CAFFE` LATTE` TOP 2000 TRACKS

#125 I JUST CAN'T GET YOU OUT OF MY MIND The Four Tops
The Four Tops enjoyed an enviable string of hits while on the Motown label in the 1960s. Most of their best output were songs crafted by writer/ producers Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland. That crack trio quit the label in 1967. This was a devastating blow for Motown and The Four Tops in particular. The quality of their subsequent releases on the label suffered. Their next major hits were mostly cover versions of others' hits. The vocal group collaborated with The Supremes (as fellow alumni The Temptations had done), but these projects involved the female trio following Diana Ross' departure. In 1972, Motown relocated to California. The Four Tops decided to remain in Detroit. After almost a decade with Motown, the group signed with ABC-Dunhill. There, the group was matched with a new songwriting/ production team, consisting of Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter. Their 1st hit on the new label was "Keeper of the Castle" in 1972. This marked The Four Tops' 1st Top 10 appearance since "Bernadette" in 1967. "Ain't No Woman (Like The One I Got)" proved to be even more successful, peaking at #4 in the following year. Suddenly, the group was enjoying a resurgence, especially on the R&B chart. 1974 saw The Four Tops release the single "I Just Can't Get You Out Of My Mind".
The song was written by Lambert and Potter. They co-produced the track with Steve Barri. "I Just Can't..." was lifted off the vocal group's 1973 album 'Main Street People'. The single reached Top 20 on the US R&B chart. 
Once again, the success rate dropped and The Four Tops released their final ABC-Dunhill album in 1978. Little was heard from the group in terms of new material, until 1981. Thew Four Tops re-emerged; this time on Casablanca Records. That year, "When She was My Girl" peaked at #11 on the US Hot 100 and #3 in Britain. This was the group's 1st R&B #1 since "Reach Out, I'll Be There" in 1966. Sadly, The Four Tops failed to crack the Top 40 again for its new label. 
1983 saw the group back with Motown. This proved to be a short-lived relationship, as The Four Tops quit the label once again. Arista Records became its new home. The group recorded a duet with Aretha Franklin. Lead singer Levi Stubbs provided the voice for Audrey, the carnivorous plant, in the film adaptation of 'Little Shop of Horrors'. 
Until Lawrence Payton died of liver cancer in 1997, The Four Tops' line-up had remained unchanged since 1964; 1 of the longest runs for any successful pop group. Theo Peoples was recruited and, his role increased when, in 2000, Stubbs' health deteriorated due to cancer. Original members Abdul "Duke" Fakir and Renaldo "Obie" Benson continued as part of the group, until the latter passed away in 2005; another casualty of cancer. Stubbs died 3 years later in his Detroit residence. Fakir remains the sole original member still living.  
 
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.
A new song from the Top 200 is added each day, while another 2 are also included from positions 1501-2000 daily. Check back here every 12 hours for an update of the 2000.

CAFFE` LATTE`TOP 2000 TRACKS {EXPANDED EDITION}

#1649 SAY IT LOUD, I'M BLACK AND I'M PROUD (Part 1) James Brown
The civil rights anthem "Say It Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud" was written by James Brown and Alfred Ellis. It was the title track from his 1969 album and marked a watershed moment where the Afro- self image was raised forever.

#1650 KODACHROME Paul Simon
Paul Simon recorded the self-penned "Kodachrome" at the renowned Muscle Shoals Studios in Alabama. The track was featured on his 1973 'There Goes Rhymin' Simon' album. The song's title (a brand of film) led to it being banned in Britain. The song peaked at #2 in the USA.

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 Top 200 each day, 2 new songs ranked in positions 1501-2000 will also be added daily.

