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

From: Shuffle and Go ; Year: 2020; Genre: Folk Rock Where did November go? Just seemed like we finished Halloween and October... although being that I was down sick for most of the month didn't help me savour it if at all. I guess with December starting tomorrow we'll be going full-throttle into the Holiday season; might as well get a pick for the season ready, right? Anyway, here's a Christmas folk dance song in the reel form off of Fairport's most recent studio album. I have to say, this one is quite enjoyable and fun to listen and dance along with, even if you do not know the traditional reel dance form.    Hear Good Time for a Fiddle and Bow / The Christmas Eve Reel on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Grand Funk Railroad - We Gotta Get Out of This Place     My song pick 2 years ago today: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - Don't Do Me Like That   My song pick 3 years ago today: Rhapsody of Fire - Glory for Salvation  ...

From: Love in Motion (single); Year: 1981; Genre: New Wave Having music from the band Icehouse on the brain thus far today and took it once again as a sign I needed to revisit the group. Whilst Icehouse had already been known by that name abroad, but, their first album, Icehouse , in their native Australia and related area the band was still named Flowers, so technically Love in Motion was Icehouse's debut single, at least at home. This song would, however, eventually be included on future releases of both the original Icehouse album and their second Primitive Man .     Hear Love in Motion on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: War - Seven Tin Soldiers     My song pick 2 years ago today: Steppenwolf - Magic Carpet Ride   My song pick 3 years ago today: The Nightwatchman - Which Side Are You On?   My song pick 4 years ago today: Manfred Mann - Fox on the Run   My song pick 5 years ago today: Foreigner - Inside I...

From: Shot of Love ; Year: 1978; Genre: Funk/Soul/Jazz As always, Lakeside puts a smile on my face, which is in actuality true of most funk bands. This is a fun, funky track that contains a lot of neat musical ideas and concepts from jazz to disco and everything in between. I especially love the arrangements, but that bass is just monstrous, those instrumental breaks in particular. I can hear a great deal of Stevie Wonder's influence in spades.   Hear One Minute After Midnight on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Jethro Tull - Re-Assuring Tune     My song pick 2 years ago today: Supertramp - Child of Vision   My song pick 3 years ago today: Aphrodite's Child - The System/Babylon   My song pick 4 years ago today: Arlo Guthrie - Coming Into Los Angeles   My song pick 5 years ago today: The Who - Success Story   My song pick 6 years ago today: Booker T. & The MG's - My Sweet Potato   My song pick 7 years ago to...

From: The Revenge of Alice Cooper ; Year: 2025; Genre: Hard Rock This is actually the first full studio album by the band Alice Cooper since 1973, which can be confusing since "Alice Cooper" is also the persona that Vincent Furnier has recorded and performed as before and since the band broke up. This entire record features Cooper and the three surviving members, plus three tracks with previously recorded material of the departed lead guitarist Glen Buxton. Even though they have recorded a few songs together in the last 15 years or so, it has been a hoot hearing them again in that loud bluesy sound reminiscent of their early days.      Hear Intergalactic Vagabond Blues on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Johnny Preston - Running Bear     My song pick 2 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Horse-Hoeing Husbandry   My song pick 3 years ago today: Irene Cara - Flashdance... What a Feeling   My song pick 4 years ago tod...

From: KC and the Sunshine Band ; Year: 1975; Genre: Disco/Funk/Soul/R&B Most people, even those born after 1990 have probably heard it at some point. Be it in a film, TV show, video clip, commercial, sampled for another track, etc....   Hear Get Down Tonight on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: The Cheers - Black Denim Trousers And Motorcycle Boots     My song pick 2 years ago today: Jim Ed Brown - Sunday Morning We'll Be Singing   My song pick 3 years ago today: Frank Mills - Music Box Dancer   My song pick 4 years ago today: Kool & The Gang - Let the Music Take Your Mind   My song pick 5 years ago today: Eric Clapton - Pilgrim   My song pick 6 years ago today: Blue Öyster Cult -  Let Go   My song pick 7 years ago today: Head East - Since You've Been Gone My song pick 8 years ago today: Bill Haley and his Comets - Shake, Rattle and Roll My song pick 9 years ago today: Kansas - Fight Fire With F...

