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

From: Tim Hardin 1 ; Year: 1966; Genre: Folk/Folk Rock Had a few different versions of this beautiful and heart-felt track play whilst listening to music. Decided to check out the original, which was written and recorded by the late folk singer/songwriter Tim Hardin. Whilst most are likely to be acquainted with the Rod Stewart cover, there is just something about the intimate and stripped back sound of this one that really brings all the emotion forward.   Hear Reason to Believe on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Eric Burdon and War - Spirit     My song pick 2 years ago today: Jigsaw - Life Insurance   My song pick 3 years ago today: Tesla - Edison's Medicine   My song pick 4 years ago today: The Grateful Dead - Throwing Stones   My song pick 5 years ago today: Redbone - When You Got Trouble   My song pick 6 years ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - Then Came the Last Days of May My song pick 7 years ago today: Jethro ...

From: The Sun Don't Lie ; Year: 1993; Genre: Jazz Fusion/Funk Almost at the end of May and also a Friday, so I need to make it extra funky. This is another album that leaves you speechless; just a group of some of the best musicians on the planet letting their well-honed skills do all the talking.   Hear Rampage on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Dead Meadow - This Shaky Hand is Not Mine     My song pick 2 years ago today: Hall & Oates - Kiss on My List   My song pick 3 years ago today: The Grateful Dead - Foolish Heart   My song pick 4 years ago today: Robert John - Sad Eyes   My song pick 5 years ago today: Chet Atkins & Jerry Reed - Summertime   My song pick 6 years ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - Still Burnin' My song pick 7 years ago today: Brave Belt - Scarecrow My song pick 8 years ago today: Roman Holliday - Don't Try to Stop It My song pick 9 years ago today: Grateful Dead - Dark Star My song...

From: Whoomp! (There It Is) ; Year: 1993; Genre: Hip Hop/Rap I have found it odd how some songs from this period come to realize that even though I was more or less indifferent to them, they were, in fact, ones I look very fondly on and were part of the soundtrack of my teenage years. Whilst Tag Team is considered a "One Hit Wonder" by many, they sure did astronomically knock it out of the park. With the positive energy that ramps up a crowd it is no surprise that it became big with sporting events and other public events that require high-energy participation. Also, it has stayed in pop culture without fail for over 30 years now in about everything you could name; dang, now I feel old.... Anyway though, it goes to show how keeping things positive and energizing your listeners will ensure longevity.   Hear Whoomp! (There It Is) on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: The Nightwatchman - A Wall Against the Wind     My song pick 2 years ago t...

From: Believe You Me ; Year: 1986; Genre: Synthpop/New Wave In my opinion Blancmange is one of the synthpop bands from the 1980s that never gets their fair share. Sure, they only released three records and only lasted about four years during the decade, but wot the music they made was great, and of course, they reformed in the early 2010s and haven't stopped since. Anyway, this was the first single off of their '86 release and such a classic.    Hear What's Your Problem? on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Geddy Lee - I Am...You Are     My song pick 2 years ago today: Tina Turner - Private Dancer   My song pick 3 years ago today: Yes - Onward   My song pick 4 years ago today: Stevie Wonder - I Wish     My song pick 5 years ago today: The Steve Miller Band - The Gangster is Back   My song pick 6 years ago today: Pearl Jam - Oceans My song pick 7 years ago today: The Grateful Dead - Mountains of t...

From: New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84) ; Year: 1982; Genre: New Wave Felt the need to listen to something from Simple Minds; this song just fit my mood perfectly and fits that we are heading in to the warmer months of the year now. They are one of the mainstream acts I heard a lot back in my formative years, but unlike a lot of their contemporaries, the sound is just so fresh.   Hear Someone Somewhere in Summertime on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: The Grateful Dead - Box of Rain   My song pick 2 years ago today: Frank Zappa - Waka/Jawaka   My song pick 3 years ago today: Red Hot Chili Peppers - Green Heaven   My song pick 4 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Quartet   My song pick 5 years ago today: Rainbow - Fool For The Night   My song pick 6 years ago today: The Grateful Dead - Unbroken Chain My song pick 7 years ago today: The (Dixie) Dregs - Kat Food My song pick 8 years ago today: King Crimson - Fracture My song pick 9 ...

