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

From: The Goonies 'R' Good Enough (Single), Year: 1985 Genre: Pop/Rock For some reason most of last night this classic theme song from the '80s cult classic film The Goonies kept running through my mind. I can't begin to count the times I've watched the movie and heard this track as well. She also made a music video to this song that featured a bunch of the notable Pro Wrestlers at the time, you know the ones that were actual characters, not cookie-cutter ones of today. She was one of the first notable female Pop stars I can remember that did the whole extreme persona and weird hair colour bit. Both of my sister were, and probably still are, huge fans of Cyndi Lauper; to this day a lot of her music still gets stuck in my mind. Not that it's a bad thing, I actually like a lot of her songs. Hear The Goonies 'R' Good Enough on YouTube. Watch the music video on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - In...

1412 The Allman Brothers Band - Melissa From: Eat a Peach , Year: 1972 Genre: Southern Rock I thought that I had chosen this song at some point, but I guess I was wrong. I guess that I'll be choosing it today. Early into my fanhood of The Allman Brothers this was my absolute favourite track; at the time I only owned a Greatest Hits cassette tape and Eat a Peach on vinyl. Of course, after venturing deeper into their catalogue my favourite songs kind of changed, but I've always liked this one a lot. This is such a wonderfully written and arranged song; I love how it elicits both happiness and sadness at the same time. Dicky Betts' crying slide guitar has always been the main draw for me. Watch a fan video with the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live acoustic performance circa '92 on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Queen - Play The Game My song pick two years ago today: Jerry Reed - Guitar Man My song pick three years ago today: ...

1411 Nightwish - Last of the Wilds (Erämaan viimeinen) From: Dark Passion Play , Year: 2007 Genre: Symphonic Metal/Folk Metal Been meaning to pick another Nightwish track for a while now. This is quite a neat track, the Uilleann bagpipes really add a lot to the sound. The song actually has two versions: Last of the Wilds is an instrumental, which was released worldwide on their Dark Passion Play album. Erämaan viimeinen is essentially the same song with vocals sung in Finnish; this version apparently was only released in their native Finland. The vocals on Erämaan viimeinen were actually sung by Jonsu , who is the lead singer of the band Indica . Hear Last of the Wilds on YouTube. Hear Erämaan viimeinen on YouTube. Here is a live performance of Last of the Wilds on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Rush - Caravan My song pick two years ago today: John Denver - This Old Guitar My song pick three years ago today: Rammstein - Stirb Nicht Vor Mi...

1410 Aerosmith - Rag Doll From; Permanent Vacation , Year: 1987 Genre: Rock For about the last six months I've been learning to play the steel guitar; this has been one of the many songs that I've been working on whilst learning the instrument. When most think of the steel guitar and the music associated with it rock just isn't one of the genres that usually comes to mind; you'd probably be thinking of either Hawaiian or older Country and Western music. Anyway, in my opinion this is one of the more unique songs from the Aerosmith catalogue; the beat, the brass section, and of course Joe Perry's steel guitar help to give this track its distinct sound. Hear Rag Doll on YouTube. Watch the music video on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: John Lennon - Instant Karma! (We All Shine On) My song pick two years ago today: Fuel - Million Miles My song pick three years ago today: Tom Petty - Runnin' Down A Dream +

1409 Lou Reed - I'm So Free From: Transformer , Year: 1972 Genre: Glam Rock I'm drawing a blank for my pick today, however I have been listening to the Transformer album a lot lately. This is one of my favourites off of the album, and since I haven't picked a Lou Reed song in quite a while I guess I will make it my pick for this rather lazy Sunday. Hear I'm So Free on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Traffic - The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys My song pick two years ago today: Hawkwind - Silver Machine My song pick three years ago today: Savatage - Complaint In The System +

1408 Hawkwind - Star Cannibal From: Church of Hawkind , Year: 1982 Genre: Space Rock I needed something odd to listen to on this Saturday, I looked no further than the legendary Space Rockers: Hawkwind for my pick. This is a rather macabre song from their Church of Hawkwind album; the more I listen to it the more I like it. As with most of this album, being that it was produced by "Dr. Technical" himself, (one of Dave Brock's pseudonyms), this song has a decided electronic sound and feel to it . The talk-sung vocals compliment the macabre lyrics perfectly. This is quite a fun song to sing out loud in mixed company."Flesh fondue main course stew, of his unearthly human crew." Hear Star Cannibal on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Jigsaw - Sky High My song pick two years ago today: Steeleye Span - Thomas The Rhymer My song pick three years ago today: Donovan - Mellow Yellow +

