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

Well, today I decided to pick this rather fun song from Manfred Mann. It is a cover of the Bob Dylan song that was written in reference to Anthony Quinn's role in the movie The Savage Innocence ; it has also been covered by numerous others. I really like Manfred Mann's version of the song a lot and thought that this light-hearted song would be excellent for today. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a television performance on YouTube. +

  It is another Sunday in my Jethro Tull eras from beginning to end and it took me a bit to decide which song from the 4th era of Tull I should pick. I really did not want to pick something off of the A Passion Play album because it would be a bit too abstract for today; maybe I will pick one in the future. The Warchild album has a few on it that would be good, but I finally decided on Cold Wind To Valhalla off of the Minstrel in the Gallery album. These three albums make up what is for me the 4th era of Tull (from 1973-75), it is considered their big leap into Folk/Progressive Rock or Elizabethian Folk/Rock. My previous picks from the first three eras can be found at: Songs 100, 107, and 114 in my blog. A Passion Play is probably one of my top three Tull albums of all time. It is a Rock/Opera concept album that deals with a concepts concerning life after death that is very abstract; it was recorded in just 17 days. The music and Ian's lyrics are extremely complex and are me...

After some of my more recent depressing picks I thought that I should pick something more upbeat. I like this song mostly because of the different riffs played by the guitar, it is somewhat similar to Scottish Folk; I also really like the overall upbeat lyrics and feel. This might have been their only hit here in the U.S. however, they have had more success abroad. Oddly enough, the band has recently reunited for a 25th anniversary tour even though the lead vocalist/guitarist/keyboardist Stuart Adamson died. Hear In a Big Country on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

After hearing about the assassination of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto yesterday immediately Megadeth's music came to mind. A lot of their music has to do with politics and major stories of interest and two songs in particular came to mind: ' Peace Sells... ' was one that I thought of at first, but ' Architecture Of Aggression ' seemed a better fit for today. This is probably one of my absolute favourites from Megadeth, it's weird that stuff that they wrote 15 to 20 years ago is very relevant today. There is nothing that this song is missing and if anything was added it would hurt the song. Here is the studio version on YouTube. +

I came to like this song when I used to play it in a band named Odyssey, which was mostly a cover band. For me early on Bon Jovi was always a bit too popular for my tastes and I thought that they were just a band with overblown popularity that would disappear like the rest of their counterparts, however they still to this day sell out 80,000 seat venues. Their music, however is actually quite good if one really listens past the first layer. Probably the two best parts of this song is the guitar and the drums and the vocals are good as well. Watch the music video on YouTube. Watch a live performance on YouTube. +

A few days ago I was looking up an Animé called Maison Ikkoku and was looking at the theme songs for it to see what act made the music for it; for one episode (24) there were two Gilbert O'Sullivan songs on it: Alone Again and Get Down ; as the opening and end. From what I understand the company used the songs without consent and that is why they are only seen on the one episode and in the American release the songs are completely omitted; they put the previously used song in its place. Immediately when I saw the title of this song and it popped into my head and has not fully gone away. I am hoping that picking it would perhaps help in its departure. This number one hit song is another 70's singer/songwriter classic, however, it is very depressing. It is about a man being stood up at the altar and contemplating suicide, and later in the song it talks about the man's parents dying; I have heard that the song is not autobiographical concerning Gilbert O'Sullivan. I do ...

I really like the overall upbeat and crazy feeling of the song and the way that they mesh the classical and the metal. Here is a video with the studio version on YouTube. There are quite a few live versions on YouTube as well. +

I was unsure about picking a seasonal song today, however there are a few seasonal songs that I like and if I don't choose them around the appropriate time then they might not get picked at all. I like this one mostly because of the softer vocals and the lyrics; a real nice treat for this time of year. Here are the lyrics: THE GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS EVE In this room where shadows live And ghosts that failed learn time forgives Welcome, friends, please stay awhile Our story starts with one small child Who spends this night in attics dark Where dreams are stored like sleeping hearts And so it's here that they must wait Till someone wishes them awake For somewhere on this night of nights She's looking to believe Here among the ghosts on Christmas Eve And there near an old looking glass There was a trunk from Christmas past That sh...

For my third Sunday of 'Tull eras I am choosing Thick As A Brick . In my opinion the third era consists of their 4th through their 7th albums. Some Tull fans would include albums 7 through 9 as well, but I find these albums to be different artistically and lyrically as well as in feeling. During to this era Glenn Cornick left for personal reasons and Ian's friend Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond replaced him on bass starting on the Aqualung album. Clive Bunker also left the band after the Aqualung album because he did not like the touring lifestyle and he had to get married. He was replaced by arguably their best drummer to date: Barriemore Barlow. Aqualung , on side one is more of a normal album with most songs that have little to do with each other. Side two is mostly is an attack on organized religions' and how they mistreat God. Thick As A Brick was written because critics referred to Aqualung as a concept album, which it was not. He decided to release 'the mother ...

