Music, theater, stand-up comedy, even pro-wrestling… all examples of art forms where crowd interaction, and reaction can completely change the experience.
This song from Erykah Badu is a perfect example. The studio version’s much slower, and comes across as more about bitterness and frustration. When you toss in a great crowd though, it comes across as a triumphant middle finger representing anyone who’s been unappreciated in a relationship.
Here’s the opening track from MGMT’s debut album Oracular Spectacular. The subject matter’s very similar to Nickelback’s Rockstar, but it’s a great example of diversity in execution when it comes to rock music.
This hit from Third Eye Blind’s debut album remains one of my most listened to songs of all time.
You’ll never find more a more uplifting song about crippling meth addiction.
Back in 2005, the surviving members of INXS got together, and did a reality show to find a new lead singer. It all seemed like a bit of an American Idol ripoff in concept, but ended up being surprisingly good.
The thing is, instead of just random people off the street that could sing, most of the contestants were members of indie rock groups. Performing original content was actually part of the gig.
Here’s a clip to compare against the other talent shows from the time:
AC/DC always struck me has a band that really knew how to do a great intro. Thunderstruck, Hells Bells, Riff Raff, If You Want Blood (You Got it)…the list goes on and on.
Going around 30 seconds before the vocals even kick in is practically a given in an one of their songs.
Of all these intros, I’m pretty sure this song from Highway to Hell has my favourite. It’s just too bad they rarely play it live.
I’m pretty sure this pop-punk hit was in the majority of early ’00s teen movies.
SR-71 didn’t pump out too many more hits, but their lead singer moved on to a prolific career co-writing music for such Disney teen hits as Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez, Hannah Montana and the Jonas Brothers.
Todays mandate: have some fun with genre classifications.
As far as this song goes, I’m gonna say electro-pop-blues-funk.
The secret to time travel has officially been discovered, and it’s not the Flux Capacitor. It’s music. As soon as I hear this song, I’m instantly back riding shotgun in Castellani’s VW Beetle on the way to play in my first senior football game.
It’s funny how some songs can become so inextricably linked to a single time and place.
From a time when the Rolling Stones were going disco, here’s Black Sabbath bringing a bit of a punk rock beat to their sound.
Never Say Die’s the lead single off of their last album featuring the original lineup. Despite being one of their least critically successful albums, it’s the only Black Sabbath record I own, and I think it’s pretty great.
Arguably the most popular single from Big Willie Style. For a bit of a Daft Punk connection, the Sister Sledge song that Will Smith samples here features Nile Rodgers on guitar, writing, and production duties.
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