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

From: Dizzy ; Year: 1969; Genre: Pop/Rock I cannot even begin to count the times I have heard this song over the years, let alone all of the other pop tracks by Tommy Roe. I guess it is just one of those cases where a song that has been hanging out in the recesses of my brain and showed itself. Have a lot of good memories tied to these songs, this one in particular. For a "bubblegum pop" piece it's actually quite interesting musically; the way Tommy Roe and the legends that were The Wrecking Crew used techniques such as modulation made it without a doubt far more than it appeared.   Hear Dizzy on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Funkadelic - Super Stupid   My song pick 2 years ago today: Brave Belt - Crazy Arms, Crazy Eyes   My song pick 3 years ago today: Queen - Ming's Theme (In the Court of Ming the Merciless)   My song pick 4 years ago today: ABBA - Lay All Your Love On Me   My song pick 5 years ago today: Thin Lizzy - Cowboy ...

From: Suddenly ; Year: 1983; Genre: Jazz Fusion/Funk Needed to hear some more Marcus Miller today; thought I'd listen to his debut album and I came up with this one. I just love that '80s funky electronic sound; brings back a great deal of memories.   Hear Be My Love on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: The Jimi Hendrix Experience - 1983... (A Merman I Should Turn To Be)   My song pick 2 years ago today: Toad The Wet Sprocket - Something's Always Wrong   My song pick 3 years ago today: Uriah Heep - Love or Nothing   My song pick 4 years ago today: Waylander - Twin Fires of Beltíne   My song pick 5 years ago today: Rush - Tai Shan My song pick 6 years ago today: Jaco Pastorius - Vampira My song pick 7 years ago today: Talking Heads - Psycho Killer My song pick 8 years ago today: Asia - Open Your Eyes My song pick 9 years ago today: Icehouse - Icehouse My song pick 10 years ago today: ABBA - Dum Dum Diddle My song pick 11 ...

From: Somebody's Watching Me ; Year: 1984; Genre: R&B/Synthpop/Motown Not sure why, but have had this record on my brain for the last couple of days, so I'm choosing another from it. I believe Obscene Phone Caller was the second single after the monster hit classic of the record's namesake. It's a definite blast from the past in all its mid 1980s glory dripping with some great nostalgia; while the music is excellent, I just love the amazing lyrics filled with fun sayings and genius wordplay.   Watch the music video on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Zebrahead - Playmate of the Year   My song pick 2 years ago today: Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Mideast Vacation   My song pick 3 years ago today: Gin Blossoms - Hey Jealousy   My song pick 4 years ago today: Dream Theater - Falls Into the Light   My song pick 5 years ago today: Quarterflash - Night Shift My song pick 6 years ago today: Mastodon - Hearts Alive My song pick 7 ...

From: Next ; Year: 1977; Genre: Hard Rock There's just something I absolutely love about the first handful of albums that Journey recorded; Next has to be right up there at the top for me personally. On this, the record's title track, you get to hear a musical tour 'd force by Neal Schon and company; especially Aynsley Dunbar's drumming.   Hear Next on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Earth, Wind & Fire - Jupiter   My song pick 2 years ago today: Steve Vai - There's Something Dead in Here   My song pick 3 years ago today: Helloween - Future World   My song pick 4 years ago today: Billy Ocean - Nights (Feel Like Gettin' Down)   My song pick 5 years ago today: Ultravox - Lament My song pick 6 years ago today: Hawkwind - Paradox My song pick 7 years ago today: Brave Belt - Summer Soldier My song pick 8 years ago today: John Denver - Let it Be My song pick 9 years ago today: The Beach Boys - Good Vibrations My song pick...

