Aquarius/ Let the Sun Shine In - The 5th Dimension

Released in 1969, this is a two song medley from Hair that has just always a favorite of mine. It's great a great feel, some awesome horns, and the vocal melodies really go well together. The age of Aquarius was believed to be an era of love, light and humanity, what one might think of during the late sixties/early seventies. Really, it it just a fun little song that used to be very big ( won Grammy for song of the year) but has been unfortunately forgotten.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LANwIgpha7k

Aquarius/ Let the Sun Shine In

When the moon is in the seventh house
and Jupiter aligns with Mars
Then peace will guide the planets
And love will steer the stars
This is the dawning of the age
of a Aquarius, the age of Aquarius
Aquarius, Aquarius
Harmony and understanding
Sympathy and trust abounding
No more falsehoods or derisions
Golden living dreams of visions
Mystic crystal revelation
and the minds true liberation
Aquarius, Aquarius
When the moon is in the seventh house
and Jupiter aligns with Mars
Then peace will guide the planets
And love will steer the stars
This is the dawning of the age
of a Aquarius, the age of Aquarius
Aquarius, Aquarius

Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in
The sun shine in(Repeat)

Land of Confusion - Genesis/Disturbed

This song is Genesis' finest, a rocking sound with Collins great vocal performance. What makes this such a great song however are the lyrics themselves, a very political song about the decline of our society that speak for themselves and the uncertainity during the Cold War era. The video itself is incredible too, filled with creepy puppets it's definitely something to behold. It was also criticized at the time for depicting Reagan as inept ( he's the one in bed at the beginning of the song). There was a cover done more recently by Disturbed, and it is extremely well done with an equally interesting video, definitely worth checking out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oepXF2B5NK4 - Genesis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6KXgjLqSTg&NR=1 - Disturbed

Land of Confusion

I must've dreamed a thousand dreams
Been haunted by a million screams
But I can hear the marching feet
They're moving into the street

Now did you read the news today
They say the danger's gone away
But I can see the fire's still alight
There burning into the night

There's too many men, too many people
Making too many problems
And not much love to go round
Can't you see this is a land of confusion?

Well this is the world we live in
And these are the hands we're given
Use them and let's start trying
To make it a place worth living in

Ooh, Superman where are you now
When everything's gone wrong somehow?
The men of steel, the men of power
Are losing control by the hour

This is the time, this is the place
So we look for the future
But there's not much love to go round
Tell me why, this is a land of confusion

This is the world we live in
And these are the hands we're given
Use them and let's start trying
To make it a place worth living in

I remember long ago when the sun was shining
Yes, and the stars were bright all through the night
And the sound of your laughter as I held you tight, so long ago

I won't be coming home tonight
My generation will put it right
We're not just making promises
That we know, we'll never keep

Too many men, there's too many people
Making too many problems
And not much love to go round
Can't you see, this is a land of confusion?

Now this is the world we live in
And these are the hands we're given
Use them and let's start trying
To make it a place worth fighting for
This is the world we live in

This is the world we live in
And these are the names we're given
Stand up and let's start showing
Just where our lives are going to

You've Got Her In Your Pocket - The White Stripes

It's hard to pick out a particular Jack White song to post, as he has written so many incredible and unique songs. Although this one isn't quite my favorite, I think this song is so good because of how simple it is but how incredible it sounds. It has such lovely lyrics and White's unique voice makes you really feel the passion in his words. It's a great acoustic piece that is easy to pick up and play.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sz90QvjL0Fo

You've Got Her In Your Pocket

You've got her in your pocket
And there's no way out now
Put it in the safe and lock it
'cause it's at home sweet home
Nobody ever told you that it was the wrong way
To trick a woman, make her feel she did it her way
And you'll be there if she ever feels blue
And you'll be there when she finds someone new
What to do
Well you know
You keep her in your pocket
Where there's no way out now
Put it in a safe a lock it
'cause it's home sweet home
The smile on your face made her think she had the right one
Then she thought she was sure
By the way you two could have fun
But now she might leave
Like she's threatened before
Grab hold of her fast
Before her feet leave the floor
And she's out the door
'cause you want
To keep you in my pocket
Where there's no way out now
Put it in a safe a lock it
'cause it's home sweet home
And in your own mind
You know you're lucky just to know her
And in the beginning all you wanted was to show her
But now you're scared
You think she's running away
You search in your hand for something clever to say
Don't go away
'cause I want
To keep you in my pocket
Where there's no way out
Put it in a safe a lock it
'cause it's home sweet home
Home sweet home

Blinded By The Light - Bruce Springsteen

This song, although made famous by Manfred Manns Earth Band, is a Springsteen tune. Springsteen was always denied a number 1 single while Manfred's cover made it. Both versions are awesome to listen to and definitely both worth the listen. The two versions sound almost nothing alike, and Manfred's version is my favorite, but you have to give respect to Springsteen for the original.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BN6zFN8cAPs

