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

From: Glory for Salvation ; Year: 2021; Genre: Power Metal/Symphonic Metal Rhapsody of Fire is and will always be one of the power metal bands that I absolutely adore; after listening to one of their records you feel like you can take on anything in the world, or at least that's how I feel. ;p.    Hear Glory for Salvation on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Rare Earth - Good Time Sally   My song pick 2 years ago today: Asia - Anytime   My song pick 3 years ago today: Joe Cocker - Woman to Woman   My song pick 4 years ago today: Jimmy Jules & The Nuclear Soul System - Xmas Done Got Funky My song pick 5 years ago today: Queen - A Winter's Tale My song pick 6 years ago today: Gloryhammer - Rise of the Chaos Wizards My song pick 7 years ago today: Foghat - Third Time Lucky (First Time I Was a Fool) My song pick 8 years ago today: Béla Fleck & the Flecktones - Scratch & Sniff My song pick 9 years ago today: Triump...

From: Union Town ; Year: 2011; Genre: Folk Rock/Folk Was thinking of choosing something from another artist, but for some reason I just felt like picking this one today. This is song is product of the fight for workers rights from the first half of the 20th Century here in the U.S.. With lyrics written by poet and activist Florence Reece after her and her family were terrorized and brutalized by hired thugs, the tune is based on a traditional song: Jack Monroe , which had also been used for other songs as well and recorded many times by many artists. Far and gone, this is my favourite song from Tom Morello's "alter ego" The Nightwatchman; just so much power and heaviness in this track.   Hear Which Side Are You On? on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Manfred Mann - Fox on the Run   My song pick 2 years ago today: Foreigner - Inside Information   My song pick 3 years ago today: Earth, Wind & Fire - Tee Nine Chee Bit   My song pick 4 ...

From: 666 (The Apocalypse of John, 13/18) ; Year: 1972; Genre: Progressive Rock/Hard Rock This quite interesting and underrated concept album from the Greek progressive rock band Aphrodite's Child was on my mind again over the weekend; thought that I would listen to it again and pick another track from it. These two songs that open the double LP set whist shorter in length, (at about 25 seconds and just under three minutes respectively), they really do a great in packing way more than one would expect in such small packages.   Hear The System on YouTube. Hear Babylon on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Arlo Guthrie - Coming Into Los Angeles   My song pick 2 years ago today: The Who - Success Story   My song pick 3 years ago today: Booker T. & The MG's - My Sweet Potato   My song pick 4 years ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - When the War Comes Home My song pick 5 years ago today: Steeleye Span - Wintersmith My song pick 6 years ago...

From: Flashdance ; Year: 1983; Genre: Pop/Synthpop/Rock Yesterday I learned of Irene Cara's passing at the young age of 63; way too young for someone to go. I vacillated over which song of hers to pick and ultimately chose to go with this one, which is one of my top favourites she performed. I can clearly remember hearing this one a lot since its release, even to this day, but it wasn't until later that I really came to appreciate both the film and its music within. I found the movie to be among the best uplifting stories I had ever seen in cinema; someone overcoming adversity to realize his/her dreams. I have to say, this song really shows that off, but in a package in under 4 minutes. The music with the use of different minor modes in the verses and the over-the-top launch into majors in the choruses is just as, if not more important to the story telling within the lyrics. Just an amazing piece all around and a class act; RIP Irene Cara.   Hear Flashdance... What a Feeling o...

From: Music Box Dancer ; Year: 1979; Genre: Soft Rock/Pop/classical Grew up hearing this pretty instrumental piece a lot, but mostly was familiar with the cover performed by Eric Robertson, but I still knew of and heard the original many times as well. I've always thought, with the very mechanical nature of the song, that it would probably be very difficult for a musician such as myself who likes play freer with the rhythm and beat to perform it. Although I have never tried playing it, I probably should at some point.   Hear Music Box Dancer on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Kool & The Gang - Let the Music Take Your Mind   My song pick 2 years ago today: Eric Clapton - Pilgrim   My song pick 3 years ago today: Blue Öyster Cult -  Let Go   My song pick 4 years ago today: Head East - Since You've Been Gone My song pick 5 years ago today: Bill Haley and his Comets - Shake, Rattle and Roll My song pick 6 years ago today: Kansa...

