Should cover bands credit the original artists?

djspecialist

I know, bands and audience members alike each have their own preferences for the amount of chit-chat between songs.  But should a cover band at least say "this is a song by so-and-so"?  And if they do it for one song, does fairness demand that *all* songs in the set are introduced like this?

Grunfeld

My 2p's is no, don't introduce all songs like that!  I imagine it would get stale pretty quickly.  I can't think of any covers band who does it so that's a good clue.
Most punters are strange:  they don't care too much about music.  Which I guess is why we're on stage with hundreds of songs in our heads like massive internal juke boxes, and they're just having a drink and a bop around.
They'll enjoy the songs they know -- so you don't need to say anything for those -- and they'll be indifferent to songs they don't know -- so you don't need to say anything because they won't care.  And you'll clear the floor with songs they know and don't like.
Nothing wrong with an occasional intro for a bit of chit-chat but it's not worth worrying about in any depth.

Plectrum

I suppose it depends on the song. If you did "Sex On Fire" or "She Loves You" I expect the audience would know the original artists. And there's the additional complication that the most well-known version of a song isn't always by the original artist.

Roland

A covers band is there to provide a performance which entertains the customers. There won't be many songs in the repertoire which most people don't recognise.

If talking between songs is part of the entertainment e.g. Peter Gabriel in the 70s, then you can talk about the song. Otherwise keep the banter short, maybe after every 4th or 5th song, or if there's a need to change instruments or retune. 

We we often take a song apart and rearrange it, so the intro is "see if you recognise this one", or "do you remember this?"

Bridgehouse

If it's recognition you are worried about, then any decently organised gig should fill out a PRS form and list all songs played so they can receive their cut in licensing fees...

lustycourtier

We do the original versions of a lot of well known songs, teddy pendergrass 'don't leave me this way' tommy James 'I think we're alone l now', Gloria jones etc so it's always fun to introduce those types, but with the big hitters no. 

ESBlonde

My set lists are in order with title, key, lead singer, notes on original artist/year etc. In case you need patter. Mostly folks know the stuff anyway. If you do something like "saw the light" by Todd Rundgren they might recognise the tune but not remember who or what so having a prompt for that can be neat. 

EricTheWeary

I've seen blues bands who do that, I think to impress on us the idea that they really know their stuff. 

I saw somebody body cover Hurt and they introduced it as a song written by Johnny Cash so it's also a good way to show you don't really know what you are talking about. 

But, generally speaking, no it's a terrible idea. 

djspecialist

Thanks all.  I think my band probably could do with a *little* bit more chat on stage - but based on the replies here it's clear that introducing *every* song isn't the way to go.  I'm sure we'll come up with something else to fill the airwaves

Danny1969

we do it all the time as in "Here's a Radiohead song" or something similar .... in general most of the bands I work with communicate quite a bit with the audience and talking about the songs and what album they are off in a relaxed music pub is quite nice
For a corporate party or wedding though it's just bang through the set, keep em dancing so When in Rome yada yada

not_the_dj

Singer in one band I play in introduces "Hard to Handle" as a Black Crowes song, it's become a bit of a thing now as I shout "Otis Redding" at him in each gig. 

Danny1969

not_the_dj said:

Singer in one band I play in introduces "Hard to Handle" as a Black Crowes song, it's become a bit of a thing now as I shout "Otis Redding" at him in each gig. 

In fairness that version we all play IS a Black Crows song

Roland

Some covers are better than the original

Handsome_Chris

djspecialist said:

Thanks all.  I think my band probably could do with a *little* bit more chat on stage 

What, like Alan Partridge?!

RocknRollDave

Nobody cares. If I introduce a song by saying who it is by, it is either because:

1. I need a quick breather between songs and can't think of anything else to say about the song.

2. I have dropped in a song that isn't next up on the setlist and am subtly letting the band know what is up next.

Breaking up the flow of the set by introducing every single song by name and artist....? Why would you even do that?

plus part of the fun is seeing people's faces light up when they recognise the first couple of bars of a tune.

RocknRollDave

Oh and my biggest bugbear with this is bands who get the title wrong!


"This is You're Just Too Good To Be True.."

No it isn't, it's Can't Take My Eyes Off You. 

And not forgetting @ICBM's favourite:
"This is an Amy Winehouse song....."

prowla

I'd just like to dedicate this song to all my fans out there...

not_the_dj

Shamelessly stolen from @RocknRollDave "Summer of '69" introduced as "here's an old Canadian folk song"