From: Edgar Winter's White Trash ; Year: 1971; Genre: Rock/Rock 'n Roll Been meaning to choose another one from Edgar Winter for a little bit now and am now doing so. This is probably the most remembered track from the debut album of his White Trash, they would record two more records, but was eclipsed by both his solo work and with the epic Edgar Winter Group. Keep Playin' That Rock 'n' Roll is just one of those songs where your body will be in motion in some way if you hear it; nice and catchy with some great solos throughout, especially Rick Derringer's guitar playing.   Hear Keep Playin' That Rock 'n' Roll on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Explorers Club - Impact 1 – Fate Speaks   My song pick 2 years ago today: Frank Zappa - No Not Now   My song pick 3 years ago today: Nocturnal Rites - Our Wasted Days   My song pick 4 years ago today: Soundgarden - Room a Thousand Years Wide   My song pick 5 years ago today: Morrissey - Fi...

From: Flex-Able Leftovers ; Year: 1998; Genre: Jazz Fusion/Progressive Rock I tell ya what, I think I know why for certain this track was not released on a main studio album: just way too weird. The song reminds me a lot of Charles Mingus' music from the late 50s and well into the 60s, mostly the free-form/experimental jazz with multiple instruments seemingly playing different melodies that sound like an unintelligible cacophony to those that are not used to those forms of jazz and masters such as Mingus.    Hear The X-Equilibrium Dance on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Willie Nelson & Ray Price - Crazy Arms   My song pick 2 years ago today: Marvin Gaye - What's Going On   My song pick 3 years ago today: Funkadelic - Some Fresh Delic   My song pick 4 years ago today: Badfinger - Name of the Game   My song pick 5 years ago today: Fleet Foxes - Mykonos My song pick 6 years ago today: Wild Turkey - Butterfly My song...

From: Stand Up ; Year: 1969; Genre: Hard Rock Yep, I'm choosing yet another one from 'Tull today, why not, right? Yesterday, in which the weather was rather pleasant, so whilst driving about I had my windows down and my stereo blaring; (many others inflict me with their retched musical tastes wafting out and polluting the air). Anyway, I happened to have this track off of my copy of the Live at the Isle of Wight album playing and someone recognized it and gave me a thumbs-up and a smile. All I can say is "wow," not only did I run into another 'Tull fan, but someone who recognized this deeper cut; it was pure awesomeness.   Hear For a Thousand Mothers on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Rare Earth - Smiling Faces Sometimes   My song pick 2 years ago today: Rhythm Machine - Thought My Love Was Fine   My song pick 3 years ago today: Devo - Uncontrollable Urge   My song pick 4 years ago today: Pallas - Nightmare My song pick 5 years ago toda...

From: Vs .; Year: 1993; Genre: Alternative Rock/Grunge Just had some earlier Pearl Jam on my mind for this very busy Saturday; this short and sweet rocker seemed like a perfect choice.   Hear Animal on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Parliament - [You're a Fish & I'm a] Water Sign   My song pick 2 years ago today: Dead or Alive - You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)   My song pick 3 years ago today: Raspberries - Tonight   My song pick 4 years ago today: Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) - Quick Change Artist   My song pick 5 years ago today: Spock's Beard - All on a Sunday My song pick 6 years ago today: Van Der Graaf Generator - White Hammer My song pick 7 years ago today: Bernard Wright - Master Rocker My song pick 8 years ago today: Max Roach - Mr. X My song pick 9 years ago today: Styx - Queen of Spades My song pick 10 years ago today: Rush - Nobody's Hero My song pick 11 years ago today: Waylander - Echoes of the...

From: America Eats Its Young ; Year: 1972; Genre: Funk I happened to have this classic double record on my mind the other day and thought that I would make it today's Funky Friday Pick . You Hit the Nail on the Head is the opening track that is really seven minutes of P-Funk musical bliss.   Hear You Hit the Nail on the Head on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Boston - Tell Me   My song pick 2 years ago today: Ian Anderson - The Browning of the Green   My song pick 3 years ago today: Steeleye Span - Roadways   My song pick 4 years ago today: Helloween - Pumpkins United     My song pick 5 years ago today: Porcupine Tree - Hatesong My song pick 6 years ago today: Funkadelic - Phunklords My song pick 7 years ago today: Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) - When Time Stood Still My song pick 8 years ago today: Soundgarden - Loud Love My song pick 9 years ago today: Joachim Witt - Das Jüngste Gericht My song pick 10 years ago...