Blinded by the Light

Madman drummers bummers and Indians in the summer with a teenage diplomat
In the dumps with the mumps as the adolescent pumps his way into his hat
With a boulder on my shoulder, feelin' kinda older, I tripped the merry-go-round
With this very unpleasing sneezing and wheezing, the calliope crashed to the ground
Some all-hot half-shot was headin' for the hot spot, snappin' his fingers, clappin' his hands
And some fleshpot mascot was tied into a lover's knot with a whatnot in her hand
And now young Scott with a slingshot finally found a tender spot and throws his lover in the sand
And some bloodshot forget-me-not whispers, "Daddy's within earshot, save the buckshot, turn up the band"

And she was blinded by the light
Cut loose like a deuce, another runner in the night
Blinded by the light
She got down but she never got tight, but she'll make it alright

Some brimstone baritone anti-cyclone rolling stone preacher from the East
He says, "Dethrone the dictaphone, hit it in its funny bone, that's where they expect it least"
And some new-mown chaperone was standin' in the corner all alone, watchin' the young girls dance
And some fresh-sown moonstone was messin' with his frozen zone to remind him of the feeling of romance

Yeah, he was blinded by the light
Cut loose like a deuce, another runner in the night
Blinded by the light
He got down but he never got tight, but he's gonna make it tonight

Some silicone sister with her manager's mister told me I got what it takes
She said, "I'll turn you on, sonny, to something strong if you play that song with the funky break"
And Go-Cart Mozart was checkin' out the weather chart to see if it was safe to go outside
And little Early-Pearly came by in her curly-wurly and asked me if I needed a ride
Oh, some hazard from Harvard was skunked on beer, playin' backyard bombardier
Yes, and Scotland Yard was trying hard, they sent some dude with a calling card, he said, "Do what you like, but don't do it here"
Well, I jumped up, turned around, spit in the air, fell on the ground and asked him which was the way back home
He said, "Take a right at the light, keep goin' straight until night, and then, boy, you're on your own"
And now in Zanzibar, a shootin' star was ridin' in a side car, hummin' a lunar tune
Yes, and the avatar said, "Blow the bar but first remove the cookie jar, we're gonna teach those boys to laugh too soon"
And some kidnapped handicap was complainin' that he caught the clap from some mousetrap he bought last night
Well, I unsnapped his skull cap and between his ears I saw a gap but figured he'd be all right

He was just blinded by the light
Cut loose like a deuce, another runner in the night
Blinded by the light
Mama always told me not to look into the sights of the sun
Oh, but Mama, that's where the fun is
I was blinded
I was blinded
I was blinded

Desperado - Alice Cooper

Same name, different song. This song is off Coopers wicked Killer album from 1971. Cooper has said that the song is both about Jim Morrison of the Doors, as well as Robert Vaughn from the Magnificent 7. Either make sense in my eyes, but I definitely lean towards Vaughn as it really gives off an old west storyline. The album is absolutely a must listen and though Cooper has put out many, many albums, this is most likely his greatest in my eyes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dM2UXFe78sc&feature=related

Desperado

I'm a gambler
And I'm a runner
But you knew that
When you lay down

I'm a picture
Of ugly stories
I'm a killer
And I'm a clown

Step into the street by sundown
Step into your last goodbye
You're a target just by living
Twenty dollars will make you die

I wear lace
And I wear black leather
My hands are lightning upon my gun

My shots are clean
And my, my shots are final
My shots are deadly
And when it's done

You're as stiff as my smoking barrel
You're as dead as a desert night
You're a notch
And I'm a legend
You're at peace
And I must hide

Tell me where the hell I'm going
Let my bones fall in the dust
Can't you hear that ghost that's calling
As my Colt begins to rust
In the dust

I'm a killer
I'm a clown
I'm a priest
That's gone to town

Desperado - The Eagles

Everyone knows the Eagles, and they are a band that deserves every bit of fame they've achieved. This is a fairly popular song,and one of my favorites by them, just so mellow, easy to listen to and get lost in. A similar piece was written in 68' but Henley adapted it later into Desperado in 73'. The Eagles are an interesting band as they started off as a backup band for Linda Ronstadt, but after realizing what talent they had, split off and began rocking. This may be the only case I know of the band leaving the singer and becoming more famous. Funny enough, they were considered country when they started out, and this song is categorized as country rock.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juzUq5sPOE0&feature=related

Desperado

Desperado, why don't you come to your senses?
You been out ridin' fences for so long now
Oh, you're a hard one
I know that you got your reasons
These things that are pleasin' you
Can hurt you somehow

Don't you draw the queen of diamonds, boy
She'll beat you if she's able
You know the queen of hearts is always your best bet

Now it seems to me, some fine things
Have been laid upon your table
But you only want the ones that you can't get

Desperado, oh, you ain't gettin' no younger
Your pain and your hunger, they're drivin' you home
And freedom, oh freedom well, that's just some people talkin'
Your prison is walking through this world all alone

Don't your feet get cold in the winter time?
The sky won't snow and the sun won't shine
It's hard to tell the night time from the day
You're losin' all your highs and lows
Ain't it funny how the feeling goes away?

