Songs so difficult that they should only be done once

[Ivan Seeking]

This thread is not intended for your favorite songs, or the best songs, rather it is intended for those songs that are so difficult to sing that most performers should not attempt them. While I'm sure that many classical works can be cited, it is often true that simple but beautiful songs are very diificult to perform; best avoided by most performers. Here is one of my favorite examples:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Go9aks4aujM

 

[Danger]

Your national anthem comes immediately to mind.
This isn't one of my typical pokes at Yanks; it's a seriously difficult song to master.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Your national anthem comes immediately to mind.
This isn't one of my typical pokes at Yanks; it's a seriously difficult song to master.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FhndWwWt8I

 

[Borek]

You mean

7MIr-S6mwFk[/youtube] but that's version sung by Canuc.

 

[Danger]

but that's version sung by Canuc.

And even better in that show was his complementing Her Majesty for having a nice beaver...

 

[conway]

Yes, I agree about the Roberta Flack song. I've tried to sing it and can't pull it off at all, even though it's generally in what I would consider my territory.

Another song that has given me trouble was Unchained Melody. I only tried it once (at Karaoke) and more or less butchered it.

I also remember having trouble pulling off "Que Sera Sera" but that might have been because I stumbled on the line "When I was just a little girl..."

 

[rootX]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnXNt4fJqj4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekpfBF3CVuo
I liked Roberta one.

 

[Stratosphere]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=<object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/irp8CNj9qBI&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/irp8CNj9qBI&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object>

They did 120 vocal tracks all layered together for the harmonys and what not.

If I'm not mistaken I think when it came time to play this song in concert they would just play the video.

 

[Jimmy Snyder]

I also remember having trouble pulling off "Que Sera Sera" but that might have been because I stumbled on the line "When I was just a little girl..."

Try "I Enjoy Being a Girl" by Rogers and Hammerstein.

 

[GeorginaS]

Those are both great renditions, rootx.

And yes, Stratosphere, I think that everyone ought to just leave Bohemian Rhapsody alone.

 

[zoobyshoe]

...rather it is intended for those songs that are so difficult to sing that most performers should not attempt them. While I'm sure that many classical works can be cited, it is often true that simple but beautiful songs are very diificult to perform; best avoided by most performers...

I think "difficult" in the context of singing songs needs to be clarified by splitting it into two different issues.

Some songs are extremely difficult for technical reasons, for example because of the vocal range they require, so that only someone totally comfortable in that range should sing them. This allows for many different (more than once) performances, but greatly restricts who ought to undertake the challenge.

Other songs, which are not necessarily difficult technically, have become popular via such sensitive, energetic, vervy, inspired, or otherwise remarkable performances that no one else should really "be allowed" to sing them because they just can't equal or top the personality and "soul" individual to the performer that made the song popular.

The performer that made them famous has seriously raised the bar on people's perception of how deep and rich a performance constitutes a proper one despite the fact a large percentage of singers might be able to give a performance that would be perceived as very successful in the absence of the famous version. It's not difficult to sing the song, it's difficult to top the performance that made the song famous.

 

[Chi Meson]

This thread is not intended for your favorite songs, or the best songs, rather it is intended for those songs that are so difficult to sing that most performers should not attempt them. While I'm sure that many classical works can be cited, it is often true that simple but beautiful songs are very diificult to perform; best avoided by most performers. Here is one of my favorite examples:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Go9aks4aujM

I think I understand what you mean. Here's a song that should never be done again:

 

[conway]

I think "difficult" in the context of singing songs needs to be clarified by splitting it into two different issues.

Some songs are extremely difficult for technical reasons, for example because of the vocal range they require, so that only someone totally comfortable in that range should sing them. This allows for many different (more than once) performances, but greatly restricts who ought to undertake the challenge.

Other songs, which are not necessarily difficult technically, have become popular via such sensitive, energetic, vervy, inspired, or otherwise remarkable performances that no one else should really "be allowed" to sing them because they just can't equal or top the personality and "soul" individual to the performer that made the song popular.

The performer that made them famous has seriously raised the bar on people's perception of how deep and rich a performance constitutes a proper one despite the fact a large percentage of singers might be able to give a performance that would be perceived as very successful in the absence of the famous version. It's not difficult to sing the song, it's difficult to top the performance that made the song famous.