From: Doctor Hook ; Year: 1972; Genre: Country Rock/Folk Rock Every now and then I go back and listen Dr. Hook, and as usual I thoroughly enjoy it. This is kind of a neat little country/folk/rock waltz that is very existential both musically and lyrically.    Hear Sing Me a Rainbow on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Faith No More - The Morning After     My song pick 2 years ago today: The Rolling Stones - The Lantern   My song pick 3 years ago today: Bernard Wright - We're Just the Band   My song pick 4 years ago today: Scandal featuring Patty Smyth - The Warrior   My song pick 5 years ago today: Eric Clapton - Wonderful Tonight My song pick 6 years ago today: The Steve Miller Band - My Own Space   My song pick 7 years ago today: Foreigner - Hot Blooded My song pick 8 years ago today: Jon Hendricks - No More My song pick 9 years ago today: Bootsy's New Rubber Band - Funk Express Card My song pick 10 ye...

From: Roots to Branches ; Year: 1995; Genre: Progressive Rock Those who have visited by song-a-day blog more that a few times already know that 'Tull is among my top favourite bands and probably always will be. Was thinking back the other day how this album came out about the same time I started getting into the band, but was never one of my favourites, and really not much since has got my attention. Although, some of Ian Anderson's solo albums have, but really Rock Island and Catfish Rising are really the last couple of records that I really like that are under the Jethro Tull name. Don't really know why, but also, don't get me wrong, there are good songs on subsequent releases, but I happen to jump around from song to song more and avoid certain tracks all together.  With Roots to Branches there are four that I go out of my way to listen to; the rest are take it or leave it in my opinion. At Last, Forever is one of them; it just has all of the classic 'Tull so...

From: Jupiter's Darling ; Year: 2004; Genre: Hard Rock/Alternative Rock Been another busy day, so am making a quick pick. Really love this song and album, which is among my top favourites from the band.     Hear The Perfect Goodbye on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Wolfmother - Ego     My song pick 2 years ago today: Vince Guaraldi - Little Birdie   My song pick 3 years ago today: Elvis Presley - Kentucky Rain   My song pick 4 years ago today: Charlie Parker - Yardbird Suite   My song pick 5 years ago today: Stevie Nicks - Nightbird   My song pick 6 years ago today: Twelfth Night - Fact and Fiction   My song pick 7 years ago today: Karussell - Verrückter Vormittag My song pick 8 years ago today: Wild Turkey - Eternal Mother - The Return My song pick 9 years ago today: Warren Zevon - Hit Somebody! (The Hockey Song) My song pick 10 years ago today: Danzig - Twist of Cain My song pick 11 years ...

From: The Miracles doin' Mickey's Monkey ; Year: 1963; Genre: Motown/Soul/R&B Here's one that will sure get you dancin' with that catchy Bo Diddley rhythm. Most probably have heard Mickey's Monkey at some point; it actually was written about the popular dance, The Monkey , and helped to propel it to a national level for a time. They reference legendary songwriter William "Mickey" Stevenson in the lyrics even though I do not believe he was involved with the song or dance; this song was written by another legendary team: Holland-Dozier-Holland. Wot's very interesting about this song is just how many Motown superstars performed for the backing vocals: The Temptations, Mary Wilson (of the Supremes), Martha Reeves and The Vandellas, The Marvelettes, and the renowned disc jockey and radio personality "Jockey Jack" Gibson , and of course the incomparable Funk Brothers.    Hear Mickey's Monkey on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago tod...