Desperado, why don't you come to your senses?
Come down from your fences, open the gate
It may be rainin', but there's a rainbow above you
You better let somebody love you, before it's too late

Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight - The Beatles

One of the lesser known songs, Golden Slumbers is a powerful little number of the B side of Abbey Road. This album is my favorite Beatles album, and one of my top albums all of all time and it is largely in fact to the 2nd side. The way the songs run together, repeating rhythms and some lyrical set ups is beautiful and this song just seems to catch the power of the whole piece in my eyes. Followed by Carry that weight that wraps up the piece bringing back the earlier fields and then kicks it into The End, the only true Ringo solo. An incredible song progression that is sometimes looked over, but well worth the listen, although I suggest listening to the whole side together, the whole album in fact.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1e_j66mgTDE&feature=related

Golden Slumbers / Carry That Weight

Once there was a way to get back homeward
Once there was a way to get back home
Sleep pretty darling do not cry
And I will sing a lullabye

Golden slumbers fill your eyes
Smiles awake you when you rise
Sleep pretty darling do not cry
And I will sing a lullabye

Once there was a way to get back homeward
Once there was a way to get back home
Sleep pretty darling do not cry
And I will sing a lullabye

Boy, you're gonna carry that weight
Carry that weight a long time
Boy, you're gonna carry that weight
Carry that weight a long time

I never give you my pillow
I only send you my invitations
And in the middle of the celebrations
I break down

Boy, you're gonna carry that weight
Carry that weight a long time
Boy, you're gonna carry that weight
Carry that weight a long time

Know Your Enemy - Rage Against the Machine

Some days when you are out on the street, listening to your ipod, it happens to hit a song that perfectly matches the mood your in and the atmosphere around you. This seems to happen a lot to me with Rage, and did again last night. Zack de la Rocha is an absolute poet and his singing style is about the most unique I've ever heard. It also features the leas singer of Tool backing him up. This song is about his belief that America tries to fool people into believing they are a free nation while making them all conform and compromise. A very deep seeded song with some incredible technical music, makes for an incredible song on the whole.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4smim2MNvF8

Know Your Enemy

Huh!
Yeah, we're comin' back then with another bombtrack
Think ya know what it's all about
Huh!
Hey yo, so check this out
Yeah!
Know your enemy!
Come on!

Born with insight and a raised fist
A witness to the slit wrist, that's with
As we move into '92
Still in a room without a view
Ya got to know
Ya got to know
That when I say go, go, go
Amp up and amplify
Defy
I'm a brother with a furious mind
Action must be taken
We don't need the key
We'll break in

Something must be done
About vengeance, a badge and a gun
'Cause I'll rip the mike, rip the stage, rip the system
I was born to rage against 'em

Fist in ya face, in the place
And I'll drop the style clearly
Know your enemy...Know your enemy!
Yeah!

Hey yo, and dick with this...uggh!
Word is born
Fight the war, fuck the norm
Now I got no patience
So sick of complacence
With the D the E the F the I the A the N the C the E
Mind of a revolutionary
So clear the lane
The finger to the land of the chains
What? The land of the free?
Whoever told you that is your enemy?

Now something must be done
About vengeance, a badge and a gun
'Cause I'll rip the mike, rip the stage, rip the system
I was born to rage against 'em

Now action must be taken
We don't need the key
We'll break in

I've got no patience now
So sick of complacence now
I've got no patience now
So sick of complacence now
Sick of sick of sick of sick of you
Time has come to pay...
Know your enemy!

Come on!
Yes I know my enemies
They're the teachers who taught me to fight me
Compromise, conformity, assimilation, submission
Ignorance, hypocrisy, brutality, the elite
All of which are American dreams
All of which are American dreams
All of which are American dreams
All of which are American dreams
All of which are American dreams
All of which are American dreams
All of which are American dreams
All of which are American dreams

To Sir, With Love - Lulu

Another one of those songs I have on 45, this song has a very smooth, soft feel to it especially with the presence of the strings. It was written for the movie of the same name, released in 1967, and first performed by Lulu. I love the lyrics to this song and she delivers them well. Just a great little song that is basically unknown except by fans if the film.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPoFI7m-cjI

To Sir, With Love

Those schoolgirl days of telling tales and biting nails are gone
But in my mind I know they will still live on and on
But how do you thank someone who has taken you from crayons to perfume?
It isn't easy, but I'll try

If you wanted the sky I would write across the sky in letters
That would soar a thousand feet high 'To Sir, With Love'

The time has come for closing books and long last looks must end
And as I leave I know that I am leaving my best friend
A friend who taught me right from wrong and weak from strong
That's a lot to learn, but what can I give you in return?

If you wanted the moon I would try to make a start
But I would rather you let me give my heart 'To Sir, With Love'

Sometime Around Midnight - The Airbourne Toxic Event

This has to be by far my favorite song of the 2000's, or whatever we are calling the last decade. I listen to it everyday, have seen it live, and never get tired of it. Not only is the music captivating with an incredible buildup, which not only builds but even pushes it when it gets to the top, some great violin and a powerful voice that builds with the music, what sells this song to me are the lyrics. Sincere and heartfelt, it is the tale of a man who runs into his ex and has all his feelings come back, only to see her leave with another guy and remember the pain of her leaving. I feel it in his voice the story of him, and it's one I feel most people can relate to, including myself. This song gets me every time, and is a must listen and really a must see live.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJi2z3tGKIg

Sometime Around Midnight

And it starts, sometime around midnight.
Or at least that’s when you lose yourself
for a minute or two.
As you stand, under the bar lights.
And the band plays some song
about forgetting yourself for a while.
And the piano’s this melancholy soundtrack to her smile.
And that white dress she’s wearing
you haven’t seen her for a while.

