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

Well, today I wrap up my CCR week with nice, mellow, Folk/Rock piece. From what I understand, this song was written about political turmoil at the time as well as their experiences at Woodstock. The song really fit my mood today, and I feel it is an excellent one for the day as well. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance by John Fogerty on YouTube. +

In my opinion this song is one of the most underrated CCR songs in existence. Effigy is more of a opus/jam song than most of their famous, more radio friendly songs. It has a classical/progressive rock feel to it mixed with guitar blues sound of the late 60s; I have always loved the neat chords and progressions in this song. Here is the studio version on YouTube. +

I am continuing my CCR week with probably one of their best known, iconic anthems. Primarily, this song was a Vietnam War protest song, however throughout the years the it has come to symbolize the imbalances between the social classes. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance of the song by John Fogerty on YouTube. +

A very late pick for me today, so I will choose a nice all around song that is one of my favorites from CCR. This riff heavy song is one of their better tunes that is good in so many ways. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

Continuing my CCR week, I figured that this raucous song would be good for today. Commotion is one of the CCR songs that I heard a lot in my youth and it gets stuck in the mind fairly easy. This rockabillyesque song about the hustle and bustle in city life has a bit of a disjointed feel to it, which really helps with the feel of subject matter. Here is the studio version on YouTube. +

I have decided to do a Creedence week, which should be fun. This is probably one of my earlier favorites of the band and still is high on my list. A lot of individuals usually mistake The Hollies' A Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress, (which can be heard here on YouTube), for a CCR song and Green River is probably the song that they are thinking of because of the musical similarities. From what I understand The Hollies were intentionally trying to get a CCR sound with their song. Anyway, the slow groove feel of this song makes it an incredible one to listen to in almost any mood or situation. And as with any CCR song, it is excellent for musicians as well the casual listener. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

Last night I was up 'till 2 in the morning listening to CCR, this was one of their songs that I particularly like. This is easily my favorite version of this often-covered song, always a good tune. Funny enough, whenever I hear this song I immediately remember the Twilight Zone: The Movie "Do You Want To See Something Scary?" scenes with Dan Aykroyd where the music was used. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

I had no song ready to pick today, so I spun the playlist again and this gem came up. The main draw to this song for me is the musicianship of both Paul Gilbert and Billy Sheehan, not to take anything away at all from Eric Martin's vocals or Pat Torpey's drumming. I love the meter changes in the guitar solo that are effortlessly done in the mix, so the average listener is not scared away and it keeps musicians' attention. Here is the music video on YouTube. Here is an unplugged performance on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

After hearing this song on radio this morning I decided that I should pick it. This song is actually a cover of a Fleetwood Mac song, written by founding member Peter Green. Santana's version is, of course, quite a bit more popular and they really made this song their own. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

This song just absolutely fit my mood today and I felt that since I did not have another in mind I will go ahead. I cannot remember if this song was an unreleased or a b-side originally, but it was released on their Living In The Past greatest hits/live/b-sides and unreleased compilation album. Because of this most who are not 'Tull fans will probably not recognize this song. This song is a calm, grooving track with a hypnotic bass line and vocals; I love Glenn Cornick's amazing but simple bass line. Quite a nice song for a lazy Sunday. Here is the studio version on YouTube. +

I did not have a song in mind for my pick, but while driving home tonight this song came on and I figured that I should pick it. This actually was one of the first songs that I had ever heard by the Moody Blues; I have always liked it since that time. In my opinion, this is one of their best songs and one of the most poetic song lyrically. There is a lot to listen in this song musically as well, another one of those songs that I will hear something different each time I listen to it. It always reminded me of looking into an impressionist's painting when listening to this one. Here is a recording on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

This is one that I ran into a while ago while researching The Delgados' music. It is one of their songs that features Alun Woodward on lead locals; he does a fantastic job. The song's title is obviously a nod to The Beatles All You Need Is Love , although I hear a bit more of an early Moody Blues sound in this one musically. I love the happiness and innocence in the feel of the song, combine this with the lyrics and you get a very tongue-in-cheek, sarcastic sounding song; I absolutely love it. Here is the music video on YouTube. +

