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Ever hate a song so much you'd risk being fired?

malthumb

malthumb

Mar 25, 2001
6,436
4,536
The Motor City
#1
We have a private party gig coming up later in the month. The hiring party has specifically asked that we play "Call Me Maybe". There are not words to define how much I hate that song. But since the hiring party specifically asked for it, we'll play it.

The following is where I provide an example that inspired the QUESTION
Our BL mentioned this request and suggested we learn it (ok) and maybe play it at our next gig (hell to the naw). My other band members felt the same way. So we left the rehearsal AGREEING that we would do this song at the private party and then bury it.

So, as we're setting up for last night's gig, BL says..."word has gotten out that we're working on "Call Me Maybe" so don't be surprised if we get a request for it". I said " They can request but I'm not doing it"
A
So, sure enough, one table starts asking for it. BL says "think we oughta give it a shot?" I say "hell no". I don't usually curse, so when I do, be sure that I mean it. So he starts polling the other band members so I cut in..."Maybe you misunderstood me....hell f^%}ing no. I'm not playing it."

So then we announce and then play our last song. We had skipped several songs because the venue wanted to close a little early. The small crowd that's left shouts for one more. In between the shouts for one more are the three words I'm coming to dread. "Call Me Maybe". I gave the BL a "don't even think about it" look and suggested doing a song we had skipped. We did the song I suggested and it went well and we finished and packed up.

This is the part where I acknowledge I may be a little over the top on this thing and state that WE WILL DO IT FOR THE CLIENT THAT IS PAYING US
My disdain for this song could very well be irrational, but it's real and growing. We will do it at this party and I will try like mad to get it stricken from our set lists.

This is the part where I ask if anyone feels this way about other songs, which is really the question being asked
Anybody else have a similar situation?
 
#2
I read the title to this thread and "call me maybe" was the first song that came to mind.

We just started doing it in the cover band I play in and it is horrible. I make it fun by playing the orchestral movement with my thumb during the verses and layers of synthy effects for the chorus, but even still it makes me wanna throw up all over my pedalboard. I told the band leader last night that we had to stop playing it, or I was gonna bail.
 
#4
malthumb said:
We have a private party gig coming up later in the month. The hiring party has specifically asked that we play "Call Me Maybe". There are not words to define how much I hate that song. But since the hiring party specifically asked for it, we'll play it.

Our BL mentioned this request and suggested we learn it (ok) and maybe play it at our next gig (hell to the naw). My other band members felt the same way. So we left the rehearsal AGREEING that we would do this song at the private party and then bury it.

So, as we're setting up for last night's gig, BL says..."word has gotten out that we're working on "Call Me Maybe" so don't be surprised if we get a request for it". I said " They can request but I'm not doing it"

So, sure enough, one table starts asking for it. BL says "think we oughta give it a shot?" I say "hell no". I don't usually curse, so when I do, be sure that I mean it. So he starts polling the other band members so I cut in..."Maybe you misunderstood me....hell f^%}ing no. I'm not playing it."

So then we announce and then play our last song. We had skipped several songs because the venue wanted to close a little early. The small crowd that's left shouts for one more. In between the shouts for one more are the three words I'm coming to dread. "Call Me Maybe". I gave the BL a "don't even think about it" look and suggested doing a song we had skipped. We did it and it went well and we finished and packed up.

My disdain for this song could very well be irrational, but it's real and growing. We will do it at this party and I will try like mad to get it stricken from our set lists.

Anybody else have a similar situation?

We announce and then play the last
Click to expand...

Well I was going to tell you how lame you were, but after listening... bleeeech. I am so sorry. So very very sorry.

That being said, I have suffered through playing some pretty horrible tunes and never given the Ultimatum before. Now, if the band started making this a regular occurrance... :rollno:
 
#6
You did the right thing. Just looked that song up...it is beyond insipid. I am sure it will hit #1 on the pop charts if it hasn't already.

There are many people here in working bands that take the position that it is all about giving the audience what they want and if you have a strong feeling (even occasionally otherwise) you are a snob and unprofessional. I say hell no to that. Unless you are a first call NYC or LA musician/studio cat - it ain't worth the dough.
 
#8
It's like selling your soul. If your band is strictly about money then I guess it doesn't matter. I put my band together from scratch myself, so I cannot be fired. I wouldn't say that I have the only input on song choice, but the fact is that if I say we ain't playing it, we ain't playing it. lol
 
#12
Yeah, it sucks that you had to play a song you hate that much, but the showman/money grubber in me says that it doesn't matter if I hate every song we play, as long as the fans are happy. Plus, I can usually have at least a little fun with a crappy song if I wank, and dance around like a fool.
 

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