09/01/2026
THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
80-76.
80-Beatles-I Am the Walrus
79-Energy 52-Cafe del Mar
78-Donna Summer-Love to Love you Baby
77-Rolling Stones-I Can't Get No Satisfaction
76-Candi Staton-Young Hearts Run Free
THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
80-Beatles-I Am the Walrus.
1967- It has never been released as an 'A' sided single in the UK, but was issued as the 'B' side of Hello Goodbye, which reached Number 1.
Best Bit-At 2.36. I can vaguely remember being sat in an English literature lesson at school, I must have been around 12 years old. The subject was dissecting and understanding the meaning of the Beatles song ‘She’s Leaving Home.’
John Lennon (1940-1980) (see also best songs 927-473-456-168 and 20) got the idea for the, what appear to be randomly put together lyrics, when he received a letter from a student, who explained that his English teacher was having the class analyse Beatles songs. On the completion of this song Lennon told his close friend Pete Shotton, (1941-2017) ‘Let the fuc work that one out.’
‘I Am the Walrus’ was conceived by John Lennon from many different ideas, also being partly inspired by two 'L*D' trips. He wrote the line, ’Mis-ter cit-y police-man,’ to the melody of a police siren he had heard in the street. The ‘Walrus’ refers to the Lewis Carroll (1832-1898) (see also best songs 512) poem ‘The Walrus and the Carpenter,’ which appears in the book ‘Through the Looking Glass,’ which was published in 1871. Lennon’s friend and former member of ‘The Quarrymen,’ Pete Shotten, had recently reminded Lennon of a playground nursery rhyme that they used to sing, ’Yellow matter custard, green slop pie, all mixed together with a dead dog’s eye. Slap it on a butty, ten-foot thick, then wash it all down with a cup of cold sick.’ Eric Burdon (see also best songs 851 and 756 ) who was the lead singer of 'The Animals' claimed that he inspired the line 'I am the eggman,' after telling John Lennon about a sensual experience he had with his girlfriend involving a raw egg. ‘Semolina pilchard’ refers to Sergeant Norman Pilcher (1935-2021) of the London drug squad, who waged a campaign against British Rock stars and underground figures during the late 1960's. The words ‘Elementary penguin’ means it is naive to just go around chanting ‘Hare Krishna,’ or putting all of your faith in one idol. The voices you hear towards the fade out of the song were recorded by John Lennon from a BBC radio broadcast of the Shakespeare (1564-1616) play 'King Lear' (1605 or 1606.) Lennon decided to mix bits of the broadcast into the song, resulting in some radio static and disjointed bits of dialogue. The section of King Lear used came from Act Four, Scene 6. On the radio broadcast, the roles were read by Mark Dignam, (1909-1989) (Gloucester) Philip Guard, (1928-2024) (Edgar), and John Bryning (1913-1998) (Oswald.) The 'BBC' in their wisdom decided to ban the song shortly after it's release for the lines 'pornographic priestess,' and "let your knickers down.'
In 1980 Lennon reflected on his use of the Lewis Carroll poem ‘The Walrus and the Carpenter,' ’It never dawned on me that Lewis Carroll was commenting on the capitalist and social system. I never went into that bit about what he really meant, like people are doing with the Beatles’ work. Later, I went back and looked at it and realised that the walrus was the bad guy in the story, and the carpenter was the good guy. I thought, Oh, sh , I picked the wrong guy. I should have said, ‘I am the carpenter,’ but that wouldn’t have been the same, would it?’
