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

From: Vol. 4 ; Year: 1972; Genre: Rock I felt the need to choose something from Ozzy's Black Sabbath today; just seemed apropos. This is probably the mellowest song from the band, but is just as heavy. It features only three of the band members and no guitar; Tony Iommi played both the piano and Mellotron, Geezer Butler also played the Mellotron as well as his bass, and of course, Ozzy lent his vocals. Most of the song was apparently inspired about the recent separation of drummer Bill Ward from his wife, but has become so much more to fans in particular, especially live both with Sabbath and Ozzy's solo shows.    Hear Changes on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) - Susie Q     My song pick 2 years ago today: Lakeside - U Got It Goin' On   My song pick 3 years ago today: Genesis - Counting Out Time   My song pick 4 years ago today: Asia - Never Again   My song pick 5 years ago today:...

From: Blizzard of Ozz ; Year: 1980; Genre: Heavy Metal As probably everyone by now is aware, musical legend and heavy metal's "Prince of Darkness" Ozzy Osbourne passed away. I knew he was getting up there in years and heard about his recent farewell gig a couple of weeks ago, but it seems downright eerie thinking about him no longer amongst the living; well, at least he's been reunited with Randy Rhodes and the many others he used to play and make music history with. Funny when I think about all the "gold plated" hypocrites back in the day saying he was of the devil and such; he's probably looking down with a huge grin on his face. Anyway, I knew I needed to choose one from his vast catalogue today and was surprised that Crazy Train was not among those of his I have already picked. This is not only one of his signature tracks, but is also the one that got me into his music. It was also one of the first five songs I learned to play as well, so it is a ve...

From: Sabbath Bloody Sabbath ; Year: 1973; Genre: Metal This one is simply something to behold, especially if you like heavy, technical music. By this point in their career you can tell the band had really solidified to full mastery of all the aspects of their art. That jazzy rhythm combined with Tony Iommi's blistering guitar playing and, of course, Ozzy's vocals just affirms that the Black Sabbath was at one of their peaks during this time.   Hear Killing Yourself to Live on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Al Di Meola - Atavism of Twilight   My song pick 2 years ago today: Lou Reed - My Red Joystick   My song pick 3 years ago today: Stevie Wonder - Don't You Worry About a Thing   My song pick 4 years ago today: Cream - Take it Back   My song pick 5 years ago today: Sweet - Ballroom Blitz My song pick 6 years ago today: Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) - Don't Let the Blues Get You Down My song pick 7 years ago today: Commodore...

From: Down to Earth ; Year: 2001; Genre: Heavy Metal I started listening to this CD again, which is actually one that I have a lot of attachment to. I bought the album when it first hit the shelves right after getting married, quitting a dead-end job and starting college, so it was a huge time for me; not to mention still being in shock over 9/11 occurring a month earlier. Anyway, I was heavily into Ozzy amongst other metal bands at the time, plus it was one that was anticipated since his last CD was over six years since release. I still remember having it in my 5-disc changer in my Datsun Z and thus was played a great deal. That I Never Had was always a fun one to hear whilst speeding around the back roads; made my right foot quite heavy. 😁   Hear That I Never Had on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: The Four Tops - Right On Brother   My song pick 2 years ago today: Jim Croce - Steel Rail Blues   My song pick 3 years ago today: Kansa...

From: Paranoid ; Year: 1970; Genre: Psychedelic Rock/Space Rock Paranoid is a great representation of an almost flawless record with a wide variety of music to consume from. Planet Caravan is one of those songs in a type of jazz-infused psychedelia that one absolutely does not usually think of when you hear the name "Black Sabbath;" at least not hard-core fans of the band. Anyway, every aspect of the track is something to behold in my opinion; especially the remarkable musical effects that are actually kind of interesting in how they were accomplished.   Hear Planet Caravan on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Blind Melon - Tones of Home   My song pick 2 years ago today: Temple of the Dog - Hunger Strike   My song pick 3 years ago today: David Bowie - Cygnet Committee My song pick 4 years ago today: Genesis - Dodo/Lurker My song pick 5 years ago today: War - Slippin' Into Darkness My song pick 6 years ago today: Megadeth - Trust My s...

