Suggest some cover songs for acoustic guitar, bass and drums

[Robboman]

I'm looking for some popular cover song choices that would be a good fit for a live TRIO format with only one ACOUSTIC guitar, bass and drums.

Ideas? Let's have 'em! Just remember that if the original song has electric guitar solos or any other prominent instrument parts, it won't work live. I only have two hands, and they will be busy playing acoustic.

My weekend band plays bars, weddings, parties, etc, with a mix of rock, pop, blues, roots, party standards and borderline country. With this trio I've only ever played electric. Then, recently we were asked to learn Oasis Wonderwall for a wedding's first-dance number. I used my acoustic and though I'm not crazy about that song, I like the way it sounded - nice contrast and change from the electric.

So now I'm thinking I'd like to have maybe 5 or 6 good acoustic songs ready, so we can throw in 1 or 2 per set for variety.

[adamthemute]

Cake's version of "I Will Survive" is pretty catchy.

I suppose you'd need to play popular songs yeah? If not, I'd suggest checking out some stuff by Murder By Death (acoustic stuff, don't let the name scare you), or maybe Neutral Milk Hotel. The track "Holland, 1945" is really nice. Pixies, Weezer, Radiohead, Pearl Jam...a lot of stuff would work good with an acoustic guitar.

I guess you could always play some Crappleback or something.

I'll think of some others.

[Xanadu]

You could do some jack johnson.

[Robboman]

Jack Johnson - great idea, I should have thought of that. Thanks!

We already do CAKE - I Will Survive, I use electric for that. Usually goes over really well.

Keep em coming!

[noobcake]

Nothing else matters by Metallica a pretty nifty little acoustic song that could work for you guys. Don't leave me high by Radiohead is definitely a song that you should have in your arsenal.

[zao_89]

Some songs i like to play are:

Im Yours - Jason Mraz
On The Way Down - Ryan Cabrera
For You I Will - Teddy Geiger
Collide - Howie Day
Slide - Goo Goo Dolls

[Paul]

Going Mobile - The Who
Street Fighting Man - The Rolling Stones
You've Got to Hide Your Love Away - The Beatles

[Geek]

Ella Fitzgerald's "Fever" just screams out for that instrument lineup and it's really hard to screw up :D

[adamthemute]

For No One - The Beatles

Might not be the best choice for weddings though.

[esp_dsp]

umm
jack johnson for sure if your doing acoustic stuff taylor is a sweet song
maybe behind blue eyes by the who?
that hey there delilah b the plan white t's its all over the radio these days..
james blunt stuff isnt that bad either might want to check out one of his tunes

[JBassJohn]

Life by the Drop - SRV
Heart of Gold - Neil Young
Blister in the Sun - Violent Femmes

[Starbuck]

This is going to sound a little goofy, but White Wedding by Billy Idol and Hit me Baby One more time by Brittney Spears are really fun acoustically. not to mention that when you Play Britney Spears, people crack up. Times like These by Foo Fighters, I am A highway by Audioslave.

[lenbone]

Crowded House has some real nice tunes for that situation,,I saw them play with an Acoustic/Electric,Stand up Bass, and a bare bones Kit with a Snare/ride/floor Tom/HHat/and one other little tom,and it sounded excellent ! Oh yeah I almost forgot,,,the Drummer did'nt even have a Kick !!

[lenbone]

This is going to sound a little goofy, but White Wedding by Billy Idol and Hit me Baby One more time by Brittney Spears are really fun acoustically. not to mention that when you Play Britney Spears, people crack up. Times like These by Foo Fighters, I am A highway by Audioslave.

Times Like These,,Is very fun to play as well ! The FF also have tons of good (unplugged) stuff on the same CD that "Learn to fly" is on.Have a listen,,you won't be Sorry !

[sonicmat]

I'm looking for some popular cover song choices that would be a good fit for a live TRIO format with only one ACOUSTIC guitar, bass and drums.

Ideas? Let's have 'em! Just remember that if the original song has electric guitar solos or any other prominent instrument parts, it won't work live. I only have two hands, and they will be busy playing acoustic.

