Cover Me

So I have been downloading music for many months now to try and complete my catalogue, some legally, some not so much.  (Hey, if it's on the Internet it must be legal, right???).  Anyway, as I was researching and downloading (over 7300 songs now!) I got to thinking about songs that had been covered by a multitude of artists.  Songs like "Yesterday" by The Beatles, which holds some kind of record of being covered and re-recorded over 2200 times!  (I'm sure "Happy Birthday" and "White Christmas" are up there, too).  Other songs that were originally recorded by great Blues artists and turned into Rock classics, like "Whole Lotta Love" by Led Zeppelin or "Hoochie Coochie Man" by, everybody, or "You Shook Me" by Led Zeppelin...all songs written by Willie Dixon, started to scratch my itch.  There are bands and artists that very rarely do covers, like Pink Floyd, Supertramp, Yes, Genesis, The Tragically Hip, and on and on.  But even the biggest acts of our time got their start covering older, mostly Blues, songs.  The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Yardbirds, Led Zeppelin, The Doors...some of these bands would never have become popular without their cover versions of past songs.  Then there are bands like Vanilla Fudge that were known almost exclusively for covering, and slowing down and drawing out, older tunes.  As you all may know, I love lists, but to list all the covers done over the last 50 or 60 years would have been a gargantuan effort.  So I decided to list some of the covers that I thought may be equal to or better than the original versions.  Everybody has their own tastes, so, once again, the following opinions are mine, although I hope you, the reader, will agree with most of them.  Let's get to it: (click on the links for the tune)



THIS FLIGHT TONIGHT
Joni Mitchell - Original
Nazareth - Cover

Nazareth is a hard rock group formed in Scotland in 1968.  They released their first album in 1971, but it really wasn't until 1973's album Loud N' Proud that people really started to take notice, based on their rockin' cover of Joni Mitchell's "This Flight Tonight".  They went on to have another huge hit with "Hair Of The Dog" ("Now you're messin' with a..a son of a bitch"), but this cover, to me, is the epitome of taking someone else's song and making it their own.

WOODSTOCK
Joni Mitchell - Original
CSNY - Cover

Now it sounds like I'm picking on Joni Mitchell, but it's just the opposite.  She wrote some fabulous songs, but I just like them sung by other people is all.  Joni wrote this song for the big ol' festival in 1969 after hearing what all the fuss was about from then-boyfriend Graham Nash.  She recorded it as a song on her album Ladies Of The Canyon.  Very soon after, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young recorded their version as a single.  CSNY's version was much more upbeat and rock-oriented than Mitchell's folksy tune, and it's the only version I think of when talking about this song.

PROUD MARY
CCR - Original
Ike & Tina Turner - Cover

I will admit, I always thought Ike Turner wrote "Proud Mary".  It fit so well with how Tina Turner performed it.  She threw, and still throws, everything into that song and has really made it hers over the years.  But, in actual fact, Mr. John Fogerty wrote the song in 1968 for his band Credence Clearwater Revival.  (The Turner's version was released on their 1970 album Workin' Together).  I like that version, quite a lot actually.  But Ike and Tina's version just blows it out of the water (the Clearwater??) and makes me want to dance like a drunken fool every single time I hear it.  "Rivah, do, do, do, do, do, do, do..."!!!!

SUSIE Q
Dale Hawkins - Original
CCR - Cover

Staying with CCR for the moment, their cover of Dale Hawkins' "Susie Q" takes the song from Rockabilly classic to psychedelic Southern Rock that seems to last for days, and happily so!  A two  and a half minute song stretched to nearly eight and a half minutes!!  This song has been covered by tons of people including The Rolling Stones, Jose Feliciano, Suzi Quatro (how couldn't she?), Bobby McFarrin, Gene Vincent and The Everly Brothers just to name a few.  CCR's version, though, will always be what I think of when someone mentions the title.

MacARTHUR PARK
Richard Harris - Original
Donna Summer - Cover

For some reason, in 1968, actor Richard Harris released this song, written by Jimmy Webb.  My opinion, it was awful.  I have no idea why this great English thespian thought he could sing.  But it was he that brought the song to the public consciousness, and, 10 years later, the fabulous Donna Summer turned it into a huge disco hit.  It's such an odd song, about a cake in the rain (?!), but it sounds so good coming out of Summer's mouth.

BLINDED BY THE LIGHT
Bruce Springsteen - Original
Manfred Mann's Earth Band - Cover

Springsteen can write the Hell out of a song, no doubt.  His version of "Blinded By The Light" is good, released in 1973.  But Manfred Mann's Earth Band's version is far superior.  Released just three years later, they changed a few words, upped the tempo and really rocked it out.  The song became a number one hit and many people still don't realize it's a cover.  It's also one of the most mis-quoted songs in the history of music; "wrapped up like a douche"?????

BLACK MAGIC WOMAN
Fleetwood Mac - Original
Santana - Cover

What??  "Black Magic Woman" isn't a Carlos Santana original?  I know!  I was shocked, too.  Peter Green, the lead guitarist and lyricist in Fleetwood Mac before they became FLEETWOOD MAC wrote this song back in 1968.  It did ok, but wasn't a huge hit.  Not until Mr. Santana and his gang got hold of it.  Santana's version is definitely the most recognizable, taking the song to number one on the charts, and making people believe, like me, that it was his song all along.

ME AND BOBBY McGEE
Roger Miller - Original
Janis Joplin - Cover

Actor/singer/songwriter Kris Kristofferson wrote the song back in 1969 for Roger Miller to record as a Country tune.  (Kristofferson recorded his own version a few years later).  Miller's version is good, as far as Country songs go, which, for me, ain't that far.  Once Janis Joplin got hold of it, she turned it into a soulful number one hit.  The song was released on her album Pearl, which came out after her death, in 1971.  It became only the second posthumous number one single on the Billboard charts, after "(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay" by Otis Redding.

WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS
The Beatles - Original
Joe Cocker - Cover

The Beatles began their rise to stardom covering old Blues and Soul songs from years earlier, turning them into pop gold.  The reverse happened with "With A Little Help From My Friends".  Their version, written by Lennon and McCartney, was pop, bouncy fluff.  It took Soul-master Joe Cocker to sing it the way it should have been sung all along!  He brings the tune right back to the soulful roots it should always be associated with.  His classic version of the song, sung at Woodstock in 1969, is some of the best live music you will ever hear!!  Oh, and he also did a pretty fantastic version of another Beatles tune, "She Came In Through The Bathroom Window".

MR. TAMBOURINE MAN
Bob Dylan - Original
The Byrds - Cover

I love Bob Dylan songs...but only if they're sung by other people!  I can't listen to him sing for long before I feel like ripping the heads off of small animals.  (I may have a problem...).  Anyway, when The Byrds covered this song they electrified it, made it more melodic, and just so much easier to listen to over and over again.  Dylan has written some of the most enduring and even important songs in the last 50 years, but why wouldn't anybody tell him to stop singing remains a mystery to me.

ALL ALONG THE WATCHTOWER
Bob Dylan - Original
Jimi Hendrix Experience - Cover

Jimi recorded Dylan's song a mere six months after the original was released.  Nobody can ever make an argument, to me anyway, that Hendrix' version isn't far superior to the original.  From that beginning guitar riff with the pulsing drums, the song grabs you right away like only Dylan could dream about.  I actually don't mind Dylan's version of this song (one of the very few I can stand listening to him sing), but Hendrix just beat the crap out of it and made it a huge hit and a true classic.

NOTHING COMPARES 2 U
The Family - Original
Sinead O'Connor - Cover

In 1985, Prince recruited a band called The Family to record some of his songs.  They released one album, of which contained the song "Nothing Compare 2 U".  It was kind of an electronic mess, with some weird background vocals and noises.  Sinead O'Connor decided to recorded a version of the song for her album I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got.  The song, and as a result the album, became a monster hit, coupled with an unforgettable video of a close-up of O'Connor belting her heart out, even managing to force a tear to roll down her face.  This song could have stayed in the Halls Of Obscurity, but Sinead made it her own and absolutely killed it!

