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

From: LaVern Baker ; Year: 1957; Genre: Rock 'n Roll/R&B I cannot begin to count the sheer amount of times I've heard versions of this song on the radio, television, movies, video games and more over the years. However, this, the original doesn't really get played as much as it should. LaVern Baker has one of those blues/rock 'n roll voices that I just adore; powerful and gritty with sweetness throughout. Just amazing to think that they used to make music this good constantly; made the overall brevity of the song tolerable knowing you'd get another great one to follow it up.     Hear Jim Dandy on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: War - H2Overture     My song pick 2 years ago today: Def Leppard - Rocket     My song pick 3 years ago today: Jigsaw - Just Another Clown   My song pick 4 years ago today: Living Colour - Sunshine Of Your Love   My song pick 5 years ago today: Kansas - All The World   My s...

From: Shakin' All Over ; Year: 1965; Genre: Rock 'n Roll Just hit me today that I wanted to pick something from the early Guess Who. How earlier could you get than choosing something from the band that would become The Guess Who? Or more specifically wot the record company advertised them as a means to gain attention by leading people to believe they were an English beat group in anonymity: Guess Who? Long story short, it did bring them fame and they just stuck with that moniker. Anyway, this is one from the pen of band leader Chad Allan and is more rock 'n roll than rock, and extremely different from their biggest hits like American Woman , No Time , and such.    Hear Turn Around and Walk Away on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Pallas - XXV Part 2: The Unmakers Awake     My song pick 2 years ago today: Ray Peterson - Tell Laura I Love Her   My song pick 3 years ago today: The Beatles - You Got to Hide Your Love Away  ...

From: Modern Times ; Year: 2006; Genre: Rock 'n Roll/Rockabilly I wanted to pick something related to Valentine's Day, and this track in fact does have a major connection to the holiday, so bear with me. Okay, so, in the past I really wasn't one that cared for Valentine's Day; just seemed too commercial and felt like one of those occasions where society seemingly punishes the lonely people who hadn't a "sweetheart." Make them feel like outcasts and unloved, etc. Well, a few years ago I discovered that this holiday on which the martyrdom of  Saint Valentine  is marked, happened on the Roman festival of Lupercalia , which contained some rites of fertility and such. Of course the Feast of St. Valentine has been observed for many, many centuries since. However, I happened to discover the genesis of wot you could call the more secular aspects, which began with Geoffrey Chaucer , who is known as both the Father of English Literature and Poetry, in his 14th Centu...

From: Mister Sandman/Set A Spell (single); Year: 1954; Genre: Pop/Rock 'n Roll Heard Chet Atkins' rendition of this modern classic on the television the other day and have had its mind-burrowing melody in my mind ever since. From wot I understand this was Chet's first charting song on Billboard and was, and still is played a lot.   Watch a live performance on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Michael Jackson - Thriller     My song pick 2 years ago today: The Moody Blues - The Morning: Another Morning   My song pick 3 years ago today: Marillion - Blind Curve   My song pick 4 years ago today: Franz Ferdinand - Always Ascending   My song pick 5 years ago today: Jon Oliva's Pain - Time to Die   My song pick 6 years ago today: Guns N' Roses - November Rain   My song pick 7 years ago today: Jethro Tull - War Child My song pick 8 years ago today: Geddy Lee - Runaway Train My song pick 9 years ago today: Yes - Step ...

From: Shake, Rattle and Roll ; Year: 1955; Genre: Rock 'n Roll/Rockabilly It's Monday the 13th once more... and in October to boot; just had to take advantage of it for another pick on that theme. Anyway, I quite like this cover of the song originally written and recorded by Dickie Thompson  and really fit wot I needed. Quite risqué for the time, this one is about a man having a dream about a hydrogen bomb going off and only he and thirteen women survive in the town. Of course it doesn't go into vivid detail, but you can probably get the picture of the day to day and hi-jinks that ensue. From wot I understand, they threw the part about the H-Bomb in to make it more palatable to the radio audience. While the song did not have immediate success, after Bill Haley hit it big with Rock Around the Clock it caught on and became pretty popular.    Hear Thirteen Women (And Only One Man In Town) on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Rezső Ser...

From: Lonely and Blue ; Year: 1961; Genre: Rock 'n Roll This is one of the few songs that would not quit playing in my mind since yesterday. Whilst being a very schmaltzy teenage love song, the music and vocals are something to behold. I always find something new about his recording when I listen back to them; his vocal control and pitch were superhuman without a doubt. Just listening to his voice and realizing that the record industry was just over a decade into multitrack recording with everything analogue is one of those marvels. The talent pool back then was so deep and broad, but you had to be good to make a record; no post-processing or modern day audio trickery here.   Hear Blue Angel on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Praxis - After Shock (The Chaos Never Died)     My song pick 2 years ago today: Journey - Next   My song pick 3 years ago today: Earth, Wind & Fire - Jupiter   My song pick 4 years ago today: Steve ...

