25 or 6 to 4 - Chicago

Horns are awesome, they can make a song, and for Chicago they make this one a hit. With its easy but catchy guitar riff, and it's hand off between lyrics and horns, it's hard not to get into this song. The guitar soloing in this song is not only awesome, but subtly follows along with the horns as to not distract from the lyrics. that brings me to the best part of this song ; the lyrics. They are simple, and are basically exactly what Robert Lamm was doing when he wrote them. If you listen to them, it just describes somewhat his life at the time. Although this song has been accused of being about drugs( because every good song is for some reason) it is just about him being up all night on tour and not being able to sleep or some up with anything to write ( searching for something to say, waiting for the break of day). The title itself is believed to be the time around when he wrote it, 3:35( or 3:34) am. Just an awesome example of early 70's music.

Sign of the Gypsy Queen - April Wine

April Wine is an incredible band, even if most of their hits are cover songs (this one, coulda been a lady, bad side of the moon). Another Canadian band, this time hailing from Nova Scotia, they picked the name April Wine because they thought the two words sounded cool together. This song helped April Wine have their first international platinum selling album. They actually received a little bit if luck as earlier in their career they were set to play a show in Toronto with a band called the 'cockroaches". It was a very well known fact however that the band was actually the Rolling Stones, and people flocked to see them. This gave April Wine a new fan-base, and they opened for a bit for the Rolling Stones as well as Rush, helping them cement their way into rock and roll fame.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l38CIbuOPHw&feature=PlayList&p=A374DC6A64CBF67D&index=0&playnext=1

Sign of the Gypsy Queen

Lightning smokes on the hillrise
Brought the man with the warning light
Shouting loud, "You had better fly"
While the darkness can help you hide

Trouble's coming without control
No one's staying that's got a hope
Hurricane at the very least
In the words of the gypsy queen

Sign of the gypsy queen
Pack your things and leave
Word of a woman who knows
Take all your gold and you go

Get my saddle and tie it on
Western wind who is fast and strong
Jump on back, he's good and long
Well resist till we reach the dawn

Running seems like the best offense
Staying just don't make any sense
No one could ever stop it now
Show the cards of the gypsy town

Sign of the gypsy queen
Pack your things and leave
Word of a woman who knows
Take all your gold and you go

Shadows moving without a sound
From the hold of the sleepless town
Evil seems to be everywhere
Heed the spirit that brought despair

Trouble's coming without control
No one's staying thats got a hope
Hurricane at the very least
In the words of the gypsy queen

Sign of the gypsy queen
Pack your things and leave
Word of a woman who knows
Take all your gold and you go

Sign of the gypsy queen
Pack your things and leave
Word of a woman who knows
Take all your gold and you go

Sign of the gypsy queen
Pack your things and leave
Word of a woman who knows
Take all your gold and you go

Nice To Be With You - Gallery

I don't know much about this band or their 1972 release of Nice To Be With You, but it has such a pretty feel to it, some very relaxing slide guitar and some nice background vocals. This is a softie, but just a fun one to listen to when you are in a good relaxed mood. Another good driving down the highway song I find myself singing along to every time I hear it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cFm2a5vykc

Nice To Be With You

Oh, it's so nice to be with you
I love all the things ya say and do
And it's so nice to hear you say
You're gonna please me in every way
Honey, I got the notion
You're causin' commotion in my soul

Baby, you and me have got somethin' that's real
I know it's gonna last a lifetime
Aww, ya better believe it, girl
At night I call your name
Darkness fills my room, I'm only dreamin'
About the time I'm gonna be with you

Oh, it's so nice to be with you
I love all the things ya say and do
And it's so nice to hear you say
You're gonna please me in every way
Honey, I got the notion
You're causin' commotion in my soul

When I'm feelin' down
You're there to pick me up and help me to carry on
Aww, little things mean a lot
When you need a shoulder to cry on
I'm there to ease the pain and chase away the rain
Aww, darlin', I just gotta say

Oh, it's so nice to be with you
I love all the things ya say and do
And it's so nice to hear you say
You're gonna please me in every way

Oh, it's so nice to be with you
I love all the things ya say and do
And it's so nice to hear you say
You're gonna please me