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

From: Species Deceases ; Year: 1985; Genre: Alternative Rock/Punk Don't really need a reason to pick a song from my absolute favourite Australian band, but decided on going with one off of one of the EPs. Just about all of the four tracks on Species Deceases still get air play to this day. The high energy punk attitude and feel throughout this one in particular just gets you riled up and singing along.   Hear Blossom and Blood on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Trio of Doom - Para Oriente     My song pick 2 years ago today: Los Lobos - Don't Worry Baby     My song pick 3 years ago today: Lou Rawls - Three O'Clock in the Morning   My song pick 4 years ago today: Funkadelic - First Ya Gotta Shake The Gate   My song pick 5 years ago today: Curved Air - Easy   My song pick 6 years ago today: The Temptations - (I Know) I'm Losing You   My song pick 7 years ago today: Neil Young - Heart of Gold My song pick ...

From: Resist ; Year: 2022; Genre: Alternative Rock Sadly, I found out that one of members of my absolute favourite Aussie band passed away. Drummer/songwriter/and player of many other instruments Robert Hirst succumbed to an ordeal with pancreatic cancer. Can I just state that I hate cancer about as much as someone can hate something; so many that I know and love and look up to have died from it... sigh. That damned disease also took their bassist Bones Hillman about six years ago as well, so yeah.... Anyway, wot caught my most by surprise was that he was 70 years old. I never realized that the members of the band are that old; they've always had a massive amount of energy and passion that easily could pass for performers half their age or younger. Robert Hirst was a founding member and a main songwriter for the band over the years. This is one of the three songs that he received writing credits for on the their latest studio album: Resist . The music is very much in their wheelho...

From Diesel and Dust ; Year: 1987; Genre: Alternative Rock The other day I happened upon a "top 15" list of the greatest Australian bands/artists. As usual I figured it would be a popularity contest, which, of course it was, but was still a bit shocked seeing my favourite band from "Downunda" making a paltry number 10 on the list. Now, I know I am biased, but without a doubt such a influential band both musically and socially should be in the top 5 at least. Anyway, as always, it gave me the itch to put some of their albums on, which Diesel and Dust has to be among them. Sometimes is the final track on the original record and is a perfect song to bring such a masterpiece to a close.   Hear Sometimes on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Ian Anderson - Per Errationes Ad Astra (2024)     My song pick 2 years ago today: Funkadelic - Field Maneuvers   My song pick 3 years ago today: Dick Dale and his Del-Tones - The Victor   My so...

From: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 ; Year: 1982; Genre: Alternative Rock Used to always get excited this time of year, but it just seems like all things joyful have been fleeting. So, been trying to keep things positive and look for something good and beautiful lately, but it is easier said than done.... Anyway, don't want to be a downer on here and to spread clinical depression to the few who show up and read my schlop. Still, I find it interesting when I go and listen to one of my absolute favourite bands, in this case The 'Oils, I only seem to focus on the negative aspects of their music, which is very easy in their case, being that the vast majority of their music is about some societal ill and a call to action to mend it. Absolutely nothing wrong with that, in fact, that was one of the main draws that originally got me into the band all the way back in the 1980s, well... that and their amazing music, of course. It is just so sad and disheartening that the message they tac...

From: Resist ; Year: 2022; Genre: Alternative Rock I tell ya, there is so much energy released when listening to this album. Even with the band getting up in age as they are, they still leave nothing in the studio or on the stage; they put out so much power and spirit to the listener. Just hearing Peter Garrett's emotional and very original position human voice can send chills, but each and every member puts their heart and souls in every note, or so it would seem to me. But I am biased as well; love the band!   Hear Nobody's Child on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Dr. John - Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive   My song pick 2 years ago today: Herman's Hermits - End of the World   My song pick 3 years ago today: Alice in Chains - The One You Know   My song pick 4 years ago today: Yes - Going for the One   My song pick 5 years ago today: Dayton Sidewinders - Phoenix   My song pick 6 years ago today: The Police - Synchronicity I ...

