What do you want a cover band to play?
March 21, 2006 8:56 PM Subscribe
Just formed a new cover lounge band in Las Vegas. Male lead singer. Audience range from late 20s to 50s. Want some opinions on what songs people want to hear and what songs NEVER to play. So what do you want to hear?
Of course we have our own preferences but it is always good to get some unbiased new ideas for a set list. We do hits from the 60s to today. (keep in mind, male lead singer)
Of course we have our own preferences but it is always good to get some unbiased new ideas for a set list. We do hits from the 60s to today. (keep in mind, male lead singer)
Response by poster: Yeah! Sweet C is a great one. You see! We never thought of that one.
Keep in mind everyone... all your comments will be copy/pasted, printed out and considered.
Also, please list played out songs you would NEVER want to hear.
Thanks
posted by SwingingJohnson1968 at 9:06 PM on March 21, 2006
Keep in mind everyone... all your comments will be copy/pasted, printed out and considered.
Also, please list played out songs you would NEVER want to hear.
Thanks
posted by SwingingJohnson1968 at 9:06 PM on March 21, 2006
Bon Jovi hits - everyone knows the words, and they're surprisingly decent tunes.
posted by gottabefunky at 9:10 PM on March 21, 2006
posted by gottabefunky at 9:10 PM on March 21, 2006
Don't play Brown Eyed Girl, no matter how strong the temptation may be.. (please)
posted by davey_darling at 9:35 PM on March 21, 2006
posted by davey_darling at 9:35 PM on March 21, 2006
Response by poster: piano man is always good
posted by jessica at 9:38 PM PST on March 21 [mark as best answer] [!]
yeah... I do Piano Man. That's a keeper.
posted by SwingingJohnson1968 at 9:59 PM on March 21, 2006
posted by jessica at 9:38 PM PST on March 21 [mark as best answer] [!]
yeah... I do Piano Man. That's a keeper.
posted by SwingingJohnson1968 at 9:59 PM on March 21, 2006
I spent quite a while in a popular touring band in the Seattle area. Some good ones:
People may like to dance.
* Stuff by ZZ Top.
* Simple stuff by AC/DC
* Few 80's rock covers, like "Jessie's Girl" (no, I am not kidding)
* Jenny Jenny (867-5309) is a classic.
* Few songs by Joe Jackson, The Eagles, Huey Lewis & The News, etc.
Uh, basically go for stuff that was on the charts during the years you want to cover. Not even top 40.. go for the Top 100.
But try to pick songs that weren't overplayed to death.
And davey_darling is right. Don't play "Brown Eyed Girl." I'd leave Van Morrison off the list entirely unless someone made a specific request.
posted by drstein at 10:27 PM on March 21, 2006
People may like to dance.
* Stuff by ZZ Top.
* Simple stuff by AC/DC
* Few 80's rock covers, like "Jessie's Girl" (no, I am not kidding)
* Jenny Jenny (867-5309) is a classic.
* Few songs by Joe Jackson, The Eagles, Huey Lewis & The News, etc.
Uh, basically go for stuff that was on the charts during the years you want to cover. Not even top 40.. go for the Top 100.
But try to pick songs that weren't overplayed to death.
And davey_darling is right. Don't play "Brown Eyed Girl." I'd leave Van Morrison off the list entirely unless someone made a specific request.
posted by drstein at 10:27 PM on March 21, 2006
Response by poster: drstein , Good picks... we already do all the stuff you listed except Joe Jackson and HL&TNews.
posted by SwingingJohnson1968 at 10:37 PM on March 21, 2006
posted by SwingingJohnson1968 at 10:37 PM on March 21, 2006
Response by poster: I agree about "Brown Eyed Girl".... Thanks to the radio, "BROWN EYED GIRL" feels like an irritated bed sore. If I hear it on the radio I change the station as if I were putting out a kitchen fire. That and "House of the Rising Sun".
posted by SwingingJohnson1968 at 10:41 PM on March 21, 2006
posted by SwingingJohnson1968 at 10:41 PM on March 21, 2006
Please do not play "Butterfly Kisses."
