Mount Rushmore--songs with vocals by the non-lead vocalist

[albionmoonlight]

This one might get a bit fuzzy with the definitions, but I am looking for the Mount Rushmore of songs that are sung by a member of the band who is not the band's traditional lead vocalist.

It is your mountain, so it is your rules. From my end, however, I am not thinking of situations where a band brings in a guest vocalist. I am also not thinking of a situation where there is a lead vocalist, but there is also a person who gets a fair amount of songs to sing. (So, Paul McCartney wouldn't count as "non traditional" for the Beatles even though John Lennon sang more songs, but George or Ringo would count in my head).

[spleen1015]

I'm not a big music buff, but this came to mind immediately for me.

Take It to the Limit by the Eagles

[cartman]

Little T&A - Keith Richards, Rolling Stones
With a Little Help From My Friends - Ringo Star, The Beatles
Going Mobile - Pete Townsend, The Who
Drive - Benjamin Orr, The Cars

[larrymcg421]

I'll have to think about this some more, but the first thing that came to mind was "Something" by the Beatles.

[thesloppy]

A purely personal list-

KISS - Ace Frehley, Shock Me
Husker Du - Grant Hart, Keep Hangin' On
The Small Faces - Ronnie Lane, Song of A Baker
Buffalo Springfield - Neil Young, Mr. Soul

More traditional-

Beach Boys - Carl Wilson, God Only Knows
Beatles - George Harrison, Taxman
Rolling Stones - Keith Richards, Happy
Chicago - Terry Kath, Make Me Smile

[albionmoonlight]

Funny that we've mentioned multiple Beatles songs, and haven't yet hit on the one that I think is the most Mount-Rushmore-like: Yellow Submarine.

[NobodyHere]

Pink Floyd - Great Gig in the Sky

[thesloppy]

Originally Posted by albionmoonlight

Funny that we've mentioned multiple Beatles songs, and haven't yet hit on the one that I think is the most Mount-Rushmore-like: Yellow Submarine.

Probably cuz it sucks eggs!

It is a good example of my constant conundrum with Mt. Rushmore lists: am I thinking in terms of MY favorites, or most widely recognized to the world at large, or something inbetween?

[Breeze]

Train in Vain - The Clash, Mick Jones

[weegeebored]

The first two songs that came to mind were Medicine Jar - McCartney/Wings, and Dirty Work - Steely Dan. There are also several Heart songs with Nancy Wilson doing the lead vocals. Are they Mt Rushmore worthy? I am not sure.

[albionmoonlight]

Originally Posted by thesloppy

Probably cuz it sucks eggs!

It is a good example of my constant conundrum with Mt. Rushmore lists: am I thinking in terms of MY favorites, or most widely recognized to the world at large, or something inbetween?

Yellow submarine isn’t even my favorite song about the sea that Ringo sings :-)

But I think there is an element of popularity to Mount Rushmores. Bill Simmons argued in his book that Bill Russell is a better basketball player than Wilt Chamberlain. And he convinced me. But Chamberlain still belongs on the Mount Rushmore of basketball players over Russell. It is something slightly different than just the four best.

[Maple Leafs]

The disrespect for Izzy Strandlin's work on "14 Years" here is unacceptable.

(Bonus points for getting the lead vocalist to sing backup for you, apparently without realizing the song is about him being an idiot.)

[Swaggs]

What’s the ruling for Drive by the Cars?

I would consider Ocasek the lead singer, but Benjamin Orr sang both Drive and Just What I Needed.

[BYU 14]

Originally Posted by Swaggs

What’s the ruling for Drive by the Cars?

I would consider Ocasek the lead singer, but Benjamin Orr sang both Drive and Just What I Needed.

Orr sang from 3-4 songs on every album, so I honestly consider him and Ocasek more like John and Paul.

[ISiddiqui]

Two come to mind immediately on my favs. Have to think of the other two

While My Guitar Gently Weeps - The Beatles (George Harrison)
Don't Look Back In Anger - Oasis (Noel Gallager)


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[CrimsonFox]

"I Can't Tell You Why" - Eagles (Timothy B Schmidt)
"Mother" - The Police (Stewart Copeland)
"Take It To The Limit" - Eagles (Randy Meisner)
"More Fool Me" - Genesis (Phil Collins (when Gabriel was still the lead singer))

[CrimsonFox]

Originally Posted by Swaggs

What’s the ruling for Drive by the Cars?

