Let’s have some fun with this. Yes, lists. Based of course on my personal preferences, although the last 3 at the end are not only my favorites but also illustrate exactly what i’m going for with the new track. However, instead of just a list of 3, which i could and should have done, let’s do an entire top 10.
We’ll start with a song that is actually one of the best of the list. It’s number 10 not because it’s the 10th least best, but because it is SO good it deserves to open the mix:
10. Israel Kamakawiwo’ole: Somewhere Over The Rainbow
Who gives a crap about the original? Some do, i don’t. At all. But when Mr. Kamakawiwo’ole does it…. O. M G. Who can actually sit through and not just…. melt. Cry, stare wistfully out the window… this is one of the greatest falsetto recordings ever. It takes a song i feel nothing for and makes me ACHE… ache.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1bFr2SWP1I]
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9. Curtis Mayfield: ANYTHING, but we’ll pick Pusherman
A group of friends and i used to have an ongoing drinking conversation. You sit at a bar and someone throws out a name, usually musician but it grew to include other mediums. Everyone at the table then shouts out “soul” or “no soul”. occasionally a good drunken debate will occur.
Curtis Mayfield IS soul. He doesn’t HAVE soul… he bloody well IS soul.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCDAfa-NI-M]
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8. Beck: Debra
I LOVE this song. LOVE it. It is SO much fun. And it’s quite funny and wonderfully silly. Beck rules.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwXeCuhEch8]
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7. The Lion Sleeps Tonight
You HAVE to include this song. You just have to. It’s hands down the most famous falsetto songs in popular music and it deserves it. Who doesn’t love this tune? What kind of shmuck you gotta be to not love this?
Although made famous in 1961 by the Tokens it was first written and recorded in 1939 by Solomon Linda and The Evening Birds, a south african group. (for an interesting comparison, their original can be heard here.
We’re going to play The Nylon’s live performance of it. This song is best when done as acapella doo wop as possible.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hi4XmAbA7JU]
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6. Scissor Sisters: Don’t Feel Like Dancing
I could have gone with several Scissor Sister’s tracks. They are super fun, super awesome, super catchy, and their retro feel means that we can give a nod to the disco groups from the 70s who used heaps of falsetto (the Bee Gees are the most well known). But the fact is i’d rather listen to Scissor Sisters than old 70s disco (although give me a bunch of alcohol and what not in a club and i’ll dance to old 70s disco just fine) so here they are:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4H5I6y1Qvz0]
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5. Prince: Kiss
Kiss is one of the most iconic falsetto songs out there. Finding a Prince video to use is near impossible as Prince is obsessed with not having anything of his on YouTube. However, a TV appearance of this song is already out in the public domain, so here it is:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8E-Emy1n6w]
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4. Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons: Walk Like A Man
With the Big 3 approaching this last slot would have gone to a number of singers and bands (like Miko or Sparks), except it is simply a crime against humanity to have a conversation about great falsetto songs and not mention the group that defined the entire concept for decades: The Four Seasons. Frankie Valli’s falsetto is unparalleled, truly. They reigned over 50s doo-wop and with all the other falsettos trying to compete for his title, Frankie leaves them all in the dust.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tWvYaiOmRs]
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The Big 3.
Now we get serious. This is what i’ve been talking about. Falsetto used to achieve an otherworldly-ness. Beyond gender, beyond the base, beyond animal and material…. transcendent:
3. Sigur Ros. EVERYTHING. But we’ll go with Svefn-G-Englar.
Sigur Ros is one of the my all time favorite bands. The beauty of their music is beyond words.
This award winning video by the band and film maker Agust Jacobsson features a troupe of people with Down’s Syndrome performing to the song.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xow2gnVTUjs]
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2. Bon Iver: Stacks.
I don’t know if i can listen to this song without crying. i don’t know if i’ve ever attempted to. I’m not about to start now. It’s that beautiful. It stops me dead in my tracks and brings me to my knees.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePatJIwB-sI]
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1. Jeff Buckley: Corpus Christi Carol
I mean… Jeff Buckley. Do i need to say anything more?
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bur7xRt_C0]
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Rory Dodd!
Rory Dodd!
a great sound of music i feel….
a great sound of music i feel….
awsome…..im cry because the fallsetto is really amazing…
awsome…..im cry because the fallsetto is really amazing…
That’s a kick in the balls.
That’s a kick in the balls.
The best are Ron Banks of The Dramatics, Kenny Loggins,and Curtis Mayfield.
The best are Ron Banks of The Dramatics, Kenny Loggins,and Curtis Mayfield.
The ‘somewhere over the rainbow’ one is not falsetto. Its high mid-range.
The ‘somewhere over the rainbow’ one is not falsetto. Its high mid-range.
it is so suprizing to me to think about all the great doo wop groups that faded out , they certanly could have sung there piecies in 4 part harmony disco style.
shamefuly the hacks of rock and squeakers prevailed and destroyed beauitful disco.
you know the no vocal ability singers who made ugly disco noise.vs the cruners and harmonizers .
it is so suprizing to me to think about all the great doo wop groups that faded out , they certanly could have sung there piecies in 4 part harmony disco style.
shamefuly the hacks of rock and squeakers prevailed and destroyed beauitful disco.
you know the no vocal ability singers who made ugly disco noise.vs the cruners and harmonizers .
