100511

What's It Called?

The Rolling Stones - Miss You

What's The Story?

You could almost say that their lead singer has moves like Jagger.

Miss You is from their best-selling album, Some Girls.

Who's To Blame?

Either a parent or an uncle. Who else gets at you early enough in life to beat the Stones into you?

Why ♥ It?

That refrain. Case closed. It gets played on the keys, the harmonica, the guitar, and most notably, is sung. There's some great funky bass, and I'm sure there are lyrics being sung or some such thing. But that's not why this song is one of the all-time greats.

This song is so much centered around that one part that, when a band I saw this weekend that covered it, I kept trying to exclaim to friends how much I enjoyed the band and their cover of...

...

...

What's the name of that song again?

You know, that Stones song.

I had this conversation 3 or 4 times before someone actually knew, although everyone knew exactly what song I meant when I hummed it.

It takes a special kind of song to be so ultimately recognizable without any knowledge of the title.

092711

What's It Called?

Dire Straits - Sultans of Swing

What's The Story?

Dire Straits are a fixture on classic rock radio, best known for their hit Money For Nothing, which, alongside being one of the biggest hits of the 80s, caused a stir in Newfoundland (& later, Canada) due to its use of the word "faggot". On the other hand, Sultans of Swing is the song that launched their career while touring with the Talking Heads in the late 70s; it's from their eponymous first album.

Who's To Blame?

The only stonecutter I deal with on a daily basis.

Why ♥ It?

I don't need to explain why this is a great song, but I noticed while listening to it this morning that my favorite part far & away is actually the post-chorus. Most songs have their catchy hooks in the chorus; occasionally, in the pre-chorus, and sometimes even the verse. However, that lovable guitar lick comes most commonly and most prominently after the chorus they play so often. The structure was one that I took time to ponder, and realized I couldn't think of another song that had its best to offer immediately following the refrain. Blogosphere, what are some other songs where the most famous & catchiest part come after the chorus, but before the verse?

Oh, and if you haven't heard this song at all, listen to it right. now. (I probably should've said that first)

092111

What's It Called?

Boston - Foreplay / Long Time

What's The Story?

The only album that sold better in the US than the source of this gem was Guns 'n' Roses' Appetite For Destruction. Boston first hit the selves in 1976, and literally every song from it is still all over classic rock radio today.

Who's To Blame?

An adoptive father in California who I've never met in real life (or IRL, as the kids say)

Why ♥ It?

The reason for the slashed title is because this is actually two separate songs, more or less.

The first couple minutes are full of classic rock wankery. It's an awesome explosion of power chords, cymbals, and an organ solo. It's a headbanger, through and through.

The second part, Long Time, contains exactly the same fare that made Boston among the greatest selling acts of the 70s: Brad Delp with honest vocals & great harmonies, and Tom Scholz with a mixture of acoustic and electric sounds that gel wonderfully. Also, another trademark Boston chorus that the entire Western world had in their head for a decade.

Foreplay / Long Time is like taking the Battle of Helm's Deep from the Lord of The Rings trilogy, and appending the entirety of Pulp Fiction afterwards; it starts by blowing you away, and then gives you what you know to expect from one of the world's best.

091111

What's It Called?

Paul Simon - You Can Call Me Al

What's The Story?

Paul Simon is the man. There's your story.

You Can Call Me Al is one of an array of well-known tunes from his solo album Graceland.

Who's To Blame?

A guy who famously offered to sacrifice his sister in exchange for the dismissal of hallucinations of monkeys in gyrocopters.

Why ♥ It?

The bassline and horn parts are enough, really. Add Paul Simon's clever lyric-writing, awesome background vocals, and one of the most timeless music videos ever, and the result is gold in them thar hills.

101010

What's It Called?

The Clash - Rock The Casbah

What's The Story?

The Clash are an English punk rock group from the 70s who are probably best known for either this, or their hit Should I Stay or Should I Go. It's from the album Combat Rock, and was a hit on worldwide dance charts.

Who's To Blame?

The Sharif who didn't like it.