From: Shakedown Street ; Year: 1978; Genre: Disco/Rock Just continuing my tradition of choosing something from The 'Dead on Memorial Day . I do not believe that I have listened to this album before, and certainly have not heard this track prior. It is very strange to hear the Grateful Dead play a disco song, and even weirder to hear the late-great Jerry Garcia sing it, but it is worth it.    Hear Shakedown Street on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Boston - To Be a Man   My song pick 2 years ago today: George Clinton and the P-Funk All Stars - T.A.P.O.A.F.O.M. (Fly Away)   My song pick 3 years ago today: Huey Lewis & the News - The Heart of Rock & Roll   My song pick 4 years ago today: War - Why Can't We Be Friends?   My song pick 5 years ago today: The Allman Brothers Band - Sail Away   My song pick 6 years ago today: Soundgarden - Ty Cobb My song pick 7 years ago today: ZZ Top - Got Me Under Pressure My son...

From: American Stars 'n Bars ; Year: 1977; Genre: Rock/Folk Rock This is one of the quintessential signature songs from the legendary singer/songwriter/musician, which has a perfect blend of both his heavy-hitting, distorted rock and his folk rock/country rock poetics that he is very much known for. It is just one of those songs that is best sitting back and take in every note and word.   Hear Like a Hurricane on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Train - Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)   My song pick 2 years ago today: Rush - You Bet Your Life   My song pick 3 years ago today: The Youngbloods - Get Together   My song pick 4 years ago today: Heart - Never   My song pick 5 years ago today: The Nice - Country Pie/Brandenburg Concerto No. 6   My song pick 6 years ago today: Genesis - The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway My song pick 7 years ago today: Stanley Clarke - Opening (Statement)/He Lives On (Story About the Last Journey of a Warri...

From: A Teardrop on a Rose/Alone and Forsaken ; Year: 1955; Genre: Folk Kind of interesting how it seems that for almost any mood you are in Hank Williams wrote a song for it. I love going back to when country essentially was blues combined with folk and where the manliest of men cried their hearts out with all of the force their spirits could muster; no posturing or making a facade, just pure, true and honest emotion.    Hear Alone and Forsaken on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Eddie Hazel - Relic 'Delic (Purple Hazel)   My song pick 2 years ago today: George Thorogood and the Destroyers - I Drink Alone   My song pick 3 years ago today: Toronto - All I Need   My song pick 4 years ago today: Queen - It's Late   My song pick 5 years ago today: The Alan Parsons Project - Don't Let It Show   My song pick 6 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Commons Brawl My song pick 7 years ago today: Maddy Prior - Catseyes My song pick ...

From: Non-Stop ; Year: 1975; Genre: Funk/Disco B.T. Express is one of those bands that have a penchant for writing very catchy songs that will stay with you. This is a great one to get yourself moving along with, however, the only criticism I have of it is that it can get quite repetitive in the chorus.   Hear Discotizer on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Bonnie Tyler - Have You Ever Seen the Rain?   My song pick 2 years ago today: Savatage - Taunting Cobras   My song pick 3 years ago today: Gloryhammer - On the Wings of a Rainbow   My song pick 4 years ago today: Wishbone Ash - Drive   My song pick 5 years ago today: Queensrÿche - The Mission   My song pick 6 years ago today: C.W. McCall - Four Wheel Drive My song pick 7 years ago today: Black Sabbath - Neon Knights My song pick 8 years ago today: Savatage - Chance My song pick 9 years ago today: Megadeth - A Secret Place My song pick 10 years ago today: Wings - Liv...

From: Resist ; Year: 2022; Genre: Alternative Rock I tell ya, there is so much energy released when listening to this album. Even with the band getting up in age as they are, they still leave nothing in the studio or on the stage; they put out so much power and spirit to the listener. Just hearing Peter Garrett's emotional and very original position human voice can send chills, but each and every member puts their heart and souls in every note, or so it would seem to me. But I am biased as well; love the band!   Hear Nobody's Child on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Dr. John - Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive   My song pick 2 years ago today: Herman's Hermits - End of the World   My song pick 3 years ago today: Alice in Chains - The One You Know   My song pick 4 years ago today: Yes - Going for the One   My song pick 5 years ago today: Dayton Sidewinders - Phoenix   My song pick 6 years ago today: The Police - Synchronicity I ...

