Memorable background vocals

[Bajo Clarkko]

Just about anything by the Doobie Brothers, particularly the earlier stuff.

When you have guys like Tommy Johnston, Pat Simmons and Tiran Porter in the lineup, that's a lot of vocal fire power.

I saw them a year ago this month (minus Mr. Porter), and they were still killing it.

 

[stigbeve]

Michael McDonald Isolated Vocals - Steely Dan - Peg - YouTube

 

[Ric5]

 

[Ric5]

 

[conttador]

ANY Song w Michael McDonald! He's had many a memorable appearances singing backup but here's my faves!

 

[two fingers]

To me, Michael McDonald is one of the premier backup vocalists. He proved it in the Doobies and way beyond that.



He takes a verse in this but his harmonies are spot on.


"Peg", Steely Dan

The list goes on and on.

 

[conttador]

Sting on "Money for Nothing" by Dire Straits

Done here at Live Aid

+1 on this one!!!

 

[Shrubber]

I was going to mention Yoko Ono, but I thought better of it....

 

[capnjagg]

Glenn Hughes on Burn! Fantastic.

 

[LBS-bass]

This is a spinoff of a couple of other threads. I didn't see any previous ones regarding it, so here goes.

Ever hear a song that would be so incomplete without the background vocals? Ones that, you want sing instead the lead vocals. There's a bazillion. I'm listening to one now. Anybody else, please offer up!

I didn't read ahead so maybe someone else already showed this old bit from the Richard Pryor show:

 

[Aussie Player]

For me, John Lennon holds the patent as he was the master of providing a sub melody under the main melody of the song. Had a brilliant ear for harmony and was the only Beatle to write sings with 4 part harmony.

Any half deaf muso can slap a 5th or 7th note harmony in place but really listen to Lennon on those earlier tracks especially. He was masterful.

 

[turf3]

Anything with Ray Charles' Raylettes.

Don't forget Walk on the Wild Side.

 

[IamGroot]

This cuts the mustard
​

Excellent cover. plus its live 10/10

 

[IamGroot]

Background Vocals + CHOREOGRAPHY !! The Tempations were a great act.

THis clip is 50 years old, btw..

 

[Londo Molari]

On the 2008 re-mastered / re-mixed version of Foxtrot you can hear so much more of Phil's vocals. Most folks might have thought that it was Peter, but in fact Phil really sang quite a lot and very well too.

 

[klaatu]

Live cut which was rare for groups back then on TV.

Spanky & Our Gang - Sunday Will Never Be The Same (1967) - YouTube

 

[nixdad]

The Beach Boys are the first group that comes to mind. Here's just one stunning example of their background vocals only:


The Beatles are another. Here's the promo video of my acoustic/electric Beatles. Lot's of examples here, including Nowhere Man, If I Needed Someone, With a Little Help From My Friends, Hey Jude & more, all recorded live:

 

[H K]

FLEETWOOD MAC, HOLD ME! The 4 layer harmony on the chorus is so ridiculously good. That part makes me smile every time I hear it. ESPECIALLY because you got that steady PLONK PLONK from the cowbell (of all things), in direct contrast to the fantastic voices. It's hilarious and beautiful at the same time.

Oh, and it doesn't detract that the bassline is so funkin' groovy either



The audio isnt great here, listen on a better service if u can

 

[roccobass]

This is by far my favorite Stray Cats cut. Off their Rant N Rave album. The unforgettable doo-wop backgrounds are performed by 14 Karat Soul. It really just makes the song.

 

[PennyroyalWe]

Just found out it's John Lennon doing the BVs on this gem.