But you know, that she’s watching.
She’s laughing, she’s turning.
She’s holding her tonic like a cross*.
The room’s suddenly spinning.
She walks up and asks how you are.
So you can smell her perfume.
You can see her lying naked in your arms.

And so there’s a change, in your emotions.
And all these memories come rushing
like feral waves to your mind.
Of the curl of your bodies,
like two perfect circles entwined.
And you feel hopeless and homeless
and lost in the haze of the wine.

Then she leaves, with someone you don’t know.
But she makes sure you saw her.
She looks right at you and bolts.
As she walks out the door,
your blood boiling
your stomach in ropes.
Oh and when your friends say,
“What is it? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Then you walk, under the streetlights.
And you’re too drunk to notice,
that everyone is staring at you.
You just don’t care what you look like,
the world is falling around you.

You just have to see her.
You just have to see her.
You just have to see her.
You just have to see her.
You just have to see her.
You know that she’ll break you in two.

Sunshine Superman - Donovan

The mid 60's were a time of easy but awesome sounding rifts and some of the most interesting lyrics, simple and easy to identify with. Donovan was one of those artists who was simple but had enough musical sense and lyrical ability to make a nice catchy song. With Jimmy Page playing electric guitar for him on this song, the guitar work is simply awesome. Donovan has such a powerful voice also that I find myself being entirely drawn into this song. Released in 66' first as a demo, it became the lead single for his third album. People may also recognize this tune as it was 'sampled' by Imani Coppola in her song Legend of a Cowgirl.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_4DsNFQS98

Sunshine came softly through my a-window today
Could've tripped out easy a-but I've a-changed my ways
It'll take time, I know it but in a while
You're gonna be mine, I know it, we'll do it in style
'Cause I made my mind up you're going to be mine

I'll tell you right now
Any trick in the book now, baby, all that I can find
Everybody's hustlin' just to have a little scene
When I say we'll be cool I think that you know what I mean
We stood on a beach at sunset, do you remember when?
I know a beach where, baby, a-it never ends
When you've made your mind up forever to be mine

Hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm
I'll pick up your hand and slowly blow your little mind
'Cause I made my mind up you're going to be mine
I'll tell you right now
Any trick in the book now, baby, all that I can find

Superman or Green Lantern ain't got a-nothin' on me
I can make like a turtle and dive for your pearls in the sea, yeah!
A you-you-you can just sit there a-thinking on your velvet throne
'bout all the rainbows a-you can a-have for your own
When you've made your mind up forever to be mine
I'll pick up your hand and slowly blow your little mind
When you've made your mind up forever to be mine

I'll pick up your hand
I'll pick up your hand

Feel Like Making Love - Bad Company

This is another one of those songs you just want to belt out while listening. Bad Company's second hit, off 75's Straight Shooter, is just a great listen with nothing too hard about its composition but a smooth easy feel that makes it an enjoyable listen for a varied group of people. This song usually graces a lot of top 100 lists but I rarely seem to hear the original version anymore, which is clearly the best version.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOFwfPL54aY&feature=related

Feel Like Making Love

Baby, when I think about you
I think about love.
Darlin, couldn't live without you
And your love.

If I had those golden dreams of my yesterday
I would wrap you
In the heavens
And feel it dyin (dyin, dyin) all the way

I feel like makin
Feel like makin love
Feel like makin love
Feel like makin love
Feel like makin love to you

Baby, if I think about you
I think about love.
Darlin, if I live without you
I live without love.

If I had the sun and moon
and they were shinin
I would give you both night and day
Love satisfyin

I feel like makin
Feel like makin love
Feel like makin love
Feel like makin love
Feel like makin love to you

And if I had those golden dreams of my yesterday
I would wrap you
In the heavens
And feel it dyin (dyin, dyin) all the way

I feel like makin
Feel like makin love
Feel like makin love
Feel like makin love
Feel like makin love to you

Seasons in the Sun - Terry Jacks

I've loved this song since I was a kid, always finding it to have such an interesting tune and flow. It wasn't till I was much older that I discovered that the song was about death and how sad the lyrics were. Still, it has held a very special place to me, and still has one of the most hauntingly beautiful sounds I've ever heard. Originally written in French, it was adapted to English and became a big hit for Terry Jacks. Although covered by many people, this is definitely my favorite version I've heard.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dq8djZbcnvo

Seasons in the Sun

Goodbye to you, my trusted friend.
We've known each other since we're nine or ten.
Together we climbed hills or trees.
Learned of love and ABC's,
skinned our hearts and skinned our knees.
Goodbye my friend, it's hard to die,
when all the birds are singing in the sky,
Now that the spring is in the air.
Pretty girls are everywhere.
When you see them I'll be there.
We had joy, we had fun, we had seasons in the sun.
But the hills that we climbed
were just seasons out of time.
Goodbye, Papa, please pray for me,
I was the black sheep of the family.
You tried to teach me right from wrong.
Too much wine and too much song,
wonder how I get along.
Goodbye, Papa, it's hard to die
when all the birds are singing in the sky,
Now that the spring is in the air.
Little children everywhere.
When you see them I'll be there.
We had joy, we had fun, we had seasons in the sun.
But the wine and the song,
like the seasons, all have gone.
Goodbye, Michelle, my little one.
You gave me love and helped me find the sun.
And every time that I was down
you would always come around
and get my feet back on the ground.
Goodbye, Michelle, it's hard to die
when all the bird are singing in the sky,
Now that the spring is in the air.
With the flowers ev'rywhere.
I whish that we could both be there.
We had joy, we had fun, we had seasons in the sun.
But the stars we could reach
were just starfishs on the beach

