Category: My Sunday Song

My Sunday Song – “In The Age Of The Consecrated Vampire We All Get High” by Rob Zombie

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For My Sunday Song #448, we are going to rock out to “In The Age Of The Consecrated Vampire We All Get High” by Rob Zombie. Now, that is a mouthful. The song was released as a single back on April 13, 2016 and I am not sure where I heard it, but the minute I did…I was hooked. I am sure I discovered because of John 5 who had joined Rob after performing with Marilyn Manson. I’m a big John 5 fan!! The song is from the 2016 album ‘The Electric Warlock Acid Witch Satanic Orgy Celebration Dispenser’…another mouthful. The album went to #1 on all the Hard Rock album charts and #6 on the Billboard 200.

The song was written by Rob Zombie and John 5 and the meaning is summed up in the first line…”Think For Yourself and Question Authority”. The song is about rebellion, defiance and exploring your darker side as well as your own mortality. The “Get High” is both doing drugs and escaping but could also be about getting high from standing up and letting your wild spirit fly. Either is fine! The lyrics do make you think the person speaking the words is as drugged out as can be with references to dead girls alive, ghouls picking at bones…but that imagery is what is also so cool about the track.

That isn’t the only thing cool about it though. The music is groovetastic. There are some funky elements, but mostly it is pure metal and John 5’s playing is devilishly good. His tones and sounds are simply stunning. The whole thing sounds as dark and eerie as the lyrics represent. Rob’s vocals are nasty and menacing and give life to the lyrics. There are some cool effects on the vocals at time for emphasis and it all works. At a little over 2 minutes, the song is a get it, get out and leave them wanting more type of song. And I love it. The other band members are Piggy D. on bass, Ginger Fish on drums and Zeuss on keyboards and without them, this song wouldn’t kick ass like it does. The bass is all over this thing, the drums are down right massive and the keyboards/programming effects are the secret sauce to making this all work. This thing is also great for cranking while driving down the road…road rage is a possibility and I’m okay with that!!

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My Sunday Song – “Yankee Rose” by David Lee Roth

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For My Sunday Song #447, we are talking David Lee Roth’s “Yankee Rose”. The song was the debut single off his first full length album, ‘Eat ‘Em And Smile’. ‘Yankee Rose’ was released on June 18, 1986 and went to #16 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #10 on the Mainstream Rock Chart. The song was a statement piece for David as this was his first album since his parting ways with Van Halen. And I will admit, between ‘Eat ‘Em And Smile’ and Van Halen’s first album, ‘5150’, with their new singer, Sammy Hagar, I like this album and song the best.

The song was written by David Lee Roth and his shiny new guitarist, Steve Vai. If there is anyone that can compete with Eddie Van Halen on creativity, it might be Steve. The song is about the Statue of Liberty as there are numerous references to her and America in general. The Statue was in the public eye back in 1986 as she was getting a major renovation for her 100th anniversary of her standing and welcoming the world. There are a lot of great lines celebrating America such as national anthem, apple pie, sea to shining sea, firecrackin’ on the fourth of July and many others. A very, fun and patriotic song.

Musically, it is simply stellar. The drum beat that opens and then the conversation between David and Steve Vai’s guitar. The guitar would speak, literally, and Dave would reply back. Steve Vai could make the guitar do whatever he wanted. His playing through out is inspirational. The quick riffs, the killer solo all make this song heads and shoulders better than most out there at the time. David was the same old cocky self. He did his usual speak/sing style of lyric delivery and you realize that his Van Halen was the best…arguments can begin below in the comment section. The song is a pure 80’s rocker and just slays. Now, the rest of the band was pretty killer too as you had Billy Sheehan on bass and damn he slaps that baby hard. On drums is Gregg Bissonette and he lays down a great beat and keeps the song pounding forward. All together, this was on unstoppable force…for at least one album anyways.

