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

From: Back Home Again ; Year: 1970; Genre: Rock/Folk Rock I guess I am finally picking this tune, which is definitely not my favourite from Norman Greenbaum, but it has its place and I do listen to it every now and then. From my experience Canned Ham is probably the only other song from Mr. Greenbaum that most people acquainted with his music after his epic Spirit in the Sky . Actually, when I do think about it, I would have to say that most of his material either borders on or is of a whimsical nature, which this one definitely is whimsical, if not bordering on novelty/comedy. I still cannot, for the life of me, why someone would want to fry a canned ham nice and brown and put it in one's pocket and carry it around? The only logical conclusion I can make, other than it just being whimsical and nonsensical, is that "Canned Ham" must've been a slang/code for something else, but who knows, right?   Hear Canned Ham on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago toda...

From: Tasty Jam ; Year: 1981; Genre: Funk/R&B Another Funky Friday makes an appearance... this Friday it is this fun funky track from the one and only Fatback!     Hear Kool Whip on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: The Fabulous Thunderbirds - Powerful Stuff     My song pick 2 years ago today: Sniff 'n' The Tears - New Lines on Love   My song pick 3 years ago today: Sky - Tuba Smarties   My song pick 4 years ago today: Focus - Focus 11   My song pick 5 years ago today: Fleet Foxes - Can I Believe You   My song pick 6 years ago today: Pearl Jam - Retrograde   My song pick 7 years ago today: King Crimson - Epitaph My song pick 8 years ago today: Heart - Bad Animals My song pick 9 years ago today: Dream Theater - Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence My song pick 10 years ago today: Lawrence Gowan - (You're a) Strange Animal My song pick 11 years ago today: Sly and the Family Stone - Frisky My ...

From: Waking and Dreaming ; Year: 1976; Genre: Rock/Pop Happened to have this one playing in my brain just before getting ready to make this post, you know the rest. Probably individuals around my age and old remember this slice of 1970s pop; those younger might remember some of the song used in commercials and such. Still quite enjoyable and the twin lead guitars are definitely one of the best parts.     Hear Still the One on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Mac Davis - Baby Don't Get Hooked On Me     My song pick 2 years ago today: Bob Marley and The Wailers - Freedom Time   My song pick 3 years ago today: Manfred Mann's Earth Band - Nothing Ever Happens   My song pick 4 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Living in These Hard Times   My song pick 5 years ago today: Parliament - Livin' the Life   My song pick 6 years ago today: Alice in Chains - Rainier Fog   My song pick 7 years ago today: Savatage - S...

From: The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia ; Year: 1973; Genre: Country/Pop/Rock I've always loved songs that tell engaging tales, of which this one. I heard this one a lot over the years and always listen until it ends. While Vicki Lawrence is considered a "one hit wonder," her acting career is far greater; I saw her in many roles on different shows. In fact, did not connect the dots for many years that she was the artist that recorded this song. I guess she saw a job in acting as better and/or just liked the lifestyle better. Anyway, as with the best tales, this one is about some fictional murders and judicial injustice that leads to the execution of an innocent man; in this case it was the brother of the person telling the story, who in a twist is the actual killer.    Hear The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - Before the Kiss, A Redcap     My song pick 2 years ago to...

From: Seminar ; Year: 1989; Genre: Rap/Hip-Hop Been working on my car for a solid three days getting a worn out, super stubborn ball joint out and putting in a replacement. It always seems that I have these "little" maintenance chores that need done, but something always goes wrong and ends up a giant mess. Anyway, whilst getting ready to pick today's song I had this classic track pop into my mind and, under the circumstances, I knew there was no other track to choose. Sir Mix-a-Lot is one that immediately puts a huge grin on my face when one of his tracks plays. This one in particular I identify all to well with; I have owned quite a few vehicles that perfectly match his description, especially when I was younger. Rolling in a vehicle that is not road worthy or probably legal, but is yours is something that makes some incredible memories.   Hear My Hooptie on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Ritchie Valens - La Bamba     My song pick 2...

