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

From: Iconoclast ; Year: 2011; Genre: Symphonic Metal/Progressive Metal Got in the mood for something different; some full-blown symphonic metal with some mind-blowing musicianship and epic lyrics creating a gigantic Symphonic Prog-Metal sound. Hear Iconoclast on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: John Fogerty - The Old Man Down the Road My song pick two years ago today: Jefferson Airplane - 3/5 of a Mile in 10 Seconds   My song pick three years ago today: Metallica - Orion My song pick four years ago today: Jethro Tull - No Lullaby My song pick five years ago today: Cyndi Lauper - The Goonies 'R' Good Enough My song pick six years ago today: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - Into The Great Wide Open My song pick seven years ago today: The Beatles - While My Guitar Gently Weeps My song pick eight years ago today: Jethro Tull - Man of Principle

From: Minstrel in the Galley (remaster) ; Year: 1974/75; Genre: Progressive Rock/20th Century classical For some reason today I felt like listening to something light, 'Tull's Minstrel in the Gallery album came to mind and seemed like a perfect fit for me. The was a rarer gem that most have probably not heard; it was apparently written and performed/recorded by the band for a dance group called Pan's People, but was eventually released on an EP as an extra track. Later, of course, it was added to the remaster of Minstrel in the Gallery as a bonus track. The song is definitely classical in almost all respects with Ian Anderson's style. The strings and other orchestral talent make this a great little buried treasure for the music connoisseur. Hear Pan Dance on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Chris Squire - Silently Falling My song pick two years ago today: Jim Croce - Bad, Bad Leroy Brown My song pick three years ago today: Béla Fleck and the F...

From: Mike + The Mechanics ; Year: 1985; Genre: Rock Yet another great act that I had yet to pick a song from: Mike Rutherford's side project that was a pretty good band in its own right. The was the lead track from their debut album and was arranged really, really well both musically and lyrically. Hear Silent Running on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Santo & Johnny - Summertime My song pick two years ago today: Zager and Evans - In the Year 2525 (Exordium & Terminus) My song pick three years ago today: Homer & Jethro - The Battle of Camp Kookamonga My song pick four years ago today: Karussell - Entweder Oder My song pick five years ago today: Nightwish - Last of the Wilds (Erämaan viimeinen) My song pick six years ago today: Rush - Caravan My song pick seven years ago today: John Denver - This Old Guitar My song pick eight years ago today: Rammstein - Stirb Nicht Vor Mir (Don't Die Before I Do)

K.619; Year: 1791; Genre: classical/Classical Period For some reason I had Mozart on my mind this morning; this cantata written the year he died especially felt like an excellent choice. Absolutely perfect music to listen to whilst working. Hear a great performance of the piece on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Billy Joel - She's Got a Way My song pick two years ago today: Rick James - Cold Blooded My song pick three years ago today: Primus - Amos Moses My song pick four years ago today: Pink Floyd - Speak to Me/Breathe/On the Run My song pick five years ago today: Aerosmith - Rag Doll My song pick six years ago today: John Lennon - Instant Karma! (We All Shine On) My song pick seven years ago today: Fuel - Million Miles My song pick eight years ago today: Tom Petty - Runnin' Down A Dream

From: My Favourite Headache ; Year: 2000; Genre: Hard Rock/Progressive Rock I had a touch of a headache and whilst thinking about a song to pick this aptly named album and its title track came to mind; seemed like an absolutely perfect pick. Hear My Favourite Headache on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Sly and the Family Stone - Family Affair My song pick two years ago today: The Guess Who - Rain Dance My song pick three years ago today: Primus - The Devil Went Down to Georgia My song pick four years ago today: Soundgarden - Rusty Cage My song pick five years ago today: Lou Reed - I'm So Free My song pick six years ago today: Traffic - The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys My song pick seven years ago today: Hawkwind - Silver Machine My song pick eight years ago today: Savatage - Complaint In The System