‘I Am the Walrus’ was one of six original compositions written by the Beatles for their 1967 television film ‘Magical Mystery Tour,’ which was meant to be a surreal comedy, and was first broadcast on BBC1 television on December 26th, 1967, to poor reviews. As with all of the Beatles songs the writing is credited to Lennon/McCartney, but ‘I Am the Walrus’ was the work of Lennon. In the UK, all six songs were released on a double ‘EP,’ while in America an Album was issued which included all six tracks on side 1, and five of the Beatles recent singles filled side 2. Whereas the film had received mostly negative reviews, the six songs that were included on the soundtrack were critically acclaimed. ‘I Am the Walrus’ much to the disappointment of John Lennon was not chosen for release as a Beatles 'A' side single, and was instead relegated to the 'B' side of the Paul McCartney (see also best songs 646 and 107) composition ‘Hello Goodbye,’ which Lennon considered to be far inferior. 'Hello Goodbye’ which is also on the soundtrack of the ‘Magical Mystery Tour,’ went on to top the charts in both the UK and U.S. in 1967.
As well as all four Beatles (see also best songs 599-319-238-218-157-141-51-10 and 5) playing on ‘I Am the Walrus,’ there is also an orchestra, whose arrangement was directed by this songs producer George Martin (1926-2016.) Providing backing vocals were Ray Thomas, (1941-2018) and Mike Pinder (1941-2024) of the Moody Blues, (see also best songs 313) and also the 16 strong ‘Mike Sammes Singers,’ led by Mike Sammes (1928-2001.) The Mike Sammes Singers although often unaccredited have appeared on many well known hit singles, including 'Green Green Grass of Home,' (see also best songs 964) and 'Delilah,' for Tom Jones. 'Walkin' Back to Happiness,' for Helen Shapiro, 'Tears' for Ken Dodd, and 'The Last Waltz' for Engelbert Humperdinck. The Mike Sammes Singers also appeared on many film soundtracks, and had one UK charting single in their own right, 'Somewhere My Love,' which was recorded in 1966, and peaked at Number 14 in July 1967.
John Lennon went on to name check the ‘Walrus’ in three of his subsequent songs. In the 1968 Beatles song ‘Glass Onion’ he sings, “I told you ’bout the walrus and me, man. You know that we’re as close as can be, man. Well here’s another clue for you all, the walrus was Paul.’ In the third verse of his 1969 song ‘Come Together,’ he sings the line ‘He bag production, he got walrus gumboot,’ and in his 1970 solo song ‘God’, Lennon admits, ’I was the walrus, but now I’m John.’ There are few cover versions of '‘I Am the Walrus,’ with the notable one being by the English Rock group Oasis, (see also best songs 1006-758 and 15) who performed the song many times live throughout their history. A live recording was included as a 'B' side to their 1994 single 'Ci******es & Alcohol,' (UK-Number 7) and was subsequently added to the 25th anniversary edition of their debut studio Album 'Definitely Maybe' (1994.)
‘Expert, texpert choking smokers don’t you think the joker laughs at you. See how they smile like pigs in a sty see how they snide, I’m crying.’
THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
79-Energy 52-Cafe Del Mar (Three ‘n’ One Remix.)
1993-It never charted when the original version was released. The ‘Three ‘n’ One’ remix reached Number 51 in 1997, in 1998 the ‘Nalin & Kane remix peaked at Number 12, and in 2002 the ‘Marco V’ remix made Number 24.
Best Bit-At 5.59. Fittingly for what many people consider to be the best ‘Trance’ tune of all time, it is named after the world famous ‘Cafe Del Mar’ bar.
‘Energy 52’ was a short lived project comprising of the two German music producers Harald Blüchel, and Paul Schmitz-Moormann, (also known as ‘Kid Paul’) who formed in Berlin, Germany, in 1991, and remained active together until 1993. Blüchel was born on February 19th, 1966, in Nuremberg, Germany, and at the age of six he started taking lessons in classical piano. In 1976 he started taking an interest in ‘Electronic Music,’ and in particular the German Electronic groups ‘Kraftwerk,’ (see also best songs 41) and ‘Tangerine Dream.’ In 1986 he moved to West Berlin where he entered into the ‘Berlin University of the Arts’ to study. It was while living in Berlin, that he first met Kid Paul, and then in 1988 he started to compose in ‘Techno’ music and ‘House’ music. It was in 1991 that Blüchel first began working under the name of 'Cosmic Baby' in live performances, and then in 1992 he joined forces with the German music producer Paul van Dyk, to release two extended plays, (EP's) under the name of 'The Visions of Shiva.' Harold Blüchel has worked under seven different stage names, releasing seven Albums as ‘Cosmic Baby’ between 1992-2007, and four Albums as Harold Blüchel between 2006-2020.