posted by booksandlibretti at 10:42 PM on March 21, 2006
posted by booksandlibretti at 10:42 PM on March 21, 2006
Response by poster: Some songs we are rehearsing that I don't hear too many other cover bands doing are:
. Philadelphia Freedom
. L.A. Woman (1980's Billy IDOL style)
. Brick House (Rob Zombie style)
. Fly Me To The Moon - (With hard rock style lead guitar for the instrumental breaks)
. Medley: Phil's Piano Solo/Eighteenth Variation From Rapsodie On A Theme Of Paganini (from the soundtrack of GROUNDHOG DAY)
. Like a Rock (Seager)
posted by SwingingJohnson1968 at 10:49 PM on March 21, 2006
. Philadelphia Freedom
. L.A. Woman (1980's Billy IDOL style)
. Brick House (Rob Zombie style)
. Fly Me To The Moon - (With hard rock style lead guitar for the instrumental breaks)
. Medley: Phil's Piano Solo/Eighteenth Variation From Rapsodie On A Theme Of Paganini (from the soundtrack of GROUNDHOG DAY)
. Like a Rock (Seager)
posted by SwingingJohnson1968 at 10:49 PM on March 21, 2006
blister in the sun - violent femmes
rocky raccoon - beatles
posted by jessica at 11:26 PM on March 21, 2006
rocky raccoon - beatles
posted by jessica at 11:26 PM on March 21, 2006
The "Piano Man" suggestions are good, but I would recommend "Captain Jack" for maximum crowd pleasure. (Also, "Only The Good Die Young.") I've been spinning tunes in my taxi for the last couple of years, adjusting the playlist based on what the drunk 21-35 year olds seems to love. Some basic observations (beyond the universal love of "Captain Jack")...
* "More Than A Feeling" (Boston) is huge. The '80s in general are back in a big way. Select from whatever genre suits your talents (not everyone can pull off "Take On Me," but it's a big favorite these days). Cinderella has been getting a great response lately, along with steady favorites AC/DC, G'n'R, Motley Crue, etc.
* "Girl, You'll Be A Woman Soon" (Neil Diamond) - Although I second the earlier post nominating "Sweet Caroline" as the Neil tune.
* Old School Hip-Hop - Think Run DMC ("It's Tricky"), Beastie Boys ("Paul Revere"), Digital Underground ("Humpty Dance"). Hip-hop is hard to cover in a live band setting, but an original arrangement can go over like gang busters. (The wedding band I'm hiring does great funky acoustic versions of Cypress Hill, Beasties, Salt 'n' Pepa (with a female lead), etc.)
* Anything by Prince - Favorites are "Little Red Corvette," anything off Purple Rain, "Raspberry Beret," and "Kiss."
* "Puttin' On The Ritz" (Taco) - This one would be perfect for Vegas, IMHO. People love it. It's goofy, yet catchy.
* "Laid" (James) - If you can hit the falsetto, it's dynamite. Maybe a little obscure, but if you have the right mix in the crowd, it's guaranteed to please.
* "Suspicious Minds" (Elvis) - Everyone loves this one.
That's what comes to mind, anyway. Good thread!
(On preview: "Blister In The Sun" is a great call, as is "Kiss Off." And I've personally delivered a few versions of "Rocky Racoon" in bars that have been very well received. People love singing the doo-doo-doo part.)
posted by Banky_Edwards at 11:46 PM on March 21, 2006
* "More Than A Feeling" (Boston) is huge. The '80s in general are back in a big way. Select from whatever genre suits your talents (not everyone can pull off "Take On Me," but it's a big favorite these days). Cinderella has been getting a great response lately, along with steady favorites AC/DC, G'n'R, Motley Crue, etc.
* "Girl, You'll Be A Woman Soon" (Neil Diamond) - Although I second the earlier post nominating "Sweet Caroline" as the Neil tune.
* Old School Hip-Hop - Think Run DMC ("It's Tricky"), Beastie Boys ("Paul Revere"), Digital Underground ("Humpty Dance"). Hip-hop is hard to cover in a live band setting, but an original arrangement can go over like gang busters. (The wedding band I'm hiring does great funky acoustic versions of Cypress Hill, Beasties, Salt 'n' Pepa (with a female lead), etc.)
* Anything by Prince - Favorites are "Little Red Corvette," anything off Purple Rain, "Raspberry Beret," and "Kiss."
* "Puttin' On The Ritz" (Taco) - This one would be perfect for Vegas, IMHO. People love it. It's goofy, yet catchy.
* "Laid" (James) - If you can hit the falsetto, it's dynamite. Maybe a little obscure, but if you have the right mix in the crowd, it's guaranteed to please.
* "Suspicious Minds" (Elvis) - Everyone loves this one.
That's what comes to mind, anyway. Good thread!
