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

From: Straight Between the Eyes ; Year: 1982; Genre: Hard Rock It seems that every time I put this record on it is kind of a rediscovery as to just how good the entirety of the album is. Whilst having two big hit singles from it, when played through, each and every track shows its quality; I suppose that is why they call it album oriented rock (AOR).   Hear Bring on the Night (Dream Chaser) on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Traffic - Walking in the Wind     My song pick 2 years ago today: Megadeth - Killing Time     My song pick 3 years ago today: Chicago - Colour My World   My song pick 4 years ago today: Devo - Shout   My song pick 5 years ago today: Ebony Rhythm Band - Get Yourself Together (Smiling Phases/Sunshine of Your Love Medley)   My song pick 6 years ago today: Genesis - Harold the Barrel   My song pick 7 years ago today: The Kinks - Apeman   My song pick 8 years ago today: David Bowie -...

From: Walking in London ; Year: 1992; Genre: Rock This song is total fun all the way around. They captured the musical feel of the haunting ghost story songs in pop music and combined it with an amusing and engaging tale, which apparently was inspired by an autobiographical event that happened to Johnette Napolitano earlier whilst staying in a reported haunted hotel in the city of Austin, Texas. Perfect party song for this time of year during the Halloween season.   Watch the music video on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Supertramp - Hide in Your Shell     My song pick 2 years ago today: Neil Young - The Loner     My song pick 3 years ago today: Bootsy's Rubber Band - Munchies for Your Soul   My song pick 4 years ago today: Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) - Just Look At Me Now   My song pick 5 years ago today: The Kinks - Money Talks   My song pick 6 years ago today: Ozric Tentacles - Humboldt Currant   My...

From: Roots to Branches ; Year: 1995; Genre: Jazz Rock/Progressive Rock Do not know exactly why I am picking this one today; it is literally one of my least favourite songs from 'Tull or any of its members' solo works. I've often wondered how they would put tracks such as this one on a record and leave amazing ones on the cutting room floor that'd only see the light of day many years later on some compilation disc or remastered re-release of it. Who knows wot they were thinking at the time; or perhaps it is me that just does not appreciate some greats arts. This one is definitely listenable, but for me the vocals and the lyrics along with the overproduced quality of the song and the sterile sound of the keyboards all let this one down in the worst way. The highlights for me are Steve Bailey's bass, Martin's guitar work along with Ian's flute solos and how the flute and the guitar play off of one another.   Hear Wounded, Old and Treacherous on YouTube.      ...

From: Every 1's a Winner ; Year: 1978; Genre: Soul/Rock Lately I have really been enjoying the iconic soul band out of The U.K., Hot Chocolate a lot; they've been in heavy rotation to say the least. They were/are so good at wot, and still apparently are doing; heck, I mean, wot is about their art that is not to like? For me... nothing; I love their music, each and every aspect.   Hear Every 1's a Winner on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Merle Travis - Sixteen Tons     My song pick 2 years ago today: Lou Rawls - Season of the Witch     My song pick 3 years ago today: Ultravox - Someone Else's Clothes   My song pick 4 years ago today: Christopher Cross - Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)   My song pick 5 years ago today: Asia - True Colors   My song pick 6 years ago today: Elton John - Ego My song pick 7 years ago today: George Duke - Funny Funk   My song pick 8 years ago today: Steeleye Span - We Sha...

From: More Today Than Yesterday ; Year: 1969; Genre: Pop/Rock/Soul Had their main hit song of their only album's namesake earworming me earlier; thought I'd pick another from the band. Whilst they had a few other minor hits, this being one of them, they are more or less stamped with that ignoble label of "one hit wonder" to most. I actually really love their sound with the super soulful vocals from Pat Upton mixed with the well produced and arranged music. Sadly, the band did not last long apparently due to finances and the normal drama that goes with the music business. Pat Upton did, however, go on to be a session musician and for Ricky Nelson and Juice Newton as well as releasing a solo album later.   Hear No One for Me to Turn To on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Ace Frehley - New York Groove     My song pick 2 years ago today: The Kinks - Do You Remember Walter?     My song pick 3 years ago today: Genesis - Dancing with...

From: All Aboard the Skylark ; Year: 2019; Genre: Space Rock/Progressive Rock For some reason, put of Hawkwind's most recent studio releases, I keep coming back to this record; must just be the great music. I thought for sure that I had already picked the title-track, but I guess not. Now is as good of time as ever!   Hear All Aboard the Skylark on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Styx - Build and Destroy     My song pick 2 years ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - Power Underneath Despair     My song pick 3 years ago today: Dolly Parton - Mule Skinner Blues (Blue Yodel No. 8)   My song pick 4 years ago today: The Zombies - Time Of The Season   My song pick 5 years ago today: Sweat Band - Freak to Freak   My song pick 6 years ago today: Van der Graaf Generator - Orthenthian St (Parts I & II)   My song pick 7 years ago today: Steve Vai - The Crying Machine   My song pick 8 years ago today: Rush - Territ...