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My Sunday Song – “Edison’s Medicine” by Tesla

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For My Sunday Song #446, we are talking “Edison’s Medicine” by the band Tesla. The song was released as a single back in 1991 on the band’s ‘Psychotic Supper’ album. The song peaked at #20 on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart which helped catapult the album to #13 on the Billboard 200 Album Chart. The song is credited to everyone in the band, well, everyone except the drummer. Also credited is Michael Barbiero who was the producer of the album (amongst other things). Now, why would a band called “Tesla” write a song that has “Edison” in the name. Well, I’ll let Frank Hannon tell you…

Frank Hannon explained, “We raised over 100,000 signatures on a petition to get a statue of Nikola Tesla in the Smithsonian, and because they had a display of Edison in there, they felt that it would contradict that and they didn’t want to do it. We were pissed, so we wrote a song called ‘Edison’s Medicine’ about that.”

The song is about Nikola Tesla’s rivalry with Thomas Edison. And if it wasn’t obvious enough by now, the band took their name from Nikola…and not that stupid electric car by Elon Musk. The song talks about how Edison stole Tesla’s idea/works (“guilty of crime”) and Tesla was thought to be crazy when it turns out he was really a genius and way ahead of his time (“man outta time”). Edison was worried about fame and fortune while Tesla only cared about the invention and wound up broke (“Their nickels and pence/ Meant more than did sense”). The whole song picks apart Edison as and in the end the world knows that Tesla was the brains behind it all.

The opening guitar riff is freaking sick. The whole band explodes in and the song is off to the races. I love a song that opens with a guitar solo. Musically, it is electrifying. Jeff Keith’s vocals are stellar. He sings the hell out of this thing (as he always does). The chorus is really catchy and grabs hold. When we get to the second guitar solo, you get a shock to the system. The sounds they make are freaky and really add a new layer to the song. The drumming on here is pretty great as well as the fills are simply perfect giving the song a little more punch a feel. The song one of their best they’ve ever done, or it is for me. A rock & roll masterpiece.

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My Sunday Song – “America’s Sweetheart” by Elle King

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For My Sunday Song #445, this week we tackle the hit song “America’s Sweetheart” by Elle King. Released February 8, 2016 off her album ‘Love Stuff’ and written by her with Martin Johnson. The song did really well charting on 5 different US charts and two in Canada where it went Platinum. At the end of the year it was #30 on the US Hot Rock Songs of the year. A cool bit of trivia about Elle is she is the daughter of actor/comedian Rob Schneider although I don’t know if they have much of a relationship, but that is a whole other conversation for another day and by another site.

The lyrics tell the story of a strong, confident and powerful woman who is who she is. No apologies. Don’t try to change her as she will simply stomp on your heart and enjoy it. She is independent and if she wants to get drunk or get tattoos, that is her choice so get the fuck out of the way. It is basically a middle finger to the social norms and how women are expected to behave. There is no fitting her any type of conceived box. America has a definition of sweetheart and she is not it…and hurray for that. This one line sums it all up…”They said I’ll never be the poster type / But they don’t make posters of my kind of life”.

Elle’s vocals are so strong and powerful. The confidence she sings with makes these lyrics come to life and you believe what she is singing about. Don’t mess with her. The way she delivers those verses with that country twang and then that huge chorus with the great harmonies and melody…damn!! It is a country-tinged song with a lot of banjo, but it is also rock with all that attitude and there are some strong pop sensibilities to it as well. There is an electronic beat to it that almost makes it danceable, but it will definitely move you regardless. It was one of those songs that will stop you and your track and make you take notice.

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My Sunday Song – “Rocket” by Robbie Williams (feat. Tony Iommi)

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For My Sunday Song #444, we are talking one of Robbie Williams new songs called “Rocket” off his yet to be officially announced new album ‘BritPop’. The first single from the album is a collaboration between Robbie and Black Sabbath’s own Tony Iommi. The song was also written with Karl Brazil and Tony Longworth. The song debuted on the UK chart at #36 and is a new, refreshed sound for Robbie as it has been some time since a new album and I could not be happier.

The song appears to be about his career and his life. It was a tough road for him with the ups and downs throughout. He says when it works it is great and when it doesn’t it hurts. People came after him when he was on top and kicked him when he was down. Right now he is so glad to be alive and ready to push things to another limit. He is full of confidence and ready to break through with a new sound. If you don’t push yourself you basically are wasting your time and your life. He wants to rocket through and try new things and this is his statement on that fact.

