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

From: Halloween ; Year: 2003; Genre: Neoclassical/Symphonic Rock Happy Halloween! Strange that I have not added one from the famous and venerable neoclassical outfit Mannheim Steamroller yet. But it is such a perfect occasion for one of their Halloween albums; I believe that this is one of the songs that was completely original, written by Chip Davis. Great atmosphere that would fit any party or just if you want to sit back, and relax in a spooky mood.   Hear All Hallows Eve on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Whodini - Haunted House of Rock     My song pick 2 years ago today: Oingo Boingo - Dead Man's Party     My song pick 3 years ago today: Coven - Black Sabbath   My song pick 4 years ago today: Muse - You Make Me Feel Like It's Halloween   My song pick 5 years ago today: Black Sabbath - When Death Calls   My song pick 6 years ago today: Black Sabbath - Sabbath Bloody Sabbath   My song pick 7 years ago ...

From: A-F-R-O Polo ; Year: 2016; Genre: Hip-Hop/Rap The day before Halloween, or would it be Halloween Eve? Who knows, but I really needed something funky today, and this one really fits the bill perfectly.     Hear Nightmare on Fro Street on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Buck Owens and His Buckaroos - Satan's Gotta Get Along Without Me     My song pick 2 years ago today: Sugarcult - Memory     My song pick 3 years ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - White Flags   My song pick 4 years ago today: Billie Holiday - If The Moon Turns Green   My song pick 5 years ago today: Rolling Stones - Laugh, I Nearly Died   My song pick 6 years ago today: Joe Tex - Ain't Gonna Bump No More   My song pick 7 years ago today: Ugly Kid Joe - Under the Bottom   My song pick 8 years ago today: The Moontrekkers - Return of the Vampire (The Bogey Man) My song pick 9 years ago today: Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) -...

From: Iron Maiden ; Year: 1980; Genre: Metal Going back to Iron Maiden's debut record for this pick, which is, again, perfect for the season.    Hear Transylvania on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - The Alchemist     My song pick 2 years ago today: Tears for Fears - Power     My song pick 3 years ago today: Jimi Hendrix - In From the Storm   My song pick 4 years ago today: Jerry Lee Lewis - Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On   My song pick 5 years ago today: Dazz Band - Magnetized   My song pick 6 years ago today: Queensrÿche - Another Rainy Night (Without You)   My song pick 7 years ago today: Porcupine Tree - Every Home is Wired   My song pick 8 years ago today: The Cranberries - Dreams My song pick 9 years ago today: Queensrÿche - Queen of the Reich My song pick 10 years ago today: The Human League - (Keep Feeling) Fascination My song pick 11 years ago today: Emerson, Lake ...

From: Black Sabbath ; Year: 1970; Genre: Metal/Hard Rock Getting closer to Halloween and related Holidays; wot a better time to put on some early 'Sabbath? Behind the Wall of Sleep is a heavy track with lyrics reference the H.P. Lovecraft short story Beyond the Wall of Sleep , which, of course makes it all the more a great supernatural/science fiction, creepy song.   Hear Behind the Wall of Sleep on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: The Orlons - Don't Hang Up     My song pick 2 years ago today: Marillion - The Crow and the Nightingale     My song pick 3 years ago today: Hawkwind - Master of the Universe   My song pick 4 years ago today: Gap Band - Burn Rubber On Me (Why Do You Wanna Hurt Me)   My song pick 5 years ago today: Steve Vai - Tender Surrender   My song pick 6 years ago today: The Kinks - You Really Got Me My song pick 7 years ago today: Faith No More - Cone of Shame   My song pick 8...

From: Wolf Creek Pass ; Year: 1975; Genre: Country When I was really, really young I used to listen to this song and record. This song in particular has been on my mind a wee bit as of late due to me beginning restoration on my old, classic truck. It is interesting though when you consider the time of its recording, the rough 1957 Chevrolet half-ton truck would've been only an 18 year old vehicle, which was not quite that old and classic. This is somewhat similar with mine, although mine is a bit older, a Dodge, and a full 1 ton. There is something magical about getting a really old vehicle back on the road. This is a typical C.W. McCall song with the fast country music played behind a country and western rap in which he regales you with the relatable and comedic story.   Hear Classified on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: John Denver - The Wings That Fly Us Home     My song pick 2 years ago today: Phil Lesh & Friends - Celebration ...

From: Astro Lounge ; Year: 1999; Genre: Alternative Rock Had them on the brain today, so I'm making one of their songs my pick, as always. I know that I say it a lot, but for me it is difficult to wrap my head around the fact that this song was released over 27 years ago... Tempus Fugit . Always had a soft spot for this track for a variety of reasons, and still do. Kind of an anthemic piece for those of us that push forward in spite of being beaten down by people nay saying and berating.     Watch the music video on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Survivor - Man Against the World     My song pick 2 years ago today: Gloryhammer - Anstruther's Dark Prophecy/The Unicorn Invasion of Dundee     My song pick 3 years ago today: Gerry Rafferty - Can I Have My Money Back?   My song pick 4 years ago today: Billy Joel - Vienna   My song pick 5 years ago today: Quasar - Logic?   My song pick 6 years ago today: Le...

