So, when driving to work, I really don't listen to a ton of music. I actually listen to sports talk radio quite a bit. But when my ears need a break from it, I usually pull up a music radio station to see what's playing.
I tune into 94 WHJY in Providence. I have been listening to HJY since 1981, and it is where I learned of so many bands that I love today.
So every now and then when I flip over, it'll be a song that I've heard a million times, like Led Zeppelin, and sometimes it stops me in my tracks. Like I can totally remember listening to these songs as a wide eyed kid.
This happened to me yesterday and I thought about making a thread about it. Then it happened again today.
So my plan is every other day or so, or as needed, I thought I'd post what I've heard and how I felt about it. Kind of like Kev's Song Of The Day Threads.
Feel free to comment, give your own accounts, or whatever...
Yesterday these 2 songs transported me back in time:
AC/DC-Back In Black
It's criminal how little I listen to this album, considering its influence on a 12 y/o TAC. But the title track stands out above all. I love its arrangement. Guitar solo, additional breakdown, and the amazing outro. Angus Young is amazing. To me, it's his finest work.
If I had one vote for the Greatest Hard Rock song of all time, my vote goes to Back In Black.
Pearl Jam-Jeremy
I was already out of college when Pearl Jam's debut album came out. I had a copy of Ten, and while I thought it was OK, on the whole, Pearl Jam was a just miss for me. Still, Pearl Jam might just be the band I respect the most that I'm not into. They do have a number of songs I like, but at my core, I'm a metal guy.
But I have always loved Jeremy. Musically I love the way it builds and that last minute or so is incredible. Eddie Vedder is just ridiculous on this. His performance is amazing.
Now I'm not sure who Jeremy is, but he seems to be a kid with issues. I found it quite moving when it came out. But now as a parent , it hits me even harder. Jeremy is an amazing song.
...and today..
Pink Floyd-Hey You
I am only a casual fan of Pink Floyd. I love Wish You Were Here and Animals. I do not care for The Wall, but Hey You always stops me in my tracks. This song really pulls me in. It is classic Pink Floyd, and is much more immediate, even though it's mellow. I don't have to wade through endless hypnotic music. It has a great understated solo by Gilmour, and Waters reaching the climax with "Hey you, don't tell me there's no hope at all". Incredible.
Tesla-Modern Day Cowboy
On a Sunday night in the fall of 1986, I was driving back to college after spending the weekend at home. I remember stopping for gas and when I turned the radio on, there was this incredible song I'd never heard before. It sounded like 70's Aerosmith, but with an 80's sound. It was so cool, from the open hi hat, to a great solo. The vocals were fantastic. I couldn't wait for the song to end to find out who it was. Well, the DJ just played another song, and I didn't find out. When I got to my dorm room about 45 minutes later, I literally called the station's request line to find out who that was. I bought the album that week, and tesla would become one of my favorite 80's bands.
The were both classic and original all at once. Such a great balance.