Welcome to the final and third part of our Greatest Songs of All Time series. This is the last time I’ll be covering some of the greatest songs and some of the fascinating backstories behind the tracks.
Life’s a funny old ride, and I hope these songs help you make the most of it.
Ballad of a Thin Man – Bob Dylan
Can Bob Dylan write a bad song? The answer is no, of course he can’t. “Ballad of a Thin Man” is no exception, with Dylan’s haunting voice detailing the journey of a man by the name of Mr. Jones, who leads himself into rather strange situations and circumstances.
For years, fans speculated over whether the song was written about a real person. Dylan gave multiple answers to whether this song was about an individual he knew; claiming it was about a Mr. Jones in an interview and then later, onstage at his concert in Japan in 1986, Dylan claimed that the song was about people who asked him lots of questions.
And here’s another one: who IS Mr. Jones?
Baker Street – Gerry Rafferty
This song is the equivalent of what drippy honey looks like. Released in the late 70s, “Baker Street” came from Gerry Rafferty’s mind when he was fighting legal issues surrounding the breakup of his previous band “Stealers Wheel”, which led Rafferty to be unable to release any of his own music.
During the legal battle, Rafferty spent his time between Paisley and his friend’s flat in Baker Street in central London, where he wrote the infamous song. The track also features a beautiful saxophone riff (played by the incredible Raphael Ravenscroft) that has become iconic all around the world.
Big in Japan – Alphaville
German synth-pop band Alphaville and their hit song “Big in Japan” were well known and loved throughout the 80s. Despite the song’s title, “Big in Japan” is not actually about being popular in Japan; in an interview with a German publication in 1998, Alphaville’s lead singer revealed that the song was about a couple trying to stop heroin… a bit darker than the title would suggest.
However, the multi-layered instrumental adds to the important story in the song while also massively outstaying its welcome when it plays over and over again in your head for the rest of day.
Boys Will Be Boys – Dua Lipa
This is one of the songs from British singer and songwriter Dua Lipa’s latest studio album “Future Nostalgia”, and perhaps the most poignant. Sure, “Levitating” is catchy and uplifting, but “Boys Will Be Boys”… never has the female experience of being sexually harassed by men been so aptly described in a song. In an interview with Vogue Australia, Lipa acknowledged the different sound and subject that “Boys Will Be Boys” discusses and knew it didn’t quite fit in but wanted it on the album due to its important subject. Nice one.
cellophane – FKA twigs
FKA twigs is one of the most underrated, intelligent and talented singers, musicians, songwriters and performers the music industry has seen in recent years. FKA twigs first made headlines when she was in a relationship with Robert Pattinson, where she sadly got many insults and disapproving comments about their relationship. The song is speculated to be about Robert Pattinson, due to the lyrics where FKA twigs claims people want to see them apart and alone, leading to her feeling as if she is trapped in cellophane. A heart-breaking song, from beginning to end to lyrics to the instrumental – there are no faults.
I highly recommend watching the video.
Genie in a Bottle – Christina Aguilera
A late 90s classic, “Genie in a Bottle” is, for me, one of Aguilera’s best songs from the earlier days of her career. Using metaphors such as “I’m a genie in a bottle, you gotta rub me the right way”, as ingenious as they were, led to some countries such as Malaysia changing the lyric to “you gotta treat me the right way”.
Aguilera was very upset by this, claiming the song was about “self-respect… and not giving into temptation”. Either way, this song makes me feel very nostalgic and is just such a fun song.
God is a Woman – Ariana Grande
“God is a Woman” got so much backlash and got so many angry people on the internet to give their opinion. Many people were angry that Grande was even suggesting that God could be a woman, and even more that she was comparing sexual liberation to that of a highly religious experience.
Brilliant, for its bravery and its very, very, very smart lyrics.
Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) – ABBA
Ending it all with a bang – “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)” was released at the tail end of the 1970s. I have never seen this not get people up and dancing.
ABBA have never explained the song’s meaning but they have stated that despite the song being “good”, it is also “a lousy recording”. Despite the track’s outdated views on single women, it remains a solid favourite to many music lovers around the world. And, rightly so.
Image credit: Emma