I have really no special reasoning for picking this one other than I really like it. I think that everyone at one time or another has heard it somewhere; it's quite popular. However, a lot of people do not know the title of the song. It is one of those songs that will stick in your head if you even think of it slightly. The whole band is quite excellent, the electric piano really stands out for me and I like the vocals as well. The lyrical content is quite nice as well, it basically describes the process of learning what others want you to be taught and how they think you should be. Here is a fan video with the studio version on YouTube. +

Happy Solstice everyone! Even though I am currently picking 'Tull era songs on Sundays, I could not let this day go without picking this song. The song is about the ancient celebration of the longest night of the year (Solstice), and to herald in longer days and Spring. This is when the Earth's axis is tilted at its maximum from the sun in the Northern Hemisphere. This song was released on both a single and on the Songs From The Wood album; in '04 they also re-recorded it for their Christmas Album. I really like almost every aspect of this song and is a very nice Seasonal tune. Hear the original recording of the song on YouTube. Here is a promotional music video on YouTube. Hear the 2004 "Christmas Album" version on YouTube. Here is their Top of the Pops performance on YouTube. +

Today, I was searching for a song to pick and this one came to mind. This is a nice quiet song off of the Flaming Pie album; it is an acoustic track and is a bit emotional due to the lyrical content. I really liked this album when it first came out about ten years ago; I think that he outdone himself on this one. On this album, Steve Miller was a guest-musician and that really was what got me into Paul McCartney's music when I heard he was on this on it; I don't believe that Steve Miller plays on this song in particular. I know that Paul McCartney appeared on some Steve Miller albums as well under the pseudonym 'Paul Ramon,' so they have quite a history. Here is a music video on YouTube. +

Today I decided to pick something by John Fogerty, so I chose this one off of his first solo album. I remember first hearing the Dave Edmunds cover of this song when I was young and I really liked it; I later found out that John Fogerty had written it. I actually saw him play the song for the first time in a concert on PBS quite a while ago. What's best about this song is its simplicity, and of course John Fogerty's vocals are awesome as always. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a television performance on YouTube. +

Ever since I first heard this song I've loved it. A couple of days ago whilst watching football a commercial came on and when I heard the music it caught my attention and I got the 'I know this song' feeling immediately. It is nice to see this band actually getting noticed even if they sold out to do it; I guess that is what you have to do today. I really like Ben Bridwell's on this one as well; he has a very haunting voice; the musicianship is excellent as well, especially the guitar. Another good song that is number 109. Watch the music video on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

Last night I heard that Dan Fogelberg had lost his battle with prostate cancer, so I decided to choose one of his songs today. This song is one of his better ones and has special meaning for me as well; it was played at my Grandfather's funeral by my sister and brother-in-law. Anyway, this song is quite emotional even without that fact and from all I understand he wrote it for his father who taught him. An incredible song by an incredible singer/songwriter, may he rest in peace. Hear Leader of the Band on YouTube. +

On my second Sunday of Jethro Tull eras, I am choosing this one. We Used To Know is from their second album and in my mind their second era, which in my opinion is comprised of the albums Stand Up and Benefit . With the departure of Mick Abrahams (Guitar) and the addition of Martin Barre (Guitar) on this album and later John Evans (Keyboard) on the third album the band began a Progressive feel to their music further away from Blues. The song itself is actually an autobiography of the early days of the band. It was about Ian Anderson and Glenn Cornick living day to day as struggling professional musicians and not even knowing if they would make it. I think that most people who have played in bands have experienced quite a bit of what is mentioned in the lyrics. An interesting side note about this song is that the chord progression and a few other aspects of the song were borrowed by Don Henley of the Eagles and used on the song Hotel California . From what I underst...

This song was running through my head today, so I decided to pick it. It is very much an '80s Synthpop keyboard song; the vocal harmonies are really what sells the song for me. Probably my favorite aspect of the song is the really fun lyrics, I especially like the part: 'I've given up smoking 'cus it's fatal, so who's matches are those.' Hear So Hard on YouTube. Watch an extended music video on YouTube. +

This song is a good ending to this interesting week, to say the least, that started last Friday for us, so I decided to choose it. The song itself is excellent, this was the first album of Savatage's voyage into Symphonic/Progressive Metal music. I really like the way the entire band does this song, however, Chris Oliva's guitar really shines in this one as well as Jon's vocals. Watch the music video on YouTube. Here is a live performance from '94 on YouTube. Here is a live performance from Monsters of Rock '98 on YouTube . +

For today I chose this wonderful R&B song by Fontella Bass. With the sound of this song you could swear that it was a product of the Motown Records' hit machine, however, it was not. She was with Chess Records and from what I understand the sound of the song was influenced by producer/singer/songwriter Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire fame. While her popularity declined she actually has been busy in the recording industry all along. What I find nice about this song besides her powerful vocals is the rhythm section, the horns are quite nice as well. Here is the original studio version on YouTube. Hear a different studio version of Rescue Me on YouTube. Here is a performance of the song on YouTube. +

For today I decided to pick a song by yet another singer/songwriter from the 60/70s. I cannot remember when I first heard this song, but I have always loved it. I remember almost wearing out my Dad's ' Of a Simple Man ' 8-track when I was younger; this song was somewhere in the middle. On most 8-tracks the listener would usually have a 'path' of through the four stereo tracks that consisted of the most loved songs. However, with this album I usually would just start it and listen to it all the way through. Later, I bought it on record and now I have it on my iPod. Lobo and all of the musicians around him are incredible; this one has a very nice rhythm and bass line, which gives the feeling of the train moving. Where the real hook of the song is when it shifts from the verse and launches into the chorus and the back. Most of Lobo's music is in a story telling format and his lyrics are quite descriptive of what is in the story. Here is the studio version on YouTub...