‘Cafe Del Mar’ by ‘Energy 52’ is recognised as one of the most popular ‘Trance’ songs in the world, and in lists compiled is often voted at Number 1. The song appears on hundreds of compilation Albums, and has been remixed, and re-recorded by dozens of artists and producers since it’s initial release. Other notable acts (among many) to have covered or remixed the track include ‘Tall Paul,’ (see also best songs 271) in 2006, ‘Deadmau5’ in 2008, and ‘Dimitri Vegas’ in 2022. The main melody of ‘Cafe Del Mar’ is based on the 1983 Classical piece ‘Struggle for Pleasure,’ which was written by the Belgium composer Wim Mertens, although he doesn't receive an official song writing credit on the track, with only Harold Blüche and Paul Schmitz-Moormann credited. Wim Mertens who was born on May 14th, 1953, in Neerpelt, Belgium, is a Flemish Belgian composer, countertenor vocalist, pianist, guitarist, and musicologist. Known primarily as a composer since the early 1980's, Mertens began developing a reputation after releasing his third studio Album 'Struggle for Pleasure' in 1983, he has since gone on to issue in excess of 60 Albums to date. In 2000 the Belgium Progressive Trance act 'Minimalistix' released a remix of 'Struggle for Pleasure,' which reached the Top 10 of European radio dance tracks. Two of the group's singles reached the Top 40 in the UK singles chart, 'Close Cover,' which was another Wim Mertens composition, reached Number 12 in 2002, and 'Magic Fly' which was a remix of the French Electronic music groups Space's 1977 UK Number 2 hit, made Number 36. Meanwhile 'Struggle For Pleasure' reached Number 38 in the Dutch chart, and 'Close Cover' made Number 34.
‘Trance’ music is a genre of 'Electronic Dance Music’ that developed in the early 1990’s from the German ‘Techno,’ and ‘Hardcore’ scenes. Trance music is characterised by a tempo generally lying between 135–150 beats per minute, (BPM) with repeating melodic phrases, and a musical form that distinctly builds tension and elements throughout the track often culminating in 1 to 2 'peaks' or ‘drops’ (see also best songs 483.) Although 'Trance' is a genre of its own, it incorporates influences from other musical styles such as 'Techno,' ‘House,’ Pop,’ ‘Chill-out,’ Classical Music,’ Tech House,’ 'Ambient,’ and ‘Film Music.’ The genres name of ‘Trance’ is taken from the medical term which may be associated with hypnosis, or meditation, also a trance like state can be associated with magic, flow, prayer, and altered states of consciousness. ‘Trance Music’ often uses the same repetitive melody throughout, and is often lengthy so as to incorporate sufficient time to build the ‘peaks’ and ‘drops,’ with many Trance songs also having a sparse opening and closing section in order to aid the mixing by DJ’s. 'Trance' music is mostly instrumental, although vocals can be mixed in, and are typically performed by mezzo-soprano to soprano female soloists, mostly without a traditional verse/chorus structure. Structured vocal form in Trance music forms the basis of the 'Vocal Trance' sub-genre, which has been described as 'grand, soaring, and operatic and 'ethereal female leads floating amongst the synths. Male singers, such as the American singer/songwriter Jonathan Mendelsohn, are also featured.
