Just as there are songs that make me dance there are also songs I cannot hear without singing along to. Here are some examples:-
Steve Miller Band – The Joker
James Taylor – You’ve got a friend
Simon and Garfunkel – America
Paul Simon – American Tune
Dawes – A little bit of everything
Bruce Springsteen – Girls in their summer clothes
Nils Lofgren – Goin back (The best version)
Free- My brother Jake
Rod Stewart – You wear it well
Simple Minds – Alive and kicking
What are your singing songs?
Buzzcocks – Ever Fallen In Love guarantees an out-of-tune audible warble.
In a slightly more “niche” world, it is not possible to hear Carter USMs Sherrif Fatman* or Billy Smarts Circus without joining in.
* Sherrif Fatman – I learned the lyrics to “impress” a girlfriend at the time – I’m not sure she was actually impressed. It was more a look of pity that I noted.
They are brilliant, brilliant lyrics. I made an effort to learn them too. She didn’t deserve you.
A fair few – The Lovin’ Spoonful Darling, Be Home Soon, Steve Earle Ben McCulloch,
Jackson Browne Running On Empty, The Jam Going Underground are the more popular ones. Lots of comparatively obscure songs it’s not worth mentioning.
Hundreds I think :
Going Underground, The Jam
Word Up, Cameo
Chandelier, Sia
Bohemian Rhapsody, Queen. – which I learned as a child to break up the montony of a 2.97 mile* walk home from school.
*wasn’t issued a bus pass from Surrey County Council because I lived less than 3 miles away.. The letter triumphantly confirmed this figure as the end of the matter.
Was the journey measured from your front door to school gate or just bus stop to bus stop?
It was bus stop to bus stop, so my walk was over 3 miles.
I sing aloud to hundreds of songs on my iPotd, but one that comes immediately to mind is The Message. I’ve got no prob remembering the words but find it very difficult to get the breathing right and I strain to get to the end of each verse.
I like joining in the end bit too.
– We’re with Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five.
– What is that a gang?
– No!
– Officer, officer, what’s the problem?
– Madam, you the problem. Get in the car. Get in the car.
Etc.
God, loads. But my absolute faves are songs with distinct backing vocals/shouting.
Animals We gotta get out of this place’s “yeah yeah yeah yeahs” and Pete Townsends “feel I gotta awayyys” on The kids are alright do the job.
If its late and i’m drunk, AC/DC’s Ride On also features…..”but I know I’m gunna do” etc.
The ridiculousness of a bad British male voice uttering “Bass. How low can you go? Death row, what….” does not need to be pointed out to me
One of the most disturbing things I’ve ever seen was when posh chef John Burton Race was on I’m a Celebrity… and, apropos of nowt, suddenly went into Rappers Delight.
The jungle can do strange things to a fellow…. damn strange things.