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

From: Presto ; Year: 1989; Genre: Rock It is kind of interesting to think actually how few songs the band Rush actually recorded; Presto being the only 1980s records that has songs that I have yet to choose. Each of their albums from this period seemed to have only 6 to 11 songs per and there were only seven studio albums during the decade, and this is when they started having shorter tracks. Anyway, as with what many have criticisms of Presto , Available Light is less "progressive and/or hard rock," but still a very good song.   Hear Available Light on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: The O'Jays - For the Love of Money   My song pick 2 years ago today: R.E.O. Speedwagon - Time For Me to Fly   My song pick 3 years ago today: Hammerfall - And Yet I Smile   My song pick 4 years ago today: Emerson, Lake & Palmer - The Only Way (Hymn)   My song pick 5 years ago today: The Tubes - She's a Beauty My song pick 6 years ago tod...

From: Uncle Jam Wants You ; Year: 1979; Genre: Funk/Rock/Soul Last week I totally boned it and did not make a Funky Friday Pick ; not letting that mistake happen two weeks in a row.... Anyway, with Veteran's Day, [known as Armistice Day in other parts of the world], being observed this Friday, (even though it will be tomorrow officially being 11/11 at the 11th hour, which marked the end of WWI), this rather apt-titled and themed funk record just seemed like a great fit. It's another one of those situations with this instrumental song in particular where the only criticism I have is that it is not long enough to fully enjoy without playing it again.   Hear Field Maneuvers on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Dick Dale and his Del-Tones - The Victor   My song pick 2 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Shoshana Sleeping   My song pick 3 years ago today: Rammstein - Deutschland   My song pick 4 years ago today: Boston - Sail Away   My song p...

From: 98.6/Ain't Gonna Lie ; Year: 1967; Genre: Pop/Rock Here's another "gift" from the dark recesses on my brain, again, one of those situation where I had not heard it in decades, but it just popped into my mind. Originally recorded by Keith , whose name was James Barry Keefer, and was a pop standard back in the late 1960s. It features The Tokens of The Lion Sleeps Tonight fame lending backing vocals on the studio release. It's just one of those "feel-good sunshine pop" tracks from the time and is quite well arranged and produced.   Hear 98.6 on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Dick Dale and his Del-Tones - Taco Wagon   My song pick 2 years ago today: Hot Butter - Slag Solution   My song pick 3 years ago today: Midnight Oil - Shakers and Movers   My song pick 4 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Urban Apocalypse   My song pick 5 years ago today: Al Green - Guilty My song pick 6 years ago today: Genesis - No Son of Mine My so...

From: Van Halen ; Year: 1978; Genre: Hard Rock Here is another one that I am surprised I have not picked yet, especially since I like both Van Halen and The Kinks. Probably one of the most famous guitar solos in popular culture, Eruption speaks for itself, but it just does not feel right to only play it and not go into their famous cover of The Kinks' classic. They sure did make it their own, taking the rock/proto-punk sensibilities further that the original, and that's saying something.   Hear Eruption/You Really Got Me on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Fear Factory featuring Gary Numan - Cars   My song pick 2 years ago today: UB40 - (I Can't Help) Falling In Love With You   My song pick 3 years ago today: Rush - High Water   My song pick 4 years ago today: Amnesty - Can I Help You?   My song pick 5 years ago today: Bad Company - Shake It Up My song pick 6 years ago today: Rush - Turn the Page My song pick 7 years ago today:...

From: The Distance ; Year: 1982; Genre: Rock Feels like a good day for some "heartland" rock from the one and only Bob Seger and his band of renown. Totally forgot how old this song was; for some reason I had it in my mind that it was a 1990s release; most likely because it was part of the soundtrack to the film Armageddon . It kind of has quite a timeless sound to it, which is probably another reason that it sounds newer than it is, but the overall composition and arrangement of the music mixed with the lyrics/vocals concerning a wandering person with detailed depictions of the scenery with existential ponderings really makes it great.   Hear Roll Me Away on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Little Richard - I Don't Know What You've Got But It's Got Me (Parts 1+2)   My song pick 2 years ago today: The Stranglers - Peaches   My song pick 3 years ago today: Marillion - Power   My song pick 4 years ago today: John Oliva's Pain - Looking for...

From: Working Class Dog ; Year: 1981; Genre: Rock/Pop Do not know really why I have not picked this song prior, but it is one that I heard a lot in my early years and thus have a slew of memories tied to it. I can still hear my Dad's scratchy stereo 8-track that had a recording from the FM radio playing; whilst the song can be found in much, much better quality, I still miss hearing it from that tape. Anyway, for the past 40 some odd years since its release, Jessie's Girl has more than permeated pop culture, but still has a well-aged sound that still resonates today.   Hear Jessie's Girl on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Manfred Mann's Earth Band - Demolition Man   My song pick 2 years ago today: Foreigner - The Beat of My Heart   My song pick 3 years ago today: Bernard Wright - Funky Beat   My song pick 4 years ago today: Genesis - The Fountain of Salmacis   My song pick 5 years ago today: Klaatu - Doctor Marvello M...

From: Stone Cold Rhymin' ; Year: 1989; Genre: Rap/Hip Hop I can't help but get a huge smile on my face when this track plays; excellent combination of lyrics and phrasing along with the samples and original music.    Hear Bust a Move on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Klaatu - So Said The Lighthouse Keeper   My song pick 2 years ago today: Earth, Wind & Fire - Fair But So Uncool   My song pick 3 years ago today: Nirvana - I Know You're Right   My song pick 4 years ago today: Rush - The Big Wheel   My song pick 5 years ago today: Genesis - Invisible Touch My song pick 6 years ago today: Jim Croce - One Less Set of Footsteps My song pick 7 years ago today: Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Jeremy Bender My song pick 8 years ago today: Peter, Paul & Mary - I Dig Rock And Roll Music My song pick 9 years ago today: Ozzy Osbourne - So Tired My song pick 10 years ago today: Mastodon - Iron Tusk My song pick 11 years a...