Gig Songs For Female Vocals

[rugby1970]

History:

Posted ads on Craigslist for a re-occurring jam by oldsters for fun. Rock, Blues, Soul cover tunes; no expectations, Zip, Nada, Nyet. Eventually got two guitars, bass, drums and male vocal. It was cool, fun, doing music with like minded, similar aged guys. The group decided that we needed keys so I wrote the appropriate ad and got keyboard player. The male vocal retired from his day job and moved away.

So, we need vocal. The other four guys vote for a female vocalist - I voted against; stated that I did not want to become a female fronted group and knew the potential problems associated with bringing a woman into the mix with a group of men (apologies to our distaff members but this has been historically proven to be the case). So, I write the ad for female vocals and am swamped by the response to the ad. We settle on a woman close in age and ability to ours. We have progressed to the point to playing out; currently we are doing family and friend's outdoors parties with an eye to doing our first bar gig.

Okay, mini-rant: Now the female singer does not want to do the male fronted songs. In some cases we agree but in others she does the vocals well. She wants more songs with female lead vocals like Heart (way too dramatic and she doesn't hit the high notes), Fleetwood Mac (not the Green-led blues songs) Ayreon and Meadows of Heaven (the keyboard player loves this stuff - did I mention that they ride together back and forth to practice?). I don't particularly like these songs.

So, cut to the chase: please list your choices for gig worthy, female vocal, rock/blues/soul songs

Thanks. Hope I didn't offend too many folks here.

[marcnorth]

Not to offend either but female singers can ruin a band faster than anything. Sounds like she's already causing problems and speaking from experience it won't get any better. JMO

[BlueRedWhite]

I do agree, some female singers can ruin the vibe of a band.

Now, a female singer should not behave differently from the rest of the musicians.

If she refuses to sing songs she's able to do, she should go.

Untill you find a person that before being a female singer is just a singer, and respet and agrees to what the band want.

If she does not agree, either she should show her point with arguments or leave.

PS: disregard age and appearance, go for the one that sings well and that understands what being in a band is all about...

[sixesandsevens]

@marcnorth - Good observation that there's already an increase in drama. I somehow didn't even think of it that way.

But assuming you get one who works, I'll vote anything Blondie or Joan Jett. Should be a few classics in there.

[RichRS6]

Some of Blondie's stuff is cool to do, not too demanding and popular at gigs.

We do Hanging on the Telephone, One way or another and Call me.

Bitch, Meredith Brooks.

Ironic, Alanis whatserface.

Kids in America, Kim Wilde.

Echo Beach. Martha and the puddings.

Walk like an Egyptian. The Bongles.

If She's got a good enough voice GnR's. Sweet Child 'o mine.

Bellender Carlisle. Heaven is a place on Earth.

Having a female vocalist can have some advantages (like her good looking pals showing up for gigs as they will get up and start others dancing then, drink way too much but I digress) but she's got to understand it's not all about her.

ETA: The B52's Love shack.

Joan Jett. I love Rock n roll.

Pat Benatar. Hit me with your best shot & Heartbreaker.

[rugby1970]

Good input. The vibe is so different now. But I need song suggestions. Here is my preliminary list that I have sent to her to consider.

My List – just a start, not finished or comprehensive, in no particular order:

I Hate Myself For Loving You – Joan Jett

You Keep Me Hangin’ On – Diana Ross and the Supremes

A Natural Woman – Carole King

Up On The Roof – Carole King

Queen of Hearts – Juice Newton

Tainted Love – Gloria Jones

Wang Dang Doodle – Koko Taylor

Thing Called Love - Bonnie Raitt

Good Bye To You - Scandal

Venus – Shocking Blue

Proud Mary - Tina Turner

I Only Want To Be With You – Dusty Springfield

Heart of Glass – Blondie

You’ve Got A Friend – Carole King

Where Did Our Love Go – Diana Ross and The Supremes

Piece of My Heart – Janis Joplin

Hound Dog – Big Mama Thorton

Heartbreaker – Pat Benatar

Hard Headed Woman – Wanda Jackson

One Way Or Another – Blondie

Chain Of Fools – Aretha Franklin

Move Over – Janis Joplin

INTERNET POLL OF 100 TOP ROCK AND ROLL SONGS BY WOMEN - * means I like it.

