CAFFE` LATTE` 
TOP 1200 CHOICE TRACKS
Mid-week bonus: #664- 662
#664 RAPTURE RIDERS Blondie Vs. The Doors
"Rapture Riders" is a mash up of 2 classic songs by the groups Blondie and The Doors. The track begins with the music from "Rapture", a  US #1 in 1981 written by lead singer Debbie Harry with her partner Chris Stein. Instead of her vocals, Jim Morrison is heard singing the lyrics from his band's single "Riders on the Storm". The latter is credited to all of the members of the group. It is of interest that the single entered the Billboard chart on the very day Morrison died in Paris in 1971. As the track progresses, it switches to Harry singing verses from "Rapture" over The Doors' classic. 
The mash up was created by Go Home Productions, with Mark Vidler at the helm. It was released as a commercial single in 2005. This is rare for mash ups. It only charted in Europe, on the US Dance Chart and in Australia. Vidler was paid the ultimate compliment when the song was added as a bonus track on Blondie compilation 'Greatest Hits: Sight + Sound'. 

#663 AMERICA Simon & Garfunkel
The Simon & Garfunkel track "America" was first heard in 1968 when it was included on the duo's LP 'Bookends'. It was released as a single in 1972. By this time, the 2 performers had split and started pursuing solo careers. Simon penned the song and he co-produced it with Garfunkel and Roy Halee. Simon uses the lyrical imagery to convey where he thinks his relationship with then girlfriend Kathy Chitty and, indeed his country's youth, is headed. 

#662 I'M YOUR MAN Wham!
By the time "I'm Your Man" was released, it was becoming increasingly obvious that George Michael was more than just one half of a duo. Wham! had often been the target of derision from critics, but they were immensely popular. Formed by Michael with school friend Andrew Ridgeley, the duo scored a string of hit singles starting in 1982 with "Young Guns (Go For It)". They scored a global #1 with "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" 2 years later. 
"I'm Your Man" was the first single lifted from the duo's final studio album, 'Music from the Edge of Heaven'. Michael wrote and produced the track. Released in 1985, it reached #1 in the UK, Ireland and New Zealand. It peaked at #3 in Australia and the US.