My weekend band plays bars, weddings, parties, etc, with a mix of rock, pop, blues, roots, party standards and borderline country. With this trio I've only ever played electric. Then, recently we were asked to learn Oasis Wonderwall for a wedding's first-dance number. I used my acoustic and though I'm not crazy about that song, I like the way it sounded - nice contrast and change from the electric.

So now I'm thinking I'd like to have maybe 5 or 6 good acoustic songs ready, so we can throw in 1 or 2 per set for variety.

Lucky man ELP...or actually, In the beginning, ELP:rockon:

[Soupbone]

Heres something you wont hear everyday...how about Black Sabbath's "Solitude" off Master of Reality
Athough there is a very small bit of electric that could easily be covered by an acoustic- you have to be able to sing well while playing.

[laristotle]

led zeppelin - thank you
max webster - on the road
anything sappy in Dm....

[Robboman]

Some great suggestions in here.. thanks!

Just from this thread I'd seriously consider:

Blister in the Sun
Heart of Gold
Taylor (or other Jack Johnson)
Crowded House
Radiohead - High and Dry. Actually, not sure this one would work because of the missing electric solo in the middle. Also, my falsetto is a bit shaky at times!

Any more ideas? Nothing too heavy or too obscure please. This is a commercial band, the songs aught to be familiar to the majority of average people in the average bar.

[Budda]

has anyone mentioned goo goo dolls yet? it should definitely be doable with a trio, just simplify the guitars if need be :)

[hammer744]

How about...
Bob Segar - Against the Wind and/or Night Moves
The Eagles - take your pick - quite a few that will work with 1 guitar

[Hamm Guitars]

Well if commercial is your thing chicks seem to love these:

Faith (George Michaels)
What's Up? (4 non-blondes)

I like these:

Home for a rest (Spirit of the west)
Maggie May (Rod Stewart)
Liquor and Whores (Bubbles)

And of course, you now know Wonderwall.

[Starbuck]

Interstate love song (Velvet Revolvler acoustic is great!)
In your Eyes (Ben harper does a great acoustic cover of this one)
Desire (U2, is really fun not to mention dead easy)
Learning to Fly (tom Petty)
Wish you were here (Floyd)

[Michelle]

Heres something you wont hear everyday...how about Black Sabbath's "Solitude" off Master of Reality
Athough there is a very small bit of electric that could easily be covered by an acoustic- you have to be able to sing well while playing.

Yeah, I like that song but someone should've told Ozzy about 'singing well' :smile:

How about Dylan?

Like a Rolling Stone
All Along The Watchtower

[kinggeoff]

Some great suggestions in here.. thanks!

Just from this thread I'd seriously consider:

Blister in the Sun
Heart of Gold
Taylor (or other Jack Johnson)
Crowded House
Radiohead - High and Dry. Actually, not sure this one would work because of the missing electric solo in the middle. Also, my falsetto is a bit shaky at times!

Any more ideas? Nothing too heavy or too obscure please. This is a commercial band, the songs aught to be familiar to the majority of average people in the average bar.

+1 on blister in the sun

where's the incubus love in this thread?

Drive
Pardon Me
11am

pretty much anything off morning view lends itself to acoustic playing AMAZINGLY :)

[SZ Addicted]

None+1 on blister in the sun

where's the incubus love in this thread?

Drive
Pardon Me
11am

pretty much anything off morning view lends itself to acoustic playing AMAZINGLY :)

Love those ones Drool

Also, I think Wonderwall by Oasis goes without saying. Maybe a little overdone but easily recognizable and just as easy to play. Get your capo out :)

-Twiggs

[Antz_Marchin]

Interstate love song (Velvet Revolvler acoustic is great!)


Oh no.......say you didn't say that :eek:

[Starbuck]

Oh no.......say you didn't say that :eek:

Fun to play Dude, Hey, I also said Britanny Spears...:D

"Keep your mind open, you never know what can get in"

Peace,
SB

[geckodog]

If you want a song that's both fun to play and sing, and is easy to play, and is a wicked song!

Got You Where I Want You - The Flys

Remember that tune? It was on the Disturbing Behavior soundtrack.

Here it is here on their myspace. http://www.myspace.com/theflys