# Your favorite a capella music **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 22, 2008, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-a-capella-music/460898 "2008-08-22T03:57:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![unstrung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/a698b9/32.png) [@unstrung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/unstrung)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2008, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-a-capella-music/460898/1 "2008-08-22T03:57:32Z")
As much as I dig the “favorite instrumental music” thread, I thought I’d take things in the complete opposite direction, and get a sense of everybody’s favorite songs containing nuthin’ but voices. Here’s some of my faves, just to start: -“Andy Always Dreamed of Wrestling” by The Bobs -“Hey You” (originally by Pink Floyd) as performed by The Tufts Beelzebubs -“Who are You” (originally by The Who) as performed by the Ex Boyfriends -“Less” by The Acapelicans -“It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday” by Boyz II Men (this is my “make fun of me if you want, but i love it” entry") ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2008, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-a-capella-music/460898/2 "2008-08-22T04:25:57Z")
Pretty much anything by [Mystere du Voix Bulgare](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZ4LCejQg8o) or the Trio Bulgarka. We managed to see the choir at a Bulgarian church here in Chicago (St John of Rigla), and got there early enough to get front row center. It was an astounding experience, 30 or so of the most talented singers I’ve ever heard, arranged in a semi-circle not more than 15’ from me. My whole body resonated in sympathy and I had tears in my eyes at several points. Concentrated beauty. Todd Rundgren’s album “A capella” and subsequent 17 voice choir tour. Not able to find any long examples of the full choir, but [here is “Honest Work” with Todd and two other singers](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuCOXtDfmBM), and a [feature about the album](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTfGOBlPyy0). Another very fun album is Petra Haden’s full-length a capella cover of “The Who Sell Out” album. [Here’s a YouTube clip of a performance](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNFoNBz9Dbs) of “I Can See For Miles”. ---
**Author:** ![Hail\_Ants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2008, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-a-capella-music/460898/3 "2008-08-22T07:15:07Z")
Being a fan of mostly mainstream rock I’m not big on a capella in general, but **Yes** did an a capella version of their song _Leave It_ which I loved so much I can’t help but hate the version w/ music! ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2008, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-a-capella-music/460898/4 "2008-08-22T07:20:54Z")
The Belgian trio Lais. Three young women singing folk songs. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2008, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-a-capella-music/460898/5 "2008-08-22T07:56:46Z")
Marvin Gaye - I Heard It Through The Grapevine [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/87FjkqtK67o/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCOADEOgC8quKqQMa8AEB-AG-AoAC8AGKAgwIABABGEogSChZMA8=&rs=AOn4CLDtsmp4vjQ0uWZ-PtcJMSvRwBz-Lw "Marvin Gaye - I Heard It Through The Grapevine (A capella)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87FjkqtK67o) ---
**Author:** ![Pixilated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/aeb1de/32.png) [@Pixilated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pixilated)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2008, 10:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-a-capella-music/460898/6 "2008-08-22T10:03:30Z")
The Bonny Light Horseman - Cherish the Ladies. I tear up every time ---
**Author:** ![Rico](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rico/32/3582_2.png) [@Rico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rico)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2008, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-a-capella-music/460898/7 "2008-08-22T11:10:33Z")
I’ve always had a soft spot for [The Nylons](http://www.thenylons.com/) - and just had the opportunity last May of seeing them in concert. The boys put on a great show! It’s all vocals and percussion. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2008, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-a-capella-music/460898/8 "2008-08-22T11:14:14Z")
The first one that popped into my brain was [The Monkees Riu Chiu](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIYIhUsamj0) ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2008, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-a-capella-music/460898/9 "2008-08-22T11:36:43Z")
[Leva’s Polka](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjvVBCNcL_A) Beware earworm Billy Joel - The Longest Time The Flying Pickets [Only You](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgDKtLPp46s) ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2008, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-a-capella-music/460898/10 "2008-08-22T12:42:08Z")