From: Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme ; Year: 1966; Genre: Folk Rock This song has always been among my top three favourites from the duo; for a "radio friendly" 2:30 there is a whole lot to listen to, which really gives it the illusion that it is a much longer track. Again, Homeward Bound is one of those songs where the minor verses launch into a major chorus that really moves and is done so expertly for a killer hook.   Hear Homeward Bound on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: The Moody Blues - Question   My song pick 2 years ago today: Les Paul - Goofus   My song pick 3 years ago today: Midnight Oil - Back on the Borderline   My song pick 4 years ago today: Quasar - Fire in the Sky   My song pick 5 years ago today: Curved Air - Elfin Boy My song pick 6 years ago today: Gloryhammer - Goblin King of the Darkstorm Galaxy My song pick 7 years ago today: Russkaja - Energia! My song pick 8 years ago today: Three Dog Night - Mama...

From: Fire of Freedom ; Year: 1993; Genre: Alternative Rock/Celtic Rock Ever since I first heard this album I loved it, even though some of the lyrics contained are somewhat extreme; just love the mournful and emotional melodies combined with the tragic stories. I don't know much about the incident mentioned in the song or when it happened, but I assume it is more biographical or someone's tribulations during one of The Twelfth celebrations. Whatever the case it's a very beautiful song with some melancholic lyrics.   Hear Fanatic Heart on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Motörhead - Hellraiser   My song pick 2 years ago today: The Charlie Daniels Band - Reflections   My song pick 3 years ago today: Pat Benatar - Hit Me With Your Best Shot   My song pick 4 years ago today: Victor Wooten - Keep it Low   My song pick 5 years ago today: Klaatu - Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft My song pick 6 years ago today: Big Cou...

From: Sports ; Year: 1983; Genre: Rock/Doo-Wop There's a lot of songs that I erroneously believe that I already picked; this is yet another. I love how artist will blend styles and such; If This Is It is kind of 50s/early 60s doo-wop was brought into and recorded in the 1980s. Just such a fun and timeless classic; it is amazing how the sheer amount of people from all over the musical spectrum absolutely love this track.   Hear If This Is It on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Lenny Kravitz - Rock And Roll Is Dead   My song pick 2 years ago today: Marillion - The Space...   My song pick 3 years ago today: Hawkwind - Last Man on Earth   My song pick 4 years ago today: Janis Joplin - Kosmic Blues My song pick 5 years ago today: Van Morrison - Wild Nights My song pick 6 years ago today: Van Halen - Best of Both Worlds My song pick 7 years ago today: Santo & Johnny - Deep Purple My song pick 8 years ago today: Dire Straits - Expres...

From: Balance of Power (Bonus Tracks) ; Year: 1986; Genre: Rock/Synthpop The other day some ELO came on in our car, which came with a pretty good sound system; I had it cranked and was amazed at how you could hear everything across the sound spectrum. It got me to start listening to more of the band, (like that's an issue, listening to one of my favourite bands), their '80s material in particular that I do not normally revisit that often. This was actually a b-side to a couple of their U.K. singles from the record, which eventually made it to a proper album release in '07; I have to say that it's a great song, a testament to their enduring sound.   Hear Destination Unknown on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Charlie Ryan - Hot Rod Lincoln   My song pick 2 years ago today: Sweeney Todd - Short Distance, Long Journey   My song pick 3 years ago today: Funkadelic - Foot Soldiers (Star Spangled Funky) My song pick 4 years ago today: ...

From: Rock Island ; Year: 1989; Genre: Hard Rock/Blues Rock Other than their newest two releases I have not been hearing much from 'Tull or Ian Anderson, but to be honest I've never had "my finger on the pulse" of wot's going on in the world of music and such and sometimes I even lose track of my favourite bands, or so it would seem.... Anywho, here's one that I have yet to choose from their '89 Rock Island record. For me personally this is among one of the albums that was newer when I first starting to get into Jethro Tull, so it holds a special place. Side one was always the go-to for the best cuts on it; side two only had the first two songs that I really liked the last three never really "clicked" with me. Undressed to Kill is one that really hearkens back to the early days of the band with the heavy injection of blues into the hard rock, but with more of the updated feel you'd feel at the time, (in the same vein as their next album: Cat...

