The Song For Today by Jimmie Oliver (ebook reader with highlight function .TXT) 📕

date, sharia law is imposed in Iran in 1980}

JULY 8TH
Shake The Disease by Depeche Mode (1985)
from the album The Singles (81-85)
Depeche Mode enjoyed a string of hit singles in the early 'eighties, including such fine recordings as 'See You', 'People Are People', and 'Everything Counts', but arguably the finest track from the early years of Basildon's greatest act was the melancholy 'Shake The Disease'. This minor hit was another instance of the outfit lyrically baring their soul to reveal insecurity against a backdrop of atmospheric electro-pop. It may not have been everybody's cup of tea, as various critics in the music press were only too keen to scoff at Depeche Mode. Nevertheless, 'Shake The Disease' merits inclusion on any list of the best singles of the 1980s. It includes words which us clumsy but well-intentioned males can readily identify with: "Here is a plea from my heart to you/ Nobody knows me, as well as you do/ You know how hard it is for me, to shake the disease/ That takes hold of my tongue in situations like these". Not even 'Get The Balance Right' could quite compare. One of the group, Andrew John Fletcher, was born on this day in 1961 in Nottingham at a time when synthesizers were still unheard of.
{Also on this day, the actress Vivien Leigh dies in 1967, aged 53}

JULY 9TH
New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84) by Simple Minds (1982)
from the album New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84)
Jim Kerr was born on this date back in 1959 in Glasgow. His band's finest hour (or three-quarters of an hour) was surely their project, named 'New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84)'. This album possesses several fabulous items such as 'Promised You A Miracle', 'Big Sleep', and the delicious, ambient instrumental 'Somebody Up There Likes You', but one of my all-time favourite twenty tunes is the title track. 'New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84)' is decorated by a majestic rhythm and although Kerr's vocals remain as blurred as ever, the musical soundscape is simply a joy to experience. I do not claim to be an expert on music, but I dare to suggest that this recording oozes quality.
{Also on this date, in 1984 York Minster is struck by a lightning bolt}

JULY 10TH
It Couldn't Happen Here by The Pet Shop Boys (1987)
from the album Actually
Actually' which was actually released in 1987 contains such massive hit 45s as 'It's A Sin', 'Heart', 'Rent' and the wonderful 'What Have I Done To Deserve This?'. However, my two preferences from this album are obscure tracks, namely 'Kings Cross', which brings the curtain down in fine style on the proceedings, and 'It Couldn't Happen Here'. The dynamic duo's recording on the latter is embellished by the employment of stringed instruments, which collectively contribute to a moody, melodramatic piece. This item is another genuine contender for the best album track that was never released as a single, but then again it is simply one of those tunes that is just too good for the charts. Lead vocalist Neil Tennant was born on this day in 1954. Has he ever been responsible for a better song than this? I think not.
{Also on this day, the Greenpeace ship, Rainbow Warrior is sunk in Auckland in 1985}

JULY 11TH
Tom's Diner by DNA featuring Suzanne Vega (1990)
available on the album Tom's Album
Suzanne Vega came to life on this day in 1959, hailing from Santa Monica in sunny California. Her greatest success has to be the superb 'Tom's Diner' remix that DNA brought to the attention of the airwaves. This 'collaboration' came close to landing a Number One smash in the UK. Nevertheless, this outstanding release deserves inclusion amongst the top ten recordings of the 1990s. Tom's Diner is situated in New York, and such has been the volume of covers that Vega felt obliged to release 'Tom's Album' in acknowledgment of this.
{Also on this date, Sir Laurence Olivier dies at the age of 82 in 1989}

JULY 12TH
You Make Loving Fun by Fleetwood Mac (1977)
from the album Rumours
'Rumours', one of the landmark long-players of the 1970s, is notable for occupying a place in the British charts for several years, while also taking up residence at the summit of the American charts for several weeks. This forty-minute soap opera was an expose of the emotional turmoil within Fleetwood Mac during the breakdown of a couple of love affairs. Nevertheless, it wasn't all doom and gloom. 'Dreams' and 'The Chain' are obvious candidates for the best song of the album, but I would suggest that this accolade belongs to the supremely wondrous 'You Make Loving Fun'. Christine McVie's tribute to her new boyfriend (the group's lighting director) benefits from the considerable input of Lindsey Buckingham's guitar. If ever there was an award for the greatest 'soft rock' composition, then this tune would be a front-runner. I am glad to hear that Downtown Radio's Johnny Hero is equally appreciative of this fine item. Now he really is heroic. Anyhow, this is the anniversary of the birth in 1943 in the Lake District of the great Christine McVie (nee Perfect).
{Also on this day, Minnie Riperton died of breast cancer in 1979, aged 31}