White Hot - Red Rider

before Tom Cochrane went off on a very successful solo career, he was a member of a little band called Red Rider. Hailing from Canada, this band formed in 1980 and White Hot was the first single off their first album, Don't Fight it. With a beautiful piano build up, this song slowly grows and grows, capturing the attention of the audience. The song itself is about the poet Arthur Rimbaud and his travel through Africa.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wyWfklvNHc

White Hot

Waiting by the shoreline
In somalia for your reply
I need you to come see me
That's no lie
The guns are getting closer
The sweat pours like dew
That fell from the trees in tripoli
In the spring
I'm white hot
I can't take it anymore
I'm white hot
By the somalian shore
I'm White hot
Yes i'm burning to the core
I need rain

Cast out from the jungle
With no rations or canteen
For selling faulty rifles
To the thieves in tanzania

Adventures and misfortune
Nothing wagered, nothing gained
I have wandered through the desert
Found the ocean not the rain

I can remember the nights by the strand in tripoli
We were so much younger then
I had you and my poetry to protect me
We were so much cooler then
I need rain

I'm white hot
I can't take it anymore
I'm white hot
By the somalian shore

I'm white hot
Yes i'm burning to the core
I need rain, I need rain, I need rain

I can remember the nights by the sea in tripoli
Were were so much BOLDER then
I had you and my poetry to protect me
We were both soldiers then
Bolder then, colder then
I need rain, I need rain, I need rain
White hot
White hot...
Water

Young Girl - Gary Puckett and the Union Gap

What a great, deep voice Puckett has. With some great background harmonies and oooohs and aahhhhs make this a very catchy little tune. With a simple riff, a solid drum beat and some horns this song is a great example of 60s music, being released in 1968. Although the song is about underage love, you'd barely notice by listening to it unless you actually thought about the lyrics. Still a great little song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hn0ZJHVH17I

Young Girl

Young girl, get out of my mind
My love for you is way out of line
Better run, girl,
You're much too young, girl
With all the charms of a woman
You've kept the secret of your youth
You led me to believe
You're old enough
To give me Love
And now it hurts to know the truth, Oh,
Beneath your perfume and make-up
You're just a baby in disguise
And though you know
That it is wrong to be
Alone with me
That come on look is in your eyes, Oh,
So hurry home to your mama
I'm sure she wonders where you are
Get out of here
Before I have the time
To change my mind
'Cause I'm afraid we'll go too far, Oh,
Young girl

Is There Anybody Out There - Pink Floyd

As big of fan of lyrics as I am, sometimes it's the lack of them that makes a song beautiful. Being a huge Floyd fan, a number of songs are to sure to wind up on here, but this one seemed like the perfect place to start. It really captures how alone Waters felt at the time of the Wall, and how isolated he felt from his audience. Coupled with Gilmours incredible guitar work and you have this beautiful little piece.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-oLx8aynsY&feature=related

Is There Anybody Out There?

Mandy - Barry Manilow

You all know Barry, you all know this song. Beautiful lyrics, and Barrys voice is perfect for delivering them. This is a man who had 5 albums on the charts at the same time, a feat only accomplished also by Sinatra, Mathias and Jackson. This is a man once stopped by Dylan who hugged him and said 'Don't stop what you're doing, man. We're all inspired by you'. He is just one of the finest musical geniuses to ever grace us, and this song is a perfect example of his talent.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fS4BZ9purF8&feature=related

Mandy

I remember all my life
Raining down as cold as ice
A shadow of a man
A face through a window
Crying in the night
The night goes into

Morning, just another day
Happy people pass my way
Looking in their eyes
I see a memory
I never realized
you made me so happy, oh Mandy

Well you came and you gave without taking
but I sent you away, oh Mandy
well you kissed me and stopped me from shaking
I need you today, oh Mandy

I'm standing on the edge of time
I Walked away when love was mine
Caught up in a world of uphill climbing
The tears are in my mind
And nothing is rhyming, oh Mandy

Well you came and you gave without taking
but I sent you away, oh Mandy
well you kissed me and stopped me from shaking
And I need you today, oh Mandy

Yesterday's a dream I face the morning
Crying on the breeze
the pain is calling, oh Mandy

Well you came and you gave without taking
but I sent you away, oh Mandy
well you kissed me and stopped me from shaking
And I need you today, oh Mandy

How Can You Mend A Broken Heart - The Bee Gees

The Bee Gees, like Styx, are another band who seems to have fallen into the position of being known for only one song when they have had a long and successful career. In the late 60's, the Bee Gees were putting a much different, much more serious type of music that was both poetic and moving. I love the emotion in this song both from their voices and even in their faces as they sing it. This was back when Robin sang much of the lead but you can get a hint of Barry's falsetto that would become huge in their later recordings. This song was their first #1 American hit after Robin had rejoined the band ( quitting earlier as he felt their manager favored Barry too much)and really is a beautiful early 70s song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYBxSCS_d_A&feature=related

How Can You Mend a Broken Heart

I can think of younger days when living for my life
Was everything a man could want to do.
I could never see tomorrow,I was never told about the sorrow.

