Uploaded June 2019 | Updated September 2026, 7 hours ago
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"One of These Days" by Ten Years After - Band
Curated by: Natalie Silver
Spotify: bit.ly/OneofTheseDaysTenYearsAfter
Genre: #classicrock, #psychrock
My grandfather is the OG classic rock fundamentalist. But i’m not complaining; he taught me everything I know.
He has phenomenal taste in music (I mean, he formed mine) minus three RIDICULOUS statements about rock ‘n roll that he stands by to this day. I simply cannot go into 1 and 2 right now--but we’ll talk about 3.
1). The Beatles haven’t “stood the test of time.”
2). Lyrics are entirely irrelevant to the greatness of a song.
3). There is one sleeper band of the ‘60s that is integral to the entire rock ‘n roll genome--its development, history, influence and foundation--and if its members weren’t “fat, ugly and void of rock star swagger” they would have taken the spot of Zeppelin or The Stones or The Who. They would have been the stars, and the fame would have propelled them into a higher level of creation which ultimately would have provoked them to produce a more prolific repertoire of killer songs...if only they ate a salad every once in a while and brushed their teeth.
The British blues rock band my grandfather was lovingly referring to is Ten Years After, which formed in 1966 and released one of their best songs “One Of These Days,” in 1971 a couple years after the true height of classic rock. After his little preamble, Grandpa pressed play on this number and turned the volume all the way up; I haven’t listened to it any other way since.
My grandfather loves Ten Years After for the musical unpredictability within their relentless jamming, the grit and fire they bring to their melodic compositions, and their ability to dig deep within the instrumental sections of their music, climbing up and down the scale ladder and surprising us with the intensity, complexity and next-level novelty of their brand of rock music. Though their presence in the history of music is totally understated, they truly do occupy the throne of blues rock which thrived during this time and also presented itself in the music of The Doors, Led Zeppelin and The Grateful Dead. Today, their influence can be heard in more contemporary artists such as Greta Van Fleet, The Black Keys, Wolfmother, Alabama Shakes and even some of Ty Segall’s stuff.
“One Of These Days,” is composed of a swinging, jaunty bassline, an impassioned harmonica act, and a lazy electric guitar part that fills in the gaps between the two with attitude. The electric guitar and harmonica each play supporting roles in lifting up that relentless bass and rhythm guitar section with ferocity, zeal and a hint of jealousy.
Though the instruments are complementary, they simultaneously feel in competition with one another--not in the sense of outshining the other, but rather in subtly indicating that their presence is essential to the song’s medley of soul, boldness and hollow ambition.
The lyrical element is interesting. No, Grandpa, they’re not profound--and the song would, arguably, be just as interesting if vocalist Alvin Lee was simply growling gibberish. But when you listen closely, the lyrics truly tie together the song’s distinct elements into a consonance, cohesion, and complete narrative. They contextualize the angst conveyed by the music. The music is confident, but the lyrics convey vulnerability. The result? Tension. And tension makes everything more complex, more emotional and more deliberate. And that’s what makes it worth listening to again and again and again. And at max volume, as always.
So Grandpa, thank you for pressing play. But also, fight me on the lyrics.
Rock With This (http://rockwiththis.com) helps you discover your new favorite songs. We deliver the best of what's breaking and uncover the left behind tracks that need to be heard. Subscribe for more music, it's free. ;)
Follow us on:
Instagram: instagram.com/rockwiththismusic
Spotify: bit.ly/SPRockWithThis
SoundCloud: bit.ly/SCRockWithThis
Facebook: facebook.com/rockwiththis
-----------------------------
"One of These Days" by Ten Years After - Band
Curated by: Natalie Silver
Spotify: bit.ly/OneofTheseDaysTenYearsAfter
Genre: #classicrock, #psychrock
My grandfather is the OG classic rock fundamentalist. But i’m not complaining; he taught me everything I know.
He has phenomenal taste in music (I mean, he formed mine) minus three RIDICULOUS statements about rock ‘n roll that he stands by to this day. I simply cannot go into 1 and 2 right now--but we’ll talk about 3.
1). The Beatles haven’t “stood the test of time.”
2). Lyrics are entirely irrelevant to the greatness of a song.
3). There is one sleeper band of the ‘60s that is integral to the entire rock ‘n roll genome--its development, history, influence and foundation--and if its members weren’t “fat, ugly and void of rock star swagger” they would have taken the spot of Zeppelin or The Stones or The Who. They would have been the stars, and the fame would have propelled them into a higher level of creation which ultimately would have provoked them to produce a more prolific repertoire of killer songs...if only they ate a salad every once in a while and brushed their teeth.
The British blues rock band my grandfather was lovingly referring to is Ten Years After, which formed in 1966 and released one of their best songs “One Of These Days,” in 1971 a couple years after the true height of classic rock. After his little preamble, Grandpa pressed play on this number and turned the volume all the way up; I haven’t listened to it any other way since.
My grandfather loves Ten Years After for the musical unpredictability within their relentless jamming, the grit and fire they bring to their melodic compositions, and their ability to dig deep within the instrumental sections of their music, climbing up and down the scale ladder and surprising us with the intensity, complexity and next-level novelty of their brand of rock music. Though their presence in the history of music is totally understated, they truly do occupy the throne of blues rock which thrived during this time and also presented itself in the music of The Doors, Led Zeppelin and The Grateful Dead. Today, their influence can be heard in more contemporary artists such as Greta Van Fleet, The Black Keys, Wolfmother, Alabama Shakes and even some of Ty Segall’s stuff.
“One Of These Days,” is composed of a swinging, jaunty bassline, an impassioned harmonica act, and a lazy electric guitar part that fills in the gaps between the two with attitude. The electric guitar and harmonica each play supporting roles in lifting up that relentless bass and rhythm guitar section with ferocity, zeal and a hint of jealousy.
Though the instruments are complementary, they simultaneously feel in competition with one another--not in the sense of outshining the other, but rather in subtly indicating that their presence is essential to the song’s medley of soul, boldness and hollow ambition.
The lyrical element is interesting. No, Grandpa, they’re not profound--and the song would, arguably, be just as interesting if vocalist Alvin Lee was simply growling gibberish. But when you listen closely, the lyrics truly tie together the song’s distinct elements into a consonance, cohesion, and complete narrative. They contextualize the angst conveyed by the music. The music is confident, but the lyrics convey vulnerability. The result? Tension. And tension makes everything more complex, more emotional and more deliberate. And that’s what makes it worth listening to again and again and again. And at max volume, as always.
So Grandpa, thank you for pressing play. But also, fight me on the lyrics.