(On preview: "Blister In The Sun" is a great call, as is "Kiss Off." And I've personally delivered a few versions of "Rocky Racoon" in bars that have been very well received. People love singing the doo-doo-doo part.)
posted by Banky_Edwards at 11:46 PM on March 21, 2006
Please, do not play "Hotel California" or ""Yellow Submarine"
How 'bout Bill Withers' "Use Me" ?
posted by Radio7 at 11:48 PM on March 21, 2006
How 'bout Bill Withers' "Use Me" ?
posted by Radio7 at 11:48 PM on March 21, 2006
The two best cover bands I ever saw were the Beatniks and Hit Explosion. Both had a specific theme where they took a genre of music and actually had an original sound, meaning they didn't just merely attempt to ape the original -- they re-imagined them into something pretty unique.
The Beatniks play a lot of Beatles mashups. Hit Explosion is 70s funk with a big Earth, Wind and Fire style backing band.
Both bands include playlists on their sites.
So, what I'm suggesting is ... it's not the songlist, it's what you do with it that matters.
posted by frogan at 12:38 AM on March 22, 2006
The Beatniks play a lot of Beatles mashups. Hit Explosion is 70s funk with a big Earth, Wind and Fire style backing band.
Both bands include playlists on their sites.
So, what I'm suggesting is ... it's not the songlist, it's what you do with it that matters.
posted by frogan at 12:38 AM on March 22, 2006
It's Alright, by Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions is a good crowd warmer-upper.
It's alright, have a good time
Cuz it's alright, yeah it's alright.
Remember? Nice medium groove tune.
posted by wsg at 1:33 AM on March 22, 2006
It's alright, have a good time
Cuz it's alright, yeah it's alright.
Remember? Nice medium groove tune.
posted by wsg at 1:33 AM on March 22, 2006
Please don't play Mustang Sally. I've heard so many covers bands play it and it always makes me want to cry tears of blood.
posted by featherboa at 3:15 AM on March 22, 2006
posted by featherboa at 3:15 AM on March 22, 2006
Am I the only one on this site to think that this is a really horrible collection of songs? Neil Diamond? Billy Joel? Jeez!
The only worthwhile ones are the the ones you ae proposing to leave out. Let's hear it for Brown-Eyed Girl, one of the great songs.
posted by TheRaven at 5:32 AM on March 22, 2006
The only worthwhile ones are the the ones you ae proposing to leave out. Let's hear it for Brown-Eyed Girl, one of the great songs.
posted by TheRaven at 5:32 AM on March 22, 2006
Jungle Boogie by Kool and the Gang.
Fuck all, it's like we're parroting the entire Pulp Fiction soundtrack at this point.
posted by zpousman at 5:53 AM on March 22, 2006
Fuck all, it's like we're parroting the entire Pulp Fiction soundtrack at this point.
posted by zpousman at 5:53 AM on March 22, 2006
"What's New Pussycat" and maybe "Delilah" by Tom Jones.
This is tangentially related cause it's Sinatra, but you MUST check out his Some Nice Things I've Missed album, which is packed with songs like "If" (if a picture paints a thousand words...), the aforementioned "Sweet Caroline," "Bad Bad Leroy Brown," "Tie a Yellow Ribbon" and "You Are the Sunshine of My Life." But the keeper, and the one that makes it worth the steep $17.49 at Amazon, is "Satisfy Me One More Time," a filthy ode to screwing -- "there's still a lot of gooey goodies left / just reach the cookie jar and help yourself."
Oh, it's rich.
posted by Atom12 at 7:13 AM on March 22, 2006
This is tangentially related cause it's Sinatra, but you MUST check out his Some Nice Things I've Missed album, which is packed with songs like "If" (if a picture paints a thousand words...), the aforementioned "Sweet Caroline," "Bad Bad Leroy Brown," "Tie a Yellow Ribbon" and "You Are the Sunshine of My Life." But the keeper, and the one that makes it worth the steep $17.49 at Amazon, is "Satisfy Me One More Time," a filthy ode to screwing -- "there's still a lot of gooey goodies left / just reach the cookie jar and help yourself."
Oh, it's rich.
posted by Atom12 at 7:13 AM on March 22, 2006
Savage Garden and Darren Hayes!
(OK, so I'm a fan...)
What I get most impressed by is when bands add their own twist to famous songs. There was a band on a Singaporean TV talent show recently who did Britney Spears and Destiny's Child in lounge style - awesome. That's something you can do.
posted by divabat at 7:27 AM on March 22, 2006
(OK, so I'm a fan...)
