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

From: All the Hits by The Orlons ; Year: 1962; Genre: R&B/Doo-Wop Another one has been playing in my mind for the last bit; dang, this one is so great, kicky and hooks you right in. Some incredible lead vocal arrangements, harmonies and of course the music is pure fun and interesting at the same time; and they got a sax solo wedged in there to boot!   Hear Don't Hang Up on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Marillion - The Crow and the Nightingale     My song pick 2 years ago today: Hawkwind - Master of the Universe   My song pick 3 years ago today: Gap Band - Burn Rubber On Me (Why Do You Wanna Hurt Me)   My song pick 4 years ago today: Steve Vai - Tender Surrender   My song pick 5 years ago today: The Kinks - You Really Got Me My song pick 6 years ago today: Faith No More - Cone of Shame   My song pick 7 years ago today: April Wine - One More Time My song pick 8 years ago today: Riggs - Heartbeat ...

From: You Are What You Is ; Year:1981; Genre: Soul/Doo-Wop/Gospel It's so interesting that most of Frank Zappa's song's messages are as, if not more relevant today. I am not sure if it's that he was a visionary or whatever, but I believe that it is also the fact that, here in The States at least, people as a whole are complete and utter imbeciles. Anyway, Mr. Zappa was such a fun and articulate artist to listen to and it's always amazing to hear his music.   Watch a live performance on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Whodini - Freaks Come Out at Night     My song pick 2 years ago today: Stuart Hamm - I Want to Know   My song pick 3 years ago today: Diesel - Leader Of The Pac-Man   My song pick 4 years ago today: Al Stewart - Flying Sorcery   My song pick 5 years ago today: Stone Temple Pilots - Down   My song pick 6 years ago today: Steeleye Span - Fire & Ice   My song pick 7 years ago today: Béla Fleck ...

From: The Boy From New York City/Johnny Boy (Single); Year: 1965; Genre: Doo-Wop/Soul I remember that this one seemed to have a big resurgence back in the early 1980s due to The Manhattan Transfer's cover of the song and it is the one that is still to this day ingrained in my mind. It is surprising how their blend of doo-wop and soul did not make even more super hit songs.   Hear The Boy From New York City on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Buck Owens and His Buckaroos - I've Got a Tiger By the Tail     My song pick 2 years ago today: Billy Joel - Summer, Highland Falls   My song pick 3 years ago today: Bob Dylan - Positively 4th Street   My song pick 4 years ago today: Robin Trower - Same Rain Falls   My song pick 5 years ago today: Classics IV - Spooky   My song pick 6 years ago today: Black Sabbath - E5150 My song pick 7 years ago today: Bob Dylan - Lay Lady Lay My song pick 8 years ago today: ZZ Top - I'm ...

From: Cooleyhighharmony ; Year: 1991; Genre: Soul/Doo-Wop This is probably the song that is a lot think of when they hear Boyz II Men. Wot really else is there to say, but they really did a spectacular job on this, their a cappella rendition of this classic track.   Hear It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Daniel Boone - Beautiful Sunday   My song pick 2 years ago today: The Jimmy Castor Bunch - Hallucinations   My song pick 3 years ago today: The Kinks - Sleepwalker   My song pick 4 years ago today: Carmen - The Horseman   My song pick 5 years ago today: Daniel Lanois - That's The Way It Is   My song pick 6 years ago today: Raspberries - Go All The Way My song pick 7 years ago today: The Thermals - Test Pattern My song pick 8 years ago today: Kool & The Gang - Jungle Boogie My song pick 9 years ago today: The Beatles - For You Blue My song pick 10 years ago today: Boston -...

From: Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters ; Year: 1956 (1954); Genre: Doo-Wop/R&B/Rock 'n Roll It is kind of saddening when you look back through the history of The Drifters and how many insanely talented people came and went through the years. Whilst most would remember the monster hits when Ben E. King later sang the lead for a totally different group for a manager that owned the name, this was the original lineup. Clyde McPhatter put together The Drifters as his backing band, which lasted about a year with a few singles and a single LP album. It is amazing to see the tapestry of these greats that came and went over the years and the legends they later would work with and/or have a solo career. You could probably write a volume of books on this band in its many incarnations. Anyway, this is an early rhythm and blues track with some noted jazz and blues influence. Shortly later Elvis would record the song, which I do believe became the "de-facto" version, but this one...

