Musical Monday- “Battles” by AXE

Sometimes bands that do not deserve the buzz that they get make it, make it HUGE. Then there are those bands that deserved better, that more people should have heard their music, sung their songs. AXE is definitely in the later category. This song, Battles, popped up on my Spotify mix and I love it. The name AXE tickled my brain and as I researched them I realized that I did remember them on the periphery of my mind from days gone by. I remember their single Rock-n-roll Party in the Streets. It wasn’t a favorite but I do remember them. Now this song, Battles? This I never heard. I would have remembered this one. You have to ask yourself, how many bands made it or didn’t because of what the record company decided to release as a single? Now, there are plenty of stories of dj’s deciding to play the B side of a record and thus creating a hit in the process. These days we don’t have disc jockeys and we are just barely rediscovering vinyl, so that’s not a likely path to greatness.

I love this song so I am including two versions for you to YouTube to your heart’s content. The first is the audio of the song back in the day. Originally released on April 29th, 1979, I wasn’t even ten yet. I guess I can forgive myself for missing it. Billy Barth was the songwriter and lead guitarist/vocalist for this track. Dang though, what a beautiful song. It brings me back to the mantra (and I am loosely paraphrasing) not to judge because everyone around you, and I mean everyone, is fighting battles that you cannot see. Don’t judge. We are doing all we can.

The second version is a live one that I stumbled upon. It’s Billy Barth still: older, slower, but the guitar is still gorgeous even as he struggles to find a pick to play. Still a lovely song. In many ways, the second version is far superior with all that grit and life experience behind the words originally written in youthful swagger.

Don’t judge…we’re all fighting battles.