What I get most impressed by is when bands add their own twist to famous songs. There was a band on a Singaporean TV talent show recently who did Britney Spears and Destiny's Child in lounge style - awesome. That's something you can do.
posted by divabat at 7:27 AM on March 22, 2006
For lounge do "What's up Pussycat?"
posted by sourwookie at 8:48 AM on March 22, 2006
posted by sourwookie at 8:48 AM on March 22, 2006
Never, Never, Never: Macarthur Park
(someone left the cake out in the rain? What the heck does that mean?)
posted by blue_beetle at 9:24 AM on March 22, 2006
(someone left the cake out in the rain? What the heck does that mean?)
posted by blue_beetle at 9:24 AM on March 22, 2006
I would avoid all disco songs. It's completely over. I recently watched a cover band bomb with one 70's hit after another.
How about "Africa," by Toto? I loved that song!
I like the AC/DC idea -- will really get the crowd going.
Think songs that people sing along to when in they're in the car and (guiltily) listening to a POWER HITS OF THE 80's-type station. For instance, "Don't You Want Me" by Human League. "You Spin Me Round" or "Brand New Lover" by Dead or Alive. All of those great songs by Depeche Mode. Etc.
posted by _sirmissalot_ at 10:40 AM on March 22, 2006
How about "Africa," by Toto? I loved that song!
I like the AC/DC idea -- will really get the crowd going.
Think songs that people sing along to when in they're in the car and (guiltily) listening to a POWER HITS OF THE 80's-type station. For instance, "Don't You Want Me" by Human League. "You Spin Me Round" or "Brand New Lover" by Dead or Alive. All of those great songs by Depeche Mode. Etc.
posted by _sirmissalot_ at 10:40 AM on March 22, 2006
Response by poster: Excellent ideas here on this thread. Beyond expectations.
Thankyou.
Now I hit the "print" button.
posted by SwingingJohnson1968 at 1:16 PM on March 22, 2006
Thankyou.
Now I hit the "print" button.
posted by SwingingJohnson1968 at 1:16 PM on March 22, 2006
Play "Freebird", dude.
posted by soiled cowboy at 5:58 PM on March 22, 2006
posted by soiled cowboy at 5:58 PM on March 22, 2006
"ant some opinions on what songs people want to hear and what songs NEVER to play. So what do you want to hear?"
How about original music?
posted by mule at 7:44 PM on March 22, 2006
How about original music?
posted by mule at 7:44 PM on March 22, 2006
I've often wanted to do similar. My strategy would be to pick popular bands and go through the albums to find gems that aren't that well known. Jessica is right on time with "Rocky Raccoon". I'd also suggest some other Beatles stuff: "Everybody's Got Something To Hide", "Sexy Sadie", "Savoy Truffle". If you try "Helter Skelter" just make sure you don't end up souning like U2.
Tunes everyone likes:
"Different for Girls" - Joe Jackson.
"Come Up and See Me" - Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel.
"Jungle Boogie".... damn straight, zpousman, it's got the dirtiest riff ever.
Some Sly Stone: "Family Affair", "Dance to the Music", "I Want to Take You Higher".
Plus I'm a hardcore Pixies fan, so I'd suggest their crowd-pleasers: "Debaser", "Velouria", "Here Comes Your Man", maybe even stuff like "Bone Machine".
What about some Led Zep? "Communication Breakdown".
Hendrix: "Crosstown Traffic". I played that at a few gigs, it rocks the spot.
I'm basing these suggestions on your mentioning "metal" guitar solos and male singer. So I'm leaving out folk and electro suggestions :-)
As for other stuff to leave out... I'd certainly ditch anything like Bon Jovi (sorry gottabefunky).
Oh... a band a friend of mine played in dabbled with show-tunes. I remember "Bangkok, oriental city..." for example. Dodgy territory though.
posted by ajp at 3:47 AM on March 23, 2006
Tunes everyone likes:
"Different for Girls" - Joe Jackson.
"Come Up and See Me" - Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel.
"Jungle Boogie".... damn straight, zpousman, it's got the dirtiest riff ever.
Some Sly Stone: "Family Affair", "Dance to the Music", "I Want to Take You Higher".
Plus I'm a hardcore Pixies fan, so I'd suggest their crowd-pleasers: "Debaser", "Velouria", "Here Comes Your Man", maybe even stuff like "Bone Machine".
What about some Led Zep? "Communication Breakdown".
Hendrix: "Crosstown Traffic". I played that at a few gigs, it rocks the spot.
I'm basing these suggestions on your mentioning "metal" guitar solos and male singer. So I'm leaving out folk and electro suggestions :-)
As for other stuff to leave out... I'd certainly ditch anything like Bon Jovi (sorry gottabefunky).
Oh... a band a friend of mine played in dabbled with show-tunes. I remember "Bangkok, oriental city..." for example. Dodgy territory though.
posted by ajp at 3:47 AM on March 23, 2006
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Xalf at 9:01 PM on March 21, 2006