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

From: Damn the Torpedoes ; Year: 1979; Genre: Rock Yesterday I happened to forget my phone, (you would think that they'd start calling them something else by now since making telephone calls has become a small feature on them), whilst out and about and was thus forced to tune in the radio to a local station. Of course, one of the songs I happened to hear was this one, since it has not been on my blog yet I am picking it today.  This one in particular has always reminded me of music from the J. Geils Band albums from just around or right after the time the song was released; probably the prominent organ, which sounded quite similar.   Hear Don't Do Me Like That on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Rhapsody of Fire - Glory for Salvation   My song pick 2 years ago today: Rare Earth - Good Time Sally   My song pick 3 years ago today: Asia - Anytime   My song pick 4 years ago today: Joe Cocker - Woman to Woman   My song pick 5...

From: The Second ; Year: 1968; Genre: Hard Rock/Psychedelic Rock Was thinking about picking one from Steppenwolf today; didn't realize not only that I had not chosen this classic piece of heavy psychedelia, but that I have only chosen two songs thus far from the band... I need to get with the program. Anyway, I cannot remember the first time I heard Magic Carpet Ride , but I must've been quite young, and I have heard it more times than I can count since. Whilst heavy in the psychedelic zeitgeists of the late 1960s, there is something about it that seems to keep it fresh and, may I say, "timeless" to an extent.   Hear Magic Carpet Ride on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: The Nightwatchman - Which Side Are You On?   My song pick 2 years ago today: Manfred Mann - Fox on the Run   My song pick 3 years ago today: Foreigner - Inside Information   My song pick 4 years ago today: Earth, Wind & Fire - Tee Nine Chee Bit   My song p...

From: Breakfast in America ; Year: 1979; Genre: Rock It is quite interesting, to me at least, how you rarely hear a track from Supertramp practically anywhere. Back in the day, while not heard "everywhere" per se, you could catch some of their tunes in different media from time to time, not just on classic rock radio stations. About the only time I hear their music, other when I actively seek it out that is, is when it pops up from my library on shuffle. And that basically is the nearly 20 years old rips from my old vinyl records that I made when I purchased my first modern computer and iPod. I can still remember buying Breakfast in America at a secondhand store for next to nothing; I played it a lot with my headphones on from front to back; still love that LP. Child of Vision was the last song on side two, and I believe it was the lengthiest track as well if memory serves me correctly. Wot I liked the most about this one was that Rick Davies and Roger Hodgson performed a c...

From: Heavy Horses (Steve Wilson Stereo Remix); Year: 2018 (1978); Genre: Progressive Rock Here's another one of the rare, previously unreleased tracks that got "dusted down" by Steve Wilson probably best known from the band Porcupine Tree, who has been doing a lot of remixing for many bands. Anyway, you can tell why this track did not make the cut upon listen; a lot of great ideas and music, but seems unfinished, or rather just was not a primary focus back at the album's recorded session. However, I will say without a doubt the music in particular is worth it; every instrument just seemed to blend into one well-lubricated machine.   Hear Horse-Hoeing Husbandry on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Irene Cara - Flashdance... What a Feeling   My song pick 2 years ago today: Bobby McFerrin - Don't Worry, Be Happy   My song pick 3 years ago today: Sérgio Mendes and Brasil '66 - Scarborough Fair   My song pick 4 years ago today: "Weird...

From: Morning ; Year: 1971; Genre: Gospel/Country Been meaning to pick this song for a while, but for a plethora of reason I did not. Whilst it has a very poignant and current message, it seemingly drifts a bit over the line of cynicism and nihilism, which detracts slightly in those occasions. However, the use of gospel music, the great singing from the background and the overall message within make it quite good.   Hear Sunday Morning We'll Be Singing on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Frank Mills - Music Box Dancer   My song pick 2 years ago today: Kool & The Gang - Let the Music Take Your Mind   My song pick 3 years ago today: Eric Clapton - Pilgrim   My song pick 4 years ago today: Blue Öyster Cult -  Let Go   My song pick 5 years ago today: Head East - Since You've Been Gone My song pick 6 years ago today: Bill Haley and his Comets - Shake, Rattle and Roll My song pick 7 years ago today: Kansas - Fight Fire ...

