Beat it

In music, the most audacious projects don't always yield good results, take for example the collaboration between Coldplay and Jay-Z on the song “Lost.” I won’t say I hated it, because that would sound a bit shallow and disrespectful. I shall simply say I thoroughly disliked it, which sounds a wee bit more technical and well thought out.

In some cases the gamble actually pays off, and that exactly what happened with the song, Beat it. Quincy Jones, engineered a rock meets soul music crossover like none other. He wanted Michael Jackson’s then upcoming album, Thriller, to have a rock n roll song, which Michael wasn't really that into. But of course the song was made and, it was an absolute master piece which together with the rest of the songs on the album, won the Late Michael Jackson numerous awards, and millions of fans worldwide. The only loser in this gamble was Eddie van Halen. He didn’t actually lose anything, though he didn’t gain much.

 
 Michael Jackson was a beautiful soul blessed with immense singing talent, showmanship and ingenuity. But we all know he was never an all-out rock musician, and with the song Beat it, his music took on a whole other visage and was able to be heard in a different light. Granted the light was silhouetted in the deep and dark shade of rock n roll, fans didn't care, the song rocked them to the bone.

Beat it isn’t you typical Michael Jackson song. The song is actually closer to heavy metal than it is to soul or pop. It has that heavy opening synthesizer sound that eases you into a heavy guitar riff and of course there's that not so small matter of the guitar solo. In short, not many Michael Jackson songs have such an arrangement, and frankly its quite something. The riff by itself is the kind that a great guitarist would be blessed to have. Just imagine a great riff like that in the repertoire of a guitarist like Led zeppelin’s Jimmy Page, or better yet Eddie van Halen himself.  It would actually make more sense to have a riff like that on Van Halen song than on a Michael Jackson song. But then again it would be just another riff in the long list of great riffs by such a great guitarist. All in all It’s quite an intricate piece of rhythm guitar playing, a mesmerizing one at that.
 
Most people say rock musicians are crazy, and this song presents another example of that. It’s no secret that Eddie van Halen is a great guitarist, and of course if it wasn’t for maybe a few of other great guitarists, he’d be the greatest to ever play the instrument. But as great as his playing is, he did a generously crazy thing; he put what is without a doubt one of his greatest guitar solos on this song for the price of nothing. I mean when Quincy Jones asked him to put a solo on the song, he didn’t ask for anything, he just did it, For free! If that isn’t being crazy, then I don’t know what is. Of course he was grilled by his Van Halen band mates for it, but he’s Eddie van Halen, the guitar god, and musical genius. I personally still think it was an act of carelessness, but what do i know, i'm just a fan.

30+ years on and Beat it is still one of the greatest songs ever recorded. Many attribute it's success to Michael Jackson, but the real genius behind this mega hit was Quincy Jones. it was his industry and resourcefulness that gave us this legendary piece of music.

Sex and Candy-Marcy Playground

In 1997, Marcy playground released what is undoubtedly their finest work, a song that many fans thought would set them on their way to mainstream success. Sadly, they never really got there. I remember the first time i listened to this song, for your information, it wasn't in 1997, it was in 2007. In my mind i was like, "OMG, this is a  really good song, and if this was 1997, I'd be so freaking out," then i silently listened to the remainder of the song and then went on to listen to the next song on my playlist .

Sex and candy is an alternative rock  song that you could call a grunge or post grunge song, or you could just stick with calling it alternative rock, not that it really matters. Sex and candy is just one of those songs about nothing in particular that make you want to listen to them over and over again until you don’t want to listen to them anymore. Another example is Fuel’s  ”Hemorrhage,”  which is also not one of the greatest songs of all time, but just one of those that you never forget once you give them a listen.

 Not Many Rock music fans remember Marcy playground or this song. This is because the song is not an anthem nor is it a common classic radio favorite like Bon Jovi's "Living on a prayer" or The Eagles' "Hotel California. It’s just one of those rare ones that you’d be lucky just to listen to. The other reason is because Marcy Playground isn’t a very popular band, of course if they were as popular as say, the foo fighters, then maybe you might have heard of this song once or twice. Those that do remember the song, probably remember it because Maroon 5 covered the song and put it on their 2014 album titled, V. As you can see, its not an offense to not know this song. On the contrary, "i've never heard of it!" is the common answer you'd get if you went about asking random people if they've heard of this song.

