Best ever "simple" songs?

[partygirluk]

By this I mean a song that could be played by a maximum of two people, excluding any electronic instruments. The kind of song you and a friend could play without either over you needing mastery over your particular instruments.

Inspired by listening to "'Til Kingdom Come" by Coldplay. That song is so beautiful, and so simple. Seems amazing that something so seemingly basic had never been written before. It actually has at least 3 instruments in it but could be remain mainly in tact with just the guitar and piano.

Other songs off the top of my head: Yesterday, It Ain't Me Babe, Wonderwall.

[CallMeIshmael]

Your examples confuse me. So, I'll leave off my response until further clarification.

[ QUOTE ]
Yesterday

[/ QUOTE ]

I mean, it's Paul + guitar. But, there is quite a bit of strings in there too. Are you not counting these?


[ QUOTE ]
Wonderwall.

[/ QUOTE ]

There are 2 guitar tracks, plus bass, plus percussion.

What do you mean by only two people?

[Clarkmeister]

I nominate Happy Birthday.

[partygirluk]

Yes there is violin in "Yesterday". That makes 2 people: Paul + violinist.

You are correct, whilst Wonderwall starts off with just guitar, drums and voice it does get more complex - my bad. I am remembering my music G.C.S.E exam where I sang "wonderwall" with my friend accompanying on guitar. Good times.

[jdl22]

Most Hawaiian songs are like this, which probably accounts for the simplicity of Jack Johnson songs which has been discussed.

Some songs I particularly like:
Henehene Kou Aka - old song which I've only heard by IZ
Island Style - John Cruz
Kawailehua'a'alakahonua - also John Cruz
Hanohano ka lei pikake - Keali'i Reichel

[istewart]

Jesus Christ CMI send me the albums!

[istewart]

[ QUOTE ]
probably accounts for the suckiness of Jack Johnson songs

[/ QUOTE ]

[man]

I don't think she could have possibly made it any more clear. she means songs that two people could sing and play together while maintaining the integrity of the song.

going to california (zep), hard time killing floor blues (eh.. I forget who wrote this?), echo (incubus)

[partygirluk]

[ QUOTE ]

[ QUOTE ]
Wonderwall.

[/ QUOTE ]

There are 2 guitar tracks, plus bass, plus percussion.

What do you mean by only two people?

[/ QUOTE ]

BTW - who said I was talking about the Oasis version? The Ryan Adams cover meets my original criteria.

[partygirluk]

[ QUOTE ]
I don't think she could have possibly made it any more clear. she means songs that two people could sing and play together while maintaining the integrity of the song.


[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks for phrasing it much better than I did. Just to add - neither of the instrumentals or the voice can be ultra-challenging. E.g. "Beethoven - Piano Sonata #14" is not simple, even though it 1 piano, and nothing else.

[goofball]

Imagine.

[CallMeIshmael]

[ QUOTE ]
Jesus Christ CMI send me the albums!

[/ QUOTE ]


What albums?? Btw, did the Decemberist's album finish?

[CallMeIshmael]

Since Imagine (which might qualify, I cant remember if it has a bassline, in addition to the piano + drums) is taken, I will vote Tangled up in Blue - Dylan, which I think is just him + drummer.

Also, not that I want to be the anal deuche (though I certainly will come off as one!)

[ QUOTE ]
Yes there is violin in "Yesterday". That makes 2 people: Paul + violinist.

[/ QUOTE ]

Im pretty sure that there was a quartet on the strings.

Im just mentioning this to point out that it is a lot harder to produce a song with only 2 people than it may appear.

[Fabian]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Svar till:</font><hr />
Since Imagine (which might qualify, I cant remember if it has a bassline, in addition to the piano + drums) is taken, I will vote Tangled up in Blue - Dylan, which I think is just him + drummer.

Also, not that I want to be the anal deuche (though I certainly will come off as one!)

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Svar till:</font><hr />
Yes there is violin in "Yesterday". That makes 2 people: Paul + violinist.

