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

From: Mr. Spock's Music from Outer Space ; Year: 1967; Genre: Pop/Space Rock As probably most who follow the news, and like myself am a science fiction geek, Leonard Nimoy passed away at the age of 83 . Of course to us "Trekkies" he'll always also be known as the lovable and logical science officer Mr. Spock from Star Trek. He surely will be missed, but the man definitely left quite a legacy. Hear Highly Illogical on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: The Headhunters - If You Got It, You'll Get It My song pick two years ago today: Billy Joel - Piano Man My song pick three years ago today: Pallas - Heart Attack My song pick four years ago today: Chet Atkins - Windy and Warm My song pick five years ago today: David Bowie - The Man Who Sold the World My song pick six years ago today: Dire Straits - Industrial Disease My song pick seven years ago today: Blues Image - Ride Captain Ride Picks for previous February 29ths (Leap Year Picks...

From: Here Comes Garfield (Soundtrack) ; Year: 1982; Genre: Funk/Jazz I was watching a bunch of old Garfield cartoons, including this one, and this rather funky song kept kept getting stuck in my mind; I thought it would make a great Funky Friday pick. For those who grew up in the 1980s Garfield was one of the most loved cartoon characters and this was part of the soundtrack from his first animated picture. The entire soundtrack was written by the incomparable Ed Bogas and sung by both legendary singer Lou Rawls and Desirée Goyette. This is one of the highlights to feature Lou Rawls' amazing vocals and is a very funky and fun song to listen to. Hear Long 'Bout Midnight on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: The Temptations - Ain't Too Proud to Beg My song pick two years ago today: Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) - Roll On Down the Highway My song pick three years ago today: Pallas - Ark of Infinity My song pick four years ago today: Herb Alpert & th...

From: Clutching at Straws ; Year: 1987; Genre: Progressive Rock I've been in the mood for some Marillion this morning, so, as I usually do, I'm taking it as a sign I needed to pick one today. Sláinte Mhath hails from their fourth album and is also the last studio record to feature Fish's great vocal talents for the band. This one sounds very similar to some of the other British prog rock bands in the 1980s, but is still definitely its own sound and definitely a unique arrangement. Hear Slàinte Mhath on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Johann Sebastian Bach - BWV 24 - Ein Ungerärbt Gemüte My song pick two years ago today: Hawkwind - Kiss of the Velvet Whip (The Mistress of Pain) My song pick three year ago today: The Doobie Brothers - It Keeps You Runnin' My song pick four years ago today: Steeleye Span - The Mooncoin Jig My song pick five years ago today: Queen - I'm Going Slightly Mad My song pick six years ago today: Jerry Reed - Lig...

From: Fandango! ; Year: 1975; Genre: Hard Rock/Blues Rock Over the last few days I've had ZZ Top going through my head off and on, so I figured that it would be a great time to choose another one of their songs. This is one of those songs that is blessed with the ability to be played almost anywhere to almost any crowd and it'll get a positive reaction. Add in the great musicianship to that mood/feel and you have a classic track; albeit a shorter one.  Hear Tush on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - In Thee My song pick two years ago today: Rush - La Villa Strangiato (An Exercise in Self-Indulgence) My song pick three years ago today: Cheap Trick - Don't Be Cruel My song pick four years ago today: Rufus & Chaka Khan - Tell Me Something Good My song pick five years ago today: Freddie Taylor and His Swing Men from Harlem - Viper's Dream My song pick six years ago today: Larry Graham & Graham Central Station - Pow My ...

From: Nut Rocker, Bumble Boogie, Apple Knocker and All the Classics ; Year: 1995 (1961); Genre: Rock 'N Roll/Classical This one's been on my mind for about a week now, so I'm picking it. It's a rather interesting piece outside of being a rock n' roll rendition of a swing jazz arrangement of the well-known classical piece, " Flight of the Bumblebee " by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. This was actually the first version of Flight of the Bumblebee I ever heard; it was on one of my Dad's many instrumental/super hits records. Session musicians actually performed this piece only on: piano, guitar, bass, and drums. Apparently the only instrument that was doubled up was the piano; one being a standard grand playing chords/rhythm and the other being modified with tacks on the hammers to make a much sharper and distinct attack for the main lead line. Hear Bumble Boogie on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Marillion - Chelsea Monday My song pick tw...

