Songs where the artists just throw themselves into it

Cafe Society
1

I want some music where the artist just throws themselves headfirst into it and goes completely bonkers with it. Like, those fundamentalist Christian denominations that flail around “feeling the spirit” would go “woah, okay, chill man.” I don’t just mean “over the top” or “a bit bombastic”. They can go hand in hand, but any third rate hair metal band can be a bit bombastic. Like, don’t get me wrong, I adore the sound and bombast of Nightwish’s rendition of Over the Hills and Far Away, but they just don’t (over)sell it enough. I don’t just mean “emotional”, because lots of songs can be wonderful, earnest, moving, and emotional but in a more subdued or complex way.

I mean full-on psychotic Alanis “the world is over and there is naught but pain” Morissette in You Oughta Know. Or Meatloaf-anything (seriously, I think the guy may have been about to pass out and/or explode right there!) stuff.

2

You mean like Swans’ Beautiful Child?

3

Sinead Oconnor, Nothing Compares To You
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6MNvjrScyo

4

Nels Cline’s guitar solo on Wilco’s “Impossible Germany”. (Solo starts around 2:45.)

5

This is why I always loved Janis Joplin’s version of Piece of My Heart. You can hear the tissue ripping away in her voice.

6

Just about any Guess Who song that is sung by Burton Cummings. Particularly, “These Eyes” and “No Time” and “Hand Me Down World.” He just goes ape-shit on the outro for those in particular.

7

Nothing else even comes close.

8

A couple from the White Stripes:

Jolene

Seven Nation Army and Death Letter Medley - Grammy Awards

Both of those just blow me away.

9

Well look at live Nirvana preferably early, in England I think. It’s total commitment. Painful to watch.

10

I remember watching a video of Laura Branigan in concert.
When she came off stage she had to use an oxygen mask to recover.

11

Agree 100%. One of rock’s great singers.

12

I love Burton Cummings but he was very poised. His codas were vehement but not all in to me.

What about Paul McCartney in Hey Jude, I’m Down or She’s a woman?

13

John Lennon screaming “Twist and Shout.” He must’ve been hoarse for a month after that.

14

Bowie sings Heroes - especially the French and German versions - like it’s the last song he’s ever going to sing.

15

Neil Young on SNL delivering “Keep On Rockin’ in the Free World”.

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Joe Cocker’s cover of With A Little Help From My Friends. Like it or not (personally, I prefer the original), you can’t deny his commitment to the role.

Also, “Helter Skelter”.

17

Dude, Where were you when we needed your vote. Cockers version beat the Beatles, right here!

18

Anything with Keith Emerson.

Nutrocker

Elton John on his 11/17/70 album, especially “Burn Down the Mission.”

19

YES. It always brings tears to my eyes.

20

Bette Midler “Stay With Me, Baby”