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Learning songs you REALLY DON'T LIKE

#81
There are so many different ways of doing one song. Fast, slow, burlesque beat, reggae, folk style, hard rock, pop rock, death metal, lounge............man, a single song can be arranged a 100 different ways.

Perhaps a different arrangement might let you deal with this "finger nails to the blackboard" song.

Ever hear of a dude called, Lounge Against the Machine? A good example of how songs can be done in a totally different manner.

There's even a Blue Grass band that does covers of 70s rock classics.
 
#82
Howlin' Hanson said:
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.
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I think that's gonna be a tough go. Knowing this guy, he's probably looking for it to be the pinnacle of the evening and the drummer is right there with him. It's really the first project I've done where a band completely resigns itself to "what the crowd wants". Most bands will have at least one little ditty of self indulging obscurity they use to break up the night, but not these guys. I suppose they must genuinely like the material, because they have enough cache to where they don't need to completely surrender the set list to the desires of the crowd. It's very wedding band like in that regard.
 
#83
bassdude51 said:
There are so many different ways of doing one song. Fast, slow, burlesque beat, reggae, folk style, hard rock, pop rock, death metal, lounge............man, a single song can be arranged a 100 different ways.

Perhaps a different arrangement might let you deal with this "finger nails to the blackboard" song.

Ever hear of a dude called, Lounge Against the Machine? A good example of how songs can be done in a totally different manner.

There's even a Blue Grass band that does covers of 70s rock classics.
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And there is also "weird AL Yankovic...
 
#84
As for "Mustang Sally", I have to say that I hate playing it because everyone plays it WRONG (and yes it's a little overplayed).
The few times I've gotten to play it with a band that does it right (and actually practices it to make sure it right and tight) it's a blast - a good bass driven song which the crowds LOVE. I totally get not wanting to play anything as many times as some of us have played that song, but give a much abused and maligned song little love.
 
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#85
So sorry man. That was unfortunately my high school's senior class song when I graduated. The truly sad thing is I graduated in 1991, well after the song came out, it really made no sense at all. It's just so juvenile.

You might want to explain to your other band members that it's a POLARIZING song, you either really love it, or really hate it, nothing in between. I'm like you that I hate it so bad I can't even hear it without my blood pressure rising, don't know why. It's a risky song for a cover band IMO, it's a love/hate type song that is extremely long. If it was a short 2 minute song, doesn't matter how much anyone in the audience hates it, it will be over soon. That song just refuses to end, ugh, as soon as I heard it start up I'd leave if I was in the audience.
 
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#86
I don't get it. Songs like Mustang Sally are a bit cliched and boring for the bass player, but there is a reason why they are popular with crowds. Why not give the audience a good time since that is what they are paying for? And honestly, any time you can get 20-somethings grooving to 60s Memphis R&B, I call that a victory for civilization.

But if that's not your cup of tea, play originals. You have at least a 1 in a million chance of creating making music that an audience will play to hear. Better yet, you can be the next Steely Dan--make songs in your own studio with 20 or 30 of your good friends who just happen to be the best studio players in the world and never play out.
 
#89
shawshank72 said:
Never understood the appeal of learning a craft, spending money and time just to copy someone elses hard work and try to pass it off as your own.
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Hmmm ... so tens of thousands of highly educated and conservatory trained musicians are trying to pass Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Stravinsky, etc, etc off as their own works? If you make a false assumption at the outset your conclusion can only be skewed. We forgive you.
 
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#91
I don't ever mind learning a new song--especially if it's kind of complex. The cover band that I'm in does a lot of new country. I dislike listening to most of it, but I only dislike playing a couple of them. Even the songs I don't like I try to turn it into an exercise. I hate playing boring songs that I've played/heard a bazzilion times. Not only are they boring, but they are the ones I always end up flubbing.
 
#93
mellowinman said:
But when I played originals, I wasn't all that awesome, either!

Am I destined for a life of non-awesomeness?

Bummer, man.
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As a playing experience, originals bands (unless they're actually essentially famous) is sucky. Too much emotion, too much ego, not enough pay.
Most of us just want to PLAY, let someone else get famous and have "integrity".
 
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#94
I haven't been asked to learn songs that I hate to the point where I wouldn't play them. There are some songs that I like more than others but nothing that I hated playing. I use the approach whether I like the song or not. Learn it and play it to the best of my ability. I have turned down offers to audition for a band based on not liking songs on their setlist.
 
#95
Kmonk said:
I haven't been asked to learn songs that I hate to the point where I wouldn't play them. There are some songs that I like more than others but nothing that I hated playing. I use the approach whether I like the song or not. Learn it and play it to the best of my ability. I have turned down offers to audition for a band based on not liking songs on their setlist.
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I've had the opposite experience. I'm a complainer and really just want to vent and have had bands trash songs that I thought we should keep playing despite my aversion to them because I said I hated them. I really need to shut up sometimes.
 
#98
danosix said:
Yeah, but his point remains, all cover bands suck and only playing originals makes you AWESOME.
Note he said he's played for 20 years - he didn't say he's gotten paid.
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danosix said:
As a playing experience, originals bands (unless they're actually essentially famous) is sucky. Too much emotion, too much ego, not enough pay.
Most of us just want to PLAY, let someone else get famous and have "integrity".
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Integrity ?
LMAO:roflmao:

I have NONE.
I'm a whore.:woot:

It's ALL about the Benjamins baby....
SHOW me the money.
money-benjamins.jpg







Learning songs I dislike is only achievable through motivation.
I am motivated by the money. PERIOD.


Now learning some Sucky original tune, that NOBODY wants to hear, resulting in NO MONEY.

OH HELL NO.

Let me tell YOU what you can do with your SH!TTY song Feller.:cigar:
 
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