This week I am featuring songs from various genres, both to suit your personal preferences but also to encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and try something new. The theme this week, since it’s starting to get warm and school’s out, is a sort of feel-good summer vibe.
All the songs listed will be added to a Spotify playlist here.
Gimme Three Steps – Lynyrd Skynyrd
This song always puts me in a good mood when it comes on the radio (or nowadays, spotify). When I thought about this week’s theme, this one is the first thing that came to mind. The story in the lyrics is comical but also dark, and the music adds to the interesting combination of contrasting feelings. Music-wise, this is a haven of honky tonk guitar riffing and soloing, and bass lines for that matter. The vocal melodies themselves could be guitar riffs or solos.
Return of the Mack – Mark Morrison
Yup, I did it. This song is not only a classic R&B song, but it’s actually got some good musical merit as well. It has good rhythm, the chord structure is simple yet nuanced and doesn’t get stale, and the vocal melodies and harmonies are unique and complex. Definitely worth digging into and taking a closer look. If you want to break this song down let’s go!
La Cumbia del Pescador – Puerto Rico Y Su Combo
This is one of those songs I randomly came across and instantly got stuck on. It’s at the top of my salsa playlist, always has been, and it’s gonna be hard to top. Honestly, some of the vocals and horns aren’t even in tune but the reason I chose this song is the power of the rhythm! Man! If this doesn’t get you moving, you have a problem. Musically it’s super dense, as is most salsa music. The way the rhythms and melodies cross over and call back to each other is great. It makes me wish I was in a salsa group.
September – Earth, Wind & Fire
This one’s for the bass players! I challenge you to learn it! There are variations in the bass lines throughout the song, and it’s a good mini boot camp for funk rhythm. I hear if you play it note-for-note on September 21st, you gain the powers of the elements until the following September. Guitar wise, it’s basically the same riff and a few chord hits. This is a great song if you want to practice playing in the pocket.
Proud Mary – Creedence Clearwater Revival
For some reason, CCR just feels like the perfect warm weather music to me. Also, this is a relatively easy song to learn on both bass and guitar, or ukulele for that matter. If you’re following through my blog about learning ukulele this summer, this is a great song to learn.
Jamming – Bob Marley & The Wailers
Another quintessential summer song. Instant good vibe when you put Bob Marley on. Music-wise, the rhythm is great for getting the feel of upbeat-centric patterns, the bass is good and groovy, and the chord structure is surprisingly complex for reggae. The chord changes are blended in nicely and doesn’t feel busy or messy.
Good Golly Miss Molly – Little Richard
I almost did 2 songs from CCR on this list but I remembered how good the original version of this song is! By the way, if you didn’t know, CCR covers this song and its great in it’s own way. Listen to both. The guitar riff in this song is an absolute classic! I loved this song as a kid, and still do. There aren’t many songs I can say the same about.
J Holguin Music 