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

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: Funky Christmas; Year : 1976; Genre: Soul/Funk/Christmas Music Thought I would continue picking something seasonal on this first Friday in December. It is simply astonishing just how many Christmas and related songs there are performed by soul, funk, and R&B artists over the years and still counting. Being how much I love those genres, I highly doubt that I'll run out of new and different Christmas music at all, which is awesome!   Hear Feeling Like Christmas on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Jethro Tull - The Betrayal of Joshua Kynde     My song pick 2 years ago today: Wilson Pickett - Never My Love   My song pick 3 years ago today: Europe - Prisoners in Paradise   My song pick 4 years ago today: Cab Calloway - The Birth of the Blues   My song pick 5 years ago today: Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble - Tightrope   My song pick 6 years ago today: The Thermals - Here's Your Future   My song pick ...

From: In the Christmas Spirit ; Year: 1966; Genre: Soul/R&B/Christmas Music Yesterday I learned of the passing of legendary writer and guitarist Steve Cropper. Even if you do not know him by name, you have heard his music without a doubt. He has to be right up there with the most recorded musicians, especially guitarists, in the last century. Booker T. & The M.G.'s were Stax Records in-house band and played behind most of the soul and rock acts out of the 1960s and 1970s. The band was most notably made up of Booker T. Jones on keys, Steve Cropper on guitar, Donald "Duck" Dunn on bass, and Al Jackson Jr. on drums. They were the most famous of the few "house bands" and were known outside the studio by name; their biggest hit is probably Green Onions . Anyway, I suppose I could have gone with one of the many, many artists that he played with, but it just seemed right to pick one from the original band. Because it is also the Christmas season I thought I...

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: A Classic Rock Christmas ; Year: 2002; Genre: Rock/Country/Christmas Music Christmas Day has arrived once more.  Recently I discovered this compilation album and have been giving it a listen. I never heard this one before and I can say that it is not wot I think of when I hear the name of the band, which is actually a good thing in my book; bands that are ever evolving and experiment with their sound are the best in my opinion.   Hear Christmas is Here on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: The Royal Guardsmen - Snoopy's Christmas   My song pick 2 years ago today: John Denver & The Muppets - We Wish You A Merry Christmas   My song pick 3 years ago today: Bobby (Boris) Pickett and the Crypt-Kickers - Monsters' Holiday   My song pick 4 years ago today: Darlene Love - Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)   My song pick 5 years ago today: Steve Winwood - Christmas Is Now Drawing Near At Hand   My song pick 6 years ago to...

From: Louis Wishes You A Cool Yule ; Year: 2022 (1957); Genre: Swing Jazz/Christmas Music Had to choose something from Pops this holiday season and Ella joins him on this one, or rather he joins her.   Hear  I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Smash Mouth - Father Christmas   My song pick 2 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Greensleeved   My song pick 3 years ago today: Chick Corea - What Child is This?   My song pick 4 years ago today: Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Prince of Peace   My song pick 5 years ago today: Bob Rivers - Flu Ride   My song pick 6 years ago today: The Pretenders - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas My song pick 7 years ago today: Bob Rivers & Twisted Radio - Didn't I Get This Last Year? My song pick 8 years ago today: Electric Jungle - Funky Funky Christmas My song pick 9 years ago today: Louis Armstrong - Winter Wonderland My song pick 10 years ago today...

From: It's Snowing In My Heart (Bad Santa) ; Year: 2022; Genre: Pop/Christmas Music With how much he performed Irving Berlin standards back in the day I thought for sure Taco would've done the seminal standard that is White Christmas , but apparently not.... However, he did just a couple of years ago release and record this one single. I actually like this one; he definitely has not lost his charisma or showmanship, which in my personal opinion is the overwhelming strength of it.   Hear It's Snowing In My Heart (Bad Santa) on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: The Soul Saints Orchestra - Santa's Got a Bag of Soul   My song pick 2 years ago today: Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Nutrocker   My song pick 3 years ago today: Bobby Helms - Jingle Bell Rock   My song pick 4 years ago today: The Brecker Brothers With Steve Khan - The Christmas Waltz   My song pick 5 years ago today: John McLaughlin - O Come O Come Emanuel   My song pick 6 y...