I would consider Ocasek the lead singer, but Benjamin Orr sang both Drive and Just What I Needed.

I don't count that...Orr was the lead singer on a TON of songs...many of their hits really. Let's Go, Drive, Just What I Needed, Bye bye love etc. Ocasek and Orr were partners from the start so I don't count orr

[CrimsonFox]

I don't think i'd even count Ringo or George from the Beatles...they established the pattern of george getting 2 cuts per album and ringo one...they are kind of an anomaly.

I think this is more about one offs

[CrimsonFox]

Bands like Steely Dan and Alan Parsons are weird because those were cases where the founding members shopped in singers all the time for tracks.

I'm not totally sure about steely dan.l; I know they originally formed a band then later broke it up and started just hiring musicians for every song.
I just read that David Palmer was in that first band as a colead singer so maybe i wouldn't count him altho yes his sound is distinctively different from Fagen's!

I really don't know what Steely Dan hits ere NOT sung by Fagen

[CrimsonFox]

Originally Posted by cartman

Little T&A - Keith Richards, Rolling Stones
With a Little Help From My Friends - Ringo Star, The Beatles
Going Mobile - Pete Townsend, The Who
Drive - Benjamin Orr, The Cars

oh WOW! Goin Mobile is one of my favorites

I struggle to give townsend creidt as he sang lead parts on many songs.

However how about My Wife - The Who (John Entwistle)
He also sand Uncle Ernie/Cousin Kevin on Tommy

[CrimsonFox]

okay here's a BIG one!

Tempted - Squeeze (Paul Karrack (instead of Glenn Tilbrook or Chris Difford)

[CrimsonFox]

Originally Posted by NobodyHere

Pink Floyd - Great Gig in the Sky

I totally dig this one! I'll allow it!

[CrimsonFox]

Originally Posted by thesloppy

A purely personal list-

KISS - Ace Frehley, Shock Me
Husker Du - Grant Hart, Keep Hangin' On
The Small Faces - Ronnie Lane, Song of A Baker
Buffalo Springfield - Neil Young, Mr. Soul

More traditional-

Beach Boys - Carl Wilson, God Only Knows
Beatles - George Harrison, Taxman
Rolling Stones - Keith Richards, Happy
Chicago - Terry Kath, Make Me Smile

some amazing picks here!
Like the happy pick!
The CARL WILSON pick is a DEFINITE keeper! LOVE IT!

I'm on the fence about Kath. He sang a few of the hits including color my world and cosang I'm the man. oh man it always hurts to think of the wasted talent with him poor Kath

Harrison I'd say is a firm no. I don't know anything about buffalo springfield. *checks*
kinda sounds great actually. was that young's first lead local?

[CrimsonFox]

here's my personal favorite:

"Beat Crazy" - Joe Jackson Band (bassist Graham Maby co lead sang this)

[QuikSand]

Ooh La La - The Faces (Ronnie Wood wtf)
Tempted - Squeeze (the ubiquitous Paul Carrick)
Africa - Toto (Plaich instead of Kimball/Porcaro)
Beth - Kiss (Criss, lol)

Plaich/Africa is another one of those borderline calls (he did sing a bit with them, but was never really a lead)... I included it here because of the song's overall magnitude, but could be persuaded that it (along with all the Beatles, Townshend, etc) should be dismissed.

[CrimsonFox]

Peter Criss sang Beth?!?!? OMG that counts!

[albionmoonlight]

Found this: https://ultimateclassicrock.com/beat...-vocals-songs/

John: 109
Paul:98
George:39
Ringo:14

Not sure what side of the "Do George and Ringo count?" debate it supports, but here's some numbers. (Realizing that numbers are only one part of the debate). Personally, I think I could be persuaded either way (or even end up with a Ringo-yes / George-no compromise that would leave no one happy).

