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

From: Xmas Done Got Funky ; Year: 1977; Genre: Funk/Soul Yet another year draws to a close and it just so happens that it's a Friday, so it's a good time for some funk to bring in the New Year. This seasonal song about the turning of a brand new year is perfect for a party where there's a lot of dancing.   Hear The New Year on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Genesis - Duke's End   My song pick 2 years ago today: Kool & The Gang - Celebration   My song pick 3 years ago today: Scrawl - 11:59 (It's January) My song pick 4 years ago today: Ella Fitzgerald - What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? My song pick 5 years ago today: Iron Maiden - When the Wild Wind Blows My song pick 6 years ago today: Primus with The Fungi Ensemble - Farewell Wonkites My song pick 7 years ago today: The Moody Blues - Nights in White Satin/Late Lament My song pick 8 years ago today: Rahsaan Roland Kirk - Old Rugged Cross My song pick 9 years ago today: M...

From: Corporate America ; Year: 2002; Genre: Rock Been having Boston on my mind for the last week or so and am finally getting around to picking another one of their songs. Someone is one of those songs that has a pleasant familiarity to it whilst also is unique in its writing and arranging. Whilst being one of the songs from the Corporate America album to feature Brad Delp on vocals it was also rearranged for the Live, Love & Hope record in 2013 and given (2.0) added to the title.   Hear Someone on YouTube. Hear Someone (2.0) on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Genesis - Duke's Travels   My song pick 2 years ago today: Yazoo - Don't Go   My song pick 3 years ago today: C.W. McCall - Riverside Slide My song pick 4 years ago today: Led Zeppelin - Four Sticks My song pick 5 years ago today: Frankie Miller - Supersnatch My song pick 6 years ago today: Motörhead - Ace of Spades My song pick 7 years ago today: Yes - Looking ...

From: Barn ; Year: 2021; Genre: Hard Rock Just got to listen to this new Neil Young & Crazy Horse record and this was the second track I heard off of it; I absolutely love it! It's amazing to hear him back to his " Rust " era sound/feel along with the legendary Crazy Horse. His activism is as strong as ever throughout and that signature distorted electric guitar makes for a great backdrop for it. I have to admit though, his more raucous and loud songs happen to be my top favourites of his, although, I do like a lot of his mellower songs as well.   Hear Human Race on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Boston - My Destination/A New World   My song pick 2 years ago today: Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) - Blue Moanin'   My song pick 3 years ago today: Steely Dan - Fire In The Hole My song pick 4 years ago today: The Police - Can't Stand Losing You My song pick 5 years ago today: Benny Carter - Pick Yourself Up My song pick 6 years ago tod...

From: Bad Channels OST ; Year: 1992; Genre: Hard Rock/Metal I recently found out about these Blue Öyster Cult songs and the B-Rated direct-to-television movie they were made for. I have not seen the film yet, but from all I've read about it, it was not very good at all, so I'm not really that motivated to watch it.  Anyway, the songs that BÖC wrote for it are by no means their best material, but still some really good straight-up hard rock that is definitely fun to listen to.   Hear Demon's Kiss on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Bee Gees - I Gotta Get a Message to You   My song pick 2 years ago today: Ultravox - Mr. X   My song pick 3 years ago today: Charley Pride - Daydreams About Night Things My song pick 4 years ago today: Supertramp - Cannonball My song pick 5 years ago today: Bruce Hornsby & the Range - The Red Plains My song pick 6 years ago today: Manfred Mann's Earth Band - It's All Over Now, Baby Blue My song pick...

From: The Dreams of Men ; Year: 2005; Genre: Progressive Rock This is such a beautiful and calming piece of music mostly played on the synthesizer/keyboards; excellent "headphone music."   Hear Northern Star on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Queensrÿche - Speed of Light   My song pick 2 years ago today: Lighthouse - Set the Stage   My song pick 3 years ago today: Badfinger - The Dreamer My song pick 4 years ago today: Bad Company - Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy My song pick 5 years ago today: Badfinger - Without You My song pick 6 years ago today: Hank Williams - I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry My song pick 7 years ago today: Pat Benatar - Hell is for Children My song pick 8 years ago today: The Headhunters feat. The Pointer Sisters - God Make Me Funky My song pick 9 years ago today: Yes - Beyond & Before My song pick 10 years ago today: Billy Joel - The Downeaster 'Alexa' My song pick 11 years ago today: Oasis - Cast No Shadow ...

