Solo Acoustic Singer Songs

Gulliver

I'm looking to add more songs to my solo gig repertoire, and in need of suggestions.  Here's my current list of songs I'll build a set-list from - let me know if there is a band/artist/genre/song that you see I have clearly missed that you think would suit a solo fat bloke with a guitar   (please don't tell me to learn more Oasis songs...)




FYI - Songs in Purple are done with a Baritone, Green and Red are seasonal songs (St Patrick's and Christmas)

Fez

Probably something in Simon and Garfunkel's catalogue.
Save tonight by Eagle Eyed Cherry.

ESBlonde

Thats a good or even great selection for sure. 

Do the stuff that suits you and your voice/style, but having favourite artists to hand can help. For example:
Ed Sheeran - Thinking out loud
Pink - Who knew
Glen Campbell - Witchita Lineman and or Southern nights
Randy Newman - You got a friend in me (something Disney like for the youngsters, two or three are handy sometimes).
Bee Gees - How deep is your love
These have proven popular for me, but my voice is a limiting factor.
It helps to cover different artists and genres, but having a ‘my style’ approach tells people what to expect. Unless you are using backing tracks, in which case you become a juke box/disco if you’re not careful.
Anyway good luck, let us know how things work out.

AntonHunter

Nice that you've got a baritone list! Do you take one to every gig? Got any clips online?

The list needs more Neil Young I reckon, but I say that as someone who doesn't sing, or gig solo, so take that as you like. 

ESBlonde

AntonHunter said:

Nice that you've got a baritone list! Do you take one to every gig? Got any clips online?

The list needs more Neil Young I reckon, but I say that as someone who doesn't sing, or gig solo, so take that as you like. 

Oh, I do Harvest moon in a trio, band and as a solo guitar. Often gets a good response and never a bad one.l

Stuckfast

I guess it depends on what sort of gigs you're playing? Definitely scope for more and better Beatles songs, and I don't see any Rolling Stones on there. Wild Horses is a good one for solo playing. Maybe some Blondie?

(I will also be the pedant who points out that I Think We're Alone Now was originally by Tommy James & the Shondells, whose version is still the best.)

Plectrum

Stuckfast said:

(I will also be the pedant who points out that I Think We're Alone Now was originally by Tommy James & the Shondells, whose version is still the best.)

Correct. And "Dirty Old Town" is by Ewan McCall so not an Irish song at all but covered by many, many folk singers. I remember back before colour telly the Spinners used to have a weekly show on the Beeb and Dirty Old Town was a staple of their set.

Gulliver

Stuckfast said:

more and better Beatles songs

Something is probably my favourite Beatles song - but I suppose it's not to everyone's taste.  I might have to inflict Hey Jude upon myself...

Plectrum said:

 "Dirty Old Town" is by Ewan McCall so not an Irish song at all

I've been forced to play it at every Irish bar and St Patrick's gig I've done in the last 20 years, and I think I've only heard the Pogues version (which I think is shite) so try not to do it too often!!

AntonHunter said:

Nice that you've got a baritone list! Do you take one to every gig? 

No videos of me with it at the moment - I haven't really thought to take any!!   Pretty much every gig I'll take the Baritone - mainly because I like the enormous low end.     I've bought a 12-string in the last week, so might need to write a 12-string mini-set and then decide which non-standard acoustic to take with me to gigs, because I'm not taking 3 guitars to a gig!!  

flying_pie

There's a distinct lack of metal in your set!

I was actually being serious. Anything can be done acoustically with a bit of creativity if it's a well written song. I always think it's fun to hear stuff you wouldn't expect rather than a predictable set list and I love some of the less obvious stuff in your list like Peter Andre. For example Wasted Years by Iron Maiden sounds beautiful stripped down for acoustic guitar 

You could also add in some electronic. Frente's version of Bizarre Love Triangle by New Order. Precious or Enjoy The Silence by Depeche Mode would also sound lovely

There's also all the MTV Unplugged stuff like Pennyroyal Tea by Nirvana, loads of REM and Pearl Jam, etc

And if your feeling more adventurous as in some rap  - Lose Yourself by Eminem, Nina Gordon's version of Straight Outta Compton or Ben Folds Bitches Ain't Straight 

Stuckfast

flying_pie said:

I always think it's fun to hear stuff you wouldn't expect rather than a predictable set list and I love some of the less obvious stuff in your list like Peter Andre.

