Random Song: Stargazer

[mckindog]

Welcome to the first random song thread.
I pick a non-Maiden song, cast my vote,  and get the conversation started.
You guys post your votes (using a similar criteria you used on the Maiden daily song thread) and add your thoughts.
Two days later, the first guy to respond to this thread picks a song he wants to discuss and starts a new thread. If he doesn’t want start the next thread, he can pass that option to the next guy.
Only rule is to pick songs you think a majority of forum users will be familiar with.
I’ll start things off with the non-Maiden “winner” of Tournament of Champions Survivor — Stargazer

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Love the unconventional patterns, the superb performances and majestic climax. But the best element is the lyrics. Dio’s central message of the folly of following a false messiah has never been stated better. Got to be one of the first true prog-metal epic masterpieces. And still stands among the best. 10

 

[Night Prowler]

Best Ronnie James Dio song ever. Amazing performance from Cozzy Powell, my favorite drummer from Black Sabbath/Rainbow/Dio/Deep Purple family. I'm not really a fan of Ritchie Blackmore, but he rules this song. And of course, Dio is flawless as always. 10/10.

 

[Black Thunder]

Dio is on his peak here - some hard register switching and powerful vocals. Keyboards are doing the best thing possible on the choruses, as well during the whole song. Ritchie plays roundhouse classic power chords with his powerful axe and sometimes does a little magic for himself - the solo. And not to forget Cozy's stand-up solo on the beginning. Marvelous!

One of the best Metal songs of all time.

10.

 

[The Flash]

One of the best heavy metal songs of all time, hell, one of the best songs of all time. I love how the keyboards used effectively in this song so much, it just gives the edge. Dio is sure on his peak, fantastic emotional screams and singing.

Cozy Powell is shining in this song also. Everyone do their job perfectly and all parts are in a perfect harmony. Feels like a dance of sensations. 10/10.

 

[Vap]

One of the best damn songs ever made. 10

 

[LooseCannon]

Yes. What a fantastic song. I hadn't heard this track till the day Dio died, and it really blew me away. Every second of this track is incredible, and it grips you and takes you on a journey. Dio himself sounds mournful, hopeful, frightened, and angered in many places, as appropriate to the story, and Ritchie knocks his parts out of the park.

129843539486/10

 

[Mosh]

Like LC, I hadn't heard this song until Dio died. I was missing out on a masterpiece. Everything about this song is perfect. Should've won the tournament of champions because it truly is the Champion. 10/10

 

[Jeffmetal]

10!!!

 

[Cornfed Hick]

Best Ronnie James Dio song ever. ... 10/10.

Yep. 

Ronnie's voice was in top form, and Ritchie Blackmore and Cozy Powell really show their chops on this one.  This is one of those songs that I can play hundreds of times, and it never gets old. 

 

[Jupz]

he climbs to the top of the woooorrrllldd!

10

 

[Taker]

Dio in top form, and Blackmore sounding like he's supposed to. It's actually not my favourite Rainbow tune, but it's probably their best. Listen to that guy sing... magical.

 

[Jupz]

Also Ritche Blackmore is probably my second favourite guitarist of all time! (Iommi is first, H third )

 

[Unknown One]

I like all the votes so far!

10^10/10 for obvious reasons. One of the best songs of all time. Everyone in the band is just working magically together. Dio is in extremely good form but then again, when is he not?

 

[Fugazi]

I heard the Rainbow version of Stargazer for the first time last night, I listened to it a few times and then listened to Rising all the way though for the first time also, I have the version of Stargazer that Dream Theater recorded which I thought was very good, I have to say that the original Rainbow version is a far better one, it sounds more moody to me and somewhat darker. RJD vocals are outstanding, solid drumming from powell, strong heavy beats, I like everything about this song. A very memorable tune indeed, in fact I awoke this morning with the song playing over and over in my head. I went out and bought Rising because of this thread and it is a very welcome addition to my music collection, 10/10.

 

[Jupz]

I heard the Rainbow version of Stargazer for the first time last night, I listened to it a few times and then listened to Rising all the way though for the first time also, I have the version of Stargazer that Dream Theater recorded which I thought was very good, I have to say that the original Rainbow version is a far better one, it sounds more moody to me and somewhat darker. RJD vocals are outstanding, solid drumming from powell, strong heavy beats, I like everything about this song. A very memorable tune indeed, in fact I awoke this morning with the song playing over and over in my head. I went out and bought Rising because of this thread and it is a very welcome addition to my music collection, 10/10.

 

[Albie]

Interesting that some of you had only heard this song after Dio died. Give some early Rainbow a listen - they had some really good stuff. Even when Graham Bonnet took over, they still rocked.

Great song and worth a 10.

 

[Perun]

Interesting that some of you had only heard this song after Dio died. Give some early Rainbow a listen - they had some really good stuff. Even when Graham Bonnet took over, they still rocked.

Indeed. Down to Earth was the first real Rainbow album I owned, after I got The Very Best of. That was many years ago... ten at least. Nevertheless, I always felt Stargazer was one of their very best songs, and of course I liked the Dio-era stuff more than anything else. How can I not give this 10/10?

 

[Albie]

Funnily enough, Down to Earth was mine too ("Since You've Been Gone" and "All Night Long" were absolutely massive at the time). Then Rising followed by the rest of the Dio era. I did not get into Rainbow with Joe Lynn Turner.

 

[Night Prowler]

Rising is the only Rainbow album I ever heard. Their only song I know that's not on Rising is Since You Been Gone.

 

[Perun]

Funnily enough, Down to Earth was mine too ("Since You've Been Gone" and "All Night Long" were absolutely massive at the time). Then Rising followed by the rest of the Dio era. I did not get into Rainbow with Joe Lynn Turner.

Since You Been Gone was also the first Rainbow song I knew. Funny anecdote: I bought The Very Best of Rainbow together with Live at Brixton Academy by Brian May (while on a trip to Munich, oddly enough). I didn't check the track lists properly and when I listened to the albums, I noticed both had that song on it - and this was actually how I found out what the title of the song was and who originally recorded it.

I used to like the Turner stuff quite a bit, but it turned out to be too shallow for long-term appreciation, with the notable exception of Street of Dreams, which I still like a lot.