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

From: Blanc Burn ; Year: 2011; Genre: New Wave/Synthpop Finally got to put this one on the other day and all I can say is that it immediately put a smile on my face. There are heavy times where such light and whimsical songs are just wot the doctor ordered so to speak; this is one of them in spades!    Hear I'm Having a Coffee on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Mac Davis - I Believe In Music     My song pick 2 years ago today: Joe Cocker - Something     My song pick 3 years ago today: Johnny Rodriguez - Erez tú   My song pick 4 years ago today: Stanley Clarke - More Hot Fun   My song pick 5 years ago today: Cheap Trick - Ain't That a Shame   My song pick 6 years ago today: Marcus Miller - Superspy   My song pick 7 years ago today: Seals & Crofts - Diamond Girl My song pick 8 years ago today: Rick James - Call Me Up My song pick 9 years ago today: Chris Squire - Hold Out Your Hand My song pi...

From:  H 2 O ; Year: 1982; Genre: Rock/Soul Never knew that this track was a cover; always was under the impression that it was a Hall & Oates original. Mike Oldfield , who was also one of the song's writers, recorded and released it just prior. While it charted originally for Oldfield, it charted much better and in more territories for Hall & Oates, which is not surprising with them being such a giant musical powerhouse back in the 1980s.   Hear Family Man on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Lighthouse - Man, Woman, Child     My song pick 2 years ago today: Cameo - Attitude   My song pick 3 years ago today: Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) - The Lights Go Down   My song pick 4 years ago today: Lawrence Gowan - The Dragon   My song pick 5 years ago today: Alice Cooper - I'm Eighteen   My song pick 6 years ago today: U.K. - Rendezvous 6:02   My song pick 7 years ago today: Parliament - Aqua Boogie (A ...

From: Irene & Mavis ; Year: 1980; Genre: Synthpop/Electronic Rock Just recently discovered this early EP from Blancmange that predates their debut album Happy Families by a couple of years. It is really neat hearing the duo in a more embryonic state musically, this instrumental track is one of my favourite thus far.   Hear Holiday Camp on YouTube.        My song pick 1 year ago today: Golden Earring - Future     My song pick 2 years ago today: ABBA - The Name of the Game   My song pick 3 years ago today: Naked Eyes - Always Something There to Remind Me   My song pick 4 years ago today: The Cosmic Sound Orchestra - Fight   My song pick 5 years ago today: Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark - If You Leave   My song pick 6 years ago today: Buffalo Springfield - For What It's Worth   My song pick 7 years ago today: Midnight Oil - King of the Mountain My song pick 8 years ago today: The Wootens - Do I Do My song pick 9 year...

From: The Works ; Year: 1984; Genre: Rock/Synthpop For my fourth pick in this theme I am going with a one of the most popular bands of all time, which used to get vilified by overtly self-righteous people. This was mostly due for people looking for and finding something to get offended about and those who just don't understand humour from another place. A few times back in Sunday school they would put in one VHS tape or another to show "proof" that some popular music was indoctrinating children by putting in back masked messages, i.e. supposed lyrics if you played them backwards would say some satanic or some other bad message. Of course, this idea goes way back further than the "Satanic Panic" with some claiming there is/was hidden messages by The Beatles in their music about dead band members being replaced and such. Other ones I do remember was Led Zeppelin doing it as well as Electric Light Orchestra. Jeff Lynne actually did respond in kind on the epic track...

From: Love in Motion (single); Year: 1981; Genre: New Wave Having music from the band Icehouse on the brain thus far today and took it once again as a sign I needed to revisit the group. Whilst Icehouse had already been known by that name abroad, but, their first album, Icehouse , in their native Australia and related area the band was still named Flowers, so technically Love in Motion was Icehouse's debut single, at least at home. This song would, however, eventually be included on future releases of both the original Icehouse album and their second Primitive Man .     Hear Love in Motion on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: War - Seven Tin Soldiers     My song pick 2 years ago today: Steppenwolf - Magic Carpet Ride   My song pick 3 years ago today: The Nightwatchman - Which Side Are You On?   My song pick 4 years ago today: Manfred Mann - Fox on the Run   My song pick 5 years ago today: Foreigner - Inside I...