From: Imagination Lady ; Year: 1972; Genre: Hard Rock Chicken Shack is another band that I've known of for a long time, but never got around to listen to them until recently. They are one of those British blues bands that seemed to have an ever-rotating lineup, which included very big names and soon-to-be very big names amongst others. It's actually quite a lot of fun to read a list of everyone who at one time or another played in the band. Anyway, this is one of the original songs from their 5th record, and really toys with the border between hard rock and protometal, especially with that driving rhythm section.   Hear Daughter on the Hillside on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Jerry Reed - Don't Think Twice, It's Alright   My song pick 2 years ago today: Fleet Foxes - Innocent Son   My song pick 3 years ago today: Aphrodite's Child - The Four Horsemen   My song pick 4 years ago today: Gap Band - You Dropped a Bomb on Me   My s...

From: 3rd Album (Bonus Track); Year: 1971; Genre: Blues Rock Had Shocking Blue on the 'ol brain today, so thought I would choose another one. Apparently Roll Engine Roll was originally a b-side to the single Never Marry a Railroad Man , but was eventually added to their 3rd Album when it was later re-released. As she was known for, Mariska Veres' powerful vocals are the centrepiece of band; it adds a lot of flair to the garage-rock sounding 12-bar blues track.   Hear Roll Engine Roll on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Pat Benatar - My Clone Sleeps Alone   My song pick 2 years ago today: The B-52's - Love Shack   My song pick 3 years ago today: Bootsy's Rubber Band - The Pinocchio Theory   My song pick 4 years ago today: Ugly Kid Joe - Come Tomorrow   My song pick 5 years ago today: Blackmore's Night - Play Minstrel Play   My song pick 6 years ago today: Cheap Trick - I Want You To Want Me My song pick 7 years ago today...

From: Hear! ; Year: 1992; Genre: Glam Metal Often feel bad for bands like Trixer who were late to the party so to speak. Basically a glam metal/hard rock act that broke right when that genre of music was on the way out. While many from the early 1990s and beyond revile and act like the wot they're hearing '80s glam metal is truly toxic; it is not that bad. And whilst it is not my favourite music, it is fun sometimes to put it one and reminisce a bit. I definitely remember Trixer from back in the day, but was never fully into them and did not hate them either. Without a doubt this one has a dated sound grounded in an era, which to be honest, was starting to sound dated even when it was released, however still worth a listen.   Hear Runaway Train on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Jethro Tull - Hammer on Hammer   My song pick 2 years ago today: Aretha Franklin (with James Brown) - Gimme Your Love   My song pick 3 years ago today: Depeche Mod...

From: Badmotorfinger ; Year: 1991; Genre: Alternative Metal/Grunge From this record I would have to say that this track in particular has the most "sludgy" sound, hearkening back to earlier days of the band.   Hear Searching With My Good Eye Closed on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: John Cougar Mellencamp - R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A. (A Salute to 60's Rock)   My song pick 2 years ago today: ABBA - Bang-A-Boomerang   My song pick 3 years ago today: Faster Pussycat - Nonstop to Nowhere   My song pick 4 years ago today: Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Mountain Labyrinth   My song pick 5 years ago today: David Bowie - Star   My song pick 6 years ago today: Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) - Standing in the Rain My song pick 7 years ago today: David Bowie - Five Years My song pick 8 years ago today: Queen - Tenement Funster/Flick of the Wrist/Lily of the Valley My song pick 9 years ago today: Don Henley - Sunset Grill My song pick 1...

From: Edge of Thorns (Bonus Track); Year: 1993; Genre: Symphonic Metal/Power Metal Savatage, and the related bands for that matter, are another comforting band that gets me through rough patches. And since discovering that next year will be their first new studio release, ( Curtain Call ), since 2001's Poets and Madmen , I've been listening to them a lot more frequently; kind of hyping myself up for it. Whilst I am aware this will probably be it for Savatage and Jon Oliva's Pain as far as new material, I will savour it and the back catalogue. Plus, I highly doubt Trans-Siberian Orchestra is going anywhere.   Hear Forever After on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Gil Scott-Heron - The Revolution Will Not Be Televised   My song pick 2 years ago today: Les Paul & Mary Ford - Bye Bye Blues   My song pick 3 years ago today: The Stylistics - Can't Give You Anything (But My Love)   My song pick 4 years ago today: Soundgarden - Somewhere ...