And how can you mend a broken heart?
How can you stop the rain from falling down?
How can you stop the sun from shining?
What makes the world go round?
How can you mend this broken man?
How can a loser ever win?
Please help me mend my broken heart and let me live again.

I can still feel the breeze that rustles through the trees
And misty memories of days gone by
We could never see tomorrow, noone said a word about the sorrow.

And how can you mend a broken heart?
How can you stop the rain from falling down?
How can you stop the sun from shining?
What makes the world go round?
How can you mend this broken man?
How can a loser ever win?
Please help me mend my broken heart and let me live again.

Sultans of Swing - Dire Straits

I have the feeling this song is still fairly well known, and I'm sure it gets air time but probably not near enough. This is one of those songs that is incredible by itself but absolutely phenomenal live as it lends itself to such incredible soloing. This was the first single by the band and surprisingly did not take off right away and wasn't played often apparently due to it's high lyrical content. there is an awesome version done live with Clapton as well that is worth checking out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2PCBx6s9SY&feature=related

Sultans of Swing

You get a shiver in the dark
It's raining in the park but meantime
South of the river you stop and you hold everything
A band is blowin' Dixie double four time
You feel alright when you hear that music ring

And now you step inside but you don't see too many faces
Comin' in out of the rain you hear the jazz go down
Competition in other places
Oh but the horns they blowin' that sound
Way on down south, way on down south London town

You check out Guitar George, he knows all the chords
Mind he's strictly rhythm he doesn't wanna make it cry or sing
Yes and an old guitar is all he can afford
When he gets up under the lights to play his thing

And Harry doesn't mind if he doesn't make the scene
He's got a daytime job, he's doin' alright
He can play the honky tonk like anything
Savin' it up for Friday night
With the Sultans... with the Sultans of Swing

And a crowd of young boys they're fooling around in the corner
Drunk and dressed in their best brown baggies and their platform soles
They don't give a damn about any trumpet playing band
It ain't what they call rock and roll
And the Sultans... yeah the Sultans play Creole

Creole

And then the man he steps right up to the microphone
And says at last just as the time bell rings
'Goodnight, now it's time to go home'
And he makes it fast with one more thing
'We are the Sultans... We are the Sultans of Swing'

Lightning Crashes - Live

A little newer, this song was released in 1994. Nothing too difficult this song sounds beautiful for it's simplicity. What really sells it for me is the passion in his voice, as they wrote this song for a friend who was hit and killed by a drunk driver fleeing a robbery a year earlier. Their friend had many of her organs donated which several lines of the song indicate. It really is a beautiful and heart warming song but usually is only pulled out in times of tragedy ( it was played all the time during columbine) and I think it deserves much more airtime.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oc80X4ecnjw

Lightning Crashes

Lightning crashes, a new mother cries
her placenta falls to the floor
the angel opens her eyes
the confusion sets in
before the doctor can even close the door

lightning crashes, an old mother dies
her intentions fall to the floor
the angel closes her eyes
the confusion that was hers
belongs now, to the baby down the hall

oh now feel it comin' back again
like a rollin' thunder chasing the wind
forces pullin' from the center of the earth again
I can feel it.

lightning crashes, a new mother cries
this moment she's been waiting for
the angel opens her eyes
pale blue colored iris,
presents the circle
and puts the glory out to hide, hide

Fox on the Run - Sweet

This song is off a great little album called Desolation Boulevard and is most likely Sweet's best album. Starting with a cool little electronic intro, its got a cool little beat and some great vocals to power this song along. Released in 1975 it's in such movies as Dazed and Confused and Detroit Rock City, launching it's popularity.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MDCbIhTa_w

Fox on the Run

I don't wanna know your name
Cause you don't look the same
The way you did before
OK you think you got a pretty face
But the rest of you is out of place
You looked all right before

Fox on the run
You screamed and everybody comes a-running
Take a run and hide yourself away
Fox on the run
F-foxy, foxy on the run and hideaway

You-you talk about just every band
But the names you drop are second hand
I've heard it all before
I don't wanna know your name
Cause you don't look the same
The way you did before

Roxy Roller - Sweeny Todd

Before Gilder went out by himself, he was part of a band called Sweeny Todd, another Canadian band from Vancouver. Roxy Roller was their only big hit, winning them a Juno, and one of those songs I have only as a single on a '45. After this hit, Gilder left the band to pursue his solo career. After trying out another singer, the group eventually signed up a then 15 year old Bryan Adams. I occasionally hear this song and people I'm with always like it but never know what it's called; I figured it's time to get the word out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuoSB4cmrSU

Roxy Roller

Foxy from the Roxy
Might turn some heads tonight
Flashlight dream
Peaches and cream delight
Roxy Roller