From: Energetic Disassembly ; Year: 1985; Genre: Progressive Metal The first time I heard Watchtower I was taken aback by what I heard; my first impression was almost like a Judas Priest meets Rush kind of a vibe. Definitely a band for those who like metal music with a lot of technicality. Hear Tyrants in Distress on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Exist†Trace - Vanguard My song pick two years ago today: The Scorpions - Wind of Change My song pick three years ago today: Megadeth - The Right to Go Insane My song pick four years ago today: Earthless - Lost in the Cold Sun My song pick five years ago today: Hawkwind - Star Cannibal My song pick six years ago today: Jigsaw - Sky High My song pick seven years ago today: Steeleye Span - Thomas The Rhymer My song pick eight years ago today: Donovan - Mellow Yellow

From: Mouth to Mouth ; Year: 1979; Genre: Disco/Funk Kind of in an odd mood this morning; for some reason this piece of later disco era music felt right for today's Funky Friday . While they did have a few other minor hits; this monster will always be what Lipps Inc will be known for. Hear the full-length version of Funkytown on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Johann Sebastian Bach - BWV 1080 - Art of Fugue My song pick two years ago today: Rage Against the Machine - Killing in the Name My song pick three years ago today: Jethro Tull - Inside My song pick four years ago today: Nightwish - The Crow, the Owl and the Dove My song pick five years ago today: Wilson Pickett - Mr. Magic Man My song pick six years ago today: PAIN featuring Anette Olzon - Follow Me My song pick seven years ago today: Nightwish - Phantom of the Opera My song pick eight years ago today: Rush - Natural Science

From: H 2 O ; Year: 1982; Genre: New Wave/Pop/Rock I have no idea why, but I apparently had not yet picked a song from Hall & Oates until today. This is still probably my favourite of their songs; I remember it a lot when I was growing up in the 1980s. It definitely suffered from overplay on the radio and such, but in the years since it's starting to freshen up again along with a lot of other dated songs from the time. Hear Maneater on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Gerry Rafferty - Mattie's Rag My song pick two years ago today: Triumph - Battle Cry My song pick three years ago today: Porcupine Tree - On the Sunday Of Life My song pick four years ago today: Asia - Sole Survivor My song pick five years ago today: Ray Stevens - I Need Your Help Barry Manilow My song pick six years ago today: The Who - Rael (1 and 2) My song pick seven years ago today: The Clifford Brown & Max Roach Quintet - Joy Spring My song pick eight years ago to...

From: Back Up Train ; Year: 1967; Genre: Soul Last night I learned that legendary drummer Jerome Teasley passed away a few days ago . I thought it would be a good idea to pick a song the man lent his talent. I hadn't posted a song by Al Green either, so, I thought I'd combine the two with this wonderful soul number. Hear Back Up Train on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Karla DeVito - Bloody Bess My song pick two years ago today: Dream Theater - Breaking All Illusions My song pick three years ago today: Tom Petty - You Don't Know It Feels My song pick four years ago today: Booker T. & the MGs - Melting Pot My song pick five years ago today: Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) - Don't Get Yourself In Trouble My song pick six years ago today: Red Hot Chili Peppers - Scar Tissue My song pick seven years ago today: White Zombie - More Human Than Human My song pick eight years ago today: Marc Cohen - Walking In Memphis

From: Chi-Lites ; Year: 1973; Genre: Soul/R&B I found myself in a mood for some soul; it's more of the music I look at as feel-good. This is a great piece of R&B/Soul with a driving funky beat; a great track from a great band. Hear Stoned Out of My Mind on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Depeche Mode - Enjoy the Silence My song pick two years ago today: Yes - Madrigal My song pick three years ago today: Rammstein - Vergiss Uns Nicht My song pick four years ago today: Nocturnal Rites - End of our Rope My song pick five years ago today: Jethro Tull - Velvet Green My song pick six years ago today: Rammstein - Das Alte Leid My song pick seven years ago today: Savatage - The Piper Rap My song pick eight years ago today: The Steve Miller Band - Take The Money And Run

