Song Anatomy 2024

Writer: Tom Petty Producers: Tom Petty and Jimmy Iovine Recorded: 1979 at Sound City in Van Nuys, California, and Cherokee Studios in Hollywood, California Released: Fall 1979 Players: Tom Petty–vocals, guitar Mike Campbell–guitar, squeeze box Ron Blair–bass Benmont Tench–piano, organ Stan Lynch–drums Album: Damn The Torpedoes (Backstreet, 1979) Also on: Greatest Hits (MCA, 1993) Playback…

Writer: J.F. Coots and H. Gillespie Producers: Bruce Springsteen, Mike Appel, and Jimmy Iovine Recorded: December 12th, 1975, at C.W. Post College in Brookville, New York Released: 1975 (to radio); 1981 (commercially) Players: Bruce Springsteen — vocals, guitar “Miami” Steve Van Zandt — guitar, vocals Garry Tallent — bass, vocals Clarence Clemons — saxophone, vocals…

Writer: Marvin Brodie and Johnny Marks Producer: Keith Richards Recorded: Fall 1978 Released: December 1978 Players: Keith Richards — vocals, guitar, bass Ian Stewart — piano Mick Driscoll — drums This version of the popular holiday song, which was originally made famous in the rock-and-roll era by Chuck Berry, was one of Rolling Stones guitarist…

Writer: Paul McCartney Producer: Paul McCartney Recorded: July 1979 at McCartney’s farmhouse in Scotland Released: November 1979 Players: Paul McCartney–all instruments and vocals Appears On: Back To The Egg (EMI, 2000) and many compilations “Wonderful Christmas Time” was technically Paul McCartney’s first solo single since 1971, as he spent the interim working with his band…

Writers: Greg Lake and Pete Sinfield Producer: Greg Lake Recorded: Summer 1975 in London Released: Fall 1975 Players: Greg Lake — vocals, guitar Keith Emerson — keyboards Carl Palmer — percussion Album: Song originally released as a single Also On: Works, Vol. 2 (Atlantic, 1977) The Best Of Emerson, Lake & Palmer (Atlantic, 1980) I…

Writers: Katherine Davis, Henry Onorati, and Harry Simone (“Little Drummer Boy”); Ian Fraser, Larry Grossman, and Alan Kohan (“Peace On Earth”) Recorded: September 11th, 1977, in Los Angeles Appears On: Bowie: The Singles Collection (Rykodisc, 1993) Martha Stewart Living: Home For the Holidays (Rhino, 2001) Now That’s What I Call Christmas (Universal, 2001) VH1 The…

Writers: John Lennon and Yoko Ono Producer: John & Yoko and Phil Spector Recorded: October 28th & 29th, 1971, at the Record Plant East, New York City Released: December 1st, 1971 Players: John Lennon — vocals, guitar Yoko Ono — vocals Klaus Voormann — bass Hugh McCracken — guitar Nicky Hopkins — piano, chimes, glockenspiel…

Writers: J. Moore and Al Baxter Producers: Bruce Springsteen, Jon Landau and Chuck Plotkin Recorded: December 1980 at Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, New York Released: October 1987 Players: Bruce Springsteen — vocals, guitar Clarence Clemons — saxophone “Miami” Steve Van Zandt — guitar Garry Tallent — bass Roy Bittan — piano Danny Federici — organ Max…

Writer: Bruce Springsteen Producers: Bruce Springsteen, Jon Landau, Chuck Plotkin, and Steve Van Zandt Recorded: Spring 1983 at the Power Station in New York City Released: June 17th, 1984 Players: Bruce Springsteen — vocals, guitar Steve Van Zandt — guitar Garry Tallent — bass Max Weinberg — keyboards Danny Federici — keyboards Clarence Clemons –…