From: Circling From Above ; Year: 2025; Genre: Folk Rock/Flamenco Rock This is a real neat one from the pen of guitarist Tommy Shaw, and it shows. Quite a bit different from the other tracks off of their newest album, that whilst utilizing a lot of acoustic instruments in a blend of rock, folk, and flamenco, it is just as or even heavier than their louder songs on it. To say the least I really love it.   Hear Blue Eyed Raven on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Elton John - All Across the Havens     My song pick 2 years ago today: 4 Non Blondes - Drifting     My song pick 3 years ago today: England Dan & John Ford Coley - It's Sad To Belong   My song pick 4 years ago today: Primus - Follow The Fool   My song pick 5 years ago today: Gloryhammer - Quest for the Hammer of Glory   My song pick 6 years ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - Nightmare Epiphany   My song pick 7 years ago today: Rod Stewart - (I Know) I...

From: Lionheart ; Year: 1978; Genre: Rock I have to admit, I have never considered myself a fan of Kate Bush, but definitely do not hate her music. She is an enigma to me personally; I really believe that it comes down to the fact she used her ubiquitous given and surname and not a unique and memorable stage name. Not that it is a problem, more of an issue with me and not placing an artist with a song I do in fact like and remember. Anyway, wotever the case, I thought it is far past time to add one of her songs to my blog.  This was a minor, but no her only, hit off of her sophomore album. It was supposedly inspired, subject matter wise, by The Hammer Film 's movies, which consisted mostly in the horror genre. Also though, it got even more inspiration from an autobiographical film concerning screen great Lon Chaney: Man of a Thousand Faces . From it Kate Bush was captivated in particular by James Cagney playing Lon Chaney, who was playing the role of Quasimodo in the 1923 sile...

From: Edge of Thorns ; Year: 1993; Genre: Rock I cannot begin to state just how great Edge of Thorns is; not a single weak or filler track; it will always be one of my favourites from not just Savatage, but any band. This is a neat instrumental piano interlude played by Jon Oliva between a couple of intense tracks, which is perfect in placement.   Hear Exit Music on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Santana - Leave Me Alone     My song pick 2 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Back to the Family     My song pick 3 years ago today: Klaatu - Hope   My song pick 4 years ago today: Midnight Oil - We Resist   My song pick 5 years ago today: Thin Lizzy - Borderline   My song pick 6 years ago today: Yes - Mood for a Day My song pick 7 years ago today: The Beatles - Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite   My song pick 8 years ago today: The Who - Athena My song pick 9 years ago today: Waylon Jennings - Do It A...

From: Harmonic Mind ; Year: 2026; Genre: Psychedelic Rock/Progressive Rock Wanted to hear something from Ozric Tentacles today that I had not heard before; as luck would have it, their new album released about a month ago! I have to say, it is interesting to hear a shift towards jazz fusion; this track in particular reminds me of peak era Return to Forever. You can hear a noticed jump in musical maturity and composition strength; I really love this one.   Hear Malachite on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Everybody Knows This is Nowhere     My song pick 2 years ago today: Mr. Big - Suffocation     My song pick 3 years ago today: Stanley Clarke - Modern Man   My song pick 4 years ago today: Cheap Trick - I Must Be Dreamin'   My song pick 5 years ago today: Rufus and Chaka Khan - Dance Wit Me   My song pick 6 years ago today: Van Halen - Love Walks In   My song pick 7 years ago...

From: The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway ; Year: 1974; Genre: Progressive Rock Been enjoying The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway for the last few days and thought I'd go ahead and pick one more from the record. Whilst it might have one of the shortest titles, it's certainly up with its brethren on this double album, plus it is more or less the last time you'd be able to hear Peter Gabriel with Genesis before going on to a successful solo career.    Hear it on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Tom Rapp - Shoebox Symphony     My song pick 2 years ago today: Jackson Browne - You Love the Thunder     My song pick 3 years ago today: Lighthouse - Sunny Days   My song pick 4 years ago today: Ulysses Crockett - Sunshine Superman   My song pick 5 years ago today: Automat - Mecadence   My song pick 6 years ago today: Carmen - Table Two For One   My song pick 7 years ago today: Jethro Tull - This Is Not Love   My ...

From: Nights Are Forever ; Year: 1976; Genre: Soft Rock I cannot begin to count the times I heard this album, especially growing up; my Mom and Dad played it a lot. It has always been one I liked quite much; the music and lyrics are always really interesting to listen to, especially with headphones on.   Hear Nights Are Forever Without You on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Merle Haggard - My Own Kind of Hat     My song pick 2 years ago today: Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers - I'm Not a Juvenile Delinquent     My song pick 3 years ago today: Solar Plexus - The Serpent Speaks   My song pick 4 years ago today: Alphaville - Romeos   My song pick 5 years ago today: Savatage - Legions   My song pick 6 years ago today: Gerry And The Pacemakers - Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying   My song pick 7 years ago today: Steely Dan - I Got the News   My song pick 8 years ago today: Tarja Turunen - Undertaker ...

