Tough songs to sing and play

[Dabndug]

There's some tough ones, but few beat Politician by Cream. Just thinking about it now is hurting my tiny brain.

 

[Turnaround]

Stardust.

 

[Lesfunk]

I Cannot play rappers delight and spit hot fire at the same time

 

[kingforaday]

I tend to find I only struggle now with anything that's a riff or fill that deviates from the normal rhythm I'm locked into (as it's been mentioned, the obla di obla da bit "life goes on…" riff part for example) but it's usually due to arrogance on my part believing I should just be able to put the two things together straight away without practice. I think I'm lucky in that it just takes a slowing it down a couple of times through to work out why it's tricky, and there isn't anything I've needed to play and sing and couldn't.

I played bass for years without singing so that's like second nature to me… a band I was in pushed me to sing more and I just added that in, when my hands already knew what they were doing… if that makes any sense?! I guarantee if I over thought it, I'd mess up constantly!

 

[QweziRider]

What are/were the most challenging songs for you to sing while playing?

For me, Southern Cross from CSN. I'm quite respectable at backing vox, but this ain't backing vox. It's three friggin' lead singers. Hated every minute of singing a great song.

Did you give up on any?

Fortunately, this particular band imploded not long after. Now I don't have a lead singer telling me "Oh, it's no big deal, you can do this."

 

[REV]

"Mama I am depending on you to tell me the truth" - That's a tough line to nail…I would think.

It's the timing. The vocals are basically in 4/4 and the bass line has that extra and in it.

 

[BigJohnAZ]

All of them. I simply can't do it. Even on 4/4 easy stuff. That's why I give all respect and admiration for those of you that can, and obviously, the likes of Geddy, Macca, et al that can rip and sing.

 

[dkelley]

I play and sing and it's WAY HARDER than on guitar. I used to be front man and guitarist in a band... that was so much simpler. bass rhythm and notes really mess with the brain because it's very much like thinking of vocal lines.

 

[brianrost]

 

[nutdog]

Temptations Get Ready

 

[brianrost]

This thread reminds me of why I never joined a Gentle Giant tribute band

 

[etoncrow]

Never had to do it but I can see where playing Jameson's "Bernadette" bass riff and singing it would be a bitch to do.

 

[brianrost]

Aint Too Proud To Beg and Wang Dang Doodle are two with syncopations making the singing impossible for me.

 

[dkelley]

holy moly!!! that was INCREDIBLE! And what a bassist! I couldn't even say taht whole thing out loud without messing up without playing at the same time, let alone while playing very beautiful and very challenging music

 

[two fingers]

Some of the thiughest I ever did.

"Good Times Bad Times" - Zep

"Limelight" - Rush

"Don't Stop Believin" - Journey

"You Make My Dreams Come True" - Hall n Oats

The last one I'm still trying to gget. The band tabled it so I could spend more time with it. The vocals and bass line are a weird combo of straight and syncopated. I'm getting close. Slowing it down and repetition are the only keys to success for me for tough songs.

I may think of more later.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

All of them.

I eventually gave up singing while playing bass. I could sing while playing guitar or piano but not bass or accordion.

You stole the words right out of my mouth!

 

[TomB]

Call me Al (Paul Simon) has been the toughest so far that I had to do.

Omg! I'm not sure I could play the original part even if I weren't singing!

 

[two fingers]

"The Cowboy Song" - Thin Lizzy - tough to get, but fun once you do!

"Spirits In The Material World" - The Police - even Sting had to simplify it live...

Hats off to you on Cowboy Song! Love it! And I bet it's tough to nail initially.

 

[tvbop]

To start with, everything Beatles, so difficult. To think I did Forget Me Knots in a three piece back in 82 with that fiendish slap pattern. The foolishness of youth haha..

 

[GreyBeard]

Brick House gave me a fits