From: Blood, Sweat & Tears ; Year: 1968; Genre: Blues Rock/Jazz Fusion After hearing some of their music the other day and subsequently having it stuck in my mind I once again I was surprised that I had found another band I liked that I had not picked a song from. Anyway, this one is a bit schizophrenic in construction, but in an interesting and wonderful way. The slow and loping bluesy verses, which launchs into a jazzy gospelesque pre-chorus and continues into the chorus where it comes to a climax and abruptly starts over. Hear And When I Die on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Styx - Mademoiselle My song pick two years ago today: David Shire - Night on Disco Mountain My song pick three years ago today: King Crimson - 21st Century Schizoid Man My song pick four years ago today: Rush - BU2B My song pick five years ago today: Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band - Born to Run My song pick six years ago today: Jethro Tull - Moths My song pick s...

From: Labour of Love II ; Year: 1989; Genre: Reggae Every time I hit my limit stress wise I like to turn on some reggae; combine that with a bunch of UB40 songs going through my mind this morning and I have a perfect fit. This will always be my favourite album of covers from UB40, plus there's a lot of memories connected to it and the time it was released for me specifically. This minor track has always been one of the ones I like like most; just got everything it needs in the right proportions. Hear Impossible Love on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Funkadelic - Funk Gets Stronger, Part 1 My song pick two years ago today: Lenny Kravitz - Fields of Joy My song pick three years ago today: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - Here Comes My Girl My song pick four years ago today: Jaco Pastorius - Amerika My song pick five years ago today: Waylander - Born to the Fight My song pick six years ago today: Dizzy Gillespie - Night In Tunisia My song pick s...

From: Nice ; Year: 1969; Genre: Progressive Rock I noticed that I had yet chosen a song from The Nice, who were one of the progenitors of the  prog/rock genre. If you like technical music, especially on the keyboard, with a bounce to it then this should be your cup of tea. Hear Diary of an Empty Day on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Foreigner - Spell Binder My song pick two years ago today: Al Di Meola - Spanish Eyes My song pick three years ago today: Of Monsters and Men - Dirty Paws My song pick four years ago today: Three Dog Night - It's For You My song pick five years ago today: Warrant - Uncle Tom's Cabin My song pick six years ago today: Bon Jovi - Keep The Faith My song pick seven years ago today: Neil Young - Rockin' in the Free World My song pick eight years ago today: Savatage - Skull Session

From: Word of Mouth ; Year: 1983; Genre: Jazz Fusion/Funk Last night I saw a documentary on the virtuoso bassist Jaco Pastorius and it got me wanting to listen to his music again. Since it was Friday, I thought it would be great to pick one of his songs with a flavour of funk to it. Hear Liberty City on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Primus - The Air is Getting Slippery My song pick two years ago today: Soundgarden - Halfway There My song pick three years ago today: Jim Croce - Operator (That's Not the Way It Feels) My song pick four years ago today: Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) - Last Train to London My song pick five years ago today: Jaco Pastorius - Kuru/Speak Like a Child My song pick six years ago today: The Grass Roots - Let's Live For Today My song pick seven years ago today: The Ventures - Walk-Don't Run My song pick eight years ago today: Ten Years After - I'd Love To Change The World

From: Sabotage ; Year: 1975; Genre: Metal I had Ozzy Osbourne on the brain this morning, earlier material in particular; although when listening my tastes went far back enough to get into some Black Sabbath, which is of course an excellent thing to happen. Funny, but in this song there is a noted " Zeppelinish " sound in it, to my ears at least. Hear Symptom of the Universe on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Pallas - Just a Memory My song pick two years ago today: Steeleye Span - Orfeo/Nathan's Reel My song pick three years ago today: Alestorm - Flower of Scotland My song pick four years ago today: Cybotron - Colossus My song pick five years ago today: AC/DC - Let There Be Rock My song pick six years ago today: Steeleye Span - Black Jack Davy My song pick seven years ago today: Heart - These Dreams My song pick eight years ago today: The Police - Message in a Bottle

