Killer Open Mike Song Suggestions

[Superman]

I played a ton of bass guitar "back in the day" in several bands, then life got in the way. Life is now getting back out of the way, and music is flowing through my mind and heart again. Yay.

Aside from bass, which is my first and only true love, I can strum some decent six-string acoustic. Open Mike events look like they'd be fun, but would represent several firsts for me. I have never played a guitar on stage with more than four strings. I have never sung lead (only the occasional harmony stuff). I have never been on stage alone. So....it's kinda scary. My plan is to practice practice practice.

I need to come up with three songs. Not just any songs, but songs that will make me feel successful. Songs people will enjoy hearing. Please help me with some suggestions. Fool-proof, wildly popular, fairly simple songs.

I have a wonderful woman in my life right now, and the songs will be for her. Also, I am moving toward a more simplistic lifestyle. Back to nature, so to speak. There is one song I know I will do. Apeman by the Kinks. That'll be fun. I may also do Lady by John Denver, since I already know the guitar part, which is very pretty.

So....help me out. Killer, easy songs.

[nostatic]

Pick songs that speak to you - forget the audience. If you really feel it, then you'll be able to perform it and the audience will likely get it. And if they don't, no biggie...just do it again another time.

[Racerbvd]

[cashflyer]

Sounds good acoustic, not too hard to play, easy to sing (except that one part), easy to re-interpret, and chicks like it.

[LWJ]

One of my favorite acoustic songs is "Redemption Song." Don't know if Bob Marley is your thing but that song is great. Lots of others. Something by Neil Young - Cinnamon Girl? Old man? Or, you can take people by surprise - something like Cadillac (not sure if this is the name) by the Clash.

Three last thoughts: Pink Floyd, Elvis Costello and Billy Joel. All have some great ones that you can pull off acoustic.

Great idea. I am a bassman as well. Don't know if I could do this. My singing sucks.
Larry

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

Superstition
For Your Life
Paperback Writer

[slodave]

I have never been on stage alone. So....it's kinda scary. My plan is to practice practice practice.

Get really, really drunk before you go on. Also take vid and post if you do....

[Vonzipper]

It's so clear.....Highway to Hell

[Rob Channell]

YouTube - ‪Curtis Mayfield - People Get Ready‬‏

Drop it back to acoustic.

nostatic's advice sounds real good....much better than mine.

[Racerbvd]

[rusnak]

Youtube links aren't working for me. Sorry if this was already posted. I dunno about the kinks, dude, lol.

YouTube - ‪Keith Urban - Making Memories Of Us‬‏

[oldE]

Depends upon both you and your audience. (see Valdy's "Rock n Roll Song)

We had them up and dancing last night to "Wake Up Little Suzie", "Twenty Flight Rock" and "All Over Now", but if it had been a C&W crowd, they wouldn't have been impressed.

YRMV
Les

[targa911S]

Wish you were here. pink floyd
harvest moon. neil young
What made milwalkee famous. jerry lee lewis

[lm6y]

I saw a guy at a party do an acoustic version of Psycho Killer that was just amazing. Probably still the best acoustic song I've ever heard.

[futuresoptions]

[AFC-911]

Crazy Little Thing Called Love - Queen
I Used To Love Her - Guns N Roses (improvise the solo if you have to)

[Christien]

Originally Posted by LWJ

One of my favorite acoustic songs is "Redemption Song." Don't know if Bob Marley is your thing but that song is great.

Bingo.

something like Cadillac (not sure if this is the name) by the Clash.

It's called Brand New Cadillac, and it was a cover, and has been covered many times since, for good reason - it's a great song.



And speaking of the Clash and Bob Marley, here's Joe's rendition of Redemption Song. IMHO, it's every bit as good as the original, maybe even better:

YouTube - ‪Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros - Redemption Song‬‏

(embedding disallowed for some reason)

[mattdavis11]

Change it to fit your SO's name if need be. Beth by Kiss. Listen to Ace. Smoke 4 packs before you go on stage to get Peter's voice.

YouTube - ‪KISS "BETH"‬‏

[Jandrews]

Black Crowes - She Talks To Angels

JA

[rusnak]

Originally Posted by Superman

I have a wonderful woman in my life right now, and the songs will be for her. Also, I am moving toward a more simplistic lifestyle. Back to nature, so to speak. There is one song I know I will do. Apeman by the Kinks. That'll be fun. I may also do Lady by John Denver, since I already know the guitar part, which is very pretty.

So....help me out. Killer, easy songs.

1. Dude wants to impress Lady;
2. He wants to play songs that will make him sound good that aren't too hard to play.