From: 'Nard ; Year: 1981; Genre: Funk Coming off of the Thanksgiving holiday with this extraordinarily funky track off of the late-great Bernard Wright's debut record: 'Nard . Whilst a wee bit repetitive lyrically, it makes up for anything with some great music and rhythm to fully enjoy.   Hear We're Just the Band on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Scandal featuring Patty Smyth - The Warrior   My song pick 2 years ago today: Eric Clapton - Wonderful Tonight My song pick 3 years ago today: The Steve Miller Band - My Own Space   My song pick 4 years ago today: Foreigner - Hot Blooded My song pick 5 years ago today: Jon Hendricks - No More My song pick 6 years ago today: Bootsy's New Rubber Band - Funk Express Card My song pick 7 years ago today: Marmalade - Rainbow My song pick 8 years ago today: Matthew Sweet - Girlfriend My song pick 9 years ago today: Rammstein - Rosenrot My song pick 10 years ago today: Count Basie - One O'C...

From: Other People's Lives ; Year: 2006; Genre: Rock Happy Thanksgiving again!  I decided that this song which is perfectly titled as well as subject matter for this holiday needed to be chosen. As always, songsmith extraordinaire Ray Davies summons up all of the sentimental imagery he is known for to "paint" a picturesque mural about wot people who have celebrated it have most likely experienced throughout their lives.   Hear Thanksgiving Day on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Hawkwind - Alcyone   My song pick 2 years ago today: Jerry Reed - Gator   My song pick 3 years ago today: Pallas - The Executioner (Bernie Goetz a Gun)   My song pick 4 years ago today: Band of Horses - Dull Times/The Moon My song pick 5 years ago today: Los Bravos - Black is Black My song pick 6 years ago today: Led Zeppelin - Thank You My song pick 7 years ago today: Helmet - Unsung My song pick 8 years ago today: The Who - Doctor Jekyll & Mr....

From: Worldwide 50 Gold Award Hits, Vol. 1 ; Year: 1970; Genre: Rock 'n Roll I haven't chosen a song from the "King" in quite a while and since I was thinking about some of his music lately, I reckoned I would pick another one of my personal favourites today. Kentucky Rain has always been one that I've liked a lot; not only do you get one of Elvis' excellent performances, but a cast of notable and incredible musicians to back him on this one. I especially love the piano playing from Ronnie Milsap , those bass notes on the keys in particular.    Hear Kentucky Rain on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Charlie Parker - Yardbird Suite   My song pick 2 years ago today: Stevie Nicks - Nightbird   My song pick 3 years ago today: Twelfth Night - Fact and Fiction   My song pick 4 years ago today: Karussell - Verrückter Vormittag My song pick 5 years ago today: Wild Turkey - Eternal Mother - The Return My song pick 6 years ago today: Warr...

From: Heavy Metal - Music from the Motion Picture ; Year: 1981; Genre: Hard Rock This is one of my favourite tracks from the hit-laden Heavy Metal soundtrack and also from the era of Cheap Trick; good mix of traditional hard rock and the electronic/synth elements from popular music at the time.   Hear Reach Out on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Soundgarden - New Damage   My song pick 2 years ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - Divine Wind   My song pick 3 years ago today: Funkadelic - Butt to Buttresusitation   My song pick 4 years ago today: Bruce Hornsby - Halcyon Days My song pick 5 years ago today: The Coasters - Smoky Joe's Cafe My song pick 6 years ago today: Quincy Jones - Killer Joe My song pick 7 years ago today: Blues Image - Lazy Day Blues My song pick 8 years ago today: Pendragon - The Pleasure of Hope My song pick 9 years ago today: Larry Graham and Graham Central Station - Scream My song pick 10 years ago today: B...

From: Crack-Up ; Year: 2017; Genre: Indie Rock/Folk Rock You can hear a lot of different and distinct styles and influences on the band throughout this track, which makes it an especially nice track to behold, especially with the audio mixing wearing headphones.   Hear Fool's Errand on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Megadeth - Post American World   My song pick 2 years ago today: John Mellencamp - Just Another Day   My song pick 3 years ago today: James Gang - Walk Away   My song pick 4 years ago today: Carmen - Looking Outside (My Window) My song pick 5 years ago today: The Guess Who - Cardboard Empire My song pick 6 years ago today: Jigsaw - I've Seen The Film, I've Read The Book My song pick 7 years ago today: Dio - Holy Diver My song pick 8 years ago today: Dazz Band - Joystick My song pick 9 years ago today: Black Sabbath - Iron Man My song pick 10 years ago today: Ella Fitzgerald - Stormy Weather My song pick 11 ye...