[QUOTE=Maastricht] The Belgian trio Lais. Three young women singing folk songs. [/QUOTE] [Here](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCj3HqL-rK8&feature=related) [are](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jTJPizpCRY&feature=related) two songs. Both are with instruments, but Lais also has many terrific a-cappella songs. I just couldn’t find them on YouTube. 🙂 Another wonderful Belgian a-cappella group, is [Zap Mamma.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlI8Ph_ncPw) Five women, most from African descent, with wonderful voices. They make a minimum use of instruments; most special effects, bass sounds, etcetera, are done by the women’s voices. ---
**Author:** ![pantheon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/6bbea6/32.png) [@pantheon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pantheon)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2008, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-a-capella-music/460898/11 "2008-08-22T12:49:18Z")
Several of the above, plus: [Loud Voices Behind the Wall](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPvFNboEEdo), Tracy Chapman (this one will tear you up if you’ve ever been, or had a loved one be, a victim of domestic violence) And ummm…I apologize for the dichotomy, but (audio is NSFW!!!) UC Berkely’s DeCadence’s songs crack me up, especially [Bitches Aint Shit](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjNNxnKVEpQ) Some Gregorian chanting and masses, etc. are incredibly spiritual and beautiful to this atheist. Bobby McFerrin’s Don’t Worry, Be Happy before it got driven in to the ground. And if you’ve never been exposed to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, youtube them…they’re incredible (other 30-something+ dopers will remember them from Paul Simon’s Graceland album.) ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2008, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-a-capella-music/460898/12 "2008-08-22T12:51:03Z")
_[Uncorrected Personality Traits](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHlEroy7gkM)_ by **Robyn Hitchcock & the Egyptians** ---
**Author:** ![pantheon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/6bbea6/32.png) [@pantheon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pantheon)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2008, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-a-capella-music/460898/13 "2008-08-22T13:09:39Z")
and of course…The _Tone_ Rangers! [come, come on the kickdrum, come!] (sorry) ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2008, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-a-capella-music/460898/14 "2008-08-22T14:57:10Z")
Bobby McFerrin, anyone? I can’t even pick a favorite. His whole discography is amazing. But if you twist my arm, I’ll just suggest that you listen to the album _Simple Pleasures_. ---
**Author:** ![Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazle_Weatherfield)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2008, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-a-capella-music/460898/15 "2008-08-22T15:06:20Z")
[QUOTE=Hail Ants] Being a fan of mostly mainstream rock I’m not big on a capella in general, but **Yes** did an a capella version of their song _Leave It_ which I loved so much I can’t help but hate the version w/ music! [/QUOTE] Absolutely! ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2008, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-a-capella-music/460898/16 "2008-08-22T15:07:55Z")
I’ll go ahead and mention [Finite Simple Group (of Order Two)](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTby_e4-Rhg) by the Klein Four Group. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2008, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-a-capella-music/460898/17 "2008-08-22T18:09:05Z")
**Zombie Jamboree** by Rockapella. Appologies for any spelling errors. ---
**Author:** ![jharvey963](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/54ee81/32.png) [@jharvey963](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jharvey963)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2008, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-a-capella-music/460898/18 "2008-08-22T21:54:48Z")
I’ve always loved “My Shoes” by[The Bobs](http://www.bobs.com). It has a very “marshall” rhythm to it, but once I hear it (or think of it) it plays in my head for hours. J. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2008, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-a-capella-music/460898/19 "2008-08-22T22:08:16Z")
[QUOTE=MsWhatsit] I’ll go ahead and mention [Finite Simple Group (of Order Two)](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTby_e4-Rhg) by the Klein Four Group. [/QUOTE] Why not three? /Ducks and runs. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2008, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-a-capella-music/460898/20 "2008-08-22T22:15:42Z")
The beginning of \*\*[Vessels\*\*](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwYFxCnc9fg&feature=related) by Philip Glass (from _Koyaanisqatsi_) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-a-capella-music/460898.md?page=2)