From: Freeze Frame ; Year: 1981; Genre: Rock/New Wave For the last couple of weeks I've had some of J. Geils Band's music on the brain; this track is one in particular. Inside this rather catchy and fun song is an interesting tale that on the surface seems a bit racy, but it is really about the ruining of static memories from your past. In this case the man is regaling the listener about a dream girl from high school he had a serious crush on; in his mind she was still the innocent schoolgirl. However, after seeing her in the centerfold of an adult magazine, she is no longer that innocent girl from his memories, but has continued her life and is now a woman. Much of the song is about him coming to terms with it and accepting this new reality about someone special from his past.   Hear Centerfold on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Michael Jackson - Ben   My song pick 2 years ago today: John Williams - The Imperial March (Darth Vader's Theme) ...

From: The Sun, Moon & Herbs ; Year: 1971; Genre: Jazz Fusion It always puts me in a good mood when I play one of Dr. John's albums. This one mixes Dr. John's signature New Orleans sound with some jazz and rock. I have to agree with the artist: it is best to listen to this one at night with the lights off; just adds to the mystique.   Hear Pots on Fiyo (Filé Gumbo) / Who I Got to Fall On (If the Pot Get Heavy) on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Rahsaan Roland Kirk - Slow Groove     My song pick 2 years ago today: Sly Stone - His Eye Is on the Sparrow   My song pick 3 years ago today: Roy Eldridge and Benny Carter - Close Your Eyes   My song pick 4 years ago today: Jigsaw - One Way Street   My song pick 5 years ago today: Red Hot Chili Peppers - Goodbye Angels   My song pick 6 years ago today: Triumph - Somebody's Out There   My song pick 7 years ago today: Primus - DMV My song pick 8 years ago today: Al ...

From: The Winery Dogs ; Year: 2012; Genre: Blues Rock I really hope these great musicians make some new material; I am aware that each of them have many projects and/or primary bands they are in, but I absolutely love them in this trio. Anyway, this is the final track on their debut album, which is a gorgeous bluesy ballad that shows that they can play mellower and still be the virtuosos that they are.   Hear Regret on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: George Clinton - Pleasures Of Exhaustion (Do It Till I Drop)     My song pick 2 years ago today: Richie Kotzen - Dream of a New Day   My song pick 3 years ago today: Gordon Lightfoot - Rainy Day People   My song pick 4 years ago today: The Thermals - I Might Need You To Kill   My song pick 5 years ago today: IQ - Passing Strangers   My song pick 6 years ago today: Melissa Manchester - Don't Cry Out Loud   My song pick 7 years ago today: Lighthouse - Magic's in th...

From: Mother Trucker ; Year: 1972; Genre: Country Funk/Rock Here's another country funk track to end the workweek and to also start a new month. Dennis Caldirola, aka. Dennis the Fox , is probably not a well-known artist, but has been active in the business for quite a while. As far as I am aware, Mother Trucker is his only studio album, but is well worth a good listen.   Hear Piledriver on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Thomas Dolby - She Blinded Me With Science     My song pick 2 years ago today: The Strawberry Alarm Clock - Incense and Peppermints   My song pick 3 years ago today: Bee Gees - First of May   My song pick 4 years ago today: Artie Shaw and His Orchestra - Nightmare   My song pick 5 years ago today: The Easybeats - Heaven and Hell   My song pick 6 years ago today: The Who - Ball and Chain   My song pick 7 years ago today: The Rolling Stones - Saint of Me My song pick 8 years ago today: Ste...

From: Get Ready ; Year: 1969; Genre: Blues Rock Kind of felt like going for one of Rare Earth's extended tracks, of which I have already picked a lot. This is, of course, the modern classic standard originally written by John D. Loudermilk and has been covered and recorded many times. I'll always love this heavy blues version that I heard a lot over the years; all the instruments are incredible, but especially that organwork; and those guitars are spectacular.   Hear Tobacco Road on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Devo - Jocko Homo     My song pick 2 years ago today: Three Dog Night - Pieces of April   My song pick 3 years ago today: Alice in Chains - Hate to Feel   My song pick 4 years ago today: Midnight Oil - Sell My Soul   My song pick 5 years ago today: Ohio Players - Love Rollercoaster   My song pick 6 years ago today: Fairport Convention - Expletive Delighted   My song pick 7 years ago today: The Holli...