The ‘Cafe del Mar’ (‘Sea Cafe’) is a bar located in Sant Antoni de Portmany, Ibiza, which was established in 1980. In 1999, it founded the record label ‘Café del Mar Music,’ known for its series of ‘Chillout’ CDs. Today, Café del Mar is a bar brand that includes a bar in Ibiza, and 11 bars elsewhere in the world, including one in Malta. The Cafe del Mar was designed by ‘Lluis Guell, (1945-2005) who was in charge of the design, decoration and architecture. One of the first DJ’s at the Cafe del Mar was Jose Padilla, (1955-2020) who created the first six volumes of the Cafe del Mar compilation CD Albums issued between 1994 and 1999. In total to date there have been 26 volumes of music released, which include the genres of ‘Balearic Ambient,’ and ‘Easy Listening’ music. Café del Mar began live streaming via their 'YouTube' channel on September 28th, 2020. The live stream is titled 'Café del Mar Ibiza Live Chillout Radio & We**am 24/7,' and streams purely 'Chillout' music without any vocal activity from a DJ.
The German 'Happy Hardcore' group 'Scooter' (see also best songs 1033-437 and 144) mention both Harald Blüchel, and Paul Schmitz-Moormann of 'Energy 52' in their 1994 song 'Hyper Hyper,' during which lead singer H.P. Baxxter reads out the name of numerous DJ's.
THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
78-Donna Summer-Love to Love You Baby.
1975-Number 4 single.
Best Bit-At 11.40. (It's well worth the wait.) If you were born sometime in 1976, then there is a fair chance that you were conceived to this song.
Donna Summer (see also best songs 11) was born Donna Adrian Gaines on December 31st, 1948, in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, she died from lung cancer on May 17th, 2012, at the age of 63. In 1973 she married the Austrian actor Helmuth Sommer, and took his surname for her recording career, but due to an error in printing on the record cover of her 1974 single 'Denver Dream,' 'Donna Sommer' became Donna Summer, and the name stuck. Donna Summer who was a leading light in the 'Disco' era of the 1970's, also became known as the 'Queen of Disco.' In 1968 Donna Summer landed the part of 'Sheila' in the Munich production of 'Hair,' (see also best songs 202) and moved to Germany, where she became fluent in the language. It was in 1968 as Donna Gaines that she released her first single, a German version of 'Aquarius,' from the musical 'Hair.' During the next three years Donna would appear on three Albums of cast recordings, and release three commercially unsuccessful singles. It was while working as a part time model, and backing singer in Munich in 1973 that Donna Summer first met the music producers Giorgio Moroder, (see also best songs 11) and Peter Bellotte, which led to the recording of Summer's debut studio Album 'Lady of the Night,' which was issued in February 1974, and included her breakthrough hit single 'The Hostage,' which peaked at Number 2 in the Netherlands. For a more in depth discography for Donna Summer see best songs 11.
Donna Summer died from lung cancer, although she had stopped smoking in her youth. She thought that the cancer had been caused by inhaling toxic fumes and dust from the 'September 11' attacks in New York City, she was in her apartment near Ground Zero when the attacks occurred. However, some reports have instead attributed the cancer to Summer's smoking during her younger years, her continued exposure to second-hand smoke while performing in clubs well after she had herself quit the habit, and a predisposition to this disease in the family. On her death several performers paid tribute, including Liza Minnelli (see also best songs 427 and 182) who said, 'She was a queen, The Queen Of Disco, and we will be dancing to her music forever.' Dolly Parton (see also best songs 704) said, 'Donna, like Whitney, was one of the greatest voices ever. I loved her records. She was the disco queen and will remain so. I knew her and found her to be one of the most likeable and fun people ever. She will be missed and remembered.' Chaka Khan (see also best songs 703-228 and 85) said, 'Donna and I had a friendship for over 30 years. She is one of the few black women I could speak German with, and she is one of the few friends I had in this business.'
