Song of the Day

The Core The Polling Forum
1

This is the same thing as the food thread, except for songs because I like music more than food. Discuss the song; whether or not you’ve heard it, know the lyrics, can play a part of it if you play an instrument, like the sound or a certain part. Discuss the artist; whether or not you’ve heard of them, like them, or anything. Discuss the lyrics; whether you like the message, your view of what they mean, favorite part of the lyrics, and so forth. Discuss cover versions of said song; by whom and if you like said cover version better. Discuss concerts you’ve been to of said musician(s). Discuss similar sounding songs or similar lyrics by other artists. Discuss the time of your life when you listened to the song. Basically, discuss whatever your thoughts are. (I’ll try to keep the songs diverse, but songs that have been mainstream and on the major billboards will likely be the majority of them to at least keep people interested, hopefully.)

Chronological listing of Song of the Day:

[ol]
[li]Fri, 1/8: A Horse with No Name by America (1972, Folk Rock)
[/li][li]Sat, 1/9: Stillborn by Black Label Society (2003, Metal)
[/li][li]Sun, 1/10: Breaking Up is Hard To Do by Neil Sedaka (1962 and 1976, Pop and Adult Contemporary)
[/li][li]Mon, 1/11: If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It) by AC/DC (1979)
[/li][li]Tue, 1/12: Stress by Jim’s Big Ego (2000)
[/li][/ol]

Song #1 – January 8th, 2009

A Horse with No Name
[i]by America

Billboard Top 100: #1 Week of March 25th, 1972 (3 weeks)
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Horse_with_No_Name
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0KKGdb4qUY
iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/a-horse-with-no-name/id301027593?i=301027918&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

Lyrics written by Dewey Bunnell[/i]:
[i]
On the first part of the journey
I was looking at all the life
There were plants and birds and rocks and things
There was sand and hills and rings
The first thing I met was a fly with a buzz
And the sky with no clouds
The heat was hot and the ground was dry
But the air was full of sound

I’ve been through the desert on a horse with no name
It felt good to be out of the rain
In the desert you can remember your name
‘Cause there ain’t no one for to give you no pain
La, la…

After two days in the desert sun
My skin began to turn red
After three days in the desert fun
I was looking at a river bed
And the story it told of a river that flowed
Made me sad to think it was dead

You see I’ve been through the desert on a horse with no name
It felt good to be out of the rain
In the desert you can remember your name
‘Cause there ain’t no one for to give you no pain
La, la…

After nine days I let the horse run free
‘Cause the desert had turned to sea
There were plants and birds and rocks and things
there was sand and hills and rings
The ocean is a desert with its life underground
And a perfect disguise above
Under the cities lies a heart made of ground
But the humans will give no love

You see I’ve been through the desert on a horse with no name
It felt good to be out of the rain
In the desert you can remember your name
‘Cause there ain’t no one for to give you no pain
La, la…
[/i]

I always think of Clint Eastwood when listening to this song. I can’t remember when I first heard this song – probably with my Father when I was a kid in the car, but I still like it. And America is a great band with countless number of other hits I’m sure most of you’ve heard before: Tin Man, Sister Golden Hair, Ventura Highway…. I recently purchased a compilation of their greatest hits…a very mellow band to lay back and listen to. Can’t say any of their music will get you the least bit fired up – at least on the CD I have. Anyway, great stuff.

2

I really like it but what it reminds me of is an episode of Friends. Song’s still cool though.

3

Its been two days, where is the next song!

4

Damn. I guess it has been two days. Well, here’s two songs that’ve been released twice by the same artists; a faster version and a slower version.

Song #2 – Sat, January 9th, 2009

Stillborn
[i]by Black Label Society

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stillborn_(Black_Label_Society_song)
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yUZJZC2V40 (Metal version)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Abqvhj-j44 (Acoustic version)
iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-blessed-hellride-feat-zakk/id312233492 (Metal version)
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/skullage-feat-zakk-wylde/id312126352 (Acoustic version)

Lyrics written by Zakk Wylde[/i]:

Blind me, erase what was
Stillborn, I have become
The feelings I once felt are now dead and gone
I’ve waited here for you for so very long
So empty, just a shell of a man
Stillborn, this I understand
The feelings I once felt are now dead and gone
I’ve waited here for you for so very long

This is not my favorite of Zakk Wylde (I like most of the songs off of the Pride & Glory CD), but on the weekends I’m going to try to do two for one – this song has been released as two versions by Zakk, the metal version, which was on Guitar Hero World Tour, and an acoustic version I heard almost when it came out. The acoustic version is much better in my opinion, as it gives the song more depth. I had also heard the slower version before the metal version; if it was the other way around, I may like the metal version the same. I’ve seen Black Label Society a few times in concert now. They put on a pretty good live performance.