From: The Present ; Year: 1983; Genre: Rock/New Wave The Present is one of the more overlooked albums from The Moody Blues' discography; it's got some great gems on it, including this lead track. Whilst having a bit of the sounds indicative of the time it was recorded, it's not a detractor. Hear Blue World on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Queen - Gimme the Prize (Kurgan's Theme) My song pick two years ago today: Pink Floyd - Empty Spaces/Young Lust My song pick three years ago today: Quasar - As You Fall Asleep My song pick four years ago today: The Jimmy Castor Bunch - Troglodyte (Cave Man) My song pick five years ago today: Stahlhammer - Eisbär My song pick six years ago today: The Lovin' Spoonful - Summer in the City My song pick seven years ago today: Jethro Tull - Wond'ring Again My song pick eight years ago today: Crowded House - Don't Dream It's Over

From: Heavy Horse ; Year: 1978; Genre: Progressive Rock I really needed this rather whimsical and introspective song today; it's and many of the other ones on the record are ones that I like to hear on days like today. It's a rather interesting one with a lot of light and pretty music combined with heavier sections. Hear One Brown Mouse on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) - It's Over My song pick two years ago today: Petula Clark - Kiss Me Goodbye My song pick three years ago today: The Walter Murphy Band - Toccata and Funk in D Minor My song pick four years ago today: Eddie Rabbitt - I Love a Rainy Night My song pick five years ago today: Joe Jackson - Steppin' Out My song pick six years ago today: Jimmy Dean - Big Bad John My song pick seven years ago today: Savatage - If I Go Away My song pick eight years ago today: Elton John - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

From: More Parts Per Million ; Year: 2003; Genre: Indie Rock Wasn't much in the mood for music at the moment, but went ahead anyway and delved deep into my collection for something I might want to listen to. I hadn't listened to The Thermals for a while now, don't know why, but it was time to dust down the More Parts Per Million album I thought, which is one of my favourites from the band. There's a lot of interesting angsty energy throughout this straight-up and raw sounding track. Hear I Know the Pattern on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Grace Slick - El Diablo My song pick two years ago today: Marcus Miller - Juice My song pick three years ago today: Midnight Oil - Beds Are Burning My song pick four years ago today: Ludwig van Beethoven - Op. 67 - Symphony No.5 in C My song pick five years ago today: Al Di Meola - Bianca's Midnight Lullaby My song pick six years ago today: Ray Stevens - Mr. Businessman My song pick seven years...

From: In Case You're In Love ; Year: 1967; Genre: Pop/Rock For a top 40 "pop" tune this one's got a lot of interesting musical ideas throughout. The group known as The Wrecking Crew , (also known by other names backed Sonny and Cher on the studio recording), did an awesome job pulling this song together. Hear The Beat Goes On on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: The Soul Searchers - Think My song pick two years ago today: Soundgarden - My Wave My song pick three years ago today: Midnight Oil - The Stars of Warburton My song pick four years ago today: Rush - The Garden My song pick five years ago today: Jethro Tull - Wicked Windows My song pick six years ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - Take Me Away My song pick seven years ago today: Alice Cooper - Billion Dollar Babies My song pick eight years ago today: Fastball - The Way

From: Jigsaw ; Year: 1977; Genre: Rock Again I'm posting some '70s rock today. I had a couple of Jigsaw's songs on my mind this morning, and this single from the mid '70s just fit my mood, so I'm making it my pick. While it has some of the era specific sound, it also has some great musical ideas that the band is known for. Hear Cry ('Til The Tears Run Dry) on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Piano Concerto No. 1 My song pick two years ago today: Jim Reeves & Patsy Cline - Have You Ever Been Lonely (Have You Ever Been Blue?) My song pick three years ago today: Soundgarden - Worse Dreams My song pick four years ago today: Hawkwind - Quark, Strangeness and Charm My song pick five years ago today: Steve Vai - Call it Sleep My song pick six years ago today: John Denver - Calypso My song pick seven years ago today: What Made Milwaukee Famous - Idecide My song pick eight years ago today: Soft Cell - ...