[QuikSand]

Originally Posted by albionmoonlight

Found this: https://ultimateclassicrock.com/beat...-vocals-songs/

John: 109
Paul:98
George:39
Ringo:14

Not sure what side of the "Do George and Ringo count?" debate it supports, but here's some numbers. (Realizing that numbers are only one part of the debate). Personally, I think I could be persuaded either way (or even end up with a Ringo-yes / George-no compromise that would leave no one happy).

With this specific band, I think I'm persuaded that the gross numbers, rather than percentages, should be our guide.

We talk about (random pull) Benjamin Orr and say "well, he only sang on 15% of the Cars songs, so he counts as an unusual lead." And I would agree with that.

But here, I'm just inclined to see that George Harrison sang lead on 39 songs for the greatest band of the era and to me that's an easy "he's out" even if it ended up being the same 15%.

Might be hard to defend purely, but I feel fine with this.


So would the Grand Funk Railroad guy who only sang on one song ("American Band"), but it's basically the only song most of us know by the band period, so who wins there? Is he a contender, or disqualified?

[QuikSand]

Originally Posted by CrimsonFox

The CARL WILSON pick is a DEFINITE keeper! LOVE IT!

I'm about as anti-BB as they come, but yeah that's on the mountain here.

[weegeebored]

Originally Posted by QuikSand

So would the Grand Funk Railroad guy who only sang on one song ("American Band"), but it's basically the only song most of us know by the band period, so who wins there? Is he a contender, or disqualified?

That's a great one QS. Not sure how I forgot about it. Yes, indeed it qualifies. Mark Farner was the lead singer/songwriter for the band and it wasn't until the We're An American Band that Don Brewer started co-writing. Ironically, GFR's biggest hit was written and sung by Brewer. He sang lead on a few others but none that were "hits".

[BYU 14]

I'll throw in "Don't want to wait anymore" by The Tubes sung by Bill Spooner. It was there 2nd highest charting song after "She's a Beauty"

[Qwikshot]

I don't have 4 yet though "Have a Cigar " by Pink Floyd should be a given since Roy Harper is singing it. "Numb" by U2 is sung by the Edge.

I would discount anything by the Beatles, Fleetwood Mac (unless John McVie or Mick Fleetwood sang something), The Who, Rolling Stones, CSNY, Beach Boys...

Those bands still did harmonies.

I think Dirty Work was sung by the original singer since Donald Fagen had stagefright and didn't want to be the singer. Just like anything from Journey prior and after to Steve Perry isn't that novel.

[weegeebored]

Originally Posted by Qwikshot

I think Dirty Work was sung by the original singer since Donald Fagen had stagefright and didn't want to be the singer. Just like anything from Journey prior and after to Steve Perry isn't that novel.

Technically David Palmer was the lead singer for Steely Dan. But when you think of that band, don't you think of Fagen singing? Who remembers David Palmer??? Same with Journey. Perry is the lead singer for Journey regardless of others who sang lead. However, Gregg Rolie sang enough that any of his songs wouldn't count. Just my 2 shekels.

[CrimsonFox]

Originally Posted by weegeebored

Technically David Palmer was the lead singer for Steely Dan. But when you think of that band, don't you think of Fagen singing? Who remembers David Palmer??? Same with Journey. Perry is the lead singer for Journey regardless of others who sang lead. However, Gregg Rolie sang enough that any of his songs wouldn't count. Just my 2 shekels.

plys ...what's with that outfit....and that HAIR!

[CrimsonFox]

Originally Posted by Qwikshot

I don't have 4 yet though "Have a Cigar " by Pink Floyd should be a given since Roy Harper is singing it. "Numb" by U2 is sung by the Edge.

I would discount anything by the Beatles, Fleetwood Mac (unless John McVie or Mick Fleetwood sang something), The Who, Rolling Stones, CSNY, Beach Boys...

Those bands still did harmonies.

I think Dirty Work was sung by the original singer since Donald Fagen had stagefright and didn't want to be the singer. Just like anything from Journey prior and after to Steve Perry isn't that novel.

omg yes ...forgot about have a cigar

[weegeebored]

Originally Posted by CrimsonFox

plys ...what's with that outfit....and that HAIR!