Donna Summer broke or set many chart records on the American Billboard charts. During the late 1970's and early 1980's she scored eight consecutive top ten hits on the American Billboard Hot 100, the most by a female artist in the United States since Brenda Lee (see also best songs 522) and the Supremes (see also best songs 1001-411-212 and 148) in the 1960's. Donna Summer was the first female artist in chart history to score three Number one singles in a calendar year on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1979, and scored more top ten hits than any act between 1976-1982, with 12. Between November 11th, 1978 and January 5th, 1980, she scored three consecutive Number one 'double' Albums on the Billboard 200, with 'Live and More,' 'Bad Girls,' and 'On the Radio: Greatest Hits Volumes I & II,' making her the only artist to have three Number one double Albums, and also the first female artist to record back to back Number one Albums.
'Love to Love You Baby' which was also the title track of Donna Summer's second studio Album from August 1975, was co-written by Summer, Giorgio Moroder, and Pete Bellotte, with the songs production being credited to Bellotte. The backing vocals on the track were provided by Lucy Neale, Betsy Allen, and Gitta Walther, (1940-2014) who were at one time all members or session vocalists of the 1970's German 'Euro Disco' all female group 'Silver Convention,' who had an American Billboard Hot 100 Number 1 single with 'Fly Robin Fly' in 1975. It was Donna Summer who suggested to Moroder that the lyrics 'Love to Love You Baby' might make for a song, and Moroder went away and came up with a demo recording. A tape was sent to Neil Bogart (1943-1982) who was the president of 'Casablanca Records' who played it at a party at his home. His guests were so impressed that they kept on asking to hear it again, leading to Bogart asking Moroder if he could write a longer version. Moroder came up with a recording that lasted 16.49, which became an inspiration for extended 'Disco' versions of songs to be made, and it also was one of the songs that kick started the release of the 12 inch single format.
Giorgio Moroder got the idea for 'Love To Love You Baby' after hearing the 1974 re-release (UK-Number 31) of the Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin 1969 UK Number 1 single 'Je T'aime... Moi Non Plus' (see also best songs 467.) Moroder when speaking with Donna Summer noted that the song was once again garnering attention, and thought they should do something similar. Donna Summer has said, 'I reckoned it was worth a try so we went ahead.' In 1978, Summer recorded her own version of 'Je T'aime... Moi Non Plus' for the film 'Thank God It's Friday,' which also featured 'Love To Love You Baby.' Donna Summer had had a religious upbringing, and at first wanted someone else to record the song, but after hearing Donna's erotic moans and groans Moroder was very impressed, and managed to persuade her to perform the song. Summer tried to record the track in the conventional manner, but realised she was too shy, so Moroder suggested that she could have the studio to herself with all the lights turned down. Donna Summer has said that in order to focus on the task in hand, she imagined herself as the actress Marilyn Monroe (1926-1962) playing the part of someone in sexual ecstasy. In an interview in 1976 Summer finally answered the question everyone was asking. 'Were you alone in the studio? 'Yes, I was alone in the studio. 'Did you touch yourself?' Yes, well, actually I had my hand on my knee. Did you fantasise on anything?' Yes, on my handsome boyfriend Peter.' According to a tally by 'Time' magazine, Donna Summer can be heard simulating 22 or***ms over the course of the song.
'I love to love you baby. When you're laying so close to me, there's no place I'd rather you be than with me. Do it to me again and again, you put me in such a awful spin, in a spin.'
THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
77-Rolling Stones-(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.
1965-Number 1 single.
Best Bit-0.01. At the 51st ‘Super Bowl’ in 2006 the Rolling Stones performed during the halftime show. Just prior to the band performing (‘I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction’ Mick Jagger quipped, ’Here’s one we could have done at Super Bowl I.’