From: Das Letzte Einhorn "The Last Unicorn" Original Soundtrack ; Year: 1982; Genre: Soft Rock/Soundtrack Was talking about America's songs from this classic movie soundtrack and just a little later it came on while driving; quite a coincidence, right? Just seemed like a sign that it should be chosen today. Anyway, this was one of three tracks recorded by the band America for The Last Unicorn , but from wot I understand they also had a hand in the orchestral pieces as well. Gerry Beckley performs the lead vocals on this one and the title-track and, even though all pieces of music were written/arranged/produced by Jimmy Webb, this track and their others on the soundtrack sit perfectly with any compilation of songs from the band, which are actually included on some of their Greatest Hits albums.   Hear In the Sea on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) - City's Still Growing     My song pick 2 years ago today: ...

From: Potlatch ; Year: 1970; Genre: Funk Rock/Traditional For about a week now I have had Redbone on my mind after watching some classic live performances; no better time than the present to pick one more. Been interested in some of their earlier work; I haven't yet listened to their self-titles debut album, but I really like this, their sophomore release. Chant: 13th Hour starts with about two minutes of traditional Native music that involves heavy drums, singing and a droning chorus in behind; very interesting. After that it goes into some awesome funky rock that, if you like their sound, you should very much appreciate.   Hear Chant: 13th Hour on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Desmond Dekker & The Aces - It Mek     My song pick 2 years ago today: Bob James - Nautilus   My song pick 3 years ago today: War - War Drums   My song pick 4 years ago today: Sam & Dave - You Don't Know Like I Know   My song pick 5 ...

From: Ooh, That's Corny ; Year: 1963; Genre: Country/Comedy Was listening to Homer & Jethro yesterday, which is something I don't do too much unless I'm in the mood for something silly, which, for me at least, is normal for most comedy/parody artists. Anyway, this is one of their songs that I heard a lot over the years that, I believe, features the late-great Boots Randolph on saxophone, but if it's not him it is someone who was doing a good job of copying him.   Hear She Made Toothpicks of the Timbers of My Heart on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Rob Zombie - House of 1000 Corpses     My song pick 2 years ago today: Mike Pinder - Among the Stars   My song pick 3 years ago today: War - All Day Music   My song pick 4 years ago today: Earth, Wind & Fire - Side By Side   My song pick 5 years ago today: Sly & The Family Stone - Shine It On   My song pick 6 years ago today: Rush - We Hold On   My son...

From: Apple ; Year: 1990; Genre: Alternative Rock I often try to find some of the earlier bands and artists that started wot would become the iconic grunge movement; Mother Love Bone is of course one of them. Whilst they only lasted a few years, their one and only album has been sited by many in the grunge scene as highly influential. After the untimely death of bandleader and vocalist Andrew Wood they broke up and have done a few partial reunions, but the members also founded other big name acts of the 1990s, most notably Pearl Jam and Temple of the Dog. Anyway, on this track in particular, you can still hear some production and mixing holdovers from the '80s hard rock sound, but, as expected, you can definitely hear the emerging sound to come.    Hear Stargazer on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Len Barry - 1-2-3     My song pick 2 years ago today: Dr. John - Mama Roux   My song pick 3 years ago today: Accept - Bulletproof...