From: The Temptations' Christmas Card ; Year: 1970; Genre: Funk/Soul/Christmas Music 'Twas the Friday before Christmas....    Hear Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Bob Rivers Comedy Corp - I'm Dressin' Up Like Santa (When I Get Out on Parole)   My song pick 2 years ago today: The Drifters - White Christmas   My song pick 3 years ago today: Steeleye Span - Today in Bethlehem   My song pick 4 years ago today: Van der Graaf Generator - La Rossa   My song pick 5 years ago today: Binky Griptite - Stone Soul Christmas   My song pick 6 years ago today: Bachman & Turner - Find Some Love My song pick 7 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Another Harry's Bar My song pick 8 years ago today: Ronnie James Dio/Tony Iommi/Rudy Sarzo/Simon Wright - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen My song pick 9 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Holly Herald My song pick 10 years ago today: Sting - Gabriel's Message My...

From: That Christmas Feeling ; Year: 1958; Genre: Christmas Music Just a Christmas tune that popped into my mind today; probably heard it recently. You hear a lot of Bing Crosby year around in the current town in which I reside, being that it is where the man grew up; they're very quick to remind everyone of him. Anyway, this is a more contemporary song that originated as a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in the mid 19th century during the Civil War and has a central theme about faith and positive thought overcoming the darkness and despair of the time. Although it had been set to music prior, the version most would be familiar with would most likely be that of Johnny Marks from 1956, which Bing's version is derived. However, other versions might be more prevalent in different parts of the globe.   Hear I Head the Bells on Christmas Day on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: John Denver - Christmas for Cowboys   My song pick 2 years ago today: ...

From: We Wish You a Metal Xmas and a Headbanging New Year ; Year: 2008; Genre: Metal/Christmas Music Alright, here is another seasonal song pick for the occasion. It's amazing how since Savatage alumni did their Trans-Siberian Orchestra project that metal and related genres have been utilized for the Christmas season; it really makes sense that they would go so well together with the emotion, pageantry, and symphonic nature of many metal sub-genres. Anyway, this is an excellent metal version of one of favourite contemporary carols. As you might expect, it especially focuses on Simon Phillips' drumming, which is great, but it's at its best when they all kick in.   Hear their rendition of Little Drummer Boy on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Claymation Christmas Celebration - Joy to the World   My song pick 2 years ago today: The (Young) Rascals - How Can I Be Sure   My song pick 3 years ago today: Hot & Sassy - Christmas Strutt   My...

From: A Garfield Christmas Special ; Year: 1987; Genre: Jazz Alright, am now making a concerted effort to get in a more "merry" mood this year. This one was kind of a short "showstopper" for the '87 Garfield Christmas Special and in my opinion the best of the soundtrack. Sadly though, they apparently never released an actual soundtrack for it, unlike with other ones. I can say, it does bring back a lot of memories always marking the day of the broadcast and hearing and seeing the sound of the CBS Special announcement. Even after all these years the work of Lou Rawls, Desirée Goyette, and Ed Bogas is as great as ever; simply timeless in their effort/performance.   Hear You Can Never Find An Elf When You Need One on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: James Brown And The Famous Flames - Merry Christmas Baby   My song pick 2 years ago today: Styx - Just Get Through This Night   My song pick 3 years ago today: Stevie Wonder - Someday At Christmas ...

From: Snoopy and His Friends ; Year: 1967; Genre: Christmas Music/Pop/Rock It's finally here, Merry Christmas! This is a Christmas song from the same band that performed the popular novelty track Snoopy vs. The Red Barron the year prior. Although this one takes place during Christmas and the two fighter pilots have a peaceful resolution and share the Holiday in peace.   Hear Snoopy's Christmas on YouTube. Hear the unabridged album version on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: John Denver & The Muppets - We Wish You A Merry Christmas   My song pick 2 years ago today: Bobby (Boris) Pickett and the Crypt-Kickers - Monsters' Holiday   My song pick 3 years ago today: Darlene Love - Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)   My song pick 4 years ago today: Steve Winwood - Christmas Is Now Drawing Near At Hand   My song pick 5 years ago today: Louis Armstrong and the Commanders - Cool Yule My song pick 6 years ago today: Trans-Siberian Orc...

From: Christmas Eve and Other Stories ; Year: 1996; Genre: Christmas Music/Symphonic Metal/Progressive Metal Christmas Eve is finally here; the Season has really flew on by, seems like a couple of weeks ago was Thanksgiving.... Anyway, with all of this Christmas music I could not let it go without picking at least one from TSO. This very rousing and emotional song happens to be the opening track off of the debut album; it's hard to believe that it was released back in '96... nearly three decades ago. I can still remember back in1995 when the Savatage record Dead Winter Dead came out, which kind of spawned this offshoot project: Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Great song, great musicians, and an excellent album.   Hear An Angel Came Down on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Bing Crosby - I'll Be Home For Christmas (If Only In My Dreams)   My song pick 2 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Pavane   My song pick 3 years ago today: The Smashing Pumpk...