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

From: (I Washed My Hands In) Muddy Water (single); Year: 1966; Genre: Rock 'n Roll/Gospel/Blues Rock Here's a great cover originally recorded by Stonewall Jackson a year prior and covered by many others as well by Johnny Rivers. I really love how he took a bluesy country track and turned it up and made it a proper gospel and rock 'n roll sound that would not be out of place in one of those churches where they sing and play such great music. That organ in particular really sells it along with Johnny Rivers' vocals.    Hear (I Washed My Hands In) Muddy Water on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Billy Joel - Sleeping With the Television On     My song pick 2 years ago today: Supertramp - Don't Leave Me Now   My song pick 3 years ago today: 3rd Secret - Somewhere in Time   My song pick 4 years ago today: The Temptations - Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On   My song pick 5 years ago today: Ultravox - All Stood Still   My so...

From: Meanwhile Back At The Whisky à Go Go ; Year: 1965; Genre: Rock 'n Roll Some artists seemed to save their best for live shows, Johnny Rivers is one of them. This rendition, originally written by Willie Dixon and recorded Willie Mabon about a decade prior became one of Rivers' best known in his repertoire. He did a great job making a track that you can appreciate with headphones on or on the dance floor.   Hear Seventh Son on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Rare Earth - Satisfaction Guaranteed   My song pick 2 years ago today: Meat Loaf - You Took the Words Right Out Of My Mouth (Hot Saturday Night)   My song pick 3 years ago today: Steeleye Span - Cam Ye O'er Frae France   My song pick 4 years ago today: Hawkwind - The Road To...   My song pick 5 years ago today: Lacy J. Dalton - 16th Avenue My song pick 6 years ago today: Rush - Something for Nothing My song pick 7 years ago today: Gary Davis - Gotta Get Your Love My s...

From: ...And I Know You Wanna Dance ; Year:1966; Genre: Rock Noted that I had not chosen a song from Johnny Rivers in a long while, so I decided that today I would. Whilst probably his greatest hit and his signature tune, it actually had its genesis as a theme song for an American localization of the British spy show Danger Man ; as well as the localized new theme they also re-titled the show Secret Agent . Apparently the original T.V. title had only a single verse and chorus, but was later recorded live with the extra verse and additional choruses that was part of this album and the one that really transcended the song's original purpose.   Hear Secret Agent Man on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Rush - Resist   My song pick 2 years ago today: Heart - The Oldest Story in the World   My song pick 3 years ago today: Cream - Sitting on Top of the World   My song pick 4 years ago today: Van Der Graaf Generator - Forever Falling   My ...

1418 Johnny Rivers - Muddy River From: Slim Slo Slider , Year: 1970 Genre: Pop/Rock A bit ago my Dad reintroduced this cool Johnny Rivers song to me; I hadn't heard it in ages. I love the chord choices and progression as well as the horn arrangements; it's truly an awesome track. Here is the studio version on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Steeleye Span - Padstow My song pick two years ago today: Rush - Lakeside Park My song pick three years ago today: Bon Jovi - Every Day +

816 ( Johnny Rivers - Poor Side of Town ) As with many of the songs that I seem to add to my list, (especially as of late), this one was running through my mind a bit and I like it, so I am adding it to my list. I cannot remember when I first heard this song, but have always loved it. I have discovered that I have not heard a Johnny Rivers' song that I dislike and this song is no exception. I love the power and emotion that he puts into this one, of course you really can't go wrong with a song about a jilted love; that and similar subjects account for some of the biggest hits ever written. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance from last year on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) - Stayed Awake All Night My song pick two years ago today: David Essex - Rock On +

Tonight while driving home this song came on my iPod; I thought that it would be an excellent choice. I came to like this song a long time ago, but had not heard it for a while. This is one of those songs that will it will get stuck in your head very easily. One day I was practicing on my bass and started to play the song and it immediately came back. It is an excellent offering by a legendary artist; excellent lyrics and arrangements. The song has every part that is needed and if you added anything or took anything away it would destroy it. Here is a recording on YouTube. Here is a classic live performance on YouTube. +