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

1199 Ozzy Osbourne - Civilize the Universe For some reason I felt like listening some Ozzy this morning. I noticed that I hadn't chosen a track off of his Black Rain album as of yet, so here is one of my favourites off that album. I really like the extra heavy edge to this album; when it first came out a few years ago it gave a fresh feeling to his already awesome sound. As with most of Ozzy's work Zakk Wylde's guitar playing is still one of the main draws for me. Here is a fan video with the song on MySpace Video. My song pick a year ago today: Kansas - Carry On Wayward Son My song pick two years ago today: John Denver - The Eagle and the Hawk My song pick three years ago today: Three Dog Night - Liar +

1198 Roger Waters - It's a Miracle I've been a fan of Pink Floyd for quite a long time now and as an extension of that I am somewhat of a fan of Roger Waters' solo work as well; Amused to Death is my favourite of his solo albums. As with most of his work this is a concept album; the subject matter of this one being about the negative influences of mass media on the world's populace. On the surface this one is a bit of a downer, but the overall message is actually a call to action of sorts and the focusing on the little miracles that happen amongst all of the manufactured evils. I was very surprised the first time I heard the final verse of this track where he attacked theatre composer Andrew Lloyd-Webber; I knew there had to be a story behind this, so I did a little research. Apparently, Roger Waters claimed that Andrew Lloyd-Webber plagiarized him by stealing a part of the Pink Floyd song Echoes and using it for the intro/hook of his popular song The Phantom of the ...

1197 Supertramp - Just a Normal Day I have no idea why, but this rather melancholy tune started running through my mind this evening; plus I also felt like a Supertramp song was in order for today's pick. This song contains a duet between the band's two lead singers at the time: Roger Hodgeson and Rick Davies; it's quite a beautiful song both lyrically and musically. Watch a fan video with Just a Normal Day on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Northern Kings - Hello My song pick two years ago today: Jethro Tull - Fallen On Hard Times My song pick three years ago today: Mr. Big - Wild World +

1196 Del Shannon - Runaway Was up real late last night listening to some music; of course this was one of the songs that happened to come up. I almost always have this one paired with the film American Graffiti in my mind; it was one of the main and more iconic songs off of its soundtrack. Hear Runaway on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Steely Dan - Black Friday My song pick two years ago today: Ozzy Osbourne - I Just Want You My song pick three years ago today: Quiet Riot - Cum On Feel The Noize +

1195 Bob Marley & the Wailers - Jamming I felt like listening to some Bob Marley this morning; his music is just so happy and carefree; I absolutely love it. The Exodus album is my personal favourite among his catalogue, there is not one filler track on the disc. Hear Jamming on YouTube. Watch a video/live performance on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble - Crossfire My song pick two years ago today: 4 Non Blondes - What's Up? My song pick three years ago today: Jethro Tull - ...And The Mouse Police Never Sleeps +

1194 Kay Kyser And His Orchestra - Praise The Lord and Pass the Ammunition Happy Thanksgiving all! I've been trying to think of a good, fitting song for the occasion. This was the first song that I thought of, it got stuck in my mind and would not leave, so I guess it's my pick for today. While being a morale song from World War II, it has a nice fitting feel/subject matter for the day. I cannot remember when I first heard this song, but it was a long time ago. However, more recently our friend, who is a WWII nut, bought a CD with a bunch of the music from The War and played it endlessly for quite a while. Anyway, have safe journey and traveling mercies for those out and about this Holiday weekend. Hear Praise The Lord and Pass the Ammunition on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Nightwish feat. Tapio Wilska - The Devil & the Deep Dark Ocean My song pick two years go today: Mason Proffit - Two Hangmen My song pick three years ago today: Frank Zappa - Don't Eat ...

1193 Eric Robertson - "Spooked" on Classics I have no idea why I haven't chosen this rather unique track yet; it probably would have been more fitting about a month ago around Halloween. Anyway, from time to time I have mentioned what you could refer to as and what Max calls "Dad Music" i.e. music that your father played a lot while you were growing up that ended up eventually being part of your musical tastes. My dad has always been fan of instrumental music, this was one of the records that he played countless times over the years. Piano Hits was one of those albums sold on a late-night infomercial; it features piano maestro Eric Robertson's renditions of movie themes; most of which he did a wonderful job in his interpretations. I believe that my dad originally bought it for his rendition of Vangelis' Chariots of Fire . Anyway, amongst these movie themes there was one track that was original; "Spooked" on Classics was that track. To adequ...

