Writers: Peter Criss, Stan Penridge and Bob Ezrin Producer: Bob Ezrin Recorded: Winter 1975-76 at the Record Plant in New York City Released: Spring 1976 Players: Peter Criss — vocals Bob Ezrin — string arrangements Album: Destroyer (Casablanca, 1976)) A ballad atypical of Kiss’ hard-rocking oeuvre, “Beth” was the band’s biggest hit ever, peaking at…… Continue Reading
Now Playing:
Category Archives: Song Anatomy of the Day
‘Please Please Me’ – The Beatles
Writer: John Lennon Producer: George Martin Recorded: November 26, 1962, at EMI Studios in London, England Released: January 1963 Players: John Lennon–vocals, guitar, harmonica Paul McCartney–bass, vocals George Harrison–guitar, vocals Ringo Starr–drums Album: Please Please Me (EMI, 1963) The Beatles’ second single, “Please Please Me,” was recorded twice–unsuccessfully on September 11, 1962, and in a…… Continue Reading
‘Excitable Boy’ – Warren Zevon
Writers: Warren Zevon and LeRoy P. Marinell Producers: Jackson Browne and Waddy Wachtel Recorded: 1977 at the Sound Factory, Los Angeles Released: January 24th, 1978 Players: Warren Zevon — vocals, piano Waddy Wachtel — guitar, vocals Bob Glaub — bass Russ Kunkel — drums Jim Horn — saxophone Linda Ronstadt, Jennifer Warnes & Jackson Browne…… Continue Reading
‘Living In The Past’ – Jethro Tull
Writer: Ian Anderson Producer: Terry Ellis and Jethro Tull Recorded: 1969 at Vantone Studio, West Orange, New Jersey Players: Ian Anderson–vocals, flute Martin Barre–guitar Glen Cornick–bass Clive Bunker–drums Album: Living In The Past (Chrysalis, 1972) Jethro Tull’s breakthrough single, “Living In The Past,” hit Number Three in the U.K. in May 1969, where the group…… Continue Reading
‘Golden Years’ – David Bowie
Writer: David Bowie Producers: David Bowie and Harry Maslin Recorded: August 1975 at Cherokee Studios, Hollywood, California Players: David Bowie — vocals, guitar Earl Slick — guitar Carlos Alomar — guitar George Murray — bass Roy Bittan –keyboards Dennis Davis — drums Album: Station To Station (RCA) David Bowie wrote “Golden Years” for Elvis Presley,…… Continue Reading
‘Should I Stay Or Should I Go’ – The Clash
Writers: The Clash Producers: The Clash Recorded: Fall 1980 and spring 1982 in London Released: May 1982 Players: Mick Jones–vocals, guitar Joe Strummer–guitar, vocals Paul Simonon–bass Nicky “Topper” Headon–drums Album: Combat Rock (Epic) The Clash started work on “Should I Stay Or Should I Go” in sessions for the group’s 1980 triple album Sandinista!, and…… Continue Reading
‘Hell’s Bells’ – AC/DC
Writers: Angus Young, Malcolm Young and Brian Johnson Producer: Robert John “Mutt” Lange Recorded: April-May 1980 at Compass Point Studios, Nassau, Bahamas Released: July 21, 1980 Players: Brian Johnson—vocals Angus Young–guitar Malcolm Young–guitar Cliff Williams–bass Phil Rudd–drums Album: Back In Black (Atco, 1980) “Hell’s Bells” is the opening track of Back In Black, the Australian…… Continue Reading
‘You’ve Made Me So Very Happy’ – Blood, Sweat & Tears
Writers: Berry Gordy Jr., Brenda Holloway, Patrice Holloway, and Frank Wilson Producer: James William Guercio Recorded: October 1968 at Columbia Studios, New York City Released: February 1969 Players: David Clayton-Thomas—vocals Bobby Colomby–drums Steve Katz–guitar Jim Fielder–bass Dick Halligan–keyboards, flute Jerry Hyman–trombone Fred Lipsius–saxophone Lew Soloff–trumpet Chuck Winfield–trumpet Album: Blood, Sweat & Tears (Columbia, 1968) Originally…… Continue Reading
‘Highway Star’ – Deep Purple
Writers: Deep Purple Producers: Deep Purple Recorded: Early December 1971 at the Pavilion Theater and the Grand Hotel in Montreux, Switzerland Released: March 1972 Players: Ian Gillan – vocals Roger Glover — bass Jon Lord — organ Ian Paice — drums Album: Machine Head (Warner Bros., 1972) Legend has it that Deep Purple wrote “Highway…… Continue Reading
‘The Joker’ – Steve Miller Band
Writers: Steve Miller/Ertegun/Curtis Producer: Steve Miller Recorded: 1973, Capitol Records, Hollywood Released: October 1973 Players: Steve Miller – vocals, guitars, harmonica Dickie Thompson – organ and clavinet Gerald Johnson – bass John King – drums Album: The Joker (Capital, 1973) Steve Miller taught Boz Scaggs to play guitar during their high school days in Dallas,…… Continue Reading