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

From: Nebraska ; Year: 1982; Genre: Folk This, the lead and title track off of his Nebraska album, just happened to be on my mind today. It reminds me a lot of the old time folk singers from way back in how they wrote song about actual happenings, mostly gruesome tales and such. In this one he tells the tale of the serial killers Charles Starkweather and Caril Ann Fugate and their eight-day spree in 1958 killing 11 people. Although, he also was inspired by the writings of Flannery O'Connor , of which he took some artistic liberties with the tale. The best aspect of this song in my opinion is how he stripped it back to essentially just him and his guitar as well as him overdubbing a few other instruments. It comes off quite to my ears as Pete Seeger meets the acoustic music of Neil Young; very emotional and profound.   Hear Nebraska on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Wolfmother - City Lights     My song pick 2 years ago today: Mac Davis...

From: Born in the U.S.A. ; Year: 1984; Genre: Rock Here is one that I've been meaning to pick for a while now; finally getting around to it. Cover Me is one of the earlier hits off of this landmark album, which, truthfully, plays more like a "Greatest Hits" record than a normal mainstream rock disc. Heck, It'd probably be quick and easier to name the non-hit songs from the album, but even at that they probably get a bunch of play on the radio, streaming, in stores, jukeboxes, etc as well. Without a doubt people one or two-hundred or more years from now will still be listening to it; and much of "The Boss'" others as well. Anyway, this one was originally written by Bruce for Donna Summer, however, his management decided that it would be a big hit if he recorded it himself, and they were right I suppose. Every time I put this one on I am taken aback by Max Weinberg's drumming, which is amazing normally anyway, but in my opinion he doesn't get the ...

From: Darkness on the Edge of Town ; Year: 1978; Genre: Rock I would have to say that Bruce Springsteen is one of the most eloquent singer/songwriters in the last half century or more. I just love how in songs like this his words so vividly describe a scene like thumbing through a photo album with many memories. From wot I understand he was inspired by a road trip through Utah and Nevada and the sights and experiences therein; sometimes, personally, I feel so connected like you are riding in the car with him.     Hear The Promised Land on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Klaatu - Anus of Uranus     My song pick 2 years ago today: Rockwell - Obscene Phone Caller   My song pick 3 years ago today: Zebrahead - Playmate of the Year   My song pick 4 years ago today: Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Mideast Vacation   My song pick 5 years ago today: Gin Blossoms - Hey Jealousy   My song pick 6 years ago today: Drea...

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: Born in the U.S.A. ; Year: 1984; Genre: Rock This is just such a great moody song with an amazing atmosphere; the sparse and very effective accompaniment really and absolutely perfect vocals really make it as great as it is.      Hear I'm on Fire on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Stone Temple Pilots - Meadow   My song pick 2 years ago today: Pearl Jam - Dance of the Clairvoyants   My song pick 3 years ago today: Twelfth Night - East of Eden   My song pick 4 years ago today: Red Hot Chili Peppers - Jungle Man   My song pick 5 years ago today: The Rolling Stones - Lady Jane My song pick 6 years ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - Tenderloin My song pick 7 years ago today: The Beach Boys - I Can Hear Music My song pick 8 years ago today: Earthless - Equus October My song pick 9 years ago today: Rammstein - Weiner Blut My song pick 10 years ago today: Miles Davis - Funky Tonk My song pick 11 years ago today: Pall...

From: Born to Run ; Year: 1975; Genre: Rock I noticed today that I have woefully neglected picking song from "The Boss," with my total topping only at three. Although, I have picked many other covers from other artists that did his music, I feel like I should add more from the man himself. Whilst I've never considered myself a huge fan of Bruce Springsteen and his band, I almost always enjoy it when one of his songs come on the radio and such. I had not heard Thunder Road in ages, but I immediately recognized it by title the second I saw it, and I do like it, so it's my pick today.   Hear Thunder Road on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Return to Forever - Majestic Dance   My song pick 2 years ago today: Manfred Mann's Earth Band - As Above So Below   My song pick 3 years ago today: Parliament - P Funk (Wants to Get Funked Up) My song pick 4 years ago today: Peter Frampton - Show Me the Way My song pick 5 years ago today: Blue Öyster Cul...

From: The Ghost of Tom Joad ; Year: 1995; Genre: Folk Rock Been listening to some of "The Boss'" music lately; thought I'd wrap this week up with one of his mellower and very beautiful tunes.  Hear Dry Lightning on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Earth, Wind & Fire - Evolution Orange My song pick two years ago today: Rush - Madrigal My song pick three years ago today: John Fogerty - A Hundred and Ten in the Shade My song pick four years ago today: INXS - Devil Inside My song pick five years ago today: Boston - Rock and Roll Band My song pick six years ago today: Mr. Big - Undertow My song pick seven years ago today: Rush - In The End My song pick eight years ago today: Led Zeppelin - Kashmir My song pick nine years ago today: The Kinks - Sunny Afternoon

From: The Ghost of Tom Joad ; Year: 1995; Genre: Folk Rock I felt like picking something a bit different this morning; the music of Bruce Springsteen just seemed like a perfect fit for the day. This song has always been one of my favourites from Mr. Springsteen's pen; it's a great piece of folk rock that really brings forth the atmosphere of the lyrical content summoning up the imagery inspired by one of the main characters in the novel The Grapes of Wrath . Hear The Ghost of Tom Joad on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Yes - I Would Have Waited Forever My song pick two years ago today: Normaal - Vulgaris Magistralis My song pick three years ago today: Audioslave - Jewel of the Summertime My song pick four years ago today: Megaherz - Himmelfahrt My song pick five years ago today: Coleman Hawkins - Stardust My song pick six years ago today: Bon Jovi - Someday I'll Be Saturday Night My song pick seven years ago today: Styx - The Grand Illus...

1403 Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band - Born to Run From: Born to Run , Year: 1975 Genre: Rock Probably most are aware by now that E Street Band saxophonist Clarence Clemons passed away over the weekend. Apparently the cause of his passing was due to complications from a stroke he suffered back on June 12 th . My thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and loved ones. While I've never been an aficionado of Bruce Springsteen and his E Street Band I've always been a fan of his music and usually turn it up when one of his songs pop on the radio. Anyway, this is one of my favourites from his catalogue, which features a nice Clarence Clemons saxophone solo. Hear a studio version on YouTube. Watch a live performance on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Jethro Tull - Moths My song pick two years ago today: Steely Dan - Dirty Work My song pick three years ago today: John Denver - Opposite Tables +