From: Uncle Jam Wants You ; Year: 1979; Genre: Funk Another mondo busy Funky Friday for me, thus having to make a quicker pick, but still choosing an amazing piece of funk with a noted touch of disco. Hear Freak of the Week on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Pink Floyd - Wot's... Uh the Deal? My song pick two years ago today: Wild Turkey - Dulwich Fox My song pick three years ago today: Asia - Don't Cry My song pick four years ago today: Queen - Somebody to Love My song pick five years ago today: Rush (Neil Peart) - O Baterista (Drum Solo) My song pick six years ago today: Hawkwind - Zarozinia My song pick seven years ago today: Ghostland Observatory - Sad Sad City My song pick eight years ago today: The Wallflowers - One Headlight

From: The System has Failed ; Year: 2004; Genre: Thrash Metal Megadeth was really fitting my mood today, so I'm picking one. There's a lot of powerful and heavy songs to be found on The System has Failed ; this is definitely one of them, and one of my favourites on the album. Hear The Scorpion on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Midnight Oil - Power and the Passion My song pick two years ago today: David Bowie - Magic Dance My song pick three years ago today: ZZ Top - Sleeping Bag My song pick four years ago today: Fleetwood Mac - Hypnotized My song pick five years ago today: Les Paul and Mary Ford - Whispering My song pick six years ago today: Rush - The Pass My song pick seven years ago today: Days of the New - The Down Town My song pick eight years ago today: Billy Joel - Tell Her About It

From: Foxtrot ; Year: 1972; Genre: Progressive Rock Getting back to some more contemporary material today; I had a few songs on my mind, but for some reason Genesis just fit my mood the most. Anyway, as anyone who knows this album would know, this is the 23 minute magnum opus that closes out Foxtrot containing seven songs in and of itself, which go from very grounded and straight-forward all the way around, to just completely nonsensical and out there in every aspect. In other words, there's probably something for everyone within this piece of music. Hear Supper's Ready on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Ian Anderson - Puer Ferox Adventus My song pick two years ago today: Jon Oliva's Pain - Afterglow My song pick three years ago today: B.J. Thomas - The Eyes of a New York Woman My song pick four years ago today: Fleetwood Mac (Bob Welch) - Sentimental Lady My song pick five years ago today: Hawkwind - Fall of Earth City My song pick six yea...

Year: 1603; Genre: Renaissance Period/Baroque Period/classical Still listening to a lot of Renaissance/Baroque period music and thought I would go ahead and pick another piece of chamber music, but this time from the legendary renaissance composer John Dowland. This piece written for voice with sparse accompaniment by a lute and other stringed instruments is a love song, written from the point of view of someone so enraptured by the beauty of his beloved that time appears to cease movement when she is around. Both the words and the music are extremely well put together; one aspect is not complete without the other. Hear Time Stands Still sung by Andreas Scholl on YouTube. See a great live performance by Jolaine Kerley, Adam Wead, and Josephine van Lieron YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Tarot - Magic and Technology My song pick two years ago today: Hawkwind - PXR5 My song pick three years ago today: Jethro Tull - Summerday Sands My song pick four years ago...

BWV. 1027 ; Year: 1720-1745; Genre: Baroque Period/classical I've been listening to a bunch of Viola de Gamba music over this last weekend and thought I would pick one of my favourites. Who else, would I choose one from other than the maestro himself, Johann Sebastian Bach. This is nothing more than a gorgeous piece written for the Viol and Harpsichord; this is one you could just get lost in and then some; pure magic, this one. Hear Sonata in G Major (BWV 1027) YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Ray Charles - Careless Love My song pick two years ago today: Ohio Players - Funky Worm My song pick three years ago today: Alice Cooper - Welcome to My Nightmare My song pick four years ago today: Hawkwind - City of Lagoons My song pick five years ago today: Savatage - Surrender My song pick six years ago today: Jim Croce - Tomorrow's Gonna Be a Brighter Day My song pick seven years ago today: The Doors - Crystal Ship My song pick eight years ago tod...

