*Kenny Loggins co-wrote the track we'll play released by a great California band in the 70's. The lyrics were written by one of the band members. The concept was a scenario where 2 people meet in a restaurant...the 2 having had a passionate relationship years ago. The man thought the affair the greatest thing in his life...the woman thinking it was fun, but definitely time to move on. The man doesn't get the message. Name the band and extra credit for the name of the song...
*This band from North of the border was highly influenced by British musicians as they rode a meteoric rise to success. They really became popular in the U.S. in the 70's without even visiting this country. Name the band... *This song was first published in 1910 and was the signature tune of the great music hall star, Harry Champion. The title is a reference to royalty. The band that ultimately recorded and made this a hit in the mid-60's used the Harry Champion recording as their foundation for their version which rose to #1 on the U.S. charts, knocking off The Rolling Stones, I Can't Get No Satisfaction from that lofty position. Name the band and the song... *This 1993 album found this artist trying to regain his faith in himself and others after being betrayed by people he thought he could trust. His former Brother-in-law stole millions of dollars from him and his lawyers failed to protect him as well. The original title of the song we'll play was 'The Motorcycle Song' about middle-aged professionals getting themselves in biker gear and buying Harleys. Name the artist and extra credit for the name of the track... BATTLE OF THE BANDS First We Take Manhattan by Joe Cocker vs Share the Land by Guess Who ANSWERS 1. The Doobie Brothers, What A Fool Believes 2. Guess Who 3. Herman’s Hermits, I’m Henery the Eighth, I am 4. Billy Joel, All About Soul Battle of the Bands : Guess Who won with 54% of votes
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* This song from the late 60's was written for Francis Ford Coppola's, You're A Big Boy Now, a coming-of-age film about an awkward young man looking for love in New York City. This band's frontman was responsible for the entire soundtrack, but was tasked to write this specific song for an important love scene. Unfortunately, the movie was largely ignored, but the song fared pretty well with a #15 entry on the Hot 100 chart. The song was also revived a couple of years later during an impromptu performance at Woodstock in 1969. Name the band and the frontman who recorded the song...and extra credit for the name of the song...
*This artist was a member of a somewhat successful band, who had a big hit in 1973...one that is inscribed in our collective memory banks. But he came out with a song as part of his solo efforts in 1978...the song being about a man who dreams of owning a house and living away from his neighborhood. Problem is, he drinks too much and can't achieve his goal...drinking to forget what he doesn't have and never realizes he's a rolling stone with no direction. Some great sax on this track. Name the artist and song.. *This band might be considered a 'One-hit' wonder, as it is probably difficult to name another song by the band, because this track was hugely popular. They were more than a 1-hit band though. The band's lead singer wrote the song which is about depression. It took a few years to complete it as at first it had different lyrics with a refrain of 'laughing in the rain', which the artist knew was too familiar to the Neil Sedaka song, 'Laughter In The Rain'. The artist himself went through some dark times and it was then that the metaphor hit him...providing the name of the song and finishing the lyrics in one, single setting. Name the artist, the band and extra credit for the name of the 1992 track... *After a most remarkable string of hits through 1969, this band released another brand new album, its fourth in less than 18 months. It made its way to #8 on the charts in 1970. The album consisted primarily of songs written by some of rock music's best, but at the time, unheralded, composers....Randy Newman, being one. The song we'll play, however, was written by Paul Williams. Name the band and extra credit for the name of the song... BATTLE OF THE BANDS Why Georgia by John Mayer vs Last But Not Least by Zac Brown Band ANSWERS 1. the Lovin’ Spoonful, John Sebastian, Darling Be Home Soon 2. Gerry Rafferty, Baker Street 3. Dave Pirner, Soul Asylum, Runaway Train 4. Three Dog Night, Out in the Country Battle of the Bands : Zac Brown Band won with 53% of votes *This artist had a huge backlog of unused compositions ready to record when the band he was in broke up. 1970 brought a truly historic release of songs and material that managed the rare feat of conveying spiritual mysticism without sacrificing his gifts for melody and grand, sweeping arrangements, many containing lush orchestral production and superb slide guitar. Name the artist...