1. Respect - Aretha Franklin*
2. I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor*
3. Be My Baby – Ronettes*
4. Where Did Our Love Go – Supremes*
5. I Love Rock 'N' Roll - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts*
6. Like a Virgin - Madonna
7. Somebody To Love - Jefferson Airplane*
8. Dancing In The Street - Martha & the Vandellas*
9. Will You Love Me Tomorrow – Shirelles*
10. Sweet Dreams – Eurythmics*
11. Call Me – Blondie*
12. Dancing Queen - ABBA
13. Waterfalls - TLC
14. Girls Just Want To Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper
15. What's Love Got To Do With It? - Tina Turner*
16. Nothing Compares 2 U - Sinéad O'Connor
17. Heart of Glass – Blondie*
18. Me and Bobby McGee - Janis Joplin*
19. Doo Wop (That Thing) - Lauryn Hill
20. It's Too Late - Carole King*
21. Into the Groove - Madonna
22. Get Ur Freak On - Missy Misdemeanor Elliot
23. Good Times - Chic
24. You Oughta Know - Alanis Morissette
25. You Keep Me Hangin' On – Supremes*
26. Killing Me Softly with His Song - Roberta Flack
27. The Loco-Motion - Little Eva*
28. Hot Stuff - Donna Summer*
29. I'll Take You There - Staple Singers*
30. Don't Speak - No Doubt
31. How Will I Know? - Whitney Houston
32. Dreamlover - Mariah Carey
33. Rolling In The Deep - Adele
34. At Last - Etta James*
35. Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It) - Beyoncé
36. Fallin' - Alicia Keys
37. Rapture – Blondie*
38. Fast Car - Tracy Chapman
39. You Can't Hurry Love – Supremes*
40. Flashdance...What a Feeling - Irene Cara
41. Vogue - Madonna
42. I Feel Love - Donna Summer
43. Dreams - Fleetwood Mac
44. Zombie - The Cranberries
45. White Rabbit - Jefferson Airplane
46. Rehab - Amy Winehouse
47. We Got The Beat - The Go-Go's
48. Push It - Salt-N-Pepa
49. Walk On By - Dionne Warwick*
50. Le Freak - Chic
51. Say My Name - Destiny's Child
52. Nasty - Janet Jackson
53. (Love Is Like A) Heat Wave - Martha & the Vandellas / Linda Ronstadt*
54. Time After Time - Cyndi Lauper
55. Chain Of Fools - Aretha Franklin*
56. ...Baby One More Time - Britney Spears
57. I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) - Whitney Houston
58. Pump Up the Jam - Technotronic feat. Felly*
59. Back To Life - Soul II Soul
60. Jim Dandy - LaVern Baker
61. We Are Family - Sister Sledge
62. You're So Vain - Carly Simon
63. Da Doo Ron Ron (When He Walked Me Home) – Crystals*
64. Like A Prayer - Madonna
65. River Deep, Mountain High - Ike & Tina Turner*
66. I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You) - Aretha Franklin*
67. My Guy - Mary Wells*
68. All I Wanna Do - Sheryl Crow
69. A Natural Woman - Aretha Franklin*
70. Piece Of My Heart - Big Brother & the Holding Company*
71. Baby Love – Supremes*
72. Please Mr. Postman – Marvelettes*
73. Physical - Olivia Newton-John
74. Poker Face - Lady Gaga
75. Since U Been Gone - Kelly Clarkson
76. One Fine Day – Chiffons*
77. Remember (Walkin' In The Sand) - Shangri-Las*
78. Chapel Of Love - Dixie Cups
79. Band of Gold - Freda Payne*
80. Brass in Pocket - The Pretenders
81. Lady Marmalade - LaBelle / Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mya & Pink*
82. My Boyfriend's Back – Angels*
83. Think - Aretha Franklin*
84. Nowhere To Run - Martha & the Vandellas*
85. Walking In The Rain – Ronettes*
86. Stop! In The Name Of Love – Supremes*
87. Hello Stranger - Barbara Lewis
88. He's A Rebel - Crystals (Darlene Love)*
89. Leader Of The Pack - Shangri-Las*
90. Funkytown - Lipps, Inc
91. It's My Party - Lesley Gore*
92. I'm Sorry - Brenda Lee
93. Because the Night - Patti Smith*
94. Help Me - Joni Mitchell
95. Love to Love You Baby - Donna Summer
96. Our Lips Are Sealed - Go-Go's
97. Family Affair - Mary J. Blige
98. Shake A Hand - Faye Adams
99. Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean - Ruth Brown
100. Walk Like An Egyptian - Bangles