From: South Street ; Year: 1963; Genre: Doo-Wop/Rock 'n Roll This one has really never escaped my mind, although I have not heard it in an age and a half. It's just one of those early '60s "feel good" songs that goes over well. Probably the most striking aspect of this one, other than the great rhythm and music, is how the lower bass vocal contrasts and yet works so well with the angelic three part harmony above.    Hear South Street on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Steve Gray - Snowman's Stomp   My song pick 2 years ago today: Queen - White Queen (As It Began)   My song pick 3 years ago today: Tennessee Ernie Ford - Shot-Gun Boogie   My song pick 4 years ago today: Savatage - All That I Bleed   My song pick 5 years ago today: Yes - The Remembering/High the Memory   My song pick 6 years ago today: Alphaville - Sounds Like a Melody My song pick 7 years ago today: The Spencer Davis Group - Keep On Running My song pic...

From: The Teenagers featuring Frankie Lymon ; Year: 1956; Genre: Rock 'n Roll/Doo-Wop This is a great one to get up and dance to with a great toe-tapping groove. Originally recorded for the 1956 film Rock, Rock, Rock! , it really didn't get too much play in the U.S., but abroad, especially in the U.K. it became a hit.   Watch a clip with the group miming the song from the film on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Solar Plexus - The Serpent Speaks   My song pick 2 years ago today: Alphaville - Romeos   My song pick 3 years ago today: Savatage - Legions   My song pick 4 years ago today: Gerry And The Pacemakers - Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying   My song pick 5 years ago today: Steely Dan - I Got the News   My song pick 6 years ago today: Tarja Turunen - Undertaker My song pick 7 years ago today: Earth, Wind & Fire - Happy Feelin' My song pick 8 years ago today: The Fabulous Flee-Rakkers - Green Jeans My song pick 9 y...

From: May I/This Feeling (single); Year: 1965; Genre: Soul/Doo-Wop/R&B Yesterday I found out that music legend Maurice Williams passed away; the band that he fronted went by the names: The Royal Charms, Gladiolas, and finally The Zodiacs. They had a few hits, however, they are most noted for the modern classic Stay , which holds the distinction of being the shortest #1 hit at just over 90 seconds and has been covered and licensed in film and other popular culture. Anyway, I already started making this post believing that I had already picked Stay , but whilst typing I discovered that I had not, but decided to stick with my initial choice. May I is one of their hits that I actually like a bit more; such a smooth and enjoyable sound.   Hear May I on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Alley Pat - Pat's Rubber Band   My song pick 2 years ago today: The Doors - Love Street   My song pick 3 years ago today: Benny Carter - Cotton Tail   My ...

From: It Ain't Sanitary ; Year: 1972; Genre: R&B/Doo-Wop/Comedy The Coasters are just one of those positive "feel good" bands that fuse the power of comedy into their act in a way that always makes them a favourite. Apparently It Ain't Sanitary was more or less a compilation album of unreleased tracks from the early 1960s; about '62 or '63 to be more precise. The Deodorant Song is one that sits right in line with most of the music they are known for.   Hear The Deodorant Song on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Barrabás - Wild Safari   My song pick 2 years ago today: The First Class - Beach Baby   My song pick 3 years ago today: Weather Report - Five Short Stories   My song pick 4 years ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - Death Valley Nights   My song pick 5 years ago today: Ray Stevens - The Streak My song pick 6 years ago today: Faith No More - Sunny Side Up My song pick 7 years ago today: Parliament - Do That Stuff My song ...