From: III ; Year: 2023; Genre: Rock Got around to checking out the new album, III , from The Winery Dogs today; as always they do not disappoint. It's amazing that I started listening to them from seeing Billy Sheehan and Mark Portnoy being part of the band, but I have to say that hearing Richie Kotzen's vocals and of course his guitar work is what has really kept me as a ardent fan.   Hear Lorelei on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Primus - Conspiranoia   My song pick 2 years ago today: Depeche Mode - New Life My song pick 3 years ago today: Yes - Time and a Word My song pick 4 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Commercial Traveler My song pick 5 years ago today: Jefferson Starship - No Way Out My song pick 6 years ago today: Cybotron - Parameters of Consciousness My song pick 7 years ago today: The Jimmy Castor Bunch - You Better Be Good (Or the Devil Gon' Getcha) My song pick 8 years ago today: Yes - No Opportunity Necessary, No...

From: Nightbirds ; Year: 1974; Genre: Disco/Funk Here is another one that comes up every now and then and permeates popular culture. Quite a fun and danceable track to bring the workweek to a close.    Hear Lady Marmalade on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Foreigner - The Damage Is Done   My song pick 2 years ago today: Blancmange - Waves   My song pick 3 years ago today: "Weird Al" Yankovic - Bedrock Anthem My song pick 4 years ago today: Jerry Reed - Miller's Cave My song pick 5 years ago today: Ozric Tentacles - Yum Yum Tree My song pick 6 years ago today: Sly and the Family Stone - You Can Make it if You Try My song pick 7 years ago today: Deep Purple - Stormbringer My song pick 8 years ago today: Egg - Fugue in D-Minor My song pick 9 years ago today: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - The Last DJ My song pick 10 years ago today: Van Der Graaf Generator - Lemmings (Including Cog) My song pick 11 years ago...

From: Nightwatch ; Year: 1978; Genre: Soft Rock/Pop Earlier, while I was working, I had this track running through my mind for some reason. If you were around during the late '70s into the mid '80s you undoubtedly have heard his duet with Stevie Nicks; whilst the verses kinda drag, it really picks up in the chorus.   Hear Whenever I Call You "Friend" on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: R.E.O. Speedwagon - Don't Let Him Go   My song pick 2 years ago today: Rush - Hand Over Fist   My song pick 3 years ago today: Wild Turkey - Gentle Rain My song pick 4 years ago today: Eddie Money - Walk on Water My song pick 5 years ago today: Dayton Sidewinders - Go Ahead On My song pick 6 years ago today: Victor Wooten - I Saw God My song pick 7 years ago today: Melvins - A History of Bad Men My song pick 8 years ago today: Wild Turkey - Ballad of Chuck Stallion and the Mustangs My song pick 9 years ago today: Nick Gilder - Here Comes the...

From: Jim Stafford ; Year: 1974; Genre: Comedy/Parody/Country I had this rather funny song that was inspired by track made famous by The Carter Family's , which is a classic: Wildwood Flower . Written and recorded ten years prior by Don Bowman, this was the version was the one that became the most famous. Anyway, this one is basically talk-singing a tale of a couple of brothers on a farm encountering a plant that has psychedelic properties, (most likely cannabis), and the fun and hi-jinx that ensues with some country/western music in behind.   Hear Wildwood Weed on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: The Jackson 5 - I Want You Back   My song pick 2 years ago today: The Cure - The 13th   My song pick 3 years ago today: Rush - Carnies My song pick 4 years ago today: Bootsy's Rubber Band - Another Point of View My song pick 5 years ago today: America - Watership Down My song pick 6 years ago today: Hawkwind - Angels of Death My song...