From: Sweeney Todd ; Year: 1975; Genre: Glam Rock Lately I've been binging on some mid 70s pop and glam rock, don't know why, it just seems to fit my moods. Anyways, this was the first hit for the Nick Gilder fronted glam band Sweeney Todd; definitely got the 1970s glam vibe all over this one. Might not be a cup of tea for everyone, but it's excellent for what it is. Hear Roxy Roller on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Kool & the Gang - Spirit of the Boogie My song pick two years ago today: Jethro Tull - A Song for Jeffrey My song pick three years ago today: Foreigner - Head Games My song pick four years ago today: Pearl Jam - Alive My song pick five years ago today: White Zombie - Thunder Kiss '65 My song pick six years ago today: Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer My song pick seven years ago today: Johann Sebastian Bach - BWV 29 - Cantata No. 29 - Wir Danken Dir, Gott, Wir Danken Dir My song pick eight years ago today: Tears For Fe...

From: Wish ; Year: 1992; Genre: Alternative Rock I must've heard this track yesterday at some point, but it got stuck in my head. Not one of my favourites from the band, but not a bad song either. There's kind of a special place I have for it I guess; I remember hearing it a lot back when it released. Even then though the sound was a bit dated; sounds very early 1980sish to my ear. Most of my memories have to do with making parody lyrics to this really catchy tune. Hear Friday I'm in Love on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Carmen - Margarita My song pick two years ago today: Ludwig Van Beethoven - Op.130 - String Quartet No.13 "Cavatina" My song pick three years ago today: Wadsworth Mansion - Sweet Mary My song pick four years ago today: Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath My song pick five years ago today: Louis Armstrong - C'est si bon My song pick six years ago today: Jethro Tull - Journeyman My song pick seven years ago today...

From: Zapp II ; Year: 1982; Genre: Funk/R&B If my counting is correct, this should be my 143rd consecutive Funky Friday thus far. For some reason I wanted to pick something from the last letter in the alphabet, and of course when you're talking about funk, Zapp is always what "Z" is for. Anyway, if you like a blend of '70s and '80s funk sounds this is the song for you; that guitar, horns and keys reminiscent of the 1970s mixed with that early 80s synth and drums is nothing short of magical in this grooving tune. Hear A Touch of Jazz (Playing Kind of Ruff, Part 2) on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) - Livin' Thing My song pick two years ago today: Pink Floyd - When the Tigers Broke Free My song pick three years ago today: The Black Crowes - She Talks to Angels My song pick four years ago today: Rush - Headlong Flight My song pick five years ago today: Frank Zappa - I'm the Slime My song pic...

From: Rush ; Year: 1974; Genre: Hard Rock It's a busy Thursday and I happened to be in the mood for some early Rush; surprised I hadn't picked this one yet, it's one of my favourites on the album. Hear In the Mood on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Ugly Kid Joe - No One Survives My song pick two years ago today: Carmen - Siren of the Sea My song pick three years ago today: Duran Duran - Hungry Like the Wolf My song pick four years ago today: Argent - Music from the Spheres My song pick five years ago today: Heart - Who Will You Run To My song pick six years ago today: Benny Carter - All That Jazz My song pick seven years ago today: David Bowie - Rebel Rebel My song pick eight years ago today: U2 - Sunday, Bloody Sunday

From: One Fine Morning ; Year: 1971; Genre: Rock/Pop I was thinking about this Canadian group and their work over the last week or so and am finally getting around to picking another one of their songs. What really sets Lighthouse apart from the other popular bands of the time is that they had a full brass and string section and they used it; they weren't there for show. While somewhat similar to bands like Chicago, their sound is still quite unique. Hear One Fine Morning on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Gerry Rafferty - The Ark My song pick two years ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - After Dark My song pick three years ago today: Triumph - Allied Forces My song pick four years ago today: Asia - The Heat Goes On My song pick five years ago today: Dream Theater - In the Presence of Enemies Parts I and II My song pick six years ago today: Hiroko Moriguchi - Samurai Heart My song pick seven years ago today: England Dan & John Ford Coley - Simone ...