Realizing many of us are continually seeking new song material to add to our repetoire, and that different venues & audiences may require different music, most of us still have a core group of select songs we keep going back to, to perform regularly. That said . . .

Please list 20-30 core songs you most often perform, and have become your most self-identifiable 'signature' songs.

Also curious how did these songs rose to the top of your core tune list: song's chart popularity (or audience most often repeated requests), song's personal meaning/message to you, standout melody/harmony/rhythm, song's technical challenge, your unique creative interpretation of it, or?

Scott

If I were to perform a 20 song demo set of my most favorite and representative songs, I think I would play, in no particular order:
Before You Accuse Me – this song came about because of a Blues style on a Korg iX300
That’s What I Like About You – my favorite get down song
Wonderful Tonight – love this Clapton tune; everyone dances to it
Mustang Sally – takes me back to my Rascal days; heck with Wilson Pickett
Chain of Fools – a dirty dancing tune brought back to life by the movie ‘Michael’
Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying – just love this melody and the organ patch I use on it (16’,1’)
Waiting On the World – a current John Mayer tune that has a great groove
Superstition – this Stevie wonder tune lets me play the clavinet, and I love it
My Girl – couldn’t do a set without it; a Motown classic
The Way You Do the Things You Do – another Temptations song; gotta love it
Summer Wind or NY NY – depends if I’m singing or my partner is – nice medium tempo dance tunes
Brown Eyed Girl – can’t escape the crowd without it
Margaritaville – a must do
Easy – love Lionel Richie songs; this one gets then on the floor
Boot Scootin Boogie – great country line dance, two step
Cocaine – man, do I love this song; don’t know why but it rocks; play it where I can
Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye – organ solo rocks
Luv Shack – great party, dance song
It’s 5 o’clock Somewhere – gotta have country
Have I Told You Lately – a great love song; and written to God



------------------
Cass

In no particular order:

1. Embraceable you
2. Lady is a tramp
3. Misty (Groove Holmes version)
4. 'round midnight
5. Days of wine and roses
6. Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
7. Moanin'
8. Watermelon man
9. You'd be so nice to come home to
10. Take five
11. Dear old Stockholm
12. Man in a raincoat
13. Lover man
14. How deep is the ocean
15. Blues in F (jam)
16. More today than yesterday
17. Motherless child
18. Autumn leaves
19. Have you met ms. Jones
20. All blues
21. Nature boy
22. Feelin' good
23. No greater love
24. Street life (Joe Sample)
25. Ruby my dear
26. Monk's mood
27. Chicken Shack/J.O.S/the Preacher
28. (Lost in) This Masquerade
29. I'll be around (Chaka Kahn/Miles Davis version)
30. Amazing Grace
31. Three or four originals the group has come up with.

Looking at this list made me realize how stuck in the past I am. Oh well. Gotta start listening to the radio more. I know it's 'shallow' but I luuvvvvv jazz fusion.

chas


Whoops, almost forgot -

32. Afro Blue
33. Willow weep for me
34. Angel Eyes
35. Green Dolphin Street
36. On a clear day
37. Cristo Redemptor (Donald Byrd)
38. Time after time ('I tell myself that I'm---)
39. Every time we say goodbye
40. I'm glad there is you (Gloria Lynn version)


[This message has been edited by cgiles (edited 07-26-2008).]

Hi Scott
I mostly play for seniors-and they like upbeat songs. Did a 50/60's theme last week-so was able to do some old old rockers (the Twist/Rockin robin/Rock around the clock/Green Door/at the hop)
No matter where I play I try to get in most of the following
Come in-Irish Rovers tune
Put your hand in the hand
Sunnyside of the street/ Pennies from heaven
Chattanoogie shoe shine/5ft2/darktown strutters ball
Delilah
Nancy Whiskey-Irish
Wonderful time up there/when the saints go marching in
My blue heaven/blacksmith blues/chat choo choo/mississippi mud/at sundown/who's sorry now
Donegal Danny-up tempo Irish
Bill Bailey/Shanty in old shanty town
Ghost riders in the sky (good style for this one on the SD1)
When you wore a tulip/I'll be with you in apple blossom time/all of me
Patsy Fagon -Irish
Walkin my baby back home
The wild rover-Irish
Your 16
Leroy Brown
Come down the mountain Katie Daly - Irish
Whiskey in the jar-Irish -always close with this oldie

[This message has been edited by Gord (edited 07-26-2008).]

