CAFFE` LATTE`TOP 2000 TRACKS {EXPANDED EDITION}

#1949 MUSIC Madonna
Madonna entered the 21st century with the exciting title track from her 2000 album, 'Music'. The song was written and co-produced by the singer with Mirwais Ahmadzai. Madonna had not sounded as vital in a dance context for years. The single reached #1 in the UK and USA.

#1950 TOY BOY Sinitta
In 1987, the magic touch of writer / producers Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman was applied to American singer Sinitta. "Toy Boy" was a high camp UK #4 dance hit that reflected the popularity of SAW hits from the likes of Bananarama, Rick Astley and Kylie Minogue. 

The list is a ranking made up of the songs I enjoy the most, ranked in order of preference: the higher we go, the more I cherish them. Some were released as singles, others as album tracks. Some are obscure; others were worldwide hits or have universal appeal. They aren't always the most famous or popular, but simply a personal choice.This expanded section now includes songs from the last few years. I hope you find some new tracks to love, or re-discover some past favourites.
Along with climbing among the remaining Top 100, 2 new songs ranked in positions 1501-2000 will also be added each other weekday.

EUROVISION'S 100 MOST ESSENTIAL SONGS Update: > #6. Another song added tomorrow.

EUROVISION’S

100

MOST ESSENTIAL SONGS

(1956-2015)

Now that the dust has settled on another fabulous Eurovision Song Contest, it’s time to look back on the most important and influential songs that have competed over the last 60 years. All of the winning songs are included, as well as other noteworthy entries from the most watched music contest in the world.

#6

NE PARTEZ PAS SANS MOI

CELINE DION

Switzerland- 1988

Celine Dion from Quebec, Canada represented Switzerland with the French song “Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi” which translates as “do not leave without me”.  Her vocal style impressed enough people to make the Swiss entry the favourite before the contest commenced in Dublin. Not even her ridiculous costume detracted from her singing ability. Dion became 1 of the leading figures in popular music a few years after her victory at Eurovision. What is less known is that she only won by 1 point! Dion attracted massive sales when she began recording in English. Eurovision proved to be an effective means to expose her to a non-French speaking audience. Switzerland had only won once before, back in 1956 with the 1st winning song "Refrain". Dion's song remains the last winning entry sung in French. 

The Caffe` Latte` Top 10 Tracks this week:

1 Diamonds GIORGIO MORODER ftg. CHARLI XCX  1wk                                                    5 3

2 Come To Me ACE OF BASE                                                                                    1 3

3 This Could Be Paradise OLA                                                                            8 2

4 Deja Vu GIORGIO MORODER ftg. SIA                                                                               9 2

5 Shut Up And Dance WALK THE MOON                                                                    3 3

6 Tom's Diner GIORGIO MORODER ftg. BRITNEY SPEARS                                             2 3

7 Tempted GIORGIO MORODER ftg. MATTHEW KOMA                                                  NEW

8 Start Again CONRAD SEWELL                                                                          NEW

9 Heroes THERESE                                                                    6 4

10 I Don't Like It, I Love It FLO RIDA ftg. ROBIN THICKE & VERDINE WHITE           4 3

EUROVISION'S MOST ESSENTIAL SONGS Update: #7. Another song added tomorrow.

EUROVISION’S

100

MOST ESSENTIAL SONGS

(1956-2015)

Now that the dust has settled on another fabulous Eurovision Song Contest, it’s time to look back on the most important and influential songs that have competed over the last 60 years. All of the winning songs are included, as well as other noteworthy entries from the most watched music contest in the world.

#7

WILD DANCES

RUSLANA

Ukraine- 2004

A new format was launched in 2004 when Istanbul hosted Eurovision. Semi-Finals were back and only “the Big Four” countries and the nations that finished in the Top 10 would automatically be in the following year’s Grand Final. Ruslana represented Ukraine with an energetic and unforgettable performance of “Wild Dances”. The nation did not exist when the ESC began. Eastern Europe’s domination of Eurovision continued. The former Russian territory hosted the contest in 2005 in its capital. Kiev. Ruslana’s win showcased the talent and impact this corner of Europe  offered.

