Is there a technical term for the sort of song that gets most of its business done in the first verse, often at a chugging pace, with liberal use of the jangly Needles And Pins riff, and elegant little drum pick-ups? If there is a chorus it’s often more a glorified bridge or slightly altered second verse, definitely not a singalong. The title is often buried at the end of the verses, and then everything rides out on extra layers of guitar.
Well, I don’t know what you’d call it, but I like it. And as Bellshill’s finest are past masters of the form, let’s all it Fanclubesque. Here’s a playlist of some I’ve liked over the years, showing that even late-period Bruce Springsteen and Nick Lowe are not immune to the charms of this song structure. Are there any you’d add to the list? And has anyone realistically said what this sort of song actually is?
Counting Crows came to mind immediately, they’ve been on my mind because of the 1993 thread. How about Rain King?
I’ve got. a bit of an aversion to Counting Crows but they’re fans of TFC and covered Start Again, so I should try again.
Some great tunes on that list Martin, it may be time for a Baronesque compilation or four. 😎👍
What a great list!
This might be a bit “on the nose”…
Yes, definitely. Forgot them, thanks
Thought this was one of Gerry Love’s undiscovered gems when I first heard it.
Oh yes. Like a bit o Young Guv.
I was listening to the Pernice Brothers yesterday (having never heard of them before) and was going to suggest them, but I see that they are already on your list.
In a really weird coincidence, I just learned that Ben Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie / The Postal Service) did a cover of Bandwagonesque. I’d just put it on, then logged in here and the first thing I saw was ‘Fanclubesque.”
Much of the work by Diesel Park West, esp the Decency album.
Most of the Present Tense album by Shoes..
Squeeze – Another Nail In My Heart. So front-loaded the guitar solo comes in before the 1 minute mark. 1 more verse and then 30 seconds of chorus playout
Nice comp with imaginative choices, will give this a listen on the commute. Definitely Fanclubesque!
I was mentioning this album on the 1993 thread…
It’s a doozy of a playlist with a marvelous selection of different artists. Great work, Martin!
Andy Partridge has the nice idea of the ‘vhorus’: a verse that’s strong enough to be the main hook, even though it’s not quite the chorus, but that then only needs middle-8 or bridge style sections to bring some variation between the vhoruses.
That’s very much this kind of thing. Can we think of any XTC examples?
Respectable Street?
This one?
Had totally forgotten that one. It’s definitely got the structure. I’ll be honest, not everything in my playlist has got all the traits; some are just there because they sound like Teenage Fanclub. But I also wanted to ask the question about the structure; love the “vhorus” idea.
I think Into Your Arms and I’ll Do It Anyway by The Lemonheads have the right melodic effortlessness and harmonies with some gritty guitars to hit the sport. Come on feel them!
Into Your Arms is definitely one of these.
I think this fits the bill – jangly guitars, sweet harmonies, title at the end of the verse, and all done and dusted in under three minutes. There’s even a Bellshill connection if you want it even more Fanclubesque! (Full disclosure: I played drums on this and am the Bellshill connection)
I like it. Teenage Fanclub by way of the Decembrists.