From: Master of Reality ; Year: 1971; Genre: Metal Master of Reality is without a doubt my personal favourite Black Sabbath album from the original Ozzy period; it's just a pure classic without a single weak "filler" track. This song has all the excellent hallmarks from the band of the time: hard, driving riffs, tempo/rhythm changes that come off flawless, great lyrics/vocals; basically has the entire package, and this is just one of many amazing tracks from this record.   Hear Lord of This World on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Cowgirl in the Sand   My song pick 2 years ago today: Band of Horses - Infinite Arms   My song pick 3 years ago today: Paris - Heart of Stone My song pick 4 years ago today: Mudhoney - Empty Shells My song pick 5 years ago today: Lynyrd Skynyrd - Sweet Home Alabama My song pick 6 years ago today: Alice in Chains - Sea of Sorrow My song pick 7 years ago today: Big Brother and ...

From: No More Tears ; Year: 1991; Genre: Metal I was listening to this album the other day, this song in particular seemed like one that I should pick soon, so I am today. This period in Ozzy's music was especially great for me; a lot of good memories connected with it.   Hear Hellraiser on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Yes - Wonderous Stories   My song pick 2 years ago today: Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Shots My song pick 3 years ago today: Pallas - New Life My song pick 4 years ago today: Ultravox - Hymn My song pick 5 years ago today: Screaming Trees - Nearly Lost You My song pick 6 years ago today: Leonard Nimoy - Highly Illogical My song pick 7 years ago today: The Headhunters - If You Got It, You'll Get It My song pick 8 years ago today: Billy Joel - Piano Man My song pick 9 years ago today: Pallas - Heart Attack My song pick 10 years ago today: Chet Atkins - Windy and Warm My song pick 11 years ago today: David Bow...

From: Sabbath Bloody Sabbath ; Year: 1973; Genre: Heavy Metal Didn't put too much time into making this Halloween pick today; thought a good song from Black Sabbath would suffice, plus I really like this one. This is one of their heavier songs, I like the crunchiness of Tony Iommi's guitar that combines quite well with Geezer Butler's bass to make that huge sound.   Hear Sabbath Bloody Sabbath on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Helloween - The Time of the Oath   My song pick 2 years ago today: Concrete Blonde - Darkening of the Light My song pick 3 years ago today: Iron Maiden - Hallowed Be Thy Name My song pick 4 years ago today: Misterio - Stinking Zombies My song pick 5 years ago today: Helloween - Halloween My song pick 6 years ago today: The Jimmy Castor Bunch - Dracula Parts 1 & 2 My song pick 7 years ago today: Bobby "Boris" Pickett and the Crypt Kickers - The Monster Mash My song pick 8 years ago today: Kreeps - Dead Men ...

From: Blizzard of Ozz ; Year: 1980; Genre: Metal Was hearing some early Ozzy solo material on the radio this morning and got me thinking about his first album again. Steal Away (The Night) in my opinion one of the best tracks on the record; the entire band is truly incredible all the way across the board. Hear Steal Away (The Night) on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Twelfth Night - C.R.A.B. My song pick two years ago today: George Clinton - Man's Best Friend/Loopzilla My song pick three years ago today: Marillion - Slàinte Mhath My song pick four years ago today: Johann Sebastian Bach - BWV 24 - Ein Ungerärbt Gemüte My song pick five years ago today: Hawkwind - Kiss of the Velvet Whip (The Mistress of Pain) My song pick six year ago today: The Doobie Brothers - It Keeps You Runnin' My song pick seven years ago today: Steeleye Span - The Mooncoin Jig My song pick eight years ago today: Queen - I'm Going Slightly Mad My song pick nine ...

