YOU ARE HERE: zharth.net / Zharth's Music Log / Week 173 (As Good As You've Been)
(Originally finalized on December 6, 2025)
Preface: After two weeks' worth of time songs, it became apparent to me that the phrase "good times" is very popular - of songs which include it in their title, one of them was featured on the second week we did, and no less than three more appear below! Upon realizing this, it didn't take me long to come up with another good idea for a theme. ;-p
Monday: Led Zeppelin - Good Times Bad Times [Led Zeppelin, 1969]
Comments: Although as a band, Led Zeppelin were dedicated to album-oriented rock and eschewed the idea of releasing singles (a stance that their record label didn't always honor), this song technically qualifies as a First Impression, being the first track on their first album, and their first single! It's a bombastic Klaxon call announcing the arrival of one of classic rock's most beloved groups. For that, it's effective, but it's only a taste of what the band had to offer.
Tuesday: Van Halen - Where Have All The Good Times Gone! [Diver Down, 1982]
Comments: With Eddie's pyrotechnic guitar tricks, Van Halen made about as much of a splash with their debut as Led Zeppelin had almost a decade earlier. But by the late '70s, and especially into the '80s - when this, the band's fifth album was released - it was a different kind of music scene. I have an appreciation for Van Halen's talent, especially (but not exclusively) with David Lee Roth at the helm, but it just doesn't hit for me the way a lot of those older bands do.
Wednesday: The Cars - Good Times Roll [The Cars, 1978]
Comments: Formed in Boston in the wake of the phenomenal debut of the band named after that city, The Cars were on the vanguard of new wave music - with the introduction of synthesizers, and a punk-inspired but pop-oriented approach. As such, they'll never be considered one of my favorites, but their first album is just packed with radio hits!
Thursday: Yes - I've Seen All Good People [The Yes Album, 1971]
Comments: With the arrival of guitarist Steve Howe, The Yes Album (not their first album, despite the uncharacteristically uncreative name) kicks off the band's golden trilogy. Although Fragile (which brought on Rick Wakeman and completed the classic lineup) gets more accolades, this is a more consistent affair. That said, this song - with its repetitive, if catchy, chorus - isn't my favorite track (although it is popular), but at least it kicks into high gear in the second half.
Friday: The Doors - We Could Be So Good Together [Waiting For The Sun, 1968]
Comments: With such a strong start and finish, not much attention is spared for The Doors' middle albums. Of course, one of them is The Soft Parade. But this one is actually pretty good - I think it stands nearly level with Strange Days and Morrison Hotel. And though this isn't the best song on the album, there was definitely a time in my life when I sang the chorus with thoughts of a particular person running through my head (turns out I was fooling myself).
Saturday: Johnny Winter - The Good Love [Second Winter, 1969]
Comments: This pick from Johnny Winter's second album for Columbia Records (third overall) - the sessions for which yielded no more and no less than three vinyl sides' worth of music, leaving the fourth side blank - narrowly edged out Good Lovin' by The Young Rascals, which carries a great rock 'n' roll energy, despite bordering on the Oldies.
Sunday: Janis Joplin - As Good As You've Been To This World [Kozmic Blues, 1969]
Comments: Although known for her singing, you could be forgiven for thinking, two minutes in, that this song was going to be an instrumental. That it's still so good is a testament to the caliber of musicians Janis surrounded herself with - including Michael Bloomfield, who played on a different "good" song from this album (which we've already heard).
Honorable Mention: Lance Lopez - Looks So Good [Wall of Soul, 2004]
Comments: I had a number of songs to pick from when I showcased virtuoso blues rock guitarist Lance Lopez on my 21st Century Discoveries theme from the end of last quarter. Ultimately, I chose one of my favorites, but this is another good one. (Although, to be honest, are there any bad ones)? And it fits this theme, so enjoy!