CAFFE` LATTE` TOP 2000 TRACKS

#126 IF I WERE YOUR WOMAN Gladys Knight & The Pips
Gladys Knight & The Pips' recording of "If I Were Your Woman" remains 1 of Motown's most thrilling vocal performances. Songwriters Pam Sawyer and Gloria Jones (who wrote using the name LaVern Ware at the time) started sketching out the R&B classic while eating lunch and drinking champagne. They drew inspiration from the women's liberation movement that was gaining momentum. Sawyer and Jones presented their song to Clay McMurray, who added some changes. He had just been entrusted with producing for Gladys Knight & The Pips. He recognized the song's potential, but Knight was unsure. Motown boss Berry Gordy Jr persuaded her to record the heart-wrenching ballad.
It was issued as a single in 1970 and the title track for the Pips' album released in the following year. The single reached #1 R&B and 9 Pop in the US. It also made the Canadian Top 40.This was to be 1 of the group's final hits for Motown. 
"If I Were Your Woman" has been covered by various acts over the ensuing decades. Among the noteworthy interpretations are remakes by Stephanie Mills in 1988, George Michael in 1991 and Alicia Keys in 2003.
 
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.
A new song from the Top 200 is added each day, while another 2 are also included from positions 1501-2000 daily. Check back here every 12 hours for an update of the 2000.

BEFORE DISCO EXPLODED, THE ELEMENTS WERE COMING TOGETHER TO USHER IN AN EXCITING NEW SOUND…

THE ROOTS OF

DISCO

Drawing from the rhythms of Motown; the seminal funk of Sly & The Family Stone and James Brown; the lush productions of Barry White, Isaac Hayes and Philadelphia International ‘s Gamble & Huff; all of these genres spawned disco.

Here are 50 songs that were among the early influences on The Disco Sound… Check back each week as 5 new songs will be added (in alphabetical order):
 BAND OF GOLD

Freda Payne (1970)
 BEGGIN'

Timebox (1968)
 BROTHER'S GONNA WORK IT OUT

Willie Hutch (1973)
CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF YOUR LOVE, BABE

Barry White (1974)
CLOUD NINE

Edwin Starr (1971)
DO IT (TIL YOUR SATISFIED)

B.T. Express (1974)

DON'T LEAVE ME THIS WAY

Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes (1975)

DOWN TO LOVE TOWN

The Originals (1976)
DREAMING A DREAM

Crown Heights Affair (1975)
FOOT STOMPIN' MUSIC

Hamilton Bohannon (1975)
FOREVER CAME TODAY

Jackson 5 (1975)
FREE MAN

South Shore Commission (1975)
GET READY

Rare Earth (1970)
GET UP (I FEEL LIKE BEING A) SEX MACHINE

James Brown (1970)
HEY GIRL COME AND GET IT

The Stylistics (1974)
HIJACK

Herbie Mann (1975)
I'LL BE HOLDING ON

Big Al Dowling (1974)
I'M DOIN' FINE NOW

New York City (1973)
KEEP ON TRUCKIN' (Part 1)

Eddie Kendricks (1973)
KUNG FU FIGHTING

Carl Douglas (1974)
LAW OF THE LAND 

The Temptations (1973)
LIFE'S NO FUN LIVING IN THE GHETTO

Willie Hutch (1975)
THE LOVE I LOST

Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes (1973)
LOVE IS THE MESSAGE

MFSB featuring The Three Degrees (1974)
LOVE TRAIN

The O'Jays (1973)

CAFFE` LATTE`TOP 2000 TRACKS {EXPANDED EDITION}

#1647 THE WHOLE OF THE MOON The Waterboys
The British group The Waterboys is best remembered for the 1985 hit "The Whole of the Moon". It was penned by lead singer Mike Scott and included on the band's 'This is the Sea' album.

#1648 YOU'RE MY HOME {Live} Billy Joel
The original version of "You're My Home" was featured on Billy Joel's 1973 album 'Piano Man'. The live re-recording from his 1981 'Songs in the Attic' LP is the one listed here among the Top 2000. Joel wrote the love song himself.

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 Top 200 each day, 2 new songs ranked in positions 1501-2000 will also be added daily.

