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25 Aug 07 - 03:56 PM (#2133432) Subject: The Perfect Song From: Cluin That song which, for you, epitomizes the ideal song to sing... the one that falls out so easily and smoothly that it just makes you feel good to sing it, no matter what mood you are in. It will be a completely subjective opinion, of course, and you should feel that you do it justice in you singing of it. There aree lots of songs I like doing and feel I do them well, but for me there is one that I have been doing longest and best. It was one of the first I learned to sing by ear with my old guitar. No contest. It's Gordon Lightfoot's "Early Morning Rain". I still do it the way I first learned it, slow and soulful (but with the wrong chords I found when I got the songbook later). But I almost never play it for others. It's for me. |
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25 Aug 07 - 03:58 PM (#2133435) Subject: RE: The Perfect Song From: GUEST,HP Tolpuddle Man by Graham Moore......does it for me. HP |
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25 Aug 07 - 04:51 PM (#2133460) Subject: RE: The Perfect Song From: GUEST,DonMeixner "Can't help But Wonder Where I'm Bound". I never crack a case without doing at least some of this song. Doesn't matter the instrument. I learned it on the Autoharp in 1968. I changed it over to Guitar in 1974 and banjo in 1980. Now I do it on everything I play. Great verse, singalongable chorus, unending sentiment. Don |
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25 Aug 07 - 05:08 PM (#2133467) Subject: RE: The Perfect Song From: Beer Stuff That Works by Guy Clarke Immigrant Eyes by Tom Russell Beer (adrien) |
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25 Aug 07 - 05:21 PM (#2133474) Subject: RE: The Perfect Song From: gnu The Castle Of Dromore... Eileen Aroon... Jug Of This....May Morning Dew... The Cobbler... The Wind That Shakes The Barley... I know, I know... but, to me, they are one... each as the other. When I was at my camp on the river on a frosty fall morn at dawn and I sent those echos up the river valley... they were perfect... if only to me. |
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25 Aug 07 - 05:23 PM (#2133475) Subject: RE: The Perfect Song From: Bru Agree about Early Morning Rain. Remember Peter Paul & Mary playing it (live I think) on UK television mid to late 60's. Badgered my dad into working out the chords for me. I don't play it so often (can't sing to save my life) but when I do I still use the same chords; G, Bm Am D7 G G Am D7 G But there's so much singable material from the sixties, you'd be hard pressed not to find something you liked. |
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25 Aug 07 - 06:16 PM (#2133502) Subject: RE: The Perfect Song From: Nick E It seems to me Cluen is asking for the perfect song for SINGERS, but is it in my shower you mean or do you mean it more for performers? |
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25 Aug 07 - 07:28 PM (#2133532) Subject: RE: The Perfect Song From: Big Al Whittle I was once at at an Irish songwriting festival(county galway) where one songwriter said he had written the perfect song - and he called it The Perfect Song. It didn't win. But neither did I. |
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25 Aug 07 - 07:46 PM (#2133546) Subject: RE: The Perfect Song From: Tootler I don't know about perfect song, there is no such thing IMO, but two I really enjoy singing and regularly come back to are The Three Ravens Jock of Hazeldean In both cases it is a combination of the story, the melody - both have fine melodies - and the images that are conjured up by the song that give me a buzz when I am singing them. I sing both unaccompanied. Just a matter of finding an comfortable key to sing in. |
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25 Aug 07 - 07:59 PM (#2133556) Subject: RE: The Perfect Song From: Janie I don't know that my answer will be the same tomorrow. But for now - two songs - The Sisters of Mercy by Leonard Cohen (which learned from a Judy Collins album), and It Rains Just the Same in Missouri. I'm fumbling with the writer. Ray Cliff? Roy Griff? I agree, Bru. And if you (me) are of a certain age, we have strong emotional associations with them. Janie |