*This piano-driven cut is the first track on the artist's 1971 classic album. It is also the most sexual song on the album...something the artist seldom used in her overall marketing of her music. The piano hook and very forthright lyrics earned her a great deal of respect with women who could relate to her songs and outlook. Name the artist and extra credit for the name of the song... *When interviewed about this particular song, the artist said the first line was written on an acid trip one weekend. The 2nd line was written on the next acid trip the next weekend and everything else was filled in when he met his future wife. The song was largely (in the artist's mind) a put down of Hare Krishna, somewhat popular around the time in the late 1960's. Name the artist and the song. Extra credit for the name of the band the artist was part of when it was recorded... *One of the great albums of the eclectic post-Sgt. Pepper era of the late 60's, this collection of songs used classical and jazz elements (including strings and horn), all without losing the pop essence that makes such a hybrid work. This album contains some of the band's founder's finest work. The founder of the band had a short stint with the group, this being the only album containing his contributions. Name the artist and extra credit for the name of the band. BATTLE OF THE BANDS I Feel the Earth Move by Carole King vs Carey by Joni Mitchell ANSWERS 1. George Harrison 2. Carole King, I Feel the Earth Move 3. John Lennon, The Beatles 4. Al Kooper, Blood, Sweat & Tears Battle of the Bands : Carole King won with 55% of votes *We'll play a song from 1980 that starts with a distinctive guitar riff that repeats under the track's relentless beat prior to the opening lines, 'Don't let them fool ya! Or even try to school ya!". The lyrics interpretation have been debated, some thinking it to be a ballad to the poverty and struggle the artist has witnessed, or perhaps that the artist was inspired to write it on a plane from Brazil in response to how much love was received during performances. A third take is, it represents a reaffirmation of the artist's faith in the face of personal struggles. Regardless, the song sets a mood! Name the artist and extra credit for the name of the track...
*One of the most stunning debut albums of 1980, this roots rock artist created a vibe not unlike Janis Joplin did in her time. A midwesterner, she was clearly influenced by classic rock artists such as Bruce Springsteen and John Cougar Mellencamp. This debut album delves into all types of relationship boundaries...affection, unrequited love and the fire of obsessive romance. Name the artist... *This band followed an unusual path to commercial success in the 1970's, fusing the stylistic ambition and instrumental dexterity of progressive rock with the wit and tuneful melodies of British pop, and the results made them one of the most popular British acts of the '70's and 80's, topping the charts and filling arenas around the world at a time when their style of music was supposed to have fallen out of fashion. One album, that we dip into, sold over 18,000,000 copies worldwide. Name the band and extra credit for the name of the album... *In one of this artist's songs, he sings about letting loose his fun-loving, country side in an effort to improve relations with his lady. This alter ego was based on a famous friend of a certain type. Elton John played piano on the track, but had to do so under an assumed name as he did not have a U.S. work permit at the time. Name the artist and extra credit for the name of the track... BATTLE OF THE BANDS Spill The Wine by War vs Work To Do by Average White Band ANSWERS 1. Bob Marley, Could You Be Loved 2. Melissa Etheridge 3. Supertramp, Breakfast in America 4. Jackson Browne, Redneck Friend Battle of the Bands : Average White Band won with 52% of votes *We'll play a track from 1979 with lyrics all about how the innocence and wonder of childhood can quickly give way to worry and cynicism as children are taught to be responsible adults. It makes the point that logic can restrict creativity and passion. The keyboard player of the band that recorded the track thought it quite relevant back when he wrote it, but thinks it is even more so today. Being in boarding school for 10 years promoted such feelings. Name the British band and extra credit for the name of the track...
*Peter Frampton's first group was called The Herd, which coincidentally was the first name taken by this band back in the mid-60's. That name did not last very long as they chose a new one based on some equipment they observed doing local road repairs. Name the band... *This duo of artists were both from Texas. Both artists were at one time, members of the band, The Champs (remember the Tequila song?) in the late 50's/early 60's. When that band dissolved in 1965 they worked with several other artists, including Gene Vincent. In 1969, they released their first album as a duo. Name the group... *This 1972 album was the body of work by which most of their fans began discovering the group and the album has retained its freshness over the decades. The entire band was attuned to the slightly heavier and more Southern style they wanted to work toward on this collection of tracks. This was the band's second album and not only was it a huge financial success, as any platinum record would be, but it was considered artistically impeccable. It was pretty close in style and sound at various points to what the Eagles were doing during the same period. The band did however, throw a bit of jazz, R&B, country, folk and bluegrass elements in for good measure. Name the band...still very active today... BATTLE OF THE BANDS Sandman by America vs Summer Breeze by Seals & Croft ANSWERS 1. Supertramp, The Logical Song 2. Buffalo Springfield 3. Seals & Croft 4. Doobie Brothers Battle of the Bands : Seals & Croft won with 54% of votes *The song, I Found You, was recorded and released in 1962 by Yvonne Fair. She had a most popular artist at the time who produced the record with her. Her producer then took the song and put his signature spin on it with a new title when he recorded and released it 2 years later. It is a great example of a funk song with lyrics supporting the intended groove. Name the artist and extra credit for the title of the track...