From: Movements ; Year: 2005 (1972); Genre: Latin Jazz/Funk/Soul Again, as with almost all the artists on this excellent compilation, I know nothing about the Lou Garno Trio other than this single and its b-side and that it was originally released in 1972. A great track to have on when working, walking/running, or just lounging around for that matter.   Hear Muy Sabroso (Very Tasty) on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Ray Charles - Unchain My Heart   My song pick 2 years ago today: Elvis Presley - I Was Born About Ten Thousand Years Ago   My song pick 3 years ago today: The Mamas & the Papas - Monday Monday   My song pick 4 years ago today: Nocturnal Rites - Warrior's Return   My song pick 5 years ago today: Dio - Hungry For Heaven   My song pick 6 years ago today: Argent - Pure Love My song pick 7 years ago today: Boz Scaggs - Breakdown Dead Ahead My song pick 8 years ago today: Megadeth - Symphony of Destruction M...

From: The Rising ; Year: 2002; Genre: Rock Definitely the spirit of historic troubadours runs through The Boss' veins. You can hear the influence of such pivotal folk singers and songwriters that were part of the instrument of change like Woody Gutherie, Pete Seeger, Joe Hill, Florence Reece, and so many more you could mention, in this song in particular. Seeing some injustice or a societal malaise to bring attention and focus to them through the corrective lens of music and art.   Hear My City of Ruins on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Al Di Meola - Traces (Of A Tear)   My song pick 2 years ago today: The J. Geils Band - Freeze-Frame   My song pick 3 years ago today: Ray Charles - You'll Never Walk Alone   My song pick 4 years ago today: Fates Warning - Firefly   My song pick 5 years ago today: Jigsaw - Journey Into Space   My song pick 6 years ago today: Kiss - Heaven's on Fire My song pick 7 years ago today: The Suprem...

From: In the Face of Funk ; Year: 1994; Genre: Funk Cameo is one of those bands that will always raise my spirits, no exceptions. There is a "je ne sais quoi" about them and their art that I really find appealing.   Hear Slyde on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Savatage - Miles Away   My song pick 2 years ago today: The Eagles - New Kid in Town   My song pick 3 years ago today: The Rolling Stones - It's Only Rock 'n Roll (But I Like It)   My song pick 4 years ago today: Positive Force - We Got The Funk   My song pick 5 years ago today: Everclear - Santa Monica   My song pick 6 years ago today: Icehouse - Electric Blue My song pick 7 years ago today: Jackson Browne - The Load-Out/Stay My song pick 8 years ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - Don't Turn Your Back My song pick 9 years ago today: Band of Horses - Casual Party My song pick 10 years ago today: Bachman & Turner - Neutral Zone My song pick 11 years ago today:...

From: Who's Missing ; Year: 1985 (1971); Genre: Rock I love happening upon some of John Entwistle's somewhat rarer compositions; this one was originally a b-side to the Let's See Action single, but has been released on a few compilations since. I really love the horns in particular on this one, which I believe were also performed by Entwistle; he was the resident brass player in the band as far as I am aware.   Hear When I Was a Boy on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Big Country - Broken Heart (Thirteen Valleys)   My song pick 2 years ago today: Pallas - Reds Under the Beds   My song pick 3 years ago today: The Jimmy Castor Bunch - Future Place   My song pick 4 years ago today: Paris - Janie   My song pick 5 years ago today: Rush - The Stars Look Down   My song pick 6 years ago today: Bob Welch - Outskirts My song pick 7 years ago today: Jerry Reed - Take It Easy (In Your Mind) My song pick 8 years ago today: Sammy Haga...

From: Crowded House ; Year: 1986; Genre: Rock/Pop How is it Monday again? It seems that I was eagerly awaiting it to begin; did it fly by. Anyway, for not apparent reason whatsoever I had Crowded House on my mind a lot thus far today; thought I'd pick one from their debut album, which is my favourite, of course.   Hear World Where You Live on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Terry Jacks - Seasons in the Sun   My song pick 2 years ago today: Marcus Miller - Tales   My song pick 3 years ago today: AC/DC - Shot Down In Flames   My song pick 4 years ago today: The Cult - Rain   My song pick 5 years ago today: Ian Hunter - All-American Alien Boy   My song pick 6 years ago today: Duran Duran - Hold Back the Rain My song pick 7 years ago today: Rush - Ghost of a Chance My song pick 8 years ago today: Lakeside - Fantastic Voyage My song pick 9 years ago today: Asia - One Step Closer My song pick 10 years ago today: Michael Mar...