From: Information Society ; Year: 1988; Genre: New Wave For some reason was drawing an absolute blank today for this song pick, not sure why though. Anyway, I happened to scroll through bands that I have chosen songs from and noticed that I had only picked one from Information Society, so thought it would be a great time to fix that. This is one of their secondary hits from their first proper studio album, which feature a great thumping dance beat and, or course more Star Trek voice samples from William Shatner (Kirk) and James Doohan (Scotty).    Hear Walking Away on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Jerry Reed - Wayfaring Stranger     My song pick 2 years ago today: Marillion - Torch Song   My song pick 3 years ago today: Rick James - Mr. Policeman   My song pick 4 years ago today: Pendragon - Ghosts   My song pick 5 years ago today: Buffalo Springfield - Rock and Roll Woman   My song pick 6 years ago today: H...

From: Mange Tout ; Year: 1984; Genre: Synthpop Whilst driving yesterday was enjoying my my new/old stereo I recently installed in my car; one of Blancmange's tracks came one and it sounded very good. I thought that I would choose another from this often overlooked synthpop band from the '80s. This is a cover of a single released two years prior by the popular group ABBA.    Hear The Day Before You Came on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Anne Murray - Snowbird     My song pick 2 years ago today: Simon & Garfunkel - Homeward Bound   My song pick 3 years ago today: The Moody Blues - Question   My song pick 4 years ago today: Les Paul - Goofus   My song pick 5 years ago today: Midnight Oil - Back on the Borderline   My song pick 6 years ago today: Quasar - Fire in the Sky   My song pick 7 years ago today: Curved Air - Elfin Boy My song pick 8 years ago today: Gloryhammer - Goblin King of the Darkstorm G...

From: After Eight ; Year: 1982; Genre: Synthpop/New Wave The other day I discovered to my astonishment that I had not picked this cover of the popular piece from the pen of Irving Berlin. This piece has been recorded a multitude of times since the late 1920s, during and since the interwar period; in the last half century probably the two best known recordings are Gene Wilder and Peter Boyle's showstopper in Mel Brooks' 1974 Young Frankenstein , and of course, this synthpop version from Taco in 1982. I don't know if it is Taco's memorable performance, Berlin's genius writing, or both, but this is one recording that seemingly has not lost much steam over the years and can be played almost anywhere and people will react positively to it.   Watch the music video on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band - Old Time Rock and Roll     My song pick 2 years ago today: Jerry Reed - Sixteen Tons   My song pick...

From: Believe You Me ; Year: 1986; Genre: Synthpop/New Wave In my opinion Blancmange is one of the synthpop bands from the 1980s that never gets their fair share. Sure, they only released three records and only lasted about four years during the decade, but wot the music they made was great, and of course, they reformed in the early 2010s and haven't stopped since. Anyway, this was the first single off of their '86 release and such a classic.    Hear What's Your Problem? on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Geddy Lee - I Am...You Are     My song pick 2 years ago today: Tina Turner - Private Dancer   My song pick 3 years ago today: Yes - Onward   My song pick 4 years ago today: Stevie Wonder - I Wish     My song pick 5 years ago today: The Steve Miller Band - The Gangster is Back   My song pick 6 years ago today: Pearl Jam - Oceans My song pick 7 years ago today: The Grateful Dead - Mountains of t...

From: New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84) ; Year: 1982; Genre: New Wave Felt the need to listen to something from Simple Minds; this song just fit my mood perfectly and fits that we are heading in to the warmer months of the year now. They are one of the mainstream acts I heard a lot back in my formative years, but unlike a lot of their contemporaries, the sound is just so fresh.   Hear Someone Somewhere in Summertime on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: The Grateful Dead - Box of Rain   My song pick 2 years ago today: Frank Zappa - Waka/Jawaka   My song pick 3 years ago today: Red Hot Chili Peppers - Green Heaven   My song pick 4 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Quartet   My song pick 5 years ago today: Rainbow - Fool For The Night   My song pick 6 years ago today: The Grateful Dead - Unbroken Chain My song pick 7 years ago today: The (Dixie) Dregs - Kat Food My song pick 8 years ago today: King Crimson - Fracture My song pick 9 ...