SUMMERTIME BLUES
Eddie Cochran - Original
Blue Cheer - Cover
The Who - Cover #2

This one is difficult for me, I like all three versions!  "Summertime Blues" has been covered a ton of times by the likes of The Beach Boys, T-Rex, Joan Jett, Janis Joplin, Rush even Olivia Newton-John, but, for me, the original and the two covers above are the best.  Eddie Cochran recorded the song first in 1958.  Blue Cheer, a band that helped pave the way for Heavy Metal, released their version in 1968. It was slowed down just a bit, heavy on bass and really great!  The Who then performed their version at Woodstock in 1969.  This is about the time that The Who became known as the loudest band ever, and their rockin' version of the song became an instant hit.  If I had to choose, I guess I'd take Blue Cheer's version over everyone else's, the sound being so much lower and heavier and laid back.  Great tune though, Eddie!

SMOOTH CRIMINAL
Michael Jackson - Original
Alien Ant Farm - Cover

Who's Annie, and why are we so concerned about her?  I never liked the Michael Jackson version of this song.  The video was pretty awesome, but the song got pretty boring for me pretty quickly.  It was released as a single off of his Bad album in 1988.  Then, in 2001, I heard a version of the song in the film "American Pie 2".  It was faster, harder, and really awesome.  I totally fell in love with the song!  The band was Alien Ant Farm, some dudes from California that used to play the first few bars of the song while warming up before concerts.  Their fans encouraged them to play the entire song, and it became a number one hit for the band in Australia and on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks chart.  Thirteen years later and I'm still selecting Alien Ant Farm's version on my iPod quite often.

FIRE
Robert Gordon - Original
The Pointer Sisters - Cover

Bruce Springsteen wrote the song "Fire" back in 1977.  When he wrote it, he envisioned Elvis Presley singing it, and apparently sent Elvis a demo of the song.  The story goes Elvis died before he could ever hear it.  So the next year, Bruce recruited Robert Gordon, a Rockabilly artist, to record the song.  That was the first official release of "Fire".  Springsteen had recorded a version of it himself for his album Darkness On The Edge Of Town, but it didn't make the cut.  In 1979, The Pointer Sisters made the song a monster hit.  It went to number two on Billboard's Hot 100 list, the highest charting for any Springsteen song to that time.  Bruce eventually released his own version of the song on his box set The Promise, released in 2010.  Here's his version: Bruce

I WILL SURVIVE
Gloria Gaynor - Original
Cake - Cover

Ok, so I don't necessarily think the band Cake does a better version of this song than Gloria Gaynor.  Gaynor's original was a huge disco anthem, still is in many respects.  You can dance to it and it's got a good beat, as they used to say.  I just Cake made it a tongue-in-cheek rock song that makes me happy every time I hear it.  The song has been covered hundreds of times, but I really enjoy the Cake cover best.  Better than the original?  Probably not.

(I KNOW) I'M LOSING YOU
The Temptations - Original
Rare Earth - Cover
Rod Stewart - Cover #2

Here's another song where I can't decide which version I like best.  The Temptations released the song in 1966 and it became a number one hit.  Rare Earth decided to take the song that runs about two and a half minutes and stretch it out to almost eleven minutes!!  Seems long, but I never want it to end...getting funkier and funkier as the minutes roll by.  Their version was released in 1970.  In 1971, Faces released their version, although the band now had to be referred to as just Rod Stewart for contractual reasons.  It's still Ronnie Wood providing that great guitar intro and Rod just aches his way through the song to that great conclusion "I'm loooosing youuuuuuuuuuu."  All three versions are great, but I probably listen to Rare Earth's most often.


Next are a few songs that I had no idea were covers, much like "Black Magic Woman":

YOU COULD HAVE BEEN A LADY
Hot Chocolate - Original
April Wine - Cover

"Could have been here tonight, could have been sweet as wine...".  That line alone made me believe April Wine wrote this song.  April Wine/"sweet as wine".  Get it??  I was shocked to learn that Hot Chocolate, the band that gave us "You Sexy Thing", wrote and released the song in 1971.  Not only this song, but...

BROTHER LOUIE
Hot Chocolate - Original
Stories - Cover

...as well!  I always thought this was a one hit wonder from the band Stories, and I guess it was, but I just assumed they wrote it.  They released their version of the song in 1973, just six months after the original by Hot Chocolate.  It made it to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 list, something Hot Chocolate's version never accomplished.

GOOD LOVIN'
Limmie Snell - Original
The Young Rascals - Cover

The original version of this song was actually titled "Lemme B. Good", sung by R&B singer Limmie Snell, released in 1965.  The words were changed a bit and recorded by a band called The Olympics, but it wasn't very successful.  The Young Rascals picked up on that version, released it in 1966, and it became an enduring hit song, ranked amongst Rolling Stone's top 500 songs of all-time.  I thought it was their song all along.  By the way, The Grateful Dead do a really great, mellow cover of the song as well: The Dead

IT'S ALL OVER NOW
The Valentinos - Original
The Rolling Stones - Cover

The Rolling Stones covering older songs is not news to me.  They've done it literally dozens of times on their albums.  But I didn't know this song was one of them.  Co-written by Soul-man Bobby Womack, The Valentinos, Womack's band at the time, released the song in 1964.  It entered the Billboard Hot 100 charts in June of that year.  Just one month later, The Rolling Stones released their version of the song, and it shot right to the top of the charts, becoming the Stones' first number one hit.

HUSH
Billy Joe Royal - Original
Deep Purple - Cover

I love Deep Purple!  Machine Head, from 1972, is probably one of my favourite albums ever, with songs like "Smoke On The Water", "Lazy" and "Space Truckin'".  But it was on their debut album, Shades Of Deep Purple, from 1968, where you'd first hear "Hush" and that fabulous organ!  I was astounded to learn this was a cover of a song recorded just a year earlier by some dude named Billy Joe Royal.  This is actually the guy that sang "Down In The Boondocks" in 1965, so he wasn't just some flash in the pan...but I had never heard of him until I started to research this song.

JESUS IS JUST ALRIGHT
The Art Reynolds Singers - Original
The Doobie Brothers - Cover

This sounded like it could have been a gospel song when I first heard it.  Turns out I was right.  It was written by Arthur Reynolds who released the song on his choir's album Tellin' It Like It Is in 1966.  It was first covered by The Byrds in 1969, but the definitive version, the one we all love and rock out to, came out in 1972, released as a single and included on The Doobie Brothers' album Toulouse Street.  There was some concern when the Doobie's version came out, thinking that they were saying Jesus was just all right, he's ok, I guess.  But the lyrics actually refer to the vernacular of the day, that Jesus was just all right, he was cool, man.

SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL
Soul Brothers Six - Original
Grand Funk Railroad - Cover

Grand Funk Railroad had a number 3 hit with "Some Kind Of Wonderful" in 1974 and easily became one of the band's most recognizable songs.  It seemed to me that it was a cover of an older song, and this time I was right.  Soul Brothers Six, formerly known as Soul Brothers Five until, you guessed it, a sixth member was hired, released the song in 1967 to moderate success.  After hearing the original for the first time not so long ago, I must say it's hard for me to decide which version I like better.  The Soul Brothers Six got soul, baby.


Here now are some songs that are easily recognizable by their cover versions but were originally recorded by some of the RandB and Blues pioneers from the early part of the 20th Century:


TRAIN KEPT A-ROLLIN'
Tiny Bradshaw - Original
The Yardbirds - Cover
Aerosmith - Cover #2

Tiny Bradshaw released his Swing version of this song back in 1951, and it freakin' rocks!  I love it, never heard before I started researching these songs.  The Yardbirds, in my opinion, recorded the best version of this song in 1965 thanks to Jeff Beck's solid work on guitar.  Aerosmith used to play the song live early in their career, and recorded it for their second album, Get Your Wings, in 1974.  It seems every band that has a Blues/Rock base has played this song at one time or another.  This was the very first song Led Zeppelin played together when they first rehearsed to see how they sounded.  Some other bands that have been known to play it: Metallica, Bon Jovi, Motorhead, Foghat, Skid Row, Stray Cats, Twisted Sister and The Tragically Hip.  If you're gonna be a Rock N' Roll star, learn this song!