From: Slade in Flame ; Year: 1974; Genre: Rock Still choosing songs that just start playing in my mind whilst going about my day; although, unlike other recent picks, this is one that I have heard quite a bit and not that long ago. I was unaware that this, their fifth studio album, was actually a soundtrack to a film which starred the members of the band concerning the rise and fall of a fictional band Flame. Have obviously never seen it, but now is on my "movies to watch list" I suppose. Anyway, I cannot remember where I first heard this one, but immediately liked it; that loping shuffle with the overall bluesy melody is just a great combination.    Hear Far Far Away on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Neil Sedaka - Laughter in the Rain     My song pick 2 years ago today: The Jimmy Castor Bunch - Sweetooth     My song pick 3 years ago today: The Moody Blues - Watching and Waiting   My song pick 4 years ago today: ...

From: Long Hard Look ; Year: 1989; Genre: Rock Here is yet another one that I have not heard in many moons and just started playing in my brain; who knows where it came from? But at least I got it out and made it today's pick. Back when it was released and some years after it was played a lot, so it was quite ubiquitous, but eventually faded from popular culture somewhat. Gramm's vocals are a s powerful as ever in this one; he was/is the main driving force for the band Foreigner and it shows.   Hear Just Between You and Me on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: The (Detroit) Spinners - Spaceballs     My song pick 2 years ago today: Ray Parker Jr. - Ghostbusters     My song pick 3 years ago today: David Essex - Stardust   My song pick 4 years ago today: Beat Crusaders - Summerend   My song pick 5 years ago today: The Alan Parsons Project - To One in Paradise   My song pick 6 years ago today: Sky - Gymnopedie No. 1 ...

From: Built to Last ; Year: 1989; Genre: Country Rock Dang, another month is now over; October is always positive, or at least I can hope. Had the 'Dead on my mind for most of yesterday, so I figured I should pick another one from the band, which is one I have always enjoyed. This one, which was written by late keyboardist Brent Mydland and long-time 'Dead collaborator/poet John Barlow, also features Mydland on lead vocals has a message and feel similar to the Earth movement back in the 1960/70s with more of a '90s production and sound indicative of them and their music of the era. Of course, this was also the Grateful Dead's "swansong" studio album; Brent Mydland passed away less than a year later.   Hear We Can Run on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: King Crimson - The Great Deceiver     My song pick 2 years ago today: Geddy Lee - Gone     My song pick 3 years ago today: Tommy Roe - Dizzy   My song pick 4 years ago tod...

From: Resident Alien ; Year: 1995; Genre: Glam Rock Another day of choosing a track that was on my mind; at least I am not picking one in memorandum of a recently deceased artist. (Knock on wood) Here's the song of the band's namesake from their debut studio album. I can only think of a couple of bands that wrote a song named after themselves....     Hear Spacehog on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Bruce Springsteen - The Promised Land     My song pick 2 years ago today: Klaatu - Anus of Uranus     My song pick 3 years ago today: Rockwell - Obscene Phone Caller   My song pick 4 years ago today: Zebrahead - Playmate of the Year   My song pick 5 years ago today: Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Mideast Vacation   My song pick 6 years ago today: Gin Blossoms - Hey Jealousy   My song pick 7 years ago today: Dream Theater - Falls Into the Light   My song pick 8 years ago today: Quarterflash - Nig...

From: Bachman-Turner Overdrive II ; Year: 1973; Genre: Hard Rock Whilst not among the outstanding hit singles on this, BTO's first big charting record, to me it has always been one of the "go to" tracks and one of my favourites. Stonegates is a song that the band did everything they were noted for in spades: C.F. Turner's powerful and expressive vocals, great rhythm and hooky riffs, and mind-blowing lead guitars.   Hear Stonegates on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: R.E.O. Speedwagon - Keep the Fire Burning     My song pick 2 years ago today: Ugly Kid Joe - Dead Friends Play     My song pick 3 years ago today: Jethro Tull - For a Thousand Mothers   My song pick 4 years ago today: Rare Earth - Smiling Faces Sometimes   My song pick 5 years ago today: Rhythm Machine - Thought My Love Was Fine   My song pick 6 years ago today: Devo - Uncontrollable Urge   My song pick 7 years ago today: Pallas - Nightmare My...

From: The Messenger ; Year: 2023; Genre: Progressive Rock Finding it quite difficult to find much of Pallas' most recent material. I believe it mostly due to them self-releasing, which they have apparently been doing since their 2011 album XXV . It is always great to hear their new material as well as their classic songs as well; they sound just as youthful as they did way back in the '80s.   Hear Heavy Air on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Jerry Reed - The Phantom Of The Opry     My song pick 2 years ago today: Luther Ingram - (If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want To Be Right     My song pick 3 years ago today: Funkadelic - You Hit the Nail on the Head   My song pick 4 years ago today: Boston - Tell Me   My song pick 5 years ago today: Ian Anderson - The Browning of the Green   My song pick 6 years ago today: Steeleye Span - Roadways   My song pick 7 years ago today: Helloween - Pumpkins United   ...