From: Hey Stoopid ; Year: 1991; Genre: Hard Rock/Metal I saw an Alice Cooper concert on the television the other day and Hey Stoopid was one of the songs that he and his band played. I had not heard it in ages and I loved hearing it again; so I thought I'd go ahead and pick it. Hear Hey Stoopid on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Eurythmics - Here Comes the Rain Again My song pick two years ago today: Jefferson Airplane - Plastic Fantastic Lover My song pick three years ago today: Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band - Express Yourself My song pick four years ago today: Muse - Explorers My song pick five years ago today: The Pretenders - Middle of the Road My song pick six years ago today: U2 - Where the Streets Have No Name My song pick seven years ago today: Uriah Heep - Wizard My song pick eight years ago today: Queen - Bicycle Race My song pick nine years ago today: The Doors - Love Me Two Times

From: Ozzmosis ; Year: 1996; Genre: Alternative Metal Had Ozzy on the brain today; this album in particular was on my mind and I hadn't picked one from this album in a while. I don't know why, but I just love this song. Hear See You on the Other Side on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Queensrÿche - If I Could Change it All My song pick two years ago today: Kleeer - You Got Me Rockin' My song pick three years ago today: Nocturnal Rites - Test of Time My song pick four years ago today: Deborah Harry and Robin Zander - Send Love Through My song pick five years ago today: Megaherz - Jagdzeit My song pick six years ago today: Alabama - Mountain Music My song pick seven years ago today: Boston - Higher Power My song pick eight years ago today: Fire Bomber (Hummingbird) - Seventh Moon My song pick nine years ago today: Crabby Appleton - Go Back

From: Master of Reality ; Year: 1971; Genre: Hard Rock/Metal Yesterday I learned that Black Sabbath is calling it quits after all these years; at least no one's dying, (as far as I know anyway). Probably they've announced this a while ago, but I'm not much on top of things as some are. Anyway, this is another one I absolutely love off of one of my top favourite albums of theirs; music, lyrics, composition; yeah, it's all great. Hear After Forever on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Earth, Wind & Fire - Sing a Song My song pick two years ago today: Steeleye Span - Ancient Eyes My song pick three years ago today: Banchee - Childern of the Universe My song pick four years ago today: Muse - Unnatural Selection My song pick five years ago today: The Drifters - Under the Boardwalk My song pick six years ago today: Yoko Takahashi - Zankoku na Tenshi no These ( A Cruel Angel's Thesis ) My song pick seven years ago today: Aphrodite...

From: Sabotage ; Year: 1975; Genre: Metal I had Ozzy Osbourne on the brain this morning, earlier material in particular; although when listening my tastes went far back enough to get into some Black Sabbath, which is of course an excellent thing to happen. Funny, but in this song there is a noted " Zeppelinish " sound in it, to my ears at least. Hear Symptom of the Universe on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Pallas - Just a Memory My song pick two years ago today: Steeleye Span - Orfeo/Nathan's Reel My song pick three years ago today: Alestorm - Flower of Scotland My song pick four years ago today: Cybotron - Colossus My song pick five years ago today: AC/DC - Let There Be Rock My song pick six years ago today: Steeleye Span - Black Jack Davy My song pick seven years ago today: Heart - These Dreams My song pick eight years ago today: The Police - Message in a Bottle

From: Master of Reality ; Year: 1971; Genre: Metal In the mood for some early metal this morning, specifically from Sabbath. This track and entire album has aged incredibly well, it still sounds and feels current and fresh even though it's over 45 years since its release; now that's amazing. This is probably my favourite track off of Master of Reality, however, this one really doesn't have any weak songs on it to speak of. Hear Children of the Grave on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Barenaked Ladies - Pinch Me My song pick two years ago today: Gerry Rafferty - Get it Right Next Time My song pick three years ago today: "Weird Al" Yankovic - Headline News My song pick four years ago today: Simon & Garfunkel - Richard Cory My song pick five years ago today: The Doors - Waiting for the Sun My song pick six years ago today: Black 47 - Funky Céilí (Bridie's Song) My song pick seven years ago today: Duran Duran - Planet Earth ...