From: Their Satanic Majesties Request ; Year: 1967; Genre: Psychedelic Rock/Folk Rock I've always really liked this 'Stones record for no other reason than how different sounding it is. The Lantern has that aural and lyrical uniqueness on full display throughout. I really love the contrasting and complimentary musical ideas throughout in this beautiful song about two lovers separated by death yet still able to be close in an interesting manner.   Hear The Lantern on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Bernard Wright - We're Just the Band   My song pick 2 years ago today: Scandal featuring Patty Smyth - The Warrior   My song pick 3 years ago today: Eric Clapton - Wonderful Tonight My song pick 4 years ago today: The Steve Miller Band - My Own Space   My song pick 5 years ago today: Foreigner - Hot Blooded My song pick 6 years ago today: Jon Hendricks - No More My song pick 7 years ago today: Bootsy's New Rubber Band - Funk Expre...

From: One False Move ; Year: 1982; Genre: Rock I've always liked Harlequin since the first time I heard them, but for some reason I don't seek their music out as much as I should. Fine Line is a good, somewhat mellower rocker that is very digestible to the ears; if you like early '80s rock/new wave, you should like this one.   Hear Fine Line on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Ray Davies - Thanksgiving Day   My song pick 2 years ago today: Hawkwind - Alcyone   My song pick 3 years ago today: Jerry Reed - Gator   My song pick 4 years ago today: Pallas - The Executioner (Bernie Goetz a Gun)   My song pick 5 years ago today: Band of Horses - Dull Times/The Moon My song pick 6 years ago today: Los Bravos - Black is Black My song pick 7 years ago today: Led Zeppelin - Thank You My song pick 8 years ago today: Helmet - Unsung My song pick 9 years ago today: The Who - Doctor Jekyll & Mr. Hyde My song pick 10 years ago...

From: A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (Original Soundtrack Recording) ; Year: 1973; Genre: Cool Jazz/Jazz Fusion Well, it is Thanksgiving once again here in The 'States, and I really wanted to pick something special for the occasion. Almost everybody who grew up since the 1960s knows Vince Guaraldi's work, especially his work with the Peanuts cartoons. He kind of single-handedly brought jazz back into popular culture by introducing it to one young generation after another; for me personally I have every melody from them etched in my mind over the years. Anyway, this is one I always have liked; it's kind of Woodstock's theme for the Thanksgiving special and I believe beyond. Wot's really neat about this track is that Vince himself performs the vocals in this snappy pop-jazz piece with some excellent brass as well.   Hear Little Birdie on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Elvis Presley - Kentucky Rain   My song pick 2 years ago today: Charlie ...

From: Bloody Men ; Year: 2006; Genre: Folk Rock/Hard Rock Here is a rather raucous song peppered with a lot of innuendo , or rather it is not about wot you think it's about, or mayhap you do.... Whatever the case, it's a great song all around, especially Maddy Prior's vocal work.   Hear The Bonny Black Hare on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Cheap Trick - Reach Out   My song pick 2 years ago today: Soundgarden - New Damage   My song pick 3 years ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - Divine Wind   My song pick 4 years ago today: Funkadelic - Butt to Buttresusitation   My song pick 5 years ago today: Bruce Hornsby - Halcyon Days My song pick 6 years ago today: The Coasters - Smoky Joe's Cafe My song pick 7 years ago today: Quincy Jones - Killer Joe My song pick 8 years ago today: Blues Image - Lazy Day Blues My song pick 9 years ago today: Pendragon - The Pleasure of Hope My song pick 10 years ago today: Larry Graham and Gra...

