# Songs that should NEVER be made acoustic **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 16, 2009, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-should-never-be-made-acoustic/503189 "2009-07-16T03:14:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![kelly5078](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/6f9a4e/32.png) [@kelly5078](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kelly5078)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-should-never-be-made-acoustic/503189/21 "2009-07-16T16:33:10Z")
“Hocus Pocus” by Focus ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-should-never-be-made-acoustic/503189/22 "2009-07-16T16:52:24Z")
Bohemian Rhapsody. Actually a lot of it could perfectly well be acoustic (some pretty much is already), but the hard rocking part near the end _needs_ to be that way. I pulls the whole song together. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-should-never-be-made-acoustic/503189/23 "2009-07-16T17:26:42Z")
I too was going to say “Helter Skelter.” Also: “Smoke on the Water,” “You Really Got Me,” and the Indigo Girls’ “Compromise.” ---
**Author:** ![3trew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/13edae/32.png) [@3trew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3trew)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-should-never-be-made-acoustic/503189/24 "2009-07-16T17:33:14Z")
Layla. ---
**Author:** ![Trick\_Rider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Trick\_Rider](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trick_Rider)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-should-never-be-made-acoustic/503189/25 "2009-07-16T17:33:51Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > _Ace Of Spades._ Actually…[http://www.myspace.com/thevillainscanada](http://www.myspace.com/thevillainscanada) I think it sounds pretty good. And if anyone does an acoustic cover of “Devil’s Haircut”, I will lose all faith in humanity. ---
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-should-never-be-made-acoustic/503189/26 "2009-07-16T17:51:43Z")
> [@3trew](#): > > Layla. Word! I’m an acoustic girl, but even I think the unplugged version had all the passion sucked right out if it. ---
**Author:** ![jasonh300](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/46a35a/32.png) [@jasonh300](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasonh300)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-should-never-be-made-acoustic/503189/27 "2009-07-16T18:09:03Z")
> [@3trew](#): > > Layla. Too late…it’s ruined forever. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-should-never-be-made-acoustic/503189/28 "2009-07-16T18:17:45Z")
Tangerine Dream, “Get Off the Babysitter” ---
**Author:** ![thwartme](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@thwartme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thwartme)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-should-never-be-made-acoustic/503189/29 "2009-07-16T18:18:14Z")
Two “acoustic version” things… One, for the OP, I saw Tom Petty in concert shortly after that song came out, and the version he performed was acoustic. I thought it was awesome. And two, regarding Layla, I read an interview with Pete Townshend about the time Tommy, the Rock Opera was coming out. At the end, the last question and answer went something like this: Q: So all that’s left is to unplug like all (your) peers and release the acoustic Townshend. A: I already did that, at the (1981) second Amnesty International concert in London. I invented Unplugged-ness-it belongs to me. I can do what I f – -ing like with it. I’m glad that Eric (Clapton) has sold millions of albums, but if I hear that bossa nova bongo version of ‘Layla’ again, I think I’ll scream. (side note: I’m not sure Townshend was at the second Secret Policeman’s Ball. I think he was at the first one, in 1979. But whatever. “bossa nova bongo version” kills me.) As for songs that probably shouldn’t go acoustic… I’ll go with Die Roboter by Kraftwerk. thwartme ---
**Author:** ![emcee2k](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@emcee2k](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emcee2k)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-should-never-be-made-acoustic/503189/30 "2009-07-16T18:22:01Z")
Sabotage by The Beastie Boys. ---
**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 16, 2009, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-should-never-be-made-acoustic/503189/31 "2009-07-16T18:23:44Z")
Van Halen’s **Eruption** , though I’d be morbidly curious how it would come across. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-should-never-be-made-acoustic/503189/32 "2009-07-16T18:31:53Z")
Gee, I dunno. The_Turtle Island Quartet_ kicks ass on Purple Haze. ---
**Author:** ![NoCoolUserName](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5fc32e/32.png) [@NoCoolUserName](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoCoolUserName)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-should-never-be-made-acoustic/503189/33 "2009-07-16T19:39:41Z")
> [@kelly5078](#): > > “Hocus Pocus” by Focus [Oops!](http://home.comcast.net/~dennispelton/hocuspocus.mp3) Heh, heh. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-should-never-be-made-acoustic/503189/34 "2009-07-16T19:56:31Z")
> [@thwartme](#): > > (side note: I’m not sure Townshend was at the second Secret Policeman’s Ball. I think he was at the first one, in 1979. But whatever. “bossa nova bongo version” kills me.) Yes, it was the first one (he often mixes up dates and events to suit his stories) . Pete was so drunk that night he fell asleep while playing “Won’t Get Fooled Again” with John Williams. As far as his “dig” at Clapton, he’s made that comment various times about Layla, but he’s just giving Eric a hard time–they are good friends. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-should-never-be-made-acoustic/503189/35 "2009-07-16T20:17:12Z")
“Dazed and Confused” ---
**Author:** ![Yodalicious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yodalicious/32/8195_2.png) [@Yodalicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yodalicious)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-should-never-be-made-acoustic/503189/36 "2009-07-16T20:23:17Z")
> [@Sefton](#): > > _Back in Black_ - AC/DC My nephew played Back in Black for me on his acoustic - it was funny as hell. I’ll add Song 2 by Blur to the list. ---
**Author:** ![Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aji_de_gallina/32/260_2.png) [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aji_de_Gallina)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-should-never-be-made-acoustic/503189/37 "2009-07-16T20:25:14Z")
Blue Collar Man - Styx Come Together - The Beatles I don’t need no doctor - Humble Pie / Peter Frampton ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-should-never-be-made-acoustic/503189/38 "2009-07-16T20:29:39Z")
> [@GargoyleWB](#): > > Van Halen’s **Eruption** , though I’d be morbidly curious how it would come across. Probably like Spanish Fly - off VH II, done on a nylon-string acoustic… ---
**Author:** ![Electric\_Warrior](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@Electric\_Warrior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Electric_Warrior)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-should-never-be-made-acoustic/503189/39 "2009-07-16T20:30:15Z")
Matthew Good Band - Hello Time Bomb Matthew Good tried to do an acoustic version of this. Somehow I’m not surprised it ended up being more or less an entirely different song. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-should-never-be-made-acoustic/503189/40 "2009-07-16T20:57:22Z")
Parliament/Funkadelic’s “Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucker)” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-should-never-be-made-acoustic/503189.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-should-never-be-made-acoustic/503189.md?page=3)