# When a band doesn't play it's most popular sing in concert... **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 15, 2002, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-band-doesnt-play-its-most-popular-sing-in-concert/119117 "2002-07-15T20:57:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Ivar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/51bf81/32.png) [@Ivar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ivar)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2002, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-band-doesnt-play-its-most-popular-sing-in-concert/119117/41 "2002-07-17T18:59:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gex gex \* > \*\*I’m confused. If they had played ‘Fell in Love…’, would you have gone home straight away? If they’d opened with it, would you leave as soon as they had struck the final chord, never to be seen again? Are you there to hear a band or a song? > > Bands play for their fans. Fans generally like things other than the big hits. That’s why their fans - they feel the band has more to offer than what they hear of them on the radio. At a Beastie Boys show, does anyone care if they don’t play ‘Fight For Your Right’? No, they’d rather hear ‘Sabotage’. > > And you never know, you could actually benefit from exposure to material that you aren’t as familiar with. > > I went to the White Stripes gig at Sydney Big Day Out. I’d only heard their latest album, _White Blood Cells_. > > They didn’t play ‘Hotel Yorba’ or ‘Fell in Love With a Girl’. Was I pissed? > > Hell no! I saw one motherfucker of a punk blues show, one of the most wild events ever. They only played about five songs that I knew, but by the time they were finished, it didn’t matter. I could hear the current hits when I got home. Couldn’t hear any of their older stuff that I don’t own and radio doesn’t play. Couldn’t hear their cover of ‘Jolene’ or the stomping ‘Them Red-haired Girls Just Won’t Leave Jacky White Alone’, as played on the aforementioned beat up, cardboard coated acoustic guitar. > > And sometimes, they play those hits that they usually ignore, and it makes the whole night so much more special. At a Chili Peppers show I saw a few years back, they played ‘Under the Bridge’, something apparently very rare at a Chilis show. It was special. The audience knew it, and the band knew, which meant that, instead of churning out a hit that they’re sick to death of, they performed a beautiful, meaningful song with genuine emotion, resulting in an experience that could not be gained by listening to the record. > \*\* First of all, no I wouldn’t leave. That would be asinine. I have actually been a fan of the White Stripes for some time, and I believe I said in the OP that the show was excellent. This was really meant as a more generic question regarding a musician’s motivation, just giving the White Stripes as an example. I’ve actually noticed that since the White Stripes were on the MTV Video Awards, I haven’t seen the “Fell in love…” video again. I wonder how they feel about that? They did do the cover of “Jolene” and the “Red-haired girls” song as well. It really was a kick-ass show. I do relate to the new fan liking the new song and only that song syndrome. I had a radio show in college and a student called to request “Under the Bridge” by the Chili Peppers. I had to explain that the show was a theme show focusing on eighties new wave and punk rock and would she like to hear some “old-school” Chilis? Oh no, that wouldn’t do. Tough. I played “True men don’t kill coyotes” then when she called to complain, I played “Fight like a Brave”. She called again and said she hated both of those songs. I had to ask “Didn’t you just tell me that you LOVED the Red Hot Chili Peppers?” ---
**Author:** ![23skidoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/f04885/32.png) [@23skidoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/23skidoo)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2002, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-band-doesnt-play-its-most-popular-sing-in-concert/119117/42 "2002-07-17T19:34:17Z")
Unless the tour is called the “We’re Going To Play Our Hit Song” tour, you get what you pay for. You pay for a ticket to see the band live, you get to see them live. They will decide what they play. You will hear it. It may be off their current album, their past albums, or some stuff you do not know. There is no “implied contract” that the band “should” play their most well-known song. I used to drag my girlfriend to shows alot, and she always had a better time if the band played a song that she knew. So I tried to play her alot of that band’s music before we went so that she’d find something she could like and look forward to. There were usually two or three songs that she liked and knew. If you’re hanging your hopes for enjoying a show on just one song, though, there’s a high chance that you will be disappointed. I’m not saying that you’re not allowed to only like one song, just be prepared if you do. ---
**Author:** ![WSLer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a6a055/32.png) [@WSLer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WSLer)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2002, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-band-doesnt-play-its-most-popular-sing-in-concert/119117/43 "2002-07-17T20:59:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by micahjn \* > \*\*I think bands (especially ones lead by Serious Artists) want to play music that their real fans know. > If I had a band, I wouldn’t play my hit. I wouldn’t be a dick about it, I just wouldn’t play it. Hit songs tend to be throwaway songs, the songs that the artist feels the least strongly about. > \*\* Pardon me while I chortle with disdainful laughter for a while… 17 minutes later. Well, regardless of what you claim, you are in fact a dick:wally . That being said, where should I start? Oh, I know. **Yesterday** is not a throwaway song. **What’s Going On** is not a throwaway song. **Hotel California** is not a throwaway song. **The End** is not a throwaway song. **My Way** is not a throwaway song. **Layla** is