[This message has been edited by Gord (edited 07-26-2008).]

Chas,

I'm a member of that club " stuck in the past" They are great tunes you mentioned.

Cass you're doing some hip stuff. Although I'm getting ready to play a Jimmy Buffet themed party in September and have been playing Margaritaville, Volcano and a number of Beach Boy tunes, I keep gravitating toward the Great American Songbook and show tunes. But that's what works in the NH/assisted living facilites I play. Don't Let the Sun Catch You Cryin is a great one, I do play that.

Here's what seems to work best on NH gigs which is about 90% of what I play:

1. All of Me
2. Strangers in the Night
3. Cheek to Cheek
4. Never on a Sunday
5. Lady is a Tramp
6. Cabaret
7. Alley Cat Solo Piano
8. The Entertainer (From the Sting) Solo Piano
9. NY, Ny
10. You're Cheatin Heart
11. Makin Whopee
12. Bye Bye Blackbird
13. Beyond the Sea
14. Beer Barrel Polka
15. It's Only a Paper Moon
16. King of the Road
17. Hello Dolly
18. Moonlight Serenade
19. Bad Bad Leory Brown
20 Unforgettable.

Steve that a great place to "BE STUCK" for sure! Expecially in todays world of music.

I'm not gonna give a big list, because, as it's been mentioned - read the crowd - every wedding is different - to a degree........


BUT

What IS it about Brown Eyed Girl?????

Also lately we've found Ring of Fire (actually most of Johnny Cash's big hits) are huge with young and old - is it JUST because of "Walk The Line" (the Movie) or what???

*Sorry guys, replied to the "wedding thread" in the "most often" thread - very similar topics...

lol

These are for the senior circuit...all my own arrangements (no smf) on the PA800


Begin The Beguine - love the style for this on this board

Summer Wind - use scats - work well

Leroy Brown/Don't Mess With Jim/How Sweet It Is - medley - they just love this

Night and Day - my Dad's favorite song

Country Roads - good country style

Another Saturday Night - really uptempo rock

On A Clear Day/I Can See Clearly - medley - use the whistle on the first song - love it

American Patrol/Brown Jug/Pennsylvania/Chattanooga - medley - enough great big band styles make it happen

My Cherie/Sunshine of My Life/I Wish - medley - I love Stevie - I Wish rocks

5'2/Oh You Beautiful Doll/Under My Skin/Had To Be You/Ain't She Sweet/When the Saints - medley - signature medley is a huge hit

The More I See You - great unplugged style

Don't Get Around Much - nice big band style

Crazy Thing Called Love - great use of repeated fills

Can't Help Falling In Love - unreal style

Margaritaville - another fabulous style

King of the Road (don't laugh, this is an awesome arrangement)- great guitars

50's medley (12 songs)

Sentimental Journey - always a favorite

Copacabana

Kansas City/Boogie Woogie Bugle - medley

Ipanema / Blue Spanish Eyes / Misty More, etc - cocktail set

My Life / Just The Way You Are - medley - styles work great on these

Your Song - unglugged style is great

Bee Gees Medley




[This message has been edited by zuki (edited 07-26-2008).]

Zuki, are you using charts for these songs..or are you saving them in your performances.."song book"..including text for lyrics and chords?

My list include your list of songs too..but I prefer to play in a style or manner that fits the mood (my mood)...Since I am already familiar with the tunes (no charts needed)..I can mix it up at will...

I also find the G70 styles more than capable to handle these tunes...and I can quickly go into manual bass without auto stuff..with in the same tune...

I prefer to only use a few basic user Programs and make the changes in real time ..Styles and realtime sound patches (all 6 parts of realtime parts}..I even like to use the Make up and cover tools in realtime....I am never bored...and have the freedom to do what I want...If I have to use arranger..I want the freedom of choice..

Thanks to everyone for sharing your songlists. I especially appreciated the insightful commentary to why your listed songs earned a spot in your fav most played song list. Hope more people will come forward and post your 'most often' performed song list as well. That said . . .