From: Head Hunters ; Year: 1973; Genre: Jazz Fusion/Funk/Hard Bop Jazz Had this one pop into my brain today whilst recovering from the Holiday and I thought it was an absolutely perfect pick. I originally heard a Latin/jazz cover of this exquisite piece of music from one of my Dad's instrumental super hit records; I still cannot find that exact version out of the over 200 covers of this classic. Really though, nothing can beat the original, or rather "originals;" he later re-imagined the hit song in a Jazz Fusion/Funk. Personally, I cannot choose which version I like better; they both are great. The original recording from his Takin' Off record is an excellent recording done in the hard bop style of jazz and probably more "accessible"to the regular listener, whilst the newer version is based around funk and jazz fusion, and while just as excellent, it evolved along with Herbie Hancock's musical proclivities and his overall tastes a decade later.   Hear ...

From: Monsters' Holiday (single) ; Year: 1962; Genre: Rock/Pop/Christmas/Comedy Well, it's Christmas again; been fighting the holiday blues somewhat, so I decided that I should focus on the more uplifting comedy selections to bring up the mood. After going over a bunch of Christmas comedy classics I remembered this one, which sadly does not get enough play anymore in my opinion. While most people today think of Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas when combining the spooky Halloween aspects with Christmas, this one did it many years prior and if you've heard their hit Monster Mash , you should know wot to expect from the song.   Hear Monsters' Holiday on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Darlene Love - Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)   My song pick 2 years ago today: Steve Winwood - Christmas Is Now Drawing Near At Hand   My song pick 3 years ago today: Louis Armstrong and the Commanders - Cool Yule My song pick 4 years ago today:...

From: The Jethro Tull Christmas Album ; Year: 2003; Genre: Progressive Rock/classical/Christmas Music Well, it's Christmas Eve once again, and ever since this album came out I have been playing it every year due to the obvious nature of the material within. However, this time I've only gotten around to listen to it today, so I'm a bit behind schedule or so it would seem. Anyway, I've never been too sure as to the nature of this song, if it's a cover or had a basis in another piece. From what I have been able to find is that it's apparently an original track written in musical style that is a Pavane. Whatever the case, it's a nice seasonal tune suitable for listening on this Christmas holiday.   Hear Pavane on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: The Smashing Pumpkins - Christmastime   My song pick 2 years ago today: Duke Ellington & His Orchestra - Jingle Bells   My song pick 3 years ago today: Bob Rivers - Goin' Up To Bethlehem My song ...

From: Jazz to the World ; Year: 1995; Genre: Jazz/Classical/Christmas Really, ever since the Charlie Brown Christmas special that featured Vince Guaraldi exquisite cool jazz throughout jazz has become somewhat associated with the season, it definitely has for me. This amazing rendition of the traditional hymn performed by the jazz great Chick Corea is a highlight for me off this nice compilation; I really wish they would've put more out since. I just love the expression and counterpoint he employs throughout the piece.   Hear What Child is This? on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Prince of Peace   My song pick 2 years ago today: Bob Rivers - Flu Ride   My song pick 3 years ago today: The Pretenders - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas My song pick 4 years ago today: Bob Rivers & Twisted Radio - Didn't I Get This Last Year? My song pick 5 years ago today: Electric Jungle - Funky Funky Christmas My song...

From: Jingle Bell Rock (single) ; Year: 1957; Genre: Rock 'n Roll/Rockabilly/Christmas I'm kind of surprised that I'm on my 15th Christmas season of picking songs for the Holiday and have not picked this contemporary classic originally recorded by the late-great Bobby Helms, who was a pioneer in not only country/western, but early rock 'n roll as well. Over any Christmas season from the last 60+ years most in the industrialized world has heard it at least once during the season. Whilst my absolute favourite cover of this song was done by The Muppets' "house band" Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem , which can be seen here on YouTube , is definitely a piece of my childhood memories.   Hear Jingle Bell Rock on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: The Brecker Brothers With Steve Khan - The Christmas Waltz   My song pick 2 years ago today: John McLaughlin - O Come O Come Emanuel   My song pick 3 years ago today: Trans-Siberian Orchestra - What Child i...

From: Beatles for Sale ; Year: 1964; Genre: Pop/Rock Today marks the Winter Solstice here in the northern hemisphere; from here until mid June we'll start getting more daylight. I really wanted to pick a song that was more or less apropos and did not want to go into anything obscure either, so I thought I'd go with this classic one from The Fab Four. I've always loved this track quite a bit and believe it to be among the greater songs of their early years, but my only criticism it is way too short in my opinion; almost like keeping the song under two minutes was the song's most important aspect when composing/recording. This beautiful piece of music could easily be double its length and be much better in my opinion. It's almost like getting a half a bite of the best food you've ever tasted and you have to burp to see what it tasted like, thus when I listen to this one I have to replay it a few times to get my fix. I know a lot of it had to do with rules with AM ...

