Song Anatomy 2024

Writers: Gary Brooker and Keith Reid Producer: Denny Cordell Recorded: Spring 1967 in London, England Released: Summer 1967 Players: Gary Brooker–vocals, piano Matthew Fisher–organ Ray Royer–guitar Dave Knights–bass Bobby Harrison–drums Album: Procol Harum (Deram, 1967) Also on: The Best Of Procol Harum (A&M, 1973) Greatest Hits (A&M, 1987) The surrealistic lyrics to “A Whiter Shade…

Writer: Kerry Livgren Producer: Jeff Glixman Recorded: 1976, Studio On The Country in Bogalusa, Louisiana Released: November 1976 (album), January 1977 (single) Players: Steve Walsh — keyboards, lead vocals Robby Steinhardt — violin, viola, vocals Kerry Livgren — guitar, keyboards Rich Williams — guitar Dave Hope — bass Phil Ehart — drums Album: Leftoverture (Kirshner/CBS,…

Writers: Elton John (music) and Bernie Taupin (lyrics) Producer: Gus Dudgeon Recorded: May 1973, Strawberry Studios, France Released: October 1973 (album); live single released September 1987 Players: Elton John — vocals, piano Davey Johnstone — guitar, backing vocals Dee Murray — bass, backing vocals Nigel Olsson — drums, backing vocals Album: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road…

Writers: Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, and John Paul Jones Producer: Jimmy Page Recorded: 1971 at Headley Grange, Hampshire, England with the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio Released: November 8, 1971 (album) December 2, 1971 (single) Players: Jimmy Page–guitar Robert Plant–vocals John Paul Jones–bass John Bonham–drums Album: Led Zeppelin’s untitled fourth album (Atlantic, 1971) Also On: Led…

Writer: Ian Anderson Producers: Ian Anderson and Terry Ellis Released: March, 1971 Players: Ian Anderson–vocals, flute, acoustic guitar Martin Barre–guitar, recorder John Evan–piano, organ, mellotron Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond–bass, backing vocals, alto recorder Clive Bunker–drums, percussion Album: Aqualung (Chrysalis, 1971) Also On: M.U.: The Best Of Jethro Tull (Chrysalis, 1976) Live – Bursting Out (Chrysalis, 1978) Original…

Writer: Donald “Buck Dharma” Roeser Producers: Murray Krugman, Sandy Pearlman, and David Lucas Recorded: March 1976 at the Record Plant, New York City Released: May 1976 Players: Donald “Buck Dharma” Roeser–lead vocals, guitar Eric Bloom–vocals, guitar Allen Lanier–guitar, keyboards, vocals Joe Bouchard–bass Albert Bouchard–drums, vocals Album: Agents Of Fortune (Columbia, 1976) Also On: Some Enchanted…

THE POLICE — “MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE” Writers: Sting Producer: The Police and Nigel Gray Recorded: Early 1979 at Surrey Sound in Surrey, England Released: September 1979 Players: Sting — vocals, bass Andy Summers — guitar Stewart Copeland — drums, percussion Album: Reggatta De Blanc (A&M, 1979) Also On: Every Breath You Take — The…

Writers: Steve Perry, Neal Schon, and Jonathan Cain Producer: Mike Stone and Kevin Elson Recorded: Late 1980 and early 1981 Released: August 1981 (album), October 1981 (single) Players: Steve Perry–vocals Neal Schon–guitar, vocals Jonathan Cain–keyboards, vocals Ross Valory–bass Steve Smith–drums Album: Escape (Columbia, 1981) Also On: Greatest Hits (Columbia, 1988) Time 3 (Columbia, 1992) Greatest…

BILLY JOEL — “ONLY THE GOOD DIE YOUNG” Writer: Billy Joel Producer: Phil Ramone Recorded: Spring-summer 1977 at A&R Recording in New York City Released: Fall 1977 Players: Billy Joel — vocals, keyboards Doug Stegmeyer — bass Hiram Bullock — guitar Liberty DeVitto — drums Richie Canatta — woodwinds Steve Zahn — guitar Patrick Williams…