Why ♥ It?

The bass funks and rolls, the piano jazzes and dances, the guitar punks and rocks, and the vocals are unquestionably British. This genre-blur comes together for one of my favorite choruses ever written; you really cannot go wrong with this song.

100710

What's It Called?

Queensryche - Jet City Woman

What's The Story?

Queensryche's description varies with who you ask; some pigeonhole them as classic rock, others heavy metal, and some as straight progressive rock. Regardless, they're best known for the album this track comes from, Empire.

Who's To Blame?

...Is it normal for a guy who keeps a song blog to get so many recommendations from rhythm-based plastic instrument games?

Why ♥ It?

The chorus in this tune is what it's all about.

The song carries through the verses like any competent power ballad or heavy-hearted metal tune, but without the usual cheese. It's sung honestly like a soliloquy from a musical.

The chorus, however, sets a mood that's emotionally heavy. I keep thinking Ashes or Cribcaged by Pain of Salvation, except radio-ready. Combine those two elements with a any-rock-genre-ready guitar solo and quick climax outro, and the tune is a neat piece that is set like a table; standard decorations around a valuable centerpiece.

tl; dr: I just called this song a table.

100610

What's It Called?

Styx - Renegade

What's The Story?

Styx are a Chicago-based rock band who are oft-recognized for their camp value in songs like Mr. Roboto & Come Sail Away. When they're not being ridiculous and giving South Park material, they're writing classic rock hits like this one, from their album Pieces of Eight in 1979.

Who's To Blame?

A bunch of cartoon kids from Colorado.

Why ♥ It?

The vocal intro sets a foreboding mood and begins to tell a story of a man about to be hanged for his crimes. That is, until some yahoo screams "yeahhh" and kicks the song into gear. (Love that energy!)

What evolves from this keeps the bleak intent, but picks up the pace considerably. I love the choppy start/stop style of the guitar & organ. You hum the tune as though they're playing notes, not chords.

Everything else is pretty standard classic rock. I'd close by saying something "you've heard this, but go re-hear it", but it somehow managed to elude my classic-rock loving ears for decades.

...So, you've probably heard this, but go re-hear it.

092110

What's It Called?

Fleetwood Mac - Never Going Back Again

What's The Story?

This is the third track from one of the most storied albums in rock history, Rumors. Fleetwood Mac are... you know what, jfgi.

Who's To Blame?

The superstar of this past weekend.

Why ♥ It?

This song is one of those tunes where the instruments exhibit a sort of role reversal; despite the inability to talk*, the guitar feels like it's the one telling the story in this short and sweet tune, while the vocals add rhythm and flair. It may also help foster appreciation for this song if you sit down and read all the trash that actually went into the writing of Rumors as a whole, but it's certainly not a requirement: this track shines devoid of context.

* = Unless we're talking about Peter Frampton. He wasn't in the Mac, was he?

082710

What's It Called?

Neil Young - Alabama

What's The Story?

Odds are pretty good you've heard this one; from 1972's rock landmark Harvest, this track appeared alongside such timeless gems as Old Man, Heart of Gold and The Needle & The Damage Done.

Who's To Blame?

An always-laughing nautical engineer whose positive vibes are unmatched.

Why ♥ It?

The song opens sounding like a guitar riff from a rough cut jam session, but there's a realization that it's actually quite intentional once the clean, bright piano plays. I love the rough, uncut sound of the guitar that's persistent throughout.

The real draw of this tune for me is the chorus. The lyrics could be a metaphor for anything, and the whine of Neil's voice and fiery wail of the guitar sounds make it feel heavy and serious. A quick Wikipedia visit (or general knowledge of Neil Young; for me it was the former) reveals that the song is actually a stark condemnation of racism that pissed Lynyrd Skynyrd off enough to write Sweet Home Alabama. The idea of an anti-racist country tune is still something that doesn't come up all that often.