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The song is a simple composition, and is actually quite flat that one one wouldn't be ridiculed for labeling it uninteresting. The lyrics also don't do it any favors, because by themselves they don’t really mean much. The vocal delivery is also not that great or as pronounced as many would like. So yeah the song has carefree vibe and one of the few positives is its decent riff. In all fairness, it should be another ordinary song, the kind that sounds like it bored the guy who was sang it as he was attempting to sing through the lyrics sheet. But it is this simplicity that makes it a good song. It's very easy to sing along to and of course quite catchy. The fact that the song isn’t complex makes you appreciate the simplicity put into its composition, I mean it’s simply a great song that’s easy to fall in love with. I won’t say the song is incredibly good, because it has close no standout bits to exaggerate about. Sex and candy is one of those songs that are good because they are just good.

METALLICA

Formed in 1981 in the city of Los Angeles, California, is the most successful, and most popular heavy metal band ever. This band is called Tenacious D, Just kidding, forget the clowns from Tenacious D, the heavy metal Mammoth in question is the mighty Metallica. Like most bands, they too had a small start but it didn’t take them long to develop a cult following. Metallica may not have been the pioneers of Thrash metal, but like Nirvana, they made this sub-genre famous. They are still one of the genre's top bands, and that doesn't look like it'll be changing anytime soon.

Metallica, like all great rock bands have scooped a number awards in their long and illustrious history. Speaking of awards, as a fan of great music, i'm still baffled by the fact that Jethro Tull took home the Grammy for best hard rock/metal performance in 1989 ahead of the then favorites, Metallica. Of course it doesn't matter now because Metallica have won numerous awards, and have been inducted into the rock n roll hall of fame, so yeah i guess they did eventually have the last laugh.

If it’s something to do with heavy metal, Metallica have done it, I mean it's practically impossible to have a discussion about great heavy metal bands without mentioning the name Metallica. Metallica have achieved more than any heavy metal band that has come before or after them. They've even  played where no heavy metal band had ever been before. I don’t mean Space, I mean Glastonbury. Though playing a gig in space would be quite the achievement.

Many consider Metallica to be the greatest heavy metal band of ever, and I believe they're not entirely wrong. I'm actually a die hard Iron Maiden fan, but It's quite clear that the numbers definitely skew in Metallica's favor. Just take a look at their album sales, and fan base, you'll be amazed at how popular they are.

Like The Redhot chilli Peppers' bassist, Flea, put it, “whatever the intangible items are that make a band the best, Metallica has them.” I definitely agree with him here, i mean just look at the wealth of talent Metallica have had since the band was created.

Past Band Members

Ron McGovney (Bassist)

Ron was the first and original bassist for Metallica, he together with James, Lars and Dave Mustaine formed the first Metallica line up. He quit the band due to constant clashes with Lars Ulrich and Dave Mustaine.

Dave Mustaine (Guitarist)

Rhythm Guitarist: Dave mustaine

 Dave Mustaine is an incredible guitarist, who at one time was also part of Metallica. He was then fired from the band because of his excessive alcohol and drug use along with his inability to get along with the other band members. This didn’t get in the way of him making the best of his talent, he then formed another thrash metal band of his own. Mustaine's band, Megadeth went on to be part of thrash metal’s best bands. Even though Dave wasn’t inducted into the rock n roll hall of fame along with the other Metallica members, his contribution to Metallica’s first album, ‘kill em all,” helped the band get that first and essential foothold on their way to becoming the most famous heavy metal band around.

 Cliff Burton (Bassist)

He may have contributed to only four Metallica albums, but its hard to name a heavy metal bassist that can outplay the Late Cliff Burton. Yes a few names do come to mind, names like Steve Harris and Geezer butler, but in the five years that cliff played for Metallica, he showed the whole world what he could do with a bass in his hands.

 With great bass lines like, the opening on for whom the bell tolls, and  the instrumental Anesthesia Pulling teeth, Cliff Burton cemented himself in the hearts of the Metallica faithful as the band’s greatest bassist. Which does say a lot considering the band now has another skilled bassist in the form of Robert Trujillo. Cliff may have lost his life in a horrible bus accident, but his timeless bass lines still echo on in our hearts, may he Rest In Peace.

Jason Newsted (Bassist)

Jason Newsted may have left the band under the most peculiar circumstances, but his contribution is not forgotten. It is a well known fact that it was during the Jason Newsted era that Metallica got the most mainstream success, in short, he helped turn Metallica into a mainstream heavy metal band.  He might not have really been the standout fan favorite, but his contribution to the many albums he played on helped the band reach the heights that it did.

Present band members.

RobertTrujillo (Bassist)

After Jason Newsted left the band, Metallica hired former Suicidal Tendencies and Ozzy Osbourne bassist, Robert Trujillo. Rob isn’t your average heavy metal bassist, which is why it didn't take him long to cement himself as an essential member of the band.

