Category: My Sunday Song

My Sunday Song – “You Can’t Fight It” by Rush

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For My Sunday Song #384, we have Tim’s fourth choice with “You Can’t Fight It” by Rush. This is about as early as you can get with Rush and isn’t on any studio album. It is the first professional studio recording the band had ever done. It was done in Toronto, Canada with David Stock producing. In fact, this is part of the very first single the band ever put out with the song “Not Fade Away” which is a great Buddy Holly cover. But we are here to talk about the B-Side which was written by Geddy Lee and then drummer, John Rutsey.

It was written back in 1971 by the two gents, but Geddy ended up getting kicked out of the band, but cooler heads prevailed and John called Geddy and asked him to come back and by March of 1972, the band was set and ready to progress forward. No one would release the record so the band formed Moon Records and released it themselves, mainly in Toronto. It is extremely rare and a probably worth a fortune if you can actually find one. There is one for sale on Discogs as of my writing this for $1,500 if that gives you any idea of the value.

The song seems to be about the band just rocking you hard and you won’t be able to fight it. The song is short at under 3 minutes because according to Alex Lifeson, radio would only play songs that were around 3 minutes. A song that completely and utterly rocks out. A great bar sounding song with some wicked guitar riffs and soloing by Alex. Just Stellar!! John’s drum rolls on this song were killer as well as he would go nuts during his fills. Both Alex and John fed off each other with this one. Geddy’s vocals were perfect for this song as well as he slayed with the confidence and cockiness needed for a beast of a rock song. This might be a new favorite song of mine for Rush. Simply fantastic!!

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My Sunday Song – “I Really Don’t Want Your Love” by April Wine

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For My Sunday Song #383, we are diving in to the song “I Really Don’t Want Your Love” by April Wine. This is another Tim Durling selection that is a rare track and not any April Wine studio album. This is a B-Side to the song to their 1984 hit “This Could Be The Right One” off their album ‘Animal Grace’. The single hit #61 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, but of course the B-Side did nothing, but at least it was out there in the world to be heard.

The song was written by Myles Goodwyn, as all of their songs basically were. The song is about a girl that is leading the guy on. She’s playing games and stringing hime along for her own enjoyment. He is tired of it and has hit his breaking point and he’s ready to say goodbye. He doesn’t need her love anymore and he’s out of there. Someday she’ll turn around and might notice that he’s gone.

This is a great song and so hard to believe this wasn’t on any studio album as it has everything you’d want in a song. The quick tempo has lots of energy, great guitars, great driving drum beat and rhythm section. The vocals have a pacing that is really great on the lyrics and Myles vocals are awesome as well (assuming Myles is singing as I am not overly familiar with the band). The chorus is really awesome as well as it is so catchy and will hook you in instantly. I found myself moving to the beat of the music and that is always the sign of a good song. If this is a non-album track, just how good are the studio tracks. I might need to check these guys out.

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My Sunday Song – “Satisfied” by Sammy Hagar

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For My Sunday Song #381, we are kicking off another 10 song set and this time around Tim Durling from Tim’s Vinyl Confessions is picking the songs. Go check out his YouTube channel for some great content, you won’t be disappointed. Like Deke before him, Tim had a theme. He picked songs that are rare non-album tracks and B-Sides and we are kicking it off with the song “Satisfied” by Sammy Hagar. The song is leftover from the 1981 ‘Standing Hampton’ recording session and was released as a B-Side for the song “I’ll Fall in Love Again” and I believe on the song “Heavy Metal” as well.

The song was written by Sammy Hagar and basically it seems to be what the title says. He’s satisfied with his woman who I believe he is keeping satisfied as well since he is an “All Night Man”. Not much deeper than that and does it really need to be. This is early 80’s rock and it is all about having a good time and there is nothing wrong with that.

The song is an absolute beast and it is hard to believe this was left off the album. I believe he had about 20 songs left over in some form or fashion from the ‘Standing Hampton’ sessions. The song is a pure rocker and it speeds through with some racing guitar riffs and a cocky Sammy spitting out the vocals. The solo is more reserved and mixed with some cool bass licks, then the solo gets more riveting and fast before Sammy comes soaring back in. The ending rocks too with a some bombastically paced out slams of the drums and Sammy grunts / screams. I guess this would be the climax of the song…ooh, I can’t believe I went there…but I did because he’s “Satisfied”.

