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Author Topic: Exceptionally good lead vocals  (Read 11398 times)
Soulful Old Man
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« on: April 04, 2006, 10:42:38 AM »
Some songs have lead vocals that are not just good, but exceptionally good; the vocals lift the song to a whole new level. Just two that come to mind right now:

The Box Tops - The Letter (Alex Chilton) - Just about THE coolest lead vocal ever. The fact that Chilton was only in his teens when he sang this is just incredible.

The Righteous Brothers - Unchained Melody (Bobby Hatfield) - Perfection. That high note near the end is just....wow. I don't even know how to describe it.


What other songs have lead vocals THAT good?
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Mitchell
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« Reply #1 on: April 04, 2006, 10:46:16 AM »
Another Spector production: River Deep Mountain High, Tina Turner. The fact that it was tracked LIVE with the band is amazing, considering how many takes it took.
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Soulful Old Man
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« Reply #2 on: April 04, 2006, 11:05:33 AM »
Quote from: Mitchell on April 04, 2006, 10:46:16 AM
Another Spector production: River Deep Mountain High, Tina Turner. The fact that it was tracked LIVE with the band is amazing, considering how many takes it took.

I'm not sure whether 'Unchained Melody' was actually produced by Spector though.....Bill Medley may have been the producer on that cut.
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Mitchell
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« Reply #3 on: April 04, 2006, 11:14:57 AM »
It's on the Back to Mono box, so I assumed it was.
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Big Bri
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« Reply #4 on: April 04, 2006, 11:46:13 AM »
"Suite Sister Mary" - Queensryche
In fact,anything Geoff Tate sings is extrodinary!
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I. Spaceman
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« Reply #5 on: April 04, 2006, 12:54:02 PM »
Melody was produced by Spector in response to Hatfield's complaining about his minor role on Lovin' Feeling and Just Once In My Life.

I'd say just about anything by Elvis.
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1-1-wonderful
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« Reply #6 on: April 04, 2006, 01:55:30 PM »
I always thought Lennon's vocal in "Happiness is a warm gun" ratcheted up an already amazing song.
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b.dfzo
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« Reply #7 on: April 04, 2006, 04:06:09 PM »
"Needles And Pins" by The Ramones: http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php?topic=1316.0.  Joey Ramone is the only person I've heard who has suffused the song (penned by Sonny Bono and Jack Nitzsche) with a genuine 'teenage sadness'.
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Ron
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« Reply #8 on: April 04, 2006, 06:17:29 PM »
"Wouldn't It Be Nice" and "What I Really Want For Christmas".  WIRWFC has lead vocals so nice they ring and you could probably tune a guitar to them.  (sorry, I was listening to it an hour ago).  "Wouldn't It be Nice" is just one of the most amazing vocals ever I think.  "Maniacally Optimistic" is what I would call that style of singing. 
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Chris Brown
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« Reply #9 on: April 04, 2006, 06:19:45 PM »
Don't Worry Baby...vocal perfection.
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Jim McShane
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« Reply #10 on: April 04, 2006, 07:23:36 PM »
"Love Affair" by The Association features Jim Yester on lead. It's just gorgeous - like almost all Jim's leads - but it just drips with emotion, especially when he sings the chorus:

"We're still kids to the world of the old
And don't you know
Dreams we're living they never will know..."

Instant goosebumps.

Listen to him on the old P.F. Sloan tune "On A Quiet Night", on "Under Branches" or on "No Fair At All". Incredible vocals on those leads as well.
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Mitchell
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« Reply #11 on: April 04, 2006, 07:30:39 PM »
Now that I think of it, Brian May singing '39 does something to me.
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b.dfzo
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« Reply #12 on: April 05, 2006, 01:11:52 PM »
Can't Get Used To Losing You - Andy Williams.
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Rerun
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« Reply #13 on: April 08, 2006, 09:56:42 AM »
"Bridge Over Troubled Water" would be one for me.
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Music Machine
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« Reply #14 on: April 12, 2006, 11:48:52 AM »
"Love Reign O'er Me" by the Who always does it for me.
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Mitchell
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« Reply #15 on: April 12, 2006, 11:50:27 AM »
Al Jardine on the Cotton Fields 45.
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Music Machine
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« Reply #16 on: April 12, 2006, 11:54:52 AM »
Beach Boys wise I can never get enough of "Let the Wind Blow."
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Mitchell
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« Reply #17 on: April 12, 2006, 01:00:04 PM »
Freddie Mercury - Almost everything
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« Reply #18 on: April 13, 2006, 07:48:09 AM »
try some, buy some- Ronnie Spector
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JRauch
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« Reply #19 on: April 15, 2006, 04:34:44 AM »
Peter Gabriel on "The Battle Of Epping Forest". Itīs amazing how he deliveres these lyrics. The way he pronounces the word "guru" makes me grin every single time.
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PapaNez22
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« Reply #20 on: April 15, 2006, 10:08:55 AM »
The Lamia by Genesis
Moribund, The Burgermeister by Peter Gabriel
Intruder by Peter Gabriel
The Importance of Being Idle by Oasis (sung by Noel)
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SurferGirl7
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« Reply #21 on: April 17, 2006, 05:26:55 PM »
Brian - Thank Him

Mike - All I Wanna Do

Dennis - Cuddle Up

Carl - The Trader

Al - Help Me Rhonda

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hapman
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« Reply #22 on: May 28, 2012, 12:13:34 AM »
Wild Man Fischer - Merry-Go-Round
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cablegeddon
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« Reply #23 on: May 28, 2012, 05:57:07 AM »
Quote from: PapaNez22 on April 15, 2006, 10:08:55 AM

The Importance of Being Idle by Oasis (sung by Noel)

Try Whatever with Liam on vocals  Tongue

Ben E King - Stand by me
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Ron
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« Reply #24 on: May 28, 2012, 07:31:59 AM »
Quote from: Soulful Old Man on April 04, 2006, 10:42:38 AM
Some songs have lead vocals that are not just good, but exceptionally good; the vocals lift the song to a whole new level. Just two that come to mind right now:

The Box Tops - The Letter (Alex Chilton) - Just about THE coolest lead vocal ever. The fact that Chilton was only in his teens when he sang this is just incredible.

The Righteous Brothers - Unchained Melody (Bobby Hatfield) - Perfection. That high note near the end is just....wow. I don't even know how to describe it.


What other songs have lead vocals THAT good?




I honestly think it has something to do with the singer singing it in the perfect key for them.  If the key is just slightly above where their head voice is comfortable, it sounds amazing.  I think when we laugh, we laugh with our head voice... and if the key is right around the area we 'laugh' at, it sounds really natural and crazy good.  Their vocals even sound like they've got these harmonics going on around it because they're in a sweet spot. 

Here's a good example for lead vocals that make the song sound better than it actually is, because it's in the right key.

Grand Funk Railroad - Bad Time

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsDMxWgPQcg
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