*This artist was a huge part of a 60's band and then embarked on a solo career when that band broke up. Following a couple of early folk records and a 1972 solo album, he released this track and album a year later. He assembled a versatile backup band using piano, violin and horns to accompany his tenor voice in arrangements that recalled some of the early work of Van Morrison. No surprise there as this artist and Morrison utilized some of the same backup musicians. Name the artist... *Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues has a personal favorite of all Moody's songs he's written. He loves performing it and while it didn't chart as well as others, there was a reason. It was not a massive hit due to its length of 6 minutes and the fact that no one ever did a successful edit on it. He incorporated similar elements to the track that he employed on the great song, Your Wildest Dreams. Name the song... *The lead character on this song is an aspiring actress who is breaking into the business. It's told from the perspective of her ex-boyfriend, whom she ditched because he couldn't advance her career. Despite the song, released in 1977 on an album with only 7 tracks, the writer wants us to imagine that the song and its events take place at a seedy photo shoot in Los Angeles in the 1950's. The title of the track is the name of the character...with no other significance other than the fact that the name fit! Name the band and the song... BATTLE OF THE BANDS Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright) by Rod Stewart vs Mainstreet by Bob Seger ANSWERS: 1. James Brown, I Got You (I Feel Good) 2. Jesse Colin Young 3. I Know You’re Out there Somewhere 4. Steely Dan, Peg Battle of the Bands : Bob Seger won with 54% of votes *Utilizing the producing talents of Jeff Lynne for a half decade, this artist decided it was time to strip things back for a 1994 album. He engaged Def Jam founder, Rick Rubin for this album and put together a team of musicians anchored by a couple of his notable bandmates from his past, achieving a sound that was lean and graceful. Name the born in Florida artist...
*The lyrics of this 1970 track suggest that the person singing is lost and feels like an outsider in their own life. The song can be interpreted as a call for help or guidance during a time of confusion and is intended to be positive and uplifting. The track actually speaks of the desire to be taken to someone to find guidance and direction. Name the artist who actually lived sometimes in the very conditions he sang about... *The 1971 demo version of this track featured Flo and Eddie (most notable from their stint with The Turtles) on backing vocals and is one of this band's earliest songs. The better-known version kicks off side 2 of the band's exceptional 1975 album as a jazzier, more Latin-flavored vein. The chorus sounds a bit like it belongs on some old puppy love single from 1963. Name the band and extra credit for the name of the track. *This excellent ballad from 1973 was written by the band's lead singer/guitarist and is open to interpretation and the writer prefers it that way. He simply and politely refuses to tell us who or what the song is about. The "you" in the song (and title) could be a literal person, but it could be the demands of touring....the road can be draining, but the shows, exhilarating. Name the band and extra credit for the name of the track. Good luck on this one, as I know these are all a bit tough... BATTLE OF THE BANDS No Time by Guess Who vs Looking out My Back Door by John Fogerty ANSWERS 1. Tom Petty 2. Elton John 3. Steely Dan, Everyone’s Gone to the Movies 4. Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Still … You Turn Me On Battle of the Bands : John Fogerty won with 51% of votes *The 1st half of the 1970's was the heyday of introspective songwriting and close-harmony singing. This band lay at the commercial end of this movement, releasing a string of singles that earned significant radio play for years. The members of the band all met in the school they attended. Name the band...