[RichRS6]

1 more for Sheryl Crow: A Change would do you good....

[bcsride]

Male or female, I think you need to let the singer have the most say in selecting the songs to play. The voice in the most expressive, most personal, and least versatile instrument in the band. The singer needs to sing the song - not play it. I always defer to the singer on songs. I know this sucks for the non-singers ‘cause it puts the already ego charged frontman in charge of everything. But, in the end, if you play a song hard for you on your interment, most of the audience won’t notice. If you play a song hard for the signer - and hard for whatever reason - everyone knows.

[JohnnyB]

Play through a few dozen albums by the various female artists above and see what hits. Songs fronted by both males and females should be fair game, such as Ronstadt's renditions of Buddy Holly songs.

For a more comprehensive list, see the Wikipedia list of female rock singers.

[marcnorth]

Koko Taylor- Bad Case Of Loving You

Koko Taylor- Hound Dog/ probably the same version as Big Mama Thorton

Koko Taylor- I'm a Woman

Koko Taylor/ Buddy Guy- Born Under a Bad Sign/ Just leave out Buddy's vocals and let her sing it.

Didn't mean to derail your thread with my small rant about female singers. BlueRedWhite says it best, a singer should be just that no matter what.

[BlueRedWhite]

If a singer is technically capable and does well a song he/she should do it if everyone on the band agrees. i've done my share of singing in the past and since i was young.

The voice is not different from a solo part you have to nail down in order to have the song done, so no, i don't see any difference. Yes of course i cannot nail a certain type of voice or my vocal range is limited, but if the technic allows it, you should sing it.

I would say the voice is the most versatile of instruments, it all depends on the singer.

[marcnorth]

Male or female, I think you need to let the singer have the most say in selecting the songs to play. The voice in the most expressive, most personal, and least versatile instrument in the band. The singer needs to sing the song - not play it. I always defer to the singer on songs. I know this sucks for the non-singers ‘cause it puts the already ego charged frontman in charge of everything. But, in the end, if you play a song hard for you on your interment, most of the audience won’t notice. If you play a song hard for the signer - and hard for whatever reason - everyone knows.

If she's not capable of singing the songs and they sound bad I agree. If she's capable and she just doesn't want to do it because it was sung by a male that's not fair to the rest of the band. You have to give some to get some or it will never work in the long run.

[zorrow]

It's a give and take situation. If she fits the personality of the band and is a cool individual, try to negotiate with her keeping two thirds (or a half) of the already-rehearsed setlist, and then allow her to replace the dropped songs to her tastes. Of course, this implies everyone will have to make compromises, but I'm sure you already made some with your previous singer. The problem now is that one side you resist to undo what you've already worked on, while on the other side she wants to bring in the stuff she likes. This happens with new bandmates quite often, no matter if the new member is male or female. So, just forget she's a woman and go work this situation out with her around a couple of beers. A good attitude both sides should get you to a middle point that will be fine for everyone involved, I'm sure.

