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

From: The Final Countdown ; Year: 1986; Genre: Power Metal/Hard Rock Noticed that I had yet to pick this one from Europe, which is their most famous song on this side of the Atlantic; or perhaps just the U.S. at least. Anyway, even some 35+ years on it is an iconic anthem of sorts, which was, from what I understand, written around a "fanfare" on the synthesizer that was meant to introduce the band when coming on stage, but was wisely used instead for a basis for the track. Heck, even though many I have heard that malign the band and the song, it is still just as popular as it was back then; probably more with the younger generations discovering it.   Hear The Final Countdown on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Neil Young and Crazy Horse - Surfer Joe and Moe the Sleaze   My song pick 2 years ago today: Archie Bell & The Drells - The Soul City Walk   My song pick 3 years ago today: Xerath - I Hold Dominion   My song pick 4 years ago t...

From: Prisoners in Paradise ; Year: 1991; Genre: Hard Rock No real reason why, but I just felt like I should choose another one from the band Europe. This is, of course, the title track from this early '90s album. For some reason this song in particular reminds me somewhat of the band Queen; it's probably due to the vocals and harmony arrangements and especially the tone and timbre of the lead guitar, which without a doubt was influence by Brian May.   Hear Prisoners in Paradise on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Cab Calloway - The Birth of the Blues   My song pick 2 years ago today: Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble - Tightrope   My song pick 3 years ago today: The Thermals - Here's Your Future   My song pick 4 years ago today: Soul Asylum - Black Gold My song pick 5 years ago today: .38 Special - Long Time Gone My song pick 6 years ago today: Woody Guthrie - Tom Joad (Parts 1+2) My song pick 7 years ago today: Stone Temple P...

From: Wings of Tomorrow ; Year: 1984; Genre: Heavy Metal I thought I have for sure chosen a song from the metal band Europe at some point in the past, but apparently not. Sadly, almost everyone here in the U.S. knows Europe for the song The Final Countdown , which also has sadly in U.S. popular culture become associated with the time period of it's release and the "cheesiness" that comes with it.  Anyway, this is a somewhat earlier single of theirs off of their second album and has Judas Priest feel to it.   Hear Stormwind on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Dazz Band - Let It All Blow   My song pick 2 years ago today: Faith No More - Epic   My song pick 3 years ago today: Stevie Wonder - Too Shy To Say My song pick 4 years ago today: The Postal Service - Brand New Colony My song pick 5 years ago today: Wolfmother - Joker & the Thief My song pick 6 years ago today: Peter Gabriel - Digging in the Dirt My song pick 7 years ago t...