From: You Send Me/Summertime (Single); Year: 1957 ; Genre: Jazz/R&B/Blues Whilst getting ready to log in to pick today's song I just happened to have Sam Cooke on the brain. One of these days I will have to see just how many recordings of this beloved Gershwin classic I have already chosen. This is another of my top favourite recordings of the piece. Though Sam Cooke could probably sing anything and it'd be incredible, he really makes this one his own with that one-of-a-kind voice. A couple of years later in '59 he recorded it again, but this time in his more recognizable Rock 'n Roll/Soul style under the title Summertime (Part 2) . I have to say, I love both of them a lot, but in different ways.   Hear Summertime on YouTube.   Hear Summertime (Part 2) on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Cab Calloway & His Orchestra - Geechy Joe     My song pick 2 years ago today: Stevie Wonder - Maybe Your Baby   My song pick 3 y...

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 The Beach Boys Today! ; Year: 1965; Genre: Rock/Pop Just yesterday I was commemorating the loss of one music legend: Sylvester Stewart (Sly Stone) , and today, sadly, am marking the passing of another legend: Brian Wilson . Strangely enough, both left this Earth at almost the same age of 82; although Brian Wilson's 83rd would be on the 20th of this month. Anyway, while there was a lot of talent and sheer artistry throughout the band, Brian Wilson was the main force as a musician's musician and lead songwriter of the band, especially through their biggest years. If it was not for his tragic mental illness he would probably would've continued on and push popular music even further. There are many of his songs that I really like, this being one of them. It is another one that, if you listen to all that is happening with the interwoven melodies and harmonies it is some of the more complex in arranging and writing while in the wrapping of a brief two-minute length.    Hear ...

From: Willy and the Poor Boys ; Year: 1969; Genre: Rock 'n Roll Kind of a satirical take from John Fogerty's point of view on the powers that be back in 1969 and how they'd react to something "out-of-this-world" crashing in the American Heartland. Both the straight-up bluesy rock 'n roll music and the great story telling lyrically are just about as good as it gets in a song under three minutes in length.   Hear It Came Out of the Sky on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Maxwell - Radiation Funk   My song pick 2 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Guardian's Watch   My song pick 3 years ago today: Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) - Don't Walk Away   My song pick 4 years ago today: Aliotta Haynes Jeremiah - Lake Shore Drive   My song pick 5 years ago today: Laura Branigan - Spanish Eddie   My song pick 6 years ago today: Zapp - Funky Bounce My song pick 7 years ago today: Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart My song pick 8 years ...

From: Ritchie Valens ; Year: 1959; Genre: Rock 'n Roll/Chicano Rock I had some other songs in mind for today, but thought I should pick something apropos for Cinco de Mayo . Although, I am feeling more than a bit sheepish with this obvious pick. Don't get me wrong, I love Ritchie Valens and his music a lot, just wish I could think of something deeper so to speak; oh well. Anyway, this is one of the most famous non-English songs to grace the U.S. charts and is still played and sung around the world since. Originally it was a traditional Mexican folk tune with many 1000s of verses written and ad-libed over the centuries since its conception, which makes it an amazing party tune. And since Ritchie Valens made it so popular, no matter wot language you speak it is fun for all.   Hear La Bamba on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: The Coasters - The Deodorant Song   My song pick 2 years ago today: Barrabás - Wild Safari   My song pick 3 years ago t...

From: Stray Cats ; Year: 1981; Genre: Rockabilly Thought I had already picked this one, but did not. So, you know wot that means.... This is one I have heard a lot throughout the years; it's timeless enough that it never seems out-of-place even 40+ years later; it's always going to be "cool" as long as humans have ears.   Hear Rock This Town on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: UB40 - Please Don't Make Me Cry   My song pick 2 years ago today: Debbie Harry - Chrome   My song pick 3 years ago today: Funkadelic - Maggot Brain   My song pick 4 years ago today: Jim Steinman - Left in the Dark   My song pick 5 years ago today: Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) - Flat Broke Love   My song pick 6 years ago today: 4 Non Blondes - Spaceman My song pick 7 years ago today: Black 47 - I Got Laid On James Joyce's Grave My song pick 8 years ago today: Queen - Keep Yourself Alive My song pick 9 years ago today: Brass Construction - Changi...