From: Science Class: Heavy + Raw Disco Soul ; Year: 2007; Genre: Soul/Funk Ever have a song instantly make a connection to you in the first few seconds you initially hear it? Well, this is one for me, so many great musical idea combine with this track. Do not actually know much of Ernie and The Top Notes, but I found out about their existence from this cherished compilation album that contains many deep soul, funk, and other related genres cuts. Been trying to find the exact year of its release, which I believe I've narrowed down to early 1970s though not much else. However, I do know that I like it a lot. That groove that blends funk and reggae with odd meters at times combined with the exceptional musicianship and amazing vocals; something to be heard.   Hear Tweedie Pie on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: INXS - Listen Like Thieves     My song pick 2 years ago today: Diana Ross - Upside Down   My song pick 3 years ago today: Fl...

From: Tomorrow Never Comes ; Year: 1966; Genre: Pop/Rock Here's another case of having a song pop into my mind even though I have not heard it in decades, almost 40 years I'd wager. My Dad had this one on one of his records, but I cannot remember exactly which one. He didn't play it a whole lot, but I do remember it quite well. Plain Jane , I guess, could be categorized in with the other teenage tragedy songs of the 50s and 60s, but it would have to be towards the end of their prominence. It was one of B.J. Thomas' earlier singles and despite the upbeat, pop music it is quite a heavy song. He tells the tale of an unpopular high school girl who is a great and loving person, but being that she's "plain" the other students make fun of her and generally make her life difficult. Not to go too much into it, essentially one really cruel prank was too much for her and pushes her over the edge and ends it all. The overall abruptness of the song's ending really ...

From: Death Wish: Original Soundtrack Recording ; Year: 1974; Genre: Jazz Fusion/classical Had Herbie Hancock's work on my mind most of last night and today. He has always been one whose music just mesmerizes me; a modern classical composer at the same level as the greats in my opinion. Anyway, it never clicked with me that he wrote the soundtrack to the original Charles Bronson epic Death Wish . Honestly, I have not watched the film for a long time, so it's not all that surprising I suppose. Really like the playful naming of the overall title with the play on words "sweet revenge," but with it being a suite of music the homo-phonetic sound of the two words was I guess too much to resist for Mr. Hancock. Suite Revenge is a collection of 5 shorter pieces of music (a): Striking Back , (b): Riverside Park , (c): The Alley , (d): Last Stop , and (e): 8th Avenue Station .   Hear Suite Revenge on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: The Jimi Hendrix Expe...

From: Information Society ; Year: 1988; Genre: New Wave For some reason was drawing an absolute blank today for this song pick, not sure why though. Anyway, I happened to scroll through bands that I have chosen songs from and noticed that I had only picked one from Information Society, so thought it would be a great time to fix that. This is one of their secondary hits from their first proper studio album, which feature a great thumping dance beat and, or course more Star Trek voice samples from William Shatner (Kirk) and James Doohan (Scotty).    Hear Walking Away on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Jerry Reed - Wayfaring Stranger     My song pick 2 years ago today: Marillion - Torch Song   My song pick 3 years ago today: Rick James - Mr. Policeman   My song pick 4 years ago today: Pendragon - Ghosts   My song pick 5 years ago today: Buffalo Springfield - Rock and Roll Woman   My song pick 6 years ago today: H...

From: Centerfield ; Year: 1985; Genre: Rock Just had a hankering for something from John Fogerty today. Dang, all I can say is that he came blasting both barrels out of the gate after that nine-year rest.    Hear Mr. Greed on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Booker T. & Priscilla Jones - Time     My song pick 2 years ago today: Cameo - Word Up! My song pick 3 years ago today: Faith No More - Digging the Grave   My song pick 4 years ago today: Stone Temple Pilots - Heaven & Hot Rods   My song pick 5 years ago today: Vixen - Rev It Up   My song pick 6 years ago today: Jigsaw - Come With Me   My song pick 7 years ago today: Three Dog Night - Nobody My song pick 8 years ago today: Bootsy Collins - Sound Crack My song pick 9 years ago today: Soundgarden - Limo Wreck My song pick 10 years ago today: Jane's Addiction - Jane Says My song pick 11 years ago today: Marillion - Bitter Suite My song pick 12...

