Mellencamp Songs

[Chains]

At rehearsal last night for our 3 piece, primarily 60's and 70's Rock, we were discussing adding some new material for our May gig.

Somehow we decided that we will each propose 2 Mellencamp songs, for a total of 6, to be worked up at our next rehearsal.

We have to sing our suggested songs.

Looking for advice on songs that might work in a 3 piece and I would like to avoid his most common hits....

Any thoughts or JCM fans?

 

[Atshen]

Why would you avoid his "common hits"? Aren't you looking for dance floor fillers?

 

[Chains]

Oh thanks, I am already aware of quite a few popular songs. Just looking for some deeper cuts, as I am not familiar with all of his material.

 

[Inky13]

Not a huge fan, but I enjoyed playing "minutes to memories"
which has a pretty cool bass part. I liked the lyrics as well.

 

[Badwater]

I agree, playing what the audience likes is the way to go. One way to research this is, select the songs you want to play, and see how many views they have on the YouTube. Or just go with the above suggestions.

 

[two fingers]

I have played this in several bands. Works every time.

 

[mellowinman]

Oh for God's sake: PLAY ONLY HITS when you cover John Mellencamp.

 

[MonetBass]

This is one of my favorites of his, and it should work well with a 3-piece:

 

[jasonrp]

The Authority Song.

You have to mess with it a bit to fill up open spaces in a three piece but it can be done. I would get busy where the guitar was spare and lay off when he was riffing

 

[Ben B]

Like Jasonrp mentioned, The Authority Song. It was one of our standards in a trio I once played in. People enjoyed it, and it was easy to pull off.

 

[Chains]

Thanks for the advice above. I like all of the suggestions. Gonna work on 3-4 tonight and see which vocals flow out of me with comfort.
I will check in with our 6 choices.

 

[inanimate_carb]

"Paper and Fire" works well, "Pink Houses", and "Hurts so Good" is a crowd pleaser and an absolute must. I've literally played that tune 1,000 times live and never tire of it.

 

[BluesWalker]

"Paper and Fire" works well, "Pink Houses", and "Hurts so Good" is a crowd pleaser and an absolute must. I've literally played that tune 1,000 times live and never tire of it.

You can't go wrong with Hurts So Good.

 

[Gab124]

As a cover band don't play 6 songs from one artist. Just my .02
With that said, Hurt so Good and Authority Song do very well in bars.

 

[Chains]

Gab, I agree with you. The plan is for each of us is to bring in 2 songs that we would sing, with charts and mp3's for the other members, and see which 1 or 2 out of those 6 might
click, if any.
I am looking at it as an experiment and a good learning experience. JCM songs are not really what we are known for. That's is why I was searching for some
"unique" songs.
I appreciate all of the suggestions so far.....

 

[shawshank72]

Scarecrow is a good song. We use to do a version in our originals band that was more intense and it always came off well.

 

[mikew31]

ROCK in the USA is a fun one to play and is a good one to get booties moving on the dance floor. Only problem is it's going to be difficult to cover the recorder solo with a three piece

 

[pudgychef]

+ to Authority Song, Paper and Fire, Play Guitar

 

[inanimate_carb]

We also did a mashup of "ROCK in the USA" into "What I like about You" by The Romantics. I forget exactly how, but the riffs are similar enough to get two songs for the price of one.

 

[Oddly]

To be honest, Hurts So Good is the only Mellencamp song I like ... out of the three songs of his I've ever heard of (Jack and Diane and Small Town the other two.)
As a covers band, I'd have thought playing the best known hits would be the best strategy.
Sure it's cooler to play some 'deeper cuts' which may well be far better songs ... but unless you got some real fans of his, that's just going to lose your audience's interest.