YOU ARE HERE: zharth.net / Zharth's Music Log / Week 62 (Lines)
(Originally finalized on February 29, 2024)
Preface: It's another simple theme this week - songs about lines (or, more specifically, songs with the word "line" in their title). Sometimes all you need is the most superficial connection to tie a bunch of songs together, but the result is still an interesting lineup. That's all this music log is for, anyway - giving you an excuse (as if you needed one) to listen to good music!
Monday: Toto - Hold The Line [Toto, 1978]
Comments: So, the impetus for this theme was a couple of hits by bands I don't listen to very much, but that I always enjoy hearing when they come on the radio. The first is Hold The Line, from Toto's self-titled debut album from 1978.
Tuesday: Triumph - Lay It On The Line [Just A Game, 1979]
Comments: The second song is Triumph's Lay It On The Line, from their 1979 album Just A Game. When I realized that these two radio hits both have the word "line" in their title, I knew it could make for a good theme.
Wednesday: Spirit - I Got A Line On You [The Family That Plays Together, 1968]
Comments: Jumping back to 1968, our next song is I Got A Line On You by Spirit (the band that Led Zeppelin famously ripped off for the beginning melody to Stairway To Heaven), from their sophomore album.
Thursday: The Rolling Stones - All Down The Line [Exile On Main St, 1972]
Comments: As it turns out, I had no trouble finding songs to fill out this theme. Here's All Down The Line, another offering from The Rolling Stones' fantastic roots album, Exile On Main St.
Friday: Neil Young & Crazy Horse - White Line [Ragged Glory, 1990]
Comments: Next we jump to 1990, for a track from Neil Young & Crazy Horse's post-70s electric guitar jam rock opus, Ragged Glory. "That old white line is a friend of mine."
Saturday: Iron Maiden - The Thin Line Between Love And Hate [Brave New World, 2000]
Comments: While we're honoring rock legends decades after their initial rise to prominence, here's a track from Iron Maiden's 2000 album, Brave New World, which marked a return to form.
Sunday: Dio - The Last In Line [The Last In Line, 1984]
Comments: For this week's finale, we skip back to 1984, with the title track from Dio's second album, The Last In Line, which effectively melds Dio's melodic roots with his heavy metal chops.
Honorable Mention: Johnny Cash - I Walk The Line [With His Hot And Blue Guitar!, 1957]
Comments: I really like this song for this theme, but I'm relegating it to an honorable mention because with Johnny Cash's country ties, and the early 1957 release date, I feel it's just slightly too out of sync with the rest of the music here. But it's worth mentioning!