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

I was thinking about this song this evening and I figured that I would add it to my list, after all it is one of my favourites from Dire Straits. This is more of a lyrically/vocally driven song than their normal material; the lyrics are quite hilarious if you listen closely to them. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

I have always loved the Three Dog Night version of this often-covered song; they did an excellent job making this song their own. Cory Wells' soulful vocals is the key to this song, which he does a fantastic job; he is the one of the three lead singers with the biggest, powerful voice. This is one of the best songs that builds; it takes about three minutes for the kick-in, but when it does it is awesome. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a television performance on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

This is a song that I fell in love with when I first heard it, it reminds me a lot of the music that my grandfather played. It showcases Jerry Reed's picking; his playing in this song sounds classical at times. From what I understand it was used in the film " Moonrunners ," which was the precursor to " The Dukes of Hazard ;" great car chase music. Here is a live television performance on YouTube. +

I noticed that I had not chosen any music from the bass legend Larry Graham yet; he is the pioneer of percussive bass playing, (slap bass). For those who are unfamiliar with his name or his music, if you have heard Sly & the Family Stone you have heard him; he was their bassist; after Sly & the Family Stone he formed this band: Graham Central Station. What has set him aside from other legendary bassists, other than his funkiness, (which is only rivaled among bassists by Bootsy Collins in my opinion), is his incredible vocal abilities. The fact that he can lay down such an impressive groove and sing that incredibly at the same time really sets him apart from the other monsters of bass in my opinion. This song is some excellent Funk music, and of course, the bass is amazing. The first time I heard this track I was amused by the "What did you expect?" sections where they played "classical opera," "Chopin, Beethoven, or Bach," and "some country fu...

Yesterday evening I was listening to a lot of Pink Floyd and this was one of the songs that I replayed a couple of times. In my opinion, this is one of their more interesting pieces of music, it is a mix of so many different ideas and sounds. I love David Gilmour's slide/steel guitar; it is the perfect topping for this song. Here is a video with the studio version on YouTube. Here is a classic live performance on YouTube. Here is a live performance from '94 on YouTube. +

Last night I was up until 3 in the morning finishing a video game that I have been working on for a bit and had to be up at 6... Oi, I have a great deal of work to do today as well. Anyway, I have been blaring Savatage music to keep my juices flowing and I thought that this song fit my situation a bit. It is one of my favourite Savatage songs and I liked it ever since I first heard it, an awesome track. Here is the music video on YouTube. +

A couple of days ago this song, for some reason was running through my mind as I was falling asleep on the couch; I'm not sure if American Graffiti was playing or not whilst I was sleeping. This was one of the mellower and soulful songs from the soundtrack. From what I understand, the band was formed in the early 70's as a retro 50's band and appeared in the Movie as the band: "Herbie and the Heartbeats" playing the song " At the Hop " among others. Here is the studio version on YouTube. +

This song was running on the radio this evening whilst I was taking my wife out and about. It's probably one of the best and honest love songs that I have ever heard; basically saying "that if you love me, this is me warts and all." Of course the the southern rock heavy guitar music sells the song the rest of the way. Watch the music video on YouTube. +

After picking a couple of downer songs I figured that I needed something lighthearted. Ray Stevens is one of the more interesting comedy/novelty singer/songwriters in my book. One of the best aspects of his music is that he doesn't take himself too seriously. He looks like he should be trying to peddling something on a late-night infomercial, but his music and lyrical writing is awesome. I have noted that is seems as if his popularity surges and wanes in 10 to 15 year cycles in pop culture, of course this isn't true of his hardcore fans. There are too many songs that he wrote that I have fond memories of that I will probably at sometime add to my list as well. This is comedic genius in music at its best. Here is the music video on YouTube. +

My dad has always been a big fan of the t.v. show M*A*S*H ; because of this the melody to the theme song is indelibly etched in my memory. The music to the song was written by Jazz musician Johnny Mandel and the lyrics were written by Mike Altman. To say that the song is melancholy is a bit of an understatement, however the lyrics are very fitting and do come off quite nicely. Here is a fan video with the full version on YouTube. +

This neat song really fits my mood today but would be a good pick anyway. One of the main aspects that caught my attention was the low-fi sound of the song and entire album, which gives it an aged feel. Here is the studio version on YouTube. +

A late pick on a very busy day... what else is new? This was one of the songs played on the iPod today whilst on the road and I decided that it would be a good pick. Anyway, I have liked this song ever since I first heard it, mostly due to the cool bass line. Here is the music video on YouTube. Here is a live performance circa '81 on YouTube. +

