in the capacity of either being a session musician, engineer, or music producer.

When ‘Lucky Stars’ was released as a single, the songs record label failed to credit the tracks female vocalist Denise Marsa, which led to many speculating as to who she was, the ‘mystery’ was cleared up when her name was added on to the Album sleeves credits. Dean Friedman has said that who she is, is one of the most common questions he is asked at interviews. Denise Marsa said, that with her name being mistakenly left off the singles credits, it caused an ‘on-going issue collecting royalties,’ and she has said that she was not paid any royalties until 2008.

Denise Marsa was born in Trenton, New Jersey, United States, she is a singer, and a songwriter. Marsa moved to New York City in the early 1970’s in order to further her music career, and that was where she first met Dean Friedman, when they were both auditioning for ‘Columbia Recording Studios.’ Friedman then went to watch her perform live, and then got in touch with her, to say he had written a song with her in mind. Denise Marsa also appears on some of the other tracks on the ‘Well, Well,” Said the Rocking Chair’ Album. In 1984 Marsa sang lead vocals on the song ‘Helpless (You Took my Love’) which was credited to the ‘Hi-NRG, Synth-Pop’ group ‘The Flirts,’ which was the brainchild of Bobby ‘O’ Orlando, (see also best songs 871) the song reached Number 12 on the American ‘Billboard Dance Club Songs’ chart, as well as making Number 13 in Germany, and Number 15 in Switzerland. In 1998 Denise Marsa released a solo Album entitled ‘SELF,’ and then in the 2000’s she set up a non-profit venture called ‘WO30 Records,’ which she describes as the first non-profit record label, for women recording artists over the age of 30.

‘Lucky Stars’ tells the story of a couple arguing, after he bumped in to a former girlfriend called ‘Lisa.’ His partner is worried that he might want to get back together with ‘Lisa,’ but he eventually manages to convince her that she is the only one for him.

‘Do you still love me? Yes, I still love you. You mean, you’re not just being nice. No, I’m not just being nice. Do you feel sleepy. Aw, you’re so sincere. yes, I feel sleepy. Well, slide over here. ’cause I may not be all that bright, but I know how to hold you tight and, you can thank your lucky stars that we’re not as smart as we’d like to think we are.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

828-Eddie Floyd-Knock on Wood.

1966-Number 19 single.

Best Bit-At 0.46. In the UK, the expression is ‘touch wood,’ but this American expression, meaning the same, fits in better with the song.

Eddie Lee Floyd was born on June 25, 1937, in Montgomery, Alabama, United States. He first tasted success, as a founding member of the American ‘R&B’ vocal group ‘The Falcons’ in 1955, who are considered forerunners to the big Detroit groups of the 1960’s, such as ‘The Temptations,’ and ‘The Four Tops.’ With ‘The Falcons’ Eddie Floyd charted on the Billboard Hot 100 in America with the million selling ‘You’re So Fine,’ (1959-Number 17) and also on the Billboard R&B Chart at Number 2. Floyd remained a member of ‘The Falcons’ through until 1963, leaving in order to pursue a solo singing, and songwriting career, which came to fruition when he signed a contract with ‘Stax Records’ in 1965. As a songwriter, many of his songs have been covered by the top recording artists on ‘Stax,’ and from 1967, he also became a recording artist himself on ‘Stax,’ having previously issued six unsuccessful solo singles on other labels between 1962-1965. The discography of Eddie Floyd as a solo artist includes 17 Albums released between 1967-2013, and 37 singles issued between 1962-1978. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, three of those singles have made the top 40, with his version of the original Sam Cooke (1931-1964) song ‘Bring It On Home to Me,’ charting the highest at Number 17 in 1968, while on Billboard ‘Knock on Wood’ peaked at Number 28. On the Billboard R&B chart, Eddie Floyd has charted within the top 40 on 11 occasions, while in the UK, three of his songs have reached the top 40, with ‘Knock on Wood’ peaking the highest.

‘Knock on Wood’ was co-written by Eddie Floyd, and Steve Cropper, (see also best songs 906-712 and 530) who were both songwriters for the ‘Stax Records’ label, with the production being by Jim Stewart, (1930-2022) who in 1957 had been the co-founder of ‘Stax’ with his sister Estelle Axton (1918-2004.) ‘Knock on Wood’ was the first of two singles issued from Eddie Floyd’s debut studio Album of the same name, from January 1967. ‘Knock on Wood’ which had originally been written with Otis Redding (1941-1967) in mind, came about late at night in the ‘Lorraine Motel,’ in Memphis, Tennessee, where in 1968 Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968) would be assassinated. Steve Cropper has spoken about how the song came to fruition,’We were trying to write a song about superstitions, and after we’d exhausted about every superstition known to man at that time, from cats to umbrellas, you name it, we said, what do people do for good luck? And Ed tapped on the chair and said, ‘knock on wood, there it is.’ So basically the whole theme of the song changed, and we started to sing about, I’d better knock on wood for good luck, that I can keep this girl that I got, because she’s the greatest, and that’s what it was about.”