From: Cooleyhighharmony ; Year: 1992; Genre: Doo-Wop/R&B I don't know how someone could listen to this cover of the classic doo-wop mainstay originally recorded by The Five Satins and not have a smile on your face or at least a feeling of content. It has been interesting revisiting Cooleyhighharmony and realizing just how many memories from my early to mid teens that are tied to Boyz II Men's earlier work. Anyway, it was originally recorded as part of the soundtrack to the miniseries The Jacksons: An American Dream and became an instant giant hit. Whilst it did not originally make it on their debut record, it was included on subsequent releases and is among the band's top songs.   Hear In the Still of the Night (I'll Remember) on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: The Jimi Hendrix Experience - One Rainy Wish   My song pick 2 years ago today: April Wine - Cat's Claw   My song pick 3 years ago today: Alphaville - Big In Japan   My son...

From: Ricky Nelson ; Year: 1958; Genre: Rock 'n Roll/Country Happy April Fools Day! Had a couple of other songs in mind for this minor holiday, (that is, if you can call it an actual holiday), but had this one just pop into my head while I was getting ready to pick. It's one of those songs from the still emerging pop scene of the 1950s where genres overlapped a bit, plus Ricky Nelson's delivery kind of plays into the types of music with some bits and pieces of them pieced together throughout.   Hear Poor Little Fool on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Whitesnake - Fool For Your Loving   My song pick 2 years ago today: James Brown - These Foolish Things (Remind Me of You)   My song pick 3 years ago today: Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers - Why Do Fools Fall In Love   My song pick 4 years ago today: Billy Joel - Sometimes a Fantasy   My song pick 5 years ago today: Def Leppard - Foolin' My song pick 6 years ago today: The Doobie B...

From: Decca (3258 A) ; Year: 1940; Genre: Doo-Wop/Hit Parade I guess it's another February 29th, which only happens every four years, so here's a very pretty track for this Leap Year. Timeless beauty, just timeless this song is... Bill Kenny's distinct and gorgeous voice just puts this one not only over the top, but beyond the stratosphere; it's one of those pieces that you have to repeat at least three or four times when you hear it due to it being that good.    Hear Whispering Grass (Don't Tell the Trees) on YouTube.       Picks for previous February 29ths (Leap Years): My leap year pick on 2.29.20: Steely Dan - Time Out of Mind My leap year pick on 2.29.16: Van Halen - Jump My leap year pick on 2.29.12: Cheech & Chong - Cheborneck My leap year pick on 2.29.08: ABBA - The Visitors    

From: Sports ; Year: 1983; Genre: Rock/Doo-Wop There's a lot of songs that I erroneously believe that I already picked; this is yet another. I love how artist will blend styles and such; If This Is It is kind of 50s/early 60s doo-wop was brought into and recorded in the 1980s. Just such a fun and timeless classic; it is amazing how the sheer amount of people from all over the musical spectrum absolutely love this track.   Hear If This Is It on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Lenny Kravitz - Rock And Roll Is Dead   My song pick 2 years ago today: Marillion - The Space...   My song pick 3 years ago today: Hawkwind - Last Man on Earth   My song pick 4 years ago today: Janis Joplin - Kosmic Blues My song pick 5 years ago today: Van Morrison - Wild Nights My song pick 6 years ago today: Van Halen - Best of Both Worlds My song pick 7 years ago today: Santo & Johnny - Deep Purple My song pick 8 years ago today: Dire Straits - Expres...

From: The Drifters' Greatest Hits ; Year: 1960; Genre: Soul/R&B/Doo-Wop This is another song which I was exposed to the cover prior to hearing the original; in this case it was from a 45 rpm record by Jay and the Americans my Dad owned that he played a lot over the years. Of course, I have been a huge fan of The Drifters, so I ended up liking both, but in different ways. For this version the orchestral grandness and splendor combined with the top-notched vocals by The Drifters, led by the legend Ben E. King just presses all the right buttons for me.   Hear This Magic Moment on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Old Metropolitan Band - Summertime   My song pick 2 years ago today: Toronto - Your Daddy Don't Know   My song pick 3 years ago today: Balance - Ride the Wave   My song pick 4 years ago today: The Allman Brothers Band - Black Hearted Woman My song pick 5 years ago today: Joe Jackson - Breaking Us In Two My song pick 6 years...

