When One Hit Wonders Shouldn't Be One Hit Wonders

So after my One Hit Wonders show at the local School of Rock, I decided to check out more of a band that always caught my eye for a while now. Dexy's Midnight Runners, in my opinion, is one of the One Hit Wonders bands I know that really shouldn't be One Hit Wonders, in my opinion. And their song "Geno" is proof that the band had much more to them then just "Come On Eileen". Many of their songs incorporate a celtic rock/irish sound, and it really fits. An album of theirs that I would recommend would be "Too-Rye-Ay", which is where I started with the band, and it sounds very good.

Van Halen - Hot for Teacher (Isolated Guitar)

Today's video is from one of the biggest hard rock bands of the 70s. "Hot for Teacher" is a single from Van Halen's album "1984". Guess what year that album was released. Go on, I dare you. The ending of the song is also pulled from the song "Voodoo Queen", which was an outtake from the band's early club days.

Jackson 5 - I Want You Back (Isolated Bass)

Today's video is an RnB classic featuring vocals from the late and great Michael Jackson. "I Want You Back" is the band's first single, and was also their major label debut. At first, the song was considered for Gladys Knight and the Pips, and later on, Diana Ross as "I Wanna Be Free".

Queens of the Stone Age - Song for the Dead (Isolated Drums)

Today's video is a song from stoner rock group "Queens of the Stone Age". "Song for the Dead" is the 4th track on the album "Songs For The Deaf". The drums were recorded for this album by having Dave Grohl first record the snare, kick and toms, and then having him overdub the cymbals later on.

The Doors - Roadhouse Blues (Isolated Keys)

Today's video is a nice jam sessions from 60s classic rock band "The Doors". "Roadhouse Blues" is a single off of the album "Morrison Hotel". According to keyboard player Ray Manzarek, the song was written after Jim Morrison waking up after an alleged 3 week long drug coma.

The Beatles - I'm Looking Through You (Isolated Bass)

Yeah, yeah, I know it's another Beatles blog, but I still can't get enough of this band. "I'm Looking Through You" is the 10th track on the "Rubber Soul" album, which was released in 1965. The song was written by Paul McCartney, about his then girlfriend, Jane Asher.

The Police - Every Breath You Take (Isolated Guitar)

Today's video is from a band that I consider to be underused on my blog. "Every Breath You Take" is a single from the album "Synchronicity", and is arguably, the band's most popular sound. The song is also a good example of lyrical dissonance. Even though it sounds like a romantic love ballad, it's actually about a man's unhealthy obsession with a woman.

The Who - Pinball Wizard (Isolated Bass)

Today's video is from British rock band "The Who". "Pinball Wizard" is a single from the album "Tommy". "Tommy" is a rock opera about a deaf, dumb and blind boy and his experiences in life.

The Beatles - For No One (Isolated Keys Tracks)

Another video I have today is yet another Beatles tune. "For No One" is the 12th track, off of the band's 7th album, Revolver. The song was written by Paul McCartney with the help of John Lennon.

Dio - Holy Diver (Isolated Guitar)

Today's video comes from a well known metal artist. Dio released "Holy Diver" as a single in August 1983, and it also shares the title of the album. After the September 11th attacks, the Clear Channel posted this on their list of inappropriate song titles. 

The Beatles - Nowhere Man (Isolated Vocals)

Today's Beatles video is a classic from "Rubber Soul", which is currently my favorite Beatles album. "Nowhere Man" is the 4th track of the album, and is one of the Lennon-McCartney penned songs that is sung by John Lennon himself. But Paul McCartney and George Harrison also contribute a 3 part backing vocal part to the song.

Not Another Beatles Cover Video!

Yes...another Beatles video. My current Beatles kick is going strong, and I've been looking all over the internet for more and more Beatles covers videos to fuel my interest. This one, on the other hand, is a cover that is more close to the source material. The video comes from Youtube user "mattiboo", and is a cover of a Beatles b-side. "We Can Work It Out" from the "Day Tripper" single, to be exact. And while some moments sound a bit off, (That tambourine track...yikes.) I will say that there was a fair amount of effort put into this cover, and I do enjoy it. Matt also has many more Beatles covers on his account, and I urge everybody to check him out.

The Carpenters - Ticket to Ride (Isolated Drums and Vocals)

Today's video is another Beatles classic, as interpreted by another artist, and done well! The Carpenters were a brother and sister pop duo who turn "Ticket to Ride" into a delicate pop ballad. And might I add, it's a bit better than the original version. Karen Carpenter's drum and vocal work in this is very interesting. I love how artists can take a song like this and turn it into something of their own.

The Beatles - Maxwell's Silver Hammer (Isolated Guitar, Drums and Keys)

Recently, I have been on a huge Beatles kick, and that has included me going over some Beatles tunes that I haven't heard yet. (Yeah, shoot me...) One that I have recently grown to love is "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" from the Abbey Road album. The song depicts a serial killer named Maxwell who murders his victims with....well, guess. But this video contains the Guitar, Drums and Keys tracks isolated. Probably my favorite thing about this song is the out there Moog synth track, which the band experimented with a lot on this album. Specifically on this and "Because", a later track on the album.

"She Said She Said"....as covered by a Drake Bell/Black Keys soundalike.

So, a while back, I stumbled upon this cover of The Beatles "She Said She Said" by a Youtube musician named Henry Black. It is a very, and I mean very good cover of one of their somewhat lesser known tunes. But not only that, but another Beatles fan under the name "batmankozyy" decided to add his own drum track, and got his bandmate to add a bass track. (And some goofy faces in the process) And how is the outcome? Well...click the video and see for yourself. :)

Megadeth - Sweating Bullets (Isolated Guitar Solo)

Today's video comes from another metal band: Megadeth. Sweating Bullets is a track from the band's album "Countdown to Extinction". It was the second album to feature the "classic" lineup of the band.

Metallica - Master of Puppets (Isolated Bass)

Today's video comes from metal band "Metallica" "Master of Puppets" was the title track from the band's third album, and was released on February 24th, 1986. It is considered one of Metallica's most iconic songs.

Rik Mayall pronounced dead at age 56.

British comedian Rik Mayall was pronounced dead today at the age of 56. He was well known for his character "Rick" on the show "The Young Ones" and "Richard Richard" on "Bottom". He starred on both shows with his comic partner in crime, Ade Edmondson.

Deep Purple - Burn (Isolated Bass)

Today's song comes from keyboard rockers "Deep Purple" "Burn" is a single, and the opening track from the album of the same name. It was the first album to feature David Coverdale as the new singer for the band and Glenn Hughes as the new bassist as well.

Genesis - Carpet Crawlers (Isolated Vocals)

Now here's another Genesis single that is probably one of their most interesting songs. "The Carpet Crawlers" is a single from the album "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway" and was released in April 1975. It was also the last single to feature Peter Gabriel before his departure from the band.