From: Winter ; Year: 2004; Genre: Progressive Rock/Folk Rock/Christmas Music Here's a great Christmas piece from Steeleye Span's 2004 release Winter . As per usual, all the members of the group do a bang-up job on this one in their signature progressive folk rock sound. This is one that should be on anyone's seasonal playlist; it fits in quite well with most contemporary Christmas music as well as the venerable standards you hear this time of year.   Hear Today in Bethlehem on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Van der Graaf Generator - La Rossa   My song pick 2 years ago today: Binky Griptite - Stone Soul Christmas   My song pick 3 years ago today: Bachman & Turner - Find Some Love My song pick 4 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Another Harry's Bar My song pick 5 years ago today: Ronnie James Dio/Tony Iommi/Rudy Sarzo/Simon Wright - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen My song pick 6 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Holly Herald My song pick 7 ...

From: Pork Soda ; Year: 1993; Genre: Alternative Rock Been a busy day thus far and am making a quick pick. While this one's technically not Christmas or seasonal related, the title is very appropriate, and so I'm choosing it today.   Hear Hail Santa on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Soundgarden - Head Down   My song pick 2 years ago today: Dave Edmunds - Almost Saturday Night   My song pick 3 years ago today: Paul Revere & The Raiders - Just Like Me My song pick 4 years ago today: Soundgarden - Burden in My Hand My song pick 5 years ago today: Wild Turkey - Good Old Days My song pick 6 years ago today: Stuart Hamm - Terminal Beach My song pick 7 years ago today: James Brown - Santa Claus, Go Straight to the Ghetto My song pick 8 years ago today: The Police - So Lonely My song pick 9 years ago today: Ben E. King - Stand By Me My song pick 10 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Jack Frost and the Hooded Crow My song pick 11 ye...

From: An Americana Christmas ; Year: 2014 (1994); Genre: Country/Christmas Even though only about 1/3 of this song is about Christmas time, it has been included on a few Christmas albums and the overall exposition on the human condition in the lyrics makes it fit in pretty well. This is, of course, the Anglicized version of the song originally performed back during Post War times by Edith Piaf, but this is more of a cover of the version recorded by The Melody Maids in 1948 called The Three Bells ; the song has been covered many times since by many different artists.   Hear Les Trois Cloches on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Primus - The Thing That Should Not Be   My song pick 2 years ago today: Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Christmas in Blue   My song pick 3 years ago today: Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) - Waterfall My song pick 4 years ago today: Primus - Candy Man My song pick 5 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Teacher My song pick 6 ye...

From: Christmas Strutt (single) ; Year: 1980; Genre: Funk/Christmas Funky Christmas songs are not as rare as you might believe; there are actually almost too many to choose from. I admit, I hadn't heard this song prior to today, but that early '80s electronic funk combined with some early rap kind of make this one rather neat to hear.   Hear Christmas Strutt on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Billy Squier - My Kind of Lover   My song pick 2 years ago today: Vince Guaraldi Trio - Christmas Time Is Here   My song pick 3 years ago today: Duran Duran - A View to a Kill My song pick 4 years ago today: Rammstein - Mehr My song pick 5 years ago today: Melvins - Raise a Paw My song pick 6 years ago today: Tarja Turunen - Never Enough My song pick 7 years ago today: Twisted Sister - Heavy Metal Christmas (The Twelve Days of Christmas) My song pick 8 years ago today: Stratovarius - Learning to Fly My song pick 9 years ago today: Miles Da...

From: Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy ; Year: 1978; Genre: Pop/Christmas Probably one of the more remembered pop cultural events of the last 40 some/odd years pertaining to Christmas, this duet between the two legends is definitely iconic. It's sad to think that both have passed away now, but they live on; they sure did an excellent performance on this one.   Hear Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Uriah Heep - Take Away My Soul   My song pick 2 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Salamander's Rag Time   My song pick 3 years ago today: Gloryhammer - Universe on Fire My song pick 4 years ago today: Bon Jovi - Lay Your Hands on Me My song pick 5 years ago today: James Brown - Santa Claus Gave Me a Brand New Start My song pick 6 years ago today: The United States of America - Stranded in Time My song pick 7 years ago today: Boston - Can'tcha Say (Believe in Me)/Still in Love My song pick 8 years ago toda...

From: A Motown Christmas ; Year: 1973; Genre: Soul/R&B/Motown/Christmas Here's another nice Christmas offering, this time from the great Stevie Wonder off of the Christmas compilation Motown released back in the early 1970s. This one really give a good feeling for the time of year with the overall optimistic message and, of course, the classic Motown sound throughout.   Hear Someday At Christmas on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: The Moody Blues - Have You Heard (Part 1)/Voyage/Have You Heard (Part 2)   My song pick 2 years ago today: Fleetwood Mac - Dust   My song pick 3 years ago today: Savatage - Not What You See My song pick 4 years ago today: Winger - Without the Night My song pick 5 years ago today: Eurythmics - Winter Wonderland My song pick 6 years ago today: Jackson Browne - Running on Empty My song pick 7 years ago today: Porcupine Tree - This Long Silence My song pick 8 years ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - Stone of L...