 Rob may not have been the first or second bassist to grace the stage with Metallica, but when he gets up on stage and starts doing his thing, he totally kills it. Lets not forget his crab walk, which makes him looks like he is life threateningly constipated.

Kirk Hammett (Lead guitarist)

When Metallica fired Dave Mustaine, they hired Kirk hammett, who turned to be quite a revelation. kirk assumed the role of playing lead and made it his own. His guitar playing brings emotion to Metallica’s raw thrash metal sound and With incredible solos on songs like “the unforgiven”, “Fade to black” and of course “One,” kirk Hammett established himself as one of the greatest guitarists ever. If at all you dispute his claim to being one of the greatest guitarist ever, just listen to his absolute ripper of a solo on “one.”

But of course Kirk hammett doesn’t only do lead guitar bits and epic solos, he also has a few incredible riff, Take for example the insanely monstrous riffs on, creeping death and,  enter sandman.

kirk Hammet may occasionally play a sloppy gig here and there like all human musicians, but that doesn't take anything away from him being a great guitarist.His guitar skills were acknowledged by the great Rolling stones magazine, that once had him on their list of greatest guitarists.



James Hetfield (Rhythm Guitarist and Vocalist)

James Hetfield, the infamous leader of Metallica, the man who fronts the band and plays rhythm at the same time. Not many heavy metal guitarist can boast having the collection of incredible riffs that James has, the only other probable heavy metal rhythm guitarists who could match his riffing skills are black Sabbath’s iconic Ironman, Tony Iommi, and former Metallica member, Dave Mustaine.

The fact that James is able to play such elaborate riffs and produce such ferocious vocals simultaneously is quite a feat, and to be able to do all of that so calmly without missing a note is also quite admirable.
The animosity in James Hetfield's vocals makes him one of heavy metal's finest vocalists. His vocals may not soar like Dio's or be as unsettling as Ozzy's, but they sure are the stuff of legend.

Lars Ulrich (Drummer)

 Lars Ulrich is one of the co-founders of the great heavy metal band that is Metallica, he  may not always get the credit he deserves, but he is quite the drummer, he may not be one of the finest rock drummers ever but when it comes to heavy metal drumming, he is one of the best around. If  I were to have a list of top 10 heavy metal drummers, he would probably make the list, but the key word here is “probably,” which implies that he is not really top 5 material, but that's just my take on his drumming skills.

Lars may be diminutive or what some would call a miniature man, but for what he lacks in size, he makes up for with his ego. He is the most pretentious and controversial Metallica member, I mean many may not have heard this, but he once claimed that late bassist, Cliff Burton “Might not be good enough to now be in Metallica as it now,” which by any measure is profoundly disrespectful.

Top 10 Metallica songs

10. The unforgiven III

Released off metallica's 2008 album, Death Magnetic, is the song The Unforgiven iii. Many Metallica fans may not rate this song as being one of the bands finest, but in my book, the Unforgiven is a phenomenal piece that has great lyrics. Of course it also has a fine guitar solo.

9. Nothing else matters

One of the most popular and  commercially successful Metallica songs ever. Nothing else matters contains elements of balladry that are not really the core of Metallica's sound, but whether you are a noob or a die hard Metallica fan, you most definitely like this song.

8. The four horsemen

Metallica have knack for writing songs about Biblical events, and with this one they bring forth the tale of the four horsemen of the apocalypse, who come to bring destruction to man kind. The original version of this song was written by Dave Mustaine, but the polished up  version by Metallica is the real masterpiece. The riff by itself is quite something.

 7. For whom the bell tolls
 
For whom the bell toll was released as a single on Metallica's Second album, Ride the lightning. The song's lyrics were inspired by Earnest Hemmingway's book that has the same name.

 For who the bells has a very deceptive bass intro that one could mistake for a guitar intro. The song opens with an incredible wah wah distorted bass riff from late bass Virtuoso, Cliff Burton. Of course only Cliff Burton could shred like that, and on this song much like he did on Anesthesia(pulling teeth), his bass skills shone and actually overshadowed other band members.

6. Fade to black

Fade to black has one of kirk Hammet's most famous pieces of guitar work, and by that i mean the awesome guitar solo. The guitar solo on this song is probably among his finest solo's ever, but that's just my opinion, for all i know some may not even consider it to be a great guitar solo.