EUROVISION'S 100 MOST ESSENTIAL SONGS. This update: #8. Another song added tomorrow.

EUROVISION’S

100

MOST ESSENTIAL SONGS

(1956-2015)

Now that the dust has settled on another fabulous Eurovision Song Contest, it’s time to look back on the most important and influential songs that have competed over the last 60 years. All of the winning songs are included, as well as other noteworthy entries from the most watched music contest in the world.

#8

 

SAVE YOUR KISSES FOR ME

BROTHERHOOD OF MAN

United Kingdom -1976

A group consisting of 2 males and 2 females named Brotherhood Of Man gave the UK its 3^rd win at Eurovision. The song “Save Your Kisses For Me” is still the best selling of all winning entries. The single reigned in Britain for 6 weeks and also topped many European charts. It even reached #1 on the US Adult Contemporary chart. The victory resurrected the career of a group that had failed to have a hit in Britain since 1970. Over the next 2 years, Brotherhood Of Man would score a further 2 #1 singles. This success proved that a Eurovision victory could change a group’s fortunes.

CAFFE` LATTE` TOP 2000 TRACKS

THE TOP 100

#4 LOVE CHILD

DIANA ROSS & THE SUPREMES

(1968)

Writers: Pamela Sawyer; R. Dean Taylor; Frank Wilson & Deke Richards

By 1968, Florence Ballard had been ejected from The Supremes, leaving Diana Ross and Mary Wilson as the remaining founding members. Cindy Birdsong had been recruited as a permanent replacement. The group was now billed as Diana Ross and The Supremes. The departure of the songwriting / production team of Lamont Dozier and brothers Eddie & Brian Holland had impacted on the girl group's chart fortunes. The Supremes had not been to #1 since "The Happening" in 1967. The group's 2 most recent singles barely scraped into the Top 30 in America. Label boss Berry Gordy summoned a group of writers comprised of Pamela Sawyer, R. Dean Taylor, Frank Wilson and Deke Richards to work on a new hit for his premier act. The team came up with a song that was a radical departure from the trio's catalogue. "Love Child" dealt with a more adult theme; a far cry from the group's usual love and romance fare.
Production was credited to a collective known as "The Clan", which consisted of Taylor, Wilson, Richards, Henry Cosby and Gordy himself. Along with the more mature lyrical content, its sound reflected the new direction Motown was heading in. As a response to the grittier soul of acts such as Otis Redding and Aretha Franklin, Motown's acts such as The Temptations and Gladys Knight & The Pips tackled adult issues and social commentary. Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder would take Motown further in that direction in the 1970s. In many ways, "Love Child" was a controversial song, dealing with children born to an unwed mother. 
While the single was credited to the trio, the reality is that Diana Ross was the only Supreme invited to the recording session. The Andantes provided the backup vocals on the track. This group of session musicians consisted of Jackie Hicks, Marlene Barrow and Louvain Demps. 
"Love Child" returned The Supremes to the top of charts around the world. In the USA, the disc reached #1 Pop and #2 R&B. The hit was the penultimate #1 for The Supremes in America. It made the top in Canada too. It peaked at #3 in Australia and climbed to #15 in Britain. 
The Andantes would join Ross on a final chart topper credited to the girl group: "Someday We'll Be Together" in the following year. Diana Ross quit The Supremes that year, launching a very successful solo career. In 1994, "Love Child" - the Supremes' 11th American chart #1- was sampled on Janet Jackson's Top 10 hit "You Want This".

This is a list made up of the songs I enjoy the most, ranked in order of preference: the higher we go, the more I cherish them. Some were released as singles, others as album tracks. Some are obscure; others were worldwide hits or have universal appeal. They aren't always the most famous or popular, but simply a personal choice. I have excluded songs from the last few years in order to get a better idea of a song's lasting impression. I hope you find some new tracks to love, or re-discover some past favourites. 
Each week, 1 new songs from the remaining Top 10 will be added, while another 2 are also included from #1501-2000 on the other weekdays. Check back here for an update of the 2000.

