Rocktober the 15th

Pete Townshend - Save It For Later

The original song was released by the UK ska band 'The Beat' in 1982. It was a popular song in the US but it was Pete Townshend who was able to change the structure of the song and give it a fresh feel. 

It was just as The Who broke up and Townshend went solo that he took this song on a few years later. What he had done was strip the song down to a skeleton form and simplicity format. 

Pete regularly performed this song on tours, but he did struggle with the tuning. He had to contact Dave Wakeling of The Beat to get the correct tuning, which turned out as D A D A A D instead of D A D G A D which he originally presumed. He also played on the words and suggested that there was as another meaning behind the song but it was a tongue in cheek comment. 

Pete Townshend released a version of Save It For Later on his 2006 re-issued album White City : A Novel as a bonus track, the album was originally released in 1985.

The main structure of the song is a basic structure where the verse and chorus are song to the same repetitive melody of the song. 

A great song that is great to play along to as well as creating your own style. 

Song Rating : 8/10

Video : n/a

Rocktober the 13th

The Wedding Present - Kennedy

Kennedy was the only single of The Wedding Presents second album 'Bizzaro'. It was released in 1990 and was a top 40 song. 

From the very beginning you automatically get a sense of how the song will go. A fast strumming intro by Gedge is quickly followed by the rest of the band. The verse if repetitive which is repeated throughout the song. As the song progresses the song becomes instrumental and the pace continues up to the last note. 

The music video isn't one for those who suffer from motion sickness as there are lots of shots that spin around all the band members. The whole video is of the band playing so in other words. A very low budget video. 

Song Rating : 7/10

Video : 5/10

Rocktober the 12th

The Smiths - What Difference Does It Make?

Released in 1984, the song is found on their self titled first album. It was also one of their best positioning songs which reached number 12. 

From the very beginning, the song highlights the talent that this band have, and more importantly, how influential they will become. Johnny Marr opens the song in his unique sounding way. Morrissey, a talent himself starts the verse off. The band make the easy transition between verses and chorus and capture the 1980's Manchester musical ball that is sweeping the nation. Morrissey also gives us another glimpse of his versatility by going falsetto at the end. 

There was no music video released along with the song but there is a live performance used as a music video at a later date. 

Song Rating : 7/10

Video : n/a

Rocktober the 10th

Queens Of The Stone Age - Little Sister

QOTSA Released 'Little Sister' in 2004. It is taken from their fourth album 'Lullabies to Paralyze'. The song was originally started a few years previously but it never transpired. 

The song has a clock like beat as throughout the song and there is a constant and repetitive beat created on the 'cowbell'. The riff is also simple and is started off by Josh Homme who is then joined by the rest of the band (now without Nick Oliveri who was sacked from the band earlier that year). The chorus is catchy and again simple in its construction. Towards the end of the song Homme blasts a unique sounding solo which he carries to the end. 

The music video is also just as simple as the song itself. The band are stood within a square which is lit up, and the rest of the room is dark with dark red and blue lighting. They are playing to a large screen which is showing images of dancing women. Quick shots flick between the members of the band and this style of video goes well with the song. 

Song Rating : 8/10

Video : 7/10

Rocktober the 8th

Fleetwood Mac - Oh Well (part 1)

Released in 1969 and was composed in 2 parts. Part 1 is a more up tempo song and Part 2 being a more instrumental classical song.  When the band performed live only Part 1 was played. 

The song starts with a fast blues style solo. The next layers of guitar and bass link in giving the song more back bone. Peter Green comes in with the verse which is just him singing with no instrument support. Then all the band erupt back into the intro. As the song progresses the song follows suit of the intro/verse. As the song comes to another silence break, a more slower Spanish style guitar plays which is followed by piano and cello. 

There is no music video for the song. 

Oh Well was also deemed as the song that crossed the paths of heavy blues and metal and also was followed by other bands such as Led Zeppelin. 

Song Rating : 9/10

Video : n/a

Rocktober the 7th

Chuck Berry - Johnny B Goode

One of the most iconic and recognised guitar songs of all time. This song has many claiming to be the creation of rock and roll and to be honest. I think I agree. The song was released in 1958 and no doubt will stand the test of time.  

The opening riff is easily recognisable as Chuck Berry's solo instantly sets the mood of the song. It's going to be up-beat, happy, something to dance to. A boy does it deliver. The lyrics are also simple as Chuck sings about Johnny keeping to story of the song easy to follow. 

The song has been covered many times and has featured in numerous films and TV shows. It's also a song for the guitarists out there who want to emulate their rock and roll idols. 

Song Rating : 9/10

Video : n/a

Rocktober the 6th

Band of Skulls - The Devil Takes Care Of His Own

Released in 2011 off the second album 'Sweet Sour', The devil takes care of his own was the first single that continued to showcase the talent of the Southampton rock trio. 

The song starts with Russell Marsden on the guitar with a nice crunch distortion setting. He is then joined by Emma and Richard of the band. The verse has Russell and Emma confirming their vocal talents to harmonise well, and with a simple but striking song structure, the song develops into a crunchy collection of rock layers. 

The music video is shot in a Japanese television studio. The band are performing in front of an audience and all is being watching by the production/director of the studio. As the song progresses the director becomes more and more aggravated and starts to turn on his team. The fighting continues through the studio and those involved in the fighting using a form of Kung-Fu.  

Song rating - 6/10

Video rating - 7/10

Simplicity is sometimes best