From: Meet The Temptations ; Year: 1964; Genre: Soul/Doo-Wop/Motown There's not much I can add by saying anything about any aspect of this song, it's just out-of-this-world on so many levels; almost a perfect song in my opinion across the board.   Hear The Way You Do The Things You Do on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Jethro Tull - Elegy   My song pick 2 years ago today: KC and the Sunshine Band - Sho-Nuff   My song pick 3 years ago today: Black Sabbath - Sign of the Southern Cross   My song pick 4 years ago today: Three Dog Night - Family of Man My song pick 5 years ago today: Ozzy Osbourne - Steal Away (The Night) My song pick 6 years ago today: Twelfth Night - C.R.A.B. My song pick 7 years ago today: George Clinton - Man's Best Friend/Loopzilla My song pick 8 years ago today: Marillion - Slàinte Mhath My song pick 9 years ago today: Johann Sebastian Bach - BWV 24 - Ein Ungerärbt Gemüte My song pick 10 years ago today: ...

From: Dedicated To You ; Year: 1957; Genre: Doo-Wop/R&B Normally for myself I've never been big on what is the more modern concept of St. Valentines Day; to me it was just a made up holiday to make those without a "significant other" feel miserable and to get some sort of credibility to prop it up they made it in the name of a historical person who was brutally martyred that had absolutely nothing to do with wot and how this "holiday" is celebrated. (Okay, off my soapbox now.) Anyway, today I'm less jaded as it would seem and decided to try and be festive, if you will. So, with that I am picking one of my favoured song with the subject matter. Whilst also a hit song for many other subsequent acts, most famously by The Shirelles and The Mamas and the Papas, this original recorded has some great charm to it, especially that lead guitar and the noted doo-wop stylings.   Hear Dedicated to the One I Love on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Tesl...

From: Just Once In My Life... ; Year: 1965; Genre: Soul/Rock Was enjoying some of The Righteous Brothers' music the other day whilst driving around the city and thought I'd pick one of them. I was actually quite surprised to discover that I had not chosen one of their song as of yet... definitely need to correct that oversight. Anyway, Unchained Melody is probably their most noted hit to this day, mostly due to its use in film pop culture, and other media; back in the early 1990s after it was featured on the movie Ghost its popularity especially skyrocketed. Even though the song has been attributed to them as "the original," the genesis of the song actually came out a decade earlier in the prison flick Unchained and was that film's main theme, plus, versions by other artists were recorded and released in the meantime. With all that said though, The Righteous Brothers' recording is without a doubt the de-facto version of the track.   Hear Unchained Melody o...

From: White Christmas/The Bells of St. Mary's (single); Year: 1954; Genre: Doo-Wop/R&B/Christmas Music For me personally, doo-wop and Christmas music are two types of music that just go together. This version by The Drifters was amongst the many early hit covers of White Christmas , some 12 or so years after Bing Crosby's original; from wot I have read, it is the most recorded Christmas song to date. While this version was more or less initially relegated to the R&B charts, in the last 30-40 years it has gained fame after its use in movie soundtracks.   Hear White Christmas on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Steeleye Span - Today in Bethlehem   My song pick 2 years ago today: Van der Graaf Generator - La Rossa   My song pick 3 years ago today: Binky Griptite - Stone Soul Christmas   My song pick 4 years ago today: Bachman & Turner - Find Some Love My song pick 5 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Another Harry's Bar My song...

From: You Belong to Me ; Year: 1962; Genre: Doo-Wop Whilst this song has been around, recorded, and re-recorded over the last, about 70 years since its writing, this is the version I remember the most and the one I think of when the song pops in my mind. It was originally written by Chilton Price, (although Pee Wee King and Redd Stewart added and edited the song, thus got co-writing credits), who was a prolific songwriter in the Post-War era. You Belong to Me began its life so to speak with the working title " Hurry on Home to Me " as a ballad about a lover during The War begging for her sweetheart fighting overseas to come back home. Evidently, Pee Wee King and Redd Stewart thought it needed a more contemporary Post-War feel and message and thus the song was born. Apparently, the early version recorded by Jo Stafford in 1952 is the most popular version, but I've always like the doo-wop version by The Duprees.   Hear You Belong to Me on YouTube.       My song pick ...