# Best songs not sung by the lead singer **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 20, 2012, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-songs-not-sung-by-the-lead-singer/628813 "2012-07-20T03:56:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2012, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-songs-not-sung-by-the-lead-singer/628813/21 "2012-07-20T11:59:36Z")
Didn’t John Entwhistle sing the Who’s “Boris the Spider” and “My Wife”? ---
**Author:** ![Steken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@Steken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steken)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2012, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-songs-not-sung-by-the-lead-singer/628813/22 "2012-07-20T12:15:09Z")
U2’s “Van Diemen’s Land”, sung by The Edge. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2012, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-songs-not-sung-by-the-lead-singer/628813/23 "2012-07-20T12:16:36Z")
“Bridge Over Troubled Water.” ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2012, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-songs-not-sung-by-the-lead-singer/628813/24 "2012-07-20T12:26:29Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > Didn’t John Entwhistle sing the Who’s “Boris the Spider” and “My Wife”? Entwhistle sang on most of his own compositions for the Who. The Kinks: “Strangers” with Dave Davies as the lead singer. Allman Brothers: “Hoochie Koochie Man” with Berry Oakley ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2012, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-songs-not-sung-by-the-lead-singer/628813/25 "2012-07-20T12:49:35Z")
I’d also nominate Happy for Keith Richards’ vocal. Kinda surprised I don’t see a mention of “**Oh, What a Night (Late December, 1963)**” by the **Four Seasons** , sung by the drummer, not Frankie Valli, except for maybe the bridge… ETA: Oh, and duh - a song I’ve done in pretty much every band I’ve ever been in - **That’s What I Like (About You) by The Romantics** - again, sung by the drummer instead of the normal coupla frontman singers… ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2012, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-songs-not-sung-by-the-lead-singer/628813/26 "2012-07-20T13:17:02Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” Borderline, IMHO, in that Art’s vocals are almost as prominent as Paul’sin many (perhaps most) S and G songs. But I think it fits, so, good one! Also, “For Emily, Wherever I May Find Her.” ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2012, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-songs-not-sung-by-the-lead-singer/628813/27 "2012-07-20T13:18:07Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > The Kinks: “Strangers” with Dave Davies as the lead singer. And, “Living on a Thin Line”. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2012, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-songs-not-sung-by-the-lead-singer/628813/28 "2012-07-20T13:18:48Z")
> [@Richard\_Pearse](#): > > Who’s being wooshed here, you or me? (Good example, regardless.) I was asking myself the same thing, except for “Takin’ Care of Business”. (Randy Bachman is not one of the lead singers of BTO?) ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2012, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-songs-not-sung-by-the-lead-singer/628813/29 "2012-07-20T13:37:24Z")
They Might be Giants leads John Linnell and John Flansburgh occasionally let others in front of the microphone including drummer Marty Beller, bass player Danny Weinkauf and Flansburgh’s wife Robin Goldwasser. Here’s a [video fave of mine](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7zo2zY1Zqg) featuring Weinkauf in the lead. ---
**Author:** ![tomcar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tomcar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomcar)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2012, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-songs-not-sung-by-the-lead-singer/628813/30 "2012-07-20T13:50:55Z")
> [@Beastly\_Rotter](#): > > [Debris](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sSXQtkFwtw) by the Faces, sung by the late great Ronnie Lane. Oh La La was also sung by Ronnie Lane. The only song sung by John Cale with VU was Lady Godiva’s Operation. Plus Doug Yule sang a few songs on Loaded. ---
**Author:** ![tomcar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tomcar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomcar)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2012, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-songs-not-sung-by-the-lead-singer/628813/31 "2012-07-20T13:55:25Z")
Carl transitioned into the lead vocalist of the Beach Boys as the 60’s went on. Of course they were a multi-vocalist group and all had more of an opportunity as Brian’s involvement lessened. ---
**Author:** ![cjepson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@cjepson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjepson)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2012, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-songs-not-sung-by-the-lead-singer/628813/32 "2012-07-20T14:43:40Z")
One of Be-Bop Deluxe’s best songs, [“Rocket Cathedrals”,](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqiHrNSW4uU) was written and sung by the bassist, Robert Bryan. I think Bill Nelson sang every other BBD song. The classic [“London Homesick Blues”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3T49r3IZGC4), on _Viva Terlingua!_ by Jerry Jeff Walker and the Lost Gonzo Band, was written and sung by keyboardist Gary P. Nunn. ---
**Author:** ![Hippy\_Hollow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hippy_hollow/32/4841_2.png) [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2012, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-songs-not-sung-by-the-lead-singer/628813/33 "2012-07-20T15:11:01Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > Didn’t Mike Mills sing lead on REM’s “Texarkana”? He did. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2012, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-songs-not-sung-by-the-lead-singer/628813/34 "2012-07-20T15:16:25Z")
> [@Hippy\_Hollow](#): > > “Near Wild Heaven,” R.E.M. (Mike Mills, bassist) > [@astorian](#): > > Didn’t Mike MIlls sing lead on REM’s “Texarkana”? Yes, those are both Mills. Personally I prefer Texarkana. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2012, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-songs-not-sung-by-the-lead-singer/628813/35 "2012-07-20T15:24:16Z")
[Love Will Keep Us Alive.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfRkuBDhUHE) Sung by Timothy B. Schmit, bass player for the Eagles. He sings high tenor, which fits this song perfectly. ---
**Author:** ![Hippy\_Hollow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hippy_hollow/32/4841_2.png) [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2012, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-songs-not-sung-by-the-lead-singer/628813/36 "2012-07-20T15:28:50Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Yes, those are both Mills. Personally I prefer Texarkana. It was a hard choice. Both excellent songs. And both better than “Superman,” which wasn’t even an R.E.M. original. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2012, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-songs-not-sung-by-the-lead-singer/628813/37 "2012-07-20T15:40:52Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > ['39](http://youtu.be/-SVCrR1M8_o) by Queen. Queen was blessed to have three strong singers in the band. Brian May sang “'39” (one of my favorite Queen songs), as well as “Good Company”, “She Makes Me (Stormtrooper in Stilettos)”, and “Sail Away Sweet Sister”, among others. Roger Taylor had a great falsetto voice, and was the singer on “I’m In Love With My Car”, “Drowse”, and “Rock It (Prime Jive)”, among otherse. ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2012, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-songs-not-sung-by-the-lead-singer/628813/38 "2012-07-20T15:44:36Z")
“Mote” by Sonic Youth, sung by Lee Ranaldo. One of my favorite songs of theirs. “Move On Alone” by Jethro Tull, sung by Mick Abrahams ---
**Author:** ![Hippy\_Hollow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hippy_hollow/32/4841_2.png) [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2012, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-songs-not-sung-by-the-lead-singer/628813/39 "2012-07-20T15:44:55Z")
Toto’s “Africa,” sung by keyboardist David Paich. (Lead singer Bobby Kimball is heard prominently in the chorus, though.) ---
**Author:** ![C.Montgomery\_Burns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecd19e/32.png) [@C.Montgomery\_Burns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C.Montgomery_Burns)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2012, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-songs-not-sung-by-the-lead-singer/628813/40 "2012-07-20T15:55:32Z")
“You’re Gonna Miss Me When I’m Gone” by Brooks & Dunn, sung by Kix Brooks. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-songs-not-sung-by-the-lead-singer/628813.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-songs-not-sung-by-the-lead-singer/628813.md?page=3)