Song of the Day Nov 10- 16

November 10 2024

A little history of this song..... Lo/Hi    by Black Keys

The rock duo of guitarist and vocalist Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney are the two founding members that make up the Black Keys. Friends from early childhood they first met when they were eight or nine years old while living in the same neighborhood of Akron, Ohio a couple houses down from each other, and incidentally both come from family musical backgrounds. Today's Song of the Day 'Lo/Hi' is off their 2019 album "Let's Rock". 'Lo/Hi' is a slice of Black Keys trademark blues-licked rock that finds Dan Auerbach lamenting being abandoned by a lover:

Nobody to love you

Nobody to care

If you got nobody to hug you

No one to answer

There's often a lovesick element to Black Keys' lyrics; 'Tighten Up' and 'Lonely Boy' are other examples of the duo's songs about heartache. 'Lo/Hi' was The Black Keys' first new song released since their 2014 album "Turn Blue." It represented a return to form for the band, becoming only the second track ever to reach #1 on all four Billboard rock airplay charts (Mainstream Rock Songs, Alternative Song, Adult Alternative Songs and Rock Airplay). Auerbach told Uncut magazine the  'Lo/Hi' title doesn't mean anything. "All I see are a bunch of inside rhymes," he explained, "and that's as far as I think about that song."

The Black Keys guitarist added: "When I'm writing songs, I'm just trying to make something that feels good. It just has to feel good. And a lot of times the words are more about the vowels. And the vowel sounds, than they are the actual words." Kinda strage,huh? But the record is a really good one, one I know you'll like.

November 12 2024

A little history of this song..... Roots and Wings   by The Wallflowers

In late 2021 American rock band The Wallflowers made a triumphant return with to the Music scene with their new album "Exit Wounds" featuring the lead single 'Roots And Wings.' It's the lead single from "Exit Wounds", the band's first album since 2012. 'Roots And Wings' feels almost like a perfect way to describe the song. Led by frontman Jakob Dylan, The Wallflowers stay true to their origins. 'Roots And Wings' fits perfectly in their catalogue of slow and dance-able rock tunes. However, they spread their metaphorical wings by incorporating more modern musical techniques, straying from their classic approach to rock. This all helps further the emotional message of the song. A father of four, Dylan opens up about never being fully comfortable or ready to let go of his children.

Dylan's consistently smooth but delightfully raspy vocals sound like a more refined Bob Dylan, his father. They pair well with the punchy drums, laying the groundwork for 'Roots And Wings'. The Wallflower's simple message depicting the mental game of tennis involved with letting go of someone you love melded alongside an impressively clean rock track culminates into one of the most listenable and entertaining songs by the band. It's simple and understated, yet completely enjoyable.

November 14 2024

A little history of this song..... You Get What You Give    by New Radicals

Today's Song of the Day 'You Get What You Give' is a power-pop song by American alternative rock band New Radicals. It was the first and most successful single from their only studio album, "Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too" (1998). Released in November 1998, it reached number 36 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number eight on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.

'You Get What You Give' became a hit became anthem for young dreamers ready to take on the world with music on their side. The title is kind of a mantra: you'll get back in life what you give to others. The song also rails against big business and the forces of oppression, sounding at times like a Bernie Sanders rally as it rails against the health care and banking industries:

Health insurance, rip off lying

FDA, big bankers buying

Gregg Alexander (essentially the singer, all instruments and lyricist for The New Radicals said the central theme of the song was "remembering to fly high and be completely off your head in a world where you can't control all elements".

The accompanying music video for 'You Get What You Give' was filmed in the Staten Island Mall in New York and directed by Evan Bernard. The New Radicals' frontman Gregg Alexander said he chose this setting because he sees the shopping mall "as a metaphor for society—a fake, controlled environment engineered to encourage spending." The video showed a group of teenagers, led by Alexander, going through the mall wreaking havoc—tossing nets on security guards, placing businessmen in animal cages, knocking over merchandise, hijacking Lambrettas, and moshing in the food court.

Enjoy!!

November16 2024

A little history of this song..... Is There Anyone Out There    by Toad the Wet Sprocket

Today's Song of the Day is entitled 'Is There Anyone Out There ?' from the 2013 Album "New Constellation" by Toad the Wet Spocket. For those not familiar with Toad, et al. they are four close buddies from Santa Barbara that formed an alt-rock band in the late 80's and became one of the top bnds of the 90's and in the crazy world of Rock n' Roll they have remained together since their formation. The song  'Is There Anyone Out There ?' speaks to how relationships between people are disappearing. We separate ourselves physically and even struggle to talk honestly for fear of offending. Glen Phillips, the bnd's founder, asks that in this digital world are human interactions between people disappearing ? I think we all have the desire for close relationships... but alas, this is where we are headed. Lead Singer and lyricist Phillips, questions is there someone out there who feels the way you do ? He states " We separate ourselves physically and even struggle to talk honestly for fear of offending. I think we all have the desire for close relationships... but is this where we are headed ?" An introspective song for the band, yet a very good song that I hope you like from one of the most interesting bands of the 90's.