ICE CREAM MAN
John Brim - Original
Van Halen - Cover

John Brim recorded his version of "Ice Cream Man" for Chess Records back in 1953, but it wasn't released publicly until 1969.  A young David Lee Roth heard the song, eventually got together with the Van Halen brothers, and was determined to record the song on their first album, as a tribute to the Blues.  He got his way, and the song became a huge hit at all of their concerts.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE LOVE TO YOU
Muddy Waters - Original
Foghat - Cover

Willie Dixon, the Godfather of the Blues, wrote "I Just Want To Make Love To You" in 1954 for his buddy, Muddy Waters.  Waters recorded it that year with Dixon playing bass.  Hundreds of artists have covered the song since, along with many other Willie Dixon songs.  Some artists include Chuck Berry, The Rolling Stones, Etta James, The Kinks, Lee Aaron, Bo Diddley, April Wine, Van Morrison, Lou Rawls and Adele.  The most famous cover, though, has to be Foghat's rockin' version from their first album in 1972.  A live version was recorded in 1977 and became even a bigger hit for the band.

AFTER MIDNIGHT
J.J. Cale - Original
Eric Clapton - Cover...sort of

"Sort of" you ask??  Here's the story:  J.J. Cale recorded a demo version of this song, which he wrote, back in 1966 but never released it.  Clapton, while researching for his first solo album, heard the demo and decided to record it.  His version was released in 1970, and J.J. Cale didn't even know until he heard it on the radio!  Clapton went on to cover a bunch of Cale songs, including "Cocaine", which helped convince Cale to record his very first album in 1972.  On his debut album, titled Naturally, was his version of "After Midnight".  So Cale ended up doing a cover of a cover of his original song.  Got it?  Good!

HOUND DOG
Big Mama Thornton - Original
Elvis Presley - Cover

Elvis made a pretty good living covering older songs, bringing that Rock N' Roll sound to some great Blues tunes.  The original recording by "Big Mama" Thornton is pretty damn cool, though.  Released as a single in 1953 it stayed on the R&B charts for 14 weeks, staying at number one for 7 of them.  Thornton's version has been inducted into the Grammy Hall Of Fame as one of the songs that helped shape Rock N' Roll.  Presley took it even further, releasing his version in 1956.  It became one of the best selling singles of all time, selling more than 10 million copies.  His version topped the pop chart for 11 straight weeks, a record that stood for 36 years!!

CROSSROADS
Robert Johnson - Original
Eric Clapton - Cover

Robert Johnson, an enigma wrapped in a riddle.  There has been so much written about this Blues innovator that nobody knows how much is true anymore.  What is known is that the Blues would be a lot different if he never sold his sole to the Devil!  He recorded his "Cross Road Blues" back in 1936.  Another Grammy Hall Of Fame honouree, the song has been played by just about every Blues/Rock guitarist ever!  Eric Clapton started his interpretation back in 1966, before Cream was officially formed.  Eventually, he got together with Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce and recorded their version for the album Wheels Of Fire, released in 1969.

ONE BOURBON, ONE SCOTCH, ONE BEER
Amos Milburn - Original
John Lee Hooker - Cover
George Thorogood - Cover #2

I had no idea that John Lee Hooker didn't write this song!  It was originally recorded by Amos Milburn in 1953, written by Rudy Toombs as "One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer".  Lots of artists took on the song, changing the lyrics along the way, but it became very popular again when John Lee Hooker released his version in 1966.  Hooker slowed down the tempo, making a more bluesy tune.  When George Thorogood decided to record it he mixed it with "House Rent Boogie", another John Lee Hooker song, stretching it out to eight and a half minutes of total bliss!!

MAMA TOLD ME NOT TO COME
Eric Burdon And The Animals - Original
Three Dog Night - Cover

Randy Newman, he of "Short People" and "I Love L.A.", wrote this song for Eric Burdon back in 1966.  Burdon recorded it as a single in 1966, but it was never released.  So Burdon took the recording and put it on his next album Eric Is Here in 1967.  Three Dog Night got a hold of the tune and released it in 1970.  The single went straight to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.  Their version sounded more melodic, as Burdon's was more of a talking than a singing, and still kept the comedic elements that made the song popular in the first place.

HARD TO HANDLE
Otis Redding - Original
The Black Crowes - Cover

Otis Redding co-wrote the song with Al Bell and Allen Jones, recording it in 1967, but it wasn't released until 1968, after Redding's untimely death.  The song was a moderate hit at the time.  Tons of people covered the tune after that including The Grateful Dead, Etta James, Tom Jones and even Mae West for the movie Myra Breckinridge.  The Black Crowes brought the song back into popularity when they released it as their second single from their debut album Shake Your Moneymaker in 1990.  Lead singer Chris Robinson attacks the song head on and the great upped tempo worked perfectly, making The Black Crowes hugely popular at the time.  Even though I love the original, The Black Crowes' cover is one of the best covers of any song I can think of!!

BLACK BETTY
Lead Belly - Original
Ram Jam - Cover

So Lead Belly didn't write this song, nor was he the one who first sang it.  "Black Betty"'s origins are actually unknown and there is some debate as to who wrote it and for what reasons.  It might refer to an 18th Century marching song about a musket that had a black stock.  It may refer to a liquor bottle, as Benjamin Franklin referred to kissing the "black betty" as a phrase for being drunk in his 1736 publishing of his Drinker's Dictionary.  Wherever it started, Lead Belly made it famous way back in 1939.  It wasn't until 1977, when a little known band named Ram Jam turned it into a monster, rockin' hit.  Since then the song has been covered a number of times, but what follows are three of my favourites, if you're game to listen:
The Melvins
Spiderbait
Tom Jones


So those are some of the songs I thought of.  I know there are millions more, so let me know what some of your favourite covers are, and maybe I'll have a listen to them!

Lyrics Quiz 1970's Part II

So, even though only a few people actually decided to check out the first part of my lyrics quiz, I will continue to put more up...because I want to damn it!  Here is Part 2, songs from 1974 to 1976.  There will be a link to the answers at the bottom of the page, but if you are actually doing this quiz, try to hold off until the very end.








111. But there ain't no use in pretending, it could happen to us any day.

112. Oh, I'm reaching out for something, touching nothing's all I ever do.

113. It seems they cannot leave their dream, there's something moving in the sidewalk steam.

114. Hold me darlin' come on listen to me, I won't do you no harm.

115. Turn on your light and stay with me a while, and ease your worried mind.

116. Gotta get down to it, soldiers are cutting us down.

117. And he walked away but his smile never dimmed, he said "I'm gonna be like him, yeah".

118. Walking down the street, shooting people that I meet with my rubber Tommy water gun.

119. It seems to me I could live my life a lot better than I think I am.

120. Would it be enough for your cheating heart if I broke down and cried?  If I cried?

121. Freedom came my way one day, and I started out of town.

122. Lord they get me off so much, they pick me up when I'm feeling blue.

123. Snuggled in, said "Baby one more kiss", she said "No, no, no.  Romance ain't keeping me alive".

124. Well if it rains, I don't care, don't make no difference to me.

125. At the good ole rock and roll road show, I gotta go.

126. Fate comes a-knockin', doors start lockin', your old time connection, change your direction.

127. She took me to her doctor, and he told me of a cure.

128. Touching her skin, feeling silky smooth, color of cafe au lait.

129. I have a friend in town, he's heard your name, we can go out driving on Slow Hand Road.

130. You know, well you know you had it coming to you, now there's not a lot I can do.

131. You've got that touch so gentle and sweet, but you've got that look so critical.

132. I'm a tiger when I want love, but I'm a snake if we disagree.

133. You love bands when they're playing hard, you want more and you want it fast.

134. I entertain by picking brains, sell my soul by dropping names.

135. Touching you so warm and tender, Lord I feel such a sweet surrender.

136. Just one look and I can hear a bell ring, one more look and I forget everything.

137. So if I call you, don't make a fuss, don't tell your friends about the two of us.

138. So the world is spinning faster, are you dizzy when you're stoned?  Let the music be your master.

139. Well, late at night when the people were gone, he used to pick up my guitar.

140. Well, I have to follow you, though you didn't want me to.

141. Is it any wonder you are too cool to fool?

142. Well, I've always had a deep respect, and I mean the most sincerely.

143. Quiet and pensive, my thoughts apprehensive, the hours drift away.

144. Talkin' jivey, poison ivy, you ain't gonna cling to me.

145. Whenever this world is cruel to me I got you to help me forgive.

146. She is like a cat in the dark and then she is the darkness.

147. All of the things that you learned from fears, nothing is left but the years.

148. When there's nothing left to believe in, still you're coming back, you're running back, you're coming back for more.