From: Live!-Live!-Live! ; Year: 1986; Genre: Hard Rock Totally forgot about this cover of the Mountain classic until had it come on random whilst driving. Without a doubt, Turner's vocals are the best part of it; he just blows you away with those powerful pipes. Of course, the entire band played this one live like a well-oiled machine, showing off their chops and then some.   Hear Mississippi Queen on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Red Hot Chili Peppers - Tippa My Tongue     My song pick 2 years ago today: Wednesday - Last Kiss   My song pick 3 years ago today: Jigsaw - Prizefighter   My song pick 4 years ago today: Molly Hatchet - Boogie No More   My song pick 5 years ago today: The Hollies - The Air That I Breathe   My song pick 6 years ago today: Gloryhammer - Masters of the Galaxy   My song pick 7 years ago today: Gloryhammer - Legend of the Astral Hammer My song pick 8 years ago today: John Fogerty -...

From: 1980 ; Year: 1980; Genre: Disco/Funk After sampling this record I couldn't pass up this awesome song with an all-that-more awesome title for this Funky Friday . To be honest, I do not believe that I have run into one of B.T. Express' songs I dislike as of yet, but I still have a lot of material to collect and listen to.   Hear Funk Theory on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Freda Payne - Band of Gold     My song pick 2 years ago today: Finntroll - Ett folk förbannat   My song pick 3 years ago today: Earth, Wind & Fire - Dance, Dance, Dance   My song pick 4 years ago today: The Offspring - Bad Habit   My song pick 5 years ago today: Midnight Oil - Antarctica   My song pick 6 years ago today: Steely Dan - Black Cow   My song pick 7 years ago today: The Moody Blues - Stop! My song pick 8 years ago today: The New Riders of the Purple Sage - Panama Red My song pick 9 years ago today: Led Zeppelin - The...

From: Theme From "A Summer Place" ; Year: 1959; Genre: 20th Century classical Re-watching the new series based on Stephen King's novel It ;  It: Welcome to Derry . I'm really enjoying seeing wot I have missed the first time through; there is a great deal going on throughout. Anyway, I have heard this song in a few of the Stephen King miniseries/films and it almost always is the prelude to a disturbing scene. Kind of a "bait and switch" where this light and pretty piece puts the viewer at ease just to "pull the rug out" and leave you reeling. Its to the point that when I happen to hear this one outside of a King film I expect something bad to happen; I guess I watch too much of those. Anyway, this may be the most popular version of it, but is not the original and, funny enough, was never the actual theme to the 1959 movie , but rather a tune played in the background sporadically throughout the picture. I guess this is a case of the song staying fam...

From: Educated Horses ; Year: 2006; Genre: Alternative Metal Since I've been watching a lot of Rob Zombie movies lately I thought I would pick one more of his songs. This one is the namesake and seems to be about the film he released one year prior. Describing each of the main three of the Firefly family with a great grinding groove that is both unnerving and gives you the urge to dance; such a great tune.   Hear The Devil's Rejects on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Stray Cats - Rock This Town     My song pick 2 years ago today: UB40 - Please Don't Make Me Cry   My song pick 3 years ago today: Debbie Harry - Chrome   My song pick 4 years ago today: Funkadelic - Maggot Brain   My song pick 5 years ago today: Jim Steinman - Left in the Dark   My song pick 6 years ago today: Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) - Flat Broke Love   My song pick 7 years ago today: 4 Non Blondes - Spaceman My song pick 8 years ago tod...

From: Dreamboat Annie ; Year: 1975; Genre: Rock I believe that I've said it prior, but Dreamboat Annie almost plays like a Greatest Hits album with only a few exceptions. And even then, the two songs that don't get a lot, if any, radio play aren't bad; of course this is one of them. With all of that said, this track is by no means bad and is better than many other acts' best recordings in my opinion, just it got out-shown by the greatness of the others on the record.     Hear (Love Me Like Music) I'll Be Your Song on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Brave Belt - Put It In a Song     My song pick 2 years ago today: Blancmange - God's Kitchen   My song pick 3 years ago today: Rick & The Entire World - No No No Momerto   My song pick 4 years ago today: Faith No More - Stripsearch   My song pick 5 years ago today: Depeche Mode - World in my Eyes   My song pick 6 years ago today: The Allman Brothers Band ...