Song #3 – Sun, January 10th, 2009

Breaking Up is Hard To Do
[i]by Neil Sedaka

Billboard Top 100: #1 Week of August 11th, 1962 (2 weeks)
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breaking_Up_Is_Hard_to_Do_(song)
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbad22CKlB4 (Pop version)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33NNuwqDDTI (Ballad/Adult contemporary version, starts out as pop version)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Hh--22Eu_M (Alternate video of slower version)
iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-definitive-collection/id330297505 (Pop and adult contemporary versions)

Lyrics written by Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield[/i]:
[i]
Don’t take your love away from me
Don’t you leave my heart in misery
If you go then I’ll be blue
‘Cause breaking up is hard to do

Remember when you held me tight
And you kissed me all through the night
Think of all that we’ve been through
And breaking up is hard to do

They say that breaking up is hard to do
Now I know, I know that it’s true
Don’t say that this is the end
Instead of breaking up I wish that we were making up again

I beg of you, don’t say goodbye
Can’t we give our love another try
Come on baby, let’s start anew
‘Cause breaking up is hard to do
[/i]
I find it amazing that this song reached #1 twice by the same artist, which is very rare – but, then again, both versions sound distinctively different and were released over a decade apart. Once again, the slower version of this song gives much more depth to it, whereas the pop version is just a good oldies pop song. I’ve never had to break up with anyone, so the lyrics mean nothing to me, but if I do, I will probably lay face down in the living room listening to this song (hahah) – it is well written, lyrically and musically. I heard the pop version first and only recently heard the slower version. If I had heard them the other way around, I would likely not like the faster version just like the BLS song – but I didn’t; so I enjoy both versions.

5

Any Blank of the Day thread which can’t even get a post for the SECOND DAY is doomed for failure.

6

Meh. I’ve seen blogs with 100s of full length articles and out of the 100s, only 2 had comments. This thread already has a 3 to 2 ratio, thanks to GunslingerGuy and you. Then, including Cavelcade, maybe 15% of the active posters of RPGC have posted in this thread. This thread has [strike]failed[/strike] succeeded.

7

Be warned: if you end up slacking any further, I’m going to pounce on this like a rabid wolverine. A rabid wolverine wearing tights. Then this thread WILL BE MINE! AHAHAHAHAHAHA!

8

Sweet Gibson, the singing in that accoustic youtube version of Stillborn is awful; it doesn’t fit and Zakk’s soloing seems redundant. I prefer Hangover etc.

His metal stuff has been getting better ever since I first listened to BLS (though he employs certain recognisable Wylde-isms).

The videos of Sedaka are really off-putting for some reason.

edit: I meant Sedaka himself in these videos, not pop music itself.

9

I suppose it would be off putting to jump between metal and pop in the same post, but that’s just the way I’m going to roll with this thread…until Genericangstyposter commandeers (Seriously, you can take over). The Neil Sedaka video is pretty funny. He is clearly lip-synching and his backup singers are in another world when it’s their cue.

I couldn’t find the studio acoustic version of Stillborn on YouTube, only that schlock sorry. I own 1919 Eternal, the Blessed Hellride, Mafia, and Shot to Hell. I’ve only downloaded most of Hangover VI (oh no). A few of the songs, Queen of Sorrow, Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow, and Steppin’ Stone are some of the better songs off the album in my opinion. When I saw him live in concert (both times), he did most of the songs off of Mafia, so that album is up there with me. I only say I like Pride & Glory (under Zakk Wylde) the most because of the clear influence of Lynyrd Skynyrd, which is one of my favorites. I am also not nearly as much a metal junkie as I use to be; had you asked me maybe 3 or 4 years ago, I would’ve said different.

So, yeah, GAP, go ahead and take over. But if you don’t, I will continue until I reach maybe 30 songs or until I go AWOL from RPGC for several months/years again (commence celebration).

10

Umm… okay. I’ll do at least one post, then. I sent you a PM so you can decide what you want to do more permanently though, Jettatura.