Here's my current most often played songs, of which I typically include in a medley set. Like zuki, I perform these in arranger mode (custom styles & settings stored & conveniently called up in reg memory)

01:Bossa: Sunny, Blue Bossa, Look of Love, Girl From Ipanema
02:Latin: Spanish Eyes, Besame Mucho, Sway
03:Fred Astaire:Pennies From Heaven, Night and Day, Cheek To Cheek
04:Classic Standards: What A Difference a Day Makes, Bye Bye Blackbird
05:Classic Ballads: Tenderly, All The Way
06:Bobby Darin: Call Me Irresponsible, Beyond The Sea, As Long As I'm Singin'
07:Buddy Greco: How About You, Lady Is A Tramp, Call Me Irresponsible
08:Sinatra:Witchcraft,I've Got You Under My Skin,Something's Gotta Give,All The Way
09:Rock n' Roll Road Trip: Route 66, I'm Walking, Rockin' Robin
10:Ventures Instr: Pipeline, Walk Don't Run, Sleepwalk, Secret Agent Man
11:Groovin' 60's: Green Onions, Groovin, Mercy Mercy Mercy
12:Under The Boardwalk/Save The Last Dance For Me/ Margarittaville
13:Johnny Rivers: Poor Side Of Town, Secret Agent Man
14:Hawaiian:Sweet Leilani,Red Sails In The Sunset,Tiny Bubbles,I'll Remember You
15:Beatles: Can't Buy Me Love, This Boy, And I Love Her, Get Back
16:Stealer Wheel: Stuck In The Middle With You
17:Van Morrison: Moondance, Crazy Love, Brown Eyed Girl
18:Clapton: Wonderful Tonight/Tears In Heaven
19:Summertime: In The Summertime, Going Up The Country, The Summerwind, Summertime, Kokomo
20:Something Stupid: Frank/Nancy bossa duet with vocal harmonizer
21:Medley: Dream, Dream A Little Dream Of Me
22:California Dreaming, SF Wear Flowers In Your Hair, San Francisco
23:California Here I Come, Grant Avenue, I Left My Heart In SF
24:Willie Nelson: Sugar Moon, Crazy, Night Life
25:Big Band: Sentimental Journey, Moon Indigo, Undecided, Take The A Train
26:Buck Owens: Above and Beyond, Together Again, Act Naturally
27:On The Road: King Of The Road, On The Road Again
28:Elvis: Good Luck Charm, Love Letters
29:Phil Collins: You Can't Hurry Love
30: Dance The Night Away (Mavericks)

Scott

[This message has been edited by Scottyee (edited 07-27-2008).]

Fran,

No, I don't use any charts. I engage the audience and memorize everything. I might have some text in my screen on real new ones, but after a few times, I delete that too. The styles in the 800 work extremely well for these songs like no other board I've ever had before

* God Bless the Child
* Here's that Rainy Day
* Gravy Waltze (Steve Allen song-he taught it to me).
* Song For My Father
* Just Once
* Let's Stay Together
* Suicide is Painless
* What are you Doing For the Rest of Your Life?
* Four
* Popsicle Toes
* Hey There Lonely Girl
* But You Don't Know Me
* We're In This Love together
* Moanin'
* Someone to Watch Over Me
* Tenderly
* Got to Get You Into My Life
* Here, There and Everywhere
* A Song For You(another Leon Russell gem).
* Love Won't Let Me Wait
* You Made Me Leave My Happy Home
* Work Song (Oscar Brown Jr..a friend from the past).
Lots More...!

"Sentimental" Old Russ

Interesting Russ, I got a request for this very same title last weekend. Didn't know it so played: "Since I Fell For You".

Scott

Ok, so now we know that Scott is a smartypants.

A couple of comments on Russ's list:

God Bless the Child - One of Billie's best (which I think she co-wrote).

A Song for You - another one of my favorites. I use to do it with our old (previous) female vocalist after we heard Christina Aguilera do it with Herbie Hancock.

What are you doing the rest of my life - Dusty Springfield just flat out nailed this beautiful tune. The chord changes are to die for.

Work Song - the fact that someone is doing some Oscar Brown, Jr. practically brings a tear to my eye. I love every thing he did, from the very poignant "Brown Baby" and "Bid 'em in, Bid 'em in" to the funny but thoughtful "Dat dere" to the side-splitting "But I Was Cool". Russ, you never cease to amaze me. I hope musicians like you live forever.

chas

Chas..."Nature Boy" and "I'm Glad There is You"? WOW! ("In this World Of Ordinary People..."). Priceless jems!