1407 Wilson Pickett - Mr. Magic Man From: Mr. Magic Man , Year: 1973 Genre: Soul/R&B I've been in a mood for some Wilson Pickett most of the day. I had quite a few tracks in mind for today's pick, but I either couldn't find a recording, (live or otherwise), of the songs on the "interwebz" or I already had chosen them. After a bout of wracking my brain and scrounging the halls of YouTube I found one that I wanted to pick today: this one, the title track off of his '73 Mr. Magic Man album. It's such a mellow, grooving track to just sit back listen to. Hear Mr. Magic Man on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: PAIN featuring Anette Olzon - Follow Me My song pick two years ago today: Nightwish - Phantom of the Opera My song pick three years ago today: Rush - Natural Science +

1406 Ray Stevens - I Need Your Help Barry Manilow From: The Feeling's Not Right Again , Year: 1979 Genre: Comedy/Pop I can't remember the last time I'd heard it, but I happened to hear this song last night and it gave me a good laugh. Musically it is written in the style similar to that of Barry Manilow's hit: I Write The Songs . The lyrics are quite a lot of fun; it plays on the aspects of loneliness and sadness found in a lot of Barry Manilow's music. I absolutely love the second half of the second verse that is essentially made up of titles of Barry Manilow songs. Hear a recording of I Need Your Help Barry Manilow on YouTube. Watch a live performance of the song on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: The Who - Rael (1 and 2) My song pick two years ago today: The Clifford Brown & Max Roach Quintet - Joy Spring My song pick three years ago today: Eric Burdon & the Animals - San Franciscan Nights +

1405 Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) - Don't Get Yourself In Trouble From: Bachman-Turner Overdrive , Year: 1973 Genre: Hard Rock I've had many BTO songs running through my mind all morning whilst I've been working, so here's some bone-rattling Canadian Hard Rock from BTO's debut album. This is one of the songs I like to play when I want to see the walls shake; C.F. Turner's bass really thumps in this one. There's no video on YouTube at this time, sorry. My song pick a year ago today: Red Hot Chili Peppers - Scar Tissue My song pick two years ago today: White Zombie - More Human Than Human My song pick three years ago today: Marc Cohen - Walking In Memphis +

1404 Jethro Tull - Velvet Green From: Songs From The Wood , Year: 1977 Genre: Progressive Rock/Folk Rock From the songs that I've tried to play from the band, this has to be one of the hardest, if not their most difficult, to play. Probably what makes this song the most problematic is the odd time signatures, which are all over the place. After taking that into account then you have to deal with very complex melodies and counter-lines, but in the end this is an awesome track. Hear the studio version on YouTube. Watch an excellent live performance circa '77 on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Rammstein - Das Alte Leid My song pick two years ago today: Savatage - The Piper Rap My song pick three years ago today: The Steve Miller Band - Take The Money And Run +

1403 Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band - Born to Run From: Born to Run , Year: 1975 Genre: Rock Probably most are aware by now that E Street Band saxophonist Clarence Clemons passed away over the weekend. Apparently the cause of his passing was due to complications from a stroke he suffered back on June 12 th . My thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and loved ones. While I've never been an aficionado of Bruce Springsteen and his E Street Band I've always been a fan of his music and usually turn it up when one of his songs pop on the radio. Anyway, this is one of my favourites from his catalogue, which features a nice Clarence Clemons saxophone solo. Hear a studio version on YouTube. Watch a live performance on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Jethro Tull - Moths My song pick two years ago today: Steely Dan - Dirty Work My song pick three years ago today: John Denver - Opposite Tables +

1402 Waylander - Born to the Fight From: Reawakening Pride Once Lost , Year: 1998 Genre: Celtic Folk Metal Here is a rather nice rousing track to help close out the weekend with. Such an awesome blend of different sounds; every time I play this track in particular I'm glad that I discovered this unique band. Hear Born to the Fight on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Dizzy Gillespie - Night In Tunisia My song pick two years ago today: Tommy James - Draggin' The Line My song pick three years ago today: Ozzy Osbourne - The Road To Nowhere +

1401 Warrant - Uncle Tom's Cabin From: Cherry Pie , Year: 1990 Genre: Hard Rock/Metal I'm getting another song that I've been meaning to add to my list picked. While Warrant and this, their most popular album, have become cliché in today's popular culture, I've always kind of liked them somewhat; especially this song. Watch the music video on YouTube. Watch a live performance circa '91 on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Bon Jovi - Keep The Faith My song pick two years ago today: Neil Young - Rockin' in the Free World My song pick three years ago today: Savatage - Skull Session +

1400 Jaco Pastorius - Kuru/Speak Like a Child From: Jaco Pastorius , Year: 1976 Genre: Jazz Fusion I'm making my 1400 th song pick today. I thought that this awesome medley or sorts written by Jaco Pastorius and Herbie Hancock would be rather nice for the occasion. This is true piece of Jazz Fusion; it has more of a Rock, R&B, and Funk influence with amazing technical musicianship. Jaco sure lays down quite a mean groove throughout Kuru on his bass along with the drums/percussion. Herbie Hancock's keyboards and a host of string instruments fill up the rest quite nicely. I'd have to say that my favourite part of this piece is their rendition of Hancock's Speak like a Child ; there's so much feeling in their playing. I love how they bounce back and forth between the two songs' themes, it makes the overall piece quite dynamic. Hear Kuru/Speak Like a Child on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: The Grass Roots - Let's Live For To...

