Song Anatomy of the Day

Writers: The Doors Producers: Bruce Botnick and The Doors Recorded: Late 1970/early 1971 in Los Angeles Released: June 1971 Players: Jim Morrison – vocals Ray Manzarek – keyboards, piano John Densmore – drums Robby Krieger – guitar Marc Benno – guitar Jerry Scheff – bass Album: L.A. Woman (Elektra, 1971) According to keyboardist Ray Manzarek,…

Writers: Gregg Allman and Kim Payne Producer: Tom Dowd Recorded: February 1970 at Capricorn Studios in Macon, Georgia, and July 1970 at Criteria Studios in Miami, Florida Released: September 1970 Players: Gregg Allman — vocals, organ Duane Allman — guitar Dickey Betts — guitar Berry Oakley — bass Butch Trucks — drums Jai Johanny Johanson…

Writers: George Jackson and Thomas Earl Jones III Producers: Bob Seger and the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section Recorded: 1978 at Muscle Shoals Sound Studios in Sheffield, Alabama Released: Spring 1979 Players: Bob Seger — vocals Alto Reed — saxophone Randy McCormick — piano Ken Bell — guitar Howie McDonald — guitar David Hood — bass…

Writers: Bob Seger, Harold Faltermeyer, and Keith Forsey Producers: Harold Faltermeyer and Keith Forsey Recorded: Early 1987 at Oasis Studios, Los Angeles Players: Bob Seger — vocals Harold Faltermeyer — synthesizer, keyboards Dan Huff — guitar Keith Forsey — percussion Album: Beverly Hills Cop II soundtrack (MCA, 1987) “Shakedown,” which was recorded for the Beverly…

Writer: Billy Joel Producer: Michael Stewart Released: 1973 Players: Billy Joel – piano, vocals Album: Piano Man (Columbia, 1973) Like so many other rock-starved teens, Billy Joel was first inspired to make music by seeing the Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964. Joel’s first band was the Echoes, a local Long Island live…

Writers: Elton John and Bernie Taupin Producer: Gus Dudgeon Recorded: January 1972 at Strawberry Studios in Chateau d’Herouville, France Released: Summer 1972 Players: Elton John — vocals, piano Davey Johnstone — guitar, mandolin Dee Murray — bass Album: Honky Chateau (Uni) A popular track from Elton John’s sixth album, Honky Chateau, “Mona Lisas And Mad…

Writer: Sting Recorded: Late 1982/early 1983 in Montserrat Released: May 1983 Players: Sting — vocals, bass Andy Summers — guitar Stewart Copeland — drums Album: Synchronicity (A&M, 1983) “Every Breath You Take” was the Police’s most successful single, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for eight weeks. Singer-bassist Sting says he always knew that the song…

Writer: Paul McCartney Producer: Paul McCartney Recorded: A side: July 1979 at McCartney’s farmhouse in Scotland; B side: December 11, 1979 at the Glasgow Apollo, Scotland Released: April 1980 Players: Paul McCartney–vocals, bass (A- and B-side), all other instruments on the A-side Linda McCartney–vocals, keyboards (B-side) Denny Laine–guitar, vocals (B-side) Lawrence Juber–guitar (B-side) Steve Holly–drums…

Writers: Timothy B. Schmit, Don Henley and Glenn Frey Producer: Bill Szymczyk Recorded: 1978 and 1979 at Bayshore Recording Studio in Coconut Grove, Florida Released: October 20, 1979 Players: Timothy B. Schmit — vocals, bass Don Henley — drums, vocals Glenn Frey — guitar, piano vocals Don Felder — guitar, vocals Joe Walsh — guitar,…

Writers: Eric Clapton and George Harrison Producer: Felix Pappalardi Recorded: December 1968 at IBC Studios in London, England Released: March 1969 Players: Eric Clapton — vocals, guitar Jack Bruce — bass Ginger Baker — drums George Harrison — guitar Felix Pappalardi — piano, mellotron Album: Goodbye (Atco) “Badge” was one of just three new studio…