Songs

Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic — The Police

Posted on 10/24/202610/27/2026 by werock.tv

From The Police's 1981 album Ghost in the Machine, Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic is one of their happiest songs. Bright piano, Sting's joyful vocals, and a big, bouncing chorus make it pure, sunny pop. This song reminds me of her, and it makes me smile. I hear affection becoming gratitude....

The Distance — CAKE

Posted on 10/24/202610/27/2026 by werock.tv

From CAKE's 1996 album Fashion Nugget, The Distance rides a deadpan vocal, a fat bass line, and blasting trumpets. It tells the story of a racer who keeps going long after the crowd goes home. I saw CAKE with a close friend last year, and The Distance still carries that concert memory. Seen...

Hush — Mark Kimbrell with Another Roadside Attraction

Posted on 10/24/202610/27/2026 by werock.tv

Hush was written by Joe South and became a hit for Deep Purple in 1968. Here, Mark Kimbrell plays it with Another Roadside Attraction at Zydeco, bringing Birmingham music history close to home with a big, swinging groove. This one is for Mark, Henry, and Matt, with gratitude. Seen through a...

Live at Mountain Brook Junior High — Another Roadside Attraction

Posted on 10/24/202610/27/2026 by werock.tv

This is the original Another Roadside Attraction playing at Mountain Brook Junior High, introduced by Alan Hunter, who went on to become one of MTV's original VJs. It's a snapshot of young musicians with big dreams and loud amps. Sims, Franklin, Brian, and me: friends sharing a stage. Seen through...

Spirits in the Material World — The Police

Posted on 10/24/202610/27/2026 by werock.tv

From The Police's 1981 album Ghost in the Machine, Spirits in the Material World pairs a choppy reggae groove with Sting's moody synths and haunting vocals. It questions politics and asks whether our answers lie somewhere deeper. The Police takes me back to bar mitzvahs, friends, and dancing at...

Sweet Home Alabama — Lynyrd Skynyrd

Posted on 10/24/202610/27/2026 by werock.tv

From Lynyrd Skynyrd's 1974 album Second Helping, Sweet Home Alabama opens with one of the most recognizable guitar riffs in rock. It's a proud, complicated answer song that name-checks Muscle Shoals and its legendary Swampers. For me, Alabama is home: beautiful, deeply complicated, and filled with...

Carry On Wayward Son — Kansas

Posted on 10/23/202610/27/2026 by werock.tv

From Kansas's 1976 album Leftoverture, Carry On Wayward Son was written by guitarist Kerry Livgren. Soaring harmonies, a crunching riff, and that famous a cappella opening made it a classic rock staple. Livgren later became a Christian himself. Seen through a Christian lens, Kansas gives a...

The Circle Game — Joni Mitchell

Posted on 10/23/202610/27/2026 by werock.tv

From Joni Mitchell's 1970 album Ladies of the Canyon, The Circle Game was written as an answer to her friend Neil Young. It follows a child growing up season by season, as the painted ponies go up and down. Joni Mitchell makes me hear childhood and fatherhood together. Olivia, Charlotte, and...

Both Sides, Now — Joni Mitchell

Posted on 10/23/202610/27/2026 by werock.tv

Joni Mitchell wrote Both Sides, Now in the sixties, and it became a hit for Judy Collins before Joni recorded it herself. Her later version shows how a song grows along with its singer. Joni Mitchell reminds me that living still leaves more to learn. Music changes as the listener grows. Seen...

Keep Your Hands to Yourself – Georgia Satellites

Posted on 10/23/202610/27/2026 by werock.tv

Keep Your Hands to Yourself became the Georgia Satellites' big hit in 1986, reaching number two nationally. Dan Baird's rowdy vocals and a raw, Stones-style guitar groove made it a party anthem all across the American South. This one is for Ben Hagler: ten tacos, no garnish, and our Bendover stage...