The early 70s, baby...You had to be there.

[CrimsonFox]

Originally Posted by weegeebored

The early 70s, baby...You had to be there.

i was...but in diapers pooping my pants

[CrimsonFox]

By the way this is the source of that Palmer picture. With Palmer singing Do It Again instead of Fagen. A very less than inspired perfromance. Actually the best thing about this video is Jeff "Skunk" Baxter's hips swaying to the conga beat he beats...now why the hell isn't he playing guitar...

[CrimsonFox]

Here's an odd choice but

Ricky Lancelotti on "Zomby Woof" (Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention)

[thesloppy]

Originally Posted by CrimsonFox

By the way this is the source of that Palmer picture. With Palmer singing Do It Again instead of Fagen. A very less than inspired perfromance. Actually the best thing about this video is Jeff "Skunk" Baxter's hips swaying to the conga beat he beats...now why the hell isn't he playing guitar...

Did you know Jeff Skunk Baxter chaired a Congressional Advisory Board on missile defense?

[CrimsonFox]

no...no i did not...

[thesloppy]

http://www.mtv.com/news/1450110/jeff...fense-adviser/

https://www.businessinsider.com/trum...baxter-2018-10


...but back to the topic at hand, "Tempted" by Squeeze and "Beth" by KISS are great examples. I even mentioned KISS but somehow didn't think of Beth. And Medicine Jar by Wings was the first example that popped into my head when I read the topic, for whatever reason.

[CU Tiger]

Outfit by DBT
(Cheating?)

[QuikSand]

Not a perfect fit here, but since we're on the topic (and our legendary one hit wonders countdown is semi-fresh in mind), let's offer a nod to Stealer's Wheel and their one significant hit, "Stuck in the Middle With You" (yes, the ear song from RD).

Semi-struggling band's lead singer is Gerry Rafferty. They do some recording, but things fall apart, and he leaves the band as the album is in production. "Stuck" ends up taking off as a bit of a hit, and they end up doing a video and touring based almost entirely on the strength of that one song... with another guy aping the lyrics in the video, and performing the vocals live. It's downright absurd. (I learned all this while prepping to do the song for karaoke night... btw I crushed it)

Rafferty then went on to a meh solo career, capped with his one hit of his own, "Baker Street."

[thesloppy]

Originally Posted by QuikSand

Rafferty then went on to a meh solo career, capped with his one hit of his own, "Baker Street."

Cue saxophone riff.

[thesloppy]

I think if I were to cobble together a 'definitive' Mt. Rushmore from all the great answers in here, thinking biggest bands, biggest hits, and most unusual singer (and trying to discount my personal taste) I would go with:

Have A Cigar - Pink Floyd
God Only Knows - Beach Boys
Beth - Kiss
Take it to the Limit - Eagles

[CrimsonFox]

Originally Posted by thesloppy

Cue saxophone riff.

Raf Ravenscroft (the saxist with the coolest name) made that guy's career!

[CrimsonFox]

Originally Posted by thesloppy

I think if I were to cobble together a 'definitive' Mt. Rushmore from all the great answers in here, thinking biggest bands, biggest hits, and most unusual singer (and trying to discount my personal taste) I would go with:

Have A Cigar - Pink Floyd
God Only Knows - Beach Boys
Beth - Kiss
Take it to the Limit - Eagles

Squeeze - Tempted def needs to be in here
it was one of their biggest hits from a guy not even in the band for that long

[CrimsonFox]

I so prefer I Can't Tell YOu Why to Take it to the limit.
such a much better song

[thesloppy]

Originally Posted by CrimsonFox

Squeeze - Tempted def needs to be in here
it was one of their biggest hits from a guy not even in the band for that long

Oh, I considered it for sure FWIW! I think it definitely counts as a 'big hit' and 'unusual singer'....but crucially it's also likely the only Squeeze song 99% of Americans could remember (even tho they had like a bajillion records over like 20 years and were huge in the UK, and I remember seeing 'black coffee in bed' on MTV occasionally), which severely mitigates any kind of surprise/shock factor in my mind.