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

From: A ; Year: 1980; Genre: Progressive Rock   " And with the last line almost drawn --- wish you goodbye till further on. Will you still be there further on? "   Hear And Further On on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Jamestown Story - Goodbye (I'm Sorry)     My song pick 2 years ago today: Foo Fighters - Next Year   My song pick 3 years ago today: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - Don't Come Around Here No More   My song pick 4 years ago today: Jimmy Jules and the Nuclear Soul System - The New Year   My song pick 5 years ago today: Genesis - Duke's End   My song pick 6 years ago today: Kool & The Gang - Celebration   My song pick 7 years ago today: Scrawl - 11:59 (It's January) My song pick 8 years ago today: Ella Fitzgerald - What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? My song pick 9 years ago today: Iron Maiden - When the Wild Wind Blows My song pick 10 years ago today: Primus with The Fungi Ensemble...

From: Wildflowers ; Year: 1994; Genre: Folk Rock Had no real song in mind when thinking about today's song choice. Finally decided on going with this existential and introspective song from the late-great Tom Petty; it just fit the way I feel lately.   Hear Time to Move On on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Norman Greenbaum - Petaluma     My song pick 2 years ago today: Grace Slick - Fox Face   My song pick 3 years ago today: Funkadelic - Fish, Chips and Sweat   My song pick 4 years ago today: Boston - Someone   My song pick 5 years ago today: Genesis - Duke's Travels   My song pick 6 years ago today: Yazoo - Don't Go   My song pick 7 years ago today: C.W. McCall - Riverside Slide My song pick 8 years ago today: Led Zeppelin - Four Sticks My song pick 9 years ago today: Frankie Miller - Supersnatch My song pick 10 years ago today: Motörhead - Ace of Spades My song pick 11 years ago today: Yes - Looking...

From: In Utero ; Year: 1993; Genre: Alternative Rock/Grunge Sometimes I just find myself wanting to listen to something from Nirvana. In Utero was released at golden time for myself in my early teens and this was the final song on the album. The band was literally everywhere, and like that, it was over, but at least we still have the music from that short, bright time.   Hear All Apologies on YouTube.        My song pick 1 year ago today: Explorers Club - Impact 3 – No Returning     My song pick 2 years ago today: Bernard Wright - Mr. Clean   My song pick 3 years ago today: Lita Ford - Kiss Me Deadly   My song pick 4 years ago today: Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Human Race   My song pick 5 years ago today: Boston - My Destination/A New World   My song pick 6 years ago today: Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) - Blue Moanin'   My song pick 7 years ago today: Steely Dan - Fire In The Hole My song pick 8 years ago today: The Po...

From: Bloodflowers ; Year: 2000; Genre: Gothic Rock/Alternative Rock Sadly, yet another storied musician recently passed. This time it was The Cure's guitarist/other instruments Perry Bamonte, who was with the band throughout the 1990s to mid-2000s and again just recently; he was a very young 65.    Hear Maybe Someday on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong - Summertime     My song pick 2 years ago today: Herman's Hermits - There's a Kind of Hush (All Over the World)   My song pick 3 years ago today: Jerry Reed - Eight More Miles To Louisville   My song pick 4 years ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - Demon's Kiss   My song pick 5 years ago today: Bee Gees - I Gotta Get a Message to You   My song pick 6 years ago today: Ultravox - Mr. X   My song pick 7 years ago today: Charley Pride - Daydreams About Night Things My song pick 8 years ago today: Supertramp - Cannonball My song...

From: Getting to This ; Year: 1970; Genre: Blues Rock A few days ago I discovered that guitarist/songwriter/vocalist Mick Abrahams passed away at the age of 82. Whilst he was quite prolific as a solo recording artist and with various versions of the bands he founded, probably he is best-known as Jethro Tull's first lead guitarist, who appeared on their debut album, This Was and their earlier singles. Affectionately, to many 'Tull fans, he has been referred to as "The Pete Best of Jethro Tull," because the band really had its biggest fame and success after he left. Blodwyn Pig was the band he initially formed after he left, which lasted a few years and re-formed in the 1990s off and on. This track is from the band's second record, which was also the final one until the fore-mentioned reunions, and is a heavy blues rock instrumental piece with some very interesting time signatures and great solos throughout.   Hear The Squirreling Must Go On on YouTube.       ...

From: Function at the Junction ; Year: 1977; Genre: Funk/Soul/Disco Been over half a month since I made a pick without some strictures and it is very nice. Not just for that, but also to have almost all of the Holidays in the rear-view mirror so to speak. Although, on this, the final Friday of the year, I am choosing something funky, but that's not an imposition in my book. Anyway, B.T. Express has become one of my most liked bands of the funk/soul and related genres. There is so much energy they give to the listener; don't be surprised if you start dancing after starting this track.   Hear Funky Music on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Blood, Sweat & Tears - God Bless the Child     My song pick 2 years ago today: Nena - Engel der Nacht   My song pick 3 years ago today: Porcupine Tree - Shallow   My song pick 4 years ago today: Herbie Hancock - Watermelon Man   My song pick 5 years ago today: Carmen - Stepping Ston...