[rugby1970]

I have no problem with females in general or female singers and I agree with zorrow that there has to be compromise but half of our song list just got cut because of this. I sent her the list you see above in my post #4 as an olive branch; we'll see where it goes.

To give you an idea of what this project is all about these were my ads:

DO NOT REPLY TO THIS AD IF YOU'RE A GOOD MUSICIAN

Dude/Dudette,

*** BASS PLAYER NEEDED. C'mon, you know you're out there; sitting on the couch watching Glee reruns. Don't be shy - try playing with a bunch of other old men, or women, having fun and trying hard not to look too silly doing it. We REALLY need a bass player. Email me!! You mad, Bro?***

If you're a good musician/former pro/gigging musician/want to join a band/have an EGO, etc. skip this ad. Seriously, just move on....you'll find what you're looking for a few ads down. I don't want youngun's, preening, great teeth, heavy metal, wedding band, "I hope to get discovered", know-it-all types.
I want the passed over, couldn't make it at try outs, down trodden, middle of the road, no confidence, limited experience players. I don't care how bad you think you are - I'M WORSE! I have failed at every tryout. Those jam sessions at the clubs are little just cliques of the semi-pro aristocracy and have nothing to offer the average or below average (me) amateurs.
I want to attract the older, casual musician that just wants to get together once in a while to play classic rock, blues, southern rock, etc. in a no pressure atmosphere. I'm 60 years old, a former jock, gainfully employed, kids out of the house, married and started playing late in life. I play guitar and sing some but I really just want to play music for the sake of playing music and to learn more by playing with other musicians; nothing more and nothing less. I don't have a list of songs (very undemocratic) but I do have a lot of enthusiasm.
So, if you play any instrument that is even remotely associated with rock and blues (kazoo does not count) or if you are a vocalist that can carry a tune in anything smaller than a wheel barrow, please reply to this ad. I am a non-sexist (that means men and women are accepted) and people of all religions and nationalities are welcome. Oh wait, faith based music is excluded - kind of personal ya know?
I, or my many minions, will reply to all inquiries tout suite!
Thanks for reading. I'll be here all week. Be sure to tip your bartender.

LOOKING FOR AN AVERAGE KEYBOARD FOR OTHER AVERAGE MUSICIANS

Dude/Dudette,
Looking for a keyboard player. You! The guy, or girl, at the ice skating rink! How many times can you play "Somewhere My Love" and other waltzes for a bunch of lead footed Tonya Harding wannabes? You know you need to rock and roll. So take off the scarf and earmuffs and come join us playing real music. We are also average musicians that are actually playing music; 2 guitars, bass, drums and singer. We need keys to unlock all of these songs. You cannot embarrass yourself with us: The S.W.A.T. band (So. We. Ain't. Terrific.). We were going to call ourselves The Average Band but ran into copyright issues with another band with a similar name. Vocals would be helpful; how's your shower singing? You can bring your B-3 or your B-52; whatever it takes!!
THE ONLY THING MISSING IS YOU!!!

LOOKING FOR AN AVERAGE SINGER FOR OTHER AVERAGE MUSICIANS

A group of old, broken down, below average instrument hobbyists (please note the word "musician" is not used here) might be interested in a so-so female singer. Not sure if this is really a good idea but I've been out-voted, so here goes:

You should be over 35 years old, have a good sense of humor and be able to carry a tune in something smaller than a 5 gallon bucket. We have a male singer so you must be able to play nice in the sandbox as lead vocals will be shared. Attitudes and egos are NOT welcome. You must love to sing, enjoy being in a democratic atmosphere and be able to commit a modicum of time to rehearse. Having your own mic would be a good idea since a few of the lads are on fixed incomes and we can't afford much equipment.

We play a variety of classic rock, blues, pop and Motown songs with the occasional show tune thrown in for good measure. We're a peace loving bunch and yes, we take our salt-peter before every practice so we are relatively safe. If your significant other wants to come and check us out that's cool. I would say that we don't bite but that should be a given since some of the guys stretch the envelope on the two tooth minimum rule.