From: Nursery Cryme ; Year: 1971; Genre: Progressive Rock For the last little bit I had this song on my mind; it's a rather pretty piece of music with great musicianship and somewhat haunting lyrics. Hear Harlequin on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Porcupine Tree - Deadwing My song pick two years ago today: "Weird Al" Yankovic - Fat My song pick three years ago today: Kreeps - Bad Voodoo My song pick four years ago today: David Bowie - Up the Hill Backwards My song pick five years ago today: Fairport Convention - Who Knows Where The Time Goes My song pick six years ago today: Savatage - Sleep My song pick seven years ago today: The Beatles - Across The Universe

From: Stage Left ; Year: 2003; Genre: Rock For some reason I found myself thinking about this album this morning. For those who love amazing guitar music this entire album is a treat for sure, and this is one of the most beautiful pieces on the record. Hear Spanish Eyes on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Béla Fleck and the Flecktones - Communication My song pick two years ago today: "Weird Al" Yankovic - Livin' in the Fridge My song pick three years ago today: Duran Duran - (Reach Up for the) Sunrise My song pick four years ago today: The Offspring - Gone Away My song pick five years ago today: Converge - Cruel Bloom My song pick six years ago today: Flash Cadillac & the Continental Kids - She's So Fine My song pick seven years ago today: Lobo - A Big Red Kite

From: Toys in the Attic ; Year: 1975; Genre: Hard Rock I was thinking about picking another song today, but this rather cute and ribald hard rock classic got stuck in my head. I'm somewhat surprised that I have yet to choose it, everything aligned up, so it was the only pick I could make. It's a great song, definitely lives up to its classic status. Hear Sweet Emotion on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Larry Graham and Graham Central Station - Turn it Out My song pick two years ago today: "Weird Al" Yankovic - Smells Like Nirvana My song pick three years ago today: Rush - Closer to the Heart My song pick four years ago today: Johannes Brahms - Op. #45 - (A German Requiem, To Words of the Holy Scriptures) My song pick five years ago today: Heart - Love Alive My song pick six years ago today: Gregg Allman - I'm No Angel My song pick seven years ago today: Yes - Long Distance Runaround/The Fish (schindleria praematurus)

From: Rhythm Machine ; Year: 1976; Genre: Funk/Soul I'm still keeping my streak alive with another Funky Friday pick. Put a Smile on Time is one of those songs that almost always leaves you in a good mood after hearing it. The mellower, but still filled to the brim with that hard-hitting funky sound. Hear Put a Smile on Time on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Dream Theater - Pull Me Under My song pick two years ago today: "Weird Al" Yankovic - Another One Rides the Bus My song pick three years ago today: Genesis - The Knife My song pick four years ago today: Spaghetti Western Orchestra - The Good, The Bad And The Ugly My song pick five years ago today: Jerry Reed - Wabash Cannonball My song pick six years ago today: Ray Stevens - Gitarzan My song pick seven years ago today: REO Speedwagon - Back on the Road Again

From: My Favourite Headache ; Year: 2000; Genre: Hard Rock I started listening to this, the only solo record from Rush bassist/vocalist Geddy Lee, again recently and thought I would pick one from it. While not the best track on the album, it's still one I like. Hear Window to the World on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Joachim Witt - Immer Noch My song pick two years ago today: "Weird Al' Yankovic - Grapefruit Diet My song pick three years ago today: Soundgarden - I Awake My song pick four years ago today: Dream Theater - The Big Medley My song pick five years ago today: Wilson Pickett - Hey Jude My song pick six years ago today: Johnny Mandel - Suicide is Painless (Theme from M*A*S*H) My song pick seven years ago today: Rush - Vital Signs

From: Overkill ; Year: 1979; Genre: Metal/Hard Rock Earlier this morning I was listening to some Motörhead come on the radio and it got me in the mood to pick one of their songs. Now, I thought for absolute sure that I had already picked a song from Motörhead, but it appear so. I'm going to have to do some deeper to find out more; I'm that sure. Anyway, this is a great hard rock/metal crossover track and one that's pretty influential on later metal musicians and bands. Hear Overkill on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: The Guess Who - 6 A.M. or Nearer My song pick two years ago today: "Weird Al" Yankovic - Eat It My song pick three years ago today: Queensrÿche - Jet City Woman My song pick four years ago today: Frank Zappa - Mudd Club My song pick five years ago today: U2 - I Will Follow My song pick six years ago today: The Delgados - Keep On Breathing My song pick seven years ago today: Yoko Kanno (The Seat Belts) - Tank!

