Vocal songs where the actual hook or chorus is played by an instrument

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by elgreco, Aug 18, 2016.

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  1. Ash76

    Ash76 Wait actually yeah no

    I can't help but think there should be a Talking Heads song which qualifies but I can't think of it
     
    Matthew Tate likes this.
  2. Ash76

    Ash76 Wait actually yeah no

    How about When Doves Cry by Prince?
     
  3. Sevenkims

    Sevenkims Well-Known Member

    Location:
    Austin TX
    I Dont Care Anymore by Phil Collins. A rare case where the drums actually play the hook/riff.
     
  4. Monosterio

    Monosterio Forum Resident

    Location:
    South Florida
    Thin Lizzy--"Emerald"

    verse 1
    instrumental chorus
    verse 2
    instrumental chorus
    soloing
    instrumental chorus

     
  5. Freeman 024

    Freeman 024 Forum Resident

    Location:
    New Jersey
    Fly Robin Fly
     
  6. veon

    veon Forum Resident

    Location:
    United States
    This gets my vote. It’s probably the biggest international, cross-cultural example out there. Seemingly every crowd at every sporting event around the world will chant this hook at one time or another. We Will Rock You is the closest comparison I can think of, but I think it comes in a distant second.
     
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  7. altaeria

    altaeria Forum Resident

    Touch and Go
    by Emerson Lake & Powell
     
  8. William Smart

    William Smart 21st Century Schizoid Man

    Location:
    North Haven, CT
    Hocus Pocus by Focus comes to mind.

    Court Of The Crimson King : King Crimson
     
    Last edited: Jan 2, 2018
  9. bRETT

    bRETT Senior Member

    Location:
    Boston MA
    This comes right to mind. The string part (after "talk to me like lovers do") is effectively the chorus here:

     
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  10. dajokr

    dajokr Classical "Mega" Box Set Collector

    Location:
    Virginia Beach, VA
    “Duncan” by Paul Simon.
     
    Monosterio, Sevenkims and darling like this.
  11. McLover

    McLover Senior Member

    Del Reeves- Girl On The Billboard. The hook is a Telecaster solo.
     
  12. William Bryant

    William Bryant Forum Resident

    Location:
    Nampa, Idaho
    As a sax player myself, every time I hear Baker Street I'm reminded that the sax soloist was paid a one-time union session rate of less than £30 and no residuals or royalties.
     
    Wounded Land likes this.
  13. kaztor

    kaztor Music is the Best

    The Allman Brothers - Whipping Post
     
  14. vwestlife

    vwestlife Forum Resident

    Location:
    New Jersey, USA
    Al Stewart's "Year of the Cat". It's really an instrumental masterpiece with only minor interruptions by vocals -- including what's probably the second best saxophone solo of the 1970s.



    Also, Chicago's "Colour My World". It's mostly an instrumental, with just one short vocal verse.
     
    Last edited: Jan 3, 2018
  15. darling

    darling Senior Member

    Location:
    Philadelphia, PA
    I think this counts:

     
  16. The Panda

    The Panda Forum Mutant

    Location:
    Marple, PA, USA
    The Weight moves from really good to great when that little piano hook before Take a Load Off is there.
     
  17. Hadean75

    Hadean75 Forum Moonlighter

    Poco Tulsa Turnaround

    Mostly an instrumental track, but does have a verse of vocals in it:

     
  18. PooreBoy

    PooreBoy Forum Resident

    Location:
    Lake City, TN
    AC/DC - Down Payment Blues
    Kiss - Cold Gun
     
  19. Hadean75

    Hadean75 Forum Moonlighter

  20. Hadean75

    Hadean75 Forum Moonlighter

  21. Hadean75

    Hadean75 Forum Moonlighter

  22. kaztor

    kaztor Music is the Best

  23. andrewskyDE

    andrewskyDE Island Owner

    Location:
    Europe
    The Rolling Stones - (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
     
  24. kaztor

    kaztor Music is the Best

  25. kaztor

    kaztor Music is the Best

    The main riff is only part of the chorus, imho.
    'I can't GET no..... NONO....NO!.....' is a pretty identifiable hook.
     
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