A Song of Joy - Miguel Rios
- Album: Despierta (original Spanish Version); A Song of Joy (English Version)
- Information: Known as a pioneer of rock and roll in Spain, the Granada-born Rios made a massive breakthrough both in his homeland and around the world when he created a pop hit based on Ludwig Von Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" from the climax of the German composer's 9th Symphony, known in Spanish as "Himno de la Alegria". In the United States, the track ultimately hit #14, sold a million copies and became certified gold, while it is the most popular pop-hymn ever in Beethoven's home of Germany.
- Personal Thoughts: Classical music reinterpreted into popular music is always something that can be awesome or be ridiculous dependant on how it's done. This version...well, it's awesome. The "Ode to Joy" is probably one of the most unlikely classical pieces one can think of to be made into pop, but the way Rios does it, both with his respectful lyrics and the usage of Beethoven to speak for itself when it needs to, especially in the climactic finale, is just epic beyond belief...but then again, it's Beethoven, so he knows how to do it. Oh and slight hint: listen to the original "Himno de la Alegria" if you can alongside the English version...it feels more natural and just as epic.
- Album: United We Stand
- Information: Formed by producer and composer Tony Hiller and featuring and including notable session singer/White Plains member Tony Burrows, this song became one of their first and most famous releases; while never making the top 10 in the US (only making #13), it became an anthem from football to gay rights in the 1970s...as well as the closing theme of the "Brady Bunch Hour" variety show. Burrows left the band shortly after the success of the song and it would be forced to retool before finding future success.
- Personal Thoughts: Who doesn't know this song, regardless of it's meaning and it's meanings. Taking what could have been a typical early 70s pop song, the usage of the arrangement, the mellowness combined with a powerful chorus that sort of just drives in the point of "unitedness" (whether it be lovers, unions, same sex people or...um...Bradys) just makes it rather acceptable to anyone. Sure it does get a tad cheesy from how it sounds, but it's honest regardless...heck, we can even use it for DC's Monitors even they still can't decide whether to do anything.
Get Ready - Rare Earth
- Album: Get Ready
- Information: Though originally starting and failing on Verve Records, this white rock act wouldn't become notable until they broke through via the black-dominated Motown Records, who signed them and who originally was notable for this single written by Smokey Robinson and previously and famously done by the Temptations. The release of the song was a live version as usually done by Rare Earth at the end of their typical performances.
- Personal Thoughts: I always seem to have a weird disconnect whenever I see the words "white band" and "Motown" in the same sentence, but somehow Rare Earth broke through and broke through big with this incredible cover. I know I'm disrespecting the Temptations, but I prefer this version, considering how rocking it is. For the entry, I researched and actually found a version that was about 20 minutes in length (yeah I'm that devoted to this silly project to listen to a 20 minute song), with a long instrumental psychadelic introduction that didn't actually add or take anything away before the rocking really began. While the song itself is a soul classic, don't call this "blue eyed soul"...this is rock, through and through. (though I do like the jam session that the long version has after most of the lyrical stuff seems to have subsided...feels a lot like In a Gadda Da Vita and just easy to flow to, almost even fall asleep to this sort of thing...no wonder they stick to the short version on the radio)
O-o-h Child - The Five Stairsteps
- Album: The Stairsteps
- Information: The original "First Family of Soul" (prior to the emergence of the Jackson 5), this soul band out of Chicago had a notable run of hits through the 1960s, culminating in this massive 1970 hit with song duties by five of the six members of the band: sister Alohe and brothers Keni, Dennis, James and Clarence Jr. The song became popular and notable due to it's positive message during this turmulous period of strife and conflict.
- Personal Thoughts: Another one of those songs everyone seems to know, it's simple but powerful. Maybe a tad overplayed, but its message and it's lyrics just never go out of style, nor does it's contrast of it's simplicity (with it's mere piano backing) and its complexity (when we have harmonies of the five members and all the backing instruments) And of course, the drum roll...you can't have this song without the classic drum roll.
Gimme Dat Ding - The Pipkins
- Album: Gimme Dat Ding
- Information: A novelty duo formed between John Greenaway and Tony Burrows (among his other projects), the song became notable for it's contrast of a deep bass and a high tenor responding back and forth between one another. Written for the musical (turned children's show) "Oliver in the Overworld" in Britain, it would be used more famously as an instrumental on "The Benny Hill Show" and even as a slogan for Coca-Cola's new pull tags during the 1970s as "Gimme Dat Ring".
- Personal Thoughts: Yeah...this should be the last of Mr. Burrows for the moment (we haven't even gotten to his Edison Lighthouse hit from earlier in the year). And unlike the other songs...this one is insane. And when I mean, in a good way! The simple swing-style piano work with the contrasting voices singing this just has this awesome manic feel to it that makes me....well bop in my seat as writing this entry. This song sort of proves something aking to what the Miguel Rios song earlier does: homaging older-styles in a modern sensibility is tough...but when its done right, you just can't get it out of you. This is one of those you have to consider a lost treasure...heck, the deep-voice guy does sound like Wolfman Jack the more I hear it.
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