[inst: voice] vocal utterances to which I would build statues, part the first
Submitted by Nick Vane on Mon, 09/16/2002 - 03:50
Tags:
- Chuck Berry's weary "Ahh" - "Too Much Monkey Business"
- How Jeff Mangum of Neutral Milk Hotel strings out his vowels - "Two-Headed Boy"
- Paul McCartney's scream - "Long Tall Sally"
- Bob Nolan's intro roar - "The Crusher"
- Sleater-Kinney's howls - "I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone"
- Joey Ramone's "oohs" - "Ramona"
- The Velvet Underground's post-bridge "la la la"s - "Sweet Jane"
- How Van Morrison sings "rainbow ribbons in her hair" and scats "way upon" - "Cyprus Avenue"
- T-Model Ford's yelps - "She Asked Me So I Told Her"
- How Bono stretches out "wide awake" - "Bad"
- How Bono sings the closing "you"s in "All I Want Is You"
- James Brown's every vocal outburst - "The Payback"
- Eddie Vedder's closing howls - "Jeremy"
- Bobby Darin's semi-scat before the orchestra kicks up - "Beyond the Sea"
Author Comments:
yeah, some of these description are a bit convoluted, but if you've heard the songs, I hope you know what I'm saying...
I love that you included Chuck Berry's "ahhhh". Terrific!
I might add Prince's throat-shredding pleas at the end of Beautiful Ones. Talk about demanding an answer!
Great list!
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
FANTASTIC topic for a list. I've seen a couple of lists (including one by George Harrison) that picked apart songs from a "music instrument" point of view, but never one from vocal stylings. Hope to see more soon.
Is John Lennons scream in "Revolution" TOO over the top?
not too over the top for me! as the man himself said, "aaaaalll riiiiiiight!"
One of my favorite websites has a few posts that follow along this same line of interest. http://www.rockcritics.com/topfive/exclamations_v.html
yeah, I've posted on the site before, but not on the topic. come to think of it, it does sound familiar...
Nick Vane, I know you don't really contribute too much to Listology anymore, but I was hoping you could tell me where the 'way' you're referring to in "Two-Headed Boy" is. I listened to the song a few times after seeing this list, but I just can't find it! If I was going to suggest something from the song, I think 'face' when he sings "made for his lover who's floating and choking with her hands across her face" is awesome.
Heh. See... this is a big reason why I don't contribute much anymore. I don't feel like I have much to add. Heh... or my info is suspect.
That said, I think I meant to put "ay" as in "long a". When Mr. Mangum stretches it out until he's overcome... my gosh! The economy of expression can go out the window; someone could reconstruct hymns from his scattered syllables. Try "pla-ee-ay-cing fingers through the notches..." And "across her f-a-a-ce," as you pointed out.
I just saw the Godfather trilogy, but I don't see fit to comment about it beyond what Jim and AJ and lbangs and a million others have said, unless I'd just be waxing ecstatic. Thanks for being kind, Geek!
You're kidding about that being the reason you don't contribute much anymore, right? I've always thought your brought a lot to the table.
If I didn't agree with Jim, I wouldn't be responding now. Nick_Vane, I always love reading your content, and yes, I have been saddened by your absence. Stick around!
P.S. If you can't think of anything new to add at the moment, I'd really love to see you finish this list.
If I might add (in a slighty more rock 'n roll vein)....
Bon Scott's "YAAAAGGHH!!!" at the end of "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap".
Perry Farrel's inhuman wail in "Ocean Size" just before the guitar solo.
Axl Rose's "HUAH!" right at the end of "Welcome to the Jungle"
When Freddy Mercury orders you to "Get on your bikes and ride!" at the end of "Fat Bottomed Girls" (I freakin' LOVE that!)
Every time Ozzy yells "AAALLL RIGHT NOW!" in "Faries Wear Boots" by Black Sabbath
John Lennon's primal "YEEHAAAAAAAH!!!!" in the middle of "I Want You (She's So Heavy)"
I'm sure I'll think of others....