I can't imagine that either of us do a tune the other wouldn't love to dig into.

It's no surprise that, of all the submissions here, I relate to your tune selection and attitude towards all things musical the most (of course there are GREAT TUNES on EVERY list).

I'm really glad you're here.

Russ


PS: Met Oscar in the fall of 1962 in LA, when he was on the Steve Allen Show. We hung out many time in the next 6 months. He made about 4 appearances on the show, as I recall. Of course, this was way before lots of his major creative work.



[This message has been edited by captain Russ (edited 07-29-2008).]

Stephenm52, your songlist is almost exactly like mine. I spent 35 years playing in a big band. I would add the most requested tune of all time to your list, "Inna Godda Da Vida."

Tom

Tom there's not enough time in a 1 hour gig to play "Inna Godda Da Vida."

I just try to play the Minute Waltz sixty times over... fills that hour up quite accurately

Pop, rock and ballads

You are a sunshine in my life
Superstition
My cherie amour
She
Setembro (weding song)
Here there and everywhere
California Dream
Yesterday
Penny Lane
Aos nossos filhos (Ivan Lins)
Dindi (Jobim)
Tristesse(Chico Brasil)
Blue Train
Per amore
No dimenticar
Champagne

Swing and Jazz

Blue Moon
Misty
Unforgettable
All the way
Lady is a tramp
All the things you are
Autumn leaves
Night and day
Secret love
Moonlight serenade
NY NY

Bossa

Quiet nights and quiet stars
Desafinado
Girl fom Ipanema
Litle boat
How sensitive
Masquerade
South Sea( Chico Brasil)
One note samba
Madalena (Ivan Lins)
Litle tear
Mountains (Chico Brasil)
Amazonas
Copacabana
Samba do avião

Beguine, mambo, salsa, tango and cha cha cha

Mambo no. 5
Beguine to beguine
Besame mucho
El bodeguero
Pais tropical
Tu mi delirio
Encadenados
La puerta
Besame mucho
More
Papel maché
Frenesi
El dia en que mi quieras
Adios nonino
Gray morning (Chico Brasil)
Uno
Bicileta blanca
Io che amo solo te
Al di la
Anonimo Veneziano
Por una cabeza
Ansiedad
Corazon partio
Perfidia
El reloj

To followup my previous comments, here's a more extensive list of my current essential song repetoire favs, all of which I perform on Yamaha Tyros2 in 'arranger mode'. I'm able to quickly call up any of these songs in a just few secs via REG/MFD. I've found this mix ideally suited for adult (40+) lounge venues for listening and (optional) dancing enjoyment.