From: Resist ; Year: 2022; Genre: Alternative Rock I keep coming back to The 'Oils' most recent album, mostly due to looking for more new music from one of my favourite bands. It is actually for the reason that I am so out of touch with popular culture anymore and even a lot of the bands and artists I really like fly under my radar. That beings said, of course, this record is full of great, deep and heavy music. They have never lost their edge in wot they do best; heck, even their music from back in the '80s is still current, musically, lyrically, and subject matter wise. Probably more now than then.    Hear We Are Not Afraid on YouTube. Watch a live performance on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Marillion - Care   My song pick 2 years ago today: Eric Burdon and War - The Vision of Rassan   My song pick 3 years ago today: Brave Belt - Long Way 'Round   My song pick 4 years ago today: Meat Loaf - Paradise By the Dashboard Light ...

From: Diesel and Dust ; Year: 1987; Genre: Alternative Rock Felt like choosing another one from my favourite Aussie band: Midnight Oil. This one gets its title from the ancient religious/musical device used by the indigenous peoples of Australia that makes a long-distance, very distinctive sound, which has also been used in some pop culture sources over the years. Although at the beginning of Bullroarer you hear a similar sound of it, the band used a facsimile as to not cause insult. Anyway, this one has that amazing sound from the band at its peak, I especially adore the super clean guitars with only vibrato and reverb that sounds similar to wot you hear with surf rock; just makes the great guitar playing all the more evident and in the open so to speak.   Hear Bullroarer on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: R.E.M. - Drive   My song pick 2 years ago today: Spacehog - Carry On   My song pick 3 years ago today: Robin Trower - Bluebird ...

From: Resist ; Year: 2022; Genre: Alternative Rock Needed something from my favourite band out of OZ today: Midnight Oil. Figured I'd go ahead and choose another one from their most recent studio album, which definitely shows that none of the band members have not lost much if anything; very solid and immediately recognizable with that sound I've come to love over the years.   Hear At the Time of Writing on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Jethro Tull - Ginnungagap   My song pick 2 years ago today: Meat Loaf - I'd Lie For You (And That's The Truth)   My song pick 3 years ago today: Bernard Wright - Firebolt Hustle   My song pick 4 years ago today: Asia - Eye to Eye   My song pick 5 years ago today: Grand Funk Railroad - We're An American Band My song pick 6 years ago today: Argent - It's Only Money (Parts 1 + 2) My song pick 7 years ago today: Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) - Woncha Take Me for a While My song pick 8 years ago...

From: Capricornia ; Year: 2002; Genre: Alternative Rock To be honest I have never really paid too much attention to Midnight Oil's Capricornia album; don't really have an excuse or a reason for it. However, since the release of last year's record, Resist , it gave the push I needed to give it a closer listen. I have to say, for me personally I think it is a pretty good release for them, albeit not close to their best, but one I'll definitely put in my rotation. Too Much Sunshine was one of the singles from it; I'm not sure, but I don't believe it charted too well.... Perhaps it was too similar to their classic songs in sound for when it released, I do not know though. In my personal opinion I really like this one with the contrasting sections going from punk-inspired rock to the smoother and straight forward classic sound of the band.   Hear Too Much Sunshine on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: The Steve Miller Band - Nothing Lasts   My song pic...

From: Resist ; Year: 2022; Genre: Alternative Rock I just love this album; they have not lost a single drop, if you will, of intensity and using their art for positive change and bringing attention to the many wrongs in their native land as well as the world. This is, (fittingly titled), the last song on more than likely wot will be the band's final record and, whilst being very familiar sounding to those like myself who love The 'Oils, there's always something in the music, be it the production, arranging, or something more basic like the chords chosen and/or rhythm, new and interesting to listen to.   Hear Last Frontier on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Stone Free   My song pick 2 years ago today: Ebony Rhythm Band - Drugs Ain't Cool   My song pick 3 years ago today: Led Zeppelin - Stairway to Heaven   My song pick 4 years ago today: The Wallflowers - The Difference My song pick 5 years ago today: Neil...

From: Resist ; Year: 2022; Genre: Alternative Rock It has been great to hear new and totally fresh material from one of my favourite bands, Midnight Oil. Kind of surprised that this record snuck past me, but I'm glad I get to enjoy it all the same. I've always loved the unabashed way they have continued to used their songs both lyrically and musically as a means for positive change and bringing people's attention to wrongs in this world. The passion, urgency, and emotion in the delivery has not changed one single bit in the 40+ years and I hope it never does.   Hear We Resist on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Thin Lizzy - Borderline   My song pick 2 years ago today: Yes - Mood for a Day My song pick 3 years ago today: The Beatles - Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite   My song pick 4 years ago today: The Who - Athena My song pick 5 years ago today: Waylon Jennings - Do It Again My song pick 6 years ago today: Forest - The Midnight Hangin...