The Rolling Stones (see also best songs 933-662-452 and 160) were formed in London, England, in 1962, with the first stable line up consisting of Mick Jagger, (vocals) Brian Jones, (1942-1969) (multi instrumentalist) Keith Richards, (guitar) Bill Wyman, (bass) and Charlie Watts (1941-2021) (drums.) In total there have been eight different members come and go, with founding member Ian Stewart (1938-1985) (keyboards) removed in 1963 as he didn’t fit the bands image, although he did remain the groups road manager, and pianist until his death. In 1969 Mick Taylor replaced Brian Jones who had recently died, as a guitarist, and he stayed as a band member until 1974, and was then replaced by Ronnie Wood, (guitars) (see also best songs 565-160 and 70) who along with Jagger and Richards are the three official members of the group which remain active at the time of writing. It was Brian Jones who named the band during a phone call with the music magazine ‘Jazz News.’ When he was put on the spot by a journalist who asked him what the band were called, Jones saw a Muddy Waters (1915-1983) (see also best songs 596) LP lying on the floor, where he spotted that one of the tracks was called ‘Rollin’ Stone.’ Shortly after that on July 12th, 1962, the group played their first show together billed as the ‘Rollin’ Stones,’ at the ‘Marquee Club,’ in London. It was after that first gig that they changed their name to the ‘Rolling Stones.’
With sales in excess of 200 million records sold worldwide, the Rolling Stones are one of the best selling artists of all time. Their discography includes 31 studio Albums released between 1964-2023, and 122 singles released between 1963-2024, there are also three extended plays, (EP's) four box sets, 28 official compilation Albums, and 39 live Albums available. In the UK, the Rolling Stones have had 47 top 40 hit singles, with with eight of those reaching Number 1, with their first being 'It's All Over Now' in 1964, and their latest being 'H***y Tonk Women' in 1969, while in America on the Billboard Hot 100, they have reached the top 40 on 41 occasions, where they have also achieved eight Number 1 singles, with ('I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction' being the first in 1965, and 'Miss You' being the latest in 1978.
(‘I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction’ was co-written by Mick Jagger, who provided the lyrics, and Keith Richards who wrote the music, the song was produced by Andrew Loog Oldham, who was also the bands manager at that time. The song was first released in America in June 1965, and gave the band their first American Number 1 single. In the UK, the track was issued around three months later, and provided the group with their fourth UK Number 1 hit. Keith Richards has stated that he awoke in the middle of the night with this songs riff in his head, he immediately recorded it with his acoustic guitar on to a ‘Philips’ cassette player, then went back to sleep. The lyrics written by Jagger are about sexual frustration, and commercialism, for example the line, ’but he can’t be a man because he doesn’t smoke the same ci******es as me,’ is a reference to the ‘Marlboro Cowboy,’ which was a figure used by the ‘Marlboro To***co Company’ to advertise ci******es from 1955-1999. Another lyric, ’baby, better come back maybe next week, can’t you see I’m on a losing streak,’ is a reference to menstruation. Mick Jagger has said, 'It was this song that really made the Rolling Stones, changed us from just another band into a huge, monster band. It has a very catchy title. It has a very catchy guitar riff. It has a great guitar sound, which was original at that time, and it captures a spirit of the times, which is very important in those kinds of songs … Which was alienation. Or it’s a bit more than that, maybe, but a kind of sexual alienation. Alienation’s not quite the right word, but it’s one word that would do.’
Keith Richards was born on December 18th, 1943, in Dartford, Kent, England, he is a musician, songwriter, singer and music producer. As a child Keith Richards attended Wentworth Primary School, in Dartford, with Mick Jagger, and was his neighbour until 1954 when the Richards and Jagger families both moved. Richards and Jagger met again by chance on a train platform in the early 1960's, when Jagger was heading for classes at the London School of Economics. Jagger was carrying R&B Albums by Chuck Berry (1926-2017) (see also best songs 548-308 and 30) and Muddy Waters, and this got them talking about what was a mutual interest. After the Rolling Stones signed to 'Decca Records' in 1963, the band's manager, Andrew Loog Oldham, sought to rework their image. As part of his efforts, he advised Richards to drop the 's' from his surname, believing that 'Keith Richard,' in his words, 'looked more pop,' and that it would echo the name of the British 'Rock and Roll' singer Cliff Richard (see also best songs 709) In 1978, Keith Richards switched back to using his birth name in all public and private contexts. Since the mid-1960's, Keith Richards and Mick Jagger have been the primary songwriters for the Rolling Stones, as well as the band's primary producers since the mid-1970's, where they are credited as the 'Glimmer Twins,' often in collaboration with an outside producer. Keith Richards has issued three solo studio Albums between 1988-2015, and released one live Album in 1991, he has also released 12 solo singles between 1978-2024.