From: Maroon ; Year: 2000; Genre: Alternative Rock I happened to hear this one last night, and it felt like a great choice for today's pick. Pinch Me was one of the follow-up singles of their initial success, but didn't quite recapture the same magic or attention, but all in all it's still a pretty good track if taken on its own merit. Hear Pinch Me on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Gerry Rafferty - Get it Right Next Time My song pick two years ago today: "Weird Al" Yankovic - Headline News My song pick three years ago today: Simon & Garfunkel - Richard Cory My song pick four years ago today: The Doors - Waiting for the Sun My song pick five years ago today: Black 47 - Funky Céilí (Bridie's Song) My song pick six years ago today: Duran Duran - Planet Earth My song pick seven years ago today: Jethro Tull - Rocks on the Road

From: Machine Head ; Year: 1973; Genre: Hard Rock/Metal I had a bunch of the music from Machine Head bouncing in and out of my head this morning. I looked over the songs of theirs that I have already picked and was surprised that this track, their biggest hit and metal anthem, was not there yet, so I'm remedying that. Anyway, this is a great track written around a simple riff and made big and interesting in the same way many classical pieces were written. Of course telling the tale of the band's trials during the attempted recording and the burning of the hotel they were to record in was a nice touch to make this classic metal anthem what it is. Hear Smoke on the Water on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Rare Earth - Under God's Light My song pick two years ago today: Foreigner - Double Vision My song pick three years ago today: Porcupine Tree - Dark Matter My song pick four years ago today: Robin Trower - Bridge of Sighs My song pick five years ag...

From: Inside Out ; Year: 1994; Genre: Progressive Metal I felt like something just outside of my normal absolute favourite bands, but still within my tastes; So Fates Warning was one of the obvious ones to go for. This one was a single from their mid 1990s album that has been considered somewhat more commercial and didn't do too well either. However, I like a lot of the music to be heard, including this one. Hear Pale Fire on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Blue Cheer - Parchment Farm My song pick two years ago today: Yes - Gates of Delirium My song pick three years ago today: Dire Straits - Money for Nothing My song pick four years ago today: ABBA - S.O.S. My song pick five years ago today: Bobby Bare - The Winner My song pick six years ago today: Pearl Jam - Even Flow My song pick seven years ago today: Bon Jovi - It's My Life

From: Screaming Life ; Year: 1987; Genre: Alternative Metal I heard this early EP from Soundgarden for the first time the other day; this was the lead track and one that I liked immediately. Definitely a raw sound in this song, but the band's sound is present without a doubt. Hear Hunted Down on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: The (Detroit) Spinners - Working My Way Back to You/Forgive Me, Girl My song pick two years ago today: John Fogerty - Rock and Roll Girls My song pick three years ago today: Dream Theater - On the Backs of Angels My song pick four years ago today: Hawkwind - Right to Decide My song pick five years ago today: Survivor - The Eye of the Tiger My song pick six years ago today: The Black Crowes - Remedy My song pick seven years ago today: The Crazy World of Arthur Brown - Fire (I am the god of Hellfire)

From: Luther ; Year: 1976; Genre: Funk/Disco/Soul Well, it's another Funky Friday and even though I picked my first song from the late, great Luther Vandross earlier this week I thought I would pick another on this, my 75th consecutive Funky Friday. This one actually comes from before his solo career; from the band of his namesake. Definitely this one has a dated feeling of the period it was recorded, but is still a nice tune that gets you moving out of your seat for sure. Hear Funky Music (is a Part of Me) on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Neil Diamond - Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show My song pick two years ago today: Pink Floyd - Run Like Hell My song pick three years ago today: Sly and the Family Stone - Hot Fun in the Summertime My song pick four years ago today: Glenn Miller - In The Mood My song pick five years ago today: Tarot - Ashes To The Stars My song pick six years ago today: Goo Goo Dolls - Broadway My song pick seven year...

From: Foreigner ; Year: 1977; Genre: Hard Rock I started today without a song in mind, but I started to think about the band Foreigner for some reason and it got me in the mood for one of their songs. I've always loved the first four albums in particular, the first two especially; almost anything after that I never truly liked. Anyway, this is an excellent one of the deeper cuts off of their debut album; it's got that riff-heavy hard edge along with the great melodies they were known for early on. Hear At War With the World on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: King Crimson - Pictures of a City (including "42nd at Treadmill") My song pick two years ago today: Neil Young - Four Strong Winds My song pick three years ago today: Jethro Tull - Jump Start My song pick four years ago today: Chet Atkins - Trambone My song pick five years ago today: John Denver - Wildflowers in a Mason Jar My song pick six years ago today: Jethro Tull - Locomotive ...