I decided on picking this song for a variety of reasons today, mostly because it is a very calming and reassuring song. This song has very few weak points if any at all, the vocals are excellent as well as the musicianship; it has just what it needs to be the great track it is. Hear Dreams on YouTube. Here is an excellent live performance. +

This is a song that I used to like a lot then came to dislike for a variety of reasons. However, now I am starting to like it again and it always remained on my playlist; I would usually just skip over it when it came on. Anyway, it is a really good song and I thought that it needed to be picked today. I love how the organ holds the song down in the background, plus the bass and drums are excellent as well. Hear Right Down the Line on YouTube. +

Number 100! I have decided on a theme of sorts now that I reached the 100 mark. On Sundays I will pick a song from each of Jethro Tull's "Eras" from beginning to end; Jethro Tull is my all time favorite band I thought that it would be fun to do being it's their 40th year and all. If you listen to them from each one of these different eras, it sounds almost like another band at times depending on the era. This should last about 12 Sundays because, for me, there are about 12 distinct Tull eras. This song is off of their first album from '68, This Was, which was their "blues band" era. Ian intentionally chose the album's title because this was how they sounded and he had plans of changing the sound. This is the only studio album with Mick Abrahams on guitar; shortly afterward Tony Iommi (of Black Sabbath Fame) joined the band for a short while and later Martin Barre joined as their permanent guitarist. The song's musicianship is quite good, especial...

Wow! 99 songs in. Well, today I decided on picking Sunshine Superman by Donovan. This is one of those songs that always gets me into a good mood when I listen to it. What I like about this song is the overall feel of it, plus the vocals/lyrics are awesome as well. Hear Sunshine Superman on YouTube. Here is a live acoustic performance on YouTube. +

For today I decided on choosing She's Not There by The Zombies; I have always loved this song a lot and thought that it was time to pick it. I really like Rob Argent's keyboard work in this one and the bass line is excellent as well. I also like the smoothness of the song and how it carries effortlessly from one part to another. Here is a video with the studio version on YouTube. Here is a television performance on YouTube. +

This is one of my favourite Rush songs and I thought that it was a good pick for today especially since it was running through my mind. This is from their '87 Hold Your Fire album; it came out toward the end of Rush's real mainstream success in the 80s. They still made plenty of hits after this, however nothing like they did before. There is a lot that I like about this song especially how everything fits perfectly together; if they added or took away anything it would ruin it. I really like how Aimee Mann's and Geddy Lee's vocals mix in this one; again as with most Rush songs the musicianship is beyond incredible. I really like the message of the song about living in the moment and taking it all in. Here is the music video on YouTube. Here is a live performance from '94 Counterparts Tour on YouTube. +

This song was running through my mind this morning, so I have decided to pick it. It's an excellent blues with incredible musicianship from everyone involved. I have always liked Double Trouble and have seen them play with a lot of other artists as well. The late-great Stevie Ray Vaughn shows just how much of a talent he was; it was a shame that talent was lost when he passed away. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

It's time for some Ozzy. This song has a unique sound when compared to his other work; it was done between the Randy Rhodes and Zakk Wylde eras of guitarists in '86. From what I understand there is some controversy as to who actually wrote this song, depending on who is asked it's either Ozzy himself, his bassist Phil Soussan, or FM's guitarist and vocalist Steve Overland. Still, the song is incredible and definitely worth more than just a listen. Here is a live performance circa '89 on YouTube. +

The first time that I heard this song I immediately fell in love with it; it was just amazing. Band of Horses is an Indie Rock band originally from Seattle and have had some success; most of what I have heard from them I like. What I really found most appealing about this song was the vocals by Ben Bridwell, which are very "haunting." This song is very bluesy, but has an odd quality about it as well. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. Here is a live performance of the slow version on YouTube. +

While driving home last night in almost whiteout conditions this song came on my iPod's playlist and thought that it would be a good choice for today. While I really do not care for "pop" that much as a rule, this track is one of my exceptions. One of the reasons why I like this song in particular is because I used to work the graveyard shift at a grocery store for over a year and I relate to the topic matter. I also remember it being played a while ago in an old arcade game called High School Graffiti , this song played in the background in midi form. Watch a music video with the studio version on YouTube. +

Today I decided to pick one of those songs that was supposed to be picked on previous days, but I picked another instead for various reasons. This is one of my favorites and could be described as a "feel good" song. Probably my favorite aspect of the song is the bass line, it is very fun to play as well as listen to; every other aspect of the song is excellent, especially the lyrics and vocals. Here is the studio version on YouTube. +