On the completion of '(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction' Keith Richards was not totally happy with all of the tracks instrumentation, as he felt it would benefit if a horn section was added, but he was overruled by his other band members, and Andrew Loog Oldham. Later in 1965 the American Soul legend Otis Redding (1941-1967) (see also best songs 712 and 377) recorded a version for his third studio Album 'Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul,' using a horn section which Richards fully endorsed. In a way the Rolling Stones had now come full circle, as they had started out as a white British R&B group playing black American Soul music, and now the American Soul artists were playing the songs of the Rolling Stones.
‘When I’m ridin’ ’round the world, and I’m doin’ this and I’m signin’ that, and I’m tryin’ to make some girl, who tells me baby, better come back maybe next week can’t you see I’m on a losing streak? I can’t get no, oh, no, no, no, hey, hey, hey.’
THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
76-Candi Staton-Young Hearts Run Free.
1976-Number 2 single.
Best Bit-At 0.53. The actual pronunciation of her surname is ‘STAY-TAN.’ How many of you DJ’s and presenters have been getting it wrong all these years?
Candi Staton was born Canzetta Maria Staton, on March 13th, 1940, in Hanceville, Alabama, United States, her unusual first name ‘Canzetta’ was given to her by her grandfather, and she acquired the nickname ‘Candi’ as a teenager when performing Gospel music. Staton’s first venture in to music was as being part of the ‘Jewel Gospel Trio,’ with her sister Maggie, and a third girl Naomi Harrison, who toured the traditional Gospel circuit in the 1950’s with acts such as the ‘Soul Stirrers,’ (see also best songs 156) and Mahalia Jackson (1911-1972.) Between 1953-1963, the trio recorded several Gospel singles on different labels, including for the American Gospel record label 'Nashboro.' Candi Staton launched her solo career in 1968, when she was introduced to the American music producer Rick Hall, (1932-2018) by her future husband Clarence Carter (best known for his 1970 hit 'Patches' UK-Number 18 & American Billboard Hot 100-Number 44.) Candi Staton recorded 16 Billboard top 40 R&B hits at Rick Hall's 'FAME Studios' where she became known as the 'First Lady of Southern Soul.' Her early successes include her cover version of the 1968 Tammy Wynette (1942-1998) (see also best songs 329) Country Music song 'Stand by Your Man,' which became a crossover hit, with Candi taking the song to Number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1970. Candi Staton has been married six times, and has four children from her first marriage, and one from her second marriage to Clarence Carter. Her other marriages have included being married to the American Major League Baseball (MLB) player Otis Nixon, and to Jimmy James (not the Jamaican Soul singer) whom 'Young Hearts Run Free' is based on.
The discography of Candi Staton who has recorded in the genres of 'Gospel,' 'R&B,' 'Soul,' 'Disco,' and 'House' music includes 28 studio Albums released between 1970-2025, and in excess of 30 singles released between 1969-?. In America on Billboard two of her singles have reached the Billboard Hot 100, with 'Young Hearts Run Free' peaking the highest at Number 20, while 18 of her singles have reached the Billboard 'Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs' top 40, with 'Young Hearts Run Free' making Number 1. In the UK, Candi Staton has had seven top 40 hit singles, which includes the 1999 re-recording of this song, which made Number 29, and the 1997 remix of ‘You Got the Love,’ (issued as The Source feat. Candi Staton) which reached Number 3.