From: Poison ; Year: 1990; Genre: New Jack Swing/Hip-Hop/Rap Been meaning to pick this one for a bit now and have finally gotten to doing so. This is another one of those songs from my early teens that brings back so many memories; among the best sounds of that early decade.    Hear Ain't Nut'in' Changed on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Ray Charles - What'd I Say     My song pick 2 years ago today: The Romantics - Rock You Up   My song pick 3 years ago today: Yes - Believe Again   My song pick 4 years ago today: Stanley Clarke - If This Bass Could Only Talk   My song pick 5 years ago today: Winery Dogs - Solid Ground   My song pick 6 years ago today: Alestorm - Alestorm   My song pick 7 years ago today: Osiris - War On The Bullshit My song pick 8 years ago today: Triumph - Hard Road My song pick 9 years ago today: AC/DC - Big Guns My song pick 10 years ago today: The Yardbirds - For Your Love My...

From: Moby Grape ; Year: 1967; Genre: Psychedelic Rock Moby Grape came back into my mind recently, and I noticed that they haven't been on my blog yet; need to rectify that. They are one of the many bands that came out of the San Francisco psychedelic/acid rock scene that found success. This track, which closes out the album, was written by Skip Spence, who was with Jefferson Airplane prior as their drummer on the band's debut album.    Hear Indifference on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Rare Earth - The Seed     My song pick 2 years ago today: Bruce Springsteen - I'm on Fire   My song pick 3 years ago today: Stone Temple Pilots - Meadow   My song pick 4 years ago today: Pearl Jam - Dance of the Clairvoyants   My song pick 5 years ago today: Twelfth Night - East of Eden   My song pick 6 years ago today: Red Hot Chili Peppers - Jungle Man   My song pick 7 years ago today: The Rolling Stones - Lady Jane ...

From: Chocolate City ; Year: 1975; Genre: Funk Sticking with one of my "go to" and favourite funky bands for this extremely busy Friday.   Hear Side Effects on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Charley Pride - Burgers and Fries     My song pick 2 years ago today: Normaal - Oerend Hard   My song pick 3 years ago today: Sly and the Family Stone - Everybody is a Star   My song pick 4 years ago today: Steely Dan - Bad Sneakers   My song pick 5 years ago today: Fates Warning - Seven Stars   My song pick 6 years ago today: Grand Funk Railroad - Sin's a Good Man's Brother   My song pick 7 years ago today: Jimi Hendrix Experience - Burning of the Midnight Lamp My song pick 8 years ago today: ABBA - Dance (While the Music Still Goes On) My song pick 9 years ago today: Santo & Johnny - Moonlight Serenade My song pick 10 years ago today: Ian Anderson - Old Black Cat My song pick 11 years ago today: Parliament -...

From: Cosmopolite ; Year: 1956; Genre: Bossa Nova Jazz/Swing Jazz Over the years Benny Carter has become one of my many favourite jazz composers/arrangers/overall musicians. I do not believe that there is a single song he has recorded that I don't absolutely love. Anyway, this is a cover of the popular standard originally written by Cole Porter for his Broadway Musical Anything Goes , which has been recorded by many artists since.   Hear I Get a Kick Outta You on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Molly Hatchet - Jukin' City     My song pick 2 years ago today: The Bangles - Manic Monday   My song pick 3 years ago today: Wolfmother - Colossal   My song pick 4 years ago today: The Moody Blues - The Spirit   My song pick 5 years ago today: Fatback Band - (Do The) Spanish Hustle   My song pick 6 years ago today: Fairport Convention - Reynardine   My song pick 7 years ago today: The Kinks - Introduction to a Solution ...