[/ QUOTE ]

Im pretty sure that there was a quartet on the strings.

Im just mentioning this to point out that it is a lot harder to produce a song with only 2 people than it may appear.

[/ QUOTE ]

I also am fairly sure it was a quartet, fwiw.

[Blarg]

Most Jim Croce songs.

Although it's great with more harmonies and a little more fullness, I'm convinced Lennon could have done a good "Twist and Shout" with just one other person to help.

[Los Feliz Slim]

Blackbird - Beatles
Bookends - Simon and Garfunkle (and many other S&amp;G songs, I just happened to pick this one b/c it's vy simple)

[Blarg]

"The Long and Winding Road" was originally done just on piano, I think, before Phil Spector put his trademark wall of sound on it. And supposedly it's absolutely great that way -- better even. I believe it; it's a very, very good song, and could do fine with just a piano.

Another one -- It's Not Easy Being Green, the Ray Charles version. Pretty damn great when he does it.

[YourFoxyGrandma]

In the Aeroplane Over the Sea - Neutral Milk Hotel

[CallMeIshmael]

[ QUOTE ]
King of Carrot Flower, part 1- Neutral Milk Hotel

[/ QUOTE ]

fyp


(also... best album of the past 15 years)

[BWebb]

Xxtreme-More than Words.

[thatpfunk]

[ QUOTE ]

In the Aeroplane Over the Sea - Neutral Milk Hotel

[/ QUOTE ]

Great call. His voice is awesome.

I vote for opening scene of Stop Making Sense... David Byrne, acoustic guitar, and boombox playing Psycho Killer.

[Dynasty]

These song threads always suck. You guys never include links to the songs.

I like this guy and a banjo (thought the link I'm providing includes a bit more)

http://www.exclaim.ca/images/up-question_kermit_1.jpg

Rainbow Connection (http://www.espew.com/cgi-bin/search?searchstring=rainbow+connection&amp;searchby=ar tist&amp;results=50&amp;search=Search) (Click "Play" on option # 8)

[Blarg]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

In the Aeroplane Over the Sea - Neutral Milk Hotel

[/ QUOTE ]

Great call. His voice is awesome.

I vote for opening scene of Stop Making Sense... David Byrne, acoustic guitar, and boombox playing Psycho Killer.

[/ QUOTE ]

That whole movie was fantastic. I remember the scene, though. It was a cool concept, slowly bringing in the instruments one by one. Byrne was fantastic in his heyday.

[istewart]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
King of Carrot Flower, part 1- Neutral Milk Hotel

[/ QUOTE ]

fyp


(also... best album of the past 15 years)

[/ QUOTE ]

GTFO

So wrong, not even close.

GTFO

[CallMeIshmael]

[ QUOTE ]
GTFO

So wrong, not even close.

GTFO

[/ QUOTE ]

Please shoot yourself.

[istewart]

http://images-jp.amazon.com/images/P/B000002UJQ.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

EDIT: We discussed this, for crying out loud.

[CallMeIshmael]

No way in hell is OKC &gt; ITAOTS

[istewart]

You're on drugs.

[CallMeIshmael]

[ QUOTE ]
You're on drugs.

[/ QUOTE ]

Lame respsonse.

[shadow29]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
probably accounts for the suckiness of Jack Johnson songs

[/ QUOTE ]

[/ QUOTE ]

I have heard people listening to him, but never have done so myself. Is he not good?

[istewart]

Stay away from such people. His music is crap and his fans are worse.

[jason_t]

Elliott Smith - Say Yes

[jason_t]

[ QUOTE ]
http://images-jp.amazon.com/images/P/B000002UJQ.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

EDIT: We discussed this, for crying out loud.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's a good f[/i]ucking album.

[istewart]

Oh yes it is.

[fluxrad]

If you're talking duet style then The Sound Of Silence by Simon &amp; Garfunkel comes directly to mind.

[Soul Daddy]

[ QUOTE ]
Elliott Smith - Say Yes

[/ QUOTE ]
Clearly

[sam h]

Stephanie Says - Velvet Underground

Lots and lots of blues songs.

