Memorable background vocals

[Pauly 4001]

The Beatles:
there's something titillating about these backing vocals


Or how about several Beach Boys backing Chicago?

 

[rtav]

Page 5 until someone mentioned this band, who has been known to throw in a vocal harmony or two.

Hard to find a better example across their catalog (entire acappella rounds, harmony on top of harmony on top of harmony ad infinitum, pure harmony intros, outros, solos, etc. etc. etc.)

Oh, they had a guy who could sing lead pretty well too, not just harmonies.

 

[Tom Bomb]

5:01 am
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[zontar]

Joe Cocker's "A Little Help From My Friends", particularly the live Woodstock version.

Just about any Joe Cocker song.

 

[2112]

Come on. The backing vox are the best part. Hehe, ok, one of the best parts.

Came in expecting this to be posted early, leaving satisfied.

Wait... no I need to post these too...

 

[mikewalker]

The Who had dozens of songs with big harmony backing arrangements... (this one a particular fave of mine)

 

[zontar]

Anything with Merry Clayton

 

[Tom Bomb]

​

 

[Killing Floor]

Came in expecting this to be posted early, leaving satisfied.

Wait... no I need to post these too...

The guitar in Driver Seat is great. Is that Paul Roberts? Really slick player.

 

[FilterFunk]

Page 5 until someone mentioned this band, who has been known to throw in a vocal harmony or two.

I was very surprised to be the first to mention Queen!

 

[cxcxcx]

Lots of strong mentions so far.

A moving BG vocal doesn't have to be a multi-tracked super smooth million dollar production - to wit:



These probably were multi-tracked super smooth million dollar productions:

 

[Bad Bob]

Oh yeah, the backgrounds are so strong. The ladies were really on it!

At Woodstock it was just Allan Spenner and Henry McCullogh on the background vocals.

 

[roccobass]

At Woodstock it was just Allan Spenner and Henry McCullogh on the background vocals.

Oops. I was still thinking of the studio version.

 

[Danny O Danny]

Came in expecting this to be posted early, leaving satisfied.

Wait... no I need to post these too...

I nearly posted that one. I saw them live during that time period, and every time she sang it brought people to their feet.

 

[retslock]

 

[sevdog]

6 pages in and not one single mention of Mike Mills?!

Bass player website fail.

 

[FeltTipPen]

Francine Reed's vocals make the song:

 

[Calebmundy]

These parts are amazing:

 

[zontar]

At Woodstock it was just Allan Spenner and Henry McCullogh on the background vocals.

It was still memorable to many.

 

[badinage]

Pretty much anything Rosemary Butler does.