• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Fool Proof Cover Band Dance Songs

Skel

Skel

Jun 19, 2005
3,237
45
Boulder, Colorado
#1
I'm making a list of what I call "fool proof" cover band dance songs that would work for a 3 piece band (no keys). Songs where, if there is any potential for dancing, these are gonna get it done. A few of these are pukeable, and some I don't know about for sure.

I didn't list any of the ZZ top "Sharp Dressed Man" stuff because I just can't stand it, and when you see what I can stand, you'll think I'm pretty out there, I know.

1. What I like About You

2. Cocaine (now that's talent)

3. Bob Marley's version of "Oh Baby I Love Your Way"

4. Jenny Jenny (867-5309)

5. My Sharona

6. Achey Breaky Heart (it's so absurd that it's almost cool, maybe add some crazy Hendrixi'ish whammy bar stuff, wah, and feedback to scare people a little, or piss them off, while the chick they're dancing with doesn't even notice it, so they can't say anything)

7. Play that Funky Music

8. Groove Me (King Floyd)

9. Rebel Rebel (Bowie)

10. (less known) Last Dance With MaryJane (Tom Petty - this is my way of doing "Sweet Home Alabama" in disguise)

11. "One Thing Leads To Another" (The Fixx) - I've seen the respone on this one, it's great for getting people dancing.

12. Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress)

Does anybody know any more "100% Insurance" songs? To me it would be better if they were what I call "crunch guitar" songs. Most of the ones on my list are not.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Alik and DERECOLA
#4
derrico1 said:
We do most of those as a karaoke power trio, and get similar response. Also good for the dance floor:

Message in a Bottle
Peg (Steely Dan)
Folsom Prison Blues
Let's Get it On
Let's Stay Together (Al Green)
Moondance
Click to expand...

I didn't think of "Let's Get it On" - just downloaded that - excellent! Plus as the guitarist I love songs with no wanking because there's so much of it in the rest of the songs we do.
 
#10
Geez,...a list of some of my least favs,..okay,.. how about,....

Jessi's Girl - Rick Springfield

Do a Little Dance - KC and the sunshine band

Brown Eyed Girl

Mustang sally

Wonderful Tonight - EC

Funky Town

anything vaguely related to a "line dance" electric slide boot scoot boogie, etc...

and strangely enough,..Enter Sandman used to pack the floor like I couldn't believe, I think thats the right title anyway

oh,..and don't forget,.... No Diggety!!!!

Use these songs wisely, lest you fall victim to "the dark side" and wind up becoming a karaoke type 2 piece with backing tracks supplying everything from drums to, heaven forbid,... bass lines!!!!
 
#12
BlackLake said:
If you have a female vocalist, you simply can't go wrong with "Girls just wanna have fun".

When I did that one a few years ago, you would swear that someone just announced a 99% Off Sale on the dancefloor.
Click to expand...


Right on. We do have a female vocalist, so I have to be kind of cognizant of the lyrics. I love hearing about these songs where you've seen the reaction with your own eyes and it's a consistent one. Thanks for everyone's input.

I may as well not burn another thread, so I'd also like to hear everyone's opinion about a chick singer, and where you draw the line on lyrics that are acceptable to sing. Obviously there's no law against singing any song. I

If it's just changing a few "she's" to "he's", and it's a great song, no problem. I just wonder what everyone else thinks about a female vocalist singing "My Sharona", for example. Even if you could think of a guy's name that rhymed, it just wouldn't be the same.
 
#14
Skel said:
Right on. We do have a female vocalist, so I have to be kind of cognizant of the lyrics. I love hearing about these songs where you've seen the reaction with your own eyes and it's a consistent one. Thanks for everyone's input.

I may as well not burn another thread, so I'd also like to hear everyone's opinion about a chick singer, and where you draw the line on lyrics that are acceptable to sing. Obviously there's no law against singing any song. I

If it's just changing a few "she's" to "he's", and it's a great song, no problem. I just wonder what everyone else thinks about a female vocalist singing "My Sharona", for example. Even if you could think of a guy's name that rhymed, it just wouldn't be the same.
Click to expand...