From: Diesel and Dust ; Year: 1987; Genre: Alternative Rock Closing out the month of April with a pick from one of my absolute favourite bands, which happened to be the first song I heard today after waking up. Diesel and Dust is a masterpiece and one of those spectacular records that I can put the entire thing on repeat for a long while; great music.   Hear Sell My Soul on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Ohio Players - Love Rollercoaster   My song pick 2 years ago today: Fairport Convention - Expletive Delighted   My song pick 3 years ago today: The Hollies - On a Carousel My song pick 4 years ago today: The Guess Who - Flying on the Ground is Wrong My song pick 5 years ago today: Midnight Oil - Warakurna My song pick 6 years ago today: The Outfield - Your Love My song pick 7 years ago today: Jefferson Starship - Jane My song pick 8 years ago today: Deep Purple - My Woman From Tokyo My song pick 9 years ago today: The Allman B...

From: Blue Sky Mining ; Year: 1990; Genre: Alternative Rock I've been thinking about revisiting this album lately, which is one of my favourites from Midnight Oil. This is the song that closes out the record and is a real good fit for that purpose with its calming, but very heavy feeling about it.   Hear Antarctica on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Steely Dan - Black Cow   My song pick 2 years ago today: The Moody Blues - Stop! My song pick 3 years ago today: The New Riders of the Purple Sage - Panama Red My song pick 4 years ago today: Led Zeppelin - The Song Remains the Same My song pick 5 years ago today: Argent - Trapeze My song pick 6 years ago today: Stanley Clarke - Play the Bass My song pick 7 years ago today: Weather Report - Orange Lady My song pick 8 years ago today: Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) - Wild Spirit My song pick 9 years ago today: Wings - Jet My song pick 10 years ago today: Bachman-Turner Overdrive ...

From: Blue Sky Mining ; Year: 1990; Genre: Alternative Rock Today I found out that Midnight Oil's bassist Bones Hillman passed away; He's been the band's bassist since '87. Anyway, I thought I'd go ahead and choose another song from The 'Oils today.   Hear Shakers and Movers on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Jethro Tull - Urban Apocalypse   My song pick 2 years ago today: Al Green - Guilty My song pick 3 years ago today: Genesis - No Son of Mine My song pick 4 years ago today: Elton John - Saturday's Alright for Fighting My song pick 5 years ago today: Laura Branigan - Gloria My song pick 6 years ago today: The Zombies - Care of Cell 44 My song pick 7 years ago today: Band of Horses - The Great Salt Lake My song pick 8 years ago today: Stahlhammer - Eisenherz My song pick 9 years ago today: Exist†Trace - RESONANCE My song pick 10 years ago today: Three Dog Night - One Man Band My song pick 11 years ago today: The Eagles -...

From: Head Injuries ; Year: 1979; Genre: Rock Had a hankering for some music from the 'Oils today; this is one of their earlier singles off of their second album. Is very raw sounding in comparison to their later hits and is nice to hear when I'm in the mood like I am today.   Hear Back on the Borderline on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Quasar - Fire in the Sky   My song pick 2 years ago today: Curved Air - Elfin Boy My song pick 3 years ago today: Gloryhammer - Goblin King of the Darkstorm Galaxy My song pick 4 years ago today: Russkaja - Energia! My song pick 5 years ago today: Three Dog Night - Mama Told Me Not To Come My song pick 6 years ago today: Pearl Jam - Sirens My song pick 7 years ago today: Carmen - Daybreak My song pick 8 years ago today: Rush - Fountain of Lamenth My song pick 9 years ago today: Megadeth - Bad Omen My song pick 10 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Beggar's Farm My song pick 11 years ago today: T...