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My Sunday Song – “Long Way to Neverland” by Headstones

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For My Sunday Song #380, we are to the final song of 10 song set of Deke’s Choices. This time around we are tackling “Long Way to Neverland” by Headstones. Headstones are yet another Canadian band out of Kingston and they have a major punk influence. The song is off their 2013 album ‘Love + Fury’ and was written by the band. The song was the 2nd single off the album and went to #6 on the Canadian Rock/Alt chart.

The song was written by the band which consist of Hugh Dillon, Trent Carr, Tim White and Dale Harrison. The lyrics to “Long Way to Neverland” are rather confusing to me. The lyrics are introspective while at the same time it is giving you the power. Basically, I get out of it that it wants to give you the power to be yourself, to stay true to oneself. Don’t give in to pressures by either your peers or by society. Remain strong when confronted by those that don’t agree with you. “To Thine Own Self Be True” or something like that. But I could be way off base here because he also is sitting there getting stoned and just ignoring everything.

There is a Lou Reed vibe to the opening as lead singer, Hugh Dillon, speaks it more in that Lou Reed style. It is really cool. The guitars have a grunge edge to them and the harmonica really adds a punch to it. The song has a ton of attitude and bite and I am really digging the dangerous feel to it. A band I had never heard of before this, but damn I’m glad I know it now. In under 3 minutes waste no time in making you feel it and want to re-live the experience over and over. A brilliant piece of music.

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My Sunday Song – “Let It Ride” by Big Sugar

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For My Sunday Song #379, we are talking about “Let it Ride” and not the BTO version, but the cover by Big Sugar. Deke’s choice is another Canadian band, but he is mixing it up by picking a cover song. The song is off this Toronto band’s 1998 album ‘Heated’ which went platinum in Canada with over 100,000 album sold.

The song has a great story with it as it was inspired by a bus touring traffic incident with Bachman-Turner Overdrive. While driving from one town to the next, the band got boxed in between some 18 -Wheelers and when the trucks and the bus pulled over at the next rest stop, they actually confronted the truck drivers. And truck drivers being as cool as they normally are, they told the band to basically calm down and let it ride. The song itself is about a guy that apparently has lied to his girl and he is telling her to forget about and move on…yeah…I am sure that went over well.

Big Sugar has taken this song and really changed it up. The guitars don’t sound like this 70’s hit did, no. They brought some crunchy guitars and then there is almost a swagger to it with a reggae vibe. The vocals aren’t full of harmonies, now they have a darker edge that only Gordie Johnson can do. They have brought the song in to the 21st Century in a big way. Heck, they even added another 1:20 to the song with more guitars and well more everything. A totally different vibe, they made it their own song. Which I like to see they put in a lot of effort thinking how they wanted to present this song.

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My Sunday Song – “Hanging High ‘N’ Dry (Live)” by Brighton Rock

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For My Sunday Song #378, we are on the 8th song choice from Deke. This time around we have a live song from Brighton Rock called “Hangin’ High ‘N’ Dry”. This might be the first live song we’ve done here on My Sunday Song so this is a change of pace for me. The song is off the band’s live album called ‘A Room For Five Live’ which was released July 23, 2002. This Canadian band only had 3 albums and the last one was 1991. This was the first release from the band in over a decade. The original song can be found on their 1988 album ‘Take a Deep Breath”.

The song was written by lead singer Gerry McGhee, lead guitarist Greg Fraser and keyboardist Johnny Rogers. The song is about standing by your lover, but they moved up and on leaving you in the dust. You are waiting for them to say something, but they no longer care. They’ve moved on leaving you high & dry. It is sad really. But I am sure that it has happened to everyone.