149. Face to face, toe to toe, heart to heart as we hit the floor.

150. Baby, baby, I'll meet you, same place, same time.

151. I don't feel you but I know you're around, I can feel you 'cause I feel the sound.

152. There's a hole in my head where the rain comes in, you took my body and played to win.

153. Electricity starts to flow and my indicator starts to glow.

154. Americano got the sleepy eye but his body's still shaking like a live wire, sleepy senorita with the eyes on fire.

155. Fly me away to the bright side of the moon, and meet me on the other side.

156. And I was standing on the side of the road, rain falling on my shoes.

157. I've been bad, I've been good, Dallas, Texas, Hollywood.

158. I'd kinda like to be the President, so I can show you how your money's spent.

159. The road I cruise is a bitch now, baby, but no you can't turn me 'round.

160. I'm not the kind of man who tends to socialize, I seem to lean on old familiar ways.

161. You know the rhythm is right.  You know the rhythm is right.

162. I must have been through about a million girls.

163. If you choose to you can live your life alone, some people choose the city.

164. Well I was stranded in the jungle trying to take in all the heat they was giving.

165. Was it somethin' that somebody said?  Mama I know we broke the rules.

166. From the tattoo on her left leg, and the garter on her right.

167. We sweat and laugh and scream here, 'cause life is just a dream here.

168. I've been one poor correspondent and I've been too, too hard to find.

169. There's no escape from the music in the whole damn street.

170. If you feel like leaving, you know you can go, but why don't you wait until tomorrow.

171. She keeps naggin' at you night and day, enough to drive you nuts.

172. So still I kept on fighting, well, losing every step of the way.

173. The mighty arms of Atlas hold the heavens from the Earth, from the Earth.........

174. Moon appears to shine and light the sky with the help of some firefly.

175. Eager for action and hot for the game, the coming attraction, the drop of a name.

176. Came the last night of sadness and it was clear that she couldn't go on.

177. But just because a record has a groove doesn't make it in the groove.

178. So if you please, get on your knees, there are no bills, there are no fees.

179. I get down on my knees and I start to pray till the tears run down from my eyes.

180. And go-kart Mozart was checking out the weather chart to see if it was safe outside.

181. Hello, how are you, have you been alright, through all those lonely nights.

182. Get out in the field, put the mule in the stable, Ma she's a-cookin', put the eats on the table.

183. Shake it up, shake it down, move it in, move it round.

184. Winter nights we sang in tune, played inside the months of moon.

185. We've both played that game before, say I love then say goodbye.

186. They're piling in the backseat, they're generating steam heat.

187. Tonight there's gonna be trouble, some of us won't survive.

188. I've seen all the movie stars in their fancy cars and their limousines.

189. Rocking chairs and summer fairs and swimming in the sea.

190. We've been together since way back when, sometimes I never want to see you again.

191. Now you're climbin' to the top of the company ladder, hope it doesn't take too long.

192. Ain't got no gun, ain't got no knife, don't you start no fight.

193. We want to pin this triple murder on him, he ain't no Gentleman Jim.

194. I'm not afraid of you running away, honey, I've got the feeling you won't.

195. I put my head on her shoulder, she says "Tell me all your troubles".

196. We could tear the house down, we could tear the house down, we could tear the whole house down, wooo.

197. I used her and she used me, but neither one cared, we were gettin' our share.

198. Wherever people live together, tied in poverty's despair.

199. Don't you know, don't you know, that it's wrong to take what is given you.

200. On a stormy sea of moving emotion, tossed about I'm like a ship on the ocean


Okey dokey, there are some selections from 1974 to 1976.  Enjoy and leave a comment if the songs challenged you, or if you thought they were too easy.  Part III will be along soon!!

Here's the link for the answer page: http://lyricsquiz.blogspot.ca/2014/08/lyrics-quiz-part-ii-answers.html

Great Singers

So, as I was preparing my 1970's lyrics quiz, I got to thinking about some of my favourite bands and, more specifically, singers.  People enjoy music for a whole myriad of reasons, but I always go back to two things - a great guitar riff and/or a singer that cuts me to my soul.  I've talked about some of my fave bands before, so now I will detail why the following singers are my cream of the crop.  I've seen other lists that rate singers which include people like Bob Dylan and Roy Orbison and such.  I can't stand listening to Dylan sing!  I love a lot of his music, as, lyrically, he was phenomenal.  But that voice is so irritating; I wouldn't put him in the top 500 best singers.  Roy Orbison did have a great, technical voice, but it never really got to me.  That's why the following list is my opinion only.  I will not rank these singers; instead I'll list them alphabetically.  Agree or disagree, but I hope I might turn you on to listen to some of these great artists more often.  The (#) beside their name is where Rolling Stone magazine ranked them in their Top 100 Singers Of All Time:

Eric Burdon (#57) - 1960 to the present - Known for The Animals and War

When I heard the story about the song "The House Of The Rising Sun" I couldn't believe it.  Eric Burdon, some white soul-singer from England, and his band of Animals, stepped into a recording studio on May 18, 1964 to record their version of a traditional song that had, and has, been covered by dozens, if not hundreds, of other artists.  It took one take...ONE TAKE...to record the version that everybody knows as the definitive version of the song.  Burdon was only 23 years old at the time.  The rawness and soulfulness of his voice was mesmerizing, not to mention the incredible organ that accompanies him.  From here I decided to listen to all the Animals I could, buying CD's and compilations that included them.  I could listen to "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood", "We Got To Get Out Of This Place", "Monterey" and "Don't Bring Me Down" all day!  Burdon went on to join War in 1969, coming out with more great songs like "Spill The Wine" and a remake of The Rolling Stones' "Paint It Black".  His voice, still to this day, is unwavering and incredibly soulful.  Here's something I found on YouTube from early in his career:

Sam Cooke (#4) - 1951 to 1964

"Darling you-uuuuu, send me.  I know that you-uuuu send me.  Honest you do, honest you do, honest you do, whoa-ou-whoa-ou-oh"!!  I did not know who Sam Cooke was for a great many years of my life.  I feel now that those years were incomplete.  It is so much better having heard the voice of one of the best soul singers ever!  This man was number one, the best, inspiring such singers as Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Otis Redding and Marvin Gaye - all of whom will be on this list!  "Twisting The Night Away" makes me smile every time I hear it.  "A Change Is Gonna Come", in my opinion, is one of the best vocals ever recorded, and it's been covered a million times.  (Well, maybe not a million, but a lot).  The great talent of this man was, like Marvin Gaye after him, his incredible ease of sending those sweet tones out through the air; it was like it was second nature.  Sam Cooke was cut down early, shot to death by the manager of a Los Angeles hotel when he was just 33 years old.  The official story was justifiable homicide, but many believed the manager, Bertha Franklin, conspired with others to murder the singer.  Either way, the world lost a magnificent talent on December 11, 1964.  Here's Cooke at his finest:

Chris Cornell - 1984 to the present - Known for Soundgarden and Audioslave

So lets talk a little about the Grunge movement in the late 1980's and early 1990's.  Most people attribute the success to this style of music to Nirvana and their lead singer Curt Kobain.  Yeah, they were good, lots of angst and stuff.  But if you wanted to hear raw talent, a voice that shredded your heart and your ears at the same time, you needed to listen to Soundgarden.  Heavier than Nirvana, most Grunge wannabes didn't really focus on Chris Cornell and his band.  I was different.  Chris Cornell grabbed me by the balls and squeezed the minute I heard his voice.  Soundgarden's second label album, Badmotorfinger, was one of the first CDs that I completely wore out.  I had to buy a second copy.  (And they say CDs don't deteriorate).  I loved Kim Thayil's blistering guitar, but it was Cornell's wailing that hooked me quick.  "Outshined" was MY song of 1991.  "Jesus Christ Pose". "Rusty Cage".  Fabulous.  Then came their next album, Superunknown, and Cornell got to flex his vocal muscles even more.  "Spoonman", "Black Hole Sun", "Kickstand", hit after hit.  But if you want to hear how great this man is, listen to "Fell On Black Days" or "The Day I Tried To Live" off of that album.  Cornell has gone on to front other bands and do some great solo work, but I will always remember him, and the way he made me feel, in those early days of the Seattle Sound.  Here's Soundgarden live in 1994:

Bruce Dickinson - 1976 to the present - Known for Iron Maiden

In 1981, the heavy metal band Iron Maiden lost their lead singer due to stress within the band and a dispute with their manager.  A 23-year old came in to audition for the vacant job.  After recording three or four songs in studio, Bruce Dickinson was hired, and the legend started.  I realize not a lot of people think of great singers in the heavy metal genre; most thinking that its just a lot of screaming and wailing.  Well Bruce Dickinson can scream and wail with the best of them, but in such a way that its not at all irritating or painful.  He can hold notes longer than any singer anyone can name.  I don't know a lot about octaves or perfect pitch, but it has been said that Dickinson can hit a lot of them (octaves) and has it (perfect pitch).  All I know is the man can sing!  I have to say I haven't been a huge fan of Iron Maiden, as I only know of their early work in the 1980's, but I can say it was because of Dickinson's phenomenal voice that got me interested.  "The Number Of The Beast", "Hallowed Be Thy Name", "Run To The Hills" and "The Trooper" are all emblazoned in my brain and ears.  Take a listen to Dickinson's unwavering voice here after two hours of power vocals:

Aretha Franklin (#1) - 1956 to the present

I'm not sure what else can be said about the "Queen Of Soul".  She is regarded by many as the best female singer to ever live.  According to Rolling Stone magazine, she is the cream of the crop, number one singer on their list of the top 100 of all-time.  It's easy to see, or hear for that matter.  Aretha can belt out a song with so much power that it's almost overwhelming.  She started recording at the age of 18 in 1960, but didn't become the Queen until 1967 when she released such songs as "Think", "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" and "Respect".  She soon became the most charted female artist on the Billboard RandB charts, including twenty number one songs.  According to people that worked with her for many years, she never sang a song the same way twice.  In fact, it's funny to watch the extras on one of The Blues Brothers DVD's.  Apparently Aretha's scene in the diner was incredibly hard to film because she kept on changing the way she would lip-sync to the song "Think".  John Landis, the director, said the editing took forever!  Still, to this day, when Aretha Franklin sings, people stop and listen.  Here she is in all her soulful glory: 

Marvin Gaye (#6) - 1961 to 1984

Smooth.  Soulful.  Silky.  Stupendous.  Just a few words to describe who, I think, was the greatest singer of our time.  Marvin's voice was an inspiration to every soul singer that followed him, and probably every folk, rock and heavy metal singer, too!  He had a string of hits in the 1960's with "I Heard It Through The Grapevine", "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)", "Too Busy Thinking About My Baby" along with some wonderful duets with Tammi Terrell ("Ain't No Mountain High Enough", "Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing"), Kim Weston ("It Takes Two") and Mary Wells ("What's The Matter With You Baby").  But it was the early 1970's that Marvin Gaye became the Prince Of Soul, releasing monster hits like "Let's Get It On", "Mercy, Mercy Me (The Ecology)" and "What's Goin' On".  You can "feel" every word he sings...the pain, the pleasure, the pure enjoyment of it all.  Marvin was famously gunned down on April Fool's Day, 1984, by his father with a gun that was given to him by Marvin the previous Christmas.  He was a day away from his 45th birthday.  The world lost a great talent that day, but his songs live on, and will continue to live on for many centuries to come!  I often say there are three rules that need to be heeded when out singing karaoke - 1: never try to sing "The House Of The Rising Sun" because of it's perfect first take recording; 2: never try to sing a Queen song because no one can emulate the flair and talent of Freddie Mercury, and 3: never, NEVER, try to sing any Marvin Gaye song because you cannot improve on it!  Here is the best singer to ever live singing in front of a bunch of soulless white folk:

Whitney Houston (#34) - 1977 to 2012

So now I'm showing my eclectic taste in music, ain't I ?  Miss Houston was never one of my favourite singers because of what she sang, but there is no denying she had one of the most magical voices ever! I know a lot of people compare Whitney to Mariah, coming up at the same time in the mid 1980's, similar types of pop songs and so on, but I always thought Whitney's voice was superior.  (And I couldn't stand that high pitched squeal from Mariah!).  Even though she had been singing all her life (she sang backup on Chaka Khan's "I'm Every Woman" at the age of 14!), she really became a superstar in 1985 with the release of her first solo album Whitney Houston.  Mega-hits from that record included "Saving All My Love For You", "You Give Good Love", "Greatest Love Of All" and the ever-popular, up-beat "How Will I Know".  She was a natural; singing, starring in music videos, live performances...all were amazing.  One of her only downfalls was her acting ability.  In 1992 she starred with Kevin Costner in "The Bodyguard", a movie roundly panned by critics, but loved by any woman over the age of 30.  Although her performance was horrible, the song "I Will Always Love You" was a monster hit, and she sang the Hell out of it!  It was around this time she met and married Bobby Brown, another downfall of hers, as their relationship would be fodder for the tabloids for nearly 20 years.  On February 11, 2012, Whitney Houston was found in her bathtub, submerged under the water in an apparent drowning.  It was a huge loss, a complete shock to everybody.  She will be remembered as one of the greatest singers of all time, and I always will go back to her Super Bowl XXV performance, in 1991, as the reason why I thought she was one of the best!  Enjoy:

Janis Joplin (#28) - 1962 to 1970

Not everyone likes Janis Joplin.  She lived hard and fast and made no apologies for her recklessness.  I get it.  But how anybody can deny her being one of the most soulful, powerful singers of the 1960's is beyond me!  Everything she sang, she put everything she had into it.  Her incredible power came through in every album she recorded.  Janis did a lot of solo acts in Texas and San Francisco early in her career, but it was in 1966, when she got together with Big Brother And The Holding Company, that people really started to take interest.  The band's first album was released in August of 1967, just after their breakout performance at the Monterey Pop Festival.  It was there that a relatively still unknown Joplin blew everyone away.  Major hits followed; "Down On Me", "Ball And Chain", "Summertime", "Me And Bobby McGee" and the song everyone associates with Janis, "Piece Of My Heart".  In 1969, Janis was asked to sing at a little concert known as Woodstock.  She had no idea of the size of the crowd when the helicopter that taxied her there flew over.  She became very nervous, and, during a ten hour wait before she went on, shot some heroin and drank like a fish.  As a result, many view her performance that night as sub-par.  Others have said that a Janis Joplin who is not "on" is still remarkable!  On October 4, 1970, Joplin was found dead in her hotel room in Hollywood.  She had overdosed on heroin, compounded by alcohol.  She was in the spotlight for only a few years, but her legacy as one of the greatest soul/rock voices of all-time has stood the test of time.  Here is Joplin's break-out performance in Monterey that just drops my jaw every time I watch it:

Annie Lennox (#93) - 1976 to present - Known for Eurythmics

I remember the first time I saw the video for "Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)" on MuchMusic.  I was about 12 years old and I was both frightened and intrigued by the woman on my television.  She had short red hair, dressed like a dude, and could belt out a song like nobody's business!  I immediately became a big fan, following the Eurythmics meteoric rise to fame.  Huge hits followed; "Who's That Girl", "Here Comes The Rain Again", "Would I Lie To You", "Missionary Man" to name just a few.  When Lennox and Dave Stewart decided to stop making music together she turned to a very successful solo career.  This is where, in my opinion, she really began to shine.  Without the normal, heavy industrial music that accompanied her with Eurythmics, we could now make out what is one of the most beautiful voices around.  She had a huge hit when she teamed up with Al Green with "Put A Little Love In Your Heart", but her first solo album, Diva, really elevated her to superstar status.  More big hits followed; "Walking On Broken Glass" and "Why" being the biggest.  Although she doesn't make many live appearances anymore, and we don't hear a lot about her like we did twenty years ago, every time she does appear is a special moment.  No matter what she sings, she gives it her all and always sounds incredible.  Below is from Arista Records' 25th Anniversary show.  This video will hopefully show why I think this woman is one of the best around!