From: More Twisted Christmas ; Year: 1997; Genre: Rock/Christmas/Parody/Comedy My child yesterday pointed out yesterday that Christmas was less than two weeks away, which came to me as kind of a shock I guess. Anyway, I figured I should get with the program and post some appropriate tunes. This parody of Led Zeppelin's song D'yer Mak'er done masterfully with the music that is based on the original song with perfectly crafted lyrics to bring a smile to your face and possibly some laughter as well.   Hear Sled Zeppelin on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Bob Rivers Comedy Corp. - The Restroom Door Said, "Gentlemen"   My song pick 2 years ago today: King Crimson - Starless and Bible Black   My song pick 3 years ago today: Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show - Sylvia's Mother My song pick 4 years ago today: John Denver - Goodbye Again My song pick 5 years ago today: John McCutcheon - Christmas in the Trenches My song pick 6 years ago today: C...

From: Cookin' ; Year: 1970; Genre: Country/Pop This song in particular is kind of odd for me in that I really did not like it on first impression, but as it goes on it becomes more and more interesting. By the bridge or "middle eight" it had finally caught my attention and had been building to by the modest 2:30 end of the song I had come to like it, so here it is: today's pick.   Hear How Many Tomorrows on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Charley Pride - When I Stop Leaving (I'll Be Gone)   My song pick 2 years ago today: Béla Fleck & The Flecktones - Jingle Bells   My song pick 3 years ago today: Hawkwind - Brainstorm My song pick 4 years ago today: America - The Border My song pick 5 years ago today: Yes - Machine Messiah My song pick 6 years ago today: The Offspring - The Meaning of Life My song pick 7 years ago today: Savatage - Degrees of Sanity My song pick 8 years ago today: Extreme - Get the Funk Out My song p...

From: Counterparts ; Year: 1993; Genre: Progressive Rock Been rather busy the last few days and I have been hearing music from this album somewhat frequently whilst driving. This one continues in that compact epic, (prog/rock songs with a story that is less than 5-mimutes in length), that they've been known for since the early 1980s.   Hear Cold Fire on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Molly Hatchet - Miss Saturday Night   My song pick 2 years ago today: The Who - Who Are You   My song pick 3 years ago today: Gentle Giant - His Last Voyage My song pick 4 years ago today: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - The Waiting My song pick 5 years ago today: Rush - Marathon My song pick 6 years ago today: Devo - Beautiful World My song pick 7 years ago today: The Jimmy Castor Bunch - E-Man Boogie My song pick 8 years ago today: Yes - The Man You Always Wanted Me to Be My song pick 9 years ago today: Soundgarden - Non-State Actor My song ...

From: De Strijdlust Is Geboren ; Year: 2005; Genre: Folk Metal I heard some of their music the other day and thought it was time to choose one from the Dutch folk metal band Heidevolk. I've known of the band for a while now, but for one reason or another I never got around to picking one of their songs; I really like their sound. This epic, seven-minute track comes off of what I believe is their first full-length album.   Hear Winteroorlog on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: King Crimson - Providence   My song pick 2 years ago today: Bob Rivers & Twisted Radio - O Christmas Tree   My song pick 3 years ago today: Bad Company - Gone, Gone, Gone My song pick 4 years ago today: Band of Horses - Whatever, Wherever My song pick 5 years ago today: Steeleye Span - Seagull My song pick 6 years ago today: Rick James - Dance Wit' Me My song pick 7 years ago today: Miles Davis - Milestones My song pick 8 years ago today: Thin Lizzy - Warri...

From: Raise Up ; Year: 2012; Genre: Funk/Blues/Soul Larry Graham's vocals are so powerful and soulful in this rather heavy, bluesy tune; I'm so glad that he decided to make the vocals so prominent here.    Hear Shoulda Coulda Woulda on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: The Rolling Stones - She's A Rainbow   My song pick 2 years ago today: Supertramp - Sister Moonshine   My song pick 3 years ago today: Toronto - What About Love My song pick 4 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Broadsword My song pick 5 years ago today: Carmen - Come Back My song pick 6 years ago today: Van Der Graaf Generator - Still Life My song pick 7 years ago today: Stryper - To Hell with the Devil My song pick 8 years ago today: The Rolling Stones - Start Me Up My song pick 9 years ago today: Alestorm - Leviathan My song pick 10 years ago today: Rush - What You're Doing My song pick 11 years ago today: Rahsaan Roland Kirk - Bright Moments My song pick ...