From: The Golden Age of Wireless; Year: 1982/1983; Genre: Synthpop/New Wave/Electronica From wot I have personally experienced and heard from people, She Blinded Me With Science is one of those songs that, as a general rule, people either love it or hate it with a few exceptions. For me, I am in the former for the most part, as long as it doesn't get overplayed. It is kind of strange though how even when it was released it was very unique sounding, which is actually to its benefit with it never fully having its sound anchored it in time.   Watch the music video on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: The Strawberry Alarm Clock - Incense and Peppermints   My song pick 2 years ago today: Bee Gees - First of May   My song pick 3 years ago today: Artie Shaw and His Orchestra - Nightmare   My song pick 4 years ago today: The Easybeats - Heaven and Hell   My song pick 5 years ago today: The Who - Ball and Chain   My song pick 6 years ...

From: Forever Young ; Year: 1984; Genre: Synthpop/New Wave Just felt like some '80s Synthpop today, Alphaville in particular. I thought I could not go wrong with another one from their great Forever Young record.    Hear Fallen Angel on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - I Am the Storm   My song pick 2 years ago today: The Jimmy Castor Bunch - Psyche   My song pick 3 years ago today: Wolfmother - Apple Tree   My song pick 4 years ago today: Led Zeppelin - Achilles Last Stand My song pick 5 years ago today: Toronto - Even the Score   My song pick 6 years ago today: Kreeps - The Dead Sled My song pick 7 years ago today: Steely Dan - My Old School My song pick 8 years ago today: Savatage - Jesus Saves My song pick 9 years ago today: England Dan & John Ford Coley - The Prisoner My song pick 10 years ago today: Wilson Pickett - Funky Way My song pick 11 years ago today: Louis and Bebe Barron - Main...

From: Ghostbusters (soundtrack) ; Year: 1984; Genre: Synth-Rock Already three days in to October and have yet to pick something "seasonal." Well, it has been 17 years and I am finally getting this classic theme song added to my list; better late than never. This one is the mid 1980s incarnate and really does not need me to explain it; most over the last 40 years have heard it many times over.   Hear Ghostbusters on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: David Essex - Stardust   My song pick 2 years ago today: Beat Crusaders - Summerend   My song pick 3 years ago today: The Alan Parsons Project - To One in Paradise   My song pick 4 years ago today: Sky - Gymnopedie No. 1   My song pick 5 years ago today: Lawrence Gowan - A Criminal Mind   My song pick 6 years ago today: R.E.O. Speedwagon - In Your Letter My song pick 7 years ago today: Tom Petty - A Face in the Crowd My song pick 8 years ago today: John Fogerty - You Got the Mag...

From: Mange Tout ; Year: 1984; Genre: New Wave/Synthpop Here is another band from the 1980s that in my opinion does not receive the acclaim they deserve. Perhaps they didn't distinguish themselves enough from the other synthpop/new wave acts of the time, but they did make quite a few memorable hit songs; this one included.   Hear Don't Tell Me on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Huey Lewis & The News - If This Is It   My song pick 2 years ago today: Lenny Kravitz - Rock And Roll Is Dead   My song pick 3 years ago today: Marillion - The Space...   My song pick 4 years ago today: Hawkwind - Last Man on Earth   My song pick 5 years ago today: Janis Joplin - Kosmic Blues My song pick 6 years ago today: Van Morrison - Wild Nights My song pick 7 years ago today: Van Halen - Best of Both Worlds My song pick 8 years ago today: Santo & Johnny - Deep Purple My song pick 9 years ago today: Dire Straits - Expresso Love My song ...

