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

There's a personal category that I have of music I listen to that this song belongs to. This is one of those songs that I really love the music and arrangements, but the subject matter and lyrics are a bit wanting in my opinion; it is still an excellent song. The best part of this song for me is the bass line and the lead guitar. The bass line is the main hook to the song and is quite fun to play. While I do not completely like the subject matter of the song, Bryan Adams’ vocal performance is excellent in this song. Here is the music video on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

Tonight while driving home this song came on my iPod; I thought that it would be an excellent choice. I came to like this song a long time ago, but had not heard it for a while. This is one of those songs that will it will get stuck in your head very easily. One day I was practicing on my bass and started to play the song and it immediately came back. It is an excellent offering by a legendary artist; excellent lyrics and arrangements. The song has every part that is needed and if you added anything or took anything away it would destroy it. Here is a recording on YouTube. Here is a classic live performance on YouTube. +

While running some errands today I was forced to listen to the radio because I did not have my iPod with me to use in the car’s stereo. Anyway, this song came on while heading to the store and when I was on my way back it came on another radio station on the same stretch of road; I took it as a sign that it was to be picked. Ever since I first heard it on my dad’s 45 single, this song has always been a favorite of mine. This was one of Badfinger's bigger hits and had George Harrison of the Beatles playing in places on it. I have always love the vocal harmonies, but the best part for me is the transitions and the chorus. They were a very good band and it’s too bad that members killed themselves; they had a great deal more potential. Here is a recording on YouTube. Here is a television performance on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +

I noted today that I had not chosen any music from Queensrÿche as of yet, so I decided that it would be remedied. I was a late adopter to the music format of Compact Discs and their album Empire was one of my first purchases on that format. I have always thought that this song was excellently placed on the album because the nature of the song makes it very much an excellent closing song. It really shows off what Queensrÿche is all about: excellent musicianship and technical ability. As with most of the songs on this album, this song has a very big sound to it; very much early ’90s Prog-Metal. Here is a recording of the song on YouTube. Here is the music video on YouTube. +

The other day I was watching one of my favorite X-Files episodes: " Kill Switch ." This episode had a distinction from other episodes in that it was co-written by science fiction authors: Tom Maddox and William Gibson, (one of my favorite authors). Anyway, in the plot the creator of an artificial intelligence that has gone out of control is trying to shut it down. The " Kill Switch " is on a CD-ROM that is hidden in the song " Twilight Time " by the Platters; after that I knew I had to pick the song soon... and I did. I have always loved this track, the vocal work and arrangements in this romantic ballad are excellent. I probably would have picked this song eventually anyway even if it did not have the connection. Here is a recording of the song on YouTube. Here is a television performance of the song on YouTube. +

I felt like some Pink Floyd today, this is one of my favourites songs from the band, so I thought that it was a good choice. Probably my favorite aspect of these two tracks are the lyrics and how well they meld with the music. I absolutely love the way they transition from the verses to the chorus and between the two songs as well. Here is a recording of the song on YouTube. +

Last night my wife and I were watching the movie " Flight of the Phoenix " and this song was prominently featured. I really like it and did not have another one in mind, so I decided to make it my pick. This is another song where Steve Winwood really shines on the Hammond organ; it is the featured instrument of the song. The bass line is also very integral to the song gives it a danceable factor. Here is a music video on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. +