JULY 13TH
My Back Pages by The Byrds (1967)
available on the album The Very Best Of The Byrds
'Younger Than Yesterday' was the latest in a series of half-hour albums by the hugely influential Byrds. The title takes its name from the lyrics of one of the stand-out tracks, 'My Back Pages'. This re-working of a Bob Dylan composition must surely lay claim to being one of the best cover versions of all time. Roger McGuinn and the gang are in sparkling form on this item. Today represents the birthday in 1942 in Chicago of Mr Byrd himself, Jim 'Roger' McGuinn. 'My Back Pages' ought to rate as one of the lead vocalist's very best efforts.
{Also on this date, Live Aid concerts are held in 1985 in London and Philadelphia}

JULY 14TH
Knockin' On Heaven's Door by Eric Clapton (1974)
available on the album The Cream Of Eric Clapton
When he was not shooting Sheriff John Brown, ace guitarist Eric Clapton was knocking on heaven's door. Ably assisted by a superb harmonica, this cut rumbles along in a languid style that is a pleasure to listen to. For all his drug habits, Clapton remained more than capable of knocking out a good tune. This single was a cover of a previous effort from Bob Dylan for the Pat Garrett And Billy The Kid movie soundtrack. At the tender age of only 21, Billy The Kid's short but notorious existence ended on this day in 1881 when he was gunned down in New Mexico by Sheriff Pat Garrett.
{Also on this day, golfer Arnold Palmer wins the British Open in 1961}

JULY 15TH
Shadowplay by Joy Division (1979)
from the album Unknown Pleasures
The ill-fated life of Ian Curtis started its peculiar journey on this date in 1956 in Old Trafford. Two decades later, Curtis was one of many impressionable young adults who were inspired by the anyone-can-do-it legacy of the emergence of punk rock. Soon Curtis was fronting his own four-man combo, eventually named Joy Division. When their first album ('Unknown Pleasures') saw the light of day in 1979, it was anything but joyful. Although of limited commercial appeal, the project found favour with many critics in the music press. The long player's best four minutes revolve around the track 'Shadowplay'. The band members even found themselves on Granada Television 'performing' this recording. What would have struck the viewer was Curtis's melancholy demeanour and his trademark manic 'dance' movement of flailing arms. Away from these visuals, 'Shadowplay' features a magnificent rumbling bass intro from Peter Hook and an equally outstanding guitar outro from Bernard Sumner. This opus is unquestionably amongst the creme de la creme of the new wave and punk era.
{Also on this date, in 1974 President Makarios is deposed in a coup in Cyprus}

JULY 16TH
Invisible Sun by The Police (1981)
from the album Ghost In The Machine
This 'controversial' smash hit begins with former schoolteacher Sting (alias Gordon Sumner) reminding us all that he can at least count up to six. Seriously though, this is a delightfully sinister-sounding tune with enough 'political' overtones to concern the Beeb. With references to an Armalite, 'Invisible Sun' evoked images of the protracted 'dispute' in Northern Ireland. It was actually refreshing to find a group confronting reality, rather than plunging into escapism with 'make believe' songs. The guitar work of Andy Summers shines through this far from sunny number. Meanwhile, the trio's drummer Stewart Copeland was born in Virginia on this day in 1952. Copeland made the unprecedented voyage from the son of a CIA agent to becoming the sticksman of a new wave band. I wonder if the CIA approved.
{Also on this day, the Mont Blanc Tunnel, between France and Italy opens in 1965}

JULY 17TH
Third Stone From The Sun by The Jimi Hendrix Experience (1967)
from the album Are You Experienced
Chas Chandler, formerly of the Animals, died on this date in 1996 at the age of fifty-seven. In spite of the not inconsiderable success that he achieved with his group, Chandler's most enduring contribution to the evolution of popular music has to be his 'discovery' of one James Hendrix in New York in the late summer of 1966. Before long, Jimi Hendrix and his newly-assembled Experience were dazzling music lovers with their psychedelic rock as recorded on their debut offering, 'Are You Experienced'. This album is so raw and in your face that it surpasses Hendrix's later projects. The highlight is surely the monumental 'Third Stone From The Sun'. Here Hendrix finds a happy medium between a three minute demonstration of power chords and a lengthy jam. Set against Jimi's guitar virtuosity, here is the ultimate cosmic rock anthem. Hendrix even boldly declares in the midst of this remarkable song "but then you'll never hear surf music again." This wasn't strictly true, but what was clear was that Hendrix and the new sounds that he represented were a firm challenge to the old order of pop and surf music.
{Also on this date, the 1976 Summer Olympics opens in Montreal, Canada}