From: Captured ; Year: 1985; Genre: R&B/Synthpop/Soul/Funk Here's one that brings back a lot of memories. Just love the way he sings and the music is perfect; may be dated somewhat, but it's a comforting and familiar sound for me. Sad that this record did not have the same impact as its predecessor; I firmly believe that Rockwell is deeply underappreciated.     Hear T.V. Psychology on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Jim Stafford - Wildwood Weed   My song pick 2 years ago today: The Jackson 5 - I Want You Back   My song pick 3 years ago today: The Cure - The 13th   My song pick 4 years ago today: Rush - Carnies My song pick 5 years ago today: Bootsy's Rubber Band - Another Point of View My song pick 6 years ago today: America - Watership Down My song pick 7 years ago today: Hawkwind - Angels of Death My song pick 8 year ago today: Yes - America My song pick 9 years ago today: Styx - Miss America My song pick ...

From: Primitive Man ; Year: 1982; Genre: New Wave If you grew up in the '80s the sound will immediately be recognizable and give a great sense of great nostalgia. Whilst the sound is very much that of the early to mid 1980s, Icehouse was not, in my opinion, following fads and trends, but rather they were among the bands plowing a path ahead for that sound. Uniform is one of the main songs from the album that exemplifies this.   Hear Uniform on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Steely Dan - Gaucho   My song pick 2 years ago today: Doc Oliver - Soul Popcorn   My song pick 3 years ago today: The Romantics - Talking In Your Sleep   My song pick 4 years ago today: The Kinks - Picture Book   My song pick 5 years ago today: Golden Earring - Radar Love My song pick 6 years ago today: Martha and the Vandellas - Nowhere to Run My song pick 7 years ago today: Blood, Sweat & Tears - Smiling Phases My song pick 8 years ago today: Rage ...

From: After Eight ; Year: 1982; Genre: New Wave/Synthpop Been really enjoying this record again after putting it into more rotation whilst listening to music; it is very unfortunate that he is relegated to the "one hit wonder" status here in the 'States. He was and still is quite a talent with an incredible voice; I would hazard to say operatic. Anyway, this is the second single from his international hit record After Eight , while it is massively overshadowed by Puttin' on the Ritz , it's definitely of high calibur. It was originally written back in 1929 and has been recorded and used in theatre countless times since, but I really like Taco's re-imagining by melding the core traditional swinging style with the contemporary synthpop of the time/   Hear Singin' in the Rain on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Big Maybelle - Candy   My song pick 2 years ago today: David Bowie - Sweet Thing/Candidate/Sweet Thing (Reprise)   My song pick 3 years...

From: Mistaken Identity ; Year: 1981; Genre: New Wave/Rock This song came on my playlist today whilst driving; I enjoyed it thoroughly to the point I had to start it over after listening to it once. Kim Carnes' Bette Davis Eyes is one of those song that would be a mere shadow of itself if you added or took something away. Some are most likely not aware that this was a cover originally written by Donna Weiss and Jackie DeShannon and recorded by the latter back in 1974, but it didn't gain much traction. I have to say, the completely radical approach to the song, which really does not share much in the way of arrangement or structure to the original, was a stroke of genius. It's very cool to know that Hollywood legend Bette Davis was elated by the mega hit song making her relevant to a new generation and apparently making her "cool" to her grandson. Definitely this is one of those songs that is as immortal as the person it was written about.   Hear Bette Davis Eyes ...

From: Happy Families ; Year: 1982; Genre: Synthpop/New Wave Had this record on my mind once again, you know the rest.... Kind of a neat bluesy synth/new wave track, which was one of their initial hits. Apparently was not on this album in the U.K., but was included on this side of "the pond."   Hear God's Kitchen on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Rick & The Entire World - No No No Momerto   My song pick 2 years ago today: Faith No More - Stripsearch   My song pick 3 years ago today: Depeche Mode - World in my Eyes   My song pick 4 years ago today: The Allman Brothers Band - Firing Line   My song pick 5 years ago today: Gerry Rafferty - Island My song pick 6 years ago today: White Zombie - Black Sunshine My song pick 7 years ago today: The Headhunters - Actual Proof My song pick 8 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Old Ghosts My song pick 9 years ago today: Rush - The Wreckers My song pick 10 years ago today: Ian Anderso...