Just like yesterday’s song of the day, this is a piece of music that will be familiar to anyone who has ever been to a baseball game.
Randy Newman composed this for the 1984 classic baseball movie, The Natural. I defy anyone to listen to this without immediately remembering the greatest home run that they’ve ever seen.
It’s opening day and I feel like celebrating with today’s song of the day! Talkin’ Baseball was recorded in 1981 and it’s gone on to become one of the great baseball songs.
The Whiz Kids had won it,
Bobby Thomson had done it,
And Yogi read the comics all the while.
Rock ‘n roll was being born,
Marijuana, we would scorn,
So down on the corner,
The national past-time went on trial.
We’re talkin’ baseball!
Kluszewski, Campanella.
Talkin’ baseball!
The Man and Bobby Feller.
The Scooter, the Barber, and the Newc,
They knew ’em all from Boston to Dubuque.
Especially Willie, Mickey, and the Duke.
Well, Casey was winning,
Hank Aaron was beginning,
One Robbie going out, one coming in.
Kiner and Midget Gaedel,
The Thumper and Mel Parnell,
And Ike was the only one winning down in Washington.
We’re talkin’ baseball!
Kluszewski, Campanella.
Talkin’ baseball!
The Man and Bobby Feller.
The Scooter, the Barber, and the Newc,
They knew ’em all from Boston to Dubuque.
Especially Willie, Mickey, and the Duke.
Now my old friend, The Bachelor,
Well, he swore he was the Oklahoma Kid.
And Cookie played hooky,
To go and see the Duke.
And me, I always loved Willie Mays,
Those were the days!
Well, now it’s the 80s,
And Brett is the greatest,
And Bobby Bonds can play for everyone.
Rose is at the Vet,
And Rusty again is a Met,
And the great Alexander is pitchin’ again in Washington.
I’m talkin’ baseball!
Like Reggie, Quisenberry.
Talkin’ baseball!
Carew and Gaylord Perry,
Seaver, Garvey, Schmidt and Vida Blue,
If Cooperstown is calling, it’s no fluke.
They’ll be with Willie, Mickey, and the Duke.
Willie, Mickey, and the Duke. (Say hey, say hey, say hey)
It was Willie, Mickey and the Duke (Say hey, say hey, say hey)
I’m talkin’ Willie, Mickey and the Duke (Say hey, say hey, say hey)
Willie, Mickey, and the Duke. (Say hey, say hey, say hey)
Say Willie, Mickey, and the Duke. (Say hey, say hey, say hey)
Lawrence of Arabia (dir. by David Lean)
Since today is David Lean’s birthday, it only seems appropriate that today’s song of the day should come from the film that is regularly acknowledged as being Lean’s masterpiece, 1962’s Lawrence of Arabia. Composed by Maurice Jarre, here is one of the greatest film scores of all times.
In honor of the birthday of Steve McQueen, today’s song of the day comes from his 1968 film, Bullitt. Composed Lala Schifrin later went on to do the score for another film about a California detective with his own way of doing things, Dirty Harry.
Today’s song of the day is the oddly cheery theme music of 1975’s Trip With The Teacher. Composed by Igo Kantor, this music may be inappropriate for a film about a teacher and four students who are kidnapped by a sociopath with narcolepsy but I defy you to get it out of your head!
On today, what would have been Angelo Badalamenti’s birthday, there’s little question as to what our song of the day should be.
Today’s song of the day comes from the iconic score of 1999’s Fight Club. Director David Fincher wanted a score that sounded unique and original and The Dust Brothers delivered.
Our song of the day is the haunting Main Theme from Mulholland Drive, composed by Angelo Badalamenti.
Today is the birthday of the legendary Bruce Willis. Here he has in the 80s, performing Under The Boardwalk with The Drifters. It’s also our song of the day.
Oh, when the sun beats down and burns the tar up on the roof
And your shoes get so hot you wish your tired feet were fire proof
Under the boardwalk, down by the sea, yeah
On a blanket with my baby is where I’ll be
Out of the sun
(Under the boardwalk) We’ll be havin’ some fun
(Under the boardwalk) People walking above
(Under the boardwalk) We’ll be fallin’ in love
(Under the boardwalk) Yeah (boardwalk)
From the park you hear the happy sound of the carousel
You can almost taste the hot dogs and french fries they sell, yes you can
Under the boardwalk, down by the sea, yeah
On a blanket with my baby is where I’ll be
Out of the sun
(Under the boardwalk) We’ll be havin’ some fun
(Under the boardwalk) People walking above
(Under the boardwalk) We’ll be fallin’ in love
(Under the boardwalk) Yeah (boardwalk)
Yeah, under the boardwalk, down by the sea, yeah
On a blanket with my baby is where I’ll be
Out of the sun
(Under the boardwalk) We’ll be havin’ some fun
(Under the boardwalk) People walking above
(Under the boardwalk) We’ll be fallin’ in love
(Under the boardwalk) Yeah (boardwalk)
Songwriters: Arthur Resnick / Kenny Young
Today’s Song of the Day is Led Zeppelin’s “Dazed and Confused”, that hypnotic Yardbirds cover Jimmy Page transformed into a sprawling psychedelic monster on their 1969 debut. Robert Plant’s otherworldly wails float over John Paul Jones’s prowling bass and John Bonham’s primal drums, crafting this foggy, trippy atmosphere that’s perfect for zoning out late at night. But let’s be real, it’s Page’s six-string sorcery that cements it as essential listening.
The real magic erupts at the 3:53 timestamp in the official release cut, when Page launches into his legendary guitar solo—a blistering torrent of bent notes, ferocious pentatonic dives, and those eerie, talkbox-esque squeals that sound like the guitar’s possessed. He’s wringing every ounce of emotion from his Telecaster, stacking fuzz, echo, and vibrato into a wall of controlled chaos that feels like a bad acid trip turned triumphant. It’s raw, innovative shredding that grabs you by the soul and doesn’t let go.
Live versions took it to another level, ballooning into 10+ minute odysseys with Page’s violin bow creating those haunting drones before he dives back into the frenzy—check the ’73 Madison Square Garden tape for the ultimate freakout. This solo isn’t just flashy; it’s Page channeling pure rock alchemy, paving the way for metal and jam gods alike. Crank it up and feel the daze.
Dazed and Confused
Been dazed and confused for so long, it’s not true
Wanted a woman, never bargained for you
Lots of people talkin’, few of them know
Soul of a woman was created below, yeah
You hurt and abuse, tellin’ all of your lies
Run ’round, sweet baby, Lord, how they hypnotize
Sweet little baby, I don’t know where you been
Gonna love you, baby, here I come again
Every day I work so hard
Bringin’ home my hard-earned pay
Try to love you, baby
But you push me away
Don’t know where you’re goin’
Only know just where you’ve been
Sweet little baby
I want you again
Ah, ah, ah, ah
(Did you ever look up my woman?)
Ah, ah, ah, ah
Aah-ah, aah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah
Aah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, aah
Oh, yeah, alright
Been dazed and confused
For so long, it’s not true
Wanted a woman
Never bargained for you
Take it easy, baby
Let them say what they will
Tongue wag so much
When I send you the bill
Oh yeah, alright
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh
Great Guitar Solos Series
