Song Anatomy of the Day

Writer: Harry and Sandy Chapin Producer: Paul Leka Recorded: Spring 1974 at Connecticut Recording Studios in Bridgeport, Connecticut Released: August 1974 Players: Harry Chapin–vocals, acoustic guitar John Tropea–guitar, sitar Don Payne–bass Steve Chapin–piano Don Grolnick–keyboards Allan Schwartzberg–drums Irving Spice–concertmaster Album: Verities & Balderdash (Elektra, 1974) The story of a father too busy for his son,…

Writers: The Doors Producer: Paul A. Rothchild Recorded: Fall 1968, Los Angeles Released: December 1968 Players: Jim Morrison – vocals Ray Manzarek — keyboards, piano John Densmore — drums Robby Krieger — guitar Reinol Andino — conga Harvey Brooks — bass Curtis Amy — saxophone solos Album: The Soft Parade (Elektra, 1969) The Soft Parade…

Writer: Sting Producers: Pete Smith and Sting Recorded: Early 1985 at Blue Wave Studios, Barbados Released: June 1985 Players: Sting–vocals, guitar Branford Marsalis–saxophone Darryl Jones–bass Kenny Kirkland–keyboards Omar Hakim–drums Dolette McDonald, Janice Pendarvis–backing vocals Album: The Dream Of The Blue Turtles (A&M, 1985) Sting’s first solo single after the Police disbanded in 1984, “If You…

Writers: Walter Becker and Donald Fagen Producers: Gary Katz and Steely Dan Recorded: Early summer 1977 at A&R Studios, New York City Released: September 1977 Players: Donald Fagen — vocals, keyboards Walter Becker — bass, vocals Lee Ritenour — guitar Victor Feldman — electric piano Bernard Purdie — drums Pete Christlieb — tenor saxophone Clyde…

Writer: Ray Davies Producer: Ray Davies Recorded: Late 1982/early 1983 at Konk Studios in London, England Released: May 1983 Players: Ray Davies–vocals, guitar, keyboards Dave Davies–guitar, vocals Jim Rodford–bass Ian Gibbons–keyboards Mick Avory–drums Album: State Of Confusion (Arista, 1983) “Come Dancing,” Ray Davies’s sentimental ode to his sister Gwen’s dating habits and the local dance…

Writer: Pete Townshend Producers: The Who and Glyn Johns Recorded: June 8th, 1973, at Olympic Studios in London Released: October 1973 Players: Roger Daltrey — vocals Pete Townshend — piano, guitar, synthesizer John Entwistle — bass Keith Moon — drums Album: Quadrophenia (MCA, 1973) The closing track of the Who’s second album-length opera, Quadrophenia, “Love…

Writers: Elton John and Bernie Taupin Producer: Guy Dudgeon Recorded: December 1973 at Caribou Ranch in Nederland, Colorado Released: Spring 1974 Players: Elton John — vocals, piano Davey Johnstone — guitar Dee Murray — bass Nigel Olsson — drums Ray Cooper — percussion Lenny Pickett — tenor sax solo Tower Of Power — horns Album:…

Writer: Peter Gabriel Producers: Bob Ezrin Recorded: Late 1976, The Soundstage, Toronto Released: February 10, 1977 (album) Players: Robert Fripp–guitar Tony Levin–bass Dick Wagner–backing vocals Jim Maelen–percussion Steve Hunter–guitar Larry Fast–synthesizers Allan Schwartzberg–drums Album: Peter Gabriel (Atco, 1977) Peter Gabriel’s debut was the first of four self-titled albums. His fourth album would have remained Peter…

Writers: Mick Jagger and Keith Richards Producers: The Rolling Stones Recorded: Spring 1973 and spring 1981 at Dynamic Sound Studios in Kingston, Jamaica Released: October 1981 Players: Mick Jagger — vocals Keith Richards — guitar, vocals Mick Taylor — guitar Bill Wyman — bass Charlie Watts — drums Billy Preston — piano Sonny Rollins –…