From: Midnight Oil ; Year: 1978; Genre: Rock Here's some early music from the 'Oils. While, in my opinion, it's not their best work, it's quite fun to hear their older stuff once in a while. Hear Dust on YouTube. My song pick 1 year ago today: The Marshall Tucker Band - Can't You See My song pick 2 years ago today: NOFX - Bath of Least Resistance My song pick 3 years ago today: Rush - Seven Cities of Gold My song pick 4 years ago today: Carmen - Viva mi Sevilla My song pick 5 years ago today: Benny Goodman - Sing, Sing, Sing (With a Swing) My song pick 6 years ago today: The Allman Brothers Band - Dreams My song pick 7 years ago today: Queen - Crazy Little Thing Called Love My song pick 8 years ago today: Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble - Superstition My song pick 9 years ago today: Journey - To Play Some Music My song pick 10 years ago today: Apocalyptica featuring Till Lindemann - Helden My song pick 11 years ago today: James...

From: Earth and Sun and Moon ; Year: 1993; Genre: Alternative Rock This song caught my attention while going through some Midnight Oil; I absolutely love the rhythm section, the bass in particular really drives the song. Hear Now or Never Land on YouTube. My song pick 1 year ago today: The Grass Roots - Where Were You When I Needed You My song pick 2 years ago today: The Moody Blues - Are You Sitting Comfortably? My song pick 3 years ago today: A-ha - Train of Thought My song pick 4 years ago today: Motörhead - Motorhead My song pick 5 years ago today: Leon Mitchison and the Eastex Freeway Band - Street Scene My song pick 6 years ago today: Neil Young & Crazy Horse - My My, Hey Hey (Out of the Blue) My song pick 7 years ago today: Jane's Addiction - Been Caught Stealing My song pick 8 years ago today: Rush - Leave That Thing Alone My song pick 9 years ago today: Jim Croce - Photographs and Memories My song pick 10 years ago today: Electric Light ...

From: Blue Sky Mining ; Year: 1990; Genre: Alternative Rock Had the 'Oils on my mind this morning; this is one of the main singles from their great Blue Sky Mining album. Hear King of the Mountain on YouTube. My song pick 1 year ago today: The Wootens - Do I Do My song pick 2 years ago today: Berlin - No More Words My song pick 3 years ago today: Yes - Sound Chaser My song pick 4 years ago today: Red Hot Chili Peppers - Snow (Hey Oh) My song pick 5 years ago today: Journey - Look Into the Future My song pick 6 years ago today: Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) - Take it Like a Man My song pick 7 years ago today: Stratovarius - Wings of Tomorrow My song pick 8 years ago today: Earth, Wind & Fire - Serpentine Fire My song pick 9 years ago today: Manuel de Falla - Danza Del Terror ( Dance of Terror ) My song pick 10 years ago today: Dire Straits - Lady Writer My song pick 11 years ago today: Rammstein - Zerstören

From: Diesel and Dust ; Year: 1987; Genre: Alternative Rock I just love this album; so many excellent songs on it; not a single weak track in my opinion. In this song in particular you can feel the band's passion for their music and activism bleed through. Hear Put Down That Weapon on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Dayton Sidewinders - Funky Chicken Stew My song pick two years ago today: The Kinks - Tired of Waiting for You My song pick three years ago today: Red Hot Chili Peppers - Dani California My song pick four years ago today: Porcupine Tree - Don't Hate Me My song pick five years ago today: Jacques Offenbach - La belle Hélène (Overture) My song pick six years ago today: Brave Belt - Another Way Out My song pick seven years ago today: 3 Doors Down - Kryptonite My song pick eight years ago today: Joachim Witt - Krieger Des Licht My song pick nine years ago today: Jimi Hendrix - Angel My song pick ten years ago today: Béla Fleck...

From: Redneck Wonderland ; Year: 1998; Genre: Alternative Rock I had no song really in mind for today, so after wracking my brain a little one of my absolute favourite bands came to mind. Cemetery In My Mind is probably my favourite song from this album; just has the best aspects of their signature sound throughout. Hear Cemetery In My Mind on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Emerson, Lake & Palmer - A Time and a Place My song pick two years ago today: Jethro Tull - Fire at Midnight My song pick three years ago today: Wolfmother - Woman My song pick four years ago today: Dick Dale - Banzai Washout My song pick five years ago today: Megadeth - 13 My song pick six years ago today: Warrant - Heaven My song pick seven years ago today: The Jimi Hendrix Experience - The Wind Cries Mary My song pick eight years ago today: Savatage - Damien My song pick nine years ago today: Marcy Playground - Sex and Candy