From: Stadium Arcadium ; Year: 2009; Genre: Alternative Rock I've had music from Red Hot Chili Peppers on my mind today, so, since I haven't picked one of their songs for a while I thought I would pick one of their songs. I'm actually quite surprised that I haven't picked this song or even one from this album yet; it's one I actually liked ever since I first heard it. It's very similar to their earlier music from the 1990s, so it's really good and easy on the ears. Hear Snow (Hey Oh) on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Journey - Look Into the Future My song pick two years ago today: Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) - Take it Like a Man My song pick three years ago today: Stratovarius - Wings of Tomorrow My song pick four years ago today: Earth, Wind & Fire - Serpentine Fire My song pick five years ago today: Manuel de Falla - Danza Del Terror ( Dance of Terror ) My song pick six years ago today: Dire Straits - Lady Writer M...

From: Never Too Much ; Year: 1981; Genre: R&B/Soul/Funk For some unknown reason this morning I've had some of the music from Luther Vandross on my mind. Since he's another great artist that I've shamefully neglected up to this point and that I love his music I figured I would go ahead and pick one of his. This is one of his earlier songs from his solo career and an excellent one to boot. Hear Never Too Much on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Jethro Tull - Living in the Past My song pick two years ago today: Hawkwind - It Is the Business of the Future to Be Dangerous My song pick three years ago today: Earth, Wind & Fire - Fantasy My song pick four years ago today: Miles Davis - Freddie Freeloader My song pick five years ago today: Django Reinhardt & Stephane Grappelli (Quintette du Hot Club de France) - Liza ( All the Clouds'll Roll Away ) My song pick six years ago today: Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble - Little Wing ...

From: Global Warning ; Year: 2008; Genre: Metal I was in the mood for some Savatage this morning and I thought I would go for something from the current incarnation of the band: Jon Oliva's Pain. This is one of my favourites off of the '08 Global Warning album; excellent theatricality and music throughout this great song. Hear Look at the World on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Foreigner - Blue Morning, Blue Day My song pick two years ago today: Voivod - Mechanical Mind My song pick three years ago today: Quasar - Fanfare/Seeing Stars My song pick four years ago today: Waylander - A Hero's Lament My song pick five years ago today: Queen - Seaside Rendezvous My song pick six years ago today: Warren Zevon - Werewolves of London My song pick seven years ago today: Band of Horses - Is There A Ghost?

From: For Those About to Rock ; Year: 1981; Genre: Hard Rock Last night I happened to hear this song whilst out and about; it's been on my mind off and on ever since, so I'm picking it. Most everybody with access to music have probably heard this popular anthem at some point, so I'll just shut up and listen away. Hear For Those About to Rock (We Salute You) on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Lobo - Running Deer My song pick two years ago today: Rush - Wish Them Well My song pick three years ago today: The Beatles - In My Life My song pick four years ago today: Fairport Convention - She Moves Through the Fair My song pick five years ago today: Uriah Heep - Gypsy My song pick six years ago today: T-Rex - Bang a Gong ( Get it On ) My song pick seven years ago today: Savatage - Devastation

From: Are You Experienced ; Year: 1967; Genre: Psychedelic Rock/Hard Rock I had this classic Hendrix tune running through my mind this morning; I thought I had already picked it, but surprisingly not. Along with many of his fans, this is one my personal favourites from Jimi Hendrix; a great tune that really gets the blood moving. It's a shame though with how short the song is, but maybe that's part of what makes it special. Hear Purple Haze on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Earth, Wind & Fire - Fan the Fire My song pick two years ago today: Queensrÿche - At The Edge My song pick three years ago today: Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) - Rock Is My Life, and This Is My Song My song pick four years ago today: Genesis - Watcher of the Skies My song pick five years ago today: Jim Croce - These Dreams My song pick six years ago today: Alice Cooper - No More Mr. Nice Guy My song pick seven years ago today: Savatage - Tonight He Grins Again

