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Song Stories

“Just Out of Reach”

Solomon Burke | 1961

Although Solomon Burke is regarded as a soul legend, his early-1960s hit "Just Out of Reach" was a plaintive country lament, his frustrated longing heightened by melodramatic female backup singers and a brief spoken section. The song came to the attention of Atlantic Records producer Jerry Wexler through Billboard magazine editor Paul Ackerman, who'd also recommended Atlantic sign Burke. "I gave [Burke] that song, 'Just Out of Reach,' at the first session," said Wexler. "So Paul Ackerman was responsible for our getting both Solomon Burke and the song that made him."

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“Chasing Cars”
Snow Patrol | 2006
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“Wannabe”
Spice Girls | 1997

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Song Stories

“1999”

Prince | 1982

“I don’t consider myself a great poet,” Prince told Rolling Stone. “I just know I’m here to say what’s on my mind.” In the case of the apocalyptic party anthem “1999,” he was worried about then-president Ronald Reagan’s foreign policies. The song’s melody is based on a riff borrowed from the Mamas and Papas’ “Monday, Monday,” and Prince originally envisioned the first verse with three-part harmony but later split the vocals between himself and members of the Revolution. Because Warner Bros., with whom Prince was locked in a contractual battle, owned the original’s masters, Prince rerecorded the song and appropriately released that version in 1999.

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