not a throwaway song. I could go on for another 12-18 hours, and list nearly every song that’s hit the Top Ten over the last 40 years but the point has been made. Now the question is, who do **you** , micahjn, consider to be **Serious Artists**? Wait, I bet I know the answer to this one…just about every band that Rolling Stone/Spin has gotten all in a tizzy about in the past. You know, Bowie, The Stones, Dylan, Lou Reed…ahhhh, Lou Reed. Well, if Reed hadn’t had a hit single with **Walk On The Wild Side** then he would have been dropped from his record label and the world would have been saved from so many horrible albums that Reed has put out since then. Ah well, so, hope you have fun being a dick and playing for all of your “true fans” in the lounge at the Holiday Inn off of the Interstate. ---
**Author:** ![gex\_gex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/94ad74/32.png) [@gex\_gex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gex_gex)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2002, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-band-doesnt-play-its-most-popular-sing-in-concert/119117/44 "2002-07-19T16:53:58Z")
Oh dude! **WSLer** likes AOR like The Eagles or Eric Clapton and is mocking Lou Reed? Or **Micahjn** , for that matter? Pardon me while I chortle with disdainful laughter for 18 minutes. > [@](#): > > _originally posted by GregAtlanta_ > So if I understand this correctly, gex gex and GBH, these hit songs are created against the will of the band, who’d really rather just remain obscure and cool, catering only to the True Fan. The hit songs are not created against the will of the band, but the public’s reaction often is. For instance, Radiohead’s _Creep_, the perfect example of why a band should not be expected to play their biggest hit. If you go to a Radiohead gig, it’s very unlikely that you’ll hear Creep. And no-one’s very disappointed, save for the few people who for some ungodly reason have decided to see a band based on one hit that they had ten years previous. Often, you see, a band’s biggest hit isn’t their best. > [@](#): > > And all those people who hear the hit song, like it, and think they should give the band a try when they come to town, they’re just pests and fools. They can give the band a try. They can give the band a try by listening to their other material. And if they can’t enjoy a show unless it’s got the one song that they know, then they are pests and fools. > [@](#): > > If only the bands would stop signing with record labels, creating songs that the public likes, and then marketing the hell out of themselves, we silly little concertgoers would leave them alone. Then they could play for their True Fans in their dad’s garage. Now you’re just being silly. A band can become as popular as possible, neither me or they would care. But people have been asking why these bands sometimes do not play their hit. I’m telling you: because they don’t want to, and neither do the fans core support base. And let’s face it, who’s going to be around album after album, for the long term? Certainly not the guy that buys the greatest hits and considers his collection complete. > [@](#): > > It’s just like celebrities who work their asses off to get famous and then bitch and moan about how people are always looking at them. “Look at me! Look at me! Look at me!” is immediately followed by “Why are you looking at me? Leave me alone.” > But for bands it’s more like “Please let me play this song for you!” followed by “Hell no, we’re not playing that.” And these bands are? ---
**Author:** ![Mythos45](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/848f3c/32.png) [@Mythos45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mythos45)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2002, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-band-doesnt-play-its-most-popular-sing-in-concert/119117/45 "2002-07-20T00:44:43Z")
Pantera stopped playing their first “hit” (Wasn’t exactly popular with much of the country, including me), “Cemetary Gates”, after playing it every show since 1990. They cited being sick of the song, and sick of the people in the front rows screamed for it through the entire concert. So, they officially announced it to shut those people up. ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2002, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-band-doesnt-play-its-most-popular-sing-in-concert/119117/46 "2002-07-20T03:22:39Z")
2 come to mind. I saw Peter Frampton after his first studio album after the live one. He didn’t play “Do You Feel Like We Do”. I wore out that song on my album. About 5 years ago my wife and I say Yes in concert. They didn’t do Roundabout. On the other hand, I saw Aerosmith about 10 years ago. They shouldn’t have done Dream On. It took them all of about 60 seconds to zip through the song. ST said “Now we got that one out of the way” when they finished it. They then did a 10 minute version of Train Kept A Rollin’. ---
**Author:** ![typhoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ed8c4c/32.png) [@typhoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typhoon)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2002, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-band-doesnt-play-its-most-popular-sing-in-concert/119117/47 "2002-07-20T04:44:20Z")
I actually like it more when bands don’t play the usual, boring hits and take the opportunity to explore their catalogues. If you went to the show to hear one song, you should’ve just stayed at home and listened to your Now That’s What I Call Music compilation. Sometimes musicians should act like artists and not commercial vehicles, and “fans” should open themselves up to their art instead of complaining so much. ---