From: Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas ; Year: 1960; Genre: Swing Jazz/Christmas Music Merry Christmas once again, for the 18th year now since starting my song blog. I happened to have this song, originally performed by Judy Garland in the musical Meet Me in St. Louis , which has been covered countless times since, most notably by Frank Sinatra and, of course the "First Lady of Song:" Ella Fitzgerald. As you can probably surmise, Ella's version is my favourite; her at amazing voice that cannot be replicated just steals the show and enraptures your senses.   Hear Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Survivor - Christmas is Here     My song pick 2 years ago today: The Royal Guardsmen - Snoopy's Christmas   My song pick 3 years ago today: John Denver & The Muppets - We Wish You A Merry Christmas   My song pick 4 years ago today: Bobby (Boris) Pickett and the Crypt-Kickers - Monsters'...

From: A Very Special Christmas ; Year: 1987; Genre: Hip-Hop/Rap/Christmas Music Christmas Eve is here, boy this Holiday Season is just flying by at hyper-sonic speed or at least it seem like it to me. Anyway, yesterday I said that I would choose this one in the future , well, it's the future now and an absolutely perfect time to choose this modern Christmas classic. It is just such a fun song to have on whilst getting things ready to go for tomorrow.     Hear Christmas in Hollis on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Manfred Mann - Abominable Snowmann     My song pick 2 years ago today: Trans-Siberian Orchestra - An Angel Came Down   My song pick 3 years ago today: Bing Crosby - I'll Be Home For Christmas (If Only In My Dreams)   My song pick 4 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Pavane   My song pick 5 years ago today: The Smashing Pumpkins - Christmastime   My song pick 6 years ago today: Duke Ellington & Hi...

From: A Very Special Christmas ; Year: 1987; Genre: Hard Rock/Christmas Music Haven't revisited anything from Bon Jovi in a while; thought I'd "hit two birds with one stone" with this track from the first in the A Very Special Christmas series. This was, of course, Bon Jovi's cover of the noted raunchy/naughty holiday tune originally written and recorded by the great Clarence Carter and later made famous again by being sampled by Run-DMC. on their track Christmas in Hollis , which was also part of this seasonal compilation; I should pick that one in the future as well.... Anyway, as mentioned earlier, just have not been interested much in the band for some time now. Really it has been their foreé into "bro country" and away from their hard rock/metal roots that I would have to personally pinpoint as the main reason as to why. It was nice hearing something from them recorded in the late 1980s once again, when they were at one of their peaks.   Hear Back ...

From: The Temptations Christmas Card ; Year: 1970; Genre: Soul/Motown/Christmas Music This has to still be one of the best contemporary Christmas albums in existence, it just wouldn't be the Holidays without it; well, for me at least. Someday at Christmas is a cover originally recorded by Stevie Wonder about four years prior and has been covered repeatedly by many others since. There is nothing to not like about this track. The music and vocals are top-notch by any standards, and I absolutely love that they had the deep, velvety and resounding vocals of Melvin Franklin performing the lead on this one. His voice just works perfect for the wishful and uplifting message from within; so beautiful.   Hear Someday at Christmas on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Taco - It's Snowing In My Heart (Bad Santa)     My song pick 2 years ago today: The Soul Saints Orchestra - Santa's Got a Bag of Soul   My song pick 3 years ago today: Trans-Si...

From: Songs From The Wood (The Steve Wilson Remix); Year: 2017 (1977); Genre: Progressive Rock/Folk Rock Kind of a do-over or maybe just a lazy pick for today since this is essentially an early version of wot would become the 'Tull seasonal classic Ring Out Solstice Bells , however it is more than a bit different in arrangement and some lyrics. Wotever the case, it's a great track to mark the Solstice once again this year.   Hear Magic Bells on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Savatage - I Am     My song pick 2 years ago today: Lemmy Kilmister, Billy F. Gibbons & Dave Grohl - Run Rudolph Run   My song pick 3 years ago today: Booker T. & The MGs - Medley: Golden Slumbers, Carry That Weight, The End, Here Comes the Sun, Come Together   My song pick 4 years ago today: The Beatles - I'll Follow the Sun   My song pick 5 years ago today: Geoff Tate, Carlos Cavazo, James Lomenzo & Ray Luzier - Silver Bells   ...

From: White Trash Christmas ; Year: 2002; Genre: Metal/Comedy/Christmas Music Back to some upbeat Seasonal song picks. A heavy metal rendition of this classic Christmas carol, which really gets your blood moving and is definitely spirit raising.   Hear Not So Silent Night on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: The Temptations - Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer     My song pick 2 years ago today: Bob Rivers Comedy Corp - I'm Dressin' Up Like Santa (When I Get Out on Parole)   My song pick 3 years ago today: The Drifters - White Christmas   My song pick 4 years ago today: Steeleye Span - Today in Bethlehem   My song pick 5 years ago today: Van der Graaf Generator - La Rossa   My song pick 6 years ago today: Binky Griptite - Stone Soul Christmas   My song pick 7 years ago today: Bachman & Turner - Find Some Love My song pick 8 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Another Harry's Bar My song pick 9 years ago today: R...

