Song of the Day - Lean On Me - Bill Withers

Sometimes in our lives

We all have pain

We all have sorrow

But, if we are wise

We know that there's,

always tomorrow

Lean on me

When you're not strong

And I'll be your friend

I'll help you carry on

For, it won't be long

Till I'm gonna need

Somebody to lean on

By now,, most people have heard about the passing of singer Bill Withers yesterday at the age of 81, so what other song to post today than this one?  Lean On Me is surely his most iconic song, though he had other hits, and it so fits our world, especially today.  I was only 8 years old when this came out and I remember getting goosebumps when I heard it even then, and it still does.  

There are so many people out there who we are all leaning on these days, just to get through this crisis.  We should all be grateful for that.  Without them, life could be a lot worse than it already seems.

Virtually anyone in the medical field...nurses, doctors, EMT's, and even medical clerical staff are all on the front lines of this war against an invisible enemy.  

We lean on them.  

The grocery store, box store and pharmaceutical workers, mail carriers and utility workers, and even restaurant staff who still come to work so we can at least get a meal takeout, risk their own well-being to serve us.  

We lean on them.  

And of course, there are people out there offering whatever help they can give to those in need, neighbors, the elderly, friends and family.  They offer to buy groceries from a trip to the supermarket, cook a homemade meal, provide some company, an ear.  Playing the part of Mr. Withers and offering support to others.  

We lean on them, too!  

The song gives me goosebumps and so do these heroes of today.  In the spirit of this song of humanity and all of these wonderful people, I'd like to offer whatever I can to help you.  So please, if you know me personally, or even if you don't, and if there's anything I can do to help you, I'm telling you to lean on me.

Here's Bill Withers:

Song of the Day - The Gambler - Kenny Rogers

You've got to know when to hold 'em

Know when to fold 'em

Know when to walk away

And know when to run

You never count your money

When you're sittin' at the table

There'll be time enough for countin'

When the dealin's done

I don't know where my mind is these days, but I totally meant to post this yesterday.  On Friday, country music legend Kenny Rogers passed away of natural causes at the age of 81.  Kenny was one of the biggest crossover country artists in the late 70's and 80's, with a multitude of both pop and country hits, like Lucille, Through the Years, Lady, and so many more.  When I visited Nashville in 2014, it was a highlight seeing a tribute to him at the Country Music Hall of Fame.  Anyway, here's is Kenny Roger's most identifiable hit, The Gambler...

Song of the Day - Tom Sawyer - Rush

The year 2020 has already seen its share of deaths, and we added another one yesterday as Rush drummer Neil Peart lost a year's long battle with brain cancer yesterday.  I was a big Rush fan back in the days of their classic Moving Pictures album in 1980, and this song, oh this one, was a song to hear in headphones with the volume turned all the way up.  Classic!  Here's Tom Sawyer...

Song of the Day - Listen To Your Heart - Roxette

In case you hadn't heard by now, the music world lost one of its own yesterday as Marie Fredriksson, of the Swedish hit making duo Roxette, passed away yesterday at the very young age of 61.   With a string of hits in the late 80's and early 90's, Roxette produced a string of pop hits, including It Must've Been Love, Joyride, The Look and this one, my personal favorite.  Check out Listen To Your Heart...

Song of the Day - Shake It Up - The Cars

Ugh, three days, two celebrity passings.  Just two days after the death f singer Eddie Money comes the sad passing of another, Ric Ocasek of the new wave band, The Cars.  The Cars made a big splash on the music scene in the late 70's and early 80's and had a string of hits during that time.  This fun one from 1981 appears on the soundtrack of one of my favorite 80's movies, The Last American Virgin.  Rest in Peace Ric!  Here's Shake It Up...

Song of the Day - Take Me Home Tonight - Eddie Money with Ronnie Spector

I'm guessing that most of you already know of the passing of Eddie Money, an 80's pop music mainstay and fellow Long Islander, just yesterday.  Money's biggest hit also happens to be my favorite song of his.  Check out the fun Take Me Home Tonight... 

Song of the Day - The Days - Avicii, Robbie Williams

Under the tree where the grass don't grow

We made a promise to never get old

You had a chance and you took it on me

And I made a promise that I couldn't keep

This past Sunday would have been Avicii's 30 birthday.  Though we're a couple of days late, I couldn't let the day pass without a mention.  His surprising and untimely death is still such a big loss for the dance music world and the whole music world in general.  Here's one of my favorite songs of his, a collaboration with Robbie Williams on a tender ballad turned dance tune.  Check out The Days... 

Song of the Day - You Know I'm No Good - Amy Winehouse

Just a couple of days ago, July 23rd, the music world marked the eighth anniversary of the death of Amy Winehouse.  Imagine all of the great stuff she would've given us in that time.  Hope you're resting in peace Amy.  Here's You Know I'm No Good...

Song of the Day - Unspeakable Joy - Kim English

Saw some sad news on the Twitterverse yesterday that dance music singer Kim English passed away.  English, 48, died of complications relating to kidney failure.  Though she had several charting songs in the late-90's and early 2000's, she will always be best known for this club anthem, which I actually shared here not too long ago.  Here's Unspeakable Joy...

