Backing vocals that make recordings special

Paul McCartney's "Teddy Boy", in the last verse there's a neat-sounding, somewhat haunting backing vocal (not sure if it's Linda or Paul or both) that really makes this song.

Another example of lovely backing vocals are John Lennon in "Lovely Rita", the "aaah-aah-aah" right before Paul goes, "Rita!" and the piano comes in.

And in "If I Needed Someone", the backing vocals are heavenly.

What other tunes can you come up with that have backing vocals that really compliment the song & arrangement? (trying to distinquish here between "harmony" and backing vocals, although the two go hand-in-hand).

 

I can think of a ton of late-'60s Kinks songs that fit this category, thanks to the uncredited contributions of Ray Davies's then-wife, Rasa. (Think "Waterloo Sunset", "Sunny Afternoon")

 

Another one: gospel greats the Dixie Hummingbirds on Paul Simon's "Loves Me Like a Rock".

 

The eerie "Beach Boys From Hell" ahhh's on The Smithereens' "Drown In My Own Tears".

 

I'll toss one in...

Aretha Franklin "Respect". Great performance by Aretha obviously, but pretty fine back-up as well.

 

Harmonies on "Don't Fear the Reaper" by BOC.

 

The countermelody on the last repeat of the chorus to "He Thinks He'll Keep Her" by Mary Chapin Carpenter gives me goose bumps every time.

Mick Jagger on all but the first chorus of "You're So Vain" by Carly Simon.

Another great countermelody is on "Scarborough Fair/Canticle" by Simon & Garfunkel. Paul Simon took a song he had done on The Paul Simon Songbook called "The Side of a Hill" and adapted it for the "canticle" in their version. Magical.

And how many Elvis Presley records just wouldn't be the same without The Jordanaires or his later backing vocalists?

 

Damn it! I was going to say Mick Jagger on "You're So Vain"!

I also love Michael McDonald's work in "Peg." How DOES he hit that note every time?

 

Nice...tough to beat the Jordanaires.

 

The Beach Boys (at least some of them) backing up Chicago on "Wishing You Were Here." Goosebump city!

 

Way back in 1981, I was working at Manhattan Savings Back (at 86th & Third) as a teller. A pretty woman comes up to my window and hands me a passbook with the name Desmond Child on it. "As in Desmond Child & Rouge", I ask. "Yes," she replies, "I'm one of Rouge."

"I bought your album for the hit (Our Love Is Insane) but my favorite song turned out to be Loving Your Love because of the amazing backing vocals."

"I do the backing vocals on that track," she said excitedly.

"Oh, they're great," I say, and I actually had the nerve to demonstrate by singing them to her. To my delight she jumped right in and we sang two lines of the backing vocals together.

Oh, the mindless confidence of the young. Nowadays I'd never have the nerve to sing right to the singer who originated the part.

-BZync

 

I'll throw in Stevie Nicks backing up Lindsey Buckingham on 'Blue Letter'.

 

Hoodoo Gurus' Good Times... great harmonies by The Bangles

 

IMHO , the woman singing the back up on the Climax Blues Band's sond " Using The Power " is So Powerful and Sensual Sounding.... ohh la la lol

 

Anything by Flo & Eddie on a T. Rex album...
Also "Maybe I Know" by Lesley Gore...
Care of Cell 44 by the Zombies

 

Anytime the Beatles sang back up on a song.

 

How about the pseudo Beach Boys harmonies on Pink Floyd's The Wall by Bruce Johnson and Toni Tenille!

 

John Stewart - Gold & Midnight Wind (Stevie Nicks)
Elton John - Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me (some of the Beach Boys and Toni Tenille)
Rick James - Super Freak (Temptations)
Linda Ronstadt - I Never Will Marry (Dolly Parton)

 

Billy Joel - River of dreams

 

I always thought Michael Anthony's background vocals with Van Halen were underrated and really helped define their sound.



Murf

 

Wishing You Were Here by Chicago (from Chicago VII) back up vocals by Carl Wilson, Dennis Wilson & Al Jardine . This song reached the Billboard chart at no. 11 in 1974 while the album reached no. 1.

 

How about John and Paul lending their best falsettos to the Stones' "We Love You" and "Dandelion"? (I don't think they're credited on the latter song, but you can't tell me it ain't them.)

 

The Only Living Boy In New York - Simon & Garfunkel. Gives me goosebumps everytime I hear it.

 

That is an excellent example.