Song of the Day April 11-17

April 11 2024

A little history of this song..... Half of My Heart     by John Mayer

We've covered John Mayer a couple of times on Eyes Wide Open.... but that's OK because I think he's one of the 5 best guitarists out there today., and we all know by now how much I like singer songwriters that can really play their guitar. I genuinely don't think people understand the simplistic brilliance in John Mayer's music. He isn't just a phenomenal guitar player/singer. He's seriously one of the most poetically intricate songwriters in this generations.That he can write the most introspective songs then make you feel every note on his guitar is what makes him one of my favorite artists. Today's Song of the Day is from his 2009 album "Battle Studios" entitled 'Half of My Heart'. This song, in which Mayer confesses to being half-hearted in a relationship, is a collaboration with Country-Pop star Taylor Swift. Here's the background to the single...back in 2009 Mayer told MTV News that the idea for the song came to Mayer in a dream. "I woke up with the song in my head called 'Half of My Heart,'" he recalled. "And the idea is that it's this real sort of updated - not that it needs to be updated - sort of Tom Petty, Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks thing."

He added. "I thought, 'Well, if this is going to be my love letter to that style of music, who's going to be the Stevie Nicks in this equation?' And I thought, 'This Taylor Swift girl is going to be around for a long time.'" It's a great song that I know you'll like, and yes John you were right back in 2009... Taylor Swift is going to around for a while!

Enjoy!

Enjoy!!

April 13 2024

A little history of this song..... Never Let You  Go  by Third Eye Blind

Third Eye Blind is an American rock band formed in San Francisco, California, in 1993. After years of lineup changes in the early and mid-1990s, the band is really the brainchild of it's founder and still active member Stephan Jenkins. Their muical style is basically "pop/alternative rock". Even after all the line-up changes in the band they still have maintained a musical presense in the 2020's. Today's Song of the Day is entitled 'Never Let You Go' and is from their 1999 hit album "Blue". This song is about change and closing a passage in our lives even if that passage may hurt others. This song seems to be told from a guy's perspective. The singer was in a bad relationship that makes no sense to him. He thought he would be happy with this girl and be with her forever, but that long-lasting relationship somehow faded--not sure why. And, even as the years pass and times change, he still carries her memory with him. Basically this song is about reflecting on a point of your life and what meaning you gave to this nexus. The reflection on years past is something that we all have done (what might have been?)... yet Third Eye Blind puts these feelings or passages to music and lyrics. A little different than most songs on the blog but one I thought you may enjoy.

April 15 2024

A little history of this song..... Castanets                by Alejandro Escovedo

Alejandro Escovedo is an American rock musician, songwriter, and singer, who has been recording and touring since the late 1970s. His primary instrument is the guitar. He has played in various rock genres, including punk rock, roots rock and alternative country, and is most closely associated with the music scene in Austin, Texas but also San Francisco and New York. If you've never listened to Alejandro Escovedo's music, it is sharply honed and melodic, often defiant and edgy. He can move from rip-snorting guitar-stoked rockers like 'Castanets' to the layered, Roy Orbison-esque 'Never Stood a Chance.' Sometimes the intent of the song is clear; other times it’s murkier.

Of Today's Song of the Day 'Castanets', Escovedo says many people hear this part of the chorus: 

"I like her better when she walks away

I like her better when she never stays"

and take it as a kiss-off song. It’s not, Escovedo says, explaining, "It’s about a woman people don’t understand. It’s [me] admiring that walk, in a way. That walk has a lot of language in it that says many things -- it has a lot of confidence, it’s very spirited, beautiful, rhythmic. I like her better because she has this attitude about her." I think you'll coming away loving this song whether it's the recorded version on Spotify or the video below. Alejandro is one of those artists that is hard not to love. For the past 40 years he's been an American treasure/

Enjoy!!

April 17 2024

A little history of this song..... Love Brand New               by Bob Moses

Bob Moses is a Canadian electronic duo based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Formed in NYC the duet has been recording since 2015. They self describe their music as pulling inspiration from Nine Inch Nails, Gesaffelstein, and Prince for a booming, industrial sound. Today's Song of the Day from the Grammy nominated duo is entitled 'Love Brand New' and is off their 2022 album "The Silence In-Between". In an interview with Bob Moses they related this about the song ‘Love Brand New’...." it's a song about being newly in love and trying not to lose yourself as you navigate the world feeling as though you’re seeing everything for the first time, as if it’s brand new.'Love Brand New’ is a song about living in the present and cherishing the love you have with someone, making it new and exciting every day." It's an interesting song that has gotten a lot of airplay on AOR stations all over the country. Give it a spin and see if you like it.

Enjoy!!