Here Are Some “Songs For Sunday”…

It’s Sunday, a day to relax and listen to some of my favorite songs with a “Y”!

“Yellow” by Coldplay

This group has a special meaning to me. I discovered this gorgeous song in 2000 while in London working with Prince Edward Wessex on a TV project…we put them on E! News before the album even had a US release date.

“Look at the stars
Look how they shine for you
And everything you do
Yeah they were all yellow”

Here’s the video from youtube, seen over 400-million times…

Next up is a band that has been recording, in different formations, for almost 40 years, but no matter who is still in the band, the iconic logo remains the same:

YES – “I’ve Seen All Good People”

They were one of the greatest progressive rock bands of all time – with classic songs like “Roundabout”, “Yours Is No Disgrace” and “Starship Trooper”- and this song, which begins as a beautiful folk song, then halfway through becomes a blistering rocker.

It’s from “The Yes Album”, which is a progressive rock masterpiece.

Here they are performing the song live in 1972 – a gorgeous version from the official Yes channel:

Here’s a look at all of the album covers over the years.

In the 80’s, they had a string of massive pop-oriented hits like “Owner Of A Lonely Heart” and “Leave It”, but I also wanted to share a great song from the album that turned them away from progressive rock and toward the 80’s:

YES – “Going For The One”

It’s the title track from their eight studio album – the logo is still there, but as you can see from the rest of the album cover, they’ve announced a change in style.

In the song, lead singer and songwriter Jon Anderson has a little fun with his reputation:

“Now the verses I’ve sang
Don’t add much weight
To the story in my head
So I’m thinking I should go and write a punchline

But they’re so hard to find
In my cosmic mind
So I think I’ll take
A look out of the window…”

It’s a great rock song with a progressive rock feel, check this live version out:

Hed Gilboa published this on Jan 24, 2014 on youtube – a great home-made video mashup from the Glasgow, Paris and Philadelphia shows, synched to audio from the Frankfurt concert, all live in 1977 on the “Going For The One” tour.

Next up one of America’s greatest singer/songwriters:

“You’ve Got A Friend” by Carole King

This is probably one of the best known cats in music history!

Carole King blew the music world away in 1971 with her solo album “Tapestry”, filled with such classic songs as “So Far Away” and “I Feel The Earth Move”, as well as this classic.

“When you’re down and troubled,
And you need some love and care,
And nothing, nothing is going right
Close your eyes and think of me,
And soon I will be there
To brighten up even your darkest night.

You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I’ll come running to see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I’ll be there
You’ve got a friend”

Here she is performing this iconic song live, her voice as perfect as ever:

King’s close friend James Taylor recorded his version of the song shortly thereafter and it was a huge #1 hit…they tour together, my wife Alex and I saw the show it’s it really amazing – and here they are performing the song together on Ellen’s show:

One of the most beautiful songs ever written.

Next up n the “Y” list is a band that capture “flower power” in 1967:

The Youngbloods “Get Together”

In 1967, this was the anthem for the “summer of love”:

“Love is but a song to sing
Fear’s the way we die
You can make the mountains ring
Or make the angels cry
Though the bird is on the wing
And you may not know why
Come on people now
Smile on your brother
Everybody get together
Try to love one another
Right now…”

Here is a video of the band performing the song:

Thanks to José Luiz 53 for posting this on YouTube last year!

Finally, I will close with probably the most recognizable “Artist with a Y”:

Neil Young – “Like A Hurricane”

This classic Neil Young song is from his “American Stars ‘n’ Bars” album in 1977.

It’s a blistering, eight minute rocker with poignant lyrics:

“You are like a hurricane
There’s calm in your eye.
And I’m gettin’ blown away
To somewhere safer
where the feeling stays.
I want to love you but
I’m getting blown away.”

He is such a great performer live, and it’s no different with this song.

Here is an incredible live version from 1986:

He’s written such classic songs as “Old Man”, “Only Love Can Break Your Heart” and “Heart Of Gold”, but here’s a bonus – one of his most beautiful love songs:

Neil Young – “Lotta Love”

yes, it was a hit by Nicolette Larson, but watch him perform it here:

He’s such a timeless Artist, still making music today.

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Leave a comment and let me know, as you always do, what “songs with a Y” I missed!

Categories: 70's Music, Art, Books / Media, British Cinema, Classic Rock, London, Music, Obscure Music, Talent/Celebrities, TV Show, Uncategorized

Tags: best Neil Young songs, best songs for Sunday, best Yes albums, Carole King, Coldplay, Coldplay Yellow video, great films, greatest rock of all time, hollywood, Hotel California, late for the sky, Los Angeles, memoirs, movies, music, music history, Neil Young, Neil Young Lotta Love, Neil Young songs, new music, obscure music, On The Border The Eagles, performances, RIP Glenn Frey, singer songwriters, songs for Sunday, Songs with a Y, southern california rock, Sunday Songs, The Youngbloods, The Youngbloods Get Together, Yes, Yes albums, Yes Going For The One, Yes group, You Never Cry Like A Lover The Eagles, You've Got A Friedn Carole King, You've Got A Friend