Tag Archives: song of the day

Song of the Day: Vampira by Bobby Bare

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

Plan 9 from Outer Space (1959, dir by Ed Wood)

103 years ago today, Maila Nurmi was born in Massachusetts.  Nurmi would go on to find fame as Vampira, television’s first horror movie hostess.  Though she is now best-remembered for playing one of the zombies in Plan 9 From Outer Space, Nurmi actually had a long and varied show business career.  James Dean was her best friend.  She had an affair with Orson Welles.  Walt Disney used her as a model for the Wicked Stepmother in Cinderella.  She was commissioned to make jewelry and clothing for both Grace Slick and Frank Zappa.

Today’s song of the day came out in 1958.  Here’s Bobby Bare singing about Vampira.

Song of the Day: Theme de Camille by Georges Delerue

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

Today’s song of the day come from the Georges Delerue-composed score of Jean-Luc Godard’s 1963 film, Le Mepris.  If this song sounds familiar but you haven’t seen Le Mepris, you may have heard it in Martin Scorsese’s Casino.

Song of the Day: Let It Snow! Let It Snow! by Dean Martin

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

My friends, it is 29 degrees this morning in Dallas!  My fingers are freezing just trying to type this.  So, as I jump back under the covers and try to stop shivering, let’s turn things over to the great Dean Martin with today’s song of the day!

Oh, the weather outside is frightful,
But the fire is so delightful,
And since we’ve no place to go,
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

It doesn’t show signs of stopping,
And I brought some corn for popping;
The lights are turned way down low,
Let it snow, let it snow.

When we finally kiss good night,
How I’ll hate going out in the storm;
But if you really hold me tight,
All the way home I’ll be warm.

The fire is slowly dying,
And, my dear, we’re still good-bye-ing,
But as long as you love me so,
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

When we finally kiss good night,
How I’ll hate going out in the storm;
But if you really hold me tight,
All the way home I’ll be warm.

Oh, the fire is slowly dying,
And, my dear, we’re still good-bye-ing,
But as long as you love me so,
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Songwriters: Josef Larossi / Andreas Romdhane

Song of the Day: Crown On The Ground (performed by Sleigh Bells)

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

I could offer up a lot of reasons why Sleigh Bells’ Crown On The Ground is today’s song of the day.

I could say that it’s because the start of the Holiday Season is upon us and what better time to feature a song performed by Sleigh Bells.

But, ultimately, the main and most important reason is that I just happen to like the song.

Song of the Day: Layla (by Derek & The Dominoes)

Posted on by Arleigh

“Layla” is still one of those solos guitar players treat like a rite of passage. It’s not just the famous riff; the way Clapton and Duane Allman tear into the lead lines makes the whole first half feel like it’s permanently on the edge of falling apart, in the best way. The solo really starts to bloom once the main riff gives way to the verse lead around the 2:20 mark, with the piano-driven section kicking in later at about 3:10 on the original studio version.

A big part of why musicians and fans rate it so highly is the balance between flash and feel. The bends, slides, and quick little runs are impressive, but they always come back to short, singable phrases instead of just running scales. Allman’s slide work, especially those pushed, “beyond the fretboard” high notes, is a huge talking point among players because it sounds wild and emotional while still landing dead-on pitch.

People also love how the solo feels like one long emotional unraveling rather than a neat, contained spotlight moment. The guitar gradually hands things over to the piano section instead of ending on a standard rock climax, so the solo feels like it spills into that second movement of the song. That journey—from searing, tangled guitar lines to that almost resigned, melodic outro—is a big reason “Layla” keeps showing up on “greatest solos” lists and in conversations between working guitarists and casual fans alike.

Layla

What’ll you do when you get lonely
And nobody’s waiting by your side?
You’ve been running and hiding much too long
You know it’s just your foolish pride

Layla
You’ve got me on my knees
Layla
I’m begging, darling, please
Layla
Darling, won’t you ease my worried mind?

I tried to give you consolation
When your old man had let you down
Like a fool, I fell in love with you
You turned my whole world upside down

Layla
You’ve got me on my knees
Layla
I’m begging, darling, please
Layla
Darling, won’t you ease my worried mind?

Let’s make the best of the situation
Before I finally go insane
Please, don’t say we’ll never find a way
And tell me all my love’s in vain

Layla
You’ve got me on my knees
Layla
I’m begging, darling, please
Layla
Darling, won’t you ease my worried mind?
Layla
You’ve got me on my knees
Layla
I’m begging, darling, please
Layla
Darling, won’t you ease my worried mind?

[guitar solo]

Great Guitar Solos Series