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Beautifull background vocals / harmonies I just listened to Leaving New York by REM and i did put the song on repeat a few times to listen to the magnificent background vocals. One of my favorite elements of pop music are good background vocals, they can bring life to a song, give it something 'extra', be contradictory to the main vocals (when it comes to mood and lyrics), they can create magic and even make a decent song sound great.
I thought, hey, why not try a top-10 of songs with great background vocals / harmonisizing? This is mines (for today, in no particular order): 1. REM - Leaving New York 2. REM - Belong 3. Matthew Sweet - I've been waiting 3. Grant McLennan and Syd Straw - Open my eyes 4. The Jayhawks - Crowded in the wings 5. Prince - If i was your girlfriend 6. Prince - Adore 7. The Posies - Will you ever change your mind? 8. Teenage Fanclub - Start again 9. Crowded House - Its only natural 10.Elliot Smith - Ugly (before) I am curious about your views / examples. | |
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Yeah, I've been thinking about starting a BGV thread for a while now. Glad I'm not the only one who appreciates the magnificent sound of vocal hamonizing. I don't have a Top 10 list per se, but I just love the background vocals on the songs "Adore", "Off The Wall", "Anniversary", "S'More" (Jodeci), "It's So Hard To Say Goodbye to Yesterday" (BIIM), and everything by Full Force.  Some of y'all knew I was gonna say that.I'm sick and tired of the Prince fans being sick and tired of the Prince fans that are sick and tired! | |
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...
Man, I really don't think I could limit it to just 10, but here are some of my favorites: Marvin Gaye - I Want You Steely Dan (w/ Michael Mcdonald) - Peg The Carpenters - We've Only Just Begun Donald Fagen - Maxine Take 6 - Come Unto Me Todd Rundgren - Pretending To Care Lewis Taylor - Cherry Blossom Bobby McFerrin - Yes You Rufus w/Chaka Khan - Sweet Thing Marvin Gaye - Distant Lover Quincy Jones (with Patti Austin) - Razzamatazz Free Design- Don't Turn Away; Kites Are Fun Prince - For You Beach Boys, Brian Wilson - God Only Knows De Barge - All This Love Earth Wind And Fire - Wait Kenny Loggins - Sweet Reunion George Duke - Someday Todd Rundgren - Lost Horizon Ambrosia - You're The Biggest Part Of Me Steely Dan - Pixeleen Singers Unlimited - Killing Me Softly Rotary Connection - I Am The Black Gold Of The Sun 10cc - I'm Not In Love Spanky and Our Gang - I'd Like To Get To Know You Marvin Gaye - Til Tomorrow Quincy Jones - What Good Is A Song Shalamar - Let's Find the Time For Love ... [Edited 3/31/06 6:59am] " I've got six things on my mind --you're no longer one of them." - Paddy McAloon, Prefab Sprout | |
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 "Todo está bien chévere" Stevie | |
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also, michael mcdonald kenny loggins both always had killer backing vocals... Space for sale... | |
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Marvin Gaye's
From 'What's Going On' to 'Midnight Love' had amazing background vocals... Sort of unorthodox.  | |
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I like several of Paligap's choices as well as funkpill
Prince: Adore, Forever In My Life, Scandalous (The Passion) EWF: September The Emotions: Flowers Michael Jackson: Rock With You, Butterflies Zero 7: likufanele The Doobie Brothers: Takin' It To The Streets Steely Dan: Reelin' In The Years Dwele: Me and those Dreamin' Eyes of Mine Fleetwood Mac: You Can Go Your Own Way Hall and Oates: Sara Smile The Temptations: Pick'em The Four Tops: Pick'em The Flamingos: I Only Have Eyes For You (one of the best of all time) The Delfonics: La La (Means I Love You) The Impressions: We're a Winner Curtis Mayfield: Move On Up Lewis Taylor: Song Sade: Kiss of Life Stevie Wonder: You've Got It Bad Girl Tony Toni Tone: Anniversary Zero 7: in the waiting line [Edited 3/31/06 9:09am] Good night, sweet Prince | 7 June 1958 - 21 April 2016
Props will be withheld until the showing and proving has commenced. -- Aaron McGruder | |
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Leonard Cohen - Hey, That's No Way To Say Goodbye
Lou Reed - Satellite of Love Queen - Love of My Life | |
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Bjork, almost the entire Vespertine album
consists of tracks with amazing, stellar, otherworldly backingvocals. 
The ones on If I Was Ur Girlfriend and on Forever in My Life are top notch too! also a lot of Anthony & The Johnsons cuts have achingly beautiful backingvox. and true love lives on lollipops and crisps | |
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Madonna's Like A Prayer, those are some great background vocals.
I saw someone mentioned Sara Smile - I always liked After 7's harmonies on their version. Can't think of any others at the moment... | |
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IstenSzek said: Bjork, almost the entire Vespertine album
consists of tracks with amazing, stellar, otherworldly backingvocals.
The ones on If I Was Ur Girlfriend and on Forever in My Life are top notch too! also a lot of Anthony & The Johnsons cuts have achingly beautiful backingvox. Awesome choices! 
right at this moment, Bilal's (bootlegged) Lord Don't let it is one of the most powerful things i've heard vocally, EVER!!! 
the vocals and harmony arrangements are off the hook! i think i remember reading somewhere that this guy writes (composes) all of his vocals. i don't know how true that is, but this song would have me believe that. | |
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