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Learning songs you REALLY DON'T LIKE

#61
I was playing with a group that played a song whose lyrics just bugged me. It was a ballad, which the singer said would appeal to women in the audience. But the subject was...infidelity, and it was sung from a male P.O.V. I really couldn't see it going over, and it just made me cringe. I had to mentally tune out the lyrics to play it.

I'm not sure what to do about this one, though. I admit that it encapsulates juvenile themes, overly theatrical, etc. Not sure how to get beyond that, but I like the suggestion to imagine parody vocals. Perhaps some exaggerated parody movement to go along with it. I think the audience would have to be in on the joke (parody) to appreciate the song anyway. But that could just be wishful thinking on my part.
 
#62
Hey it could be worse, you could be in an original act getting hounded every time you play out for what (in your opinion) was your worst piece of composition ever...at least you can blame Meatloaf!
 
#63
npbassman said:
Here are some tunes that I loath but know note for note and can whip out at will.

- Summer of 69
- My Own Worst Enemy
- Jessie's Girl
- Kryptonite. This song is MY kryptonite. I don't know why that song is so popular but I grin and bear it when it comes up. In fact, the fake smile on my face while i jam it out is the only thing keeping me from barfing onstage LOL. ;)

Hey, each song is only 4 minutes of my life and if people dig them, it ain't so bad.
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I actually like those songs
 
#64
Ric5 said:
I hate playing ACDC songs.

The music is good but the vocals are like fingernails on a chalkboard. (does anybody still get that analogy?)

Since I don't really look at music as a money making business but rather I look at it as a hobby, then I can turn down any project that makes me play songs I hate.
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I have a chalkboard in my classroom where I teach so yes I get it and I wish I had nails to do it so I could get my kids to be quiet haha and I feel similarly about ACDC
 
#67
bravesaint5 said:
Even when I listen to a Ke$ha song it feels like I'm contracting an STD. Had to play Tik Tok for a hired gig, got myself checked at the clinic the next day.
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xgator4u said:
You GOTS to wear PROTECTION brother.:thumbsup:
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Then there's David Bowie- when you listen to him for the first time you actually do contract an STD.

No cure, either, but you get used to the itch- heck, a whole generation grew up with it, and actually started to enjoy it.


Wait.. we weren't talking about Sonically Transmitted Dance, were we? Oh well, with Bowie, same difference either way. :D
 
#68
Play what the audience likes.

Hate Kryptonite, was ok til I played it a thousand times
Brown Eyed Girl.......shudders
Had request for Free Bird at every gig........NEVER PLAYED live

We just don't do some songs, But fortunately I'm dedicated to one band. And we can choose from millions of songs.
 
#69
Playing music for me is fun. I have a day job to make money, they pay me to do things I don't necessarily like to do. When I play music I play what I like. Life's too short to spend my spare time doing stuff I hate.

Those of you for whom music is a job, well, as they say on Sopranos, "This is the life we chose."
 
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#72
Inna Godda Da Vida? Edit:
Ah, I see, meatloaf. That actually wouldn't bother me at all but I'm weird like that.
:-D
Been there. Know how you feel. For me it was current pop stuff that made me want to go hang myself. Fortunately the band just sort of imploded before I had to quit.
 
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#73
House Of the Rising Sun ugh
China Grove

but when the regular fans scream for them EVERY FRIGGIN GIG you have to play them

So we played them badly, but they still wanted them. Then I got my Nady wireless setup and when those songs started I just walked out of the pub! I could hear it faintly enough to stay in time, but I couldn't really hear it loud enough to bother me! And if there was that group of poor people sharing a 'cigarette' I'd have a puff too!
 
#74
It's best to discuss with the band leader what doesn't work and why, before going through the trouble of learning. Example: we are a 60's band that plays mostly happy songs, and I told the guys that Steppin' Stone was a bit hostile compared to the rest of the set list. Boom. Out it went.

Another example: Noel Stoookey of Peter, Paul & Mary came to realize that love is not bitter and will no longer perform Lemon Tree.
 
#79
One of the songs I thank all the higher powers in the universe I never had to play repeatedly is Achy Breaky Heart. having said so, I decided a while ago to not insult the audience anymore with doing something on stage I don't believe in, whether I get paid or not.

Paradise by the Dashboard Light: comically absurd MOR rock, but unusual and quirky in its arrangement, and thought through in an interesting way. And I kinda grew up on it. So to learn and play it once (and play it right) and then never ever again, I'd be OK with that.
 

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