For no reason I figured I should choose this track today; I used to hear this one quite a bit back in the mid-late 90's. I find this song to be quite infectious and it has a tendency to stick in your mind quite easily. I have always liked this song, plus it has a lot of memories tied to it. Here is the music video on YouTube. +

The other day I heard this song on the radio and was immediately drawn in by the ELOesque sound. The riff heavy rock sound has a lot of nice hooks, which makes the song sound and feel quite nice. For those unaware, Bob Welch was a member and front man of Fleetwood Mac between '71 and '74, before Lindsey Buckingham; he has also been a solo recording artist along with other bands as well. This song was off of his first solo album, French Kiss , which had some success. Here is the music video on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

Yesterday, I found out that Pink Floyd's keyboardist Richard Wright succumbed to the cancer that he was fighting. I have noted that band members, like Richard Wright, that reside in the background are very integral to the band's sound. I had about five Pink Floyd songs in mind to pick today, but when I realized that I had not chosen this song yet it helped me make my decision. This is one of my absolute favourite songs by Pink Floyd; that is saying quite a lot because they are of my favorite bands and I like a lot of their material. The dynamics, especially with the vocals, are incredible in this song; I love how this song takes you all over the place. Every aspect of this track is excellent in my opinion, the lyrics/vocals are just amazing along with the musicianship. It is one of those odd songs that can fit almost any of my moods. Here is the music video on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

I had a couple of songs in mind for today, but then when I was listening to the radio this morning dodging commercials this song came on and it fit my mood quite well and I like it quite a lot, so I'm making it my pick. While I have never been a full-blown aficionado of Green Day, there is a lot of their work that I like. This is probably not the last time that they will grace my list. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is the music video on YouTube. +

While watching the games today for some reason this song was running through my mind. I cannot remember the first time I heard this song, but I have always liked it. From what I understand, the line: You Don't Mess Around With Jim was written with the record company in mind, which he signed a bad contract. An aspect about the album's cover that I found funny was that it was a picture of him peering through a window of an outhouse: yet another jab at the record company. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

Yesterday while my wife and I were out this song came on the radio. I immediately turned it up and got a funny look from my wife, I don't believe that she recognized it. I informed her of what it was and waited for the skit section to begin, however it never did; which sucked a bit. So, I had to recite the entire skit and I think she enjoyed it; we both got a good laugh. I remember first hearing it off of my dad's 8-track tapes that I literally wore out when I was younger; a lot of fond memories there. It is still hilarious even after all of these years. Here is the studio version of just the song on YouTube. Here is the full version with the skit as well on YouTube. +

I really have no other reason that I chose this song other than I like it plus the extreme cynicism in the song really fits my mood today. I have always loved the arrangements and musicianship in this song, especially the chorus and the transitions. Probably this song is most known for the disturbing lyrics and the subject matter pertaining to people who have intentionally ruined their lives. Here is a fan video with the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

With this week as it is thus far, (at least yesterday was better), I have been listening to a lot attitude songs to help get me through. This song's title reference is the " Doomsday Clock ." It is a symbol of how close the world is to nuclear war, when it turns midnight it supposedly signals that nuclear war has begun; two minutes was as close as it has ever been to midnight. I love the guitar and bass riffs and Bruce Dickinson's vocals; this song kicks a lot of ass and definitely has been needed for this week of hell. Here is the studio version on YouTube. +

After the extremely stressful last couple of days I need a song that will hopefully put me in a different mood; I pray to God that this stressful crap will calm down soon. Anyway, this song was one that my wife got me into when she played the CD; the song came on and the raucous feeling of the song caught my attention immediately. The rhythm section to me is the main pull, however Ritchie's guitar is incredible as well. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

I had another song ready to pick, however with some disturbing news this morning the other song just did not fit my current mood; it seemed more fitting to the way I feel at the moment. I have always loved this song, especially the work on the piano; he really does show off a lot of virtuosity in this one. Another aspect that I like about this one is that for the most part the song uses traditional sounds, however they blend the synthesizer and other newer sounds quite well. Here is the music video on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

For my seventh pick my first week, I chose Rammstein's cover of Depeche Mode's Stripped , which was an extra track on some versions of Sehnsucht . So, I decided that I should pick another extra track, this one is an extra track off of the 2 CD version of the Mutter album; it is also one of the earlier songs that I heard by Rammstein. This track is about those with power over others and how they twist the rules to give themselves a form of absolute power. In this instance it is about a clergyman who twists the Faith to fit his own means. The lyrical content, (as with most of Rammstein's work), is disturbing and extreme; especially in this one, however it is an excellent song. Here is the studio version on YouTube. +

