Category Archives: Music

Song of the Day: Paranoid (by Black Sabbath)

Posted on by Arleigh

“Paranoid” kicks off with that racing riff that instantly puts you on edge, like you’re glancing over your shoulder waiting for trouble to catch up. It’s short, loud, and ridiculously catchy, but what really makes it stick is how alive it feels the whole way through, like the band is barely holding back all that energy. Alongside their other iconic single “War Pigs” from the same second studio album, Paranoid, these tracks are straight-up building blocks of what would become heavy metal—raw power, dark vibes, and riffs that redefined everything.

What I love most is how Tony Iommi’s guitar doesn’t just sit in the background—it drives the whole thing. The man lost the tips of his right-hand ring and middle fingers in a factory accident but came back playing like a bat out of hell, way better than dudes with all their fingertips intact. The riffs are sharp and urgent, but the solo is where it really takes off, because it sounds loose, clever, and aggressive all at once.

The guitar solo begins at about 1:23 in the original track, and that’s the moment the song really opens up and starts flexing. From there, Iommi keeps it simple enough that it feels memorable on first listen, but the phrasing has this gritty personality that makes it sound way bigger than the number of notes would suggest. It’s a great example of how a solo can be compact and still feel huge.

So if someone’s never heard “Paranoid” before, I’d tell them to start here and just let it rip. It’s heavy without being bloated, exciting without being messy, and the solo gives it that extra spark that makes the whole song feel iconic. Tracks like this and “War Pigs” are exactly why Tony Iommi earned his title as the “Godfather of Heavy Metal”—even if you’re not usually into older metal, this one has such a direct punch that it’s hard not to get pulled in.

Paranoid

Verse 1]
Finished with my woman
‘Cause she couldn’t help me with my mind
People think I’m insane
Because I am frowning all the time

[Verse 2]
All day long I think of things
But nothing seems to satisfy
Think I’ll lose my mind
If I don’t find something to pacify

[Bridge]
Can you help me
Occupy my brain?
Oh yeah

[Verse 3]
I need someone to show me
The things in life that I can’t find
I can’t see the things that make true happiness
I must be blind

[Guitar Solo @1:23]

[Verse 4]
Make a joke and I will sigh
And you will laugh and I will cry
Happiness, I cannot feel
And love to me is so unreal

[Verse 5]
And so, as you hear these words
Telling you now of my state
I tell you to enjoy life
I wish I could, but it’s too late

Great Guitar Solos Series

Music Video of the Day: Wild Night by John Mellencamp, featuring Me’shell Ndegeocello (1994, directed by Jonathan Kaplan)

Posted on by Jedadiah Leland

Today’s music video of the day is for John Mellencamp’s cover of Van Morrison’s Wild Night.

In 1994, the opening of this video was the most popular 40 seconds on MTV.  I have traveled in a lot of taxi cabs and Ubers.  I’ve been lucky enough to have some very good drivers but none of them appeared in the 1992 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.  The driver, in this video, is played by Shana Zadrick, a model who was often compared to Cindy Crawford.

Back in 1994, if you enjoyed this video, you could go down to your friendly neighborhood Musicland (or Suncoast Motion Picture Company) and, for just $19.98, you could see even more of Shana in this commemorative video:

The other good thing about this video is that bassline, which was provided by Me’shell Ndegeocello.  Wild Night was released at the same time that Ndegeocello had her biggest solo hit, If That’s Your Boyfriend (He Wasn’t Last Night).

This video was directed by Jonathan Kaplan.  A former film school classmate of Martin Scorsese’s, Kaplan got his start directing films like Night Call Nurses and The Student Teachers for Roger Corman.  He eventually became a mainstream film and television director.  His most highly regarded film is probably 1988’s The Accused, for which Jodie Foster won her first Oscar.

Song of the Day: Revenge of the Ninja by Robert J. Walsh

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

Today’s song of the day comes to us from the soundtrack of the 1983 film, Revenge of the Ninja.  Composed by Robert J. Walsh, this soundtrack will definitely leave you prepared to defeat all of your enemies, ninja-style!

(Actually, don’t try to do that without getting some training once.  I speak with the experience who sprained her ankle multiple times as a result of trying to duplicated Kate Beckinsale’s Underworld moves.)

Music Video of the Day: Connected by Stereo MC’s (1992, directed by Matthew Amos)

Posted on by Jedadiah Leland

This was one of the first songs to define the decade that the 90s would be.  Of course, within a few years of the song being released, the idea of being “connected” would have a totally different meaning for a lot of listeners.

This is another video directed by Matthew Amos.  He also did yesterday’s video, I’m Free.

Enjoy!

Music Video of the Day: I’m Free by The Soup Dragons (1990, directed by Matthew Amos)

Posted on by Jedadiah Leland

I’m Free was originally recorded by The Rolling Stones in 1965 and was the last track on the Out Of Our Heads album.  To quote Rolling Stone Magazine, the original song was a “folk rocker.”  The version by the Soup Dragons was much more psychedelic and featured a verse from Jamaican reggae performer, Junior Reid.  I’m Free became the band’s biggest hit, reaching the number 2 spot on Billboard’s Alternative Songs chart.

Director Matthew Amos has also directed videos for Stereo MCs, Jesus Jones, Slipknot, and Blur.  He’s also film several awards shows and stage productions for the BBC.

Song of the Day: Two Mules For Sister Sara by Ennio Morricone

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

This 1970 film, which was heavily influenced by Clint Eastwood’s Spaghetti westerns, featured a soundtrack from Ennio Morricone.  It only seems appropriate that his excellent work should also provide us with our song of the day.