From: Not Of This Earth ; Year: 1986; Genre: Rock Getting ever closer to Halloween and I thought I should pick something in the spirit thereof. Of course The Headless Horseman is most likely a reference to the supernatural Dullahan antagonist from George Washington Irving's tale: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow . Whilst the folklore concerning a headless rider or coachman far predates it in European legends, at least in the U.S. The Legend of Sleep Hollow is the most thought of when The Headless Horseman is mentioned. Anyway, as for the song, it is a short instrumental piece played entirely by two-handed tapping on the guitar accompanied by a single drum. As you would expect, it has an overall galloping beat, and along with some "yips," whistles "ha, ha, ha's" and "yahoos" along with other riding sound effects makes for a nice atmospheric track.   Hear The Headless Horseman on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Frank Zappa - Heavenly B...

From: Look Sharp! ; Year: 1989; Genre: Rock/Pop A lot of memories always rise to the surface whenever this song comes on, and not just from the time of its release either. The Look is one that has seemingly been on wotever playlist on wotever the recorded medium that I am using at the time. Great, totally fun track all around no matter the occasion, really.   Hear The Look on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Kool & The Gang - Fresh     My song pick 2 years ago today: Iron Butterfly - In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida     My song pick 3 years ago today: Donovan - Riki Tiki Tavi   My song pick 4 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Man of God   My song pick 5 years ago today: Bob Seger - Beautiful Loser   My song pick 6 years ago today: Wishbone Ash - No Easy Road   My song pick 7 years ago today: Redbone - Wovoka   My song pick 8 years ago today: Ultravox - Frozen Ones My song pick 9 years ago today: Savatage - Sta...

From: Some Girls ; Year: 1978; Genre: Disco/Rock/Funk Just some great toe tapping music to move your feet along with for this Friday!     Hear Miss You on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Beat Crusaders - ~ Sasquatch ~   My song pick 2 years ago today: Dick Dale - Take It Or Leave It     My song pick 3 years ago today: John Denver - Fire and Rain/The Box   My song pick 4 years ago today: Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble - Testify   My song pick 5 years ago today: Nightwish - Harvest   My song pick 6 years ago today: Kool and the Gang - Funky Granny   My song pick 7 years ago today: Soundgarden - Blood on the Valley Floor   My song pick 8 years ago today: Bachman Turner Overdrive (BTO) - Away From Home My song pick 9 years ago today: King Crimson - The Night Watch My song pick 10 years ago today: Porcupine Tree - Trains My song pick 11 years ago today: Three Dog Night - Feelin' Alright My s...

From: Straight Between the Eyes ; Year: 1982; Genre: Hard Rock It seems that every time I put this record on it is kind of a rediscovery as to just how good the entirety of the album is. Whilst having two big hit singles from it, when played through, each and every track shows its quality; I suppose that is why they call it album oriented rock (AOR).   Hear Bring on the Night (Dream Chaser) on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Traffic - Walking in the Wind     My song pick 2 years ago today: Megadeth - Killing Time     My song pick 3 years ago today: Chicago - Colour My World   My song pick 4 years ago today: Devo - Shout   My song pick 5 years ago today: Ebony Rhythm Band - Get Yourself Together (Smiling Phases/Sunshine of Your Love Medley)   My song pick 6 years ago today: Genesis - Harold the Barrel   My song pick 7 years ago today: The Kinks - Apeman   My song pick 8 years ago today: David Bowie -...

From: The Duke of Earl ; Year: 1962; Genre: Doo-Wop/Rock 'n Roll Had this one earworm me today like crazy; not a bad song by any measure, so I'm taking it as that I need to add it to my list. Not that long ago Duke of Earl seem, at least to me, to get played in different places frequently, but in the last few decades its presence has seemingly ebbed. As with most great Doo-Wop tunes it is one that will get stuck in your mind quite easily due to the arrangements and the harmonies. From wot I've read, like many other historic songs out there, this one came into being kind of by happenstance. When warming up for a show with the group The Dukays, one of the vocal exercises they would perform was "do, do, do... etc" in various keys and Gene Chandler started adding bandmate Earl Edwards' name to it and out of that they started doing the Duke, Duke, Duke of Earl and they quickly brainstormed and came up with it. And the rest, as they say, is music history.   Hear D...

From: Walking in London ; Year: 1992; Genre: Rock This song is total fun all the way around. They captured the musical feel of the haunting ghost story songs in pop music and combined it with an amusing and engaging tale, which apparently was inspired by an autobiographical event that happened to Johnette Napolitano earlier whilst staying in a reported haunted hotel in the city of Austin, Texas. Perfect party song for this time of year during the Halloween season.   Watch the music video on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Supertramp - Hide in Your Shell     My song pick 2 years ago today: Neil Young - The Loner     My song pick 3 years ago today: Bootsy's Rubber Band - Munchies for Your Soul   My song pick 4 years ago today: Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) - Just Look At Me Now   My song pick 5 years ago today: The Kinks - Money Talks   My song pick 6 years ago today: Ozric Tentacles - Humboldt Currant   My...