On my Sixth pick I chose Megadeth's Foreclosure of a Dream , so continuing in my week of choosing songs by bands I chose my first week I am picking Washington is Next! off of their recent United Abominations album. This song is typical Megadeth political metal that they are known for; always with a message. This album reminds me a lot of Rust In Peace and Countdown To Extinction musically; kind of a return to their roots. Here is the studio version on YouTube. +

For my fifth pick, I chose the Allman Brothers' song Blue Sky . Today I have decided on a song that is one of their biggest hits: Jessica . This instrumental features Richard "Dickey" Betts' guitar playing as the main aspect. The keyboard work by Gregg Allman and Chuck Leavell is quite excellent and keeps the repetitiveness down. This song is considered to be a one of the best driving songs; I can say with some certainty that it does cause my right foot to get a little heavy whilst it is played. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

For my fourth pick on my first week of picking songs, I chose The Offspring's cover/parody of Albert Morris' song Feelings . I decided on this one because I have always liked it and the infectious riffs in this song (as with most of their music) make for a killer hook. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

I'm returning to my theme week of choosing song by bands that I chose my first week of my song a day blog. For my third pick, I chose " Irgendwie, Irgendwo, Irgendwann " by Nena . The song that I am choosing today is from her album Cover Me , which was released last year and did quite well in Europe. I have often noticed that a great deal of acts from abroad that we in America dub "one hit wonders" actually were quite successful abroad with many hit songs; Nena is one of those acts. Without the internet I would not even know a thing about these excellent songs other than they had one hit in The States if even that. When one does a little research you start to understand that the American music scene is incredibly stifling and that we are missing out on a lot of excellent music. Anyway, I digress, I do not want to turn this song pick into an industry rant. The song, as expected has a European Pop/Rock sound, the song contains plenty of keyboards wit...

I am taking a day off of my theme week for a special reason: yesterday I found out while watching the news that Jerry Reed had died of complications from emphysema. I will continue my theme week tomorrow. Most of Jerry Reed's music is very special to me because some of my earlier memories concerning music were my parents playing his songs. A lot of his music is very similar to Johnny Cash in form, however his music style was less cynical and more technical. Besides his music I remember him from films as well; the movie Smokey and the Bandit where he played Cletus, aka "The Snowman" is probably the role he played that I remember the most; I almost wore out the Video Disc playing it so much. He will be missed, I will always remember the scene where he ran over the bikes with the truck. I probably would have chosen the main theme from the film, East Bound and Down if I had not already chosen it in my truck driving song week. Funny enough my Niece and Nephews came to li...

For this week I am choosing songs by bands that I chose the first week of this song blog. The song I chose for my second pick was the infamous song about cannibalism that is Timothy by The Buoys. The problem for me finding another song by them is that they were a one-hit band, however a bit ago I found out that they did, in fact, have another minor hit called Give Up Your Guns . This is a mellow song that is of the style that is atypical of pop/rock of the era. The song chronicles a bank robber who is held up in a cabin with a woman who wants him to turn himself in and, as the title suggests give up his guns; the song mostly is about him pondering the decision. Here is a video with the studio version on YouTube. Here is their Top of the Pops performance on YouTube. +

Well, this is the one year anniversary of the start of my song blog, I have decided that I will choose another song by an artist that I chose for my first week. For my first pick ever on my Song a Day Blog, I chose J.S. Bach's Second Brandenburg Concerto , which is my second favourite of his Brandenburg Concertos. So, for today I decided that I should choose my favourite one. What this one is mostly known for is extended harpsichord solo (Cadenza). Before this the concept of a concerto was known as the Concerto Grosso, which was a piece of music played by two contrasting groups of musicians, the larger being the one that played the theme and the smaller being the soloist. With this concerto J.S. Bach all but did away with this form by using the extended cadenza; this has still carried on to this day in some form. You can thank or blame J.S. Bach in part every time a you hear a bombastic guitar solo. Here is the entire piece performed by the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra: Here ...