The live song is a keyboard heavy song at the opening and then Gerry comes in on the first verse. His vocals are a little rough and gritty in an almost Tom Keifer kind of way, but not as high pitched. The guitar work by Fraser is great as he has nice riffs thrown in and a solo that plays perfectly for the tone of the song and not all showboaty. The rhythm section lays down a nice groove as the song is a cross between a ballad and a rocker as there is a little punch to it, but there is still a tenderness and sadness to it as well. Not a bad track.

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My Sunday Song – “Smoke & Ashes” by 13 Engines

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For My Sunday Song #377, We explore another of Deke’s Choices with the song “Smoke & Ashes” by the Canadian band 13 Engines. The song was a single off their Canadian breakthrough album ‘Perpetual Motion Machine’. It was the band’s fourth album and released in 1993, but it isn’t grunge…more alternative rock. Billboard magazine called the song “the perfect two-minute rock song.” We will see if that is the case.

The song is about the consequences of doing drugs and leading a life that is nothing but destructive. The ticking of the watch is symbolic of all the time wasted and missed while doing drugs while you are kneeling down throwing up in the porcelain God. The comet burns and crashes is exactly what happens to you due to the addiction. You crash & burn. You end up alone in the world as everyone has been driven away. It is a sad commentary, but it is pretty accurate.

The song rocks out with a distorted guitar sound and John Critchley on vocals. The band has a sound that is reminiscent of the Gin Blossoms, but maybe a little heavier. At only around 2:30 minutes long, it has no time to waste and compacts a lot of sound in that brief window. A powerful song that packs a punch.

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My Sunday Song – “No Tattoos” by Andy Curran

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For My Sunday Song #376, we have another Deke’s choice and this time his good buddy Andy Curran and his song “No Tattoos”. He is of course Canadian as all songs this stretch are from Canadian artists. The song is off his 1990 debut album and was right towards the tail end of the hair metal era. Andy has reissued the album as a new box set and calling it ‘Whiskey & The Devil’. Andy is also bassist and co-lead vocalist for the band Coney Hatch, so check them out too.

“No Tattoos” is hard song to find info on. I don’t see any lyrics so I will do my best to describe the song. The song is simply about saying No to Tattoos. Okay, that wasn’t hard. You can tell by the chorus which says “No tattoos, gotta stay cool, my mama never raised no fool.” Clean skin baby!! Rockers love their tattoos so to come out and talk about not getting them is a brave thing. I’m surprised he wasn’t tied down and given one prison style!!

The song is a pure 80’s rocker, heavy guitars, heart pounding drums and anthemic sounding. Andy’s on vocals and he has a great rock & roll voice. Although that chorus is cheesy, It is still so much fun at the same time. And that guitar solo is great…it is short and sweet, but it really fits the song. Nothing earth shattering here, plain and simple, good time rock & roll and some times that is all you need!!

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My Sunday Song – “A Place to Call Home” by Big Wreck

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For My Sunday Song #375, we are at the midway point with Deke’s Choices and this time around it is the song “A Place to Call Home” by the Canadian/American rock band Big Wreck. I say 1/2 American as the band originated in Boston, but ended up in Canada. The song is off their 2014 album ‘Ghosts’ and it is the opening track. The song wasn’t a single, but that track is a standout as it sets the tone for the rest of the album. The band are Ian Thornley, Brian Doherty, Paulo Neta, David McMillan and Chuck Keeping in case you were wondering.

The song was written by Ian Thornley and is about a common problem with a theme on belonging and finding your place in this world. Finding your place to call home basically. The song talks about being defined by your choices and accepting the consequences of said choices. Will making different choices or having a different background effect those choices or will you end up where you are regardless of how you were raised. A lot of thought and contemplation in this song and that is pretty cool.

The song opens with this really distorted, killer sounding guitar riff that drones on into an ominous choir of vocals that make this song seem almost otherworldly. When Ian comes in on vocals, there is an angelic choir feel to his vocals, very spacy and airy. The bass and drum lay down this heavy groove and with Ian’s vocals seemingly sounds a little Chris Cornell like which is really cool. The song is powerful and that chorus is huge. I am really digging this grunge type/Soundgarden sound and very bluesy vibe. A stellar track.

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