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are designed to help the body do what it naturally does,
solely somewhat faster. The thermogenic and stimulants from Adiphene will help your
body to burn the energy which are consumed throughout meals.
This basically suggests that you will be able to eat anything that you
want without the worry of gaining weight. These substances
are designed to help the body do what it naturally does,
solely somewhat faster. The thermogenic and stimulants from Adiphene will help your
body to burn the energy which are consumed throughout meals.
No Michael Jackson , No Beach Boys and most important , NO Barry Gibb ? , I don’t think that anyone has a famous falsetto than Barry.
No Michael Jackson , No Beach Boys and most important , NO Barry Gibb ? , I don’t think that anyone has a famous falsetto than Barry.
No Barry Gibb and his brothers. Loser list.
Hi Mo , do you know Jackie Jackson? Micheal Jackson’s brother! You should hear Jackie with a falseto, super.The Gibb brother also has it but I don’t think they can hold it like Skip Mahoaney.
No Barry Gibb and his brothers. Loser list.
Hi Mo , do you know Jackie Jackson? Micheal Jackson’s brother! You should hear Jackie with a falseto, super.The Gibb brother also has it but I don’t think they can hold it like Skip Mahoaney.
hey dmorgan,thanks for your reply,Skip Mahoaney & the Casuals,very nice.i liked your list, its nice to here from someone with the same appreciation for talent and ability that i have,its definately a thing of the past,i’m sorry to say.Back then those guys were true Artists !!!
Hi Chris , do you perhaps know Matt Covington? The lead singer of ” Philly Devotions ” This is one cd that you need to get if you not already have it, Group and solo. What a calming voice to listen to.As you say…… we have the same appreciation so I think you’ll luv this one.
hey dmorgan,thanks for your reply,Skip Mahoaney & the Casuals,very nice.i liked your list, its nice to here from someone with the same appreciation for talent and ability that i have,its definately a thing of the past,i’m sorry to say.Back then those guys were true Artists !!!
Hi Chris , do you perhaps know Matt Covington? The lead singer of ” Philly Devotions ” This is one cd that you need to get if you not already have it, Group and solo. What a calming voice to listen to.As you say…… we have the same appreciation so I think you’ll luv this one.
this list is totally WACK,you would’nt know falsetto if it slapped you in the face. you ever here of Wayne cooper, phillip bailey, or the guy from blue magic,can’t think of his name, but not one of the people on your list can hold a candle to any of these three guys including prince, and i’m a prince fan. Do your homework
Hi Chirs, my homework is defenitly done , yes…. I know Phillip Bailey and Ted ” Wizard” Mill was Blue Magic’s lead singer.The guys I named above surley know how to sing falsetto.Skip Mahoaney & the Casuals is another example.I collect solo and group artist with falsetto voices.:-)
this list is totally WACK,you would’nt know falsetto if it slapped you in the face. you ever here of Wayne cooper, phillip bailey, or the guy from blue magic,can’t think of his name, but not one of the people on your list can hold a candle to any of these three guys including prince, and i’m a prince fan. Do your homework
Hi Chirs, my homework is defenitly done , yes…. I know Phillip Bailey and Ted ” Wizard” Mill was Blue Magic’s lead singer.The guys I named above surley know how to sing falsetto.Skip Mahoaney & the Casuals is another example.I collect solo and group artist with falsetto voices.:-)
DeanRudy
Matt Covington ; Jackie Jackson ; Norman Harris ; Sam Dees ; Billy Griffen ; Keith Barrow ; Enchatntment , to name but a few in the falsetto industry.
dmorgan,you got it rite i forgot about enchantment(gloria,and sunshine)great falsetto
DeanRudy
Matt Covington ; Jackie Jackson ; Norman Harris ; Sam Dees ; Billy Griffen ; Keith Barrow ; Enchatntment , to name but a few in the falsetto industry.
dmorgan,you got it rite i forgot about enchantment(gloria,and sunshine)great falsetto
this is a great list.. i love it!
this is a great list.. i love it!
Chris Martin (Coldplay) singing ‘Fix You’?
Chris Martin (Coldplay) singing ‘Fix You’?
um, the Beach Boys? Brian Wilson in Don’t Worry Baby is probably the greatest falsetto song of all time
um, the Beach Boys? Brian Wilson in Don’t Worry Baby is probably the greatest falsetto song of all time
Where is Brian Wilson!!!!!!!!!!?????????
Where is Brian Wilson!!!!!!!!!!?????????
What about Barry Gibb?
What about Barry Gibb?
Brian Wilson??? wtf..
Brian Wilson??? wtf..
Can I just say that I’m glad someone else remembers the Nylons?
Can I just say that I’m glad someone else remembers the Nylons?
what about Sparks, Russell Mael’s falsetto on tracks such as ‘This Town Aint big Enough for the Both of Us’ is so high only dogs can hear it!
Hi , I have no idea who Russell Mael’s is, did he sung in the 70’s? I just love artist that can sing in a falsetto voice. Many thanks Dean.
what about Sparks, Russell Mael’s falsetto on tracks such as ‘This Town Aint big Enough for the Both of Us’ is so high only dogs can hear it!
Hi , I have no idea who Russell Mael’s is, did he sung in the 70’s? I just love artist that can sing in a falsetto voice. Many thanks Dean.