From: Clambake ; Year: 1968; Genre: Rock 'n Roll/Country/Rockabilly Had this one come on the other day, which was apparently a late edition to this record that had a troubled studio time. Elvis had heard Jerry Reed's original over the radio and very much wanted to record his own version, however, none of the studio guitarists were capable of putting down the part due to Mr. Reed's strange tuning and the fact that he had a unique "claw" picking style. As the story goes they were trying to cut the track, but the guitar part was just not coming, so they sent someone to find Jerry Reed to ask him for pointers. He was actually out fishing, so it must've been quite an interesting time finding him, but after explaining to him what they were doing he essentially said that the traditional flatpickers at the studio would not be able to replicate it, so he packed up and headed to the studio. Kind of funny how Jerry Reed got to cover his own song about a year after he him...

From: Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters ; Year: 1956 (1954); Genre: Doo-Wop/R&B/Rock 'n Roll It is kind of saddening when you look back through the history of The Drifters and how many insanely talented people came and went through the years. Whilst most would remember the monster hits when Ben E. King later sang the lead for a totally different group for a manager that owned the name, this was the original lineup. Clyde McPhatter put together The Drifters as his backing band, which lasted about a year with a few singles and a single LP album. It is amazing to see the tapestry of these greats that came and went over the years and the legends they later would work with and/or have a solo career. You could probably write a volume of books on this band in its many incarnations. Anyway, this is an early rhythm and blues track with some noted jazz and blues influence. Shortly later Elvis would record the song, which I do believe became the "de-facto" version, but this one...

From: Mirrors ; Year: 1979; Genre: Rock/Rock 'n Roll I do not believe that I've found a single one of BÖC's songs unlistenable, at least to myself that is. One of the main great aspects of this band is the fact that they made full albums and did not focus on making hit singles; those came anyway as a matter of how good the song is. However, when listening to one of their records, each song moves flawlessly from one track to the next, which makes you just keep it playing, hits and other tracks included. Moon Crazy fits right smack in the middle and comes after wot was the first single and keeps the groove going without letting the person playing it down from the high of the previous song.   Hear Moon Crazy on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Chad Allan & The Expressions (The Guess Who) - Theme from a Music Box   My song pick 2 years ago today: Steely Day - Night By Night   My song pick 3 years ago today: Coven - One Tin Soldier   My...

From: Jumpin' Gene Simmons ; Year: 1964; Genre: Rock 'n Roll/Rockabilly Here is another one that just popped into my mind for no apparent reason even though I have not heard it in decades. I really should've waited until around Halloween to choose this one, but it might not have remembered it at the time. This version of Haunted House is a great danceable novelty rockabilly tune with some excellent vocals. From wot I understand, Kiss bassist/vocalist/etc. Gene Simmons chose his stage-name from Jumpin' Gene Simmons, but has apparently also stated in interviews that he was inspired by actor Jean Simmons for the name.   Hear Haunted House on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Europe - The Final Countdown   My song pick 2 years ago today: Neil Young and Crazy Horse - Surfer Joe and Moe the Sleaze   My song pick 3 years ago today: Archie Bell & The Drells - The Soul City Walk   My song pick 4 years ago today: Xerath - I Hold Dominion ...

From: Ghost Stories ; Year: 2024; Genre: Rock/Rock 'n Roll As for these most recent releases from some of my top favourite artists, it's not that I just automatically "love" their material regardless. It is more along the lines of music that when it starts playing I don't seek to end the cacophony and non-concurrence as I do with much of wot has been released in recent years. Not that this music is bad or even mediocre, it's just not their best work, and not their worst either if you follow my logic here. Personally through, I absolutely love hearing new material from them and appreciate that they are still writing artistically.   Hear Cherry on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Earth, Wind & Fire - Rock That!   My song pick 2 years ago today: UB40 - Red Red Wine   My song pick 3 years ago today: The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band - Do Your Thing   My song pick 4 years ago today: Steve Miller Band - Fandango   My song pick 5 yea...

From: South Street ; Year: 1963; Genre: Doo-Wop/Rock 'n Roll This one has really never escaped my mind, although I have not heard it in an age and a half. It's just one of those early '60s "feel good" songs that goes over well. Probably the most striking aspect of this one, other than the great rhythm and music, is how the lower bass vocal contrasts and yet works so well with the angelic three part harmony above.    Hear South Street on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Steve Gray - Snowman's Stomp   My song pick 2 years ago today: Queen - White Queen (As It Began)   My song pick 3 years ago today: Tennessee Ernie Ford - Shot-Gun Boogie   My song pick 4 years ago today: Savatage - All That I Bleed   My song pick 5 years ago today: Yes - The Remembering/High the Memory   My song pick 6 years ago today: Alphaville - Sounds Like a Melody My song pick 7 years ago today: The Spencer Davis Group - Keep On Running My song pic...