From: diana ; Year: 1980; Genre: R&B/Disco/Pop I don't believe there is a song I have heard from Diana Ross that I dislike; such a legend and then some.   Hear Upside Down on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Fleet Foxes - Fool's Errand   My song pick 2 years ago today: Megadeth - Post American World   My song pick 3 years ago today: John Mellencamp - Just Another Day   My song pick 4 years ago today: James Gang - Walk Away   My song pick 5 years ago today: Carmen - Looking Outside (My Window) My song pick 6 years ago today: The Guess Who - Cardboard Empire My song pick 7 years ago today: Jigsaw - I've Seen The Film, I've Read The Book My song pick 8 years ago today: Dio - Holy Diver My song pick 9 years ago today: Dazz Band - Joystick My song pick 10 years ago today: Black Sabbath - Iron Man My song pick 11 years ago today: Ella Fitzgerald - Stormy Weather My song pick 12 years ago today: Dead Meadow - Gree...

From: Midnight Light ; Year: 1976; Genre: Soft Rock/Pop Had not heard this one in a great while, but after having Lenny Lablanc running through my mind I thought that I would look it up. Lenny LeBlanc teamed up with Pete Carr , who is most noted as a session player with the legendary Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section for this record and song, which was probably LeBlanc's most noted hit, and yes, it is very mid '70s pop.   Hear Falling on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Styx - Sing for the Day   My song pick 2 years ago today: Porcupine Tree - What Happens Now?   My song pick 3 years ago today: Egg - Contrasong   My song pick 4 years ago today: Ian Matthews - Don't Hang Up Your Dancing Shoes   My song pick 5 years ago today: Huey Lewis & The News - Hip To Be Square My song pick 6 years ago today: Rammstein - Wo Bist Du My song pick 7 years ago today: Ozric Tentacles - Spyroid My song pick 8 years ago today: Joe Tex - I ...

From: Faster Than the Speed of Night ; Year: 1983; Genre: Rock/Hard Rock This is another record that from first song to last is indelibly burnt into my memory; such a classic. Faster Than the Speed of Night is one that has producer/author Jim Steinman's fingers all over it; Bonnie Tyler and the musicians brought in to record did such a bang-up job with it. She is one of a few that can pull off those rapid-fire vocals with her amazing vocal prowess; I really would have really loved to have heard her and Meat Loaf sing a duet, not just with this track, but with anything.   Hear Faster Than the Speed of Night on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Harlequin - Take This Heart   My song pick 2 years ago today: Lakeside - Money   My song pick 3 years ago today: Devo - Working in a Coal Mine   My song pick 4 years ago today: Mastodon - Steambreather   My song pick 5 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Sweet Dream My song pick 6 years ago...

From: Clutching at Straws ; Year: 1987; Genre: Progressive Rock Always keep coming back to this record when I want to hear something from Marillion; it's among their best. It is kind of weird, but it to me a while to realize that Clutching at Straws was actually concept album, which focuses on a character named Torch, who is apparently progeny of the Jester character in previous albums; very interesting.   Hear Torch Song on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Rick James - Mr. Policeman   My song pick 2 years ago today: Pendragon - Ghosts   My song pick 3 years ago today: Buffalo Springfield - Rock and Roll Woman   My song pick 4 years ago today: Hall & Oates - Head Above Water   My song pick 5 years ago today: Vince Guaraldi Trio - Alma-Ville My song pick 6 years ago today: INXS - New Sensation My song pick 7 years ago today: Amii Stewart - Knock on Wood My song pick 8 years ago today: Link Wray - Comanche My song ...

From: Word Up! ; Year: 1986; Genre: Funk Finally made it to my 6000th song pick; 16-plus years doing this and still going. Didn't really have a special track in mind, I know I should have. I thought this amazing piece of the greatest among 1980s funk would fit the bill, which it does and then some. Even to this day with all of its mid-'80s sound and style Word Up! is one that most who like a good beat and great funk will truly enjoy without a doubt!    Watch the music video on YouTube. <=Totally awesome to see the one and only Levar Burton getting a starring role in the video.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Faith No More - Digging the Grave   My song pick 2 years ago today: Stone Temple Pilots - Heaven & Hot Rods   My song pick 3 years ago today: Vixen - Rev It Up   My song pick 4 years ago today: Jigsaw - Come With Me   My song pick 5 years ago today: Three Dog Night - Nobody My song pick 6 years ago today: Bootsy Co...