Yes, you are quite right; although I thought the point was made well by Ivan Seeking in his original post. He's not looking for songs that are technically difficult like Bohemian Rhapsody, and he definitely struck a chord with me by way of his Roberta Flack example.

I find some of the Stevie Wonder repertoire to be difficult in the second way: Ma Cherie Amor and Sunshine of my Life come to mind. On another note, Kenny Rogers had a great repertoire, full of songs that are eminently singable: but to be safe, everyone else should just step back and leave Coward of the County to Kenny alone.

 

[zoobyshoe]

I find some of the Stevie Wonder repertoire to be difficult in the second way: Ma Cherie Amor and Sunshine of my Life come to mind. On another note, Kenny Rogers had a great repertoire, full of songs that are eminently singable: but to be safe, everyone else should just step back and leave Coward of the County to Kenny alone.

I'm not a Rogers fan, but I almost mentioned Stevie Wonder's collected output as something no one else should ever try to sing.

 

[MotoH]

Robert John- Sad Eyes.
embed fail, pleasehlpthx
its my ring back tone XD lol

 

[conway]

It's fun to try and think of songs in this category. Gilbert O'sullivan probably said it once and for all when he recorded "Alone Again Naturally". "A Child was Born Just the Other Day" is another one that was done right the very first time and probably not again. Finally,
the world probably does not need a cover version of Pink Floyd's "Teacher, Leave them kids alone!"

 

[jobyts]

"Wonderful world". Nobody comes even close to Armstrong.

 

[mugaliens]

It's a few years in the future, but you're kids are going to love this one, particular after about 4:15:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/4MR6D7tL38U&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4MR6D7tL38U&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

Yes, obviously a voice synth.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

I think I understand what you mean. Here's a song that should never be done again:

Not quite what I had in mind. That is difficult to hear, not difficult to perform.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

He's not looking for songs that are technically difficult like Bohemian Rhapsody, and he definitely struck a chord with me by way of his Roberta Flack example.

Not to exclude songs that are technically difficult, but there are also plenty of relatively simple songs [technically] that are amazingly difficult. With The First Time, I tend to think the ability to carry a single note is part of the challenge. Performers learn techniques that mask the limits of their abilities. Those techniques can also detract from the richness, depth, and beauty of a song. When Roberta sings First Time, there are no technical compromises made to mask her limits. Very few performers can do this and get away with it.

 

[Borek]

I wonder what you think.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

It is often interesting and disappointing to hear aging performers do the songs that made them famous. One tough song that is seriously compromised even by the original peformer, is Benny and the Jets. Elton hasn't been able to hit those high notes for decades now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0WCQadt864

 

[Ivan Seeking]

I wonder what you think.

He definitely hits some high notes in there. I wouldn't even try to sing that one the shower!

I wish I understood the words. Wasn't that guy with The Doors?

 

[Borek]

He definitely hits some high notes in there. I wouldn't even try to sing that one the shower!

I wish I understood the words. Wasn't that guy with The Doors?

It goes something like

strange is this world
for many years
people despise people
but there are more people of good will
and I strongly believe
this world will not fall down thanks to them

This is a cult song here, and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Czesław_Niemen - while disliked by many (and nicknamed howler) - was for sure an interesting and difficult to classify artist. Few of my favorites: fzaCOFlcErw, HPHfbZcNl6U, i-7NVnLLeRw and ePNUSmH3dMI.

Edit: googled this version of lyrics:

Strange is this world
where still there is so much evil
and it is strange that for so many years
man has had so much contempt for one another
Strange is this world of human affairs
sometimes one is ashamed to admit it
but it happens often that somebody
with a bad word kills like with a knife
But there are more people with good intentions
and I strongly believe in that this world
won't perish thanks to them
it is the highest time
we destroy hatred in ourselves

Could be that's the version he recorded in English.

 

[sylas]

Dunno how people will react to this... but many of the Abba songs are difficult. To give an example... "I have a Dream". It may not be up with most difficult, but for most underestimated Abba have some good contenders.