Honestly, I can't say I'm a big fan of gender bending lyrics. We tried it (back in the old female vox band) and it had less than stellar results. The way I look at it is there are so many great songs to choose from to suit either a female or male voice.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mike o
#15
Might as well put in the "Most Requested Song Of All Time", my personal favorite:

"Crazy" by Patsy Cline. Not to be confused with Calvin Klein, now...

I hate that song with a passion. I had to play it three times in one night, twice in one SET before. I swore to the singer (and AT her, too!) that I'd quit on the spot if she ever called it again. Yes it packs the floor with starry-eyed couples, from young to old (mostly old), and yes, I need a bucket to puke in while I play it. And EVERY chick singer ALWAYS wants to do that song. It's that bad. Literally. I have quit two bands because of that song over the years- actually quit because they would not drop it. C'est la vie.
 
  • Like
Reactions: THUNDERGODX and Thummel
#16
I thought you were looking for good 3 piece ideas. Just a few off the top of my head that have been tried in the past (6 piece) and worked very well.

Ladies Night - Kool and the Gang
Get Down On It - Kool and the Gang
Word Up - Cameo
Burning Down the Hosue - Talking Heads
Let It Whip - The Dazz Band
Smooth - Santana
Dazz - Brick
Rollercoaster of Love - Ohio Players
You Dropped a Bomb on Me - The Gap Band
Cut the Cake - Average White Band
Super Freak - Rick James

You'll have to decide if they can be pulled off by a trio.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mike o and murphy
#18
voodoobassist said:
Geez,...a list of some of my least favs,..okay,.. how about,....

Jessi's Girl - Rick Springfield

Do a Little Dance - KC and the sunshine band

Brown Eyed Girl

Mustang sally

Wonderful Tonight - EC

Funky Town

anything vaguely related to a "line dance" electric slide boot scoot boogie, etc...

and strangely enough,..Enter Sandman used to pack the floor like I couldn't believe, I think thats the right title anyway

oh,..and don't forget,.... No Diggety!!!!

Use these songs wisely, lest you fall victim to "the dark side" and wind up becoming a karaoke type 2 piece with backing tracks supplying everything from drums to, heaven forbid,... bass lines!!!!
Click to expand...


"Wonderful Tonight" - I love that song - great 4th set, everybody's drunk and wants to slow dance - unfortunately this is where having a female vocalist just doesn't work.
 
#19
Donna Summers - Bad Girls
Why the hell hasn't this been mentioned yet? The Jamiroquai version is also really good, and pretty much the same thing.

Michael Jackson - Beat It
Michael Jackson in general works really well, but Beat It is my favourite MJ song and it gives the guitarist a chance to wank a bit.

Billy Idol - White Wedding or Rebel Yell, take your pick
White people love the 80's.

Calvin Harris - Acceptable in the 80's
White people STILL love the 80's. But this was just released last year. haaah

Finger Eleven - Paralyzer
This might just be a Canadian thing, but as soon as people hear that intro riff here in Toronto, the floor is PACKED.

Gnarls Barkley - Crazy
Oh man. Even the bar staff dance to this one.

Prince - When Doves Cry
You have to take some liberties with this one - the original recording doesn't have a bass line. But it's Prince! Everybody likes Prince.
 
#20
locolobo85 said:
I thought you were looking for good 3 piece ideas. Just a few off the top of my head that have been tried in the past (6 piece) and worked very well.

Ladies Night - Kool and the Gang
Get Down On It - Kool and the Gang
Word Up - Cameo
Burning Down the Hosue - Talking Heads
Let It Whip - The Dazz Band
Smooth - Santana
Dazz - Brick
Rollercoaster of Love - Ohio Players
You Dropped a Bomb on Me - The Gap Band
Cut the Cake - Average White Band
Super Freak - Rick James


You'll have to decide if they can be pulled off by a trio.
Click to expand...

Great input, man. Thanks a lot - I will paste these and so many others people have posted into a file. I do agree with the poster who said (paraphrasing) "there are too many great songs that you don't need to do the gender bending thing".

And Patsy Cline? She rocks in my book - I listen to "I fall to pieces", it's like Pulp Fiction, it's just so out there but cool, IMHO.

So many great songs, so little time!!!!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back