From: Roots to Branches ; Year: 1995; Genre: Jazz Rock/Progressive Rock Do not know exactly why I am picking this one today; it is literally one of my least favourite songs from 'Tull or any of its members' solo works. I've often wondered how they would put tracks such as this one on a record and leave amazing ones on the cutting room floor that'd only see the light of day many years later on some compilation disc or remastered re-release of it. Who knows wot they were thinking at the time; or perhaps it is me that just does not appreciate some greats arts. This one is definitely listenable, but for me the vocals and the lyrics along with the overproduced quality of the song and the sterile sound of the keyboards all let this one down in the worst way. The highlights for me are Steve Bailey's bass, Martin's guitar work along with Ian's flute solos and how the flute and the guitar play off of one another.   Hear Wounded, Old and Treacherous on YouTube.      ...

From: Every 1's a Winner ; Year: 1978; Genre: Soul/Rock Lately I have really been enjoying the iconic soul band out of The U.K., Hot Chocolate a lot; they've been in heavy rotation to say the least. They were/are so good at wot, and still apparently are doing; heck, I mean, wot is about their art that is not to like? For me... nothing; I love their music, each and every aspect.   Hear Every 1's a Winner on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Merle Travis - Sixteen Tons     My song pick 2 years ago today: Lou Rawls - Season of the Witch     My song pick 3 years ago today: Ultravox - Someone Else's Clothes   My song pick 4 years ago today: Christopher Cross - Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)   My song pick 5 years ago today: Asia - True Colors   My song pick 6 years ago today: Elton John - Ego My song pick 7 years ago today: George Duke - Funny Funk   My song pick 8 years ago today: Steeleye Span - We Sha...

From: More Today Than Yesterday ; Year: 1969; Genre: Pop/Rock/Soul Had their main hit song of their only album's namesake earworming me earlier; thought I'd pick another from the band. Whilst they had a few other minor hits, this being one of them, they are more or less stamped with that ignoble label of "one hit wonder" to most. I actually really love their sound with the super soulful vocals from Pat Upton mixed with the well produced and arranged music. Sadly, the band did not last long apparently due to finances and the normal drama that goes with the music business. Pat Upton did, however, go on to be a session musician and for Ricky Nelson and Juice Newton as well as releasing a solo album later.   Hear No One for Me to Turn To on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Ace Frehley - New York Groove     My song pick 2 years ago today: The Kinks - Do You Remember Walter?     My song pick 3 years ago today: Genesis - Dancing with...

From: Chartbusters ; Year: 1984; Genre: Soul/Funk Just had Ray Parker Jr. on my mind, especially his early to mid 1980s material. Chartbusters was apparently a majority greatest hits album with a couple or so singles/unreleased songs, which this is one. Jamie ended up being a hit in the U.S., New Zealand, Germany, and Canada; I can easily hear why.   Hear Jamie on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Alice Cooper feat. Robert Englund - Lock Me Up     My song pick 2 years ago today: The Kinks - No Return     My song pick 3 years ago today: The Who - Baba O'Riley   My song pick 4 years ago today: The Isley Brothers - Shout (Parts I + II)   My song pick 5 years ago today: Bee Gees - Boogie Child   My song pick 6 years ago today: Rufus & Chaka Khan - Jive Talkin'   My song pick 7 years ago today: Iron Maiden - Run Silent Run Deep   My song pick 8 years ago today: The Rolling Stones - Citadel My song ...

From: All Aboard the Skylark ; Year: 2019; Genre: Space Rock/Progressive Rock For some reason, put of Hawkwind's most recent studio releases, I keep coming back to this record; must just be the great music. I thought for sure that I had already picked the title-track, but I guess not. Now is as good of time as ever!   Hear All Aboard the Skylark on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Styx - Build and Destroy     My song pick 2 years ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - Power Underneath Despair     My song pick 3 years ago today: Dolly Parton - Mule Skinner Blues (Blue Yodel No. 8)   My song pick 4 years ago today: The Zombies - Time Of The Season   My song pick 5 years ago today: Sweat Band - Freak to Freak   My song pick 6 years ago today: Van der Graaf Generator - Orthenthian St (Parts I & II)   My song pick 7 years ago today: Steve Vai - The Crying Machine   My song pick 8 years ago today: Rush - Territ...

From: Circling From Above ; Year: 2025; Genre: Folk Rock/Flamenco Rock This is a real neat one from the pen of guitarist Tommy Shaw, and it shows. Quite a bit different from the other tracks off of their newest album, that whilst utilizing a lot of acoustic instruments in a blend of rock, folk, and flamenco, it is just as or even heavier than their louder songs on it. To say the least I really love it.   Hear Blue Eyed Raven on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Elton John - All Across the Havens     My song pick 2 years ago today: 4 Non Blondes - Drifting     My song pick 3 years ago today: England Dan & John Ford Coley - It's Sad To Belong   My song pick 4 years ago today: Primus - Follow The Fool   My song pick 5 years ago today: Gloryhammer - Quest for the Hammer of Glory   My song pick 6 years ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - Nightmare Epiphany   My song pick 7 years ago today: Rod Stewart - (I Know) I...