1399 AC/DC - Let There Be Rock From: Let There Be Rock , Year: 1977 I heard this song on the radio yesterday; I thought it would be rather nice for today's pick. I've always really liked this unique track; AC/DC at their best. Watch the music video on YouTube. Here is a classic live performance circa '77 on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Steeleye Span - Black Jack Davy My song pick two years ago today: Heart - These Dreams My song pick three years ago today: The Police - Message in a Bottle +

1398 Stahlhammer - Eisbär From: Eisenherz , Year: 2002 I'm rocking out to some Stahlhammer this morning whilst getting my work done. I thought I would choose this rather rousing track from their '02 album Eisenherz for my pick today. This has to be the only metal song in existence written about polar bears, which makes it all that more awesome. Hear Eisbär on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: The Lovin' Spoonful - Summer in the City My song pick two years ago today: Jethro Tull - Wond'ring Again My song pick three years ago today: Crowded House - Don't Dream It's Over +

1397 Joe Jackson - Steppin' Out From: Night and Day , Year: 1982 I've been meaning to pick this song for quite a time now and have had it in "the queue" ready to be picked. I have loved this song ever since I first heard it; it moves along quite nicely with that cool bass line on the keyboard. Watch the music video on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Jimmy Dean - Big Bad John My song pick two years ago today: Savatage - If I Go Away My song pick three years ago today: Elton John - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road +

1396 Al Di Meola - Bianca's Midnight Lullaby From: Splendido Hotel , Year: 1980 This is such a beautiful piece of classical guitar music with minimal accompaniment. Hear the studio version on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Ray Stevens - Mr. Businessman My song pick two years ago today: Elton John - Tiny Dancer My song pick three years ago today: Queen - A Kind of Magic +

1395 Jethro Tull - Wicked Windows From: j-tull Dot Com , Year: 1999 Oi! I'm getting another late pick under the wire it seems. I had this album and this song in particular on the mind this evening; it just seems to fit my mood pretty well this evening. Here is a fan video with the studio version on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - Take Me Away My song pick two years ago today: Alice Cooper - Billion Dollar Babies My song pick three years ago today: Fastball - The Way +

1394 Steve Vai - Call it Sleep From: Flex-Able , Year: 1984 Getting my Saturday pick in this afternoon with another great song from the guitar maestro Steve Vai. This is a rather mellow track overall, but it still contains a lot of awesome guitar work throughout. Hear Call it Sleep on YouTube. Watch a live performance of the song circa '84 on YouTube. Here is a live recording circa '93 on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: John Denver - Calypso My song pick two years ago today: What Made Milwaukee Famous - Idecide My song pick three years ago today: Soft Cell - Tainted Love +

1393 Rush ( Neil Peart) - O Baterista (Drum Solo) From: Rush in Rio , Year: 2003 Last night I saw Neil Peart perform a condensed version of his current epic drum solo, which I believe is called " Love 4 Sale ," on The Late Show with David Letterman , which can be found here on YouTube . Anyway, I figured that I should add one of Neil Peart's solos for today's pick, so here's one of the only ones that was available on YouTube in good quality. This solo is named: O Baterista, which is Portuguese for " The Drummer ;" most of the names of his recent drum solos translate from other languages as " The Drummer " as well. Hear O Baterista on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Hawkwind - Zarozinia My song pick two years ago today: Ghostland Observatory - Sad Sad City My song pick three years ago today: The Wallflowers - One Headlight +

1392 Les Paul and Mary Ford - Whispering From: The Hit Makers! , Year: 1953 I had another track in mind for my pick today, but after finding out that today would have been guitarist/producer/inventor extraordinaire Les Paul's 96th birthday I figured I would pick one of his tracks instead. There were actually quite a few that immediately came to mind, however his rendition of this great Jazz standard seemed like an excellent choice for today. Hear Whispering on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Rush - The Pass My song pick two years ago today: Days of the New - The Down Town My song pick three years ago today: Billy Joel - Tell Her About It +

