Song of the Day July 10-16

July 10 2024

A little history of this song..... Out in the Street     by Bruce Springsteen

A song that is guaranteed to get me in a good mood is 'Out in the Street', which was released on the 1980 album "The River." It’s a song that emotes a great feeling of freedom and joy. Basically it’s a song about being young and free, with a few bucks in your pocket after a long hard week at work and the only thing you are looking forward to is the weekend. There is no boss (no pun intended) or anyone else, who is going to tell you what to do. It’s a song about being free to do what YOU want. Back when Bruce Springsteen wrote this song, the lyrics were about the disillusioned working class, who had little to celebrate in life except when the whistle blew and they could be out on the street to spend their hard earned money. This song has aged very well through the decades. There are more reasons than ever to try and break free from what is expected, to celebrate freedom and the end of a hard working week- no matter what socio-economic class. People ought to walk the way they want to walk and talk the way they want to talk, and not only on weekends.The music alone in this song makes you happy, the sax solo is spectacular and also the final lyric which features weaving vocals from members of the E Street Band (and the audience). It’s a great celebratory song and the kind of song that makes you feel like a winner, and that sums up the mood of listening to this song and (preferably) seeing it played live.

Enjoy!!!

July 12 2024

A little history of this song..... Thunderbird   by Big Head Todd & the Monsters

In this life, very few friendships withstand the test of time. Naturally, people go their separate ways and chase their own dreams. As rare as it may be for friendships to last a lifetime, it might be even rarer for a band to stick together for the long haul. Yet Big Head Todd & the Monsters have done exactly that. Todd Mohr, leader of the band, has said "To me, my band means four people who listen to each other, work hard, and share a goal. “The goal has to do with reaching out to people, catching their ears, and sharing a story we hope they relate to. Our fans have given us an incredible 40-year career, and we hope they’ve gotten great songs and performances in return. As an uncomplicated rock band, we like to do things that are ‘proper’—loud guitars, drums, big bass, and well-placed organ, keys, and lap steel." "Her Way Out' is the bands first album of new material in seven years and it doesn't disappoint. Today's Song of the Day 'Thunderbird' is a guitar & organ driven theme song with a refrain that tips it's hat to Francis Ford Copolla's "American Graffiti." Todd Mohr goes on to say “‘'Thunderbird' is a collection of one-liners from the film knit together with a beat poet vibe. It has an AC/DC-like guitar riff and a cinematic-style vocal. It’s all about drag racing and love never caught.” A great song from a band that has been giving us new and innovative music for decades.

Enjoy!!

July 14 2024

A little history of this song.....If I Had Some Help    by Post Malone, Morgan Wallen

If youv'e been reading this blog for any length you know by now that I don't do rap and I don't do country. They are just 2 genre's that don't really interest me and the purpose of this blog has always been about Rock n' Roll. But today I'm teetering on the edge and I'm going to break that rule, at least somewhat, as Rapper/ Hip-Hop artist Post Malone has teamed up with Country artist Morgan Wallen (whoever he might be)  to lay down a certifiable Country track entitled 'If I Had Some Help.' A Country star and a rapper??? doing a song together?? That's a new one on me! But they are two of the most streamed artists on the 'Net. Malone better known for his Hip-Hop songs 'Circles' and 'Better Now' has become, in his own words, a "multi-genre" artist. And if I'm being 100% honest, the song isn't half bad. Forget about all the tats on his face, the guy is talented. In the upbeat country song, the pair sing about a breakup and how they wish their partners would take more accountability for the demise of the relationship.

Essentially, the breakup wasn't all their fault. They had some help in the ending. Even In the music video, Malone went Country and wore a pair of suede boots, a Dallas baseball hat and a white button-down shirt with blue jeans and a brown jacket!! So, I guess that if Post Malone can change then maybe I can..... but don't bet on it!!

Enjoy!!

July 16 2024

A little history of this song..... Let's Stay Together     by Al Green

Could there possibly be an R&B singer that has possesses a sexier voice than Al Green? Some may argue on behalf of Marvin Gaye and that might be a worthy competitor. But for my money the singer that just oozes out sexuality is Al Green. Every note he sings is scintillating, practially touching every bone in your body. And although Today's Song of the Day 'Let's Stay Together' is 52 years old... I still have yet to hear someone do it better than Al Green. A short Bio is that Green was the hottest R&B act in the early 70's, then tragically his girlfriend committed suicide and Green stopped singing all together and became a preacher. He returned to singing later in life... but it was never the same as it was in the early 70's when he was at his zenith. Green is the winner of 11 Grammy Awards, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He has also received the BMI Icon award and is a Kennedy Center Honors recipient. He was included in the Rolling Stone list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time, ranking at No. 65. What an incredible resume!! The essence of 'Let's Stay Together' is about an unconditional love where you are determined to stick it out through good times and bad..Al Green wrote the lyrics to this song; then when he went to record it, Green did about 100 takes before he got one he liked, and even then he wasn't sure the song was any good. It was his co-writer who set him straight, telling him it "had magic on it." Boy, were they ever right... one of the greatest solo songs in R&B history, 'Let's Stay Together' is truly an American classic.

Enjoy!!