# When singers sing "Guitar!" **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 7, 2002, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-singers-sing-guitar/127390 "2002-09-07T04:52:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![rjk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ed655f/32.png) [@rjk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjk)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2002, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-singers-sing-guitar/127390/21 "2002-09-09T00:22:56Z")
It happens in bluegrass too. I’ve heard “Pick it!” and similar encouragement on several records, and I was just listening to my new (used) CD “Ernest Tubb and Friends”, where he introduces whoever is on the track with him just before they come in. ---
**Author:** ![xcheopis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/bc8723/32.png) [@xcheopis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xcheopis)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2002, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-singers-sing-guitar/127390/22 "2002-09-09T02:57:18Z")
> [@](#): > > …he **introduces** whoever is on the track with him **just before they come in**. Exactly. Bluegrass in particular tends to be unscripted; the music is most often played in jam sessions, where each musicians may be called on to do a quick solo at a moments notice. ---
**Author:** ![hegel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/cab0a1/32.png) [@hegel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hegel)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2002, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-singers-sing-guitar/127390/23 "2002-09-09T05:02:13Z")
I think “Guitar!” is shouted during Motley Crue’s “Dr. Feelgood.” ---
**Author:** ![Dijon\_Warlock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9a28c/32.png) [@Dijon\_Warlock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dijon_Warlock)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2002, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-singers-sing-guitar/127390/24 "2002-09-09T05:33:04Z")
Mike Oldfield did this with his entire instrumental ensemble on “Tubular Bells”, one instrument at a time. “Two…slightly _distorted_ guitars…” ---
**Author:** ![Joe\_Cool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecb155/32.png) [@Joe\_Cool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joe_Cool)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2002, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-singers-sing-guitar/127390/25 "2002-09-09T07:26:44Z")
Guns ‘N’ Roses - So Fine. “Guitar, come on, \” ---
**Author:** ![thermalribbon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@thermalribbon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thermalribbon)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2002, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-singers-sing-guitar/127390/26 "2002-09-09T14:25:58Z")
\*\* Go Nigel, Go! \*\* ---
**Author:** ![Newton\_meter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/57b2e6/32.png) [@Newton\_meter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Newton_meter)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2002, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-singers-sing-guitar/127390/27 "2002-09-09T16:00:55Z")
Two more data points: _Counting out Time_ by Genesis, on the album _The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway_. Peter Gabriel says “Take it away, Mr. Guitar” during the guitar solo (which sounds an awfully lot like a kazoo), at 2:31. _Master of Puppets_ by Metallica, on the alubm _Master of Puppets_, James Hetfield yells “Pick slide!” right during the pick slide that begins (one of) the guitar solo(s), at about 5:42. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Bee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Larry\_Bee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Bee)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2002, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-singers-sing-guitar/127390/28 "2002-09-09T16:21:45Z")
“Let there be light” “Sound” “Drums” “Guitar” “Let there be rock” ---
**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:** [September 9, 2002, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-singers-sing-guitar/127390/29 "2002-09-09T16:42:26Z")
In “Dance to the Music” Sly and the Family Stone sings about each instrument just before it joins the song. And, of course, there’s the Bonzo Dog Band’s “The Intro and the Outro,” where the entire band is introduced and you learn that John Wayne is on xylophone, General DeGaulle on accordian, and Roy Rogers on Trigger\*. See [http://bridge.anglia.ac.uk/~systimk/music/bonzos/Tracks/Intro-Outro.Htmlx](http://bridge.anglia.ac.uk/~systimk/music/bonzos/Tracks/Intro-Outro.Htmlx) \*with appropriate rude sound effect. ---
**Author:** ![conway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ec9cab/32.png) [@conway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/conway)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2002, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-singers-sing-guitar/127390/30 "2002-09-09T18:59:40Z")
Eddie Vedder says “make me cry” before the weeping guitar solo on **Yellow Ledbetter**. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2002, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-singers-sing-guitar/127390/31 "2002-09-09T19:17:07Z")