1391 Hawkwind - Fall of Earth City From: Church of Hawkwind , Year: 1982 I'm kind of in an odd mood today and thought I would pick a song off of the Church of Hawkwind album; it is becoming one of my favourite albums from the band. This is quite a nerdy Space Rock track that contains a neat Science Fiction tale within. Hear The Fall of Earth City on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: The Moody Blues - I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band) My song pick two years ago today: Queen - One Vision My song pick three years ago today: Megadeth - Captive Honour +

1390 Tarot - Veteran of Psychic Wars From: Crows Fly Black , Year: 2006 I had no song in mind for today's pick, so I decided on picking one I've been meaning to choose for a while now. This is a cover of the song originally done by the band Blue Öyster Cult ; it is a bonus track on their '06 release Crows Fly Black . With this being one of my favourites BÖC songs I have to say I actually love what they did on this cover; quite nice. Hear the studio version on YouTube. Watch a live performance of the song on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Led Zeppelin - Hey Hey What Can I Do My song pick two years ago today: Marty Simon - Jerhume Brunnen G My song pick three years ago today: Focus - Hocus Pocus +

1389 Savatage - Surrender From: Poets and Madmen , Year: 2001 Every now and then I put this album on and am still amazed at how captivating and well written the story in this Rock Opera album is. At times after listening to it it almost gives you the feeling of just reading a good book; Paul O'Neill really did an awesome job penning the lyrics to this entire album. The vocals and music only add to the excellent narrative especially John Oliva's operatic voice; he adds a lot of emotion to it. For those who are unfamiliar with this Rock Opera, it is very loosely based on the life and death of a photojournalist named Kevin Carter . This song comes towards the end of the album and depicts the horrors seen by the main character haunting him and driving him toward madness and ultimately suicide. It's such an amazing song and album. Hear the studio version on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Jim Croce - Tomorrow's Gonna Be a Brighter Day...

1388 White Zombie - Thunder Kiss '65 From: La Sexorcisto: Devil Music, Vol.1 , Year: 1992 Getting in a late pick this evening to close out this super busy weekend. This tune came on my iPod at some point during this weekend; I like it so I'm making it my pick for today. Watch the music video on YouTube. Here is a live performance circa '95 on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer My song pick two years ago today: Johann Sebastian Bach - BWV 29 - Cantata No. 29 - Wir Danken Dir, Gott, Wir Danken Dir My song pick two years ago today: Tears For Fears - Sowing the Seeds of Love +

1387 Louis Armstrong - C'est si bon From: C'est si Bon , Year: 1991, (1950) I've had a plethora of Louis Armstrong's tunes stuck in my mind most of the morning; I couldn't think of a better musician to be "earwormed" by. This is Pops' awesome version of the song originally written by Henri Betti. Hear a studio recording on YouTube. Here is a live television performance circa '62 on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Jethro Tull - Journeyman My song pick two years ago today: Kansas - The Pinnacle My song pick three years ago today: Rammstein - Asche Zu Asche +

1386 Frank Zappa - I'm the Slime From: Over-Nite Sensation , Year: 1973 I absolutely love these social commentary ditties from Frank Zappa; this one, of course, is about the media's control over the populace. Pure Frank Zappa at his finest. Hear I'm the Slime on YouTube. Watch a live performance of the song on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Joachim Witt - Und... Ich Lauf My song pick two years ago today: Paul Simon - You Can Call Me Al My song pick three years ago today: Every Mother's Son - Come On Down To My Boat +

1385 Heart - Who Will You Run To From: Bad Animals , Year: 1987 As of late I've been revisiting some of Heart's music from the '80s. I can still remember when Bad Animals was released, it seemed that this song and " Alone " in particular got a lot of radio play. Anyway, I'd have to say that Anne Wilson's vocals are the main draw for me on this track, for some reason I've always thought she sounded a bit like Grace Slick in this song. Here is the music video on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Benny Carter - All That Jazz My song pick two years ago today: David Bowie - Rebel Rebel My song pick three years ago today: U2 - Sunday, Bloody Sunday +

1383-4 Dream Theater - In the Presence of Enemies Parts I and II From Systematic Chaos , Year: 2007 Just felt like putting on some Dream Theater this morning. For some reason these two rather long tracks, which both open and close their '07 Systematic Chaos album, just seemed perfect for my pick today. This is a truly an awesome piece of music in so many ways; it's slowly becoming one of my favourite songs from Dream Theater. Part I is broken up into two sections: " Prelude " and " Resurrection ." Part II is broken up further into 4 parts: " Heretic ," " The Slaughter of the Damned ," " The Reckoning ," and " Salvation ." Here are the full songs on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Hiroko Moriguchi - Samurai Heart My song pick two years ago today: England Dan & John Ford Coley - Simone My song pick three years ago today: Rush - The Way the Wind Blows +