*Although musically this song is quite a jangly and catchy track, its lyrical theme is actually pretty dark. The concept is quite serious...it's all about people that crave power, about warfare and the misery it causes. It was even darker prior to the re-write of the title phrase, but got a bit more positive with the new lyrics. Name the band and extra credit for the name of the song from 1985... *The story behind this 1967 track was the fact that the co-writer band members realized as musicians, that their busy schedules were extremely tight and that they could only see their significant others on a certain day of the week. The track was presented to the executives at Atlantic Records, who were not impressed. But influential DJ at the time, Murray the K, heard it, loved it and it got recorded. Name the band and extra credit for the name of the song.... *This great artist reached her commercial high point with the release of this album in 1974, a remarkably deft fusion of folk, pop and jazz...her best-selling work to date. A number of tracks on the album explored the roles of honesty and trust in relationships, romantic and otherwise. This track tends to be fraught with worry and self-doubt in direct opposition to the music, which is smart and smooth from start to finish. Name the legendary California artist and some serious extra credit for the name of the song we'll enjoy later today... BATTLE OF THE BANDS Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Tears for Fears vs Imaginary Lover by Atlanta Rhythm Section ANSWERS 1. America 2. Tears for Fears, Everybody Wants to Rule the World 3. The Rascals, Groovin’ 4. Joni Mitchell, Same Situation Battle of the Bands : Tears for Fears won with 54% of votes *Described as a more radio-friendly version of Lynyrd Skynyrd or The Allman Brothers, this Southern band hit the upper reaches of the charts during the late 70's. Starting in the early 70's and created from the remnants of two groups, they were a studio house band that elevated their game and popularity. 3 albums in the first 3 years did little for them, but in 1976 they started anew and had a breakout album in 1978. Name the band...
*This legendary artist got his start as a DJ on a Memphis radio station. He played a 1951 track often...the subject of which was about moving on from a relationship gone bad. The DJ turned musician would go on to play and record this song more than a few times over the next 2 decades. That said he didn't ever feel great about any of those efforts. A producer he hooked up with later suggested he record the song with strings. He did and that was the version that became a huge hit. Name the artist and extra credit for the name of the track... *We'll go back to 1964 for a track about a guy who goes to Mexico and enjoys the company of a young lady whose boyfriend, Jose, is one bad dude. The story ends with our character escaping out the window, lucky to live to tell the tale. The songwriting team of Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart wrote the song for this band. Name the band and extra credit for the name of the song.... *The characters of this popular track from 1977 are all cronies of the infamous Andy Warhol Factory, as was the artist who recorded it. The track was worded so straight folks could miss out on the implications of the lyrics without being offended, while very much leaning in appeal to the gay community. Name the artist and extra credit for the name of the track... BATTLE OF THE BANDS Hello It’s Me by Todd Rundgren vs Hold On by Santana ANSWERS 1. Atlanta Rhythm Section 2. B. B. King, The Thrill is Gone 3. Come A Little Bit Closer, Jay & the Americans 4. Lou Reed, Walk On The Wild Side Battle of the Bands : Santana won with 52% of votes *We'll go back to a fantastic 1994 solo album by this artist for a track with a general musical feel and mood that is a striking reflection of Buffalo Springfield's work, most notably Stephen Stills "Go And Say Goodbye". Sure the melody is different but the chord progression and overall vibe is strikingly similar and beautiful. The song is aptly named considering the lyrics...it's not just about a relationship but of life's road and challenges.
This artist is no longer with us (since 2017)...but you certainly know him. Name the artist and extra credit for the name of the album and the song... *A track written and released by this band's lead guitarist in 1976 is rumored to be about suicide, but it actually deals with the inevitability of death and the belief that we should not be afraid of it. The artist was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat causing him to think about his morality, but is still with us today at the ripe young age of 75. Name the band, the lead guitarist and the name of the song... *This band's #1 hit from 1967 was written by a friend of the band from Chicago (the city, not the band). Although the band did have 5 charting hits (they all uniquely happened in the same year 1967) the track we'll enjoy turned out to be their only #1. But with all those charting hits that year, Billboard Magazine declared them 'the most listened to band of the year'! Shortly thereafter, they fell off the musical map. Name the band and extra credit for the name of the #1 hit... *For a musician known to strive for authenticity, this artist has always been curiously obsessed with appearances, seemingly as interested in sartorial details and hairstyles every bit as much as perfect guitar licks. It' difficult to find two photographs of him from the 1960s and early '70s that appear to be the same person. His solo career saw him switching his looks frequently. A 2001 solo album featured a picture of him as a child. Name the artist... BATTLE OF THE BANDS Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen vs Peace Of Mind by Boston ANSWERS 1. Tom Petty, Wildflowers, Time to Move On 2. Blue Oyster Cult, Donald Roeser, (Don’t Fear) The Reaper 3. Buckinghams, Kind of a Drag 4. Eric Clapton Battle of the Bands : Boston won with 52% of votes |
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