From: Chief Boot Knocka ; Year: 1994; Genre: Hip-Hop/Rap Final pick for my "Satanic Panic Theme;" I wanted to go more upbeat to wrap this up. This was one of the many songs to make reference to the Satanic Panic and the PMRC. Despite the outcome of record labels having to put the Parental Advisory stickers on albums, it obviously did not do a single thing to temper more extreme musical artists and arguably made finding such material easier for underage people to find with that iconic label. A lot of other artists took a more explicit and derogatory stance in their response to that moral panic and subsequent ones still going on to this day, but I really liked Sir Mix-a-Lot's straight-up statement in this song: "How many times will you play this, before you ban this? I heard Mrs. Gore can't stand this."   Hear Put 'Em on the Glass on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: The Cranberries - In the End     My song pick 2 years ago today: Dr. John...

From: Defenders of the Faith ; Year: 1984; Genre: Metal Next one on my "Satanic Moral Panic" theme is a track from those leather-clad blokes from Birmingham: Judas Priest. As with all of their material, they write and play all their songs for their fans in mind, who have and always will enjoy it.   Hear Eat Me Alive on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Bing Crosby - I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day     My song pick 2 years ago today: John Denver - Christmas for Cowboys   My song pick 3 years ago today: Bob Rivers - White Trash Christmas   My song pick 4 years ago today: Ben Keith, Neil Young, Pegi Young - Les Trois Cloches   My song pick 5 years ago today: Primus - The Thing That Should Not Be   My song pick 6 years ago today: Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Christmas in Blue   My song pick 7 years ago today: Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) - Waterfall My song pick 8 years ago today: Primus - Candy Man My song p...

From: Melissa ; Year: 1983; Genre: Metal Going with something a bit more in-line with wot most likely comes to mind when you hear the phrase "Satanic Panic." Mercyful Fate is one of the pioneers of the more extreme forms of heavy metal and has influenced many of artists that carry on in their footsteps. Out of the 15 songs selected by the PMRC Into the Coven was the only one written and recorded by a foreign band not from Britain or Australia; in this case it is Denmark.   Hear Into the Coven on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Doug Pinnick, George Lynch, Billy Sheehan, Simon Phillip - Little Drummer Boy     My song pick 2 years ago today: Claymation Christmas Celebration - Joy to the World   My song pick 3 years ago today: The (Young) Rascals - How Can I Be Sure   My song pick 4 years ago today: Hot & Sassy - Christmas Strutt   My song pick 5 years ago today: Billy Squier - My Kind of Lover   My song pick...

From: Born Again ; Year: 1983; Genre: Metal All sixes for today's pick number; out of the majority of the acts that were part of the "Satanic Moral Panic" of the time, Black Sabbath/Ozzy Osbourne were one of the major players. 'Sabbath have in reality always been one getting the most accusations and "pearl clutching" ever since they first put out a single. It's all about their medium or metal, them using heavy, diabolical sounds and horror imagery that has been most of the reason. Again, though, the consternation of the muppets in the "moral" authority really has only served to make them and their music more popular.  It is again, weird that the PMRC choose this track to add to their "Filthy 15" list with how many of Black Sabbath and associated acts' songs getting attacked in the years prior. Most likely they were trying to be "current" and with the times; only adding more recent material to their list.  The stated reas...

From: Like a Virgin ; Year: 1984; Genre: Pop/Rock Going with one from the artist that needs no introduction and exemplifies this Satanic Moral Panic theme: Madonna. She is one of the main celebrities of the 1980s and 1990s that you cannot delve into the popular culture of the time without mentioning her. Madonna seemingly encouraged attacks from the "moral authorities" and would just do her thing to an even more extreme to keep herself in their moral diatribes. In her case there was no such thing as bad press, and benefited by it in both fortune and fame. Anyway, surprising that this was her only entry on the PMRC 's "Filthy 15;" even by mid decade, she probably could have encompassed the entire list of songs that they found objectionable. In reality though, with their many baseless accusations and false claims, any artist or band could've completely filled their list. It is strange that this one would raise their ire enough for it whilst other songs, includ...

From: A Private Heaven ; Year: 1984; Genre: Pop/Funk Here is the fifth pick in my Satanic Panic theme. This upbeat and highly danceable track was amongst the more infamous of those attacked by the likes of the PMRC and some moneygrubbing, self-righteous televangelists that I will not dignify by naming. Sugar Walls was written by the original "Purple Man" himself, Prince, for Sheena Easton; he actually performed everything but the vocals as well. Many of his popular, innuendo-laced megahits permeate this period and would see him and his work come under fire by these same "outraged" forces, which did not seem to harm his sales or popularity; probably served as a boost. Probably, unless you were around back then or in the immediate time that followed, you have not heard it. It has the 1980s funk/dance sound set in concrete, which does not really aid in the timelessness of certain landmark song, but most likely would not care if played at a dance party or higher energy...