The song is a high energy brit pop sound that rocks out a little bit harder than what we are used to with Robbie. That is in big parts to the killer rock riffs from the one and only Tony Iommi. The song is less than 3 minutes long and flies through like a rocket, thus the title. The drums are frenzied like the riffs while the chorus is big and pretty damn catchy. You will start singing along immediately. There backing vocals from the great Glenn Hughes, but honestly, if you didn’t tell me I might not have noticed that. The song is an adrenaline filled, four to the floor, speed filled junkie, bombastic ride. Hold on to the steering wheel and don’t let go.

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My Sunday Song – “Elvis on Velvet” by Stray Cats

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For My Sunday Song #443, we are going full on Rockabilly with “Elvis on Velvet” by Stray Cats. The song was the first single off their 1992 album ‘Choo Choo Hot Fish’. By 1992, I didn’t even realize that Stray Cats were still an album and song producing entity. It wasn’t until I came across their 1997 greatest hits compilation, ‘Runaway Boys: A Retrospective ’81-’92’ that I ever heard this song. It was the last song on that compilation and when I heard I was blown away. I mean completely floored. I think I hit repeat on that one song for an hour (okay, maybe not, but it was a lot). The song didn’t chart nor the album, but the song might be my absolute favorite song by the band.

It was written by David Neuhauser, Monty Byrom and Tom Kimmel but I don’t think it is a cover. I believe the Stray Cats were the first to release it which makes it their song. It is about Elvis Presley and there are a lot of song titles referenced in the lyrics like Jailhouse Rock, Heartbreak Hotel and Love Me Tender. The Velvet part is in reference to those Black Velvet posters that were made of Elvis that glowed in black light. Really cool actually. Elvis and Velvet have been written about many times including “Black Velvet” by Alannah Myles and many others.

The opening drum sound by Slim Jim Phantom is pretty killer. It is reminiscent of David Bowie’s “Modern Love” and has that same groove. Maybe sped up quite a lot, but its there. It grabs you. Then bring in Lee Rocker’s bass and the groove is all set and ready to blast off. With Brian Setzer on guitar and vocals it is all so captivating. I love how Brian delivers the lyrics. They are so controlled, deliberate and rapid fire and sang with a lot of power and attitude. I can feel Elvis curling that lip. Throw in a killer guitar solo that lays waste to your ears and even those licks he plays as the song fades out are simply stellar. You have all the makings of one of the greatest rockabilly rock songs ever done. At least to me that is.

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My Sunday Song – “Baby, It’s Tonight” by Jude Cole

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For My Sunday Song #442, we are talking “Baby, It’s Tonight” by Jude Cole. If you saw last week’s post, you know that song and album was produced and co-written by Jude Cole. I figured, let’s do a song by Jude before he became a producer. And we go back to 1990 when “Baby, It’s Tonight” was #16 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was written by Jude and was the second single off his 2nd album ‘A View From 3rd Street’. I do love my pop music and back in the early 90’s I devoured Jude’s songs and albums.

This particular song is about a relationship that didn’t last. The split too soon and didn’t even get to say what needed to be sad. The singer is really lonely and he is thinking about her and wants to be with her badly. He tries calling but she won’t answer. I think his desire to be with her isn’t all physical, I think emotionally he wants to connect with her again. He loved her and regrets all the mistakes that were made. A heartbreaking song that musically doesn’t feel that sad.

The music is upbeat and quite the opposite of being sad. It is bouncy and simply pops. It has a great soft opening with only guitars picking away and then the band fully comes in and off we go. The chorus is huge and is really catchy. Give me a good hook, I’m all in.

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My Sunday Song – “Wrecking Ball” by Lifehouse

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For My Sunday Song #441, we are talking “Wrecking Ball”. And it is not to be confused with the Miley Cyrus song. This is its own animal. “Wrecking Ball” that I want to talk about is by the band Lifehouse and off their 2010 album ‘Smoke & Mirrors’. This was not a single, but it was my favorite song on the album. The one song that grabbed hold from the get go and I still can’t stop listening to it some 15 years later. The album went to #6 on the Billboard charts which is really great and it was produced by Jude Cole, whose solo work I really love so I found it really cool to know he produced the album, but Jude is a whole other discussion we can have.