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25 Aug 07 - 08:00 PM (#2133559) Subject: RE: The Perfect Song From: Joe_F Dink's song |
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25 Aug 07 - 08:26 PM (#2133570) Subject: RE: The Perfect Song From: RTim The next one I chose to sing! Tim radford |
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26 Aug 07 - 04:13 PM (#2134007) Subject: RE: The Perfect Song From: GUEST,eoin o'buadhaigh 'Farewell my Dearest Dear' such a strange air that lets you put your heart into every word. Every pause between lines (which you can change each time you sing it)lends to the air and when finished I'm always sad and think 'It'S TOO DAMN SHORT' I always feel good when I sing that song. eoin |
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26 Aug 07 - 04:23 PM (#2134012) Subject: RE: The Perfect Song From: Alice Easy answer for me, because there is one song I sing automatically when washing clothes or dishes or doing things around the house, and even though there are others I like more, this one comes out without thinking - Wild Mountain Thyme. Alice |
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26 Aug 07 - 04:45 PM (#2134021) Subject: RE: The Perfect Song From: The Borchester Echo Yeah, Jock o Hazeldean springs to mind for a soundcheck as it drops down an octave and a half (almost) over three bars. Still, I suppose The Star Spangled Banner would do just as well . . . |
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26 Aug 07 - 05:00 PM (#2134030) Subject: RE: The Perfect Song From: Celtaddict Except that in my opinion, despite the similar ranges, 'Jock o' Hazeldean' in vastly more singable. I have always thought, of the choice of 'To Anacreon in Heaven' as melody for a national anthem, 'What were they THINKING?' |
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26 Aug 07 - 05:10 PM (#2134035) Subject: RE: The Perfect Song From: Jack Blandiver Sportsmen Arouse (The Innocent Hare) |
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26 Aug 07 - 06:02 PM (#2134066) Subject: RE: The Perfect Song From: COINWOLF The Rose as sung by Bet Midler 3 verses, all lines with that "prick up your ears and listen" factor. Easy to memorise, easy to perform. |
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26 Aug 07 - 06:35 PM (#2134085) Subject: RE: The Perfect Song From: terrier I agree with coinwolf, I still get shivers when I think of that song. Funnily enough, I was listening to a BBC prog today that featured Bet Midler, although she did not sing that song. Awesome performer. For me, there are some beautiful hymn tunes that really stick in my mind, my favourites are probably Silent Night and Dear Lord And Father Of Mankind, but many others. |
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26 Aug 07 - 07:08 PM (#2134102) Subject: RE: The Perfect Song From: Big Al Whittle 'That song which, for you, epitomizes the ideal song to sing... the one that falls out so easily and smoothly that it just makes you feel good to sing it, no matter what mood you are in.' I don't even feel that good about people...... 'falls out of you esily and smoothly......' senokots, or a couple of pints of Mad Jacks Stout - if they're to hand. usually gets things moving. |
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26 Aug 07 - 08:00 PM (#2134132) Subject: RE: A pretty good song From: Gene May not be the perfect song, but it sure is a pretty good one.. Someone Is Looking For Someone Like You Written & Recorded by Gail Davies (1979) The First Female Record Producer in Nashville. You say that nobody cares where you're going And that your life don't mean nothing at all You've heard the saying you reap what you're sowing So plant a good seed and watch it grow tall CHORUS: Somewhere a man's got no woman to turn to Somewhere a woman is lonely and blue Somewhere a child's got no mama to hold her Someone is looking for someone like you You say there's no road that you'd care to travel Nothing to say that ain't been said before And life's a mystery that you can't unravel Well, love's the key that will open that door CHORUS: Think of all the time you waste complaining Think of all the good that could be done Think of all the friends you could be gaining If you lift your hand to help someone REPEAT VERSE 1: You say that nobody cares where you're going And that your life don't mean nothing at all You've heard the saying you reap what you're sowing So plant a good seed and watch it grow tall CHORUS TAG: Play: Fiddle plays first 3 lines of chorus [then] Sing: Someone is looking for someone like you Email: CN8GV9@aim.com for mp3 |