If you were in glee club or mixed chorus in high school then you are the gal for us. If you sing in the shower and sound better than Jean Stapleton (Edith on All In The Family) then we want you. If you are the anti-diva, we want you. If anything in this ad made sense or gave you a chuckle send a reply.

So, are we good here?

[BlueRedWhite]

I know what it takes to prepare musically a song and what it takes to vocally prepare it. If you've got the opportunity and the privilege to be full part of a funny, bizarre family (and that's what a normal band is) it's like a new job: impress them first, show em what you got, do what they ask, and then it's your time to ask for changes, to improve what's already there, if your name is Freddy Mercury, you can try to change the band and bring it to the world stage.

If not, you cannot arrive and start asking for changes right away IT WON'T WORK

I could bet you a beer that lady asking for conditions and changes won't stop, is simply an insecure lady that would make your lives a living hell with great probabilities of breaking the band.

Great ad

[The Shark]

This sounds like the time I got roped into playing co-ed competitive softball tournaments. The entire thing was a cluster for me. It just isn't for me. I play softball to be around the "boys", burp, fart, tell dirty jokes, drink, smoke an occasional cigar and make fun of people in the crowd, etc. I just felt like I was at home with the wife watching my Ps & Qs. It just became tedious.

Not to offend the women that might read this, but I play in the band and play softball to be with the boys. I'm certain I could play in a band with a woman, but I could never do all female vocal songs. It's like eating only the purple M&Ms (oh, there aren't any purple M&Ms!).

I applaud you for trying to make it work. You're a better "man" than I.

[mudshark]

[albacore]

I'm struggling to get a sense from your post of how hardline your singer is about this. At one point you say she doesn't want to do anything 'male-fronted', but then she's making suggestions for more female-fronted songs, most of which you happen not to like.

In a band that isn't driven by the vision of one or two hardcore dictators (or working from a back catalogue of 'must plays') isn't there always going to be an ongoing (endless!) debate about what to play?

If the singer's aim is 'no male-fronted songs' (whatever that means) you're clearly going to struggle, since that is so arbitrary, excludes so much material that others might want to perform, and shows no signs of give and take, and you may as well start looking for a new singer. But if it's more of a debate about specific songs, what sort of material etc. the band has to find its own way of accommodating everybody's preferences and prejudices.

And everyone needs to understand that they will have to accept playing stuff they don't like.

[santellavision]

We have a great female lead vocalist in my band. She's awesome with absolutely no drama.
Here a few of her songs:

- Thing Called Love

- Roll with the Changes
- My Favorite Mistake
- Take me to the River

- Cold Sweat
- I Fell in Love
- China Grove
- Heat Wave
- One Way or Another
- Shaky Ground
- Superstition
- Jealous Again
- Underneath it All
- Hotel California
- Angel from Montgomery
- Desperado
- Cold Shot
- Twist and Shout
- Knock on Wood

[RichRS6]

Great ads.

Can I borrow them next time I'm looking for band members ?

A little give and take is all it takes.

We have a male and female lead vocalist but they're married to each other and Lorraine's not too prissy (Terry the male singer runs a classic car restoration business and they also work together so she's used to being in a mostly all Male environment) so we don't have to mind our P's or the Q's and they argue amongst themselves when it comes to who sings what.

Good luck with the search.

[zorrow]

Awesome ads, mate!

Well, from this far it is hard for me to form a clear opinion about who's being more rigid than who. Nevertheless, I do read you've already cut your setlist in a half to accommodate her tastes. That makes me think the ball is now her side. On the other hand, I haven't read her version of the story -the famous "two sides to every story", you know.

So, I won't be too judgmental by assuming she is this or that, or that you are this or that. I guess at this point it's up to you guys to evaluate whether she's hurting the band more than helping. If she's becoming more an asshole than an asset, it's time to move on!

