When sidemen (and women) sing: The top ten songs
[A contribution from writer Adam Morrison. – AC]
What happens when a band member who isn’t the lead vocalist steps up front for a song? Sometimes, it’s an awesome surprise.
The rules are: it has to be a song from one of the band’s albums, not a side project. List anything I missed in the comments because I’m sure there’s a lot!
- Phil Lesh rarely sang lead in the Grateful Dead, but “Box of Rain,” the track that leads off 1970’s American Beauty, is a keeper. Written for his dying father, the song is definitely a favourite of some fans.
2. The reggae-flavoured “The Guns of Brixton” was the first Clash song with lead vocals by bassist Paul Simonon, who also wrote the track, and who grew up partly in Brixton. It’s pure gold, just like the rest of the London Calling album.
3. Not only does the Edge provide backing vocals that elevate some of U2’s best songs, he sings lead on two U2 tracks. This one is good. It’s on Rattle and Hum.
4. The track that quietly closes out the Smashing Pumpkins’ debut album, Gish, features lead vocals from bassist D’arcy Wretzky.
5. Pumpkins guitarist James Iha handled lead vocals on “The Boy,” one of the many great b-sides from the Mellon Collie era. Find it on the Aeroplane Flies High box set.
6. The follow up to “Wonderwall,” and the first Oasis single on which main songwriter Noel Gallagher sang lead. He and Liam probably fought about it, but it’s a great song.
7. Pearl Jam’s fourth album, 1996’s No Code, saw the band doing some experimenting. Among other things we’d never heard from them before was a song with guitarist Stone Gossard singing lead.
8. During his time in Dream Theater, Mike Portnoy was an incredible drummer, a seriously strong songwriter, and a reliable lyricist. He sings lead on the demo version of “The Best of Times,” a lovely tribute to his father.
9. R.E.M. bassist Mike Mills handled music, lyrics, and lead vocals on “Texarkana” from the Out of Time album. The country-tinged track was not released as a single, but managed to chart anyway.
10. Rancid’s Matt Freeman has a somewhat weird voice when he sings lead. Weirder even than Rancid’s Tim Armstrong, I’d say. But it works. This song is from Rancid’s second album, Let’s Go.
Texarkana was the first one that popped into my head! The 2nd best song on that album and one of my all-time favorite REM tracks!
Do you remember how HUGE Losing My Religion was? It was crazy to watch REM’s success back then.
Queen’s Sleeping on the Sidewalk is a fantastic track, with Brian May doing the vocals instead of Freddie.
Both May & Roger Taylor made fantastic vocal contributions to several of Queen’s albums. I’m in Love with my Car and ‘39 from A Night at the Opera happen to be 2 of my favourites.
Keith Richards takes the lead on several great Stones tracks and almost always sings lead on at least one song in each live set. ‘Before They Make Me Run’, ‘Little T&A’ & ‘Happy’ are great examples.
Cold Day in the Sun by Foo Fighters is Taylor Hawkins on lead vocals and guitar, and Dave on the drums.
Izzy takes the lead on Double Talk’n Jive from Use Your Illusion 1. GnR were never the same after he left
Izzy sings 14 Years no? Double Talkin Jive is Axl. Duff sings Attitude and You Can’t Put Your Arms Around a Memory.
Meg White sings lead, “In the Cold, Cold Night.” – The White Stripes.
Beth by KISS is sung by drummer Peter Criss. Big hit.
Last one. Drive by The Cars is sung by bassist Benjamin Orr. Big hit. Should’ve been in the top 10 list.