From: In Heat ; Year: 1983; Genre: New Wave/Rock Just felt like picking another one from this band, which I have only chosen from once prior. Rock You Up was the second single from the album and has more of a straight-ahead rock sound.   Hear Rock You Up on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Yes - Believe Again   My song pick 2 years ago today: Stanley Clarke - If This Bass Could Only Talk   My song pick 3 years ago today: Winery Dogs - Solid Ground   My song pick 4 years ago today: Alestorm - Alestorm   My song pick 5 years ago today: Osiris - War On The Bullshit My song pick 6 years ago today: Triumph - Hard Road My song pick 7 years ago today: AC/DC - Big Guns My song pick 8 years ago today: The Yardbirds - For Your Love My song pick 9 years ago today: Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) - Thank You For The Feeling My song pick 10 years ago today: Symphonic Theater of Dreams - The Ministry of Lost Souls My song pic...

From: Born in the U.S.A. ; Year: 1984; Genre: Rock This is just such a great moody song with an amazing atmosphere; the sparse and very effective accompaniment really and absolutely perfect vocals really make it as great as it is.      Hear I'm on Fire on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Stone Temple Pilots - Meadow   My song pick 2 years ago today: Pearl Jam - Dance of the Clairvoyants   My song pick 3 years ago today: Twelfth Night - East of Eden   My song pick 4 years ago today: Red Hot Chili Peppers - Jungle Man   My song pick 5 years ago today: The Rolling Stones - Lady Jane My song pick 6 years ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - Tenderloin My song pick 7 years ago today: The Beach Boys - I Can Hear Music My song pick 8 years ago today: Earthless - Equus October My song pick 9 years ago today: Rammstein - Weiner Blut My song pick 10 years ago today: Miles Davis - Funky Tonk My song pick 11 years ago today: Pall...

From: Oerend Hard ; Year: 1977; Genre: Rock/Rockabilly/Rock 'N Roll There is just something about the Dutch band Normaal that puts a smile on my face every time I hear them, no matter the song or the fact I only very slightly understand what they're saying; I need to learn more languages.... Anyway, this was apparently one of their earlier hits, which is the title-track off of their debut studio album. In the mode of some of the more noted song from the '50s and '60s it is a song about a vehicle crash, in this case two motorcyclists who " Drive Hard " never knowing how to drive slowly and, of course, meeting an untimely end as a consequence. I absolutely love that rock 'n roll/rockabilly sound throughout this one along with the excellent vocal delivery that really sells it. Whilst the track in and of itself depicts tragedy, it and the entire band are just pure fun as always.   Hear Oerend Hard on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Sly and the ...

From: Different Light ; Year: 1986; Genre: Rock/Pop Noted that it is Monday the 13th again, so I'm revisiting that thematic pick. This record and the band for that matter has a great deal of memories from my childhood tied to them; my sisters were (and as far as I am aware) are still huge fans of the band and played their first three album a lot. For me I guess I am a fan by-proxy; liked the song and such, just got overexposed to them. Heck, it's weird hearing this song without that skip at the beginning of the third chorus that my sisters wore into their vinyl LP.   Hear Manic Monday on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Wolfmother - Colossal   My song pick 2 years ago today: The Moody Blues - The Spirit   My song pick 3 years ago today: Fatback Band - (Do The) Spanish Hustle   My song pick 4 years ago today: Fairport Convention - Reynardine   My song pick 5 years ago today: The Kinks - Introduction to a Solution My song pick 6 ye...

From: Distant Light ; Year: 1971; Genre: Rock This is the famous song by The Hollies that some believe it was Creedence Clearwater Revival who recorded it, which the confusion is understandable due to the fact that the band was intentionally trying to sound like CCR on the recording. The track that served as a basis for Long Cool Woman's sound was the Creedence hit Green River , from listening to both it was obvious. I cannot even begin to count how many times I've played this one when I was in a cover band; listening to the track in my opinion is far better than playing it; at least on bass guitar.   Hear Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Dio - Rainbow in the Dark   My song pick 2 years ago today: War - You Got the Power   My song pick 3 years ago today: Nocturnal Rites - New World Messiah   My song pick 4 years ago today: Duran Duran - The Universe Alone   My song pick 5 years ago today: The H...