[SuchFriendsAreDangerous]

I am curious: why do you play cover songs?

I am not talking about performing them on stage shows, but rather, those songs you cover for your own pleasure, the back catalog of other people's music that you can play on your guitar that you dont play in any shows.

for example:

I can by memory and on the fly nearly EVERY single Deftones song, sing em as well..

also Nirvana..

a great deal of post-1998 sonic youth, a shitload of chaos punk like Subhumans or Varukers, and yet, I will probably never have an opportunity to perform any of these songs as I am in reggae and blues groups, and they have no need for distortion, loudness and growling on the microphone..

essentially I can play all these songs just for the sheer joy of playing them, for the same reasons I listen to them. I mean we are probably talking about at least a hundred or a hundred and fifty tunes that just end up serving as warm up material for my originals..

so I am curious, do any of you also play a shitload of songs just for your own pleasure and entertainment?

[Sheriff Rhys Chatham]

I don't play covers. I only know the main riffs to Teen Spirit and Dirty Boots.

[atari 2600]

Yes, I do play covers. Anyway, it's usually the easiest way to jam with someone.

The MTV Unplugged in New York thread reminds that I play all those songs. I play them (most are particularly easy) exceedingly well. And I know most other Nirvana songs too. I have all of their songbooks.

I play lots of others too by my favorites such as songs by R.E.M., The Beatles, The Kinks, Sex Pistols, Talking Heads, David Bowie, Neil Young, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Sonic Youth and Robert Johnson. I have a decent amount of tab books and several alphabetically arranged three-ring binders full of photocopies and printouts. I know the various song or two from the likes of far too many to go into. I once made a complete list, but that was years ago. If I haven't played one in awhile, it usually comes back to me readily.

It's a great way to learn about the instrument and assorted playing styles and about what your own style is, but alas, it can also be a detriment to some extent too. It's up to the player in the end.

[atsonicpark]

For fun.

I like to play songs by THE FALL.

[atari 2600]

Originally Posted by Sheriff Rhys Chatham

I don't play covers. I only know the main riffs to Teen Spirit and Dirty Boots.

Those whole songs are a cinch, including the solos.

[SuchFriendsAreDangerous]

I agee with Atari, these tunes help you expand your own abilities as a musician and inspire you to create new things from the sounds in your own head which are naturally similar to the sounds of bands you listen to because you and they share obviously similar tastes in sound

I do mix it up though. in blues and reggae I play almost strictly covers when it is "my turn" to sing on the stage, and I enjoy them terribly, because I can peform them the bestn, and I love most of them so.

these include most reggae standards, some Marley tunes, Dead tunes, Hendrix tunes, and of course ol traditional blues tunes which WE ALL cover in the blues tradition. Blues like reggae, only has original lyrics, not original rhythms, they are all "standard rhythms" so they dont quite count as cover tunes unless you sing the same lyrics,

[Sheriff Rhys Chatham]

Originally Posted by atari 2600

Those whole songs are a cinch, including the solos.

I used to know all of Dirty Boots.

[SpectralJulianIsNotDead]

fun

[PAULYBEE2656]

because your own songs suck mighty balls??????????????????????


......only joking, i have no musical talent whatsoever..

[atari 2600]

Originally Posted by SucFriendsAreDangerous

...I can by memory and on the fly nearly EVERY single Deftones song, sing em as well.....

I've always had difficulty singing and playing at the same time.
I've found that recently this is finally starting to change.
Anyway, if there's anyone out there that has faced similar challenges,
here's a few that aren't that demanding vocally compared to many other songs and ones that I've found that I've been able to learn to, for the most part, sing and play to at the same time.

About A Girl by Nirvana
Something In The Way by Nirvana
I'm Not There by Bob Dylan, covered by Sonic Youth, of course
Tangled Up In Blue by Bob Dylan
Heaven by Talking Heads
Like A Hurricane by Neil Young
Begin The Begin by R.E.M.
Roland, The Headless Thompson Gunner by Warren Zevon
Were You There? by Johnny Cash/traditional
China Girl by David Bowie/Iggy Pop (has the one vocal change part and I can imitate it, but my playing falls apart during)

Any guys with B.B. King-ish "dumb fingers" have song recommendations (besides Deftones) along these lines?

[SuchFriendsAreDangerous]

Originally Posted by atari 2600

I've always had difficulty singing and playing at the same time.
I've found that recently this is finally starting to change.
Anyway, if there's anyone out there that has faced similar challenges,
here's a few that aren't that demanding vocally compared to many other songs and ones that I've found that I've been able to learn to, for the most part, sing and play to at the same time.

for me, that is why I play cover songs in particular, for vocal training, because I can sing songs I know very well and play them without any trouble. For stage shows I only sing on cover tunes, it is much easier, and you are still making them your own original tunes by the particular energy and spirit which you put into them as a performer. most people dont even realize that my turn to sing in the group on stage is the cover song section, and its not just the obscurity of some of the covers, though I admit that in the blues I aim for extremely random cover tunes..

[Death & the Maiden]

I learn how to play lots of songs, I plan to record them, but then I realise it'd be pointless, my versions won't be as good as the originals.

[uhler]

i don't play covers, but if i did i would play i'll never forget you by husker du.

[!@#$%!]

 

i like the tits on the blonde. though i dont like her expression AT ALL.

[ZEROpumpkins]

My band covered Weezer's No One Else today. They learned it a quicker time than the song goes for.

[ALIEN ANAL]

same reason i like to draw other peoples drawings

[SuchFriendsAreDangerous]

Originally Posted by Death & the Maiden

I learn how to play lots of songs, I plan to record them, but then I realise it'd be pointless, my versions won't be as good as the originals.

thats not true, you shouldn't limit it like that. If the Dead hadn't recorded Dancin in the Streets or Samson and Delilah on Terrapin Station then we wouldn't know that their version was better.

if Nirvana wouldn't have recorded Man Who Sold the World then we wouldn't know that their version was better..

if Hendrix Experience hadn't ever recorded All Along the Watchtower then we wouldn't know that their version was better..

etcetcetc

[DeadDiscoDildo]

Why do you play cover songs?

Why do you play with yourself!

[Green_mind]

I can never be bothered to learn a song to cover, I have done before, but can't remember a whole song to play anymore, just mess about for personal enjoyment. I have some songs in my head that I'd like to cover, recently I wanted to record a cover of rebel rebel and slow it down, although everyone has told me this would sound shit.

[thewall91]

wow, this is the sonic youth message board - where are the music snobs who pipe in that they would never, ever, even for practice, play someone else's music? what is this board coming to?