Five-bob job
She gets bubble-gum on her knees
Down between the seats
Sometime she'll pass you the keys
Roxy Roller
Oooh Roxy Roller

Roxy Roller, Roxy

Her daddy, le commissioner
Took far more than his share
So Roxy joined the syndicate
Knowing it wasn't fair
Roxy Roller
Oooh Roxy Roller

Roxy Roller, Roxy
Oooh Roxy Roller
Oooh Roxy

Hot Child In The City - Nick Gilder

A quick one today, a great little song that is an ode to runaways.Very simple, but a nice 70's pop rock song that is a solid listen. He used to be the lead singer for another solid band which will be mentioned tomorrow. The fake break near the end of the song is awesome too with a solid harmony of voices.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kq5S5x_Dcdg&feature=related

Hot Child In The City

Danger in the shape of somethin' wild
Stranger dressed in black, she's a hungry child
No one knows who she is or what her name is
I don't know where she came from or what her game is

(Hot child in the city)
(Hot child in the city)
(Runnin' wild and lookin' pretty)
(Hot child in the city)

So young to be loose and on her own
Young boys, they all want to take her home
She goes downtown, the boys all stop and stare
When she goes downtown, she walks like she just don't care, care

(Hot child in the city)
(Hot child in the city)
(Runnin' wild and lookin' pretty)
Yeah
(Hot child in the city)

Come on down to my place, baby
We'll talk about love
Come on down to my place, woman
We'll make love!

Hot child in the city
(Hot child in the city)
She's kinda dangerous
(Hot child in the city)
Young child
(Runnin' wild and lookin' pretty)
Young child, runnin' wild
(Hot child in the city)
Hot child in the city
(Hot child in the city)
(Hot child in the city)
(Hot child in the city)
Hot child in the city
(Hot child in the city)
Hot child in the city
(Hot child in the city)

A Quick One While He's Away - The Who

Before Tommy, there was another rock opera, this one a mini-one songer called A Quick One While He's Away. Released on their 2nd album A Quick one in 66, it's split into 6 parts : Her Man's Gone, Crying Town, We Have a Remedy, Ivor the Engine driver, Soon Be Home, and You are Forgiven. This song was the inspiration for other songs of this cut design such as 2112 by Rush and Homecoming and Jesus of Suburbia by Green Day ( who coincidentally has this song as a hidden track on their newest album). There are several things I love about this song, including the harmonizing vocals, the overall setup and feel of the song and the way moon trashes his kit at the rock and roll circus, but two distinct parts stand out : You are Forgiven and the word cello. The ending is a repetition of the sentence you are forgiven and is so powerful, actually credited as Townshed's first lead singing role and has Entwistle singing a very convincing and awesome falsetto. Now, at one part you can hear them singing the word cello over and over ( at the start of You are Forgiven) and the story is that they wanted a string section but their manager refused to pay for it. So the Who, being who they are, decided to just sing cello where they had wanted to put it. Now that's rock.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D32-Fswl-Nc

I. Her Man's Been Gone

Her man's been gone
For nigh a year
He was due home yesterday
But he ain't here

Her man's been gone
For nigh on a year
He was due home yesterday
But he ain't here

II. Crying Town

Down your street your crying is a well-known sound
Your street is very well known, throughout your town
Your town is very famous for the little girl
Whose cries can be heard all around the world

III. We Have A Remedy

Fa la la la la la
Fa la la la la
Fa la la la la la
Fa la la la la

We have a remedy
You'll appreciate
No need to be so sad
He's only late

We'll bring you flowers and things
Help pass your time
We'll give him eagle's wings
Then he can fly to you

Fa la la la la la
Fa la la la la
Fa la la la la la
Fa la la la la
Fa la la la la la
Fa la la la la la

We have a remedy
Fa la la la la la la
We have a remedy
Fa la la la la la la
We have a remedy
Fa la la la la la la
We have a remedy
Fa la la la la la la

(spoken)
We have a remedy.
We have!

Little girl, why don't you stop your crying?
I'm gonna make you feel alright

IV. Ivor The Engine Driver

My name is Ivor
I'm an engine driver

I know him well
I know why you feel blue
Just 'cause he's late
Don't mean he'll never get through

He told me he loves you
He ain't no liar, I ain't either
So let's have a smile for an old engine driver
So let's have a smile for an old engine driver

Please take a sweet
Come take a walk with me
We'll sort it out
Back at my place, maybe

It'll come right
You ain't no fool, I ain't either
So why not be nice to an old engine driver?
Better be nice to an old engine driver
Better be nice to an old engine driver

V. Soon Be Home

We'll soon be home
We'll soon be home
We'll soon
We'll soon, soon, soon be home

We'll soon be home
We'll soon be home
We'll soon
We'll soon, soon, soon be home

Come on, old horse

Soon be home
Soon be home
Soon
We'll soon, soon, soon be home

We'll soon
We'll soon, soon, soon be home

We'll soon be home
Soon be home ...

VI. You Are Forgiven

Dang, dang, dang, dang, dang, dang, dang, dang, dang

Cello, cello, cello, cello, cello, cello
Cello, cello, cello, cello, cello, cello
Cello, cello, cello, cello, cello, cello
Cello, cello, cello, cello, cello, cello


I can't believe it
Do my eyes deceive me?
Am I back in your arms?
Away from all harm?

