# Genre-hopping musicians **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 25, 2001, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genre-hopping-musicians/95110 "2001-11-25T03:58:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2001, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genre-hopping-musicians/95110/1 "2001-11-25T03:58:44Z")
I recently got David Bowie’s _Sound+Vision_ 6LP (yes, LP, because it looks cool on clear vinyl) set and found myself amazed at his constant changing of styles. It then made me wonder about other musicians who have done the same thing. Two came to mind: **Kate Bush** : Always…uh…different, Kate’s style changed with each album. Unfortunately, she failed to escape the early 90’s despite recording with Prince. Supposedly she is working on a new album, but she’s been doing that for several years now (granted, she had a kid, but still). **Neil Young** : Folkie from way back, it’s amazing what you can do when money is no longer a big concern. Just looking at \*Reactor, Trans, _and \* Everybody’s Rockin’_ and you see that ol’ Neil was doing whatever the hell he wanted in the late 70’s/early 80’s. Oh, and Neil? Please release _Reactor_ on CD (officially) already! And, while you’re at it, a US release of _Trans_ with the original version of “Sample and Hold” would be nice, too. ---
**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:** [November 25, 2001, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genre-hopping-musicians/95110/2 "2001-11-25T16:44:17Z")
Bob Dylan, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Purd\_Werfect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e47c2d/32.png) [@Purd\_Werfect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Purd_Werfect)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2001, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genre-hopping-musicians/95110/3 "2001-11-25T18:21:32Z")
Elvis Costello has done punk/new wave, neo-classical, rock and roll, Stax era R&B, country, adult contemporary, AM pop, tinpan alley type stuff, folk, etc. The guy’s just a brilliant songwriter. ---
**Author:** ![Read\_Icculus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@Read\_Icculus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Read_Icculus)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2001, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genre-hopping-musicians/95110/4 "2001-11-25T20:46:28Z")
I think Neil must be the “ultimate” genre-switcher. Speaking of Neil… Old Ways was another one of those “crazy” Geffen records. What was different about the original Sample and Hold? I’ve only heard the version on the US Trans. US releases of On the Beach and Hawks and Doves would be nice as well… (has hawks been released in the US?) M-M-M-M-M-Meltdown, RI ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2001, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genre-hopping-musicians/95110/5 "2001-11-25T22:24:16Z")
Blondie recorded songs in many different genres. (Unfortunately including the first mainstream rap song.) But did not switch genres per se. They just didn’t limit themselves at any time or album. ---
**Author:** ![Ripple](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b2d939/32.png) [@Ripple](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ripple)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2001, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genre-hopping-musicians/95110/6 "2001-11-25T22:38:45Z")
My first thought on this subject was The Grateful Dead. They do lots of standard Rock & Roll tunes, Country, Jazz and even a little Blues. They definitely covered a lot of ground. ---
**Author:** ![alphatek\_00](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/76d3ee/32.png) [@alphatek\_00](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphatek_00)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2001, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genre-hopping-musicians/95110/7 "2001-11-25T22:45:28Z")
Didnt Paul McCartney attempt some ludicrous Classical piece?