Single guitarist bands and good songs

p90fool

We have an 80 song set of pop covers, and can do 74 of them if the other guitarist can't make the gig. 

It's usually about holding something back dynamically, giving yourself somewhere to go when you need to build it.

Ironically, songs with complex chords and arrangements are easier than a lot of guitar band stuff. 

If you nail the chordal complexities of songs like Blame it on the Boogie or I Will Survive on your own on an acoustic at home they always sound immense in a 3-piece. 

EricTheWeary

Nellie The Elephant by The Toy Dolls.

TBH it's not very simple but requires no soloing ( often a problem area with single man bands) and is incredibly recognisable. 

CHrisP86

Thanks, more good suggestions there.

Think my original post is a bit confusing but as others have commented the originals don't need to have been done by a 3 piece band, just need to be workable in a 3 pierce format.

not_the_dj

I play in 2 different single guitar bands, and we've got 70+ songs in our repertories. Plenty of stuff that was originally recorded with two or more guitars, but perfectly possible to play. Sure they'll be some songs that "need" the extra guitar but there's sure isn't a shortage of stuff that you can cover.

p90fool

In which case I'd listen to arrangements by people like Jon Gomm, great for stealing ideas which work in a single guitar band. 

Rocker

Rory Gallagher. He more than got by.........

Fretwired

Ash -  Goldfinger ...




The Undertones - Teenage kicks (I think they had two guitars but you can play it with one)

The Cult - She sells sanctuary

Billy Idol - Rebel yell/White wedding

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