All I Have To Do Is Dream Everly Brothers
All The Way Frank Sinatra
And I Love Her Beatles
Apache Jorgen Ingmann
Besame Mucho Luis Miguel
Beyond the Sea Bobby Darin
Blue Bayou Roy Orbison
Blue Bossa Joe Henderson
Blue Hawaii Elvis Presley
Blueberry Hill Fats Domino
Brown Eyed Girl Van Morrison
Buona Sera Louis Prima
Call Me Irresponsible Bobby Darin
Can’t Buy Me Love Beatles
Can't Take My Eyes Off You Frankie Valli
Canadian Sunset Hugo Winterhalter
Cattle Call Eddy Arnold
Celluloid Heroes The Kinks
Certain Smile Johnny Mathis
Chattanooga Choo Choo Glenn Miller
Cheek to Cheek Fred Astaire
Cherish The Association
Cold Cold Heart H.Williams/Norah Jones
Come Dancing The Kinks
Continental Fred Astaire
Corcovado (Quiet NIghts) Antonio C.Jobim
Crazy Willie Nelson
Crazy Love Van Morrison
Dance The Night Away Mavericks
Danny Boy Bing Crosby
Deep Purple Donny & Marie
Do You Know What It Means 2Miss New Orleans Louis Armstrong
Dock of the Bay Otis Redding
Don’t Let Sun Catch You Crying Pacemakers
Downtown PetulaClark
Dream Michael Buble
Dream A Little Dream For Me Mama Cass
Drift Away Dobie Gray
Embraceable You George Gershwin
Every Breath You Take Sting (Police)
Georgia On My Mind Ray Charles
Girl From Ipanema Antonio C.Jobim
Going Up The Country Canned Heat
Green Onions Booker T. MG’s
Groovin' Rascals
Harbor Lights Platters
Have You Ever Seen The Rain CCR
Hawaiian Sunset Elvis Presley
His Latest Flame Elvis Presley
How Deep Is Your Love Bee Gees
How Sweet It Is Marvin Gaye/Michael Buble
I Can See Clearly Now JohnnyNash
I Left My Heart in SF Tony Bennett
I’ll Remember You Elvis Presley
I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry BJ Thomas
I’ve Got You Under My Skin Frank Sinatra
In The Misty Moonlight Jim Reeves
Indiana (Back Home Again In) Louis Armstrong
It Had To Be You H Connick Jr.
It’s Impossible Perry Como
Just The Way You Are Billy Joel
King of The Road Roger Miller
Kokomo Beach Boys
Look of Love Diana Krall
Looking Out My Back Door CCR
Lost Highway Hank Williams
Love Letters Diana Krall
Margaritaville Jimmy Buffett
Meditation Antonio C.Jobim
Mercy Mercy Mercy Buckinghams
Mister Sandman Chordettes
Misty Johnny Mathis
Mood Indigo Duke Elllington
Moon Over Miami Ray Charles
Moondance Van Morrison
Moonglow Tony Bennett
Most Of All Hank Thompson
My Girl Temptations
My Heart Stood Still Chet Baker
My Way Frank Sinatra
New York, New York Frank Sinatra
New York State of Mind Billy Joel
Night & Day Cole Porter
Night Life Willie Nelson
Night Train Gene Kupra
Nightingale Sang In Berkley Square Bobby Darin
Nine Million Bicycles In Beijing Katie Melua
North To Alaska Johnny Horton
Nowhere Man Beatles
Old Cape Cod Patti Page
Over the Rainbow Judy Garland
Pennies From Heaven Frank Sinatra
Poor Side Of Town Johnny Rivers
Quando Quando Quando Michael Buble
Red Sails In The Sunset Platters
Rhinestone Cowboy Glenn Campbell
Ring of Fire Johnny Cash
Rockin’ Robin Bobby Day
Rocky Mountain High John Denver
Route 66 Nat King Cole
SF Flowers in Your Hair Scott McKenzie
Save The Last Dance For Me Drifters
Secret Agent Man Johnny Rivers
Sentimental Journey Doris Day
Since I Fell For You Lenny Welch
Sleepwalk Santo & Johnny
Something Beatles
Something Stupid Frank & Nancy
Something’s Gotta Give Frank Sinatra
South Of The Border Frank Sinatra
Spanish Eyes Al Martino
Stairway to Heaven Led Zepplin
Stardust H.Carmichael
Stranger On The Shore Acker Bilk
Stuck In The Middle With You Stealer’s Wheel
Summer Wind Frank Sinatra
Summertime George Gerswin
Sunny Bobby Hebb
Sunny Afternoon The Kinks
Superstition Stevie Wonder
Sway Michael Buble
Sweet Leilani Bing Crosby
Taste of Honey Herb Alpert
Tears In Heaven Eric Clapton
Tenderly Chris Botti
Tennessee Waltz Patti Page
That’s Life Frank Sinatra
Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye Casinos
This Boy (Ringo's Theme) Beatles
Tiny Bubbles Don Ho
To Love Somebody Bee Gees
Under the Boardwalk Drifters
Unforgettable Nat King Cole
Vincent Don McLean
Viva Las Vegas Elvis Presley
Walk Don't Run Ventures
What a Difference a Day Made DinahWashington
When I Need You Leo Sayer
When You Wish Upon a Star Walt Disney
Whiter Shade Of Pale Procol Harum
Witchcraft Frank Sinatra
Wonderful Tonight Eric Clapton
You Are So Beautiful Joe Cocker
You Rthe Sunshine of my Life Stevie Wonder
You Belong To Me Jo Stafford
You Can't Hurry Love Supremes/Phil Collins

WOW

Lots of old standards. That explains alot about the Arranger vs Workstation use around here.

I guess we have a different market here

Mostly 70.s and 80's
The clientèle are usually in their 40-60's which means anything more than 40 years old is a rarity and the fat area of music is 5 % 40s/50's 15% mid to late 60's 50% 70's and 30% 80's

Not many 40s and 50's