Smothers brothers: Dick: “Take it, Tommy!” Tom: “No.” ---
**Author:** ![capacitor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e47774/32.png) [@capacitor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/capacitor)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2002, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-singers-sing-guitar/127390/32 "2002-09-09T21:49:40Z")
“Ziggy Stardust played guitar”. ---
**Author:** ![KillerFig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/51bf81/32.png) [@KillerFig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KillerFig)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2002, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-singers-sing-guitar/127390/33 "2002-09-10T04:53:43Z")
I have to take issue with the fundamental premise of the OP. **Monkeypants** is functioning under the assumption that a singer introducing a guitar solo by loudly mentioning the name of the instrument is a negative quality; it should be pointed out that, in fact, this is actually a sure indication that a song is Totally Sweet. ---
**Author:** ![Kyomara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8edcca/32.png) [@Kyomara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyomara)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2002, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-singers-sing-guitar/127390/34 "2002-09-10T05:35:33Z")
How about Prince on “Cream?” “Look up in the air, it’s your guitar!” bah-wah-wah-wah bah-wah-wah-wah… That one’s pretty cool actually. ---
**Author:** ![widdershins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f0a364/32.png) [@widdershins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/widdershins)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2002, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-singers-sing-guitar/127390/35 "2002-09-10T11:15:14Z")
Tesla’s famous cover of “Signs” is a prime example of a bad use. And doesn’t Nesmith say, “Play, Magic Fingers,” on “Papa Gene’s Blues”? Is that the one that **Exapno Mapcase** means? ---
**Author:** ![Oblong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/c0e974/32.png) [@Oblong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oblong)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2002, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-singers-sing-guitar/127390/36 "2002-09-10T13:06:03Z")
Is it an offense during a live performance after a guitar solo? After Jimmy Page would jam for about 2 hours solo, Robert Plant would say something like “Jimmy Page, electric guitar”. He’d also do it during No Quarter for John Paul Jones after his organ solo. ---
**Author:** ![Kilt-wearin\_man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/82dd89/32.png) [@Kilt-wearin\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kilt-wearin_man)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2002, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-singers-sing-guitar/127390/37 "2002-09-10T20:32:08Z")
**U2** _Silver and Gold_(the live version on _Rattle and Hum_ “OK, Edge, play the blues!” **The Kingsmen** , _Louie, Louie_ "OK, let’s give it to them, _right now!_ I’ve heard a similar phenomenon in various rock, country, celtic, and big band performances. It’s not always a bad thing - in fact, it rarely is unless it’s obviously “scripted” rather than just the singer ad-libbing and being enthusiastic. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2002, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-singers-sing-guitar/127390/38 "2002-09-10T21:59:48Z")
I think both the **Sam & Dave** and **Blues Brothers** versions of _Soul Man_\* features “Play it, Steve!” ---
**Author:** ![Jello](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f05b48/32.png) [@Jello](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jello)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2002, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-singers-sing-guitar/127390/39 "2002-09-10T23:01:49Z")
“Play your harmonica, son!” - Frank Zappa in “Trouble Every Day” ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2002, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-singers-sing-guitar/127390/40 "2002-09-10T23:43:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Monkeypants \* > **Some friends and I were trying to determine what the worst, most awful thing in music is. This was mine.** Mine is the ol’ chestnut “call and response.” When done well by a respected musician, it’s classic. When the opening band nobody cares about tries it on their one crappy hit, it’s brutal. Especially when nobody really sings back. EMF: “PUT YOUR HANDS TOGETHER!!!” Audience ::barely audible clapping not really in unison:: EMF: “The things you say…your purple prose just gives it away…the things you say…LEMME HEAR IT ONE TIME!!” Audience: \…\…[sub]you’re unbelievable[/sub]…\…\… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-singers-sing-guitar/127390.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-singers-sing-guitar/127390.md?page=3)