 5.  Creeping death

The riff on this song by Kirk Hammet's is probably on of his best. its a really great song this one. Creeping death is another Metallica song about a biblical event. This one is about the angel of death in the story of Moses, that came in the night and butchered the first born sons of Egypt. It really is quite the song.
 

4. Seek and destroy

Seek and destroy is a thrash metal master piece from Metallica's debut album written by Lars and James Hetfield. The songs opens with a great James Hetfield riff and instantly put fans in a heavy metal trance that leaves them singing along to the chorus like, " searching, seek n destroy."  its impossible to not want to sing along to the chorus of this song. The songs rage filled lyrics depict anger and murderous intent from the get go, sorta of like a serial killer hunting down his victims one by one.
 

3. Enter sandman

Of course the sandman isn't meant to be scary or anything, but that's if its anyone else but Metallica telling the story. With enter sand man, Metallica turned children's nightmares and scary phantasms into reality, and with the insane guitar skills of Kirk Hammet doing the riffing, it couldn't get any darker.

2. One

Kirk Hammet and James Hetfield at their best, i mean the riff by James Hetfield is incredible, and then the guitar solo on this song is also great. But that's not all, this song has some great lyrics. Its a dark tale that depicts the struggles of a casualty of war, one that has lost their sight, hearing, arms and legs.The song is like an SOS message from someone begging to be put out of their misery.

1. Master of puppets

The greatest Metallica song of all time, boasting a monstrous riff and guitar solo. This song defines Metallica's sound in every note played, every word sung and every drum beat. It is also one of thee very best heavy metal songs ever recorded, if not the best ever. Everything about this song screams METALLICA! METALLICA! METALLICA!.

Starman: David Bowie

Who would’ve thought that in 2016, we’d lose one of the most iconic musician of the 20^th century, certainly no one in their right mind i should hope. Early this year the world lost an icon, an innovator and a great man, a man whose music did more than just entertain, it shaped minds and brought down cultural barriers. The world didn’t just lose another musician, it lost one of the finest ever.

David Bowie’s contribution to music is unparalleled; no other musician has influenced music and pop culture as much as this man did. Most people say Elvis, The Beatles, Led zeppelin, Michael Jackson, and Kurt Cobane, redefined music with their work, but the reality is David Bowie’s contribution to Music also played a pivotal part, to some it played an even bigger role than that of all the a fore mentioned artists. He didn’t just invent Glam rock; he also helped plant the seed for countless genres like Punk rock, Disco plus countless others.  His singing, stage presence and audacious attire baffled crowds and critics alike. If you could sum up his onstage persona in one word, it would be, "daring," because he dared to do what many had feared to do, which was to simply be himself in more ways than one.


 David Bowie was not your ordinary musician he had a knack for attracting controversy, with his dressing as well as the countless other things he did. Bowie wasn’t just a singer, he was a performer, a rebel, and oh lets not forget, he was Ziggy Stardust. During the early years of his career, many called him pretentious, but that’s what all great artists are called when the people fail to understand the beauty of their art. Lets not forget that it was these simple minded and conservative people that had earlier labelled greats like The king of Rock n Roll( Elvis Presley), and The rolling stones a bad influences on the young minds, and look what that did to dent their progress, close to nothing. Both acts went on to top charts, gain world wide fame, and eventually earn the respect of those that once persecuted them. This was simply because no matter how hard you try, you can never shackle the power and influence of great music.

For many, The Day The music Died, was the day Buddy Holly died, but for me it is the day David Bowie lost his life to cancer. I am not in anyway trying to be disrespectful or playing down Buddy Holly's contribution to music, in fact i believe he was an inspirational musician and innovator in more ways that one. But in my opinion, the death of Bowie is the day the music finally died, because it comes as a rude wake up call that reminds us to cherish the aging musicians we still have before they eventually leave us to go to a place where the music never stops. Please take a moment to remember another great Musician we lost at the end of last year, one Ian "Lemmy " Kilmister, a heavy metal pioneer in every sense of the word, may he RIP.


David  Bowie much like Freddie mercury was one for the theatrics, simply put, the man liked to put on a show. His somewhat outrageous attire made him standout in whatever he did, you could say, the attire gave his singing an edge. His attire didn't take anything away from his singing, because fact is, David bowie could sing, he really could sing.  If one was to make a list of the greatest singers to ever step into a recording studio, it would be criminal to leave out this Starman.

Words cannot begin to tell the whole tale of the great work Bowie did during the course of his life, so in the immortal words of the man himself, “Stars are never sleeping, dead ones and the living…........we will never get rid of these stars, I hope they live forever,”  RIP David Bowie......may you live forever in our hearts.