William's Song a Day Blog - est. September 2007

From: Greatest Hits ; Year: 1975 (1976); Genre: Pop/Rock Yet another case of a song playing in my head.... I cannot count the amount of times I have heard this track; my Dad owned everyone of ABBA's records and for the most part played them all the way through. For some reason this track in particular is one that just catches your attention even more that usual from the Swedish superstars. Originally Benny and Bjorn along with their manager Stig Anderson wrote this one for Anni-Frid's solo album in '75 and later recorded it as a single for the band as well; the original was sung in Swedish and the entire story/lyrics were different as well. With the Swedish version the titular Fernando, (whose name was taken from a bartender at one of the band's favourite clubs in Stockholm), is being consoled after the loss of a love. In the English version Bjorn wrote the lyrics in the form of two old veterans of the Mexican Revolution reminiscing about their tour of duty as freedom ...

From: Back Home Again ; Year: 1970; Genre: Rock/Folk Rock I guess I am finally picking this tune, which is definitely not my favourite from Norman Greenbaum, but it has its place and I do listen to it every now and then. From my experience Canned Ham is probably the only other song from Mr. Greenbaum that most people acquainted with his music after his epic Spirit in the Sky . Actually, when I do think about it, I would have to say that most of his material either borders on or is of a whimsical nature, which this one definitely is whimsical, if not bordering on novelty/comedy. I still cannot, for the life of me, why someone would want to fry a canned ham nice and brown and put it in one's pocket and carry it around? The only logical conclusion I can make, other than it just being whimsical and nonsensical, is that "Canned Ham" must've been a slang/code for something else, but who knows, right?   Hear Canned Ham on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago toda...

From: Tasty Jam ; Year: 1981; Genre: Funk/R&B Another Funky Friday makes an appearance... this Friday it is this fun funky track from the one and only Fatback!     Hear Kool Whip on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: The Fabulous Thunderbirds - Powerful Stuff     My song pick 2 years ago today: Sniff 'n' The Tears - New Lines on Love   My song pick 3 years ago today: Sky - Tuba Smarties   My song pick 4 years ago today: Focus - Focus 11   My song pick 5 years ago today: Fleet Foxes - Can I Believe You   My song pick 6 years ago today: Pearl Jam - Retrograde   My song pick 7 years ago today: King Crimson - Epitaph My song pick 8 years ago today: Heart - Bad Animals My song pick 9 years ago today: Dream Theater - Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence My song pick 10 years ago today: Lawrence Gowan - (You're a) Strange Animal My song pick 11 years ago today: Sly and the Family Stone - Frisky My ...

From: Waking and Dreaming ; Year: 1976; Genre: Rock/Pop Happened to have this one playing in my brain just before getting ready to make this post, you know the rest. Probably individuals around my age and old remember this slice of 1970s pop; those younger might remember some of the song used in commercials and such. Still quite enjoyable and the twin lead guitars are definitely one of the best parts.     Hear Still the One on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Mac Davis - Baby Don't Get Hooked On Me     My song pick 2 years ago today: Bob Marley and The Wailers - Freedom Time   My song pick 3 years ago today: Manfred Mann's Earth Band - Nothing Ever Happens   My song pick 4 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Living in These Hard Times   My song pick 5 years ago today: Parliament - Livin' the Life   My song pick 6 years ago today: Alice in Chains - Rainier Fog   My song pick 7 years ago today: Savatage - S...

From: The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia ; Year: 1973; Genre: Country/Pop/Rock I've always loved songs that tell engaging tales, of which this one. I heard this one a lot over the years and always listen until it ends. While Vicki Lawrence is considered a "one hit wonder," her acting career is far greater; I saw her in many roles on different shows. In fact, did not connect the dots for many years that she was the artist that recorded this song. I guess she saw a job in acting as better and/or just liked the lifestyle better. Anyway, as with the best tales, this one is about some fictional murders and judicial injustice that leads to the execution of an innocent man; in this case it was the brother of the person telling the story, who in a twist is the actual killer.    Hear The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - Before the Kiss, A Redcap     My song pick 2 years ago to...

From: Seminar ; Year: 1989; Genre: Rap/Hip-Hop Been working on my car for a solid three days getting a worn out, super stubborn ball joint out and putting in a replacement. It always seems that I have these "little" maintenance chores that need done, but something always goes wrong and ends up a giant mess. Anyway, whilst getting ready to pick today's song I had this classic track pop into my mind and, under the circumstances, I knew there was no other track to choose. Sir Mix-a-Lot is one that immediately puts a huge grin on my face when one of his tracks plays. This one in particular I identify all to well with; I have owned quite a few vehicles that perfectly match his description, especially when I was younger. Rolling in a vehicle that is not road worthy or probably legal, but is yours is something that makes some incredible memories.   Hear My Hooptie on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Ritchie Valens - La Bamba     My song pick 2...