Freddie Mercury (#18) - 1969-1991 - Known for Queen

If you know me at all, you know how I feel about Freddie Mercury.  There was, nor possibly will never be, a rock showman like him.  He was a marvel to behold!  I never saw him perform live, but I've seen dozens of Queen's live shows on VHS, DVD and YouTube, and I am amazed at his power and presence every single time.  That would be something for a mediocre singer, but Mercury was absolutely the farthest thing from mediocre.  He was simply phenomenal!  Technically, Mercury had a four-octave range, which I hear is pretty good when it comes to singing.  His vocal range apparently went from bass low-F to soprano high-F.  I have absolutely no idea what that means, but people who do know were impressed.  All I knew was I loved it, and the louder, the better!  From Queen's very first album, Queen, released in 1973, everybody knew Mercury was a force to be reckoned with.  Monster hits came out year after year; "Keep Yourself Alive", "Bohemian Rhapsody", "Somebody To Love", "Fat Bottomed Girls", "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" and so on and so on.  Queen's and Mercury's lasting legacy will probably be the sports anthem "We Are The Champions" which, in my opinion, is not one of their best songs.  But if it introduces younger audiences to the magic that was Freddie, it's all good.  Tragically, Freddie Mercury died from complications arising from the AIDS virus on November 24, 1991.  He was only 45 years old and had many more years of entertaining the masses ahead of him.  It is one of my all-time regrets that I was never able to see him perform live, but, luckily, the invention of YouTube allows me to watch him anytime I want!  Enjoy!

Steve Perry (#76) - 1961 to the present - Known for Journey

"The Voice", a nickname given to Steve Perry by Jon Bon Jovi.  Rock stars loved him, aspiring singers wanted to sing like him.  For good reason, he was simply amazing!  He was responsible for turning the band Journey into a monster success after five years of mediocrity.  His power and showmanship made Journey one of the biggest bands of the era, starting in 1978 with the release of the album Infinity.  Big hits off that album included "Wheel In The Sky" and "Lights", but many more were to follow.  For the next ten years, with Perry belting out the tunes, Journey had multiple hits and sold out huge arenas.  Some hits included "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'", "Any Way You Want It", "Whose Crying Now", "Open Arms" and the ever-popular "Don't Stop Believin'".  Perry dabbled with solo albums as well, which led to his departure from Journey.  His biggest success came with "Oh, Sherrie", a song written for his then girlfriend Sherrie Swafford.  Perry has lived pretty much out of the spotlight for a number of years.  His very occasional appearances remind everyone who hears him why he was so special.  Lately, rumours have been escalating about a reunion tour, but Journey has maintained some success with their current lead singer Arnel Pineda, a singer who sounds almost identical to Perry.  If it ever happens, I'll be in line to hear this fabulous singer live.  Here's an early sample of Perry's great voice:

Robert Plant (#15) - 1965 to the present - known for Led Zeppelin and The Honeydrippers

"Hey, hey mama said the way you move gonna make you sweat, gonna make you groove".  If you can listen to Robert Plant belt out that line and not get hooked, there has to be something wrong with you.  There have been very few rock singers that have been able to convey such soul, such sexuality, such sheer power like Mr. Plant.  When he and Jimmy Page got together to form what was to become Led Zeppelin, they changed the face of rock music forever.  The way the two of them played off of each other was somewhat otherworldly.  Plant was always able to match the ever increasing screams from Page's guitar, and it never sounded strained.  He could sing a soft song as unforgettably as he belted out the heaviest Zeppelin tunes.  When the greatest rock band ever broke up (following the untimely death of their drummer, John Bonham), Plant spent some time making solo albums, then formed The Honeydrippers, a band that, at certain times, had members such as Page, Jeff Beck and Paul Shaffer.  Plant toned down his heavy rock vocals to sing such classics as "Sea Of Love" and "Rockin' At Midnight", and still sounded great.  In recent years, when Zeppelin has played together again, Plant's voice has sounded a little strained, unable to reach those impossible high notes he did in the '70's.  But there can be no mistaking the lasting impression he made on millions of Led-heads, including yours truly.  The video below shows Zeppelin at, what I feel, is their absolute best.  Watch how Plant plays off of Page's phenomenal guitar playing.  This is probably the heaviest blues you'll hear, and it sends a chill down my spine every time! 

Elvis Presley (#3) - 1953 to 1977

I suppose there is nothing I can add to the legend that is Elvis, but I'll try to explain why I think he was the most important figure in rock history.  He had a lot of people around him in the early years, session musicians and sound engineers, that knew he had a great voice for slow, gospel-type songs.  But when those around him started looking back on some of the great blues music made years before, they knew they could update the sound and let Elvis go.  What followed was the birth of Rock N' Roll!  Hit after hit came out of Sun Records studios; "Hound Dog", "Heartbreak Hotel", "Don't Be Cruel", "Jailhouse Rock", and literally dozens more.  He ended up having no less than 31 number one songs in the US and the UK.  His voice and his stage presence was like none other and sparked hundreds of imitators.  (Would there have been a Tom Jones without Elvis??).  He was so popular that the movies came calling, even though he had no training as an actor.  He made over 30 movies, every one of them a huge success.  He was the first singer that I loved and imitated, even in his later, fatter years, he could still belt out his songs and make thousands of women cry.  We sometimes think of Elvis as just an icon, someone bigger than all of us, and he was.  But what we sometimes forget is just how great a singer he was.  Here's a little Elvis from his remarkable "Comeback Special" from 1968: 

Otis Redding (#8) - 1958 to 1967

The world didn't even know who Otis Redding was until 1962, and he was only around for another five years before his untimely death.  But in that short time, Redding became one of the premiere soul singers around.  Just like Marvin Gaye, you can feel every emotion emanating from his soul when he sings.  His breakout song was "These Arms Of Mine", recorded in 1962, which became one of his most successful selling singles.  The string of fabulous recordings kept growing; "Mr. Pitiful", "I've Been Loving You Too Long", "Respect", "Tramp", "(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay".  But the lasting impression of Otis Redding, for me, will always be his hit "Try A Little Tenderness".  His slow delivery at the start, the power that begins to overtake you, the "got-ta, got-ta, got-ta", it's one of the most remarkable recordings ever.  And to listen to him sing it live is bone-chillingly great.  Although he died at age 26, he left us with some of the best soul music to come out of the '60's, songs that people still listen to and sing to this day.  I know when I'm in a bad mood I can always turn to my Otis Redding songs to make me happy!  Here is the "King Of Soul" doing his thing, and I don't know how anybody wouldn't want to get up and dance:

Smokey Robinson (#20) - 1955 to the present - Known for The Miracles

Smokey Robinson is Motown, quite literally!  Robinson and his Miracles met Barry Gordy in 1957.  They became friends and Smokey suggested Gordy should start his own record label.  Motown was born and The Miracles were one of the first acts signed, churning out the label's first million-selling record, "Shop Around" in 1960.  Smokey's eloquence, his soft delivery, was largely why The Miracles became such a success.  He could melt the hearts of women around the world with his voice.  Silky smooth and full of soul, he was Motown.  The Miracles came out with hit after hit during their time with Barry Gordy; "You've Really Got A Hold On Me", "I Second That Emotion", "The Tracks Of My Tears", "Going To A Go-Go" and their number one hit "Tears Of A Clown".  Smokey left The Miracles in 1972 to focus on a solo career, along with writing and producing some of the finest talent in the world.  It took a few years before Smokey had a solo hit with "Cruisin'", but what was never lost was his fantastic voice.  Here is some early Smokey and The Miracles sounding as good as anything!:

Paul Rodgers (#55) - 1968 to the present - Known for Free and Bad Company

It's one thing to be loved by the music buying public.  It's quite another thing to be loved by your peers, especially in the cutthroat business of Rock N' Roll.  Paul Rodgers has been cited as an inspiration to such rock greats as David Coverdale, Lou Gramm, John Waite, Paul Young and John Mellencamp who called him "the best rock singer ever".  His clear, powerful vocals on such hits as "All Right Now", "Bad Company", "Feel Like Making Love", "Shooting Star" and "Can't Get Enough" are amazing to listen to.  But to watch and hear him live is remarkable.  His voice carries over all the noise behind him and becomes the reason why so many people loved him.  In 2005 he was picked by Brian May and Roger Taylor to tour as a new version of Queen.  After having Freddie Mercury as your frontman, being chosen to lead the group was a huge honour.  He is still going strong, recently releasing an album of R&B standards and touring the UK, sounding as good as ever.  Here's an early live performance by Free, Paul Rodgers in all his soulful rock glory:

Frank Sinatra - 1935 to 1995

Ah, to be Frank Sinatra in the '50's.  Men wanted to be him, women wanted to be with him.  He was the biggest star in the world, with possible ties to the Mafia, meaning nobody could touch him.  What made him so huge?  Was it his charm?  His movie star good looks?  Absolutely, but more than anything was the magnificent voice that came out of him when he crooned.  It didn't matter what he sang; jazz, be-bop, blues, pop...it all sounded great.  "The Lady Is A Tramp", "Come Fly With Me", "Luck Be A Lady", "Summer Wind", and of course "My Way" and "Theme From New York, New York".  Each and every song he sang became a huge hit, not because the songs were so well written, but because HE sang them!  One of my favourite things to do is to listen to Frank on a lazy Sunday afternoon, basking in the beautiful tones.  There are tons of videos showing just how great this man was, but my all time fave that I found on the YouTube is the one that follows, showing not only is incredible talent to sing, but his great acting ability as well:

Rod Stewart (#59) - 1961 to the present - Known for The Jeff Beck Group, Faces, solo

"Rod The Mod" made his way around Europe singing R&B and Blues songs with anybody he could while just a teenager.  At the tender age of 19, he impressed one Long John Baldy, who had him sing in one of his bands.  That was the beginnings of a career that has spanned 50 years.  Some people enjoy listening to Rod Stewart, some can't stand him, but, for me, there is no denying the incredible soulful tones that come out of him when he sings.  When he became the lead singer of The Jeff Beck Group and sang songs such as "I Ain't Superstitious" or "Shapes Of Things" it was easy to tell that he was going to be a huge star.  It was one thing to have one of the best Blues/Rock guitarists in Jeff Beck, but then to have that incredible voice blast out those songs...it was beautiful to behold.  Stewart then moved on to join the Faces with Ronnie Wood, who, of course, would one day start playing with The Rolling Stones.  More rocking soul would follow, and the solo albums started to solidify Stewart's stardom.  "Every Picture Tells A Story", "Maggie May", "(I Know) I'm Losing You", "Tonight's The Night (Gonna Be Alright)", they all felt as good as they sounded.  Although he became more of a "pop" artist later on, that soulful growl was always just underneath.  I found the following video which I think showcases just how great this man's voice is...and watch the lady on the balcony, too:

Donna Summer  - 1968 to 2012

I really never thought too much about Donna Summer growing up.  I was first introduced to her with the song "She Works Hard For The Money", which was a big hit at the time, but never rocked my boat all that much.  It wasn't until I started listening to her back catalogue that I realized the tremendous talent she had.  She was the queen of disco in the '70's, turning such songs as "Bad Girls", "Hot Stuff", "Last Dance" and "MacArthur Park" into monster hits.  But anybody can sound good on record, right? It was checking out more and more live performances online where I start to see just how remarkable a singer Donna Summer was.  It was completely effortless.  Hitting every high note without an ounce of strain.  Lowering her voice with no wavering at all.  It was a sheer joy to listen to.  The following video shows her promoting her movie from 1978 "Thank God It's Friday" which became much better known for the song "Last Dance" than her acting ability (you can watch all the preamble if you want, but I suggest starting at the 2:34 mark):

Steve Winwood (#33) - 1963 to the present - Known for The Spencer Davis Group, Traffic, Blind Faith, solo

I first heard of Steve Winwood when I was about 14 or so.  It was 1986 and he released the multi-platinum album Back In the High Life with such hits as "Higher Love" and "Back In The High Life Again".  I liked those songs, and I thought he had a really good voice.  As I grew older and started to develop my taste in music, I realized this man that also sang the huge hit "Valerie" was one of the most popular singers in the world, starting way back in the '60's when he was just a teenager.  "Gimme Some Lovin'", you know "Well my temperatures rising got my feet on the floor"...that's HIM?!?!?  "I'm a man, yes I am and I can't help but love you so"....that's HIM TOO?!?!?  Winwood was just 14 years old when he joined The Spencer Davis Group and made them a huge success with his soulful voice and wonderful organ playing.  He left them at the tender age of 19 to form Traffic, a hugely influential band from the late 1960's with such hits as "Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys" and "Paper Sun".  In 1969 he got together with Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker and Ric Grech to form Blind Faith, a "supergroup" that recorded only one album, but had an everlasting impact on Blues Rock forever.  Their song "Can't Find My Way Home" exemplifies the awesome vocals of Winwood.  I loved discovering the roots of Winwood's career, and I listen to his early stuff as often as I can.  Here is an incredibly young (16? 17?) Winwood singing "Gimme Some Lovin'":

Stevie Wonder (#9) - 1961 to the present

He started singing for Motown when he was 11 years old.  Since that time he has had more than 30 top ten hits, 22 Grammy wins (the most by any male solo artist) and has sold over 100 million albums.  He plays the piano, the harmonica, the drums and guitar...and he's been blind since shortly after his birth.  Never mind all the accolades, never mind his unbelievably talented instrumentation and lyrics, he can simply just sing the HELL out of a song!  "Sir Duke", "Superstition", "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life", "I Wish", "Living For The City"...the list goes on and on.  He recorded one of the most influential and critically acclaimed albums of all time in Songs In The Key Of Life in 1976.  Even though he became more pop-oriented later in life ("I Just Called To Say I Love You"), you still know in an instant you're listening to a Stevie Wonder song when it's played.  He has one of the most distinctive voices in all of music, still, to this day, and he's only 64!  An absolute "wonder" to behold!  Here he is in the studio re-recording one of his most beloved songs:

Eddie Vedder - 1979 to the present - Known for Pearl Jam

I've talked about how the Seattle grunge movement was a defining time in my youth.  Many loved Kurt Cobain and his band Nirvana, and I'm not saying I didn't, but with regards to powerful, heartfelt vocals, I always preferred Chris Cornell and Eddie Vedder.  When the lead singer of the band Mother Love Bone died from a heroin overdose, they started looking for a new singer.  Vedder heard the news and made a three song demo for the band.  He was hired immediately.  The new formation of the band changed their name to Mookie Blaylock, an NBA player that they liked, but were forced to change their name because of legal actions.  They decided on Pearl Jam, and named their first album Ten, Blaylock's jersey number.  That debut album sold millions of copies (over 10 million as of 2013), and catapulted Vedder and his mates to super-stardom.  Radio hits like "Jeremy", "Alive" and "Even Flow" were all over the place in 1991.  I was hooked.  I bought every Pearl Jam album, for the most part to hear Vedder's awesome vocals.  He could scream like nobody else.  He expressed the angst in his lyrics perfectly.  But more than that, he just sounded freakin' great!  As I listened to more and more Pearl Jam, I realized how much more I liked the slower songs, and the great control that Vedder could show.  One of my favourite songs, Pearl Jam or otherwise, is "Black" from their first album.  Here he is singing that song during a concert in 1992:

So that's the list.  I know there are some singers that you may feel should be included on my list, and I'm open to listening to any suggestions.  But, for me, these are the cream of the crop, the ones that I can listen to over and over again and never get sick of them!

