Fleetwood Mac The Chain

Written by David Penn on Dec 20, 2011 | Comments Off Comments

Artist: Fleetwood Mac
Song: The Chain
Genre: Pop / Rock

Included on Fleetwood Mac’s immensely popular and successful Rumors album, The Chain is unique in the sense that it’s the only song on the album where all 5 members of the band collaborated with one another. Stevie Nicks and Christine McVie contributed the lyrics to the first part of the song, Mick Fleetwood and John McVie contributed the bass oriented second half, and Lindsey Buckingham provided the intro from an early Buckingham/Nicks tune, Lola My Love.

Read on to view a live performance of the song culled from a 1977 concert at Budokan as well as for a listen to the original Buckingham/Nicks tune, Lola My Love.

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Cyndi Lauper She Bop

Written by David Penn on Dec 13, 2011 | Comments Off Comments


Artist: Cyndi Lauper
Song: She Bop
Genre: Pop / Electro Pop / New Wave

Before there was Ke$ha, Gaga and Britney, there was Cyndi. Released in 1984, Lauper’s “She Bop” was both a controversial and groundbreaker of a song that paved the way for today’s Electro Pop stars and genre. Check out the live performance, read the lyrics and then take the HSD Poll to let us know if you think the lyrics are edgy and controversial by today’s standards!
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The Supremes vs. Vanilla Fudge You Keep Me Hanging On

Written by David Penn on Dec 06, 2011 | Comments Off Comments


Artists: The Supremes vs. Vanilla Fudge
Song: You Keep Me Hanging On
Genre: Pop/Soul (The Supremes), Hard Rock/Psyc (Vanilla Fudge)

Written by one of the top songwriting teams of all time, Holland-Dozier-Holland, You Keep Me Hanging On is one of those rare songs that had two distinct versions reaching the top of the charts.

The Supremes hit #1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B Singles chart with the original Pop/Soul version in 1966, and Vanilla Fudge peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1967 with their Hard Rock Psyc/Dirge version. No matter which version you prefer, one thing is for sure – it’s an amazingly well crafted, evocative, memorable song!

Which version do YOU prefer? Vote by clicking here!

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Adam & the Ants Ants Invasion

Written by David Penn on Nov 30, 2011 | Comments Off Comments


Artist: Adam & the Ants
Song: Ants Invasion
Genre: Rock / New Wave / Post Punk

One of the strongest cuts from the Kings of the Wild Frontier album was Ants Invasion, and this live version culled from the Old Grey Whistle Test in 1980 shows the band at the peak of their powers. The repetitive nature of the guitar and bass create an ominous backdrop for Adam’s unique and vivacious vocal delivery and together make for a very memorable, engaging and evocative song (that plus the live performance of the song is absolutely killer!)
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James Brown There Was A Time

Written by David Penn on Nov 22, 2011 | Comments Off Comments


Artist: James Brown
Song: There Was A Time (Single)
Genre: Soul / Funk

“There Was A Time” is one of JB’s most searing, primal and grooving songs of all time. It’s immensely repetitive (of course), and James manages to keep the listener engaged by shifting the intensity levels between the vocal and instrumental break sections coupled with change-ups in his vocal delivery.

Ultimately, though, it’s all about the groove, and “There Was A Time” possesses one of the most low-down, infectious grooves of any JB Song. Check out this live performance video from the Boston Garden in 1968 to witness JB and the Flames performing the song at the peak of their powers!

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Steely Dan Through With Buzz

Written by David Penn on Nov 17, 2011 | Comments Off Comments


Artist: Steely Dan
Song: Through With Buzz
Album: Pretzel Logic
Genre: Jazz Rock

What’s truly amazing about “Through With Buzz” is how in just 1:30 Becker and Fagen provide the listener with an amazingly complete, engaging and memorable song that encompasses a full A-B-A-B-C-A-B form. So – how did they do it?
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The Rolling Stones (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction

Written by David Penn on Nov 09, 2011 | Comments Off Comments


Artist: The Rolling Stones
Song: (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction
Album: Out Of Our Heads
Genre: Rock

Out of all the Rock songs ever written, ask anyone which would be near the top of their list and I guarantee you’re going to hear “Satisfaction.” So what is it about “Satisfaction” that makes it so irresistible that it still resonates 46 years after its initial release? Aside from the historical mystique of the Stones, it comes down to the strength of the song – most specifically the infectious nature of the key riff (3 notes) coupled with excessive use of repetition throughout the song…
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