Song 408 (Bad Company--"Shooting Star")

This morning I realized that I have not chosen a Bad Company song yet, so I figured that I would pick one of my favorites. I love the snapshots that the song shows in the rise and eventual death of the fictitious musician "Johnny," who dies at the top of his stardom. You could apply this song to many real artists in all genres who have passed on from substance abuse and related deaths, (there are far too many to count). Anyway, this is an incredible song in so many aspects that was in need of being chosen.

Here is the studio version.
Here is a live performance from '99 with the classic lineup.


Here is what Rachael has chosen.
Here is what Max has chosen.
Here is what Tuuur has chosen.
Here is what Glenn has chosen.

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Song 407 (Charlie Daniels--"Uneasy Rider")

Yesterday I was thinking of this song and I knew that I had to pick it. This is the song about hippie breaking down and having to go into a redneck bar to get help, and of course hell breaks loose.
There was another version of this song that he released in 1988 that has the same general story, but the roles are different. That being two rednecks accidentally going into a gay bar and cause trouble. 
I believe that the subject matter of this song/story most can identify with; that of being put in a strange place that you really do not fit in and feeling like you are being watched and sized up by everyone. Of course most know better than cause the trouble in these situations, or at least we should.

Here is the original version of the song.
Here is the '88 version of the song.


Here is what Rachael has chosen.
Here is what Max has chosen.
Here is what Tuuur has chosen.
Here is what Glenn has chosen.

4:14 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Song 406 (The Amboy Dukes--"Journey to the Center of the Mind")

I was thinking about this song yesterday and figured that I should add it to the list. When I first heard this song a long time ago I thought that it was The Moody Blues that did it; it sounded a lot like their earlier material. However, I found out that it was Ted Nugent's band The Amboy Dukes that did this mind-expanding-drug-innuendo-laced song. The bass line is excellent in this one as well as Ted's awesome guitar work.

Here is a mimed performance of the song.
Here is Ted Nugent performing the song live. However, the sound in a bit distorted.


Here is what Rachael has chosen.
Here is what Max has chosen.
Here is what Tuuur has chosen.
Here is what Glenn has chosen.

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Song 405 (The Who--"Behind Blue Eyes")

I needed some Who today and this one fit my mood quite well. This was one of the songs written by Pete Townshend that was supposed to be part of the Lifehouse project. I really think that this is one of his best written, both lyrically and musically; it is just pure genius. Easily my favorite part is after the kick-in, the fun lyrics in this section are some of my favorite. One of my absolute favorite lines of all time is in this song: "...and If I swallow anything evil/put your finger down my throat."

Here is the studio version.
Here is a live performance of the song from '79.
Here is their performance at The Concert For New York.


Here is what Rachael has chosen.
Here is what Max has chosen.
Here is what Tuuur has chosen.
Here is what Glenn has chosen.

4:26 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Song 404 (Savatage--"Follow Me")

This song just popped into my head this morning and I immediately knew that it was time to pick it. This is one of their more dynamic and full sounding songs, and as always, the technical ability that Savatage is noted for is as present as ever.
This song was on the first album where Zachary Stevens took over on vocals after Jon Oliva left the band for a short time. Even though Jon Oliva came back he stayed on and shared the job of lead singer for a few albums, but was still the primary lead singer. Zachary Stevens really shows off his excellent, powerful vocals talent in this one; I especially love how he sings the refrain section of the song. Criss Oliva's guitar work is excellent as well; this was the last album that he appeared before the tragic accident.

Here is the studio version of the song.


Here is what Rachael has chosen.
Here is what Max has chosen.
Here is what Tuuur has chosen.
Here is what Glenn has chosen.

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Song 403 (Styx--"The Grand Illusion")

This is another song that I heard yesterday while I was on the road and I have decided on choose it as well. I could not believe that I had not chosen this song yet being as it is one of my absolute favorite songs by Styx. I love the message in this song about the false illusions that the entertainment industry feed us every day. Of course the wall of full and intricate sound that Styx is noted for is the main draw of this song for me.

Here is the studio version of the song.
Here is an excellent live performance in the mid 90's with a classic lineup.
Here is a live performance from a few years ago.


Here is what Rachael has chosen.
Here is what Max has chosen.
Here is what Tuuur has chosen.
Here is what Glenn has chosen.

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Song 402 (David Bowie--"Space Oddity")

I heard this song on the way home tonight and figured that I should pick it. No reason other than that and I have always liked this song quite a bit. A nice spacey tune to end a Saturday.

Here is the music video.


Here is what Rachael has chosen.
Here is what Max has chosen.
Here is what Tuuur has chosen.
Here is what Glenn has chosen.

5:27 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Song 401 (Rush--"Cygnus X-1 Book II: Hemispheres")

Since I posted part one yesterday I figured that it would make sense to pick part II today.

Warning! More Science Fiction Content Ahead!

This part of the story is a bit more out there and surreal, so many people would be lost if it was not for the excellent music along with it. Anyone who is into opera would probably be at home listening to this one.
The story continues with the man who flew into the black hole being taken through in spirit to the other side, which is Olympus from Greek Mythos. There he finds two factions of people who are at odds: logical thinkers (Apollo) and those who are emotional thinkers (Dionysus). This is the dubious pop psychology concept, as the album cover depicts, the left and right hemispheres of the brain being in conflict. Anyway, to sum up the story a war erupts between them and the protagonist is able to end the conflict and bring balance, he is then made into a "god;" Cygnus: the god of balance.
Musically, this piece continues with a similar feel to the first story except this one is a bit more technical in places and is a more dynamic in my opinion.


Here is the first half.
Here is the second half.


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Here is what Glenn has chosen.

4:08 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Song 400 (Rush--"Cygnus X-1")

Made it to number 400! I decided to choose this mini rock-opera of sorts to celebrate my milestone. This piece of music is definitely not for the casual listener and is another Progressive Rock song that is the bane of musical critics; as with most Rush from this time period, the music is quite excellent. The story behind the song is that a man is traveling to a black hole to study it. Cygnus X-1 is a real astronomical body and is the most studied black hole in the sky; in fact this one brought most of the theories concerning black holes into existence, anyway, I digress. The traveler enters the black hole and is torn apart, but wakes up in another world and the story is continued on the next, "Hemispheres" album. Most of this song is instrumental, the lyrical content is less prominent here.

Here is the studio version of the song in its entirety.
Here is a live performance of part of the song with "Working Man" as well.


Here is what Rachael has chosen.
Here is what Max has chosen.
Here is what Tuuur has chosen.
Here is what Glenn has chosen.

3:37 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Song 399 (The Cult--"She Sells Sanctuary")

I have been deluged by this song from what seems like all direction for the last little bit, so I figured that I should add it to my list. I love Ian Astbury's vocals, he put a lot into it in this song. The abundant amount of hooks and the overall smoothness of the song makes it quite nice for common listener as well as most musicians.

Here is the music video.
Here is a live performance from the mid '80s; I could do without the awful video effect.
There are quite a few more live videos of the song also available on YouTube as well.


Here is what Rachael has chosen.
Here is what Max has chosen.
Here is what Tuuur has chosen.
Here is what Glenn has chosen.

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