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26 Aug 07 - 09:44 PM (#2134195) Subject: RE: The Perfect Song From: Effsee Stardust by Nat King Cole...the pefect combination of lyrics, singer and arrangement. |
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26 Aug 07 - 10:52 PM (#2134233) Subject: RE: The Perfect Song From: GUEST,leeneia When I lost my baby, I almost lost my mind. Perfect for a solitary day at home. Pack up your sorrows. Fun to sing because of the way the energy comes in pulses. |
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27 Aug 07 - 08:17 AM (#2134392) Subject: RE: The Perfect Song From: Mark H. Move That Thing by the Memphis Jug Band. There are many variants, but taking it slow, singing "I said, move that thing", then everyone replying, "Keep on moving" and "Whole lotta movin'" - it's a satisfying high. |
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27 Aug 07 - 08:36 AM (#2134399) Subject: RE: The Perfect Song From: The Borchester Echo "To Anacreon in Heaven" a.k.a. (later) The Star Spangled Banner was also used as a Betelgeuse death anthem in The Hitchhikers's Guide To The Galaxy, though the key was was decipherable to neither earthdwellers nor beasts. This has just got to be the perfect soundcheck tune. Achieve a balance on that and anything else you do will be a piece of piss. |
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27 Aug 07 - 01:25 PM (#2134628) Subject: RE: The Perfect Song From: frogprince For awhile now, I keep coming out with John McCutcheons "The Great Storm is Over". The one before that was Mary Chapin Carpenter's "Why Walk When You Could Fly". w |
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27 Aug 07 - 01:39 PM (#2134640) Subject: RE: The Perfect Song From: RTim The Great Storm is Over was written by Bob Franke NOT John McCutcheon, but I agree that Johns' version is very good. Tim Radford |
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27 Aug 07 - 06:00 PM (#2134852) Subject: RE: The Perfect Song From: GUEST,chinmusic My choice would be 'Over The Rainbow'.... Like all great tunes, it has stood the test of time, because of the perfect marriage between melody and lyric..... The feeling evoked is universal to the human condition.... |
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27 Aug 07 - 06:45 PM (#2134874) Subject: RE: The Perfect Song From: Celtaddict I thought it unlikely, but one song I have always thought perfect is also 'The Rose.' The lyrics are simple but poetic, the melody quite suited; every word and every note are exactly the one you KNOW must come at that point. |
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27 Aug 07 - 07:28 PM (#2134899) Subject: RE: The Perfect Song From: Midchuck There is, of course, no perfect song. Good thing, or there'd be no point in anyone writing any more. Some of my favorites (long time and short): Voices in the Hills (Dick McCormack)(If you never heard of it, lyrics were in the DT last I checked) The Mary Ellen Carter (Stan Rogers) Lock-Keeper (ditto) Tonight We Ride (Tom Russell) March of Cambreadth (Heather Alexander) The Ballad of Charles Whitman (Kinky Friedman)(Possibly the song in the worst taste of any ever commercially recorded) The Land (Kipling/Bellamy) (suggested subtitle: "A Concise History of English Real Estate Law") Say Goodbye to Montana (Alex Harvey/Tim Rouillier) But I have many more... Peter |
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27 Aug 07 - 08:05 PM (#2134925) Subject: RE: The Perfect Song From: john f weldon Jump (Dudley Moore) |
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27 Aug 07 - 08:44 PM (#2134954) Subject: RE: The Perfect Song From: van lingle The Happy Wanderer when I'm in bear country just to let em know I'm coming. In more normal circumstances "A Pair of Brown Eyes" and "These Dancehall Girls" because they're so easy for me and I never grow tired of them. "Phoebe Snow" also. |