From: Pieces of Eight ; Year: 1978; Genre: Progressive Rock Revisiting this classic record from Styx once more with this rather interesting piece of progressive rock that happened to chart. Although I had already been acquainted with the main singles off of it through the radio, it was a real eye opener playing it after picking it up on vinyl for less than a dollar at a local second-hand store. It happens to be one of those albums where you just drop the needle on the first song and let it go; a very well arranged album, this one. Anyway, this one is right in the middle of side one on the LP, which really keeps the flow quite upbeat. The excellent harmonies in the chorus are a nice contrast to Tommy Shaw's vocals in the verses among other aspects I really like.   Hear Sing for the Day on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Porcupine Tree - What Happens Now?   My song pick 2 years ago today: Egg - Contrasong   My song pick 3 years ago today: Ian ...

From: Harlequin ; Year: 1984; Genre: Rock When listening to music I've been having Harlequin show up quite a bit lately. As far as I am aware, I have not chosen a song from this album yet, which is/was their fourth release prior to a breakup that, whilst the band apparently toured in the intervening years, they did not release another full studio album until 2004. Anyway, this song has that early '80s rock sound in spades, and while thus being somewhat dated in sound, it's a great one to put the headphones on and enjoy listening to.   Hear Take This Heart on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Lakeside - Money   My song pick 2 years ago today: Devo - Working in a Coal Mine   My song pick 3 years ago today: Mastodon - Steambreather   My song pick 4 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Sweet Dream My song pick 5 years ago today: AC/DC - R.I.P. (Rock in Peace) My song pick 6 years ago today: Hawkwind - Web Weaver My song pick 7 years ago today...

From: Street Songs ; Year: 1981; Genre: Soul/Funk Haven't picked one from the late-great Rick James in a while, so I thought I would once more on this Friday. Probably the first thing that really grabs my attentions every time I hear this track is that bouncing beat/rhythm that urges to get up and dance, but immediately there is something else peculiar that draws attention: the odd meter. To me it sounds like a 5/4 followed by a 2/4, but could be something else 7 beat measure for sure. That aside, the heavy sociopolitical lyrics, which are sung amazingly along with the horn section really makes this one really, really stand out even amongst it's "hit" brethren from the record.   Hear Mr. Policeman on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Pendragon - Ghosts   My song pick 2 years ago today: Buffalo Springfield - Rock and Roll Woman   My song pick 3 years ago today: Hall & Oates - Head Above Water   My song pick 4 years ago today: Vince Gua...

From: King for a Day... Fool for a Lifetime ; Year: 1995; Genre: Hard Rock/Alternative Metal Lately I have been thinking quite a bit about bands/solo artists that either have a "set sound" or one that changes to varying degrees from song to song. I would have to put Faith No More more toward the extreme of the later category. Whilst they more or less stay on, I guess you could call, the "rock/metal/popular music" side of things, they often bounce around styles even within a single album. Some people may find this irksome if they purchase an album based on the lead single and such, but just for their incredible musical abilities to seemingly effortlessly switching across genres from song to song is simply amazing.   Hear Digging the Grave on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Stone Temple Pilots - Heaven & Hot Rods   My song pick 2 years ago today: Vixen - Rev It Up   My song pick 3 years ago today: Jigsaw - Come With Me   My song pick ...

From: Heaven & Earth ; Year: 2014; Genre: Progressive Rock Not sure why exactly, but I had the band Yes on my mind somewhat lately, specifically some of their recent material. I guess saying that Heaven & Earth being "recent" is subjective, being that the record was released some 8 years ago, but still to me it is fairly recent. Anyway, enough of those semantics; this album will always hold a special place for me due to it being the final studio release by the band prior to the legend Chris Squire passing away. This 8-minute epic is the first song on the record and a very good, welcoming overture for the rest of the album.   Hear Believe Again on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Stanley Clarke - If This Bass Could Only Talk   My song pick 2 years ago today: Winery Dogs - Solid Ground   My song pick 3 years ago today: Alestorm - Alestorm   My song pick 4 years ago today: Osiris - War On The Bullshit My song pick 5 years ago tod...

From: Stone Temple Pilots ; Year: 2018; Genre: Hard Rock/Alternative Rock Finally got around to checking this album out, which is the debut for Jeff Gutt taking over vocal duties for the band. I have to say, this song, which is the lead single from the record, doesn't really sound much like what comes to mind when I think of STP, which isn't a bad thing I suppose. After all, you don't want to continue making the same art over and over again, however, it would've been better in my opinion if there was more of the classic sound contained within.   Hear Meadow on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Pearl Jam - Dance of the Clairvoyants   My song pick 2 years ago today: Twelfth Night - East of Eden   My song pick 3 years ago today: Red Hot Chili Peppers - Jungle Man   My song pick 4 years ago today: The Rolling Stones - Lady Jane My song pick 5 years ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - Tenderloin My song pick 6 years ago today: The Beach Boys - I...