Lyrics Quiz 1970's - Part I

So I've been continuously searching the Internet, for the last few years, for a good "Guess The Song By The Lyrics" quiz.  I found many that had 10 or 15 lyrics which, for me, makes for a boring quiz.  Having so few to figure out makes it far too quick. I found only one that made for a good month worth of thinking:
http://www.inthe70s.com/lyrics_quiz_1.shtml
Instead of continuing to search until my fingers bleed, I've decided to create my own.  What follows is Part I, songs from 1970-1973.  Simply guess the song that the lyric comes from and the artist or band that sings it...ain't so hard.  Some will be easy, but some will test your mental musical library, hopefully until it drives you mad!!  There will be a link at the end of the quiz to the answer page, but try to hold out as long as you can...that's what makes it fun, and maddening!

1. And I don't own the clothes I'm wearing, and the road goes on forever.

2. Don't be angry, don't be sad, don't sit crying over the good times you've had.

3. I saw cotton and I saw black, tall white mansions and little shacks.

4. I walked out this morning and I wrote down this song, I just can't remember who to send it to.

5. And I want to rock your gypsy soul, just like way back in the days of old.

6. Take me to the hotel, baggage gone oh well.

7. Flashing lights against the sky, giving up I close my eyes.

8. Leave the house at six o'clock to be on time, leave the wife and kids at home to make a dime.

9. Open up the window let some air into this room, I think I'm almost chokin' from the smell of stale perfume.

10. What in the world ever became of Sweet Jane?  She lost her sparkle, you know she isn't the same.

11. You don't think that I know your plan, what you tryin' to hand me?

12. You're breaking my heart, you're shaking my confidence daily.

13. Well if you want to be a movie star, I got the ticket to Hollywood.

14. Everybody had a wet dream, everybody saw the sunshine.

15. I've fooled myself long as I can, can feel the presence of another man

16. What I feel, I can't say, but my love is there for you any time of day.

17. I'm telling you now, the greatest thing you ever can do now.

18. I just spent 60 days in the jailhouse, for the crime of having no dough.

19. Never talking, just keeps walking, spreading his magic.

20. She came, then she drove away, sunlight in her hair.

21. And I don't know who I am but life is for learning.

22. Reading and writing, arithmetic, all the branches of the learning tree.

23. I said "Slow down, don't go so fast, don't you think that love can last?".

24. Yes don't turn your back on me baby, stop messin' 'round with your tricks.

25. So they sprinkled moon dust in your hair of gold.

26. If you should fall short of your desires remember life holds for you one guarantee.

27. Induction, then destruction, who wants to die?

28. I stood high on the mountain tops, naked to the world, in front of every kind of girl.

29. We must have died alone, a long long time ago.

30. I can feel the hand of a stranger and it's tightening around my throat.

31. I am leaving, I am leaving but the fighter still remains.

32. But anyone who ever had a heart they wouldn't turn around and break it.

33. I can pull up by the curb, I can make it on the road.

34. Bootleggin' boozer on the west side, full of people who are doing wrong.

35. Life is old there, older than the trees, younger than the mountains, blowing like a breeze.

36. Both kids are good to mom, blood's thicker than the mud.

37. Or take me for a ride and strip me everything, including my pride.

38. It used to be so easy living here with you, you were light and breezy and I knew just what to do.

39. Jesus blows up balloons all day, sits on the porch swing watching them fly.

40. I gotta get out of this place, I'll go runnin' in outer space.

41. It's got safety tubes but I ain't scared, brakes are good, tires fair.

42. My dog Sam eats purple flowers, we ain't got much but what we got's ours.

43. Y'all got cocaine eyes, yeah you got speed-freak jive.

44. But the sun is shining down on me and it's here to stay.

45. Straight people don't know what you're about, they put you down and shut you out.

46. So I'll try to see into your eyes right now and stay right here, 'cause these are the good old days.

47. Take a look at the lawman beating up the wrong guy, oh man, wonder if he'll ever know.

48. Got arrested for inciting a peaceful riot, when all I wanted was a cup of tea.

49. And if anybody comes along, he gonna give me love and affection.

50. There's a killer on the road, his brain is squirmin' like a toad.

51. Bring it home, baby, make it soon, I give my love to you.

52. I have hours, only lonely, my love is vengeance that's never free.

53. Oh, but who are they to judge us, simply because our hair is long.

54. I'd rather give my love to a poor guy that has a love that's true (oh yeah)

55. Every time I think I've had enough and start heading for the door.

56. Second time around should be easy, break down the wall between me and you.

57. At Home I find myself lost and all alone, my man is playing the field, the thrill is gone.

58. Drums beating, cold English blood runs hot.

59. Wonder this time where she's gone, wonder if she's gone to stay.

60. No one hears his lonely sighs, there are no blankets where he lies.

61. Black Nepalese, it's got you weak in the knees.

62. We had a lot of luck on Venus, we always had a ball on Mars.

63. But the hangman isn't hangin', and they put you on the street.

64. Mountains come out of the sky and they stand there.

65. But he made it clear he couldn't stay, no harbour was his home.

66. But this voice keeps whispering in my other ear, tells me I may never see you again.

67. When you awake you'll find them on the bed lying beside you.

68. Well I read some books and I read some magazines, about those high class ladies down in New Orleans.

69. I'm your doctor when in need; Want some coke? Have some weed.

70. Talked about saving souls and all the time reachin', dealing in debt and stealing in the name of the Lord.

71. Day after day on that winding road I had walked behind ya.

72. Not a cloud in the sky, got the sun in my eyes, and I won't be surprised if it's a dream.

73. Now I've drunk a lot of wine and I'm feeling fine, got to race some cat to bed.

74. How can we understand, riots by the people for the people who are only destroying themselves.

75. Think of me, you know that I'd be with you if I could.

76. Before her love I was cruel and mean, had a hole in the place where my heart should have been.

77.  Always in a hurry I never stop to worry, don't you see the time flashin' by.

78. In a couple of days they come and take me away, but the press let the story leak.

79. And I come home from a hard day's work and you're waiting there not a care in the world.

80. I think I can make it now, the pain is gone.  All of the bad feelings have disappeared.

81. Last week he took all my money and it may sound funny but I come to get my money back.

82. So we bitched about his fans and should we crush his sweet hands?

83. Meet me in the country for a day, we'll be happy, and we'll dance.

84. Maybe I might have changed, and not been so cruel, not been such a fool.

85. I think your atmosphere is hurting my eyes, and your concrete mountains are blacking the sky.

86. There he stood, in the night, knowing what's wrong from what's right.

87. I'm in the high fidelity, first class traveling set and I think I need a Lear jet.

88. Talking by Monroe and walking on Snow White, New York's a go-go and everything tastes right.

89. The city of the stars, movies, women and cars, well I guess, I guess I have to stay.

90. You better check it out or someday soon you'll have to climb back on the wagon.

91. She is only three years old, it's a real fine way to start.

92. And I hear it's tight, most every night, but now I might be mistaken.

93. To go to school, she's got to get up early, her clothes are old, but never are they dirty.

94. But what do you expect from a chick who's just sixteen.

95. All the time that you've been waiting, you should feel like celebrating.

96. The sheriff and his buddies with their samurai swords.

97. Well I hear the whistle but I can't go, I'm gonna take her down to Mexico.

98. She died in the dirt of an alleyway, her mother said she had no chance, no chance.

99. Well the undertaker drew a heavy sigh seeing no one else had come.

100. If you get lonely on your daddy's farm, just remember I don't live too far.

101. And giving yourself to me can never be wrong if the love is true.

102. And I'm telling you son, well it ain't no fun, staring straight down a forty-four.

103. Ever since our voyage of love began, your touch has thrilled me like the rush of the wind.

104. The road has got me hypnotized, and I'm speeding into a new sunrise.

105. Seasons crying, no despair, alligator lizards in the air, in the air.

106. We go dancing nightly in the attic while the moon is rising in the sky.

107. On the dry and dusty road, the nights we spend apart alone, I need to get back home

108. Everything looks worse in black and white.

109. Out to pasture, I think it's safe to say, time to open fire.

110. I never knew me a better time and I guess I never will.



Ok, try those out for now.  Again, if you know when songs were released, this list contains those that came out between 1970 and 1973...so that might help, and it might not.  Leave me a note to say how you did, if you like.  Here's the link to the answer page:
http://lyricsquiz.blogspot.ca/

Good luck, and stay tuned for more in a few weeks.