George Frideric Handel - The Messiah

 

Night Ranger - (You Can Still) Rock In America

Night Ranger was formed in 1979 with the name "Stereo", and later changed it to Ranger. They finally settled on Night Ranger in 1982 after a country group called the Rangers claimed a copyright infringement. They had several top 40 hits in the 1980's, have sold over 17,000,000 albums, and continue to tour and record today. 

Temperament that it hits on: Sanguine 

This type of song was very common in the metal era - hair bands writing songs about rocking out on the electric guitar. This is a very sanguine trait. Additionally, Rock In America is very hyper and fast paced, which is how most people tend to describe the sanguine personality. 

Floyd Cramer - Last Date

Floyd Cramer was a famous pianist active from 1953 to 1980. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2003. 

Temperament that it hits on: Melancholic 

Last Date hits on my melancholic because it is very slow and quiet. The name implies romance, which is of particular interest among melancholics. 

TobyMac - City On Our Knees

TobyMac's son Truett McKean died on October 23, 2019 from injuries suffered in a car accident. Ever since TobyMac's music has been dedicated to his son. 

Temperament that it hits on: Phlegmatic 

City On Our Knees is phlegmatic for two reasons. For one, it dreams of a totally peaceful society where everyone gets along. This seems to be every phlegmatic's dream. For another, the entire song is wishful thinking - another very phlegmatic trait. 

Swithfoot - Meant To Live

Switchfoot has found pretty good success since 1996, and may eventually make the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It's a longshot, but nonetheless a possibility. Their 2003 album entitled The Beautiful Letdown, featuring this song, sold over 2,600,000 copies. 

Temperament that it hits on: Choleric / Sanguine 

If sanguines tend to live life in the moment, cholerics try to convince you that it's a good idea. This song seems to portray both feelings. 

Slaughter - Fly To the Angels

Slaughter was a success pretty much from the start. Formed in 1988, their debut album reached double platinum status in 1990, and their second album reached platinum in 1992. 

Temperament that it hits on: Melancholic 

This is a bit of a difference compared to the other two Slaughter songs on this blog - Spend My Life and Up All Night. While the other two songs are fast paced and full of energy, this song is much longer, slower, and more heartfelt. This kind of song was a commodity in the metal era, and Slaughter's is one of the best. 

You know, I have published at least three hair metal songs about a woman who has died -this one, Fly High Michelle, and The Ballad Of Jayne. While I don't care much for Enuff Z'Nuff or LA Guns, Slaughter is one of my favorite bands. 

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky - The Nutcracker