What's new
By:
Filters
Drummerworld Forum

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Playing Songs you Can't Stand

Drumolator said:
At church I have to play many songs that I do not like. The pastor knows this. But I try to play them as good as I can. That is why I started a band called The Praise Guys, so I can play the songs I like. Peace and goodwill.
Click to expand...
My situation exactly. Yep, serve the song to the best of my ability for the people's sake. (y)
 
I can't stand certain 80s rock songs from bands like AC/DC or KISS. The "Tommy Lee" type stuff. Those parts are kinda clunky and boring to me. (one exception is Detroit Rock City, which is fun to play)

Every time we play Highway To Hell..... I just grin and bear it.
 
I've always had the luxury of not playing in someone else's band or project, but my own, so never had to play material I can't stand.
One exception was playing some Brian Adams crap on bass at my singer's wedding.

Edit: I had to look it up; it was "have you ever really loved a woman"
 
I was pleasantly surprised to experience that a song I generally have always loathed, "Pour Some Sugar On Me"- to this day, I'll lunge at the radio to change the station- is considerably more fun to play than to hear. 🤷‍♂️ 😁 So yeah, find something redeeming in them, or a facet that you do well and shine with it.
 
timmdrum said:
I was pleasantly surprised to experience that a song I generally have always loathed, "Pour Some Sugar On Me"- to this day, I'll lunge at the radio to change the station- is considerably more fun to play than to hear. 🤷‍♂️ 😁 So yeah, find something redeeming in them, or a facet that you do well and shine with it.
Click to expand...
I never “got” AC/DC until I played their songs with a band. Then, something clicked. I still don’t like to listen to them, but I’ll play their songs without complaint.

I try to find the joy in EVERYTHING I play. There is also something to be said about the musicians you surround yourself with, too. I could play Billie Jean for an hour straight, if the band is happening.
 
Playing songs we can’t stand is just part of the job in my duo outfit. I’d say between me and my duo guy, there are probably 10 per night that one or the other (or both) of us loathe. We average 10-12 gigs per month, so the number of songs we can’t stand to play is significant.

Like others have posted, I make the best of it and try to work on some aspect of my playing (self-mixing, cross-stick sound, etc…) during those songs. I also always remind myself that it won’t be me cleaning the restrooms at the venue after closing time, and I don’t have to get up early the next day to go work a job I hate. A little perspective goes a long way in these situations, and makes Peaceful Easy Feeling a lot easier to digest in the moment.
 
Playing songs you don’t like is part of the job.

Yes the learning phase can be a drag but on a gig just focus on someone in the audience enjoying any of the songs in question to give you some perspective, as it’s about their enjoyment really.
 
Used to be a thing in the 90s (songs in the song list you don't like)
I'm so far from it it never happens anymore..
is like something from 1994
 
Last edited:
I hate Sweet Child o' mine
 
even the Sammy Davis Jr. version?
 
Last edited:
Most songs I play in my band are songs I would never listen to. Mostly disco or FM pop rock.
I’m a prog guy, mostly listen to dream theater, transatlantic or Porcupine tree, or metal stuff.

BUT, as long as I’m behind my drum kit, playing well with people I like, as long as the public is pleased, I’m Happy 😊 !
 
DrummerCA35 said:
And songs I cannot STAND...that are an *ordeal* to get through...these are the worst two for me

Pump it Up (Elvis Costello)....I HATE this
Save it for Later (Yeah I KNOW this is early MTV...but it's so boring and monotonous...)

Those are the worst two for me...and I've really tried...I've looked at drum covers on YouTube, just trying to find some kind of way to tolerate these two...I can't stand either one...the worst of the two being Save it for Later....even the chord progression is monotonous....
Click to expand...
Why play them, then? I mean life is too short to play stuff you hate. Unless of course, you are a hired gun. My band? We play what we like. If someone doesn't like something, it doesn't stay on our list like penance.
Mike B
 
DrummerCA35 said:
does anyone have ANY tips on how to get through as song they cannot stand playing?
Click to expand...
About "how to play songs that I don't like", I believe that people that do that have a further goal behind, such as money, friendship, simple practice, or whatever it is.
So to me it seems you have to find a goal that makes it worth going through such inconvenience.

Now, personally, I don't play music that I don't like and above all with musicians that I don't like, and that despite being a professional musician, since my main goal is to play what I think is good music with good musicians, so doing the opposite would go against my objective and principles.

But I have a question TO YOU about the songs that you like and those that you don't, in essence there is not really stylistic difference between them to me, it seems strange (and not at the same time), it´s all rock/pop back beat music, many times very similar and/or same tempo... basically you have to play the same thing in all of them.

Your examples of LIKE/DISLIKE:
LIKE 1)

DON´T LIKE 2)

Are you sure they are too different?

P.S.:

To me something different would be (I´m trying to restrict myself to music with singers):

A . Med Up Jazz:


B . Mostly 3/4 Fusion


C . Up Tempo Samba


ETC. x 1000, the list and styles would be endless!
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top