From: No Rest for the Wicked ; Year: 1988; Genre: Heavy Metal I had this classic piece of metal pop into my mind this morning, and as I always do, took it as a sign that I should pick it. Ozzy and his band were at one of their peaks at this point; this song and entire album are classic. Hear Crazy Babies on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Live - Lightning Crashes My song pick two years ago today: Duran Duran - The Reflex My song pick three years ago today: Savatage - The Storm My song pick four years ago today: John Dowland - In Darkness We Dwell My song pick five years ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - I Love the Night My song pick six years ago today: The Byrds - Eight Miles High My song pick seven years ago today: Wings - Band on the Run My song pick eight years ago today: Faith No More - Woodpecker From Mars

From: Vol. 4 ; Year: 1972; Genre: Metal I was in the mood for some classic metal this morning; I figured I couldn't go wrong with putting some Black Sabbath on. I find that this album is kind of a gem that gets overshadowed by their more popular albums around it, and it definitely has some great songs on it; this one included, which is my favourite on the record. Hear Tomorrow's Dream on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: King Crimson - One More Red Nightmare My song pick two years ago today: Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here My song pick three years ago today: Dudley Moore Trio - Yesterdays My song pick four years ago today: Jethro Tull - With You There To Help Me My song pick five years ago today: Dizzy Gillespie and His Orchestra - Things to Come My song pick six years ago today: Simon & Garfunkel - Hazy Shade of Winter My song pick seven years ago today: Lita Ford feat. Ozzy Osbourne - Close My Eyes Forever

From: No More Tears ; Year: 1991; Genre: Metal I had a different Ozzy Osbourne song running through my mind this morning, but unfortunately I had already picked it. After looking what I had already chosen from him I was much more surprised to see that this one was not among the ones I had already picked, so it was only obvious which one I was blogging about today. Anyway, this has always been one of my top favourites from Ozzy's solo work; everything from that driving ostinato bass intro/line to Zakk Wylde's blazing guitar is done almost to perfection. And of course Ozzy's vocals and presence fills it out amazingly well. Hear No More Tears on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: UFO - Too Hot To Handle My song pick two years ago today: Stratovarius - Chasing Shadows My song pick three years ago today: The Beatles - Back in the U.S.S.R. My song pick four years ago today: Tarot - Pilot of All Dreams My song pick five years ago today: Muse - Knights of ...

From: Bark at the Moon ; Year: 1983; Genre: Hard Rock/Metal I was in the mood for an Ozzy song this morning, so I'm picking one. A few weeks ago I heard this song on the television, and while it's not the normal sound most people think of when they think of Ozzy and his music, it's still a great song and one I like. Hear So Tired on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Mastodon - Iron Tusk My song pick two years ago today: Rammstein - Rammlied My song pick three years ago today: Zombie Nation - Kernkraft 400 My song pick four years ago today: Duke Ellington & His Orchestra - Ko-Ko My song pick five years ago today: Rush - Bastille Day My song pick six years ago today: The Steve Miller Band - Brave New World My song pick seven years ago today: C.W. McCall - Convoy

From: Paranoid ; Year: 1970; Genre: Metal I had another song in mind today, but I felt like picking something from Black Sabbath instead; lo and behold I realized I hadn't picked this epic track yet, so I am. This is one of the band's most popular songs and probably anybody with access has probably heard at some time or multiple times. Hear Paranoid on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: The Cult - Painted on My Heart My song pick two years ago today: Scott Joplin - The Entertainer My song pick three years ago today: Maktub - So Tired My song pick four years ago today: Dizzy Gillespie - Manteca My song pick five years ago today: Iron Maiden - Sun and Steel My song pick six years ago today: Deep Purple - Knocking At Your Back Door My song pick seven years ago today: Slade - Cum On Feel The Noize

From: Paranoid ; Year: 1970; Genre: Metal/Hard Rock Sometimes there are obvious songs that I don't know why it has taken me so many years to pick; songs like this one. Anyway, this has always been one of my favourites from Black Sabbath and is also most likely a favourite of many other people as well. I've always loved the raw grunt of this track, which still works as well as it did some 43 years ago; it must have been amazing to hear this song back then when no one had really ever heard anything like it before. Of course with the fact of it being written around an original science fiction horror story in my opinion makes it all that more incredible. Watch a music video clip of Iron Man on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Ella Fitzgerald - Stormy Weather My song pick two years ago today: Dead Meadow - Greensky Greenlake My song pick three years ago today: Yes - Owner of a Lonely Heart My song pick four years ago today: Duran Duran - Serious My song ...