1192 Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) - Four Wheel Drive After driving on slick and snowy roads the last couple day this track has kept running through my mind. It's a little fun watching the other cars spin out whilst my 4-wheel drive vehicle just takes off like it's on dry pavement. While the subject matter has really nothing to do with driving a four wheel drive vehicle, I love the thumping rhythm in this song featuring C.F. Turner's driving bass; it fits my mood quite well. It's an awesome piece of Canadian Hard Rock. Anyway, this is the title track off of their '75 album; from what I read about it the entire album was recorded in under a week's time. Apparently their record company wanted capitalize on the success of their previous monster hit album Not Fragile , so they rushed the album out the door. While the album is good, it definitely has a less polished sound to it than their previous two albums. I've only heard two songs off of this album get radi...

1191 The Kinks - Acute Schizophrenia Paranoia Blues I've been losing myself in The Kinks' Muswell Hillbillies album this morning; it's one of their best in my opinion. Anyway, after playing this one a couple of times I figured it would be an excellent pick for today. The song itself is straight forward in that it is a British Blues but with a touch of Ragtime, which gives it a bit a light-hearted feel. However, Ray Davies' awesome lyrics will always be the main draw for me personally. Watch a music video clip of the song on YouTube. Hear a live recording of Acute Schizophrenia Paranoia Blues on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Rush - Manhattan Project My song pick two years ago today: Andy Taylor - When the Rain Comes Down My song pick three years ago today: Arlo Guthrie - Alice's Restaurant Massacree +

1190 Yes - Owner of a Lonely Heart Having trouble thinking of a song for my pick today, so I'm picking one I've had in mind for quite a while now. This is one of Yes' biggest hits and one of their most popular songs; even the Prog/Rock haters are able to like it without losing their so called "'cred." Anyway, while not my favourite Yes track I like it quite a bit; it's a excellent song for today's pick. Watch the music video on YouTube. Watch a live performance circa '88 on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Duran Duran - Serious My song pick two years ago today: Styx - Crystal Ball My song pick three years ago today: Rush - Tom Sawyer +

1189 John Denver - In My Life Felt like some John Denver today and felt like picking one of his songs today as well. This is John Denver's cover of a Beatles' classic track. From what I understand he was a Beatles fan in the extreme; he actually covered a few of their other tracks throughout his career. He really did an excellent interpretation in this cover that features only vocals and acoustic guitar. Sadly, this song is only found on his self-produced '66 album John Denver Sings ; probably its existence is only known to John Denver fans due to the rarity of the album. Hear John Denver's In My Life on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: The Charlie Daniels Band - Legend of Wooley Swamp My song pick two years ago today: The Doors - Strange Days My song pick three years ago today: Argent - Hold Your Head Up +

1188 Styx - Light Up Didn't really have a song in mind for today; usually I have an idea of what I am planning to pick even if I don't have a song in mind, but not today. However, most of the morning this track has been running through my mind and as fate had it, it was played on the radio this morning as well. I took it as a sign that I should choose it. This is a very upbeat track; a fitting song for ending a workweek and starting the weekend. While it is a song that has overt drug references, it is written quite well and doesn't detract at all. Hear Light Up on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Pink Floyd - Waiting for the Worms My song pick two years ago today: Rush - Roll the Bones My song pick three years ago today: Béla Fleck & The Flecktones - A Moment So Close +

1187 Bass Extremes - Glorious Pastorius Last night on a whim I started going through a portion of my music collection and transferring some of it to my PlayStation. Anyway, I had totally forgot that I had this album/song; I guess it just got lost in the jumble; I had to listen to this one a few times in a row. For those who are not acquainted with them, Bass Extremes is a project consisting of two of the greatest electric bassists alive today: Victor Wooten and Steve Bailey. As with a lot of their work this track is quite listenable; one might expect when you bring two master musicians together they would go completely wild, but they made the song quite beautiful and listenable to even a casual listener. This song is, of course, written in honour of the late Jaco Pastorius who was considered arguably to be one of if not best electric bassist of his time. I love how they finish off the song with parts from the songs Birdland and La Bamba . Hear Glorious Pastorius on YouTube. My song ...

