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

From: Martika ; Year: 1988; Genre: Pop Since the other day I've had this track on my mind, which is another that I have not heard in decades. It's weird how certain songs will play almost like you are actually listening to them; this is one of them. Could still remember the chord progression, words and the instruments' sounds. Anyway, back in the late 1980s, (basically when I was a pre-teen/young teenager), I remember hearing this one a lot as well as a handful of other songs from Martika. If I remember correctly she was kind of already a household name prior to her recording debut with her acting career on a few films and television shows. Apparently Martika drew weary of life in the spotlight and the music industry in particular; she walked away after a few years and then reemerged about a decade later. She formed the band Oppera with her husband. They seem to have made two studio album and she has done some more solo recording.   Hear Toy Soldiers on YouTube.     ...

From: Dancing on a Cold Wind ; Year: 1975; Genre: Flamenco Rock/Progressive Rock Was enjoying this album once again yesterday; I thought I would choose another from it. Don't have very many left to pick from on this disc, or any of their others. Such a shame that they existed for such a transient time and with only three releases.... This one exemplifies their blending of hard rock and the intricacies and power of flamenco; just a great one to sit back and lose yourself listening to.   Hear Drifting Along on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Herbie Hancock - Fat Mama     My song pick 2 years ago today: The Kingsmen - Louie Louie   My song pick 3 years ago today: Hawkwind - Spaceship Blues   My song pick 4 years ago today: Jamiroquai - Space Cowboy   My song pick 5 years ago today: Hall & Oates - You Make My Dreams (Come True)   My song pick 6 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Something's on the Move   My song ...

From: Mouth to Mouth ; Year: 1980; Genre: Funk/Disco/Dance Bringing the final full workweek of the month to a close with a this more minor hit from Lipps Inc. This one has a great dance beat with a killer bass line that is sure to get you moving.     Hear Rock It on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Felix Mendelssohn - Op. 64 - Violin Concerto in E-Minor     My song pick 2 years ago today: Mountain - The Animal Trainer and the Toad   My song pick 3 years ago today: The (Detroit) Spinners - Sadie   My song pick 4 years ago today: Taylor Hawkins & The Coattail Riders - Middle Child   My song pick 5 years ago today: Traffic - Feelin' Alright?   My song pick 6 years ago today: Bad Company - Ready for Love   My song pick 7 years ago today: Tesla - Not Fragile My song pick 8 years ago today: Jigsaw - Ready to Ride My song pick 9 years ago today: Billy Joel - Big Man on Mulberry Street My song pic...

From: Desireless ; Year: 1997; Genre: Alternative Rock Here's another one that came out during wot many refer to as the "post grunge" era that I've always liked. Don't know why I haven't chosen one of Eagle-Eye Cherry's songs yet, but I guess I will start with what is his biggest hit. As with many, many artists and bands, over here in The 'States he is erroneously labeled as a "one-hit wonder." He has actually scored a number of hits in other parts of the world, most notably European nations; chiefly his native Sweden. Save Tonight is just one of those tracks that, even if you are not a big fan of it, you'll start drumming your fingers and singing along without noticing.    Watch the music video on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Tears for Fears - Advise for the Young at Heart     My song pick 2 years ago today: The Surfaris - Surfer Joe   My song pick 3 years ago today: Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) - She's a Devil...

From: A Night at the Opera ; Year: 1999 (1939); Genre: Comedy In a weird mood today and had the Marx Brothers film At the Circus , or rather music from it playing in my mind incessantly. Wot the Marx Brothers did musically is seemingly timeless and is enjoyable to people born more than a century after release. I still laugh and cannot turn away from this scene in particular, it is just so entertaining and hilarious. Even though Groucho sings the lead and is the primary focus and does an amazing acting job, his brother Harpo doing his physical comedy in the background is my favourite aspect; he all but steals the show during this number. It took me a while to find the soundtrack, but luckily was able to find this album of one of their most popular film's namesake. It also includes three other film soundtracks, including At the Circus , of which this one came.   Watch the number performed from the film on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Marvin Gaye...

From: Stormwatch (2019 40th Anniversary Force 10 Edition) ; Year: 1979; Genre: Progressive Rock/Blues Rock It is another one of those days where I had an album playing in my mind whilst getting ready to make the day's song pick; guess which one? I'm really getting close to running out of tracks to choose from Stormwatch; if it wasn't for all the "dusted down forgotten recordings" remastered and released a number of years ago, I surely would've by now. This is an instrumental piece that was left on the cutting room floor that did not make it on to the record or any of the "rare and unreleased" discs in the time between. Whilst it's okay, it definitely is not amongst my favourites from that recording session, but still has that hard, bluesy folk rock sound from the late 1970s. Although, to my ears it sounds as if some instruments were more recently added or dubbed over some of the original tracks; I could be wrong. However, hearing some instruments...