From: Greatest Hits ; Year: 1970; Genre: Psychedelic Soul It's been a mondo-busy last few days and I've really had my free time quite at a premium, but the music is and has been one of the main things getting me through. One of the main ones helping the most is Larry Graham, especially his work with Sly and the Family Stone. This is one of the three "new" songs from an abandoned project to be released on the Greatest Hits album and all three became massive hits in their own right.  Anyway, I really like the overall soulful mellowness along with the shared lead vocals and of course the main positive and hopeful message throughout.   Hear Everybody is a Star on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Steely Dan - Bad Sneakers   My song pick 2 years ago today: Fates Warning - Seven Stars   My song pick 3 years ago today: Grand Funk Railroad - Sin's a Good Man's Brother   My song pick 4 years ago today: Jimi Hendrix Experience - Burning of th...

From: Wolfmother ; Year: 2005; Genre: Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Since they appeared on the "scene" over 15 years ago, it has been comforting to know that there are bands out there still making music such as this. What I've always liked about Wolfmother's sound is that it's a generalized homage to the early to mid 1970s proto-metal/hard rock pioneers but with a fresh perspective to it.  In places Colossal reminds me a lot of the music you'd hear from bands such as Deep Purple, Frijid Pink, and Blue Cheer to name a few; very interesting and fun piece to listen to.   Hear Colossal on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: The Moody Blues - The Spirit   My song pick 2 years ago today: Fatback Band - (Do The) Spanish Hustle   My song pick 3 years ago today: Fairport Convention - Reynardine   My song pick 4 years ago today: The Kinks - Introduction to a Solution My song pick 5 years ago today: Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers - Mary Jane's Last...

From: Holy Diver ; Year: 1983; Genre: Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Yesterday was a hard and stressful day filled with high emotion and it really wore me out even today. One of the bright spots happened to be that a lot of Ronnie James Dio's music came on, which really helped take my mind off things and was a comfort as always. Once again, I am very surprised that this monumental piece if hard rock/metal had not graced my blog yet being that it is one of my favourite songs.   Hear Rainbow in the Dark on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: War - You Got the Power   My song pick 2 years ago today: Nocturnal Rites - New World Messiah   My song pick 3 years ago today: Duran Duran - The Universe Alone   My song pick 4 years ago today: The Human League - Don't You Want Me Baby My song pick 5 years ago today: Marillion - Incommunicado My song pick 6 years ago today: Leonard Cohen - Hallelujah My song pick 7 years ago today: Missing Link - Time Will ...

From: Ship Ahoy ; Year: 1973; Genre: Soul/Funk The O'Jays are one of those band that I could listen to all day and not get bored. It seems as if every time I play one of their songs I always find something new and/or at the very least walk away with something profound. Anyway, this is one of their more famous tracks and one that's been on my mind for a day or so; definitely a song you should recognize quite swiftly.   Hear For the Love of Money on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: R.E.O. Speedwagon - Time For Me to Fly   My song pick 2 years ago today: Hammerfall - And Yet I Smile   My song pick 3 years ago today: Emerson, Lake & Palmer - The Only Way (Hymn)   My song pick 4 years ago today: The Tubes - She's a Beauty My song pick 5 years ago today: Metallica - One My song pick 6 years ago today: Fatback - Gotta Get My Hands On Some (Money) My song pick 7 years ago today: Forest - Autumn Childhood My song pick 8 years ago toda...

From: Mr. Eliminator ; Year: 1964; Genre: Surf Rock Still rocking out to the sounds of Mr. Dick Dale and his band today off the Mr. Eliminator record, so I'm choosing another track from it. The Victor is way more in the style that those who know his more popular music. He absolutely shreds that guitar using middle-eastern style scales and chords drenched is that sopping wet reverb with each note near perfect clarity and purpose; way passed excellent music.   Hear The Victor on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Jethro Tull - Shoshana Sleeping   My song pick 2 years ago today: Rammstein - Deutschland   My song pick 3 years ago today: Boston - Sail Away   My song pick 4 years ago today: The Coasters - Searchin' My song pick 5 years ago today: Wooten, Chambers, Franceschini - Funky D My song pick 6 years ago today: Elton John - Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding My song pick 7 years ago today: Paco de Lucía - La Barrosa (alegría...