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28 Aug 07 - 02:46 AM (#2135082) Subject: RE: The Perfect Song From: Gene Someone out there should learn and perform this beautiful song... Someone Is Looking For Someone Like You Written & Recorded by Gail Davies (1979) [C] You say that nobody [F] cares where you're [C] going And that your life don't mean [G7] nothing at all [C] You've heard the saying you [F] reap what you're [C] sowing So plant a good seed and [G7] watch it grow [C] tall CHORUS: [C] Somewhere a man's got no [F] woman to [C] turn to Somewhere a woman is [G7] lonely and blue [C] Somewhere a child's got no [F] mama to [C] hold her Someone is looking for [G7] someone like [C] you You say there's no road that you'd care to travel Nothing to say that ain't been said before And life's a mystery that you can't unravel Well love's the key that will open that door REPEAT CHORUS: DIFFERENT CHORD PATTERN HERE: [C] Think of all the time you waste com-[F]-plaining [G] Think of all the good that could be [C] done [C7] Think of all the friends you could be [F] gaining [G7] If you lift your hand to help some-[C]-one REPEAT 1ST VERSE: REPEAT CHORUS: TAG: Play: Fiddle plays first 3 lines of chorus [then] Sing: Someone is looking for someone like you |
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28 Aug 07 - 03:19 AM (#2135091) Subject: RE: The Perfect Song From: Big Al Whittle lovely sentiment |
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28 Aug 07 - 08:03 PM (#2135673) Subject: RE: The Perfect Song From: Songster Bob I'm not sure I have one song that fits this bill. When I pick up my guitar, I often play a little ragtime piece I wrote, or start singing a blues (if I fall into an E chord) or one of my songs or a Tom Paxton song if my fingers hit a G chord. If it's the banjo I pick up, what I gravitate to depends on the tuning (and the banjo -- I do different songs on the minstrel banjos than my fretted ones). There is no "perfect" song. That said, I often play Rambling Boy World of Time (mine) Ode (my setting) Cotribution Rag (mine -- that instrumental I mentioned) Can't Help But Wonder Hail Columbia (doing it in an upcoming gig, so it's on my mind) James Alley Blues (Born in the Country) Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues Grandfather's Clock Year of Jubilo (Kingdom Coming) Uncle Joe's Hail Columbia (another I'm working on now) etc. etc. etc. Bob Clayton |
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29 Aug 07 - 09:41 AM (#2136016) Subject: RE: The Perfect Song From: Grab Downbeat... Ain't no sunshine when she's gone (with a little guitar body percussion to keep the beat) The keeper (Show of Hands, my arrangement) Mellow... I'm your man I give you the morning Wonderful tonight Upbeat... Never going back again The sicknote The teddy bears' picnic |
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29 Aug 07 - 10:03 AM (#2136030) Subject: RE: The Perfect Song From: GUEST,LC fan "The Sisters of Mercy by Leonard Cohen" Janie, I like you. |
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29 Aug 07 - 04:44 PM (#2136312) Subject: RE: The Perfect Song From: GUEST,Warwick Slade Not written it yet. Watch this space moon June could be on to something here |
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29 Aug 07 - 06:58 PM (#2136411) Subject: RE: The Perfect Song From: Steve Shaw This Land Is Your Land. No contest. |
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29 Aug 07 - 07:04 PM (#2136414) Subject: RE: The Perfect Song From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego Early Morning Rain - Lightfoot I Never Will Marry - trad. Cloudy Summer Afternoon - Travis Edmonson Four Strong Winds - Ian Tyson Spanish is the Loving Tongue Any of them seem to flow naturally for me. It's obvious that this is as personal as asking someone's favorite wine or food - "different strokes for different folks." |
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30 Aug 07 - 12:51 PM (#2136982) Subject: RE: The Perfect Song From: Cluin I did mention that it "will be a completely subjective opinion, of course". That was the point. |
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30 Aug 07 - 04:13 PM (#2137052) Subject: RE: The Perfect Song From: GUEST,albert How about Barrett's Privateers by Stan Rogers and Brecht's Pirate Jenny? Albert |