More on the chorus; the song is laid out in a way that's not entirely by the book. There's a chorus after the first verse, and then nothing until post-solo, when the track goes chorus-verse-chorus. It's a great way to convey a message and stick that part in your head. Rather than a chorus creating anticipation for a solo, the solo creates anticipation for another chorus. It's not unheard of, but it's not an everyday occurrence, and both the intrigue and the message of the song are enhanced by that.

This one's worth a reconsideration if you've never noticed any of the above before.

073010

What's It Called?

Led Zeppelin - Trampled Underfoot

What's The Story?

Ever hear of Led Zeppelin?

This is the second track from that album that happened in between Led Zeppelin II and Led Zeppelin IV.

Who's To Blame?

The ginger-headed devil that writes this blog, and his inability to pass up a classic album for $5 in a record store.

Why ♥ It?

Confession time: I only heard this song last week.

Or well, I've heard it before in the countless tracks today that steal some of its better sensibilities. But legitimately the first time I recall hearing it is last week when I picked up a long-neglected addition to my CD collection.

So let's start on the track. The lead guitar in verse that cooperates with the vocals really reminds me of Franz Ferdinand's Take Me Out. As do some of the transitional guitar leads. The song was made with a catchy sort of swing in mind.

Next up, this song succeeds really well in mashing hard rock and funk. Hard funk is probably a genre I haven't invested my ears far enough into, if indeed it exists. The keys in this song back up the aforementioned awesome sounds that the guitars bring forth in a way that I really don't think I'd heard until now.

I would love to be downtown somewhere and hear this song in a bar--this tune is a great feet-mover that will still satisfy the types that hit the bar to hear classic rock cover bands.

Oh, and that description applies to the studio track, too. If you like moving feet or Moving Pictures, this song is worth the 5:39.

072410

What's It Called?

Earth, Wind & Fire - Got To Get You Into My Life

What's The Story?

First released by The Beatles on their 1966 album Revolver; Earth, Wind & Fire covered it and released it on their first greatest hits volume in '78.

Who's To Blame?

isohunt. Filesharing is both overrated and underrated.

Why ♥ It?

It's blogging suicide to down on The Beatles, but this song was made to funk it up. The brass section from the original is changed from a warm, sunshine sound to a cool, finger-snapping swing feel that a band like EWF sold millions with. Gone is the rugged emotion that Paul McCartney so prominently sings with in the original, and it's superceded by a casual jive that screams summer.

There are two parts that sell this track for me: the prechorus makeover that Earth, Wind & Fire give to the tune, and the bass guitar. In the original, these parts are ably written and performed, but really take a backseat to the gruff rock vocals and blaring horn section--not that there's anything wrong with that, but the funk seems to put all of the contributing sounds on an equal playing field that makes me love the song even more.

Of course, this whole post is written on the assumption of your familiarity with the original track. If you don't know any version of Got To Get You Into My Life... what are you waiting for?!

071810

Well, here goes nothing. I'm starting with a song that, depending on what day of the week you ask me, may or may not be my favorite ever written.

What's It Called?

Jimi Hendrix - All Along The Watchtower

What's The Story?
Released as a B-side on Jim's 1968 album Electric Ladyland. Written by Bob Dylan.

Who's To Blame?

Probably classic rock radio.

Why ♥ It?
Leave it to a poetic genius like Bob Dylan to throw together a wonderful riddle of lyrics with a more than competent chord progression, and then almost ruin his masterpiece by actually performing it himself. I count my blessings that Hendrix (among many others) came along to save it.
With that said, this song defies an easy description of why I love it so much. I think it's at least partially because of the simplicity; it is the quintessential classic rock hit. Guitar licks are thrown into every musical orifice, and after each verse, there's time for a solo section. However, despite the simplicity, the song doesn't really even have a chorus--sort of a standard.
I think the best example of the energy I love from this song is when, at the end of the long solo, the guitar builds the intensity for Hendrix to come back in singing the eponymous opening line in the third verse. That couple-second long moment makes the final verse feel almost triumphant, like I actually achieved something by listening to the song. I couldn't imagine how much better it would feel to actually play that--but I'm betting that could be the reason that bands like U2 & Dave Matthews Band cover it so frequently.