Song of the Day for Jun 27-July 2

JUN 27th 2022

A little history of this song… Seven Days in Sunny June Jamiroquai

Jamiroquai is a band that most Americans are unfamiliar with but in the UK are an extremely popular Acid Jazz band. Led by Lead Singer Jay Kay This British Funk and Acid Jazz has been entertaining audiences since the mis 90's. "Seven Days in Sunny June" is the second single from British funk and acid jazz band Jamiroquai's sixth studio album, Dynamite (2005). Written by lead singer Jay Kay and new keyboardist Matt Johnson, the track is considered to be a throwback to the old acid jazz sound upon which Jamiroquai made their name. Often unfairly compared to legend Stevie Wonder, Jamiroquai has been falsely accused of ripping off from black artists. Kay has always maintained that "we've never tried to hide our influences. It's about the style of music you aim for, not the exact sound". Today's Song of the Day song peaked at number 14 on the UK Singles Chart in 2006.

The story of the song is simple: the singer/narrator of the song is friends with this girl who is most likely a close friend of his or they just met in June and now he's falling in love with her; but she says they've been friends too long to start dating-- meaning she didn't want to risk their friendship. And, now he's trying to convince her that he loves her and just wants a chance, as this is one of those times that when he met her, they became close friends and now this is his first time the narrator is alone/not dating anyone this Summer in June! In other words can 2 people that have known one another as friends take the relationship to another level without ruining the friendship? The girl thinks not, but the narrator/singer thinks that they can and wants to try. Probably, this has happened to all of us in way or another when we were younger.

Enjoy!

Jun 30th 2022

A little history of this song… What a Day For a Night Paul Westerberg

If you write down the Top 10 list of Rock's greatest singer/songwriter's Paul Westerberg would have to be included on that list. allmusic.com has described Westerberg as"one of the most influential and beloved figures in American underground rock, noted for his ability to wed gloriously sloppy, guitar-heavy rock with lyrics that are smart, introspective, and emotionally revealing just as often as they are snarky, raucous fun".That's high-praise coming from a major and influential independent source in the industry. Most people remember that Westerberg was the lead vocalist and primary lyricist for the band The Replacements. Between 1981 and 1989, The Replacements released six albums, as they grew from a Tavern beer band of Minneapolis nobodies to a critically celebrated band with a significant following. And, as happens with bands sometimes, alcohol and drugs got in the way of their fame and The Replacements played their last show in 1991. But not Westerberg.He has put out numerous solo Albums since, proving that he still has something to say musically and that he is still relevant in today's music scene. Today's Song of the Day comes form his 2003 album "Come Feel Me Tremble" The song is titled "What a Day for a Night". The song is yet another gem in a career full of them. The song is basically a wordplay...It's a play on the phrase 'What a day for bike ride' or "What a day for a walk in the park" or "What a day for picnic". "What a day for night"...is his expression that today is great day for another concert that night. No longer with The Replacements he feels that it's just nice to go out and play without all the histrionics of being in a band. My of own opinion is that as Westerberg ages his realizes his raucous days are behind him and he writes about the enjoyment of just going out in front of an audience and playing music. One of my favorite performers. Here's a bonus track if you'd like to hear more: Looking Up In Heaven

Enjoy!!

Jun 30th 2022

A little history of this song… Contact High Allen Stone

One late night about 10 or 11years ago I turned on the television to watch JBTV; which if you've never seen, is the longest running Music Television series, I think, in the country, and a is produced here in Chicago. The guest that night was Allen Stone, an R&B singer from the Great Northwest going out on the road for the first time promoting his self-titled 2012 album Allen Stone. He performed 2 tracks that night "Contact High" and "Sleep". My initial impression was that this guy was a little strange, but his voice was unlike any other Contemporary R&B singer that it made me go out and buy the album. His voice is unique in that it encompasses elements of pop, soul, funk and all are part of his repertoire.Truly a unique voice and interesting to hear coming f4rom one person. Currently he tours the country from coast-to coast every year getting his music out there; but unless you know who he is, I doubt you're running out to buy tickets to his shows... but maybe you should, as he's very talented. Today's Song of the Day is Stone's "Contact High". Written by Stone, he describes the song about his generation’s attachment to material goods and social media. He is lamenting young people’s seeming addiction to these superficial forms of validation and connection. Here's what he said to Interview magazine: "I sing this song called “Contact High” about getting caught up in all of these digital conversations and not having that eye to eye face to face conversation. I’m really going through this and hopefully you can see that in my eyes when I sing the song because it’s real" The Lyrics to Contact High can be found here. He is without a doubt an interesting character, talented yet eccentric, but he isn't for everyone. Listen to "Contact High" and "Sleep" and you decide for yourself.

Enjoy!

July 1st 2022

A little history of this song… Compound Fracture My Morning Jacket

Today's song "Compound Fracture" is from the band My Morning Jacket''s album The Waterfall which was released in May 2015, debuting at number #11 on the Billboard 200 . MMJ have developed somewhat of a cult following on the Indie/ Alternative charts. I suppose that's one way of saying that the band is basically an Adult Alternative band, but they do have a unique sound that if you like it... you'll really like it. The band was formed in 1998 in Louisville KY. by frontman lead singer and guitarist Jim James. The band's sound can best be explained as "experimental psychedelic" and rooted in country. Confusing huh! In their early years they were often the opening band for Foo Fighters and Guided by Voices. Over the years the band has been weaving in and out of different genre's trying to find their true sound. Each new experiment with their sound has produced defining results for MMJ In 2010 their album "Evil Urges" was nominated for a Grammy for Best Alternative Rock Album. No one can deny that this band is extremely talented, because they don't give out Grammy nominations to just any band. They have to be talented. MMJ has also been seen on SNL and lent their voices to an episode of Seth MacFarlane's "American Dad". Today's song, Compound Fracture is another song with a theme we've seen often this blog...simply said, it's about everyday life. While touring with MMJ in Iowa City, Jim James fell off the stage that resulted in multiple compound fractures. He wrote a song about what had happened and said it affected him deeply. He told Mojo magazine "The details of that experience had affected me so deeply. We go through cycles of health. One year we're kicking ass, the next year we're eating dirt." That could be said of any one of us! As always, I like to end the week with a video from the last song of the week. Enjoy the video of Compound Fracture by My Morning Jacket from their Summer 2015 Red Rocks appearance.

Enjoy!