EUROVISION'S 100 MOST ESSENTIAL SONGS Update: #9. A new song from the Top 10 is added daily.

EUROVISION’S

100

MOST ESSENTIAL SONGS

(1956-2015)

Now that the dust has settled on another fabulous Eurovision Song Contest, it’s time to look back on the most important and influential songs that have competed over the last 60 years. All of the winning songs are included, as well as other noteworthy entries from the most watched music contest in the world.

#9

 

GWENDOLYNE

JULIO IGLESIAS

Spain -1970

Eurovision has proved an effective launching pad for a musical career. In 1970, Julio Iglesias was virtually unknown beyond his homeland Spain. His song was a self-penned ballad entitled “Gwendolyne”. He was hoping to secure Spain a 3^rd consecutive victory but had to be content with equal 4^th position. By the following year, he had sold 1 million discs. Iglesias remains 1 of the best selling Latin artists. His son Enrique has followed in his father’s footsteps.

200 BEST ALBUMS. Update:  #183. This countdown continues next week. 

THE CAFFE` LATTE`

200

MOST RECOMMENDED ALBUMS

Some are the best selling, while others may be obscure, but the albums listed here are all worthy of a listen. No compilation/ best of sets. Only exceptional live albums included.

#183
 

MOONDANCE: VAN MORRISON
 [1970] 

Soul and jazz oozes out of every groove of Van Morrison's 3rd solo album release 'Moondance'. The Irish singer / songwriter composed all of the tracks. His vocals adjust to the needs of each song. The mood is jovial on tracks such as "Glad Tidings", "These Dreams Of You" and "Come Running". Morrison shifts gear on others like "And It Stoned Me". Highlight tracks: Into The Mystic; Moondance; Crazy Love.

More albums featured next week.

THE 100 MOST ESSENTIAL EUROVISION SONGS Update: #10. 
Each day, another song will be added to the Top 10.

EUROVISION’S

100

MOST ESSENTIAL SONGS

(1956-2015)

Now that the dust has settled on another fabulous Eurovision Song Contest, it’s time to look back on the most important and influential songs that have competed over the last 60 years. All of the winning songs are included, as well as other noteworthy entries from the most watched music contest in the world.

#10

TONIGHT AGAIN

GUY SEBASTIAN

Australia -2015

In 2015, Australia was invited to compete –and vote- at Eurovision. The contest has been very popular in the country for many decades. Its inclusion was to mark Eurovision’s 60^th anniversary and is officially a 1-off. There is some talk that Australia may be able to remain in the ESC. Either way, its participation saw the 1^st entry from the Southern hemisphere at Eurovision, a long, long way from Europe. If Australia remains a regular entry, 2015 will mark a turning point for the contest. Some argue that the ESC risks losing its Eurocentric focus. There is speculation that a new nation may be invited each year. It is rumoured that China will compete in 2016. Some others argue that Eurovision will be strengthened if it becomes a more international event. Whatever happens, Australia’s debut remains a radical shift.

200 BEST ALBUMS. Update:  #184. This countdown continues next week. 

THE CAFFE` LATTE`

200

MOST RECOMMENDED ALBUMS

Some are the best selling, while others may be obscure, but the albums listed here are all worthy of a listen. No compilation/ best of sets. Only exceptional live albums included.

#184

IT'S A MAN'S MAN'S WORLD : 
RENEE GEYER
 [1974] 

When Renée Geyer interpreted James Brown's classic "It's A Man's Man's World" from a woman's perspective, she was crowned Australia's leading home-grown female vocalist. This album finds her showcasing the vastness of her singing skill. Her soulful reading of the Beatles' "And I Love Him" reveals the beauty in its lyrics. Few albums of that era in Australia came close to this high standard of singing and production. Highlight tracks:It's A Man's Man's World; And I Love Him; What Do I Do On Sunday Morning.

Another album featured tomorrow.