If you are a fan of the band, you know Jason Wade is the lead singer…but not on every song. This is one of the rare instances where the bass player, Bryce Soderberg handles the lead vocals. And what a job he does. Jason originally sang it, but it didn’t work so they were going to scrap it and so Bryce gave it a shot and Wow!! The song is about a relationship that sounds like it is a little destructive. It has its good moments and its bad ones…a lot of ups & downs. But the singer can’t get enough of her. She builds him up and breaks down his walls, but then turns around a tears him down. He feels he’s riding a wrecking ball as it swings like a pendulum.

The song opens with a cool bass run and a great, yet simple guitar riff. When the verse comes in it is only the bass and drum driving the rhythm. That guitar riff comes back and then the full band is all there on the chorus. And what a great big chorus it is. Great harmonies, I mean how could it not with Jason there to handle those since he wasn’t singing. Bryce’s vocals are so smooth, and very much like Jason’s. He captures the emotion and feel of the song and you can’t help but get lost in his voice. A song that is mid-tempo song that is close to a power ballad and a straight up pop rock song. This should’ve been a single in my opinion.

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My Sunday Song – “In My Veins” by Colton Dixon

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For My Sunday Song #440, we are talking “In My Veins” by Colton Dixon. The song is off his stellar 2017 album ‘Identity’ released on March 24th of that year. The song was not a single, but my absolute favorite song on the album. The singles “Limitless” and “All That Matters” helped propel the album to #73 on the US Top 200 albums chart, but it went to #1 on the US Christian Albums chart. If you don’t know Colton, he is a former American Idol participant during Season 11 and made it to the Top 7, but amazingly didn’t win.

The song was written by Colton and Tommee Profitt and of course is a very religious song. The album it was from, ‘Identity’, was a concept album that had three parts, The Mind, The Body and The Spirit. “In My Veins” fell in The Body section. It is about how Jesus is inside of us, He is the fire in our veins. He gives us life through His death. When your world is dark, he is the light, the power that drives you and through your faith you can accomplish anything with His name written in your veins. A very spiritual and powerful message and every time I hear this song, I feel rejuvenated.

The song opens with a dramatic keyboard run, then the drums explode and you get some orchestration. It is all explosive and over the top in a good way. The chorus is huge, layers of vocals, great harmonies and Colton sounds amazing. The slow build up, the explosiveness and then to go go back to the softness before it explodes again takes you on a journey both musically and lyrically. The music gives you an uplifting, rejuvenated feeling that washes over you. Colton’s vocals are a higher range that is delivered so smooth and so effortlessly. The combination is perfection. A Christian song that is both a sensational pop song and a rock song at the same time.

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My Sunday Song – “Down Incognito” by Winger

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For My Sunday Song #439, we are talking “Down Incognito” by the band Winger which was from their third album, ‘Pull’, which came out on May 18, 1993. The song was the band’s lead single for the album and went all the way to #15 on the U.S. Mainstream Rock Chart. The song was written by Kip Winger and Reb Beach who are both so talented as is this while band. Thanks to Beavis & Butthead, they never got a fair shake…but that is a whole other story.

The song is about dealing with Addiction. It talks about how he is out of money, can’t pay the rent and that he is waiting on a cure for his condition…addiction. There is a line about “My monkey’s M.O.” and the so called monkey is a term used for said addiction. By the end of the song it sounds like he has beat if for now, but it is right there over his shoulder waiting for him to slip. He can reminisce about it now, but the taste for it is always there. At least that is what I get out of it.

I love how the song opens with that bluesy, yet haunting harmonica. Then we get a Reb riff, a driving bass from Kip and a pounding drum beat from Rod Morgenstein. Kip’s vocals are stellar as always, but it is those harmonies in the chorus that really take the song over the top. It is huge and catchy as hell. The harmonica pops up every now and again and even gives us a little solo. The hidden secret to the song are the keyboard fills that add just the right amount of texture. A great rock song with some great pop sensibilities. A band that should have been bigger than they were as they were more talented than 99% of the bands out there.

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