CAFFE` LATTE` TOP 2000 TRACKS

#127 STILL THRIVES THIS LOVE K.D. Lang
The delights of K.D. Lang's vocal skills tantalise the eardrums most effectively on "Still Thrives This Love". The track was included on her 1992 album 'Ingenue'. Lang co-wrote the alluring song with Ben Mink. Together, they co-produced the track with Greg Penny. Lang is featured on mandolin. Mink performed acoustic guitar, violin, viola and beat box on this album cut. 

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.
A new song from the Top 200 is added each day, while another 2 are also included from positions 1501-2000 daily. Check back here every 12 hours for an update of the 2000.

CAFFE` LATTE`TOP 2000 TRACKS {EXPANDED EDITION}

#1645 HE'S A REBEL The Crystals
The Gene Pitney- penned girl group hit "He's A Rebel" showcases producer Phil Spector's "Wall of Sound" to great effect. Although credited to The Crystals, they did not actually record the track. Darlene Love performed an uncredited lead vocal. In 1962, the disc reached #1 in the USA.

#1646 CAN'T HELP MYSELF The Flowers (aka Icehouse)
Before The Flowers became Icehouse, the Australian pop group broke through with "Can't Help Myself" in 1980. Lead singer Iva Davies wrote the song. Cameron Allen produced.

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 Top 200 each day, 2 new songs ranked in positions 1501-2000 will also be added daily.

CAFFE` LATTE` TOP 2000 TRACKS

#128 I GET THE SWEETEST FEELING Jackie Wilson
Jackie Wilson, despite his immense influence on the soul vocalists that followed, remains 1 of underrated singers of R&B. His delivery influenced James Brown and Michael Jackson. Wilson's execution of "I Get The Sweetest Feeling" is 1 of his best performances. 
The song was written by Van McCoy and Alicia Evelyn. Carl Davis produced the cut. Originally released in 1968, it made a dent in the lower rungs of the US Pop chart. On the R&B chart the disc fared better, peaking at #12. The single was finally issued in Britain in 1972 and climbed to #9. 
In 1975, Wilson had a heart attack while on stage. The singer lapsed into a coma. He remained hospitalized until he died 9 years later. A claymation video revived Wilson's profile in 1986. "Reet Petite" was re-released and reached #1 in the UK. "I Get The Sweetest Feeling" was re-issued as the follow-up. The single returned to the British Top10, this time peaking at #3.
 
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.
A new song from the Top 200 is added each day, while another 2 are also included from positions 1501-2000 daily. Check back here every 12 hours for an update of the 2000.

CAFFE` LATTE`TOP 2000 TRACKS {EXPANDED EDITION}

#1643 EYE OF THE TIGER Survivor
The box office hit film 'Rocky III' packed a chart punch with the global hit "Eye of the Tiger" from the group Survivor. Band members Jim Peterik and Frankie Sullivan co-wrote and co-produced their 1982 breakthrough smash.

#1644 MOONSHADOW Cat Stevens
Cat Stevens' self-penned "Moonshadow" was featured on his 1971 hit album 'Teaser and the Firecat'. It was issued as a single that year and made the Top 20 in Australia. Paul Samwell-Smith produced.

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 Top 200 each day, 2 new songs ranked in positions 1501-2000 will also be added daily.

CAFFE` LATTE` TOP 2000 TRACKS

#129 PROMISES Barbra Streisand
Brothers Barry and Robin Gibb of The Bee Gees co-wrote "Promises" from Barbra Streisand's 1980 album 'Guilty'. This is 1 of the upbeat tracks on the LP. The song was co-produced by Barry with Albhy Galuten and Karl Richardson. Among the session musicians featured on the track are Steve Gadd on drums and Lee Ritenour on guitar. Galuten contributed synthesizer and Barry Gibb performed background vocals.
 
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.
A new song from the Top 200 is added each day, while another 2 are also included from positions 1501-2000 daily. Check back here every 12 hours for an update of the 2000.