1186 Forest - Gypsy Girl & Rambleaway In a different mood musically this morning. I had some other songs in mind, but I changed my mind whilst getting ready to post. I decided on adding something Folk/Rock for my pick today. Forest is a rather mellow sounding band; this track in particular is mostly acoustic and in more of the traditional Folk sound/feel. Hear Gypsy Girl & Rambleaway on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Steely Dan - Caves of Altamira My song pick two years ago today: Free - All Right Now My song pick three years ago today: The Easybeats - Friday On My Mind +

1185 UFO - Rock Bottom It still amazes me just how many great bands that haven't graced my list yet; even at almost 1200 songs in. I truly cannot believe that it has taken me this long to pick a song from the band UFO, better late than never I guess. Hear Rock Bottom on YouTube. Watch a live performance of the song on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Jethro Tull - Baker St. Muse My song pick two years ago today: Toto - Hold the Line My song pick three years ago today: Jethro Tull - Kissing Willie +

1184 Slaughter - Days Gone By I hadn't heard this song for quite a while until just recently, ever since it has been off and on in my mind. Slaughter must have been influenced by Queen; this track reminds me a lot of their sound in places. If I remember correctly this song was a hit for the band; back in the early '90s Slaughter's music seemed to be everywhere, but then they just all but vanished. From what I understand the band is still active to a point playing a few shows here and there. Hear Days Gone By on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Johnny Rivers - Poor Side of Town My song pick two years ago today: Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) - Stayed Awake All Night My song pick three years ago today: David Essex - Rock On +

1183 Fats Domino - Ain't That a Shame This one has been running through my mind while I've been getting work done over the last couple of days. Fats Domino is one of the most fun artists to sing along with due to his vocal style. It's quite an awesome song with some killer hooks. Hear the studio version on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: ABBA - I Let the Music Speak My song pick two years ago today: Stone Temple Pilots - The Big Empty My song pick three years ago today: Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) - Mr. Blue Sky +

1182 Aerosmith - Amazing Tonight whilst coming home my iPod kept favouring Aerosmith on the playlist; this was one of the songs that seemed best for my pick this evening. I can clearly remember when this song was released; I always have had a fondness for it as well as the Get a Grip album. Watch the music video on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Banchee - Beautifully Day My song pick two years ago today: The Cure - Burn My song pick three years ago today: Fire Bomber (Hummingbird) - Dynamite Explosion +

1181 Karussell - Tanzen I've had this rather beautiful piece of German Rock running through my mind this morning. The nice upbeat feel to this track is a welcomed contrast with the dreary weather we are experiencing today. Hear Tanzen on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Pearls Before Swine - Tell Me Why My song pick two years ago today: Red Rider - Lunatic Fringe My song pick three years ago today: Steve Winwood & Traffic - Dear Mr. Fantasy +

1180 Billy Joel - Goodnight Saigon I had another song in mind ready to pick when I realized that it was Veteran's/Armistice Day today. This was the first song that came to mind that had an appropriate subject matter for the occasion. Anyway, this is one of the more famous songs about the soldiers who served in the Vietnam War. Hear Goodnight Saigon on YouTube. Watch a live performance on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: S Sgt Barry Sadler - Ballad of the Green Berets My song pick two years ago today: Pink Floyd - On the Turning Away My song pick three years ago today: ABBA - Soldiers +

1179 Rammstein - Bück Dich I'm in need of some mood music today. I decided to put on some Rammstein and this one came up; I have been actually thinking about picking this one for some time now. Hear Bück Dich on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Lulu - To Sir With Love Here is my pick two years ago today: Primus - Nature Boy Here is my pick three years ago today: Deep Purple - Space Truckin +

1178 Three Dog Night - One Man Band For most of the morning I've been having Three Dog Night's music on the brain. This track in particular has been running through my mind, it has a rather nice Funk/Soul feeling to it. Hear One Man Band on YouTube. Watch a live performance of the song circa '81 on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: The Eagles - Outlaw Man My song pick two years ago today: Def Leppard - Lets Get Rocked My song pick three years ago today: Alabama - Roll On (Eighteen Wheeler) +

1177 Blue Öyster Cult - X-Ray Eyes I got this one stuck in my mind after seeing the Google home page this morning marking the 115th anniversary of the discovery of the X-Ray. This is a quintessential BÖC track in many aspects; very much a straight-ahead rocker with the odd lyrics/subject matter. I can clearly remember this album, Heaven Forbid , when it was first released back in the late '90s. I have always liked it quite a bit; even to this day Heaven Forbid sounds just as good as it did back then. Hear X-Ray Eyes on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Alton Ellis - Sunday Coming My song pick two years ago today: Pat Benatar - Treat Me Right My song pick three years ago today: Ronnie Milsap - Smokey Mountain Rain +

