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

From: The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society ; Year: 1968; Genre: Rock/Pop  Another neat one from the pen of Ray Davies, which, as with many songs by an assortment of artists, uses the song from a bird to reassure and help the narrator keep the troubles away. This one, with its shuffling and rather fanciful feel musically, reminds me a lot of some of the popular Simon & Garfunkel songs of the time. The mix of acoustic guitar and amplified instruments make much of the basis, but the use of a Mellotron takes centre stage in lieu of actual hired orchestral accompaniment, especially with the flute sound playing a counter-punctual melody that is meant to mimic the titular Mr. Songbird .    Hear Mr. Songbird on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) - Lost in a Fantasy     My song pick 2 years ago today: Larry Graham & Graham Central Station - People   My song pick 3 years ago tod...

From: The Kinks are the Village Green Preservation Society ; Year: 1968; Genre: Pop/Rock I do not know why, but I just keep coming back to The Kinks lately and their phenomenal musicianship and songwriting. This one that starts side two of their 'Village Green Preservation Society album of critical acclaim. You might think that this track is a reference to George Orwell's masterpiece with the same title , but that is all it has in common in reality. It is more of an upbeat pop track with Ray Davies singing about an idealistic country scene opposite of the madness and rat-race of the urban setting.   Hear Animal Farm on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Duran Duran - Girls on Film   My song pick 2 years ago today: Mountain - Tired Angels (to J.M.H.)   My song pick 3 years ago today: Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) - Ramble Tamble   My song pick 4 years ago today: 10cc - Art for Art's Sake   My song pick 5 years ago today: Brothe...

From: Something Else by the Kinks ; Year: 1967; Genre: Rock/Pop As I have stated prior, The Kinks are probably my personal favourite of the British Invasion bands, but it's mostly their more heartfelt composition that I find most appealing, like this one. Death of a Clown is one of Dave Davies' songs with a few writing contributions from his brother Ray, that definitely fits into that heartfelt category concerning the exhausting rigors that goes with being on the road performing day in and day out.    Hear Death of a Clown on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Faith No More - A Small Victory   My song pick 2 years ago today: The Offspring - Pay the Man   My song pick 3 years ago today: Marillion - Living in F E A R   My song pick 4 years ago today: Black Label Society - The Day That Heaven Had Gone Away   My song pick 5 years ago today: Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) - Rock 'n' Roll Is King My song pick 6 years ago today: Re...

From: Other People's Lives ; Year: 2006; Genre: Rock Happy Thanksgiving again!  I decided that this song which is perfectly titled as well as subject matter for this holiday needed to be chosen. As always, songsmith extraordinaire Ray Davies summons up all of the sentimental imagery he is known for to "paint" a picturesque mural about wot people who have celebrated it have most likely experienced throughout their lives.   Hear Thanksgiving Day on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Hawkwind - Alcyone   My song pick 2 years ago today: Jerry Reed - Gator   My song pick 3 years ago today: Pallas - The Executioner (Bernie Goetz a Gun)   My song pick 4 years ago today: Band of Horses - Dull Times/The Moon My song pick 5 years ago today: Los Bravos - Black is Black My song pick 6 years ago today: Led Zeppelin - Thank You My song pick 7 years ago today: Helmet - Unsung My song pick 8 years ago today: The Who - Doctor Jekyll & Mr....

From: Our Country: Americana Act II ; Year: 2018; Genre: Rock It's nice to hear that Ray Davies has not lost any of his songwriting ability, though it's sad that it is not under The Kinks' name, but a solo record will do. Hear The Getaway on YouTube. My song pick 1 year ago today: Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) - Keep On Chooglin' My song pick 2 years ago today: The Jimmy Castor Bunch - Luther the Anthropoid (Ape Man) My song pick 3 years ago today: Pallas - Falling Down My song pick 4 years ago today: Gordon Lightfoot - Carefree Highway My song pick 5 years ago today: Molly Hatchet - Whiskey Man My song pick 6 years ago today: Alphaville - Forever Young My song pick 7 years ago today: Metallica - For Whom the Bell Tolls My song pick 8 years ago today: Sly and the Family Stone - Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) My song pick 9 years ago today: Iron Maiden - Flight of Icarus My song pick 10 years ago today: Looking Glass - Bran...