Back when I was just starting out in bands all of the local bands, mostly guys that were a little older than me, were playing the top 40 hits of the day, so that's what we did, too. A lot of that was soul music and then it changed to blues rock and rock, but we still kept playing current songs. Is anyone still doing that? Is it even possible for a cover band to cover today's top 40 hits?
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Top 40...anyone playing it?
- Thread starter 51PRI
- Start date
I did it until a 2-3 years back. Not exclusively but we tried to have a few current hits on tap. With the right voices, instruments and tools it's very possible. I wouldn't half-ass it with just guitars.
My band doesn't write top 40 songs, so no.
It's all I play. Casino and corporate gigs as well as outdoor events.
No, although a good proportion might have been close to top 40 back in their day.
Our newest track is likely minimum 20 yrs old.
Our newest track is likely minimum 20 yrs old.
Yep, back in the early '80s. We got our set list from Casey Kasem's American Top 40. We did five sets a night, five days a week at the Hyatt, Hilton and Sheraton Hotels in the Detroit area.
So Anyway, I'm not sure I've heard, let alone know the name, of a top 40 song. But I get my start in that kind of band, playing night clubs and bowling alley lounges.
I decided many years ago that I didn't have the necessity or interest to chase current songs.
I decided many years ago that I didn't have the necessity or interest to chase current songs.
If you're in any form of GB group then some portion of your catalog has to be top 40 (or at least top 40 material from the last 3-5 years) if the crowd demographic of the event is younger than 50. If you don't you won't get hired to play subsequent events.
You know, I was thinking about this earlier in the day. Grew up in the sixties, listening to, and playing Top 40. That was kind of a mix of light rock, R&B, light country. We had one main radio station in town (2 TV stations!!), probably some others that didn't interest me. Late at night we could pick up a couple of the northern "powerhouse" stations. I knew basically all the songs of the times.
I don't even know what "Top 40" would be these days; guess I need to go buy a copy of "Billboard". I'm pretty sure I wouldn't care for most of it, though from time to time I'll hear something with a bit of a groove to it. Not a Taylor Swifty, or Beyonce, or Gaga fan. Not Rap. (Ocassionally, that groove thing)
I'm a Spotify addict these days, restricted to my playlists and their predicitions. Jazz, Blues, R&B (mostly classic), Funk.
My recent band, such as it is, is classic variety/Americana. Not really my choice music when it was popular, and certainly not what I listen to now, but , whatev(!)
I don't even know what "Top 40" would be these days; guess I need to go buy a copy of "Billboard". I'm pretty sure I wouldn't care for most of it, though from time to time I'll hear something with a bit of a groove to it. Not a Taylor Swifty, or Beyonce, or Gaga fan. Not Rap. (Ocassionally, that groove thing)
I'm a Spotify addict these days, restricted to my playlists and their predicitions. Jazz, Blues, R&B (mostly classic), Funk.
My recent band, such as it is, is classic variety/Americana. Not really my choice music when it was popular, and certainly not what I listen to now, but , whatev(!)
I sub with a band that does quite a bit of Top 40. It does involve some backing tracks but it's a ton of fun and people love it.
Current Hot 100.
Billboard Hot 100™
I live a very sheltered life. I recognize eminem and Zach Bryan. Kendrick Lamar. I have not knowingly listened to any of this. A lot of it is made by a handful of producers. The story seems like a long time ago, but still the case.
The Song Machine
Billboard Hot 100™
I live a very sheltered life. I recognize eminem and Zach Bryan. Kendrick Lamar. I have not knowingly listened to any of this. A lot of it is made by a handful of producers. The story seems like a long time ago, but still the case.
The Song Machine
You guys don't think playing Megan THEE Stallion and Kendrick Lamar is feasible?
They not like us
They not like us
They not like us
They not like us
They not like us
They not like us
Wop wop wop wop wop wop wop wop
They not like us
They not like us
They not like us
They not like us
They not like us
They not like us
Wop wop wop wop wop wop wop wop
Here comes the low hanging fruit brigade. TB, keeping it classy and painfully predictable.
We do Lizzo, Dua Lipa, The Weekend, Miley Cyrus not sure if they're currently Top 40 but they were relatively recently.