Otherwise, avoid emotional bursts and prejudice-inducted thoughts, be friendly and have an open discussion with the new member in order to cleanup the dirt together, as a family, and then move on as well, but in the opposite direction.

BTW, I've played with people of every possible genre, ethnicity, age and sexual orientation. Assets and assholes come in every possible combination. I'm saying this not for you, but for everyone, as I do find some of our comments here about female musicians a bit generalizing. Of course, I'm saying this peacefully and constructively, hoping no one around will be offended.

Cool beans -as Gene says.

[bcsride]

A lot of truth in those words.

In a band that isn't driven by the vision of one or two hardcore dictators (or working from a back catalogue of 'must plays') isn't there always going to be an ongoing (endless!) debate about what to play?

And everyone needs to understand that they will have to accept playing stuff they don't like.

Love the add though. Such an add probably avoided a bunch of instrument enthusiasts who think they are musicians. Made me think of a thread that rolled around here at some point in the past - are you a musician or a guitarist - or something like that. I’m neither. Musician implies the mastery of music (read, transpose, understand theory, gross knowledge, etc.) guitarist implies mastery of the instrument (multiple styles, improvisation, large catalog of covers etc.).

I have now found my label. Instrument Enthusiast. Thank you.

[Dasein]

" Instrument Enthusiast. " .... and I've found a new coded Euphemism for something else....

Mother: Your son spends an awful lot of time alone in his room honey - what's up with that?

Father: Don't worry babe -- he's just an "Instrument Enthusiast"

Mother: As long as he does his own laundry from now on I don't wanna know.

Father: Hey - I used to be quite the Instrument Enthusiast myself - I think it made me a better musician

Mother: I don't know about that - you only seem to know one bloody song.

Father: huh? what the hell are you talking about. I used to practice night and day - you've heard me play - I know lots of songs

Mother:... uh... right. I think we're talking about two different things - nevermind.

[rugby1970]

We have a great female lead vocalist in my band. She's awesome with absolutely no drama.

Here a few of her songs:

- Thing Called Love

- Roll with the Changes

- My Favorite Mistake

- Take me to the River

- Cold Sweat

- I Fell in Love

- China Grove

- Heat Wave

- One Way or Another

- Shaky Ground

- Superstition

- Jealous Again

- Underneath it All

- Hotel California

- Angel from Montgomery

- Desperado

- Cold Shot

- Twist and Shout

- Knock on Wood

Great songs. Thanks for the input.

[rugby1970]

Awesome ads, mate!

Well, from this far it is hard for me to form a clear opinion about who's being more rigid than who. Nevertheless, I do read you've already cut your setlist in a half to accommodate her tastes. That makes me think the ball is now her side. On the other hand, I haven't read her version of the story -the famous "two sides to every story", you know.

So, I won't be too judgmental by assuming she is this or that, or that you are this or that. I guess at this point it's up to you guys to evaluate whether she's hurting the band more than helping. If she's becoming more an asshole than an asset, it's time to move on!

Otherwise, avoid emotional bursts and prejudice-inducted thoughts, be friendly and have an open discussion with the new member in order to cleanup the dirt together, as a family, and then move on as well, but in the opposite direction.

BTW, I've played with people of every possible genre, ethnicity, age and sexual orientation. Assets and assholes come in every possible combination. I'm saying this not for you, but for everyone, as I do find some of our comments here about female musicians a bit generalizing. Of course, I'm saying this peacefully and constructively, hoping no one around will be offended.

Cool beans -as Gene says.

Great advice by all. I'm not trying to be too rigid here nor am I with the singer. I don't force my opinions on anyone and I refuse to lead this little band; I do too much of that at work for construction projects in the hundreds of million dollars. I have recommended a lot of songs that suit her voice and suited the voice of the former male singer. I actually liked a lot of the songs on the list I made above but over my dead body am I ever playing Dreamtime by Ayreon.