Singing and Playing - need super easy song suggestions

[WarningTap]

So after years of convincing myself I was one of those special ones that simply wasn’t wired to play bass and sing at the same time, I decided to stop making excuses and really apply myself. It took me a grand total of 5 hours of practice (across 4 days), but I am now able to sing and play Blitzkrieg Bop. I feel unstoppable now haha.

I realize that’s probably the easiest song ever to play/sing at the same time, but for me it’s a huge milestone. So now I need your suggestions - what would you consider is the second easiest song ever to play bass and sing at the same time?

My short term goal is being able to do backup vocals while playing, and my mid/long term goal is to be able to play and sing lead vocals decently.

Looking forward to your suggestions. Thanks! (I searched but found that a lot of what othets suggested in prior threads as beginner songs were actually quite complex)

 

[SoCal80s]

For me, things with steady 8th notes or quarter notes are easiest. Let me suggest:

Runnin' Down a Dream (Tom Petty)
Bad Moon Rising (CCR)
Long Way to the Top (AC/DC)
Old Time Rock n Roll (Bob Segar)

 

[Malcolm35]

Ask Google for fake chord sheet music on some three chord wonder songs.

25+ Fun 3 Chord Songs To Play On Guitar (For Beginners) (playthetunes.com)

31 Two Chord Songs | Simple Hit Songs | Songwriters Clubhouse

 

[Hurricane Jimmie]

So Anyway, congrats on your decision to take this step. Many years ago when I was 'forced' to sing a few songs every night, my value to a band really increased. Most of us can play, but if you can sing a few songs and give the BL or other singer a break, you've got a leg up on someone who doesn't/won't. I've got a lot of work over the years because I can sing a few songs every set.

I prefer to sing something that's recognizable, has a steady beat and simple bass line. We took Love Me Do and Get Rhythm and put a 4/4 up-tempo beat to them. They always go over pretty well no matter what kind of gig it is.

Good Luck to you.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

So after years of convincing myself I was one of those special ones that simply wasn’t wired to play bass and sing at the same time, I decided to stop making excuses and really apply myself. It took me a grand total of 5 hours of practice (across 4 days), but I am now able to sing and play Blitzkrieg Bop. I feel unstoppable now haha.

I realize that’s probably the easiest song ever to play/sing at the same time, but for me it’s a huge milestone. So now I need your suggestions - what would you consider is the second easiest song ever to play bass and sing at the same time?

My short term goal is being able to do backup vocals while playing, and my mid/long term goal is to be able to play and sing lead vocals decently.

Looking forward to your suggestions. Thanks! (I searched but found that a lot of what othets suggested in prior threads as beginner songs were actually quite complex)

 

[Lesfunk]

Smoking in the boys room
And some kind of wonderful
Can’t get enough of your love
are easy songs to play while singing.

 

[FunkHead]

"My Hero" by FooFighters
"Listen to her heart" Tom Petty
"A Face in the crowd" Tom Petty

 

[flannel cat]

Gel by collective soul..and congrats on blizkrieg bop, its one i play and sing in my own band, it too felt like a milestone for me.
Meadow by stone temple pilots came along pretty quick for me as well..

sometimes playing bass and singing can be a royal pain in the arse.....but it is fun when it works out..

 

[Lostgallifreyan]

Princess Of The Streets, by the Stranglers. It's good enough to keep you motived for as long as it takes to get into it. (Unless you can't stand it, which I hope is not a possibility

 

[12BitSlab]

Revolution #9

 

[FunkHead]

Revolution #9

Very strange suggestion...

 

[Sam Evans]

Ha, when I saw your thread title, I immediately thought Ramones. But I see you're already there! So ... I suggest more Ramones!

 

[WI Short Scaler]

I would suggest you pick a song that you know by heart, something you can sing along to if it came on the radio without really giving it any thought.

There's probably a few of those that immediately come to mind. Now pick like 5 of them and listen to the bass lines in them, pick the one that sounds like the simplest to play and try that. You'll be taking something you know, how to sing it, and adding the bass line. Might work.

I have been singing my whole life for better or worse. So when I started as a drummer first I was just adding the drumming to something I knew already. Good luck.

 

[LeonineAlpha]

fever

 

[SkylineFiver]

Sting’s Ten Summoner’s Tales has a few.
I would try Fields of Gold first…..but I can’t sing

 

[mambo4]

Any jazz standard can be sung against a steady 4/4 walking line without much trouble , try Fly Me to The Moon.

But if you want to level up pick something with more swing or syncopation , like The Boys Are Back In Town or Roxanne

 

[Wannabebass]

I like the idea of starting with a song you can already sing. Also agree TomPetty is a good place to start - I’ve gotten to where I can do “Wildflowers” almost reliably. I could use some more suggestions too.

 

[Jaycat]

Jambalaya by Hank Williams. Nothing to it.

I am 10 years older than you and still working on singing and playing at the same time. I do a lot of my playing at bluegrass jams where the songs are simple and conducive.

 

[Deleted member 394181]

I have to know how to play it first so you can king of not worry what your hands are doing. Kind of like auto pilot.
Real easy stuff I started on:
Wild Thing
Some Kind of Wonderful
Bad Boy/ Beatles version
Keep Your Hands to Yourself, George Satellites
Might be forgetting some but hope these are ok for you.

 

[Deleted member 394181]

I remembered one, can't go wrong, nobody knows the real lyrics anyway.
Louie Louie