Song of the Day - Love Will Keep Us Together - Captain & Tenille

In case you haven't heard the news, I am sorry to be the one breaking it to you, but Daryl Dragon, the "Captain" in the pop duo Captain & Tenille, passed away late yesterday at the age of 76.  I never thought I'd be posting one of their songs here, but they were undeniably a part of my musical youth.  Who remembers, but I probably even had one or two of their albums back in the 70's when they were popular and I was a pre-teen.  Their songs were everywhere back then and if you were around at the time, you surely remember pop ditties like Shop Around, Muskrat Love, Do That To Me One More Time, and this one, their first big hit which earned them a Grammy back in 75.  Here's the still so catchy Love Will Keep Us Together...  

Rest In Peace Captain!

Song of the Day - Faith - George Michael

It's two years already since the sudden and shocking passing of George Michael.  It's as hard to believe today as it was back then.  Luckily we've still got the music to enjoy.  Here's Faith...

Song of the Day - Instant Karma - John Lennon

I just caught a post on Facebook commemorating the 38th anniversary of John Lennon's death, which was yesterday.  It's hard to believe it's been that long!  At least we've still got his music to enjoy.  Here's one of his best, Instant Karma...

Flashback Friday Songs of the Day - Aretha!

DetroitFreePress

I'm just going to leave this right here...

Annnnnnndddddd.....MIC DROP!

Thank you Aretha Franklin for sharing your gift with us.

May you Rest In Peace!

Song of the Day - Wake Me Up - Avicii, feat. Aloe Blacc

I first heard the news on Madonna's Instagram feed of all places.  Beneath a picture of the singer, who I didn't recognize at first, and Madonna read the caption, 

So sad...so tragic.  Goodbye Dear Sweet Tim. Gone too soon. #avicii

Like any other fan of popular and dance music, I was stunned.  I immediately headed to Twitter to verify the news and sure enough, Tim Bergling, otherwise known as superstar deejay and producer, Avicii, had been found dead in Oman.  He was only 28 years old.

Anyone who follows this blog on a regular basis knows that I am a big fan of Avicii and his music.  I've posted him at least a dozen times or so and have spent countless hours listening to his music, especially his breakthrough debut album, True.  He put his own great spins on tunes for Madonna, Coldplay, Flo Rida, and many many more and he will surely be missed in the dance music world.  

Avicii was such an important force in music that I don't think that one day's tribute is enough.  Thus I hereby declare the coming week in his honor.  First up is his first, and one of his biggest, hits.  It's a dance song with country inspired sounds and a wonderful set of lyrics masterfully sung by the soulful and melancholic voice of singer Aloe Blacc.  Here's Wake Me Up... 

Song of the Day - Don't Look Any Further - Dennis Edwards & Siedah Garrett

Today's song is in memory of the late, great Dennis Edwards, who sadly passed away on Friday after suffering from a long illness.  He was 74.  Edwards was best known for his tourney as a member of the Temptations and he had a hand in some of their greatest hits, and in 1984 he teamed up with singer Siedah Garrett on this intoxicating, bass-heavy tune that shot all the way up the charts.  This song has had a continuous spot on my All Time Favorites playlist throughout and though the video may seem dated, the song certainly isn't.  Check out Don't Look Any Further...

Rest in Peace Dennis!

Song of the Day - Zombie - The Cranberries

In some sad news, Irish rock band The Cranberries' lead singer Dolores O'Riordan suddenly passed away last night at the age of 46.  At this point there is no known cause of death.  Though I was never a huge Cranberries fan, there is one song of theirs I do know well, and that was their biggest hit, Zombie, penned by O'Riordan.  May she rest in peace!  Here's Zombie...

Flashback Friday Song of the Day - Stop Draggin' My Heart Around - Stevie Nicks & Tom Petty

As we continue to mourn Tom Petty's death, here's one of his most well-known collaborations with another legend in the music world, Ms. Stevie Nicks.  Their 1981 Stop Draggin' My Heart Around was penned by Petty and was one of several tunes they sang together, and by far the most popular.  The video was the 25th played by MTV at its inception and is a classic to this day.  Enjoy...

Song of the Day - Free Fallin' - Tom Petty

Amid all of the shock, horror and sadness of yesterday's massacre in Las Vegas came some more sad and shocking news.  Sometime in the afternoon, word got out that legendary singer/songwriter Tom Petty had suffered from a heart attack.  Reports that the star had passed circulated, but were then taken back.  Petty lingered throughout the day and finally succumbed at around 8:40 PST.  The music world has lost a legend!

You'd have had to be living under a rock if you've been around since thee 80's and don't know any Tom Petty songs.  I remember him with the Heartbreakers during the heyday of early MTV with such memorable tracks as Don't Come Around Here No More, Refugee, American Girl, and his classic duet with Stevie Nicks, Stop Draggin' My Heart Around.  Here's one of my favorite Tom Petty songs, from his first solo album, Full Moon Fever.  Enjoy Free Fallin'...

Song of the Day - I Want Your Sex - George Michael

We wrap up our year in songs and our week-long tribute to the late George Michael with one of his most popular and at the time, most controversial, songs. I Want Your Sex was the lead single to George's breakout debut, Faith, and it's still as hot today as it was way back in 1987.  Check it out...

Song of the Day - Wake Me Up Before You Go Go - Wham!

Here's the one that started it all for fans of George Michael.  Although, the duo had put out a previous record a year earlier (1983's Fantastic), they really did not make any sort of waves until their appropriately titled sophomore set, Make It Big, and this fun dancey number was both the album's first single and the duo's first #1 hit...