1176 Iron Maiden - Satellite 15... The Final Frontier I've been loving this new Iron Maiden album, but then again I like most of what I hear from the band. This is the opening, and title track to the album; Satellite 15 is essentially an overture to The Final Frontier . Hear Satellite 15... The Final Frontier on YouTube. Watch the music video to The Final Frontier on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) - Hold on Tight - Epilogue My song pick two years ago today: C.W. McCall - Wolf Creek Pass My song pick three years ago today: Eddie Rabbitt - I'm Driving My Life Away +

1175 Yoshiki Fukuyama - Angel's Voice Making another one just under the wire for tonight; this is one I heard whilst out and about today and seemed like a nice pick to end this day. The song comes from the animé Macross Dynamite 7 ; it was one of the main themes to the film. Again, as with the series itself, Yoshiki Fukuyama lent his vocals and his guitar playing to the music. Hear Angel's Voice on YouTube. Watch an excellent live performance of the song on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: The Kinks - (Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman My song pick two years ago today: The Allman Brother's Band - Ain't Waistin' Time No More My song pick three years ago today: Red Sovine - Phantom 309 +

1174 Duke Ellington & His Orchestra - Ko-Ko Still feeling like some more Big Band Jazz this morning, plus I noticed that I have not chosen a Duke Ellington track yet; this is one of my favourites from his catalogue. This is a quite a neat sounding track, I especially love the way the horns are made to sound almost like they are talking. Hear Ko-Ko on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Rush - Bastille Day My song pick two years ago today: The Steve Miller Band - Brave New World My song pick three years ago today: C.W. McCall - Convoy +

1173 Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra - Skyliner This hot piece of Swing seemed to fit my mood quite well this morning. This is one of Charlie Barnet's more famous compositions though he is probably best known for his rendition of Ray Noble's song Cherokee , which can be found here on YouTube . I absolutely love the way the saxophones were used/arranged in this song: they just cut right through the middle quite nicely; which probably has something to do with Charlie Barnet's primary instrument being the sax. Hear Skyliner on YouTube Watch a live performance of the song on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Santana - Oye Como Va My song pick two years ago today: Joe Walsh - Vote for Me My song pick three years ago today: Jerry Reed - East Bound and Down +

1172 Billy Joel - It's Still Rock and Roll to Me Heard this while on the road yesterday and I was wondering if I had chosen it yet; apparently I haven't. I was sure that I had picked it at some point in the last three or so years. Anyway, Billy Joel's Glass Houses was an album I grew up hearing quite a bit; this track in particular was one off the album that got a lot of play around the house. I have always loved this track quite a bit; the stripped down Rock sound with a heavy back-beat along with Billy Joel's ever present cynical lyrics is really what made it the hit that it is. Watch the music video on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Daft Punk - One More Time My song pick two years ago today: Al Stewart - Time Passages My song pick three years ago today: Stealer's Wheel - Star +

1170-1 Jethro Tull - Overseer Overture / Flight from Lucifer I've been listening to this record a lot the last couple of days and I am making a double pick of sorts today. I cannot count the amount of times I have listened to this album, it was the album that made me a full-on Jethro Tull fan; the only recorded medium which I do not have it is on cassette tape. I am still amazed every time I play it that this Rock Opera was conceived, written, arranged, and recorded in a little over two weeks. Anyway, as anyone who knows of it, this record is a Rock Opera with subject matter somewhat similar to Dante's Inferno . While the album was a success, the band took a pummeling from the critics, which led to a rift between the band and the media that in some form still exists to this day. One of the aspects which they got hit with from the critics that I actually like is Ian's symbolic and sometimes cryptic lyrics as well as the prose he uses. A Passion Play chronicles the death, ...

1169 Rush - Red Barchetta After listening to some Rush last night I wanted to choose one of their songs today. I really couldn't believe that I have not chosen this track as of yet; this is probably my favourite song off of the Moving Pictures album. In this one you get a neat little dystopian tale to go along with the excellent music of Rush. Essentially the song is about a person committing the weekly "crime" of going out on a drive. Actually the tale in the song was inspired by a short story titled A Nice Morning Drive written by one Richard Foster; it appeared in an issue of Road & Track in 1973. The original short story can be found here . Hear Red Barchetta on YouTube. Watch a live performance of the song on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Bob Dylan - Tangled Up In Blue My song pick two years ago today: Supertramp - Take the Long Way Home My song pick three years ago today: Béla Fleck and the Flecktones - Vix 9 +