I really needed something different to listen to today and suddenly this one popped into my mind. The Middle Eastern/Indian sound of this song combined with the tight harmonies make this a very nice, calming track. It is written around a sacred Hindu/Buddhist mantra: " Aum ," which helps to give the song the mystical Eastern feeling along with music. I have found that this entire album is one of the best to have playing in the background when you are working; it gets the artistic juices flowing, but not intrusive. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a television performance on YouTube. +

I have had this song running through my mind for the last little bit, I guess that I will make it my choice for the day. This is one of those tracks where everything just comes together in the right proportions to make a killer song. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

I heard this song this evening on the radio and I thought that it would be an excellent choice: a nice rocker for the weekend. Here is the music video on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

Today is another one of those days that I had nothing really in mind for a pick. This one popped on my iPod this morning and since I have not yet chosen a song by the Goo Goo Dolls, I thought I would. My friend let me borrow this CD a few years back and for me this was one of the standouts on the album. Here is the music video on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

I noticed that today is Charles Darwin's 200th birthday; I immediately knew what song to choose for today! This is one of Jethro Tull's most recognizable songs and has been covered a number of times, mostly by Metal acts. The song is about, as Ian Anderson put it: "It's an analogy of the unending train journey of life; you can't stop, you've got to stagger on," this is expressed through the symbolism of an out-of-control train crashing down the track. The connection to Charles Darwin is at the end of the chorus: "... old Charlie stole the handle, and the train won't stop going, no way to slow down." Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance circa '82 on YouTube. +

I wanted to pick something from Dire Straits today; this one seemed excellent. I have always loved the smooth, preciseness of the music in this song, and of course Mark Knopfler, as always is incredible. Watch the music video on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

I actually had another Stevie Ray Vaughan song in mind for today, however this Jimi Hendrix cover stuck in my mind and plus it fits my mood today very well. Here is the studio version on YouTube. +

There is just something about Warren Zevon's Jazz/Blues piano playing mixed with the macabre lyrics that makes his music quite enjoyable and unique. I love how he could sing sensational and disturbing lyrics in a matter-of-fact way. The rhythm section from Fleetwood Mac rounds out this song quite well along with the excellent guitar work. Here is the studio version on YouTube. +

What a busy weekend followed by a busy week as well... This song is one that I had in mind for much of last week to pick and seems excellent for this eventing. A good straight-ahead rocker to start my week head on! Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a television performance on YouTube. +

This is a very late pick for me tonight, so I'll have to make it quick. I used to think that his incredible stage show and persona overshadowed his music a bit, but over the years I have noticed quite a few times just how technical his music actually can be. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

This was one of the songs that was almost picked on my Clapton theme week that I had a while back. I have been meaning to choose it ever since and now seems like a good time. I have always liked this one quite a lot in almost every aspect of it. For those who might not recognize the song by the title " Swlabr ," I believe, stands for " S he W as L ike A B earded R ainbow." Here is the studio version on YouTube. +

I have never really been a true Elton John aficionado, however there is a great deal of his music that I like a lot. What I've always liked about his songs is that there is a lot to listen to that is backing his piano and vocals; on this song especially the drums and bass are incredible. The chorus is the best, most interesting part of this one in my opinion. Underneath the upbeat feel that he and the band create is quite a sad song, there are very few artist out there that could pull off subject matter like this and make a hit out of it. Here is the studio version on YouTube. +

This is a band that I have liked for quite a long while, but I have sadly neglected them on my list. Officially the band's genre is either Space Rock or Psychedelic Rock, which does fit. However, ever since I first heard them I often refer to them as "Progressive Progressive Rock." These two songs are some of their more mainstream sounding tracks that I have found, but are still out there to a point. Hear Assault and Battery and Golden Void on YouTube. Here is a live performance with the songs on YouTube. +

I realized that today is the 50th anniversary of the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and "The Big Bopper" J.P. Richardson; a.k.a. "The Day the Music Died." I was thinking about picking one of the many incredible songs from one of the artists. However, I felt that picking the "anthem" that was about the tragedy would be a better choice because it was honouring all of them. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

I have been having a very good weekend and this beautiful piece of music fits my mood quite well. This is an Aria from the first section of Handel's epic Oratorio The Messiah ; to those who are unaware, an Oratorio is an opera with a religious theme. Most would remember the famous Hallelujah Chorus , however this is probably my favourite movement of the entire Oratorio; it takes a tenor with excellent vocal control to sing this one properly. For the music Handel employed a technique that is known as text painting, which is basically where the melody is written to imitate the lyrics. While this is his most famous work I would implore people to listen to more of his music. Here is a performance of the piece performed by The London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sir Colin Davis on YouTube. +

My favourite football team, The Pittsburgh Steelers, won their sixth Superbowl tonight, so as cheeseball as it may be I am picking this medley that often goes with such an occasion. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube , there are many more available as well. +