OK, this is for standard issue bar bands, not tributes or niche bands. Most of us play hits, or songs that are charting now that might not stand the test of time.
But every now and then you just have to whip out one self-indulgent, random, B-side, relatively-unknown, never-saw-it-coming song and rip it because the band wants to do it.
Sometimes they wind up catching on locally and become a favorite. Such was the case in the late 80s and early 90s when a regionally-popular band I played in (I was a kid and the rest of the band members were in their thirties) played Cowboy Song by Thin Lizzy. (The intro is kind of a downer. Listen at least a minute or so. Skip to 45s if you have no patients.... like me.)
Thin Lizzy Cowboy Song - YouTube
It became one of our most requested songs. I'm not saying the song is "obscure", per say. But your average bar goer, even back then, had no idea who did the song if they had even heard it. So that one worked out well.
Fast forward to last night. Our drummer (who has very eclectic musical tastes) brings up this song. I had never heard it. I was only vaguely familiar with the band in general, and couldn't have told you what any of their songs were until last night. It fits us like a glove. It kind of rocks (in a laid back 70s kinda way), and has a little bit of funk to it. The harmonies are right up our alley. It's as if the musicians in Mother's Finest were suddenly the backing band for Crosby Stills and Nash.
No Way Out - YouTube
I think we're actually going to do a version of it. We may tailor it a little to meet our band's needs. It's totally out of character for us to pull out a song that isn't a smash. But I think we're gonna give it a try.
How bout you? Does your regular bar band play one or two "out there" songs?
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