Sounds like a riddle, doesn’t it? But no. Sorry.
I’m looking for some songs where the only accompaniment is piano. The tricky bit is that I want something more alternative or rock, rather than jazz or other such style where piano is traditional. Something like Five for Fighting’s “Superman” or “100 Years”. Too bad I like those two songs way more than anything else on those albums.
I don’t know any way to find something like this other than just random polling… so thanks y’all!
If you don’t mind maudlin’, then Nick Cave is your man. Try The Boatman’s Call
Evanescence’s “My Immortal” jumps immediately to mind after having heard it about four dozen times in the past week. It does have a guitar solo in the middle of it though… it’s not a hundred percent piano.
Jack Logan’s “Town Crier” (from the album Bulk) is a beautiful song with just vocals and piano. It’s kind of short and a little obscure, though.
I don’t know “Superman,” but there’s also “Superman’s Song” by Crash Test Dummies, another Canadian band. I’m not a huge fan of theirs, but it’s a distinctive and I guess “interesting” song.
My first thought was Ben Folds – though most of his songs also have drums and bass in it, it’s piano-focused. (And he does have a few solo songs.)
Love her or hate her, there’s also Tori Amos.
Tom Waits?
I second Ben Folds. He has a pretty good range but at the same time you know it’s a Ben Folds song from the first note.
“Androgynous” by The Replacements.
Tori Amos has several songs which would fit the bill.
I’ll throw in votes for Ben Folds and Tom Waits, two of my all-time favorite musicians. I like Tori Amos a lot too, although I understand people either love her or hate her.
I’m surprised nobody’s mentioned Rufus Wainwright. It’s his whole schtick - “man at the piano.” Great songwriter.
Muse - Ruled by Secrecy. A good body of Muse’s work has very pronounced piano instrumentals; Apocalypse Please and Sunburn are two songs I highly enjoy, and they both include a bad-ass pianist.
Well, damn. I came in here just to mention Ben Folds and see I’ve been beaten to it four times over.
Ah, well.
“Mad World” (remake of the Tears for Fears single) by Michael Andrews featuring Gary Jules is a beautiful song set to piano.
Sarah MacLachlan would also fit the bill.
We can’t let this thread go any further without mentioning the late, great Warren Zevon.
They Might Be Giants - Reprehensible! If I remember correctly, of course.
Happy Rhodes - In Hiding
Happy Rhodes - Mother Sea (there is some orchestration in the chorus, but most of it’s piano and voice.
(Happy would not mind me posting these)
More samples, ranging from very electronic to voice and guitar:
Unofficially authorized Happy Rhodes samples
I third Tori Amos. Songs such as, Winter, Marianne Putting The Damage On (sans brass), Doughnut Song, Silent all these years, Little Earthquakes, Playboy Mommy, Baker Baker, Jackie’s Strength.
Her covers of Nirvana’s Smells like Teen Spirit, The Beatle’s(?) Love Song, Amazing Grace, REM’s Losing My Religion, all on piano are pretty good. But it all depends on your tastes.
I would also love to throw in a mention for the Counting Crows, (when they were good) songs such as Raining In Baltimore, Long December, Colorblind, Holiday In Spain, Chelsae (sans brass)
And Rob Thomas’ Piano Acoustic 3 am. Brilliant.
Wow, that’s all a bit dense. It depends on what you want. If you want something with a message, or good piano music, or something for a situation.
*From Boys For Pele, and a bit on the not making much sense side. Good music, but not much sense.
The last song on Leah Andreone’s Alchemy counts–I believe it’s called “Lamentation”.
Oddly enough…Sisters of Mercy, 1959.