Completely agree, there's some really imaginative choices in there, whereas I don't feel I ever need to hear another version of Knocking on Heaven's Door or Jolene really.

Plectrum

Gulliver said:

Plectrum said:

 "Dirty Old Town" is by Ewan McCall so not an Irish song at all

I've been forced to play it at every Irish bar and St Patrick's gig I've done in the last 20 years, and I think I've only heard the Pogues version (which I think is shite) so try not to do it too often!!

It is popular in Ireland and has been recorded by bands such as the Chiefdens. I think it resonates with a lot of people. The Pogues can ruin anything.

Open_G

I’ve been playing around with Rebel Yell. It’s very easy to sing and play (once you’ve got your head round the intro) and works quite well. 

hollywoodrox

Some T Rex songs  I guess  Children of the revolution, get it on , 21st century boy
  David Bowie  - rebel rebel , space oddity   Ziggy stardust  , man who sold the world 
  Guns n roses -Patience  sweet child ,dont cry ,knockin heavens door 
  Bon jovi - wanted dead or Alive  livin on a prayer 
  Rolling Stones - wild horses , paint it black , can’t always get, dead flowers 
  Poison every rose ,something to believe in 
  Ac dc highway to hell 
  Eagles - hotel California ,peaceful easy feeling ,tequila sunrise 
  Black sabbath / guns n roses   it’s alright 
  Bryan Adam’s   When you’re gone ,  
  Lynyrd Skynyrd - free bird  , Tuesdays gone  simple man 
  Miley Cyrus - Flowers 
  Phil Collins  in the air tonight 
  Savage garden - to the moon & back 
  Kinks - dedicated follower of fashion , Waterloo sunset , well respected man 
  The who - the kids are alright 
   Def leppard - hysteria  , two steps behind 
   Aerosmith - cryin 
  

HAL9000

(Come up and see me) make me smile - Cockney Rebel

Nitefly

Wow, that is a really eclectic set-list - are you playing solo, or using backing tracks?

Anyway, needs more Eagles  e.g. Lyin' Eyes, Tequila Sunrise, or Peaceful Easy Feeling ?

For the Beatles, and a little whimsical, Honey Pie?  Sort of pastiches of 1920's music hall stuff.

I used to enjoy playing the Travelling Wilburys' Handle With Care, too.

sev112

aerosmith - Cryin' :  i've also been practising that one, but the vocal range and the change of key are both tough for acoustic and vocal 

hollywoodrox

sev112 said:

aerosmith - Cryin' :  i've also been practising that one, but the vocal range and the change of key are both tough for acoustic and vocal 

Crazy - could be a good alternative 

munckee

My back pages, byrds version, hotel California, Mr jones, hey jealousy, man on the moon all spring to mind. 

Gulliver

Stuckfast said:

I don't feel I ever need to hear another version of Knocking on Heaven's Door or Jolene

I agree - it's on the list in case someone tries to be funny and asks me for Guns 'n Roses or Dolly Parton  (it's happened)

Nitefly said:

Wow, that is a really eclectic set-list - are you playing solo, or using backing tracks?

Literally just me and a guitar - not even a looper!

Nitefly

^ Excellent! Keep music live! 

ESBlonde

Nitefly said:

Wow, that is a really eclectic set-list - are you playing solo, or using backing tracks?

Literally just me and a guitar - not even a looper!

Well done. I do have a drum box and a harmoniser for the vocal, but I prefer not to resort to them. No tracks solo acoustic is both daunting and exciting to play. A good strong strumming arm is your friend, I do get carried away with motifs and fills from the originals but the audience don’t care. If I do make a mistake, chances are no one notices, and if they do they don’t care.