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The Song You Hate Most to Play

#42
Bassmanbob said:
We all have one or two of those songs the rest of the band likes to play, the audience loves it (so you play it), but you hate it.

What is the song you hate playing the most, and what do you do (if anything) to make it more tolerable?

Here's mine:

OK. I really like playing in the band I'm with now. We have a great selection of tunes, good musicians, nice guys, no egos and the venues are fun places to play. I really like the set list, even songs like "Mustang Sally"... and I can even somehow get into "Old Time Rock and Roll." But one song I hate playing is "Sweet Home Alabama." It's three notes (D, C and G) over and over until after the solo, I get to play a F once. It's also not a song that lends itself to fiddling around with extra fills on bass due to the guitar work so busy. It's become a band joke that some day I'm going to teach my wife to play it, so I can take "my union break." To make matters worse, we do "All Summer Long and go into "Sweet Home Alabama", extending the bordom two fold.

So here's what I did (and will continue to do from now on).
We started playing it two weeks ago. My wife was at the gig. Knowing the band joke, came running up to me at the beginning of the song. I motioned her to go to the front of the dance floor. So, using my wireless on my bass, I joined her on the dance floor while playing. The audience and other dancers got a kick out of it, the band started laughing and my wife loved it. Honestly, I stole the idea from the 'Dancing while playing' thread about a month ago.

Not a wild story, but it made "Sweet Home Alabama" tolerable.

What is your song, and what do you do?
Click to expand...

Well, I'm as tired of Sweet Home Alabama as anybody but to say it is just D, C and G and you get to play F once isn't quite right. If that's what I was doing I'd be bored stiff as well.

There are a few cool little licks in there with the guitar fills and the bass pattern changes during the solos I believe.

That said I only agree to play it upon request...:smug:
 
#49
I couldn't say this if I was a genuine working pro(as opposed to *serious hobbyist who sometimes brings home a few bucks*), but I will NOT play songs I truly hate. I've PO'ed close friends by taking this stand, but they got over it. If I can't do it w/love(or money ;)), I can't do it.
 
#50
Ooh, Old Time R&R - missed that. Thanks, now it's an ear-worm in my head :(


Here's a tip: My co-workers and I play a game where we try to get a crappy song playing in the other guy's head; helps pass the time.

What I find works is to sing or hum the Three Stooges Theme.

Sort of like flushing the toilet!

Works every time :D
 
#52
I really hate playing I hate my life by theory of a deadman, my bandmates love it for some crazy reason. Its very boring for me and my singer keeps trying to get me to do the backup vocals and I just dont agree with the lyrical content. the backup part goes "I hate my job, all of my rich friends, I hate everyone to the bitter end, nothin turns out right, I hate my life", The beginning is especially bad, starts with singer and slight guitar and he says Im so sick of the hobo's always beggin for change. I could go on but you get it, its just a horrible song musically and thematically and I just dont get why people like it so much, but thats what they pay me for.
 
#54
Phalex said:
Kindergarten sounds like a metal band! :bassist:
Click to expand...


Oh brother Phalex...

I'm so glad you posted back.. only YOU would get a kick out of this.

I was kind of a shy kid.. I would periodically have outbursts "She Loves you Yea Yea Yea.... She Loves you Yea Yea Yea.... She Loves you Yea Yea Yea.... She Loves you Yea Yea Yea.... "

I dropped my first public Eff bomb in kindergarten.. (back in the days when teachers weren't hand cuffed)

I was asked to stay after...

Teacher then insisted she wash my mouth out with soap.

At this time I was very used to this and had Lava as my favorite dental Exfoliant.

I did what any cool young rocker would do..

"Better get a bigger bar of soap --- you fat ol (insert Cbomb here)"

(of coursed this ticked her off and she went straight in)

I then mustered up all my strength and crank latched onto her finger (with the molars)..

she smacked me so I gave the old bat a full on double-header twister...

Then kept on twisting.. and twisting.. and biting.. and twisting..

She eventually started screming for help

I then waved the "red flag move" when the pricipal entered

I then asked if everyone was abused like this or if I should be calling my dad in.

That old bat (probaly about 40) was immediately relieved of her hell duties.

..

I have other young punk rocker stories.. I'lll save them until requested.

Rawk on.

Timmy
 
#56
Out of about 80 songs my cover band plays these are for sure my least favorite - Kryptonite (3 doors down), Everybody Wants You (Billy Squire), Gimme Some Water (Eddie Money), Hold on Loosely (38 Special), Paralyzer (Finger 11), Figured You Out (Nicklecrack)
 
#57
Sweet Home Alabama has lots of licks, I think you're missing it. The back beat on the chorus is great, alternating each measure, and during the solos there are rolling lead-ins that are fun. Take some time and learn the music and you will find it much more fulfilling.

The thing I enjoy about You Shook Me All Night Long (besides the dynamics of the bass ramping the song and making it huge) is that the bass and drums are so tight together, sitting in front of the beat. It feels a little awkward, but when I make the effort, it sounds great and really moves the rhythm.

I think the cure for being sick of the music is learning the music inside out and enjoying the rhythm/groove. There, not that I've cured this problem for all bassists, I think I'll go try to solve world hunger.
 

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