**Author:** ![KGS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/90ced4/32.png) [@KGS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KGS)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2002, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-band-doesnt-play-its-most-popular-sing-in-concert/119117/48 "2002-07-20T12:36:30Z")
From the **Dream Theater** “Stained Glass” bootleg: **James LaBrie** (singer): By the way, we will _not_ be playing “Take the Time” tonight, so you all can stop shouting for it… _(crowd boos, loudly)_ **JL** : Hey, come on! You try playing the same thing night after night. Mike, I don’t believe I asked for their sympathy, did I? **Mike Portnoy** (drummer): James, this is the world’s smallest fiddle and it’s playing just for you. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_MuD\_PhuD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/2bfe46/32.png) [@Elmer\_MuD\_PhuD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_MuD_PhuD)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2002, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-band-doesnt-play-its-most-popular-sing-in-concert/119117/49 "2002-07-21T00:21:52Z")
I think playing a hit single every concert would reinforce some peoples belief that they actually like the band and not just the single. If you go see the White Stripes and they dont play Fell in love with a girl, and yet you come home saying damn that was a kick ass concert then you are a fan of the band. But if you’re pissed that they played a whole bunch of “other crap” that you dont know and why couldnt they just play Fell In Love With a Girl then you realize well i guess i dont really like the band, just that song (which is perfectly alright). I believe in this way bands can prevent amassing a following that would either alienate die hard fans or reduce their enjoyment of the concert. I think it’s just a way for them to grow in fan base, but still generate quality fans. ---
**Author:** ![WSLer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a6a055/32.png) [@WSLer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WSLer)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2002, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-band-doesnt-play-its-most-popular-sing-in-concert/119117/50 "2002-07-21T01:00:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gex gex \* > \*\*Oh dude! **WSLer** likes AOR like The Eagles or Eric Clapton and is mocking Lou Reed? Or **Micahjn** , for that matter? > > Pardon me while I chortle with disdainful laughter for 18 minutes. > > The hit songs are not created against the will of the band, but the public’s reaction often is.\*\* gex, gex, Remind me exactly **where** in my orignal post I said that I like AOR like The Eagles or Eric Clapton… Oh yeah, I never did!!. Apparently you blithly ignore the post by Ed Zotti about falsely attributing quotes to other SDMB members. But hey, apparently the rules apply to eveyone else, not you. You are _far_ too hip and _with it_ and cool to have to obey the rules. By the way, Layla is by Derek & The Dominos, **NOT** Eric Clapton. Oh yeah, your bit about hit songs not being created against the will of the band but the public’s reaction to them often is makes a _negative_ amount of sense. You might want to explain it, but I’m sure you think you are above all of that explaining nonsense, right? Uh-huh. ---
**Author:** ![pldennison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@pldennison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pldennison)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2002, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-band-doesnt-play-its-most-popular-sing-in-concert/119117/51 "2002-07-21T01:49:53Z")
Um, that’s not a falsely attributed quote. It’s a deduction based on previously stated information. ---
**Author:** ![gex\_gex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/94ad74/32.png) [@gex\_gex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gex_gex)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2002, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-band-doesnt-play-its-most-popular-sing-in-concert/119117/52 "2002-07-21T05:04:15Z")
First **WSLer** , as **pldennison** said above, I did not quote you at all, falsely or otherwise. My deduction of your tastes were based on the songs you posted and your comment that they were ‘not throwaway songs’. While not explicitly stating it, this comment suggests a fondness for the works you’ve listed. And your comments in [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=122369) support my guess about Eric Clapton, anyway. And if we do want to discuss board rules, you might check out this (not falsely attributed) quote of yours: > [@](#): > > Well, regardless of what you claim, you are in fact a dick :putz: This ain’t the pit, so am I right in thinking that insults have no place here. Or does your respect for the rules end where your tolerance for people whose ideas may run contrary to your own does? You also complained about this, saying it made no sense: > [@](#): > > _originally posted by me_ > The hit songs are not created against the will of the band, but the public’s reaction often is. This makes complete sense. I could have said "the hit songs are not created against the will of the band, but the public’s reaction _to those hit songs_ is _often created against the will of the band_. Most people however, would consider the words in italics as redundant. For instance, the sentence “Chocolates do not grow on trees, but apples do.” (exactly the same sentence structure as the one quoted above) makes complete sense, without me needing to say “Chocolates do not grow on trees, but apples do grow on trees”. This concludes the English lesson, I’ll be kind and not charge you this time. And I missed this quote before, but… > [@](#): > > I could go on for another 12-18 hours, and list nearly every song that’s hit the Top Ten over the last 40 years but the point has been made. (after your list of songs that were not ‘throwaway’). You gotta be kidding me? Most songs that do hit the top ten are throwaway. Currently, the #1 single on the US Charts is Nelly’s _Hot in Herre_. Throwaway. Then, there’s _Without Me_, probably Eminem’s most throwaway song. In fact, the only song in the top ten that I would consider to not be a throwaway song is Jimmy Eat World’s _The Middle_. One out of ten certainly isn’t ‘nearly every song.’ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-band-doesnt-play-its-most-popular-sing-in-concert/119117.md?page=2)