From: Street Songs ; Year: 1981; Genre: Funk Another Friday has arrived and, as is blatantly obvious, I'm continuing my streak of Funky Friday picks. Anyway, this one comes from one of the masters of funk himself; Rick James, and is one of his bigger hits. A great thumping, funky beat to bring the workweek to an end. Hear Give it to Me Baby on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Weather Report - Medley: Vertical Invader; T.H.; Dr. Honoris Causa My song pick two years ago today: Band of Horses - Laredo My song pick three years ago today: Fairport Convention - Dawn My song pick four years ago today: Jethro Tull - Alive and Well and Living In My song pick five years ago today: .38 Special - Chain Lightnin' My song pick six years ago today: Cream - Swlabr My song pick seven years ago today: Three Dog Night - Celebrate

From: Wintersmith ; Year: 2013; Genre: Folk Rock/Progressive Rock I felt like picking a second song in a row from Steeleye Span this morning, but with this one coming from their most recent album. The entire album is a concept piece based mostly on the book of the same name ; this one coming towards the end of the record. It's a great, and rather pretty song; I really love Maddy Prior's vocals. Hear Ancient Eyes on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Banchee - Childern of the Universe My song pick two years ago today: Muse - Unnatural Selection My song pick three years ago today: The Drifters - Under the Boardwalk My song pick four years ago today: Yoko Takahashi - Zankoku na Tenshi no These ( A Cruel Angel's Thesis ) My song pick five years ago today: Aphrodite's Child - Hic et Nunc My song pick six years ago today: Elton John - All The Girls Love Alice My song pick seven years ago today: Rush - The Body Electric

From: Now We Are Six; Year : 1974; Genre: Progressive Rock/Folk Rock Last night and into this morning I had this album running incessantly through my mind, so, as I always do when such happens, I am picking on off of it. Like with the majority of the band's catalogue, this one is a traditional piece or rather three pieces arranged in a way that only a "loud folk band" such as Steeleye Span could do. It's a great piece of music woven together expertly to become a treat to the ears. Hear Drink Down the Moon on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Still... You Turn Me On My song pick two years ago today: Melvins - Nude with Boots My song pick three years ago today: The Animals - House of the Rising Sun My song pick four years ago today: Wild Turkey - Sentinel My song pick five years ago today: KISS - She My song pick six years ago today: Hawkwind - Assault and Battery/The Golden Void My song pick seven years ago to...

From: (r)Evolution ; Year: 2014; Genre: Power Metal I happened upon this song from Hammerfall's newest album released just last year; I tell ya, this is some great new music. I love the big, theatrical sound of this track in particular; very good music. Hear Ex Inferis on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Berlin - Like Flames My song pick two years ago today: Ozzy Osbourne - I Don't Wanna Stop My song pick three years ago today: Primus - Here Come the Bastards My song pick four years ago today: Ringo Starr - It Don't Come Easy My song pick five years ago today: Molly Hatchet - Fall of the Peacemakers My song pick six years ago today: Don Mclean - American Pie My song pick seven years ago today: Jethro Tull - Later, That Same Evening

From: Blood of the Earth ; Year: 2010; Genre: Space Rock Felt like listening to some Hawkwind today; I at first wanted to pick another song, but this one just seemed to fit my mood better. This is good one with some excellent, heavy guitar work with their signature progressive/space rock sound; definitely among their better tracks. Hear Wraith on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Jethro Tull - Bends Like a Willow My song pick two years ago today: Rhapsody of Fire - The Mystic Prophecy of the Demonknight My song pick three years ago today: Led Zeppelin - Rock and Roll My song pick four years ago today: Rush - Xanadu My song pick five years ago today: Iron Maiden - Powerslave My song pick six years ago today: George Frideric Handel - Every Valley Shall Be Exalted My song pick seven years ago today: Kohei Tanaka - Kline's Dream

From: Running with Scissors ; Year: 1999; Genre: Folk Rock/Parody/Comedy This morning I had this song running through my mind for some unknown reason, so I took it as a sign that I should pick it. Of course most know that this track uses the music from the epic Don McLean song American Pie , but instead tells the story of Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace . While by no mean my favourite "Weird Al" song, it's one that has become one of his classics. Hear The Saga Begins on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: The Moody Blues - Ride My See-Saw My song pick two years ago today: Hawkwind - Angela Android My song pick three years ago today: The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Manic Depression My song pick four years ago today: Jon Oliva's Pain - Through the Eyes of the King My song pick five years ago today: Nora Bayes - The Japanese Sandman My song pick six years ago today: Queen - We Will Rock You/We Are the Champions My song pick seven years ag...