Our drummer said

[musophilr]

"this song sounds really cheesy"

Title: Love Train, apparently originally by the O Jays

I never listened to that kind of stuff when I was younger, I thought it was crap and I still do now (but I'll play it if I'm paid to).

What does he expect? It's a cheesy song !

[monquixote]

I decided a long time ago that playing songs I'm not that fussed about to a room of happy dancing people is more fun than playing songs that have some deep meaning to me to five bored looking people.

[RocknRollDave]

I decided a long time ago that playing songs I'm not that fussed about to a room of happy dancing people is more fun than playing songs that have some deep meaning to me to five bored looking people.

Big +1 to this. Spot on.


....though I do always die a little inside when we play Summer of 69....

[erictheweary]

"this song sounds really cheesy"

Title: Love Train, apparently originally by the O Jays

I never listened to that kind of stuff when I was younger, I thought it was crap and I still do now (but I'll play it if I'm paid to).

What does he expect? It's a cheesy song !

What I tend to find is that I am often pleasantly surprised now by stuff that I didn't listen to when I was younger. If only for the craft.Those Philly soul groups usually had great harmonies and it was actual talented people playing in the studio. Love Train is a well crafted bit of writing too (nice guitar part). I think there is something to be admired there even if it isn't to your taste.

Love Train is a bit cheesey but they probably knew that making it in 1972. It is pop music - as Carol Kaye allegedly said its called pop music because it pops at you off the record and Love Train does that.

[Dulcetjones]

Had a similar experience with "This Magic Moment"(I don't remember who wrote/recorded it). Our lead singer loved it and could really deliver on the vocals so we gave it a try. People loved it and over time I did get to a point where I looked forward to playing it because I knew it would go over well. Meanwhile I was adamant that we add "The Story in Your Eyes"(Moody Blues) and everytime we played it all we heard at the end of it was the sound of billiard balls hitting each other and idle chatter.

[musophilr]

I decided a long time ago that playing songs I'm not that fussed about to a room of happy dancing people is more fun than playing songs that have some deep meaning to me to five bored looking people.

I agree. My main point was that if the song was written cheesy should anyone complain if it sounds cheesy when you try to play it?

One could suggest presenting it in a different form (the reggae version?) but if the cheese is inherent in the composition, if you try to remove the cheese you end up rewriting the song. And a lot of its lyrics. IMO most of the cheese is in the lyrics.

[Not_the_DJ]

I decided a long time ago that playing songs I'm not that fussed about to a room of happy dancing people is more fun than playing songs that have some deep meaning to me to five bored looking people.

Spot on.

We played a 50th birthday party on Saturday night. The place was packed, everyone had a good time, we got a decent wage and a nice buffet. I just had to play a few songs that I wouldn't normally listen to.

It's a great hobby.

[monquixote]

I agree. My main point was that if the song was written cheesy should anyone complain if it sounds cheesy when you try to play it?

One could suggest presenting it in a different form (the reggae version?) but if the cheese is inherent in the composition, if you try to remove the cheese you end up rewriting the song. And a lot of its lyrics. IMO most of the cheese is in the lyrics.

Yeah I see what you mean.

I can't imagine anyone writing a song called "Love Train" was trying to make an artistic statement.

[stickyfiddle]

Big +1 to this. Spot on.


....though I do always die a little inside when we play Summer of 69....

+1 from me too.

We don't do '69 but Chelsea Dagger and Sex on Fire are generally my favourite bit of any set, where everyone goes nuts. Then we grab a beer, get paid and go home. What's not to love?!

[Bidley]

I decided a long time ago that playing songs I'm not that fussed about to a room of happy dancing people is more fun than playing songs that have some deep meaning to me to five bored looking people.

I can't say I feel the same. I've played When I Come Around too many times to an appreciative crowd and each time was more soul-destroying than the last.