[Blarg]

Gorie had a post in here that she deleted.

I was trying to say in response to it, as a Johnny Cash fan, I'm surprised she didn't come up with some of his songs, like maybe I Walk the Line. That's extremely simple, yet there's something about it that really sticks to you. I think people will be able to redo this one for ages and still have it come out sounding good.

[Weatherhead03]

[ QUOTE ]
If you're talking duet style then The Sound Of Silence by Simon &amp; Garfunkel comes directly to mind.

[/ QUOTE ]

[Bulldog]

[ QUOTE ]
Most Hawaiian songs are like this, which probably accounts for the simplicity of Jack Johnson songs which has been discussed.

Some songs I particularly like:
Henehene Kou Aka - old song which I've only heard by IZ
Island Style - John Cruz
Kawailehua'a'alakahonua - also John Cruz
Hanohano ka lei pikake - Keali'i Reichel

[/ QUOTE ]

I like the one Grampa Kapowski sings at the Hawai'ian Hideaway

[nothumb]

Johnny Cash - Folsom Prison Blues (can easily be played by two people or even one person if they play a good rhythm guitar)

That could be EOT right there, but a few others:

Billy Bragg - A New England (most BB songs really)
Rolling Stones - Dead Flowers (think of the Townes Van Zandt acoustic version)
TVZ - Tecumseh Valley, Pancho and Lefty, etc etc
Skynyrd - Simple Man

And there are plenty of great traditionals as well.

NT

[The Stranger]

Willie Nelson, "My Heroes Have Always been Cowboys"

for Dynasty A streaming link (http://sms.napster.com/duet/general/handle_napster_link.html?opcode=play_tracks&amp;ids=12 807108&amp;didit=1&amp;affiliate_id=88&amp;referral_id=CJ&amp;PID= 1472419&amp;AID=10357069)

I'm not sure it will work, I'm on a Mac and Napster doesn't like Mac. Good luck.

[Blarg]

I like the old Cecilio and Kapono stuff.

[sfer]

[ QUOTE ]
Blackbird - Beatles


[/ QUOTE ]

Winner.

[Diplomat]

Damn, good one.

-Diplomat

[Diplomat]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

[ QUOTE ]
Wonderwall.

[/ QUOTE ]

There are 2 guitar tracks, plus bass, plus percussion.

What do you mean by only two people?

[/ QUOTE ]

BTW - who said I was talking about the Oasis version? The Ryan Adams cover meets my original criteria.

[/ QUOTE ]

Oh c'mon. Are you going to include all versions of all songs here? I thought a solo version of Desire by U2 that I heard last month at an open-mike was pretty awesome, can I count that?

That said, Ryan Adams rules, esp. Rock and Roll, and Heartbreaker.

-Diplomat

[rusellmj]

Willie Nelson: Blue eyes cryin' in the rain

[gvibes]

[ QUOTE ]


That said, Ryan Adams rules, esp. Rock and Roll, and Heartbreaker.

-Diplomat

[/ QUOTE ]
My opinion would go more like "Ryan Adam sucks, except for Heartbreaker."

How about Microphones - I felt your shape?

Just one man and an acoustic guitar.

[Cyrus]

Anyone can play it.

Nobody can stop humming it when they hear it.

[VBM]

yah. /images/graemlins/smile.gif

Ryan Adams: When Stars go Blue
Jeff Buckley: Hallelujah
Sarah McLachlan: Ice Cream

...

and in rap

Guru/Nice &amp; Smooth: DWYCK
Audio Two: Milk

[zephed]

Achilles Last Stand (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/clipserve/B000002JSJ001001/0/002-2316861-1928013)

[offTopic]

[ QUOTE ]
By this I mean a song that could be played by a maximum of two people, excluding any electronic instruments. The kind of song you and a friend could play without either over you needing mastery over your particular instruments.


[/ QUOTE ]

Roundabout? /images/graemlins/grin.gif