 

[conway]

Yes, Abba songs are hard to sing. It's hard to put yourself inside their heads and pull off that cheerful attitude thing of theirs in a believable way.

 

[Borek]

It is often interesting and disappointing to hear aging performers do the songs that made them famous.

Especially when they forget lyrics they wrote by themselves. It happened to one of Polish singers when he sung one of my favorite songs. Jerk with brain dissolved in a booze How dared he.

 

[leroyjenkens]

It's a few years in the future, but you're kids are going to love this one, particular after about 4:15:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/4MR6D7tL38U&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4MR6D7tL38U&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

Yes, obviously a voice synth.

I don't know, this woman does a pretty good job with it. It's not perfect, but I think it's pretty good.

 

[Hurkyl]

I don't know, this woman does a pretty good job with it. It's not perfect, but I think it's pretty good.

A lot of synthesized sounds lose quality at very high pitches -- in the recording posted by mugaliens, you can hear the artifacts in the highest notes. There are some points after that in lower notes when it sounds like a synth too -- possibly because the slurs are done with pitch bend, and it doesn't sound like a natural voice.

edit: the original may have been actual voice digitally modified to sound artificial, rather than synthesized

 

[Ivan Seeking]

I don't know, this woman does a pretty good job with it. It's not perfect, but I think it's pretty good.

That really is amazing stuff. The woman in your link does a beautiful job but I just can't seem to tap my foot to the rhythm.

Forum secret: Evo loves accordion music - "Nothing gets your toe tapping like an accordion."

 

[turbo]

Forum secret: Evo loves accordion music - "Nothing gets your toe tapping like an accordion."

And chocolate-covered raisins. Send her a box today.

 

[Dembadon]

I know some fairly talented singers, and I think they'd all agree that this one is best left to Whitney.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HGC003Xz3CY&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/HGC003Xz3CY&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

 

[rootX]

I know some fairly talented singers, and I think they'd all agree that this one is best left to Whitney.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HGC003Xz3CY&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/HGC003Xz3CY&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

That's one of my favorite songs.

 

[Ben Niehoff]

A lot of synthesized sounds lose quality at very high pitches -- in the recording posted by mugaliens, you can hear the artifacts in the highest notes. There are some points after that in lower notes when it sounds like a synth too -- possibly because the slurs are done with pitch bend, and it doesn't sound like a natural voice.

edit: the original may have been actual voice digitally modified to sound artificial, rather than synthesized

I think the original used autotune in some places...particularly the places where it sounds like a lot of fast, random notes, and the large jumps between registers. But most of that piece is perfectly singable. If my sense of pitch is correct, then there were only three or four notes that were higher than anything in the Queen of the Night's aria (which, granted, few people can sing...but it is singable by unaided human voice, certainly).

 

[Hurkyl]

I think the original used autotune in some places...particularly the places where it sounds like a lot of fast, random notes, and the large jumps between registers. But most of that piece is perfectly singable. If my sense of pitch is correct, then there were only three or four notes that were higher than anything in the Queen of the Night's aria (which, granted, few people can sing...but it is singable by unaided human voice, certainly).

I don't doubt it's within human range -- especially after the other performance linked.

But that particular performance has artifacts and other unnatural aspects to it that make it sound more synthetic than real -- I've not heard those when others sing up there.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Few of my favorites: fzaCOFlcErw, HPHfbZcNl6U, i-7NVnLLeRw and ePNUSmH3dMI.

I'm never going to get comfortable with the Polish language.

 

[rootX]

I cannot tell if this can done again and again but it does seem to be in that category:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CbAjj80NIM

 

[rewebster]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Thls_tMuFkc&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Thls_tMuFkc&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

 

[Ivan Seeking]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIFknAdVvNM

 

[leroyjenkens]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Y68m23x4Nc

 

[conway]

Melanie, absolutely! I would have listed it myself ten times over...EXCEPT...there's a girl I know here in Winnipeg who totally pulled it off a couple of years ago in a coffee house. I guess the exception proves the rule in this case.

 

[rewebster]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/IMIlP4zB0EM&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/IMIlP4zB0EM&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

 

[quinroxanne]

The song "Lovin' you" is one of the most difficult to sing song that I have heard, especially on the last part of the chorus..