'Young Hearts Run Free' was the first of three singles released from Candi Staton's fifth studio Album of the same name from 1976, it was written and produced by David Crawford (1943-1988.) Well known names who performed on the Album, and very likely on the single 'Young Hearts Run Free,' include Deniece Williams, (backing vocals) Jim Gilstrap (backing vocals) and Ray Parker Jr. (guitar) (see also best songs 560.) David Crawford was born David Bernard Crawford on October 24th, 1943, in Jacksonville, Florida, United States, he was murdered in Brooklyn, New York, in June 1988, at the age of 44. Aside from ‘Young Hearts Run Free’ he is probably best remembered for writing ‘What a Man,’ originally recorded by Linda Lyndell in 1968, and later reinterpreted by the 'Hip-Hop' group ‘Salt-n-Pepa,’ together with the 'R&B' girl group ‘En Vogue,’ for their 1993 American Billboard Hot 100 Number 3, & UK Number 7 hit. In 1969 David Crawford teamed up with the American music producer Brad Shapiro, (1938-2024) to become staff producers at 'Atlantic Records,' where they worked with Wilson Pickett (1941-2006) (see also best songs 488) and Dee Dee Warwick (1942-2008.) David Crawford wrote the 1970 Billboard Hot 100 Number 30 hit 'Precious, Precious' for his cousin, the American R&B singer Jackie Moore. Also in 1970, Crawford was the co-producer of the American Rock band ‘The J. Geils Band’s’ self titled debut studio Album. Although Crawford had great financial success with 'Young Hearts Run Free,' he also suffered substantial losses after setting up his own record label 'L. A. Records,' in Los Angeles, in 1974, leading to him moving back to his birth place Florida, where he worked as a DJ on Gospel radio. He was murdered in Brooklyn, New York, in June 1988.
Candi Staton has explained how David Crawford got the idea to write ‘Young Hearts Run Free,' David Crawford was always asking me, ’What’s happening in your life,’ and I was then with someone I shouldn’t have been with, and it was hard getting out of that…very abusive relationship. I noticed that he was taking notes, and he said, ’You know I’m gonna write you a song that’s gonna last forever.’ The songs lyrics are based on Candi Staton’s real life experiences, particularly while married to her third husband Jimmy James between 1974-1977, the song is a warning to young girls to not stay in an abusive relationship. In 2024 Candi Staton revealed that she wrote the song after her abusive ex-husband threatened to kill her, holding her out over the 20-story balcony of their Las Vegas hotel room. Staton talked him out of it by telling him the hotel was owned by the mafia and he would therefore face repercussions, after which he pulled a gun and threatened to shoot her. He didn’t, and she eventually left the relationship. ‘Young Hearts Run Free' is also referenced in Candi Staton's 1978 single 'Victim,' which was also written by David Crawford, the lyrics read, 'I became a victim of the very song I sing, I told you young hearts run free when I didn’t listen to myself, engulfed by the power of love, I just fell right in, ooh yes I did.’
From a personal point of view as a ‘party’ DJ who plays at weddings, birthdays and other celebrations, I have found that ‘Young Hearts Run Free’ is one of those few songs that have grown and grown in popularity over the years, and with it’s appeal to all age groups, it is always one of the first songs I reach for to fill the dance floor.
'Young Hearts Run Free' is just one of many songs written about female empowerment, the surprising thing though is how many of those songs were written by men. While I would always have 'Young Hearts Run Free' as my Number 1 favourite empowerment song, did you realise that other classics, including Gloria Gaynor's 'I Will Survive,' (1978-Billboard & UK Number 1) Cyndi Lauper's 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,' (1983-Billboard & UK Number 2) (see also best songs 1026) Nancy Sinatra's 'These Boots Are Made for Walking, (1966-Billboard & UK Number 1) (see also best songs 978) and many others, were also written by men.
‘What’s the sense in sharing this one and only life? Endin’ up just another lost and lonely wife. You’ll count up the years, and they will be filled with tears. Love only breaks up to start over again, you’ll get the babies, but you won’t have your man, while he is busy loving every woman that he can.’
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For a list of all the best 1000 songs Google Barry Philips Discos Blog.