It's like a dream to be with you again
Can't believe that I'm with you again

I missed you and I must admit
I kissed a few and once did sit
On Ivor the Engine Driver's lap
And later with him, had a nap

You are forgiven, you are forgiven, you are forgiven ... (ad lib)

You are forgiven

She Laughed At Me - Driver

A relatively newer song, I was a fan of this one as my high school years were waning. I haven't heard much else by them, but this song's lyrics always meant a lot to me, and I can greatly identify with them. Surprisingly, another Canadian band, I can find almost no info of them anywhere except that half of the band is now in the band Davinport. It seems mysterious they this band is so hard to locate, but it makes the song hard to find and even harder to stumble across.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xj_YVoJzD8w

She laughed at me
When I said
Come back to me
She laughed at me
When I said
Come back to me

Alcohol, and cigarettes
And my guitar are my only friends
I think that lately i've had to much time on my hands
to relax

(chorus)
I didnt mean it when i told you to leave
I didnt mean it, now i'm begging you please
As you walk away

She laughed at me
When i said
come back to me

I think tonight i'll take the long way home
Cause right now i'd rather be alone
If i cant have you i think i'm better on my own

(chorus)

And now i'm screamin'
At the top of my lungs
But you dont hear me
Nobody does
I'm crawling on my knees

Cause i didnt mean to hurt her
I didnt mean to push her away
I'd tell her that i'm sorry
But she'd just throw it back in my face

She laughed at me
When i said
Come back to me, just come back to me

I didnt mean it, when i told you to leave
I didnt mean it, now i'm begging you please
As you walk away

And now i'm screamin', at the top of my lungs
But you dont hear me, nobody does
I'm crawling on my knees

Don't laugh at me, Don't laugh at me yeah
Don't laugh at me, Don't laugh at me...yeah

The Ballad Of Billy The Kid - Billy Joel

Billy Joel has a slew of radio friendly hits that are always receiving airtime and are huge fan favorites. But he also has a large number of equally great songs that are relatively unknown, like 1973's The Ballad Of Billy The Kid. Joel's great piano work coupled with that big band sound makes this for an interesting and rewarding listen. His jazz 16th solos between the horns and the piano is a great blend and the lyrics interesting, even if they are historically inaccurate. This was off his Piano Man album and therefore was over shined by the song sharing the same name and never got the airtime it deserved.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ed_-brFWYdQ

The Ballad Of Billy The Kid

From a town known as Wheeling, West Virginia
Rode a boy with a six-gun in his hand
And his daring life of crime
Made him a legend in his time
East and west of the Rio Grande

Well, he started with a bank in Colorado
In the pocket of his vest, a Colt he hid
And his age and his size
Took the teller by surprise
And the word spread of Billy the Kid

Well, he never traveled heavy
Yes, he always rode alone
And he soon put many older guns to shame
And he never had a sweetheart
And he never had a home
But the cowboy and the rancher knew his name

Well, he robbed his way from Utah to Oklahoma
And the law just could not seem to track him down
And it served his legend well
For the folks, they'd love to tell
'Bout when Billy the Kid came to town

Well, one cold day a posse captured Billy
And the judge said, "String 'im up for what he did!"
And the cowboys and their kin
Like the sea came pourin' in
To watch the hangin' of Billy the Kid

Well, he never traveled heavy
Yes, he always rode alone
And he soon put many older guns to shame
And he never had a sweetheart
But he finally found a home
Underneath the boothill grave that bears his name

From a town known as Oyster Bay, Long Island
Rode a boy with a six-pack in his hand
And his daring life of crime
Made him a legend in his time
East and west of the Rio Grande

Prelude 12/ Suite Madame Blue - Styx

I know most people seem to hate Styx. Why? I assume it has to do with Mr. Roboto but it's a guilty pleasure. The fact is, that was off their 11th album and they put out some incredible tunes long before that song came to be. Suite Madam Blue was off their incredible 5th album, Equinox, released in 1975. This whole album is incredible, one of my personal favorites, but this song especially stands out for me. It is also another song with a short instrumental lead in similar to Long Time/ Foreplay. Written for the upcoming bicentennial, the musical flow in this song is phenomenal and musically outstanding. This album also marked the end for their original guitarist John Curulewski and the beginning for Tommy Shaw. It is a relatively long song, but a perfect close to a great album.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SInH7BLVGRk

Suite Madame Blue

Time after time I sit and I wait for your call
I know I'm a fool but, why can I say
Whatever the price I'll pay for you, Madame Blue

Once long ago, a word from your lips and the world turned around
But somehow you've changed, You're so far away
I long for the past and dream of the days with you, Madame Blue

Suite Madame Blue, gaze in your looking glass
You're not a child anymore
Suite Madame Blue, the future is all but past
Dressed in your jewels, you made your own rules
You conquered the world and more....Heaven's door

America...America...America...America
America...America...America...America
America...America...America...America
America...America...America...America

Red, white and blue, gaze in your looking glass
You're not a child anymore
Red, white and blue, the future is all but past
So lift up your heart, make a new start
And lead us away from here