‘Knock on Wood’ is memorable for it’s pauses. After Eddie Floyd sings ‘I better knock,’ there is a pause before the drummer Al Jackson (1935-1975) (see also best songs 906 and 307) comes in with the drumbeats, and Floyd completes the line with ‘on wood.’ It was Jackson who came up with the idea, in order to simulate the sound of someone knocking on a door. The song has been recorded by dozens of other artists down the years, with the most successful recording being the 1979 ‘Disco’ version by the American singer Ami Stewart, who reached Number 1 on Billboard, and Number 6 in the UK, where a remix version of the song also reached Number 7 in 1985. In 1967, Otis Redding recorded the song as a duet with Carla Thomas, and charted on Billboard at Number 30, and Number 35 in the UK. The other significant version to chart was by David Bowie, (1947-2016) who released a live version from his 1974 Album ‘David Live,’ his recording made Number 10 in 1974.

‘I don’t want to lose you, this good thing that I got ’cause if I do I will surely, surely lose a lot, ’cause your love is better than any love I know. It’s like thunder and lightning, the way you love me is frightening, you better knock, knock on wood, baby.’

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

829-Dire Straits-Sultans of Swing.

1978-Number 8 single.

Best Bit-At 5.18. The best ‘Pub Rock’ inspired song, in every sense.

Dire Straits (see also best songs 298) were formed in London, England, in 1977, by Mark Knopfler (lead vocals, and lead guitar) his brother, David Knopfler, (rhythm guitar, and backing vocals) John Illsley, (bass guitar, and backing vocals) and Pick Withers (drums, and percussion.) David Knopfler would leave the group in 1980 to pursue a solo career, and Paul Withers would remain a member through until 1982, playing on the first four studio Albums. Dire Straits remained active until 1988, but did reform again in 1990, until the final split in 1995. In total there have been nine different official members come and go, with Mark Knopfler, and John Illsley, being the groups only two constants. When first forming, the group called themselves the ‘Cafe Racers,’ but it was a friend of Paul Withers, while hearing them rehearse, who suggested ‘Dire Straits.’ They got their first big break when they approached the British DJ Charlie Gillett, (1942-2010) with a five song demo tape, which included an early version of ‘Sultans of Swing.’ The band had simply wanted advice, but Gillett was so taken by the music, that he began playing ‘Sultans of Swing’ on his ‘BBC Radio London’ show, which led to the group signing a recording contract with the ‘Vertigo’ division of ‘Phonogram Records.’ Dire Straits went on to become one of the worlds best selling artists, with sales estimated between 100-120 million records sold worldwide.

‘Sultans of Swing’ was the first single release from Dire Straits, and was taken from the groups self titled debut studio Album, from June 1978, a second and final single from the Album, ‘Water of Love,’ was only released in Australia, and the Netherlands, in October 1978. ‘Sultans of Swing’ was written by Mark Knopfler, and produced by Muff Winwood, (see also best songs 840) who also produced the Album in full as well. Mark Knopfler has said that he took a lot of his inspiration for songwriting from things he saw around him, but has said that he found it harder to do the more famous he became.

Mark Knopfler got his inspiration for ‘Sultans of Swing’ after witnessing a Jazz band playing in a corner of a practically deserted public house in Deptford, South London. At the end of their performance the lead singer announced that they were the ‘Sultans of Swing,’ and Knopfler found the contrast between the groups dowdy appearance, and surroundings, and their grandiose name amusing. Mark Knopfler has said,’When the guys said ‘Thank you very much, we are the Sultans of Swing,’ there was something really funny about it to me, because Sultans, they absolutely weren’t. You know they were rather tired little blokes in pullovers.’

The lyrics to ‘Sultans of Swing’ name check ‘Guitar George,’ and ‘Harry.’ This is a nod to George Young, (1946-2017) and Harry Vanda, who were both guitarists in the 1960’s Australian group the ‘Easybeats,’ (see also best songs 939 and 447)) who would later go on to produce several of the landmark ‘AC/DC’ Albums (see also best songs 797-245 and 170.) The line ‘The band was playing Dixie double four time,’ is a reference to ‘Dixieland Jazz,’ which is a traditional style of Jazz that originated in New Orleans, Louisiana, in the early part of the 20th Century. ‘Double four time’ means the 4/4 time signature, with a quarter note being one beat, and four beats per measure. It is the most common time signature in Jazz, and popular music, and was heavily popularised by the Belgium musician Django Reinhradt, (1910-1953) and also by the American guitarist Les Paul (1915-2009) during the earlier part of his career. In 1988, 10 years after it’s original release,’Sultans of Swing’ was re-issued in order to promote Dire Strait’s greatest hits Album ‘Money for Nothing,’ which featured tracks from the bands first five studio Albums, this time the single peaked in the UK at Number 62.

‘And then the man he steps right up to the microphone, and says at last, just as the time bell rings,’Goodnight, now it’s time to go home,’ then he makes it fast with one more thing. We are the Sultans, we are the Sultans of Swing.’