Now, I personally don’t care about charts or anything like that, and so I won’t be posting them. If I continue this, I’ll likely post songs that weren’t on the charts at all. I see this as a way to hear songs that we aren’t necessarily familiar, even if we know the band. That’s why I’m going to post:

Song #4: “If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)” - AC/DC

Youtube: Best AC/DC song ever

Lyrics by Bon Scott, Angus Young, and Malcolm Young:

It’s criminal
There ought to be a law
Criminal
There ought to be a whole lot more
You get nothin’ for nothin’
Tell me who can you trust
We got what you want
And you got the lust

If you want blood, you got it
If you want blood, you got it
Blood on the streets
Blood on the rocks
Blood in the gutter
Every last drop
You want blood, you got it
Yes ya have

It’s animal
Livin’ in a human zoo
Animal
The shit that they toss to you
Feelin’ like a Christian
Locked in a cage
Thrown to the lions
On a second’s rage

If you want blood, you got it
If you want blood, you got it
Blood on the street
Blood on the rocks
Blood in the gutter
Every last drop
You want blood, you got it
Got to you

Blood on the rocks
Blood on the streets
Blood in the sky
Blood on the seats
If you want blood
You got it
I want you to bleed for me

If you want blood, you got it

AC/DC isn’t one of my favorite bands, but this is one of my favorite songs of all time BECAUSE it is so archetypically AC/DC. 1. A supremely catchy riff. 2. An intermingling of both sex and masculine power throughout the lyrics. 3. An ass-kicking solo. I’d say most AC/DC songs have these elements, but they don’t meld nearly as well as in this song. One of the great things about AC/DC, and this song, is that despite the accusation by some that their music is unthinking and formulaic, they often have very evocative imagery in their music. The second verse isn’t genius or poetic by any stretch, but it captures the feeling of being angry and trapped that this song encompasses.

11

AC/DC write simple music, but effectively simple music and they’re always good to shake a leg to. Not one of my favorite songs of theirs, but still good.

12

Song #5: “Stress” - Jim’s Big Ego

Official Video: So I’m FINE! So I’m FINE! So I’m FINE!

There’s also a whole lot of fan videos that he links on his site (they’re on the bottom right).

Lyrics by Jim’s Big Ego (it doesn’t say who wrote the song):
Oh yeah
Coming at ya

I’m addicted to stress
That’s the way that i get things done
If I’m not under pressure then I sleep too long
And I hang around like a bum
I think I’m going nowhere and that makes me nervous
Everybody’s out to get me but I feel all right
Everybody’s out to get me but I feel all right
Everybody’s out to get me but I feel all right
Everybody’s thinking 'bout me
It’s the little things that get you
It’s the little things that get you when you weren’t paying attention
It’s the little things that get you
It’s the little things that get you when you weren’t paying attention

Trying to cut down on my caffeine consumption
So when i get up I just have one cup of coffee
And I like to have another cup of coffee with my breakfast
And on the way to work I like to get a cup of coffee
Like the kind of cup of coffee that you get with the donuts
But I never get the donut i just have the cup of coffee
And when i get to work I have a cup of coffee
Cause I like to have coffee when I’m talking on the phone
But it usually grows cold and I need to get another cup of coffee
And it’s lunch, and I have an espresso
And when I get back its not morning anymore so I have
A diet cola and another diet cola
But then I’m feeling fine and I’m feeling pretty sharp
And feeling pretty wired and I’m getting things done
But right about two I get this little tiny migraine
It starts behind my eyes and it moves to the back of my neck
And it moves to the bottom of my spine
But it doesn’t get there until 5 or 6 o clock
Which is the end of the day so I’m fine!
So I’m fine so I’m fine
Except when I have to work late when I have to work late
Which I usually do

I’m addicted to stress
That’s the way that i get things done
If I’m not under pressure then I sleep too long
And I hang around like a bum
I think I’m going nowhere and that makes me nervous
Everybody’s out to get me but I feel all right
Everybody’s out to get me but I feel all right
Everybody’s out to get me but I feel all right
Everybody’s thinking 'bout me

((talking to trumpet player))
Hey, how ya doing?
Looking good!
You been working out? Yeah I can tell.
Alright. See ya later.

I love to work I love to run I love to play real hard
I love to steal little things from the grocery store
Like a piece of bubble gum or sometimes I just stick
My thumb in a peach and leave it there
I love to work I love to run I love to water-ski snowboard
Jet ski skydive parasail hanglide rollerblade mountainbike
Bungee jump well i mean I’d love to do these things if I ever had the time
I love to work I love to work I love to workout after work
I love to spend a little time with this woman I’m seeing
Except uh, we never get the time to spend together
So we call each other up and we talk about work
But I think id really love is to get up by myself on a tiny little island
In the middle of the ocean with just me a book and a cellular phone
And a personal computer in case something came up
And I’d eat and I’d drink and I’d run and I’d sleep
And I wouldn’t do nothing but swim all day
Except I don’t know how to do laps in the ocean
Where there are sharks! Where there are sharks! Where there are sharks!
And there’s this kind of anemone that sticks in your foot
And the poison goes up to your brain and you die
And sand fleas! Sand fleas! Yuck!
But actually I think would be really relaxing
Just me by myself in the middle of the ocean
And thats what I’d really like to do more than anything else
Except I’d probably hate it

I’m addicted to stress
That’s the way that i get things done
If I’m not under pressure then I sleep too long
And I hang around like a bum
I think I’m going nowhere and that makes me nervous
Everybody’s out to get me but I feel all right
Everybody’s out to get me but I feel all right
Everybody’s out to get me but I feel all right
Everybody’s thinking 'bout me

Everybody’s out to get me but I feel all right
Everybody’s out to get me but I feel all right
Everybody’s out to get me but I feel all right
Everybody’s thinking 'bout me(x2)

This is a song about someone who is supremely stressed out, paranoid, and doesn’t know what he wants in his life. It’s a wonder I enjoy it so much… <_<

Anyway, what I really love about this song is that unlike many songs, it uses horns well with the rest of the instruments. It seems to me that most of the horn part is improvised rather than having a preset part to play, it just seems so spontaneous. Obviously, the lyrics are another plus for me. It’s a very funny song the first couple of times that you hear it, and it stands up to multiple listenings well. Given that so many of us are of working age, I’m sure that a lot of you can relate to this. This was a lot like my last job. <_<;

13

I love this song, heard it a while back and sometimes seek it out for funsies.

14

That song got me stressed out. Stressed employees become stressed managers, you see.

15

Song # 6: “Astronomy Domine” - Pink Floyd

Youtube: Neptune, Triton, stars can frighten

Lyrics by Syd Barrett

Lime and limpid green, a second scene
A fight between the blue you once knew
Floating down, the sound resounds
Around the icy waters underground
Jupiter and Saturn Oberon Miranda
And Titania Neptune Titan
Stars can frighten…

Blinding signs flap flicker flicker flicker
Blam Pow pow
Stairway scare Dan Dare who’s there…

Lime and limpid green
The sounds surrounds the icy waters underground
Lime and limpid green
The sounds surrounds the icy waters
Underground

I don’t see much love for early Floyd, and there really should be more of it. This is one of their more prominent songs from Barret era Floyd. The lyrics have a lot of great imagery, but it doesn’t seem to really have a coherent point to it. And that’s fine. It’s a poetic collection of images fused with sound. That makes me happy. Not much else to say, really. Just listen to it, damnit!

BONUS: Voivod did an excellent cover.

16

Er, I thought the world* was full of love for early Floyd? That’s prime laid-back-looking-at-the-distance material.

*or people who care for such stuff

edit post: Actually, I once got as a present that double Pink Floyd best of and I was all “I got albums!” (mentally of course, people who buy you a present are people nice enough to buy you a present), however it turned out to be rather well constructed and it’s one of the two best ofs I actually listen to.

17

Song #7: “I Was a Human Bomb for the FBI” - Zombina and the Skeletones

Youtube: I’m full of nitroglycerin

Lyrics:

Fought my share of ninjas in Japan
I’ll tell you how I got my atomic tan
I’m full of nitroglycerine
I was a human bomb for the F. B. I
(Don’t shake me up! Don’t shake me up!)

I’m sellin’ shrunken human heads
Settle down and listen how I fared
When I saved the world from the living dead
I was a human bomb for the F. B. I
(Don’t shake me up! Don’t shake me up!)

I gotta whole lotta liberty
Whole lotta liberty, whole lotta liberty!

(Human bomb! Go!)

This human bomb is gonna blow

I waded through the sewers of New York
Seen my best friend lyin’ in a morgue
Proud to say I hunted man for sport
I was a human bomb for the F. B. I
(Don’t shake me up! Don’t shake me up!)

I’m riding the crest of a new ideal
What I can’t afford I steal
Still got the police on my trail
I was a human bomb for the F. B. I
(Don’t shake me up! Don’t shake me up!)

Don’t shake me up!

Zombina and the Skeletones are one of my favorite bands (well… early Zombina I should say), and they don’t get nearly as much love as they should. Count on me showing this band again. I can actually say this combines punk with pop hooks well, which is something that most bands can’t claim. It’s unfortunate that almost nobody has heard of them, because I have a real soft spot for them. I’m also kinda in love with the lead singer’s voice (;p).

18

It was so rock n roll in that way rnr is used to describe post 50s bands. I liked it.

And if I may be slightly off topic for a second: Screaming Lord Sutch’s Screaming Fans AAAAAAAAAARGH!

19

Zombina and the Skeletones! HuzzaH!

20

do spoonman!